cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bowhead and beluga whale acoustic detections in the western Beaufort Sea 2008–2018

The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) was established to detect environmental changes in the Pacific Arctic by regular monitoring of biophysical responses in each of 8 DBO regions. Here we examine the occurrence of bowhead and beluga whale vocalizations in the western Beaufort Sea acquired by acoustic instruments deployed from September 2008-July 2014 and September 2016-October 2018 to examine inter-annual variability of these Arctic endemic species in DBO Region 6. Acoustic data were collected on an oceanographic mooring deployed in the Beaufort shelfbreak jet at ~71.4°N, 152.0°W. Spectrograms of acoustic data files were visually examined for the presence or absence of known signals of bowhead and beluga whales. Weekly averages of whale occurrence were compared with outputs of zooplankton, temperature and sea ice from the BIOMAS model to determine if any of these variables influenced whale occurrence. In addition, the dates of acoustic whale passage in the spring and fall were compared to annual sea ice melt-out and freeze-up dates to examine changes in phenology. Neither bowhead nor beluga whale migration times changed significantly in spring, but bowhead whales migrated significantly later in fall from 2008-2018. There were no clear relationships between bowhead whales and the environmental variables, suggesting that the DBO 6 region is a migratory corridor, but not a feeding hotspot, for this species. Surprisingly, beluga whale acoustic presence was related to zooplankton biomass near the mooring, but this is unlikely to be a direct relationship: there are likely interactions of environmental drivers that result in higher occurrence of both modeled zooplankton and belugas in the DBO 6 region. The environmental triggers that drive the migratory phenology of the two Arctic endemic cetacean species likely extend from Bering Sea transport of heat, nutrients and plankton through the Chukchi and into the Beaufort Sea.
Knowledge Acquisition Strategies for Goal-Oriented Dialog Systems

Many goal-oriented dialog agents are expected to identify slot-value pairs in a spoken query, then perform lookup in a knowledge base to complete the task. When the agent encounters unknown slotvalues, it may ask the user to repeat or reformulate the query. But a robust agent can proactively seek new knowledge from a user, to help reduce subsequent task failures. In this paper, we propose knowledge acquisition strategies for a dialog agent and show their effectiveness. The acquired knowledge can be shown to subsequently contribute to task completion.
Oh, the Places We'll Go! in Health Education (with Apologies to Dr. Seuss)

(1992). Oh, the Places We'll Go! in Health Education (with Apologies to Dr. Seuss) Journal of Health Education: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 196-197.
Noise Constraints Effecting Optimal Propeller Designs

A preliminary design tool for advanced propellers was developed combining a fast vortex lattice aerodynamic analysis, a fast subsonic point source noise analysis, and an optimization scheme using a conjugate directions method. Twist, chord and sweep distributions are optimized to simultaneously improve both the aerodynamic performance and the noise observed at a fixed relative position. The optimal noise/performance tradeoffs for straight and advanced concept blades are presented. The techniques used include increasing the blade number, blade sweep, reducing the rotational speed, shifting the spanwise loading and diameter changes.
Tight Money, Real Interest Rates, and Inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa

The consequences of tight monetary policy are analyzed in an optimizing currency-substitution model of a small, open economy that operates under an open capital account and a flexible exchange rate. There is a reasonably good fit between the dynamics generated by the model and the stylized facts in the tight-money episodes that occurred in Kenya in 1993 and Nigeria in 1989-91. The study's results shed light on two issues: why tight money has provoked stupendous increases in inflation and the real interest rate in some episodes, and whether tight money is a foolish, unsustainable policy that always worsens the fiscal deficit and raises the inflation rate in the long run. Copyright 2003, International Monetary Fund
Results and perspectives on computational methods for optimal control of switched systems

This paper surveys some of the recent progresses on computational methods for optimal control of switched systems. A general model of switched system that allows externally forced switching (EFS) and internally forced switching (IFS) is first introduced and two important classes of optimal control problems are formulated. After a brief review of some relevant theoretical results, we present the idea of two stage optimization. Based on the theoretical results and two stage optimization, we then survey computational methods based on discretization, and computational methods not based on discretization. Comments are made on the merits and restrictions of each method.
Elevated dissolved organic carbon biodegradability from thawing and collapsing permafrost

As high latitudes warm, a portion of the large organic carbon pool stored in permafrost will become available for transport to aquatic ecosystems as dissolved organic carbon (DOC). If permafrost DOC is biodegradable, much will be mineralized to the atmosphere in freshwater systems before reaching the ocean, accelerating carbon transfer from permafrost to the atmosphere, whereas if recalcitrant, it will reach marine ecosystems where it may persist over long time periods. We measured biodegradable DOC (BDOC) in water flowing from collapsing permafrost (thermokarst) on the North Slope of Alaska and tested the role of DOC chemical composition and nutrient concentration in determining biodegradability. DOC from collapsing permafrost was some of the most biodegradable reported in natural systems. However, elevated BDOC only persisted during active permafrost degradation, with a return to predisturbance levels once thermokarst features stabilized. Biodegradability was correlated with background nutrient concentration, but nutrient addition did not increase overall BDOC, suggesting that chemical composition may be a more important control on DOC processing. Despite its high biodegradability, permafrost DOC showed evidence of substantial previous microbial processing, and we present four hypotheses explaining this incongruity. Because thermokarst features form preferentially on river banks and lake shores and can remain active for decades, thermokarst may be the dominant short-term mechanism delivering sediment, nutrients, and biodegradable organic matter to aquatic systems as the Arctic warms.
The Host-Parasite Interface II

The association of a eukaryotic protozoan cell as an obligate internal parasite of a eukaryotic host cell provides material for the study of basic problems in cell biology. Furthermore, this widespread phenomenon found with a great many species of protozoan parasites in both vertebrate and invertebrate animals includes a considerable number of pathogenic species of great economic and medical importance. One need only mention as examples the parasites of human malaria, of Chagas’ disease, of leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis, the coccidial parasites of chickens and other domestic animals, the babesias and theilerias of ruminants, and the microsporidian parasites of insects. All are obligate intracellular parasites. Their interface with the host cell depends in part on their mode of entry, already discussed in a previous chapter. There are three kinds of situations: (1) the parasite lies in a phagosome; (2) it lies in a special parasitophorous vacuole lined by the parasitophorous membrane; (3) it lies directly in the host cytoplasm. The last two cases in particular may change with the developmental stage of the parasite.
Information and American Democracy: Information, Equality, and Integration in the Public Sphere

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS: A REVOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE In what sense is the contemporary information revolution really revolutionary for democracy in the United States? Together the conclusions of the previous chapters suggest a set of important changes that are concentrated between the level of the mass public and institutions of the state itself – a revolution in the middle. The use of technologies associated with the Internet by political actors is making information and communication increasingly abundant: inexpensive, decentralized, and widely distributed. A central feature of this abundance is that information flows more readily within and between organizations than at any time in the past. The traditional boundaries, resources, and structures of organizations have less influence over who has facility with political information and communication and who does not. In this sense, information itself is becoming politically less institutionalized. As a result, processes of political intermediation, organizing, and mobilizing appear to be changing. Some traditional political organizations, such as Environmental Defense, the Libertarian Party, and members of the Save the E-Rate Coalition, are undergoing changes as they adapt to information abundance, while more flexible, ad hoc organizations, such as the Million Mom March, appear better able than ever before to have a voice in politics, if not necessarily to defeat richer organizations outright. A second feature of information abundance is the reinforcement of patterns of political engagement and disengagement at the level of political individuals.
The Association of Resting Heart Rate and Incident Hypertension: The Henry Ford Hospital Exercise Testing (FIT) Project.

Background Given that sympathetic tone is associated with hypertension, we sought to determine whether resting heart rate (RHR), as a surrogate for cardiac autonomic function, was associated with incident hypertension. Methods We analyzed 21,873 individuals without a history of hypertension who underwent a clinically indicated exercise stress test. Baseline RHR was assessed prior to testing and was categorized as 85 beats-per-minute (bpm). Incident hypertension was defined by subsequent diagnosis codes for new-onset hypertension from three or more encounters. We tested for effect modification by age ( Results Mean (±SD) age was 49 (±12) years, 55% were men and 21% were Black. Compared to the lowest RHR ( 85 bpm) were younger, more likely to be female, heavier, diabetic, and achieve lower metabolic equivalents (METS). Over a median of 4 years follow-up, there were 8,179 cases of incident hypertension. Compared to RHR 85 bpm had increased risk of hypertension after adjustment for CHD risk factors, baseline blood pressure (BP), and METS (hazard ratio = 1.15 (95% confidence interval 1.08-1.23)). Age was an effect modifier (interaction P = 0.02), whereas sex, race, and CHD were not. In age-stratified analyses the relationship remained significant only in those younger than 60 years. Conclusion Elevated RHR is an independent risk factor for incident hypertension, particularly in younger persons. Whether lifestyle modification or other strategies to reduce RHR can prevent incident hypertension in high-risk individuals warrants further study.
Theory of NRZ transmission control

Summary form only given. In this work, we extend the guiding center approach, that was previously used for soliton transmissions, to the analysis of NRZ systems. Whenever the transmission wavelength is set slightly below the average zero-dispersion value of the fiber link (i.e., the weak group velocity dispersion is normal), one may introduce an approximate description of the NRZ pulse distortion that is based on the so-called Whitham averaging method. We obtain a quasi-linear system of equations for the evolution of both the NRZ signal amplitude and phase along the link.
On the asymptotic behavior of a phase-field model for elastic phase transitions

We study the asymptotic behavior of a one-dimensional, dynamical model of solid-solid elastic transitions in which the phase is determined by an order parameter. The system is composed of two coupled evolution equations, the mechanical equation of elasticity which is hyperbolic and a parabolic equation in the order parameter. Due to the strong coupling and the lack of smoothing in the hyperbolic equation, the asymptotic behavior of solutions is difficult to determine using standard methods of gradient-like systems. However, we show that under suitable assumptions all solutions approach the equilibrium set weakly, while the phase field stabilizes strongly.
Spectroscopic characterization of inductive binding in ions

Abstract Molecular ions without conventional covalent bonds have been synthesized via supersonic adiabatic expansion and studied in a tandem time-of-fligth mass spectrometer. Resonant laser photofragmentation of these ions reveal a wealth of vibrational and electronic structure previously unknown. The ground and excited state “bond” strengths of transition-metal rare-gas diatomic ions (MRg + ) are determined spectroscopically. The vibrational structure of these diatomics has been analyzed using model metal rare-gas interatomic potential that incorporates only charge induced-dipole as the attractive force. This potential is used to predict the binding energy and structure of the MRg + n , n = 2−14, clusters. V + is predicted to be four coordinate in its first “solvation shell” with Ar in accord with experimental observation. The dynamic of the MRg + n ions is probed by classical trajectory analysis of a model many-body potential. An example demonstrates that the lowest energy structure of a cluster can be less important to its dynamical structure at finite temperature than higher-lying, lower-symmetry isomers. Resonant photodissociation spectroscopy is used to show the existence of the charge dipole bound V(OH 2 ) + in both ground and excited states.
Transgastric continuous-wave Doppler to determine cardiac output.

Abstract A new method to measure cardiac output using transgastric continuous-wave Doppler was evaluated in 31 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery with simultaneous measurement of cardiac output by the thermodilution technique. A 5 MHz single-plane imaging/5 MHz continuouswave Doppler transesophageal transducer was used to image the left ventricular outflow tract, aortic valve and ascending aorta from a modified transgastric short-axis plane. The continuouswave Doppler cursor was aligned parallel with blood flow across the aortic valve to obtain the maximal Doppler velocity spectra. Stroke volume was obtained by multiplying the mean Doppler flow velocity integral by the aortic annulus area, which was calculated from its diameter measured from the esophageal 5-chamber view. The stroke volume was multiplied by heart rate to yield cardiac output. A total of 57 simultaneous thermodilution and Doppler studies were attempted. Doppler data were technically limited for 2 patients both before and after cardiopulmonary bypass and for 3 patients before cardiopulmonary bypass with a result of 50 adequate studies of 57 (88%) attempted. The Doppler-derived cardiac outputs were correlated with the simultaneous measurements of cardiac output by the thermodilution technique. Linear regression analysis revealed a close correlation with R = 0.91, SEE = 0.8 liter/ min, and y = 1.01x + 0.2 (p
Safety of Neodymium-Yag Lasers

The neodymium-YAG (yttrium, aluminum, garnet) laser is fundamentally different from the commercially available argon, ruby, carbon dioxide, and krypton lasers. All of those lasers work by the generation of heat because the energy of the laser is absorbed in the form of heat in a tissue. This produces a thermal coagulation of tissue in a focal area. The heat is dissipated by the surrounding tissue. The YAG laser, however, works by a different mechanism. The YAG laser produces a shorter energy pulse with a much higher peak power. The instantaneous electric field generated by the YAG laser is so strong that it literally rips electrons from the target atoms, leading to ionization of the tissue. A spark appears at the point of tissue ionization. An ionized cloud of charged particles called a “plasma” is formed by this process. This plasma absorbs most of the energy locally.
Walker‐Warburg syndrome: Report of three affected sibs

Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a lethal, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by Type II lissencephaly, retinal malformation, cerebellar malformation, and congenital muscular dystrophy. We report on 3 sibs with WWS born to a consanguineous couple. The fetal hydrocephalus associated with this syndrome, while not consistent or necessary for diagnosis, is the key manifestation for its prenatal detection. These sibs illustrate the importance of a careful search for associated malformation(s) in a fetus or newborn infant with hydrocephalus and the potential pitfalls of accurate genetic risk estimation in families of such propositi. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of pentachlorophenol-contaminated food organisms on toxicity and bioaccumulation in the frog Xenopus laevis.

Sub-adult African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) were fed pentachlorophenol (PCP)-injected mealworms containing 64.8 to 2604 ug of PCP per gram of worm for 27 days. There was no mortality and no significant bioaccumulation of PCP in the frogs. After three weeks, frogs fed 2,604 Rg/g of PCP ceased eating. The no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) based on significantly reduced food consumption (PCP-injected mealworms) was 638 μg/g. This corresponded to a NOAEL based on PCP intake of about 8 μg PCP/ g frog/day. A toxicity threshold model estimated that about 800 μg/L of waterborne PCP may be a threshold for adverse effects in Xenopus or similar amphibians. Further study is needed to verify threshold estimates.
Antioxidant Activity of Skim Milk: Effect of Sonication

Abstract The antioxidant activity of skim milk was evaluated in a linoleate emulsion system with hemoglobin as a pro-oxidant. Sonication greatly increased the antioxidant activity of skim milk. The antioxidant activity of the casein fraction of milk was increased most by sonication, arid this increase was nearly as great as that for skim milk, suggesting that casein was almost totally responsible for the antioxidant effect of sonication. Total sulfhydryl groups of skim milk decreased upon prolonged sonication, probably the result of the heat evolved in the process. Reactive sulfhydryl content was unchanged by sonication. Sonication had no effect on antioxidant activity of β-lactoglobulin, reduced urease, or reduced ribonuclease, proteins with free sulfhydryl groups. Apparently sulfhydryl groups were not involved in the increased antioxidant activity of sonicated skim milk. Homogenization at 281.5 kg/cm 2 did not increase the antioxidant effect of skim milk. Sonication probably disrupted casein micelles, increasing the effective concentration of casein, which could account for the increased antioxidant activity in the system.
Isolation and properties of four α-amylase isozymes from human submandibular saliva

Abstract Four isoamylases have been isolated from human submandibular secretions by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. The isozymes (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) were each purified about 8-fold and each yielded one major band on disc gel electrophoresis. In all cases the major protein band contained more than 95% of the protein and amylase activity recovered. The isoenzymes, in order of their relative positions on the polyacrylamide gels (from the anodal end), their isoelectric points, and percentage distribution in the submandibular secretion are as follows: isozyme 2A, pH 5.9, 9%; isozyme 1A, pH 5.9, 18%; isozyme 2B, pH 6.4, 63%; isozyme 1B, pH 6.4, 10%. Amino acid analyses showed that the protein compositions of the four isoamylases were essentially the same. Possible differences were noted in aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, and proline contents. Molecular weights, determined by SDS disc gel electrophoresis, were 57,000 for 1A and 1B, and 54,000 for 2A and 2B. This molecular weight difference is attributed mainly to the presence of bound carbohydrate on isozymes 1A and 1B. Gas Chromatographic analysis was used for determining the carbohydrate compositions. Molar ratios of sugars were similar for both glycoprotein amylases (moles sugar/mole enzyme): glucosamine, 3; mannose, 3; galactose, 2; fucose, 3. Isoamylase 1A, which had more carbohydrate than 1B, also contained about 2 moles of N -acetylneuraminic acid. Sialic acid was not detected in isozyme 1B.
Use of a rapid thermal annealing system to initiate indiffusion for fabrication of Ti:LiNbO(3) optical channel waveguides.

A rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system has been used to initiate indiffusion of Ti into LiNbO3 for fabrication of optical channel waveguides. Four separate processes are investigated, each with different RTA temperature vs time variations followed by furnace heating. The sample processed with a fast initial ramp of temperature vs time to 875°C yielded the lowest waveguide propagation loss of 1 dB/cm at a wavelength of 632.8 nm, compared with samples processed with other RTA variations and with a sample undergoing only furnace processing. Use of a dry O2 ambient during RTA resulted in a smoother waveguide surface with no outdiffusion, when compared with use of a wet O2 ambient.
Growth and nutrient influx patterns during early pumpkin development

Abstract Pumpkin specie Cucurbita moschata cv ‘Libby‐Select’ was grown in nutrient solution in the greenhouse to characterize growth and ion uptake for the period up to 56 days. Pumpkin relative growth rate was highest between 26 and 32 days, just after vines began to run. Dry matter accumulation was highest between 38 and 50 days. Root growth in terms of dry weight and total length generally kept pace with shoot growth up until 26 days. Thereafter, root growth increased linearly but at a slower rate than shoot growth. Significant differences in influx (uptake rate per length of root) of P, K, Ca, and Mg occurred during the growth period. Influx rates were generally highest between 26 and 32 days. For each nutrient, the relative absorption rate exceeded plant growth rate. Ion influx parameters (Imax, Km, CO) were determined at 18, 28, 40, and 48 days from depletion measurements. For each nutrient, Imax and max CO tended to decrease as plant age increased. K values were generally variable.
Five- and eight-vector extensions of relativistic quantum theory: The preferred reference frame

The complex quaternion approach to relativistic quantum theory is extended to include time, in the preferred cosmic reference frame, as a fifth dimension. Particle mass appears as an eigenvalue of this invariant operator. Closing the extended algebra also suggests three additional space-time components, possibly related to microscopic rotational degrees of freedom and the scale setting fundamental length. The Dirac, Klein-Gordon, Maxwell, and Einstein equations are generalized to accommodate 5- and 8-vector space-time, including gravitational curvature. The usual conserved probability density is shown to harbor fundamental difficulties.
Comparative biochemical studies of osmo-regulation in sipuncula—I. Steady-state characteristics of two sipunculids in full-strength sea water

Abstract 1. 1. Chemical analyses are reported for centrifuged coelomic fluid, body wall, retractor muscles and coelomocytes of the Sipunculids Themiste dyscritum and Phascolopsis gouldi acclimated to full-strength sea water. 2. 2. Both species are isosmotic to sea water. The major coelomic fluid solutes are sodium and chloride; free amino acids (FAA) and glucose do not significantly contribute to the coelomic fluid osmotic pressure. 3. 3. Relative to ambient conditions, P. gouldi is slightly hyperionic in Na and iso-ionic in Ca; T. dyscritum is iso-ionic in Na and hypo-ionic in Ca. Both species show elevated levels of K and lower levels of Cl, Mg, SO 4 and orthophosphate. 4. 4. All tissues studied appear closely isosmotic to coelomic fluid ( T. dyscritum ). Half to three-fourths of the total measured solute concentration of the tissues is contributed by FAA, phosphate and K. 5. 5. Glycine is the major constituent ( ca . 80%) of the FAA pool of T. dyscritum retractor muscle. Also present in greater than 10 mM concentrations are glutamate, isoleucine, threonine, serine and aspartate. 6. 6. Orthophosphate appears more concentrated in Sipunculid muscle tissue (body wall, retractor muscle) than in coelomocytes. Coelomocytes are possibly distinct in having a higher intracellular glucose level.
Reaction of Chloride Ion with Isopropyl Bromide at Atmospheric Pressure by Ion Mobility Spectrometry

The SN2 nucleophilic displacement reaction of chloride ion with isopropyl bromide (i-PrBr) has been studied in nitrogen buffer gas at a pressure of 640 Torr over the temperature range 20−175 °C by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). It is concluded that, under these conditions of relatively high buffer gas pressure, this nucleophilic displacement reaction occurs primarily by the distinctly two-step mechanism Cl- + i-PrBr ⇌ Cl-(i-PrBr) → Br- + i-PrCl in which a thermal energy ion complex, Cl-(i-PrBr), is maintained in a state of chemical equilibrium with the reactants. An SN2 displacement reaction then occurs within the thermal energy cluster ion by its unimolecular conversion to products. Equilibrium constants, K1, and rate constants, k1, for Cl- + i-PrBr ⇌ Cl-(i-PrBr) and Cl-(i-PrBr) → Br- + i-PrCl, respectively, are determined from the IMS spectra as a function of temperature. In addition, second-order clustering to form the ion complex Cl-(i-PrBr)2 is also observed, and equilibrium constants, K2, for this...
Sustaining a student program through collaboration and communication

As host employers for DePauw University's Information Technology Associates Program (ITAP, a four-year program of distinction), full-time staff members from several individual programs within Instructional & Learning Services (I.L.S.) collaborated to develop a curriculum not only to enhance the professional development of our student staff members, but also to provide the high level of support expected by campus. We also worked to address the requirements of ITAP as well as the importance of a well-planned communication strategy.This curriculum, now identified as the I.L.S. Associate Program, is specifically designed to extend students' technical skills, further develop interpersonal communication, and broaden professional behavior along with providing leadership opportunities and creating a professional community for our students. Some of the components of the program include reading discussions, ePortfolio maintenance, project management, and professional development goals.The I.L.S. Associate Program augments the accumulative knowledge and expertise of I.L.S. and enables our student staff members to link their practical experience with their liberal arts education. As a result, they are better prepared for life beyond DePauw, including tackling larger issues involving the use of technology.
A Candid Talk to Teacher Educators about Effectively Preparing Teachers Who Can Teach Everyone's Children.

This article focuses on characteristics necessary to be an effective teacher for all children, regardless of their academic ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family structure, sexual orient...
FINE STRUCTURAL DEMONSTRATION OF ORDERED ARRAYS OF CYTOPLASMIC FILAMENTS IN VERTEBRATE IRIDOPHORES : A Comparative Survey

Thin and thick sections of both physiologically active and physiologically passive iridophores from a range of vertebrate species have been examined by electron microscopy at 60 kV and at 1,000 kV. All iridophores studied have been found to contain 65-A filaments linking successive crystals in their parallel stacks; their orientation in the cell is shown in stereo pairs of 0.25-µm sections obtained from high voltage microscopy. In addition, several of the physiologically passive iridophores contain 100-A filaments in varying numbers. It is suggested that the thin filaments might be iridophore actin and play a role in the movement of iridophore components, and that the 100-A filaments might play a cytoskeletal role in the iridophores in which they occur.
Trajectory Planning and Coordinated Control of Robotic Systems

A new method combining trajectory planning and coordination or formation control of robotic and autonomous systems is presented. The method generates target trajectories that are either asymptotically stable or result in a stable limit cycle. The former case is used to implement formation control. Coordination is guaranteed in the latter case due to the nature of limit cycles where non-crossing independent paths are automatically generated from different starting positions that smoothly converge to closed orbits. The use of position feedback in the trajectory generation allows for simultaneous determination of a stable tracking control law and consideration of constraints and system limitations. The tracking control law presented in this work is based on sliding mode control which is suitable for real-time implementation. It is also robust to modeling uncertainties and disturbances normally encountered in autonomous operations. A system of robotic manipulators and a group of autonomous vehicles are used as examples to demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of the proposed method.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Microenvironmental manipulation of the observed michaelis constant of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase.

Urease and ribulose 1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase can be bound to Sepharose to give an immobilized two-enzyme system which catalyzes the reaction urea → H2CO3 → phosphoglyceric acid. The observed Km of the system for urea approaches the lower value for urease when carboxylase levels on the gel exceed urease levels. If a similar system operates in the chloroplast, the high Km (H2CO3) of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase may not be metabolically significant.
Effect of temperature on coupling of insulin receptors to stimulation of glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes

Abstract The ability of temperature to influence insulin binding, hormone stimulation of glucose transport, and the coupling of these two events was studied in isolated rat adipocytes. Insulin binding was reduced as the temperature rose from 16°C to 37°C. Both total and cell surface binding varied in an inverse linear manner with temperature, and Scatchard analysis suggested that this was caused by an altered affinity with no change in receptor number. The insulin responsiveness of 3-O-methyl-glucose transport increased with temperature from a four-fold stimulation at 16°C to 12-fold at 37°C. Insulin sensitivity was also higher at elevated temperatures with the EC50 at 37°C (0.3 ng/mL) one-third that at 16°C (0.9 ng/mL). The stimulation by a single insulin concentration (0.75 ng/mL) varied linearly with temperature. Since the amount of cell-associated insulin that was internalized (non-acid extractable) also increased in a linear fashion with temperature, it was possible to compare the amount of insulin binding to the cell surface needed to attain a certain effect. At 37°C half-maximal stimulation was seen when each cell bound 1255 insulin molecules. The same level of effect required 2510 molecules per cell at 24°C and 6024 molecules per cell at 16°C. These results reveal several things about the insulin-response sequence in fat cells: (1) both total cell and cell surface binding vary inversely with temperature; (2) both insulin responsiveness and sensitivity increase with temperature; (3) the opposing behaviors of binding and sensitivity result in an increase in the effect of a set amount of insulin bound (the coupling efficiency); and (4) the coupling process between insulin receptors and glucose transport is regulated by temperature and could be subject to control by other physiologic factors.
Structure of a Langmuir Film Based on the Construction of a System Response Function for the Analysis of Second Harmonic Signals

Optical second harmonic generation is used to investigate the characteristics of a Langmuir film of hematoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester on water. Interfacial molecular orientation is determined by the construction of a system response function based on general and consistent assumptions concerning the distribution of second-order non-linear hyperpolarizabilities and the second harmonic intensity variation for compressed and expanded versions of the film. Two dominant average hyperpolarizability axes are observed for the individual molecules making up the film. Further, it is found that the molecules tend to align towards the vertical as the film is compressed from the maximum mean molecular area of 130 A to the minimum mean molecular area of 70 A 2 . The molecular tilt angle varies from 44° under maximum compression to 71° under full expansion. These results show good quantitative agreement with previous investigations of Langmuir films of similar molecules.
Fear of criticism in washers, checkers and phobics

Abstract Fear of criticism in patients who manifested specific phobias, washing rituals and checking rituals was investigated. Six items from the Fear Survey Schedule measuring degree of anxiety to criticism were selected for this purpose. Results indicated that both washers and checkers showed more sensitivity to criticism than did phobics, while washers and checkers did not differ significantly. The implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.
Experiments on slider lubricant interactions and lubricant transfer using TFC sliders

Future magnetic storage density targets (>4 Tb/in.2) require subnanometer physical clearances that pose a tremendous challenge to the head disk interface (HDI) design. A detailed understanding of slider-lubricant interactions at small clearances and contact is important to not only address magnetic spacing calibration and long term HDI reliability but also to meet additional challenges imposed by future recording architectures such as heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). In this work, the behavior of the disk lubricant is investigated through controlled tests using TFC sliders which are actuated to proximity (i.e. backoff) and into contact (i.e. overpush) on one specific half of the disk per rotation by synchronization with the spindle index. Observations for lubricant distribution in contact tests (i.e. overpush) reveal an accumulation of lubricant on the disk near the onset of contact suggesting a migration of lubricant from the slider to the disk as the slider approaches the disk. Experiments also reveal that there is a similar deposition of lubricant even in the absence of contact for backoff tests. Furthermore, light contact tests result in significant lubricant rippling and depletion with associated slider dynamics. The lubricant rippling frequencies correlate well with the slider's vibration frequencies. Interestingly, strong overpush may lead to stable slider dynamics (for certain air bearing designs) that is also associated with noticeably lower lubricant distribution (compared to the light contact case), and the greatest lubricant changes are observed only at the onset and the end of contact. This paper reveals the complex nature of slider-lubricant interactions under near-contact and contact conditions, and it highlights the need for further studies on the topic to help design a HDI for recording architectures of the future.
Heat transfer simulations for pulsed laser annealing of silicon thin film

Devices like solar cells and displays require high quality polycrystalline-Si (pc-Si) thin films, which are grown by high temperature crystallization of thin films of amorphous silicon (a-Si) on expensive substrates. Low cost substrates (glass and plastic) help to reduce the cost, but they melt at low temperatures, hence not suitable to grow high quality crystalline films. Recently, pulsed laser annealing appears to be an effective way for crystallization of thin films on low cost substrates with high precision. Optimization of crystallinity of thin films for desired optoelectronic property requires optimization of the laser source, which eventually requires understanding of heat transfer theory at the micro/nano-scale regime. This paper presents heat transfer simulation of very thin silicon (Si) film using COMSOL Multiphysics. The results show that higher power density can melt the film at shorter times compared to lower power density. It is also observed that the top surface of the film can be heated to a much higher temperature than the bottom surface (the interface with the substrate). The annealing depth and temperature at any depth can be precisely controlled by optimizing heat source power density, pulse width and exposure time. Therefore, it is possible to crystallize Si films by controlled melting without melting the substrate.
Re-evaluating blue mussel depuration rates in 'Dynamics of the phycotoxin domoic acid: accumulation and excretion in two commercially important bivalves'.

Re-examining the reported observation and analysis in Wohlgeshaffen et al. (Journal of Applied Phycology 4(4):297–310, 1992) shows that their observed shellfish domoic acid (DA) concentrations do not support the reported 17% · d−1 depuration rate for blue mussels but instead support depuration rates of 87% · d−1 (fractional) or 200%/day (exponential). This error could have impacts for public health, shellfish management, and other biological research. This paper identifies a large underestimation in filtration efficiency in Wohlgeshaffen et al. (1992).
Basic elements of a policy framework for human security

The species Homo sapiens sapiens is the unit of analysis and action for human security defined as risk reduction and expansion and realisation of potential. In this chapter the history of our existence is explored, as well as the conditions for human existence, prior extinctions and current threats of extinction, including the human impact on the environment and the continued high levels of violence in human relations in an era of nuclear weapons. Many of the very same factors that contributed to our success as a species, especially our transformative capabilities, are now contributing to the destruction of life. The values, ethics and morality of existence and extinction are examined as a foundation for a culturally, historically and ethically based integrated, holistic human security policy framework. Successes and failures in international human security policy are analysed, as well as the advantages of the proposed framework, for which concepts, levels of application and tentative policy areas are outlined. The objectives are to support the humanisation of economics and politics, as well as pointing out which values are dysfunctional for survival, to contribute to the equilibriums that maintains human existence and life on Earth, as well as to discontinue policies and practices that lead to mass extinctions, including our own.
Singlet–triplet splittings as obtained from the Xα-scattered wave method: A theoretical analysis

The theoretical determination of singlet–triplet splittings of the excited states of closed-shell molecules is discussed with emphasis on the use of the Xα–scattered wave method. With this method, splittings can be computed in two independent ways. Both will have corrections due to orbital relaxation effects. The singlet–triplet splittings obtained with the Xα–scattered wave method for several large organic molecules are reviewed. It is seen that the results using the two splitting formulas differ by a large amount; in fact, they differ by the magnitude of the computed splitting. We provide a criterion for choosing the results obtained with one method over the other by showing that they both give upper bounds to the best result obtainable within the framework of the model. However, because of the large differences between the two methods, the quantitative value of the splitting should be viewed with caution.
Effect of Curvature on the Packing and Ordering of Organosilane Monolayers Supported on Solids

This work investigated the effects of the nanometer-sized curvature of the substrate on the structure of organic monolayers supported on dispersed and porous solids. A series of covalently attached monolayers (CAMs) was prepared via solution-phase reactions of CnH2n+1Si(CH3)2N(CH3)2 (n = 1–30) with well-defined silicas having (1) convex (fumed silicas) and (2) concave (SBA-15 silicas) surfaces and (3) silicas with nearly flat surfaces (large-pore silica gels). According to chemical analysis and Fourier transform IR, the grafting density and molecular ordering [assessed from the νa(CH2)] in CAMs were largely determined by the steric effects: the concave surfaces hindered while the convex surfaces assisted the formation of closely packed and highly ordered CAMs. The low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen was studied, and the energies of adsorption interactions of CAMs were evaluated using the C constant of the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller equation. For CAMs of intermediate and long alkyl chains (n > 8), the graft...
The Forensic Determination of Drugs of Abuse Using Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection: A Review

Abstract The identification and quantitation of drugs of abuse in biological fluids, bulk pharmaceuticals and illicit preparations requires a large commitment of manpower and time within most full service forensic science laboratories. Funding levels within such laboratories rarely allow for large expenditures for very expensive or esoteric equipment, so the majority of the analyses of controlled substances must be performed using techniques which are relatively inexpensive, yet which provide for accurate and sensitive determinations of such compounds in a variety of matrices. Chromatographic methods provide an inexpensive, yet powerful, approach for the identification and quantitation of controlled substances. Liquid chromatography (LC) is particularly well suited for the analysis of a number of important controlled substances which are relatively nonvolatile, or thermally unstable. However, the full potential of LC in the forensic analysis of drugs has not been met to date, due to the lack of suitably s...
An Energy Estimation Method for Asynchronous Circuits with Application to an Asynchronous Microprocessor

This paper presents a simulator operating on a logical representation of an asynchronous circuit that gives energy estimates within 10% of electrical (hspice) simulation. Our simulator is the first such tool in the literature specifically targeted to efficient energy estimation of QDI asynchronous circuits. As an application, we show how the simulator has been used to accurately estimate the energy consumption in different parts of an asynchronous MIPS R3000 microprocessor. This is the first energy breakdown of an asynchronous microprocessor in the literature.
THIRTY YEARS AFTER SHARKOVSKIĬ'S THEOREM

Thirty years ago Sharkovskiĭ's theorem was published. This started a new branch of dynamical systems — combinatorial dynamics. I will try to summarize briefly its developments and current trends.
Expectancy theory as a within-person behavioral choice model: An empirical test of some conceptual and methodological refinements

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the validity of a within-person behavioral choice model of expectancy theory using as a criterion career Naval Officers' decisions to retire or not retire at the end of 20 years' service. Several conceptual and methodological refinements of the model were tested among the 702 officers using a retrospective research design. The results support the validity of the general model and some, but not all, of the refinements tested. The implications of the results for further research are discussed.
Characterizing the subjective and psychomotor effects of carisoprodol in healthy volunteers.

Carisoprodol is a centrally acting drug used to relieve skeletal muscle spasms and associated pain in acute musculoskeletal conditions. There is evidence from different sources that this oral muscle relaxant is abused and that it is associated with impairment leading to arrests for “driving under the influence” as well as increased risk of automobile accidents. Its subjective and psychomotor effects in healthy volunteers at therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses have not been well-characterized, and form the basis of this report. Fifteen healthy volunteers (8 males, 7 females) were administered 0, 350, and 700 mg of carisoprodol in separate sessions and for 6 h afterwards they completed a battery of tests at fixed time intervals so as to assess the subjective and psychomotor effects of the drug. The supratherapeutic dose, 700 mg, increased visual analog scale ratings of terms that were more reflective of sedation (e.g., “sleepy,” “heavy, sluggish feeling”) than those of abuse liability, and produced impaired performance on several psychomotor tests. The therapeutic dose, 350 mg, while producing few and mild subjective effects, still produced psychomotor impairment. The fact that the therapeutic dose of carisoprodol produced minimal subjective effects while adversely affecting performance is of concern in that patients prescribed this drug may feel relatively normal and engage in tasks (driving) that could put themselves and others at risk.
Shifts in the Diets of Slimy Sculpin ( Cottus cognatus ) and Lake Whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) in Lake Ontario Following the Collapse of the Burrowing Amphipod Diporeia

In Lake Ontario, the diets of slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus and lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis shifted from a diet dominated by the burrowing amphipod, Diporeia , and to a lesser extent, Mysis , to a more diverse diet, after Diporeia collapsed, to one dominated by Mysis and prey that were formerly less important or uncommon such as Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, and Ostracoda. Additionally, lake whitefish still preyed on native mollusks like Sphaeriidae and Gastropoda, but also preyed on exotic mollusks, Dreissena spp., which are swallowed intact and subsequently crushed in its muscular stomach. Whether Diporeia was abundant (1992) or scarce (1999), selection indices for Diporeia by slimy sculpins was positive, suggesting that Diporeia was a preferred prey. Unlike lake whitefish, slimy sculpins avoided Dreissena ; therefore, energy diverted to Dreissena production was a real loss for slimy sculpins. The shifts in the diet of these benthic fishes corresponded with drastic changes in the benthic communit...
Fluorescence of cis-1-Amino-2-(3-indolyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic Acid: A Single Tryptophan χ1 Rotamer Model

A constrained derivative, cis-1-amino-2-(3-indolyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, cis-W3, was designed to test the rotamer model of tryptophan photophysics. The conformational constraint enforces a single χ1 conformation, analogous to the χ1 = 60° rotamer of tryptophan. The side-chain torsion angles in the X-ray structure of cis-W3 were χ1 = 58.5° and χ2 = −88.7°. Molecular mechanics calculations suggested two χ2 rotamers for cis-W3 in solution, −100° and 80°, analogous to the χ2 = ±90° rotamers of tryptophan. The fluorescence decay of the cis-W3 zwitterion was biexponential with lifetimes of 3.1 and 0.3 ns at 25 °C. The relative amplitudes of the lifetime components match the χ2 rotamer populations predicted by molecular mechanics. The longer lifetime represents the major χ2 = −100° rotamer. The shorter lifetime represents the minor χ2 = 80° rotamer having the ammonium group closer to C4 of the indole ring (labeled C5 in the cis-W3 X-ray structure). Intramolecular excited-state proton transfer occurs at ...