cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a new gene in an operon for cellulose biosynthesis in Acetobacter xylinum

DNA sequencing of the region downstream of the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit gene of Acetobacter xylinum led to the identification of an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide of 86 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of this polypeptide matches from position 27 to 40 with the N-terminal amino acid sequence determined for a 93 kDa polypeptide that copurifies with the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit during purification of cellulose synthase. The cellulose synthase catalytic subunit gene and the gene encoding the 93 kDa polypeptide, along with other genes probably, are organized as an operon for cellulose biosynthesis in which the first gene is the catalytic subunit gene and the second gene codes for the 93 kDa polypeptide. The function of the 93 kDa polypeptide is not clear at present, however it appears to be tightly associated with the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit. Sequence analysis of the polypeptide shows that it is a membrane protein with a signal sequence at the N-terminal end and a transmembrane helix in the C-terminal region for anchoring it into the membrane.
Axonal regeneration of descending brain neurons in larval lamprey demonstrated by retrograde double labeling

In larval lamprey, the large, identified descending brain neurons (Muller and Mauthner cells) are capable of axonal regeneration. However, smaller, unidentified descending brain neurons, such as many of the reticulospinal (RS) neurons, probably initiate locomotion, and it is not known whether the majority of these neurons regenerate their axons after spinal cord transection. In the present study, this issue was addressed by using double labeling of descending brain neurons. In double-label control animals, in which Fluoro-Gold (FG) was applied to the spinal cord at 40% body length (BL; measured from anterior to posterior from tip of head) and Texas red dextran amine (TRDA) was applied later to the spinal cord at 20% BL, an average of 98% of descending brain neurons were double labeled. In double-label experimental animals, FG was applied to the spinal cord at 40% BL; two weeks later the spinal cord was transected at 10% BL; and, eight weeks or 16 weeks after spinal cord transection, TRDA was applied to the spinal cord at 20% BL. At eight weeks and 16 weeks after spinal cord transection, an average of 49% and 68%, respectively, of descending brain neurons, including many unidentified RS neurons, were double labeled. These results in larval lamprey are the first to demonstrate that the majority of descending brain neurons, including small, unidentified RS neurons, regenerate their axons after spinal cord transection. Therefore, in spinal cord-transected lamprey, axonal regeneration of descending brain neurons probably contributes significantly to the recovery of locomotor function.
Determination of flatband potential for boron doped diamond electrode in 0.5 M NaCl by AC impedance spectroscopy

Abstract Boron-doped polycrystalline diamond films have been grown on molybdenum substrates by microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition using a gas mixture of hydrogen and methane. AC impedance of diamond electrode was carried out in a solution of 0.5 M NaCl solution under various DC polarization conditions. Mott–Schottky plots were generated to determine the flatband potential of the boron-doped semiconducting diamond electrode in 0.5 M NaCl solution. It was found to be 0.91±0.2 V vs. R.E. in the frequency range of 1–400 Hz. The flatband potential was found to be higher than 0.91 V when the frequency was higher than 400 Hz and it was found to be lower than 0.91 V when the frequency was lower than 0.1 Hz. The kinetics were faster when a negative bias was applied to the diamond electrode as it was evidenced in the impedance data due to a reduction in the charge-transfer resistance.
Uniqueness of positive solutions of Δu−u+up=0 in Rn

We establish the uniqueness of the positive, radially symmetric solution to the differential equation Δu−u+up=0 (with p>1) in a bounded or unbounded annular region in Rn for all n≧1, with the Neumann boundary condition on the inner ball and the Dirichlet boundary condition on the outer ball (to be interpreted as decaying to zero in the case of an unbounded region). The regions we are interested in include, in particular, the cases of a ball, the exterior of a ball, and the whole space. For p=3 and n=3, this a well-known result of Coffman, which was later extended by McLeod & Serrin to general n and all values of p below a certain bound depending on n. Our result shows that such a bound on p is not needed. The basic approach used in this work is that of Coffman, but several of the principal steps in the proof are carried out with the help of Sturm's oscillation theory for linear second-order differential equations. Elementary topological arguments are widely used in the study.
The Research Pyramid: A Framework for Accounting Information Systems Research

This paper extends Sowa's (1997) Meaning Triangle to develop a framework for accounting information systems (AIS) research—the Research Pyramid. This framework identifies relationships between objects in economic reality, people's concepts of economic reality, symbols used to record and represent economic reality, and the resultant accounting information systems that capture and present data about economic reality. The Research Pyramid has two major uses. First, the paper illustrates how the Research Pyramid can be used to identify new research questions to extend existing research streams. To be used in this manner, existing AIS research is classified along each of the edges of the Research Pyramid. Once an area of the literature has been analyzed, the edges that have not been studied extensively reveal potential primitive mappings for future exploration. Second, each primitive mapping is evaluated to identify which of four research methodologies (design science, field studies, survey research, and labor...
An intergenomic reciprocal translocation associated with oat winter hardiness component traits

The reciprocal intergenomic translocation between hexaploid oat (Avena sp.) chromosomes 7C and 17 (T7C-17) has been associated with the division of cultivated oat into A. sativa L. and A. byzantina K. Koch species and differences in crown freezing tolerance and winter field survival. The objectives of this experiment were: (i) to validate the association of T7C-17 with crown freezing tolerance and winter field survival in a population derived from a cross of the non-winter-hardy 'Fulghum' (non-T7C-17) with winter-hardy 'Norline' (T7C-17); (ii) to determine if preferential selection for T7C-17 occurred during inbreeding; and (iii) to examine the association of T7C-17 with the winter hardiness component traits heading date, plant height, and vernalization and photoperiod responses. Crown freezing tolerance and vernalization and photoperiod responses were evaluated in controlled environment studies. Heading date, plant height, and winter field survival were evaluated in field experiments during two seasons. The presence of the translocation was associated with greater crown freezing tolerance, winter field survival, and days to flowering. Translocation status was not associated with vernalization and photoperiod responses or plant height. The T7C-17/non-T7C-17 segregation ratio was 2:1. These results confirmed the importance of T7C-17 in conferring winter hardiness traits in winter oat and preferential selection for the transtocation during inbreeding.
Phytoplankton and catfish culture: a review

Abstract The profitability of aquaculture has been constrained by the difficulty of managing phytoplankton biomass and growth. This review examines problems caused by uncontrolled phytoplankton dynamics, considers causes of these problems, and assesses the effectiveness of methods used to manage phytoplankton in aquacultural ponds. Most algae-related problems can be attributed to excessive algal biomass (off-flavor, inefficient fish production, poor quality of discharge water) or to non-optimal growth conditions (insufficient dissolved oxygen, propensity to die off). Algal die-offs have been attributed to several causes: photolysis, pathogen attack, and severe nutrient depletion. Although conclusive evidence is lacking, evaluation of die-offs suggests that most algal die-offs result from severe nutrient depletion. The data on off-flavor are similarly limited, but suggest that many taxa, in addition to blue-greens, may cause off-flavor in fish. Most attempts to manage algal dynamics (i.e., herbicides, dyes, nutrient competition by macrophytes, biological control with fish, manipulation of nutrient ratios, and pathogenic control) are ineffective, and many may exacerbate problems associated with algal growth. Biological control appears the most favorable control mechanism, but controversy exists concerning the potential of fish to control algal biomass. Most attempts to control algal biomass with fish have failed. Of 46 trials, filter-feeding fish significantly increased algal biomass 22 times and had no effect in another 12 trials. Biological control of phytoplankton biomass remains a desirable but elusive goal.
Diplomatic Calculus in Anarchy: How Communication Matters

When states come to believe that other states are hostile to their interests, they often reorient their foreign policies by realigning alliance commitments, building arms, striking first, mobilizing troops, or adopting policies to drain the resources of states that menace them. This article presents a crisis bargaining model that allows threatened states a wider array of responses than the choice to back down or not. Two implications are that (1) “cheap talk” diplomatic statements by adversaries can affect perceptions of intentions, and (2) war can occur because resolved states decline to communicate their intentions, even though they could, and even though doing so would avoid a war. The model relates the content and quality of diplomatic signals to the context of prior beliefs about intentions and strategic options. In simulations, this form of diplomatic communication reduces the likelihood of conflict.
Hormonal Control of Epidermal Cell Development

SYNOPSIS. During larval life the insect epidermis makes a larval cuticle and certain pigments due to the presence of juvenile hormone (JH) at critical times during the molt cycle. The presence of JH also permits growth of imaginal discs and maintains strictly larval epidermis. At metamorphosis the lepidopteran epidermis responds to a low level of 20- hydroxyecdysone (20HE) in the absence of JH by becoming pupally committed, then later it forms a pupal cuticle when more 20HE appears, even though JH is present. During the change of commitment, DNA synthesis occurs but is not essential, whereas both RN A and protein synthesis are. The major changes in the translatable mRNA population at this time are threefold: a decline in most larval cuticle mRNAs, a transient increase followed by a disappearance of a few larval cuticle mRNAs, and an appearance of at least one ‘pupal commitment’ mRNA and two to three mRNAs for small pupal cuticular proteins. Similar changes are seen in the protein synthetic patterns. Thus, a pupally committed cell is one which can no longer make larval products but which is not yet able to make most pupal products. Juvenile hormone prevents the change to pupal commitment by directing some of both the primary and the secondary actions of 20HE on the genome.
Hypoglycemia-induced seizures reduce cyclic AMP response element binding protein levels in the rat hippocampus

Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor that has been implicated in the activation of protein synthesis required for long-term memory. Since memory deficits are manifest following seizure, we undertook the present study to investigate the effects of hypoglycemia-induced seizure on CREB-immunoreactive neurons in several brain regions. We induced generalized seizures in male Long Evans rats (n=5) by injecting them with insulin (30 IU/kg, i.p). Animals were recovered by administration of 3 ml of 30% glucose within 5 min of the occurrence of seizure. Control animals (n=3) were injected with saline instead of insulin. All animals were perfused 90 min after recovery and the brains processed for CREB immunohistochemistry. Cell counts were determined for CREB-positive neurons using a computer-assisted program. When compared to control animals there was a 50% decrease (P<0.0001) in CREB-positive neurons in the CA1 region of the experimental animals. In the CA3 and dentate gyrus there was a 36% (P<0.001) and 25% decrease (P<0.001), respectively. Given the importance of hippocampus in memory-related processes and evidence that CREB is critical for memory formation, it is possible that seizures interfere with memory by disrupting CREB-dependent transcription.
Contour-Plot Simulation of Vibrational and Buckling Mode Shapes of Composite Plates

In this paper, the use of contour plotting to display the mode shapes of free vibration and buckling of laminate plates is reported. Contour plotting is shown to be superior to three- dimensional hidden-line plots. In addition to easy distinction of the nodal and peak-valley lines and isometric contours of equal elevations of the deformed mid-plane of the plate, contour plotting exhibits the fiber direction in the dominating layers of the laminate plate. Although only square laminate plates symmetric about their respective mid-planes and fully clamped are discussed, application of the contour plotting method can be extended for other types of laminate plates and boundary conditions.
Evaluation of simplified methods for predicting earthquake-induced slope displacements in earth dams and embankments

Abstract This paper provides a review and comparison of existing simplified displacement-based sliding block models. Analyses were performed to evaluate the relative accuracy of fifteen of these simplified models for predicting earthquake-induced displacements. To accomplish this task, the predictive capability of the models was assessed by comparing model predictions with the actual displacements that were observed after earthquake shaking in 122 case histories of earth dams and embankments. The results indicate that the model predictions of displacement were less than the observed displacement for a large majority of the case histories that were examined. The difference between the observed and predicted displacements was relatively large for a significant percentage of the cases, for each model that was examined. The shapes and positions of the models' relative error cumulative distribution functions did not change significantly if the case histories were filtered to include only those with intermediate levels of observed displacement (i.e., 0.01 m
Functional imaging of small tissue volumes with diffuse optical tomography

Imaging of dynamic changes in blood parameters, functional brain imaging, and tumor imaging are the most advanced application areas of diffuse optical tomography (DOT). When dealing with the image reconstruction problem one is faced with the fact that near-infrared photons, unlike X-rays, are highly scattered when they traverse biological tissue. Image reconstruction schemes are required that model the light propagation inside biological tissue and predict measurements on the tissue surface. By iteratively changing the tissue-parameters until the predictions agree with the real measurements, a spatial distribution of optical properties inside the tissue is found. The optical properties can be related to the tissue oxygenation, inflammation, or to the fluorophore concentration of a biochemical marker. If the model of light propagation is inaccurate, the reconstruction process will lead to an inaccurate result as well. Here, we focus on difficulties that are encountered when DOT is employed for functional imaging of small tissue volumes, for example, in cancer studies involving small animals, or human finger joints for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Most of the currently employed image reconstruction methods rely on the diffusion theory that is an approximation to the equation of radiative transfer. But, in the cases of small tissue volumes and tissues that contain low scattering regions diffusion theory has been shown to be of limited applicability Therefore, we employ a light propagation model that is based on the equation of radiative transfer, which promises to overcome the limitations.
Refinement of multidomain protein structures by combination of solution small-angle X-ray scattering and NMR data.

Determination of the 3D structures of multidomain proteins by solution NMR methods presents a number of unique challenges related to their larger molecular size and the usual scarcity of constraints at the interdomain interface, often resulting in a decrease in structural accuracy. In this respect, experimental information from small-angle scattering of X-ray radiation in solution (SAXS) presents a suitable complement to the NMR data, as it provides an independent constraint on the overall molecular shape. A computational procedure is described that allows incorporation of such SAXS data into the mainstream high-resolution macromolecular structure refinement. The method is illustrated for a two-domain 177-amino-acid protein, γS crystallin, using an experimental SAXS data set fitted at resolutions from ∼200 A to ∼30 A. Inclusion of these data during structure refinement decreases the backbone coordinate root-mean-square difference between the derived model and the high-resolution crystal structure of a 54%...
Effect of pressure on viscosity of naphthalene, phenanthrene and impregnation pitches

Abstract Viscosities of Allied 15V coal tar pitch and Ashland A-240 petroleum pitch were determined at pressures up to 101 and 67 MPa, respectively, at temperatures up to 608 and 588 K, respectively, using a falling needle viscometer. Measurements were also made on naphthalene and phenanthrene up to 101 MPa. Activation energies required to initiate shear flow under pressure were calculated from the data using the Eyring model and found to increase with pressure and to be 50%–100% greater for A-240 than for 15V. The viscosity of A-240 decreases more rapidly with increasing temperature so that at about 625 K, the effect of increasing pressure on viscosity is minimal. Activation energies for naphthalene and phenanthrene decrease with increasing pressure, suggesting increased alignment of these planar molecules and reduced resistance to initiation of flow.
The Intensity of Cultivation

Question of intensity of culture an old one; never purely objective, 646. — Ability of the entrepreneur the limiting factor, 647. — The problem of intensity of culture stated in one of three ways: entrepreneurship fixed, land fixed, capital fixed, 648. — An experiment may be made with something less than the whole amount of land or capital, 653. — An illustration of the difficulties of the trial method, 654. — Income will be alike for all at the margin, 657. — Intensity varied within a given year, 657. — Social aspect of intensity of culture, 658. — Effect of change of price of product or intensity of culture, 659. — Payment of rent induces intensity of culture, 661. — Effect of changes in wages or capital cost on intensity of culture, 662. — Intensity will vary inversely with these costs, 662.
Electro-Osmotic Flow in Porous Media Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to study electro-osmotic flow in a porous medium consisting of spherical glass particles ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mm in diameter. Electrodes placed at each end of a 1-cm glass tube containing the spheres and solution were used to generate flow. Pulsed field gradient MRI at 500 and 600 MHz was used to measure the fluid velocity fields and provided in-plane image resolution of approximately 78 × 78 μm2 for 100 μm thick slices. Velocity fields as functions of applied voltage were measured for four cases: (1) empty tube with open ends, (2) empty tube with closed ends, (3) tube with packing and closed ends, and (4) tube with packing and open ends. Both closed-tube systems showed recirculation; in the closed tube with particles, recirculation occurred over the length scale of a single particle. The standard deviation or spread of the velocity distribution for the closed-tube experiments scaled approximately linearly with increasing applied voltage, while the veloci...
Inflation, Deflation, and Economic Development

EVELOPMENTAL EFFORTS by most of the less developed countries have been accompanied during the postwar period by inflationary price increases. Whether this is inevitable and whether any relationship exists between the rate of price change and the rate of economic growth are questions subject to considerable debate on theoretical grounds. Statistical studies of the rates of growth and the rates of price change in various less developed countries have also been made to determine whether there is any systematic relationship between them, especially in the postwar period.' The purpose of this paper is to carry the search for a statistical relationship between the rate of price change and the rate of economic growth back to an earlier stage of economic history. For this purpose, long-run developments are studied in five countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Japan. Growth is examined for the United Kingdom and Germany only up to 1914, but for different reasons: after World War I the United Kingdom was faced with considerable structural maladjustments, and at the same time Germany underwent large territorial changes. The growth of the other three countries is examined up to the beginning of World War II. For each country except the United Kingdom, the period examined includes the years during which, according to Rostow, the country had its "take-off."2 The reader may be warned at this stage that, even if some consistent statistical relationship could be established between price changes and rates of economic growth, this relationship would not justify any definite conclusion about causation. The social and political institutions of the 1960's are radically different from those of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In the nineteenth century most economic development was carried on by private enterprise, but today it is
Mapping large-scale forest dynamics: a geospatial approach

Digital map of forest dynamics is emerging as a useful research and management tool. As a key issue to address in developing digital maps of forest dynamics, spatial autocorrelation has been distinguished into “true” and “false” gradients. Previous ecological models are mostly focused on either “true” or “false” gradient, and little has been studied to simultaneously account for both gradients in a single model. The main objective of this study was to incorporate both gradients of spatial autocorrelation in a deterministic geospatial model to provide improved accuracy and reliability in future digital maps of forest dynamics. The mapping was based on two underlying assumptions—unit homogeneity and intrinsic stationarity. This study shows that when the factors causing the spatial non-stationarity have been accounted for, forest states could become a stationary process. A prototype geospatial model was developed for the Alaska boreal forest to study current and future stockings across the region. With areas of the highest basal area increment rate projected to cluster along the major rivers and the lowest near the four major urban developments in Alaska, it was hypothesized that moisture limitation and inappropriate human interference were the main factors affecting the stocking rates. These results could be of unprecedented value, especially for the majority of Alaska boreal region where little information is available.
FAMILIAL GOITER AND CONGENITAL NERVE DEAFNESS.

Studies performed in a clinically euthyroid patient with familial goiter and congenital nerve deafness are reported. 131I uptake was rapid and reached 40% within 4 hr. Potassium thiocyanate given 1 hr after a second uptake test discharged 28% of the thyroidal 131I. Neither chromatography nor gel filtration of the gland demonstrated any triiodothyronine or thyroxine, and chemical analysis of the iodothyronine fraction from gel filtration failed to demonstrate the presence of iodine. These studies indicate defects in organification of iodide and in coupling of the iodotyrosines.
Accelerated Increase in Egg Weight of Young Pullets Fed Practical Diets Supplemented with Corn Oil

Abstract JENSEN et al. (1958) reported evidence for an unidentified factor necessary for maximal egg weight in chickens. Substituting ground yellow corn for glucose monohydrate or supplementing a semi-purified diet with 3% crude corn oil markedly improved egg weight. Further studies showed that vegetable oils high in linoleic acid were the most effective and that a level of 5% corn oil was necessary to reach a plateau in response (Shutze et al., 1958, 1959). It is well known that pullets just beginning to lay produce small eggs and that several weeks must pass before a high percentage of eggs fall into the “large” egg grade as used commercially. Because of the results obtained with semi-purified diets, experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of supplementing practical rations with 5% corn oil on the rate of increase in egg weight of pullets during the first few weeks of egg production. PROCEDURE Four …
Dementia caregivers' coping strategies and their relationship to health and well-being: the Cache County Study.

Objectives: Prior research identifies that psychological outcomes among dementia caregivers are associated with their use of coping strategies. Few studies have tested the association of coping and health longitudinally.Method: This study examined factors associated with the use of coping strategies over time and their associations with physical and mental health outcomes in a population-based sample of 226 dementia caregivers in Cache County, Utah, USA. Caregivers annually completed the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and a health interview. Care-recipient cognitive and functional abilities were obtained using the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Clinical Dementia Rating. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory.Results: Caregivers most frequently identified providing care as a problem (37.6%). Linear mixed models of caregiver coping strategies found that the use of most strategies were stable except for increasing Avoidance among adult chil...
Lanthanide Ions Bind Specifically to an Added “EF-Hand” and Orient a Membrane Protein in Micelles for Solution NMR Spectroscopy

Twelve amino acid residues corresponding to an "EF-hand" calcium-binding site were added to the N-terminus of a protein, providing a specific lanthanide ion binding that weakly orients the protein in solution. A comparison of spectra of the protein with and without the EF-hand residues demonstrates that the structure of the native protein is not perturbed by this modification, since there are minimal chemical shift changes. With a lanthanide but not calcium bound to the EF-hand, the protein is weakly oriented by the magnetic field, since residual dipolar couplings can be measured. Since the signs and magnitudes of the couplings varied with the type of lanthanide, this demonstrated the ability to obtain multiple orientations of the protein in solution. The sample is a membrane protein in lipid micelles that disrupted the commonly employed bicelle and filamentous phage solutions; therefore, the addition of a specific metal binding site in the form of an EF-hand may provide a general approach to orienting proteins where the addition of external agents is problematic. An additional benefit is that the lanthanide ions perturb the protein resonances in ways that provide unique orientational and distance constraints.
Immunochemical studies on the photoactive subcellular particles from Chromatium.

Abstract Specific antisera have been prepared in rabbits by injection of pigmented particles isolated by differential centrifugation from extracts of the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium . These antisera contain antibodies which precipitate the bacteriochlorophyll-containing particles specifically, and can therefore be defined as chromatophore antibodies. As a consequence, analysis of this immune system depends in no way upon the necessity of having a purified preparation of pigmented particles, since precipitation of the pigment-bearing macromolecule by antiserum can be measured independently of any other antigenically reacting species present in particle preparations as colorless contaminants. Most of the antisera however, were found by all criteria to contain only antibodies to pigmented particles, which indicated that the differential centrifugation technique used was effective in separating the pigmented particles from other cell antigens. Absorption of such antisera with intact Chromatium cells removes approximately 50% of the chromatophore antibodies. Absorption of antisera with a surface polysaccharide obtained from the cell by washing removes similar amounts of chromatophore antibodies. These results indicate that the pigment complex of Chromatium is either built into the cell wall or contains components structurally similar to it. These components are polysaccharides. In addition to their relationship to the surface of the Chromatium cell, the pigmented macromolecules contain other antigens which are related immunologically to colorless soluble fractions of the cell. Analogous to the cell surface reactions, these relations can be identified experimentally because the antigen studied is a colored macromolecule. The antigenic interrelationships between the pigmented particles, an identified cell surface polysaccharide, and internal cellular components indicate that the photoactive subcellular particles are not unique intracellular entities but are derived from a more complex cellular structure. The previous chemical and present immunochemical studies suggest that the bacteriochlorophyll in Chromatium may reside in a cephalin-type phospholipide constituting a large part of the cytoplasmic membrane of the cell and that the photosynthetic apparatus is attached to or contained in the wall by a polysaccharide component.
A sensitive rank test for comparing the effects of two treatments on a single group.

By taking advantage of an experimental design which increases the number of observations per subject, the sensitivity of the proposed test is increased. In the first of a series of subexperiments, the score of a randomly selected experimentalS is ranked with the scores of the remaining (control)Ss, and the experimentalS is discarded. This procedure is repeated until oneS remains. The test criterion,R n , is the sum of ranks of the experimentalSs; its exact sampling distribution, a normal approximation, and the sensitivity of the test relative to the WilcoxonT, are described. Because of the large number of scores obtained, the test is particularly useful when preparingSs is more costly than testing them, e.g., in tests following involved conditioning procedures. Since eachS is discarded after experimental treatment, the test fills a real need in studies involving radiation, ablation, or other irreversible treatments.
MASS FORMULA CONSISTENT WITH NUCLEAR-MATTER CALCULATIONS VS CONVENTIONAL MASS-LAW EXTRAPOLATIONS.

The energy-density functional proposed by Brueckner etal. is used to calculate the average nuclear-binding-energy surface on the $N\ensuremath{-}Z$ plane at $\ensuremath{\beta}$ stability \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} about 40 units. The equibinding contours are compared with those predicted by recent liquid-droplet models. Normally, some disagreement begins about 15 units away from the region of known nuclei. The deviations towards lower binding are significant for neutron-rich transuranium (superheavy) nuclei. This would seem to indicate a physically important uncertainty in conventional masslaw extrapolations. The semiempirical dependence on neutron excess cannot be established very well, because of the narrowness of the region of known isotopes. The energy-density functional, on the other hand, incorporates the present knowledge about nuclear matter - including recent neutron-matter results. Our disagreement with other extrapolations, therefore, questions the validity of stability and formation (e.g., $r$-process) calculations based on conventional mass formulas.
X-ray-reflectivity study of the copper-water interface in a transmission geometry under in situ electrochemical control.

Using an electrochemical cell that permits x-ray-scattering studies in a transmission geometry under {ital in} {ital situ} electrochemical control, we performed an x-ray specular-reflectivity study of the copper-water interface as a function of electrochemical potential. It is found that the reflectivity changes upon cyclic oxidation and reduction, indicating a phase transition between copper and copper oxide at the interface. We also find that the thickness of the pure copper and the roughness of the interfaces exhibit electrochemical irreversibility that is consistent with the potentials for the oxidation waves in the anodic cycle and the reduction waves in the cathodic cycle. A standard Fresnel expression for the x-ray specular reflectivity was applied in the data analysis. A smoothly varying Lorentzian interface profile was used for the individual rough interfaces. An incoherent average was additionally used to include the effect of {ital correlated} {ital roughness} between a pair of interfaces. The results of our data-fitting procedure are discussed in relation to the electrochemical information obtained in the corresponding cyclic {ital I}-{ital V} curves.
Photoinitiated cationic oligomerization of aryl 1-propenyl ethers

A series of aryl 1-propenyl ethers (ArPE) were prepared by the isomerization of the corresponding allyl aryl ethers (AArE) and used for photoinduced cationic polymerization studies. Attempted polymerization reactions using diaryliodonium salts as photoinitiators generally resulted in low yields of oligomers. Further studies revealed that these compounds have much lower reactivity in cationic vinyl polymerization as compared to their alkyl analogues. Moreover, side reactions resulting from chain transfer due to Friedel-Crafts alkylations take place and compete with vinyl polymerization. These side reactions are responsible for the low molecular weights observed in the cationic photopolymerization of aryl 1-propenyl ether monomers.
Updates in the real-time Dose Tracking System (DTS) to improve the accuracy in calculating the radiation dose to the patients skin during fluoroscopic procedures.

We have developed a dose-tracking system (DTS) to manage the risk of deterministic skin effects to the patient during fluoroscopic image-guided interventional cardiac procedures. The DTS calculates the radiation dose to the patient's skin in real-time by acquiring exposure parameters and imaging-system geometry from the digital bus on a Toshiba C-arm unit and displays the cumulative dose values as a color map on a 3D graphic of the patient for immediate feedback to the interventionalist. Several recent updates have been made to the software to improve its function and performance. Whereas the older system needed manual input of pulse rate for dose­ rate calculation and used the CPU clock with its potential latency to monitor exposure duration, each x-ray pulse is now individually processed to determine the skin-dose increment and to automatically measure the pulse rate. We also added a correction for the table pad which was found to reduce the beam intensity to the patient for under-table projections by an additional 5-12% over that of the table alone at 80 kVp for the x-ray filters on the Toshiba system. Furthermore, mismatch between the DTS graphic and the patient skin can result in inaccuracies in dose calculation because of inaccurate inverse-square-distance calculation. Therefore, a means for quantitative adjustment of the patient-graphic-model position and a parameterized patient-graphic library have been developed to allow the graphic to more closely match the patient. These changes provide more accurate estimation of the skin-dose which is critical for managing patient radiation risk.
Generation of Ice Nuclei in the Surface Outflow of Thunderstorms in Northeast Colorado

Abstract Measurements of ice-forming nuclei and other components of the atmospheric aerosol (cloud condensation nuclei, Aitken nuclei, giant particles) were made at two ground stations in the operational area of a Colorado field experiment on convection storms. Large increases in the concentration of ice nuclei, sometimes by a factor of 100 and typically tenfold, have been found to coincide with the arrival of cold thunderstorm outflows at the observing sites, confirming some previous reports. A study of a single case shows that the enhanced ice nucleus activity noted at the surface is also detectable aloft. An aircraft equipped with an ice nucelus counter detected ice nucleus concentrations of up to ten times background during a chance encounter with a zone of strong turbulent mixing between the inflow and outflow of a large hailstorm. This suggests that ice nuclei observed in the outflow may be introduced by turbulent mixing into the inflow air and their possible role in precipitation formation processe...
Prediction of VLE data using radial basis function network

Artificial neural network with radial basis function (RBF) was explored for prediction of the vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) data. Four typical binary systems, representing different deviations from ideality (in mixing) were considered. For each type of binary system, a set of experimental VLE data from Dechema series was used to train the network. The rest of the available experimental data was used for testing the predictive capability of the network. VLE data for two ternary systems were predicted utilizing a similar network. Three sets of binary data include all the binary combinations possible with three components of the ternary system. These three sets were used to train the network for each ternary system. UNIQUAC model stores the VLE data through regression of the model parameters. The same set of VLE data can be reproduced utilizing thermodynamic models. The accuracy of such reproduction (as reported in Dechema series) is compared with the accuracy of prediction of the same set of data by RBF network. The comparison is presented here for all the four binary systems and the ternary system. The computational (storage) requirements for the networks were also evaluated.
Economic analysis of bilingual interactive multimedia nutrition education.

Abstract Context Interactive multimedia (IMM) provides a means to deliver accurate, consistent, and convenient nutrition education. Objective To compare direct costs of bilingual IMM and peer nutrition education methods. Design Cost per unit of nutrition education for each delivery method was calculated. Setting Touch-screen computer kiosk systems in food assistance programs. Participants Approximately 727 low-income and Hispanic persons. Intervention Bilingual IMM and nutrition education classes taught by peer educators. Main Outcome Measure(s) Cost per unit of nutrition education delivered. Analysis Descriptive: to compare costs and determine break-even points. Results Initially, costs for both methods dropped and then nearly leveled for the peer method at a break-even point of 633 units, whereas those for IMM continued to decrease. Conclusion(s) Interactive multimedia is a cost-effective method of delivering nutrition education, especially to large numbers of people. Implication(s) Use of this technology could reach additional low-income persons at decreasing costs.
Effects of muscle and cutaneous hindlimb afferents on L4 neurons whose activity is modulated by neck rotation

We recorded extracellularly, in decerebrate, labyrinthectomized cats, from spontaneously active L4 neurons whose activity was modulated by head rotation, and studied the effects of stimulation of ipsilateral hindlimb nerves. Rotation of the head about the longitudinal (roll) axis was more effective than rotation about the transverse (pitch) axis or vertical (yaw) axis for this group of neurons. Most units received convergent excitatory or inhibitory inputs from several nerves, with excitation being more prominent. The most effective muscle nerves were quadriceps (37/43 neurons), sartorius (19/21) and tibialis anterior (17/ 35); stimulation of biceps posterior-semitendinosus, biceps anterior-semimembranosus, or gastrocnemius rarely influenced the firing of the neurons. Group I effects were present in only a small fraction of neurons; however, short latency (central latency ≤ 5 ms) group II effects were observed in almost one-third. Longer latency group II as well as group III inputs were also common. All neurons received inputs from mixed and cutaneous nerves which usually had low thresholds and central latencies > 5 ms. Most recording sites were in medial lamina VII or lamina VIII; some of the units were identified by antidromic stimulation as propriospinal neurons which projected to the lumbar enlargement.
A Transient Laboratory Method for Determining the Hydraulic Properties of "Tight"Rocks-I, Theory

Abstract Transient pulse testing has been employed increasingly in the laboratory to measure the hydraulic properties of rock samples with low permeability. Several investigators have proposed a mathematical model in terms of an initial-boundary value problem to describe fluid flow in a transient pulse test. However, the solution of this problem has not been available. In analyzing data from the transient pulse test, previous investigators have either employed analytical solutions that are derived with the use of additional, restrictive assumptions, or have resorted to numerical methods. In Part I of this paper, a general, analytical solution for the transient pulse test is presented. This solution is graphically illustrated by plots of dimensionless variables for several cases of interest. The solution is shown to contain, as limiting cases, the more restrictive analytical solutions that the previous investigators have derived. A method of computing both the permeability and specific storage of the test sample from experimental data will be presented in Part II.
All charged up about implanted biomaterials

A zwitterionic polymer hinders the foreign-body response that leads to fibrotic encapsulation of implants.
Effects of phospholipase A2 and filipin on the activation of adenylate cyclase

Rat liver plasma membranes were incubated with phospholipase A2 (purified from snake venom) or with filipin, a polyene antibiotic, followed by analysis of the binding of glucagon to receptors, effects of GTP on the glucagon-receptor complex, and the activity and responses of adenylate cyclase to glucagon + GTP, GTP, Gpp(NH)p, and F-. Phospholipase A2 treatment resulted in concomitant lossess of glucagon binding and of activation of cyclase by glucagon + GTP. Greater than 85% of maximal hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids was required before significant effects of phospholipase A2 on receptor binding and activity response to glucagon were observed. The stimulatory effects of Gpp(NH)p or F- remained essentially unaffected even at maximal hydrolysis of phospholipids, whereas the stimulatory effect of GTP was reduced. Detailed analysis of receptor binding indicates that phospholipase A2 treatment affected the affinity but not the number of glucagon receptors. The receptors remain sensitive to the effects of GTP on hormone binding. Filipin also caused marked reduction in activation by glucagon + GTP. However, in contrast to phospholipase A2 treatment, the binding of glucagon to receptors was unaffected. The effect of GTP on the binding process was also not affected. The most sensitive parameter of activity altered by filipin was stimulation by GTP or Gpp(NH)p; basal and fluoride-stimulated activities were least affected. It is concluded from these findings that phospholipase A2 and filipin, as was previously shown with phospholipase C, are valuable tools for differentially affecting the components involved in hormone, guanyl nucleotide, and fluoride action on hepatic adenylate cyclase.
Segmented binary control of multi-axis SMA array actuators

A new approach to designing and controlling multiple artificial muscle actuators using Segmented Binary Control (SBC) is presented and is implemented using shape memory alloys (SMA). SMA actuators are segmented into many independently controlled, spatially discrete volumes, each contributing a small displacement to create a large motion. The segmented architecture of SMA wires is extended to a multi-axis actuator array by arranging them in a two-dimensional array. For multi axis case, the number of segments can be reduced by activating adjacent SMA wires with coupled segments. Coupled segments activate multiple actuators that the segment covers. Although independence of the adjacent SMA wires is reduced to a certain degree, coordinated movements are generated. The shape and position of the coupled segments can be designed using the "similarity" of output trajectories of each actuator. SBC is extended into Hysteresis Loop Control, which reduces the delay in the system by using four different temperatures instead of just two temperatures that the SBC uses. Thermoelectric devices are used to locally heat and cool the SMA wires. Single-axis experimental setup is built to verify and compare the SBC and HLC, and multi-axis array actuator system that uses SBC is built with ten SMA actuators in parallel.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Synthesis, characterization and stability of chitosan and poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted carbon nanotubes

Abstract The single walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were effectively functionalized through grafting with chitosan (CTS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Prior to grafting reaction, the carboxylated SWNCTs (SWNCTs–COOH) were obtained by treating pristine CNTs with a mixture of 3:1 (v/v) H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 , and the successive treatment of SWNCTs–COOH with SOCl 2 yielded the acylated CNTs (CNTs–COCl). The functionalized derivatives of CNTs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Both CTS and PMMA grafted CNTs showed better dispersability in acetic acid and tetrahydrofuran, in addition to higher stability in solution.
Repeated sequences in the DNA of the eukaryotic genome.

Long DNA molecules from a cucumber satellite, the cucumber main band, mung bean, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) were digested with mung bean nuclease I, which was used as a probe for high AT regions. The digests were viewed under the electron microscope, and the distribution of sizes for the fragments of nuclease-treated plant DNA showed that the main band cucumber and the mung bean have regions along their genomes spaced at approximately 0.3 to 0.4 μ that are sensitive to the nuclease. The satellite from the cucumber contains these sites at intervals generally of 0.1 μ or less, whereas CHO DNA has these regions at intervals of 0.05 to 1.40 μ in length. The long DNA from the main band of the cucumber and the CHO were also partially melted in formamide at 37°C to denature preferentially the regions along the DNA molecules that are rich in AT. Measurements of the distances from the center of each loop to the center of the adjacent loops showed that these distances for the main band cucumber DNA tended to occur at approximately every 0.4 μ, whereas the corresponding distances for the Chinese hamster DNA were less regular, occurring every 0.1 to 1.0 μ.