cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The production of erythema of the skin by exposure to x-ray radiation.

ElINE manifestation of overexposure of the skin to x-ray radiation employed diagnostically is the appearance of an erythema similar to sunburn. This paper presents the experimental results of a study which was completed to determine the amount of radiation from a dental x-ray machine that is required to produce an erythema of the skin on the flexor surface of the forearm. There are many references in dental literature which state that an exposure of 1,200 milliampere seconds* at a target-skin distance of 8 inches will cause an erythema of the skin; therefore, no single area of skin should be exposed to more than one-half of the erythema dose, or 600 Ma.S., in any two-week period. To test the validity of these statements, circular areas of skin, 11/8 inches in diameter, were exposed on the flexor surface of the forearms of 20 male volunteers of college age. In the beginning phase of this investigation, exposures were initially of short duration and then were gradually lengthened to approach the exposure time necessary to produce a clearly defined pink area on the forearm. The smallest exposure found to produce an erythema was 425 Ma.S., although many subjects did not experience an erythema until they had received 550 to 600 Ma.S. of exposure to x-ray radiation. After the approximate magnitude of the exposure required to produce erythema had been determined, a second series of tests was performed on nineteen additional male volunteers of college age in an effort to determine more exactly the amount of radiation from a dental x-ray machine that is required to produce an erythema of the skin on the flexor surface of the forearm. Each subject was given 600 Ma.S. of x-ray exposure, which was administered to a circular area on the flexor surface of one forearm. This area was observed again in twenty-four hours. If an erythema had appeared, a similar area on the flexor surface of the other arm was given 10 per cent less exposure, or 540 Ma.S. If no erythema had appeared, the other arm was given 10 per cent more exposure, or 660 Ma.S. The initial appearance of the erythema was determined by the subject. The results of the experiments with these nineteen individuals are listed in Table I. Six of the nineteen subjects did not cooperate to the extent of permitting the second arm to be exposed. However, even the exposure of one arm provided
Arms agreement: a model of stalemate

In reviewing the efforts of the past decade and a half to limit by international agreement the numbers and uses of military weapons, one theme dominates all othersthat of failure. Over the entire period, little progress has been made toward any agreement which would limit any significant aspect of armaments. This paper is an enquiry into the underlying causes of this stalemate, in the hope that analysis of these causes may assist in finding paths along which it is possible to move forward. It may well be that the basis for the failures lies in viewpoints and interests of the world's two major military power blocs which are so divergent that they are and will remain impossible of reconciliation, but the hypothesis here is that while these interests may indeed be irreconcilable today, this is not necessarily the case for all time. It should be made clear at the outset, however, that to investigate the causes for the failure of arms negotiations is not to
Hermitian pencils with a cubic minimal polynomial

Let A be an n × n complex matrix and write A = H + iK, where H and K are Hermitian matrices. We show that if the minimal polynomial of the pencil xH + yK has degree 3, then there is a unitary matrix U such that U-1AU is block diagonal with blocks of size 3 × 3 or smaller. This is a special case of a conjecture made by Kippenhahn in 1951.
Evaluation of a threshold-based model of the elevated-temperature fatigue of impact-damaged γ -TiAl

Step-loading fatigue tests have been conducted on two γ-TiAl alloys with differing microstructures following quasi-static indentations intended to simulate assembly-related impact damage to low-pressure turbine blades. Fatigue tests were conducted at 600 °C using computer-controlled servohydraulic loading at a frequency of 20 Hz. Reasonably good agreement was achieved between the fatigue data and calculated fatigue strength based on the fatigue threshold and measured impact severity. In certain cases, the fatigue threshold model fails to completely describe the data. These discrepancies may be related to residual stresses, variations in crack-shape morphology, and small-crack effects. Residual stresses could not be directly measured, given the small size of the damage zones. However, a comparison of fatigue threshold approximations based on a through-thickness crack geometry and a corner-crack geometry suggests that these two models may represent the upper and lower bounds of the actual fatigue behavior. In addition, the behavior of small cracks was examined by modeling the stress-lifetime response of lightly damaged specimens of the duplex alloy. This effort indicates the need for small-crack fatigue threshold values when designing fatigue-critical γ-TiAl components.
Actinobolin as an inhibitor of the periodontal syndrome in rice rats

Abstract The continuous inclusion of 0.025 and 0.05 per cent actinobolin in the diet of rice rats caused highly significant reductions in the periodontal syndrome. The inclusion of 0.010 and 0.005 per cent actinobolin in the diet caused less striking reductions in the periodontal syndrome. Intermittent incorporation of 0.025 per cent actinobolin in the diet, for 2 or 3 separately spaced days per week, caused significant reductions in the periodontal syndrome.
CD4 down modulation on T-cells: an ‘immune’ checkpoint for HIV

Progressive decline of an efficient immune response during the asymptomatic phase of AIDS indicates a deletion of HIV-specific cells. The deletion of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells may occur by direct or indirect cytopathic effects of productive infection. However, preceding cell death, several important cell surface molecules, such as MHC class I or CD4, are down modulated specifically in HIV-infected cells. Down modulation of the CD4 molecule on CD4(+) HIV-specific cells would abrogate efficient help to the cytotoxic arm of the immune response. Therefore, CD4 down modulation may represent an important checkpoint in HIV biology, conferring 'immune' protection to the pool of infected cells. Furthermore, down regulation of CD4 generates a population of infected T cells that should be considered as a possible reservoir for viral replication at all stages of the infection.
Extension of multicomponent self-modeling curve resolution based on a library of reference spectra

Abstract The recently proposed linear programming algorithm for estimating component spectra by using self-modeling curve resolution is shown to be inadequate in cases for which some of the components have similar, nondescript spectra and when the data are noisy. The extension of this technique reported is based on the use of a library of representative reference spectra. In this technique, the spectral library is searched for spectra reconstructed by using the significant principal eigenvectors of the second moment matrix. Similarity between the reconstructed spectra and the best match in the library is used as the objective function to yield estimates of the component spectra. This approach can be used to obtain better estimates of the component spectra. The approach can be used with noisy data, and is shown to perform well when the actual pure components are not members of the reference library.
Editorial Comment from Dr Zilli and Dr Miralbell to Early radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy improves cancer-specific survival only in patients with highly aggressive prostate cancer: Validation of recently released criteria

Dose-escalated radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer improves disease control but is also associated with worse rectal toxicity. A spacer placed between the prostate and rectum can be used to displace the anterior rectal wall outside of the high-dose radiation regions and potentially minimize radiation-induced rectal toxicity. This systematic review focuses on the published data regarding the different types of commercially available prostate-rectum spacers. Dosimetric results and preliminary clinical data using prostate-rectum spacers in patients with localized prostate cancer treated by curative radiation therapy are compared and discussed.
Plasma catecholamine responses to tyrosine hydroxylase inhibition and cold exposure

Abstract The acute effect of α-methyl-p-tyrosine (αMPT), a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, on plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA), and adrenal cholesterol content in male rats at room temperature (24°C) and during acute cold exposure (4°C) was evaluated. Compared to saline-treated controls, αMPT: 1) significantly reduced plasma NE and DA in both normal and cold stress conditions, 2) significantly increased plasma E in both environments, and 3) stimulated the adrenal cortex. These findings suggest that tyrosine hydroxylase inhibition and consequent catecholamine synthesis blockade disrupts the homeokinesis of adrenergic processes and may present a significant stress to the intact animal.
Probing β‐lactamase structure and function using random replacement mutagenesis

A new analytical mutagenesis technique is described that involves randomiz- ing the DNA sequence of a short stretch of a gene (3-6 codons) and determining the percent- age of all possible random sequences that pro- duce a functional protein. A low percentage of functional random sequences in a complete li- brary of random substitutions indicates that the region mutagenized is important for the structure and/or function of the protein. Re- peating the mutagenesis over many regions throughout a protein gives a global perspective of which amino acid sequences in a protein are critical. We applied this method to 66 codons of the gene encoding TEM-1 p-lactamase in 19 sep- arate experiments. We found that TEM-1 p-lac- tamase is extremely tolerant of amino acid sub- stitutions: on average, 44% of all mutants with random substitutions function and 20% of the substitutions are expressed, secreted, and fold well enough to function at levels similar to those for the wild-type enzyme. We also found a few exceptional regions where only a few ran- dom sequences function. Examination of the X- ray structures of homologous p-lactamases in- dicates that the regions most sensitive to substitution are in the vicinity of the active site pocket or buried in the hydrophobic core of the protein. DNA sequence analysis of functional random sequences has been used to obtain more detailed information about the amino acid sequence requirements for several regions and this information has been compared to se- quence conservation among several related p-lactamases. o 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Long-term resuscitation of hemorrhage/reperfusion injury (H/R) stimulates renal PGE2 release

Abstract This study examines the hypothesis that long-term resuscitation with hyperalimentation (TPN) following acute hemorrhage/reperfusion (H/R) injury stimulates renal release of PGE 2 . Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to sham or hemorrhage to 30 mmHg for 30 min followed by reperfusion. All rats were placed on TPN for 5 days, then underwent laparotomy for in vivo renal artery and aortic blood flow for 60 min. The kidney was perfused in vitro with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 3 ml/min (pH 7.4, 37°C) and venous effluent was collected for analysis of PGE 2 , 6-keto-PGF 1α and thromboxane B 2 by EIA. Hemorrhage/reperfusion followed by TPN for 5 days increased renal PGE 2 2-fold and decreased in vivo renal artery blood flow by 50% compared to the sham group. Hemorrhage/reperfusion followed by TPN did not alter release of the other eicosanoids measured. These data suggest that the kidney has a limited capacity to maintain renal blood flow by increasing release of PGE 2 when the animal is subjected to long-term resuscitation with TPN following mild hemorrhage/reperfusion injury.
The role of kinetic inductance in metal optics

A simple LC circuit model recovers the surface plasmon dispersion relation. The model clearly reveals the role of kinetic inductance in shaping the dispersion and other key properties of surface plasmons.
Gradient of caesium in the ocean

THE major alkaline metals are extremely uniformly distributed in oceanic water relative to other solutes. Caesium occurs in the ocean in such small traces, however, that precise analysis has in the past been difficult and its distribution in the sea has remained in doubt. Samples collected at seven depths in the North Pacific in 1970 were measured using a differential flame photometer, which indicated, that caesium concentrations in the open North Pacific vary by no more than about 2% between depths of 0 and 4,000 m (ref. 1). Unfortunately, this earlier analytical procedure, and others in use, are incapable of demonstrating the still smaller anomalies and concentration gradients that must exist in an ocean that continues to transport caesium from its terrestrial rocky sources to the seafloor.
Heat capacities of linear macromolecules containing chlorine and fluorine

Abstract Heat capacities at constant pressure, C p , and at constant volume, C v are calculated from full and partially approximated normal mode frequency spectra and compared to experimental data for amorphous or semicrystalline poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene chloride) and poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene). A calculation scheme for all halogenated polyethylenes using a Tarasov-function for 2 N skeletal vibrational modes and an approximation of the residual 7 N normal modes of group vibrations is developed ( N = number of backbone carbon atoms). Experimental data agree to ± 3% with the calculations.
Effects of anesthesia on efferent-mediated adaptation of the DPOAE.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) adapt after primary tone onset, with an ~100 ms time constant, due to feedback effects of medial olivocochlear (MOC) activity elicited by the primary tones. We tracked DPOAE postonset adaptation as a metric of MOC reflex strength, before during and after induction of anesthesia in guinea pigs. Reflex strength was significantly diminished by the barbiturate/neuroleptic anesthesia most commonly used in this species. The MOC reflex recovered more slowly than toe-pinch or startle reflexes, correlating better with recovery of general mobility. When individual anesthetic agents were assessed, the barbiturate (pentobarbital) significantly diminished MOC reflex strength, whereas fentanyl or droperidol did not. These results suggest that previous studies using anesthetized preparations may have underestimated the magnitude of sound-evoked responses in the OC pathway.
Contrasting conceptions of perception and action.

Abstract An examination of contrasting conceptions of perceptual processes, control of action and the nature of the linkage between perception and action leads to identification of a family of options. Two of these options, labeled pure realism and pure constructivism, are widely recognized. The argument is offered that the other options, which are hybrid networks of propositions, cannot be ruled out on a priori grounds. Nevertheless, the hybrids are usually ignored. It is proposed that investigators in the field of perception and action should embark on programmatic research that evaluates these contrasting conceptions on common empirical terrain.
Photodissociation pathways of 1,1-dichloroacetone.

We present a comprehensive investigation of the dissociation dynamics following photoexcitation of 1,1-dichloroacetone (CH3COCHCl2) at 193 nm. Two major dissociation channels are observed: cleavage of a C−Cl bond to form CH3C(O)CHCl + Cl and elimination of HCl. The branching between these reaction channels is roughly 9:1. The recoil kinetic energy distributions for both C−Cl fission and HCl elimination are bimodal. The former suggests that some of the radicals are formed in an excited electronic state. A portion of the CH3C(O)CHCl photoproducts undergo secondary dissociation to give CH3 + C(O)CHCl. Photoelimination of Cl2 is not a significant product channel. A primary C−C bond fission channel to give CH3CO + CHCl2 may be present, but this signal may also be due to a secondary dissociation. Data from photofragment translational spectroscopy with electron impact and photoionization detection, velocity map ion imaging, and UV−visible absorption spectroscopy are presented, along with G3//B3LYP calculations ...
Rethinking the evaluator role: Partnerships between organizations and evaluators☆

Abstract Participatory evaluation provides a framework for conducting evaluations which recognize the importance of representing stakeholder interests, and also seeking the investment of stakeholders in the construction of the evaluation process and product. This type of evaluation casts the evaluators role as an involved collaborating participant in the evaluation. I have suggested partnerships between evaluators and organizations as one possible manifestation of this new role. Such partnerships provide for a long term relationship between evaluator and organization, at less cost than an internal evaluator, and with greater likelihood of addressing systemic factors which directly effect the quality of goods and services provided by the organization.
Recourse aware resource allocation for contingency planning in distributed service delivery

Remote delivery of services using geographically distributed service delivery locations has emerged as a popular and viable business model. Examples of services delivered in this manner are software services, business process outsourcing services, customer support centers, etc. The very nature of services and the fragile nature of the business environments in some of the delivery locations accentuates the need for business continuity. A key aspect of enabling business continuity is, at the time of a disruptive event, ability to reroute the services delivered from affected locations to unaffected locations while meeting their resource requirements. Such rerouting is called recourse. We highlight the need for recourse aware resource allocation. We study this problem from a computational viewpoint, present a new recourse aware resource allocation heuristic, and experimentally compare this to traditional resource allocation methods.
Storage and processing of estuarine water samples for trace metal analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Saline water samples from the Delaware Bay estuary were sampled, processed, and stored in a variety of ways to allow different methods of maintaining their integrity to be compared. Samples were processed onboard ship, immediately after collection, by extraction with ammonium pyrollidinedithiocarbamate in methyl isobutyl ketone. Duplicate samples were processed onshore after a variety of storage procedures. All samples were analyzed for copper and iron by atomic absorption spectrometry. Only samples filtered (
Theory of the time development of the Stokes shift in polar media

Abstract We present a theory for the time evolution of the Stokes shift of a polar molecule in a polar solvent. The time-dependent solute—solvent interaction is calculated in a continuum model by replacing the surrounding solvent by a frequency-dependent dielectric continuum. An expression for the time dependence of the fluorescence maximum is derived. This expression can be considered a direct generalization of the well-known Ooshika—Lippert—Mataga equation to the time domain. We also present an approximate expression for the wavelength dependence of the dynamics of the Stokes shift, and find it to be consistent with recent experimental results. We have investigated the effect of polarizability of the solute molecule and found that for many molecules this effect is not negligible.
The stability of plane Couette flow with viscous heating

An investigation of the stability of plane Couette flow with viscous heating of a Navier–Stokes–Pourier fluid with an exponential dependence of viscosity upon temperature is presented. Using classical small perturbation theory, the stability of the flow can be described by a sixth-order set of coupled ordinary differential equations. Using Galerkin's method, these equations are reduced to an algebraic eigenvalue problem. An eigenvalue with a negative real part means that the flow is unstable.Neutral stability curves are determined at Brinkman numbers of 15, 19, 25, 30,40,80 and 600 for Prandtl numbers of 1, s and 50. A Brinkman number of 19 corresponds approximately to the maximum shear stress which can be applied to the system.The results indicate that four different modes of instability occur: one termed an inviscid mode, arising from an inflexion point in the primary flow; a viscous mode, due to the stratification of viscosity in the flow field and an associated diffusive mechanism; a coupling mode, resulting from the convective and viscous dissipation terms in the energy equation; and finally a purely thermal mode.
Detection of cuckoldry in ring doves

Abstract I examined how several situational factors contribute to the male ring dove's ( Streptopelia risoria ) ability to detect cuckoldry. In the first experiment I asked whether detection of cuckoldry is independent of the more general phenomenon of selection for mate synchrony between members of a potential pair. Males behaved more aggressively toward females that had received prior exposure to other males, regardless of reproductive synchrony. In the second experiment paired birds were also used to study the influence of pair-formation on cuckoldry detection. Paired males showed less wing-flipping and more pecking than did unpaired males when tested with paired (inseminated) females. In the third experiment I examined the males' ability to detect cuckoldry in their mates. Paired birds responded in the same way to each other when reunited, regardless of whether females spent the separation period alone or with a new male. The length of the separation was salient to the males' behaviour. These results indicate that male ring doves can detect cuckoldry. However, the female's behaviour determines the degree to which the male will be successful in doing so.
End-to-End Cyberinfrastructure for Real-Time Enviornmental Decision Support

Recent advances in sensor technology are facilitating the deployment of sensor networks into the environment that can produce measurements at high spatial and/or temporal resolutions. Through telemetry, these measurements can be delivered in near real time as data streams for use in real-time applications. These data streams can be instrumental in furthering our understanding of the environment, in monitoring and modeling the quality of the environments in which the sensors are deployed, and in providing real-time decision support for managing environmental systems. However, in order to realize these benefits, several challenges must be addressed, such as accessing heterogeneous data streams from multiple agencies; validating the data and fusing or transforming them for a desired application; providing high-dimensional models, visualizations, and decision support systems to explore data and forecast future conditions; and sharing the resulting knowledge. This poster will present an end-to-end cyberinfrastructure that can make these tasks possible in near real time, using a case study on real-time decision support for the combined sewer system in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Alternative Actions for Antibiotics

Microbes generate signals, which coordinate mutually beneficial activities ( 1 ). They also produce antibiotics that kill prey, suppress competitors, or deter predators ( 2 ). Recent observations have led to the view that antibiotics often act as mutually beneficial signals ( 3 – 6 ). Exposure to sublethal concentrations of antibiotics can indeed alter microbial metabolism and even change behavior in beneficial ways, triggering reactions such as fleeing or hiding within the protective environment of a microbial aggregate (biofilm). But the weapon-signal dichotomy of functions for these compounds is a false one—there may be other possible information-related actions of naturally produced antibiotics: cues and manipulation.
Gas chromatographic determination of diethyl fumarate in malathion extracts and preparations used for control of body lice.

Electron-capture and flame-ionization procedures were devised to analyze the diethyl fumarate and malathion in malathion dusts, cloth extracts, and commercial preparations. Also, since diethyl fumarate, a reputed skin irritant, is much more volatile than malathion and is readily lost by volatilization from cloth and dusts used to control body lice, Pediculus humanus humanus L., the rate of loss was determined. The electron-capture method proved to be operable at the picogram level for diethyl fumarate and in the low nanogram range for malathion.
Small Sample Difference Tests of Goodness of Fit and Independence

Small sample difference ratio statistical procedures for testing goodness of fit to a uniform distribution of n observations in c categories and testing the independence of n observations in the cells of an r x c contingency table are described. The procedures make use of a D statistic ranging from a minimum value equal to or close to 0 to a maximum value of I. Larger values of D indicate greater deviations of the observed frequencies from a specified theoretical frequency distribution. Programs for computing the D values and for generating discrete and right-tail probabilities associated with various values of the D statistic are discussed; probability tables for determining the significance of D are provided.
Thermal Conductivity of Pure Indium

The thermal conductivity of a pure indium specimen was measured in the normal and superconducting states in the range of temperatures 1.3-4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. In the normal state the specimen showed sizable magnetothermal resistivity effects which were not in agreement with Kohler's rule for thermal conductivity. Near the transition temperature the ratio of conductivities $\frac{{K}_{s}}{{K}_{n}}$ exhibited the finite slope with temperature characteristic of electronic conduction limited by phonon scattering. The results were compared with a simple model proposed by Kadanoff and Martin and the agreement was found to be good.
Fractures of the bones of the hand

Abstract A summary of the metacarpal and phalangeal deformities with general principles of management is illustrated in Figure 8. It is evident from these illustrations that the principle of aligning the mobile distal fragment with the less mobile proximal fragment is applicable to all fractures of the bones of the hand. 7 This rule simplifies the essentials of treatment and relieves one of remembering the mechanisms involved in the various displacements.
Preparation of Bi2O3SiO2 films by a rapid quenching technique and their crystallization process

Abstract Using a rapid quenching technique, Bi 2 O 3 SiO 2 films were prepared. The films of δ-Bi 2 O 3 solid solution (ss) were obtained from the quenched melt containing 5 to 17% SiO 2 . The films were transparent when the SiO 2 content was more than 10%. In the films with the composition from 20 to 35% SiO 2 , δ-6Bi 2 O 3 ·SiO 2 ss coexisted with glass phase, while glass films were obtained from the melt containing more than 40% SiO 2 . The δ-phase in the films found to show the perfect grain-orientation, as the (111) were parallel to the film plane. The quenched films were annealed at various temperatures to investigate their crystallization process.
FORTE observations of optical emissions from lightning: Optical properties and discrimination capability

[1] Lightning type identification of temporally coincident optical-VHF time series event pairs collected by the Fast On-orbit Recording of Transient Events (FORTE) satellite's photodiode detector (PDD) and VHF instrument allows for the investigation of optical properties as a function of lightning type. General trends in the peak optical irradiance and characteristic pulse widths of PDD-VHF coincident events are studied as a function of lightning type, using previously established techniques to identify lightning type based on VHF spectogram-power time series. While lightning type cannot be identified from optical data alone, there are several notable features in the optical record. The distribution of observed characteristic widths of PDD events has a cutoff near 200 μs, which represents a lower limit on the combination of intrinsic optical emission time and pulse broadening due to photon scattering in the intervening clouds. Events with the highest peak optical irradiances observed at FORTE are typically positive initial return strokes. Also, the median value of peak optical irradiance for cloud-to-ground lightning events is more than double that for in-cloud lightning.
Prevalence of αs1-casein genotypes in American dairy goats.

Widespread genotyping of US dairy goat breeds for casein variants has not been reported, even though the genetic data could be of use in selective breeding programs. For instance, variability in the content of protein and solids in goat milk is attributed to allelic differences in the goat alpha(s1)-casein gene. Concentrations of alpha(s1)-casein in goat milk are positively correlated with milk components and coagulation properties. The alleles A and B are designated as strong alleles, resulting in the greatest amount of alpha(s1)-casein in goat milk, whereas the E allele produces intermediate amounts and the weak allele F produces the least concentrations of alpha(s1)-casein in goat milk. Here we report on one of the first surveys of the distribution of alpha(s1)-casein genotypes in US dairy goats. The population surveyed, consisting of a total of 257 American dairy goats representing 7 main dairy breeds, contained a greater predominance of the weaker alleles, E and F, than the strong alleles, A and B. Allele distribution was related to breed, with Toggenburg, Alpine, Saanen, and Oberhasli containing the most E and F alleles and LaMancha, Nubian, and Nigerian Dwarf the fewest. Quantification of alpha(s1)-casein production by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated that F/F animals had the least amount of alpha(s1)-casein protein in their milk compared with all other genotypes. The results indicate that genetic improvement of dairy goats in the United States could be achieved if an alpha(s1)-casein breeding scheme were adopted.
Quenched-in quasicrystal medium-range order and pair distribution function study on Zr55Cu35Al10 bulk metallic glass

Abstract The quasicrystals phase was found in a crystallized Zr 55 Cu 35 Al 10 bulk metallic glass by X-ray analyses. Pair-distribution-function (PDF) studies on as-cast and partially crystallized states were performed by neutron scattering measurements. The PDF study shows that a medium-range order exists in the as-cast metallic glass. The investigation on the partial crystallization confirms that the local structures of the metallic glass consist of a quenched-in icosahedral medium-range order, which contribute to the quasicrystallization by reheating.
Erk1/2 Activity Promotes Chromatin Features and RNAPII Phosphorylation at Developmental Promoters in Mouse ESCs

Erk1/2 activation contributes to mouse ES cell pluripotency. We found a direct role of Erk1/2 in modulating chromatin features required for regulated developmental gene expression. Erk2 binds to specific DNA sequence motifs typically accessed by Jarid2 and PRC2. Negating Erk1/2 activation leads to increased nucleosome occupancy and decreased occupancy of PRC2 and poised RNAPII at Erk2-PRC2-targeted developmental genes. Surprisingly, Erk2-PRC2-targeted genes are specifically devoid of TFIIH, known to phosphorylate RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) at serine-5, giving rise to its initiated form. Erk2 interacts with and phosphorylates RNAPII at its serine 5 residue, which is consistent with the presence of poised RNAPII as a function of Erk1/2 activation. These findings underscore a key role for Erk1/2 activation in promoting the primed status of developmental genes in mouse ES cells and suggest that the transcription complex at developmental genes is different than the complexes formed at other genes, offering alternative pathways of regulation.
INFLUENCE OF IMPURITIES ON THE OXIDATION OF FE-26CR ALLOYS,

Abstract : The report describes the high-temperature oxidation behaviour of three vacuum-melted alloys and one commercial steel. The results indicate that manganese is a deleterious additive to FeCr alloys from the point of view of high-temperature oxidation. The addition of 0.5 per cent silicon does not improve oxidation resistance. It would appear that the investigation of the pure alloys is not only useful for elucidation of the oxidation mechanisms but may also lead to the development of materials with higher oxidation resistance. This investigation indicates that the pure binary alloy is the most oxidation resistant.
College Attendance and Persistence among Hispanic Women: An Examination of Some Contributing Factors.

The relationship of various factors associated with college attendance and persistence for Hispanic women was investigated using the High School and Beyond data base. Socioeconomic background, educational aspirations, culture and language background, availability of financial aid, “cultural shock,” sex role socialization variables, and college preparation courses have all been identified in the literature as important factors influencing the college going and attendance patterns of Hispanic women. Using the 1982 First Follow-up data from the High School and Beyond Survey, the relative importance of these measures on college-going behavior was analyzed. Educational aspirations were found to be the most important predictor of college attendance and persistence. Sex role socialization was also found to be an important factor in explaining the college behavior patterns of Hispanic women. Women who delayed marriage and having a family were found to pursue a college career more often and tended to persist in college longer than those women who followed traditional sex role patterns. In addition, Hispanic women whose mothers had a college education were more likely to attend college themselves. Interestingly, participation in college preparation courses was found to rank much lower in importance than previously mentioned factors.
On the Origin of Cells and Viruses: A Comparative-Genomic Perspective

It is proposed that the pre-cellular stage of biological evolution, including the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) of modern cellular life forms, occurred within networks of inorganic compartments that hosted a diverse mix of virus-like genetic elements. This viral model of cellular origin recapitulates the early ideas of J.B.S. Haldane, sketched in his 1928 essay on the origin of life. However, unlike in Haldane's day, there is substantial empirical support for this scenario from three major lines of evidence provided by comparative genomics: (i) the lack of homology among the core components of the DNA replication systems between the two primary lines of descent of cellular life forms, archaea and bacteria, (ii) the similar lack of homology between the enzymes of lipid biosynthesis in conjunction with distinct membrane chemistries in archaea and bacteria, and (iii) the spread of several viral hallmark genes, which encode proteins with key functions in viral replication and morphogenesis, among nume...
An electric circuit for improving the dynamic response of the conventional cardiac catheter system

The frequency and phase response deficiencies of the conventional cardiac catheter system set an upper limit to the fidelity of the pressure tracings. The response of the system can be improved greatly by connecting a special type of amplifier between the manometer and the recorder. The design of this special amplifier is presented in detail.
The relation between syllable number and visual complexity in the acquisition of word meanings

Four experiments were conducted to explore the correlation between syllable number and visual complexity in the acquisition of novel words. In the first experiment, adult English speakers invented nonsense words as names for random polygons differing in visual complexity. Visually simple polygons received names containing fewer syllables than visually complex polygons did. In addition, analyses of English word-object pairings indicated that a significant correlation between syllable number and visual complexity exists in the English lexicon. In Experiments 2 and 3, adult English speakers matched monosyllabic novel words more often than trisyllabic novel words with visually simple objects, whereas trisyllabic matches were more common for visually complex objects. Experiment 4 replicated these findings with children, indicating that the assumption of a correlation between word and visual complexity exists during the period of intense vocabulary growth. Although the actual correlation between syllable number and visual complexity is small, other posited constraints on word meaning are also limited in strength. However, an increasing number of small, language-specific word-meaning correlations are being uncovered-Given the documented ability of speakers to detect and use these subtle correlations, we argue that a more fruitful approach to word-meaning acquisition would forgo the search for a few broad, powerful word-meaning constraints, and we attempt to uncover individually weak, but perhaps jointly powerful word-meaning correspondences.
Low-light-level nonlinear optics with slow light

Electromagnetically induced transparency in an optically thick, cold medium creates a unique system where pulse-propagation velocities may be orders of magnitude less than c and optical nonlinearities become exceedingly large. As a result, nonlinear processes may be efficient at low-light levels. Using an atomic system with three, independent channels, we demonstrate a quantum interference switch where a laser pulse with an energy per area of $\ensuremath{\sim}23$ photons per ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}/(2\ensuremath{\pi})$ causes a $1/e$ absorption of a second pulse.
Suppression of the statistical coil state during the α β transition in homopolypeptides

A matrix formulation of the conformational partition function has been used to examine helix sheet transitions in homopolyamino acids. α-Helices are weighted by Zimm-Bragg parameters σ and s. Antiparallel β-sheets with tight bends are weighted by the parameters t, δ, and τ, where t is the propagation parameter. In addition, each bend contributes a factor δ, and each residue in the sheet that does not have a partner in the preceding strand contributes a factor τ. The helix can be the dominant conformation in a long chain only if two conditions are satisfied simultaneously: (i) s > 1, and (ii) either s > t, or σ, δ, and τ are assigned values that inflict a greater penalty on antiparallel sheets than on helices. The maximum amount of coil developed during the helix sheet transition is strongly influenced by the size of τ, but it is only weakly dependent on the size of δ. Previously reported optical rotatory dispersion, CD, laser Raman, and nmr studies of thermally induced α β transitions in homopolyamino acids, notably poly(L-lysine), demonstrate that little random coil is present. If the random coil content is to remain small during the helix sheet transition, τ must be significantly less than unity. A small value for τ means that there is a significant penalty assessed to lysyl residues in an antiparallel sheet that do not have a partner in a preceding strand.
Deposition of high-quality HfO2 on graphene and the effect of remote oxide phonon scattering.

We demonstrate atomic layer deposition of high-quality dielectric ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ films on graphene and determine the magnitude of remote oxide surface phonon scattering in dual-oxide structures. The carrier mobility in these ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$-covered graphene samples reaches $20\text{ }000\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/\mathrm{V}\text{ }\mathrm{s}$ at low temperature. Distinct contributions to the resistivity from surface optical phonons in the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ substrate and the ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ overlayer are isolated. At 300 K, surface phonon modes of the ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ film centered at 54 meV limit the mobility to approximately $20\text{ }000\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/\mathrm{V}\text{ }\mathrm{s}$.
Antral fibromyxoma presenting as a giant nasal polyp

Abstract A case of fibromyxoma, apparently antral in origin, presenting as a giant nasal polyp and associated with malar swelling and mild unilateral exophthalmos has been reported. Similar clinical findings in association with this uncommon tumor have not, to our knowledge, been published previously.
The coverage of elliptical orbits using ergodic theory

One of the key performance metrics for satellite constellations is the statistics of the visibility periods between the satellites and points on the ground. Associated with this are other desirable communications statistics such as data through-put, link qualities, etc. Typically, the computation of coverage statistics requires the propagation of the trajectories. For orbits with non-repeating ground tracks, this may require orbit propagation for tens of years per spacecraft. Lo (1994) proposed an approach using ergodic theory which replaced the need to compute the statistics from integrated trajectories by a definite integral over the circular region of the elevation mask of a point on the ground. The effects of J2 due to the non-spherical shape of the Earth are included in the definite integral. The definite integral can be implemented in Excel for quick trade studies. But the simple geometric methods used to derive the integral for circular orbits cannot be readily extended to elliptical orbits. In This work a new algorithm using differential geometry enables us to extend this theory to elliptical orbits.
Effects of Various Environmental Conditions on RC Columns Wrapped with FRP Sheets

A majority of the existing research studies focus on the effects of individual environmental conditions, such as freeze—thaw cycles and wet—dry cycles, while investigations on the combined effects of various environmental conditions are very rare. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various environmental conditions on reinforced concrete (RC) columns wrapped with FRP sheets with focus on the combined effects. Two different scales of RC columns wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets were conditioned under various environmental conditions. Then, uni-axial compression tests were conducted in order to evaluate their strength, stiffness, and ductility. The environmental conditions considered in this study included freeze—thaw cycles, high-temperature cycles, high-humidity cycles, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and saline solution. Based on the test results, design guidelines were suggested, which included equations to ...
An exact expression for the input impedance of the buck converter in continuous conduction mode

A general method of exact calculation of frequency characteristics of outputs for piecewise-LTI (linear time-invariant) periodic systems with periodic inputs is developed. The method is used to find the input impedance of a switching buck converter in continuous conduction mode.
Optomechanics of strongly-coupled stacked monolithic microdisks

We demonstrate a pair of strongly-coupled, stacked monolithic silicon nitride microdisk resonators coupled to a tapered optical fiber. High-frequency optomechanical interactions between the two microdisks are induced by both optical force and photothermal effects.
Mammalian Depredation of Artificial Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) Nests in North Louisiana

Abstract Nest depredation is a major source of mortality in many turtle populations. Although turtle life histories may have evolved with relatively high levels of nest depredation, present-day levels may be negatively impacting populations that are already declining. This degree of depredation may be problematic for species such as Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle), which has relatively low reproductive output for a large turtle, yet little is known about depredation of M. temminckii nests. We constructed 90 artificial M. temminckii nests in 2008 and 2009 at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana to identify nest predators and elucidate patterns of nest depredation. All artificial nests were depredated, with Procyon lotor (Raccoon), and Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo) being the two most common nest predators. Other predators included Lontra canadensis (Northern River Otter), Didelphis virginiana (Virginia Opossum), and Lynx rufus (Bobcat). Nest depredation is...
Sex Parties: Female Teen Sexual Experimentation

Adolescent participants in a study aimed at exploring the nature and characteristics of girls' dating relationships revealed the phenomenon of sex parties. These teens defined a sex party as an opportunity to engage in sexual contact outside of typical dating relationships. Sexual activity could involve actual intercourse, but usually involved sex acts without vaginal intercourse. Data were collected through 22 semistructured interviews with female adolescents, ages 15-18. All the participants knew of sex parties, however, only a subgroup of these adolescents actually participated in activities loosely defined by teens as sex parties. Alcohol was common at these parties, but female teens asserted that they consumed alcohol willingly to relax, as opposed to being coerced to do so. Some teens expressed regret following participation in a sex party, although none reported sexual coercion or abuse.
Signal copy with array calibration errors

This paper studies the effect of array manifold errors on the performance of various signal copy algorithms. Under the assumption that the observation time is sufficiently long, the following algorithms are studied: classical beamforming, least squares, total least squares, linearly constrained minimum variance beamforming, and structured stochastic estimation. Expressions for the mean-square error of the signal estimates are derived as a function of the manifold errors for both the ease where the directions of arrival (DOAs) are known precisely and for the case where the DOAs must be estimated. >
On the symbiosis between Amphidinium klebsii [Dinophyceae] and Amphiscolops langerhansi [Turbellaria: Acoela]1

INTRODUCTIONAlgal-invertebrate symbiosis is common among species of acoelus Turbellaria in both marine and freshwater environments (Droop, 1963; Buchner, 1965; McLaughlin & Zahl, 1966). Associations involving these organisms exhibit broad variations in the amount of integration achieved through the reciprocal relations of hosts and symbionts. In the symbiosis involving Convoluta roscqffensis Graff, the maximum degree of intimacy is achieved, and the host appears totally dependent on its symbiont for its nutritional requirements (Keeble & Gamble, 1907; Keeble, 1910). This type of closed symbiosis is unknown in other invertebrate phyla and may even be unique among turbellarians. Similarly, the association between Amphiscolops langerhansi (Graff) and a unicellular alga is a typical example of the more common, open or facultative symbiosis. Both species (with their algal partners) are potentially useful as investigative tools in the study of cellular interaction in algal-invertebrate symbiosis, and may provide the basis for understanding the broader aspects of cellular integration in metazoan tissues. Recent studies of C. roscqffensis provide a basis for understanding the biology of the symbiosis which it sustains (Parke & Manton, 1967; Provasoli, Yamasu & Manton, 1968; Provasoli, Yamasu & Mabuchi, 1969). The present communication is intended to provide similar information on the association found in A. langerhansi.