cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An empirical equation of state for gases

A simple pressure-explicit empirical equation of state for gases is presented which contains five constants in addition to the gas constant. It has been applied to carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nitrogen. The equation gives good accuracy (with maximum errors slightly higher than 1%) for densities up to critical and for temperatures from slightly above critical up to very high values. Below critical temperature it can still be applied with reasonable accuracy to the vapor. Thermodynamic functions (internal energy, enthalpy and entropy) derived from this equation show simple form and satisfactory accuracy over a wide range of temperature and density. On presente pour les gaz line equation d'etat empirique, simple et explicite de la pression; elle contient cinq coustantes a part de celle du gaz. On a applique la dite equation a l'anhydride carbonique, l'hydrogene et l'azote; elle fournit des donnees d'exactitnde satisfaisante (les erreurs maximales excedent legerement 1%) pour des densites allant jusqu'a la densite critique et pour des temperatures comprises entre un niveau excedant legerement la temperature critique et des valeurs tres elevees. Au-dessous de la temperature critique, on peut encore appliquer l'equation a la vapeur avec uue exactitude raisonnable. Les fonctions thermodynamiques (energie interne, enthalpie et entropie) qu'on obtient a partir de l'equation ont une forme simple et possedent une exactitude satisfaisante pour une grande echelle de temperatures et de densites.
Reliance on visual and verbal information across ontological kinds: What do children know about animals and machines?

Abstract In two experiments, we systematically examined the reliance on visual (external shape and features) and verbal (origins and internal structure) information in isolation, and together in the identification of animals and machines by 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, and adults. Experiment 1 examined the use of visual and verbal information independently in a visual classification task, a verbal classification task, and an induction task. Experiment 2 examined the relative weighting of visual and verbal information in an induction task and a categorization task. The three most important findings from Experiment 1 were that (a) children and adults can use either visual or verbal information to distinguish animals from machines; (b) all age groups classified items with mixed visual information as machines, a tendency that increased with age; and (c) with age, children became increasingly able to induce non-obvious properties, especially the non-obvious properties of machines. The findings from Experiment 2 indicate that the youngest and oldest participants relied on both visual and verbal information in the identification of animals and machines in categorization and induction tasks. Five-year-olds, however, relied only on visual information. As in Experiment 1, we observed a tendency to judge items with contrasting information as machines, suggesting that individuals utilize a more strict definition (both visually and verbally) for the category of animals. We discuss the implication of these results with respect to developmental differences in the use of perceptual and conceptual information across the ontological distinction between artifacts and natural kinds.
Variations in TcdB activity and the hypervirulence of emerging strains of Clostridium difficile.

Hypervirulent strains of Clostridium difficile have emerged over the past decade, increasing the morbidity and mortality of patients infected by this opportunistic pathogen. Recent work suggested the major C. difficile virulence factor, TcdB, from hypervirulent strains (TcdBHV) was more cytotoxic in vitro than TcdB from historical strains (TcdBHIST). The current study investigated the in vivo impact of altered TcdB tropism, and the underlying mechanism responsible for the differences in activity between the two forms of this toxin. A combination of protein sequence analyses, in vivo studies using a Danio rerio model system, and cell entry combined with fluorescence assays were used to define the critical differences between TcdBHV and TcdBHIST. Sequence analysis found that TcdB was the most variable protein expressed from the pathogenicity locus of C. difficile. In line with these sequence differences, the in vivo effects of TcdBHV were found to be substantially broader and more pronounced than those caused by TcdBHIST. The increased toxicity of TcdBHV was related to the toxin's ability to enter cells more rapidly and at an earlier stage in endocytosis than TcdBHIST. The underlying biochemical mechanism for more rapid cell entry was identified in experiments demonstrating that TcdBHV undergoes acid-induced conformational changes at a pH much higher than that of TcdBHIST. Such pH-related conformational changes are known to be the inciting step in membrane insertion and translocation for TcdB. These data provide insight into a critical change in TcdB activity that contributes to the emerging hypervirulence of C. difficile.
Eliminated sequences with different copy numbers clustered in the micronuclear genome of Tetrahymena thermophila.

As the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila develops a new macronucleus (MAC) from products of its micronucleus (MIC), several repetitive sequences are eliminated from the MAC genome. Four MIC DNA clones containing repetitive sequences that are eliminated from the MAC were obtained. One clone contains a representative from each of three families of eliminated sequences. One, present in 200–300 copies in the MIC, is almost completely eliminated from the MAC. A second, present in approximately 50 copies in the MIC, is scattered throughout the genome, although up to half of the family members examined could be localized to chromosome 2. Approximately one tenth of the members of this less repetitive family persist in the MAC while the rest are eliminated. The third type of eliminated sequence has three to four members, all of which are eliminated from the MAC. Three of the members are located on three of the five MIC chromosomes, and one could not be mapped. This sequence is clustered with the other two families of sequences in at least three of the four sites. All three types of eliminated sequences are found in similar arrangements in the MIC of several different inbred strains of T. thermophila.
Isotope Effect and Isotope Separation: A Chemist's View

What causes the isotope effects (IE)? This presentation will be centered around the equilibrium isotope effects due to the differences in the nuclear masses. The occurrence of the equilibrium constant, K, of isotope exchange reactions which differ from the values predicted by the classical theory of statistical mechanics, Kcl , is explored. The nonclassical K corresponds to the unit-stage separation factor, α, that is different from unity and forms a basis of an isotope separation process involving the chemical exchange reaction. Here, the word “chemical exchange” includes not only the isotope exchange chemical reactions between two or more chemical species but also the isotope exchanges involving the equilibria between liquid and vapor phases and liquid-gas, liquid solution-gas, liquid-liquid, and solid-liquid phases. In Section I, origins of the isotope effect phenomena will be explored and, in the process, various quantities used in discussions of isotope effect that have often caused confusions will b...
Suburban Racial Change and Suburban School Segregation, 1987-95.

The authors used panel data on enrollments in suburban public schools from 1987 to 1995 to explore the relationship between minority suburbanization and patterns of school segregation in suburban areas. Using fixed-effects regression models, they found that increases in suburban enrollment shares of black, Hispanic, and Asian students were strongly and positively related to increases in suburban segregation levels during the 1987-95 period. Moreover, changes in black segregation were predominantly related to changes in between-district (residential) suburban segregation, while changes in Hispanic and Asian segregation were related to a combination of between- and within-district segregation changes
The clay mineralogy of marine sediments in the North Atlantic at 20° N. latitude

Abstract The relative amounts of montmorillonite, chlorite, illite, and kaolinite in the less than 2 micron size fraction of several cores from a traverse across the Atlantic at 20°N. have been studied. Detailed sampling through two meters reveals no systematic changes for a time period that covers the sharp climatic and sea level fluctuations of the Pleistocene. Intermittent amorphous layers have been found in a core from the median valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Chemical analysis of these layers indicates that they may be the altered residue of basaltic glass. The occurrence of these layers in the sediment column is probably indicative of the intermittent volcanic activity in this region.
Structure of enzyme-bound substrates: resonance Raman and kinetic evidence for differential enzyme-substrate contacts in N-(Pentafluoro-benzoyl)glycine dithioacyl and thioacyl papain

Abstract Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy is used to probe the structure of the substrate in the substrate-enzyme complex N-pentafluorobenzoyl) glycine (dithioacyl) papain (C6F5C(=O) NHCH2C(=S)S-papain). This system was chosen since the high electron withdrawing capacity of the C6F5 group markedly affects electron density of the -NH- moiety which, in turn, is known to change catalytic activity. The RR spectrum of the enzyme-substrate complex is interpreted by reference to the model compound N-(pentafluorobenzoyl) glycine ethyl dithioester (C6F5(CO))NHCH2C(=S)SC2H5. The RR spectra of this compound in aqueous or organic solvents can be understood in terms of the known conformational states of N-acylglycine dithioesters. Comparison of model with enzyme-substrate RR spectra shows that the substrate is binding in the active site in a conformer known as conformer B characterized by a small-NHCH2CS(thiol) torsional angle and close N-to-S (thiol) contact. Kinetic rate-structure correlations are developed involving k3, the rate constant for deacylation, and the strength of the N-to-S (thiol) interaction. N-(Pentafluorobenzoyl) glycine dithioacyl papain fits the rate-structure correlation whereas the corresponding pentafluorobenzoyl glycine thiol intermediate does not. It is proposed that the difference in the size of the CS compared to the CO group brings about a small change in the dithioacyl papain compared to the thiolacyl papain conformation such that enzyme-substrate contacts involving ortho and meta F atoms in the thiol acyl enzyme case are weakened or removed in the case of the dithioacyl papain.
Effects of d-amphetamine on multiple schedule performance in the pigeon

This study provided a systematic replication of the finding that the effects of d-amphetamine upon the operant behavior of pigeons trained to respond on a multiple schedule of positive reinforcement are largely determined by the control rate of responding.
Power of the Mantel-Haenszel and other tests for discrete or grouped time-to-event data under a chained binomial model.

Power for time-to-event analyses is usually assessed under continuous time models. Often, however, times are discrete or grouped, as when the event is only observed when a procedure is performed. Wallenstein and Wittes (Biometrics, 1993) describe the power of the Mantel-Haenszel test for discrete life-tables under their chained binomial model for specified vectors of event probabilities over intervals of time. Herein the expressions for these probabilities are derived under a piecewise exponential model allowing for staggered entry and losses to follow-up. Radhakrishna (Biometrics, 1965) showed that the Mantel-Haenszel test is maximally efficient under the alternative of a constant odds ratio and derived the optimal weighted test under other alternatives. Lachin (Biostatistical Methods: The Assessment of Relative Risks, 2011) describes the power function of this family of weighted Mantel-Haenszel tests. Prentice and Gloeckler (Biometrics, 1978) describe a generalization of the proportional hazards model for grouped time data, and the corresponding maximally efficient score test. Their test is also shown to be a weighted Mantel-Haenszel test and its power function is likewise obtained. There is trivial loss in power under the discrete chained binomial model relative to the continuous-time case provided that there is a modest number of periodic evaluations. Relative to the case of homogeneity of odds ratios, there can be substantial loss in power when there is substantial heterogeneity of odds ratios, especially when heterogeneity occurs early in a study when most subjects are at risk, but little loss in power when there is heterogeneity late in a study.
Differential contribution of Neurog1 and Neurog2 on the formation of cranial ganglia along the anterior-posterior axis.

Background: The neural crest (NC) and placode are transient neurogenic cell populations that give rise to cranial ganglia of the vertebrate head. The formation of the anterior NC- and placode-derived ganglia has been shown to depend on the single activity of either Neurog1 or Neurog2. The requirement of the more posterior cranial ganglia on Neurog1 and Neurog2 is unknown. Results: Here we show that the formation of the NC-derived parasympathetic otic ganglia and placode-derived visceral sensory petrosal and nodose ganglia are dependent on the redundant activities of Neurog1 and Neurog2. Tamoxifen-inducible Cre lineage labeling of Neurog1 and Neurog2 show a dynamic spatiotemporal expression profile in both NC and epibranchial placode that correlates with the phenotypes of the Neurog-mutant embryos. Conclusion: Our data, together with previous studies, suggest that the formation of cranial ganglia along the anterior-posterior axis is dependent on the dynamic spatiotemporal activities of Neurog1 and/or Neurog2 in both NC and epibranchial placode. Developmental Dynamics 241:229–241, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Redescription of Schizosthetus lyriformis (McGraw and Farrier, 1969) (parasitiformes: parasitidae), with revision of the genus

Abstract Schizosthetus lyriformis (McGraw and Farrier, 1969) is redescribed for all instars, emphasizing ontogenetic changes in sensillar and gland patterns of all body parts. This approach allows recognition of some previously unreported patterns. Major positional shifts of lyrifissures over ontogeny appear correlated with the formation of the peritremes, and some setae of leg tarsi II-IV are unexpectedly variable in both shape and presence. In addition, the two remaining members of the genus are briefly redescribed, with a new diagnosis for the genus. Schizosthetus is strongly associated with bark beetles, with a geographic range matching that of their most common hosts
Bedtime flurazepam and the human circadian rhythm of spontaneous motility.

Sixteen male students received bedtime placebo and flurazepam 30 mg at home in a counter-balanced double-blind, crossover design. For 24 h after each treatment the subjects' spontaneous motor activity was recorded each 15 min with an unobtrusive actometer, worn as the subjects attended classes. The circadian activity curves were submitted to cosinor analyses. The 24 h post-flurazepam activity was a mean of 15.1% lower than post-placebo activity (P 0.01). The timing, or phase, of the rhythm was not shifted. Although the drug did not consistently modify reports of subjective feelings on the Profile of Mood States (POMS), 13 subjects correctly discriminated drug from placebo sessions (P<0.05). A bedtime dose of 30 mg of flurazepam appears to significantly reduce spontaneous human motility that night and during the next day. Activity recording revealed an important residual, behavioral effect of the drug which was not reflected in POMS reports of subjective feelings, suggesting that activity recording may provide a more sensitive measure for psychotropic drug effects.
Large Aperture Scintillometer Intercomparison Study

Two field studies with six large aperture scintillometers (LASs) were performed using horizontal and slant paths. The accuracy of this novel and increasingly popular technique for measuring sensible heat fluxes was quantified by comparing measurements from different instruments over nearly identical transects. Random errors in LAS measurements were small, since correlation coefficients between adjacent measurements were greater than 0.995. However, for an ideal set-up differences in linear regression slopes of up to 21% were observed with typical inter-instrument differences of 6%. Differences of 10% are typical in more realistic measurement scenarios over homogeneous natural vegetation and different transect heights and locations. Inaccuracies in the optics, which affect the effective aperture diameter, are the most likely explanation for the observed differences.
Evaluation of Polymeric Supports for Immobilizing Biomass to Prepare Sorbent Materials for Metals

Abstract Five polymeric materials, namely, styrene divinylbenzene, ethyl acrylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polysulfone, and silica gel, were evaluated as supports for immobilizing biomass of the common brown seaweed alga, Sargassum fluitans, for use as metal sorbents. Small ion exchange columns were prepared containing one gram of sorbent. Solutions of metal ions at pH of 5.5, with the exception of gold for which a pH of 2 was used, were passed through the columns to trap the metals. Bound metals were subsequently stripped from the columns with 1 M nitric acid. Styrene divinylbenzene, polysulfone, and silica gel were found to be the most ideal matrices for immobilizing biomass. Breakthrough curves for the polymeric sorbents were similar to an iminodiacetic acid chelating resin, but the total metal adsorbing capacity of each biosorbent was considerably less than chelating resin. However, the resin swelling commonly associated with ch...
Dentistry and Medicine: A United Front

T o d a y ’s concept of an adequate health service is one which includes the treat­ ment of disease as it affects any part of the body. It is quite obvious, there­ fore, that dentistry and medicine, the two great professions whose common problem is to serve the public in health matters, should be working in close har­ mony in all areas. Actually, however, they are a long way from this Utopian goal. There are constant reminders that these professions are not united—public relations, professional relations, govern­ mental services, professional society ac­ tivities and educational problems fur­ nish some outstanding examples where lack of cooperation and understanding are often obvious.
Stepanov-like pseudo-almost periodicity and its applications to some nonautonomous differential equations

Abstract The paper revisits the concept of S p -pseudo-almost periodicity recently introduced by the author. In particular, we study the existence of pseudo-almost periodic solutions to some nonautonomous differential equations in the case when the semilinear forcing term is both continuous and S p -pseudo-almost periodic for p > 1 . Applications include the existence of pseudo-almost periodic solutions to the heat equation with a forcing term, which is S p -pseudo-almost periodic and jointly continuous.
Increase in Pinus strobus needle transectional areas in response to acid misting

Eastern white pine (P. strobus) seedlings were subjected to controlled nightly mists acidified with nitric and sulfuric acids at pH levels of 5.6, 4.6, 3.6 and 2.6 in environmental chambers. After a 6-week exposure, needles which developed during that time were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for morphological aberrations, and for changes in total and partial transverse dimensions. Calculation and estimation of these transverse dimensions were accomplished through a point counting technique, and by simple linear measurement of abaxial needle widths, respectively. No gross surface or internal structural alterations were observed; however, subtle yet statistically significant increases in areas and abaxial widths were detected in needle transections with increased acidity of treatment. This trend was attributed to nutritional effects of the nitrogen and sulfur components of the HNO3 and H2SO4 in the acid mists.
Resurrection and appropriation : Reputational trajectories, memory work, and the political use of historical figures

The Zapatistas and Sandinistas both invoked historical figures in their rhetoric, but they did so in very different ways. This variation is explained by a model of path‐dependent memory work that is sensitive to how previous memory struggles enable and constrain subsequent uses of historical figures. Specifically, previous struggles produce distinct reputational trajectories that condition the potential utility of different modes of memory work. The cases illustrate two reputational trajectories, which are situated within a broader field of mnemonic possibilities. This article offers a provisional baseline for comparing contested memory projects and supplies a framework for analyzing the opportunities and constraints by which reputational trajectories condition memory work. It builds on a recent processual emphasis in the collective memory literature and suggests that the contentious politics literature needs to historicize its conception of culture and take seriously the operation of constraints on symbo...
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS OF SHADED-POLE MOTORS

ABSTRACT A general procedure for the analysis of shaded-pole motors, based upon rotating field theory, is presented. The analysis allows for as many as three shading coils per pole as well as an arbitrary reluctance-augmented airgap. The procedure is applied to a typical shaded-pole motor and results are compared with experimental values.
Photoemission Investigation of the Energy Level Alignment at the Rubrene/metal Interface

The electronic structure of the interfaces between rubrene and various metals, including Au, Ag, Al, and Ca, have been investigated with photoemission and inverse photoemission spectroscopy. The formation of the interface dipole is observed at all interfaces. The Fermi level shifts linearly within the band gap as a function of metal workfunction, until it is pinned at the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) by Ca. Strong interactions take place at the interface between rubrene and Ca, evidenced by the evolution of the valence features.
The distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the rat adrenal cortex and medulla

There is increasing evidence for the role of the autonomic nervous system in the control of adrenal cortical function although the nature of the innervation is as yet unknown. In view of our expanding knowledge of the roles which peptidergic putative transmitters play in the autonomic nervous system, the present study was adrenal gland. Using immunocytochemical methods, VIP was found distributed in fibers in the adrenal cortex and medulla. VIP fibers were found primarily in the capsule and zona glomerulosa of the cortex and in small bundles in the medulla and appeared to innervate the parenchymal cells in both cases. Both colchicine pretreatment and ligation of the splanchnic nerve resulted in an increase in staining of fibers of the cortex and the medulla. Demedullated adrenals (regenerated) exhibited a reduced number of VIP fibers in the zona glomerulosa. It appears that the medullary and at least part of the cortical VIP fibers originate in the medullary VIP cell bodies which are regulated by the splanchnic nerve. The distribution of VIP suggests an important role for this peptide in both adrenal cortical and medullary function and a possible medullary modulation of adrenal cortical function.
MeCP2+/− mouse model of RTT reproduces auditory phenotypes associated with Rett syndrome and replicate select EEG endophenotypes of autism spectrum disorder

Impairments in cortical sensory processing have been demonstrated in Rett syndrome (RTT) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and are thought to contribute to high-order phenotypic deficits. However, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms for these abnormalities are unknown. This study investigated auditory sensory processing in a mouse model of RTT with a heterozygous loss of MeCP2 function. Cortical abnormalities in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including ASD are reflected in auditory evoked potentials and fields measured by EEG and MEG. One of these abnormalities, increased latency of cortically sourced components, is associated with language and developmental delay in autism. Additionally, gamma-band abnormalities have recently been identified as an endophenotype of idiopathic autism. Both of these cortical abnormalities are potential clinical endpoints for assessing treatment. While ascribing similar mechanisms of idiopathic ASD to Rett syndrome (RTT) has been controversial, we sought to determine if mouse models of RTT replicate these intermediate phenotypes. Mice heterozygous for the null mutations of the gene MeCP2, were implanted for EEG. In response to auditory stimulation, these mice recapitulated specific latency differences as well as select gamma and beta band abnormalities associated with ASD. MeCP2 disruption is the predominant cause of RTT, and reductions in MeCP2 expression predominate in ASD. This work further suggests a common cortical pathophysiology for RTT and ASD, and indicates that the MeCP2+/- model may be useful for preclinical development targeting specific cortical processing abnormalities in RTT with potential relevance to ASD.
Model inference or model selection: Discussion of Klugkist, Laudy, and Hoijtink (2005).

I. Klugkist, O. Laudy, and H. Hoijtink (2005) presented a Bayesian approach to analysis of variance models with inequality constraints. Constraints may play 2 distinct roles in data analysis. They may represent prior information that allows more precise inferences regarding parameter values, or they may describe a theory to be judged against the data. In the latter case, the authors emphasized the use of Bayes factors and posterior model probabilities to select the best theory. One difficulty is that interpretation of the posterior model probabilities depends on which other theories are included in the comparison. The posterior distribution of the parameters under an unconstrained model allows one to quantify the support provided by the data for inequality constraints without requiring the model selection framework.
Finite-amplitude Kelvin-Helmholtz billows

Periodic solutions of the nonlinear Boussinesq equations are described. It is pointed out that under typical atmospheric conditions, the critical layer phase change of linearized theory is greatly modified by nonlinear effects. New eigensolutions are obtained as a result. In particular, a continuous spectrum of neutral waves is possible when the Richardson number is greater than 1/4; such waves are not possible in the linear theory. The solutions in the critical layer have a ‘cat's-eye’ structure that is locally unstable at the edges of the cat's-eyes. The resulting picture bears a close resemblance to radar observations of clear-air waves.
Potential clinical utility of dual time point FDG-PET for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions: implications for oncological imaging.

The utility of 18F-fl uorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is widely recognized for the management of patients with cancer encompassing several aspects including diagnosis, staging, and monitoring therapeutic intervention1. However, FDG not only accumulates within malignant tumor sites but also in the infl ammatory lesions. As a result, the clinical utility of FDG-PET is also being investigated for detection, characterization, and monitoring of patients with infectious and non-infectious infl ammatory processes in several centres across the world. Functional imaging, in certain settings, has superior diagnostic performance characteristics compared with those of structural imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For example, FDG-PET has been shown to be highly sensitive in the detection of chronic osteomyelitis, infection of implanted prostheses, the source of fever of unknown origin, vasculitis, infl ammatory bowel disease, and atherosclerosis2. However, non-specifi c accumulation of FDG in benign processes such as infl ammation and infection can make it diffi cult at times to distinguish malignant neoplastic lesions from the benign ones. Fortunately, dual time point and delayed FDG-PET imaging allows for distinction between these two distinct pathological categories, as the pattern and rate of FDG uptake over time vary considerably between malignant and benign processes. Hence, dual time point FDG-PET has gained considerable interest in the recent literature as an important diagnostic approach to improve the overall sensitivity, specifi city, and accuracy of FDG-PET3
Insights into how Spt5 functions in transcription elongation and repressing transcription coupled DNA repair

Spt5, a transcription elongation factor, and Rpb4, a subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) that forms a subcomplex with Rpb7, play important roles in transcription elongation and repression of transcription coupled DNA repair (TCR) in eukaryotic cells. How Spt5 physically interacts with RNAP II, and if and/or how Spt5 and Rpb4/7 coordinate to achieve the distinctive functions have been enigmatic. By site-specific incorporation of the unnatural amino acid p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine, a photoreactive cross-linker, we mapped interactions between Spt5 and RNAP II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Through its KOW4-5 domains, Spt5 extensively interacts with Rpb4/7. Spt5 also interacts with Rpb1 and Rpb2, two largest subunits of RNAP II, at the clamp, protrusion and wall domains. These interactions may lock the clamp to the closed conformation and enclose the DNA being transcribed in the central cleft of RNAP II. Deletion of Spt5 KOW4-5 domains decreases transcription elongation and derepresses TCR. Our findings suggest that Spt5 is a key coordinator for holding the RNAP II complex in a closed conformation that is highly competent for transcription elongation but repressive to TCR.
An E3-like Factor that Promotes SUMO Conjugation to the Yeast Septins

Covalent attachment of the ubiquitin-related protein SUMO to other proteins participates in many processes including signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, and growth control. We report the characterization of Siz1 as an E3-like factor in the SUMO pathway. Siz1 is required for SUMO attachment to the S. cerevisiae septins in vivo and strongly stimulates septin sumoylation in vitro. Siz1 and the related protein Siz2 promote SUMO conjugation to different substrates at different stages of the cell cycle and, together, are required for most SUMO conjugation in yeast. Siz1, Siz2, and the PIAS (protein inhibitor of activated STAT) proteins form a conserved family defined by an unusual RING-related motif. Our results suggest that this family functions by promoting SUMO conjugation to specific substrates.
The Energy Distribution of Electrons in the Photoelectric Effect

The character of the photoelectric emission from a metal depends on the distribution of electron levels, the transition probabilities from these levels and the extent to which the levels are populated by electrons. The last of these is given by the Fermi factor. Various expressions have been suggested for the first two. These are discussed, and equations for the energy distribution derived in each case. The results are compared with experimental data for molybdenum, published by Roehr. In all cases the proportion of low energy electrons predicted appears to be too high. The theory of Mitchell comes nearest to fitting the experimental data over the low energy range. The stopping potential currents for higher energy, when plotted on a logarithmic scale as done by Roehr, fall nicely on the curve calculated on the theory of Mitchell. It is pointed out that the agreement obtained with such logarithmic plots is essentially a check on the dominating Fermi factor, and that the region of low energies in the energy distribution, for which the Fermi factor is practically unity, is the important one for studies of the electronic structure of metals.
Total syntheses of N-methylprotoporphyrins-IX

Abstract Routes for the total syntheses of the N-methylprotoporphyrin-IX dimethyl esters ( 2 )–( 5 ) are described.
Modelling dislocation generation in high pressure Czochralski growth of InP single crystals: part II*

The visco-plastic model developed in part I of this work is used here to study the dislocation evolution in high pressure Czochralski growth of InP single crystals. Towards this an in-house computational fluid dynamics code MASTRAPP is linked to the ABAQUS software. MASTRAPP has the capability to predict the thermal field history in the Czochralski furnace throughout the growth period. The thermal loading history determined through MASTRAPP is fed to ABAQUS and the visco-plastic constitutive equations are integrated while maintaining force equilibrium in the growing crystal. The combined model predicts the final dislocation densities in the crystal at the end of the growth period. It is then used to study and predict the effect of various parameters and phenomena on the final dislocation densities?thermal shock, gas convection, height of boric oxide encapsulant layer, marginal roles of thermal radiation and melt convection, and the cool down period. Gas convection is found to have the most significant effect on the dislocation densities.
Effectiveness of DRB for inhibiting germinal vesicle breakdown in bovine oocytes

Abstract 5,6-Dichloro-1-β- d -ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), a reversible inhibitor of RNA polymerase II, prevents germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in bovine oocytes cultured in vitro. In order to maintain its biological activity DRB was replaced at frequent (3-h) intervals throughout culture. The objective of this study was to determine if the activity of DRB to prevent GVBD (Experiment I) and incorporation of 3 H-uridine into mRNA (Experiment II) could be maintained if DRB-supplemented medium was replaced at intervals up to 8 h throughout culture. For Experiment I, COCs (cumulus oocyte complexes) were distributed to 1 of 4 treatment groups: Treatment 1) DMSO (vehicle control; 1.44 μl/ml medium), medium replacement every 3 h; Treatment 2–4) DRB (90 μM), medium replacement every 3, 6 or 8 h, respectively. COCs were denuded, fixed and stained to determine stage of meiosis. The percentage of oocytes arrested at the GV stage with DRB replacement at 6-h (67%) and 8-h (61%) intervals was not statistically different from DRB replacement at 3-h (72%) intervals. In Experiment II, COCs were randomly distributed between DMSO (vehicle control; 1.44 μl/ml medium) and DRB (90 μM) treatment groups, with culture termination at either 3, 6 or 8 h. Incorporation of 3 H-uridine into mRNA was determined. Treatment with DRB for either 3, 6 or 8 h suppressed synthesis of mRNA by 89.5 ± 3.7% compared to DMSO controls. In conclusion, the ability of DRB to block GVBD and mRNA synthesis in bovine COCs was retained throughout at least 8 h of culture.
The dual nature of lateral eye movements.

This study investigated the validity of lateral eye movements (LEM) as a measure of the individual differences and task demands aspects of LEM by comparing eye movements to information questions that had no clear hemispheric locus with eye movements to rhyme questions that demanded specific left hemisphere involvement. Fifty subjects were asked to respond to the two types of questions and the initial direction of their eye movement was recorded. The results indicated that LEM are a reliable measure of individual differences because both test-retest and split half reliabilities were high (.78 to .85). LEM were also shown to be responsive to task demands. The number of leftward LEM did not differ from rhyme and information questions, but there were more rightward LEM and fewer stares to the rhyme question. These results suggest that LEM are a reliable individual difference measure and are sensitive to task differences. There is clear evidence that LEM have neuropsychological implications, but every task demands the integrated functioning of the whole brain and these implications should not be overgeneralized.
Melting and resolidification of a subcooled metal powder particle subjected to nanosecond laser heating

Abstract Melting and resolidification of a subcooled spherical metal powder particle subjected to nanosecond laser heating are investigated analytically. The problem is divided into three stages: preheating, melting and resolidification, and thermalization. The temperature distributions in the liquid and solid regions and the location of the solid–liquid interface are obtained using an integral approximate method. The effects of the laser intensity and pulse width, initial subcooling, and particle radius on the melting and resolidification of powder particles were investigated. The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process for a pulsed laser can be simulated by repeating the three stages but varying the initial conditions.
Multipath resolution with PN chip interval

If the delay between two multipaths is about a chip interval and the path strength is almost equal, then the envelope tracking (ENV) scheme of A. Baier et al. (see IEEE JSAC, vol.12, no.4, p.733-43, 1994) performs poorly. This is because only a single peak is observed in the envelope of the correlation function (or multipath power delay profile) and the peak position is about half a chip interval away from the two true multipath delays. Also, the envelope tracking with subtraction (ENV-SUB) scheme of E. Sourour et al. (see Proc. IEEE 49th VTC, p.422-6, 1999) regards the channel in this situation as a three-path channel and generates incorrect delay estimates. K. Han et al. (see ICC, 2001) proposed a heuristic multipath searcher for this situation. We propose a multipath searcher with a chip time resolution for such a two-path channel with near-equal strength, based on the maximum likelihood (ML) principle. In addition, the paper presents the detection probability that a two-path channel decision is made when the channel has two paths truly, given that the multipath delay power profile shows a single peak. The analytical results are compared with those of Han et al.
The design and fabrication of a myoelectric prosthetic hand

The purpose of this project is to design a prosthetic hand that utilizes myoelectric control, for more intuitive actuation. The electronic design will address noise control and a feedback mechanism. The mechanical design will consist of two degrees of freedom (separate finger and thumb controls) with increased resolution and finger curl. Eventually the hand will be able to help improve the quality of life of upper limb amputees at an affordable cost.
Femtosecond carrier dynamics in Ge/SiGe quantum wells

We resolve photoinduced changes in carrier populations of Ge SiGe quantum wells using femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Absorption transients 400 fs indicate rapid GammararrL intervalley scattering that may explain exciton linewidth and suggest saturable absorber applications.
Efficient delivery of RNA interference oligonucleotides to polarized airway epithelia in vitro.

Polarized and pseudostratified primary airway epithelia present barriers that significantly reduce their transfection efficiency and the efficacy of RNA interference oligonucleotides. This creates an impediment in studies of the airway epithelium, diminishing the utility of loss-of-function as a research tool. Here we outline methods to introduce RNAi oligonucleotides into primary human and porcine airway epithelia grown at an air-liquid interface and difficult-to-transfect transformed epithelial cell lines grown on plastic. At the time of plating, we reverse transfect small-interfering RNA (siRNA), Dicer-substrate siRNA, or microRNA oligonucleotides into cells by use of lipid or peptide transfection reagents. Using this approach we achieve significant knockdown in vitro of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, IL-8, and CFTR expression at the mRNA and protein levels in 1–3 days. We also attain significant reduction of secreted IL-8 in polarized primary pig airway epithelia 3 days posttransfection and inhibition of CFTR-mediated Cl− conductance in polarized air-liquid interface cultures of human airway epithelia 2 wk posttransfection. These results highlight an efficient means to deliver RNA interference reagents to airway epithelial cells and achieve significant knockdown of target gene expression and function. The ability to reliably conduct loss-of-function assays in polarized primary airway epithelia offers benefits to research in studies of epithelial cell homeostasis, candidate gene function, gene-based therapeutics, microRNA biology, and targeting the replication of respiratory viruses.
New echocardiographic techniques for evaluating left ventricular myocardial function

Ultrasound imaging of the heart continues to play an important role in diagnosis and management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Recent advances in ultrasound technology and introduction of newer imaging modalities have enabled improved assessment of left ventricular myocardial function. Tissue Doppler imaging and 2-dimensional speckle tracking allow more objective quantification of myocardial function in the form of tissue velocities, displacement, strain, and strain rate. Similarly, contrast-enhanced echocardiography and 3-dimensional echocardiography have provided a unique insight into left ventricular form and function that was not possible by unenhanced 2-dimensional echocardiography. In this review, the authors discuss the clinical application of these new imaging techniques in the assessment of left ventricular myocardial function.
Understanding the perceptions and experiences of Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists regarding handovers: a focus group study

Aim The aim of this exploratory study was to gain further insight into the perceptions and experiences of Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists regarding intraoperative handovers of care. Background Handovers of care often result in adverse events in hospitalized patients and this risk is increased in the operating room setting where handovers occur frequently. Handovers between nurse anaesthetists, who provide the majority of anaesthesia in the United States today, is under-researched. Design Focus groups with Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists. Methods Two groups of nurse anaesthetists were recruited to participate in focus groups exploring their perception and experiences with intraoperative handovers of care. Content analysis was used to construe meaning from the context of the interviews. The findings were interpreted and discussed in a framework of Relationship-Based Care. Findings There were four main themes that emerged from the data: (1) characteristics of the setting are a threat to handover quality; (2) individual provider characteristics have an impact on handover quality; (3) The timing of the handover represents a threat to handover quality and (4) individual patient characteristics have an impact on handover quality. Conclusion The specific threats to safe handover of care between nurse anaesthetists were perceived to fall into four major themes; this provides information needed to strengthen the environment of care and to improve safety in handover of care in the operating suite.
Two New Species of Neotropical Enoclerus Gahan (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae)

Abstract Two new species of checkered beetle (Coleoptera: Cleridae: Clerinae) are described: Enoclerus franki Barr and Rifkind from French Guiana and E. hovorei Rifkind and Barr from Costa Rica. Both are named in honor of coleopterist Frank T. Hovore.
Determining ‘People of German Blood’, ‘Jews’ and ‘ Mischlinge ’: The Reich Kinship Office and the Competing Discourses and Powers of Nazism, 1941–1943

This article conceptualises the dissemination by Nazi party and state institutions of racial categories of Germanness and Jewishness and the imposition of these categories on segments of the population as a form of linguistic violence. Centring on the Reich Kinship Office during the Second World War, the article argues that racial discourses were not static, but were constantly remade in the practices of the office's employees and their interaction with petitioners desperately seeking to escape persecution. The office's practices exemplify the competing discourses of Nazism, as employees saw the Kinship Office's discourses increasingly undermined by SS and police agencies and their growing power and more radical languages.
Visual-inertial simultaneous localization, mapping and sensor-to-sensor self-calibration

Visual and inertial sensors, in combination, are well-suited for many robot navigation and mapping tasks. However, correct data fusion, and hence overall system performance, depends on accurate calibration of the 6-DOF transform between the sensors (one or more camera(s) and an inertial measurement unit). Obtaining this calibration information is typically difficult and time-consuming. In this paper, we describe an algorithm, based on the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), for camera-IMU simultaneous localization, mapping and sensor relative pose self-calibration. We show that the sensor-to-sensor transform, the IMU gyroscope and accelerometer biases, the local gravity vector, and the metric scene structure can all be recovered from camera and IMU measurements alone. This is possible without any prior knowledge about the environment in which the robot is operating. We present results from experiments with a monocular camera and a low-cost solid-state IMU, which demonstrate accurate estimation of the calibration parameters and the local scene structure.
Attack of radicals and protons on ladderane lipids: quantum chemical calculations and biological implications

Quantum chemical calculations on possible decomposition processes for ladderane lipids are described. Based on the results of these calculations, it is proposed that hydrogen atom abstraction next to the ladderane core can lead to opening of the cyclobutane rings comprising the ladderane substructure, and protonation leads directly to fragmentation. Potential biological implications of these processes are discussed.
Visibility-driven transfer functions

Direct volume rendering is an important tool for visualizing complex data sets. However, in the process of generating 2D images from 3D data, information is lost in the form of attenuation and occlusion. The lack of a feedback mechanism to quantify the loss of information in the rendering process makes the design of good transfer functions a difficult and time consuming task. In this paper, we present the notion of visibility-driven transfer functions, which are transfer functions that provide a good visibility of features of interest from a given viewpoint. To achieve this, we introduce visibility histograms. These histograms provide graphical cues that intuitively inform the user about the contribution of particular scalar values to the final image. By carefully manipulating the parameters of the opacity transfer function, users can now maximize the visibility of the intervals of interest in a volume data set. Based on this observation, we also propose a semi-automated method for generating transfer functions, which progressively improves a transfer function defined by the user, according to a certain importance metric. Now the user does not have to deal with the tedious task of making small changes to the transfer function parameters, but now he/she can rely on the system to perform these searches automatically. Our methodology can be easily deployed in most visualization systems and can be used together with traditional 1D opacity transfer functions based on scalar values, as well as with multidimensional transfer functions and other more sophisticated rendering algorithms.