cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Droplet size and equivalence ratio effects on spark ignition of monodisperse N-heptane and methanol sprays

The effects of the droplet size and the equivalence ratio on the ignition of monodisperse n-heptane and methanol sprays at atmospheric pressure were investigated using a capacitive discharge spark ignition system. The minimum ignition energy Emin of the sprays was measured over a range of droplet diameters, D = 30–57 μm, and equivalence ratios, φ = 0.44 – 1.8. As expected, results showed that Emin decreased with decreasing droplet size, with increasing equivalence ratio, and with increasing fuel volatility. While the same trends have been observed previously for polydisperse sprays, this is the first study to quantify these effects for monodisperse sprays in this size range. The minimum ignition energy was also measured for fully prevaporized n-heptane and methanol. An optimum gas phase equivalence ratio for prevaporized n-heptane ignition was found between 1.5 < φ < 2.0. No corresponding optimum was obtained for prevaporized methanol due to difficulties in generating fuel-rich methanol mixtures. comparison of the spray and prevaporized ignition results indicated the existence of an optimum droplet size, D < 30 μm, for the ignition of fuel-lean sprays for both fuels. Extension of the lean prevaporized ignition limit, φ = 0.55, was also observed for all sprays. Experimental ignition results were compared to the predictions of two existing ignition models for quiescent sprays: the characteristic time model for ignition of Peters and Mellor and the general ignition model of Ballal and Lefebvre. Both models, using a characteristic time approach, predicted the experimentally determined ignition energies accurately for most conditions. Model performance deteriorated, however, for leaner ration, φ < 0.7, and for smaller droplet size, D < 35 μm, with both models increasingly underpredicting Emin.
Go Green: The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Biliverdin Reductase

Biliverdin (BV) has emerged as a cytoprotective and important anti-inflammatory molecule. Conversion of BV to bilirubin (BR) is catalyzed by biliverdin reductase (BVR) and is required for the downstream signaling and nuclear localization of BVR. Recent data by others and us make clear that BVR is a critical regulator of innate immune responses resulting from acute insult and injury and moreover, that a lack of BVR results in an enhanced pro-inflammatory phenotype. In macrophages, BVR is regulated by its substrate BV which leads to activation of the PI3K-Akt-IL10 axis and inhibition of TLR4 expression via direct binding of BVR to the TLR4 promoter. In this review, we will summarize recent findings on the role of BVR and the bile pigments in inflammation in context with its activity as an enzyme, receptor and transcriptional regulator.
Effect of system decomposition on two-level state estimation

This paper compares the performance of different techniques of two-level state estimation based on system decomposition. Recent major blackouts around the world and deregulation of power systems require the operators to have a wide area view of the power system to operate it securely and reliably. Wide area state estimation is one of the functions that can provide the operators with such a view. Two-level state estimation can provide the information of the system on wide area basis regardless of the size of the system and without any data exchange between the areas of the grid. The system selected for the simulation is 1896-bus real world system consisting of four areas.
Factors controlling nitrogen release from two forested catchments with contrasting hydrochemical responses

Quantifying biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen (N) and the associated fluxes to surface waters remains challenging, given the need to deal with spatial and temporal variability and to characterize complex and heterogeneous landscapes. We focused our study on catchments S14 and S15 located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA, which have similar topographic and hydrologic characteristics but contrasting stream nitrate (NO - 3 ) concentrations. We characterized the mechanisms by which NO - 3 reaches the streams during hydrological events in these catchments, aiming to reconcile our field data with our conceptual model of factors that regulate nutrient exports from forested catchments. Combined hydrometric, chemical and isotopic (δ 18 O-H 2 O) data showed that the relative contributions of both soil and ground water sources were similar between the two catchments. Temporal patterns of stream chemistry were markedly different between S14 and S15, however, because the water sources in the two catchments have different solute concentrations. During late summer/fall, the largest source of NO - 3 in S14 was till groundwater, whereas shallow soil was the largest NO - 3 source in S15. NO - 3 concentrations in surface water decreased in S14, whereas they increased in S15 because an increasing proportion of stream flow was derived from shallow soil sources. During snowmelt, the largest sources of NO - 3 were in the near-surface soil in both catchments. Concentrations of NO - 3 increased as stream discharge increased and usually peaked before peak discharge, when shallow soil water sources made the largest contribution to stream discharge. The timing of peaks in stream NO - 3 concentrations was affected by antecedent moisture conditions. By elucidating the factors that affect sources and transport of N, including differences in the soil nutrient cycling and hydrological characteristics of S14 and S15, this study contributes to the overall conceptualization of NO - 3 release from temperate forested catchments.
Morphometric differentiation between responsive tumor cells and mesothelial hyperplasia in second-look operations for ovarian cancer

Abstract We developed a procedure based on computerized image analysis to establish objective criteria for the differential diagnosis between mesothelial hyperplasia and cancer in peritoneal tissue samples obtained at second-look operations for ovarian cancer. The tumor tissue after chemotherapy was classified as “nonresponsive” if it was found by histologic criteria to be roughly similar to the tumor before chemotherapy and as “responsive” if it was found to be different (small clusters of bland-looking cells with no mitotic activity). Eighty-five samples of tissue had been classified previously by a pathologist into one of the four following groups: ovarian tumor prior to chemotherapy, “responsive” tumor, “nonresponsive” tumor, or mesothelial hyperplasia. Cell profiles of the tissue samples were studied by computerized image analysis using 21 morphometric descriptors derived from the manual tracings of tumor nuclei, including nuclear perimeter, nuclear area, maximal chord, circularity factor, and standard deviations of these descriptors. Size distribution curves of nuclear areas and maximal chords were included in the analysis. A multivariate discriminant analysis confirmed the separation into the four diagnostic groups, accomplished with consideration of the physical descriptors alone, except for some overlapping between groups 1 and 3. The separation between carcinoma and mesothelial hyperplasia was clear in all cases.
Laboratory induction of verbal slips: A new method for psycholinguistic research

A new method has been developed for testing hypotheses of speech production, especially those which seek to determine the causes of phonological encoding breakdowns, and thus to determine the nature of normal phonological processing. Specifically, a description is provided for a procedure by which experimental subjects may be induced to accidentally commit the type of verbal slip known as a “spoonerism.” The procedure provides the experimenter with control over the subject's speech output, sufficient to insure that the average subject's articulation on up to 30% of designated word pairs will be in the form of an accidental spoonerism error planned by the experimenter. Encoding hypotheses testable through laboratory induction of verbal slips are discussed briefly.
Bromoalkane production by Antarctic ice algae

Ice microalgae, collected from the underside of annual sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, were found to contain and release to seawater a number of brominated hydrocarbons. These included bromoform, dibromomethane, mixed bromochloromethanes, and methyl bromide. Atmospheric measurements in the McMurdo Sound vicinity revealed the presence of bromoform and methyl bromide in the lower atmosphere, with lowest concentrations inland, further indicating that biogenic activity in the Sound is a source of organic bromine gases to the Antarctic atmosphere. This may have important implications for boundary layer chemistry in Antarctica. In the Arctic, the presence of bromoform has been linked to loss of surface ozone in the spring. We report here preliminary evidence for similar surface ozone loss at McMurdo Station.
Three checkpoints in lupus development: central tolerance in adaptive immunity, peripheral amplification by innate immunity and end-organ inflammation

Although the etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains to be fully elucidated, it is now apparent that multiple genetic and environmental factors are at play. Over the past decade, several studies have helped uncover genetic associations and susceptibility loci in human and murine lupus. In particular, recent genome-wide association studies have uncovered a large number of associated genes in human SLE. Given this plethora of candidate genes, the next challenge for lupus biologists is to fathom how these different genes operate to engender lupus. In this context, recent genetic studies in mouse models of lupus have been particularly informative. The purpose of this review is to overview three key genetically determined checkpoints in lupus development that have emerged from studies of NZM2410-derived congenic strains bearing individual lupus susceptibility loci. These three events include a breach in central tolerance in the adaptive arm of the immune system, peripheral amplification of the autoimmune response by the innate immune system and local processes in the target organ that facilitate end-organ disease. Collectively, murine congenic dissection studies provide a framework for understanding and analyzing the steady stream of gene candidates that are currently emerging from human lupus studies.
Formation of isobaric nuclides with A = 131 in the interaction of /sup 238/U with 0. 8--11. 5 GeV protons

Cross sections and thick-target recoil properties of /sup 131/Ce, /sup 131/La, /sup 131/Ba, and several neighboring Ba nuclides formed in the interaction of /sup 238/U with 0.8--11.5 GeV protons have been determined. The results reveal a dichotomy between /sup 131/Ba and the more neutron-rich products on the one hand, and the more neutron-deficient ones on the other. The latter have rising excitation functions, forward-to-backward ratios (F/B) that peak at 3 GeV, and ranges that decrease abruptly just below this energy. The former have decreasing excitation functions as well as F/B and ranges that decrease slowly and featurelessly with increasing proton energy. The energy dependence of F/B as well as the changes in the angular distributions of the very neutron deficient products observed between 3 and 11.5 GeV are explained in terms of a change in the nature of near-central proton-nucleus interactions. At the lower energies the interaction consists of a series of nucleon-nucleon collisions while at high energies the proton interacts collectively with all the nucleons lying in its path. The dropoff in the mean ranges of these same nuclides and the accompanying broadening of the spectra indicate a transition between fission and deep spallation. The possible connection between thesemore » two effects is discussed. Several experiments to test the proposed model are suggested.« less
Multiquadric and its shape parameter—A numerical investigation of error estimate, condition number, and round-off error by arbitrary precision computation

Abstract Hardy’s multiquadric and its related interpolators have been found to be highly efficient for interpolating continuous, multivariate functions, as well as for the solution of partial differential equations. Particularly, the interpolation error can be dramatically reduced by varying the shape parameter to make the interpolator optimally flat. This improvement of accuracy is accomplished without reducing the fill distance of collocation points, that is, without the increase of computational cost. There exist a number of mathematical theories investigating the multiquadric family of radial basis functions. These theories are often not fully tested due to the computation difficulty associated with the ill-conditioning of the interpolation matrix. This paper overcomes this difficulty by utilizing arbitrary precision arithmetic in the computation. The issues investigated include conditional positive definiteness, error estimate, optimal shape parameter, traditional and effective condition numbers, round-off error, derivatives of interpolator, and the edge effect of interpolation.
IBM 3270 full screen interactive programming without CICS

During the past several decades, full screen interactive programming has become essential in data processing. However, it is impossible or difficult to teach full screen interactive programs on IBM mainframes at universities because of the enormous cost of CICS and the lack of flexibility with the MUSIC PANEL utility. This article describes our solution to the need described in [4] for an inexpensive utility which will allow COBOL programmers to do interactive programming on mainframes utilizing full screen techniques.At Southeast Missouri State University, we have addressed these problems with a utility program which facilitate full screen interactive programming. This program has been developed by Dr. Hilton C. Chen with comments and suggestions by Dr. Wayne C. Summers. The utility program is friendlier and easier to use and considerably more useful than MUSIC's PANEL. More importantly, it gives our students experience in full screen interactive programming on mainframes.
The cell cycle and DNA mismatch repair

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway contributes to the fidelity of DNA synthesis and recombination by correcting mispaired nucleotides and insertion/deletion loops (IDLs). We have investigated whether MMR protein expression, activity, and subcellular location are altered during discrete phases of the cell cycle in mammalian cells. Two distinct methods have been used to demonstrate that although physiological MMR protein expression, mismatch binding, and nick-directed MMR activity within the nucleus are at highest levels during S phase, MMR is active throughout the cell cycle. Despite equal MMR nuclear protein concentrations in S and G(2) phases, mismatch binding and repair activities within G(2) are significantly lower, indicating a post-translational decrease in MMR activity specific to G(2). We further demonstrate that typical co-localization of MutSalpha to late S phase replication foci can be disrupted by 2 microM N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). This concentration of MNNG does not decrease ongoing DNA synthesis nor induce cell cycle arrest until the second cell cycle, with long-term colony survival decreased by only 24%. These results suggest that low level alkylation damage can selectively disrupt MMR proofreading activity during DNA synthesis and potentially increase mutation frequency within surviving cells.
Psychological Features of Personality Training for Professional Activity

Abstract In a paper the problem of students’ training for their professional activity and methods that provide preparedness and can be applied an educational process are discussed. Research on this issue in has up-to-date urgency linked with necessity of forming up students’ professional competencies. Problem of future specialists training, and forming up professional traits of their personality, growth of professional competence is quite important in modern university education from the point of view of graduates’ suitability to new professional and applied demands. Also, basic research data and results that had been gathered by through experimental study are suggested in this paper. As charts data there is shown forming up of specialists’ competence components including communicative competence and loud speaking development connected with development of professional competence by means of comparing control group and research sample of students (before and after an empirical research-study).
A progress report on the separation and purification of crustacean neurosecretory pigmentary-effector hormones.

Abstract An earlier report described separation of crustacean eyestalk extract by gel filtration on G-25 Sephadex into two groups of pigmentary-effector hormones. One contains distal retinal pigment light-adapting hormone (DRPH) and melanophore dispersing hormone (MDH) in Peak 1B and the other an erythrophore concentrating hormone (ECH) in Peak 4. This is a report of progress in further purification of such hormones. Peak 1B material also disperses the pigment in leucophores and erythrophores. Further chromatography of Peak 1B material on two ion-exchangers shows the separation of several different molecular versions of a particular pigmentary-effector hormone. In addition, each active peak is effective on all four pigmentary effectors, causing light-adaptation of distal retinal pigment and dispersing the pigments in melanophores, leucophores, and erythrophores. Homogeneity of these preparations has not yet been thoroughly examined, so that it is not yet possible to state whether each active peak contains one or several pigmentary effector hormones.
Thermalization through parton transport

Abstract A radiative transport model is used to study kinetic equilibration during the early stage of a relativistic heavy ion collision. The parton system is found to be able to overcome expansion and move toward thermalization via parton collisions. Scaling behaviors show up in both the pressure anisotropy and the energy density evolutions. In particular, the pressure anisotropy evolution shows an approximate α s scaling when radiative processes are included. It approaches an asymptotic time evolution on a time scale of 1 to 2 fm/c. The energy density evolution shows an asymptotic time evolution that decreases slower than the ideal hydro evolution. These observations indicate that partial thermalization can be achieved and viscosity is important for the evolution during the early longitudinal expansion stage of a relativistic heavy ion collision.
Macrocyclic oxonium ylide formation and internal [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement catalyst influence on selectivity

Abstract The formation of 13-membered ring oxonium ylides and their subsequent stereocontrolled [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement to 10-membered ring lactones occurs in catalyst dependent competition with macrocylic cyclopropanation.
Discovery of acetylcholinesterase peripheral anionic site ligands through computational refinement of a directed library.

The formation of β-amyloid plaques in the brain is a key neurodegenerative event in Alzheimer's disease. Small molecules capable of binding to the peripheral anionic site of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been shown to inhibit the AChE-induced aggregation of the β-amyloid peptide. Using the combination of a computational docking model and experimental screening, five compounds that completely blocked the amyloidogenic effect of AChE were rapidly identified from an ∼200-member library of compounds designed to disrupt protein−protein interactions. Critical to this docking model was the inclusion of two explicit water molecules that are tightly bound to the enzyme. Interestingly, none of the tested compounds inhibited the related enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) up to their aqueous solubility limits. These compounds are among the most potent inhibitors of amyloid β-peptide aggregation and are equivalent only to propidium, a well-characterized AChE peripheral anionic site binder and aggregation inhibitor.
An optical microscopy imaging method for detection of electromigration-induced damage

Electromigration damage is a microscopic phenomenon involving electric field-induced diffusion, which is very relevant to damage in interconnects. Recently, we have developed a novel and useful optical microscopy method with which we can visually observe and record such damage formation during an accelerated stress test. This new non-contact technique provides complementary information to the more traditional probe of electrical resistance.
New remote-sensing data compression technique using wavelet decomposition and related procedures

Many image compression techniques have been developed for remote sensing imagery over the last thirty years. What are considered as standard techniques such as the use of principal component analysis, discrete cosine transform, predictive coding, etc. have shown their limitations. Wavelet transform techniques have been increasingly used in recent years. In this paper a new and efficient technique is presented that provides a nearly lossless compression of the multichannel remote sensing imagery by combining the use of wavelet decomposition, non-uniform quantization, arithmetic coding, and geometric vector quantizer (GVQ) to achieve the compression task with very minimal loss. The detailed procedures will be illustrated with real remote sensing images.
Random Field-Based Approach for Strength Evaluation of Suspension Bridge Cables

A methodology is introduced to estimate the strength of suspension bridge cables using results of tensile strength tests performed on wire samples extracted from the bridge’s main cables. The innovation of the proposed methodology is to consider the spatial correlation of the wire strength over the wire’s length, a real and experimentally measured property of ductile steel wires that is disregarded in the current standard approach. The wire strength is modeled as a nonGaussian random field along its length. The number of parallel wires in the cable’s cross section is then considered to estimate the strength of the entire cable. The capabilities of the proposed methodology are demonstrated through an application involving an experimental data set of wire segments extracted from the Williamsburg Bridge. Results of the proposed methodology are compared to corresponding results of the current standard approach. It is explained why the former results are relatively more accurate than the latter. A procedure fo...
Rapid growth and out-crossing promote female development in zebrafish ( Danio rerio )

Sex determination in fishes is often enigmatic, a situation that is often made even more complex by the fact that the process of sexual differentiation in many species may be influenced by environmental conditions. This situation is typified in zebrafish, a popular model organism. Despite the vast array of information available for the species, the genetic controls of sex are unknown. Further, environmental parameters, such as rearing densities, seem to exert an influence on the sex ratios of captive stocks. In an effort to dissect the genetic and environmental controls underlying the expression of sex in this species, we manipulated growth of pure-bred and out-crossed zebrafish by varying their food supply during development. Faster-growing zebrafish were more likely to be female than siblings that were fed less, and out-crossed broods had higher proportions of females than broods from pure-bred crosses. The dependence of sex ratio on feeding rate is readily understood in terms of adaptive sex allocation: zebrafish life history seems to confer the greater pay-off for large size on females. A similar male/female difference in the pay-off for hybrid vigor could similarly account for the female bias of out-crossed broods—and it could be a manifestation of Haldane’s rule.
Pavement Crack Classification Based on Tensor Factorization

Abstract This paper presents tensor factorization as a means of classifying cracks in pavements. Several crack classification algorithms exist and they are mostly based on other machine learning methods. These may come with their own problems which may be classification errors and long processing times. Tensors are multidimensional arrays. The nature of tensors enables the analysis of the images to be carried out in a 3D space which ensures a more robust and accurate analysis tool. The levels of accuracy obtained after using the algorithm implies that crack classification based on tensor factorization is one that can be successfully employed by state agencies nationwide and around the world which use digital image processing systems as part of their pavement management programs.
Instructional Strategies Used by General Educators and Teachers of Students with Learning Disabilities: A Survey

A survey was conducted to determine the instructional strategies used by special education teachers and general educators in teaching reading and writing, their philosophical approach (direct instruction or whole language), and what influenced teachers in making their philosophical decision. a 21-item questionnaire was completed by 183 elementary teachers of second and fifth grades and teachers of students with learning disabilities. the results indicated that the most important factor influencing respondents' philosophical decisions in teaching reading and writing is their teacher training program emphasis. results also indicated that the majority of respondents believe that a combination approach using both direct instruction and whole language is effective. the most commonly used instructional strategies by respondents include journal writing, writers' workshop, tradebooks, sustained silent reading, individualized reading, guided reading, and thematic units.
Torsional eye movements in patients with skew deviation and spasmodic torticollis: responses to static and dynamic head roll

We measured torsional eye movements induced by sinusoidal rotation or static tilt, of the head in roll while viewing a far or near target in 4 patients with skew deviation due to brainstem lesions, 4 patients with spasmodic torticollis (ST), 2 patients with unilateral eighth nerve section (VIIIS), and 10 normal subjects. Torsional nystagmus was present in all 4 patients with skew deviation. In subjects and patients, responses to both sinusoidal and static roll were larger while viewing the far target, consistent with factors dictated by geometry. Response gains to sinusoidal roll were abnormal in 3 patients with skew (increased in one, decreased in two), abnormal in 3 with ST (increased in 1, decreased in 2), and in abnormal both VIIIS patients (decreased). Greater abnormalities were evident in 3 skew patients while rolling away from the side of their brainstem lesions and in both VIIIS patients while rolling toward their lesioned ears. There were similar but less pronounced changes during static head roll. We conclude that patients with skew, ST, and VIIIS may all have abnormal ocular counter-rolling that is more evident during dynamic testing while viewing a far target. Such abnormalities endure because of the limited influence exerted by vision on torsional eye movements.
Chemiluminescent Studies Involving Collisions of CHO+ Ions and CH4 Molecules

Emission bands of the CHO, CH, and OH radicals, together with atomic hydrogen transitions, have been observed due to collisions of CHO+ ions and CH4 molecules. Cross sections of the most intense band of the CH radical have been determined at different laboratory kinetic energies of the CHO+ ions in the range 100 to 900 eV.
Cutaneous histologic findings in chemical workers with and without chloracne with past exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Histopathologic examination of the skin in seventy-seven chemical workers with past exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was performed in 1981 to determine whether changes specific for chloracne were present. Prior to biopsy, subjects had been classified as having clinical evidence of residual chloracne (48%), having a past history of chloracne but no current dermatologic evidence of it (24%), or never having had chloracne (27%). Follicular infundibular dilatation and/or comedones and cysts were found in 76%, 39%, and 32% of the current, past, and never chloracne groups, respectively; the differences were significant between current and never groups (p less than 0.001) and between current and past groups (p less than 0.01). A combined mean score of follicular infundibular dilatation, comedones, and cysts was significantly different only between the current and never groups (p less than 0.005). Solar elastosis, histologically present in all subjects, was related to age but not chloracne. No relationship was found between smoking habit and any of the histologic findings. Changes specific for chloracne were not found. Four-millimeter skin biopsy is unlikely to be either diagnostic or useful in persons with past exposure to TCDD that is ill defined or insufficient to produce chloracne.
Mechanism-Based Modeling of Nutritional and Leptin Influences on Growth in Normal and Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Influences of genetic and nutritional factors on body weight, fat mass, and leptin production and effects of leptin were assessed in normal [Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)] and diabetic [Goto-Kakizaki (GK)] rats by mechanism-based modeling. The study included 60 WKY and 60 GK rats; half received high-fat diet (HF), and the others received normal rat chow (N). Body weights and food consumption were measured twice weekly. Six rats per group were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks. Abdominal fat was weighed, and plasma leptin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All data were comodeled using NONMEM version VI level 1.1 (first-order conditional estimation with interaction) (Beal SL, Boeckmann AJ, Sheiner LB, and NONMEM Project Group, NONMEM Users Guides, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 2007). Weight gain was modeled as differences between energy intake and metabolic rate based on allometrically scaled lean body mass (LBM). The GK had higher metabolic rates (1.15 kcal/day/g LBM(0.75)) than WKY-N (0.92) and WKY-HF (1.02) rats and higher efficiency in transforming energy into body weight. Leptin effect was modeled as inhibition of food consumption. Total body fat was estimated from abdominal fat. Leptin production from fat was 4.7-fold higher for GK (3.03 ng/ml/day/g) than WKY (0.66 ng/ml/day/g). Leptin production rate from LBM was 0.53 ng/ml/day/g for all groups. The IC(50) for inhibition of food intake by leptin was approximately 3-fold higher in GK versus WKY, indicating leptin resistance for the effect on food consumption in GK. The GK had similar intake of kilocalories but lower body weights and fat mass than WKY, possibly because of higher metabolic rates. Our mechanism-based model explains intrinsic reasons for differences in growth, food intake, and leptin concentrations among these two strains of rats.
Expression of placental low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and scavenger receptors AI/AII transcripts in the baboon.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess potential secondary lipoprotein-dependent mechanisms, scavenger receptor AI and AII (SR-AI and SR-AII), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) in the baboon (Papio sp) placenta. Study Design: Baboon placental villous tissue and enriched fractions of syncytiotrophoblast cells were collected at early (~day 60, n = 3), mid (~day 100, n = 4), and late (~day 160, n = 4) pregnancy (term = ~184 days). The abundance of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts for SR-AI, SR-AII, and LRP were determined relative to constitutively expressed, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Results: No quantitative differences (P >.05) in SR-AI, SR-AII, or LRP mRNAs were noted in respect to stage of gestation. However, SR-AII/GAPDH mRNA ratios in syncytiotrophoblast cells (0.38 ± 0.09, n = 11) were significantly (P <.05) higher than in villous tissue (0.15 ± 0.04, n = 11), whereas LRP/GAPDH mRNA ratios were higher in villous tissue (0.43 ± 0.10, n = 11) than in syncytiotrophoblast cells (0.18 ± 0.02, n = 11). Conclusion: SR-AII mRNA in baboon placenta appears to be expressed, in greatest abundance, in the endocrinologically active syncytiotrophoblast. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1211-3.)
Progress on the scaled beam-combining experiment at LBNL

Abstract Transverse beam combining is a cost-saving option employed in many designs for induction linac heavy-ion fusion drivers. The resultant transverse emittance increase, due partly to anharmonic space charge forces, must be kept minimal so that the beam remains focusable at the target. A prototype combining experiment has been built. Four sources each produce 4.5 mA Cs + beams at 160 keV. Focusing upstream of the merge consists of four quadrupoles and a final combined-function element (quadrupole and dipole). Due to the small distance between beams near the merge (∼3–4 mm), the electrodes of the final element for each beam are a cage of small rods, each at a different voltage. Recent results are presented along with plans for modifications and future measurements.
The vectorial photoelectric effect on cesiated GaAs (110) and Si (111) surfaces

Abstract Polarization dependence of photoelectric emission at 45° incidence was investigated on cesiated Si (111) and GaAs (110) surfaces. Yield and energy distributions from surfaces covered with submonolayers of cesium did not depend on polarization of the light. Energy distributions and emitted current depend on the plane of polarization when more than a monolayer of cesium was deposited onto cooled samples. These phenomena can be explained in terms of radiation density calculated from Fresnel's equation and bulk optical properties of the semiconductor; no polarization dependence of the optical excitation need be invoked.
The Characteristics of Numerically Simulated Supercell Storms Situated over Statically Stable Boundary Layers

AbstractThis paper uses idealized numerical simulations to investigate the dynamical influences of stable boundary layers on the morphology of supercell thunderstorms, especially the development of low-level rotation. Simulations are initialized in a horizontally homogeneous environment with a surface-based stable layer similar to that found within a nocturnal boundary layer or a mesoscale cold pool. The depth and lapse rate of the imposed stable boundary layer, which together control the convective inhibition (CIN), are varied in a suite of experiments.When compared with a control simulation having little surface-based CIN, each supercell simulated in an environment having a stable boundary layer develops weaker rotation, updrafts, and downdrafts at low levels; in general, low-level vertical vorticity and vertical velocity magnitude decrease as initial CIN increases (changes in CIN are due only to variations in the imposed stable boundary layer). Though the presence of a stable boundary layer decreases l...
Evaluation of Biocompatibility and Administration Site Reactogenicity of Polyanhydride-Particle-Based Platform for Vaccine Delivery

Efficacy, purity, safety, and potency are important attributes of vaccines. Polyanhydride particles represent a novel class of vaccine adjuvants and delivery platforms that have demonstrated the ability to enhance the stability of protein antigens as well as elicit protective immunity against bacterial pathogens. This work aims to elucidate the biocompatibility, inflammatory reactions, and particle effects on mice injected with a 5 mg dose of polyanhydride nanoparticles via common parenteral routes (subcutaneous and intramuscular). Independent of polymer chemistry, nanoparticles more effectively disseminated away from the injection site as compared to microparticles, which exhibited a depot effect. Using fluorescent probes, the in vivo distribution of three formulations of nanoparticles, following subcutaneous administration, indicated migration away from the injection site. Less inflammation was observed at the injection sites of mice-administered nanoparticles as compared to Alum and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Furthermore, histological evaluation revealed minimal adverse injection site reactions and minimal toxicological effects associated with the administration of nanoparticles at 30 days post-administration. Collectively, these results demonstrate that polyanhydride nanoparticles do not induce inflammation as a cumulative effect of particle persistence or degradation and are, therefore, a viable candidate for a vaccine delivery platform.
Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films with three different orientations

Epitaxial thin films of YBaCuO have been prepared with (1) the a axis perpendicular to (100) SrTiO3 ; (2) the c axis perpendicular to (100) SrTiO3 ; and (3) the [110] axis perpendicular to (110) SrTiO3. Films were fabricated using a multilayer deposition technique involving three electron guns containing Y, BaF2, and Cu under a pressure of 5×10−5 Torr of O2. As deposited films, which contained polycrystalline and amorphous regions, were later annealed in a furnace under a flowing O2‐H2 O atmosphere. X‐ray diffraction patterns as well as scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution electron microscopy images confirm that the films are highly oriented, essentially epitaxial. The a‐axis oriented film exhibits zero resistance at 90 K and a critical current density of 2.9×106 A/cm2 at 4.2 K while the c‐axis oriented film exhibits a Tc of 88 K and a Jc of 0.9×107 A/cm2 at 4.2K; the Jc values were determined magnetically. The [110]‐orientation film shows the sharpest transition with a transition width of 1 K...
Lipide peroxidation in isolated mitochondria

Isolated mitochondria suspended in 0.15 M NaCl at 37 °C. deteriorate by a hematin-catalyzed lipide peroxidation. This deterioration was measured and characterized by oxygen absorption, thiobarbituric acid reaction, and enzyme inactivation.
Treating maize with ammonia—A controlled storage experiment

Abstract High-moisture maize was treated with ammonia and stored in two insulated 208 l. drums at 25°C. The maize was sampled periodically in one drum, and it became infected with Scopulariopsis brevicaulis mould. The fungus removed ammonia from the headspace gas and copiously produced carbon dioxide. The other drum was not opened for 18 months, and symptoms of microbial activity were minimal. The effects of ammonia and storage on sugars, proteins, and form of nitrogen are briefly discussed.
Dupont Circle Diversiphily.

Academics are inclined to think of their work as a pure calling. But the fact remains that the profession of higher education—like all professions—is embedded in various rules, assumptions, and programs that further the fiduciary obligations of the profession and also protect the rights, agendas, and self-interests of the profession’s members. Throned at the organizational peak of academia are a number of professional associations often referred to collectively as “One Dupont Circle,” since many of them are headquartered at that address in Washington, DC. These organizations are dedicated to improving pedagogy and leadership according to their own visions and agendas. Despite losing a measure of prestige and influence in recent decades, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), founded in 1915, remains the foremost professional association in higher education. Though it deals with an array of higher education issues, the AAUP is most noted for the protection and promotion of academic freedom, which includes free inquiry in teaching and research, due process in discipline cases, and tenure. Other major higher education organizations (or interest groups, if you will) include the American Council of Education, the Association of American Acad. Quest. (2009) 22:207–225 DOI 10.1007/s12129-009-9108-8
Mental development: Family environment and genetic influences☆

Abstract A comprehensive home assessment was performed for 116 families whose twins were participants in a longitudinal study of early mental development. A large number of rating and observations made by a social worker during the home visit were condensed via factor analysis into four primary scores: adequacy of the home environment, maternal temperament, maternal cognitive skills, and maternal social-affect. The HOME scales of Caldwell (1978) were also completed, and all scores were combined with previously obtained measures of parental education and socioeconomic status. These scores were entered into a multiple regression analysis as predictors of off-spring mental development at 4 criterion ages: 6 months, 24 months, 3 years, and 6 years. The relationship was very weak at 6 months, but improved steadily over ages until reaching R mult = .66 at 6 years. The four primary scores listed above plus father education all contributed significantly to the prediction of 6-year IQ scores, making it evident that home/family variables were substantially related to early mental development. However, a subsequent analysis using only parental education and SES as predictors yielded R mult = .59. The qualitative features of home and mother thus appeared to augment a core linkage between parents and offspring representing intrinsic capabilities. The results are discussed in terms of both heritage and home environment as contributors to early mental development.
Extension of the viscoplasticity theory based on overstress (VBO) to capture non-standard rate dependence in solids

Abstract The viscoplasticity theory based on overstress (VBO) can model unusual loading rate effects. Included are rate-insensitivity and positive and negative rate sensitivity. An augmentation function is required that operates on the dynamic recovery term of the growth law for the equilibrium stress, which is a state variable in VBO. The augmentation function does not affect the initial, quasi-elastic region. Its full effect appears when the long-time, asymptotic solution, which corresponds to the flow stress region is reached in an experiment. The flow stress of the VBO model consists of monotonic, rate-independent hardening affected by the kinematic stress, the viscous, rate-dependent hardening through the overstress and the rate-independent hardening represented by the isotropic stress. With the augmentation function it is possible to have only rate-dependent contributions to the flow stress. Through a proper choice of the augmentation function the rate-dependent and the rate-independent contributions can be apportioned to yield positive, zero and negative rate dependence in a consistent manner. As a demonstration, the stress-strain curves of Copper, a fcc metal, are reproduced. In fcc metals the positive rate dependence increases with deformation. The rate-dependent stress-strain curves of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) exhibiting a distinct yield point are also reproduced. Numerical creep tests performed at the same stress level before and after the yield point lead to unlimited creep strain and primary creep, respectively. The modeling of these very different types of material behavior requires only different material constants and augmentation functions within the same general constitutive equation.
Human adenovirus type 41 contains two fibers.

Abstract DNA sequencing of the subgroup F human adenovirus serotype 41 (TAK, Ad41) fiber gene revealed the presence of two adjacent open reading frames encoding information for proteins with molecular weights of 60.6 kDa and 41.4 kDa (Pieniazek, et al ; Nucleic Acids Res. 18 : p. 1901, 1990). In this paper, various approaches were used to characterize the two proteins and determine whether both fibers were expressed in infected cells as well as on viral particles. We initially used a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with primers for the short and long fiber genes to amplify mRNA from Ad41 infected HEp-2 cells at 48 h post-infection. Two distinct DNA bands; one slightly larger than 1.1 kbp and the other at about 1.7 kbp were identified. Second, we used polyclonal anti-Ad41 virion and monoclonal anti-Ad5 fiber antibodies to demonstrate that at both 24 and 36 h post-infec- tion, Ad41 expressed two fiber proteins of the expected size. Specifically, by SDS-PAGE, one fiber (short) had a molecular weight of 40 kDa, while the other (long) had a molecular weight of 60 kDa. Third, by electron microscopy, two sizes of fibers were released from CsCl purified virions, both having a characteristic adenovirus morphology, with a knob at one end. The long fiber measured 315 A in length and the short fiber was 250 A long. These measurements are consistent with the two Ad41 fibers being encoded by the above open reading frames. We also performed a computer search to compare fiber sequences from other human adenovirus serotypes with that of the Ad41 short and long fiber proteins. The primary structure of both Ad41 fibers were found to be similar in that they contained tail, shaft and knob regions. Further, the tail region of both fibers (amino acids 1–42) showed a 74% overall homology to each other and contained the Ad conserved sequence NH 2 -F-N-P- V-Y-P-Y-COOH. An interesting difference, however, was observed in the shaft region where the long fiber (amino acids 43–389) had twenty-two 16-amino acid repeat motifs, while the short fiber (amino acids 43–233) had only twelve. Finally, we noted that the long fiber knob region was about 15% longer than that of the short fiber, and showed little overall homology. In conclusion, human adenovirus subgroup F (type 41) virions appear to differ from those of all other human adenoviruses (subgenera A-E) in that they contain two fiber genes and correspondingly, two different sized fibers. A recent paper (Kidd et al., Virology 192: 73–84, 1993) came to a similar conclusion for Ad40, another subgenus F virus.
Product Choice and Channel Strategy for Multi-Channel Retailers

With the explosive growth of online sales, multi-channel retailers are increasingly focused on finding ways of integrating the online channel with traditional retail stores. The need for the development of effective multi-channel strategies is strongly felt by the retailers. The present research normatively addresses this issue and using a game theoretic approach, derives optimal strategies that maximize profits under different competitive market structures. Managerial implications are discussed and probable paths of future research are identified.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype and outcome in pediatric IgA nephropathy

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism has been implicated as a genetic marker for progression of glomerular disease. Studies of ACE genotypes in adults with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) have yielded conflicting results. We performed ACE genotyping on 79 patients with IgAN diagnosed prior to age 18 years who had either progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or are now more than 5 years post biopsy. Mean follow-up was 14.8 years for those with normal renal function. Forty-three (54.4%) subjects had normal renal function and a normal urinalysis at last evaluation. Sixteen (20%) progressed to ESRD and 1 has chronic renal insufficiency. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for progression to ESRD did not differ significantly for the ACE DD, ID, and II genotype groups (P=0.095, log-rank test). By univariate analysis, presence of hypertension and degree of proteinuria at diagnosis, and unfavorable histology but not ACE genotype, was significantly associated with progression to ESRD. In the Cox proportional hazards model that included grade of proteinuria, the ACE D allele was a significant independent predictor of outcome with a hazard ratio of 2.37 (P=0.031). Our data, while inconclusive, suggest that the ACE D allele may associate with poor outcome in pediatric IgAN.