cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary nitrite and nitrate: a review of potential mechanisms of cardiovascular benefits.

Purpose In the last decade, a growing scientific and medical interest has emerged toward cardiovascular effects of dietary nitrite and nitrate; however, many questions concerning their mode of action(s) remain unanswered. In this review, we focus on multiple mechanisms that might account for potential cardiovascular beneficial effects of dietary nitrite and nitrate.
Melon crops (Cucumis melo L., cv. Tendral) grown in a mediterranean environment under saline-sodic conditions: Part I. Yield and quality

Abstract Melon plants (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Tendral were grown in an open field trial in 2004 to investigate the effect of increased saline sodic water concentration on yield, crop tolerance, fruit quality and ion content. Three saline water concentrations were created by adding 5, 10 and 20 g l−1 of commercial sea salt (NaCl) to well water. These treatments were compared against well water (C) with an electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0.9 dS m−1. The ECw of the saline water was 8.7, 15.3, and 28.2 dS m−1 for treatments T0.5, T1 and T2, respectively. The experimental field was used between 1995 and 2001 for trials that studied the effects of saline irrigation on crop yield responses. Later, between 2002 and 2003, the same field was irrigated by well water. Increased salinity significantly reduced the leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) for both vegetative growth and fructification, whereas the net assimilation rate (NAR) was reduced only during vegetative growth. Yield reduction resulted from the number and average weight of the marketable fruit. The maximum mean seasonal electrical conductivity of a saturated soil paste E C e d ¯ without yield reduction (i.e., the salt tolerance threshold) was 1.73 and 1.54 dS m−1 for the total yield and the marketable yield, respectively. Above the salt tolerance threshold, the total yield was reduced, per unit increase of soil salinity, by 14%, and the marketable yield by 15%. The salinity positively affected the refractometric degree. Preservability was moderate in treatments C, T0.5 and T1, whereas it was good for treatment T2. There were significantly fewer rotten fruit in T2 than in treatments C, T0.5 and T1. The salinity treatments increased the Na concentration in the leaves and stems; Na concentration decreased from the basal to apical part of the plant (for both leaves and stems). In addition, the maintenance of K selectivity in both plant parts could be a strategy used by the plants for increasing their salt tolerance and enhancing fruit quality (TSS).
Augmentation of Wound Healing with Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E mRNA

Abstract Background. Initiation of translation is the rate-limiting step in protein synthesis; eIF4E increases translational efficiency by facilitating ribosome scanning. eIF4E is present in cells in rate-limiting amounts; chronic overexpression of eIF4E causes cell transformation by upregulating growth-related proteins. Biolistic delivery of epidermal growth factor (EGF) increases wound healing; transiently increasing wound eIF4E levels with biolistic mRNA transmission may further augment wound healing without oncogenesis. Patients and methods. Midline fascial wounds were created in rats and biolistically treated with gold particles carrying mRNA encoding for hEGF with or without eIF4E prior to suture closure; control animals received blank bullets. The animals were sacrificed at 7 or 14 days for determination of peak wound bursting strength on a tensiometer. Results are expressed as means ± standard deviation; statistics were via analysis of variance. Results. Conclusions. Simultaneous biolistic delivery of EGF mRNA with eIF4E mRNA significantly increases wound breaking strength compared to that in control animals or treatment with EGF mRNA alone without risk of cellular transformation. Further studies of translational activation to augment wound healing are warranted.
“It’s Not the Beat, but It’s the Word that Sets the People Free”: Race, Technology, and Theology in the Emergence of Christian Rap Music

In an effort to address lacunae in the literature on hip hop, as well as to explore the role of new music and media in Pentecostal traditions, this essay examines rap music within the narratives of American religious history. Specifically, through an engagement with the life, ministry, and music of Stephen Wiley — who recorded the first commercially-released Christian rap song in 1985 — this essay offers an account of hip hop as a window into the intersections of religion, race, and media near the end of the twentieth century. It shows that the cultural and theological traditions of Pentecostalism were central to Wiley’s understanding of the significance of racial ideology and technology in his rap ministry. Additionally, Wiley’s story helps to identify a theological, cultural, and technological terrain that is shared, if contested, by mainline Protestant, neo-Pentecostal, and Word of Faith Christians during a historical moment that has been described as post-denominational.
Malignant Granular Cell Tumor of the Thigh

Malignant granular cell tumor is a rare neural tumor characterized by abundant granular-appearing tumor cells. These tumors account for <2% of all granular cell tumors. Unlike its benign counterpart, a malignant granular cell tumor presents primarily in the lower limb and is notably larger. Both the uncommon occurrence of malignant granular cell tumors and its similarities in feature with their benign counterparts make diagnosis of this particular malignancy difficult. By 1998, Fanburg-Smith et al developed a diagnostic criteria in which granular cell tumors were divided into 3 categories-benign, atypical, and malignant-based on 6 histological characteristics of the tumor: necrosis, spindling, vesicular nuclei with large nucleoli, increased mitotic activity, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, and pleomorphism. This article presents a case of a large malignant granular cell tumor in the right thigh of a 69-year-old woman. Gross examination of the mass showed the well-demarcated, tan, white tumor measuring 18.2 cm long and 7.6 cm wide at its largest width. Histological examination of the mass, performed by an oncological pathologist, demonstrated foci of tumor necrosis, scattered apoptotic cells, prominent nucleoli, increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, increased mitotic activity, and areas of spindling with significant atypia. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported case of malignant granular cell tumor in the lower limb diagnosed using the histological criteria established by Fanburg-Smith et al. This case stresses the importance of thorough evaluation in instances of atypical granular cell tumor presentations.
A device for grinding cereal crowns

A device made from stainless steel and mounted in a commercial hand drill is described. This device will rapidly grind fresh crown tissue and is easily cleaned between samples
Subsequent infection among adolescent African-American males attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Abstract Purpose: To identify predictors of subsequent infection among a sample of 15- to 19-year-old African-American males attending an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in the Midwest. Methods: During a 14-month period, 562 youth participated in a brief STD prevention intervention designed to promote condom use. They completed self-administered questionnaires (baseline, posttest, 30-day and 6-month) on their sexual and condom use behavior in the past month. Infection data (baseline, 5 years before, and 12 months after baseline) were obtained from clinic and state surveillance records. Logistic regression was used to predict infection within 6 and 12 months of the baseline visit. Results: Within 12 months of the baseline, 31.3% were treated for an infection, of whom 1.4% returned within 30 days, an additional 17.1% within 6 months, and the remaining 12.8% within the last 6 months. The 12-month rate was 1.6–1.7 times higher than the rates reported for older STD clinic attendees. Subsequent infection was positively associated with age at first intercourse, number of children fathered, infection prior to and at the index visit, exchange of sex for drugs in the past year, and perceived risk of infection within the year; it was negatively associated with frequency of condom use with one's steady partner. Conclusions: Sexually transmitted disease clinic staff routinely obtain information from young African-American males that can be used to identify individuals who are most likely to become reinfected. Because repeaters account for a disproportionate number of infections, prevention efforts tailored to their needs would have a corresponding impact on STD rates.
Ion exchange reactions of potassium brannerite, K0.8(V0.8Mo1.2)O6

Abstract The reactions of the layered brannerite systems in acidic media are highly dependent upon the chemistry of the alkali ion that occupies the inter-layer sites. The sodium and lithium isomorphs, (Na, Li) [VMo]O 6 , participate in an unusual leaching reation and form Mo-rich phases with the hexagonal MoO 3 structure; potassium brannerite, K 0.8 [V 0.8 M 1.2 ]O 6 , undergoes a partial ion-exchange reaction. In weak acids half the inter-layer potassium ions are readily exchanged by protons and form K 0.4 H 0.4 (·2H 2 O)[V 0.8 Mo 1.2 ]O 6 . During the subsequent thermolysis, the elimination of oxygen from the structure is accommodated by a reduction in the coordination of the (Mo,V) cations within the brannerite layers. After complete dehydration, a reduction stabilizes a new reduced brannerite phase with a composition close to K 0.5 [VMo]O 5.5 . The remaining potassium ions can be replaced by ion exchanging in NH 4 Cl/HCl solutions. During heating, the product of the ammonium exchanges, {;NH 4 ) 0.4 H 0.4 (·2H 2 O)}[V 0.8 Mo 1.2 ]O 6 ·0.4H 2 O, undergoes a series of dehydration, deammoniation and reduction reactions. The final product of the thermolysis, V 0.8 Mo 1.2 O 5.2 , has a structure closely related to the β -( V 1− x Mo x ) 3 O 8 phases.
A Simplified Approach for Interlaminar Stresses in Orthotropic Laminated Strips

Interlaminar stresses play an important role for strength estimation of anisotropic laminates. In this paper the authors extend the results of anisotropic, generalized plane stress theory and assume certain power functions for the interlaminar stresses which must satisfy the equilibrium equation in the free edge area and the corresponding boundary conditions. The two parameters n and k are set equal to 4 and 0.5 respec tively. The calculated results are in good agreement with other analytical and numerical results. Using the formulas given here, the computing procedure will be greatly simplified and the effect of certain important parameters, such as the orientation angle, the ratio of thickness of different ply groups, and the stacking sequence, can be investigated systematically.
Understanding User Behavior at Social Networking Sites: A Relational Capital Perspective

AbstractSocial networking sites have successfully grown to be an international cyber phenomenon. In this study, the authors examine member engagements on social networking sites. Engagements such as site use and self-disclosure lead to the growth of social relationships, increased site traffic, customized services, and an accumulation of user generated contents; hence they are imperative to the long-term success of networking sites. Drawing upon Social Capital Theory (SCT), we developed a succinct research model that examines the role of relational capitals in predicting member behavior. This model also investigates the relationship between site use and self-disclosure behavior. The research model was validated through survey data collected from 222 social networking site users in the U.S. and the analysis results provided mixed support to the hypothesized relationships. The current study generates new knowledge on the literature of social networking sites and SCT; it also sheds light on site management f...
Trisomy 21 as the only recurrent chromosomal anomaly in a clinically aggressive ovarian carcinoma.

A case of a highly aggressive grade III poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary was determined to exhibit trisomy 21 as the sole chromosomal abnormality. To eliminate the possibility that this trisomy was constitutional, the patient's blood cells were subjected to locus specific 21q22.13∼q22.2 chromosome probe using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Concurrently, using FISH and the same probe the tumor tissue was also tested. We discovered that 48% of the cells of the tumor tissue either had trisomy or tetrasomy of chromosome 21. Two normal signal patterns for chromosome 21 in blood and absence of Down morphology in the patient confirmed the presence of trisomy to be limited to the tumor tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case where trisomy 21 was shown to be the sole chromosomal anomaly in a serous carcinoma of the ovary. Tumorigenesis in gynecologic malignancies is discussed in the light of oncogenes present on chromosome 21.
A study of the fibrinolytic response in healthy men and women following a brief exposure to venous occlusion.

Abstract In this study, 176 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 yrs were tested for fibrinolytic activity before and after a 5 min period of venous occlusion (VO) at 100 mm Hg. Using this protocol, 140 demonstrated an increase in fibrin plate lysis following this brief period of venous occlusion and were classified as “Responders.” There were 36 individuals in the study who showed either a decrease or no change in fibrin plate lysis after 5 min of venous occlusion and they were classified as “Non-Responders.” Responders showed a decrease in PAI-1 following VO. However, neither Responders nor Non-Responders demonstrated any significant differences in the levels of plasminogen, antiplasmin, protein C, free t-PA, or total t-PA following this brief exposure to venous occlusion. When comparing women and men in this study, women had significantly greater fibrin plate lysis both before and after 5 min of VO. They also demonstrated higher pre- and post-VO levels of circulating plasminogen. Also, women had less PAI-1 pre- and post-VO than men. When examining Responders and Non-Responders according to gender, women who were Responders had significantly greater fibrin plate lysis before and after VO than male Responders. Also, women Responders demonstrated a significant decrease in PAI-1 following 5 min of VO when compared to men who were Responders in this study.
Fiber Optic Communication System For Medical Images

This paper discusses a fiber optic communication system linking ultrasound devices, Computerized tomography scanners, Nuclear Medicine computer system, and a digital fluoro-graphic system to a central radiology research computer. These centrally archived images are available for near instantaneous recall at various display consoles. When a suitable laser optical disk is available for mass storage, more extensive image archiving will be added to the network including digitized images of standard radiographs for comparison purposes and for remote display in such areas as the intensive care units, the operating room, and selected outpatient departments. This fiber optic system allows for a transfer of high resolution images in less than a second over distances exceeding 2,000 feet. The advantages of using fiber optic cables instead of typical parallel or serial communication techniques will be described. The switching methodology and communication protocols will also be discussed.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Program-centric cost models for locality

In this position paper, we argue that cost models for locality in parallel machines should be program-centric, not machine-centric.
Transferrin acquisition of catabolized erythrocyte iron in the rat.

Abstract Rat plasma contains two isotransferrins rather than the single iron-binding protein found in plasma of other species, and it was recently proposd that differences between the biological behavior of each isotransferrin accounted for observations previously attributed to behavioral differences between each of the two transferrin iron-binding sites. The two isotransferrins were isolated from rat plasma by DEAE-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing. The pH-dependent iron-dissociating and reticulocyte iron-donating properties of each isotransferrin were investigated and found to be indistinguishable. Like human transferrin, one iron-binding site retains its affinity for iron below pH 6 and this property was used to investigate the in vivo acquisition of catabolic iron in order to determine whether the process occurs at one specific or both binding sites. Plasma radioactive iron, derived from injected 59Fe-labelled heat denatured erythrocytes was bound with high specificity to the transferrin iron-binding site that was most resistant to acidic dissociation. This finding supports Fletcher and Huehns' hypothesis that each of the two rat transferrin iron-binding sites is endowed with a separate functional role.
Quaternary aragonite cycles and oxygen-isotope record in Bahamian carbonate ooze

Carbonate ooze in Bahamian troughs displays cyclic variation in the content of aragonite. A 10 m core devoid of turbidites shows 3.5 cycles, each defined by a sharp increase, followed by a gradual decrease of aragonite. The aragonite curve matches closely the oxygen-isotope curve of planktic foraminifera from the same core. Aragonite highs correspond to light oxygen-isotope values and thus to interglacial stages. Content of terrigenous material is low during interglacials and higher during glacial periods. Intermittent flooding and exposure of the Bahama Banks is most probably not the cause of the cycles, because the latest increase in aragonite precedes bank flooding by 8,000 yr and because the cycles are distinctly asymmetric, with rapid increase and gradual decrease of aragonitic content. Carbonate dissolution cycles tied to the glacial rhythm of Earth9s climate are a more likely explanation of the variations in aragonite content.
Piscataqua Bridge: Longest-Span Bridge in the United States, 1794–1812

Timothy Palmer (1751–1821)was born inRowley,Massachusetts, on August 22, 1751, the first of eight children of John and Mary (Cressey) Palmer. His family moved to nearby Boxford in 1767 when Timothy was 16 years old. He married AnnaWyatt on December 16, 1776 and moved to Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he lived and worked for most of his life. What is known about Palmer’s early ventures into the millwright trade comes from an 1869 genealogy of the Spofford family by Dr. Jeremiah Spofford (1869). Palmer (Fig. 1) was probably involved as a boy with shipwrights in the area whose wooden ships were built and based in Newburyport. Palmer was an apprentice to Daniel Spofford and perhaps his son, Moody Spofford, both leading local architects and millwrights. Palmer’s first bridge was the Essex-Merrimack Bridge west of Newburyport, which opened in 1792. Its spans, piers, and abutment lengths working from the northerly shore (the Salisbury shore) were 124, 50, 45, 60, and 50 ft, a 40-ft draw structure, his arch of 113 ft, and 60 ft to the northerly shore of the island (Fig. 2). The bridge then ran from Deer Island 93 ft, his arch of 160 ft, and 185 ft to the Newburyport shore. Palmer’s next bridge was at Andover (now Lawrence), Massachusetts, across the Merrimack River. The bridge (Fig. 3) was built within 8 months and opened on November 19, 1793, amid a large celebration by the community. The bridge collapsed on August 28, 1801, “while a drove of cattle was passing over it. Of the herd, 59 sheep, 6 cows, and a horse, saddled and bridled, perished in the waters below” (Wadsworth 1878, p. 57). Palmer’s next bridge (Fig. 4) was at Haverhill, Massachusetts, over the Merrimack River. His plan showed trussed struts similar to the Newburyport Bridge. There would be three 180-ft spans and a 40-ft lift structure. His piers were 40 ft square “with defensive piers or starlings extending above” for ice protection (Tyrell 1911, p. 128). Palmer completed construction in just over 5 months, and the bridge opened on November 18, 1795.
4-(3-Methoxy-phen-yl)-2,6-dimethyl-cyclo-hex-3-enecarboxylic acid.

The racemic title compound, C{sub 16}H{sub 20}O{sub 3}, was synthesized to study the hydrogen-bonding interaction of the two enantiomers in the solid state. In the crystal structure, R and S pairs of the racemate are linked by pairs of intermolecular O-H...O hydrogen bonds, producing centrosymmetric R{sub 2}{sup 2}(8) rings.
A geospatial dataset for U.S. hurricane storm surge and sea-level rise vulnerability: Development and case study applications

Abstract The consequences of future sea-level rise for coastal communities are a priority concern arising from anthropogenic climate change. Here, previously published methods are scaled up in order to undertake a first pass assessment of exposure to hurricane storm surge and sea-level rise for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts. Sea-level rise scenarios ranging from +0.50 to +0.82 m by 2100 increased estimates of the area exposed to inundation by 4–13% and 7–20%, respectively, among different Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity categories. Potential applications of these hazard layers for vulnerability assessment are demonstrated with two contrasting case studies: potential exposure of current energy infrastructure in the U.S. Southeast and exposure of current and future housing along both the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. Estimates of the number of Southeast electricity generation facilities potentially exposed to hurricane storm surge ranged from 69 to 291 for category 1 and category 5 storms, respectively. Sea-level rise increased the number of exposed facilities by 6–60%, depending on the sea-level rise scenario and the intensity of the hurricane under consideration. Meanwhile, estimates of the number of housing units currently exposed to hurricane storm surge ranged from 4.1 to 9.4 million for category 1 and category 4 storms, respectively, while exposure for category 5 storms was estimated at 7.1 million due to the absence of landfalling category 5 hurricanes in the New England region. Housing exposure was projected to increase 83–230% by 2100 among different sea-level rise and housing scenarios, with the majority of this increase attributed to future housing development. These case studies highlight the utility of geospatial hazard information for national-scale coastal exposure or vulnerability assessment as well as the importance of future socioeconomic development in the assessment of coastal vulnerability.
Six-Minute Walk Test in Persons With Transtibial Amputation

Abstract Lin S-J, Bose NH. Six-minute walk test in persons with transtibial amputation. Objective This study was to report the within-day test-retest reliability and the measurement properties of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in persons with lower-limb (transtibial) amputation. Design Test-retest study design. Setting University research laboratory. Participants Subjects (N=13) with transtibial amputation (9 men and 4 women; mean age, 46y). Interventions Three trials of the 6MWT were conducted within 1 day with 20 to 30 minutes of rest between consecutive trials. Timed Up & Go (TUG) test and timed one-leg balance tests were conducted on another day. Main Outcome Measures (1) Distance, heart rate, symptoms and signs of exercise intolerance during the walk test, (2) times of the TUG test and the one-leg balance test. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1 ) value was .94. Bland and Altman graphs showed no systemic variations between trials and a small learning effect. The peak heart rate approximated 72% to 78% of the age-predicted maximal heart rate. Moderate degrees of correlation were observed in: (1) the 6MWT versus the TUG test ( r =–.76, P r =.63, P r =.61, P Conclusions These findings suggest that the 6MWT could be considered as a reliable measure of functional capacity, involves a moderate degree of exercise intensity, and is related in a moderate degree to postural control abilities in persons with transtibial amputation.
Ultraprecise studies of the thermal expansion coefficient of diamond using backscattering x-ray diffraction

The linear thermal expansion coefficient of diamond crystals of type IIa and type Ia was measured in the temperature range from 10 to 295 K. Neither negative thermal expansion nor any substantial difference in the thermal expansion coefficient in crystals of the different types were observed. An empirical expression was obtained that approximates the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient of diamond. The ${T}^{3}$ temperature dependence of a Debye solid holds below $\ensuremath{\approx}$100 K with an accuracy of $\ensuremath{\approx}$${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8} {\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. A slight increase in the value of the lattice parameter was found for the Ia-type crystal, which suggests lattice dilatation by nitrogen impurity. The measurements were performed using Bragg diffraction in backscattering from diamond crystals of highly monochromatic 23.7 keV x rays with the recently demonstrated high relative accuracy of $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ in the determination of the lattice parameter [S. Stoupin and Yu. Shvyd'ko, Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 085901 (2010)].
DNA and RNA strand scission by copper, zinc and manganese superoxide dismutases

Copper/zinc (Cu/ZnSOD) and manganese (MnSOD) superoxide dismutases which catalyze the dismutation of toxic superoxide anion, O inf2 sup− , to O2 and H2O2, play a major role in protecting cells from toxicity of oxidative stress. However, cells overexpressing either form of the enzyme show signs of toxicity, suggesting that too much SOD may he injurious to the cell. To elucidate the possible mechanism of this cytotoxicity, the effect of SOD on DNA and RNA strand scission was studied. High purity preparations of Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD were tested in an in vitro assay in which DNA cleavage was measured by conversion of phage φX174 supercoiled double-stranded DNA to open circular and linear forms. Both types of SOD were able to induce DNA strand scission generating single- and double-strand breaks in a process that required oxygen and the presence of fully active enzyme. The DNA strand scission could be prevented by specific anti-SOD antibodies added directly or used for immunodepletion of SOD. Requirement for oxygen and the effect of Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions suggest that cleavage of DNA may be in part mediated by hydroxyl radicals formed in Fenton-type reactions where enzyme-bound transition metals serve as a catalyst by first being reduced by superoxide and then oxidized by H2O2. Another mechanism was probably operative in this system, since in the presence of magnesium DNA cleavage by SOD was oxygen independent and not affected by sodium cyanide. It is postulated that SOD, by having a similar structure to the active center of zinc-containing nucleases, is capable of exhibiting non-specific nuclease activity causing hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bonds of DNA and RNA. Both types of SOD were shown to effectively cleave RNA. These findings may help explain the origin of pathology of certain hereditary diseases genetically linked to Cu/ZnSOD gene.
Migration of glia along photoreceptor axons in the developing drosophila eye

We have identified a set of retinal basal glia, designated RBG cells, in the axon layer of the developing Drosophila eye disc. In vivo pulse labeling with bromodeoxyuridine shows that these cells originate in the optic stalk and migrate into the disc. In mutants lacking photoreceptor axons, RBG cells accumulate in the optic stalk, but do not invade the disc. The association of RBG cells with photoreceptor axons, their origin in the optic stalk, and their migration into the retina are in common with the behavior of astrocytes in the developing mammalian retina.
Single-crystal neutron diffraction : Present and future applications

Single-crystal neutron diffraction provides a powerful complementary probe to X-ray diffraction for the characterization of earth materials. The ability of neutron diffraction to determine the position of the atomic nucleus rather than electron density is key to its use in structural studies. A typical neutron beam spectrum contains neutrons in the energy ranges of epithermal, hot, thermal and cold. The relation between the neutron kinetic energy and the wavelength is: \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \[\mathit{E}\ =\ \frac{1}{2}\mathit{mv}^{2}\ =\ \left(\frac{{\hbar}^{2}2{\pi}^{2}}{\mathit{m}}\right)\frac{1}{{\lambda}^{2}}{\ }{\ }(de-Broglie)\] \end{document}(1) where m is the neutron mass and v is the velocity. This can be transformed in (1) via de Broglie using the Plancks constant, ħ, and the wavelength, λ. This equation is frequently used in neutron diffraction to convert energies ( E ) into wavelengths that directly describe the useful experimental range: \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \[\mathit{E}\ [meV]\ =\ 81.796{\lambda}^{{-}2}\ [{\AA}^{{-}2}\ ]\] \end{document}(2) Conventional ranges for neutron energies and corresponding wavelengths for neutron scattering experiments are: 1. “epithermal neutrons E > 500 meV λ = 0.5 A 2. “hot” neutrons E = 100–500 meV λ = 0.5–1 A 3. “thermal” neutrons E = 10–100 meV λ = 1–3 A 4. “cold” neutrons E = 0.1–10 meV λ = 3–30 A Cold neutrons are used for macromolecular crystallography (3–10 A) and hot neutrons are typically used for high resolution measurements, magnetic form factor studies, and amorphous materials. Single-crystal neutron diffraction typically uses thermal to hot neutrons for small and medium-size unit cells < 25 A per unit cell basal vector (approx. 0.5–7 A). This chapter presents a summary of some of the applications to which single-crystal neutron diffraction has been put in the study of earth and related materials, together with an account of the techniques and instrumentation used for these experiments. Recent developments in instrumentation, and the new scientific applications that have resulted from these, are described along with a forward look to some of the exciting developments currently taking place in this field. As …
Osmotic effects on bacterial transport and energetics.

Abstract Paracoccus denitrificans suspended in media containing 20–300 mM NaCl swelled progressively as the salt concentration was decreased. The increase in intracellular water volume was accompanied by an enhancement of respiration and a stimulation of the rates of net potassium and α-aminoisobutyric acid accumulation. It is postulated that influx of water and consequent lowering of intracellular solute concentration trigger transport mechanisms which are destined to restore the original ion and metabolite balance. Since a number of transport reactions operate against the electrochemical gradient of their substrates, energy utilization increases. The increased ATP usage and lowering of [ATP] stimulates the activity of the respiratory chain and increases oxygen uptake and energy production.
Nanoparticle Precursors and Phase Selectivity in Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zeolite β

The crystallization mechanism of zeolite β in relatively dilute solutions composed of 1SiO2/80H2O/0.25TEA2O/4EtOH/(0.05 + Y)Na2O/YAl2O3/WB2O3, where Y is 0 and 0.01 and W is 0 and 0.025, was investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. In this system there is a critical aggregation concentration (cac) for silica above which silica monomers and oligomers aggregate into primary nanoparticles ( 200 nm). The tertiary particles initially have poor long-range order and an oblate morphology. They evolve into zeolite β crystals with lo...
Comparative Studies of Law, Slavery, and Race in the Americas

This review surveys the historical research comparing U.S. and Latin American law and slavery and describes how it has informed the development of legal studies of slavery in the Americas. The first generation of comparative work on race and slavery relied heavily on law to draw sharp contrasts between U.S. and Latin American slavery. Revisionist social historians criticized those scholars for providing a misleading top-down history of slavery based on metropolitan codes and instead emphasized demographic and economic factors that suggested pronounced variation in slavery regimes. However, social historians who study relationships of power in slaves' lives have found that they must reckon with law and legal institutions. Recently, legal historians have also begun to explore slave law from the bottom up: through slaves' claims in court, trial-level adjudications, and interactions among ordinary people and low-level government officials. Most studies of slavery stay within one national context, but a few sc...
Fast network querying algorithm for searching large-scale biological networks

Network querying aims to search a large network for subnetwork regions that are similar to a given query network. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for querying large scale protein interaction networks. In this algorithm, we iteratively compute the correspondence scores between nodes in the query and the target networks using semi-Markov random walk. Based on these scores, we reduce the search space in the target network by discarding irrelevant nodes. The scores are re-estimated in each iteration after removing such nodes, which ultimately leads to more accurate querying result. Numerical experiments based on both synthetic and real networks show that the algorithm can efficiently find accurate querying results.
GrazinG EffEcts on DEEr MicE with iMplications to huMan ExposurE to sin noMbrE Virus

We examined the effects of grazing on deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) movements into buildings using passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology and small simulated buildings located on 0.6-ha treatment (grazing) and control (no grazing) plots. Twelve experimental 9-day trials were conducted over the course of the study. During these trials, mouse movements into buildings were monitored during three time periods (each 3 days in length). In the treatment plots these time periods corresponded to pre-grazing, grazing, and post grazing by horses. The number of individual deer mice entering buildings over time decreased in both the grazed and control plots during the 9 days of each experiment. The number of entrances per/individual among the pre-grazing, grazing and post grazing periods was different between control and treated plots for both males and females. The distribution of entrances/individual among the three periods differed between males and females in both grazed and control plots. The habitat modification caused by grazing appeared to reduce deer mouse activity (entrances/individual) in buildings but does not affect the number of mice entering buildings. Reducing vegetative cover by grazing or mowing may not affect the number of mice investigating small structures but grazing creates different activity patterns in the structures for neighboring deer mice.
Chapter 58 The Economics of Water, Irrigation, and Development

Abstract The post-World War II era has witnessed a drastic increase in irrigation activities that have contributed substantially to the massive growth in agricultural production that enables humanity to feed its doubling population. However, a distinction has to be made between the overall positive contribution of irrigation to agricultural productivity and economic welfare and the significant amount of misallocation and mismanagement of resources that have accompanied the expansion of irrigation. In many cases, water resources have been overdeveloped; there has been overspending on capital; and significant costs in terms of loss of ecosystems, extinction of fish species, and contamination of water sources. This chapter provides an economic perspective on the contribution of irrigation and water resources to past agricultural development and future water resource management. The efficiency of water use is affected by decisions made at many levels. The inefficiencies that can occur at different levels of water management are discussed in this chapter. The analysis first considers irrigation water use by an individual, and then moves to the importance of regional management. The importance of dynamic considerations about the future, and the role of interregional management are then covered. Together, these sections present an economic framework for designing water institutions and policies to improve water resource allocation and prevent some of the current inefficiency in water resource systems. The second part of the chapter provides an overview of the benefits and costs that have been realized through agricultural water and irrigation projects in developing countries. There is a paucity of ex-post integrated assessments of these projects, so the chapter puts the pieces together, combining data with conceptual arguments.
Cysteine-scanning Mutagenesis of Serotonin Transporter Intracellular Loop 2 Suggests an α-Helical Conformation

Like other proteins involved in neurotransmitter transport, serotonin transporter (SERT) activity is regulated by multiple intracellular signal transduction pathways. The second intracellular loop (IL2) of SERT contains consensus sequences for cGMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C. A 24-residue region of SERT including IL2, from Ile-270 through Ser-293, was analyzed by cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and chemical modification. 2-(Aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate hydrobromide (MTSEA) failed to inhibit serotonin transport or binding of the cocaine analog 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)tropane (β-CIT) in intact cells expressing these mutants, but it inactivated β-CIT binding in membrane preparations. From the pattern of sensitivity, IL2 appears to extend from Trp-271 through Ile-290, a significantly longer region than that initially predicted by hydropathy analysis. Six mutants reacted with MTSEA much faster than the others, and the pattern of the more reactive mutations suggested that IL2 is in an α-helical conformation. Some of the mutants had significantly elevated transport rates, suggesting a possible mechanism for the regulation of SERT activity.
Tin disulfide thin films via soft chalcogenization

Tin disulfide displays a wide range of attractive physical and chemical properties and are potentially important for various device applications including nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, as well as energy conversion. Here, we report on the largescale synthesis of tin disulfide granular thin films on silicon dioxide substrates by soft chalcogenization method in which the pre-deposited tin thin films are transformed into tin disulfide thin films via exposure to sulfur vapor. The obtained tin disulfide films have been comprehensively characterized to study their fundamental properties in detail by using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microcopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Solving the inverse problem of electrocardiography using a Duncan and Horn formulation of the Kalman filter

Numeric regularization methods most often used to solve the ill-posed inverse problem of electrocardiography are spatial and ignore the temporal nature of the problem. In this paper, a Kalman filter reformulation incorporated temporal information to regularize the inverse problem, and was applied to reconstruct left ventricular endocardial electrograms based on cavitary electrograms measured by a noncontact, multielectrode probe. These results were validated against in situ electrograms measured with an integrated, multielectrode basket-catheter. A three-dimensional, probe-endocardium model was determined from multiplane fluoroscopic images. The boundary element method was applied to solve the boundary value problem and determine a linear relationship between endocardial and probe potentials. The Duncan and Horn formulation of the Kalman filter was employed and was compared to the commonly used zero- and first-order Tikhonov spatial regularization as well as the Twomey temporal regularization method. Endocardial electrograms were reconstructed during both sinus and paced rhythms. The Paige and Saunders solution of the Duncan and Horn formulation reconstructed endocardial electrograms at an amplitude relative error of 13% (potential amplitude) which was superior to solutions obtained with zero-order Tikhonov (relative error, 31%), first-order Tikhonov (relative error, 19%), and Twomey regularization (relative error, 44%). Likewise, activation time error in the inverse solution using the Duncan and Horn formulation (2.9 ms) was smaller than that of zero-order Tikhonov (4.8 ms), first-order Tikhonov (5.4 ms), and Twomey regularization (5.8 ms). Therefore, temporal regularization based on the Duncan and Horn formulation of the Kalman filter improves the solution of the inverse problem of electrocardiography.
Thermal stresses in monolithic catalysts

Monolithic catalysts are widely used for the control of air pollution, particularly by the automotive industry. Waste gases from certain industrial processes and emissions that contain ecologically harmful constituents are also treated in monolithic catalysts to lower or eliminate the levels of the hazardous or obnoxious components. Previous modeling studies concentrated on the conversion and overall performance of the catalytic system. No studies have been published on the interaction between chemical reaction and thermal stresses in monolithic catalyst systems. A more fundamental approach towards the effects of thermal stresses on the structure will help designers to become more aware of the problem and to analyze the problem in a scientific manner. Typical reactions which are carried out in monolithic catalysts lead to strong axial temperature gradients in the channels. Although the monolith can freely expand in the axial direction, it is contained in the radial and azimuthal directions, causing a distributed compressive load on the channel walls. A failure criterion based on the classical plate theory is derived. The failure criterion depends on the axial temperature profile and physical properties of the system like the channel dimensions and the wall thickness. Interestingly, failure is not influenced by the Young`s modulus,more » but it depends on the Poisson ratio and the thermal expansion coefficient. The authors have decided to use the catalytic oxidation of CO as their chemical system.« less
Collision avoidance in a multiple robot set up by polytree intersection method

In this research, we propose a new obstacle avoidance algorithm in which collision-free path for a robot is determined when a set of multiple robots are present in the workspace. The proposed obstacle avoidance algorithm is developed based upon the geometric modeling of the robot workspace using polytree data structure. Polytree is a hierarchical bisection of either a two-dimensional region or a three-dimensional space, based on some specific splitting rules. Our algorithm finds possible intersection between any configuration of a moving robot and the obstacles in the workspace by parallel traversal of integrated polytrees.
Mechanisms of selection: Phenotypic differences among genotypes explain patterns of selection in a dominant species

Predicted changes in precipitation means and variability are expected to alter genotype composition of plant populations; however, it remains unclear whether selection will be for trait differences among genotypes or phenotypic plasticity. This is especially true for more variable precipitation patterns that simultaneously alter soil moisture means and variability. In a previous study we found that a decade of more variable growing-season precipitation patterns changed the genotypic composition of a dominant C4 grass population (Andropogon gerardii) in native tallgrass prairie located in northeastern Kansas. Here, we assessed potential mechanisms underlying the changes observed in population structure of this species by studying how changes in both the size and variability of watering events affected ecophysiological, growth, biomass-allocation, and fitness traits of five common genotypes of A. gerardii in a greenhouse experiment. Three of these genotypes had greater abundances or were only present in fie...
Direct numerical simulation of low-Reynolds-number flow past arrays of rotating spheres

Immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann simulations are used to examine the effects of particle rotation, at low particle Reynolds numbers, on flows in ordered and random arrays of mono-disperse spheres. The drag force, the Magnus lift force and the torque on the spheres, are determined at solid volume fractions up to the close-packed limits of the arrays. The rotational Reynolds number based on the angular velocity and the diameter of the spheres is used to characterize the rotational movement of spheres. The results show that the normalized Magnus lift force produced by particle rotation is approximately in direct proportion to the rotational Reynolds number, while the normalized drag force and torque acting on spheres are barely affected by this number. The Magnus lift force is negligible relative to the magnitude of the drag force when the rotational Reynolds number is low. However, it can be very significant, and even larger than the drag force, as the rotational Reynolds number increases up to , especially for low solid volume fractions. Based on the simulation results, relations for the Magnus lift force and the torque for both ordered arrays and random arrays of rotating spheres at solid volume fractions from zero to close-packed limits are formulated. Further, the drag force relations in the literature are revised based on existing theories and the present simulation results for both arrays of spheres.
Current development in isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis and regulation

Isoprenoids are one of the largest classes of natural products and all of them are constructed from two precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). For decades, the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway was proposed to be the only IPP and DMAPP biosynthetic pathway. This review summarizes the newly discovered IPP and DMAPP production pathways since late 1990s, their distribution among different kingdoms, and their roles in secondary metabolite production. These new IPP and DMAPP production pathways include the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, a modified MVA pathway, and the 5-methylthioadenosine shunt pathway. Relative to the studies on the MVA pathway, information on the MEP pathway regulation is limited and the mechanistic details of several of its novel transformations remain to be addressed. Current status on both MEP pathway regulation and mechanistic issues is also presented.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION, HYBRIDIZATION, AND THE LEAPFROG PATTERN OF EVOLUTION IN THE SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (SUIRIRI SUIRIRI) COMPLEX

Abstract The Suiriri Flycatcher (Suiriri suiriri) of South America is represented by three distinct forms occurring in parapatry: (1) S. s. suiriri to the southwest in the Chaco/Pampas; (2) S. s. affinis located centrally in the Cerrado/southern Amazonia; and (3) S. s. bahiae to the northeast in the Caatinga. On the basis of an analysis of 366 specimens of S. suiriri, I found meager evidence for long-distance migration, little support for Bergmann's rule, and more support for Gloger's rule. I postulate that an ancestral population of S. suiriri split into three isolated populations, with the central population differentiating most rapidly into affinis, thus explaining the leapfrog pattern of greater similarity between peripheral suiriri and bahiae. After secondary contact, affinis freely hybridized with nominate suiriri in a hybrid zone to the southwest, where specimens demonstrate morphometric intermediacy and increased plumage variability; the rarity of parental phenotypes within the hybrid zone suggest...