cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the influence of septic systems and watershed characteristics on stream faecal pollution in suburban watersheds in Georgia, USA.

Aims To determine the impact of septic systems on water quality and in so doing identify watershed level characteristics that influence septic system impact. Methods and Results Water samples were collected from streams in 24 well-characterized watersheds during baseflow to analyse for the levels of faecal indicators Escherichia coli and enterococci. The watersheds represent a gradient of land-use conditions from low to high density of septic systems, as well as developed to undeveloped uses. Our findings indicate statistically significant interaction between septic density and season for enterococci count (P = 0·005) and stream yield (P = 0·04). Seasonal variations in bacterial count and stream yield were also observed, with significant differences between spring–winter and summer–winter. Results from multiple linear regression models suggest that watershed characteristics (septic system density, median distance of septic systems to stream, per cent developed area and forest cover) and water temperature could explain approximately half (R2 = 0·50) of the variability in bacterial count and yield in spring and summer. Conclusions There is a significant positive relationship between septic system density and faecal pollution levels. However, this relationship is season dependent and is influenced by watershed level characteristics such as median distance of septic systems from streams, per cent developed area and forest cover. Significance and Impact of the Study This study confirms the significant impact of septic systems on faecal pollution during baseflow and provides the tools that will enable effective pollution monitoring at the watershed scale.
Comparative and functional morphology of the mandibles of some fourth stage mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

The mandibles of fourth stage mosquito larvae representing each subfamily and major feeding type were studied with the light and scanning electron microscopes. The fine structure of a number of minor structures and 7 major, composite structures was investigated. The latter include the mandibular teeth, the seta-bearing mandibular lobe, and several setal structures, the sellar setae, mandibular comb, mandibular brush, mandibular rake, and mandibular sweeper. Major structural differences were found in the subfamily representatives but due to the variety of methods used by culicines to obtain food, the differences are discussed in relation to feeding habits. In general, a reduction in the number of setae and an increase in the sclerotization and size of the mandibular teeth was found to occur in a sequence from plankton feeder to predator. InCulex pipiens quinquefasciatus, a plankton feeder, andAedes taeniorhynchus, a bottom feeder, the setae are well developed and bear processes for collecting small food particles. The mandibular teeth are more numerous and the mandibular comb is more prominent in the latter. InAnopheles crucians, a surface feeder, some setae are modified for capturing large food particles; others for directing smaller particles to the mouth. The numerous teeth are fit for crushing large particles.In Armigeres subalbatus, a scavenger, the setae and their processes are reduced in number and
The formation and circulation, in Galleria, of hyphal bodies of entomophtoraceous fungi☆

Abstract The hyphal bodies of Entomophthora coronata and Entomophthora apiculata are formed in vivo and in vitro. The number of hyphal bodies produced in stationary culture was less than that produced in shake cultures. The accumulation of waste products and the exhaustion of nutrients apparently did not play a significant role in hyphal-body formation. The hyphal bodies of the two Entomophthora species were not circulated in the blood of the larva of Galleria mellonella, whereas those of Metarrhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were distributed throughout the larva in the blood of the body cavity. The factors that are apparently involved in the circulation of hyphal bodies in the insect are (1) the size of the hyphal body, (2) the optimal site for the growth of the fungus, and (3) the behavior of the fungus in a specific insect host. Both species of Entomophthora, in general, invaded and multiplied in the solid tissues and organs of the host. On the other hand, M. anisopliae and B. bassiana developed in the hemolymph and did not invade the solid organs and tissues until the host died. M. anisopliae produced chlamydospores in the larvae of Galleria mellonella.
Evaluating the Performance of Volunteers in Mapping Invasive Plants in Public Conservation Lands

Citizen science programs are touted as useful tools for engaging the public in science and for collecting important data for scientists and resource managers. To accomplish the latter, it must be shown that data collected by volunteers is sufficiently accurate and reliable. We engaged 119 volunteers over three years to map and estimate abundance of invasive plants in New York and New Jersey parklands. We tested their accuracy via collected pressed samples and by subsampling their transect points. We also compared the performances of volunteers and botanical experts. Our results support the notion that volunteer participation can enhance the data generated by scientists alone. We found that the quality of data collected might be affected by the environment in which the data are collected. We suggest that giving consideration to how people learn can not only help to achieve educational goals but can also help to produce more data to be used in scientific study.
Impact of Electrostatic Interactions on Formation and Stability of Emulsions Containing Oil Droplets Coated by β-Lactoglobulin−Pectin Complexes

Interfacial protein-polysaccharide complexes can be used to improve the physical stability of oil-in-water emulsions. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ionic strength on the formation and stability of oil-in-water emulsions containing polysaccharide-protein-coated droplets. Emulsions were prepared that contained 0.1 wt % corn oil, 0.05 wt % beta-lactoglobulin, and 0.02 wt % pectin at pH 7. The emulsions were then adjusted to pH 4 to promote electrostatic deposition of the pectin molecules onto the surfaces of the protein-coated droplets. The salt concentration of the aqueous phase (0 or 50 mM NaCl) was adjusted either before or after deposition of the pectin molecules onto the droplet surfaces. We found that stable emulsions containing polysaccharide-protein-coated droplets could be formed when the salt was added after pectin adsorption but not when it was added before pectin adsorption. This phenomenon was attributed to the ability of NaCl to promote droplet flocculation in the protein-coated droplets so that the pectin molecules adsorbed onto the surfaces of flocs rather than individual droplets when salt was added before pectin adsorption. We also found that polysaccharide-protein-coated droplets had a much improved stability to salt-induced flocculation than protein-coated droplets with the same droplet charge (zeta-potential). Theoretical predictions indicated that this was due to the ability of the adsorbed polysaccharide layer to strongly diminish the van der Waals attraction between the droplets.
Effect of acid rain on soils

Soil formation is an acidifying process that involves dynamic chemical and biochemical equilibria. Chemical weathering involves hydrolysis, hydration, oxidation‐reduction reactions, carbonation, and solution of compounds and elements found in the parent materials. The sources of acidity in soils include H2CO3 formed from high CO2 concentrations in the soil atmosphere produced from root and microbial respiration, acidity produced in mineralization of organic N and S and from NH4 +‐forming fertilizers, organic acids produced from litter decomposition, and addition in precipitation. Additions of acidity in precipitation to soils are insignificant in comparison with the acidity produced in natural processes and by agricultural soil amendments. The pronounced intrinsic buffering capacity provided by soil minerals and organic matter tends to minimize changes in soil pH when acid precipitation is added. The amounts of N and S added by precipitation are beneficial to agricultural, forested, and unmanaged soils. T...
Photoinjected hot‐electron damage in silicon point‐contact solar cells

Initial designs of single‐crystal silicon point‐contact solar cells have shown a degradation in their efficiency after being exposed to concentrated sunlight. The main mechanism appears to be an increase in recombination centers at the Si/SiO2 interface due to ultraviolet light photoinjecting electrons from the silicon conduction band into the silicon dioxide that passivates the cell’s front surface. The instability of the interface is significantly worse if the oxide is grown in the presence of trichloroethane. Texturization of the surface also leads to more instability. A reasonably good resistance to ultraviolet can be created by putting a phosphorus diffusion at the surface, and can be improved further by stripping off the deposited oxide after the diffusion and regrowing a dry thermal oxide.
Interleukin-1β Is Crucial for the Induction of Coronary Artery Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Kawasaki Disease

Background—Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of acute vasculitis and acquired cardiac disease in US children. Untreated, children may develop coronary artery aneurysms, myocardial infarction, and sudden death as a result of the illness. Up to a third of KD patients fail to respond to intravenous immunoglobulin, the standard therapy, and alternative treatments are being investigated. Genetic studies have indicated a possible role for interleukin (IL)-1β in KD. We therefore explored the role of IL-1β in a murine model of KD. Methods and Results—Using an established mouse model of KD that involves injection of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE), we investigated the role of IL-1β and caspase-1 (activated by the inflammasome and required for IL-1β maturation) in coronary arteritis and evaluated the efficacy of IL-1 receptor antagonist as a potential treatment. LCWE-induced IL-1β maturation and secretion were dependent on the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. Both caspase-1–deficient and...
Endogenous recovery of injured spinal cord: Longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance imaging

Pathological changes were followed longitudinally with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and behavioral studies in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). MRI-observed pathology was correlated with histology. On MRI, the cavitated regions of the injured cord were gradually filled with viable tissue between two and 8 weeks postinjury, and a concomitant improvement was observed in the neurobehavioral scores. By weeks 3-6, on MRI, the gray matter (GM) returned in the segments caudal, but not rostral, to the injury site. The corresponding histological sections revealed motor neurons as well as other nuclei in the gray matter immediately caudal to the epicenter, but not at the site of injury, suggesting neuronal recovery in perilesioned areas. The neuronal and neurological recovery appeared to occur about the same time as neovasculature that was reported on the contrast-enhanced MRI, suggesting a role for angiogenesis in recovery from SCI. The role of angiogenesis in neuronal recovery is further supported by the immunohistochemical observation of greater bromodeoxyuridine uptake by blood vessels near the lesion site compared with uninjured cords.
What Are You Waiting For? A Study of Resident Physician-Parent Communication in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Study objective This study measures the degree to which parents of patients, in the course of evaluation and treatment in a pediatric emergency department (ED), could report what they were waiting for. Methods Brief in-person interviews were conducted with parents of nonemergency patients during an ED visit. After the patient had been seen by a resident physician and evaluation and treatment were in progress, parents were asked to report what they were waiting for. The patient's physician was also asked to report what the patient was waiting for. These answers were compared and coded as complete agreement, partial agreement, or disagreement. Association between lack of agreement and patient factors (age, sex), parent factors (sex, education, age), physician factors (sex, postgraduate year), and system factors (wait time, time of day, number of patients in the department) was examined. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Results A total of 200 paired surveys were included in the data analysis. Two thirds of parental reports completely agreed with physician reports, 11.5% partially agreed, and 21.5% completely disagreed. Multivariate analysis revealed that disagreement between resident physician and parents was associated with parental educational level and physician training level. Parents with less than a high school education were more than 9 times more likely to disagree than those with at least some college education (odds ratio 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 to 35.7). As the postgraduate level of the physician decreased, disagreement was more common; disagreement for patients of postgraduate level 1 residents was 5 times more likely (95% CI 1.8 to 14.5) than that of postgraduate level 3 and higher residents. Conclusion As measured by asking the question "what are you waiting for," significant communication gaps were identified between physicians and the parents of their patients in this emergency department. One in five parents could not report what they were waiting for. Factors such as lower parental education and less physician experience increase the risk of such a gap. Further work in defining the source of the ineffective communication and interventions to remediate the problem is needed.
Antimycoplasmal Antibiotics and Hybrid Sterility in Drosophila paulistorum

Male hybrids between the Santa Marta and Mesitas strains of Drosophila paulistorum are sterile. The sterility can be partially alleviated by treatment of the Santa Marta mothers with the antimycoplasmal antibiotics tylosin tartrate and tetracycline hydrochloride. The proportions of hybrid males in which there are mature motile spermatozoa are higher in the progenies of drug-treated mothers than in the controls. Electron microscopy reveals mycoplasma-like bodies in the untreated controls, but not in the sons of the treated females. The mycoplasma-like symbionts appear to be implicated in the production of the sterility in the hybrid males.
Electrophysiologic effects of desethylamiodarone, an active metabolite of amiodarone: Comparison with amiodarone during chronic administration in rabbits

Abstract During acute superfusion studies by means of the standard microelectrode technique, we previously showed that both amiodarone and its major metabolite, desethylamiodarone, had a modest effect on the lengthening of the action potential duration (APD) at high drug concentrations and produced a rate-dependent block of the sodium channel in cardiac muscle. In this study the comparative electrophysiologic effects of the two compounds in rabbits treated chronically with these compounds were determined with particular reference to repolarization and sinus node automaticity. The changes were correlated with those in serum and tissue drug levels and in thyroid hormone indices. After 1 week neither compound had a significant effect on atrial or sinus nodal potentials; after 3 weeks, amiodarone increased the atrial APD at 90% repolarization time by 10.5% ( p p p p p p max . Both amiodarone and desethylamiodarone significantly decreased serum triiodothyronine and increased reverse triiodothyronine levels but had no effect on thyroxine. Neither the electrophysiologic effects nor those in thyroid hormone indices could be related systematically to the serum or tissue levels of amiodarone or desethylamiodarone. The data indicate the after chronic drug administration, desethylamiodarone exerts electrophysiologic effects, the magnitude and latency of onset of which were comparable to those of the parent compound. The metabolite has significant electrophysiologic effects that are likely to be additive to those of the parent compound during chronic administration.
Characterization of the global structure of low methoxyl pectin in solution

Low methoxyl citrus pectin (LMP) and amidated low methoxyl pectin (LMAP) were characterized by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with online light scattering (LS), intrinsic viscosity (hw), differential refractive index (dRI) and ultra-violet (UV) detection, by amino acid analysis (AAA) and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). HPSEC revealed the following: the weight average molar mass (Mw), ranged 103e288 � 10 3 Da, (hw), ranged 2.69e4.27 dL/g, radius of gyration (Rgz), was 28.6e49.5 nm and hydrated radius (Rhzv), was 26.3e41.8 nm. The presence of phenylalanine and tyrosine residues as shown by the UV absorbance at 278 nm in the high molar mass range is indicative of protein or fragments associated with LMP derived from citrus fruit. The r value (Rgz/Rhzv) as a function of molar mass indi- cated that high molar mass pectin was more compact in shape than intermediate molar mass pectin. AFM images in this study and earlier studies indicate that high methoxyl pectin (HMP) and LMP form network structures in aqueous solution. Unlike HMP networks, LMP networks do not dissociate when dissolved in water at concentrations that are less than 6.6 mg/mL. Furthermore, AFM images, Mw and hw values for LMP and LMAP indicate that little or no added sugar is bound. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Lipid Status After Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation

Objective –This study was performed to determine the net effects of euglycemia, resolution of renal failure, immunosuppressant drugs, and hyperinsulinemia on fasting lipid profiles of patients with renal failure and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation (PKT). Research Design and Methods –Thirty subjects with IDDM received PKT between April 1989 and October 1990, and all were studied. Mean ± SE age was 35.2 ± 1.3 yr; 19 recipients were men, and 11 were women. All had a functioning pancreatic allograft post-PKT. Fasting lipid profiles including total cholesterol (C), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol), and C/HDL-chol were compared before and after PKT (38–555 days divided into groups: preoperation and 0–2, 3–8, and 9–19 mo). Results –Significant hyperlipidemia was observed preoperatively (means ± SE): C, 5.92 ± 0.27 mM; HDL-chol, 1.07 ± 0.09 mM; TG, 5.85 ± 0.56 mM; and C/HDL-chol, 6.49 ± 0.83. All lipids and C/HDL-chol dropped immediately after PKT (0-2 mo vs. preoperation, all P < 0.01, except HDL-chol). After this immediate postoperative period, C, HDL-chol, and TG stabilized at new concentrations. C (5.44 ± 0.22 mM) and TG (4.54 ± 0.48 mM) levels were < preoperation (not statistically significant and P < 0.05, respectively). HDL-chol was greater than preoperative values (1.29 ± 0.06 mM, P < 0.05). C/HDL-chol dropped after PKT (0-2 mo, 4.85 ± 0.18, P < 0.01) and continued to decrease throughout the observation period (3-8 mo, 4.42 ± 0.23; 9-19 mo, 4.23 ± 0.23; both P < 0.01 vs. preoperation). There was no statistical difference between lipid concentrations in male and female subjects. Conclusions –The lipid status of subjects with IDDM and renal failure was abnormal before PKT and once lipid concentrations stabilized after PKT (> 2 mo), HDL-chol was higher and TG and C/HDL-chol levels were significantly lower than preoperative values. If these changes are sustained, risk of future cardiovascular disease in this group of patients might be significantly reduced.
Lithographic Techniques for the Fabrication of Oligonucleotide Arrays.

Miniaturized arrays of immobilized oligonucleotide probes have immense potential as tools for the rapid analysis of DNA sequences. There are a variety of techniques that can be used to fabricate these arrays including robotic spotting, ink-jet printing, and photolithographic patterning. In this report we will provide an overview of microarray technology and describe recent efforts at developing photoresist based techniques for array fabrication.
Best unbiased estimators for the parameters of a two-parameter Pareto distribution

For a two-parameter Pareto distributionMalik [1970] has shown that the maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters are jointly sufficient. In this article the maximum likelihood estimators are shown to be jointly complete. Furthermore, unbiased estimators for the two parameters are obtained and are shown to be functions of the jointly complete sufficient statistics, thereby establishing them as the best unblased estimators of the two parameters.
A network equilibrium formulation of market disequilibrium and variational inequalities

In this article, we consider an asymmetric market disequilibrium model in a spatial setting in the case of rigid prices and/or controls. In this problem, the markets need no longer clear. We show that the disequilibrium problem can be reformulated as an equilibrium problem over an abstract network with special structure. We then propose a network decomposition algorithm for the computation of the solution that exploits the structure and establishes convergence results using the theory of variational inequalities. Our computational results demonstrate the suitability of this approach for large-scale market problems.
Full featured implementation of quench simulation in superconducting magnets

Abstract Professional software is presented for superconducting quench simulation, applicable to magnets with a single or multiple coils, with or without iron, operating in either the persistent mode or from external power. Drift, dump and charge simulations are also possible. The method assumes that a quench starts at an arbitrary point of a coil and propagates in three dimensions longitudinally along the conductors and transversely across the insulation. Multiple independent fronts can coexist in any or all of the coils. Local magnetic fields and coil inductive couplings are calculated by a finite element method. The circuit equations are solved by a time difference method. All material properties are temperature dependent, and local fields, temperatures, front velocities, coil currents, terminal voltages and turn-to-turn voltages are all obtained by solving the corresponding equations at each point and time. Quench protection systems are automatically simulated. We present an application for a 4T, 1 m bore, fully iron shielded MRI magnet built by TAC, and a comparison with actual measurements in a test coil.
The evolving epidemiology of sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is an uncommon subcutaneous mycosis found throughout the world. Certain tropical and subtropical areas, in particular South America, have regions of hyperendemic disease. Here, we report on the developing genetic diversity of the genus as well as the epidemiology, from the beginnings of the French and South African epidemics through the modern day outbreak in Brazil. The ongoing Brazilian epidemic has led to the discovery of a new species, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and there have been several other clinical and environmental species identified throughout the globe as well. It remains to be seen, however, just what impact this species diversity has on clinical disease.
Analysis of a surface protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae recognised by protective monoclonal antibodies

Using two monoclonal antibodies which protect mice from a fatal challenge with S. pneumoniae, we have identified a surface protein antigen on the pneumococcus. These antibodies recognised components of 84 and 76 kD in a cell wall extract of the nonencapsulated strain, R36A, against which they were made. Absorption experiments indicated that both of the antibodies recognised the same two proteins. The proteins detected by the antibodies in the encapsulated type 2 strain D39 and type 3 strain WU2, exhibited different molecular weights than those proteins detected from R36A. Using a colony blot procedure and a quantitative ELISA, we have shown that these antibodies react with 6 of the 21 pneumococcal strains tested. There was no association between reactivity with these anti-protein antibodies and the capsular serotype of the pneumococcal isolates tested.
PROPRANOLOL IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN THE YOUNG: LACK OF EFFECT ON MYOCARDIAL FUNCTION

Propranolol (P) can produce myocardial depression, and such an effect would be undesirable and potentially dangerous if it occurred when P is used to treat sustained hypertension in children. This study reports the effects on myocardial function evaluated by echocardiography in 8 hypertensive children (6 to 16 years) treated with P. Six of the pats had essential hypertension, 1 had renovascular hypertension and 1 had renal parenchymal disease. None of the children had clinical evidence of heart failure. P (1.8 to 11 mg/Kg/day) was effective in treating the hypertension in these pats producing significant (p<0.02) reductions in systolic BP (147±5 to 127±4mmHg, ±SEM), diastolic BP (97±3 to 82±3mmHg) and heart rate (96±7 to 70±6 bpm). The changes in heart rate and BP produced by P did not alter left ventricular (LV) pre-load since LV end-diastolic dimension remained the same (41±2mm; ±SEM). These same doses of P produced no significant alteration of LV function as described by LV shortening fraction (0.40±0.02 vs. 0.38±0.03; pretreatment vs. treatment). LV velocity of shortening (1.54±0.08 vs. 1.48±0.15 muscle lengths/sec) or LV pre-ejection period divided by LV ejection time (0.36±0.02 vs. 0.39±0.04). It is concluded that doses of P which are in the therapeutic range for treating hypertension in children without preexisting heart failure do not produce detectable alteration of left ventricular function.
Synthesis and enzymatic properties of a deoxy analog of phosphatidylinositol

Abstract The preparation of a phosphatidylinositol analog lacking the axial 2-hydroxyl of the inositol ring is described. The compound is a usefulk mecanistic probe for the phosphatidylinositol specifc phospholipase C.
Selection of crack-tip slip systems in the thermal arrest of cleavage cracks in dislocation-free silicon single crystals

Abstract New B–D fracture transition experiments in dislocation––free Si single crystals are described based on arrest of cleavage cracks propagating up a temperature gradient. Combined etch pitting and Berg–Barrett imaging shows that the fracture transitions are accomplished exclusively on planes with the most advantageous conditions for dislocation nucleation from crack-tip cleavage ledges.
HORMONAL MODULATION OF RADIATION IN UTERINE-CANCER CELL-LINES

Hormone and radiation therapy have definite roles in the treatment of uterine cancers. There is a lack of literature reporting the potential use of progestational compounds in combination with radiotherapy. The effects of provera on radiation were studied in 5 uterine cancer cell lines: progesterone-receptor (PR) positive AE7 (501 fmol/mg) and ECC1 (194 fmol/mg), and PR-negative HEC1A, AN3, and SKUT1B ( 0.3). Thus, provera had the potential to modulate radiotoxicity in PR-positive cancer cell lines.
Comparative Advertising and In-Store Displays

Manufacturers often have a choice of whether to advertise something positive about their own products without mentioning their rivals' products (a noncomparative ad) or whether to portray their rivals negatively in addition to promoting their own products (a comparative ad). In this paper we ask: First, if a manufacturer in a distribution channel can choose between a comparative ad and a noncomparative ad, all else being equal, which should it choose? Second, under what conditions would a manufacturer want to reinforce its advertising message at the point of sale with in-store displays, and when should the retailer allow the displays? Third, how does the possibility of in-store displays influence the manufacturer's choice of ad content? We find that a manufacturer will prefer to run comparative ads over noncomparative ads for advertising that is untargeted or that appeals primarily to the manufacturer's core consumers, and run noncomparative ads over comparative ads for advertising that appeals primarily to the rival's core consumers. We also find that in-store displays will be optimal for the manufacturer and its retailers if and only if they increase the overall joint profit of the retailer, the manufacturer, and its rival. Finally, we find that the possibility of offering in-store displays increases a manufacturer's incentive to run noncomparative ads. However, some comparative ads may be so attractive to the manufacturer that it will run them with or without retailer help. Our paper is the first to introduce a channel-based explanation for why manufacturers may or may not want to engage in comparative advertising.
pH-triggered assembly of gold nanorods.

The self-assembly of surfactant-protected gold nanorods (aspect ratio 3.3 ± 0.3, 20.6 ± 5.5 nm width, and 67.5 ± 9.0 nm length) into ordered structures using adipic acid is presented. As made, the ...
An Analysis of Drill Geometry for Optimum Drill Design by Computer. Part II—Computer-Aided Design

In Part II, a computer program that aids in the design of a twist drill is described, based on the analysis presented in Part I. A true drill and a “computer-designed” drill having identical design and grinding parameters are compared in orthogonal cutting planes. The effects of the design parameters on drill geometry are investigated utilizing the computer program.
Linear elasticity of planar delaunay networks: Random field characterization of effective moduli

A study is conducted of the influence of microscale geometric and physical randomness on effective moduli of a continuum approximation of disordered microstructures. A particular class of microstructures investigated is that of planar Delaunay networks made up of linear elastic rods connected by joints. Three types of networks are considered: Delaunay networks with random geometry and random spring constants, modified Delaunay networks with random geometry and random spring constants, and regular triangular networks with random spring constants. Using a structural mechanics method, a numerical study is conducted of the first and second order characteristics of random fields of effective moduli. In view of duality of the Delaunay triangulations to the Voronoi tessellations, these results provide the basis for development of analytical models of various heterogeneous solids, e.g. granular, fibrous.
Evidence for coupled synthesis of mRNA for ribosomal proteins and rRNA.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed quantitative differences in the 35S-methionine labeled proteins synthesized in vitro in the wheat germ system containing poly A (+) mRNA of normal liver, regenerating liver or Novikoff hepatoma cells. A group of low molecular weight proteins which comigrated with proteins of 40S ribosomal subunits were synthesized in a much greater concentration with the poly A (+) mRNA from the latter two sources. This correlates with increased synthesis of ribosomal proteins in regenerating liver or tumors which is temporally coupled with the increased nucleolar synthesis of rRNA precursors.
Agricultural Biotechnology '96

It has been 13 years since during the 15th Miami Winter Symposium the successful transformation of tobacco was announced. This date serves as a convenient milestone for the beginning of the age of agricultural biotechnology. The date is comparable to 1903 when the Wright brothers flew an airplane on the beaches of North Carolina or 1879 when Edison created the first successful light bulb. By 2003, when this technology has its 20th birthday, most of the corn, soybeans, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes and canola in North America will be genetically engineered. The traits will range from herbicide tolerance, insect and disease resistance to improvements in quality, and the improvements will serve to decrease farmer inputs, increase yields and improve the quality of our food and fiber. The new products will shift pesticide use toward cheaper, safer, more efficacious compounds and will result in less fuel use and decreased chemical volumes. And it will not stop there.. . The impact of the technology is accelerating at an astonishing pace. While the first-generation impact will likely be in crops, biologicals and novel pesticides, the next wave of products will include genetically modified microbes, along with novel, mode-of-action plant chemicals co-developed through traditional and biotechnology-based technologies. Improved germplasm is being developed at a faster and more efficient pace through marker-assisted breeding. Finally, a third wave of products are beginning to emerge as the technology is applied to enhancing the genetic base of farm animals. These were the messages delivered by university professors and industrial scientists at the IBC World Summit on Agricultural Biotechnology ‘96 held on March 4-5 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Missouri Children's Picture Series: Correlates of the aggression scale in normal fourth-grade males

Abstract Missouri Children's Picture Series (MCPS) Aggression scale scores and four more traditional measures of aggression were intercorrelated for 40 normal fourthgrade boys. Results indicated that the MCPS Aggression scale must be viewed as a highly specific instrument which has little if any usefulness in a public school setting. In addition, the failure of the five aggression measures to be interrelated significantly suggests that aggression may be a highly situational response, with children varying in the modality through which they are able to express aggressive feelings and motives.
Distribution of sulphur in one-dimensional pulverized-coal flames

Abstract Results of experiments to determine the distribution of fuel sulphur in one-dimensional pulverized-coal flames are presented for two high volatile A bituminous coals, one pulverized into three size fractions, and one subbituminous A coal. A complete determination of the sulphur fed into the flame was obtained through measurement of SO 2 , H 2 S, COS, CS 2 , and solids sulphur. SO 2 is the predominant gas-phase species followed by H 2 S with COS and CS 2 being present in smaller amounts. Sulphur is released from smaller particles more rapidly than from larger ones. Sulphur release parallels, to some extent, nitrogen release except at the longer residence times for the subbituminous coal and one of the bituminous coals. A substantial fraction of the sulphur contained in these coals is inorganic. First-order rate constants for sulphur release from the solid are presented. The effects of internal mass transfer on the kinetics are presented for one of the bituminous coals by considering the sulphur release process to consist of a first-order devolatilization reaction occurring in parallel with diffusion of the sulphur to the particle surface and first-order deposition back to the solid matrix. Particle size effects are accounted for in the model, and the data on solids sulphur are used to obtain activation temperatures for the devolatilization reaction and the deposition reaction of 29 900 and 31 400 K, respectively.
A study of ULF wave foreshock morphology—II: spatial variation of ULF waves

Abstract Two case studies are used to show the evolution of upstream ULF waves in the Earth's foreshock region. During these two intervals the IMF cone angle was nearly constant over an extended time period and the ISEE spacecraft was in the foreshock region and traveled a large distance through it. Since the solar wind conditions were nearly constant, the change of wave properties in these cases is primarily related to the geometry in the foreshock, e.g. the different depth from the foreshock boundary and different distance from the bow shock. The observations from ISEE magnetic field data show that ULF waves become stronger, more compressional, and more linearly polarized as the spacecraft travels further downstream from the ULF foreshock boundary and closer to the bow shock. The peak of the ULF wave power spectrum becomes broader. Associated with the increasing intensity of the lower frequency waves, or shocklets, the discrete wave packets become more intense and develop more cycles as the spacecraft gets deeper into the foreshock and closer to the bow shock. We can also estimate the growth rate of discrete wave packets for one of the cases.
Dependence of the Transmission Impairment on the WSS Port Isolation Spectral Profile in 50GHz ROADM Networks with 43Gb/s NRZ-ADPSK Signals

We analyze how the 50GHz WSS port isolation spectral profile impairs the performance of 43Gb/s NRZ-ADPSK wavelengths and find that ≫10dB of isolation is needed at the center of the channel relative to the edges.
Flash on rails: consistent flash performance through redundancy

Modern applications and virtualization require fast and predictable storage. Hard-drives have low and unpredictable performance, while keeping everything in DRAM is still prohibitively expensive or unnecessary in many cases. Solid-state drives offer a balance between performance and cost and are becoming increasingly popular in storage systems, playing the role of large caches and permanent storage. Although their read performance is high and predictable, SSDs frequently block in the presence of writes, exceeding hard-drive latency and leading to unpredictable performance. Many systems with mixed workloads have low latency requirements or require predictable performance and guarantees. In such cases the performance variance of SSDs becomes a problem for both predictability and raw performance. In this paper, we propose Rails, a design based on redundancy, which provides predictable performance and low latency for reads under read/write workloads by physically separating reads from writes. More specifically, reads achieve read-only performance while writes perform at least as well as before. We evaluate our design using micro-benchmarks and real traces, illustrating the performance benefits of Rails and read/write separation in solid-state drives.
Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) and branching morphogenesis in the embryonic mouse lung

an increase in the rate of endodermal cell proliferation. The activity of FGF1, FGF7 and FGF10 was also tested directly on isolated endoderm in Matrigel culture. Under these conditions, FGF1 elicits immediate endodermal budding, while FGF7 and FGF10 initially induce expansion of the endoderm. However, within 24 hours, samples treated with FGF10 give rise to multiple buds, while FGF7-treated endoderm never progresses to bud formation, at all concentrations of factor tested. Although exogenous FGF1, FGF7 and FGF10 have overlapping activities in vitro, their in vivo expression patterns are quite distinct in relation to early branching events. We conclude that, during early lung development, localized sources of FGF10 in the mesoderm regulate endoderm proliferation and bud outgrowth. SUMMARY
On the {BRST} Quantization of Chiral Bosons

The Siegel action for two right-moving chiral bosons can be BRST quantized. In the case in which their kinetic terms have opposite signs the momenta in the left-moving sector must be constrained to be zero. In this case the two chiral bosons can be described also by a quadratic action. There is no analogous BRST quantization for a single chiral boson.
Integrated millimeter-wave polarimetric radar receivers

Integrated millimeter-wave polarimetric radar receivers are currently under development. The receivers are based on dual-polarized annular slot-ring antennas. These antennas are fed from two orthogonal ports using uniplanar CPW lines which are compatible with planar low-noise amplifiers and mixers. The measured isolation between the two ports of the slot-ring is better than 25 dB at the resonant frequency of the antenna. The antennas are placed on a silicon dielectric lens in order to achieve high-gain, high-efficiency patterns. Millimeter-wave (90-100 GHz) measurements of the dual-polarized slot-ring antenna on a silicon dielectric lens are presented and agree well with theoretical results. Polarization agility can be achieved with a simple IF processing network. A 94 GHz fully polarimetric receiver based on this technology is presented.
High Rape Chronicity and Low Rates of Help-Seeking Among Wife Rape Survivors in a Nonclinical Sample: Implications for Research and Practice

Research on sexual assault experiences and outcomes has not consistently reported analyses by victim/offender relationship and has not provided much detail on sexual assaults by husbands and ex-husbands. National Crime Victimization Survey data were analyzed to examine sexual assault chronicity and help-seeking behaviors among survivors of marital, acquaintance, and stranger sexual assault. Marital sexual assault survivors were significantly more likely than acquaintance and stranger survivors to experience multiple assaults, with many marital survivors experiencing more than 10 assaults in a 6-month period. The marital group was also less likely to seek medical, police, or agency help. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Theoretical considerations for understanding technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK)

The technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework is increasing in use by educational technology researchers around the world who are interested in issues related to technology integration. Much that is good can be found in the TPACK framework; however considerable theoretical work needs to be done if TPACK research is to cohere and constructively strengthen the field of educational technology. This paper uses Whetten's (1989) criteria for theory building as a lens for examining the TPACK framework. Specific weaknesses are identified, which in turn suggest areas needing theoretical development. This paper calls for researchers to increase emphasis on using research findings to constructively build common definitions and understandings of the TPACK constructs and the boundaries between them.
Moments, Mixed Methods, and Paradigm Dialogs

I reread the 50-year-old history of the qualitative inquiry that calls for triangulation and mixed methods. I briefly visit the disputes within the mixed methods community asking how did we get to ...
New mouse genetic model duplicates human 15q11-13 autistic phenotypes, or does it?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that manifest deficits in social interaction, and verbal and non-verbal communication, in addition to restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors. Recent reports indicate that ASDs may occur in as many as
The case for geographical push-caching

Most wide-area caching schemes are client initiated. Decisions on when and where to cache information are made without the benefit of the server's global knowledge of the situation. We believe that the server should play a role in making these caching decisions, and we propose geographical push-caching as a way of bringing the server back into the loop. The World Wide Web is an excellent example of a wide-area system that will benefit from geographical push-caching, and we present an architecture that allows a Web server to autonomously replicate HTML pages.
Testing for zero inflation in count models: Bias correction for the Vuong test

The proportion of zeros in event-count processes may be inflated by an additional mechanism by which zeros are created. This has given rise to statistical models that accommodate zero inflation; these are available in Stata through the zip and zinb commands. The Vuong (1989, Econometrica 57: 307�333) test is regularly used to determine whether estimating a zero-inflation component is appropriate or whether a single-equation count model should be used. The use of the Vuong test in this case is complicated by the fact that zero-inflated models involve the estimation of several more parameters than the single-equation models. Although Vuong (1989, Econometrica 57: 307�333) suggested corrections to the test statistic to address the comparison of models with different numbers of parameters, Stata does not implement any such correction. The result is that the Vuong test used by Stata is biased toward supporting the model with a zero-inflation component, even when no zero inflation exists in the generative process. We provide new Stata commands for computing the Vuong statistic with corrections based on the Akaike and Bayesian (Schwarz) information criteria. In an extensive Monte Carlo study, we illustrate the bias inherent in using the uncorrected Vuong test, and we examine the relative merits of the Akaike and Schwarz corrections. Then, in an empirical example from international relations research, we show that errors in selecting an event-count model can have clear implications for substantive conclusions
Contribution of aboveground litter, belowground litter, and rhizosphere respiration to total soil CO2 efflux in an old growth coniferous forest

In an old growth coniferous forest located in the central Cascade Mountains, Oregon, we added or removed aboveground litter and terminated live root activity by trenching to determine sources of soil respiration. Annual soil efflux from control plots ranged from 727 g C m−2 year−1 in 2002 to 841 g C m−2 year−1 in 2003. We used aboveground litter inputs (149.6 g C m−2 year−1) and differences in soil CO2 effluxes among treatment plots to calculate contributions to total soil efflux by roots and associated rhizosphere organisms and by heterotrophic decomposition of organic matter derived from aboveground and belowground litter. On average, root and rhizospheric respiration (Rr) contributed 23%, aboveground litter decomposition contributed 19%, and belowground litter decomposition contributed 58% to total soil CO2 efflux, respectively. These values fall within the range of values reported elsewhere, although our estimate of belowground litter contribution is higher than many published estimates, which we argue is a reflection of the high degree of mycorrhizal association and low nutrient status of this ecosystem. Additionally, we found that measured fluxes from plots with doubled needle litter led to an additional 186 g C m−2 year−1 beyond that expected based on the amount of additional carbon added; this represents a priming effect of 187%, or a 34% increase in the total carbon flux from the plots. This finding has strong implications for soil C storage, showing that it is inaccurate to assume that increases in net primary productivity will translate simply and directly into additional belowground storage.
Chloride Sensing by WNK1 Involves Inhibition of Autophosphorylation

WNK1 [with no lysine (K)] is a serine-threonine kinase associated with a form of familial hypertension. WNK1 is at the top of a kinase cascade, leading to phosphorylation of several cotransporters, in particular those transporting sodium, potassium, and chloride (NKCC), sodium and chloride (NCC), and potassium and chloride (KCC). The responsiveness of NKCC, NCC, and KCC to changes in extracellular chloride parallels their phosphorylation state, provoking the proposal that these transporters are controlled by a chloride-sensitive protein kinase. We found that chloride stabilizes the inactive conformation of WNK1, preventing kinase autophosphorylation and activation. Crystallographic studies of inactive WNK1 in the presence of chloride revealed that chloride binds directly to the catalytic site, providing a basis for the unique position of the catalytic lysine. Mutagenesis of the chloride-binding site rendered the kinase less sensitive to inhibition of autophosphorylation by chloride, validating the binding site. Thus, these data suggest that WNK1 functions as a chloride sensor through direct binding of a regulatory chloride ion to the active site, which inhibits autophosphorylation.