cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responses of Cryptofaunal Species Richness and Trophic Potential to Coral Reef Habitat Degradation

Coral reefs are declining worldwide as a result of many anthropogenic disturbances. This trend is alarming because coral reefs are hotspots of marine biodiversity and considered the ‘rainforests of the sea. As in the rainforest, much of the diversity on a coral reef is cryptic, remaining hidden among the cracks and crevices of structural taxa. Although the cryptofauna make up the majority of a reef’s metazoan biodiversity, we know little about their basic ecology or how these communities respond to reef degradation. Emerging research shows that the species richness of the motile cryptofauna is higher among dead (framework) vs. live coral substrates and, surprisingly, increases within successively more eroded reef framework structures, ultimately reaching a maximum in dead coral rubble. Consequently, the paradigm that abundant live coral is the apex of reef diversity needs to be clarified. This provides guarded optimism amidst alarming reports of declines in live coral cover and the impending doom of coral reefs, as motile cryptic biodiversity should persist independent of live coral cover. Granted, the maintenance of this high species richness is contingent on the presence of reef rubble, which will eventually be lost due to physical, chemical, and biological erosion if not replenished by live coral calcification and mortality. The trophic potential of a reef, as inferred from the abundance of cryptic organisms, is highest on live coral. Among dead framework substrates, however, the density of cryptofauna reaches a peak at intermediate levels of degradation. In summary, the response of the motile cryptofauna, and thus a large fraction of the reef’s biodiversity, to reef degradation is more complex and nuanced than currently thought; such that species richness may be less sensitive than overall trophic function.
Singlet oxygen production and fluorescence yields of merocyanine 540: a comparative study in solution and model membrane systems.

Abstract Singlet oxygen and fluorescence quantum yields of merocyanine 540 were measured in solution (methanol, ethanol, n-heptanol) and in model membrane systems (cationic micelles, unilamellar dimyristoyl- and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles). Both singlet oxygen quantum yields and fluorescence quantum yields incr medium: the yield of singlet oxygen production (24°C) goes from 0.002 in methanol to 0.04 in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles, and fluorescence yields (25°C) change from 0.14 to 0.61 in the same media. The data are consistent with previous findings that photoisomerization is in direct competition with intersystem crossing and radiative relaxation. Therefore, a singlet oxygen yield close to the maximum value of 0.11 can only be achieved after both photoisomerization and internal conversion are prevented by a highly viscous environment.
Vesicle recycling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

Publisher Summary Synaptic vesicle membrane proteins are retrieved from presynaptic membrane by endocytosis, and the new synaptic vesicles are reformed at the nerve terminal from retrieved constituents. During endocytosis, specific membrane proteins are sorted into regions of plasma membrane that form invaginated pits; the contents of these pits are internalized as endocytic vesicles after membrane fission at the “neck” of the invagination. New synaptic vesicles are formed from recycled membrane proteins, and neurotransmitter molecules synthesized in the cytoplasm are pumped into the newly formed synaptic vesicles by proton-driven transporters present on the vesicle membrane. Molecules potentially involved in synaptic vesicle recycling are being identified by biochemical and genetic approaches. However, direct involvement of these molecules in reutilization of synaptic vesicle membrane has been demonstrated for only a very few. This chapter discusses contributions made by Drosophila genetics to the current understanding of synaptic vesicle recycling. The chapter also outlines, in the context of tools available at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular synapse, what should be the most promising avenues to pursue in Drosophila to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the endocytic recycling of synaptic vesicles.
The theory of Pinhole images from antiquity to the thirteenth century

The principles underlying the camera obscura were first correctly analyzed by Ibn al-Haitham. In his Perspectiva (i.e., the thirteenth-century Latin translation of his Kitab al-manazir), al-Haitham describes the following observations, which are surely equivalent to what later became known as the camera obscura: The evidence that lights and colors are not intermingled in air or in transparent bodies is that when a number of candles are in one place, [although] in various and distinct positions, and all are opposite an aperture that passes through to a dark place and in the dark place opposite the aperture is a wall or an opaque body, the lights of those candles appear on the [opaque] body or the wall distinctly according to the number of candles; and each of them appears opposite one candle along a [straight] line passing through the aperture. If one candle is covered, only the light opposite [that] one candle is extinguished; and if the cover is removed, the light returns .... Therefore, lights are not intermingled in air, but each of them is extended along straight lines.1 Evidently rays of light passing through a small aperture (regarded as a point by comparison with the other dimensions involved in the experiment) remain distinct and cast a clear image on a screen behind the aperture; if all rays passing through the aperture should be considered, it is evident that the screen receives an inverted and reversed image of the entire scene opposite the aperture. But the case of " point-apertures" is a trivial version of the problem of images formed through an aperture. Since antiquity it had been recognized that even when the dimensions of the aperture are not negligible that is, when the aperture may not be regarded as a point light passing through it, under appropriate conditions, casts an image having the shape of the light source rather than the shape of the aperture. For example, the author of the Pseudo-Aristotelian Probternata calls attention to the anomalous fact that sunlight passing through quadri-
Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in oxy-fuel inverse diffusion flames with online diagnostics

Abstract A novel technique for synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in diffusion flames is presented, as is a diagnostic tool that can provide online information about nanotube size, number density, and purity. An inverse diffusion flame with a high stoichiometric mixture fraction (Zst) is used to produce SWNTs with an average length of 1 μm. The high Zst flame allows nanotubes to be produced in a fuel-rich region that is void of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In addition, by operating as an inverse diffusion flame the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are not exposed to oxygen and thus, can be collected downstream. Consequently, this flame provides a potential approach to large-scale synthesis of pure SWNTs. In addition, a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) is employed as an online diagnostic tool. The DMA can distinguish between excess catalyst particles and CNTs due to the differences in their electrical mobilities. Thus, the presence of CNTs as well as their size, number density, and purity relative to excess catalyst particles can be identified from the size distribution of the aerosol sampled downstream of the flame. This tool allows for rapid identification of the effect of changing process variables on nanotube growth and thus, the production process can be quickly optimized.
Experimental analysis of some factors influencing variation in the flagellar number of Trichomonas hominis from man and other primates and their relationship to nomenclature.

Abstract An intestinal trichomonad from man and monkeys has been studied to determine the number of anterior flagella. Thirteen strains from man and 32 from a number of other primates were examined. Morphological studies and physiological results based on limited observations in culture indicate that in this study the strains are all one species. The characteristic flagellar number appears to be five although there is some variability. About 77% of the organisms had 5 anterior flagella, 17% had 4, 5% had 3, and 1% had flagella numbering less than 3 and more than 5. Five clone cultures were prepared from each strain in media conditioned by previous inoculation with mixed bacteria or with a single bacterial strain identified as Escherichia coli. Although clones prepared by the two methods gave different results in flagellar counts in comparison to the parent cultures, this variation was found to be due to environmental rather than genetic factors. The age of the culture, the variable division rate of the organism, and the bacterial flora of the culture were the most evident “environmental” factors which appeared to affect the percentage of organisms with the characteristic flagellar number. This intestinal trichomonad was identified for the first time from 12 primate species. The strains isolated from monkeys showed identical results to those from man. Trichomonas wenyoni is reported from 4 sources in two species of monkeys for the first time. The variability in the number of anterior flagella in the common intestinal trichomonad of man and other primates is so great that it does not seem feasible to classify it according to this characteristic. It is suggested that the name Trichomonas hominis be retained for this organism in preference to Pentatrichomonas hominis until a more adequate system of classification is adopted.
Do Public Electronic Bulletin Boards Help Create Scientific Knowledge? The Cold Fusion Case

The impact of new technologies on the transformation of information into knowledge is not clear. Especially problematic is the degree to which electronic communication can replace traditional forum...
Progesterone, glucocorticoid and estradiol receptors in MCF-7 cells bind to chromatin

Abstract MCF-7 cells contain progesterone, estradiol and glucocorticoid receptors. Following addition of these hormones to the growth medium of the cells, hormone-receptor complexes were found to sediment with chromatin fragments produced by trace digestion with micrococcal nuclease. The binding in all cases could be competed by excess unlabeled hormone. In each case the fragments with which the hormone-receptor complexes were associated tended to be smaller than the bulk chromatin fragments, indicating a greater sensitivity of those chromatin regions to the nuclease. The mononucleosomes released by more extensive digestion with micrococcal nuclease contained different amounts of each of the three hormone-receptor complexes. Progesterone could usually be detected on mononucleosomes only after very brief sedimentation analyses, whereas glucocorticoid- and estradiol-labeled mononucleosomes were stable during long centrifugations. Comparison of glucocorticoid- and estradiol-labeled mononucleosomes indicated that their sedimentation rates differed from one another and from bulk nucleosomes. Estradiol nucleosomes from MCF-7 cells and rat uterus (Senior and Frankel, 1978) sediment significantly faster than bulk nucleosomes. while glucocorticoid nucleosomes from MCF-7 cells and rat hepatoma cells sediment with, or even fractionally slower than, bulk nucleosomes.
The Management of difficult intubation in children

This article looks at the current techniques and equipment recommended for the management of the difficult intubation scenario in pediatric practice. We discuss the general considerations including preoperative preparation, the preferred anesthetic technique and the use of both rigid laryngoscopic and fiberoptic techniques for intubation. The unanticipated scenario is also discussed.
Rocket exhaust impingement on a ground surface

The impingement of a rocket jet, exhausting into a vacuum, onto a solid surface is examined using the Newtonian approximation to analyse the transonic region. The jet exhaust into an unbounded vacuum required for this analysis is simplified as a quasi-radial flow using an exact calculation as a basis. Two examples are calculated giving the shock detachment distance and the ground pressures as a function of the rocket altitude.
A gene delivery/recall system for neurons which utilizes ribonucleotide reductase-negative herpes simplex viruses

We present data which show that ribonucleotide (RR)-negative herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a useful vector for gene delivery into neuronal cells. For these studies we used hrR3, a genetically engineered HSV-1 mutant which has an in-frame insertion of the bacterial lacZ gene into the HSV gene that encodes the large subunit (ICP6) of RR. After infection of rat primary sympathetic neuronal cultures with hrR3, the ICP6::lacZ chimeric gene was expressed, as shown by blue staining of the cells upon exposure to X-Gal, a chromogenic beta-galactosidase substrate. When the infection was performed in the presence of acyclovir, hrR3 appeared to become "latent"; neither infectious virus nor beta-galactosidase activity was detectable in these neuronal cultures at 3 weeks after the acyclovir was removed. However, beta-galactosidase activity was inducible in the "latent" cultures by superinfection with ICP6 delta (a RR-negative deletion mutant) without resulting in the "reactivation" of hrR3 and without apparent cytopathic effects. In contrast, superinfection with ICP6 delta + 3.1, a virus derived by marker rescue of ICP6 delta, resulted in the expression of lacZ, the release of hrR3 into the culture medium, and cytopathic effects. The introduction of a foreign gene into neuronal cells by a RR-negative herpes simplex virus, and the subsequent induction of gene expression by another noncomplementing virus, may constitute a prototype gene delivery/recall system for neurons.
Physical properties of glass for immobilization of high level radioactive waste

Abstract The physical properties of borosilicate glass make it suitable for the storage and disposal of high-level radioactive wastes. Waste glass has excellent radiation stability. As the result of over 10 years of testing it is known that the physical properties are relatively unaffected by high doses of contained radioactivity. Similar detailed studies have shown that the effects of self-heating in canisters of properly-formulated waste glass are also relatively minor. Glass is only one of a number of potentially satisfactory immobilization forms. It differs from the other forms mainly in that its processing has been developed to the point that a waste glass production plant is now operating in France. Using the known properties of waste glass as a baseline for comparison, important factors in the evaluation of alternate waste forms can be delineated. Among the factors that enter into the evaluation are: ability to deal with changing waste compositions, process complexity, waste loading, canister interactions, thermal stability, radiation stability, transmutation effects, and leachability.
Maintenance of visual cells in vitro

Des fragments de retine et des cellules visuelles isolees de la grenouilleRana pipiens ont ete cultives dans la chambre de Rose. Bien qu'une degenerescence morphologique des segments exterieurs des cellules visuelles ait ete observee pendant la culture, le pouvoir de refraction normal et la presence du pigment visuel ont ete constates dans ces segments, les segments interieurs avec leurs noyaux etant conserves. Mais, l'intensite du pigment visuel a ete plus faible que dans la retine fraiche. Ces resultats montrent que la cellule individuelle du photorecepteur se prete a l'etude physiologiquein vitro.
Viruses isolated from reptiles: identification of three new members of the family Rhabdoviridae

The growth of four viruses isolated from lizards in Brazil (Marco, Chaco, and Timbo viruses) and Australia (Almpiwar virus) was studied in a variety of continuous cell lines of mammalian, reptilian, amphibian, and piscine origin. Although replication was found in certain cell lines derived from the coldblooded species, cytopathic effect (CPE) was absent or minimal and growth was less than or equal to that in mammalian cells. These observations appear to limit the value of poikilothermic cells for primary isolation of viruses from field-collected, coldblooded vertebrates or arthropods that feed upon them. The four reptilian viruses were found to be naturally occurring temperature sensitive agents, with optima for growth of approximately 30° C. Electron microscope studies showed three of the viruses (Marco, Chaco, and Timbo) to be new members of the familyRhabdoviridae. Marco virus particles were conically shaped and resembled bovine ephemeral fever virus, and two lyssaviruses (Kotonkan and Obodhiang). Chaco and Timbo viruses were cylindrical viruses resembling other rhabdoviruses with particle lengths longer than the prototype VSV. No serologic relationships were found in cross complement fixation tests between these viruses, Marco virus, and 34 other rhabdoviruses.
Proposal Pitfalls Plaguing Researchers: Can Technical Communicators Make a Difference?.

The facts bear out that the odds are against most scientific researchers and scholars—especially those just starting out—in their attempts to win funding for their research projects through their grant proposals. In this article, the author takes a close look at some of the proposal-related problems and pitfalls that have historically challenged scholarly grant seekers. The intellectual prowess and specialized training of academics can sometimes be their downfall, when it comes to persuading government agencies and foundations to fund their well conceived, but unconvincingly presented projects. In examining numerous studies, surveys, and insightful articles of experts in the genre of the research grant proposal, it becomes evident that technical communicators could quickly become the best friends of scholars, when the former harness the rhetorical and stylistic skills that are almost instinctive to them, and apply them to writing grant proposals, a task which is all too often a disappointing exercise for ...
Management of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer

A significant number of patients who undergo complete resection of colorectal carcinoma develop pulmonary metastases. Despite advances in systemic chemotherapy, resection of the metastases localized to lungs remains the only mode of curative treatment. Control of primary disease, ability to resect all gross tumor, and adequate cardiorespiratory reserve are significant factors in selecting patients for resection. Hepatic metastases do not appear to influence long-term survival if completely resected. Patients with solitary metastases experienced the best long-term survival, but patients with as many as three pulmonary metastases, either unilateral or bilateral, could undergo resection with a 40% 5-year survival. The number of nodules does not constitute absolute criteria by which to select patients, and the decision must be individualized, given the set of circumstances. Complete surgical resection is critical to achieving long-term survival and is best achieved by a median sternotomy or "clamshell" incision. Resection of the metastases can be more effectively accomplished in most instances by wedge excision than by lobectomy or pneumonectomy, with minimal operative mortality and morbidity.
Pharmacogenomics and reducing the frequency of adverse drug events.

‘Application of pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic information should allow the potential for ADEs to be premanaged in the out-patient setting.’ Drug toxicity and adverse drug events Pharmacogenomics, as applied to medical practice, offers the promise of reduction in adverse drug events (ADEs), enhanced drug efficacy and selection of patients able to respond to specific agents. This editorial will focus on the history and evolving role of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics as it moves from the basic research laboratory into clinical practice to reduce the occurrence of ADEs. In 1994, 2,216,000 patients either reported to the hospital or were in the hospital as a result of ADEs. Of these, 106,000 patients experienced fatal ADEs [1]. In 2000, 2,168,248 toxic events due to all forms of poisons and drugs were reported in the US. Toxin-related events in 2000 affected 8% of the US population. Of these events [2]:
Factors affecting the adsorption of polio virus to magnetite in water and wastewater

Abstract The process of magnetic filtration involves the use of magnetite for the removal of various pollutants from water and wastewater. A study was undertaken to investigate the interaction between magnetite and polio virus. It was found that the adsorption process was enhanced by the presence of cations, conformed to the Freundlich isotherm, and did not vary significantly when the pH was varied from 5 to 9. The influence of two wastewater effluents on the adsorption process was also studied and their interference with the adsorption of polio virus to magnetite is discussed.
Vitamin D 1α-Hydroxylase

The rate-limiting, hormonally regulated step in the bioactivation of vitamin D is renal 1 alpha-hydroxylation by P450c1 alpha. In late 1997, we reported the cloning of the human cDNA and gene from keratinocytes, and established that P450c1 alpha mutations cause vitamin D-dependent rickets, type I, while three other groups reported the cloning of the rodent enzyme. The genetics of P450c1 alpha are well established, with studies of over 30 patients, but the molecular mechanisms for the hormonal regulation of P450c1 alpha are still under investigation.
High School Online: Pedagogy, Preferences, and Practices of Three Online Teachers:

This multiple case study explores how three online, high school teachers used technological tools to create meaningful learning activities for their students. Findings reveal that teachers use a wide variety of tools and approaches to online learning. Tools are categorized as content, communication, and management tools. Approaches include utilizing a course management system, a teacher developed and designed course, and Project Foundry, an online management tool for project-based learning. Meaningful learning was observed in all sites. However, key findings reveal that students all had few instances of peer-to-peer collaborative learning, competing issues may replace content area learning in online courses, and available tools are not fully utilized for meaningful learning.
Analysis of drug abuse data reported by medical institutions in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011

Abstract Drug abuse has become a global issue of concern. It affects not only individual users, but also their families and communities. Data were retrieved from the database of the Taiwan Surveillance System of Drug Abuse and Addiction Treatment (SSDAAT) from 2002 to 2011, and 147,660 cases reported by medical institutions in Taiwan were reviewed. This study showed that the top five reported abused drugs by medical institutions during the last decade were heroin, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, ketamine, and zolpidem. Heroin and methamphetamine continued to be the first two abused drugs reported by medical institutions. Heroin abuse was significant, but has shown a downward trend. However, emerging abused drugs, such as ketamine and zolpidem, presented upward trends. 3,4-Methylenedioxy- N -methylamphetamine (MDMA) abuse seems to have re-emerged and has increased gradually since 2010. Injection without needle sharing has become the most common route of administration of abused drugs since 2002. The majority of causes for these reported drug abuses were drug dependence, followed by peer influence and stress relief. Hepatitis C was the most commonly reported infectious disease, followed by hepatitis B and AIDS in the drug abusers reported by medical institutions. It should be noted that access to drugs via the Internet increased year by year, and this is clearly an area needing constant monitoring.
Risk profiles among adolescent nonmedical opioid users in the United States.

Abstract Although prior research has provided data on nonmedical use of opioids in adolescents, studies examining the heterogeneity of risk are limited. The present study extends prior research by deepening the understanding of adolescent nonmedical opioid use by specifying empirically meaningful profiles of risk. Using data on adolescent non-medical opioid users (N = 1783) from the 2008 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were employed to identify latent classes and determine the effects of covariates on class membership. Four latent classes provided the best fit to the data. Classes consisted of a low risk class (33.7%), a high delinquency/low substance use class (17.8%), a high substance use/low delinquency class (34.2%), and finally a high risk class (14.3%) characterized by high levels of both substance use and delinquent behavior. Study findings advance the understanding of adolescent nonmedical opioid use by specifying distinct latent classes. Results suggest that intervention efforts can fruitfully target a number of risk domains especially programs that enhance effective parenting and supervision.
Prognostic value of lymph node evaluation in small bowel adenocarcinoma: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database.

BACKGROUND: The presence of distant metastases and the completeness of resection are important prognostic factors in patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA); however, the influence of lymph node metastasis on patient outcome has not been well characterized. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the number of positive and negative lymph nodes on survival after curative resection. METHODS: Patients who had SBA diagnosed between 1988 and 2005 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed after adjusting for age, sex, race, tumor stage, tumor grade, and primary site. Five-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was determined, all patients were categorized according to the total lymph nodes (TLNs) assessed, and patients with stage III disease also were categorized according to the number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs) and the PLN-to-TLN ratio (the lymph node ratio [LNR]). RESULTS: In total, 1991 patients (n = 1216 with stage I/II SBA and n = 775 with stage III SBA) were analyzed. Survival depended on the TLNs assessed. The 5-year DSS rate for patients with stage II disease was associated with the TLNs assessed (44%, 69%, and 83% for 0 TLNs, 1-7 TLNs, and >7 TLNs, respectively). The 5-year DSS for patients with stage III disease was associated with the number of PLNs (58% and 37% for <3 PLNs and ≥3 PLNs, respectively). Among patients with stage III disease, the LNR was even more predictive of survival than stratification by the number of PLNs. CONCLUSIONS: Survival after surgical resection for stage I, II, and III SBA was associated with the TLNs assessed. Stratifying patients with stage III disease into those with <3 PLNs and ≥3 PLNs significantly improved prognostication. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The holocaust and sociological inquiry: a feminist analysis

The insights of feminist theory and methodology are used to explore ways in which some of the limitations of sociological study of the Holocaust might be overcome. It is argued that if feminist insights about limitations of sociological inquiry in general and of women, in particular, are made explicit it will be possible to study the Holocaust as other than solely a part of Jewish History and to move its study beyond a specialized niche within academia.
A Generalized dSpliceType Framework to Detect Differential Splicing and Differential Expression Events Using RNA-Seq

Transcriptomes are routinely compared in term of a list of differentially expressed genes followed by functional enrichment analysis. Due to the technology limitations of microarray, the molecular mechanisms of differential expression is poorly understood. Using RNA-seq data, we propose a generalized dSpliceType framework to systematically investigate the synergistic and antagonistic effects of differential splicing and differential expression. We applied the method to two public RNA-seq data sets and compared the transcriptomes between treatment and control conditions. The generalized dSpliceType detects and prioritizes a list of genes that are differentially expressed and/or spliced. In particular, the multivariate dSpliceType is among the fist to utilize sequential dependency of normalized base-wise read coverage signals and capture biological variability among replicates using a multivariate statistical model. We compared dSpliceType with two other methods in terms of five most common types of differential splicing events between two conditions using RNA-Seq. dSpliceType is free, available from http://dsplicetype.sourceforge.net/
Intracavernous carotid aneurysm as a rare case of isolated sixth nerve palsy in an eight-year-old child

Cerebral aneurysms are rare in childhood. When occurring they usually present with subarachnoid hemorrhage, but may present as a mass lesion with seizures, or as an incidental finding. An isolated sixth nerve palsy as a presenting sign is even more unusual. The authors describe a case of an acquired sixth nerve palsy in an eight-year-old girl due to a fusiform aneurysm of the intracavernous portion of the internal carotid artery. The clinical problem in this child is complex and involves the management philosophy of dealing with the aneurysm itself as well as that of the abduction deficit which has produced a cosmetically and functionally unacceptable head turn to the ipsilateral side.
Capacitively coupled measurements of the quantized hall effect in silicon inversion layers

Abstract We report the observation of the quantized Hall effect in silicon inversion layers using capacitors in place of ohmic contacts. Measurements were made at frequencies between 5.00 and 100.0 kHz.
Evaluation of Mott's Parameters for Hopping Conduction in Amorphous Ge, Si, and Se-Si

The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity of rf-sputtered amorphous Ge, Si, and Ge-Si films as functions of annealing temperature and time have been investigated for $350\ensuremath{\gtrsim}T\ensuremath{\gtrsim}77$ K. Annealing shifts the hopping region to lower temperatures. We find that reasonable values of Mott's parameters are obtained only for properly annealed specimens in the true hopping-conduction region.
New Directions in ASL-English Bilingual Ebooks

The widespread adoption of smartphones and tablet computers have enabled the rapid creation and distribution of innovative American Sign Language (ASL) and written English bilingual ebooks, aimed primarily at deaf and hard-of-hearing children. These sign-print bilingual ebooks are unique in how they take advantage of digital platforms to display both video and text, and they take markedly divergent approaches to integrating the two media. How they are designed belies potentially unequal representations of each language, which may be partially a consequence of the composition of ebook production teams and their access to programming skills. In addition, the selection of interactive features in these ebooks suggest that deaf children's acquisition of English literacy skills continues to be a greater priority than that of ASL literacy skills. Given their prioritization of English literacy, these ASL-English ebooks raise intriguing questions about whether and how they support bilingual development in deaf chi...
The HP-1 maquette: From an apoprotein structure to a structured hemoprotein designed to promote redox-coupled proton exchange

Synthetic heme-binding four-α-helix bundles show promise as working model systems, maquettes, for understanding heme cofactor–protein assembly and function in oxidoreductases. Despite successful inclusion of several key functional elements of natural proteins into a family of heme protein maquettes, the lack of 3D structures, due principally to conformational heterogeneity, has prevented them from achieving their full potential. We report here the design and synthesis of HP-1, a disulfide-bridged two-α-helix peptide that self-assembles to form an antiparallel twofold symmetric diheme four-α-helix bundle protein with a stable conformation on the NMR time-scale. The HP-1 design strategy began with the x-ray crystal structure of the apomaquette L31M, an apomaquette derived from the structurally heterogeneous tetraheme-binding H10H24 prototype. L31M was functionally redesigned to accommodate two hemes ligated to histidines and to retain the strong coupling of heme oxidation-reduction to glutamate acid–base transitions and proton exchange that was characterized in molten globule predecessors. Heme insertion was modeled with angular constraints statistically derived from natural proteins, and the pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues on each helix was then altered to account for this large structural reorganization. The transition to structured holomaquette involved the alteration of 6 of 31 residues in each of the four identical helices and, unlike our earlier efforts, required no design intermediates. Oxidation-reduction of both hemes displays an unusually low midpoint potential (–248 mV vs. normal hydrogen electrode at pH 9.0), which is strongly coupled to proton binding, as designed.
Fitting Dynamic Models to the Geosat Sea Level Observations in the Tropical Pacific Ocean. Part II: A Linear, Wind-driven Model

Abstract The Geosat altimeter sea level observations in the tropical Pacific Ocean are used to evaluate the Performance of a linear wind-driven equatorial wave model. The question posed is the extent to which such a model can describe the observed sea level variations. The Kalman filter and optimal smoother are used to obtain a solution that is an optimal fit to the observation in a weighted least-squares sense. The total mean variance of the Geosat sea level observation is 98.1 cm2, of which 36.6 cm2 is due to measurement errors, leaving 61.5 cm2 for the oceanographic signal to be explained. The model is found to account for about 68% of this signal Variance and the remainder is ascribed to the effects of physical mechanisms missing from the model. This result suggests that the Geosat data contains sufficient information for testing yet more sophisticated models. Utility of an approximate filter and smoother based on the asymptotic time limit of the estimation error covariance is also examined and compar...
ScrumTutor: A web-based interactive tutorial for Scrum Software development

In a traditional software engineering class, students are typically engaged in theoretical lectures followed by homework assignments or a project. Use of hands-on training and laboratory activities using real-world projects is more likely to produce students with a higher level of achievement and more confidence in the course material. If every topic or technique introduced in the course has a corresponding hands-on activity that demonstrates an application or use of the concept in the industry, students better understand the need for the technique and the learning environment is more interactive, engaging, and interesting to students. This paper presents a project called ScrumTutor that aims at providing an engaging learning experience of Scrum Software development process through a web-based Interactive tutorial. It is designed and developed for undergraduate students in introductory Software Engineering courses. This software tool introduces its users to modern software engineering methodology used these days in the software industry known as Agile Software Development that includes the Scrum framework for managing software projects or products.
Thermosets as compatibilizers at the isotactic polypropylene film and thermomechanical pulp fiber interphase

The objective of this study was to improve interfacial adhesion properties at the interface of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fiber and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) using thermoset adhesives such as phenol formaldehyde (PF) and urea formaldehyde (UF). This study also attempted to achieve fiber-to-fiber adhesion using thermoset adhesives before the molten iPP would flow into the fiber web. The fracture surfaces with thermoset adhesive showed identical differences in terms of fracture modes at the interface. An increased TMP fiber failure was observed with increased thermoset quantity at the interface. Using one percent resin content of weight fraction of TMP fiber handsheet, the tensile strength properties increased almost two fold higher than the strength of control samples. Additional adhesive contents of three and five percent showed gradual strength enhancement. However, the enhanced strength was statistically insignificant. UF resin showed slightly better strength performance over PF resin. This result ...
The Indigenous People of Asia

The Indigenous People of Asia. R. H. BARNES, ANDREW GRAY, and BENEDICT KINGSBURY, eds. Ann Arbor, Ml: Association for Asian Studies Inc., 1995. xil + 539 pp., tables, maps, plates, contributors, notes, references, index.
Dangerous Curves in Knowledge Construction within Psychology: Fragmentation of Methodology

Psychology has become divided by its methodological fixations, largely overlooking the centrality of its phenomena. The alienation of methods from phenomena results in skirmishes between preferred ...
Simulation and optimization of a novel solar-powered adsorption refrigeration module

Abstract A mathematical model has been developed to simulate and optimize the performance of a solar-powered adsorption refrigeration module with the solid adsorption pair of domestic type of charcoal and methanol. The module is composed of a modified glass tube having a circular generator (sorption bed) at one end and a combined evaporator and condenser at the other end. The charcoal is mixed with small pieces of blackened steel to enhance the heat transfer in the sorption bed. Simple arrangement of plane reflectors is used to heat the generator. The angles of inclination of the reflectors are chosen according to optical and thermal analysis to receive maximum solar energy at noontime. The model accounts for transient heat and mass transfer inside the bed of the module. After an experimental validation based on the results of previous tests of this module, the effects of design and climatic conditions on the module performance all year round are discussed and optimized. It is found by virtue of using the proposed reflector arrangement, solar energy input to the system increases especially in cold climate. This increase ranges from 10% for hot climate to 30% for cold climate. The effects of using steel additives inside the sorption bed and using glass shell over the bed are investigated. It is found that the percentage increase in desorped methanol ranges from 3% in the hottest month to about 19% in the coldest month as a result of using a mass of steel pieces equal about 33% of the mass of the charcoal, ( M st / M ch = 0.33). These improvements increase to 7% and 43% in the hottest and coldest months respectively when glass shell is used over the bed. Generally, the improvements are more pronounced in cold months than hot ones. The ratio M st / M ch inside the sorption bed is optimized and found to be 0.75. Comparison between the model results for the steel additives ratio M st / M ch = 0.33 and results obtained with the optimum ratio shows that, the yearly average ice production increases from 0.23 to 0.25 kg/day, the yearly average bed efficiency increases from 55.2% to 58.5%, and the yearly average net COP increases from 0.146 to 0.1558. The effect of climatic conditions on the module performance all year round is also investigated. It is found that, about 28% of the cooling energy is lost due to climate effect in hot months and this ratio reaches 17.5% in cold months.
Financing the lodging industry in the next millennium

Abstract Lending to the industry has seemed to occur in 5-year cycles where lenders alternate between a period of marked flexibility with generous lending terms and then followed by a period of austere lending terms. During the last decade of the 20th century indications are that there is prudence both in the demand and supply markets and some expect that this environment will persist long enough into the new millennium to prevent the recurrence of the boom and bust cycle of hotel financing. With many new financial instruments and new sources of financing introduced in the last decade of the century this paper presents the results of a Delphi study about lodging financing in the next millennium. It highlights the predictions of selected experts from the lodging and financial services industries.
An improved CNDO/S study of the circular dichroism of 1-methylindan in the 275—170 nm region

Abstract The circular dichroism rotational strengths for 1-methylindan have been computed using deorthogonalized CNDO/S orbitals in the dipole velocity representation and including both sigma and pi singly-excited configuration for planar, axial-and equatorial-methyl conformations. The first seven bands in the wavelength range of 275 nm to 170 nm agree closely with the experimental gas phase spectrum of Allen and Schnepp and the signs of the rotational strengths indicate a nearly equal mixture of axial equatorial-conformations in that spectrum.
Solar hydrogen small user market potential

Abstract This article assesses the commercial applicability of solar hydrogen systems (SHS) to the hydrogen small user market, which currently pays the highest prices for their hydrogen supplies. Year 2000 small user hydrogen demand was projected to be on the order of 110–190 billion standard cubic feet (scf), or between 0.03–0.06 quadrillion Btu (quads). Of this number, the allied chemical industries will account for 71–142 billion scf of hydrogen. Potential SHS domestic market penetration is further restricted to regions with sufficiently high insolation, and the report concludes by discussing economic trends both favorable and unfavorable to SHS market penetration.
Thermal Injury Prediction During Cryoplasty Through In Vitro Characterization of Smooth Muscle Cell Biophysics and Viability

Restenosis in peripheral arteries is a major health care problem in the United States. Typically, 30–40% of angioplasties result in restenosis and hence alternative treatment techniques are being actively investigated. Cryoplasty, a novel technique involving simultaneous stretching and freezing of the peripheral arteries (e.g., femoral, iliac, popliteal) using a cryogen-filled balloon catheter, has shown the potential to combat restenosis. However, evaluation of the thermal and biophysical mechanisms that affect cellular survival during cryoplasty is lacking. To achieve this, the thermal history in arteries was predicted for different balloon temperatures using a thermal model. Cellular biophysical responses (water transport (WT) and intracellular ice formation (IIF)) were then characterized, using in vitro model systems, based on the thermal model predictions. The thermal and biophysical effects on cell survival were eventually determined. For this study, smooth muscle cells (SMC) isolated from porcine femoral arteries were used in suspensions and attached in vitro systems (monolayer and fibrin gel). Results showed that for different balloon temperatures, the thermal model predicted cooling rates from 2200 to 5 °C/min in the artery. Biophysical parameters (WT & IIF) were higher for SMCs in attached systems as compared to suspensions. The “combined” fit WT parameters for SMCs in suspension (at 5, 10, and 25 °C/min) are Lpg = 0.12 μm/(min atm) and ELp = 24.1 kcal/mol. Individual WT parameters for SMCs in attached cell systems at higher cooling rates are approximately an order of magnitude higher compared to suspensions (e.g., at 130 °C/min, WT parameters in monolayer and fibrin TE systems are Lpg = 18.6, 19.4 μm/(min atm) and ELp = 112, 127 kcal/mol, respectively). Similarly, IIF parameters assessed at 130 °C/min are higher for SMCs in attached systems than suspensions (\(\Upomega_{\rm o}\) = 1.1, 354, 378 (× 108 (1/m2 s)) and κo = 1.6, 1.8, 2.1 (× 109 K5) for suspensions, monolayer, and fibrin TE, respectively). One possible reason for the differences in IIF kinetics was verified to be the presence of gap junctions, which facilitate cell–cell connections through which ice can propagate. This is reflected by the change in the predicted IIF parameters when a gap junction inhibitor was added and tested in monolayer (\(\Upomega_{\rm o}=58.1\times10^{8}\) (1/m2 s)); κo = 2.1 × 109 K5). SMC viability was affected by the model system (lower viability in attached systems), the thermal conditions and the biophysics. For e.g., IIF is lethal to cells and SMC viability was verified to be the least in fibrin TE (most % IIF) and the most in suspensions (least % IIF) at all cooling rates. Using the results from the fibrin TE (suggested as the best in vitro system to mimic a restenosis environment), conservative estimates of injury regimes in the artery during cryoplasty is predicted. The results can be used to suggest future optimizations and modifications during cryoplasty and also to design future in vivo studies.
Family History in Primary Care Pediatrics

The family history has been called the first genetic test; it was a core element of primary care long before the current wave of genetics technologies and services became clinically relevant. Risk assessment based on family history allows providers to personalize and prioritize health messages, shifts the focus of health care from treatment to prevention, and can empower individuals and families to be stewards of their own health. In a world of rising health care costs, the family history is an important tool, with its primary cost being the clinician’s time. However, a recent National Institutes of Health conference highlighted the lack of substantive evidence to support the clinical utility of family histories. Annual collection of a comprehensive 3-generation family history has been held up as the gold standard for practice. However, interval family histories targeted to symptoms and family histories tailored to a child’s life stage (ie, age-based health) may be important and underappreciated methods of collecting family history that yield clinically actionable data and supplement existing family history information. In this article, we review the various applications, as well as capabilities and limitations, of the family history for primary care providers.
Induction of Distinct [URE3] Yeast Prion Strains

[URE3] is a non-Mendelian genetic element in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is caused by a prion-like, autocatalytic conversion of the Ure2 protein (Ure2p) into an inactive form. The presence of [URE3] allows yeast cells to take up ureidosuccinic acid in the presence of ammonia. This phenotype can be used to select for the prion state. We have developed a novel reporter, in which the ADE2 gene is controlled by the DAL5 regulatory region, which allows monitoring of Ure2p function by a colony color phenotype. Using this reporter, we observed induction of different [URE3] prion variants ("strains") following overexpression of the N-terminal Ure2p prion domain (UPD) or full-length Ure2p. Full-length Ure2p induced two types of [URE3]: type A corresponds to conventional [URE3], whereas the novel type B variant is characterized by relatively high residual Ure2p activity and efficient curing by coexpression of low amounts of a UPD-green fluorescent protein fusion protein. Overexpression of UPD induced type B [URE3] but not type A. Both type A and B [URE3] strains, as well as weak and strong isolates of type A, were shown to stably maintain different prion strain characteristics. We suggest that these strain variants result from different modes of aggregation of similar Ure2p monomers. We also demonstrate a procedure to counterselect against the [URE3] state.