cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkyl Side Chain Impact on the Charge Transport and Photovoltaic Properties of Benzodithiophene and Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Copolymers

To investigate the side chain effect on the photovoltaic performance of conjugated copolymers with alternating electron push–pull structures, three alternating copolymers (O–HD, BO–BO, and PU–O) of benzodithiophene and dithienyldiketopyrrolopyrrole were designed and synthesized. They were nomenclated based on the side chains on the benzodithiophene (BDT) and the diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) units, which are octyl (O) and 2-hexyldecyl (HD); 3-butyloctyl (BO), and 2-butyloctyl (BO): and 3-pentylundecyl (PU) and octyl (O) groups, respectively. The total C number of the side chains in each repeat unit was kept at 48 to control the dilute effect. The solubility, optical, and electrochemical properties, and crystalline structure of the polymers were depended on the combination of these linear or branched alkyl chains. Thin film transistor (TFT) characterization showed that PU–O had the best hole mobility up to 1.6 × 10–3 cm2V–1 s–1. The best photovoltaic performance was observed from O–HD with power conversion ef...
Advanced age-related denervation and fiber-type grouping in skeletal muscle of SOD1 knockout mice

In this study skeletal muscles from 1.5- and 10-month-old Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) homozygous knockout (JLSod1(-/-)) mice obtained from The Jackson Laboratory (C57Bl6/129SvEv background) were compared with muscles from age- and sex-matched heterozygous (JLSod1(+/-)) littermates. The results of this study were compared with previously published data on two different strains of Sod1(-/-) mice: one from Dr. Epstein's laboratory (ELSod1(-/-); C57Bl6 background) and the other from Cephalon, Inc. (CSod1(-/-); 129/CD-1 background). Grouping of succinate dehydrogenase-positive fibers characterized muscles of Sod1(-/-) mice from all three strains. The 10-month-old Sod1(-/-)C and JL mice displayed pronounced denervation of the gastrocnemius muscle, whereas the ELSod1(-/-) mice displayed a small degree of denervation at this age, but developed accelerated age-related denervation later on. Denervation markers were up-regulated in skeletal muscle of 10-month-old JLSod1(-/-) mice. This study is the first to show that metallothionein mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated in the skeletal muscle of 10-month-old JLSod1(-/-) mice and was mostly localized to the small atrophic muscle fibers. In conclusion, all three strains of Sod1(-/-) mice develop accelerated age-related muscle denervation, but the genetic background has significant influence on the progress of denervation.
An epidemiological study of alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. A case series from the south-east of Scotland with attention given to case definition and prevalence

A close case study series of alendronate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (AONJ) is presented. A consistency of case definition with a minimal reporting requirement was attempted as recommended by the task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. A hierarchy of evidence focussing on 7 categories of interest was included for each case. A further 7 categories were added by the authors and completed where possible. The patients were drawn from a discrete population of 900,000 from the south-east of Scotland. The prescribing of drugs to this population was monitored by a government agency, the Information Services Office of the National Health Service of Scotland. The daily or weekly standard doses of alendronate prescribed to this population were recorded, thus allowing a calculation of the drug patient years (DPYs). The number of cases of AONJ, when computed against the cumulative year-on-year DPYs for alendronate, suggests an incidence of AONJ per DPYs of 0.1% when alendronate was prescribed as a prophylaxis against glucocorticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.
Comparison of the inhibitory effects of brain extract, high K+ and forskolin on juvenile hormone synthesis by Diploptera punctata corpora allata

Abstract We compared the effects of three treatments (brain extracts, high K+, forskolin) which inhibit JH synthesis by corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata incubated in vitro. Corpora allata showed a similar developmental sensitivity to all three treatments, with a high level of inhibition in glands of low activity. Inhibition of JH III synthesis by forskolin, high K+ or brain extract was antagonized by mevalonate and farnesoic acid, thus implicating an early biosynthetic step as the target of inhibition. All three treatments were also antagonized by Mn2+, suggesting that the inhibitory mode of action may be dependent upon Ca2+. Inhibition for forskolin and by high K+ was not only reversible, but caused a stimulation of JH synthesis upon removal of the inhibitor, suggesting that more than one regulatory mechanism is affected by these treatments.
Cell contact-dependent mechanisms specify taste bud pattern during a critical period early in embryonic development

After gastrulation, the pharyngeal endoderm is specified to give rise to taste receptor organs without further signaling from other embryonic tissues. We hypothesized that intercellular signaling might be responsible for the specification of taste buds. To test if and when this signaling was occurring, intercellular contacts were transiently disrupted in cultures of pharyngeal endoderm from axolotl embryos, and the number, size, and distribution of taste buds analyzed. Disruption of cell contacts at progressive time points, from neurula to late tail bud stages, revealed a critical period, during mid-tail bud stages, when disruption of cell contacts resulted in a significant increase in taste bud number and size. The spatial distribution of taste buds was also altered; taste buds were more clustered in explants disrupted during the critical period. These effects were not due to general alterations in mitosis and apoptosis. Rather, at least three aspects of taste bud patterning, i.e., number, size, and distribution, are governed by mechanisms dependent on normal cell contacts during a concise time window. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with specification of taste buds by means of lateral inhibitory signaling, which we hypothesize results from cell contact-dependent or short-range diffusible signals.
Accelerating Missile Threat Simulations Using Personal Computer Graphics Cards

The authors use inexpensive personal computer graphics cards to perform the intensive image-processing computations done in a heat-seeking missile's tracking systems and thereby dramatically reduce the execution time of missile threat simulations used by military mission planners. Using an innovative processing algorithm, these calculations are accomplished up to 3.5 times faster in graphic cards versus using a conventional CPU. Through a combination of this and other software optimizations, simulation time was reduced by 33%.
Atrioventricular conduction in children of women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract The neonatal lupus syndrome consists of transient cutaneous lupus lesions or permanent congenital complete heart block (or hepatic fibrosis), or both, in infants born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The frequency of conduction abnormalities was examined in 86 offspring of 53 women affected by SLE. Electrocardiograms from the offspring demonstrated normal sinus rhythm in 84 of 86 offspring. The PR interval was normal for age ( 95th percentile (i.e., first-degree heart block) for both age and heart rate. The PR interval of the other 6 subjects with first-degree heart block for age or heart rate (≥95th percentile) was ≤0.18 second. In contrast, using a rank assignment of PR intervals in relation to heart rate and age derived from published standards, grouped data indicated that heart rate adjusted for age was greater and PR interval adjusted for heart rate longer in offspring of mothers who had the onset of SLE before or during pregnancy than in the normal population; this observation did not hold for offspring whose mothers developed SLE after the pregnancy. These findings indicate that offspring of mothers with SLE, even in the absence of an abnormal electrocardiogram, may have experienced a maternal internal environment that produces subclinical changes in atrioventricular conduction. However, newborns with a normal pulse rate are unlikely to have significant abnormalities in atrioventricular conduction and do not need screening electrocardiograms at birth.
Upward separations and weaker hypotheses in resource-bounded measure

We consider resource-bounded measure in double-exponential-time complexity classes. In contrast to complexity class separation translating downwards, we show that measure separation translates upwards. For example, @m"p(NP) [email protected][email protected]"e(NE) [email protected][email protected]"e"x"p(NEXP) 0. We also show that if NE does not have e-measure 0, then the NP-machine hypothesis holds. We give oracles relative to which the converses of these statements do not hold. Therefore the hypothesis on the e-measure of NE is relativizably weaker than the often-investigated p-measure hypothesis on NP, but it has many of the same consequences.
PM2.5 in China: Measurements, sources, visibility and health effects, and mitigation

Abstract Concern over the health effects of fine particles in the ambient environment led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop the first standard for PM 2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) in 1997. The Particle Technology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota has helped to establish the PM 2.5 standard by developing many instruments and samplers to perform atmospheric measurements. In this paper, we review various aspects of PM 2.5 , including its measurement, source apportionment, visibility and health effects, and mitigation. We focus on PM 2.5 studies in China and where appropriate, compare them with those obtained in the U.S. Based on accurate PM 2.5 sampling, chemical analysis, and source apportionment models, the major PM 2.5 sources in China have been identified to be coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and industrial sources. Atmospheric visibility has been found to correlate well with PM 2.5 concentration. Sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate carried by PM 2.5 , commonly found in coal burning and vehicle emissions, are the dominant contributors to regional haze in China. Short-term exposure to PM 2.5 is strongly associated with the increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in China. The strategy for PM 2.5 mitigation must be based on reducing the pollutants from the two primary sources of coal-fired power plants and vehicle emissions. Although conventional Particulate Emission Control Devices (PECD) such as electrostatic precipitators in Chinese coal-fired power plants are generally effective for large particles, most of them may not have high collection efficiency of PM 2.5 . Baghouse filtration is gradually incorporated into the PECD to increase the PM 2.5 collection efficiency. By adopting stringent vehicle emissions standard such as Euro 5 and 6, the emissions from vehicles can be gradually reduced over the years. An integrative approach, from collaboration among academia, government, and industries, can effectively manage and mitigate the PM 2.5 pollution in China.
Ontology and Teleofunctions: A Defense and Revision of the Systematic Account of Teleological Explanation

I defend and revise the systematic account of normative functions (teleofunctions), as recently developed by Gerhard Schlosser and by W. D. Christensen and M. H. Bickhard. This account proposes that teleofunctions are had by structures that play certain kinds of roles in complex systems. This theory is an alternative to the historical etiological account of teleofunctions, developed by Ruth Millikan and others. The historical etiological account is susceptible to a general ontological problem that has been under-appreciated, and that offers important reasons to adopt the systematic account. However, the systematic account must be revised to allow for two distinct kinds of teleofunctions in order to avoid another ontological problem.
Optimization of solution-processed Cu(In,Ga)S2 by tuning series and shunt resistance

Solution-processed CuInGaS2 (CIGS) thin-film solar cells are promising for large-scale commercialization due to their economic process although the efficiency still needs to be improved to compete with vacuum-based materials. Systematic studies were performed to optimize the series and shunt resistance of hydrazine-based CIGS solar cells. Optimization was achieved through compositional adjustment of copper (Cu) near the p-n junction and gallium (Ga) near the back contact. Cu adjustments optimized the shunt resistance between 4000 and 5000 Ω cm2. Ga adjustments optimized the series resistance to 2 Ω cm2. Shunt and series resistance play vital roles in the fill factor. Fill factor was hence improved upward of 0.80 with the optimization of Cu and Ga. Chemical etching was also conducted to investigate the durability of the materials and to remove small crystals near the interface. Device conversion efficiencies were improved up to 12.4%. This study provides the implications for improving the device performance of chalcogenide solar cell materials.
Effect of a Single Intravenous Injection of N‐Methyl‐D,L‐Aspartic Acid on Secretion of Luteinizing Hormone and Growth Hormone in Holstein Bull Calves

The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation in the central regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) was tested by administering a bolus intravenous dose of N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid (NMA), a NMDA receptor agonist, to 24-week-old intact (n = 5), estradiol-treated intact (n = 3) and castrated (n = 3) Holstein bull calves. The calves were bled for 12 h pre- and 100 min post-NMA injection (1.75 mg/kgBW) periods at 10min intervals. Concentrations of LH and GH in plasma were measured by specific RlA. Prior to administration of NMA, the average concentration of LH, but not GH, differed significantly among the 3 groups. As expected, administration of estradiol prevented the normal ontogeny of pulsatile LH secretion, while castration resulted in an increased frequency of LH discharges. Injection of NMA resulted in an acute (P<0.001) release of LH in 3 of 5 intact and 3 of 3 estradiol-treated intact calves with the peak response being observed at 20 min (3.18 ±1.3 and 5.58 ± 1.3 ng/ml, respectively) following the challenge. Treatment with NMA did not alter the release of LH in castrate calves. Concentrations of GH in plasma increased (P<0.001) within 20 to 30 min after administration of NMA in intact, estradiol-treated intact and castrate calves with a similar response being observed in each group. Based on these findings, we suggest an involvement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the hypothalamic or supra-hypothalamic control of LH and GH secretion, and that the excitatory effects of NMDA receptor activation on LH release are overtly influenced by gonadal steroids in bull calves.
cMsg - a publish/subscribe package for real-time and online control systems

cMsg is a messaging system designed for use in realtime data acquisition and online controls systems, and includes support for C/C++ and Java clients. It is highly customizable and extensible, and includes a full-featured asynchronous publish/subscribe component as well as a synchronous peer-to-peer component. We first describe the publish/subscribe and peer-to-peer messaging paradigms, discuss their use in real-time and online systems, and describe the power and flexibility of the publish/subscribe paradigm. Next we describe the philosophy of the cMsg implementation and present some details and benchmarks. Finally, since the core of cMsg is written in pure Java, we discuss the suitability of Java for use in real-time and online systems
Generation of ultra-broadband spontaneous parametric down conversion from chirped periodically poled near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate

We measure the ultra-broadband spectrum of collinear spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) generated in chirped periodically poled near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate (C-PPSLT) gratings. The spectral broadening is accompanied by a decrease in the photon flux.
Identification of a 160-kDa polypeptide that binds to the tight junction protein ZO-1

ZO-1 is a 210- to 220-kDa peripheral membrane protein associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the epithelial tight junction. Because ZO-1 may interact with other unidentified tight junction proteins, we have looked for other polypeptides that bind to ZO-1. A 160-kDa polypeptide was identified that coimmunoprecipitates with ZO-1 from detergent extracts of metabolically labeled Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. This polypeptide appears to be distinct from ZO-1, rather than a degradation product, by several criteria. It lacks ZO-1 epitopes recognized by both monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal serum to ZO-1, since it is not detectable in immunoblots of either whole cell extracts or ZO-1 immunoprecipitates. Also, it exhibits a peptide map different from that of ZO-1 on one-dimensional "Cleveland gels." Moreover, because the kinetics of appearance of newly synthesized 160-kDa polypeptide in anti-ZO-1 immunoprecipitates is much slower than that of ZO-1, its presence in immunoprecipitates cannot be simply explained by degradation of ZO-1 during cell lysis. Like ZO-1, the 160-kDa polypeptide seems to be a cytoplasmic peripheral membrane protein. It cannot be labeled by two different cell surface labeling reagents. It can be extracted from the membrane by high salt concentration in the absence of detergents. As expected for a protein complex, the 160-kDa polypeptide and ZO-1 turn over with similar kinetics. We propose that the 160-kDa polypeptide is a component of the tight junction.
DECOMPOSITION AND POTENTIAL NITROGEN FIXATION IN DICRANOPTERIS LINEARIS LITTER ON MAUNA LOA, HAWAI'I

As a consequence of its relatively high productivity in primary successional sites on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, the mat-forming fern Dicranopteris linearis can influence attributes of soil detrital pools. Decomposition, nutrient release and rates of asymbiotic N fixation in Dicranopteris litter were determined over an elevational range of oligotrophic sites. ‘Hot spots’ of nitrogen fixation occurred in Dicranopteris litter, as evidenced by acetylene reduction rates as high as 22 nmol g−1 h−1. However, potential N fixation rates for the entire litter mass were 0–0.1 g m−2 y−1, less than other N inputs such as rainfall. Dicranopteris' decomposition rates were low compared to other tropical species, even under high temperature and rainfall conditions, with ≥50% of the original leaf and >77%of the stem mass remaining after 2 y of decomposition. Slow decomposition was related to high ligninrnitrogen ratios (56–129) in litter and above-ground positioning of unabscised, decomposing litter. As a result of its slow decomposition rates, Dicranopteris is an major contributor to soil detrital pools. Aggradation of the detrital pool is an important process whereby nutrients are accrued within these ecosystems. Consequently, Dicranopteris exerts an important influence on soil genesis and ecosystem development during primary succession on pahoehoe lava.
On the Structure of hisH: Protein Structure Prediction in the Context of Structural and Functional Genomics

Abstract We predict a structure of the glutamine amidotransferase subunit (hisH) of imidazole glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) which catalyzes the fifth step of the histidine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. The model is constructed using an energy-based threading program augmented by a multiple sequence to structure profile analysis. In developing our model we identified a conserved core region within hisH and a variable domain which is the likely site of interaction with the synthase subunit (hisF) of IGPS. Information available from structural and functional genomics studies was used to improve the structure prediction, to discuss parallels between histidine biosynthesis and other amino acid and nucleotide metabolic pathways, and to better understand the protein–protein interactions between the hisH and hisF domains of IGPS. This work allows us to develop a preliminary model for the structure of the entire IGPS holoenzyme.
Culture-specific models of negotiation for virtual characters: multi-attribute decision-making based on culture-specific values

We posit that observed differences in negotiation performance across cultures can be explained by participants trying to optimize across multiple values, where the relative importance of values differs across cultures. We look at two ways for specifying weights on values for different cultures: one in which the weights of the model are hand-crafted, based on intuition interpreting Hofstede dimensions for the cultures, and one in which the weights of the model are learned from data using inverse reinforcement learning (IRL). We apply this model to the Ultimatum Game and integrate it into a virtual human dialog system. We show that weights learned from IRL surpass both a weak baseline with random weights and a strong baseline considering only one factor for maximizing gain in own wealth in accounting for the behavior of human players from four different cultures. We also show that the weights learned with our model for one culture outperform weights learned for other cultures when playing against opponents of the first culture.
Medical Physics Practice in Latin America: The Best of Times, The worst of Times

Introduction: Our task is to present information on the status of the Medical Physics practice in the different countries in Latin America. Because of its fundamental value, we would like to focus on the status of education and professional medical physics issues in the different countries. Purpose: The IAEA is interested in promoting harmonization of Medical Physics practice worldwide. As a contribution, we must first learn about the diverse status of the medical physics practice, possibilities and needs in the different countries of Latin America. Methods and Materials: The LAASC maintains a close communication with all (or most) Latin American Countries through the valuable contributions of our Latin American Liaisons and Consultants. We also rely heavily on the information and cooperation with ALFIM (The umbrella association of all Medical Physics Associations of the different countries in Latin America). This presentation is based on their contributions. Results: There is a large diversity in the status of Medical Physics practice in the different countries of Latin America. As expected, this discrepancy is mostly due to the different economy status in Latin American countries. However, in many instances the economic deficiencies are somehow compensated by the great creativity of medical physicists in the region. A large credit must be given to the extensive work of the IAEA and IOMP in the education and practice of the profession of medical physics in different countries of Latin America. Conclusions: LAASC always places emphasis on divulging to the Latin America medical physicists the professional and educational opportunities as well as the medical physics literature available through the AAPM website. Through the realization of ISEP workshops it has also been possible to exchange scientific information on the state of the art of the practice of medical physics, and also to divulge AAPM programs available to countries in development, such as PIP, International Affiliate, access to Medical Physics Journal and AAPM protocols, to name a few. We believe that through cooperation and work together with ALFIM, the AAPM could contribute to make a sustainable impact to the medical physics profession in Latin American Countries. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the fundamental problems associated with the different medical physics practice levels encountered in Latin America 2. To become familiar with on‐going work in developing countries in Latin America in relation to medical physics education and professional recognition. 3. Learn how the AAPM could make a sustainable impact.
Abstract 3787: ERK and AKT signaling cooperate to translationally regulate survivin expression for promotion of cell motility and metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways are often concurrently activated by separate genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC), which is associated with CRC progression and poor survival. However, how activating both pathways is required for CRC metastatic progression remains unclear. Our recent study showed that both ERK and AKT signaling are required to activate eIF4E-initiated cap-dependent translation via convergent regulation of the translational repressor 4E-BP1 for maintaining CRC transformation. Here, we identified that the activation of cap-dependent translation by cooperative ERK and AKT signaling is critical for promotion of CRC motility and metastasis. In CRC cells with coexistent mutational activation of ERK and AKT pathways, inhibition of either MEK or AKT alone showed limited activity in inhibiting cell migration and invasion, but combined inhibition resulted in profound effects. Genetic blockade of the translation initiation complex by eIF4E knockdown or expression of a dominant active 4E-BP1 mutant effectively inhibited migration, invasion and metastasis of CRC cells, whereas overexpression of eIF4E or knockdown of 4E-BP1 had the opposite effect and markedly reduced their dependence on ERK and AKT signaling for cell motility. Mechanistically, we found that these effects were largely dependent on the increase in mTORC1-mediated survivin translation by ERK and AKT signaling. Despite the modest effect of survivin knockdown on tumor growth, reduction of the translationally-regulated survivin profoundly inhibited motility and metastasis of CRC. These findings reveal a critical mechanism underlying the translational regulation of CRC metastatic progression, and suggest that targeting cap-dependent translation may provide a promising treatment strategy for advanced CRC. Citation Format: Qing Ye, Weijia Cai, Yongbin Zheng, B. Mark Evers, Qing-Bai She. ERK and AKT signaling cooperate to translationally regulate survivin expression for promotion of cell motility and metastasis in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3787. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3787
Judgments of relative importance in decision making: Global vs local interpretations of subjective weight

Abstract Because most choices involve alternatives that have both advantages and disadvantages, many issues in decision research concern the way people evaluate trade-offs among conflicting goals or attributes. The attributes of the alternatives are often perceived to be of unequal importance to the decision, leading to questions about people's understanding and use of “relative importance” information to characterize their own and other people's decisions. Global interpretations of relative importance consider it to be a fixed attitude of the decision maker, a stable characteristic that does not depend on the particular stimuli involved, provided that the stimuli do not disturb the person's implicit contextual assumptions. By contrast, local interpretations of relative importance hold it to be an assessment, like preference itself, that depends on both the personal characteristics of the decision maker and the stimuli. These interpretations are compared in an experiment that asked subjects to (1) provide their own relative importance ratings and preference orders, (2) use the relative importance ratings of a target person to infer the target person's preference order, and (3) infer the relative importance ratings of a target person based on the target person's preference order. The way that people's decision patterns covaried with their relative importance judgments across stimulus sets largely violated global interpretations, although some of the evidence was ambiguous. Specific interpretations of relative importance are discussed, as well as factors that seem likely to affect people's selection of an interpretation.
A data‐based procedure for analyzing the response of uncertain nonlinear systems

A study is presented to develop and assess the utility of some data analysis and representation tools that are useful for dealing with complex nonlinear systems that simultaneously involve aleatory (intrinsic) and epistemic (modeling) uncertainties. A representative uncertain nonlinear system is employed to quantify the interaction effects between model-parameter uncertainty and modeling errors in hysteretic nonlinear systems under random excitation. A single-degree-of-freedom system with bilinear hysteretic characteristics is used to investigate the propagation of uncertainties in the dominant parameters that control the idealized restoring force associated with such a system: the yield level, the stiffness in the ‘elastic range’, and the stiffness in the ‘yielded range’. Monte Carlo simulation approaches are used to generate a large, statistically significant, ensemble of time history records that are subsequently used to determine the distribution of the corresponding transient response, and establish the probabilistic bounds on the response time history. The Restoring Force Method is used to determine the power-series coefficients that define an equivalent, approximating surface that characterizes the system behavior. The statistics of the identified coefficients are determined and shown to provide a powerful tool for quantifying the level of uncertainty in the nonlinear system, as well as providing a means for interpreting the significant features of the underlying complex nonlinear behavior. It is shown that the general methodology presented for representing and propagating the effects of uncertainties in complex nonlinear systems through the use of model-free representation, allows the estimation through analytical procedures of the uncertainty bounds on the transient response of the uncertain system when excited by a different dynamic load than the one used to identify it. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The conformation of histone f2a1 (histone IV) in solution at low inoic strength

Hydrodynamic studies of histone f2a1 are performed in dilute salt solution. Protein sedimentation is shown to be dependent upon the partial specific volume and molarity of the supporting electrolyte. To compensate for the secondary chage effect, a solvent of dilute tetramethylammonium chloride, for which (1 − Vsaltρ) ≅ 0, is used. To correct for the primary charge effect in sedimentation, a special linear extrapolation to infinte dilution of the protein is employed. Measurements of intrinsic viscosity are interpreted in terms of an increase in molecular dimension with a decrease in ionic strength. The conformation of histone f2a1 in dilute salt solution is interpreted from sedimentation and viscosity data to be that of a highly charged random coil possessing 20–30% of nuclear globular structure.
“A deed without a name”: Macbeth, the Gunpowder Plot, and terrorism

Terrorism, paradoxically, both speaks and is unspeakable. To the perpetrators, terrorism has a precise and clear message. To its victims, the terrorist act is so horrible it defies language. In this article, I suggest that we can find the origin of this paradigm in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. In his speech to Parliament a few days after the plot was discovered, King James begins by admitting the paradox: “What can I speak of this, I know not; Nay rather, what can I not speak of it? And therefore I must for horror say with the Poet, Vox faucibus haeret” (My voice sticks in my throat). The Folio Macbeth intervenes in the post-Gunpowder Plot era by incorporating the paradox of speakability/unspeakability into the rhetoric of the play. Like the Gunpowder Plot itself, the Captain “cannot tell” whether Macbeth and Banquo “meant to bathe in reeking wounds/Or memorize another Golgotha” (1.2.39-41), and the Weird Sisters engage in “A deed without a name” (4.1.49). This version of the play does not mirror the rheto...
Student Perceptions of the Instructional Effectiveness of Black & White and Colored Illustrations

This experiment was designed to evaluate the validity of S s perceptions of the instructional effectiveness of four different types of black and white and colored illustrations. Each S received a pretest, participated in his respective instructional presentation, received four individual criterial tests, and completed a Visual Illustration Questionnaire. Results indicate that (a) the type of visuals that Ss themselves perceive as being most effective are not always the ones found to be most effective in facilitating their achievement, and (b) all types of visuals are not equally effective in improving Ss achievement of different learning objectives.
Computer-Based Education: Is It a Panacea?

AbstractThe microcomputer was believed to be a panacea for all the educational problems dealing with instruction during the 1980s. Numerous studies were conducted to compare computer-based education (CBE) to traditional classroom education. Here five meta-analyses are reviewed. Student achievement (measured by scores on final examinations) reveals little difference between CBE and traditional classroom education. However, factors relating to instructor bias and type of application could be considered confounding factors that prevented these studies from providing significant results in favor of CBE. This article synthesizes these meta-analyses and concludes that CBE should supplement traditional instruction, not replace it.
Oxidation of an Fe-Cr-Al-Y-Zr alloy forming an alumina scale in a Ga2O atmosphere at 1473 K

The oxidation of an Fe-Cr-Al-Y-Zr alloy exposed to a Ga atmosphere at 1473 K has been investigated by an encapsulation method. A Ga/Ga2O3 mixture was placed within the quartz ampoules to establish the Ga2O and the O2 partial pressures enveloping a Fe-Cr-Al-Y-Zr alloy (specifically, 72.8Fe-22Cr-5Al-0.1Y-0.1Zr by mass pct), which contains minor additions of yttrium and zirconium to improve scale adherence. A deoxidized Ar atmosphere surrounded the ampoules to control oxygen permeation through the silica wall. The Fe-Cr-Al-Y-Zr alloy developed an Al2O3 scale growing parabolically and protecting the substrate from gallium attack for 5, 10, 20, 40, and 50 days, as examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The Ga2O atmosphere decomposes to liquid Ga and Ga2O3 on the alloy surface, but gallium species do not penetrate the oxide layer according to the limits of detection for EDX analysis. Defect equilibria incorporating Ga2O are presented with neutral interstitial oxygen to explain the oxidation of the Fe-Cr-Al-Y-Zr alloy.
Effective ground resistance of the human feet in high voltage switchyards

The ground resistance of the feet, which is an important factor that determines the current flow in the body of a person exposed to dangerous touch voltage in a high-voltage switchyard, is modified by the proximity of the two feet and the presence of the energized grounding grid below the feet. Based on the Thevenin approach, a general method for determining the effective ground resistance of the feet that takes into account the modifying factors is presented. The method is verified with the help of analog model study. Results show that in most practical situations the effect of the modifying factors can be ignored. The situations in which it is necessary to consider these factors are identified. >
Musculo-skeletal shock absorption: relative contribution of bone and soft tissues at various frequencies.

Abstract In order to study the relative contribution of bone and soft tissue in the attenuation of peak dynamic force as a function of frequency, the legs of rabbits with a force transducer implanted in their upper tibial shaft were impulsively loaded with a variety of cams. The effects of this loading were studied with the animals anesthetized and after removal of various soft tissue constituents of the lower extremities. The results were subjected to frequency analysis. There was no difference in results whether the animal was awake or asleep. A resonance frequency between 6–9 Hz existed in the bone of all animals tested. Soft tissue and bone attenuated peak forces most effectively at higher frequency ranges. These components tended to complement the previously described shock-absorbing mechanism involving the stretching of muscle under tension, which appears to be more effective at lower frequencies. The heel pad contributed to peak force attenuation over the entire measured frequency spectrum.
A proposed method for the nutritional rating of foods

Abstract This article describes a method of assessing the nutritional quality of food. The method, based on relative nutrient density (nutrient-to-calorie ratio), involves determination of an Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). For each food analyzed, an INQ was calculated for protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. A Standard Nutrient Density (SND) was developed for each nutrient based on the average nutrient-to-calorie ratio of the food groups that constitute major sources of that nutrient. For each nutrient, a food's INQ was determined and compared to the SND (in percent). Foods were placed into 1 of 6 nutrient-benefit classes, based on either a single nutrient score or accumulated scores. Standards were developed for excessive food components: sodium, refined sugar, and saturated fats. Foods exceeding those standards were dropped from a higher to a lower nutrient-benefit class. Examples of the most beneficial class, class 1, included non-fat and low-fat milk and some fresh fruits and vegetables. The least beneficial class, class 6, contained desserts and sweet baked items.
On the pure rotational spectra of symmetric top molecules with unresolved K-structure: Revision of the rotational constants of NT3☆

Abstract The analysis of the pure rotational spectra of symmetric top molecules with unresolved K-structure is discussed. Expressions are derived giving the displacement of the observed peak maxima from the K = 0 lines using two approximations. The first, valid at large spectral slit widths, assumes that the observed maximum occurs at the center of gravity of the component K-lines. The second takes into account the effect of spectral slit width on the band contours. Both approximations yield rotational constants for NT3 which are in closer agreement with those obtained from rotation-vibration analyses than were the original far-infrared constants reported by McDowell and Jones, but the second approximation gives a much better statistical agreement. It is shown that when the second approximation is used, DJK can be obtained from far-infrared data even when the K-structure is not resolved. For NT3 the treatment yields DJK = −(12 ± 4) × 10−5cm−1, in good agreement with the theoretical value.
Reserves and the managed float: a search for the essentials

We examine the stability of rules that determine the rate of devaluation as a function of the level of reserves; the analysis is conducted in terms of an overlapping-generations and a Sidrauski-type model with rational expectations and without capital mobility. On the whole, the analysis confirms results by Rodriguez (1981) in a substantially different model, by which ‘high’ speeds of adjustment tend to provoke instability.
Tangibly Enhancing Haptics

In this paper, we describe the development of a novel, low-cost, compact sensor/actuator that can be integrated with a commercially-available haptic device, such as the Geomagic Touch, to provide additional capability when grasping virtual objects. The focus of this paper is to investigate the impact of modality on a 'picking and placing' task using the prototype. The results of this study suggest that fewer errors were made when grasping objects presented using force-input/vibrotactile output (FV) combined with force-feedback. The multimodal feedback presented via the prototype is thought to offer considerable potential to supporting skilled and semi-skilled workers to perform remote tasks involving fine motor control.
Two Prospective Dosing Methods for Nortriptyline

This study compared two prospective pharmacokinetic dosing methods to predict steady-state concentrations of nortriptyline. One method required multiple determinations of the nortriptyline plasma concentration to estimate the drug’s steady-state concentration. The second method required a single nortriptyline concentration drawn at a fixed time, preferably 36 hours, following a nortriptyline test dose. The 36-hour nortriptyline plasma concentrations (NTP 36h) were substituted into the straight-line equation of $$C_{av}^{ss} = 17.2 + 3.74$$ (NTP 36h), where $$C_{av}^{ss}$$ is the average steady-state concentration for a 100 mg/day dose of nortriptyline. No differences were noted between the observed steady-state nortriptyline concentration of 121 ± 19 ng/ml, the 36-hour single-point prediction mean concentration of 121 ± 21 ng/ml, or the multiple-point prediction mean concentration of 122 ± 19 ng/ml. Because of the similar findings between the two methods, the clinical advantages and disadvantages of each kinetic approach are discussed to put these prospective dosing protocols into their proper perspective.
Analysis of practical sampling and reconstruction from Fresnel fields

We present an analysis of the different aspects involved with the sampling and reconstruction of Fresnel field distribution. Fresnel fields, describing a propagating optical wave, are digitally recorded in many optical applications. The recording process involves discretization of the continuous Fresnel field using a sampling sensor. Typical nonideal sensors induce degradation of the optical information due to finite spatial sampling rate, finite aperture size, and finite detector element size (finite fill factor). In this work, we investigate the condition and limitation of the reconstruction of Fresnel fields sampled with nonideal sampling sensors. We also analyze the propagation of measurement and reconstruction noise through the reconstruction process. In our analysis, we distinguish between continuous (optical) and numerical (computational) reconstructions. We focus on the different reconstruction conditions and limitations, depending on whether the reconstruction is performed in a continuous space or numerically.
Color‐Selective and CMOS‐Compatible Photodetection Based on Aluminum Plasmonics

A color-selective, band-engineered photodetector is demonstrated. The device uses two Schottky junctions to accumulate charge in an energy well, which results in photocurrent gain and a plasmonic aluminum grating for photocurrent enhancement and red-green-blue color selectivity. This work provides a more intelligent way to design imaging sensors by integrating amplifiers and color filters directly into pixels.
Use of the Computer and the Internet by Well Older Adults

Computers have become an important technology in today's society. Older adults face physical, mental, and other challenges when using them. This study sought to identify experiences of older adults receiving computer and Internet training. Subjects participated voluntarily for 10 sessions of computer and Internet training provided by occupational therapy students. Pre- and post-session surveys gathered qualitative data relating to how older adults feel about learning computer skills. Results indicated that older adults are interested in using computers and that individualized training and modifications and adaptations can decrease their anxiety and boost confidence when working with this technology.
Occurrence and role of Gliocladium roseum in field-grown soybeans in Illinois

Gliodadium roseum was isolated from roots, stems, pods and seeds of soybeans without symptoms in Illinois. It did not cause symptoms but was isolated from roots and stems of soybeans either inoculated or grown in soil infested with G. roseum . Isolation increased with increasing age of plant, but decreased with increasing distance up the stem. G. roseum appears to be a non-pathogenic systemic parasite of soybeans.
The function of noradrenergic neurons in mediating antinociception induced by electrical stimulation of the locus coeruleus in two different sources of Sprague-Dawley rats

Although noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus locus coeruleus are known to project to the spinal cord, these neurons appear to innervate different regions of the spinal cord in Sprague-Dawley rats obtained from two different vendors. Recent anatomical studies demonstrated that the noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus in Sasco Sprague-Dawley rats primarily innervate the ventral horn, whereas Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats have coeruleospinal projections that terminate in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This report describes the results of behavioral experiments that were designed to determine the functional significance of these anatomical differences. Electrical stimulation of neurons in the locus coeruleus produced antinociception in both Harlan and Sasco rats. The antinociception in Harlan rats was readily reversed by intrathecal injection of yohimbine, a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, or by phentolamine, a non-selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist. In contrast, these antagonists did not alter the antinociception produced by locus coeruleus stimulation in Sasco rats. Finally, the alpha 2-antagonist, idazoxan, did not alter the antinociceptive effect of locus coeruleus stimulation in either group of rats. These observations indicate that coeruleospinal noradrenergic neurons in Harlan and Sasco Sprague-Dawley rats have different physiological functions. Thus, electrical stimulation of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus that innervate the spinal cord dorsal horn (Harlan rats) produces antinociception, but stimulation of coeruleospinal noradrenergic neurons that project to the ventral horn (Sasco rats) does not produce antinociception. It is likely that genetic differences between these outbred stocks of rats account for the fundamental differences in the projections of coeruleospinal neurons and their function in controlling nociception.
Generation means analysis of plant architectural traits and fruit yield in melon

Unique architectural phenotypes have the potential for increasing yield in commercial melon (Cucumis melo L.). Therefore, a generation means analysis was conducted to investigate the inheritance of architectural traits (days to anthesis, primary branch number, fruit number and weight, and average weight per fruit). Progeny (F 1 , F 2 , BC 1 P 1 and BC 1 P 2 ) from a cross between US Department of Agriculture (USDA) line, USDA 846-1 (P 1 ) and TopMark' (P 2 ) were evaluated at Arlington (AR) and Hancock (HCK), Wisconsin in 2001. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) environment effects and genotype x environment interactions (G x E) analyses necessitated analysis by location. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among parents and generations were observed for all traits, and the two parental lines differed significantly for primary branch number, fruit number and average weight per fruit. Additive gene effects were most important in governing primary branch number and fruit number per plant, while dominance and epistatic genetic effects mainly controlled days to anthesis, fruit weight per plant and average weight per fruit. Narrow-sense heritabilities were 0.62 (AR) for days to anthesis, 0.71 (AR) and 0.76 (HCK) for primary branch number, 0.68 (AR) and 0.70 (HCK) for fruit weight per plant, 0.33 (AR) and 0.45 (HCK) for fruit weight per plant, and 0.06 (AR) and 0.79 (HCK) for average weight per fruit. Estimations of the least number of effective factors for primary branch number were relatively consistent at both AR (approx. 4) and HCK (approx. 2). Results suggest that introgression of yield-related genes from highly branched melon types (e.g. USDA 846-1) into US Western Shipping germplasm may aid in the development of high-yielding cultivars with concentrated fruit set suitable for machine and/or hand-harvesting operations.