cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fundamentals of Polymer Nanocomposite Technology

The term nanocomposite is widely employed to describe an extremely broad range of materials, where one of the components has a dimension on the submicron scale. A better and far more restrictive definition would require that a true nanocomposite be a fundamentally new material (hybrid) in which the nanometerscale component or structure gives rise to intrinsically new properties, which are not present in the respective macroscopic composites or the pure components. The latter definition necessitates that the nanostructure has dimensions smaller than a characteristic scale that underlies a physical property of the material. For example, for the electronic properties of a conductor or semiconductor, this scale would relate to the de Broglie wavelength of the electron (ranging from a few nanometers for a metal to hundreds of nanometers for a semiconductor), for the mechanical properties of a polymer it would relate to the size of the polymer coil or crystal (again ranging from a few nanometers to hundreds of nanometers), and for the thermodynamic properties of a polymer glass it would relate to the cooperativity length (a few nanometers). In this chapter we restrict our discussion even further, focusing on one subclass of polymer–inorganic nanocomposites, where the polymers are typically thermoplastics and the inorganic component is a high aspect ratio nanoscale filler. Particular emphasis will be given to principles that apply to pseudo-twodimensional layered inorganic fillers (such as 2:1 aluminosilicates,1 – 9 from where
Enhancement and Registration Schemes for Matching Conjunctival Vasculature

Ocular biometrics has made significant strides over the past decade primarily due to the rapid advances in iris recognition. Recent literature has investigated the possibility of using conjunctival vasculature as an added ocular biometric. These patterns, observed on the sclera of the human eye, are especially significant when the iris is off-angle with respect to the acquisition device resulting in the exposure of the scleral surface. In this work, we design enhancement and registration methods to process and match conjunctival vasculature obtained under non-ideal conditions. The goal is to determine if conjunctival vasculature is a viable biometric in an operational environment. Initial results are promising and suggest the need for designing advanced image processing and registration schemes for furthering the utility of this novel biometric. However, we postulate that in an operational environment, conjunctival vasculature has to be used with the iris in a bimodal configuration.
Adjudication and Emotion

This article explores the role emotion in adjudication, an important issue related to the therapeutic jurisprudence movement. The therapeutic jurisprudence movement uses the goal of psychological well being to explore the role of human nature and psychology in law and the legal process. In light of the burgeoning practical and scholarly interest in therapeutic jurisprudence, Professor Laura Little examines the relationship between emotions and specific adjudicative values. Professor Little begins by describing the three adjudicative values that provide the article's focus: 1) impartiality; 2) independence; and 3) competence. Next, she explores these values in relationship to four representative sets of emotions: 1) empathy and sympathy; 2) loyalty and gratitude; 3) jealousy and envy; and 4) disgust and hate. In her analyses, Professor Little shows how the different emotions play a role in general adjudication, as well as the potential effects these emotions can have in the specific context of therapeutic jurisprudence. Professor Little concludes by recommending further scholarly research on how emotions affect adjudicative values, thereby expanding our knowledge about the complex interplay between the two topics.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Reality-Based Focusing Events Across the Curriculum

A mythical Democratic-Republican National Convention (DRNC) was created as a focusing event which serves as the overarching theme for all newly redesigned courses in the graduate Criminal Justice Department at Saint Leo University. The study examines the effectiveness of focusing events in a graduate level curriculum. Students in the newly redesigned DRNC courses were surveyed. The results indicate that the overarching theme was perceived as being a valuable learning tool. The respondents indicated that the DRNC scenarios were highly realistic and would strengthen decision-making skills in their individual criminal justice careers. Somewhat surprising was the finding that the newly designed courses were perceived as not being any more interesting than the non-DRNC courses. Another concern was that some of the students did not seem to be aware that an overarching theme existed at all. This finding may indicate a weakness in the initial presentation of the concept to the students.
A Brief Comment on Some Recent Evaluations by Basieva and Khrennikov, Wang et al., Boyer-Kassem et al., on Order Effects in Quantum Cognition

A brief comment is introduced about some recent elaborations of some authors relating the question of the order effects in experiments on quantum cognition.
Fusion power : Will it ever come?

Prospects for practical applications of fusion power to solve our energy problems appear dubious on engineering grounds.
A New Amsterdam

This essay examines Claes Jansz Visscher’s map of New Netherland in the context of concurrent printed maps of Amsterdam and the United Provinces, especially Holland. Maps of New Netherland and Visscher’s view of New Amsterdam reinforced Dutch commercial and colonial interests by likening the colonial outpost to its sister European city and trade emporium. The maps and prints published around 1650 reflect the WIC’s emphasis on trade and its desire to showcase New Amsterdam as a well-managed and commercially friendly colonial city.
A Comparative Guide to the Western States' Public Trust Doctrines: Public Values, Private Rights, and the Evolution Toward an Ecological Public Trust

This companion article to the Fall 2007 A Comparative Guide to the Eastern Public Trust Doctrines explores the state public trust doctrines - emphasis on the plural - in the 19 western states. In so doing, this Article seeks to make the larger point that, while the broad contours of the public trust doctrine, especially regarding state ownership of the beds and banks of navigable waters, have a federal law basis, the details of how public trust principles actually apply vary considerably from state to state. Public trust law, in other words, is very much a species of state common law. Moreover, as with other forms of common law, states have evolved their public trust doctrines in light of the particular histories, perceived needs, and perceived problems of each state. This Article notes that, in the West, four factors have been most important in the evolution of state public trust doctrines: (1) the severing of water rights from real property ownership and the riparian rights doctrine; (2) subsequent state declarations of public ownership of fresh water; (3) clear and explicit perceptions of shortages of water, submerged lands, and environmental amenities; and (4) a willingness to raise water and other environmental issues to constitutional status and/or to incorporate broad public trust mandates into statutes. From these factors, two important trends in western states’ public trust doctrines have emerged: (1) the extension of public rights based on states’ ownership of the water itself; and (2) an increasing, and still cutting-edge, expansion of public trust concepts into ecological public trust doctrines that are increasingly protecting species, ecosystems and the public values that they provide. The Article includes an extensive Appendix that summarizes each of the 19 states’ public trust doctrines. These summaries include relevant constitutional provisions, statutory provisions, and cases.
Solar radio astronomy at low frequencies

Powerful radio radiation often originates from the Sun at decametric and kilometric wavelengths. Radiation from the quiet Sun is produced by the thermal mechanism of bremsstrahlung, and radio bursts of several kinds are produced by the non-thermal mechanisms of plasma radiation and, rarely, gyrosynchrotron radiation.
Origins of the European Economy: THINGS THAT TRAVELED

S tudying people on the move in the early medieval Mediterranean has suggested certain patterns and even quantities of movement. In western Europe, communications seem to have been stirring a new after the long contraction that had culminated in the aftermath of the Justinianic plagues. That those movements concern 669 individuals and can be followed across source materials which are more or less independent strengthens the cumulative power of their testimony. But the method is novel, and the results may appear surprising. The movement of things will add further, independent layers of evidence to the movement of people. A few of the relatively small number of objects that survive from the early Middle Ages have already been studied for the light they shed on patterns of movement and, it has been thought, patterns of trade. The most justifiably celebrated is the transition from papyrus to parchment in the Merovingian royal writing office (Ch. 3.1). Like some others, this one rewards further scrutiny (Ch. 24.2), particularly if we go beyond observing presence or absence to question the shifting cultural meaning of exotic objects, as well as the transport system which delivered it. Others still are pretty much neglected. Such survivors from the shipwreck of time testify to further series of long-distance movements in this era reputed so poor in source material. In circumstances of preservation, moreover, their testimony owes nothing to the evidence on the movements of people.
Boulder Capture System Design Options for the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission Alternate Approach Trade Study

This paper presents a boulder acquisition and asteroid surface interaction electromechanical concept developed for the Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission (ARRM) option to capture a free standing boulder on the surface of a 100 m or larger Near Earth Asteroid (NEA). It details the down select process and ranking of potential boulder capture methods, the evolution of a simple yet elegant articulating spaceframe, and ongoing risk reduction and concept refinement efforts. The capture system configuration leverages the spaceframe, heritage manipulators, and a new microspine technology to enable the ARRM boulder capture. While at the NEA it enables attenuation of terminal descent velocity, ascent to escape velocity, boulder collection and restraint. After departure from the NEA it enables, robotic inspection, sample caching, and crew Extra Vehicular Activities (EVA).
HIV Transmission Factors: Denver MSM Culture and Contexts

ABSTRACT Qualitative methods aid in classifying and assessing cultural and environmental factors and their effect on HIV transmission risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study includes the perspectives of four MSM subgroups (HIV positive MSM, Latino MSM, Black MSM, and MSM between ages 18 and 24) obtained through ethnographic interviews, focus groups, and a sociodemographic survey. Study findings based upon a cross-case analysis of these interviews point to cultural norms such as limited sexual negotiation and substance use as influencing MSM HIV transmission risk. In addition, MSM environments for seeking sexual partners (gay bars, bathhouses, the Internet) contribute to risk in setting-specific ways. The rich information provided by the MSM point to suitable recommendations for systemic intervention including increasing substance use prevention efforts among MSM, development of interpersonal and sexual negotiation skills, chiefly among young MSM, and the importance of MSM en...
Effects of phytohaemagglutinin on homograft rejection.

ALTHOUGH phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) has been widely-investigated in vitro, relatively little is known about its effects in vivo1. It has been used in humans with aplastic anaemia, who subsequently showed evidence of increased bone marrow activity in some cases2. Gamble3 found that intravenous injection of PHA in mice resulted in increases in the cellularity, the proportion of immature cells, and the weight of the spleen, which were most marked 3 days after administration. Calne et al.4 used combined PHA and azathioprine (‘Imuran’) therapy in an attempt to prolong the survival times of renal homotransplants in dogs. Intravenous PHA potentiated the immunosuppressive action of azathioprine and was thought to have some immunosuppressive activity when used alone.
Energy Spectra and Angular Distributions of Photoneutrons from Heavy Nuclei.

The energy spectra of photoneutrons from the absorption of 22-Mev bremsstrahlung by silver and bismuth have been measured with nuclear emulsions. Comparisons are made between the observed photoneutron spectra and those predicted on the basis of a statistical nuclear model. Energy level densities are assumed proportional to $\mathrm{exp}[{(a\ensuremath{\epsilon})}^{\frac{1}{2}}]$ and $\mathrm{ln}(\frac{A\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{20}+1)$, where $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is the excitation energy of the residual nucleus. The exponential form of the energy level density is in better agreement with the data than is the logarithmic form. However, for neutron energies greater than 4 Mev there are more photoneutrons observed than predicted by the exponential energy level density scheme.The angular distributions of photoneutrons from several elements have been measured with a variety of neutron detectors. The moderated neutron detector, which is equally sensitive to neutrons of most energies, indicates the photoneutron flux to be predominately isotropic. The small anisotropic component has a maximum at 90 degrees to the x-ray beam. Photoneutrons from bismuth have a larger anisotropic component than photoneutrons from any other element which was tested. In that case 21 percent of the neutron flux is in the anisotropic component.The $\mathrm{Al}(n, p)$ and $\mathrm{Si}(n, p)$ reactions have been used to measure the angular distributions of photoneutrons from several elements. These reactions have thresholds at 1.95 Mev and 2.69 Mev, respectively and are primarily sensitive to neutrons with more than 4-Mev energy. The angular distributions thus observed have a maximum at 90 degrees to the x-ray beam. In general, photoneutrons from the heavy elements deviate more from isotropy than do the light elements. An epithermal neutron detector indicates that the low-energy photoneutrons are emitted isotropically.It is concluded that most photoneutrons are generated in a manner consistant with the statistical nuclear model. The high-energy photoneutrons, which constitute a small fraction of the total photoneutron flux, are ejected predominately at right angles to the x-ray beam as expected by dipole absorption of the photons.
Asymmetric permeabilization of an epithelium: A tool to study a single membrane in isolation

The use of conventional transepithelial electrophysiologic techniques to characterize conductance properties of the apical membrane (APM) of epithelial cells is limited by the presence of the basolateral membrane (BLM). In the present study we describe the use of the bacterial toxinStaphylococcus aureus alpha (α)-toxin to effectively eliminate the BLM of T84 cells, such that a) the properties of the APM can be studied independent of the BLM so that changes in transepithelial potentials (Vt) can only be attributed to the APM; and b) hitherto impermeable molecules, such as nucleotides, can be effectively manipulated at the cytoplasmic surface of the APM. We observed that α-toxin selectively permeabilized the BLM without compromising the functional integrity of the APM. Addition of α-toxin to the BLM caused selective permeabilization of the BLM as shown by the facts that a) Vt was abolished; b) the K+ selectivity of the epithelium was lost; and c) the BLM became permeable to the normally impermeable nucleotide cAMP. Although the BLM was permeabilized, several components of epithelial cell function were not affected a) the protein kinase A pathway for activation of the apical Cl− conductance (GCL) remained intact as indicated by the persistence of cAMP responsiveness; and b) the apical GCL was unaffected, either by basal or apical application of α-toxin, and displayed the same anion selectivity as nonpermeabilized tissues, being NO 3 − (1.4)>Br− (1.2)>Cl− (1.0)>I−(0.4)>gluconate (0.0), where numbers in parentheses are the apparent permeabilities of each anion relative to Cl−. We conclude that permeabilization of the BLM provides an opportunity to study the transport properties of a single intact membrane in isolation using conventional Ussing chamber techniques.
A new method for reliable determination of strain-rate sensitivity of low-dimensional metallic materials by using nanoindentation

Nanoindentation is increasingly used to determine the strain-rate sensitivity of nanocrystalline metallic thin films. However, traditional data analysis yields large uncertainty on displacements measured at low strain rates due to thermal drift. Here we use a new method that renders hardness insensitive to thermal drift. The method involves directly measuring contact stiffness and calculating the contact area from the measured stiffness and modulus. The new technique is validated through nanocrystalline Ni and nanotwinned Cu films and returns expected values.
Calibration of fisheye lenses by inversion of area projections.

Etalonnage en terme de relation entre la position radiale d'un point image et l'angle entre l'axe optique de la lentille et un point objet
Glomerular Permeability of Macromolecules EFFECT OF MOLECULAR CONFIGURATION ON THE FRACTIONAL CLEARANCE OF UNCHARGED DEXTRAN AND NEUTRAL HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE IN THE RAT

Molecular parameters other than size and charge are likely to influence the filtration of macromolecules across the glomerular filter. We have studies, therefore, the glomerular permeability of macromolecules with widely different molecular configuration such as horseradish peroxidase, a plant glycoprotein with an isoelectric point in the physiologic pH range, and dextran, an uncharged sugar polymer of D-glucopyranose. Simultaneous fractional clearances were determined for both test macromolecules in five Wistar-Furth rats. The results indicate that for a molecular radius of 28.45 A, as measured by gel filtration, the sugar polymer has a fractional clearance of 0.483 on the average, exceeding that of the protein tracer, with a value of 0.068, by a factor less than 7. We conclude that other molecular parameters such as shape, flexibility, and deformability play important roles in the transport of macromolecules across the extracellular matrix that constitutes the glomerular filter.
Characterization of CR1 repeat random PCR markers for mapping the chicken genome

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers complementary to portions of the chicken repetitive element CR1 have been used previously to generate useful markers on the chicken genome linkage map. To understand better the genetic basis for this technique and to convert CR1-PCR loci to markers useful in physical genome mapping, five polymorphic CR1-PCR-generated DNAs were cloned and partially sequenced. Inverse PCR was then employed to clone the corresponding region of the genomes of both the Jungle Fowl (JF) and White Leghorn (WL) parental DNA templates. Our results demonstrate that some of the CR1-PCR-generated DNAs arise from priming at an endogenous CR1 element, whereas others are due to chance complementarity between the CR1-PCR primer in use and random annealing sites in the genome, unrelated to a demonstrable CR1 element. In all five instances, it was possible to identify the sequence difference between the JF and WL parental DNAs that gave rise to the initial polymorphism and design allele-specific PCR primer sets that uniquely detect that polymorphism. In four of the five instances, the polymorphism was a one or two basepair sequence difference within the primer annealing site, but in the fifth case the responsible difference was outside, but very close to, the annealing site. In all instances the allele-specific PCR for the sequence polymorphism mapped identically with the corresponding CR1-PCR amplification polymorphism. We conclude that CR1-PCR provides an efficient and reliable mechanism for genome mapping in avians that can correlate linkage and physical mapping approaches.
Structure and Reactivity of a Thermostable Prokaryotic Nitric-oxide Synthase That Forms a Long-lived Oxy-Heme Complex

In an effort to generate more stable reaction intermediates involved in substrate oxidation by nitric-oxide synthases (NOSs), we have cloned, expressed, and characterized a thermostable NOS homolog from the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus (gsNOS). As expected, gsNOS forms nitric oxide (NO) from l-arginine via the stable intermediate N-hydroxy l-arginine (NOHA). The addition of oxygen to ferrous gsNOS results in long-lived heme-oxy complexes in the presence (Soret peak 427 nm) and absence (Soret peak 413 nm) of substrates l-arginine and NOHA. The substrate-induced red shift correlates with hydrogen bonding between substrate and heme-bound oxygen resulting in conversion to a ferric heme-superoxy species. In single turnover experiments with NOHA, NO forms only in the presence of H(4)B. The crystal structure of gsNOS at 3.2 AA of resolution reveals great similarity to other known bacterial NOS structures, with the exception of differences in the distal heme pocket, close to the oxygen binding site. In particular, a Lys-356 (Bacillus subtilis NOS) to Arg-365 (gsNOS) substitution alters the conformation of a conserved Asp carboxylate, resulting in movement of an Ile residue toward the heme. Thus, a more constrained heme pocket may slow ligand dissociation and increase the lifetime of heme-bound oxygen to seconds at 4 degrees C. Similarly, the ferric-heme NO complex is also stabilized in gsNOS. The slow kinetics of gsNOS offer promise for studying downstream intermediates involved in substrate oxidation.
Phonological Features of Child African American English

The production of phonological features of African American English (AAE) was examined for 64 typically developing African American children in the 2nd through the 5th grade. Students read aloud pa...
Reducing Dryer Energy Use by Process Integration and Pinch Analysis

A systematic classification is presented for methods for reducing energy use and cost in dryers. Opportunities include reducing the inherent evaporation load and dryer heat duty, heat recovery, and more effective use of utility systems, including CHP (combined heat and power) and heat pumping. The technique of pinch analysis provides a powerful method to identify the various opportunities and select the most appropriate one to use. Reductions in energy use bring corresponding benefits in reduced emissions and conservation of natural resources. Some examples are given of successful applications of energy minimization techniques in industry.
A survey of the variability in tissue nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in maize and grain sorghum

Abstract A literature survey was conducted to determine the variability of tissue N and P concentrations in maize (Zea mays L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) shoots, roots, grain, and residues. Tissue N and P concentrations associated with near-optimum yields, the ratio of shoot N to shoot P, the relationship between harvest indexes for N and dry matter, and the relationship between shoot N concentration and grain N concentration were also investigated. For maize at near-optimum yield levels, growth stage has been shown to account for 86% of the variation in shoot N concentration prior to growth stage 8 and 82% of the variation in shoot P concentration prior to growth stage 4. The range of grain sorghum shoot N concentrations was similar to that of maize, but data were inadequate to estimate the range or optimum of grain sorghum P concentrations. The ratio of maize shoot N to shoot P concentration was variable; however, at near-optimum yield levels, the ratio was quite predictable. Maize and grain sorghum root N concentrations were less variable than shoot N concentrations and were not strongly dependent on growth stage. Grain and residue N and P concentrations were variable, but over 70% of the variation in maize grain N concentration was accounted for by shoot N concentration.
The photolysis of sulfur dioxide in the presence of foreign gases: IX. allene

SO2 was photoexcited at 25 °C and 313.0 nm in the presence of allene. The quantum yields of the gas phase products, C2H4 and CO, were determined over a wide range of allene and SO2 pressures as well as in the presence of CO2, NO, and H2O. The quantum yield of C2H4, Φ {C2H4}, increases with the ratio [allene]/[SO2] to a maximum value of 13.1 × 10−3. In the presence of excess CO2, NO, or H2O, or at higher allene pressures, Φ {C2H4} is reduced for any [allene]/[SO2] ratio. At higher [allene]/[SO2] ratios NO is a much less efficient quencher than at low ratios and thus both singlet and triplet states of SO2 must participate in C2H4 production. The quantum yield of CO, Φ {CO}, also increases with the ratio of [allene]/[SO2] maximum value of 20.9 × 10−3. At low values of the ratio [allene]/[SO2] as well as low total pressure, Φ {CO} is quenched initially by adding CO2, NO, and H2O in a manner similar to Φ {C2H4}. For continued increases in the pressures of CO2, NO, and H2O or at higher values of [allene]/[SO2], Φ {CO} is enhanced. Both the singlet and triplet emitting states, as well as a previously proposed non-emitting triplet state are necessary to interpret the photochemistry of SO2 in this study. A relatively complete mechanism is proposed, all of the pertinent rate coefficient ratios are derived and tabulated, and from these values Φ {C2H4} and Φ{CO} values are computed which agree well with the observed values.
DNA polymerase δ mediates increase in exchange production by X-radiation in human lymphocytes moving from G0 to G1

Abstract Earlier work of several laboratories established that the yields of radiation-induced ring and dicentric chromosomes are greater when human peripheral blood lymphocytes are irradiated in GH 1 some hours after phytohemagglutinin stimulation than if they are irradiated in G 0 before stimulation. Post-treatment of lymphocytes irradiated in G 0 with the DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin, which is effective against both pol α and pol δ, produces a similar increase in ring and dicentric yield. We found that aphidicolin post-treatment was much less effective in increasing ring and dicentric yield increases in cells irradiated in G 1 four to five hours after stimulation. Because we had earlier found specific inhibitors of DNA pol α ineffective in producing increased yields in either G 0 or G 1 lymphocytes, we conclude that much of the G 0 to G 1 increase in yields is mediated by pol δ.
Kinetics of the Incorporation of Tropoelastin into Elastic Fibers in Embryonic Chick Aortad

Matrix-free cells isolated by enzymic digestion of chick embryo aortas were labeled with [14C]proline for 20 to 60 min and the kinetics of the secretion of tropoelastin were followed by chasing the label and assaying [14C]tropoelastin in the cells and in the medium. The results indicated that secretion of tropoelastin followed the kinetics of a single first order process with a half time of 60 min. In parallel experiments tissue explants of chick embryo aortas were labeled with [14Clproine and the kinetics for the incorporation of tropoelastin into elastic fibers were followed by chasing the label and assaying the soluble [14C]tropoelastin and insoluble [14C]elastin in tissues. It was found that the incorporation of tropoelastin into elastic fibers also followed a single first order process with a half time of 85 min, similar to the secretion of tropoelastin from cells. In further studies, antibodies directed against tropoelastin were utilized to isolate soluble[14C]elastin components in the tissues after...
Altered insulin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid splicing in liver is associated with deterioration of glucose tolerance in the spontaneously obese and diabetic rhesus monkey: analysis of controversy between monkey and human studies.

There are two insulin receptor (IR) isoforms (designated type A and type B), derived from alternative splicing of exon 11 of the IR gene. Recently, we reported (Huang Z., Bodkin N.L., Ortmeyer H.K., Hansen B.C., Shuldiner A. R., 1994, J Clin Invest, 94:1289-1296) that an increase in the exon 11- (i.e. lacking exon 11) (type A) IR messenger RNA (mRNA) variant in muscle is associated with hyperinsulinemia, an early risk factor for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), in the spontaneously obese, diabetic rhesus monkey. To explore further the role of IR mRNA splicing in insulin resistance of NIDDM, we studied liver, another target organ that is resistant to insulin action in NIDDM. The relative amounts of the two IR mRNA-splicing variants in liver were quantitated by RT-PCR in normal, prediabetic, and diabetic (NIDDM) monkeys. The percentage of the exon 11- mRNA variant in liver (n = 24) was significantly correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.55, P < 0.01) and intravenous glucose disappearance rate (r = -0.45, P < 0.05). The exon 11- mRNA variant was increased significantly from 29.8 +/- 1.6% in monkeys with normal fasting glucose to 39.2 +/- 2.9% in monkeys with elevated fasting glucose (P < 0.01). These studies provide the first direct evidence in vivo that the relative expression of the two IR mRNA-splicing variants is altered in liver and suggest that increased expression of the exon 11- IR isoform may contribute to hepatic insulin resistance and NIDDM or may compensate for some yet unidentified defect.
Specific heats of cottonseed and its co‐products

Most of the annual crop of cotton is harvested and stored for the entire crushing season until the new crop year begins. It is desirable to have specific heat data of agricultural materials so the engineer can manage the heat transfer problem associated with each crop during storage. Thermal properties of agricultural products, such as cottonseed and its oil mill co-products, are not commonly available. Partially because these materials are bulky and lack uniformity, their thermal properties are difficult to assess precisely. The highly sensitive and large-sample volume differential scanning calorimeter has made the precise determination of specific heat of agricultural material possible. This report describes a procedure used to obtain the specific heat of white cottonseed and its co-products as a function of temperature. The materials tested included cotton fiber, whole cottonseed, linters, hulls, meats, and meal. Specific heat values of these materials ranged from 0.32 to 0.6 cal/g/°C at 30°C and 0.42 to 0.72 cal/g/°C at 90°C. When these materials were dried, the values converged to 0.24 to 0.33 cal/g°C at 30°C.
Direct imaging of thin film atomic structure by angular distribution Auger microscopy (ADAM)

Abstract Angular distributions of Ayger electrons emitted from a thin film of electrodeposited Ag on Pt(111) are measured and displayed in order to investigate the structure and growth of the film. Complete angular distributions of 355 eV Ag Auger electrons are presented for deposition of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 100 monolayer (ML) quantities of Ag. In the early stages of deposition the observed angular distribution charge significantly, revealing the symmetry and structure of the growing film. As deposition proceeds, the observed angular distribution converges to one essentially identical to that measured from Ag(111), except for a 180° rotation with respect to the Pt(111) substrate. Theoretical angular distributions based on atomic point emitters and spherical scatterers of Auger electrons predict many of the features in the observed distributions. These results illustrate the applicability of this methodology to the investigation of thin film atomic structure.
Monazite ages in the Chesham Pond Nappe, SW New Hampshire, U.S.A.: Implications for assembly of central New England thrust sheets

Four distinct generations of monazite growth have been identified in samples from the Chesham Pond Nappe, and three (monazite compositional domains 2, 3, and 4) have been correlated with both temperature and mineral assemblage. Domain 1 cores were interpreted previously to be detrital relics or vestiges of an earlier Acadian metamorphism. The four monazite domains have been dated by in situ isotope and chemical methods; the following are chemical ages of each domain (weighted average ±2 standard errors of the mean): 400 ± 10 Ma (domain 1); 381 ± 8 Ma (domain 2); 372 ± 6 Ma (domain 3); 352 ± 14 Ma (domain 4). Heating and cooling rates derived from combining monazite ages, monazite thermometry, and 40Ar/39Ar closure temperatures are approximately 10–15 °C/m.y. for heating from 470 to 740 °C, approximately 8 °C/m.y. for cooling from 740 to 375 °C, and approximately 1–2 °C/m.y for cooling from 375 to 150 °C. Temperature-time paths calculated with monazite ages and monazite thermometry indicate that (1) plutonism at ca. 400 Ma was the likely heat source for the formation of monazite domain 1 and (2) monazite domains 2–4 were produced during a regional low-pressure, high-temperature metamorphism active between 380–350 Ma. The regional metamorphism is ascribed to lithospheric mantle delamination, followed by asthenospheric mantle upwelling, which heated a wide area of the Merrimack basin (southwestern New Hampshire, central Massachusetts, central Connecticut) to temperatures in excess of 725 °C. Monazite ages in the Chesham Pond Nappe and adjacent structural units to the west constrain the commencement of nappe overthrusting to roughly 355 Ma.
Breast masses in African American teenage girls

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of malignancy in breast lumps excised from African American teenagers. Methods: The authors reviewed the pathology records at King's County Hospital Center between January 1982 and December 1992. The pathology reports and charts of all patients who had breast masses excised during this period were reviewed. Data for this study were derived from the group of African American and black Caribbean American teenage patients who underwent breast biopsies and whose pathology reports and medical records were available. The age of patients, size of the lesion, and diagnosis were recorded. Results: Medical records from 155 African American and black Caribbean American girls between the ages of 13 and 19 years (inclusive) who underwent breast biopsies between January 1982 and December 1992 were reviewed. Fibroadenoma was the most common diagnosis (127 of 155; 82%). This was followed in frequency by fibrocystic mastopathy (18 of 155; 11.6%) and breast abscess (3 of 155; 2%). None of the patients had a malignancy. Review of tumor registry data from the same time period at Kings County Hospital Center and the University Hospital of Brooklyn showed that the youngest African American or black Caribbean American patient diagnosed with breast cancer was 21 years of age. Conclusions: The incidence of malignant breast lumps in African American and black Caribbean American teenagers is distinctly low. Conservative treatment in this population is warranted, and diagnosis can be made easily in most cases with either needle aspiration for cytology or core biopsy of any lesions discovered.
Structural Response and Reliability Estimates: Slepian Model Approach

This research study investigates the practicality of using a Slepian model to model the earthquake excitation and structural response behavior of structures during the strong ground motion portion and entire duration of earthquake acceleration records. Of particular interest was the extreme response behavior of basic linear and nonlinear hysteretic oscillators. Predictions for the linear oscillators were found to be good, while predictions for the highly nonlinear oscillators were poorer until corrected for the change in equilibrium position experienced during the motion response behavior. Based upon the experience gained from these examples, a three-story frame whose beam-to-column connections were modeled as trilinear hysteretic systems were investigated. The accuracy of the Slepian response prediction for the seismic response was confirmed and the expected value form was coupled with a drift-based limit state function to estimate a conditional form of the first order structural reliability. Since the coefficient of variation of the seismic demand is not explicitly known, the reliability estimates were bounded based upon observations of typical seismic demand variation in engineered structural systems.
Postischemic [Ca2+] repletion improves cardiac performance without altering oxygen demands

Abstract The positive inotropism expected with correction of postischemic hypocalcemia might be counterbalanced by potential aggravation of reperfusion injury, in particular by calcium overload. We evaluated she effect of normalizing blood calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ]) on postischemic left ventricular systolic and diastolic mechanics using oxygen consumption and indices derived from pressure-diameter relations. In 10 open-chest dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass, the hearts underwent 30 minutes of normothermic global ischemia followed by one hour of multidose hypothermic C4 °C), hypocalcemic (0.3 mmol/L) blood cardioplegia. After reperfusion, systemic [Ca 2+ ] had decreased to 70% of control ( p = 0.017). The left ventricular inotropic state was significantly depressed from baseline (control) values, but was restored to baseline levels by resumption of normocalcemia after one hour of reperfusion. Chamber stiffness increased by 308% ( p = 0.006) after hypocalcemic reperfusion but decreased significantly after [Ca 2+ ] correction. Recovery of left ventricular performance with [Ca 2+ ] correction did not augment myocardial oxygen consumption from the postischemic uncorrected state (5.0 ± 0.3 mL O 2 /min/100 g versus 5.3 ± 0.3 mL O 2 /min/100 g). We conclude that normalizing [Ca 2+ ] after blood cardioplegia improves postischemic left ventricular performance without adversely affecting compliance or oxygen consumption.
Antiinflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of the seeds of Carica papaya in experimental animals

Objective: To scientifically verify the claims of our traditional healers on the anti-inflammatory activity of Carica papaya (C. papaya) and possibly deduce its activities. Methods: 0.1 mL of fresh egg albumin was injected into the right hind-paw of adult white Wistar rats to induce inflammation an hour post intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 50-200 mg/kg doses of the extract to 3 groups of 5 rats per group. The 4th group of 5 rats was used as negative control and received 2 mL/kg (IP) of physiological saline, while the 5th group of 5 rats was used as positive-comparative control and received (IP) 150 mg/kg of aspirin. Increases in diameter of the paw were measured with the aid of Veneer Calipers before extract administration and at interval of 30 minutes post administration for further 2 hours. Percentage inhibition of oedema was calculated for each dose group and results were subjected to statistical analysis using student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: All doses of extract showed a dose and time dependent inhibition effects of oedema (P＜0.05). Conclusions: This work is at present though limited to animals, the anti-inflammatory activity of the seeds of C. papaya is perhaps proven.
The Stability of Axis I Diagnoses in Youth Across Multiple Psychiatric Hospitalizations

The literature has yet to reach a consensus as to the stability of severe psychiatric diagnoses in youth. Previous studies among youngsters tracked over set follow-up periods have reported diagnostic stability estimates that are similar to or slightly lower than those of adults. Less is known, however, about the stability of youth psychiatric diagnoses across multiple episodes of psychopathology, such as recurrent inpatient hospitalizations. The present study investigated diagnostic stability among inpatient youth with multiple hospitalizations through longitudinal and cross-sequential designs. Results indicate that diagnostic stability, as measured by positive concordance rates and the kappa coefficient, is highest for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. Externalizing disorders and schizophrenia displayed moderate to low stability, with oppositional-defiant disorder displaying the lowest stability. Substance use disorders were found to have moderate stability. Overall, across-episode diagnostic stability among hospitalized youngsters appears to be lower than that of adults. This finding appears to be due to lower stability among certain externalizing disorders and substance use disorders, whereas mood disorders display stability rates resembling those of adults. Potential explanations for and implications of these findings are discussed.
An Eccentric Barycentric fixed Point Algorithm

One of the newest areas of mathematical programming, the calculation of fixed points, permits solution of problems unsolvable by earlier methods. The algorithm of this paper, moreover, details two theoretical improvements over previous fixed point algorithms. First, previous algorithms utilize a homotopy structure in which an additional dimension is added to the original problem. This algorithm eliminates the “additional dimension,” thereby simplifying the analysis and easing understanding. Second, previous algorithms require the points generated to conform to a fixed predetermined grid. This algorithm, however, allows the points to be selected flexibly dependent upon the actual function values encountered. The algorithm is therefore adaptive. Hopefully, this adaptive feature will speed convergence. It also suggests a new area of research, that of determining “optimum” adaption functions. To achieve all this, the algorithm utilizes an unconventional modification of the barycentric subdivision in which the points may be selected “off center” hence the name eccentric. Finally, the algorithm corrects an erroneous procedure often “discovered” by new students, and since it builds from that, this paper may thus also serve as a useful introduction to the field for students.
Heterotopic pancreas: typical and atypical imaging findings

Heterotopic pancreas is a common condition often encountered during laporotomy or autopsy. Prospective radiographic diagnosis is challenging because of the variable imaging appearances. The purpose of this review is to present the typical and atypical appearances of heterotopic pancreas on imaging studies. Familiarity with the spectrum of radiological findings in conjunction with biochemical markers is helpful to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Comment on academic exclusion: the case of Alexander Del Mar

Abstract Joseph Aschheim and George Tavlas have reminded us of the contributions of Del Mar and the exclusion of his ideas from the mainstream of academic economics. In this paper, I review some of his ideas on monetary economics, monetary history, numismatics, metrology and religion that are relevant to the issue. Del Mar's many-sided genius took him into arcane fields in which he raised questions that had not been asked before and presented answers that were to say the least unconventional and highly controversial. His economics lay outside the academic traditions and biases of his time but his many-sided genius never fails to fascinate. His exclusion from academia did not mean that he was not regarded as a great scholar outside the ivory tower. Moreover, and perhaps more important, he made broad-sweeping generalization about the origins of Western religion and the corruption of church literature that offended church authorities and earned him the enmity of established churches.
Optical characteristics of photonic crystals based on the fractional Talbot effect

The Talbot effect refers to the self-imaging property of periodic structures illuminated by collimated, coherent light. Complex periodic and quasi-periodic irradiance distributions are formed in three-dimensional (3-D) space near the gratings through diffraction and interference. A wide variety of novel irradiance distributions can be synthesized through design of the grating structures. These irradiance distributions can be converted into dielectric structures through exposure of photosensitive materials and subsequent processing or, alternately, can serve as inspiration for photonic crystals to be fabricated through other techniques. In this paper, we explore the dispersion properties of a rhombus lattice photonic crystal structure inspired by the fractional Talbot effect. These "Talbot crystals" are used to demonstrate potential for broadband "all-angle" self-collimation for waveguide and optical multiplexing applications. Additional directions for future research will also be discussed.
Mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel gene family in Drosophila melanogaster: Complex patterns of evolution, genomic organization, and developmental expression

Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), also known as mitochondrial porins, are a family of small pore-forming proteins of the mitochondrial outer membrane found in all eukaryotes. VDACs play important roles in the regulated flux of metabolites between the cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments, energy metabolism, and apoptosis. Annotation of the genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster revealed three genes (CG17137, CG31722-A, and CG31722-B) with homology to porin, the previously described Drosophila VDAC. Molecular analysis reveals a complex pattern of organization and expression. The genomic organization of these four genes and sequence comparisons with other insect VDAC homologs indicate that this gene family evolved through a mechanism of duplication and divergence from an ancestral VDAC gene during the radiation of the genus Drosophila. CG17137, CG31722-A, and CG31722-B are expressed in a male-specific pattern on both transcriptional and translational levels, while porin is equally expressed in both male and female flies. Additionally, CG31722-A and CG31722-B are expressed as a dicistronic transcript. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy confirm that these proteins localize to the mitochondrion. Further expression analysis showed that CG17137 and CG31722-B are abundant in testes, while porin is ubiquitously expressed. While porin, CG17137, and CG31722-B are expressed to different degrees during embryogenesis, all of these proteins are dramatically reduced relative to cytochrome c content during larvogenesis. These studies illustrate a complex genomic organization and spatiotemporal pattern of expression for Drosophila VDACs as well as an evolutionary history consistent with either a partitioning of VDAC functions or an acquisition of novel functions among isoforms.
eFASE: expressive facial animation synthesis and editing with phoneme-isomap controls

This paper presents a novel data-driven system for expressive facial animation synthesis and editing. Given novel phoneme-aligned speech input and its emotion modifiers (specifications), this system automatically generates expressive facial animation by concatenating captured motion data while animators establish constraints and goals. A constrained dynamic programming algorithm is used to search for best-matched captured motion nodes by minimizing a cost function. Users optionally specify "hard constraints" (motion-node constraints for expressing phoneme utterances) and "soft constraints" (emotion modifiers) to guide the search process. Users can also edit the processed facial motion node database by inserting and deleting motion nodes via a novel phoneme-Isomap interface. Novel facial animation synthesis experiments and objective trajectory comparisons between synthesized facial motion and captured motion demonstrate that this system is effective for producing realistic expressive facial animations.