cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering Concepts and Communication: A Two-Quarter Course Sequence

Together the departments of engineering and English designed and implemented a course sequence that sustains first-year enrollment in engineering while teaching engineering design and fundamental communication skills. The sequence integrates the goals of four formally separate courses: Critical Reading and Writing, Argument and Research, Engineering Concepts I and II. Linking the courses did not detract from the original course goals nor burden the limited time resources of the participating faculty. We found that the linked courses have increased our first to second year retention rate by up to 30 percent.
Passively Adaptive Inflatable Structure for the Shooting Star Experiment

An inflatable structural system is described for the Shooting Star Experiment that is a technology demonstrator flight for solar thermal propulsion. The inflatable structure is a pressurized assembly used in orbit to support a fresnel lens for focusing sunlight into a thermal storage engine. When the engine temperature reaches a preset level, the propellant is injected into the storage engine, absorbs heat from a heat exchanger, and is expanded through the nozzle to produce thrust. The inflatable structure is an adaptive system in that a regulator and relief valve are utilized to maintain pressure within design limits during the full range of orbital conditions. Further, the polyimide film material used for construction of the inflatable is highly nonlinear, with modulus varying as a function of frequency, temperature, and level of excitation. A series of tests is described for characterizing the structure in response to various operating conditions.
Initial sex differences in neuron growth and survival within an avian song nucleus develop in the absence of afferent input.

Only male zebra finches (Poephila guttata) sing, and nuclei implicated in song behavior exhibit marked sex differences in neuron number. In the robust nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (RA), these sex differences develop because more neurons die in young females than in males. However, it is not known whether the sexually dimorphic survival of RA neurons is a primary event in sexual differentiation or a secondary response to sex differences in the number of cells interacting trophically with RA neurons. In particular, since sexual differentiation of the RA parallels the development of dimorphisms in the numbers of neurons providing afferent input from the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (lMAN) and the high vocal center (HVC), it has been hypothesized that sex differences in the size of these afferent populations trigger differential RA neuron survival and growth. To test this hypothesis, we lesioned either the lMAN or both the lMAN and HVC unilaterally in 12-day-old male and female zebra finches. Subsequently, RA cell death and RA neuron number and size were measured. Unilateral lMAN lesions increased cell death and decreased neuron number and size within the ipsilateral RA of both sexes. However, even in the lMAN-lesioned hemisphere, these effects were less pronounced in males than in females, so that by day 25 the volume, number, and size of neurons were sexually dimorphic in both the contralateral and ipsilateral RA. Similarly, the absence of both lMAN and HVC afferents did not prevent the emergence of sex differences in the number and size of RA neurons by 25 day posthatching. We conclude that these sex differences within the RA are not a secondary response to dimorphisms in the numbers of lMAN or HVC neurons providing afferent input. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evidence that dorsal-ventral differences in gap junctional communication in the early Xenopus embryo are generated by β-catenin independent of cell adhesion effects

Abstract Gap junctional communication (GJC) is regulated in the earlyXenopusembryo and quantitative differences in junctional communication correlate with the specification of the dorsal–ventral axis. To address the mechanism that is responsible for regulating this differential communication, we investigated the function of β-catenin during the formation of the dorsal–ventral axis inXenopusembryos by blocking its synthesis with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. This method has previously been shown to reduce the level of β-catenin in the early embryo, prior to zygotic transcription, and to inhibit the formation of the dorsal axis (Heasmanet al., 1994,Cell79, 791–803). We show here that antisense inhibition of β-catenin synthesis also reduces GJC among cells in the dorsal hemisphere of 32-cell embryos to levels similar to those observed among ventral cells. Full-length β-catenin mRNA can restore elevated levels of dorsal GJC when injected into β-catenin-deficient oocytes, demonstrating the specificity of the β-catenin depletion with the antisense oligonucleotides. Thus, endogenous β-catenin is required for the observed differential GJC. This regulation of GJC is the earliest known action of the dorsal regulator, β-catenin, inXenopusdevelopment. Two lines of evidence, presented here, indicate that β-catenin acts within the cytoplasm to regulate GJC, rather than through an effect on cell adhesion. First, when EP-cadherin is overexpressed and increased adhesion is observed, embryos display both a ventralized phenotype and reduced dye transfer. Second, a truncated form of β-catenin (i.e., the ARM region), that lacks the cadherin-binding domain, restores dorsal GJC to β-catenin-depleted embryos. Thus, β-catenin appears to regulate GJC independent of its role in cell–cell adhesion, by acting within the cytoplasm through a signaling mechanism.
Inherited Polyposis Syndromes: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinicopathology, and Genetic Testing

The inherited polyposis syndromes are a group of conditions in which multiple gastrointestinal polyps occur in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, most exhibit an increased risk of colon cancer. Benign and malignant extraintestinal tumors might also be observed. Recent elucidation of the underlying gene mutations has contributed to our understanding of the cell biology and molecular mechanisms associated with gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. Developments have also allowed genetic testing to become an integral component in accurate diagnosis, categorization, and management of inherited polyposis syndromes. In this review, we will focus on familial adenomatous polyposis, mutY human homologue-associated polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis, and Cowden syndrome. It is essential that both physician and patient understand the benefits and limitations of genetic testing before submission of samples to the laboratory. There are many issues accompanying molecular diagnosis of cancer syndromes, and genetic counseling is an essential prelude to genetic testing.
Glutamine synthetase gene transcription in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes: regulation by dexamethasone, insulin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Abstract We have investigated the regulation of glutamine synthetase (GS) mRNA synthesis in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Specific mRNA synthesis (transcription) was analyzed by measuring elongation of transcripts in isolated nuclei. Transcription rate was assayed by hybridization of newly synthesized [32P]RNA to a GS cDNA. GS transcription rate increased more than 100-fold during adipocyte differentiation and was inhibited more than 90% by α-amanitin. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes dexamethasone stimulated GS gene transcription while insulin and dibutyryl cAMP decreased GS gene transcription.
Metabolism of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine by isolated perfused rat liver.

The metabolism of l-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa) and dl-dopa by the isolated perfused rat liver is described. After injection of 5 μc(192μg) l-dopa-3-14C into the portal vein, the liver took up approximately one-third of the dose within 30 min. Blood cells of the perfusate (chiefly erythrocytes) took up one-fourth of the dose within 5 min; subsequently, most of this radioactivity was released back into plasma. l-Dopa disappeared from plasma rapidly (half-life, approximately 30 min); after 2 hr of perfusion, less than 2 per cent of the dose could be recovered unmetabolized. Metabolites of dopa released from liver into bile accounted for up to 48 per cent of the dose and were chiefly glucuronides of N-acetyldopamine and N-acetyl-3-methoxydopamine. Major metabolites released into plasma were the glucuronides of 3-methoxy4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, the sulfate of N-acetyl-3-methoxydopamine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylalanine. Amines in plasma represented a minor fraction (less than 1 per cent of the dose) at all times during the perfusion. Norepinephrine and its metabolites were never detected. After injection of 5 μcdl-dopa-2-14C (32 or 192μg), less 14C was taken up by liver than when l-dopa was used; similar amounts of 14C were taken up by the blood cells but were retained for the 5 hr of perfusion. dl-Dopa disappeared more slowly from plasma than l-dopa; after 2 hr, 16 per cent of the dose was recovered unmetabolized. The metabolites of dl-dopa in bile (22 per cent of the dose) and in plasma were similar to those found when l-dopa was substrate.
Characterization of ionophore–metal complexes by infrared multiphoton photodissociation and collision activated dissociation in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

The formation and fragmentation of a series of metal complexes containing polyether ionophores were studied using electrospray ionization (ESI) methods. Dissociation pathways were analyzed using both collision activated dissociation (CAD) and infrared multiphoton photodissociation (IRMPD) techniques. A number of structurally diagnostic fragment ions were observed, and in many cases the same types of pathways were observed for the alkali, transition, and alkaline earth metal complexes. The dominant fragmentation pathways included dehydration and cleavage across carbon–carbon bonds to produce either type-F or type-A fragments. Energy-resolved CAD and IRMPD experiments, along with double resonance SWIFT, were performed to evaluate the genealogy of fragmentation pathways.
The COX-2 pathway is essential during early stages of skeletal muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle regeneration comprises several overlapping cellular processes, including inflammation and myogenesis. Prostaglandins (PGs) may regulate muscle regeneration, because they modulate in...
Emotions in teaching environmental science

This op-ed article examines the emotional impact of teaching environmental science and considers how certain emotions can broaden viewpoints and other emotions narrow them. Specifically, it investigates how the topic of climate change became an emotional debate in a science classroom because of religious beliefs. Through reflective practice and examination of positionality, the author explored how certain teaching practices of pre-service science teachers created a productive space and other practices closed down the conversations. This article is framed with theories that explore both divergent and shared viewpoints.
Measured Flow Oscillations and Instabilities in Labyrinth Seal Cavities

Two flow instabilities involving a bifurcated flow pattern were discovered for the throughflow jet in a stepped labyrinth seal cavity. These instabilities, along with self-sustained flow oscillations, were experimentally explored to obtain a preliminary understanding of this phenomenon. Computer-captured visualization videos were used to measure the oscillation amplitudes and frequencies, as well as the mean value, of the throughflow jet trajectory angle. It was found that, depending on the seal cavity tooth clearance and radial height of the step, the flow pattern of the throughflow jet leaving the step corner was either 1) nonbifurcated, 2) always bifurcated, or 3) oscillatory bifurcated. A bifurcation stability map was developed showing which combinations of tooth clearance and step height lie in which of the three flow regimes. It was also found that the intermediate value of step height in the presence of the small tooth clearance exhibited the sharpest flow deflection and largest oscillation amplitude, as well as the highest mean-flow leakage resistance. Furthermore, for larger tooth clearances, the large step height cases, located farthest on the stability map into the oscillatory bifurcated regime, gave the highest leakage resistance.
The “direct method”: Application to nuclear magnetic double resonance. II

Abstract The “Direct Method” of calculating nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, developed by Banwell and Primas, obtains the transition frequencies in an NMR spectrum directly as eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian derivation superoperator, and the intensities from the eigenoperators of this superoperator. Application of this technique to nuclear magnetic double resonance spectra exhibits some of the properties of this form of spectroscopy in a straightforward way, but affords no easier calculation of the transition frequencies and intensities. If the direct method affords computational advantages, they remain to be tested by numerical computation of real cases.
How Close is Too Close?: The 2012 Election in the Electoral College

While it is too soon to predict the 2012 presidential winner, it is not too early to know that the general election is likely to be a fiercely competitive contest that will, assuming no major unexpected events occur (e.g., another recession), come down to a few thousand votes in a few swing states, most probably including Ohio. When a presidential election is this close, there exists the possibility that the popular vote winner and the electoral vote winner will differ, which has happened four times before (1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000), but continues to be controversial. More ominously, there is also a small, but real chance of an electoral vote tie between the candidates, which would then place the selection of the president in the House of Representatives and the vice president in the Senate. Even though congressional selection is the constitutionally prescribed remedy and has historical precedents (1800, 1824), it seems unlikely that the Electoral College would long survive what would surely be a spirited public debate over who should choose the president. Thus, the 2012 election results may be too close to sustain the legitimacy of the presidential selection method.
Intensive supervision probation: An impact evaluation

Beginning in the early 1980's, intensive supervision probation was increasingly viewed as a popular sentencing alternative to conventional probation and incarceration for specific types of high‐risk offenders. Evaluations of intensive probation however, have raised doubts about its effectiveness in reducing recidivism among high‐risk offenders. Using a quasi experimental multiple interrupted time series research design, this study compares recidivism rates for high‐risk repeat DWI offenders in an intensive supervision probation program to repeat DWI offenders who were sentenced to incarceration. The results indicate that offenders who were sentenced to and completed intensive supervision probation had a lower rate of recidivism than those offenders sentenced to incarceration.
Performance Comparisons of Solar Desalination Devices and Processes

Numerical analysis of two passive solar desalination designs, the traditional pool evaporation design and the proposed tray design are performed. The significance of common assumption for the pool evaporation design that neglect the mass balance and psychrometric relationships for the air-water vapor volume were investigated and found that neglecting this component results in over predicting the freshwater production by 32.6% and 19.5% for the summer and winter design day, respectively. It was also found that the tray design produced 31.3 % and 7% more freshwater per summer and winter design day, respectively. These results support the need to include all physical components in the numerical simulation. The results also support the tray design as producing significantly more freshwater for the same input.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Effect of Design and Site Factors on Fatigue Cracking of New Flexible Pavements in the LTPP SPS-1 Experiment

This paper presents the results of a study on the relative influence of design features and site factors on the fatigue performance of in-service flexible pavements. The data used in this study were from the SPS-1 experiment of the long-term performance pavement (LTPP) programme. This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of hot mix asphalt (HMA) surface layer thickness, base type, base thickness and drainage on the performance of new flexible pavements constructed in different site conditions (subgrade type and climate). Various statistical analyses (ANOVA, logistic regression, discriminant analysis) were adopted for data analyses. Among the design factors, base type was found to be the most critical factor affecting fatigue cracking. The best performance was shown by pavement sections with asphalt treated base (ATB). This effect should be interpreted in light of the fact that an ATB effectively means a thicker HMA layer. The combination of drainage and base type also played an important rol...
Mammalian Dlx homeobox gene control of craniofacial and inner ear morphogenesis.

The Dlx homeobox gene family is of ancient origin, with apparent ancestral developmental functions in both nervous system regionalization and appendage (limb) outgrowth. Additional roles in inner ear and craniofacial development were likely acquired by the Dlx gene family during the course of animal evolution. Loss-of-function genetic mutations generated in the mouse have revealed a striking role for Dlx genes in patterning of the mammalian central nervous system, craniofacial structures and inner ear. Interestingly, none of the individual murine Dlx gene mutations to date have resulted in limb defects, suggesting a potentially significant developmental overlap of Dlx activity in this embryonic structure. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 32/33:133-140, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Increasing unions of starlike sets

Let S be an arbitrary set in R2. Every three points of cl S are clearly visible via S from a common point of cl S if and only if each bounded subset of S may be extended to a starlike set in S. When this occurs, set S is expressible as an increasing union of starlike sets.
Conformation of succinic acid derivatives by double 13C-labelling

Abstract Three-bonded carbon/carbon couplings ( 3 J cc ) are used, in conjunction with MM2 calculations, to examine conformational equilibria in several di- 13 C-labelled succinic acid derivatives.
Pattern of proton pump inhibitor calls to Texas poison centers, 1998-2004.

There is little information on the management of potentially adverse exposures to proton pump inhibitors. This study examined the distribution of 2943 proton pump inhibitor exposures reported to Texas poison control centers during 1998–2004. In particular comparisons were made between exposures among pediatric (age ≤5 yr) and adult (age ≥20 yr) patients. Of the total exposures, 1813 (62%) were to the proton pump inhibitor alone. Of exposures to proton pump inhibitors alone, 66% were age ≤5 yr, 7% 6–19 yr, and 27% ≥20 yr. Pediatric and adult patients differed with respect to patient gender, exposure reason, exposure site, management site, final medical outcome, report of specific adverse clinical exposures, and listed treatments. Proton pump inhibitor exposures differed with patient age. In the majority of instances, potentially adverse proton pump inhibitor exposures reported to poison control centers may be successfully managed at home with favorable outcome.
Are Adolescent Cigarette Smokers Who Use Smokeless Tobacco More Likely to Continue Smoking in the Future than Cigarette-Only Smokers: Results from Waves I and II of the Adolescent Health Survey

We explored whether dual use of smokeless and cigarettes among adolescents predicts continued smoking. Data came from Waves I (1994-95) and II (1996) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, using information from 3,284 Wave I current smokers. Multivariate models were used to assess whether use of smokeless tobacco at Wave I was associated with continuation of cigarette smoking at Wave II, controlling for possible confounders. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking at Wave 1 was 27.9%; among this group of adolescents and young adults, 14.5% also used smokeless tobacco. At Wave II, 73.6% of dual product users and 78.4% of cigarette-only users in Wave I reported continued smoking (OR=0.71 [95% CI 0.52–0.98]). Combined use of cigarette and smokeless tobacco does not appear to be related to continued smoking one year later. Longer-term followups are needed to determine the stability of this relationship for ≥1 year.
WHEN WIVES ARE MAJOR PROVIDERS: Culture, Gender, and Family Work

Based on a series of interviews with blue-collar women and their husbands in Istanbul, Turkey, this article examines the negotiation of family work in households in which the wives are major providers. The relationships between provider status, women's expectations, and the actual configuration of family work are complexly mediated by cultural constructions, perception of women as providers, marital dynamics, and extended family relationships. Three different discourses characterize family work. Woman's evaluation of her husband as “responsible” or “irresponsible” informs the construction of the male role in the household. Conflict is heightened when men default on both domestic and economic grounds. This study makes a contribution toward a comparative understanding of negotiation of family work by providing an analysis of how structural conditions and cultural ideology interact to construct a gendered division of family work in the household in the context of continuities and discontinuities in sociocult...
Correlations of movement time and intelligence: Effects of simplifying response requirements

Research indicates that certain response parameters are related consistently to IQ. While explanations of why decision time (DT) and response variability relate to IQ have been presented, no satisfactory explanation of why movement time (MT) should be related to IQ has been advanced. One possible explanation relates to the motor response requirements of the apparatus devised by Jensen (1982) . The apparatus controls for movement distance of responses in all conditions, but in some conditions those responses must be made in different directions. Moreover, the responses must be guided to relatively small targets. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that individual differences in guidance of the motor responses may account for a portion of MT-IQ covariance. An apparatus was designed for which the motor response was to a large target and the response was the same distance and direction regardless of decision complexity. For a sample of adolescents, IQ measures were correlated with DT and MT across four levels of task complexity. The MT-IQ correlations were significant and as large as DT-IQ correlations. This finding is interpreted as evidence against the motor guidance hypothesis and suggests that alternate explanations should be investigated.
A spectroscopic study of vapor-phase titanium

Abstract The natural radiative lifetime of the y3F0 state of Ti was determined to be 23±2 nsec by LIF. Ti atoms were excited at 396 nm and emission was observed at 735 nm. The quenching cross sections for the y3F0 state were determined to be 1.9 × 10-16 and 1.1 × 10-15cm2 for He and Ar, respectively. In addition, quantitative atomic absorption measurements of gas-phase Ti atoms were made in a thermal evaporation cell and compared with concentrations calculated from a simple mathematical model.
A comparison between maximum likelihood and generalized least squares in a heteroscedastic linear model

Abstract We consider a linear model with normally distributed but heteroscedastic errors. When the error variances are functionally related to the regression parameter, one can use either maximum likelihood or generalized least squares to estimate the regression parameter. We show that likelihood is more sensitive to small misspecifications in the functional relationship between the error variances and the regression parameter.
A rapid-scanning spectrophotometer designed for biological tissues in vitro or in vivo

Rapid and sensitive detection of optical signals from biological materials has been very useful in studies of cell physiology and biochemistry. A rapid-scanning spectrophotometer is described here that has the following advantages: (i) it can be used in transmission or reflection modes, (ii) it can rapidly accumulate spectra and simultaneous kinetic data, (iii) it has high accuracy and sensitivity, and (iv) it can analyze and store large amounts of spectral information. Evaluations described here are aimed toward the measurement of reduction/oxidation shifts of mitochondrial cytochromes in tissues, but the flexibility of the optical components makes this spectrophotometer adaptable to the study of light absorption changes of intrinsic or extrinsic optically active molecules in a variety of light scattering preparations, tissues, and organs in vitro or in vivo.
Adolescent females' preferences regarding use of a chaperone during a pelvic examination. Observations from a private-practice setting.

This study used a private-practice model to investigate teenagers' preferences regarding the presence of chaperones during the genitalia examination. One hundred adolescent female patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire listing their chaperone preference during the pelvic examination. During early adolescence (13–14 years), 60% of the adolescents preferred to be alone if they knew the male physician and 80% if they knew the female physician. Of those in midadolescence (15–17 years), 73% preferred to be alone with a known male physician and 79% with a known female physician. After age 19 years, 79% preferred to be alone either with a male or female physician, whom they knew. These data suggest that the sex of the physician makes little difference as to the mid-and late adolescent female's preference for a chaperone. Also, there seems to be a trend toward increased preference for the presence of a female nurse, and decreased preference for the mother's presence, with increasing age.
Computational approaches to phenotyping: high-throughput phenomics.

The recent completion of the Human Genome Project has made possible a high-throughput “systems approach” for accelerating the elucidation of molecular underpinnings of human diseases, and subsequent derivation of molecular-based strategies to more effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat these diseases. Although altered phenotypes are among the most reliable manifestations of altered gene functions, research using systematic analysis of phenotype relationships to study human biology is still in its infancy. This article focuses on the emerging field of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) phenomics research, which aims to capitalize on novel high-throughput computation and informatics technology developments to derive genomewide molecular networks of genotype–phenotype associations, or “phenomic associations.” The HTP phenomics research field faces the challenge of technological research and development to generate novel tools in computation and informatics that will allow researchers to amass, access, integrate, organize, and manage phenotypic databases across species and enable genomewide analysis to associate phenotypic information with genomic data at different scales of biology. Key state-of-the-art technological advancements critical for HTP phenomics research are covered in this review. In particular, we highlight the power of computational approaches to conduct large-scale phenomics studies.
Placement accuracy of percutaneous transthoracic pacemakers

Abstract Experience has shown that the frequency of electrical capture of the heart with percutaneous transthoracic pacemakers is disappointingly low. The authors sought to determine whether the accuracy of vertricular placement could help to explain this observation. Six approaches were used in each of twenty adult patients who were examined at autopsy. Three parasternal approaches used the fifth intercostal space (5ICS). One pacing wire was inserted immediately to the left of the sternum along the parasternal line (5ICS-PS), one wire was inserted 4.0 cm to the left of the midsternal line (5ICS-4), and the third wire was inserted 6.0 cm to the left of the midsternal line (5ICS-6). All parasternal needle insertions were directed medially, dorsally, and cephalad toward the second right costrochondral junction at an angle of 30° to the skin. Three subxiphoid approaches were performed through the left xyphocostal notch at an angle of 30° to the skin. One pacing wire was directed toward the right shoulder (SXRS), one toward the sternal notch (SXSN) and one toward the left shoulder (SXLS). Accuracy of ventricular placement was assessed at autopsy. The success rates for the three parasternal approaches were as follows: 5ICS-PS = 0.85; 5ICS-4 = 0.80; 5ICS-6 = 0.90. For the three subxiphoid approaches success rates were as follows: SXRS=0.25; SXSN=0.50; SXLS=0.65. All three parasternal approaches had higher success rates than the SXRS approach ( P P P > 0.10). Based on these data, the most accurate routes for the percutaneous placement of a transthoracic pacemaker are the 5ICS-PS, 5ICS-6, and SXLS approaches. This may explain in part the low rate of successful electrical capture reported in previous studies in which the SXRS and SXSN approaches were employed. Further studies are needed to address the potential for injuries associated with these approaches.
Rain versus Snow in the Sierra Nevada, California: Comparing Doppler Profiling Radar and Surface Observations of Melting Level

Abstract The maritime mountain ranges of western North America span a wide range of elevations and are extremely sensitive to flooding from warm winter storms, primarily because rain falls at higher elevations and over a much greater fraction of a basin’s contributing area than during a typical storm. Accurate predictions of this rain–snow line are crucial to hydrologic forecasting. This study examines how remotely sensed atmospheric snow levels measured upstream of a mountain range (specifically, the bright band measured above radar wind profilers) can be used to accurately portray the altitude of the surface transition from snow to rain along the mountain’s windward slopes, focusing on measurements in the Sierra Nevada, California, from 2001 to 2005. Snow accumulation varies with respect to surface temperature, diurnal cycles in solar radiation, and fluctuations in the free-tropospheric melting level. At 1.5°C, 50% of precipitation events fall as rain and 50% as snow, and on average, 50% of measured pre...
Evaluation of Wafer Drying Methods for GIGA-LEVEL Device Fabrication

This study deals with drying induced water marks dependency on the last cleaning methods, substrate conditions, and drying pre-step delaying times, which are supposed to become a big issue with down scaling of device geometry. The data show that water marks induced by drying failure increase with increasing contact angle on the various surfaces. They are mainly composed of either silicon oxide only or silicon oxide with organic compounds. The former is removed by a dilute HF and/or hot SC-1 treatment and the latter is removed by organic removal cleaning followed by dilute HF etching.
Gene therapeutic approaches to the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative illness of unknown etiology that presently has no cure. Symptoms of this progressively debilitating disease include bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, gait abnormalities, and postural instability that can be transiently alleviated via continued administration of the drug, L -DOPA. However, following prolonged usage, the effectiveness of this clinical treatment substantially diminishes. To that end, novel therapies for amelioration of symptoms and/or permanent cure of PD need to be developed. The utility of gene transfer modalities for PD treatment holds tremendous promise, but gene therapy is yet unproven within the realm of the central nervous system. This discourse proposes possible disease targets and reviews the present standing of adenovirus-, adeno-associated virus-, herpes virus-, and non-virus-based gene transfer technologies in regard to how they have been applied in in vitro and in vivo models of PD. Identification of disease mechanisms, potential points of therapeutic intervention, and an understanding of presently utilized gene delivery vehicles will facilitate the development of potentially safe and efficacious modalities for therapy of PD.
F factor-mediated inhibition of bacteriophage T7 growth: Analysis of T7 RNA and protein synthesis In vivo and In vitro using male and female Escherichia coli

We have used two approaches to determine whether the inhibition of phage T7 growth by the F factor in male Escherichia coli can be ascribed to a preferential inhibition of late phage protein synthesis. (1) Proteins and RNAs were pulselabeled with [ 35 S]methionine and 32 PO 4 2− during T7 infection of male and female E. coli , and the products were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Compared to T7 infected female E. coli , a simultaneous inhibition of protein and RNA synthesis is observed in male cells between eight and ten minutes after infection at 30°C. (2) Late T7 proteins were labeled with [ 35 S]methionine in a DNA-dependent coupled in vitro protein synthesizing system using extracts from uninfected and T7 infected male and female E. coli and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under conditions where faithful synthesis of 16 out of 20 phage proteins is directed by T7 DNA in vitro , extracts derived from uninfected or T7-infected male E. coli are fully active in phage-specific transcription and translation. We therefore conclude that the cessation of RNA and protein synthesis in T7-infected male E. coli cannot be directly ascribed to any specific modification or inhibition of the transcription or translation apparatus.
Municipal wireless broadband: Lessons from San Francisco and Silicon Valley

In December 2005, the city of San Francisco issued a request for proposal (RFP) for a community wireless broadband network. This initiative received significant national and even international attention, largely because of San Francisco's visibility in the high tech world, and the involvement of Google in the consortium selected to build and operate the network. However, the project died without any network being built. In the past year, several other US municipal wireless initiatives have floundered or died. This article analyzes municipal broadband through a case study of the San Francisco's project, examines the reasons for its demise, and compares San Francisco's approach with other models for municipal wireless adopted by nearby Silicon Valley communities. It concludes with lessons and unresolved issues from the San Francisco experience and neighboring projects relevant for other municipal broadband initiatives and for broadband community access in general.
Urban Location and Segregation of the Aged: A Block-Level Analysis

Sociological treatment of the aged as a minority group and ecological theories of urban structure suggest that the urban aged should be segregated from other agellife-cycle groups and be concentrated near city centers. This study examines intraurban location and segregation of the aged in two cities, Cleveland and San Diego. A path model is specified from ecological theory which takes location of the aged as a function of distance from the city center, housing type, housing value, space characteristics and household types. The model is estimated using block-level data from Cleveland and San Diego. Although the two cities differ in ecological structure, the aged in both tend to be located on blocks near the city center, with multi-unit structures, high value housing, low population potential, low crowding, and a high proportion of primary individuals. The relationships, however, are generally weak and the variance explained small, indicating dispersion of the aged throughout the cities. Dissimilarity indices also show a moderate degree of segregation between the aged and the non-aged. These results suggest that conceptions of the aged as segregated into centralized, undesirable urban areas are overstated. Sociologists have compared the aged to racial or ethnic minority groups arguing that old persons are subject to social and economic disadvantages, negative stereotypes, discrimination, and may have developed a subculture and group consciousness (Palmore and Whittington; Rose and Peterson). Since the process of urbanization has resulted in the residential segregation of racial and ethnic groups and social classes (Kantrowitz; Schnore; Taeuber and Taeuber), the aged may likewise be residentially segregated from the other age/life-cycle groups. Indeed, social scientific and popular literature portrays the urban aged as segregated into centralized geriatric ghettos, subject to deteriorating neighborhoods, poor *Data collection and file development were supported by grants from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Center for Population Research of the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (Grant R01 HD08031-01). We thank Dennis Roncek for developing the files and Joan Huber and Marcus Felson for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper.
A topographic study of differences in the P300 between introverts and extraverts.

This paper presents results of a study to establish a link between neurocognitive psychophysiological and psychological type data through the investigation of differences in topographic auditory event-related potential (AERP) (P300) patterns in strongly introverted (n=17) and strongly extraverted (n=16) high school males as identified by the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Group data files were created for the auditory event related potential task and converted to ASCII form. Amplitude values were evaluated at each scalp site. Kruskal Wallis one way analysis of variance was performed to evaluate group differences. In processing of infrequent, target stimuli, the amplitude of the P300 waveform for introverts was higher than for extraverts. When processing for non-target stimuli was subtracted from target stimuli, statistical differences were found over nine central, parietal, and occipital sites. The findings support and extend theories of biologically-based and bio-psycho-social typology.
A MODIFIED METHOD FOR PREPARING 2-(2-PHENETHYL)PHENYLACETIC ACID

(1971). A MODIFIED METHOD FOR PREPARING 2-(2-PHENETHYL)PHENYLACETIC ACID. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 279-282.
Ultrafast dynamics of single-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in polymer films.

Wavelength-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is used to follow the electronic dynamics of single-walled carbon nanotubes in polymers following visible photoexcitation. Electron−hole (e−h) pairs give rise to sharp features in the transient spectra that decay in amplitude and exhibit rapid spectral shifts. The decay reflects (e−h) recombination on both short (1.3 ps) and long (35 ps) time scales. Transient spectra also exhibit a broad photobleach at early times that arises from the cooling of a hot electron gas created via excitation at the red edge of a π-plasmon band.
Thymic selection stifles TCR reactivity with the main chain structure of MHC and forces interactions with the peptide side chains.

The stem cells which seed the thymus bear neither receptors for antigen nor the coreceptors which are characteristic of mature T cells, CD4 or CD8. After entering the thymus, cells destined to bear T cell receptors (TCRs) made up of α and β chains, construct the genes for these chains by rearranging one of many Vαs to lie next to one of many Jαs, and one of many Vβs to lie next to one or more version of Dβ and one of a number of Jβs (Jackson and Krangel, 2006). Since all these elements are encoded by the germ line, one might imagine that TCR+ thymocytes might have a very large, but genetically fixed, set of specificities for antigen. However, nucleotides can be removed or introduced at the junctions between these elements, and thus these joining points (N regions) are quite random, and not genetically controlled (Davis and Bjorkman, 1988). N regions code for part of the CDR3 loops of TCRα and β polypeptides and the CDR3 regions are a major component of the area of TCRs which contact their ligands (Rudolph et al., 2006). Consequently the germ line specificities of TCRs are modified by their nongerm line N regions and thymocytes bear TCRs which manifest their germline encoded specificities to varying degrees.
Várzea Forests: Multifunctionality as a Resource for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

In this paper we analyze and discuss the multifunctionality of varzea forests and their role in the conservation and sustainable use of varzea biodiversity. Based on data collected over the last 10 years in three varzea regions, we argue that the dynamic function of the varzea forest facilitates the application of spatially and temporally heterogeneous management systems, and the resulting use regime enhances rather than undermines ecosystems services and goods. Among a complex array of outcomes from managing varzea forests include a number of ecosystem services (i.e., seed dispersion as well as nesting grounds for fish, birds, and other varzea inhabitants) as well as products (i.e., timber, fruits, fish). Herein we present data on four major land use systems practiced by varzea residents that enhance the multifunctionality of forests for the production of ecosystems goods and services. These emerging forests are the result of four main transitional land use changes produced by the increase in the demand for forest fruit and fast-growing timber species in the local, regional, and international markets. These emerging smallholder-managed forests are diverse; they include everything from single species plantations to natural forests. Management regimes to restore vegetation in degraded pastures in the estuarine varzea have increased the population and diversity of fish species, particularly of the species classified by local people as peixes do mato (forest fish). Similarly, the conservation of riparian vegetation around oxbow lakes in Mamiraua is greatly increasing the nesting and resting grounds of caimans and turtles, as well as resident and migratory birds. A growing local and regional market for fast-growing timber species is increasing the commercial volume as well as facilitating the restoration of overexploited hardwood species in fallows and surrounding levee forests in the three varzea sites. Management practices that aim to maintain the multifunctionality of varzea forests are leading to variation in land cover and varying levels, types, and structures of varzea biodiversity. Our data on multifunctionality of varzea forests presents a considerable conceptual and practical alternative to conservation and sustainable use of varzea resources.
NUMERICAL STABILITY OF ITERATIONS FOR SOLUTION OF NONLINEAR EQUATIONS AND LARGE LINEAR SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT We survey some recent results on the problem of numerical stability of iterations for the solution of nonlinear equations F(x) = 0 and large linear systems Ax+g = 0 where A = A* is positive definite. For systems of nonlinear equations we assume that the function F depends on a so called data vector F(x) = F(x;d). We define the condition number cond(F;d), numerical stability and well-behavior of iterations for the solution of F(x) = 0. Necessary and sufficient conditions for a stationary iteration to be numerically stable and well-behaved are presented. We show that Newton iteration for the multivariate case and secant iteration for the scalar case are well-behaved. For large linear systems we present the rounding error analysis for the Chebyshev iteration and for the successive approximation iterations. We show that these iterations are numerically stable and that the condition number of A is a crucial parameter.
Process Evaluation of a Food Marketing and Environmental Change Intervention in Tiendas That Serve Latino Immigrants in North Carolina

This article describes a comprehensive process evaluation of an efficacious store-based intervention that increased store customers' fruit and vegetable consumption. The process evaluation plan was designed at study inception and implemented at baseline, during the intervention, and at immediate postintervention. Four Latino food stores were randomly assigned either to an intervention or to a control condition. Data were collected from store managers, employees, and 139 Latino customers. Researchers used manager, employee, and customer interviews; weekly observations of the store environment; and implementation logs to assess reach, dose delivered, dose received, and fidelity. Results indicated that it is possible to reach customers in a store-based intervention. Indicators of dose delivered demonstrated that the intervention was implemented as planned, and in the case of employee training, it exceeded the plan. Dose received data indicated that customers moderately engaged with the intervention activities. Together these suggest that the intervention was delivered with good fidelity. Comprehensive process evaluation efforts can facilitate the identification and elimination of barriers to implementation. This approach can serve as a model for future store-based interventions. The study demonstrated that it is feasible to implement Latino food store-based interventions to increase access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
An adaptive truncated MLSE receiver for Japan digital cellular

The paper describes a new Japan digital cellular receiver that uses an adaptive truncated maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) equalizer. The receiver employs a channel estimation and symbol synchronization procedure that uses the known phase shifts between successive symbols in the synchronization word. Per-survivor processing is used to track the channel variations and carrier frequency offset. Simulation results are presented for multipath Rayleigh fading channels having various delay profiles. Comparisons between a regular symbol-spaced truncated MLSE receiver and a fractionally-spaced truncated MLSE receiver are also furnished.
Dynamic interaction of HDAC1 with a glucocorticoid receptor regulated gene is modulated by the activity state of the promoter

Although histone deacetylases (HDACs) are normally considered as co-repressors, HDAC1 has been identified as a coactivator for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (Qiu, Y., Zhao, Y., Becker, M., John, S., Parekh, B. S., Huang, S., Hendarwanto, A., Martinez, E. D., Chen, Y., Lu, H., Adkins, N. L., Stavreva, D. A., Wiench, M., Georgel, P. T., Schiltz, R. L., and Hager, G. L. (2006) Mol. Cell 22, 669-679). Furthermore, HDAC1 is acetylated, and its acetylation level is linked to the transcription state of a GR-induced promoter (mouse mammary tumor virus). GR is also known to interact dynamically with regulatory elements in living cells (McNally, J. G., Muller, W. G., Walker, D., Wolford, R., and Hager, G. L. (2000) Science 287, 1262-1265). However, HDAC1 dynamics have never been studied. We demonstrate here that HDAC1 also exchanges rapidly with promoter chromatin, and its exchange rate is significantly modulated during the development of promoter activity. Prior to induction, HDAC1 mobility was retarded compared with the exchange rate for GR. HDAC1 mobility then increased substantially, coordinately with the peak of promoter activity. At later time points, promoter activity was severely repressed, and HDAC1 mobility returned to the rate of exchange observed for the uninduced promoter. Thus, alterations of the exchange rates of HDAC1 at the promoter are correlated with the activity state of the promoter. These findings provide direct evidence for the functional role of highly mobile transcription factor complexes in transcription regulation.