cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein visualization and manipulation in Drosophila through the use of epitope tags recognized by nanobodies

SUMMARY Expansion of the available repertoire of reagents for visualization and manipulation of proteins will help understand their function. Short epitope tags installed on proteins of interest and recognized by existing binders such as nanobodies facilitate protein studies by obviating the need to isolate new antibodies directed against them. Nanobodies have several advantages over conventional antibodies, as they can be expressed and used as tools for visualization and manipulation of proteins in vivo. Here, we combine the advantages of short epitopes (NanoTags) and nanobodies specific for them by characterizing two short (
When Unfamiliarity Breeds Contempt: How Partisan Selective Exposure Sustains Oppositional Media Hostility

Partisans hold unfavorable views of media they associate with the other party. They also avoid out-party news sources. We link these developments and argue that partisans assess out-party media based on negative and inaccurate stereotypes. This means cross-cutting exposure that challenges these misperceptions can improve assessments of out-party media. To support this argument, we use survey-linked web browsing data to show that the public has hostile views of out-party news sources they rarely encounter. We conduct three survey experiments that demonstrate cross-cutting exposure to nonpolitical or neutral political stories, forms of news widely available from online partisan sources, reduces oppositional media hostility. This explains how perceptions of rampant bias from out-party media coexist with more modest differences in the online content of major partisan news outlets. More broadly, we illustrate how negative misperceptions can sustain animus towards an out-group when people avoid encounters with them.
A Portable, All-Solid-State Low Noise Receiver for 230 GHz

A low-noise receiver for 300K ambient operation at 230 GHz is described. The receiver incorporates a single-ended, fixed tuned Schottky barrier diode mixer, a frequency tripled Gunn source as local oscillator and a GaAs FET I.F. amplifier. The single sideband receiver noise temperature is typically 1300K when the L.O. is tuned to any frequency between 210 and 240 GHz.
Perspective and challenges in electrochemical approaches for reactive CO2 separations

Summary The desire toward decarbonization and renewable energy has sparked research interests in reactive CO2 separations, such as direct air capture that utilize electricity as opposed to conventional thermal and pressure swing processes, which are energy-intensive, cost-prohibitive, and fossil-fuel dependent. Although the electrochemical approaches in CO2 capture that support negative emissions technologies are promising in terms of modularity, smaller footprint, mild reaction conditions, and possibility to integrate into conversion processes, their practice depends on the wider availability of renewable electricity. This perspective discusses key advances made in electrolytes and electrodes with redox-active moieties that reversibly capture CO2 or facilitate its transport from a CO2-rich side to a CO2-lean side within the last decade. In support of the discovery of new heterogeneous electrode materials and electrolytes with redox carriers, the role of computational chemistry is also discussed.
Towards Reinforcement Learning with LCS

Having until now concentrated on how LCS can handle regression and classification tasks, this chapter returns to the prime motivator for LCS, which are sequential decision tasks. There has been little theoretical LCS work that concentrates on these tasks (for example, [30, 224]) despite some obvious problems that need to be solved [11, 12, 77]. At the same time, other machine learning methods have constantly improved their performance in handling these tasks [126, 28, 204], based on extensive theoretical advances. In order to catch up with these methods, LCS need to refine their theory if they want to be able to feature competitive performance. This chapter provides a strong basis for further theoretical development within the MDP framework, and discusses some currently relevant issues.
The polyphosphate kinase gene of Escherichia coli : isolation and sequence of the ppk gene and membrane location of the protein

Polyphosphate kinase (PPK) catalyzes the reversible transfer of the terminal phosphate of ATP to form a long-chain polyphosphate (polyP) (Ahn, K., and Kornberg, A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11734-11739). The Escherichia coli gene (ppk) encoding PPK has been cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed (about 100-fold). The gene possesses an open reading frame for 687 amino acids (mass of 80,278 Da). PPK has been purified from overproducing cells after release from attachment to the cell outer membrane; the purified soluble PPK reassociate with cell membrane fractions. About 850 molecules of PPK are found in a wild type cell.
DNA topoisomerase I mutants. Increased heterogeneity in linking number and other replicon-dependent changes in DNA supercoiling.

Abstract Plasmid pBR322 DNA isolated from Salmonella typhimurium supX (topoisomerase I) mutants exhibits a novel supercoiling distribution characterized by extreme heterogeneity in linking number and the presence of highly negatively supercoiled topoisomers. The most negatively supercoiled topoisomers isolated from one supX mutant have more than twice the wild-type level of supercoiling; the distribution as a whole has a median superhelix density about 1.3 times that of wild type. Surprisingly, the supercoiling distribution of plasmid pUC9 DNA isolated from supX mutants differs from that of pBR322. Escherichia coli topoisomerase I mutants have been shown to acquire compensatory mutations that reduce bacterial chromosome supercoiling to below the wild-type level even in the absence of topoisomerase I. We find that such a compensatory mutation in an E. coli topoisomerase I deletion mutant does not reduce pBR322 DNA supercoiling to a level below that of wild type. Thus, the effects of topoisomerase mutations on supercoiling depend on the replicon. replicon.
Longitudinal association of dairy consumption with changes in blood pressure and incident hypertension (1018.3)

We examined the longitudinal association between dairy consumption and changes in blood pressure (BP) and incident hypertension (HTN) among Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort members who were ...
The absorption of cationic surfactants by cellulosic materials: II. The effects of esterification of the carboxyl groups in the cellulosic substrates

Abstract Viscose rayon and oxycellulose containing a high concentration of carboxyl groups have been esterified at the carboxyl group using ethylene oxide. This reagent was chosen to minimize changes in accessibility caused by the esterification reaction. Measurements were made of the carboxyl contents, of the capacities of the samples to absorb water, and of their capacities to absorb the cation and anion from solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. These last measurements were made to test the hypothesis advanced by Sexsmith and White (1) that absorption of ion pairs from the surfactant solution was a clustering process dependent on the presence of exchanged cations which served as nuclei. The marked decrease in ion-pair absorption found after esterification was in agreement with this hypothesis. Some other properties of the esterified oxycellulose samples are also discussed.
Measuring the Influence of Amici in State Supreme Courts

Despite well documented proof that both the number and diversity of amicus participation in state high courts has been growing, little progress has been made in determining whether or not amicus briefs influence state court outcomes or the mechanism through which this influence is exerted. By utilizing an original dataset of amicus briefs filed in all products liability cases across the fifty states from 1995-2010, this paper offers the first comprehensive analysis of amicus influence on state supreme court decision making. Capitalizing on cross-state comparisons, this paper explores existing theories of amicus influence on court outcomes while also exploring how this influence is conditioned by institutional design across states – specifically, differing methods of judicial retention. Products liability cases offer a unique opportunity to examine the effects of third-party amicus briefs on the decision-making of state high courts because the two groups that are attributed with igniting the explosion in judicial campaign spending – pro-business groups and plaintiffs’ lawyers groups –often participate as amicus curiae. Using this set of cases, this paper finds that amicus brief influence is conditioned by court structure such that judges are more responsive to their ideological allies in courts where judges are free from electoral pressure. However, where courts are exposed to electoral pressures, amici influence encourages courts to render decisions that run counter to constituent ideology in favor of moneyed, corporate interests.
WatchMe: Communication and Awareness Between Members of a Closely-Knit Group

WatchMe is a personal communicator with context awareness in a wristwatch form; it is meant to keep intimate friends and family always connected via awareness cues and text, voice instant message, or synchronous voice connectivity. Sensors worn with the watch track location (via GPS), acceleration, and speech activity; this is classified and conveyed to the other party, where it appears in iconic form on the watch face. When a remote person with whom this information is shared examines it, their face appears on the watch of the person being checked on. The working prototype was used as the focus of interviews to gauge the desirability of such a device.
Acute and Chronic Management of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO/NMOSD) is a rare but clinically aggressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by antibodies against water channel protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the astrocytic foot processes. Patients typically present with optic neuritis (ON) or longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). The majority of patients with NMOSD show good response to treatment with steroids and plasmapheresis in the acute setting; however, 90 % of patients will eventually have clinical relapses and accrue permanent disability. Currently, immune modulation is the mainstay of maintenance therapy with anti CD-20 (rituximab, Rituxan™) having collectively the strongest evidence to support its use and mycophenolate mofetil having comparable reductions in absolute relapse rate (ARR) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores. Azathioprine, mitoxantrone, and methotrexate also have retrospective case series data that demonstrate reduction in ARR and stabilization of EDSS but with higher relapse rates and exposure to greater risk of treatment toxicities. Excitingly, multiple novel therapies are under clinical study for patients who are refractory to these first-line therapies including monoclonal antibodies targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6), CD19, CD20, complement, and neutrophil elastase inhibitors which may provide additional options for patients with severe clinical presentations. Importantly, no randomized clinical trials have been published to date comparing clinical outcomes of different maintenance therapies in NMOSD. Several trials are currently underway, and results will help guide future management decisions as current evidence is from many small, retrospective case series and cohort studies with many potential confounds.
A Pharmacist-Initiated Method to Improve Venous Thromboembolic Prophylaxis Rates in Medically Ill Patients

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the most preventable causes of hospital death; however, there is a significant underuse of VTE prophylaxis. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a pharmacist-initiated screening method on VTE prophylaxis rates. Clinical pharmacists practicing in an internal medicine teaching service at an academic medical center conducted a 6-month pilot project. Consecutive patients admitted to the service were screened for VTE and bleeding risk factors. Pharmacists made recommendations to the physicians in person, provided monthly educational presentations, and monitored patients daily until discharge to confirm continued appropriateness of recommendations. Of the 444 patients who were screened, 107 were identified to be candidates for VTE prophylaxis, and 21 of these patients also had bleeding risk factors. Appropriate use was significantly better after the screening intervention (37% before vs 85% after; P < .05). Moreover, inappropriate use in patients with bl...
1-Butaneboronic Acid Binding to Aeromonas proteolytica Aminopeptidase: A Case of Arrested Development

Hydrolases containing two metal ions connected by a bridging ligand catalyze reactions important in carcinogensis, tissue repair, post-translational modification, control and regulation of biochemical pathways, and protein degradation. The aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica serves as a paradigm for the study of such bridged bimetallic proteases since its three-dimensional structure is known to very high resolution and its catalytic reaction is amenable to spectroscopic examination. Herein, we report the X-ray crystal structure at 1.9 A resolution of AAP complexed with 1-butaneboronic acid (BuBA). This structure suggests that this complex represents a snapshot of the proteolytic reaction in an arrested form between the Michaelis complex and the transition state. Comparison of the structure with spectroscopic and other data allows us to conclude that the apparently structurally symmetrical dizinc site is actually asymmetric electrostatically.
An algorithm for reduction of operator strength

A simple algorithm which uses an indexed temporary table to perform reduction of operator strength in strongly connected regions is presented. Several extensions, including linear function test replacement, are discussed. These algorithms should fit well into an integrated package of local optimization algorithms.
Surface layer effects on waste glass corrosion

Water contact subjects waste glass to chemical attack that results in the formation of surface alteration layers. Two principal hypotheses have been advanced concerning the effect of surface alteration layers on continued glass corrosion: (1) they act as a mass transport barrier and (2) they influence the chemical affinity of the glass reaction. In general, transport barrier effects have been found to be less important than affinity effects in the corrosion of most high-level nuclear waste glasses. However, they can be important under some circumstances, for example, in a very alkaline solution, in leachants containing Mg ions, or under conditions where the matrix dissolution rate is very low. The latter suggests that physical barrier effect may affect the long-term glass dissolution rate. Surface layers influence glass reaction affinity through the effects of the altered glass and secondary phases on the solution chemistry. The reaction affinity may be controlled by various precipitates and crystalline phases, amorphous silica phases, gel layer, or all the components of the glass. The surface alteration layers influence radionuclide release mainly through colloid formation, crystalline phase incorporation, and gel layer retention. This paper reviews current understanding and uncertainties.
Uptake of tracer proteins in the developing cerebellum, particularly by the growth cones and blood vessels

Tracer proteins ferritin (M. W. 500,000 daltons) and horseradish peroxidase (M. W. 40,000 daltons) were injected into the cerebella of suckling rats to study the uptake of macromolecules by growth cones and other structures in the developing nervous tissue. The animals were killed between 30 minutes and 6 hours after injection, and areas adjacent to, but excluding the injection site were studied by electron microscopy with optical microscopical controls. At all time intervals both proteins were present in the extra- and intracellular compartments, although there was a clear time-related increase of the concentration in the latter. Both tracers flowed through the intercellular gaps, permeated synaptic clefts, and concentrated in large amounts within the basal laminae of the pia mater and blood vessels. Upon crossing the laminae the markers were incorporated by pial and endothelial cells. The latter showed pinocytotic vesicles taking the marker at the abluminal surface and similarly labeled vesicles underneath the luminal surface or actually opening into the vascular lumina. Vessels of cerebella fixed by immersion showed similar uptake pattern and free tracer was found in the capillary lumina. These data indicate that a vesicle-mediated transendothelial passage of proteins, from the parenchyma to the blood takes place under these experimental conditions. The somata of neurons and glial cells showed a high degree of incorproation, the protein being taken by pinocytosis and stored in lysosomes. The vesicles populating growth cones (“growth vesicles”) regularly contained marker although in variable proportions. At any given time most of the vesicles in the glial cones were labeled, while only some were labeled in the axonal and dendritic cones. Since pinocytotic activity was low in growth cones, labeling of the “growth vesicles” could be tentatively explained by postulating that they become passively labeled when they open into and coalesce with the membrane of the cone (as in Bray's, '73, model). If that were the case differential labeling between neural and glial cones could be an indication of a differential rate of membrane increment and therefore a differential rate of growth. Alternative possiblities are considered.
Wind analysis of pipeline suspension bridges

Abstract Two pipeline suspension bridges, with main spans of 850 feet (259.1 meters) and 1008 feet (307.2 meters), were investigated for wind load responses. Previously published findings indicated that vortex shedding was the cause of vertical wind oscillations of the former span which occurred shortly after its completion. These wind oscillations are now prevented by diagonal cable stays that have substantially increased structure damping. For the latter span, which has no diagonal cable stays, the relatively rigid profile of the suspended pipe is the likely reason why vertical wind oscillations of this span have not occurred. The responses of new suspended pipe profiles, which further increase pipe rigidity and hence decrease the risk of vertical wind oscillations of pipeline suspension bridges, are reported here. Additional investigations of the two original spans and new studies of two other pipeline suspension bridges are currently being conducted.
Estimation of conditional quantile density function

In this article, we establish the asymptotic normality and a law of the iterated logarithm for a kernel estimator of conditional quantile density function. The optimal bandwidths are obtained with respect to weak and almost sure convergences.
Abstract Planning and Perceptual Chunks: Elements of Expertise in Geometry

We present a new model of skilled performance in geometry proof problem solving called the Diagram Configuration model (DC). While previous models plan proofs in a step-by-step fashion, we observed that experts plan at a more abstract level: They focus on the key steps and skip the less important ones. DC models this abstract planning behavior by parsing geometry problem diagrams into perceptual chunks, called diagram configurations, which cue relevant schematic knowledge. We provide verbal protocol evidence that DC's schemas correspond with the step-skipping inferences experts make in their initial planning. We compare DC with other models of geometry expertise and then, in the final section, we discuss more general implications of our research. DC's reasoning has important similarities with Larkin's (1988) display-based reasoning approach and Johnson-Laird's (1983) mental model approach. DC's perceptually based schemas are a step towards a unified explanation of (1) experts' superior problem-solving effectiveness, (2) experts' superior problem-state memory, and (3) experts' ability, in certain domains, to solve relatively simple problems by pure forward inferencing. We also argue that the particular and efficient knowledge organization of DC challenges current theories of skill acquisition as it presents an end-state of learning that is difficult to explain within such theories. Finally, we discuss the implications of DC for geometry instruction.
The children of Franco in the new Spanish cinema

(1983). The children of Franco in the new Spanish cinema. Quarterly Review of Film Studies: Vol. 8, The New Spanish Cinema, pp. 57-76.
POTENTIAL FOR COMMUNAL REARING OF THE NEPHROPID LOBSTERS (Homarus spp.)1

A series of experiments was conducted with American lobsters (Homarus americanus) and European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) to develop methods to reduce cannibalism among communally-reared juveniles. The primary factors studied were substrate type, stocking density and photoperiod. Other conditions investigated were the effects of different water Temperatures, food type, segregating large individuals and claw immobilization. Preliminary studies also were conducted on the effects of shelter density, feeding level and tank area. These studies showed that by the use of vertical substrates, segregating techniques and immobilization of claws, carrying capacity can be increased considerably.
Enzymatic assays of L-serine in biological material.

Abstract Methods are presented for highly specific enzymatic determinations of l -serine in biological material. The methods are based on the use of partially purified pyrophosphate: l -serine O -phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.80) to convert l -serine to l -phosphoserine which, in turn, is assayed spectrophotometrically or fluorometrically using the combined reactions of l -phosphoserine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.52) and d -3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.95). Since as little as 0.2 nmol of l -serine can be assayed, the sensitivity of the methods compares favorably with that of an amino acid analyzer. Using the assays, values for free l -serine have been determined in freeze-clamped, normal, fed rat tissues to be 0.77 ± 0.04 μmol/g (liver); 0.72 ± 0.04 μmol/g (brain); 0.73 ± 0.04 μmol/g (kidney) and 0.52 ± 0.11 μmol/g (muscle).
Cooperative Hydrogen-Bonding in Adenine−Thymine and Guanine−Cytosine Base Pairs. Density Functional Theory and Møller−Plesset Molecular Orbital Study

The cooperative contributions to the H-bonding interaction energies of the adenine−thymine and guanine−cytosine base pairs have been evaluated using molecular orbital theory. The energies of the individual bonds in each base pair were ascertained by using models structures that keep one H-bond at a time intact by rotating one base with respect to the other about the axis of each H-bond to form structures with the bases perpendicular to each other. The energies of the individual H-bonds calculated in this way are compared with those of the planar base pairs. Optimized geometries were obtained using ab initio molecular orbital theory with electron correlation (MP2/D95**) and density functional theory (B3LYP/D95**). The cooperative contributions are of similar magnitude for each base pair. However, since the A·T overall interaction is weaker, the cooperative interaction provides 31% of its stability versus only 12−16% for G·C. The relatively smaller cooperative contribution to G·C is due to the difficulty of...
The sensitizing effects of emulsified pollen antigens in atopic subjects naturally sensitive to an unrelated antigen

Abstract 1.1. Atopic individuals develop immediate and delayed skin reactivity to emulsified pollen antigens to which they have had no previous sensitivity. 2.2. The development of such new sensitivity is not hampered by the production of a nonspecific inflammatory reaction (from histamine) or a specific antigen-antibody reaction at the site of injection of the emulsified new antigen. 3.3. With the type of antigen, dose, and method used, the atopic person almost regularly develops immediate skin reactivity and less often delayed reactivity. Nonatopic individuals, on the other hand, have a greater tendency to develop delayed sensitivity. 4.4. Our findings do not support the contention that delayed hypersensitivity is a necessary step in the process of development of the immediate type in all instances and with all techniques. 5.5. The reason for the failure of the atopic person to develop induced delayed skin hypersensitivity to the antigen to which he is spontaneously sensitive still remains unsolved. Some possible explanations are offered, but these must await further study.
The effects of personality traits on Memory-For-Designs performance.

Examined 241 Memory-For-Designs protocols for the drawing styles of closure difficulty, figure-size expansion, and figure-size constriction. Chi squares then were employed to compare those data with the personality traits of the Ss. Personality traits were assessed through use of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire. The major conclusion drawn from the data analysis was that regardless of his or her personality trait, a S will perform like most other Ss in relation to Memory-For-Designs test behavior. The Ss were university students between the ages of 18 and 23, male or female, who were U. S. citizens attending Emporia State University. Initially, Ss were given the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire in groups. Ss who met sample qualifications on the personality test were asked to return for an individual follow-up test with the Memory-For-Designs.
REVIEW: Zein Extraction from Corn, Corn Products, and Coproducts and Modifications for Various Applications: A Review

ABSTRACT Corn can be fractioned to produce starch, fiber, oil, and protein in relatively pure forms. The corn kernel contains 9–12% protein, but half of this is an industrially useful protein called zein. Dry milled corn (DMC), corn gluten meal (CGM), and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are all coproducts from corn that contain zein and are used for zein extraction. Because it is insoluble in water, zein has found uses in many products such as coatings, plastics, textiles, and adhesives. Newer applications are taking advantage of zein's biological properties for supporting growing cells, delivering drugs, producing degradable sutures, and producing biodegradable plastics. This review covers zein characteristics and nomenclature, past and current practices in processing and extraction of zein from corn products and coproducts, and the modifications of zein for various applications.
Finanzkapital and consumers: how financialization shaped twentieth century marketing

Purpose – By tracing the history of the links of financialization to consumer behaviors and marketer actions in the twentieth century, this paper aims to show that consumer market phenomena are often shaped by the imperatives of finance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs selective historical overviews, mainly focusing on the USA, of four tranches of the past century: the run up to the Great Depression; from post‐Depression to the Second World War; the post‐Second World War Bretton Woods system and its collapse in the 1970s; and the increasingly risk‐charged last three post‐Bretton Woods decades of the twentieth century.Findings – The historical review shows that the financial sector's interest in profiting from consumer markets emerged and grew fairly early in the twentieth century, experienced some slowdown and forced retrenchment due to the military‐industrial build up prior to and during the Second World War, and re‐accelerated in the post‐Second World War period – reaching an unsustainabl...
Exact eigenvalues for the Coulomb potential with cut‐off

The solution of the quantum-mechanical one-particle problem involving a Coulomb potential with a cut-off contains Whittaker functions, difficult to evaluate individually. However, the energy expression involves a ratio of two contiguous Whittaker functions, and the entire ratio is easily expressed as a convergent continued fraction. Representative energy eigenvalues are calculated, correcting the errors due to an earlier Bessel function approximation by Wannier.
Apoptosis-inducing agents cause rapid shedding of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1). A nonpharmacological explanation for inhibition of TNF-mediated activation.

Several chemical compounds not known to interact with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signal transducing proteins inhibit TNF-mediated activation of vascular endothelial cells (EC). Four structurally diverse agents, arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone, staurosporine, sodium salicylate, and C6-ceramide, were studied. All four agents caused EC apoptosis at concentrations that inhibited TNF-induced IkappaBalpha degradation. However, evidence of apoptosis was not evident until after several (e.g. 3-12) hours of treatment, whereas 2 h of treatment was sufficient to inhibit TNF responses. IL-1-induced IkappaBalpha degradation was unaffected by these treatments. Inhibition of TNF signaling could not be prevented with either of the broad spectrum caspase inhibitors zVADfmk or yVADcmk. The inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 prevented the inhibition of TNF signaling by all agents except arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone. No changes in the levels or molecular weights of the adaptor proteins TRADD (TNF receptor-associated death domain), RIP (receptor-interacting protein), or TRAF2 (TNF receptor-associated factor-2) were caused by apoptogenic drugs. However, TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) surface expression was significantly reduced by all four agents. Furthermore, TNF-dependent recruitment of TRADD to surface TNFR1 was also inhibited. These data suggest that several putative inhibitors of TNF signaling work by triggering apoptosis and that an early event coincident with the initiation of apoptosis, preceding evidence of injury, is loss of TNFR1. Consistent with this hypothesis, cotreatment of EC with the metalloproteinase inhibitor Tapi (TNF-alpha proteinase inhibitor) blocked the reduction in surface TNFR1 by apoptogenic drugs and prevented inhibition of TNF-induced IkappaBalpha degradation without blocking apoptosis. TNFR1 loss could be a mechanism to limit inflammation in response to apoptotic cell death.
Optical alignment measurements at Goddard Space Flight Center.

The significant changes that have been made in the Optical Alignment Facility at the Goddard Space Flight Center since it was last described (Appler and Howell, 1968) are discussed. The changes are reflected in both the hardware and the software involved in making alignment measurements. The data analysis procedures can now be done on a desktop computer with turn-around times of approximately 4 h. Arbitrary coordinate transformations and corrections for facility errors are also feasible while retaining absolute accuracies of less than 6 sec of arc.
Pyramidal cells in primary auditory cortex project to cochlear nucleus in rat

Recent work has demonstrated that the auditory cortex in rat sends direct projections to the auditory nuclei of the brainstem, including the cochlear nucleus and superior olive. To determine the cortical origin of the projections to cochlear nucleus, Fast Blue, a retrograde fluorescent tracer, was injected into the cochlear nucleus. Labeled cells in the forebrain were then studied with light microscopy and mapped. The projection was found to originate from large pyramidal neurons in layer V of primary auditory cortex. The projection was predominantly ipsilateral, and no labeled neurons were found in other cortical areas. These data imply that primary auditory cortex exerts influence over ascending auditory information at the earliest stages of the central auditory system.
Multiple paleosols in pre-Wisconsinan drift, northwestern Montana and southwestern Alberta

Summary Varying numbers of strongly developed paleosols occur on and between multiple pre-Wisconsinan diamict (mostly till) units which cap interfluves east of Waterton-Glacier Parks, southwestern Alberta and northwestern Montana. Investigation of stratigraphy, morphology and genesis of the paleosols permits subdivision of Quaternary deposits and estimation of the length and climatic characteristics of pre-Wisconsinan interglacials. Stratigraphic relations indicate at least five soils in five “tills” on Saint Mary Ridge and Mokowan Butte, up to three soils in four “tills” on Two Medicine Ridge, two soils in two “tills” on Milk River Ridge, and one soil in one “till” on Cloudy Ridge. Ages of diamicts probably range from late Pliocene to Kansan or early Illinoian. Because the paleosol-“till” sequences on Mokowan Butte and Saint Mary Ridges are not correlative, more than five pre-late Illinoian depositional and soil forming episodes are probably represented in the region. Paleosols generally include 1 to 5 m thick, reddish, leached, clay-rich argillic horizons overlying leached cambic or calcic horizons or indurated calcretes 4 to 15 m thick. Morphological, chemical and mineralogical properties of paleosols resemble those of Paleudalfs and Paleustalfs, suggesting the soils formed over long periods (0.02 to 2.68 Ma) under climates which were significantly warmer (by at least 6 degrees C) and moister than today's.
PERSISTENCE BY 2‐YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATES TO 4‐YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Most community college graduates do not continue on for study in 4‐year colleges and universities. Fewer than 20% do so within the first few years after receiving their associate's degrees. Concerns have been expressed about the extent to which older students (e.g., students who received their degrees at age 25 and above) persist (go on) to 4‐year colleges and universities and about the correlates of persistence for this group. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between a selected number of academic, social, and personal variables in the context of predicting persistence to a 4‐year public university among older graduates of a New England state's public 2‐year institutions. Data were collected in 1988 and 1989 from a random sample of 3,762 older associate's degree students from the 12 community colleges in Connecticut. These data were then subjected to a two‐group, single‐function discriminant function analysis to determine the predictive power of the dependent measures used in the...
Migrant remittances in Thailand: Economic necessity or social norm?

The remittances of internal migrants contribute in various ways to the well-being of their households of origin. This study examines the significance of selected socio-economic and demographic factors associated with remittance behaviour in Thailand as characterized by the propensity to remit and amount remitted. The extent to which remittances affect the living standard of house-holds left behind is also appraised. The analyses suggest that in Thailand sending remittances is a practice rooted in altruism which enables out-migrants to retain personal contact with their households of origin for an extended time. Thus, it is widely exercised regardless of the economic needs of the household. At the same time, out-migration is an effective means for low-income households to quickly overcome shortages of income. The sustenance of poor households might have been difficult without remittances. From a macro-perspective, remittances contribute to the equalization of the income distribution among households having out-migrants.
Structural determinants of processing and secretion of the Haemophilus influenzae Hap protein

Haemophilus influenzae elaborates a surface protein called Hap, which is associated with the capacity for intimate interaction with cultured epithelial cells. Expression of hap results in the production of three protein species: outer membrane proteins of approximately 155 kDa and 45 kDa and an extracellular protein of approximately 110 kDa. The 155 kDa protein corresponds to full-length mature Hap (without the signal sequence), and the 110 kDa extracellular protein represents the N-terminal portion of mature Hap (designated Haps). In the present study, we examined the mechanism of processing and secretion of Hap. Site-directed mutagenesis suggested that Hap is a serine protease that undergoes autoproteolytic cleavage to generate the 110 kDa extracellular protein and the 45 kDa outer membrane protein. Biochemical analysis confirmed this conclusion and established that cleavage occurs on the bacterial cell surface. Determination of N-terminal amino acid sequence and mutagenesis studies revealed that the 45 kDa protein corresponds to the C-terminal portion of Hap, starting at N1037. Analysis of the secondary structure of this protein (designated Hap beta) predicted formation of a beta-barrel with an N-terminal transmembrane alpha-helix followed by 14 transmembrane beta-strands. Additional analysis revealed that the final beta-strand contains an amino acid motif common to other beta-barrel outer membrane proteins. Upon deletion of this entire C-terminal consensus motif, Hap could no longer be detected in the outer membrane, and secretion of Haps was abolished. Deletion or complete alteration of the final three amino acid residues had a similar but less dramatic effect, suggesting that this terminal tripeptide is particularly important for outer membrane localization and/or stability of the protein. In contrast, isolated point mutations that disrupted the amphipathic nature of the consensus motif or eliminated the C-terminal tryptophan had no effect on outer membrane localization of Hap or secretion of Haps. These results provide insight into a growing family of Gram-negative bacterial exoproteins that are secreted by an IgA1 protease-like mechanism; in addition, they contribute to a better understanding of the structural determinants of targeting of beta-barrel proteins to the bacterial outer membrane.
Further investigation of the surface charge properties of oxide surfaces in oil-bearing sands and sandstones

Abstract The surface charge and zeta potentials of Ottawa sand and baked and unbaked Berea sandstone were measured using three different techniques: streaming potential, electrophoresis, and potentiometric titrations. All three samples behave similarly, showing points of zero charge between pH 2 and 5. The streaming potential and electrophoresis results are found to be inconsistent with potentiometric titration results reported earlier. An explanation is sought for the differences in the point of zero charge measured by the three methods. Upon leaching the samples with concentrated hydrochloric acid to remove any clay or other mineral impurities, the three methods gave consistent results. This indicates that potentiometric titrations are much more sensitive to impurities in the solid sample than the other two methods. It is concluded that for naturally occurring oxide samples streaming potential and electrophoresis are the most appropriate methods for determining surface potential. The results presented here also provide essential surface chemical data on oxide surfaces in oil-bearing sands and sandstones.
Work in progress — Leadership training for new EECS graduate teaching assistants

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University has newly designed a graduate leadership course for all new graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The subject of leadership is approached by looking at the specific application of teaching as a form of leadership. This interactive training course is collaboratively designed and delivered by a graduate student who has sufficient leadership experience working as a teaching assistant for various levels of undergraduate courses. Having a graduate student with experience in leadership, as a role model, to train incoming GTAs creates natural learning communities within the classroom. During the duration of the course, GTAs are constantly interacting with the graduate instructor and their peers both inside and outside of the classroom. GTAs are also encouraged to practice their learning within their study group, research group, and working environment. Self-efficacy surveys are given to students in the new GTA Leadership course, and the results are used on evaluating the successfulness of this course. Lessons learned and future work are also discussed.
Thermodynamic stabilities of M(II)-gamma cyanoacetylacetone complexes in dioxane-water media

Abstract Stepwise and overall stoichiometric as well as thermodynamic equilibrium constants of Be(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) complexes with γ-cyanoacetylacetone have been evaluated in 75 per cent by volume dioxane-water media. Thermodynamic formation values obtained by modified Debye-Huckel equation, from data at various ionic strengths, were found to disagree with the calculated constants by Van Uitert's method.
Translation invariant data structure for 3-D binary images

Abstract In this paper we described a data structure suitable for three dimensional images. The basic property of this data structure is that it is translation invariant and can be tailored in such a way that it can have most of the desired properties required for binary image representation. The optimality of performance of this data structure over the conventional oct-trees for 3-D images has been investigated.
Unimolecular reactions revisited

A brief review of recent developments in the theory of unimolecular reactions is presented, with emphasis on the work carried out at The University of Chicago. The subjects considered are: the development of a paradigm for the control of selectivity of a photoinduced reaction; the development of an alternative form for the classical mechanical theory of the rate of a unimolecular reaction; the beginnings of an understanding of the influence of classical mechanical chaos on the corresponding quantum-mechanical description of an unbounded system; and the possible decoupling of a part of an N-degree-of-freedom system from the rest of the system on a time scale of interest with respect to subsystem internal energy transfer and chemical reaction. The intellectual linkages between these subjects are very briefly sketched.
PReS-FINAL-2118: Painless contractures of fingers in a female child

We describe a 6-year-old girl with a sudden onset of symmetrical and painless joint contractures of fingers on both hands, without obvious skin changes, following an exercise (roller skating) while she was holding hard for a wall rail. She was first presented to the Department of Neuropaediatrics with the suspected diagnosis of a neuromuscular disorder. During initial patient consultations that included an rheumatologist a marked blood eosinophilia was found. No telangiectasia, calcinosis, megacapillary, sclerodactyly, or mucosal involvements were present. The patient showed neither Raynaud phenomenon nor digital ulceration.
Toward a Translation Criticism: John Donne

Toward a Translation Criticism: John Donne, by Antoine Berman, trans. and ed. Francoise Massardier-Kenney, Kent, Ohio, Kent State University Press, 2009, 249 pp., $34.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-606...
Product rating prediction using centrality measures in social networks

Online recommendation systems provide useful information to users on various products and also allow the users to rate the products. However, they do not usually consider the fact that users trust their connections more than others and that the trusts vary from connection to connection i.e., we value the opinions of our connections differently. Moreover, the importance of connections' opinion changes over time. Thus, there is a need to consider the evolving trust relationships among users. In this work, we use both the user's social connections and non-connections to predict how a user would rate a particular product. We argue that we not only trust our connections more but also the trust varies over time, which we capture using a time-dependent trust matrix. We use the degree and eigen-vector centrality measures in conjunction with the user-item rating matrix to find how the social connections impact how one rates a product. To test the validity of the proposed framework, we use Epinions dataset which provides the ratings for products and trust matrix over 11 time periods. We show the accuracy our predictive model using the mean absolute error.
Automatic Notation Generators

This article presents various custom software tools called Automatic Notation Generators (ANG's) developed by the authors to aid in the creation of algorithmic instrumental compositions. The unique possibilities afforded by ANG software are described, along with relevant examples of their compositional output. These avenues of exploration include: mappings of spectral data directly into notated music, the creation of software transcribers that enable users to generate multiple realizations of algorithmic compositions, and new types of spontaneous performance with live generated screen-based music notation. The authors present their existing software tools along with suggestions for future research and artistic inquiry.
Monolithic solar cell panel of amorphous silicon

Abstract A monolithic solar cell panel has been fabricated using hydrogenated amorphous silicon ( a -Si:H) as the semiconductor material. This device consists of a plate glass substrate bearing a number of long, narrow, parallel cells electrically connected in series along the lengths of the cells. It features several characteristics which make it uniquely attractive for large area devices (up to several m 2 ): low internal power losses, due to lower current at a higher voltage; high fraction of active cell area, due to the absence of metallic grids; no basic device size limit; low cost and ease of fabrication. A device consisting of 9 cells and having an active area of 36 cm 2 , open circuit voltage of 6.5 V and efficiency of 2.6 per cent is described.
Mechanistic studies of toluene destruction in diffusion flames

Abstract The concentrations of stable species in an atmospheric-pressure, laminar diffusion flame burning a fuel mixture of methane and toluene (1 mole percent) were measured using a microprobe gas sampling/mass spectrometer system. These measurements are compared to results from a flame burning pure methane under identical temperature and flow conditions. In each of the flames studied little or no change is observed in the peak concentrations of a number of major chemical species such as water, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Small increases occurred in the peak concentrations of hydrogen, acetylene, methylacetylene, vinylacetylene, diacetylene, and butadiene. The presence of increased amounts of these products suggests limited decomposition of the benzyl or phenyl radicals which are likely initial intermediates of aromatic pyrolysis. Relatively larger increases occurred in the peak concentrations of a number or aromatic compounds including phenylacetylene, styrene, and naphthalene. For the toluene ...
Vibrotactile localization on the arm: effects of place, space, and age.

Although tactile acuity has been explored for touch stimuli, vibrotactile resolution on the skin has not. In the present experiments, we explored the ability to localize vibrotactile stimuli on a linear array of tactors on the forearm. We examined the influence of a number of stimulus parameters, including the frequency of the vibratory stimulus, the locations of the stimulus sites on the body relative to specific body references or landmarks, the proximity among driven loci, and the age of the observer. Stimulus frequency and age group showed much less of an effect on localization than was expected. The position of stimulus sites relative to body landmarks and the separation among sites exerted the strongest influence on localization accuracy, and these effects could be mimicked by introducing an “artificial” referent into the tactile array.