cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study on the Tangent Calculation Method of Frequency-domain Dielectric Loss Angle Based on Improved Kalman Filtering Algorithm

Frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy realizes the dielectric loss detection within the range of 1 mHz-10 kHz, which can detect the insulation condition of electrical equipment effectively. The calculation method of voltage and current phase difference is the core algorithm of dielectric loss detection. The existing algorithms have large errors when processing low-frequency current signals with low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed to improve the accurate of the dielectric loss angle. Firstly, the multiple full-period current signals are extracted according to the applied voltage signal. The full-period signals are superimposed, and then calculating the apparent amplitude. Secondly, the apparent phase is calculated by the least square algorithm with the superimposed signal, then, reconstructing current signal by the apparent amplitude and apparent phase. The reconstructed signal and superposed signal are used as the theoretical and observation signal, respectively, for Kalman filtering. Finally, the filtered signal is taken as the initial signal to repeat the reconstruction and filtering steps. When the error between the filtered signal and the reconstructed signal is less than a certain value, the accurate amplitude and phase angle are obtained. The proposed algorithm was verified by simulation and experiment, the results show that the measuring accuracy of the dielectric loss tangent can reach 99%, and with the standard model the error is only 0.171%.
Plastic and quantitative genetic divergence mirror environmental gradients among wild, fragmented populations of Impatiens capensis.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Habitat fragmentation generates molecular genetic divergence among isolated populations but few studies have assessed phenotypic divergence and fitness in populations where the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation are known. Phenotypic divergence could reflect plasticity, local adaptation, and/or genetic drift. METHODS We examined patterns and potential drivers of phenotypic divergence among 12 populations of jewelweed (Impatiens capensis Meerb.) that show strong molecular genetic signals of isolation and drift among fragmented habitats. We measured morphological and reproductive traits in both maternal plants within natural populations and their self-fertilized progeny grown together in a common garden. We also quantified environmental divergence between home sites and the common garden. KEY RESULTS Populations with less molecular genetic variation expressed less maternal phenotypic variation. Progeny in the common garden converged in phenotypes relative to their wild mothers but retained among-population differences in morphology, survival, and reproduction. Among-population phenotypic variance was 3-10x greater in home sites than in the common garden for 6 of 7 morphological traits measured. Patterns of phenotypic divergence paralleled environmental gradients in ways suggestive of adaptation. Progeny resembled their mothers less as the environmental distance between their home site and the common garden increased. CONCLUSIONS Despite strong molecular signatures of isolation and drift, phenotypic differences among these Impatiens populations appear to reflect both adaptive quantitative genetic divergence and plasticity. Quantifying the extent of local adaptation and plasticity and how these covary with molecular and phenotypic variation help us predict when populations may lose their adaptive capacity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Station Favorable to the Pursuits of Science: Primary Materials in the History of Mathematics at the United States Military Academy

Introduction Catalog of the West Point collection Catalog of 1803 Inventory of books, maps and charts, belonging to the Military Academy at West Point Photographs Portraits in the collection Frontispieces in the collection.
Noisy Inventory Announcements and Energy Prices

This study examines the effect of oil and gas inventory announcements on energy prices. Previous estimates of this effect suffer from bias due to measurement error in inventory surprises. We utilize intraday futures data for three petroleum commodities and natural gas to estimate the price response coefficients using traditional event study regressions and the identification-through-censoring (ITC) technique proposed by Rigobon and Sack (2008). The results show that the bias in OLS estimates of the price impact of inventory surprises is quite large. The ITC coefficient estimates are about twice as large as OLS estimates for petroleum commodities, and about four times as large as OLS estimates for natural gas. These results imply that energy prices are more strongly influenced by unexpected changes in inventory than shown in previous research.
Cancer of the colon.

In this chapter the standard operations for cancer of the colon will be discussed in detail. Inasmuch as there are many instances in which the diagnosis is not entirely certain at the time that surgery is performed, brief comments will also be made about some other indications for these standard operations. A detailed review of all aspects of colorectal cancer can be obtained from other reports and reviews.6,8,17,18,25,30,32,33,36,40,43,46,50–53
Developing the Civic Skills of Public School Youth: A Mixed Method Assessment

This study employed mixed methods to examine the experiences of public high school youth (N=126) who participated in youth-designed and youth-led community action over the course of an academic year. The authors explore the development of leadership skills, attitudes toward school-community, and sense of agency. Quantitative findings demonstrate statistically significant changes in youths’ civic attitudes and skills. Qualitative findings provide nuanced understanding of youths’ experiences with responsibility-accountability, confidence-empowerment, perseverance, leadership, mentorship- relationship, and professional skills.
Echinostome infection in green frogs (Rana clamitans) is stage and age dependent

The increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases in both wildlife and humans has spurred interest in the causes of disease emergence, including the role of anthropogenic change. A prior field study of infection patterns in amphibians suggests that echinostome infection may be an emerging disease of green frogs Rana clamitans living in urbanized environments. We examined the impact of echinostome infection on green frog tadpoles at a wide range of developmental stages (Gosner stage 25–39). Echinostome infection was associated with green frog mortality rates of up to 40% in an early developmental stage, and none in later developmental stages. Tadpoles exposed to higher echinostome doses exhibited higher edema rates, a potential sign of compromised renal function. Histopathological analysis further supported the hypothesis that echinostome-induced tadpole mortality resulted from compromised renal function. Given that the timing of highest cercarial shedding can coincide with the most vulnerable stages of green frog tadpole development, echinostomes could significantly impact green frog survival in nature.
Patterns of event and chronic hydrothermal venting following a magmatic intrusion: new perspectives from the 1996 Gorda Ridge eruption

Abstract The remote detection of a seismic swarm on the northern Gorda Ridge on 28 February 1996 prompted a three-cruise response effort to investigate event and chronic hydrothermal discharge associated with a dike intrusion. The GR1 cruise reached the northern Gorda only 10 days after seismicity began and discovered a 15 km-diameter event plume, EP96A, centered between depths 1800 and 2800 m above the shallowest portion of the axial valley axis (∼3100 m). One month later, GR2 returned and found only a weak, near-bottom chronic plume at the EP96A site. A few kilometers to the south, however, GR2 mapped a distinctly different chronic plume (∼2500–2900 m depth) as well as the edge of a second event plume, EP96B (∼1800–2400-m depth), above the western wall of the axial valley. EP96B was seeded with a neutrally buoyant float, which traveled 10 net km to the northwest before surfacing on 10 June at the start of GR3. Mapping around the float location fully revealed EP96B, a 10 km diameter plume with a heat content ∼25% that of EP96A. Extensive observations within the axial valley determined that chronic venting was effectively exhausted within three months. Models seeking to explain the perturbation of hydrothermal venting by a dike intrusion and eruption must satisfy several criteria generalized from this and previous events: (1) venting begins (or increases) with the intrusion/eruption and declines exponentially afterwards; (2) the time scale of the post-intrusion decline varies within and among sites; (3) the discharge of multiple event plumes is common; (4) an existing high-temperature vent field may not be necessary or even conducive to event plume formation; and (5) the ratio of total chronic to event discharge varies among intrusion events.
Observations on the toxin of influenza virus.

SummaryThe mouse toxic factor.of influenza virus, PR8 strain, originally reported by the Henles was reinvestigated, and similarities and differences between their observations and ours are reported and discussed. The toxin also was shown to affect ferrets.
Modeling Land Surface Processes and Heavy Rainfall in Urban Environments: Sensitivity to Urban Surface Representations

AbstractHigh-resolution simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) are used in conjunction with observational analyses to investigate land surface processes and heavy rainfall over the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. Analyses focus on a 6-day period, 21–26 July 2008, which includes a major convective rain event (23–24 July), a prestorm period (21–22 July), and a dry-down period (25–26 July). The performance of WRF in capturing land–atmosphere interactions, the bulk structure of the atmospheric boundary layer, and the rainfall pattern in urban environments is explored. Results indicate that WRF captures the incoming radiative fluxes and surface meteorological conditions. Mean profiles of potential temperature and humidity in the atmosphere are also relatively well reproduced, both preceding and following the heavy rainfall period. However, wind features in the lower atmosphere, including low-level jets, are not accurately reproduced by WRF. The biases in the wind fields play ...
Evidence for a cyclic nucleotide-mediated calcium flux in motor nerve terminals.

WE recently suggested that a cyclic nucleotide system might participate in neuromuscular transmission by regulating the flux of calcium and/or sodium into the nerve ending1–3. The purpose of the present investigation was to refine this postulate by studying the interactions between the cyclic nucleotide system and reagents that affect calcium and sodium flux in nerve terminals differentially. Recording from single motor axons of cat soleus nerves in vivo, we found that the calcium antagonists verapamil (iproveratril)4,5 and lanthanum6 blocked stimulus-bound repetitive action potentials (SBR) produced by the administration of dibutyryl (db) cyclic AMP and sodium fluoride, whereas tetrodotoxin (TTX) did not alter the nerve or muscle response to these reagents. The results suggest that an intraterminal cyclic nucleotide system may regulate calcium flux into the motor nerve ending.
Evaluation of Supplemental Niacin for Turkeys Fed Corn-Soy Diets from Four to Twelve Weeks of Age

A corn-soy basal diet, which was calculated to contain 21 mg of niacin/kg diet, was used to investigate the niacin needs of turkey poults from 4 to 12 weeks of age. Poults had been fed a diet that contained 80.6 mg niacin/kg of feed until 4 weeks of age. Supplemental niacin was added at 0, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg. There were no significant differences in mortality, leg disorders, or 12-week weight gains due to amount of niacin of the diet. These data indicate that 21 mg/kg niacin is adequate for optimum growth of turkeys from 4 to 12 weeks of age when they are fed a corn-soy diet.
Integration of photonic and silver nanowire plasmonic waveguides

Future optical data transmission modules will require the integration of more than 10,000 x 10,000 input and output channels to increase data transmission rates and capacity. This level of integration, which greatly exceeds that of a conventional diffraction-limited photonic integrated circuit, will require the use of waveguides with a mode confinement below the diffraction limit, and also the integration of these waveguides with diffraction-limited components. We propose to integrate multiple silver nanowire plasmonic waveguides with polymer optical waveguides for the nanoscale confinement and guiding of light on a chip. In our device, the nanowires lay perpendicular to the polymer waveguide with one end inside the polymer. We theoretically predict and experimentally demonstrate coupling of light into multiple nanowires from the same waveguide, and also demonstrate control over the degree of coupling by changing the light polarization.
Vesicular self-assembly of comb-dendritic block copolymers.

New amphiphilic comb–dendritic block copolymers were developed as building blocks that self-assemble into stable vesicular structures with narrow size distribution.
OPTICAL AND PHOTOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF THIN METALLIC FILMS IN THE VACUUM ULTRAVIOLET

Measurements have been made on evaporated thin films of Al, Sn, In, Bi, Au, Ag, and Cd in order to correlate optical transmission, reflection, and photoemission in the far ultraviolet. Thin unbacked films prepared outside the spectrograph and glass-backed films prepared inside the spectrograph were used. The frequency at which the films change from a reflecting medium to a transmitting medium has been compared with the plasma frequency predicted by Bohm and Pines and also with electron energy eigenlosses in metals observed by Marton et al. Some new absorption transitions have been observed and related to x-ray absorption edges. A qualitative correlation between the photoelectric yields and corresponding optical properties has been attempted.
Functional and structural consequences of aromatic residue substitutions within the kringle-2 domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator

Aromatic amino acid residues within kringle domains play important roles in the structural stability and ligand-binding properties of these protein modules. In previous investigations, it has been demonstrated that the rigidly conserved Trp25 is primarily involved in stabilizing the conformation of the kringle-2 domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (K2tpA), whereas Trp63, Trp74, and Tyr76 function in omega-amino acid ligand binding, and, to varying extents, in stabilizing the native folding of this kringle module. In the current study, the remaining aromatic residues of K2tPA, viz., Tyr2, Phe3, Tyr9, Tyr35, Tyr52, have been subjected to structure-function analysis via site-directed mutagenesis studies. Ligand binding was not significantly influenced by conservative amino acid mutations at these residues, but a radical mutation at Tyr35 destabilized the interaction of the ligand with the variant kringle. In addition, as reflected in the values of the melting temperatures, changes at Tyr9 and Tyr52 generally destabilized the native structure of K2tPA to a greater extent than changes at Tyr2, Phe3, and Tyr35. Taken together, results to date show that, in concert with predictions from the crystal structure of K2tpA, ligand binding appears to rely most on the integrity of Trp63 and Trp74, and aromaticity at Tyr76. With regard to aromatic amino acids, kringle folding is most dependent on Tyr9, Trp25, Tyr52, Trp63, and Tyr76. As yet, no obvious major roles have been uncovered for Tyr2, Phe3, or Tyr35 in K2tpA.
The development and testing of a new composite random number generator

Abstract We develop and test a new composite random number generator called the Composite Sherif-Dear (CSD) generator. The proposed generator satisfies stringent theoretical criteria for the quality of the sequence it produces; and is easy to understand and implement in a portable way.
SOME THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF THE RELATION OF SURFACE ELECTRIC FIELD OBSERVATIONS TO CLOUD CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS

Abstract A study of analytic solutions to sets of equations describing surface electric fields in terms of point charge distributions indicates certain conditions concerning the values of electric field in relation to the coordinates of the measurement sites that must be satisfied if real solutions to the simultaneous equations are to be achieved. A new representation of the surface electric field in terms of cloud monopole and dipole moments is given. Methods of calculating these moments from observed field disturbances and radar measurements of the cloud position and motion are developed. An example of the technique is applied to a winter convective shower situation measured in central Illinois.
General Practice Experience with Pindolol: A Multi- centre Study

SummaryAn open study was carried out in 50 hypertensive patients, inadequately controlled or experiencing side-effects with methyldopa, to assess the effects of concomitant treatment with pindolol. In the 41 patients completing the trial, mean supine blood pressures were reduced from 177 j 108 mmHg to 159/96 mmHg after 12 weeks of pindolol therapy {mean dose 33 mg/day). Mean methyldopa dosage was reduced from 921 mg to 445 mg daily by the end of the trial, and 14 patients were able to stop methyldopa therapy completely. Three of the 9 patients who withdrew did so because of side-effects, but overall fewer side-effects were reported as the trial continued, and 15 patients commented that they felt better on pindolol.
Xenon and krypton adsorption on Ge(111)

Abstract The adsorption of Xe and Kr on Ge(111)c(2×8) has been studied using thermodynamic, flash desorption, and low-energy electron diffraction experiments. The diffraction results, particularly strong enhancement of superlattice reflections, show that the noble gas atoms adsorb in registry and decorate the surface structure. The isobars show a series of risers and plateaus indicating the adsorption of groups of atoms with similar adsorption energies within the monolayer. For Xe, groups of 4, 3, and 1 atoms per primative c(2×8) unit mesh complete the monolayer. Registry forces compress the Xe monolayer to 120% of its natural density. The second layer is less dense and subsequent growth is Stranski-Krastanov. The change in work function upon adsortion is small. Adsorption of Kr is similar except that two groups each of 4 atoms form the monolayer. Estimates of the optimum adatom potential energy and vertical position as functions of lateral position have been made using sums of 6–12 pair potentials for various models of the Ge surface structure. These estimates have been made for both clean Ge surfaces and ones containing previously adsorbed atoms. For all the models the potential energy surface is highly corrugated primarily because the GeGe spacing is sufficiently large to allow Xe atoms to sink into hollows between atoms. We have considered an unreconstructed Ge surface, the Takayanagi and Tanishiro model of the c(2×8) surface, and a model consisting of Ge adatoms in an arrangement suggested by the tunneling microscope images. The adsorption data are more easily reconciled with the simple adatom model. The results are also interesting as a physisorption system with very different properties than those more usually studied. The wide distribution of binding energies and large intra-layer interactions are properties shared with the more often discussed models of heterogeneous surfaces, but here there is a long range order and statistical models of site energy distribution are not appropriate.
Pattern electroretinogram association with spectral domain-OCT structural measurements in glaucoma.

Pattern electroretinogram association with spectral domain-OCT structural measurements in glaucoma
Olfactory reference syndrome

Received November 13, 2006; revised February 13, 2007; accepted February 21, 2007. From the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University Hospital–Episcopal Campus, Philadelphia, PA. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Aurelia N. Bizamcer, M.D., Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University Hospital–Episcopal Campus, 100 E. Lehigh Ave., Suite 105, Philadelphia, PA 19125. e-mail: bizamcer@temple.edu 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) is a variant of delusional disorder of somatic type in which one believes that his or her body emits a foul odor that makes people react in a negative way to their body. Which category ORS fits into diagnostically is still being disputed. One of the most important corollaries of the diagnostic debate is the choice of a therapeutic agent; some psychiatrists treat the disorder with antipsychotic medication, others with antidepressants, primarily serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and some clinicians use both. The authors present a case of ORS and then discuss the literature with regard to diagnosis and treatment and then talk about how the they approached the treatment of this patient with ORS.
Properties of the defect causing solar cell degradation

Abstract Using a combination of transient solar cell degradation and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements on p-i-n (where i denotes an intrinsic layer) and Schottky barrier hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells we show that a deep electron trap having nearly the same energy for electron capture or release is responsible for many of the aspects of solar cell degradation. The chief effect of this trap, which has a small electron capture cross section at room temperature, is to capture electrons from the conduction band and to transfer them to metastable states outside the energy gap, thus changing the Fermi level.
Measuring the poise of thiol/disulfide couples in vivo

The reduction potentials (E(h)) for the redox couples GSH/GSSG and cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) in plasma are useful indicators of systemic oxidative stress and other medically relevant physiological states. This article describes a sensitive method for determining plasma levels of GSH, GSSG, Cys, and CySS used to calculate the in vivo E(h) values. The method uses iodoacetate to alkylate free thiols, derivatization with dansyl chloride to fluorescently tag amino groups, and HPLC and fluorescence to separate, detect, and quantify the molecules. Benefits of the method, such as sensitivity and dynamic range, are described, as are caveats, such as the importance of preventing red blood cell hemolysis and limitations in quantification of GSSG. General principles of redox chemistry and previous studies showing that the compounds are more oxidized than predicted from their standard reduction potentials are reviewed. The calculated in vivo E(h) is a convenient and informative way of summarizing the redox environment of plasma and is also useful for studies of cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, human biopsies, and a broad range of in vitro cell culture conditions.
Shifting “Tough on Crime” to Keeping Kids Out of Jail: Exploring Organizational Adaptability and Sustainability at a Mental Health Agency Serving Adjudicated Children Living With Severe Mental Illness

The proliferation of zero tolerance policies and “tough on crime” laws has lead to 2.11 million youth arrested and 75% adjudicated through juvenile courts in 2008. Many arrested youth have mental illness diagnosis resulting in further barriers including fragmented services, institutions with conflicting missions and incompatible approaches, and a dearth of community resources (Shufelt & Cocozza, 2006). Yet, for the boom years of mass incarceration since 1990s, the Agency1 studied for this project shifted from institutionalization of these youth to community-based treatments by shifting from problem-based medical focus to a strengths-based approach. In this study, qualitative data collection occurred over a 6-month period for the purposes of analyzing how a community-based program has sustained itself in an era that emphasizes a tough approach to crime. This Agency’s success partially stems from shifting the conversation about juvenile justice away from punishment by effectively viewing the youth’s family ...
Need for Cognition as Motivation to Process Publicity and Advertising

Experimental findings (n = 329 college students) suggest that need for cognition (NFC), a personality or individual differences variable, moderated the amount of thinking and biased the valence of attitudes formed after subjects read four product messages presented both as publicity (news) and as advertising in a prototype magazine. Separately, high NFC individuals reported greater consumption of news in their daily reading of newspapers and watching of television than individuals low in need for cognition. Semantic differential indices and responses to a series of media practices statements suggest that high NFC individuals are attracted to news because of its perceived value in fulfilling their need for cognition. Implications for media managers and campaign strategists are addressed.
Environmental control of ECS-produced retrograde amnesia in goldfish

Abstract The retrograde amnestic effect of ECS can be enhanced by exposing the goldfish to the intertrial environment for 25 min just prior to administration of the ECS. As the interval between training and the ECS is increased, the amnesia produced by the environment-ECS interaction takes longer to develop. The environment-dependent effects of ECS relate to those of other amnestic agents which have previously been described.
The More Things Change: A Case History of Child Guidance Clinics

The privately supported, community child guidance clinic originated in 1921 as part of a program to prevent delinquency. Then as now, juvenile delinquency was viewed as a problem among the poor. The child guidance clinic was meant to encourage and assist other child welfare agencies and institutions to develop a mental hygiene outlook toward their charges, thereby improving their services and eliminating a cause of delinquency. Within ten years, the clinics focused on in-clinic, psychoanalytically oriented therapeutic treatment, almost exclusively. There was a concomitant shift from lower class to middle class clientele, and from difficult problems to easier problems. The social forces making for the change in purpose and orientation include the conservative political milieu of the 1920s, changing social class backgrounds of social workers, and the professionalization of social work. Based on the historical study, comments on the future direction of changes in services are offered. KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice; juvenile delinquency
Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: current role in renal allograft procurement.

O donor nephrectomy is relatively safe and produces a high-quality organ for transplantation. However, the morbidity of the flank incision is substantial in terms of pain, long-term structural stability, and cosmesis. If the act of renal donation becomes less traumatic, either real or perceived, perhaps the pool of volunteer renal donors will increase. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was conceived as an approach to decrease donor morbidity. The absolute requirements for a laparoscopic approach, however, include continued donor safety and equivalent renal allograft function. Debate over these two requirements has been extensive and heated.1–4 This review of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy concentrates on the surgical techniques used, the complications seen in the donor, and the transplant recipient success rates. The first laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was accomplished in 1995.5 Initially, the University of Maryland6 and Johns Hopkins University7,8 developed and modified the surgical technique. As enthusiasm for their initial results spread, most (if not all) surgeons visited the two Maryland programs before initiating programs of their own. The technique spread quickly and, by the end of 1999, more than 1000 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies had been done on five continents.
Neural basis of inhalant abuse

It should be apparent from this review that far less is known about the neural basis for inhalant abuse than for other forms of drug abuse. This reflects a lack of research interest in this area (Balster, 1997). Indeed, conclusions are difficult to draw. In the case of the volatile alkyl nitrites, the most reasonable hypothesis at this time is that the cellular basis for their abuse resides in their actions on smooth muscles to produce vasodilation and relaxation, however, direct effects on the brain cannot be ruled out. Although there is some evidence that analgesic effects of nitrous oxide may involve opiate systems, even this conclusion is controversial. There is no evidence that opiate systems play a role in nitrous oxide intoxication or reinforcement. The mechanisms for these effects are unknown. They may reflect the same actions on lipid membranes or on hydrophobic sites on unspecified proteins that have been proposed as mechanisms for nitrous oxide anesthesia. In the case of the volatile solvents, fuels and anesthetics we are faced with a wide variety of specific chemicals which may produce different profiles of pharmacological effects. There is evidence that the prototypic abused solvents toluene and trichloroethane produce acute effects similar to subanesthetic concentrations of general anesthetics, as well as to the effects of classical CNS depressant drugs, such as alcohol and the barbiturates. For the anesthetics, evidence suggests that enhancement of GABAergic inhibition may be an important cellular target for their acute effects, just as it is for alcohol and other depressant drugs. For toluene, as with alcohol, recent evidence suggests a possible role for inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission involving NMDA receptors. Toluene has also been shown to have some dopaminergic effects which may be important to its abuse. As for the large number of other abused vapors, practically no information can be found on their cellular actions, and certainly not on actions that may be relevant to their abuse. This entire area would seem an important direction for future research.
Lookup table-based inverse model for determining tissue optical properties

We present a lookup table based-inverse model for determining tissue optical properties from steady-state diffuse reflectance spectra that is valid for fiber-based probe geometries with close source-detector separations and tissues with low albedos.
Blogs' Affordances for Identity Work: Insights Gained from an Urban Teacher's Blog.

Reform-minded teachers encounter formidable challenges, especially in the difficult conditions of typical urban settings. Maintaining an online web log (or “blog”) has been suggested as a powerful tool to support their practice and continuing professional development. To further articulate how and why blogs can provide teachers with unique opportunities for identity work, I examine the blog of “Ms. Frizzle,” one reform-minded urban middle school science teacher and exceptional blogger. Four recurring features of her blogging, which are all critical elements of identity work, are identified and analyzed: (a) constructing stories of multifaceted aspects of science teaching that are often in tension with one another; (b) simultaneously supporting and being supported by a professional community that spanned traditional boundaries; (c) trying on and developing a variety of interrelated professional sub-identities; and (d) positioning herself centrally within a larger professional discourse. Various forms of in...
Characteristics of larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, obtained from populations present in tropical and temperate regions

Abstract A comparative study was undertaken of southwestern corn borers (Diatraea grandiosella) collected from south central Mexico (19°N latitude) and southeast Missouri (37°N latitude). All the life stages of the Mexican insects were found to be larger or heavier, or both, than were those of the Missouri insects. Mexican larvae grew at a higher rate and attained a significantly heavier body weight than did Missouri larvae. Although both Mexican and Missouri larvae underwent ecdyses during diapause, Mexican larvae ecdysed more frequently than did the Missouri larvae at 23°C light:dark 12 h:12 h. Larvae that ecdysed most frequently did not necessarily spend longer in diapause. Electrophoresis of the fat body and haemolymph proteins of Mexican and Missouri larvae revealed similar patterns. The fat body of diapausing Mexican larvae contained substantial amounts of a diapause-associated protein which has been characterized previously from the fat body of Missouri Larvae. Double immunodiffusion confirmed that the diapause-associated protein of the Mexican larvae was identical to that present in the Missouri larvae. Smaller amounts of this protein appear to be present in the fat body of diapausing Mexican larvae than are present in that of diapausing Missouri larvae.
An Ethnoarchaeological Contribution to Identifying Hominid Fish Processing Sites

Abstract Nineteen fishing camps created by Dassanetch and Turkana on the shores of Lake Turkana, Kenya were documented for location, physical characteristics, taxonomic and skeletal element composition, and bone modifications. The camps showed patterning in location, size and variety of vertebrate taxa. Procurement, processing and preparation activities at the camps are described, and from these we identify three patterns correlating with site function: base camps, fish processing camps, and fish waste discard sites. The bone assemblages also reflect these different patterns, based on differences in taxonomic diversity and abundance, skeletal element patterns and bone modifications. The assemblages differ from natural fish bone accumulations at Lake Turkana in having lower taxonomic and size diversity, different skeletal element representation, and distinctive bone modifications. Although possession of modern implements makes some characteristics of the fishing camp assemblages distinctive to modern humans, other features, including restricted taxonomic and size diversity and certain bone modifications, should characterize earlier hominid fish exploitation sites.
Evangelicals and the 1984 Election Continuity or Change

This article analyzes the change and continuity evident in the political attitudes and behavior of American evangelicals over the past two presidential elections. Viewed in terms of a socioreligious group, evangelicals remained a relatively large bloc of voters with distinctive political attitudes. However, important changes were evident in their level of voter turnout, their level of voting cohesion, and their pattern of partisan identification. Regional and age differences among evangelicals are also analyzed. The data suggest that a new "generation" of evangelicals may be emerging. Young evangelicals, regardless of region, appear to be relatively politicized and distinctively Republican in their partisanship.
Mechanisms by Which Moisture Generates Cocrystals

The purpose of this study is to determine the mechanisms by which moisture can generate cocrystals when solid particles of cocrystal reactants are exposed to deliquescent conditions (when moisture sorption forms an aqueous solution). It is based on the hypothesis that cocrystallization behavior during water uptake can be derived from solution chemistry using models that describe cocrystal solubility and reaction crystallization of molecular complexes. Cocrystal systems were selected with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that form hydrates and include carbamazepine, caffeine, and theophylline. Moisture uptake and crystallization behavior were studied by gravimetric vapor sorption, X-ray powder diffraction, and on-line Raman spectroscopy. Results indicate that moisture uptake generates cocrystals of carbamazepine−nicotinamide, carbamazepine−saccharin, and caffeine or theophylline with dicarboxylic acid ligands (oxalic acid, maleic acid, glutaric acid, and malonic acid) when solid mixtures with cocry...
Tissue Targeting and Plasma Clearance of Cobra Venom Factor in Mice

The tissue targeting and rate of clearance of cobra venom factor (CVF) from the circulation was studied in mice by intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of radioiodinated CVF. In both modes of administrations, CVF was targeted mainly to liver. CVF injected directly into the blood was cleared from the circulation with a plasma half life of about 10 h, whereas CVF injected into the peritoneal cavity was slowly absorbed into the blood stream reaching a maximum level at approximately 6 h, and it was then cleared from the circulation with a plasma half life of about 18 h. The rate of plasma clearance of CVF was markedly decreased upon removal of the terminal alpha-galactosyl residues of the oligosaccharide chains; the plasma half lives for intravenously and intraperitoneally administered de-alpha-galactosylated CVF were approximately 5 and approximately 10 h, respectively. However, the clearance rate was not affected by complete deglycosylation using N-glycanase or by chemical modification of the terminal galactosyl residues. Together, these data demonstrate that the terminal alpha-galactosyl residues of CVF mask the Lewis X-dependent uptake of CVF by liver.
Ionic and covalent stabilization of intermediates and transition states in catalysis by solid acids.

Reactivity descriptors describe catalyst properties that determine the stability of kinetically relevant transition states and adsorbed intermediates. Theoretical descriptors, such as deprotonation energies (DPE), rigorously account for Bronsted acid strength for catalytic solids with known structure. Here, mechanistic interpretations of methanol dehydration turnover rates are used to assess how charge reorganization (covalency) and electrostatic interactions determine DPE and how such interactions are recovered when intermediates and transition states interact with the conjugate anion in W and Mo polyoxometalate (POM) clusters and gaseous mineral acids. Turnover rates are lower and kinetically relevant species are less stable on Mo than W POM clusters with similar acid strength, and such species are more stable on mineral acids than that predicted from W-POM DPE–reactivity trends, indicating that DPE and acid strength are essential but incomplete reactivity descriptors. Born–Haber thermochemical cycles i...
Effects of Forage Percentage and Canola Seed on Ruminal Protein Metabolism and Duodenal Flows of Amino Acids in Steers

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of dietary forage percentage and fat supplementation on ruminal N metabolism, duodenal flows of AA, and digestion of N. Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were offered six isonitrogenous diets for ad libitum intake twice daily in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. Treatments were arrange as a 2 × 3 factorial with two forage percentages (70 vs. 30% of dietary DM as corn silage) and three forms of canola seed supplementation, including no canola seed or canola seed added at 10% of dietary DM as whole seed treated with alkaline H 2 O 2 or as crushed seed. No interactions between dietary forage percentage and canola seed supplementation occurred for any of the measurements. Duodenal flows of NAN and AA were greater for diets containing low forage than for diets containing high forage. However, duodenal flows of bacterial N and AA were increased when treated whole canola seed was supplemented. Apparent total tract digestibility of N was not altered by dietary forage percentage or canola seed supplementation. Results indicate that fat supplementation from canola seed (at 5% of dietary DM), in either form, had no effects on ruminal N metabolism or flows of AA to the duodenum and suggest that treated whole canola seed may stimulate ruminal bacterial protein synthesis.
Resource Distribution and Graduation Rates in SREB States: An Overview

Throughout the past two decades, an orientation toward standards-based reform has underpinned efforts of educational policy reform (Smith & O’Day, 1991). Led in part by political and educational le...
Travis and Arms revisited: a second look at a widely used bioconcentration algorithm.

In 1988, Travis and Arms reviewed the literature and collected data to develop a relationship between the octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) and the uptake of organic compounds into milk and beef (Travis and Arms, 1988). These equations have been utilized for predicting biotransfer factors for organic chemicals when empirical data are lacking. During the external peer review of the draft US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance entitled Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol for Hazardous Waste Combustion Facilities (US EPA, 1998) and the development of Superfund’s Ecological Soil Screening Levels (US EPA, 2000b), questions challenging the derivation and use of these equations were raised. The primary questions raised were: 1) Are the equations presented in Travis and Arms (1988) for the estimation of transfer of organic compounds from contaminated feed to beef and milk technically valid and reproducible? If so, (2) are the equations appropriate across the entire log Kow range? For these re...
Literate lives across the digital divide

Abstract In this literacy narrative, I describe the contexts and consequences of print and digital literacies in a globalizing world. Through a combination of personal and contextual details, I show how cultural, linguistic, and political milieus shape and are shaped by the literate practices in the digital environment. I also complicate issues of access and the digital divide and conclude by making a case for understanding cultural background vis-a-vis political history in order to understand individual literacy practices of students/writers.
Fundamental differences between Arctic and Antarctic ozone depletion

Antarctic ozone depletion is associated with enhanced chlorine from anthropogenic chlorofluorocarbons and heterogeneous chemistry under cold conditions. The deep Antarctic “hole” contrasts with the generally weaker depletions observed in the warmer Arctic. An unusually cold Arctic stratospheric season occurred in 2011, raising the question of how the Arctic ozone chemistry in that year compares with others. We show that the averaged depletions near 20 km across the cold part of each pole are deeper in Antarctica than in the Arctic for all years, although 2011 Arctic values do rival those seen in less-depleted years in Antarctica. We focus not only on averages but also on extremes, to address whether or not Arctic ozone depletion can be as extreme as that observed in the Antarctic. This information provides unique insights into the contrasts between Arctic and Antarctic ozone chemistry. We show that extreme Antarctic ozone minima fall to or below 0.1 parts per million by volume (ppmv) at 18 and 20 km (about 70 and 50 mbar) whereas the lowest Arctic ozone values are about 0.5 ppmv at these altitudes. At a higher altitude of 24 km (30-mbar level), no Arctic data below about 2 ppmv have been observed, including in 2011, in contrast to values more than an order of magnitude lower in Antarctica. The data show that the lowest ozone values are associated with temperatures below −80 °C to −85 °C depending upon altitude, and are closely associated with reduced gaseous nitric acid concentrations due to uptake and/or sedimentation in polar stratospheric cloud particles.
The DEAH-box protein PRP22 is an ATPase that mediates ATP-dependent mRNA release from the spliceosome and unwinds RNA duplexes.

Of the proteins required for pre‐mRNA splicing, at least four, the DEAH‐box proteins, are closely related due to the presence of a central ‘RNA helicase‐like’ region, and extended homology through a large portion of the protein. A major unresolved question is the function of these proteins. Indirect evidence suggests that several of these proteins are catalysts for important structural rearrangements in the spliceosome. However, the mechanism for the proposed alterations is presently unknown. We present evidence that PRP22, a DEAH‐box protein required for mRNA release from the spliceosome, unwinds RNA duplexes in a concentration‐ and ATP‐dependent manner. This demonstrates that PRP22 can modify RNA structure directly. We also show that the PRP22‐dependent release of mRNA from the spliceosome is an ATP‐dependent process and that recombinant PRP22 is an ATPase. Non‐hydrolyzable ATP analogs did not substitute for ATP in the RNA‐unwinding reaction, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis is required for this reaction. Specific mutation of a putative ATP phosphate‐binding motif in the recombinant protein eliminated the ATPase and RNA‐unwinding capacity. Significantly, these data suggest that the DEAH‐box proteins act directly on RNA substrates within the spliceosome.
Presupernova models: Sensitivity to convective algorithm and coulomb corrections

Abstract The effects of semiconvection, convective overshoot mixing, and Coulomb corrections to the equation of state upon the advanced stages of the evolution of massive stars is explored. Two major consequences of semiconvection and overshoot mixing are to decrease the abundance of carbon that exists following helium burning and to increase the size of the CO core. Both effects tend to increase the iron core mass at the time of gravitational instability. On the other hand, inclusion of Coulomb corrections reduces the iron core mass. A 15 M ⊙ model that neglects convective overshoot and semiconvection but which includes Coulomb corrections developes an iron core of 1.28 M ⊙ . Presupernova models of 20 M ⊙ and 25 M ⊙ are also presented.
The impact of dengue haemorrhagic fever on liver function

The impact of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) on liver function was studied by measuring serum transaminase levels on 45 patients with DHF confirmed by virus isolation and serodiagnosis in 1995. Abnormal levels of AST and ALT were observed in 97.7 and 37.3% of the patients, respectively. The fact that the level of AST was higher than that of ALT and that the elevation of transaminases was mild to moderate in most cases (< 5-fold greater than the normal upper limit for AST and ALT) showed that liver involvement was also mild to moderate in most cases of DHF. The results of transaminases did not differ significantly between cases with and without hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, nor between primary and secondary cases of infection, but a significantly higher elevation of AST and ALT was observed in DHF patients with gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Two patients with dengue encephalopathy (in 1992) and one patient with dengue encephalopathy who died of massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage (in 1995) had unusually high transaminase levels as a sign of acute liver failure. It is concluded that DHF may cause mild to moderate liver dysfunction in most cases; only some patients may suffer from acute liver failure leading to encephalopathy and death.
Electronic and structural properties of strontium chalcogenides SrS, SrSe and SrTe

We present the results of a first-principles study of the electronic and structural properties of strontium chalcogenides, SrS, SrSe and SrTe. The computational method is based on the full-potential linear muffin-tin orbitals method (FP-LMTO) augmented by a plane-wave basis (PLW). The exchange and correlation energy is described in the local density approximation (LDA) using the Perdew–Wang parameterization including a generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated results of the structural properties are given for the NaCl (B1) and CsCl (B2) structures. We have also carried out band-structure calculations for the three considered compound, but only for the NaCl (B1) structure. A reasonable agreement is found from the comparison of our results with other theoretical calculations and experimental data. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)