cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Streamer Mechanism and Main Stroke in the Filamentary Spark Breakdown in Air as Revealed by Photomultipliers and Fast Oscilloscopic Techniques

A study has been made of the development of the luminosity in the transition from a corona or a Townsend predischarge to a filamentary spark in atmospheric air for a wide range of gap geometry extending from a positive needle point-to-plane gap to large sphere-to-plane gaps very close to the parallel plate case. Two photomultipliers viewed thin slices of the gap perpendicular to its axis; the one fixed near the anode triggered the Tektronix 517 oscilloscope and the other, which could be moved parallel to the gap axis, provided the signal for display. From the oscillograms, cross plots of the developing spatial distribution of luminosity across the gap were obtained for a number of gaps. It was found that, in general, a primary and a secondary dendrite, and even a tertiary, in some cases, develop out from the anode to the cathode at high speeds and prepare the way for the growth of the main stroke. In divergent fields the primary dendrite consists of a number of simultaneous streamer filaments which, in all cases, cross to the cathode, while the branch streamers of the secondary dendrite slow down in midgap and even fail to reach the cathode in the longer gaps. There are several sets of primary-secondary dendrites before each main stroke, in longer point-to-plane gaps, with about 200 \ensuremath{\mu}sec between sets, and about 1 \ensuremath{\mu}sec between the last set and the main stroke. While in the case of large sphere-to-plane gaps it was not possible to tell whether a dendrite consists of one or of several streamers, a primary (close to the cathode) and a secondary pulse can be observed in the longer gaps. With short gaps which are very close to the parallel plate case, only a secondary can be seen, and below about 1.0 to 1.3 cm a dendrite or streamer could not be resolved from the main stroke rise with the present equipment. In a few sphere-to-plane gaps, oscillograms and cross plots were obtained which show the development of the main stroke as its toe crosses from the anode to within about 0.5 cm of the cathode, at which position the luminosity distribution of the fully developed main stroke shows a trough, with a maximum near the anode and a rise toward the cathode.
Nitride Metal/Semiconductor Superlattices for High Temperature Direct Thermal-to-Electrical Energy Conversion

We have identified TiN/GaN and ZrN/ScN as two possible pure rocksalt structured metal/semiconductor combinations for fabrication of solid-state thermionic energy converters for high operational temperatures. The selection of the materials was constrained by issues that are critical to the integration of heterogeneous materials such as crystallographic compatibility and thermodynamic stability of the metal/semiconductor combinations at high operating temperatures. The first nitride superlattice system consists of TiN as the metal layer and GaN, in its metastable rocksalt phase, as the semiconductor layer, grown on rocksalt MgO substrates. The metastable rocksalt GaN (rs-GaN) phase is stabilized by pseudomorphic epitaxy on a metallic rocksalt TiN underlayer, and its existence has been verified using high-resolution x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The critical thickness for the rocksalt-to-wurtzite phase transition has been empirically determined to be between 1 and 2 nm, although much thicker rocksalt GaN films, up to approximately 6 nm, can be maintained for several superlattice periods. The second pure rocksalt-structured superlattice system analyzed consists of alternating layers of metallic ZrN and semiconducting ScN. These epitaxial superlattices were grown on rocksalt MgO substrates using dc magnetron sputtering in a nitrogen-argon ambient.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Missouri's Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Acquittees, 1980–2009: Is Gender Important When Comparing Female and Male Insanity Acquittees and Convicted Offenders?

Although increasing attention is being paid to differences between female and male offenders in the correctional population, potential differences between female and male insanity acquittees have not been explored. Also unexplored are the potential differences between female insanity acquittees and their correctional counterparts, both subgroups of the mentally ill offender population. This study analyzed 30 years of insanity acquittals in Missouri, finding that females were more likely to have committed murder, more likely to have been diagnosed with major depression, more likely to be older, more likely to have been married, less likely to have a substance abuse diagnosis, and more likely to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder than male counterparts. Differences emerged when female insanity acquittees were compared to the female correctional population. Race differences were also found within the female insanity acquittee population. The focal concerns perspective is discussed to interpret...
Energy dissipation in magnonic logic circuits

In this work, we provide a theoretical study on the energy dissipation in spin wave (magnonic) logic circuits. The circuits combine bi-stable multiferroic elements and ferromagnetic strips - spin wave buses. Power consumption is mainly defined by the efficiency of the multiferroic elements and the internal losses in the spin wave buses. Based on the available experimental data, we present the estimates on the energy per logic operation and project power dissipation in nanometer-scale magnonic circuits. According to the estimates, scaled magnonic logic circuits may consume as low as 10aJ per operation. We also present the estimates on the potential functional throughput enhancement and compare it with scaled CMOS.
Global convergence for a 1-D inverse problem with application to imaging of land mines

A new globally convergent numerical method is developed for a 1-D coefficient inverse problem for a hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE). The back reflected data are used. A version of the quasi-reversibility method is proposed. A global convergence theorem is proven via a Carleman estimate. The results of numerical experiments are presented.
Indoor tanning: Risks, benefits, and future trends

Abstract The indoor tanning industry is a $1 billion-a-year business in the United States, and use of these high-intensity UVA tanning devices continues to grow. Many members of the medical community are concerned about the safety of these largely unregulated devices, but tanning salon operators state such concerns are unfounded and unproved. A comprehensive review of current knowledge of the operation and effects of indoor tanning is presented. The effects of UV radiation (especially UVA) on experimental animals and human beings are examined. Both acute and chronic effects are delineated from experimental sources as well as from epidemiologic studies and clinical observations. Existing safety regulations are described. Information on operator knowledge and compliance with existing safety regulations is reviewed.
EECache: exploiting design choices in energy-efficient last-level caches for chip multiprocessors

Power management for large last-level caches (LLCs) is important in chip-multiprocessors (CMPs), as the leakage power of LLCs accounts for a significant fraction of the limited on-chip power budget. Since not all workloads need the entire cache, portions of a shared LLC can be disabled to save energy. In this paper, we explore different design choices, from circuit-level cache organization to micro-architectural management policies, to propose a low-overhead run-time mechanism for energy reduction in the shared LLC. Results show that our design (EECache) provides 14.1% energy saving at only 1.2% performance degradation on average, with negligible hardware overhead.
Does the Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae) complex contain cryptic species or continuously variable populations

Floral phenotypic traits are expected to reflect evolutionary changes and are used as a reliable basis for species delimitation. However, when traits overlap among populations of newly emerging species, this confounds identification of evolutionarily distinct lineages and reduces taxonomic stability. In this study, we quantified variation in ten floral traits and plastid DNA sequences across 26 populations of Platanthera dilatata (Orchidaceae) in North America to determine geographic structure among populations and to evaluate support for three varieties recognized in the current taxonomy. k-means clustering analysis, in the absence of a priori designation of groups, indicated two morphologically distinct groups. Spur length was the most distinctive character between groups. The group containing larger flowers with longer spurs corresponds to the var. leucostachys and most samples in this group are from western North America. The vars. albiflora and dilatata could not be distinguished within the second group, which exhibited flowers with short to intermediate spurs and include samples from eastern and western North America. Morphological variation in P. dilatata may reflect pollinator-mediated selection, particularly in spur length, which is known to vary in association with pollinators across Platanthera. Significant genetic divergence was observed between the two groups (F ST = 0.15; P ≤ 0.001), but we did not find corresponding phylogenetic structure, which may reflect recent divergence and retention of ancestral polymorphisms. Based on these results, we suggest preserving the current intraspecific taxonomy until further studies determine the origin of floral variation and the extent of gene flow between morphologically divergent populations.
A two‐state system with partial availability in the failed state

A generalization of the alternating renewal model of a repairable system to permit partial availability in the failed state is introduced. It is shown how, by making use of an embedded alternating renewal process, we can readily derive expressions for various measures of system availability. Expressions for the point availability of the generalized process are presented.
Collaborative intelligence. The Internet Chess Club on game 2 of Kasparov vs. Deep Blue

The Internet was an important witness to a change in human-computer relations this spring, when IBM's Deep Blue computer defeated World Champion Garry Kasparov in a six-game chess match, 3.5 to 2.5. The author initiated an analysis by the Internet Chess Club that revealed a resource for Kasparov in the second game that could have prevented his defeat. The author dicusses the incident and the implications for collaboration on the Web.
Bootstrapping binomial confidence intervals

Abstract Traditional confidence intervals for the binomial parameter p which are based on the central limit theorem have coverage error of order O (n − 1 2 ) . We obtain two types of bootstrap intervals with improved coverage accuracy. One is based on the Studentized mean and the other on the normalized mean. The methods used are smoothing and bootstrap calibration (Loh, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 82 (1987) 155–162; Ann Statist. 16 (1988) 972–976; Statist. Sinica 1 (1991) 477–491). Coverage errors are reduced to O (n − 3 2 s n log n) for one-sided intervals and O(n−2snlogn) for two-sided intervals, where sn is any sequence of real numbers tending slowly to infinity. A by-product is that the bootstrap approximation to the smoothed Studentized binomial mean attains the same order as that for continuous distributions; this improves a previous result of Lahiri (unpublished manuscript, 1991). We also compare our intervals with intervals based on the saddlepoint approximation formula, which have O (n − 3 2 ) coverage errors. A generalization of the proposed methods to confidence interval construction for the mean of a discrete random variable taking a finite number of values is also considered. Simulation results indicate that the finite-sample properties of the bootstrap intervals are satisfactory.
Dysphagia after Stroke: an Overview

Dysphagia affects the vast majority of acute stroke patients. Although it improves within 2 weeks for most, some face longstanding swallowing problems that place them at risk for pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and significantly affect quality of life. This paper discusses the scope, the disease burden, and the tools available for screening and formal evaluation of dysphagia. The most common and recently developed treatment interventions that might be useful in the treatment of this population are discussed.
A Novel Approach for Investigating Curricular Redundancy

Curricular redundancy can be a major problem for medical schools, especially those with a highly integrated curriculum. Although some redundancy is desirable, many forms of redundancy are not. Unfortunately, evaluating curricular redundancy and discerning desirable redundancy from undesirable redundancy can be quite challenging. Further, pinpointing undesirable redundancy and quantifying it so as to produce an estimate of inefficiency is even more difficult. This brief article describes a novel , and promising, student-led strategy for evaluating redundancy in a highly integrated medical school curriculum.
Infrared optical properties of a coal-fired power plant plume.

Infrared measurements in the 8–14-μm spectral region were made of two coal-fired power plant plumes and area haze in the Four Corners region of New Mexico from 1 to 7 Nov. 1980. The layer transmittance, optical depth, and volume extinction coefficient derived from measurements on four nonconsecutive days show the effects of the plumes on the IR optical properties of the atmosphere. The average contribution of the plume alone to the IR extinction coefficient was 74% at the Four Corners plant; the background haze contributed 7–11%. More efficient particulate emission control at the San Juan power plant reduced the average contribution of its plume to 57% of the extinction coefficient. The haze contributed an average of 16%. The results show an increase with time of the haze bulk extinction coefficient during a persistent anticyclonic synoptic situation. Extinction coefficients of the haze showed a linearity with particulate loading, which led to estimates of IR volume extinctions of the free troposphere from aerosol measurements.
Major foreign policy challenges for the next US President

President Obama has been elected to office in the United States during a crisis of confidence in America's capacity to exercise effective leadership in world afairs. National self-indulgence, greedy financial irresponsibility and an unnecessary war have discredited that leadership, a situation that has been compounded by the current global economic crisis. Added to these self-inflicted wounds, this article suggests, are two transformational developments on the world political scene. First, the ‘global political awakening’ to issues such as climate change, health and social inequality; and second, a shift in the distribution of global power from the West to the East. However, although this shift is occurring, it is a slow process and in the foreseeable future there is no state, or combination of states, that can replace the role America plays on the international scene. What is also clear is that without an American recovery, there will be no global recovery. The American recovery will be a monumental task. But four small, telling words—unify, enlarge, engage and pacify—summarize the essence of the needed response. There needs to be an effort to re-establish a sense of unity between America and Europe; an enlarged coalition of principal players is necessary to promote more effective global management; dialogue engaging a wider circle of partners key to global geopolitical stability should be promoted and maintained; and a deliberate effort not to get bogged down politically and militarily in the Middle East is essential.
Immunogenicity of recombinant Babesia microti hsp70 homologue in mice

A Babesia microti hsp70 homologue was cloned, expressed in a prokaryotic system and tested in a pilot study for protection against lethal challenge. Results showed that 30% of the mice inoculated with recombinant protein (rBm hsp70) survived challenge, while all of the controls died. Evidence of antibody response to the hsp homologue was detected by Western blot analysis, but no protection was imparted through passive transfer of convalescent serum. Passively transferred spleen cells, from mice which survived challenge, also failed to impart protection. The mechanism of partial immunity suggested by these observations remains to be elucidated.
Fracture risk in children with a forearm injury is associated with volumetric bone density and cortical area (by peripheral QCT) and areal bone density (by DXA)

Summary Children who sustain a forearm fracture when injured have lower bone density throughout their skeleton, and have a smaller cortical area and a lower strength index in their radius. Odds ratios per SD decrease in bone characteristics measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were similar (1.28 to 1.41).
Rethinking the role of adaptation in climate policy

Abstract Since the late 1980s, scientists and policy makers have devoted considerable attention and resources to the issue of global climate change. Domestic and international policies in response focus primarily on prevention of future climate impacts on society through the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions. Academic and political attention is also largely focused on issues of mitigation. Adaptation refers to adjustments in individual, group, and institutional behavior in order to reduce society’s vulnerabilities to climate, and thus reduce its impacts. In 1996, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) wrote that adaptation offers a ‘very powerful option’ for responding to climate change and ought to be viewed as a ‘complement’ to mitigation efforts. Yet, the IPCC also wrote that ‘little attention has been paid to any possible tradeoff between both types of options’. This paper discusses the limitations of mitigation responses and the need for adaptation to occupy a larger role in climate policy.
A folded-diagram perturbation expansion for effective operators

Abstract Linked-diagram expansions for the model-space effective operators are derived for both open-shell nuclei and closed-shell nuclei. These expansions are derived using time-dependent perturbation theory and are given as a diagrammatic series which contains folded diagrams. Our results are in general agreement with the results obtained earlier by Brandow, but the general structure of the present expansions is perhaps simpler and more convenient for calculations. The projections of the true nuclear eigenfunctions onto the model space are required for the derivation of effective operators. These projections are obtained from the solution of the model-space eigenvalue problem defined by the energy-independent effective Hamiltonian. Methods for calculating the above diagrammatic series for effective operators are discussed.
New evidence for an extended occupation of the Provo shoreline and implications for regional climate change, Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, Utah, USA

Lake Bonneville was a climatically sensitive, closed-basin lake that occupied the eastern Great Basin during the late Pleistocene. Ongoing efforts to refine the record of lake level history are important for deciphering climate conditions in the Bonneville basin and for facilitating correlations with regional and global records of climate change. Radiocarbon data from this and other studies suggest that the lake oscillated at or near the Provo level much longer than depicted by current models of lake level change. Radiocarbon data also suggest that the lake dropped from threshold control much more rapidly than previously supposed. These revisions to the Lake Bonneville hydrograph, coupled with independent evidence of climate change from vegetation and glacial records, have important implications for conditions in the Bonneville basin and during the Pleistocene to Holocene transition.
Evaluating representation and scale error in the maximal covering location problem using GIS and intelligent areal interpolation

A common problem in location-allocation modeling is the error associated with the representation and scale of demand. Numerous researchers have investigated aggregation errors associated with using different scaled data, and more recently, error associated with the geographic representation of model objects has also been studied. For covering problems, the validity of using polygon centroid representations of demand has been questioned by researchers, but the alternative has been to assume that demand is uniformly distributed within areal units. The spatial heterogeneity of demand within areal units thus has been modeled using one of two extremes – demand is completely concentrated at one location or demand is uniformly distributed. This article proposes using intelligent areal interpolation and geographic information systems to model the spatial heterogeneity of demand within spatial units when solving the maximal covering location problem. The results are compared against representations that assume dem...
Developmental anomalies with features of disorganization (Ds) and amniotic band sequence (ABS): A report of four cases

Disorganization (Ds) is a mouse mutant in which heterozygotes manifest defects in various organ systems including cranioschisis, hamartomas, limb abnormalities, body wall defects, eye defects, and craniopharyngeal defects. We report four patients with developmental anomalies that are seen in amniotic band sequence (ABS) with additional anomalies that could not be explained by amniotic bands alone. The anomalies seen in our patients included facial malformation and clefting, brain anomalies (encephalocele, agenesis of the corpus callosum, holoprosencephaly), eye anomalies (anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and microcornea), and extremity and digit anomalies (talipes equinovarus, absent/hypoplastic phalanges, amputation of an extremity, syndactyly, polydactyly, and anomalous attachment of an extremity). Other systems involved include genitourinary anomalies (hydronephrosis and abnormal testes, epidydimis and seminal vesicles), and skin appendages similar to those seen in Ds mice. Presence of amniotic bands in addition to malformations not attributed to amniotic bands, were seen in three of four patients. The four patients in this report have involvement of at least four organ systems including the skin appendages that have been reported in the Ds mouse and have clinical findings that overlap the spectrum of Ds and ABS.
Investigation of the onset of thermo-bioconvection in a suspension of oxytactic microorganisms in a shallow fluid layer heated from below

This paper investigates the combined effect of density stratification due to oxytactic upswimming and heating from below on the stability of a suspension of motile oxytactic microorganisms in a shallow fluid layer. Different from traditional bioconvection, thermo-bioconvection has two destabilizing mechanisms that contribute to creating the unstable density stratification. This problem may be relevant to a number of geophysical applications, such as the investigation of the dynamics of some species of thermophiles (heat loving microorganisms) living in hot springs. By performing a linear stability analysis, we obtained a correlation between the critical value of the bioconvection Rayleigh number and the traditional, “thermal” Rayleigh number. It is established that heating from below makes the system more unstable and helps the development of bioconvection.
Learners’ Difficulties with Quantitative Units in Algebraic Word Problems and the Teacher’s Interpretation of those Difficulties

This study examines 8th grade students’ coordination of quantitative units arising from word problems that can be solved via a set of equations that are reducible to a single equation with a single unknown. Along with Unit-Coordination, Quantitative Unit Conservation also emerges as a necessary construct in dealing with such problems. We base our analysis within a framework of quantitative reasoning (Thompson, 1988; 1989; 1993; 1995) and a theory of children’s units-coordination with different levels of units (Steffe 1994) that both encompass and are extended by these two constructs. Our data consist of videotaped classroom lessons, student interviews, and teacher interviews. Ongoing analyses of these data were conducted during the teaching sequence. A retrospective analysis using constant comparison methodology was then undertaken during which the classroom video, related student interviews, and teacher interviews were revisited many times in order to generate a thematic analysis. Our results indicate that the identification and coordination of the units involved in the problem situation are critical aspects of quantitative reasoning and need to be emphasized in the teaching-learning process. We also concluded that unit coordination and unit conservation are cognitive prerequisites for constructing a meaningful algebraic equation when reasoning quantitatively about a situation.
Reaction of Lymphocytes with Purified Protein Derivative Conjugated with Fluorescein

Busy coats from the peripheral bloods of persons known to give a positive reaction to purified protein derivative and of those known to be negative were treated with purified protein derivative conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Lymphocytes from positive reactors took up the labeled antigen in significantly greater numbers than did those from negative reactors. Leukocytes from newborns showed far less affinity for the antigen than leukocytes from adult negative reactors.
Rate of Volume Photolysis in Copper-Doped Silver Chloride*

A calculation of the rate of volume photolysis of copper-doped silver chloride is described which provides a quantitative interpretation for experiments reported by Moser, Nail, and Urbach. A model for photoproduct formation, consistent with the Gurney–Mott theory, is discussed. Differential equations for the rate of photolysis are presented which consider the attenuation of the exposing light by the photoproduct but neglect electron–hole recombination processes. Although these nonlinear equations are not solved in closed form, equations which give upper and lower limits on the printout optical density as a function of time are derived; a reasonable fit with experimental photolytic growth curves of AgCl:Cu samples containing 2.2 and 0.2 ppm copper ions is obtained.
Visible Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) Focal Plane Design Considerations For Multispectral Applications

The typical Multispectral Linear Array (MLA) Instrument mission would be to gather high-resolution, radiometrically accurate earth resources data in several spectral bands over a prolonged period of time. These bands would include the visible (VIS), near infrared (NIR) and short wavelength infrared. Silicon charge-coupled imaging devices (CCDs) can be assembled into contiguous pixel focal planes which will cover the VIS/NIR region and operate reliably for several years in a space environment. A typical MLA focal plane would have approximately 12,000 pixels, with a pixel-to-pixel registration requirement on the order of + or - 0.1 pixel. The technology to assemble such focal planes has been developed and is described. The problem of polarization sensitivity associated with certain types of focal plane assemblies is addressed. Radiation effects on CCDs are also discussed, and a practical solution to the problem through the use of shielding is described.
OR Forum-Presidents' Symposium: George E. Kimball, A Pioneering Giant in Operations Research

These remarks, adapted from a talk given at the April 1985 TIMS/ORSA meeting in Boston, are aimed at sustaining the memory of George Elbert Kimball, one of operations research's influential pioneers, who himself was president of the Society from 1964 to 1965.
Mass and Kinetic Energy of the Homunculus Nebula around η Carinae

We examine thermal infrared images of η Car at wavelengths from 4.8 to 25 μm obtained with the MIRAC3 camera system at the Magellan Observatory, and we conclude that η Car's circumstellar Homunculus Nebula contains much more mass (12 M⊙) and kinetic energy (1049.6–1050 ergs) than had previously been recognized. Excess far-infrared emission from a large mass of cold dust had been discovered recently by Morris et al., which they attributed to 110 K dust in a compact equatorial torus. Our images suggest, however, that roughly 10 M⊙ or more resides instead in the rapidly expanding polar lobes of the Homunculus, known to be ejected during η Car's "Great Eruption" in the 19th century. Combining this large mass with reliable expansion speeds for the polar lobes allows us to estimate the large kinetic energy and efficient momentum transfer associated with the eruption. Most mass resides in a cool outer layer of the lobes, with dust at ~140 K. This material is only revealed at 18–25 μm with high spatial resolution images that can separate adjacent dust components. Warmer dust at ~200 K that has been recognized for some time (responsible for previous mass estimates of 2–3 M⊙) blankets the inner surfaces of the mostly hollow polar lobes as they are irradiated more directly by the central engine.
Identification and characterization of the gene encoding human cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein

The maturation of human oocytes occurs in the absence of gene transcription. In model organisms, such as Drosophila, Xenopus, and the mouse, oocyte maturation and early pattern formation is mediated through the regulated translation of maternally derived mRNAs. The maturation-dependent stimulation of maternal mRNA translation is correlated with increases in poly(A) tail length, controlled through a process termed cytoplasmic polyadenylation. However, this mechanism of mRNA translational control has not been characterized in humans. In this study we report the cloning of a human cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (hCPEB) protein with sequence-specific RNA binding activity. Our data demonstrate that alternative splicing generates hCPEB mRNAs that encode proteins with a conserved C-terminal RNA binding domain but with different N-terminal regulatory domains. The hCPEB mRNA is expressed in the brain and heart as well as in immature oocytes, consistent with the hypothesis that cytoplasmic polyadenylation may regulate the translation of human mRNAs in both oocytes and somatic cells.
Correlating NEXAFS characterization of Co–W and Ni–W bimetallic carbide catalysts with reactivity for dry reforming of methane

Abstract The effect of temperature on the structure and performance of Co–W–C and Ni–W–C catalysts for dry reforming of methane (DRM) has been investigated using both reactors and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. For Co–W–C, the DRM reactivity is greatly improved after being exposed to methane at 850 °C. For Ni–W–C, however, the catalytic performance before such exposure is good, although no obvious difference has been found in the catalytic performance before and after exposure to methane at 850 °C. In this work, NEXAFS has been applied to characterize the fresh and spent catalysts, both before and after exposure to the reactants at 850 °C, for both Co–W–C and Ni–W–C. Three NEXAFS regions have been investigated for each catalyst: the carbon K-edge, the oxygen K-edge and the L-edge of either cobalt or nickel. NEXAFS results provide insights into the possible origins for the different performance of those two different carbides. To exhibit reasonable reactivity for DRM, Ni–W oxide and Co–W oxide are required to be reduced, and the active stable catalysts must contain large amounts of carbon so that WC and either Ni or Co are seen in the bulk. NEXAFS results indicate that Ni–W–C can be reduced to a greater extent and at a lower temperature than Co–W–C. In addition, NEXAFS measurements reveal the formation of graphitic carbon at or near the surface region. This species can play a critical role in the reactivity and stability of the catalysts for DRM.
Compliance as a Function of Prior Compliance, Familiarization, Effort and Benefits: The Foot-in-the-Door Technique Extended

The current study examined: (a) “whether the foot-in-the-door technique would be effective under two levels (medium and high) of two variables (effort and benefit) associated with the second request; and (b) the role of familiarization as a mediator of the foot-in-the-door technique. The subjects, 180 persons selected from the telephone directory, were initially called by an experimenter who introduced himself as a member of a citizen's traffic organization. The subjects were either asked to answer a few short questions or were simply made familiar with the organization. Control subjects were not initially called. The experimenter called the subjects a second time two days later and asked them to comply either with a medium or large request. Half of the subjects received an argument depicting the high benefits that would accrue should the subject comply and the other half received a less strong argument. The results showed that the foot-in-the-door technique was effective under varying conditions of the s...
Metabolic profiling of radioreceptorassayable opioid peptides in a human pituitary ACTH-secreting tumor

The profile of endogenous opioid peptides in the peptide-rich fraction obtained from a homogenate of an ACTH-secreting human pituitary tumor is presented. Gradient RP-HPLC is used to separate the mixture into peptide constituents. A preparation of opioid receptors is used in a radioreceptor assay with ethorphine - a relatively non-specific ligand that is used as a screen because it interacts with mu, sigma, and delta receptors - as the HPLC detector to detect a range of peptides that derive from proenkephalin A and POMC.
The value of the option to preserve farm real estate

Agricultural conservation easements consist of deed restrictions that landowners voluntarily place on their farm real estate for any number of reasons including the permanent restriction of development. Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) programs exist in many States and are used to ensure farm real estate is available for future agricultural use as well as a policy mechanism to control development. Much like the landowner’s development option, preservation is a real option exercised at the discretion of the landowner. An analytic contingent claims model is presented to value the landowner’s preservation option. An empirical analysis of the model indicates that the option to delay preservation can have significant value.
Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Stage II Colon Cancer: Is There a Role for Gene Expression Profiling?

Conventional clinical and pathologic risk factors in stage II colon cancer provide limited prognostic information and do not predict response to adjuvant 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. New prognostic and predictive biomarkers are needed to identify patients with highest recurrence risk who will receive the greatest absolute risk reduction from adjuvant chemotherapy. We review below the evidence for conventional risk factors in patients with node-negative colon cancer, followed by a discussion of promising new molecular and genetic markers in this malignancy. Gene expression profiling is an emerging tool with both prognostic and predictive potential in oncology. For patients with stage II colon cancer, the Oncotype DX Colon Cancer test is now commercially available as a prognostic marker, and the ColoPrint assay is expected to be released later this year. Current evidence for both of these assays is described below, concluding with a discussion of potential future directions for gene expression profiling in colon cancer risk stratification and treatment decision making.
FIELD‐BASED EXPERIENCES THAT DEVELOP THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM

(1999). FIELD‐BASED EXPERIENCES THAT DEVELOP THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS IN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 185-188.
Orthostatic hypotension as a risk factor for symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease

Thirteen patients presented with brief, repetitive, stereotyped transient ischemic attacks, large artery atherostenoses or occlusions with impaired collateral flow to a cortical perfusion borderzone, and orthostatic hypotension (OH). OH was caused by diabetes mellitus, aging, and treatments for ischemic heart disease and hypertension. Medical management of OH often eliminated the need for stroke prevention measures such as surgery or anticoagulation. Focal cerebral hypoperfusion from the combination of occlusive vascular disease and OH may be an underreported, treatable cause of TIA and stroke.
Process dynamics for overflow devices of rectangular, circular, parabolic and triangular shape-loss prevention applications

The problem of unsteady-state liquid flow across overflow devices of various shapes has been investigated. Dimensionless efflux times to evacuate a given amount of liquid from an upstream vessel or basin through an overflow conduit or weir as a function of dimensionless height of the liquid crest were computed for four specific overflow device shapes: rectangular, circular, parabolic and triangular. Analytical expressions were developed for this purpose in all cases except circular. Generalized comparison charts were developed for the cases of (1) equal flow areas of the overflow devices and (2) equal maximum flow capacities. Two examples illustrating application of the equations and charts developed in this paper to loss prevention scenarios are also presented.
Theoretical studies of diurnal wind‐structure variations in the planetary boundary layer

Averages of the wind vector at four times of the day were evaluated for 29 suitable days during the summer of 1951 at Wichita, Kansas, and Oklahoma City. The periodic portion of the wind variation vector is an ellipse at all levels with the major axis approximately in the direction of the wind vector. The amplitude reaches a maximum at 2,500 ft above the ground. The cause of the variation is sought by theoretical methods, first by finding what periodic variations would occur when the eddy viscosity is periodic in time and constant with height, and secondly by finding solutions with the aid of an electronic analogue computer for cases when the eddy viscosity is distributed arbitrarily with height. It is concluded that variations of the type which were observed can occur only when both the average value of the eddy viscosity and the amplitude of its variations decrease rapidly with height above the lowest third of the friction layer.
Simultaneous Interaction of E. Coli Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein and Replicativedna Polymerase III Alpha Subunit with Single-Stranded DNA Molecules

The E. coli single stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding (SSB) protein binds to ssDNA in multiple binding modes and regulates DNA replication via protein-protein interactions. DNA polymerases are enzymes responsible for DNA replication. The alpha subunit of the replicative DNA polymerase III (Pol III) is the DNA polymerase subunit of the 10-subunit bacterial replicase, responsible for DNA replication. It has been shown that replication by the Pol III core is inhibited by SSB and can be relieved by the version of the clamp loader that contains the tau subunit, suggesting that DNA polymerase III is inhibited by SSB unless the replisome complex at the replication fork is fully assembled. Previous work suggests that the mechanism of inhibition is a direct competition between SSB and DNA Pol III core for DNA. SSB inhibits replication by Pol III alpha subunit. We have further shown that there is a direct physical interaction between alpha subunit and SSB. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that the inhibition of Pol III alpha subunit by SSB is due to a specific feedback mechanism facilitated by the direct interaction of the two proteins. To test this hypothesis, we have shown Pol III alpha subunit stabilizes SSB binding to ssDNA using single molecule force-spectroscopy. In the absence of Pol III alpha subunit, SSB stabilizes ssDNA below 20 pN and fully dissociates above 20 pN. However, in the presence of Pol III alpha subunit, SSB does not dissociate above 20 pN and the energy required to dissociate SSB from ssDNA is increased by a factor of two. Therefore, the inhibition of Pol III alpha subunit by SSB is due to a specific interaction between the two proteins.
Comparison of convective and diffusive absorption of nutrients by growing roots

With the roots assumed growing at an exponential rate the effects of the diffusive and convective components of flux and nutrient uptake are examined in a non-dimensional setting. Two cases considered are root-root on no root-root competition. Several examples are presented to illustrate the general effects of interroot competition.
Survival of Bull Sperm in Milk and Yolk Extenders with Added Catalase

Summary After 12 days of storage at 5C the percentage of motile sperm in CUE containing 0, 1, 10, 100, and 200 μ g of catalase per milliliter of extender was 28, 37, 44, 44, and 45, in CU-16 was 35, 43, 47, 52, and 50, in CU-16 plus chlorpromazine hydrochloride was 29, 35, 35, 41, and 43, and in 20% yolk-citrate was 24, 34, 38, 37, and 34, respectively. All levels of catalase improved sperm survival significantly (P μ g/ml of extender. The concentration of catalase required to produce a maximum response was much greater than that theoretically required to eliminate any hydrogen peroxide produced. No beneficial effect of adding 20 μ g of catalase per ml of skimmilk or skimmilk-glycerol extender was found. The percentage of motile sperm after 12 days of storage at 5C averaged 47 for CU-16 extender with catalase, 11 for skimmilk, and 12 for skimmilk with catalase. The reason for the differential response to catalase in egg yolk versus milk has not been elucidated.
REPETITIVE DNA INSERTION IN A PROTEIN KINASE ORF OF A LATENT FSV (FELDMANNIA SP. VIRUS) GENOME

We describe the structure of a Feldmannia sp. virus (FsV) genome integrated in the brown alga, Feldmannia. This integrated FsV genome appears to be permanently inactivated and lost its ability to excise and replicate. Unlike the replicated form of FsV, this integrated FsV genome contains a large (.50 kb) repeat region inserted in a protein kinase open reading frame. While related to the 173-bp repeats previously characterized in the FsV genome (Lee et al., 1995), Southern blot analysis indicates that the repeats in the inactive, integrated FsV genome are distinct from those previously characterized. Fine structural analysis of the repeat-insertion sites in the protein kinase gene indicates that there are 8- and 10-bp palindromic sequences present in multiple locations located near the repeat-insertion site. The translated protein kinase contains all of the catalytic motifs conserved in most serine/threonine protein kinases and a potential autophosphorylation site. This protein kinase gene is expressed as RNA in sporophyte plants where virus production is active but not in gametophyte plants where the virus genome is latent. The structure of the integrated virus genome is discussed. © 1998 Academic Press
Unconventional negative stains: Heavy metals are not required for negative staining

Abstract Salts of heavy metals (tungsten, uranium, and molybdenum) have long been used as negative stains for the transmission electron microscopy of protein molecules, supramolecular assemblies, and viruses, Negative staining still reveals details about protein structure only to around 25 A (= 2.5 nm), most likely due to several major technical deficiencies in all traditional stain reagents. Experimental tests of unconventional compounds show that potassium aluminum sulfate, ammonium borate, and sodium tetraborate all dry into a glassy layer, and provide sufficient contrast to image the 86 A lattice periods in thin crystals of catalase. Computer-generated power spectra of high-dose images indicate that sodium tetraborate can preserve periodic order in crystalline catalase to the same level (i.e., 28 A) as the heavy metal negative stain, sodium silicotungstate. Sodium tetraborate also reveals the 40 A wide central channel within tobacco mosaic virus, and the 25 A thick protein shell of ferritin molecules. Images with these light atom compounds should be formed with a decreased electron beam exposure, in order to preclude the radiation-induced formation of voids within the dried stain. The results establish that heavy metal constituents are not necessary for a compound to function as a negative stain, and suggest that it should be possible to identify new reagents having the missing desired properties needed to obtain higher resolution imaging of protein structure with negative staining.
Opioid Receptors and Ligands: Targets for Cancer Imaging and Therapy

The roles played by classical and non-classical opioid receptors and their ligands in cancer are reviewed, starting with palliation of pain as the traditional linkage, then summarizing current research topics and clinical trials in cancer imaging and therapy, and concluding with a perspective on future directions for the field.
Wireless Medication Management System: Design and performance evaluation

To keep healthcare costs under control, a high-level of medication adherence, or compliance with medication regimen, must be achieved. In this paper, we show how wireless technologies can be used to improve medication adherence. More specifically, we present the design, operation, and evaluation of a wireless medication system, termed Smart Medication Management System (SMMS). We also present multiple metrics for quality of service and an analytical model for evaluating the medication adherence. The performance results show that very high medication adherence is achievable by SMMS for single and multiple medications even for patients with mild cognitive deficiency. The performance of context-aware reminders as implemented by SMMS is found to be most effective as compared to other interventions. Several powerful "composite" interventions are also proposed and evaluated for medication adherence. The results also show that with increasing hospitalization cost the healthcare savings due to improved medication adherence become even more significant. The proposed work forms the basis to provide personalized interventions to patients for improving medication adherence in multiple surroundings using wireless technologies.
Analysis of a zebrafish behavioral mutant reveals a dominant mutation in atp2a1/SERCA1

Zebrafish embryos demonstrate robust swimming behavior, which consists of smooth, alternating body bends. In contrast, several motility mutants have been identified that perform sustained, bilateral trunk muscle contractions which result in abnormal body shortening. Unlike most of these mutants, accordion (acc)dta5 demonstrates a semidominant effect: Heterozygotes exhibit a distinct but less severe phenotype than homozygotes. Using molecular-genetic mapping and candidate gene analysis, we determined that accdta5 mutants harbor a novel mutation in atp2a1, which encodes SERCA1, a calcium pump important for muscle relaxation. Previous studies have shown that eight other acc alleles compromise SERCA1 function, but these alleles were all reported to be recessive. Quantitative behavioral assays, complementation testing, and analysis of molecular models all indicate that the accdta5 mutation diminishes SERCA1 function to a greater degree than other acc alleles through either haploinsufficient or dominant-negative molecular mechanisms. Since mutation of human ATP2A1 results in Brody disease, an exercise-induced impairment of muscle relaxation, accdta5 mutants may provide a particularly sensitive model of this disorder. genesis, 48:354–361, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.