cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The once and future crisis

The insurance crisis of the mid-1980s produced a number of legal and public policy reactions. Although many of the immediate symptoms of that crisis have disappeared, a number of its underlying causes remain. This article analyzes the continuing effect of these factors on the insurance markets, and predicts the occurrence of a milder crisis during the mid-1990s.
Endocrine and endometrial secretory protein changes associated with uterine receptivity in sheep.

Abstract Crossbred ovariectomized ewes were treated with steroid therapies determined previously to be adequate (progesterone-primed) or inadequate (unprimed) for embryonic development in order to determine actual serum concentrations of replaced steroid hormones achieved by such treatments and to identify secreted endometrial proteins that might mediate uterine receptivity. Ewes received estradiol-17β on day 0, and on days 1–4, either vehicle (unprimed; N=16) or progesterone (primed; N=16) daily. All ewes then received “estrus estradiol” (at 8 hr-intervals), followed by “maintenance progesterone” (at 12 hr-intervals), to mimic endocrine profiles of intact ewes at and following estrus. Jugular blood samples were obtained at 4-hr intervals from 6 ewes/treatment on day 0–15 to determine serum progesterone, estradiol, and PGFM concentrations. Endometrium from two ewes/treatment on days 11–15 was cultured in vitro with [ 3 H]leucine and radiolabeled proteins in media were analyzed electrophoretically. Results demonstrated that 1) treatments generated transient serum estradiol levels slightly greater than those reported in intact animals at estrus, 2) serum progesterone concentrations due to treatments were similar to those reported in the luteal phase of intact ewes, 3) progesterone-priming was specifically associated with a small, sustained (24–36 hr) elevation in serum PGFM, and that 4) priming was not associated with the presence or absence of major, secreted endometrial proteins that might act either as factors required for development or as embryotoxins. These results suggest that positive effects of progesterone-priming on embryo survival are not due to pharmacological doses of exogenously administered hormones, nor are due to changes in secretion of hormonally-regulated, major endometrial proteins.
Nucleosomes in metaphase chromosomes

Abstract Previous studies of the structure of metaphase chromosomes have relied heavily on electron micrography and have revealed the existence of a 10-nm unit fiber that is thought to generate the native 23-30-nm fiber by higher order folding. The structural relationship of these metaphase fibers to the interphase fiber remains obscure. Recent studies on the digestion of interphase chromatin have revealed the existence of a regularly repeating subunit of DNA and histone, the nucleosome that generates the appearance of 10-nm beads connected by a short fiber of DNA seen on electron micrographs. It was therefore of interest to probe the structure of the metaphase chromosome for the presence of nucleosomal subunits. To this end metaphase chromosomes were prepared from colchicine-arrested cultures of mouse L-cells and were subjected to digestion with stayphylococcal nuclease. Comparison of the early and limit digestion products of metaphase chromosomes with those obtained from interphase nuclei indicates that although significant morphologic changes occur within the chromatin fiber during mitosis, the basic subunit structure of the chromatin fiber is retained by the mitotic chromosome.
Consistent improvement in sphincterotome orientation with manual grooming

Abstract Background: During ampullary cannulation with standard sphincterotomes, wire orientation is frequently to the right of 0 and can not always be rotated to the 12 o'clock ideal. It is not known if the presence of a wire guide alters a sphincterotome's orientation or if grooming in a standardized manner improves the orientation in the majority of cases. Methods: The intra-ampullary range of orientation of a double channel sphincterotome was prospectively evaluated before and after catheter grooming in 25 patients undergoing ERCP. The range of orientation was also measured with and without an in-dwelling biliary wire guide in 14 cases. Results: The maximal right orientation of the untrained sphincterotomes was 35 ± 16°; with a wire guide it was 33 ± 22°. Maximal left orientation was 17 ± 16°, wire guided it remained 19 ± 14°. Manual grooming shifted the mean maximal left orientation of the sphincterotomes to -37 ± 28° (p Conclusions: The presence of the wire guide did not alter the orientation of the sphincterotome. Because manual grooming reliably improved the orientation of double-channel sphincterotomes, it should be routinely performed before their use. (Gastrointest Endosc 1995;42:325-9.)
A Numerical Study of Turbulent Heat Transfer in a Spherical Annulus

A numerical study of steady, buoyant, incompressible water flow and heat transfer through a spherical annulus has been made. A two-dimensional computer code based on the TEACH code was rewritten in spherical coordinates to model the Navier--Stokes equation and to model fluid turbulence with a k--epsilon turbulence model. Results are given for the total system Nusselt number, local heat transfer rate, and fluid flow characteristics for both buoyant and nonbuoyant laminar and turbulence modeled flow. Incorporating both the turbulence model and buoyancy into the calculations improves the results.
Can Regionalism Save Poor Cities?: Politics, Institutions, and Interests in Glasgow

Regional governmental intervention is frequently advocated as a solution to the problems of poor cities. The regional reform model is examined in light of Glasgow’s experience. It suggests that thi...
Dynamical Jahn-Teller Effect in Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra: Orbital Reduction Factors and Partial Quenching of Spin-Orbit Interaction

It is shown that the dynamical Jahn-Teller effect in a complex having orbital degeneracy may partially quench spin-orbit interaction, the orbital parts of the Zeeman and hyperfine interactions, and other orbital operators governing response to perturbations such as strain or applied electric fields. Such dynamical quenching thus decreases the value of orbital reduction factors usually attributed in paramagnetic resonance studies to covalent bonding, without necessarily causing anisotropy in the spectrum of an individual complex. The dynamical Jahn-Teller effect may also substantially enhance various second-order effects. Such dynamic effects thus may make important changes in the parameters of the spin Hamiltonian without changing its symmetry. It is shown that the dynamical Jahn-Teller effect accounts qualitatively for unusual features in the spectra of interstitial transition-metal ions ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{0}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{0}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{+}$ in silicon and that it is probably of importance equal to or greater than that of covalent bonding in the interpretation of the spectrum of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{2+}$ in MgO and CaO. A mathematical analysis of the dynamical effects is given for an orbital triplet state in interaction with a doublet or triplet vibrational mode, and some results are given also when the coupling is with the phonon continuum.
N-Nitrosamines from carbamoyl chlorides

Abstract The action of sodium nitrite on disubstituted carbamoyl chlorides provides the corresponding N-nitrosamines in excellent yields.
The Gene for Multiple Familial Trichoepithelioma Maps to Chromosome 9p21

Multiple familial trichoepithelioma (MFT) is an autosomal dominant skin disease characterized by the presence of many small tumors predominantly on the face. To map the causative gene, we performed linkage analysis with microsatellite markers in three American families. We found a significant linkage of a gene for MFT to chromosome 9p2l. The maximum combined lod score was 3.31 at D9S171 at theta = 0. The disease locus was defined to a 4-cM region between IFNA and D9S126. Because several tumor suppressor genes including p16 and p15 have been mapped to this region, the gene for MFT may also be a tumor suppressor.
RF performance of strained SiGe pMOSFETs: linearity and gain

In this work, we investigate RF performance of strained-SiGe pMOSFET because of its easy integration into planar architecture than strained-Si nMOSFET. RF figure of merits considered include linearity, intrinsic gain and g/sub m//I/sub d/. To optimize RF performance, variations of SOI thickness (t/sub si/) and Ge concentration in the channel are investigated. Furthermore, since graded channel (GC) MOSFET has been proposed as a candidate of RF application by B. Cheng et al., 1998, a graded strained-SiGe channel pMOSFET is studied comparatively for RF analysis.
Clinical evaluation of a new laxative.

1. A new bulk laxative, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (‘Eskalose’) has been investigated clinically along the lines suggested for the evaluation of new drugs by the A. M. A. Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry. 2. The product appears to have no deleterious effects on important bodily functions, as evidenced by the following tests given before and after its administration: X-ray studies, sigmoidoscopic examinations, complete blood count, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, urea clearance, P. S. P., bromsulphthalein liver test, plasma protein A/G ratio, fasting blood sugar, serum alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time, vitamin C blood level. 3. The drug is an effective laxative agent, according to objective and subjective tests. The wafer form was approved by all but four of the 35 patients questioned. No side reactions were reported or observed. 4. It is concluded that ‘Eskalose’ is a safe and effective laxative for clinical use.
Quantum cascade lasers tuned by amorphous As 2 S 3 claddings

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have become a key component in the development of optical approaches to sensing applications. Recent experiments have shown the ability to achieve second harmonic generation from these structures suggesting the possibility of achieving short wave-infrared output. However, in these cases the power of the non-linear mode is limited by its phase mismatch with the fundamental cavity mode. By modifying the effective index of the laser system through cladding, one may ameliorate the mismatch to increase power output. In this study, we develop a simple method for drop-coating arsenic sulfide (As2S3) glass on QCLs. The glass is processed by above band-gap illumination, which induces a change in the refractive index resulting in a shift of the output mode of the laser. We observe the effective index to change by a factor 1.3 x 10-4 after 20 minutes of illumination at 312 nm for the fundamental wavelength of the QCL. Below band-gap irradiation, such as that occurring during device operation, is confirmed to have no effect on the material. Studies of the output of QCLs reveal for the first time mode shifting of the spectra as a result of optical modification to a cladding layer.
Giant enhancement of the valence band photoemission intensity in γ-Ce

Abstract We have observed a giant enhancement of the Ce valence band emission above the 4d absorption threshold. It is interpreted as being due to autoionization decay following 4d104f1 → 4d94f2 transitions. By taking advantage of this effect we have been able to make a determination of the location of the 4f levels in γ-Ce.
Comparative study of dissolved organic matter from groundwater and surface water in the Florida coastal Everglades using multi-dimensional spectrofluorometry combined with multivariate statistics

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in groundwater and surface water samples from the Florida coastal Everglades were studied using excitation–emission matrix fluorescence modeled through parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). DOM in both surface and groundwater from the eastern Everglades S332 basin reflected a terrestrial-derived fingerprint through dominantly higher abundances of humic-like PARAFAC components. In contrast, surface water DOM from northeastern Florida Bay featured a microbial-derived DOM signature based on the higher abundance of microbial humic-like and protein-like components consistent with its marine source. Surprisingly, groundwater DOM from northeastern Florida Bay reflected a terrestrial-derived source except for samples from central Florida Bay well, which mirrored a combination of terrestrial and marine end-member origin. Furthermore, surface water and groundwater displayed effects of different degradation pathways such as photodegradation and biodegradation as exemplified by two PARAFAC components seemingly indicative of such degradation processes. Finally, Principal Component Analysis of the EEM-PARAFAC data was able to distinguish and classify most of the samples according to DOM origins and degradation processes experienced, except for a small overlap of S332 surface water and groundwater, implying rather active surface-to-ground water interaction in some sites particularly during the rainy season. This study highlights that EEM-PARAFAC could be used successfully to trace and differentiate DOM from diverse sources across both horizontal and vertical flow profiles, and as such could be a convenient and useful tool for the better understanding of hydrological interactions and carbon biogeochemical cycling.
Calmodulin in Neurotransmitter and Hormone Action

Although CaM exists in abundance in many cells, it can be regulated by hormones and neurotransmitters on several levels in a variety of tissues and systems. Neurotransmitter action can lead to a rapid and direct activation of CaM-dependent enzymes or binding of CaM to other CaM-BPs, while persistent stimulation results in a redistribution of CaM and CaM-BPs on a slightly longer time-scale. Long-term neurotransmitter or hormone action or changes in their activity due to drug intervention may lead to changes in cellular CaM content. Both the change in localization of CaM and the long-term increases in CaM content will result in an increase in the sensitivity of Ca(2+)-related processes in select areas. The change in CaM content may be a homeostatic response that would signal an enhanced requirement and sensitivity for a Ca2+/CaM-dependent process or a compensatory reaction titrating chronic changes in Ca2+ within the cell. Both CaM content and localization are highly responsive to changes in [Ca2+]i, but other messengers such as cAMP play a distinct role in both processes. Many changes in CaM, both short and long-term, may involve rearrangements of cytoskeletal proteins, since many CaM-BPs have cytoskeletal localizations and binding of CaM to many of the proteins affects cytoskeletal protein-protein interactions. Therefore, changes in CaM distribution and content, besides altering the activities of the many CaM-dependent enzymes, could also be involved in restructuring in cytoskeletal processes, such as synaptic morphology, vesicular or protein transport, or secretion, that result from an initial neurotransmitter or hormone stimulation.
DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENETIC PLACEMENT OF BRACTEACOCCUS TEREG (CHLOROPHYCEAE, CHLOROPHYTA) BASED ON 18S RIBOSOMAL RNA GENE SEQUENCE DATA1

Sequence data from the nuclear small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene was obtained for nine strains of Bracteacoccus Tereg, representing at least five morphological species and four distinct geographic locations. These, along with sequence data from two additional chlorophycean taxa, Spongiochloris spongiosa Starr and Ascochloris multinucleata Bold et MacEntee, and 48 published sequences from green algal taxa, were used to determine the phylogenetic placement of Bracteacoccus with respect to other chlorophycean green algae. Results support the monophyly of Bracteacoccus strains, contrasting with patterns observed so far for many other coccoid green algae. The range of variation among Bracteacoccus strains is similar to that of other congeners. Basal body orientation in Bracteacoccus has been interpreted as clockwise; however, the 18S data point to a relationship between Bracteacoccus and taxa with the directly opposed configuration of the flagellar apparatus. No close relationship was found to the multinucleated green coccoids with clockwise orientation of basal bodies, such as Spongiochloris, or to those with parallel basal bodies, such as Spermatozopsis. However, 18S data confirm that the motile and vegetative cells of Bracteacoccus are structurally distinct from the representatives of sphaeroplealean families currently studied. It is premature to reclassify Bracteacoccus until 18S comparisons can be made with additional sphaeroplealean taxa and with algae with similar flagellar structure such as Dictyochloris and Heterochlamydomonas.
A generalized forward gradient procedure for rate sensitive constitutive equations

Many forward gradient schemes have been proposed for the time-integration of the stiff constitutive equations of rate sensitive solids. It is shown here that one of these methods can be interpreted as a hybrid ordinary differential equation integrator which combines explicit and semi-implicit Runge-Kutta methods. This observation permits development of higher order schemes, illustrated here by one of second order. An embedded first order estimate provides a reliable step-size control. The method is applied to an overstress model and to an internal variable model, and is used in a finite element analysis of hydrostatic bulging of sheet metal.
Effects of culture media and environmental factors on mycelial growth and pycnidial production of Potebniamyces pyri.

Potebniamyces pyri (anamorph Phacidiopycnis piri ) is the causal agent of Phacidiopycnis rot of apples and pears. The disease has recently been recognized in pears in the USA. Little information on the basic biology of the fungus is available. In this paper, we report the effects of culture media, temperature, water potential and pH on mycelial growth, and the effects of media and light on pycnidia production. Prune juice agar was the best for rapid mycelial growth. Pear juice agar, apple juice agar, potato dextrose agar, and oatmeal agar (OMA) also favoured mycelial growth. Czapek-Dox agar was not suitable for mycelial growth. The fungus was able to grow at temperatures from — 3 to 25 °C. Optimal mycelial growth occurred between 15 and 20 °. The average radial growth rate on OMA was 3.9 mm d −1 at 15 ° and 4.4 mm d −1 at 20 °. Mycelial growth was not observed after 10 d at 30 °, but growth resumed at 20 °. The fungus failed to resume growth at 20 ° after being incubated for 10 d at 35 °. The fungus was able to grow at water potentials as low as — 4 MPa but no growth took place at — 7.3 MPa. Active mycelial growth was observed on OMA at pH between 3.2 and 6.1. Optimal growth was observed at pH around 4 and no growth was observed at pH 7.1. No pycnidia or very few formed on the nine media at 20 ° in the dark. Fluorescent light significantly stimulated formation of pycnidia. OMA was the best medium for production of pycnidia and macroconidia. Pycnidia that formed on 8-wk-old OMA cultures incubated at 20 ° under 12 h dark/12 h light produced abundant macroconidia and the technique is recommended for inoculum production of conidia for research.
The reaction of hydrogen chloride gas with some solid copper (II) and nickel (II) compounds

Abstract Compounds of the type M(L)nCl2, where M is Cu(II) or Ni(II), L is 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, ethylenediamine, or 8-aminoquinoline, and n is 1, 2, or 3, were reacted with HCl gas. The reaction was carried out under anhydrous conditions at room temperature and at −75°C and under moist conditions at room temperature. The amount of HCl added was measured and the color changes noted. Several cases of reversible addition of HCl were found.
Two-photon transitions in primordial hydrogen recombination

The subject of cosmological hydrogen recombination has received much attention recently because of its importance to predictions for and cosmological constraints from cosmic microwave background observations. While the central role of the two-photon decay 2s-->1s has been recognized for many decades, high-precision calculations require us to consider two-photon decays from the higher states ns, nd-->1s (n>=3). Simple attempts to include these processes in recombination calculations with an effective two-photon decay coefficient analogous to the 2s decay coefficient Lambda2s=8.22 s^-1 have suffered from physical problems associated with the existence of kinematically allowed sequences of one-photon decays, e.g. 3d-->2p-->1s, that technically also produce two photons. These correspond to resonances in the two-photon spectrum that are optically thick to two-photon absorption, necessitating a radiative transfer calculation. We derive the appropriate equations, develop a numerical code to solve them, and verify the results by finding agreement with analytic approximations to the radiative transfer equation. The related processes of Raman scattering and two-photon recombination are included using similar machinery. Our results show that early in recombination the two-photon decays act to speed up recombination, reducing the free electron abundance by 1.3% relative to the standard calculation at z=1300. However, we find that some photons between Lyalpha and Lybeta are produced, mainly by 3d-->1s two-photon decay and 2s-->1s Raman scattering. At later times, these photons redshift down to Lyalpha, excite hydrogen atoms, and act to slow recombination. Thus, the free electron abundance is increased by 1.3% relative to the standard calculation at z=900. Our calculation involves a very different physical argument than the recent studies of Wong and Scott and Chluba and Sunyaev, and produces a much larger effect on the ionization history. The implied correction to the cosmic microwave background power spectrum is negligible for the recently released WMAP and ACBAR data, but at Fisher matrix level will be 7sigma for Planck.
Individual Differences in Vagal Regulation Moderate Associations Between Daily Affect and Daily Couple Interactions

Previous research suggests that cardiac vagal regulation (indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia, or RSA) provides a physiological substrate for affect regulation, which presumably underlies adaptive interpersonal functioning.The authors tested these associations in the context of daily interactions between 68 cohabiting couples. Participants underwent a laboratory assessment of RSA during rest and also during a series of psychological stressors. Subsequently, they kept daily measures of affect and interaction quality for 21 days. Individual differences in baseline and stress levels of RSA moderated within-person associations between daily affect and the quality of couple interactions. The pattern of results differed for women versus men. Men with lower vagal tone or higher vagal reactivity had stronger associations between daily negative affect and daily negative interactions, and men with higher vagal tone had more positive daily interactions overall. Women with higher vagal tone had stronger associati...
The Last Consul: Basilius and his Diptych

This article is concerned with a late antique consular diptych now divided between Florence and Milan. The front panel, in the Castello Sforzesco at Milan, displays a personification of Victory, seated frontally on the back of an eagle and holding an oval shield to her left (Pl. IV). In the centre of the shield is a bust of the consul and around the edge the inscription BONO REI PUBLIC(a)E ET ITERUM. A small portion of the top and the lower third of the panel are missing. The rear panel of the diptych, still intact, is in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence (Pl. V). The figure of the consul is standing, holding the mappa in front of his chest, and in his left hand a cross-surmounted sceptre. To the left of the consul stands the figure of Roma, who places her right hand on the consul's right shoulder and in her left holds the fasces. In the lower quarter of the panel is a scene of a chariot race and to the right are two small male figures. Across the top of both panels runs the inscription: ANIC(ius) FAUST(us) ALBIN(us) BASILIUS V(ir) C(larissimus) ET INL(ustris) EX COM(ite) DOM(esticorum) PAT(ricius) CONS(ul) ORD(inarius).
Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibition by mutant epidermal growth factor receptor variant III contributes to the neoplastic phenotype of glioblastoma multiforme.

Purpose: We have reported previously that tumors expressing wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a murine model are sensitive to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, whereas tumors expressing mutant EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) are resistant. Determination of how this differential inhibition occurs may be important to patient selection and treatment criteria, as well as the design of future therapeutics for glioblastoma multiforme. Experimental Design: We have determined and quantified how treatment with gefitinib at commonly used, noncytotoxic doses affects neoplastic functions ascribed to EGFRvIII, including downstream signaling by Akt, DNA synthesis, and cellular invasion. In doing so, we have tested and compared a series of wild-type and mutant EGFRvIII-expressing fibroblast and glioblastoma cell lines in vitro after treatment with gefitinib. Results: The results of these experiments demonstrate that short-term treatment with gefitinib (∼24 h) does not reduce phosphorylation of EGFRvIII, whereas EGFR phosphorylation is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. However, after daily treatment with gefitinib, phosphorylation declines for EGFRvIII by day 3 and later. Nevertheless, after 7 days of daily treatment, cells that express and are dependent on EGFRvIII for tumorigenic growth are not effectively growth inhibited. This may be due in part to phosphorylation of Akt, which is inhibited in EGFR-expressing cells after treatment with gefitinib, but is unaffected in cells expressing EGFRvIII. Cell cycle analysis shows that nascent DNA synthesis in EGFR-expressing cells is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by gefitinib, yet is unaffected in EGFRvIII-expressing cells with increasing dosage. Furthermore, cells expressing EGFRvIII demonstrate greater invasive capability with increasing gefitinib concentration when compared with cells expressing EGFR after treatment. Conclusions: We conclude that the neoplastic phenotype of EGFRvIII is relatively resistant to gefitinib and requires higher doses, repeated dosing, and longer exposure to decrease receptor phosphorylation. However, this decrease does not effectively inhibit the biologically relevant processes of DNA synthesis, cellular growth, and invasion in cells expressing EGFRvIII.
Fast Computation of the Dyadic Green's Function for Layered Media via Interpolation

The use of a dyadic layered-medium Green's function as the kernel in a method of moments (MoM) modeling problem greatly reduces the complexity of modeling a stratified medium. Compared to the free-space Green's function, there is an additional cost of having to compute a semi-infinite Sommerfeld integral for each call to calculate the dyadic layered-medium Green's function. This letter discusses a method to tabulate and interpolate the Green's function as a method of reducing the impedance matrix filling time. This method can be used in conjunction with existing methods for increasing the computational speed of the Green's functions.
Study and characterization of tobacco mosaic virus head-to-tail assembly assisted by aniline polymerization

One-dimensional composite nanofibres with narrow dispersity, high aspect ratio and high processibility have been fabricated by head-to-tail self-assembly of rod-like tobacco mosaic virus assisted by aniline polymerization, which can promote many potential applications including electronics, optics, sensing and biomedical engineering.
Geostatistical tools for modeling and interpreting ecological spatial dependence

Geostatistics brings to ecology novel tools for the interpretation of spatial patterns of organisms, of the numerous environmental components with which they in- teract, and of the joint spatial dependence between organisms and their environment. The purpose of this paper is to use data from the ecological literature as well as from original research to provide a comprehensive and easily understood analysis ofgeostatistics' manner of modeling and methods. The traditional geostatistical tool, the variogram, a tool that is beginning to be used in ecology, is shown to provide an incomplete and misleading summary of spatial pattern when local means and variances change. Use of the non-ergodic covariance and correlogram provides a more effective description of lag-to-lag spatial dependence because the changing local means and variances are accounted for. Indicator transforma- tions capture the spatial patterns of nominal ecological variables like gene frequencies and the presence/absence of an organism and of subgroups of a population like large or small individuals. Robust variogram measures are shown to be useful in data sets that contain many data outliers. Appropriate removal of outliers reveals latent spatial dependence and patterns. Cross-variograms, cross-covariances, and cross-correlograms define the joint spa- tial dependence between co-occurring organisms. The results of all of these analyses bring new insights into the spatial relations of organisms in their environment.
In vivo recording of aerodynamic force with an aerodynamic force platform: from drones to birds

Flapping wings enable flying animals and biomimetic robots to generate elevated aerodynamic forces. Measurements that demonstrate this capability are based on experiments with tethered robots and animals, and indirect force calculations based on measured kinematics or airflow during free flight. Remarkably, there exists no method to measure these forces directly during free flight. Such in vivo recordings in freely behaving animals are essential to better understand the precise aerodynamic function of their flapping wings, in particular during the downstroke versus upstroke. Here, we demonstrate a new aerodynamic force platform (AFP) for non-intrusive aerodynamic force measurement in freely flying animals and robots. The platform encloses the animal or object that generates fluid force with a physical control surface, which mechanically integrates the net aerodynamic force that is transferred to the earth. Using a straightforward analytical solution of the Navier–Stokes equation, we verified that the method is accurate. We subsequently validated the method with a quadcopter that is suspended in the AFP and generates unsteady thrust profiles. These independent measurements confirm that the AFP is indeed accurate. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the AFP by studying aerodynamic weight support of a freely flying bird in vivo. These measurements confirm earlier findings based on kinematics and flow measurements, which suggest that the avian downstroke, not the upstroke, is primarily responsible for body weight support during take-off and landing.
Learning “beyond the classroom” within an enterprise social network system

Abstract This case study examines how students in a higher education program used an enterprise social network system (ESN) to engage in learning activities within its community. We explain how ESNs fit within the Web 2.0 landscape and describe how the program used an ESN to form its learning ecology. The community of inquiry framework is applied to analyze dialogue from the informal learning spaces of the system. Results show that a majority of students participated in learning activities within these public, non-mandatory spaces “beyond the classroom.” We also found high levels of cognitive and learning presence in their posts. This study suggests that students practice self-regulated learning in ESN informal learning spaces, raising new possibilities for future development of online learning ecologies.
Pickle: a flexible abms framework for dynamically generating serializable intelligent agents

Agent-based Modeling and Simulation has become a mainstream tool for use in business and research in multiple disciplines. Along with its mainstream status, ABMS has attracted the attention of practitioners who are not always comfortable developing software in Java, C++ or any of the scripting languages commonly used for ABMS frameworks. In particular, animal behavior researchers, or ethologists, require agent controllers that can describe complex animal behavior in dynamic, unpredictable environments. But the existing solutions for simplifying the description of agent controllers are inadequate for that challenge, so we present Pickle, an ABMS platform that generates complete simulations and agents using behavior-based controllers from simple XML file descriptions.
Spike-dip transformation of Setaria viridis

Traditional method of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation through the generation of tissue culture had limited success for Setaria viridis, an emerging C4 monocot model. Here we present an efficient in planta method for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of S. viridis using spike dip. Pre-anthesis developing spikes were dipped into a solution of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain AGL1 harboring the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter to standardize and optimize conditions for transient as well as stable transformations. A transformation efficiency of 0.8 ± 0.1% was obtained after dipping of 5-day-old S3 spikes for 20 min in Agrobacterium cultures containing S. viridis spike-dip medium supplemented with 0.025% Silwet L-77 and 200 μm acetosyringone. Reproducibility of this method was demonstrated by generating stable transgenic lines expressing β-glucuronidase plus (GUSplus), green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein (DsRed) reporter genes driven by either CaMV35S or intron-interrupted maize ubiquitin (Ubi) promoters from three S. viridis genotypes. Expression of these reporter genes in transient assays as well as in T1 stable transformed plants was monitored using histochemical, fluorometric GUS activity and fluorescence microscopy. Molecular analysis of transgenic lines revealed stable integration of transgenes into the genome, and inherited transgenes expressed in the subsequent generations. This approach provides opportunities for the high-throughput transformation and potentially facilitates translational research in a monocot model plant.
EFFECT OF GENETIC DAMAGE OF POSTTREATMENTS GIVEN X-RAYED DROSOPHILA MALES

An increase in sex-linked lethal mutation rate after cold storage of irradinted sperm was noted when nonirradiated females were starved prior and subsequent to mating. Cold and aging during the storage of the irradiated sperm did not, per se, contribute to the increase of sex-linked lethals. At the same time, these data supplement the findings of others that no change in radiation- induced damage to sperm occurs when the irradiated sperm are or are not stored in the female. The evidence from postirradiation storage of the male at room temperature and at 10 deg C does not support a hypothesis for a recovery mechanism occurring in the sperm. The rates of sex-linked lethals and of egg mortality, associated with the first sperm batch, decreased after 24 hours postirradiation storage of the males at room temperature. The rates of the second sperm batch (sperm used 48 hours after irradiation) of the latter males did not exhibit a decrease as might be expected if a recovery process exists. Furthermore, postirradiation storage of the males at 10 deg C did not modify the rates of sexlinked lethal mutation or egg mortality. The data are interpreted to indicate that the population of sperm atmore » the time of irradiation is heterogeneous and compartmentalized with respect to radiation sensitivity, and that mixing of these sperm can occur in the testes during postirradiation storage at room temperature. (auth)« less
Impact Resistance of Liquid Body Armor Utilizing Shear Thickening Fluids: A Computational Study

Since the creation of advanced knives and firearms with high rates of speed, safety has always been a vital issue for armed forces. A disadvantage of a regular fabric Kevlar is that, although it has an effective resistance against the impact of low-speed bullets, it reveals its weakness in the case of a stab wound and high-speed bullets. Under these circumstances, a new executable technology of fibers that improves the ballistic performance of the materials utilized in body armors is an essential necessity to build high quality and protective vests which are perfectly bulletproof. The purpose of this study is to investigate the physics and concepts of shear thickening fluids and perform a computational CFD simulation of liquid body armors which consist of a combination of polyethylene glycol liquid and nanoparticles of silica. A model of multiphase flow environment with STFKevlar, as a representative of the non-Newtonian shear thickening fluid (STF), is simulated in STAR-CCM+ in order to analyze the behavior of STFs under impact and performance of novel liquid body armors. In the current simulation, Eulerian multiphase flow and volume of fluid (VOF) are applied to generate three discrete regions and determine the volume fraction of each phase including gas, non-Newtonian liquid and solid which represent air, STFKevlar and bullet, respectively. Moreover, dynamic fluid body interactions (DFBI) and overset mesh are utilized to consider the interactions between the regions and forces applied. In this study, the properties of the bullet are based on characteristics of a regular pistol bullet, and it approaches the STFKevlar with the constant speed of 400 m/s. The results show that the non-Newtonian material is initially at equilibrium state and while the bullet approaches the STFKevlar, it acts like a shear thinning fluid. As a high-speed bullet nears the STFKevlar, it absorbs the significant amount of energy that is applied by the bullet. Consequently, the bullet stops penetrating the STFKevlar in a very small fraction of time due to the considerable increase in viscosity. As the shear rate increases over a certain critical value, viscosity increases remarkably which is the main characteristic of shear thickening transition and finally, it reaches to its maximum value of viscosity in approximately 8 × 10−5sec. In addition, a bullet applies a considerable amount of force on any Kevlar due to its high velocity and kinetic energy; however, the high resistant STFKevlar is approved as a high quality and protective vests which stops the bullet in 6 × 10−4sec.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Detection of Trace Organics and Bacteria Endospores in Water Using UV Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF)

The monitoring of water contamination and trace species is of great importance. Our lab has developed two highly sensitive LIF detection systems currently used to detect traces of bacteria endospores and dissolved organic compounds in water.
China's only children and psychopathology: A quantitative synthesis

The goal of this study is to synthesize quantitatively the results of studies of psychopathology among Chinese only children. Since 1979, China's one-child policy has generated large numbers of only children, especially in large urban centers, where the one-child family has become a social norm. Motivated by concern for mental health, 22 studies, based on the SCL-90, have been published that compare the scores of only children to their peers with siblings. The raw effect sizes generated by each study underwent adjustments in order to enhance the reliability of the findings, including the identification and replacement of outliers, and weighting by inverse-sample size. In addition, analyses were conducted to evaluate the degree of publication bias exhibited by this collection of studies and the results from the SCL-90 studies were compared to studies using alternative measures of anxiety and depression. Overall, the synthesis found small, but significant advantages for only children compared to their peers with siblings, regardless of subscale. However, moderators of this only-child effect were also found: only children as college students reported significantly fewer symptoms, regardless of subscale; while only children as military recruits reported more symptoms, although the findings about military recruits received less support from the analyses. Furthermore, the size of the only-child advantage was found to be greater for only children born after the policy. Conclusions based on this synthesis are limited by the fact that this body of studies is based on convenience samples of relatively successful youth.
Visualization of Jettison Motor Plumes from an Orion Launch Abort Vehicle Wind Tunnel Model Using Background-Oriented Schlieren*

A Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) system has recently been implemented in the Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel 16T at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) to qualitatively visualize the Jettison Motor plumes on the Orion Launch Abort Vehicle (LAV). As applied to aerodynamics, BOS is an optical technique that exploits gradients in the refractive index of fluid volumes like schlieren, shadowgraph, and interferometry techniques to visualize flow structures and density gradients. BOS requires only minimal optical access to view a painted dot pattern through a refracting media to visualize density gradients in the fluid. This is of particular interest in wind tunnels or other testing facilities where optical access is limited and/or other common visualization techniques are not readily available. Images were acquired for multiple Mach number flows, plenum pressures and model attitudes to visualize the jet plume and model shock interactions for two Jettison Motor geometries.
Tyrosinase activity in goldfish skin.

SummaryThe tyrosinase activity in 4 varieties of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.), white, xanthic, grey and black moor, was determined. Tyrosinase activity occurred in both the soluble and particulate fractions of skin homogenates. Total tyrosinase activity was increased in both fractions with increasing melanin pigmentation. The activity increase, however, occurred, for the most part, in the particulate fraction. White and xanthic goldfish were identical in tyrosinase content and distribution. Tyrosinase activity in black moor skin is: skin to fin ratio, 4:1; dorsal skin to ventral skin ratio, 4:1; right side to left side ratio, 1:1. Further, smaller fish have a higher skin tyrosinase level than larger fish.
Study on Customer Satisfaction Evaluation of Public Travel Service Based on the Fuzzy Multi-attribute

Strengthening performance evaluation of the supply of government public welfare tourism services is the basic method to advance the sustainable development of public welfare tourism and improve the quality of public travel services.According to the fuzziness of influence public tourism service quality factor,the paper designs the assessment index of public welfare tourism customer satisfaction and constructs the evaluation mode through the triangular fuzzy number concentrated expression public welfare tourism services tourists subjective evaluation,and it is the effective method to improve public service satisfaction assessment.The fuzzy multiple attribute assessment shows that the keys to improve customer satisfaction of public travel service are implementing public travel service quality evaluation,scientific planning the public travel service and speeding up the regulation system of public travel service policy.
Gastrointestinal cancers in Mississippi.

OBJECTIVES According to a 2007 US Census Bureau report, Mississippi is the poorest state in the United States and is ranked last among all 50 states for overall quality of health. The objective of the study was to describe gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in Mississippi overall and the Mississippi Delta region in particular. METHODS The age-adjusted incidence rates for GI cancers for 2003-2007, compiled from the Mississippi Cancer Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries, were retrieved and compared among 18 Mississippi Delta counties, 64 non-Delta counties, the entire state of Mississippi, and the United States. Colorectal cancer incidence rates and national rankings were correlated with influencing factors of race, obesity, diabetes mellitus, education, unemployment rate, availability of health insurance and primary care physicians, physical activity, diet, and per capita income. RESULTS Compared with the United States as a whole, Mississippi had higher rates of colon and rectal cancers and a lower overall rate of gallbladder cancers in both whites and African Americans. Of all GI cancers, only liver, intrahepatic bile duct, and gallbladder cancers had lower age-adjusted incidence rates in the Mississippi Delta region. There was a large difference between African Americans and whites in the Delta region. Whites residing in the Delta counties had higher incidence rates than African Americans of all cancers except liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers. CONCLUSIONS The majority of GI cancers had higher incidence rates in the Mississippi Delta than non-Delta counties and in the entire state than the United States. These disparities observed on a regional and ethnic basis call for targeted prevention efforts to eliminate disparities in GI cancer incidence rates.
Ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

We have evaluated the combination of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) along with mesna in 46 patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Treatment consisted of ifosfamide (1.25 g/m2/d with mesna) and etoposide (80 mg/m2/d) given intravenously on days 1 to 3 and carboplatin (300 mg/m2) given intravenously on day 1 every 4 weeks. Eligibility criteria included measurable disease; adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal functions; no prior chemotherapy; and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) of 0 to 3. Two patients were lost to follow-up and one had received prior chemotherapy, leaving 43 patients evaluable for response and toxicities. There were 27 male and 16 female patients. Twenty-three patients had a PS of 0 or 1 and 20 had a PS of 2 or 3. Eighteen patients had received prior radiotherapy. There were two complete responses and nine partial responses. The response rate was 35% in PS 0 or 1 patients and 15% in PS 2 or 3 patients. The most frequent toxicity was myelosuppression; 44% of patients experienced grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and 14%, grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Patients receiving prior radiation were significantly more prone to develop leukopenia (P = .01). Five patients developed leukopenic fever, and three died of sepsis. Gastrointestinal toxicities were mostly mild. No neurologic or genitourinary toxicities were observed. The median length of survival was 209 days for patients with a PS of 0 or 1 and 123 days for the entire group. The 1-year survival rate was 22% and 19%, respectively, in these two patient subgroups. ICE is an active regimen in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and a good PS. Myelosuppression is the major dose-limiting toxicity. Hematopoietic growth factors may be indicated in subsequent studies, especially in patients who had prior radiation therapy. The therapeutic effect of ICE on patients with a poor PS remains unsatisfactory and requires further investigation.