cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operational Processing of Hydroacoustics at the Prototype International Data Center

The Prototype International Data Center (PIDC) has designed and implemented a system to process data from the International Monitoring System’s hydroacoustic network. The automatic system detects and measures various signal characteristics that are then used to classify the signal into one of three categories. The detected signals are combined with the seismic and infrasonic detections to automatically form event hypotheses. The automatic results are reviewed by human analysts to form the Reviewed Event Bulletin (REB). Continuous processing of hydroacoustic data has been in place since May 1997 and during that time a large database of hydroacoustic signals has been accumulated. For a two-year period, the REB contains 13,582 T phases that are associated to 8,437 events. This is roughly 25% of REB events after taking station downtime into account. Predicted travel times used in locations are based on the arrival time of the peak amplitude mode calculated from a normal mode propagation model. Global sound velocity and bathymetry databases are used to obtain reliable 2-D, seasonally dependent, travel-time tables for each hydroacoustic station in the PIDC. A limited number of ground-truth observations indicate that the predicted travel times are good to within 5 seconds for paths extending to over 7,000 km –C corresponding to a relative error of less than 0.1%. The ground truth indicates that the random errors in measuring arrival times for impulsive signals are between 1 and 6 seconds. This paper describes and evaluates the automatic hydroacoustic processing compared to the analyst reviewed results. In addition, special studies help characterize the overall performance of the hydroacoustic network.
Interaction of ribonuclease T1 with DNA, mononucleotides and oligonucleotides

Abstract The interaction of ribonuclease T 1 with DNA and nucleotides was investigated by fluorescence titration to establish whether or not this enzyme is a helix-destabilizing protein. Binding of the enzyme to DNA, ribonucleotides and oligodeoxyribonucleotides of chain length ten or more leads to enhancement of fluorescence emission of the enzyme as a function of increasing nucleotide/protein ratio. For deoxyribonucleotides of chain length less than ten, only quenching is observed. Energy transfer from the bases is postulated to be the source of the enhancement of fluorescence, while the decrease can be ascribed to changes in the distribution of charged groups in or near the binding site.
NCME Members' Suggestions for Recruiting New Measurement Professionals.

During February and March 2001, a survey on ideas for recruiting new educational measurement professionals was posted on the website of the National Council on Measurement in Education
Glucocorticoid effects on growth, and androgen receptor concentrations in DDT1MF-2 cell lines.

Abstract The DDT 1 MF-2 smooth muscle tumor cell line contains receptors for and is differentially sensitive to androgens and glucocorticoids. Androgens stimulate and glucocorticoids inhibit growth. We now confirm that the latter involves the induction of a block in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We have developed and characterized in vitro and in vivo a glucocorticoid resistant variant of this cell line, the DDT 1 MF-2-GR. Glucocorticoids specifically inhibit androgen induced androgen receptor augmentation in DDT 1 MF-2 cells, but not in the GR variant suggesting that growth inhibition is related to inhibition of androgen receptor augmentation. However, under optimal conditions for cell proliferation, when glucocorticoid inhibited growth is relieved by the exogenous addition of platelet derived growth factor, androgen receptor augmentation is still suppressed. Thus, androgen induced elevation in androgen receptor concentrations is not a prerequisite for cell proliferation. These results imply that in androgen responsive cells, although androgen stimulation of growth can be blocked by antagonism of androgen receptor mediated events, the antagonism can be bypassed by supplying the cells with exogenous growth factors. These results provoke speculation on how cells, which are dependent upon androgens for growth, become autonomous.
Vascular complications of coronary interventions

Abstract Vascular complications such as hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula that occur after intracoronary or intracardiac procedures are responsible for considerable morbidity and some mortality. In addition, many of these complications result in considerable increases in hospital stays and in the costs associated with the procedures. A number of risk factors for vascular complications after coronary interventions have been identified. They include excessive anticoagulation, use of femoral sheaths for extended lengths of time, multiple interventions during the same hospitalization, catheter insertion in the superficial or deep femoral artery, larger catheter size, and complex interventions such as stent deployment or atherectomy. Specific interventions have been identified that help to decrease procedural risk, improve early detection and prompt treatment of the vascular injury, and prevent long-term disability.
Heat-shock protein gene expression in diploid wheat genotypes differing in thermal tolerance

Under high temperature stress, plants synthesize a set of proteins called heat-shock proteins (HSPs). The objective of this research was to investigate HSP gene expression in two diploid wheat (L., = = 14) genotypes differing in thermal tolerance. Genotypes M3 (tolerant) and M9 (susceptible) were determined to be significantly different in acquired thermal tolerance based on the following criteria: reduction in regrowth during recovery from heat stress, reduction in chlorophyll content, and 2,3,5,-triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction after 12 h of heat hardening prior to a normally lethal heat treatment. Electron micrographs revealed that the cellular ultra structure of M3 was more thermally stable than that of M9 after only 2 h of heat hardening prior to a normally lethal heat treatment. Two.dimensional analysis of in vitro translated heat shock proteins revealed no observable qualitative differences in the HSP profile between the two genotypes. Northern analysis using HSP cDNAs 16.9, 26, and 70 as probes, indicated that M3 had higher steady state levels of HSP mRNA than M9 during the 2-h heat hardening. The results suggest that acquired thermal tolerance in wheat is correlated with the level of heat-shock gene expression during the first 2 h of heat stress.
Complex knowing: Toward a psychological hermeneutics

Abstract The case history arises out of that place of discourse where the history of a patient is transformed into a narrative with a story line. Complex knowing, and its derivative, complex reading, are needed to do justice to this narrative, woven as it is from event, symptom, memory, and dream.
Expression levels of RyR1 and RyR3 control resting free Ca2+ in skeletal muscle.

To better understand the role of the transient expression of ryanodine receptor (RyR) type 3 (RyR3) on Ca2+ homeostasis during the development of skeletal muscle, we have analyzed the effect of exp...
eScience and the humanities

Humanists face problems that are comparable to their colleagues in the sciences. Like scientists, humanists have electronic sources and datasets that are too large for traditional labor intensive analysis. They also need to work with materials that presuppose more background knowledge than any one researcher can master: no one can, for example, know all the languages needed for subjects that cross multiple disciplines. Unlike their colleagues in the sciences, however, humanists have relatively few resources with which to develop this new infrastructure. They must therefore systematically cultivate alliances with better funded disciplines, learning how to build on emerging infrastructure from other disciplines and, where possible, contributing to the design of a cyberinfrastructure that serves all of academia, including the humanities.
Lint development and properties of fifteen fuzzless seed lines of Upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Fifteen fuzzless seed lines in “obsolete” backgrounds of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were obtained from the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and evaluated for fuzzless seed genotype, lint percent, and lint quality. Fourteen of these fifteen lines were found to be homozygous for the dominant fuzzless seed allele N 1. Only one line was homozygous for the recessive fuzzless seed allele n 2. The measured lint percent of each line was very stable through time, however, large variability existed between many of the N 1 lines ranging from 0.7 to 23.6% lint. The lint percent for the n 2 line was 24.4%. Scanning electron microscopy was used to differentiate patterns of lint initiation on 1 day post anthesis ovules. General patterns included: first, lint initiation restricted to the chalazal end of the seed crest; second, lint initiation along the seed crest and laterally around the chalazal end of the ovule; and third, lint initiation covered all but the micropylar end of the ovule. Lint quality was evaluated for each line using the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) which included measurements of length, maturity, and fineness. The means of each measurement varied among the fuzzless seed lines with significant differences between fiber length, short fiber content, immature fiber content, fineness, and maturity ratio. No correlation was found between lint percent and any of the lint quality measurements. These lines will provide a valuable resource for the study of fiber initiation and lint quality.
Poly(aryl ether sulfide)s by sulfide-activated nucleophilic aromatic substitution polymerization

Abstract Poly(aryl ether sulfide)s have been produced by nucleophilic aromatic substitution with phenoxide nucleophiles bisphenol A and bisphenol AF, and the activated arylfluorides bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfide and 2,7-difluorothianthrene. The resulting polymers are thermally stable, amorphous materials that have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Moderate molecular weights have been achieved, representative of greater than 98% conversion of arylfluorides. The poly(aryl ether thianthrene)s are flame resistant and self extinguish within 0.2 s upon removal from a flame source. TGA of the poly(aryl ether thianthrene)s in an inert atmosphere result in a char yield greater than 50% at 750 °C. The flame resistant properties are more effectively modeled by TGA in an inert atmosphere as compared to TGA in an air atmosphere. The poly(aryl ether thianthrene)s are found to have high refractive index values, 1.61–1.70, depending on wavelength and bisphenol composition.
Freeze-etching studies of membrane structure.

Thin sections of biological membranes examined by electron microscopy appear as two dark lines separated by a lighter space. This observation, first made in the 1950s, has been interpreted as confirmation of the Danielli-Davson model of the biological membrane (Robertson 1959) . Proponents of this interpretation have equated the dark lines to proteins and other polar groups in the membrane and the intervening light space to the lipid fatty acids (Stoeckenius 1960) . However, it has become clear that other interpretations are possible (Korn 1966; Branton & Park 1968) and that the electron microscope observations do not in fact prove the validity of any one molecular model of the biological membrane (Stoeckenius & Engelman 1969). During the last few years a number of biochemical and physical probes have given us more direct information regarding the composition and molecular configurations within biological membranes.
International commercial rivalries & the zai'rian copper nationalisation of 1967

Research on the international relations of the African continent has generally eschewed the phenomenon of rivalry among the advanced capitalist powers for commercial and political influence south of the Sahara. Most studies of Africa's international relations, especially from a critical perspective, have tended to emphasize the unityof the northern, capitalist powers in opposing challenges from third world countries. During the 1970s, research emphasized the efforts of multinational corporations and their home governments to prevent or undermine efforts at economic nationalism in third world countries. While such studies did recognize the potential for somewhat varied responses to rationalistic ‘threats’, there was a widespread assumption that the rich nations would exhibit a significant degree of unity in preserving international property rights and the free flow of capital. More recently, critical studies have emphasized the salience of the international financial community and the International Monetar...
Study of the intake tumble motion by flow visualization and particle tracking velocimetry

The purpose of this work is to characterize the in-cylinder tumbling flow generated by an engine head during the induction process using flow visualization and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). The study was carried out for a 4-valve engine head with shrouded intake valves in a special single cylinder transient water analog. This shrouded intake valve configuration was used to obtain a prototypical “pure tumble” flow suitable for fundamental combustion studies. The results revealed that the shrouded intake valves generate a strong, well-behaved tumble vortex on the axial plane between the cylinder head and the piston face. This vortex dominates the entire flow field and seems to be highly repeatable from cycle to cycle. The effect of engine speed on this tumbling flow was studied. An equivalent “tumble ratio” was defined and evaluated using the measured velocity fields at BDC (bottom dead center).
Extrinsic Finger and Thumb Muscles Command a Virtual Hand to Allow Individual Finger and Grasp Control

Fine-wire intramuscular electrodes were used to obtain electromyogram (EMG) signals from six extrinsic hand muscles associated with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Subjects' EMG activity was used to control a virtual three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) hand as they conformed the hand to a sequence of hand postures testing two controllers: direct EMG control and pattern recognition control. Subjects tested two conditions using each controller: starting the hand from a predefined neutral posture before each new posture and starting the hand from the previous posture in the sequence. Subjects demonstrated their abilities to simultaneously, yet individually, move all three DOFs during the direct EMG control trials; however, results showed subjects did not often utilize this feature. Performance metrics such as failure rate and completion time showed no significant difference between the two controllers.
Thermochemistry of uranium compounds XIV. Standard molar enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K of AgUF6 and its relation to the thermodynamics of fluorination of AgF to AgF2

Abstract The standard molar enthalpy of the reaction: UF 5 (cr, β) + AgF(cr) = AgUF 6 (cr), has been determined by solution calorimetry. From the result for Δ r H m o , −(63.0±1.5) kJ·mol −1 , the standard molar enthalpy of formation of AgUF 6 has been deduced: Δ f H m o (AgUF 6 , cr, 298.15 K) = −(2353.3±8.3) kJ·mol −1 . This value in combination with others leads us to conclude that oxidation reactions of AgF to AgF 2 which are difficult to bring about in practice, are thermodynamically favored.
Estrogens attenuate oxidative stress and the differentiation and apoptosis of osteoblasts by DNA‐binding‐independent actions of the ERα

Estrogens diminish oxidative stress in bone and bone marrow, attenuate the generation of osteoblasts, and decrease the prevalence of mature osteoblast apoptosis. We have searched for the molecular mechanism of these effects using as tools a mouse model bearing an estrogen receptor α (ERα) knock-in mutation that prevents binding to DNA (ERαNERKI/−) and several osteoblast progenitor cell models expressing the wild-type ERα or the ERαNERKI/−. We report that the ability of estrogens to diminish the generation of reactive oxygen species, stimulate the activity of glutathione reductase, and decrease the phosphorylation of p66shc, as well as osteoblastogenesis and osteoblast number and apoptosis, were fully preserved in ERαNERKI/− mice, indicating that the DNA-binding function of the ERα is dispensable for all these effects. Consistent with the attenuation of osteoblastogenesis in this animal model, 17β-estradiol attenuated bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)–induced gene transcription and osteoblast commitment and differentiation in murine and human osteoblastic cell lines. Moreover, 17β-estradiol attenuated BMP-2-induced differentiation of primary cultures of calvaria- or bone marrow–derived osteoblastic cells from ERαNERKI/− mice as effectively as in cells from wild-type littermates. The inhibitory effect of the hormone on BMP-2 signaling resulted from an ERα-mediated activation of ERKs and the phosphorylation of Smad1 at the linker region of the protein, which leads to proteasomal degradation. These results illustrate that the effects of estrogens on oxidative stress and the birth and death of osteoblasts do not require the binding of ERα to DNA response elements, but instead they result from the activation of cytoplasmic kinases. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
QUALITY OF LIFE IN METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER AMONG MEN OF LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS: FEASIBILITY AND CRITERION RELATED VALIDITY OF 3 MEASURES

AbstractPurpose: Identification of metastatic disease progression is often difficult but important. Previous studies of quality of life in metastatic disease have been limited by the small number of respondents who were not white or of lower socioeconomic status. Quality of life assessment is generally done using self-administration techniques but this method is of limited usefulness for patients of low socioeconomic status, many of whom have limited reading abilities. We evaluated the feasibility and validity of interviewer administration of 3 quality of life instruments for patients of low socioeconomic status with metastatic prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We used instruments previously validated with self-administration methodology, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire-30, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Scale and Quality of Life Index. Subjects were men with metastatic prostate cancer with stable (78) or progress...
Water Induced Hydrophobic Surface

A polyurethane coating is described that has hydrophilic wetting behavior when dry and hydrophobic when wet. A difference of ∼25° in advancing contact angles for dry (83°) and wet (108°) states is found by sessile drop and dynamic methods. The term “contraphilic” is suggested for this reversible change opposite customary amphiphilic behavior. Contraphilic behavior results from a soft block containing semifluorinated and 5,5-dimethyhydantoin segmers. Amide inter/intramolecular hydrogen bonding is proposed for the hydrophilic (dry) state, while surface-confined, amide−water hydrogen bonding “releases” semifluorinated groups, giving the hydrophobic state. Water-induced hydrophobic surfaces may lead to applications for easily switched wetting, such as in microfluidics.
Relaxation-Controlled Cyclic Delamination Growth in Advanced Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites at Elevated Temperature

In this investigation, cyclic Mode I delamination growth characteristics of unidirectional carbon/epoxy and carbon/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites at an elevated temper ature (200°F) were studied. The cyclic delamination growth behavior of the composites was found to be significantly different than their known response at room temperature under load-controlled condition. For both the composites, the elevated temperature response was found to be dominated by process zone formation and growth ahead of the delamination crack. The elevated temperature delamination growth behavior in these ad vanced composites was shown to be best described by a relaxation-controlled process zone growth model.
Nucleation of microcellular foam: Theory and practice

Microcellular polymer foams exhibit greatly improved mechanical properties as compared to standard foams due to the formers' small bubble size. Microcellular foams have bubbles with diameters on the order of 10 microns, volume reductions of 30 to 40 percent, and six or seven times the impact strength of solid parts. They are produced through the use of thermodynamic instabilities without the use of foaming agents. This method leads to a very uniform cell size throughout a part's cross section. A theoretical model for the nucleation of microcellular foams in thermoplastic polymers has been developed and experimentally confirmed. This model explains the effect of various additives and processing conditions on the number of bubbles nucleated. At levels of secondary constituents below their solubility limits, an increase in the concentration of the additive or the concentration of gas in solution with the polymer increases the number of bubbles nucleated. Nucleation in this region is homogeneous. Above the solubility limit of additives, nucleation is heterogeneous and takes place at the interface between second phase inclusions and the polymer. The number of bubbles nucleated is dependent on the concentration of heterogeneous nucleation sites and their relative effect on the activation energy barrier to nucleation. In the vicinity of the solubility limit, the two mechanisms compete.
The best constant approximant operators in Lorentz spaces Γ p,w and their applications

In the present article we extend the best constant approximant operator from Lorentz spaces @C"p","w to @C"p"-"1","w for any 1=0 a locally integrable weight function, and from @C"1","w to the space of all measurable functions L^0. Then we establish several properties of the extended best constant approximant operator and finally, we prove a generalized version of the Lebesgue Differentiation Theorem in L^0.
Dynamics experimental study of column in the well

Mechanical analysis of bottom hole assembly(BHA) is the basis of well trajectory control technology. Considering the displacement and force boundary conditions of drillstring and testing axial excitation force of bottom column, axial acceleration of head column, transverse displacement of columns and collision and contact forces between inner columns and outer pipe, dynamics experimental device of column-liquid interaction is built to do two kinds of test: the column vibrating test under the conditions of different vibrating frequency and different axial excitation force and the column rotating test under the conditions of different axial excitation force, different rotating speed and different flux. The experimental results show that the changes of vibrating frequency and the flow has little effect on axial vibrating force of bottom column and radial displacement of column, but the existence of the liquid will reduce the axial force amplitude of bottom column; With the speed increased, radial displacement of the column and the segments of the collision and contact column between the column and the pipe increase and the columns have the phenomenon of multi-segments swing. It is to provide the device and means to study dynamics movement rules of rotating column in the pipeline.
Peptide YY selectively stimulates expression of the colonocytic phenotype

Peptide YY (PYY) is produced by colonic mucosal endocrine cells and modulates gastrointestinal endocrine activity through specific Y-receptors. The direct effects of PYY on intestinal mucosal growth and differentiation remain uncharacterized. The abundance of PYY in colonic mucosa suggests that PYY acts locally to maintain colonocytic differentiation. We tested this hypothesis in human Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, which express alkaline phosphatase (AP) and dipeptidyl dipeptidase (DP), brush-border enzymes differentially concentrated in large and small intestinal mucosa, respectively. The effects of PYY on enzyme specific activity were compared with those of pancreatic polypeptide, neuropeptide-Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, pentagastrin, bombesin, and selective Y1- and Y2-receptor agonists. Brush-border enzyme activity was assessed by AP and DP specific activity in cell lysates quantitated spectrophotometrically following synthetic substrate digestion. PYY, neuropeptide-Y, pancreatic polypeptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (10−7 mol/L) stimulated AP activity. PYY brought about the greatest increase (38.0%±11.0%, n=48). Only PYY decreased DP specific activity (7.9%±2.2%, n=48). The Y2-agonist but not the Y1-agonist mimicked these PYY effects (increasing AP 28.3%±3.5% and decreasing DP 10.4%±3.6%). These data suggest that PYY promotes differentiation toward a colonocytic phenotype in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells and that this effect may be mediated through the Y2-receptor subtype.
A Low-Light Television System For The In Vivo Measurement Of Oxidative Metabolism As Indicated By NADH Fluorescence

In 1962 Chance demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring intramitochondrial NADH levels in vivo. NADH serves as an indicator of oxidative metabolism because it fluoresces at 475 nm while its oxidized form NAD+ does not fluoresce significantly. We have designed a long focal length television fluorometer for the direct measurement of NADH fluorescence in the operating room on a practical basis. It enables a comparison of simultaneous metabolic changes in several anatomic areas. The 30-cm working distance of the system permits metabolic measurements to be made with a minimum of interference with normal operating procedures and other instrumentation. The tissue is illuminated at 360 nm by a mercury arc lamp, and the resulting fluorescence is monitored by a television system. Fluorescence variations are then analyzed by video densitometric techniques to localize metabolic changes that occur on a regional basis. Intravenous sodium fluorescein provides a reference fluorescence at 529 nm to compensate for the absorption of the ultraviolet excitation light by the hemoglobin in the blood. The difference between the fluorescence at 475 nm and 529 nm represents a corrected NADH fluorescence signal related to local oxidative metabolism. By employing this system in conjunction with other instrumentation, we have demonstrated a strong correlation among NADH fluorescence, oxygen consumption, and potassium kinetics in exposed cerebral cortex. Additionally, some effects of ischemia on NADH fluorescence were studied in both cortex and myocardium.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Special nuclear materials monitoring An application of CdxZn1−xTe detectors

Abstract Special nuclear materials (SNMs) are radioactive sources containing either 235 U or 239 Pu; materials that can be used in nuclear weapons. To monitor the extensive stockpiles of these materials in the US and former Soviet Union requires specialized instrumentation. This instrumentation must contain a sensor capable of detecting the gamma emissions from 235 U or 239 Pu, yet the instrument must be extremely reliable and consume little power. The performance of a SNM monitoring system, developed under project “Straight-line” at Sandia National Laboratories will be discussed. The system makes use of room temperature Cd x Zn 1− x Te (CZT) detectors. CZT detectors are a good choice for this application because they have excellent stopping power for 235 U or 239 Pu photon emissions, and they draw very little current. Particular emphasis will be given to the problem of providing a suitable charge sensitive preamplifier and electronic readout system for a CZT detector that consumes little power.
Labor Market Structure and Career Occupational Status Mobility: A Theoretical Model*

Sociological explanations of career or intragenerational occupational status mobility generally have not taken into explicit account the effects of labor market structure. Rooted in structural-functionalist sociological theory or neoclassical economic theories of the labor market, models typically misrepresent the process of individual occupational status mobility, primarily by including only individual characteristics. Dual labor market theory is introduced, direct as well as indirect effects of labor market structure on career occupational status mobility are outlined, and a theoretical model is presented. It is hypothesized that labor market structure will have direct effects on opportunities for career occupational status mobility that are independent of the effects of individual characteristics. Additional indirect effects are suggested: through their effects on social network structures, labor markets operate as job opportunity information filters.
A latent structure analysis of delinquency

This paper uses latent structure analysis to develop a construct of delinquency based on a set of frequently used indicators of illegal behavior. Other methods, such as Guttman scaling and factor analytic procedures, are briefly reviewed as similar attempts to identify manifest (observed) variables that may act as indicators of a latent (unobserved or unobservable) variable, delinquency. The basic mathematical properties of the latent structure model employed in this paper are presented and then applied to a set of six self-report measures. The issue of external validity is also examined in a comparative analysis of an additive scale of delinquency and the latent class measure of delinquency. The latent class measure provides a considerable increase in the magnitude of association with such commonly studied correlates as attachment, peer delinquency, and instrumental attitudes toward the law.
A new insight into the gelatinization process of native starches

The gelatinization characteristics of seven different food starches (regular corn, high-amylose corn, waxy corn, wheat, rice, potato, and tapioca) were investigated. Each starch sample type was heated to 35, 40, 45, etc. up to 85 °C at 5 °C intervals, and freeze-dried. The treated samples were analyzed using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). When heated, granules underwent structural changes prior to the visible morphological changes that took place during gelatinization. The nature of these structural changes depended on starch type. These results indicate that the starch gelatinization process is more complex than a simple granular order-to-disorder transition.
The role of nonreal eigenvalues in the identification of cycles in a compartmental system

Abstract The paper concerns the relationship between the cycles in the graph of a compartmental system and the modes of the impulse response function associated with an input-output experiment. Suppose that there is at least one oscillatory mode, e μt cos( vt - α ). Let e ϱt be the slowest mode. The main result is that the system contains a cycle of length 3 or longer and that the length of the longest cycle is at least π /tan -1 [¦ v ¦/( ϱ - μ )]. The paper also deals with the problem of estimating the cycle length from discrete data.
Highly bendable, transparent thin-film transistors that use carbon-nanotube-based conductors and semiconductors with elastomeric dielectrics

We report the use of networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with high and moderate coverages (measured as number of tubes per unit area) for all of the conducting (i.e., source, drain, and gate electrodes) and semiconducting layers, respectively, of a type of transparent, mechanically flexible, thin-film transistor (TFT). The devices are fabricated on plastic substrates using layer-by-layer transfer printing of SWNT networks grown using optimized chemical vapor deposition (CVD) procedures. The unique properties of the SWNT networks lead to electrical (e.g., good performance on plastic), optical (e.g., transparent at visible wavelengths), and mechanical (e.g., extremely bendable) characteristics in this “all-tube” TFT that would be difficult, or impossible, to achieve with conventional materials.
Cavitation erosion of titanium and Ti-6A1-4V: Effects of nitriding

Abstract The cavitation erosion behavior of titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy, with and without nitriding, was studied using scanning electron microscopy, weight change measurements and microhardness measurements. It is shown that a nitriding treatment at 720 °C for 8 h yields substantial improvement in cavitation erosion behavior. In general, under cavitation loading, nitriding has the effect of introducing brittle fracture whereas the unnitrided specimens show ductile fracture.
Invasive Pneumococcal disease in Singapore children

Abstract Introduction : Our retrospective study examined community-acquired invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children admitted to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. Methods : All pneumococcal isolates from sterile sites from 1997 to 2004 were surveyed. Results : There were 147 positive pneumococcal isolates with a mean age of 45 months. The estimated incidence of IPD was 13.6 per 10 5 children under 5 years old. Diagnoses at presentation were : Pneumonia 63.3% (included 14.3% empyema), bacteremia 17%, meningitis 15.6% (included 2.8% meningitis and pneumonia), 4.1% others. The morbidity rate was 25.2%, mortality rate was 6.1%. Antibiotic resistance was : Penicillin 44%, ceftriaxone 15%, erythromycin 62%, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 67%. A separate serotype analysis ( n = 93, 63%) showed that the current 7valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) would cover 78.1% of vaccine serotypes and 89% of vaccine-related serotypes for children under 5 years old.
Distribution and dynamics of nitrogen and microbial plankton in southern Lake Michigan during spring transition 1999-2000

Isotope dilution experiments showed similar light and dark NH4 regeneration rates at lake (6 versus 5 nM N h 1 ) and river-influenced (20 versus 24 nM N h 1 ) sites. Ammonium uptake rates were similar to regeneration rates in dark bottles. Dark uptake (attributed mainly to bacteria) accounted for 70% of total uptake (bacteria plus phytoplankton) in the light at most lake sites but only 30% of total uptake at riverinfluenced sites in or near the St. Joseph River mouth (SJRM). Cluster analysis grouped stations having zero, average, or higher than average N-cycling rates. Discriminant analysis indicated that chlorophyll concentration, oligotrich ciliate biomass, and total P concentration could explain 66% of N-cycling rate variation on average. Heterotrophic bacterial N demand was about one third of the NH4 regeneration rate. Results suggest that, with the exception of SJRM stations, bacterial uptake and protist grazing mediated much of the N dynamics during spring transition. Since NH4 is more available to bacteria than NO3 , regenerated NH4 may have a strong influence on spring, lake biochemical energetics by enhancing N-poor organic matter degradation in this NO3 -replete ecosystem. INDEX TERMS: 1845 Hydrology: Limnology; 4805 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Biogeochemical cycles (1615); 4845 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Nutrients and nutrient cycling; KEYWORDS: nitrogen, microbial food web, Lake Michigan
Laser-amplified scintillations for detection of α radiation

Abstract A practical laser-amplified scintillation experiment is performed in order to determine the sensitivity of the technique. Radioactive decay from a 2.6 μCi 238U source provides 4.2 MeV α particles. In the 2p53s manifold, neon metastables are produced by interaction with secondary electrons produced in the decay event. Laser-induced fluorescence is excited from the ground state of the 2p53s manifold to a low-lying level in the 2p53p manifold (1s5→2p9) with a continuous wave dye laser at 640.2 nm. Fluorescence is observed in the near IR in a photon counting experiment.
Optimal turning gait for undulatory locomotion

This paper addresses the optimal turning gait of a robotic locomotion system traveling in a curved path. The optimal gait problem is formulated as a minimization of a desired cost function subject to constraints in average tangential and rotational velocities, using a bilinear rectifier model that describes the locomotion of a link-chain system in the body frame. A global solution is found by showing that the problem reduces to two minimization problems, where one solves for the constant offset of the shape variables resulting in turning, and the other solves for the harmonic gait through generalized eigenvalue computation. A case study of a chain of links is provided, which shows the optimal solution resulting in undulatory locomotion traveling the desired curved path.
The characterization of tandem and corrugated wings

Abstract Dragonfly wings have two distinct features: a tandem configuration and wing corrugation. Both features have been extensively studied with the aim to understand the superior flight performance of dragonflies. In this paper we review recent development of tandem and corrugated wing aerodynamics. With regards to the tandem configuration, this review will focus on wing/wing and wing/vortex interactions at different flapping modes and wing spacing. In addition, the aerodynamics of tandem wings under gusty conditions will be reviewed and compared with isolated wings to demonstrate the gust resistance characteristics of flapping wings. Regarding corrugated wings, we review their structural and aerodynamic characteristics.
Carbon/adenosine triphosphate ratios in marine zooplankton

Abstract Measurement of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been used to estimate the living “microbial” biomass of particulate matter suspended in the sea. It is assumed that ATP bears a constant relationship to biomass expressed as living cell carbon. In this paper a method is developed to apply this assay to zooplankton samples of mixed composition collected in a 333-μm net off Monterey, California, and in 297- to 500-μm samples of a single species of the supralittoral copepod. Tigriopus californicus . The C/ATP ratio was relatively constant in the pure species, 91 ± 10% (117 after a carbon “correction”), but in the mixed samples it showed the scatter one might expect of a mixture of different species having different C/ATP ratios, 178 ± 40% (226 after a carbon “correction”). Variability of the biomass index (C/ATP conversion factor) with species has been noted previously in bacteria, algae, and copepods. The ATP method, therefore, may require calibration for a given area and season.
Studies on the hydrolysis of sodium aluminate solutions. XVIII. The effect of the presence of the starch on the decomposition of sodium aluminate solutions with seeding

Three kinds of starch, viz., white potato, maize and wheat were added in the dry state to sodium aluminate solutions, and the solutions decomposed by seeding with hydrargillite. The decomposition rates were compared. Although starch added in the dry state always acts to promote the decomposition, the order of the effect is: white potato, maize and wheat (least). White potato starch gelatinised by boiling in water, does not promote decomposition. From these experiments, it is inferred that the presence of starch is undesirable in the process of seeding decomposition of sodium aluminate solution, because, although starch promotes the decomposition initially, it may retard it if the starch molecule is changed in industrial processes such as concentration.
Fatigue of Quasi-Isotropic Composite Cylinders under Tension-Tension Loading

Life prediction techniques for structural composites are based on test data obtained from coupon specimens. A tension fatigue life prediction methodology based on a through-thickness damage accumulation model is used to predict the fatigue failure of composite coupon specimens. Its applicability to thin-walled cylindrical specimens is in vestigated by comparing the fatigue behavior of composite coupon specimens to that of composite thin-walled cylindrical specimens. AS4/3501-6 graphite-epoxy coupon speci mens and thin-walled cylinder specimens with the same layup sequence of [0/ ± 45/90]s were tested under static and fatigue loading conditions. Reasonably good agreement is found between the measured and predicted lives of the coupon specimens. Although the ultimate stresses of coupon and cylindrical specimens are different, it is observed that their fatigue lives at the same percentage of ultimate stress are nearly identical, independent of the coupon edge effect. It is concluded that the fatigue life pre...
Scattered-wave model for the electronic structure and optical properties of the permanganate ion☆

Abstract The scattered-wave model of molecular electronic structure has been applied to the permanganate ion, including the calculation of molecular-orbital and charge-density contour maps. This model, in conjunction with Slater's transition-state theory, is in good agreement with the measured optical properties.
Further results on convolutional codes derived from block codes

Some new techniques to derive convolutional codes from block codes are given. The techniques given result in convolutional codes with more than one information position per block having a higher efficiency than the straightforward application of the earlier algorithms. Short high-rate convolutional codes can be formed this way. Decoding schemes and analysis techniques to study error propagation in the proposed codes are given. Most of the codes exhibit limited error propagation.
In situ photolysis of deep ice core contaminants by Çerenkov radiation of cosmic origin

Ice core contaminants should provide permanent paleoclimatic records if, as it is generally assumed, they remained frozen in place and isolated from sunlight by the reflective overlaying snow layers. The excess CO levels recently detected in 1100–1600 AD Greenland ice core air bubbles relative to their Antarctic counterparts [Haan and Raynaud, 1998] amount, however, to an average production of about 5 ± 2 CO molecules cm^(−3) ice s^(−1) in that period. Here we show that such rates are quantitatively consistent with the in situ photodecarbonylation of the chromophoric organic matter present in Greenland, but not in the cleaner Antarctic, ice under the Cerenkov radiation fluxes generated by penetrating muons of cosmic origin. The normal CO levels of modern (1600–1800 AD) Greenland records, and their variability earlier in the last millennium correlate significantly with the occurrence of boreal fires and the associated release of organic aerosol [Savarino and Legrand, 1998].
Crack stability in two brittle nonmetallic beam systems

The feasibility of utilizing simple beam specimens as candidates for fracture-toughness testing of brittle nonmetallic materials was explored. Four-point and three-point loaded beams were examined via theoretical considerations with regard to crack-growth stability and constant-deflection loading taking into account the stiffness or compliance of the loading system. It was found that the compliance of the loading system played a major role with regard to crackgrowth stability. Also, a four-point loaded beam exhibited greater stability than a three-point loaded beam. The geometry of the four-point specimen configuration was optimized within practical limits to yield a test system that would sevre as a successful candidate for fracture-toughess testing if the compliance of the testing machine and ancillary equipment could be kept below a practicable level.
Soil macroporosity, hydraulic conductivity and air permeability of silty soils under long-term conservation tillage in Indiana

With the increasing use of conservation tillage, many questions about the long-term effects of tillage system on soil physical properties have been raised. Studies were conducted to evaluate saturated hydraulic conductivity (KSAT), macropore characteristics and air permeability of two silty soils as affected by long-term conservation tillage systems in the state of Indiana. Measurements were taken during the tenth year of a tillage study on a Chalmers silty clay loam (Typic Haplaquoll) and the fifth year of a study on a Clermont silt loam (Typic Ochraqualf). Tillage systems were moldboard plow, chisel, ridge till-plant, and no-till in a rotation of corn (Zea mays L.) and soya beans (Glycine max L.). Saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured on large soil columns (25 × 25 × 40 cm) before spring tillage, and macropore size and continuity were assessed with staining techniques. Intact soil cores (8 cm diam × 10 cm) were collected in early July in the row and non-trafficked interrow at three depths (10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm) and were analyzed for air permeability (Kair), air-filled porosity and bulk density. Saturated hydraulic conductivity values were in the order plow > chisel > ridge till > no-till for the Chalmers soil and were significantly greater in the plow treatment than in the other 3 tillage systems on the Clermont soil. Differences in KSAT between the 2 soils were generally greater than differences among tillage systems, and coefficients of variation were lower for treatments that did not include may fall tillage operations. At the 10-cm depth on the Chalmers soil, the chisel treatment had the greatest number of stained cylindrical channels, whereas for the Clermont soil the ridge till had the greatest number at this depth. Although the no-till treatment had similar or fewer total channels, it had the most continuous channels from the 10-cm depth to the 20- and 30-cm depths on both soils. Tillage system, row position and depth all affected Kair. On the Chalmers soil, plow, chisel and ridge systems had lower Kair between rows than in the row at the 10–20-cm depth, whereas no-till had constant Kair in the row and between the row. On the Clermont soil, ridge till had the highest Kair of all treatments at the 10–20-cm depth, and no-till had the highest Kair of all treatments at the 20–30-cm depth.
TNIP1 is a corepressor of agonist-bound PPARs.

Nuclear receptor (NR) coregulators include coactivators, contributing to holoreceptor transcriptional activity, and corepressors, mediating NR target gene silencing in the absence of hormone. We identified an atypical NR coregulator, TNFα-induced protein 3-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1), from a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) α screen of a human keratinocyte cDNA library. TNIP1’s complex nomenclature parallels its additional function as an NF-κB inhibitor. Here we show TNIP1 is an atypical NR corepressor using two-hybrid systems, biochemical studies, and receptor activity assays. The requirements for TNIP1–PPAR interaction are characteristic for coactivators; however, TNIP1 partially decreases PPAR activity. TNIP1 has separable transcriptional activation and repression domains suggesting a modular nature to its overall effect. It may provide a means of lowering receptor activity in the presence of ligand without total loss of receptor function. TNIP1’s multiple roles and expression in several cell types suggest its regulatory effect depends on its expression level and the expression of other regulators in NR and/or NF-κB signaling pathways. As a NR coregulator, TNIP1 targeting agonist-bound PPAR and reducing transcriptional activity offers control of receptor signaling not available from typical corepressors and may contribute to combinatorial regulation of transcription.