cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An alternative method to determine the steady state nucleation rate in thermally annealed HWCVD a-Si:H films

Abstract A determination of the steady state nucleation rate r n in thermally annealed a-Si:H has typically been performed using TEM, where the increase in grain density with isothermal sample anneal time can be directly observed for samples with small crystalline volume fractions. Using the classical model of crystallite nucleation and grain growth, this paper presents an alternative technique for determining r n using in situ XRD measurements of the crystallization time and EBSD measurements of the final grain size, the latter in fully annealed samples. HWCVD a-Si:H samples containing different as-grown film H contents C H have been examined by both techniques, and the agreement between these techniques is excellent. R n is seen to decrease with increasing as-grown film C H . Differences in the values of r n are suggested as being due to variations in the transition rate per atom at the amorphous/crystalline interface.
Xenon Tetroxide: Preparation and Some Properties.

Xenon tetroxide is a yellow solid at low temperature. It has a vapor pressure of about 25 mm-Hg at 0°C. It is unstable at room temperature. The infrared spectrum of the vapor shows it to have tetrahedral symmetry.
Looking for patterns in the phytoplankton community of the Mediterranean microtidal Venice Lagoon: evidence from ten years of observations

By analysing a ten-year series (1998-2007) of data on hydrochemical properties, phytoplankton abundance and species composition in the Venice Lagoon, we identified i) the average annual phytoplankton biomass cycle, mainly unimodal and fairly well tuned with the fluctuations in temperature and irradiance and (ii) the seasonal succession of the most important species, allowing us to construct a “phytoplankton calendar”. Phytoplankton biomass was significantly lower in the second half of the ten-year period (2003-2007) than in the first half (1998-2002).
Bacterial expression of a natively folded extracellular domain fusion protein of the hFSH receptor in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli.

We have expressed the extracellular domain of the hFSH receptor as a fusion protein with thioredoxin in the cytoplasm of an Escherichia coli strain that contains mutations in both the thioredoxin reductase and the glutathione reductase genes. The chimeric protein isolated following induction of expression was purified in a soluble form and binds hFSH with an affinity approximating that of native receptor. This truncated form of the receptor displays the same specificity as intact receptor and does not bind hCG. The protein is expressed at levels that exceed 5 mg/L in the bacterial cytoplasm. Expression of the properly folded extracellular domain of the hFSH receptor in the cytoplasm of E. coli allows the facile and economical purification of large quantities of material. This will facilitate the determination of the structure of the hormone-binding domain of this glycoprotein receptor as well as the production of epitope-specific antibodies.
Irregularities in the distributions of primes in function fields

Abstract We adapt the Maier matrix method to the polynomial ring F q [ t ] , and prove analogues of results of Maier [H. Maier, Primes in short intervals, Michigan Math. J. 32 (1985) 221–225] and Shiu [D.K.L. Shiu, Strings of congruent primes, J. London Math. Soc. 61 (2000) 359–373] concerning the distribution of primes in short intervals.
Transfert lisse d'intégrales de Kloosterman

Resume On prouve l'existence d'un transfert lisse entre les integrales de Kloosterman absolues et les integrales de Kloosterman relatives a une extension quadratique. Pour citer cet article : H. Jacquet, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 335 (2002) 229–232.
Combined free and forced convection with two-dimensional solidification over a horizontal semi-infinite plate☆

The effects of natural convection on two-dimensional solidification of viscous flow over a horizontal, semi-infinite flat plate is considered. The continuity, momentum, and energy equations are solved by finite-difference techniques to determine the growth of the solid phase and the velocity and temperature distributions in the liquid and solid phases. Results are presented for a range of the dimensionless parameter NGr/NRe 2·5 which illustrates the consequences of neglecting natural convection effects on the growth of the interface.
Bioinformatics challenges in de novo transcriptome assembly using short read sequences in the absence of a reference genome sequence

Plant natural product research can be facilitated through genome and transcriptome sequencing approaches that generate informative sequence and expression datasets that enable characterization of biochemical pathways of interest. As the overwhelming majority of plant-derived natural products are derived from species with little, if any, sequence and/or genomic resources, the ability to perform whole genome shotgun sequencing and assembly has been and will continue to be transformative as access to a genome sequence provides molecular resources and a context for discovery and characterization of biosynthetic pathways. Due to the reduced size and complexity of the transcriptome relative to the genome, transcriptome sequencing provides a rapid, inexpensive approach to access gene sequences, gene expression abundances, and gene expression patterns in any species, including those that lack a reference genome sequence. To date, successful applications of RNA sequencing in conjunction with de novo transcriptome assembly has enabled identification of new genes in an array of biochemical pathways in plants. While sequencing technologies are well developed, challenges remain in the handling and analysis of transcriptome sequences. In this Highlight article, we provide an overview of the bioinformatics challenges associated with transcriptome analyses using short read sequences and how to address these issues in plant species that lack a reference genome.
PT restoration via increased loss and gain in the PT -symmetric Aubry-André model

In systems with ``balanced loss and gain,'' the $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry is broken by increasing the non-Hermiticity or the loss-gain strength. We show that finite lattices with oscillatory, $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric potentials exhibit unexpected $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking and restoration. We obtain the $\mathcal{PT}$ phase diagram as a function of potential periodicity, which also controls the location complex eigenvalues in the lattice spectrum. We show that the sum of $\mathcal{PT}$ potentials with nearby periodicities leads to $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry restoration, where the system goes from a $\mathcal{PT}$-broken state to a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric state as the average loss-gain strength is increased. We discuss the implications of this transition for the propagation of a light in an array of coupled waveguides.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 147

Abstract Nuclear structure information available to May 1978 has been reviewed. The level properties obtained from varius reaction and decay experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.
Chromium(III) catalysts in ionic liquids for the conversion of glucose to 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF): Insight into metal catalyst:ionic liquid mediated conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels and chemicals

Abstract Increasing energy demand and dwindling natural resources have led to wide interest in developing synthetic fuels and chemicals that can supplement and replace the fuels and chemicals obtained from conventional petroleum based feedstocks. Alternative fuels and chemicals can be derived from non petroleum based feedstocks such as coal and biomass. Biomass is considered particularly attractive because of the potential sustainability and carbon neutrality associated with its use. Thus great effort is being dedicated to the use and conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Cellulose is the most abundant renewable carbon source present in the lignocellulosic (non edible biomass) realm, and has a rigid structure consisting of a number of glucose units linked together. Consequently effort has focused on the catalytic conversion of glucose and also cellulose directly to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a versatile intermediate for synthesis of fuels and chemicals. A number of studies have claimed that Cr catalysts in ionic liquid solvents convert glucose and fructose to HMF in unprecedentedly high yields. However, ambiguity over the oxidation state of Cr has remained. Knowledge of the specific metal oxidation state is essential to gain an understanding of the reaction mechanism and to design still more active catalysts. Herein we demonstrate Cr(III) to be the active species, rather than Cr(II) which had previously been implicated and subsequently assumed by others.
Die-level photolithography and etchless parylene packaging processes for on-CMOS electrochemical biosensors

Integrated sensor arrays on CMOS instrumentation chips are attractive to many biological and biomedical sensor applications. However, the packaging of CMOS circuitry for use within a liquid environment remains as an open challenge. Reliable post-CMOS electrode fabrication and packaging processes that are critical to the development of integrated electrochemical biosensors are presented in this paper. A die-level photolithography process was developed that provides uniform coverage for accurate patterning over 87% of a 3×3mm2 silicon substrate. In addition, a new process has been developed to package post-CMOS fabricated electrode arrays. This etchless parylene packaging reduces processing time and improves fabrication yield. These techniques enable realization of on-CMOS biosensors operating in liquids.
The importance of radial metaphyseal band width

The authors compared the relatively radiodense metaphyseal band width at distal end of the radius /Edlin, Whitehouse, Tanner,1976/ and cortical thickness and diaphysial diameter of the metacarpal bones /Bonnards,1968/ of the same wrist roentgenograss. On the basis of comparing the viewpoints of sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and simplicity Edlin's method was found more utilisable which was carried out in the following groups: hypothyroidism/12 cases/: the T4 serum level showed a close correlation with ratio /eliminating the influence of age and sex/ of the radial band width/correl.coeff.: 0,93/; Graves disease without treatment/10/: 1,25±0,267; dwarfism without treatment/27/: 0,522±0,229; dwarfism before and during anabol steroid treatment/12/: 0,800±0,366; 1,447±0,744 resp.; GH deficiency before and during HGH treatment/12/: 0,701±0,379, 1,788±1,157 resp.; obesity with advanced high and bone age between the ages of 4-10/11/: 1,217±0,261. On the basis of the results gained and the comparison of literature data the authors assume the relation of Somatomedins to radial metaphyseal band width.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Lessons from Energy Program Implementation Efforts

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act injected approximately US$840 billion into the U.S. economy for job creation, technological advancement, and infrastructure development. This study examines energy-related Recovery Act program implementation. The Recovery Act provided many immediate benefits to the economy, environment, and energy sector, but implementation was hindered by several conditions. This study offers selected case studies and a set of lessons learned for state officials.
Split-Level Full-Thickness Eyelid Graft

A new method of surgical treatment for cicatricial eyelid retraction involves grafts placed in both the anterior and posterior lamellae of the upper eyelid, when there is a shortage of tissue in both layers, caused by previous surgical procedures. The anterior lamellar graft is of postauricular skin and the posterior graft is of buccal mucosa. The two grafts are placed at different levels in the eyelid so that each has a viable vascular bed. The procedure, called the split-level full-thickness eyelid graft, is not designed to correct problems involving only the eyelid retractors, such as retraction secondary to thyroid disease.
Malignant Vascular Tumors of the Liver Presenting as Liver Failure and Portal Hypertension

We describe three patients referred for orthotopic liver transplantation with liver failure and portal hypertension who were found to have malignant vascular tumors: two patients with angiosarcoma and one patient with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. Their clinical presentation mimicked decompensated chronic liver disease. None had tumor masses on computed tomography and ultrasonography. Massive tumor involvement of the liver was identified in the two patients studied by magnetic resonance imaging. Pathological examination of the explanted liver at the time of transplantation in one patient and autopsy in a second patient showed angiosarcoma. Laparoscopic liver biopsies in the third patient showed epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. The vascular origin of the tumor was established by histopathologic examination and confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Malignant vascular tumors of the liver should be included in the differential diagnosis of liver failure of unclear etiology.
High-resolution CT of peripheral airways diseases

Bronchiolitis and bronchiolectasis are nonspecific inflammatory processes of the small airways that have a variable, but often characteristic, appearance on HRCT. Familiarity with the imaging features of these disorders is crucial in rendering an accurate radiographic diagnosis.
Atmospheric Absorptions in the Near Infrared at High Altitudes

The results of a flight with a balloon borne infrared spectrograph are presented. Solar spectra of the region from 1 to 5 μ were obtained at altitudes from 60 000 to 100 000 ft. The atmospheric absorption data obtained from these spectra are compared with theoretical predictions of slant path absorptions and with laboratory data for constant pressure path. It is found that, if the absorption is treated as a function of Pw, the laboratory data and flight data can be fitted by relations of similar form but with different constants.
Verification of Daily Ring Deposition in the Otoliths of Age-0 Spotted Bass

Abstract Deposition of daily rings in the otoliths of spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus and the time of first ring formation were determined with larvae that were taken from two nests, hatched in the laboratory, and raised for up to 40 d. The relationship between daily ring counts and known age in days for larvae from the first nest indicated rings formed prior to swim-up. However, larvae from the second nest deposited only one ring daily, beginning at swim-up. Disparate results between the two nests was attributed to individual differences in the number of days between hatching and swim-up and the inability to distinguish prolarval rings from daily rings in fish less than 15 d old. Sequential sampling of spotted bass from a third nest revealed that rings were deposited daily for about 94 d after swim-up. Compressed rings, resulting from decreased growth rates, caused ages to be underestimated after d 94.
Evidence for Formae speciales in the poplar leaf rust fungus, Melampsora medusae

(1988). Evidence for Formae Speciales in the Poplar Leaf Rust Fungus, Melampsora Medusae. Mycologia: Vol. 80, No. 5, pp. 729-732.
Effect of a benzodiazepine (chlordiazepoxide) on a GABAA receptor from rat brain Requirement of only one bound GABA molecule for channel opening

Chlordiazepoxide (CDPX) enhanced the rate of chloride exchange mediated by the major GABAA receptor found on sealed native membrane vesicles from rat cerebral cortex. The initial rate constant for chloride exchange for this receptor, (JA), a measure of open channel, was determined from the progress of GABA-mediated influx of 36Cl−. The dependence of JA on GABA concentration was hyperbolic in the presence of CDPX (150 μM, sufficient to give maximum enhancement of chloride exchange rate) but sigmoid in its absence. Enhancement of channel opening (10-fold at 0.3 μM GABA) decreased with increasing GABA concentration. The maximal response, above 1,000 μM GABA, was unaltered. The half-response concentration was reduced from 80 μM to 50 μM. CDPX alone caused no measurable 36Cl− exchange. In the presence of CDPX, channel opening occurred with only one bound GABA molecule, whereas in its absence, channel opening with two bound GABA molecules was much more favorable. This could not be direct allosteric modulation of the channel opening conformational change by binding of CDPX at effector sites, but could be explained by an additional change of the receptor on binding CDPX to give a closed state which gave channel mediated by a single GABA binding site. Another possibility is that CDPX could act at one of the channel opening binding sites without a postulated, second closed conformational state.
Spirituality, religion, and emotional labor in the workplace

Emotional labor is the regulation of emotional displays as part of a work role. To date, minimal research has considered how spirituality and religion impact the performance and consequences of emo...
Arenavirus reverse genetics for vaccine development.

Arenaviruses are important human pathogens with no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccines available and current antiviral therapy being limited to an off-label use of the nucleoside analogue ribavirin of limited prophylactic efficacy. The development of reverse genetics systems represented a major breakthrough in arenavirus research. However, rescue of recombinant arenaviruses using current reverse genetics systems has been restricted to rodent cells. In this study, we describe the rescue of recombinant arenaviruses from human 293T cells and Vero cells, an FDA-approved line for vaccine development. We also describe the generation of novel vectors that mediate synthesis of both negative-sense genome RNA and positive-sense mRNA species of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) directed by the human RNA polymerases I and II, respectively, within the same plasmid. This approach reduces by half the number of vectors required for arenavirus rescue, which could facilitate virus rescue in cell lines approved for human vaccine production but that cannot be transfected at high efficiencies. We have shown the feasibility of this approach by rescuing both the Old World prototypic arenavirus LCMV and the live-attenuated vaccine Candid#1 strain of the New World arenavirus Junin. Moreover, we show the feasibility of using these novel strategies for efficient rescue of recombinant tri-segmented both LCMV and Candid#1.
Simulating the Shroud of Turin: A Laboratory Experiment

The Shroud of Turin, a piece of linen cloth bearing an anatomically correct image of a crucified human being, which resembles Jesus of Nazareth, has been an enigma to scientists. While recent studies including radiocarbon dating suggest the cloth is a medieval relic, few if any proposals have been put forward that satisfactorily explain how the image was generated. In combination with a lecture on the scientific method and the problem of bias, a laboratory experiment has been developed that allows science students to attempt to simulate the image on the Shroud. The experiment involves an active-learning experience in which students discover which techniques do not work to generate the image and which begin to suggest how such an image could have been generated.
A History of Systemic Hypertension and Incident Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

The associations of a history of hypertension with subsequent outcomes after acute myocardial infarction have not been examined in propensity-matched studies. Of the 6,632 patients with acute myocardial infarctions and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS), 4,407 had histories of hypertension. Propensity scores for a history of hypertension, estimated for each patient using 64 baseline characteristics, were used to match 1,990 pairs of patients with and without hypertension. Matched Cox regression models were used to estimate associations between hypertension and outcomes during a mean of 16 months of follow-up. Heart failure (HF) hospitalization occurred in 11.9% and 8.8% of patients, respectively, with and without hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] for hypertension vs no hypertension 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 1.68, p = 0.004). The association between a history of hypertension and HF hospitalization was significant only in patients without previous HF (n = 3,495, HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.84, p = 0.001), but not in those with previous HF (n = 485, HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.62, p = 0.688, p for interaction = 0.179). A history of hypertension was not associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.22, p = 0.790) or cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.27, p = 0.339). In conclusion, a history of hypertension was associated with subsequent HF hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction, especially in patients without histories of HF, suggesting that hypertension increased the risk for hospitalization with incident HF but did not affect hospitalization for worsening HF symptoms in those with prevalent HF.
Production and characterization of two new mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive with denatured mouse class II beta chains.

We report on the production and characterization of two murine peptide specific anti-major histocompatibility complex class II chain specific monoclonal antibodies. Two new mouse monoclonal antibod...
Min-Max payoffs in a two-player location game

We consider a two-player, sequential location game with arbitrarily distributed consumer demand. Players alternately select locations from a feasible set so as to maximize the consumer mass in their vicinity. Our main result is a complete characterization of feasible market shares, when locations form a finite set in R^d.
Occupational therapy and driving and community mobility for older adults

This special issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy includes summaries from a systematic evidence-based literature review of occupational therapy and driving and community mobility for older adults. Since the previous review on this topic in 2008, the cohort of 78 million baby boomers began turning 65 in January 2011. As a group, this cohort is more likely to have longer life expectancy, stay in the workforce longer, and age in place in the community. Is the occupational therapy profession ready for the potential demand for driving rehabilitation services from this generation of older drivers who grew up with the automobile and are dependent on it for access to and participation in their communities?
Relationship between vertical ground reaction force and speed during walking, slow jogging, and running

Abstract Objective. To obtain descriptive information between vertical ground reaction force (GRF)-time histories and gait speed, running style, and gender. Design. GRF-time history measurements were obtained from male and female subjects during walking, slow jogging, jogging and running on an indoor platform. Background. Previous studies have established GRF descriptor variables for male subjects running at speeds from 3 to 6 m s −1, but very little descriptive data exists for slower or faster running, nor have previous studies reported GRF descriptors separately for female subjects. Methods. GRF-time histories were recorded for 13 male and 10 female recreational athletes during walking and slow jogging at speeds between 1.5 and 3.0 m s −1, and running at speeds between 3.5 and 6.0 m s −1. Vertical GRF-time data for trials with speeds within 0.2 m s −1 of the prescribed speed were analysed to determine thrust maximum GRF (F Z) and loading rate (G Z). Results. In both male and female subjects, F Z increased linearly during walking and running from 1.2 BW to approximately 2.5 BW at 6.0 m s −1 remaining constant during forward lean sprinting at higher speeds. F Z was linearly correlated to G Z, the latter ranging from 8 to 30 BW s −1 over this speed range. Slow jogging was associated with a> 50% higher F Z and G Z in comparison to walking or fast running. Conclusions. Similar GRF descriptor data and velocity relationships were obtained for male and female subjects. Impact forces were greatest when the subjects adopted a higher, less fixed centre of gravity during slow jogging.
Seismic analysis of cracked reactor vessels

Abstract This paper deals with the dynamic response of a thin finite, elastic circular cylindrical shell representing a reactor vessel to time-dependent loadings symmetrical with respect to the axis of the cylinder. The shell contains an axial through-crack of length 2 c . The dynamic counterpart of Donnell's shell equations are used in this investigation. Extensive numerical results are presented for stress intensity factors in aluminum and steel vessels and results are discussed.
Règles de sélection pour la diffusion Raman et l'absorption infrarouge dans la wurtzite

Les representations irreductibles du groupe de symetrie de la wurtzite aux points Γ, A, M, K de la zone de Brillouin ont ete determinees. L'analyse des representations du spectre de phonons correspondants conduit a des regles de selection concernant les processus d'absorption infrarouge et de diffusion Raman a un ou plusieurs phonons.
Functional intersection of Human Defensin 5 with the TNF receptor pathway

Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that contribute to regulation of host cell function also. Here, we report on the regulation of cell death by Human Defensin 5, the major antimicrobial peptide of ileal Paneth cells. We find that Human Defensin 5-mediated cellular effects depend on functional expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors and downstream mediators of TNF signaling. Our data indicate the involvement of interactions between Human Defensin 5 and the extra-cellular domain of Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor 1. Human Defensin-5 also induces apoptosis intrinsically by targeting the mitochondrial membrane.
Efficient EGFR signaling and dorsal–ventral axis patterning requires syntaxin dependent Gurken trafficking

Vesicle trafficking plays a crucial role in the establishment of cell polarity in various cellular contexts, including axis-pattern formation in the developing egg chamber of Drosophila. The EGFR ligand, Gurken (Grk), is first localized at the posterior of young oocytes for anterior–posterior axis formation and later in the dorsal anterior region for induction of the dorsal–ventral (DV) axis, but regulation of Grk localization by membrane trafficking in the oocyte remains poorly understood. Here, we report that Syntaxin 1A (Syx1A) is required for efficient trafficking of Grk protein for DV patterning. We show that Syx1A is associated with the Golgi membrane and is required for the transportation of Grk-containing vesicles along the microtubules to their dorsal anterior destination in the oocyte. Our studies reveal that the Syx1A dependent trafficking of Grk protein is required for efficient EGFR signaling during DV patterning.
Selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with acetaldehyde over NaY zeolite catalyst in lean exhaust feed

Abstract Steady-state selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide (NO) was investigated under simulated lean-burn conditions using acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) as the reductant. This work describes the influence of catalyst space velocity and the impact of nitric oxide, acetaldehyde, oxygen, sulfur dioxide, and water on NOx reduction activity over NaY zeolite catalyst. Results indicate that with sufficient catalyst volume 90% NOx conversion can be achieved at temperatures relevant to light-duty diesel exhaust (150–350 °C). Nitric oxide and acetaldehyde react to form N2, HCN, and CO2. Oxygen is necessary in the exhaust feed stream to oxidize NO to NO2 over the catalyst prior to reduction, and water is required to prevent catalyst deactivation. Under conditions of excess acetaldehyde (C1:N>6:1) and low temperature (
S-cone discrimination in the presence of two adapting fields: data and model

This study investigated S-cone discrimination using a test annulus surrounded by an inner and outer adapting field with systematic manipulation of the adapting l=L/(L+M) or s=S/(L+M) chromaticities. The results showed that different adapting l chromaticities altered S-cone discrimination for a high adapting s chromaticity due to parvocellular input to the koniocellular pathway. In addition, S-cone discrimination was determined by the combined spectral signals arising from both adapting fields. The “white” adapting field or an adapting field with a different l chromaticity from the other fields was more likely to have a stronger influence on discrimination thresholds. These results indicated that the two cardinal axes are not independent in S-cone discrimination, and the two adapting fields jointly contribute to S-cone discrimination through a cortical summation mechanism.
Somatic diversification of immunoglobulin heavy chain VDJ genes: Evidence for somatic gene conversion in rabbits

Rabbits preferentially utilize only one of their multiple functional germline immunoglobulin VH genes. This preferential usage of one gene, VH1, raises the question of how rabbits generate antibody diversity. VDJ diversification was analyzed by cloning and sequencing VH1 gene rearrangements. Comparison of these sequences with that of germline VH1 identified clusters of nucleotide changes, including codon insertions and deletions. To investigate whether gene conversion was involved in this somatic diversification, we searched a data base of rabbit germline VH gene sequences for donor VH genes; potential donors were identified for five diversified regions. We conclude that somatic gene conversion has a major role in generating antibody diversity in rabbits. These studies provide clear evidence for somatic gene conversion of mammalian VDJ genes.
Thermal analysis of reactions and transformations in the solid state. II. Theoretical analysis of different reaction and transformation systems using thermogravimetry

Abstract A new mathematical approach has been developed to follow the kinetics of reactions and transformations in the solid state using thermogravimetry. The technique requires a thermogravimetric trace containing both an integral and first derivative recorded at a single heating rate. The approach permits one to extract kinetic parameters from a wide range of systems as it can be readily adapted to most complications generally encountered, including the presence of inert material and changing atmosphere conditions. The approach can utilize one or more process models and in this way is able to account for the overlapping stages which can occur due to a change in the mechanism. The equations lend themselves well to graphical analysis, yielding linear plots from which kinetic parameters of desolvation, chemical degradation, and phase transformation of organic, inorganic, and polymeric compounds can be successfully extracted. The method provides a means to obtain kinetic parameters that must otherwise be obtained from more tedious, time consuming isothermal techniques.
Evaluation of calcium chloride and lactic acid injection on chemical, microbiological and descriptive attributes of mature cow beef

The effect of calcium chloride, lactic acid or their combination on palatability, microbiological, and flavor characteristics of mature cow semimembranosus muscle was investigated. Regardless of aging time, a 10% injection of equal volumes of 0·3 m calcium chloride and 0·3 m lactic acid into hot-boned semimembranous muscle improved (P < 0·05) shear force values (approximately 35%) compared to hot- and cold-boned control cuts. Microbiological characteristics for all treatments were similar. Control cuts retained more desirable flavor (beefy and serumy/bloody) and less off-flavor (liver, sour, bitter and astringent) than calcium-chloride- or lactic-acid-injected cuts.
Nondestructive Imaging And Characterizations Of Electronic Materials And Devices Using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy

In this paper, a description of the scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) is first given to be followed by a brief and selective review of the recent applications of the SAM in nondestructive study of solid-state materials and devices. Some of the recent progress on the imaging and the methodologies for quantitative characterization of thin-and thick-solid state electronic materials and devices that are being made at the authors' institution is stressed.
Teaching a child with autism and severe language delays to reject: direct and indirect effects of functional communication training

We used functional communication training to teach Bob, a 10‐year‐old student with autism and severe language delays, to reject items by touching an icon. Our initial assessment revealed that Bob’s behaviours serving a rejecting function consisted of pushing away, yelling, bear hugging‐grabbing, and leaving. We used prompting, differential reinforcement, and error correction procedures to replace pushing away with touching an icon to reject. We examined the effects of this direct intervention on pushing away on Bob’s other rejecting behaviours to determine if there was any response co‐variation. Results indicate that we were successful at replacing pushing away with touching an icon to reject items, but that this intervention had variable effects on the other behaviours serving a rejecting function. We discuss the implications of our procedures and results for the use of functional communication training in the treatment of problem behaviours in children with autism.
Improving Throughput and Availability of Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD)

Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) is a packet radio system designed to provide reliable 19.2 kbps data service over the North American cellular phone system. The chief obstacle to high speed data transmission on CDPD is multipath fading. Time-varying amplitude and phase force CDPD to operate at a throughput far below that of equivalent non-fading channels. A new adaptive data rate technique can improve throughput on CDPD by more than a factor of 5. This technique adapts the data rate by varying the number of information bits, k, of a k/k+1 trellis code employing M-ary DPSK or CPFSK modulation. This adaptive trellis code ensures that we can raise the data rate without expanding the bandwidth. A novel soft-decision Viterbi decoder performs error correction, signal estimation, and rate changing in a single device. The built-in estimator automatically estimates the channel carrier-to-interference ratio with a standard deviation of 25 dB. An added benefit of the adaptive rate scheme is an increase in the service area of 17% for an omnidirectional cell and 9% for a directional cell.
Fast, exact, linear Booleans

We present a new system for robustly performing Boolean operations on linear, 3D polyhedra. Our system is exact, meaning that all internal numeric predicates are exactly decided in the sense of exact geometric computation. Our BSP-tree based system is 16--28x faster at performing iterative computations than CGAL's Nef Polyhedra based system, the current best practice in robust Boolean operations, while being only twice as slow as the non-robust modeler Maya. Meanwhile, we achieve a much smaller substrate of geometric subroutines than previous work, comprised of only 4 predicates, a convex polygon constructor, and a convex polygon splitting routine. The use of a BSP-tree based Boolean algorithm atop this substrate allows us to explicitly handle all geometric degeneracies without treating a large number of cases.
Inception of plasticity in the presence of vacancies in FCC single crystals: indenter size effect

Atomistic simulations of nanoindentation tests were used to study the indenter radius size effect in the presence of vacancies in a (111) single crystal of nickel. For radii from 2 nm to 8 nm, the maximum shear stresses under the indenter at the onset of plastic deformation in crystals with vacancies were compared to those which cause yield in perfect crystals by placing a single vacancy in a position near the maximum shear stress underneath the indenter tip. The effect of the presence of vacancies is lowered by decreasing the indenter radius. Results obtained for several random distributions of vacancies, in the range 3.3e-4 to 0.0033, show that placing a single vacancy near a specific location produces similar results as using larger numbers of vacancies while simplifying the complexity of the simulation. Finally, visualizations of atomic configurations of a single crystal with vacancy concentration of 3.3e-4 for radii of 4 nm and 6nm show that the heterogeneous nucleation is a size dependent phenomenon.
The Evolution of Configurable Wavelength Multiplexed Optical Networks—A Historical Perspective

The high capacity transport infrastructure that underpins today's Internet utilizes optical wavelengths both to provide high capacity transmission by means of multiplexing many wavelengths, each carrying as much as 100 Gb/s on a single wavelength, but also to provide coarse networking flexibility by dynamically adding, dropping, and routing wavelength channels. Viewed initially by many as little more than a dreamlike vision, these wavelength switched networks have now been deployed in both metro and long-haul networks around the globe to provide flexible, cost-effective high bandwidth connectivity to meet the explosive growth in demand of very broadband wire line and wireless services, especially video. The success of these networks, as signified by their ubiquitous deployment, is a result of a fortuitous combination of three factors: 1) a new network vision that, with the help of optical switching elements, leverages the advantage of optical amplifiers at the network as well as the transmission systems level; 2) technological advances that made possible the required cost-effective wavelength selective optical switching modules; and 3) continued massive demand growth that has driven the need for full wavelength capacity connectivity between network nodes that makes realizable the high value proposition for these wavelength routed networks. In this paper, we provide a historical perspective on the evolution of optical networks, with some emphasis on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-funded Multiple Wavelength Optical Network (MONET) program, which demonstrated the technical feasibility of wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks. We also discuss the value proposition of optical networks as well as their critical network elements and their enabling technologies. We also highlight the current status of these networks from a commercial deployment as well as the next generation research point of view.
Not All Tests Are Created Equal: Parental Rights and Standardized Tests.

This case focuses on one parent’s request to have his daughter exempted from district-mandated computer tests (called STAR Enterprise tests). These tests are administered several times per year as a formative assessment to gauge student achievement in the areas of reading and math. The parent was concerned that the district was spending too much time testing and not enough time teaching students. The principal of the school and the Director of Assessment and Accountability for the district had to determine whether a parent’s wishes for his child superseded the mandate set forth by the State Department of Education with regard to gathering sufficient formative data to monitor and report student progress.
Differential gene expression associated with tumorigenicity of cultured green turtle fibropapilloma-derived fibroblasts

Fibroblast cell lines derived from normal skin and experimentally induced fibropapillomas of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), were propagated in vitro and tested for tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice. Differential display RT-PCR was used to identify differences in messenger RNA expression between normal and tumorigenic fibropapillomatosis (FP)-derived fibroblasts from the same individual. Four unique products that were apparently overexpresed in FP and three that were apparently underexpressed were cloned and sequenced. Differential expression was confirmed for three products by Northern blotting. Two overexpressed products showed extensive sequence matches to the known mammalian cellular genes, beta-hexosaminidase and chain termination factor. The product that was underexpressed in FP showed homology with mammalian thrombospondin, a known tumor-suppressor gene and an inhibitor of angiogenesis. All of the partial gene sequences identified are novel and will require full length cDNA sequencing to further analyze their identities. These results, however, provide the foundation for further investigation to determine the role of each of these gene products in FP pathogenesis and cellular transformation. The potential for some of these products to serve as biomarkers for FP is discussed.
Statistical inference, Type II error, and decision making under the US Endangered Species Act

Critical conservation decisions have been made based on the spurious belief that “no statistically significant difference between two groups means the groups are the same”. We demonstrate this using the case of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), an endangered species in the US. Such faulty statistical logic has been recognized before, but ecologists have typically recommended assessing post hoc statistical power as a remedy. Statisticians, however, have shown that observed power will necessarily be low when no differences are found between two populations. Alternatives to assessments of statistical power include equivalence testing (a method rarely used by ecologists) and Bayesian or likelihood methods. Although scientists play a central role in ameliorating this problem, the courts could also assist by requiring litigated federal agency decisions to consider the risks of both Type I and Type II errors.
The pros and cons of lipid lowering in octogenarians: clinical decision making

There is little doubt that therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) is beneficial for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in individuals up to the age of 80 years. A wealth of data is available demonstrating that, in patients enrolled in clinical trials, statin use is associated with improved morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, there is more uncertainty regarding the use of these agents in individuals over 80 years of age. In these instances, clinical decision making is often difficult and relies on extrapolation of existing data, balancing benefit and harm and the incorporation of patient preferences.
Free, source-code-available, or proprietary: an ethically charged, context-sensitive choice

We demonstrate that different categories of software raise different ethical concerns with respect to whether software ought to be Free Software or Proprietary Software. We outline the ethical tension between Free Software and Proprietary Software that stems from the two kinds of licenses. For some categories of software we develop support for normative statements regarding the software development landscape. We claim that as society's use of software changes, the ethical analysis for that category of software must necessarily be repeated. Finally, we make a utilitarian argument that the software development environment should encourage both Free Software and Proprietary Software to flourish.
Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on multiple AIDS-defining illnesses among male HIV seroconverters.

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on multiple acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)–defining illnesses remains unclear. Between 1984 and 2005, 573 male human immunodeficiency virus seroconverters in four US urban centers were followed for a median of 9.7 years. During follow-up, 345, 113, 50, and 65 men incurred 0, 1, 2, and >2 AIDS-defining illnesses, respectively. The authors extend the Cox proportional hazards model to determine whether the effect of HAART, as measured by calendar periods, persists beyond the first AIDS-defining illness. After adjustment for race and age at seroconversion, the hazards of a first through third AIDS-defining illness in the HAART calendar period (beyond July 1995) were 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21, 0.46), 0.39 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.74), and 0.33 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.79), respectively, relative to the monotherapy and combination therapy reference calendar period (January 1990–July 1995) and therefore did not attenuate with the number of prior AIDS-defining illnesses (p for homogeneity ¼ 0.83). After the authors averaged over multiple AIDS-defining illnesses, the hazard of an AIDS-defining illness in the HAART calendar period was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.45) relative to the reference calendar period. HAART protects against initial and subsequent AIDS-defining illnesses, whose inclusion in analysis markedly increased the precision of the estimated hazard ratio.
Failing to Win: Perceptions of Victory and Defeat in International Politics

Failing to Win: Perceptions of Victory and Defeat in International Politics. By Dominic D. P. Johnson and Dominic Tierney. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2006. 345p. $35.00. One inevitable result of the recent U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq has been renewed scholarly interest in the determinants of wartime public opinion. In a recent influential article, Christopher Gelpi, Peter Feaver, and Jason Reifler (“Success Matters: Casualty Sensitivity and the War in Iraq,” International Security 30 [Winter 2005/6]: 7–46) argue that casualty tolerance is primarily shaped by prospective beliefs about likely success and retrospective judgments regarding the “rightness” of the decision to initiate the conflict. This rationalist account of wartime public opinion suggests that the mass public will accept the costs of war if they are exceeded by attainable and important benefits.
FLIES SHORT OF BREATH

![Figure][1] Functional interpretations of the insect tracheal system – a branched series of tubes supplying oxygen from the environment to every metabolizing tissue in the insect's body – are plagued by two related myths. The first is that gases move through the tracheal system entirely
Phase insensitive Frequency Modulation sensor for long distance CO 2 monitoring

In this paper we describe an open-air long-distance CO2 monitor that is based on Tunable Diode laser Frequency Modulation Spectroscopy. Traditionally, FM spectroscopy employs phase sensitive homodyne detection, i.e. the DC output depends on the phase σ between the detected modulation signal and the local oscillator. The presence of turbulence in the optical path of the instrument leads not only to fluctuations of detected laser power but also to fluctuations of phase [1,2,3].