cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obese Mothers have Lower Odds of Experiencing Pro-breastfeeding Hospital Practices than Mothers of Normal Weight: CDC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2004–2008

Objectives This study examines the extent to which a mother’s pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) category is associated with her exposure to pro-breastfeeding hospital practices. Methods Data from the 2004–2008 CDC PRAMS were analyzed for three states (Illinois, Maine, and Vermont) that had administered an optional survey question about hospital pro-breastfeeding practices. Results Of 19,145 mothers surveyed, 19 % were obese (pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 30). Obese mothers had lower odds than mothers of normal weight of initiating breastfeeding [70 vs. 79 % (unweighted), p < 0.0001]. Compared with women of normal weight, obese mothers had lower odds of being exposed to pro-breastfeeding hospital practices during the birth hospitalization. Specifically, obese mothers had higher odds of using a pacifier in the hospital [odds ratio (OR) 1.31, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (1.17–1.48), p < 0.0001] and lower odds of: a staff member providing them with information about breastfeeding [OR 0.71, 95 % CI (0.57–0.89), p = 0.002], a staff member helping them breastfeed [OR 0.69, 95 % CI (0.61–0.78), p < 0.0001], breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery [OR 0.55, 95 % CI (0.49–0.62), p < 0.0001], being given a telephone number for breastfeeding help [OR 0.65, 95 % CI (0.57–0.74), p < 0.0001], rooming in [OR 0.84, 95 % CI (0.73–0.97), p = 0.02], and being instructed to breastfeed on demand [OR 0.66, 95 % CI (0.58–0.75), p < 0.0001]. Adjusting for multiple covariates, all associations except rooming in remained significant. Conclusions Obesity stigma may be a determinant of breastfeeding outcomes for obese mothers. Breastfeeding support should be improved for this at-risk population.
BLOCKADE OF N- AND P/Q-TYPE CALCIUM CHANNELS REDUCES THE SECONDARY HEAT HYPERALGESIA INDUCED BY ACUTE INFLAMMATION

High voltage calcium channels are implicated in nociceptive transmission after nerve injury, capsaicin or formalin injection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of calcium channels in secondary heat hyperalgesia associated with acute joint inflammation. After induction of acute inflammation (knee joint injection of kaolin and carrageenan), decreased paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to radiant heat ( i . e . , secondary heat hyperalgesia), increased guarding of the limb and increased joint circumference occurs. Spinal administration (through a microdialysis fiber placed in dorsal horn) of an N-type calcium channel blocker (MVIIA, SNX 111, ziconotide, 0.001–0.1 mM), before induction of inflammation, prevents the decrease in PWL. Treatment with SNX 111 4 hr after inflammation reverses heat hyperalgesia. A small reduction in spontaneous pain-related behaviors (guarding of the limb) occurs after pre- or post-treatment with SNX 111. Spinal blockade of P/Q-type calcium channels (with ω-agatoxin IVA) had no effect on the decrease in PWL to radiant heat when administered after induction of inflammation. However, pre-treatment with ω-agatoxin IVA prevents secondary heat hyperalgesia. ω-Agatoxin IVA has no effect on spontaneous pain-related behaviors whether administered before or after induction of inflammation. In contrast, pre or post-treatment with nifedipine (L-type calcium channel blocker, 0.01–1.0 mM), had no effect on heat hyperalgesia or spontaneous pain-related behaviors induced by acute inflammation. There were no differences in joint circumference between groups with any treatment. Thus, N-type calcium channels contribute to both the development and maintenance of secondary heat hyperalgesia while P-type calcium channels are only involved during development of hyperalgesia.
Optimum phase for rugate filter synthesis by Fourier transforms

An optimum phase is developed for the synthesis of rugate reflectors by a simple Fourier transform. This phase belongs to a complex function of the desired spectral characteristics and is usually a free parameter. In general, it receives much less attention than the function magnitude, which is not known exactly. The current work shows that phase shaping alone produces surprisingly good results and has other advantages in rugate filter synthesis. In addition, the operating mode of this design procedure is quite unusual and interesting in itself.
Acetyl-acyl carrier protein is not a major intermediate in fatty acid biosynthesis in spinach.

The extent to which acetyl-acyl carrier protein (acetyl-ACP) is an intermediate in fatty acid biosynthesis was examined. Acetyl-ACP was the least effective primer of fatty acid synthesis by spinach extracts when compared to acetyl-CoA, butyryl-ACP or hexanoyl-ACP. Furthermore, the rate of acetyl-ACP-primed fatty acid synthesis was inhibited significantly by cerulenin, indicating that the slow utilization of acetyl-ACP was predominantly by 3-oxoacyl-ACP synthase I. In light-incubated isolated chloroplasts with high rates of fatty acid synthesis (greater than 800 nmol.h-1.mg chlorophyll-1), the rate of acetyl-ACP metabolism was at least 10-30-fold slower than the rate of butyryl-ACP metabolism. The relatively slow metabolism of acetyl-ACP provided in situ evidence that (a) butyryl-ACP was formed principally from condensation of malonyl-ACP with acetyl-CoA and (b) acetyl-ACP was a minor participant in fatty acid biosynthesis.
INTRAPERITONEALLY TRANSPLANTED FETAL RAT INTESTINE: MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION

In previous studies we have demonstrated that transplantation of fetal rat intestine into the peritoneal cavity of adult rats is possible and that the transplanted gut undergoes differentiation and maturation. Histology of these transplants showed normal appearance. In a further study we wanted to examine the functional integrity of the transplanted intestine after anastomosis to the intestine of the host. Disaccharidase activities were measured in the transplant and compared to the “control” activities found in the intestine of the host rat. Maltase and sucrase activities of the transplant were approximately 60% of control, lactase activity was the same for transplant and control. The capacities of glucose and amino acid uptake of the transplanted epithelium were not different from control. Peristalsis of the transplant was measured by electromyographic recordings: slow wave frequency and spike activity were at the same levels as in controls. These re-results demonstrate that the transplanted fetal rat intestine has the structural and functional characteristics of the normal rat small bowel and should be considered as an alternative to the transplantation of adult bowel. Supported by DFG Grant Ha 1402/1-1
The Student Voice: Sociology Majors Tell Us About Learning Sociology

In this article I report on the common themes derived from three small-scale qualitative studies that focused on how sociology majors believe they learn our discipline. These studies include a group interview, analysis of content in learning logs, and individual face-to-face interviews. Based on the results of these studies, five types of connections appear critical to student learning in sociology: to others, those among related ideas or skills, to students' lives, across courses, and to the discipline. In addition, students were at different points on three overlapping pathways of learning: level of success in the major, use of surface-deep approaches, and degree of novice-expert learning. I also offer implications and suggestions for teaching, sociology programs, and future research.
Beyond the Glutamine Expansion: Influence of Posttranslational Modifications of Ataxin-1 in the Pathogenesis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1

Posttranslational modifications are crucial mechanisms that modulate various cellular signaling pathways, and their dysregulation is associated with many human diseases. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive ataxia, mild cognitive impairments, difficulty with speaking and swallowing, and respiratory failure. It is caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG trinucleotide repeat encoding a glutamine tract in Ataxin-1 (ATXN1). Although the expansion of the polyglutamine tract is the key determinant of the disease, protein domains outside of the polyglutamine tract and posttranslational modifications of ATXN1 significantly alter the neurotoxicity of SCA1. ATXN1 undergoes several posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and transglutamination. Such modifications can alter the stability of ATXN1 or its activity in the regulation of target gene expression and therefore contribute to SCA1 toxicity. This review outlines different types of posttranslational modifications in ATXN1 and discusses their potential regulatory mechanisms and effects on SCA1 pathogenesis. Finally, the manipulation of posttranslational modifications as a potential therapeutic approach will be discussed.
Click/Scan/Bold: The New Materiality of Architectural Discourse and Its Counter-Publics

ABSTRACTThe past five years have brought several exhibitions, conferences, and other events that examine the past, present, and future of architectural periodicals. Incited in large part by the transformations wrought by new digital and social media in both architecture and publishing, these events reflect a desire among their participants to shape the materiality of architectural discourse—and even to frame the creation of discursive space as a form of architectural design itself. It is often hoped that the creation of new forms of “little” or “subversive” publications will result in the production not only of a designed object or process, but also of new discursive (counter)publics.
Rate constant measurement for the reaction of OClO with NO at 220–367 K

Abstract The rate constant for the reaction of OClO with NO at temperatures ranging from 220 to 367 K has been measured under pseudo-first-order conditions using the fast flow combined with a mass spectrometer (FF/MS) method. The rate constant for the OClO reaction with NO is found to be negatively dependent on temperature, with an Arrhenius expression of k 4 =(1.04±0.24)×10 −13 exp [(347±58)/T] cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , which is in contrast to that estimated by NASA kinetic data review panel on the basis of a previous measurement at 298 K. The atmospheric implication of our experimental results is discussed.
Sodium and water permeability of salt-water fish corneas

Abstract 1. 1. Isolated corneas from a marine teleost and a marine elasmobranch were subjected to sodium and water permeability analyses. 2. 2. Despite the presence of environmental osmotic gradients both corneas were found to be impermeable to sodium and slightly permeable to water with no net water movement. 3. 3. The major resistance to the movement of sodium and water is located in the corneal epithelium.
PHYSIOLOGY AND MICROCLIMATE IN A HEMIPARASITE CASTILLEJA CHROMOSA (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

The hypothesis, that through use of a host, a hemiparasitic angiosperm will be able to "uncouple" physiological functions from microenvironmental variations, was tested by field measurements of water and carbohydrate balance between Castilleja chromosa and host Artemisia tridentata in three different microhabitats in the White Mountains of California. Movement of reducing sugars from host to parasite correlated with the water potential gradient from host to parasite, and the gradient occurred when water potentials of the host-parasite system exceeded 15 bars. Changes in carbohydrate and water balance in Castilleja were unaffected by microclimatic differences, whereas these same functions in the host were tightly coupled with differences in microhabitat. ALTHOUGH it has been generally established that the genus Castilleja (Scrophulariaceae) is hemiparasitic, its physiological relationship with a host has not been well documented, especially in the field. It has been shown that most, if not
Warping time-frequency and time-scale representations to match signals

Warping similarity transformations provide a powerful vehicle for generating new classes of joint distributions based on concepts different from time, frequency, and scale. These new signal representations focus on the critical characteristics of large classes of signals, and hence, prove useful for representing and processing signals that are not well matched by current techniques. Interestingly, all distributions that have been used to illustrate more complicated generalized distribution design techniques can be generated using the warping method.
Miscibility of ethanol in diesel fuels

Whereas the use of ethanol in gasoline is widely practiced as a means to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions, similar use of ethanol in diesel is not widely accepted. Barriers to the use of ethanol in diesel fuel include limited miscibility at lower temperatures and need for minor variations in fuel delivery systems to account for the different physical properties of ethanol as compared to diesel. An understanding of the phase behavior is necessary to achieve benefits and avoid problems when ethanol is used in diesel. The miscibilities of ethanol in eight diesel fuels having a wide variation in compositions were evaluated. Aromatic contents and intermediate distillate temperatures had a significant impact on miscibility limits. An emphasis was placed on the transition in phase behavior from gasoline, where phase behavior problems are consistently avoided, to US-2D diesel fuel, where phase behavior is considered a barrier to implementation. An empirical correlation was developed for predicting upper critical ...
Urban Geography With Scale: Rethinking Scale VIA Wal-Mart's "Geography of Big Things"1

Human geographers have recently rethought the concept of geographic scale in important ways that have unrealized potential for the urban-geographic study of the relative spatiality of urban processes and forms. Yet in an influential 2005 article, Marston, Jones III, and Woodward suggested that scale should be "expurgated" from the human geographical lexicon, an argument they have more recently reiterated. My article questions this on both theoretical and empirical grounds. First, I consider the origins of hierarchical, vertically ordered scale to suggest such interpretations may inhere more in a territorialized imaginary in political geography than scale itself. Second, I propose an urban-geographic rereading of scale as a volumetric, networked, space of flows. Exploring this idea through the example of Wal-Mart's "geography of big things," I suggest we need to recover and elaborate scale to better understand the outsized spatiality of the big box and the global commodity chains in which it is embedded.
Xeroradiography: A key to the nature of technological change in ancient ceramic production

Abstract Over the last two decades Industry and Medicine have developed and fully exploited various X-ray techniques, especially xeroradiography. It is only recently, however, that the latter has found significant use in museum-related disciplines, the appeal being that it is nondestructive in its usual mode of application. Though the production of xeroradiographic images has been largely constrained to situations where the X-ray beam incidence is normal to the object's surface — we will illustrate that information recovery is not optimized in that configuration — some valuable data has been gleaned about certain characteristic features of ceramic structure. For example, the frequency, grain structure and gross aspects of rock and mineral inclusions are often radiographically distinct, when their effective atomic number is significantly different from the surrounding clay matrix. (Haematite, muscovite and calcite show up particularly clearly.) Similarly, remnants of organic matter, such as any rice or straw temper that the potter may have added, produce quite distinct images. We have now adapted routine xeroradiographic methods to accurately reconstruct the method of manufacture of individual pottery vessel types from a wide range of past cultural horizons. Adjustments in X-ray exposure settings and angles of incidence, coupled to an internal study of certain vessel forms (using a “thick section” technique that we will describe in detail), has allowed us to identify subtle changes with time in ancient pottery production methods, and has prompted much reassessment of current ideas about technological innovation within several cultures, including those of Bronze Age Jordan and prehistoric Thailand. This paper will summarize the technical aspects of these changes, and consider the past social conditions which may have stimulated them.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Occurrence With Altered Cellular Immunity and a Circulating Serum Factor

• Aberrations of cellular immune functions in pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) may lead to nonspecific activation of inflammatory cells or to an imbalance of suppression leading to autoaggression (chronic ulceration). A patient with severe unremitting PG had anergy to a battery of seven skin test antigens. Mixed lymphocyte reactions, autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions, lymphocyte proliferative responses to antigens, and the production of leukocyte inhibitory factor were substantially suppressed, while the lymphocyte responses to mitogens were unaffected. Quantitative immunoglobulin and complement levels were normal. The inhibition of cellular immune functions was mediated by a factor in the patient's serum. This factor also inhibited lymphocyte functions of normal unrelated control subjects. Preliminary studies demonstrated that the factor is nondialyzable, heat stable, and not adsorbed by Staphylococcus A protein. Pulse therapy with large doses of corticosteroids resulted in dramatic clinical improvement. ( Arch Dermatol 1982;118:498-502)
Sesquiterpene lactones of Cichorium intybus and Leontodon autumnalis

Abstract 8-Deoxylactucin, lactucin and lactupicrin were isolated from Cichorium intybus . 8-Deoxylactucin and jacquilenin were isolated from Leontodon autumnalis and were found in particular abundance in flowers of the latter species. Flowers of L. autumnalis do not produce pentacyclic triterpenoid diols. Thus this species is the first noted exception to the Zimmermann rule, which correlates the co-occurrence of triterpenoid diols and carotenoids in flowers of Compositae plants.
Bounds on the number of Hamiltonian circuits in the n-cube

Abstract New upper and lower bounds are found for the number of Hamiltonian circuits in the graph of the n -cube.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2009

AbstractThe 2009 Atlantic season was marked by below-average tropical cyclone activity with the formation of nine tropical storms, the fewest since the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season. Of these, three became hurricanes and two strengthened into major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). In addition, there were two tropical depressions that did not reach storm strength. The numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes were below the long-term averages of 11 named storms and 6 hurricanes, although the number of major hurricanes equaled the long-term average of 2. Many of the cyclones remained relatively weak. Only one tropical cyclone, Tropical Storm Claudette, made landfall in the United States, although Ida affected the northern Gulf Coast as a tropical storm before moving inland as an extratropical cyclone. Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny indirectly affected the East Coast by producing high surf, rip currents, and beach erosion; Bill also produced tropical sto...
The source, structure, and stability of control over Japan’s financial sector

Abstract This paper assesses our understanding of the centrality of financial institutions in intercorporate networks by examining patterns of ownership ties within Japan’s powerful financial sector. Drawing upon literature on intercorporate networks in Japan and the US, two critical issues are addressed. One, the source and structure of control, and two, what this tells us about change, or lack thereof, in ownership during the turbulent 1990s. Results show that patterns of ownership ties are centralized and stratified, and dominated by a small, cohesive set of financial institutions. Both the source and structure were remarkably stable despite financial crisis. Finally, the sphere of influence crosscut the boundaries of business groups. This paper extends studies of intercorporate relations in Japan and clarifies important similarities and differences with the US.
Interval Censoring and Marginal Analysis in Ordinal Regression

This article develops a methodology for regression analysis of ordinal response data subject to interval censoring. This work is motivated by the need to analyze data from multiple studies in toxicological risk assessment. Responses are scored on an ordinal severity scale, but not all responses can be scored completely. For instance, in a mortality study, information on nonfatal but adverse outcomes may be missing. In order to address possible within-study correlations, we develop a generalized estimating approach to the problem, with appropriate adjustments to uncertainty statements. We develop expressions relating parameters of the implied marginal model to the parameters of a conditional model with random effects, and, in a special case, we note an interesting equivalence between conditional and marginal modeling of ordinal responses. We illustrate the methodology in an analysis of a toxicological database.
QCD phase structure with 8 light quark flavors

Abstract The QCD phase structure with eight degenerate flavors is studied on 163 × Nt lattices with Nt = 4, 8, 16 and 32. A dynamical quark of mass ma = 0.015 was used in the simulation. In calculating 〈ḡcχ〉 and hadron propagator, we also used valence quark masses of ma = 0.004, 0.01 and 0.025 in order to study the chiral property of the phases. A strong, first order chiral symmetry restoring phase transition is seen at Nt = 4 and 8 with different βc. However, βc becomes independent of Nt when Nt ≥ 8, indicating a bulk or zero temperature phase transition with βc = 4.59(2). A chirally symmetric phase at β = 5.0 is seen while in the region of weak coupling with β ≈ βc hadron propagators suggest a chirally asymmetric behavior.
From Bjorken Scaling to pQCD—Experimental techniques from p-p collisions of the 1970's with application to Au+Au collisions at RHIC

Hard scattering in p-p collisions was discovered at the CERN ISR in 1972, by the method of leading particles, which proved that the partons of Deeply Inelastic Scattering strongly interacted with each other. Further ISR measurements utilizing inclusive single or pairs of hadrons established that high p T particles are produced from states with two roughly back-to-back jets which are the result of scattering of constituents of the nucleons as described by Quantum Chromodynamics. These techniques, which are the only practical method to study hard-scattering and jet phenomena in Au+Au collisions at RHIC, will be reviewed.
Specificity of a nucleolar 2'-O-methyltransferase for RNA substrates.

Summary In this study we examined the specificity of a nucleolar 2′-O-methyltransferase isolated from nucleoli of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The nucleolar methyltransferase was capable of methylating each of the four nucleosides of RNA, however, the level of methylation at a particular nucleoside varied with the type of RNA. Both kinetic analysis and the stimulation of methylation by polyamines suggested that the structure of RNA was critical in influencing the discrimination and apparent specificity of nucleolar 2′-O-methyltransferase.
Percus--Yevick virial relation and scaled particle theory

The conditional probability of finding a cavityG(r) devoid of molecular centers of hard sphere fluid is modified by making use of the discontinuity atr=a/2 (a is the diameter of a molecule). The new equation of state thus obtained is bounded by the Percus-Yevick compressibility and virial pressure equations of state, which may be the upper and lower bounds to the results of machine calculation.
Thalidomide modulation of the immune response in female B6C3F1 mice: a host resistance study

Abstract Previously, we have reported that thalidomide (Thd) treatment can modulate the immune responses in female B6C3F1 mice. The present study was designed to evaluate whether or not these immunomodulatory responses were of sufficient magnitude to alter host resistances in a number of pathogen and tumor models. B6C3F1 mice were treated intraperitoneally with Thd (30–150 mg/kg) for 14 or 28 days, then inoculated with either Plasmodium yeolii, PYB6 fibrosarcoma tumor cells, B16F10 melanoma tumor cells, Listeria monocytogenes, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Significant dose-dependent protection against B16F10 and L. monocytogenes was observed in mice that were treated with Thd. Furthermore, time course study using bacterial colony-forming units per spleen and liver as the endpoints indicated that the protective effect of Thd on host resistance to L. monocytogenes was time-dependent. In contrast, Thd treatment did not affect host resistance to P. yeolii, S. pneumoniae and PYB6 tumor. Additionally, the effect of Thd on the phagocytic function of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) was evaluated following intravenous injection of 51Cr-labeled sRBCs. The overall phagocytic activity of MPS was not significantly altered by Thd treatment. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Thd immunomodulation altered host resistance to B16F10 and L. monocytogenes; and selective modulation of Thd on the immune system may be responsible for the pathogen or tumor-specific effect of this compound.
Computer codes for shielding calculations — 1969

Abstract An extensive library of computer codes useful for radiation transport or shielding calculations is available from the Radiation Shielding Information Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In addition to the point kernel, Monte Carlo, and discrete ordinates codes used for neutron and gamma-ray transport calculations, the collection includes cross-section libraries and codes for processing cross sections, calculating fission product inventories, proton penetration of spacecraft, electron-photon transport, and analyzing neutron activation detector data to determine spectra. A list of the most current codes is given and essential information for each is included.
Glucocorticoids Regulate Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase by Inhibiting Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis and L-Arginine Transport

The cytokine-inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) plays an important role in the immune response to some pathogens. Within the heart, increased activity of NOS2 in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMEC) also can diminish the contractile function of adjacent cardiac myocytes. Glucocorticoids, which are known to suppress cytokine induction of NOS2 in many cell types, caused only a moderate (approximately 20%) decline in NOS2 protein content and maximal activity measured in homogenates of cytokine-treated CMEC, but almost completely inhibited synthesis of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by intact cells. To determine whether glucocorticoids were inhibiting cellular NOx production by limiting the availability of NOS co-factors or substrate, the effect of dexamethasone on tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and L-arginine availability in cytokine-treated CMEC was examined. Dexamethasone prevented the coordinate induction of GTP cyclohydrolase I with NOS2 after exposure to interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma and also the increase in intracellular BH4 content in cytokine-treated CMEC. Addition of BH4 overcame dexamethasone-mediated suppression of nitrite production. Dexamethasone also prevented a cytokine-mediated increase in L-arginine uptake into CMEC by suppressing the induction of the high affinity cationic amino acid transporters CAT-1 and CAT-2B and the low affinity CAT-2A transporter. In addition, dexamethasone also inhibited cytokine induction in CMEC of argininosuccinate synthase, the rate-limiting enzyme for the de novo synthesis of arginine from citrulline. Thus, glucocorticoids regulate NOx production following cytokine exposure in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells primarily by limiting BH4 and L-arginine availability.
From early to current developments in online learning at Nova Southeastern University: reflections on historical milestones

The authors trace the major historical milestones achieved by Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in its pioneering of graduate-level online learning programs. We share our story of building our online programs from scratch and from within the trenches. We highlight the milestones we achieved in online learning from first inception of the idea in the early 1980s to some of our present-day accomplishments. We hope the telling of our story will inspire higher-education professionals to start their own online programs, while perhaps avoiding some of the barriers we have experienced as challenges to building online programs.
Formation of Conical Carbon Structures on Vapor-Grown Carbon Filaments

We report two novel conical carbon structures of nano-to-micrometer dimensions that spontaneously grow on the surface of carbon filaments produced by thermal decomposition of certain hydrocarbons. The first carbon structure occurs in the form of an inverted truncated cone attached with its base to the surface of a carbon filament. Another carbon structure grows in the form of a conical spike with an apex angle of 6°. Interestingly, these two structurally dissimilar carbon species can grow adjacent to each other.
Uncoupling translocation from translation: implications for transport of proteins across membranes

The segregation of secretory proteins into the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is normally tightly coupled to their synthesis. This feature distinguishes their biogenesis from that of proteins targeted to many other organelles. In the examples presented, translocation across the ER membrane is dissociated from translation. Transport, which is normally cotranslational, may proceed in the absence of chain elongation. Moreover, translocation across the ER membrane does not proceed spontaneously since, even in the absence of protein synthesis, energy substrates are required for translocation. These conclusions have been extended to the cotranslational integration of newly synthesized transmembrane proteins.
Gas-phase concentrations of current-use pesticides in Iowa.

Local and regional atmospheric transport of current-use pesticides is an important source of these compounds to nontarget plants and ecosystems. Current-use pesticides were measured at urban, rural, and suburban sites in eastern Iowa during 2000−2002. The most detected compounds were hexachlorobenzene and trifluralin, which were found in 89% and 78% of the samples, respectively. As expected, many pesticides showed a strong seasonal trend with the most detections and highest concentrations occurring during the spring and early summer. The average detected concentrations of five heavily used herbicides were 0.52 ng/m3 for trifluralin, 4.6 ng/m3 for acetochlor, 2.3 ng/m3 for metolachlor, 1.1 ng/m3 for alachlor, 1.7 ng/m3 for pendimethalin, and 1.2 ng/m3 for atrazine. The most frequently detected insecticides were phorate and chlorpyrifos, which were found in 20% and 19% of the samples, respectively. The average phorate and chlorpyrifos concentrations were 25 ng/m3 and 1.0 ng/m3, respectively. The maximum pho...
Orientation of irreversible adhesion of spherical particles on prolate spheroidal collectors

When one sphere adheres to a second sphere, the location or orientation of the adhesion on the second sphere is seldom considered. However, when a sphere adheres to a prolate spheroid, the orientation of the adhesion is sometimes critical. We have performed Brownian dynamics simulations to predict the orientation of adhesion of a sphere on a prolate spheroid. When the spheroid has a high rotational diffusion coefficient, simulations show that the spherical particle adheres near the end of the spheroid. We tested our model experimentally for two systems: (1) oppositely-charged spherical and spheroidal colloids and (2) like-charged colloidal spheres and E. coli K-12 D21 bacteria. For the latter case, the spheres have previously been shown to adhere only to one end of the bacterium. Experiments in case (1) support the results of the simulations, while data from case (2) do not agree with predictions. Case (2) data reveal that the end-on adhesion of the spheres on the bacteria is not a purely Brownian phenomenon.
Third-Order Nonlinearities of Ge28Sb12Se60 for Waveguide Devices

The optical nonlinearities of the chalcogenide Ge28Sb12Se60 are studied using the z-scan technique with femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses at 1.0 μm. Results indicate this glass shows promise for nonlinear optical waveguide devices.
A step-down heteroscedastic multiple comparison procedure

All-pairs power in a one-way ANOVA is the probability of detecting all true differences between pairs of means. Ramsey (1978) found that for normal distributions having equal variances, step-down multiple comparison procedures can have substantially more all-pairs power than single-step procedures, such as Tukey’s HSD, when equal sample sizes are randomly sampled from each group. This paper suggests a step-down procedure for the case of unequal variances and compares it to Dunnett's T3 technique. The new procedure is similar in spirit to one of the heteroscedastic procedures described by Hochberg and Tamhane (1987), but it has certain advantages that are discussed in the paper. Included are results on unequal sample sizes.
A window into thinking: Using student writing to understand conceptual change in science learning

This study, conducted in an inner-city middle school, followed the conceptual changes shown in 25 students' writing over a 12-week science unit. Conceptual changes for 6 target students are reported. Student understanding was assessed regarding the nature of matter and physical change by paper-and-pencil pretest and posttest. The 6 target students were interviewed about the goal concepts before and after instruction. Students' writing during lesson activities provided qualitative data about their understandings of the goal concepts across the science unit. The researcher constructed concept maps from students' written statements and compared the maps across time to assess changes in the schema of core concepts, complexity, and organization as a result of instruction. Target students' changes were studied in detail to determine patterns of conceptual change. After patterns were located in target students' maps, the remaining 19 students' maps were analyzed for similar patterns. The ideas that students identified in their writing showed changes in central concepts, complexity, and organization as the lessons progressed. When instructional events were analyzed in relation to students' demonstrated ideas, understanding of the goal conceptions appeared in students' writing more often when students had opportunities to explain their new ideas orally and in writing.
Exact bounds on average granular pressures in a general bin model

Abstract An exact theory of averaged static bin pressures that takes into account the general variations of the pressure ratio, the bulk density, the grain-wall friction coefficient, the cross-sectional area, and the perimeter of the bin, with respect to the depth of the stored grain in a bin is presented. Exact solutions are then presented for the general differential inequalities involved. It is shown that the essential features of Janssen's classical results are retained. However, it is shown that smaller bounds than his lower bounds on bin pressures are quite possible contrary to the presently accepted notion of bin pressures. For a particular case an estimate on an improved lower bound on the overburden pressure is obtained and is shown to be more than 10% lower than that predicted by Janssen's formula.
Potential for Differentiation of Pseudoprogression From True Tumor Progression With Dynamic Susceptibility-Weighted Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Ferumoxytol vs. Gadoteridol: A Pilot Study

Purpose We evaluated dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) using gadoteridol in comparison to the iron oxide nanoparticle blood pool agent, ferumoxytol, in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who received standard radiochemotherapy (RCT). Methods and Materials Fourteen patients with GBM received standard RCT and underwent 19 MRI sessions that included DSC-MRI acquisitions with gadoteridol on Day 1 and ferumoxytol on Day 2. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) values were calculated from DSC data obtained from each contrast agent. T1-weighted acquisition post-gadoteridol administration was used to identify enhancing regions. Results In seven MRI sessions of clinically presumptive active tumor, gadoteridol-DSC showed low rCBV in three and high rCBV in four, whereas ferumoxytol-DSC showed high rCBV in all seven sessions ( p = 0.002). After RCT, seven MRI sessions showed increased gadoteridol contrast enhancement on T1-weighted scans coupled with low rCBV without significant differences between contrast agents ( p = 0.9). Based on post-gadoteridol T1-weighted scans, DSC-MRI, and clinical presentation, four patterns of response to RCT were observed: regression, pseudoprogression, true progression, and mixed response. Conclusion We conclude that DSC-MRI with a blood pool agent such as ferumoxytol may provide a better monitor of tumor rCBV than DSC-MRI with gadoteridol. Lesions demonstrating increased enhancement on T1-weighted MRI coupled with low ferumoxytol rCBV are likely exhibiting pseudoprogression, whereas high rCBV with ferumoxytol is a better marker than gadoteridol for determining active tumor. These interesting pilot observations suggest that ferumoxytol may differentiate tumor progression from pseudoprogression and warrant further investigation.
Chromosomal sensitivity of lymphocytes from individuals with therapy-related acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

A small fraction of those individuals exposed to cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation for the treatment of a primary malignant disease will develop a second malignancy some time later. Although exposure to the cytotoxic agents is believed to be the causative factor, the reason only certain individuals develop the second malignancy is unknown. Some studies have suggested that these individuals might be predisposed to cancer because of an inherent sensitivity to the alkylating agents used in cancer therapy. We have reported that these individuals with therapy-related acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (t-ANLL) have reduced endogenous levels of the repair protein O6-alkylguanine alkyltransferase (AGT). To further investigate the etiology of this disease, alkylation-induced sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) formation in individuals who developed second malignancies, was compared to other patient groups and normal controls. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with (1) t-ANLL, (2) primary forms of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL de novo), (3) patients with primary malignancies at risk of developing secondary disease, and (4) unexposed, healthy controls were treated in vitro with N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine or mitomycin C. Baseline and mutagen-induced frequencies of SCEs were determined. These studies failed to detect any increased sensitivity in those patients who developed second malignancies as compared to controls or patients with de novo forms of the same disease. Also, no correlation between sensitivity to the alkylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine and endogenous levels of the AGT repair protein was found. These results suggest that t-ANLL patients are not sensitive to SCE induction by either MNNG or MMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Matched filter performance for unequal target and background covariance matrices

Detection of military and civilian targets from airborne platforms using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensors is of great interest. Relative to multispectral sensing, hyperspectral sensing can increase the detectability of targets by exploiting finer detail in spectral signatures. A multitude of adaptive detection algorithms have appeared in the literature or have found their way into software packages and end-user systems. The most widely known among them is the linear matched filter. However, despite its popularity, the fact that the matched filter is used under conditions that deviate from the implicit optimality assumptions has not been investigated. The optimum linear matched filter assumes that the target and background spectra follow normal distributions with identical covariance matrices. However, in HSI data, the fundamental assumption about equal covariance matrices is likely violated. An analytic matched filter performance expression assuming unequal covariance matrices is derived, which also allows performance estimates under incomplete class descriptions (only a few principal components are known). Examples based on HSI data show that theoretical performance can be overly optimistic compared to actual performance. Example performance estimates based on incomplete class descriptions are shown to be more realistic because of the elongation of typical HSI data distribution hyperellipses.
Advances in subsurface water-content measurement with a distributed Brillouin scattering fibre-optic sensor

This paper reports on the design of a novel optical sensor for distributed measurement of water-content at discrete positions along a single fibre length embedded in low permeability media. Sensing is based on the characteristics of Brillouin scattering in optical fibres coupled with the characteristics of hydrophilic polymers used as transducers. Experiments with a water sensor prototype have demonstrated measurement of water-content up to 30%.Measured losses on the system indicate that mounting of hundreds of sensors over several kilometres of fibre is possible. Experiments involving swelling and drying of the polymers showed that the water-content measurements with the fibre-based sensor are fully reversible.
Effect of recombination on the open-circuit voltage of a silicon solar cell

A theoretical study of the influence of band-band Auger, band-trap Auger, and the ordinary Shockley-Read-Hall mechanism for carrier recombination on the open-circuit voltage VOC of a solar cell is presented. Under reasonable assumptions for the magnitude of rate constants and realistic values for trap densities, surface recombination velocities and band-gap narrowing, the maximum VOC for typical back surface field solar cells is found to lie in the range between 0.61 and 0.72 V independent of base width.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 73

Abstract The 1966 version of the Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 73 has been revised on the basis of experimental data received before March 1, 1974. Experimental data, arguments for Jπ assignments, and detailed level schemes are presented. Uncertainties and inconsistencies are noted throughout the Data Sheets.
Structures, Energetics, and Reaction Barriers for CHx Bound to the Nickel (111) Surface

To provide a basis for understanding and improving such reactive processes on nickel surfaces as the catalytic steam reforming of hydrocarbons, the decomposition of hydrocarbons at fuel cell anodes, and the growth of carbon nanotubes, we report quantum mechanics calculations (PBE flavor of density functional theory, DFT) of the structures, binding energies, and reaction barriers for all CH_x species on the Ni(111) surface using periodically infinite slabs. We find that all CH_x species prefer binding to μ3 (3-fold) sites leading to bond energies ranging from 42.7 kcal/mol for CH_3 to 148.9 kcal/mol for CH (the number of Ni-C bonds is not well-defined). We find reaction barriers of 18.3 kcal/mol for CH_(3,ad) → CH_(2,ad) + H_(ad) (with ΔE = +1.3 kcal/ mol), 8.2 kcal/mol for CH_(2,ad) → CH_(ad) + H_(ad) (with ΔE = -10.2 kcal/mol) and 32.3 kcal/mol for CH_(ad) → C_(ad) + H_(ad) (with ΔE = 11.6 kcal/mol). Thus, CH_(ad) is the stable form of CH_x on the surface. These results are in good agreement with the experimental data for the thermodynamic stability of small hydrocarbon species following dissociation of methane on Ni(111) and with the intermediates isolated during the reverse methanation process.
Member support for union mergers: An analysis of an affiliation referendum

A changing labor relations climate has caused many national unions to merge with smaller independent unions in recent years. One aspect of the merger process concerns the willingness of independent union members to support affiliation with a national union (Chaison, 1986). This article examines the determinants of indivudual-level voting behavior using data gathered from members of an independent union who rejected a proposed affiliation with a national union in a membership referendum. Logistic regression results indicate that affiliation supporters perceived the affiliation as improving union effectiveness, were influenced by social support among co-workers in favor of the merger, and perceived the saliency of the independent union’s support for the affiliation proposal. Conversely, affiliation opposition was influenced by the employer’s “vote no” campaign and by perceptions that affiliation would lead to an increased probability of strikes and to future increases in dues.
Anticipating the frequency distribution of precipitation if climate change alters its mean

Abstract The relationship between the shape and dispersion of the frequency distributions of precipitation amounts and their means among present climates gives a clue as to how the probabilities of extremes will change if the mean changes. The distribution is limited at zero and, as the means decrease, the standard deviations decrease and the distributions become more skewed. The gamma distribution function fits these distributions from the nearly normal of annual amounts in humid climates to the skewed of monthly in arid ones. Its mean, M , is BG and variance, V , is B 2 G , where B is the scale and G the shape parameter. Among 660 cases of 12 monthly distributions at 55 diverse stations, the variance increased as M 1.3 ( r 2 =0.90), which specifies relationships between the mean and B and G . Thus, probabilities are specified by the mean and among 660 cases, 572 specified probabilities of amounts less than half the mean were not significantly different from observed. For precipitation more than three halves the mean, 653 were not significantly different from observed. The relationships among parameters specify a dimensionless elasticity or relative increase in the probability of extremes with a relative decrease in the mean. For amounts below a threshold, the elasticity is greater for lower thresholds and higher means, and it is often >1, signifying a relatively greater rise in the probability of extremes than a fall in the mean.
Procedure for applying IEC-61853 test data to a single diode model

Accurate modeling of a photovoltaic module's current-voltage characteristic is essential to predicting the generated power at any operating condition. This paper presents an approach to improve prediction accuracy of current single diode models by leveraging test data collected according to the IEC-61853 standard. Modified auxiliary diode model equations are proposed, along with a procedure to automatically calculate the additional model parameters from test data. The extended single diode model indicates potential to reduce average maximum power point prediction error across a wide temperature and irradiance range by about 75 % relative to the baseline five parameter model.