cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raman Spectroscopic Study of the Aging and Nitration of Actinide Processing Anion-Exchange Resins in Concentrated Nitric Acid

Degradation of two types of anion exchange resins, Dowex 11 and Reillex HPQ, from the action of concentrated nitric acid (4 to 12 M) and radiolysis [from depleted uranium as UO2 2+ nitrate species and 239Pu as Pu(IV) nitrate species] was followed as a function of time with Raman vibrational spectroscopy. Elevated temperatures (~ 50 degrees C) were used in the absence of actinide metal loading to simulate longer exposures of the resin to a HNO3 process stream and waste storage conditions. In the absence of actinide loading, only minor changes in the Dowex resin at acid concentrations < 10 M were observed, while at 12 M acid concentration, the emergence of a Raman peak at 1345 cm-1 indicates the addition of nitro functional groups to the resin. Similar studies with the Reillex resin show it to be more resistant to nitric acid attack at all acid concentrations. Incorporation of weakly radioactive depleted uranium as the UO2 2+ nitrate species to the ion-exchange sites of Dowex 11 under differing nitric acid concentrations (6 to 12 M) at room temperature showed no Raman evidence of resin degradation or nitration, even after several hundred days of contact. In contrast, Raman spectra for Dowex 11 in the presence of 239Pu as Pu(IV) nitrate species reveal numerous changes indicating resin alterations, including a new mode at 1345 cm-1 consistent with a Pu(IV)-nitrate catalyzed addition of nitro groups to the resin backbone.
Hypocalcemia and Stridor: An Unusual Presentation of Vitamin D-Deficient Rickets

The differential diagnosis of stridor in the pediatric population is broad and should include hypocalcemia with resultant laryngospasm. We present the case of a breast-fed infant who presented to the pediatric emergency department with profound stridor during the winter months because of hypocalcemia of undiagnosed rickets. The patient responded to intravenous calcium chloride with rapid resolution of symptoms. Emergency physicians should consider obtaining ionized calcium levels in pediatric patients with stridor, especially when standard therapies for more common causes of stridor are ineffective.
A new method for quantifiable and controlled dosage of particulate matter for in vitro studies: the electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS).

Abstract An exposure chamber is described for the quantifiable addition of fine and ultrafine aerosol particulate matter directly to cells and used to demonstrate the in vitro cytotoxicity of fine 1,4-naphthoquinone particles to murine lung epithelial cells. The electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS) operates on the principle of electrostatic precipitation and is shown to deposit fine and ultrafine aerosol particles directly to cells with 100% efficiency for particle diameters in the range of 40–530 nm. This range is not limited by the EPDExS, but rather by the aerosolization method used for this study. Numbers of particles deposited onto the cells are counted with a condensation particle counter, negating any need to calculate or estimate particle exposure. The process of particle introduction, assessed using Trypan blue dye exclusion, had no effect on cell viability. In combination with a differential mobility classifier, the EPDExS can deliver select particle diameters to cells. The ability to control the diameter and number of particles deposited permits in vitro toxicity studies of particulate matter using different particle dosage metrics, i.e., particle number and size, surface area and mass. Finally, because EPDExS introduces particles directly from the aerosol, it can be used to expose cells grown at air/liquid interfaces.
Bean leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and bean pod mottle virus in soybean: biology, ecology, and management

Bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), is a pest of soybean found in many production areas in the United States. The bean leaf beetle larvae feed on soybean root nodules, whereas the adults feed on the above ground parts of soybean such as cotyledon, leaves, and pods. Bean leaf beetle is also a very efficient vector of Bean pod mottle virus, a widespread virus of soybean in the south and southeastern United States with recent expansion into the north central region of the country. This article summarizes bean leaf beetle biology, ecology, and its impact on soybean production in the United States. The management of this insect and Bean pod mottle virus as recommended in the north central states is also presented.
On the separation of fine particles by centrifugation

Abstract An investigation of recovering finely divided mineral particles by centrifugal forces has been carried out. A theoretical analysis of the separation efficiency for various heavy minerals with density ranging between 5 and 19.3 g/cm 3 against silica particles has been made initially. The size range considered in this study was 1–5 microns. The separation efficiency of these heavy minerals from silica was found to show typically a recovery over 95% with 80% purity. A system containing cassiterite and silica particles with 1–5 microns has been chosen as a model system in experiments. The experimental results were in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. Better separations were observed at higher pH's than pH 4 due to better dispersion of these minerals at the higher pH range.
“Rise to life with These”: Salvation and Herrick's Mocking Epigrams

The so-called mocking epigrams of Hesperides tend to be addressed and analyzed as problematic, if they are addressed at all. Some editions omit them entirely, while others, like Alfred Pollard's, n...
Immunochemical studies with prolactin-like fractions of fish pituitaries

Abstract A series of fractions of frozen pituitaries of the carp, Cyprinus carpio L. and the pollack, Pollachius virens L. have been prepared and the methods of extraction given. Immunochemical cross precipitin reactions have been carried out using rabbit antiovine Prolactin and antiovine growth hormone sera to determine the presence or absence of the corresponding hormones in the piscine pituitary fractions. Antipiscine prolactin sera were also obtained in rabbits using partially purified fractions of the pituitaries of the carp (FCa 719-D) and of the pollack (Fp 802-A) as antigens. It was demonstrated that antibody to piscine Prolactin will precipitate with highly purified ovine Prolactin. Using the amount of antigen at antigen-antibody equivalence zone as a point of comparison with earlier preparations, it has been possible to show that in preparation (Fp 878-A) of piscine prolactinn an approximate fivefold step in purification has been achieved. Although preliminary assays of the piscine prolactins by the freshwater survival test in hypophysectomized Fundulus heteroclitus L. indicate that these piscine pituitary fractions may not be biologically active, the precipitin reaction with antiovine Prolactin serum and fish Prolactin as well as the precipitin reaction between antipiscine Prolactin serum and ovine Prolactin suggests that there might be a common structural relationship between the prolactins of phylogenetically widely diverse origins.
Influence of seedpiece spacing and population on yield, internal quality, and economic performance of Atlantic, Superior, and Snowden potato varieties in eastern North Carolina

In recent stand assessment surveys on North Carolina farms, potato plant stands averaged only 67% of target populations. In response to these findings, this study was designed to determine the effects of seed-piece spacing and varying seedpiece populations on yield, internal quality, and economics of three potato varieties commonly grown in North Carolina: Atlantic; Snowden; and Superior. The three varieties responded differently to changes in spacing and population. Atlantic was sensitive to differences in spacing and populations, with reduced yields of grade A tubers as spacing increased above 23 cm. Atlantic was not able to compensate for wide (46 cm) spacing, even when seed-piece populations were high (doubles planted every 46 cm). Yield of B tubers was greater for 15 cm spacing and decreased significantly as spacing was increased. Yield of Superior was affected less by increases in spacing than decreases in population. Superior was able to compensate for wide gaps in spacing if seedpiece populations were high. Superior produced more B tubers at the 15 cm spacing, and less at the 46 cm spacing. Yield of grade A Snowden tubers did not differ with spacing or population; however, there were more B tubers in the 15 cm, 23 cm, and 46 cm (doubles) treatments than the wider spacing treatments. Incidence of hollow heart and heat necrosis increased in Atlantic in treatments that tended to have larger tubers. Economic analyses of data suggest that growers can significantly increase profit/hectare by optimizing spacing and populations with Atlantic and seedpiece populations in Superior.
Differential incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA in cultured skin fibroblasts derived from patients with cystic fibrosis and controls.

Tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation into DNA of the fibroblasts derived from subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their controls was studied with scintillation counting and autoradiography. 3H-TdR incorporation at 24 hours postseeding was significantly less (p 0.1). The cell cycle time and the duration of each phase were studied by a mitotic selection and scintillation counting technique. There was no difference in cell cycle time between CF and control fibroblasts, however, the duration of the synthetic phase was significantly (p<0.005) longer in CF subjects.
Primal-dual simplex method for shooting

Abstract Gomory [R.E. Gomory, Some polyhedra related to combinatorial problems, Linear Algebra and its Applications 2 (1969), 451–558] solved the cyclic group problem by a dynamic programming algorithm. We discuss its complexity and introduce a (fractional) cutting plane algorithm as an alternative algorithm. Each cutting plane is generated by solving a shooting linear programming problem. We implement primal-dual simplex method to solve the shooting linear programming problem. A computational result is given on a Wong-Coppersmith digraph.
On Compton Models of the Isotropic X-Ray Background

Investigation of the compatibility of recent X-ray background energy flux observations with Compton models of the isotropic X-ray background. It is shown that the spectral shape of the X-ray flux arising from Compton scattering of fast electrons on the microwave background radiation, contrary to a recent assertion, is not inconsistent with recent observations of the isotropic X-ray background.
From genome to crop: integration through simulation modeling

Crop models use mathematical equations to simulate growth, development and yield as a function of weather, soil conditions and crop management. Such models integrate scientific knowledge from diverse agronomic disciplines, ranging from plant breeding to soil physics. Most crop models use one or more cultivar-specific parameters to identify differences in performance among cultivars. Until recently, however, there was little relation between cultivar-specific parameters and genotypes. The GeneGro model simulates the impact of seven genes on physiological processes in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), specifying cultivar differences through the presence or absence of the seven genes. The model was based on the bean model BEANGRO. GeneGro has now been incorporated into the cropping system model (CSM), which can simulate growth and development for more than 20 different crops, although the CSM-GeneGro version is currently implemented only for common bean and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Gene-based models can provide a well-structured linkage between functional genomics and crop physiology, especially as more genes are identified and their functions are clarified. Incorporating genetic information strengthens underlying physiological assumptions of the model, improving its utility for research in crop improvement, crop management, global change, and other fields. We first briefly review issues related to development of gene-based models, ranging from modeling approaches to data management. The CSM-GeneGro model is then used to show how specific genes can simulate both yield levels and yield variability for three locations in the USA. The model is also used to examine how single genes can affect crop response to global change. Gene-based modeling approaches could significantly enhance our ability to predict how global change will impact agricultural production, but modelers and physiologists will have to be proactive in accessing information and tools being developed in the plant genomics community.
Effect of DLP projector white channel on perceptual gamut

— The effect of white-channel enhancement as implemented in the Texas Instrument DLP™ digital projector technology is evaluated theoretically using both the CIELAB and the CIECAM02 color appearance models and experimentally through psychophysical testing using real images. Both theory and test results confirm a compression of perceptual gamut in both chroma and colorfulness as a result of the added white channel. Hence, while this technology is ideal for viewing graphics and text under ambient conference-room conditions where lightness contrast is important, it is necessarily less than ideal for viewing images or in home-theater environments where color is important.
Dialogues as teaching tools in the biochemical sciences

Abstract In their senior year, biochemistry majors take “Recent Advances in Biochemistry Related to Societal Issues” in which new advances in biochemical sciences are explored through the reading and presenting of recent articles from the literature. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and interpretation of experimental results and the ethical and societal implications of the work including the significance of the findings to the improvement of life. To fulfill the objectives of the course, a group project was implemented in which the goal was to write a dialogue that explores one area in which advances in biochemical research give rise to ethical and societal considerations. This assignment required the groups to research the topics and then creatively integrate the information into a dialogue format representing different views on the subject. The dialogue was presented to the rest of the class and invited guests in skit format and then a discussion followed. Based upon evaluations, the project was regarded highly by the students. The assignment, group and topic selection, examples of presentations and issues raised during discussions, and results from student and audience evaluations will be discussed.
Frequency limitations of transferred electron devices related to quality of contacts

Abstract Output power, efficiency and negative resistance of transferred electron generators are estimated in the frame of a simple model. The results are used to analyze how the finite contact resistance and the skin-effect set up a limit for the upper frequency of the generation.
Comparative cognitive studies, not folk phylogeny, please

Barresi & Moore (B&M) provide a useful tool for the comparative study of social cognition that could, however, be improved by more subtle analysis of first person information about intentional relations. Knowledge of misrepresentation also needs to be better handled within the theory. I urge skepticism about B&M's sweeping phylogenetic claims.
Ab Initio Density Functional Calculations of Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects for Decomposition of Dimethylnitramine

Ab initio harmonic force fields were computed using the Becke3−Lee−Yang−Parr hybrid density functional with the standard 6-31G* basis set for dimethylnitramine, for dimethylamino radical, and for the transition structure for five-center elimination of HONO from dimethylnitramine. These force fields were used to calculate the primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect for the HONO elimination, and the secondary isotope effect for the N−N bond homolysis of dimethylnitramine. The computed primary effect is kH/kD6 = 4.21, and the computed secondary effect is kH/kD6 = 1.40, both at 240 °C. Comparison with the experimentally observed isotope effect of 1.57 for decomposition of dimethylnitramine-d6 in solution at 240 °C suggests a significant part of the observed effect is due to the secondary effect on N−N bond homolysis. Similar β secondary deuterium isotope effects are expected for the N−NO2 cleavages that initiate the decompositions of the nitramine explosives HMX and RDX.
Part II. A performance evaluation based on the simulation of a natural gas liquefaction process

SPARSCODE was evaluated based on the simulation of natural gas liquefaction using multicomponent refrigerants. Results obtained on four cases containing 179 to 573 equations show a computing time reduction by a factor of 40 to 250 in equation solving and an overall reduction by a factor of 4 to 30 for the simulation.
Two centuries of resuscitation.

For more than 2 centuries, resuscitation has had an intriguing and complicated relationship with the general public. London Middlesex and St. Bartholomew's hospitals purchased their first therapeutic electrical apparatus in 1767 and 1777, respectively [(1)][1]. However, the first report of
Robert Osborne Reid (1921–2009)

Robert Osborne Reid, Distinguished Professor of Oceanography Emeritus at Texas A&M University (TAMU), passed away on 23 January 2009 at age 87. He was a founding member of the TAMU Department of Oceanography in 1951 and remained an active researcher until his death. Teaching and advising students was his passion. During his career, he chaired or cochaired the doctoral advisory committees of some 70 students in the fields of oceanography, meteorology, civil engineering, and physics. Of the 38 M.S. students he advised, 11 are included in the 70 who completed their Ph.D.s with Professor Reid.
Does Social Capital Promote Pro-Environmental Behaviors? Implications for Collaborative Governance

Nations around the globe are increasingly facing tough challenges when dealing with environmental problems. The limited success of government interventions to protect the environment is a testament to the growing concern about government's inability, or insufficient capacity, to address environmental issues. As a response, scholars note that promoting environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) on the part of the citizenry is critical for the growth and development of efficient environmental governance. However, despite the introduction of a variety of measures by governments to encourage greener practices, influencing citizens' behavior remains a major challenge. Using social capital theory, this article examines the effects of various social relation components on the promotion of pro-environmental behavior in five key public policy areas—recycling, food purchasing behavior, gasoline, energy conservation, and water use. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Myeloid Derived Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1-alpha Is Required for Protection against Pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus Infection

Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is the mammalian transcriptional factor that controls metabolism, survival, and innate immunity in response to inflammation and low oxygen. Previous work established that generation of hypoxic microenvironments occurs within the lung during infection with the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Here we demonstrate that A. fumigatus stabilizes HIF1α protein early after pulmonary challenge that is inhibited by treatment of mice with the steroid triamcinolone. Utilizing myeloid deficient HIF1α mice, we observed that HIF1α is required for survival and fungal clearance early following pulmonary challenge with A. fumigatus. Unlike previously reported research with bacterial pathogens, HIF1α deficient neutrophils and macrophages were surprisingly not defective in fungal conidial killing. The increase in susceptibility of the myeloid deficient HIF1α mice to A. fumigatus was in part due to decreased early production of the chemokine CXCL1 (KC) and increased neutrophil apoptosis at the site of infection, resulting in decreased neutrophil numbers in the lung. Addition of recombinant CXCL1 restored neutrophil survival and numbers, murine survival, and fungal clearance. These results suggest that there are unique HIF1α mediated mechanisms employed by the host for protection and defense against fungal pathogen growth and invasion in the lung. Additionally, this work supports the strategy of exploring HIF1α as a therapeutic target in specific immunosuppressed populations with fungal infections.
Modeling and experimental investigation of gas film in micro-electrochemical discharge machining process

Abstract Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a promising machining technology that effectively machines non-conducting and brittle materials, featuring good material removal rate, flexibility, and accuracy of machining. ECDM makes use of the electrochemical discharge phenomenon to trigger the discharging by the gas film surrounding the tool electrode. As the fundamental of electrochemical discharging, gas film is essential to the machining quality and efficiency. However, modeling of gas film in electrochemical reaction is not well established. This paper presents analytical modeling of the gas film, involving bubble growth and departure on electrode, gas film evolution, and electrolysis characteristics. Experiments were carried out to compare models to the actual discharging phenomenon. High speed camera imaging demonstrated the formation of a gas film on the tool electrode. The range of thickness of gas film found in experiments indicated good consistency with the range of film thickness estimated from analytical models. Experiments on critical voltages and currents further revealed the characteristics of the gas film in electrochemical reaction.
Cardiac surgery in infants with very low birth weight.

Congenital heart defects in low birth weight infants are typically managed with supportive therapy or palliative surgery, and definitive repair is delayed. However, the morbidity of such an approach has been shown to be high. Recent reports emphasize early surgical repair with good results in low birth weight and premature babies. However, there are no data on the outcomes in infants with very low birth weight (
Reinterpretation of reduction potential measurements done by linear sweep voltammetry in silicate melts

The equilibrium concentrations of Ni between silicate melt and Pt were determined experimentally as a function of oxygen fugacity. The results demonstrate that metallic species derived in linear sweep voltammetry experiments in silicate melts are diffusing into Pt electrodes and not into the melt, as was concluded by previoius studies. This requires reinterpretation of previous linear sweep voltammetry results and recalculation and correction of reported reduction potentials. This paper reports these corrected reduction potentials. Also reported are the activity coefficients for Ni in synthetic basalt and diopsidic melts and for Co in diopsidic melt.
Efficacy of low-dose spironolactone in subjects with resistant hypertension.

Abstract Background Previous reports have demonstrated the antihypertensive efficacy of high doses of spironolactone in subjects with primary aldosteronism and, to a lesser degree, subjects with resistant hypertension. Methods In current analysis, we examined the antihypertensive benefit of adding low-dose spironolactone to multidrug regimens that included a diuretic and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in subjects with resistant hypertension with and without primary aldosteronism. Subjects referred for resistant hypertension were evaluated with an early morning plasma renin activity, 24-h urinary aldosterone and sodium during a high dietary salt ingestion. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was confirmed with a renin activity 12 μg/24 h and urinary sodium >200 mEq/24 h. After biochemical evaluation, spironolactone (12.5 to 25 mg/d) was added to each subject's antihypertensive regimen. If blood pressure (BP) remained uncontrolled, the dose of spironolactone was titrated up to 50 mg/d. Follow-up BP was determined at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Results A total number of 76 subjects were included in the analysis, 34 of whom had biochemical primary aldosteronism. Low-dose spironolactone was associated with an additional mean decrease in BP of 21 ± 21/10 ± 14 mm Hg at 6 weeks and 25 ± 20/12 ± 12 mm Hg at 6-month follow-up. The BP reduction was similar in subjects with and without primary aldosteronism and was additive to the use of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics. Conclusions We conclude that low-dose spironolactone provides significant additive BP reduction in African American and white subjects with resistant hypertension with and without primary aldosteronism.
A Model for Collision Processes in Gases. I. Small Amplitude Processes in Charged and Neutral One-Component Systems

A kinetic theory approach to collision processes in ionized and neutral gases is presented. This approach is adequate for the unified treatment of the dynamic properties of gases over a continuous range of pressures from the Knudsen limit to the high-pressure limit where the aerodynamic equations are valid. It is also possible to satisfy the correct microscopic boundary conditions. The method consists in altering the collision terms in the Boltzmann equation. The modified collision terms are constructed so that each collision conserves particle number, momentum, and energy; other characteristics such as persistence of velocities and angular dependence may be included. The present article illustrates the technique for a simple model involving the assumption of a collision time independent of velocity; this model is applied to the study of small amplitude oscillations of one-component ionized and neutral gases. The initial value problem for unbounded space is solved by performing a Fourier transformation on the space variables and a Laplace transformation on the time variable. For uncharged gases there results the correct adiabatic limiting law for sound-wave propagation at high pressures and, in addition, one obtains a theory of absorption and dispersion of sound for arbitrary pressures. For ionized gases the difference in the nature of the organization in the low-pressure plasma oscillations and in high-pressure sound-type oscillations is studied. Two important cases are distinguished. If the wavelengths of the oscillations are long compared to either the Debye length or the mean free path, a small change in frequency is obtained as the collision frequency varies from zero to infinity. The accompanying absorption is small; it reaches its maximum value when the collision frequency equals the plasma frequency. The second case refers to waves shorter than both the Debye length and the mean free path; these waves are characterized by a very heavy absorption.
Balancing supply and demand: controls on carbon isotope fractionation in the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela) Younger Dryas to present

Abstract Carbon isotope fractionation associated with photosynthetic carbon fixation ( ɛ p ) is known to be controlled by many factors. Among these factors are the availability and carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), the form of DIC that is taken up (CO 2 vs. HCO 3 − ), whether DIC is taken up via passive diffusion or active uptake, specific growth rates, nutrient availability (e.g. NO 3 , PO 3 , trace nutrients), cell size and geometry, and irradiance. An understanding of the oceanographic controls on these factors and how they influence the final ɛ p signature preserved in organic matter is critical to accurate reconstructions of past environments based on carbon isotope data, including the potential to reconstruct paleo-pCO 2 values. We have investigated the sedimentary record of carbon isotope fractionation in the Cariaco Basin, spanning the past 12.6 14 C ky utilizing both bulk and molecular carbon isotope analyses. Our results indicate that the carbon isotope composition of CaCO 3 is controlled predominantly by the supply of DIC, regardless of variations in primary production. Furthermore, ɛ p remains low and constant throughout the interval of study, despite major variability in primary production and planktonic ecosystem structure, and is in fact lower than would be predicted based on empirical relationships between ɛ p , [CO 2 ] aq , and [PO 4 ] developed for haptophyte algae. These results are consistent with active uptake of bicarbonate, rather than [CO 2 ] aq by haptophyte algae, followed by intracellular carbonic anhydrase-catalyzed conversion of HCO 3 − to CO 2 for cellular utilization.
Control of temperature in thin samples during ion beam analysis

Abstract The ability of ion beam analytical techniques such as proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) to determine elemental content without damaging fragile objects is a key factor in their increasing use in the analysis of art and archaeological objects In this paper, we calculate the expected temperature rise in thin, planar samples with and without radiative, conductive and convective cooling The results show that the primary emphasis must be placed on minimizing energy input to the sample, and that forced convective cooling is by far the most effective method of energy removal in materials such as paper, parchment, and fabrics
Circus Race Scenes in the Early Roman Empire

The chariot race taking place in a circus ambient is one of many subjects that occur in the art of both the pagan and the Christian Roman empire, and that therefore furnish opportunities to study problems of continuity and adaptation in the centuries concerned.1 In particular, circus sarcophagi of the second century are numerous, and their typology and its metamorphosis in the course of the third century have been discussed by G. Rodenwaldt and others. The purpose of this article is to survey the occurrences of the circus race motif in the first and early second century, and to examine the emergence of the second-century sarcophagus typology against the background of circus race representations of the early Empire.
Practicing Math Facts on the Computer

This article deals with classroom application of cognitive psychology. It reviews briefly some of the research related to the development of automaticity for recall of basic math facts, reports on a single-subject research project, and gives teaching suggestions for the development of automaticity. The research project reports on six students in fourth and fifth grade who were presented addition problems on a computer for 5 minutes daily over a period of at least 27 days. Using an ABAB design, all students were exposed to large and small sets of problems. Student response time, measured as initial keystroke latency on the computer, decreased dramatically as did time needed to complete written posttests. An analysis of the effects of practice set size revealed no differences when practice sets contained only 3 new problems out of 10 on a large problem set of 20 problems.
Quantifying the “Neutrality” of Good Solvents for Block Copolymers: Poly(styrene-b-isoprene) in Toluene, Benzene, and THF

19 All solvents, protonated and perdeuterated, were obtained from Aldrich and used without further purification. Solutions were prepared gravimetrically by direct addition of polymer and solvent and contained in SANS cells fashioned from quartz disks as previously described. 14 The concentrations employed in this work were as follows: SI(17-19), ) 0.599 in h-toluene and 0.602 in d-toluene; SI(17-19), ) 0.600 in h-benzene and 0.600 in d-benzene; SI(16-19), ) 0.601 in d-THF and 0.599 in h-THF, where the volume fractions were calculated assuming densities of 1.05, 0.913, 0.867, 0.943, 0.874, 0.950, 0.889, and 0.985 g/mL for PS, PI, h-toluene, d-toluene, h-benzene, d-benzene, h-THF, and d-THF, respectively. Other solutions were prepared and examined, but
Deep drawing of polypropylene sheets under differential heating conditions

Means of improving the deep drawability of thermoplastic sheets were explored by introducing temperature gradients in the deforming material during deep drawing of initially flat sheets. The specific experimental procedure consisted of either limiting the heating to the flange section of the deforming sheet or exposing the entire material to higher temperatures. At the same time, the initial blank size and the clamping force at the flange section were varied systematically. Both polypropylene and polypropylene with 40 percent calcium carbonate in the form of sheet were tested up to 130°C. It is demonstrated that the draw-ability increases markedly with increasing temperature gradient between the flange and punch sections. The results of measured strain distribution in the deformed part indicate that the magnitude of temperature difference between the flange and punch sections determines the relative amount of deep drawing and stretching in the wall of the formed part, which in turn dictates the drawability of the material.
An automated fluorometric procedure for histidine in blood.

Abstract We have adapted the sample procurement procedure of blood spotted on filter paper for use with an automated fluorometric method for histidine which is based on the reaction of the amino acid with O-phthaldialdehyde in alkaline solution. Histidine was eluted from blood spotted on filter paper by an alcoholic diluent, and samples and standards were analyzed at a rate of 40/h with a 1:2 sample-to-wash ratio. The reaction product was stabilized by addition of a phosphoric acid solution and measured in a standard fluorometer. The fluorescence is linear for increasing concentrations of histidine, carry-over is negligible, and reproducibility is excellent. The mean percentage recovery was 92% over a concentration range of 2–40 mg/100 ml histidine added to whole blood. Blood obtained from 130 newborn infants 1–3 days after birth revealed a mean and standard deviation of 3.7 ± 0.9 mg/100 ml. The method is rapid and sensitive, and should be applicable to detection of histidinemia and to studies on other clinical and biological problems in human populations.
ENDOGENOUS BETA IRRADIATION AND TUMOR PRODUCTION IN AN AMPHIPLOID NICOTIANA HYBRID.

A B S T R A C T The amphiploid Nicotiana suaveolens X N. langsdorffii, which is genetically constituted to produce tumors spontaneously late in development, can be induced to form them in the early seedling stage by treatment of the apical meristem with kinetin and indoleacetic acid. Application of H3or C14-labeled plant-growth regulators resulted in most plants and notably with C14-labeled indoleacetic acid in a significant increase in the rate of tumor production over growth-regulator treatment alone. Endogenous radiation alone was shown to be tumefacient since radioactive nucleosides, tritiated water, and C"f-sodium carbonate also enhance tumorization. THIS STUDY, which utilized a Nicotiana interspecific hybrid genetically constituted for tumor production, was designed to compare the effects of plant growth regulators, H3- and C14-labeled growth regulators, and other labeled compounds as sources of endogenous radiation, on the development of tumors at the seedling stage. Quantitative results on the rate of appearance of these early tumors were analyzed in an attempt to add to our understanding of the mechanism of tumor production.
Pair formation in tetrahymena pyriformis, an inducible developmental system.

The process of pair formation by sexual strains of Tetrahymena pyriformis is an inducible pathway interrupting the cellular activities of vegetative growth. A specific series of events leading from vegetatively growing cells to mating pairs is described. The sequence is composed of two separate stages: initiation and co-stimulation. Initiation is the response to certain starvation conditions, is sensitive to tonicity, is independent of mating types, and takes about two hours at 30°C. Co-stimulation is a reaction between already initiated cells of different mating types, requires specific cell-cell interactions, takes about one hour at 30°C, and results in stimulated cells which are able to form pairs. An understanding of the sequence leading to the programmed developmental activities of conjugation makes possible efficient mating techniques and facilitates a search for genetic and physiological constituents of the entire pathway.
Dynamic Analysis and Multivariable Transient Control of the Power-Split Hybrid Powertrain

As an effective approach for improving automobile fuel economy, powertrain hybridization has inspired extensive research efforts on system control and energy optimization. To convert the output of the energy management strategy into actual motion of the engine and the hybrid actuators (motor and generator), the hybrid powertrain controller decides to what extent the optimal operational trajectories of the engine and the hybrid actuators can be realized, so as to achieve the expected fuel efficiency and emissions benefit. To develop a hybrid powertrain controller with higher bandwidth and accuracy, this paper presents the design and experimental validation of a multivariable control framework for the power-split hybrid powertrain, as an improvement over the existing decoupled single-input, single-output (SISO) controller. First, the dynamic analysis characterizes the transient behavior (inverse transient dynamics) of the hybrid powertrain based on its unique physical structure, and reveals the inherent limitations of the SISO hybrid controls on transient engine operation (speed/torque tracking) due to the dynamic interactions among the multiple system variables and the electrical system constraints. Then, to solve this problem and further improve the transient engine operation tracking performance, a multivariable hybrid powertrain controller is designed to dynamically coordinate the engine torque and hybrid torques during transients, so as to flexibly manipulate the transient driving torque of the hybrid vehicle. To validate the proposed control design, a rapid-prototyping hybrid research platform with three-level control architecture is used. Experimental results show the multivariable hybrid powertrain control can produce a faster and balanced engine transient operation, with the moderate electric torque/power usage.
Report on panel discussion on (Re-)Establishing or Increasing Collaborative Links Between Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems

A panel discussion on "(Re-)Establishing or Increasing Collaborative Links Between Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems" was held on August 30, 2007, as a session of the Workshop on Performance Metrics for Intelligent Systems (PerMIS'07), 2007. The panelists were: James Albus, Senior Fellow, Intelligent Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Ella Atkins, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan; Henrik Christensen, KUKA Professor of Robotics in the Computer Science Department and Director of the Center for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Georgia Institute of Technology; Lawrence Reeker, Computer Scientist, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Alex Zalinsky, Director, CSIRO Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and Group Executive, Information and Communication Sciences and Technology. The moderator was Brent Gordon, Computer Scientist, Computer and Information Sciences and Technology Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Finally, audience participation, in the form of comments, opinions, or questions, was also encouraged. The discussion lasted 90 minutes.
The impact of cohesive groups in the trauma recovery context: police spouse survivors and duty-related death.

This paper examines the impact of surviving spouse social interactions on psychological distress following the death of a police officer. It was hypothesized that satisfactory interactions within the police work group would lower distress, and unsatisfactory interactions outside the police environment (justice system, media, community persons) would increase distress. Results indicated that increased quality of interactions with police groups lowered psychological distress scores. Despite increased satisfaction with groups outside of policing, spouse's distress still increased, suggesting that satisfaction with and support by police groups appears to ameliorate distress more effectively than others. These findings suggest that police agencies and personnel may be helpful to surviving spouses after the death of an officer and should formulate policy to provide long term contact and assistance.
Decrease/disappearance of pacemaker stimulus "spikes" due to anasarca: further proof that the mechanism of attenuation of ECG voltage with anasarca is extracardiac in origin.

BACKGROUND Recent work showed that AN leads to a decrement of the potentials of QRS complexes. Although the mechanism has been thought to be extracardiac in origin, and due to a decrease of the electrical impedance of the volume conductor from water overload, more proof on this will be welcome. It is hypothesized that the pacemaker "spikes" (PS) are independent of heart depolarization, and thus their change at the body surface with AN would be reflective of extracardiac influences. This study was designed to explore the impact of anasarca (AN) on the amplitude of PSs, and to further delineate the mechanism of ECG attenuation with AN. METHODS The sum of PS measurements in millimeters in the 6 limb leads (SigmaPS6), and 12 ECG leads (SigmaPS12), and the sum of QRS complexes in the 6 limb leads (SigmaQRS6), and 12 ECG leads (SigmaQRS12) were computed in six patients fitted with a pacemaker (3 with AN and 3 "controls"), and these variables were correlated with weight change. RESULTS Correlation of percentage change in weight and SigmaPS12 was excellent (r = -0.88, P = 0.02), but not for SigmaPS6 (r = -0.73, P = 0.1). Also, the percentage weight correlated well with SigmaQRS6 (r = -0.82, P = 0.046), but not SigmaQRS12 (r = -0.61, P = 0.2). Correlation of percentage change in SigmaQRS6 and SigmaPS6 was excellent (r = 0.91, P = 0.01), but not the percentage change in SigmaQRS12 and SigmaPS12 (r = 0.72, P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS PSs undergo amplitude attenuation in patients developing AN, similar to the one noted in the QRS complexes. Since these changes are independent of the cardiac activation, and are similar in extent to those impacting the QRS complexes, the attenuation of the voltage of the entire ECG curve in AN appears to be extracardiac in origin.
Energy dissipation mechanisms in ductile fracture

Abstract The objective is to investigate energy dissipation mechanisms that operate at different length scales during fracture in ductile materials. A dimensional analysis is performed to identify the sets of dimensionless parameters which contribute to energy dissipation via dislocation-mediated plastic deformation at a crack tip. However, rather than using phenomenological variables such as yield stress and hardening modulus in the analysis, physical variables such as dislocation density, Burgers vector and Peierls stress are used. It is then shown via elementary arguments that the resulting dimensionless parameters can be interpreted in terms of competitions between various energy dissipation mechanisms at different length scales from the crack tip; the energy dissipations mechanisms are cleavage, crack tip dislocation nucleation and also dislocation nucleation from a Frank–Read source. Therefore, the material behavior is classified into three groups. The first two groups are the well-known intrinsic brittle and intrinsic ductile behavior. The third group is designated to be extrinsic ductile behavior for which Frank–Read dislocation nucleation is the initial energy dissipation mechanism. It is shown that a material is predicted to exhibit extrinsic ductility if the dimensionless parameter bρdisl1/2 (b is Burgers vector, ρdisl is dislocation density) is within a certain range defined by other dimensionless parameters, irrespective of the competition between cleavage and crack tip dislocation nucleation. The predictions compare favorably to the documented behavior of a number of different classes of materials.
STIM2 contributes to enhanced store-operated Ca2+ entry in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling are two major causes for elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). An increase in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) is a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction and an important stimulus for PASMC proliferation, which causes pulmonary vascular remodeling. Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE), induced by depletion of stored Ca(2+) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), can increase [Ca(2+)](cyt) in PASMC independent of other means of Ca(2+) entry. Stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins, STIM1 and STIM2, were recently identified as both sensors for store depletion and signaling molecules to open store-operated Ca(2+) channels. We previously reported that SOCE was significantly enhanced in PASMC from IPAH patients compared to PASMC from normotensive control subjects. Enhanced SOCE plays an important role in the pathophysiological changes in PASMC associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, we examine whether the expression level of STIM1 and STIM2 is altered in IPAH-PASMC compared to control PASMC and whether these putative changes in STIM1/2 expression level are responsible for enhanced SOCE and proliferation in IPAH-PASMC. Compared to control PASMC, the protein expression level of STIM2 was significantly increased whereas STIM1 protein expression was not significantly changed. In IPAH-PASMC, siRNA-mediated knockdown of STIM2 decreased SOCE and proliferation, while knockdown of STIM2 in control PASMC had no effect on either SOCE or proliferation. Overexpression of STIM2 in control PASMC failed to enhance SOCE or proliferation. These data indicate that enhanced protein expression of STIM2 is necessary, but not sufficient, for enhanced SOCE and proliferation of IPAH-PASMC.
CONCURRENT ASSESSMENT OF SCHEDULE AND INTENSITY CONTROL ACROSS SUCCESSIVE DISCRIMINATIONS1

Two chinchillas were trained on a series of two-valued auditory intensity discriminations. Lever presses were reinforced when no tone was present and not reinforced in the presence of a four-kiloHertz tone. The intensity of the nonreinforced tone was successively decreased, increasing the difficulty of the discrimination, until differential responding resembled that on a mixed schedule (no-tone-no-tone). Response data were partitioned in such a way as to provide a continuing assessment of the relative amounts of control exerted by the reinforcement schedule and the sound intensity, respectively. Control by reinforcement density was a direct function of discrimination difficulty, whereas the control exerted by intensity was inversely related to difficulty. For these chinchillas, the absolute threshold value obtained at four kiloHertz was about two decibels referenced to 20 microNewtons per meter squared.