cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tip clearance effects in a turbine rotor : Part I : Pressure field and loss

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effects of the tip clearance flow in an axial turbine rotor. The effects investigated include the distribution and the development of the pressure, the loss, the velocity, and the turbulence fields. These flow fields were measured using the techniques of static pressure taps, rapid response pressure probes, rotating five-hole probes, and Laser Doppler Velocimeter. Part I of this paper covers the loss development through the passage, and the pressure distribution within the passage, on the blade surfaces, on the blade tip, and on the casing wall. Regions with both the lowest pressure and the highest loss indicate the inception and the trace of the tip leakage vortex. The suction effect of the vortex slightly increases the blade loading near the tip clearance region. The relative motion between the turbine blades and the casing wall results in a complicated pressure field in the tip region. The fluid near the casing wall experiences a considerable pressure difference across the tip. The highest total pressure drop and the highest total pressure loss were both observed in the region of the tip leakage vortex, where the loss is nearly twice as high as that near the passage vortex region. However, the passage vortex produces more losses than the tip leakage vortex in total. The development of the loss in turbine rotor is similar to that observed in cascades. Part II of this paper covers the velocity and the turbulence fields.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
ULTRAVIOLET (254-405 nm) ACTION SPECTRUM AND KINETIC STUDIES OF ALANINE UPTAKE IN ESCHERICHIA COLI B/R*

Uptake of ala in exponentially grown and starved cells of Escherichia coli B/r is inhibited by monochromatic far–UV (254–310 nm) and near UV (310–405 nm) light. The action spectrum for inhibition of ala uptake is similar to that found earlier for gly uptake, showing a maximum at 280 nm and a significant but much lower action throughout the near–UV region. The action spectra suggest that the chromophores for inactivation of ala and gly uptake lie in the carrier proteins and that these proteins are similar. Kinetic studies, in unirradiated bacteria, show that (a) the Km for ala uptake (11 μM) is about twice that for gly uptake (4.9 μM), (b) the Km for ala uptake does not change in the presence of gly, although the Kmax does decrease, and (c) other amino acids, such as ser and phe, have no effect on the Km or Vmax of the ala uptake system. These data suggest that ala and gly are transported by the same carrier protein, with the binding sites for ala and gly on different subunits.
S-wave velocity, basalt chemistry and bathymetry along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Major element chemistry of mid-ocean ridge basalt, S-wave velocity and bathymetry along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are correlated on an intermediate length scale, and the large anomalies in these observations are associated with hotspot locations. The best correlations are for at depths of 100–200 km, and there is no correlation for depths of 300 km or deeper. S-Wave velocities are low directly under the Mid-Atlantic Ridge above 100 km, but the low-velocity regions shift away from the ridge at greater depth, and a sinuous strip of asthenospheric low velocity extends along the Atlantic hotspots from the Azores to Tristan da Cunha. These features suggest that common physical processes in the upper mantle produce these anomalies. An inspection of the history of the Atlantic Ocean suggests that the asthenospheric low-velocity strip may record earlier ridge position or possible upwelling in the mantle. Possible interaction between hotspots and the ridge blurs the distinction between passive and active upwellings.
Accelerating residential PV expansion: demand analysis for competitive electricity markets

Abstract This article quantifies the potential market for grid-connected, residential photovoltaic (PV) electricity integrated into new homes built in the US. It complements an earlier supply-side analysis by the authors that demonstrates the potential to reduce PV module prices below $1.5/W p by scaling up existing thin-film technology in 100 MW p /yr manufacturing facilities. The present article demonstrates that, at that price, PV modules may be cost effective in 125,000 new home installations per year (0.5 GW p /yr). While this market is large enough to support multiple scaled up thin-film PV factories, inefficient energy pricing and demand-side market failures will inhibit prospective PV consumers without strong public policy support. Net metering rules, already implemented in many states to encourage PV market launch, represent a crude but reasonable surrogate for efficient electricity pricing mechanisms that may ultimately emerge to internalize the externality benefits of PV. These public benefits include reduced air pollution damages (estimated costs of damage to human health from fossil fuel power plants are presented in Appendix A), deferral of transmission and distribution capital expenditures, reduced exposure to fossil fuel price risks, and increased electricity system reliability for end users. Thus, net metering for PV ought to be implemented as broadly as possible and sustained until efficient pricing is in place. Complementary PV “buydowns” (e.g., a renewable portfolio standard with a specific PV requirement) are needed to jumpstart regional PV markets.
Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Cu-Fe Based Braking Materials

SiC particle-reinforced Cu-Fe based braking materials were fabricated by the P/M hot pressing method. The phase composition, microstructure and the worn surface of the composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).The tribological properties were evaluated using a disk-on-disk type laboratory scale dynamometer. Results indicate that the friction coefficient is 0.42 in 6800rpm, 0.7MPa. With the increase of rotation speeds the coefficient of friction and stable rate were decreased.
Lanzmann's Shoah after Twenty-Five Years: An Overview and a Further View

This review essay examines several features of Lanzmann's classic film, assessing the tensions between the director's choices in his film and his public statements outside the film. By employing a perspective taken from live theater and applying it to Lanzmann's treatment of the film's witnesses, and evaluating the structural and thematic influence of the historian Raul Hilberg, the author seeks to define the legacy of the film twenty-five years after its original release.
Antineoplastic effects of gallium nitrate on human medulloblastoma in vivo

Gallium nitrate possesses antineoplastic activity against certain solid tumors and has been demonstrated to be an effective agent in reducing cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in the medulloblastoma Daoy cell line in vitro. In prior studies, gallium inhibited the cellular uptake of 59Fe by brain tumor cells; however, this block in 59Fe uptake was variable and closely paralleled the inhibitory effects of gallium on cell growth. In vivo trials now have been conducted and have yielded some promising results. Nude mice received intradermal injections of medulloblastoma Daoy and then allowed to grow tumors. When the mice had developed at least one tumor between 9 to 10 mm in diameter, a 10-day course of intraperitoneal gallium nitrate injections was initiated. Gallium nitrate treatment reduced overall tumor growth rate and reduced actual tumor size. Nephrotoxicity was severe, but may be preventable by continuous gallium infusion and use of diuretics and hyperhydration.
Nursing Care of the Brain Injury Patient on a Locked Neurobehavioral Unit

Behavioral problems after a brain injury can be extremely challenging for those working with brain injured people. Nursing staff must be familiar with commonly used post brain injury medications and their effects, behavioral management plans, appropriate use of restrictive devices, and verbal or physical crisis intervention techniques when necessary. Rehabilitation nurses caring for brain injured patients on a locked neurobehavioral unit must maintain continual training and specific competence in this environment to ensure patient and staff safety.
Spin labeling studies of the interactions of potentially useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with cytoskeletal proteins in erythrocyte ghosts and brain synaptosomal membranes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the major dementing disorder of the elderly with four million victims of this disease in the United States. The molecular basis of AD remains unknown, but the biochemical and biophysical state of cytoskeletal proteins is reportedly altered in AD cortical neurons. No approved effective therapy for AD is available. We have used electron spin resonance (ESR) and a protein-specific spin label to investigate the interactions of three potential therapeutic agents in AD: tacrine, velnacrine, and acetylcarnitine, with cytoskeletal proteins in erythrocyte membranes. Further, we report for the first time the effects of tacrine on the physical state of membrane proteins in brain neocortex synaptosomal membranes. All three agents lead to decreased segmental motion and increased cytoskeletal protein-protein interactions in erythrocyte membranes in order of effectiveness: tacrine > velnacrine > acetylcarnitine. In addition, we have synthesized N-methylacridinium methosulfate which has a positive charge on the opposite side of the molecule relative to tacrine. This former agent gave a less pronounced diminution of the relevant ESR parameter than that caused by tacrine, implying that the orientation of the molecule with its interaction site is important in the increased cytoskeletal protein-protein interactions induced by tacrine. With synaptosomal membranes tacrine also significantly decreased segmental motion of membrane proteins. Our ESR results on erythrocyte and brain membranes suggest that in addition to their biochemical effects, these potential AD therapeutic agents function to strengthen cytoskeletal protein-protein interactions. These results are discussed with reference to possible molecular mechanisms involving cytoskeletal proteins in AD.
Host-parasite hormonal interactions: An overview

Abstract Parasite interactions with their hosts appear to fall into two major categories: (1) “conformers” and (2) “regulators”. While species in both categories synchronize their life cycles temporally with their hosts' to allow continuity of generations, they appear to differ in the following ways: (a) In “conformers” the first moult is obligatorily synchronized with an apparent ecdysteroid increase and host metamorphosis. “Regulators” may or may not synchronize their first moult with their hosts's, depending on the stage of the host attacked; (b) “Conformers” do not disrupt host development, morphology or behaviour, while “regulators” do, primarily by causing (directly or indirectly) changes in host juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid synthesis and metabolism. These effects may be exerted via the fat body or in the haemolymph by the introduction of viruses, hormones or hormone mimics. The mechanisms of these disruptive effects of parasitism may be as complicated as the normal inter-endocrine relationships within the host itself.
Effect of hypertension and sodium chloride on vascular reactivity in vitro.

Abstract Rats were rendered hypertensive either by the administration of DCA and salt or by renal constriction. Isometric tensions developed in strips of aorta from these rats, when exposed to epinephrine or levarterenol, were compared with the tensions in aortic strips from normotensive control rats The strips from the hypertensive animals responded, in general, with smaller contractile tensions than did those from the normotensive rats. Contractions of aortic strips from DCA-salt hypertensive rats were also compared with those of strips from control animals in the presence of solutions of altered sodium ion concentration and/or tonicity. The strips from hypertensive animals, in contrast to those from control animals, manifested a slow, prolonged increase in tension in the presence of solutions of elevated sodium ion concentration or tonicity, alone. Addition of epinephrine then caused relatively weak contractile responses in the strips from hypertensive rats while the strips from the normotensive rats contracted even more vigorously than when in normal solutions. These results are interpreted to mean that as a consequence of hypertension, arterial walls became not only structurally but also functionally altered, and that the functional alteration includes a decreased reactivity to catecholamines and a changed contractile behavior in the presence of elevated sodium ion concentrations and/or hypertonic solutions.
An empirical analysis of the computerization of interactive software evaluation systems

Abstract This research studies factor analysis of traditional survey- questionnaires for interactive software evaluation in order to construct a Principal Factor Conversion Function (PFCF). Such a PFCF may be used in several ways: first, for exploratory purposes, to discover the principal factors of the traditional questionnaire; second to test the potential of data reduction within significant loss of information; and third to compare the traditional manual evaluation to a condensed computerized interactive software evaluation. A CAI system was used as the software to be evaluated in this research.
Transverse vaginal septum with congenital vesical-vaginal communication and cyclical hematuria.

Cyclical hematuria is an unusual presentation of a mullerian fusion anomaly. We report a patient with transverse vaginal septum and menstruation by way of the lower urinary tract because of a vesical-vaginal communication. A defect of vertical fusion, transverse vaginal septum results from failure of canalization of the vaginal plate. Reconstruction using a transvaginal and transabdominal approach created a direct anastomosis between the proximal vaginal segment and the distal vaginal pouch. Previously described cases are reviewed.
On the electromagnetic response to gravitational waves

Abstract We propose to measure the electromagnetic response to an incoming gravitational wave by placing a SQUID around a strong magnetic field and measuring the resulting change in flux. This change is estimated in the linear approximation to the Einstein-Maxwell equations.
Surgical treatment and outcomes of metastatic breast cancer to the spine

Metastatic vertebral body and spinal epidural lesions cause significant pain and neurological morbidity and negatively impact quality of life and survival. In instances of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression, treatment typically involves surgery and radiotherapy. The incidence of spinal metastases in breast cancer patients is high. In the light of recent improvements in survival among some patients with breast cancer, we reviewed the treatments and outcomes for patients with breast cancer who presented to our institution with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. We identified all patients undergoing open surgery for the treatment of breast cancer metastases to the spine at our center from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2009. We retrospectively reviewed records for the details of medical history, treatment, surgery, radiographic imaging, and follow-up. The Death Master File from the United States Social Security Administration was queried to identify the date of death where the medical record was incomplete. Outcomes were assessed by overall survival as well as preoperative and postoperative ambulatory status, bladder function, and the American Spinal Injury Association impairment classification system (ASIA). A total of 15 female patients were identified as having surgical intervention directly related to breast cancer metastasis to the spine. Most lesions (12/15) were located in the anterior vertebral column (vertebral body and/or pedicle). Two patients required re-operation, one for epidural fluid collection and one for infection. Roughly half of the patients (8/15) had well-controlled systemic disease at the time of surgery. Five patients had non-contiguous metastatic lesions elsewhere in the spine. Median survival following surgery was 1,025 days; control of systemic disease did not predict duration of postoperative survival. Seven patients had documented improvement in their ability to ambulate in the first 30 days following surgery. Bladder function was preserved in all. No patient deteriorated; and five patients had postoperative improvement of their ASIA impairment scale grade. We concluded that aggressive therapy, including surgery, is warranted for patients with symptomatic metastatic epidural spinal cord compression from breast cancer, including in the setting of advanced and progressive systemic disease.
Numerical solution of the two-dimensional elliptic Monge-Ampère equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions: an augmented Lagrangian approach

The main goal of this Note is to discuss a method for the numerical solution of the two-dimensional elliptic Monge–Ampere equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions (the E-MAD problem). This method relies on the reformulation of E-MAD as a problem of Calculus of Variation involving the biharmonic operator (or closely related operators), and then to a saddle-point formulation for a well-chosen augmented Lagrangian functional, leading to iterative methods such as Uzawa–Douglas–Rachford. The above methodology applies to problems other than E-MAD (such as the Pucci equation). The results of numerical experiments are presented. They concern the solution of E-MAD on the unit square (0,1)×(0,1); the first test problem has a known smooth closed form solution which is easily computed with optimal order of convergence. The second test problem has also a known closed form solution; the fact that this solution has the H2(Ω)-regularity, but not the C2(Ω) one, does not prevent optimal order of convergence. Finally, the third test problem having no smooth solution is more costly to solve and leads to discrete solutions showing negative curvature near the corners. To cite this article: E.J. Dean, R. Glowinski, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 336 (2003).
Effects of the complexed moisture in metal acetylacetonate on the properties of the no‐flow underfill materials

A potential no-flow (compression filling of encapsulant) underfill encapsulant for simultaneous solder joint reflow and underfill cure has been reported by the authors. The encapsulant is based on a cycloaliphatic epoxy/organic anhydride/Co(II) acetylacetonate system. The key of this no-flow encapsulant is the use of a latent metal acetylacetonate catalyst that provides the solder reflow prior to the epoxy gellation and fast cure shortly after the solder reflow. However, most of the metal acetylacetonates can easily absorp moisture as their ligand. Therefore, it is of practical importance to understand the effect of the complexed water on the properties of the no-flow material before and after cure. In this paper, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, thermal mechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry were used to validate the existence of complexed moisture in the Co(II) acetylacetonate. The effects of the complexed water on the curing profile, glass transition temperature, and storage modulus of the cured no-flow underfill material were studied. A possible catalytic mechanism of the metal acetylacetonate in the cycloaliphatic epoxy/anhydride system was subsequently discussed and proposed.
Feeling Good in Your Own Skin: The Influence of Complimentary Sexual Stereotypes on Risky Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors in a Community Sample of African American Women

Although negative racial stereotypes may affect the mental and physical health of African Americans, little research has examined the influence of positive or complimentary racial stereotypes on such outcomes. More specifically, this study explored the relationship between African American women's endorsement of complimentary stereotypes about their sexuality and attitudes/behaviors that have been associated with sexual risk. Data were gathered from 206 African American women as part of the Black Women in the Study of Epidemics project. Multivariate regression models were used to examine associations between women's endorsement of complimentary stereotypes about their sexuality and selected sex-related attitudes and behaviors. Participants' endorsement of complimentary sexual stereotypes was significantly positively associated with beliefs that having sex without protection would strengthen their relationship (B = .28, SE = .10, p < .01) and that they could use drugs and always make healthy choices about ...
Precipitation hydrometeor type relative to the mesoscale airflow in mature oceanic deep convection of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation

Composite analysis of mature near-equatorial oceanic mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during the active stage of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) shows where different hydrometeor types occur relative to convective updraft and stratiform midlevel inflow layers. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) S-PolKa radar observed these MCSs during the Dynamics of the Madden-Julian Oscillation/Atmospheric Radiation Measurement-MJO Investigation Experiment (DYNAMO/AMIE). NCAR's particle identification algorithm (PID) is applied to S-PolKa's polarimetric data to identify the dominant hydrometeor type in each radar sample volume. Combining S-PolKa's Doppler velocity data with the PID demonstrates that hydrometeors have a systematic relationship to the airflow within mature MCSs. In the convective region, moderate rain occurs within the updraft core; the heaviest rain occurs just downwind of the core; wet aggregates occur immediately below the melting layer; narrow zones containing graupel/rimed aggregates occur just downstream of the updraft core at midlevels; dry aggregates dominate above the melting level; and smaller ice particles occur along the edges of the convective zone. In the stratiform region, rain intensity decreases toward the anvil; melting aggregates occur in horizontally extensive but vertically thin regions at the melting layer; intermittent pockets of graupel/rimed aggregates occur atop the melting layer; dry aggregates and small ice particles occur sequentially above the melting level; and horizontally oriented ice crystals occur between −10°C and −20°C in turbulent air above the descending midlevel inflow, suggesting enhanced depositional growth of dendrites. The organization of hydrometeors within the midlevel inflow layer is insensitive to the presence or absence of a leading convective line.
Dynamics of single polymers in a stagnation flow induced by electrokinetics

An electrokinetics-induced stagnation flow was created inside a microscale cross-channel. Compared to hydrodynamic-induced microfluidics, this flow system can be readily assembled and the operation is very simple due to a low pressure drop. Through image analysis, a fairly homogeneous, two-dimensional elongational flow was observed. The initial conformation of DNA molecules and residence time inside the flow field play important roles in determining the extent of DNA stretching. A coarse-grain molecular simulation agrees reasonably well with experimental observations.
Military Responses to Refugee Disasters

The problem of refugees, both those who have crossed recognized international borders, and those "internally displaced" who have not, has recently achieved greater policy prominence in the developed world.' This new concern has also prompted a greater inclination to consider and apply military remedies to specific refugee problems. Policy makers, analysts, pundits, and activists now perceive vastly diminished constraints on the exercise of military power in the service of '"good," compared to their views during the Cold War. The great preponderance of global power now enjoyed by the west due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the greatly increased capability of air power demonstrated in Operation Desert Storm, have both contributed to this tendency. This optimism is misplaced; I argue below that the application of military power to this set of problems will often prove politically and militarily difficult. This essay first briefly reviews the political and military causes of refugee flows. (The essay is not concerned with economic sources of migration.) These are genocide/politicide, ethnic cleansing, harsh occupation or a repressive indigenous regime, the dangerous environment created by warfare, and the deterioration of local economies that often is caused by warfare. Then, the alternative military remedies to these causes are developed, and their general strengths and weaknesses are outlined. These remedies are aerial bombing, large safe zones, circumscribed safe havens, peace enforcement, and general war against the state or group deemed to be the principal cause of trouble.
Reaction of lithium diethylamide with an alkyl bromide and alkyl benzenesulfonate: origins of alkylation, elimination, and sulfonation.

A combination of NMR, kinetic, and computational methods are used to examine reactions of lithium diethylamide in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with n-dodecyl bromide and n-octyl benzenesulfonate. The alkyl bromide undergoes competitive SN2 substitution and E2 elimination in proportions independent of all concentrations except for a minor medium effect. Rate studies show that both reactions occur via trisolvated-monomer-based transition structures. The alkyl benzenesulfonate undergoes competitive SN2 substitution (minor) and N-sulfonation (major) with N-sulfonation promoted at low THF concentrations. The SN2 substitution is shown to proceed via a disolvated monomer suggested computationally to involve a cyclic transition structure. The dominant N-sulfonation follows a disolvated-dimer-based transition structure suggested computationally to be a bicyclo[3.1.1] form. The differing THF and lithium diethylamide orders for the two reactions explain the observed concentration-dependent chemoselectivities.
On existence of compound perfect squared squares of small order

Abstract A compound perfect squared square must contain at least 22 subsquares. The proof utilizes elementary combinatoric and graph theoretic arguments and an extensive computer search.
Crystallization of RNA-protein complexes

The widespread occurrence of RNA-protein interactions in critical cellular processes makes an understanding of the structural basis for recognition and sequence discrimination of paramount importance. Until recently, however, the difficulty in obtaining large quantities of homogeneous RNA had made structural investigations of many interesting species by biophysical methods impossible. Summarized here are the recent applications of several in vivo expression systems to the overproduction of a number of RNA species. The potential usefulness in crystallization of RNA synthesized in vitro by T7 RNA polymerase is also discussed. Together with advancements in separation methods by HPLC, these two methods make a much wider range of systems accessible to structural analysis. A comparison of the successful cocrystallizations of two complexes of amino-acyl-tRNA synthetases with their cognate tRNA substrates is presented.
Stem cells of the corneal epithelium lack connexins and metabolite transfer capacity.

The stem cells of the corneal epithelial lineage are confined to the basal cell layer of the limbus, a vascularized outer corneal rim. These slow cycling cells of great proliferative potential maintain the corneal epithelial mass. Since cell-cell communication plays an important role in development and differentiation, we conducted a comparative examination of the expression of two corneal connexins, C×43 and C×50, and the tracer transfer capacity of the limbal and corneal epithelia using the scrape loading technique. C×43 is abundantly expressed in the basal cell layer of the epithelium covering the cornea, but is essentially absent from the mouse, human, neonatal rabbit, and chicken limbal epithelium. In the adult rabbit the limbal epithelium displays an overall weak C×43 immunoreactivity, but C×43-free isolated basal cells can be distinguished. C×50 is expressed throughout the corneal epithelium of the three mammalian corneas, but is not detectable in the limbus. Scrape loading experiments in the rabbit yielded results which were consistent with the immunohistological findings; limbal epithelium lacked tracer (lucifer yellow) transfer capacity, strongly suggesting the absence of functional gap junctions. Altogether, our results demonstrate the incompetence of stem cells for gap junction-mediated cell-to-cell communication. This property may reflect the need of these unique cells to maintain a distinct intracellular environment.
Design and Evaluation of Problem Solving Courseware Modules for Mechanics of Materials

Problem solving courseware modules have been developed for students of mechanics of materials. The modules offer students: a better grasp of fundamental principles, an intuitive sense of the meaning of key quantities, and fluency in using relations to solve problems. Students use modules independently and submit electronic log files to instructors who can monitor their progress. Field-testing of the modules was conducted over a two-year period at three distinct educational institutions, with 318 students. Courseware users scored as well as or outperformed their non-using peers on nearly all objective measures of learning, with differences being statistically significant in some cases. Eighty-eight percent of users found the courseware helpful for learning. After completing one required module, 48 percent of students continued using the courseware, voluntarily, as a reference guide to theory, as a coach for mastering and reviewing basic skills, and as a self-diagnostic tool, to help with regular homework assignments.
ERbeta-selective estrogen receptor modulators produce antianxiety behavior when administered systemically to ovariectomized rats.

17β-Estradiol (E2) may influence anxiety behavior; however, its effects and mechanisms are not well understood. To determine whether E2's effects on anxiety behavior may involve actions at intracellular estrogen receptor (ER) α or β isoforms, selective ER modulators (SERMs) were administered (10 μg; s.c.) to ovariectomized rats 48 h before testing for anxiety behavior. Rats received sesame oil vehicle, 17β-E2, which has a high affinity for ERα and ERβ, or SERMs that vary in their activity at ERα and β. ERα-selective SERMs were propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), which has more selective effects at ERα, than does the other ERα SERM utilized, 17α-E2, which also binds ERβ. ERβ-selective SERMs were diarylpropionitrile (DPN) and 7,12-dihydrocoumestan (coumestrol). DPN is more selective at ERβ than coumestrol, which also binds ERα. 17β-E2 and ERβ-selective SERMs (DPN, coumestrol) produced clear antianxiety behavior in the open field, elevated plus maze, emergence, light–dark transition, defensive freezing, and Vogel punished drinking tasks. Anxiety behavior of rats administered ERα-selective SERMs (PPT, 17α-E2) was not different from vehicle; however, PPT and 17α-E2 enhanced sexual receptivity in a manner similar to 17β-E2. Coadministration of tamoxifen (10 mg/kg) blocked the antianxiety behavior produced by 17β-E2, DPN, or coumestrol. Together, these data suggest that actions at ERβ may underlie some of E2's antianxiety effects.
Computer science education and industry: Preventing educational misalignment

The fact that graduates of Computer Science programs are in high demand by industry is no longer news. Traditionally, a student's grade point average was one method which could be used to determine if the student was qualified in his particular field of study. Unfortunately, this is not always true, especially in the rapidly changing field of Computer Science. Even though a student has done well in a particular educational program, this does not guarantee that the educational program itself correlates to the needs of industry. A situation such as this must and can be avoided through mutual procedures between education and industry. Strategies are discussed to eliminate the Computer Sciece/Industry misalignment, concerning faculty, advisory committees, curriculum guidelines, professional organizations, and student activities.
Fluvial deposits within the Pleistocene Crag at Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, England

Abstract This paper records the findings at a temporary exposure at Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk, UK in Early and early Middle Pleistocene Crag deposits. The British Geological Survey (BGS) describes the particular formation exposed as Norwich Crag consisting of Early Pleistocene shallow marine sediments. The section shows a succession of sorted sands and gravels overlain by a sandy diamicton. Based on field evidence and clast analysis, the sands and gravels are interpreted as the product of point bar and overbank sedimentation and represent the product of a river cutting into and aggrading within the more widespread shallow marine deposits. Composition of the sediments indicates derivation, primarily from Wroxham Crag Formation, with a contribution from Norwich Crag. The sandy diamicton is interpreted as late Middle Pleistocene Corton Till that is recorded in the area. A distinct pattern of colour changes at the top of the sands and gravels is interpreted as a soil that developed on the fluvial sediments before being overridden by the glacier that deposited the Corton Till. The existence of the fluvial sediments within the regional shallow marine deposits suggests that a fall of sea-level, possibly due to climate cooling, while the elevation of the sediments and the adjacent Crag implies that the site has been uplifted since sedimentation. This is the first observation of terrestrial sediments within the shallow marine Crag. The paper also makes a contribution to understanding the diagenetic processes that give deposits within this region some distinctive colour and sediment patterns.
Nineteenth Century Anarchist Terrorism: How Comparable to the Terrorism of al-Qaeda?

In a speech given last November and in an article, Professor James L. Gelvin argues most forcefully for the existence of close similarities between nineteenth century anarchist terrorism and contem...
A New Look at High-Altitude Turbulence

Reconnaissance by aircraft from high altitudes remains an important priority for the Department of Defense. Aircraft at these altitudes experience both traditional mechanical turbulence as well as oscillatory fluctuations of temperature and horizontal and vertical wind speeds, which are attributed to gravity (also called buoyancy) waves. This paper investigates the effects of wavelike behavior on high-flying aircraft, finding high aircraft loads at certain frequencies. Aircraft are most susceptible to problems at the upper range of altitudes. This analysis shows that autopilots based on maintaining a constant Mach number and an indicated airspeed are both susceptible to temperature fluctuations. In addition, temperature changes shift the flight envelope, creating potentially dangerous stall or overspeeding conditions. The absence of temperature variation requirements in current aviation continuous gust load specifications along with a possible deficiency in gust magnitude design requirements at high altitude lead to a recommendation for revisiting high-altitude turbulence requirements and investigating the vulnerabilities of high-altitude unmanned aircraft.
A solid-phase method for the quantitation of protein in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and other interfering substances☆

We describe a simple assay for small amounts of protein that is insensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or many common interfering substances including Tris and reducing sugars. For this reason, it is particularly useful in the analysis of protein content of samples prior to SDS electrophoresis. The assay consists of the following steps: (i) absorption of protein to nitrocellulose; (ii) fixation of the bound protein with methanol; (iii) staining of the bound protein with amido black; and (iv) elution and spectrophotometric measurement of the bound dye. The assay is sensitive to as little as 0.5 microgram of protein in 1 microliter of solution. Although SDS does not interfere appreciably with measurement, Nonidet-P40 does.
Extreme CO2 disturbance and the resilience of soil microbial communities

Carbon capture and storage (CSS) technology has the potential to inadvertently release large quantities of CO2 through geologic substrates and into surrounding soils and ecosystems. Such a disturbance has the potential to not only alter the structure and function of plant and animal communities, but also soils, soil microbial communities, and the biogeochemical processes they mediate. At Mammoth Mountain, we assessed the soil microbial community response to CO2 disturbance (derived from volcanic ‘cold’ CO2) that resulted in localized tree kill; soil CO2 concentrations in our study area ranged from 0.6% to 60%. Our objectives were to examine how microbial communities and their activities are restructured by extreme CO2 disturbance, and assess the response of major microbial taxa to the reintroduction of limited plant communities following an extensive period (15e20 years) with no plants. We found that CO2-induced tree kill reduced soil carbon (C) availability along our sampling transect. In response, soil microbial biomass decreased by an order of magnitude from healthy forest to impacted areas. Soil microorganisms were most sensitive to changes in soil organic C, which explained almost 60% of the variation for microbial biomass C (MBC) along the CO2 gradient. We employed phospholipid fatty acid analysis and quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine compositional changes among microbial communities in affected areas and found substantial reductions in microbial biomass linked to the loss of soil fungi. In contrast, archaeal populations responded positively to the CO2 disturbance, presumably due to reduced competition of bacteria and fungi, and perhaps unique adaptations to energy stress. Enzyme activities important in the cycling of soil C, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) declined with increasing CO2, though specific activities (per unit MBC) remained stable or increased suggesting functional redundancy among restructured communities. We conclude that both the direct (microaerobiosis) and indirect (loss of plant C inputs) effects of elevated soil CO2 flux have significant impacts on the composition and overall structural trajectory of soil microbial populations within disturbed areas. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
A correlation of tooth circumferences.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to see if there is a statistical correlation between the circumferences of teeth within the same set. A desirable goal would be to standardize the numbers of the bands, using their circumferential correlation with each other so that the circumference of the predictor tooth or teeth would give the size of the bands of all remaining teeth in the set, thus decreasing the number of trial fittings of bands. Packages of the same number would properly fit all the teeth in the same set, and this would increase the orthodontist's efficiency and simplify the band inventory. The sample studied consisted of sixty-one sets of teeth. Males and females were separated in order to evaluate any significant differences between them. The right and left quadrants and the maxillary and mandibular arches were also kept separate. Correlation matrices were computed for each of the various subsets indicated above. Each tooth was correlated with the remaining teeth in the set. These results were used in establishing the predictor tooth. The maxillary second premolar was chosen as the predictor tooth because it showed consistently high correlations with the remaining teeth in the same set for males and was one of the teeth having high multiple correlations when pairs of teeth were considered. There is a high correlation between right and left counterparts, with no significant difference in correlation between the maxillary and mandibular arches. The central incisor in males and the first molar in females showed the lowest correlation with the predictor tooth. Forty-eight percent of the sample for males and 42.5 percent of the sample for females could be predicted to within one band size (≤ 0.020 inch); 73.5 percent (average of males and females) of the total sample could be predicted to within two band sizes. The results of this study are significant enough to warrant further investigation. Further study is being done to determine whether another tooth could be used as a predictor and to explore alternative prediction models using a pair of predictor teeth. Additional teeth are being measured in order to enlarge the data base.
Self duality of the gauge field equations and the cosmological constant

This paper considers the Einstein equations coupled with the nonabelian gauge and Higgs fields. It is shown that, when cosmic string solutions are sought in the Einstein-Georgi-Glashow system and the Einstein-Weinberg-Salam system governing the gravitational-electromagnetic-weak interaction forces, the self duality conditions lead to positive values of the cosmological constant which can be expressed by some fundamental parameters in particle physics.
Progress in x-ray CCD sensor performance for the Astro-E2 X-ray imaging spectrometer

We have developed X-ray CCD sensors for the Astro-E2 X-ray Imaging Spectrometer. Here we describe the performance benefits obtained from two innovations implemented in the CCD detectors developed for this instrument. First, we discuss the improved radiation tolerance afforded by a novel charge-injection structure. Second, we demonstrate for the first time the potential of a previously-developed chemisorption charging backside treatment process to produce back-illuminated X-ray sensors with excellent soft X-ray spectral resolution as well as improved quantum efficiency. We describe the changes in X-ray event detection algorithms required to obtain this improved performance, and briefly compare the performance of XIS sensors to that of back-illuminated detectors currently operating on-orbit.
Transmission Characteristics of Light Pipers

The transmission characteristics of light pipers used in scintillation counting are very important, especially in situations in which the light piper must be long and thin, as in medical probing counters. This paper discusses several of the important factors involved in the transmission of light through pipers. The superiority of specular reflectors as compared with diffuse reflectors, the superiority of dry reflectors as compared with optically coupled reflectors, and the importance of surface polish are discussed. The use of total-internal-reflection couplers between scintillation crystal and light piper is described. Relative pulse heights obtained with certain crystal-piper-reflector combinations are given, and transmissions as functions of piper length and configuration are shown.
Electron microscopic studies of human pituitary tumors. I. Chromophobic adenomas.

Ten cases of chromophobic adenoma have been studied by electron microscopy; seven were associated with hypopituitarism and three with acromegaly. Comparison of the tumors revealed that morphological variations in parenchymal cell types were slight, and, based on characteristics of the secretory granules, a single cell type was predominant and common to both varieties of the tumor. The predominant cell type contained varying amounts of secretory granules that measured 80–200 mμ or more in diameter, and had an electronopaque core and perigranular halo. Though the features of these secretory granules were most like those in “normal” adult basophils this classification is considered doubtful. The core material of the secretory granules was homogeneously electron-opaque in some granules and particulate in others. In addition to electron-opaque core material many secretory granules contained aggregates of clear vesicles. Some granules did not contain clear vesicles but were closely associated with numerous cytoplasmic vesicles. Lysosomes were abundant and a consistent feature of the tumor cells. The present observations indicate that cell features are significantly altered in the cells of both varieties of chromophobic adenoma so that ultrastructural criteria used to identify cell types in “normal” pituitary glands are not applicable to the tumor cells. Chromophobic adenomas associated with acromegaly varied more with respect to the features of the predominant cell type than did chromophobic adenomas associated with hypopituitarism. Cell features varied between cells with electronlucent cytoplasmic matrix and scant development of organelles to others with more electron-opaque cytoplasmic matrix and more complex development of organelles. Common to both varieties of tumor were marked variations in the number and structure of mitochondria from cell to cell; occasionally mitochondria filled the cytoplasm.
Study of the compact fiber optic photoacoustic ultrasonic transducer

Recently, many studies have been exerted on developing ultrasonic transducers that can feature high frequencies for better resolutions and compact sizes for the limit space nondestructive testing applications. Conventional ultrasonic transducers, which are made by piezoelectric materials, suffer from issues such as low frequencies and bulky sizes due to the difficulty of dicing piezoelectric materials into smaller pieces. On the other hand, generating ultrasonic signals by photoacoustic principle is a promising way to generate a high frequency ultrasonic pulse. Optical fiber is a very compact material that can carry the light energy. By combining the photoacoustic principle and the optical fiber together, a novel ultrasonic transducer that features a high frequency and a compact size could be achieved. In this paper, an ultrasonic transducer using gold nanoparticles as the photoacoustic generation material is described. Gold nanoparticles are deposited on the end surface of an optical fiber acting as the ultrasonic generator. A cavity and a diaphragm are fabricated in the center of the fiber using as the ultrasonic receiver. A phase array technique is applied to the transducer to steer the direction of the acoustic beam. Simulation results demonstrated that the photoacoustic ultrasonic transducer is feasible.
The effect of external audits of internal control over financial reporting on financial reporting for clients of Big 4, Second-tier, and small audit firms

Abstract The external audit of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) is a very expensive and contentious aspect of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX). Larger public firms were first required to file a management report on and have an external audit of ICFR in 2004. Smaller public firms were first required to file a management report on ICFR in 2007 but are exempt from the audit requirement. Whereas most related prior research investigates the combined effect of management and auditor reports on financial reporting, this study examines the distinct effect of auditor reports on reporting quality. For companies audited by small auditors, we find evidence that financial reporting quality improves with an auditor report on ICFR. We find no evidence that auditor ICFR reports improve reporting quality for clients of Big 4 or Second-tier audit firms. Our study adds to the debate on the applicability of SOX Section 404 to smaller firms.