cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bridging Traditional and Scientific Knowledge of Climate Change: Understanding Change Through the Lives of Small Island Communities

I investigate how small-scale fishing communities in the Northern and Southern Group of the Cook Islands understand global climate change through lived experiences rather than through Western scientific knowledge, which often exists at a global rather than local level and infrequently reaches local communities. Responses to qualitative interviews illustrate how local communities and scientists communicate differently about environmental phenomena that are often viewed at different scales. My results also show that while all interviewees have experienced first-hand the effects of climate change, understanding of climate change at the local level is not homogenous. I discuss the importance of bridging the gap between traditional and scientific ways of knowing by ensuring scientific knowledge reaches local communities in accessible and useful form, and by incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) as well as scientific knowledge into climate change related policy making at both local and national levels.
The statistical significance of the superhump signal in U geminorum

Context. Although its well-determined mass ratio of $q=\mbox{$M_\mathrm{sec}$}/\mbox{$M_\mathrm{wd}$}=0.357\pm0.007$ should avoid superoutbursts according to the thermal tidal instability model, in 1985 the prototypical dwarf nova U Gem experienced an extraordinary long outburst very much resembling superoutbursts observed in SU UMa systems. Recently, the situation for the model became even worse as superhump detections have been reported for the 1985 outburst of U Gem. Aims. The superhump signal is noisy and the evidence provided by simple periodograms seems to be weak. Therefore and because of the importance for our understanding of superoutbursts and superhumps, we determine the statistical significance of the recently published detection of superhumps in the AAVSO light curve of the famous long 1985 outburst of U Gem. Methods. Using Lomb-Scargle periodograms, analysis of variance (AoV), and Monte-Carlo methods we analyse the 160 visual magnitudes obtained by the AAVSO during the outburst and relate our analysis to previous superhump detections. Results. The 160 data points of the outburst alone do not contain a statistically significant period. However, using the characteristics of superhumps detected previously in other SU UMa systems additionally and searching only for signals that are consistent with these, we derive a $2\sigma$ significance for the superhump signal. The alleged appearance of an additional superhump at the end of the outbursts appears to be statistically insignificant. Conclusions. Although of weak statistical significance, the superhump signal of the long 1985 outburst of U Gem can be interpreted as further indication of the SU UMa nature of this outburst. This further contradicts the tidal instability model as the explanation of the superhump phenomenon.
Transmetalation: a fundamental organometallic reaction critical to synthesis and catalysis

A number of critical reactions form the foundation of organometallic chemistry. One such fundamental reaction of organometallic chemistry is transmetalation, a general term that in its modern meaning describes the transfer of carbon ligands (i.e., alkyl, aryl, alkynyl, allyl, etc.) from one metal to another. Transmetalation has a very long history and the reaction dates back to the early beginnings of organometallic chemistry with the work of the English chemist Edward Frankland (1825–1899) in the 1860s. Since its introduction, transmetalation has found significant utility in synthetic chemistry, allowing the generation of a wide variety of organometallic compounds of both main group and transition metal elements, and has been identified as a critical step in many synthetic organic reactions catalyzed by transition metal complexes. Regardless of the long history of this reaction and its significant applications, transmetalation is not covered in the same depth as other fundamental reactions in organometallic chemistry and is rarely given serious treatment in organometallic textbooks. Thus, the aim of the current work is to supplement current textbooks by presenting the basics of what is currently known about the details and parameters of this important reaction.
Alteration in Acute Kidney Injury Potential with the Combination of Vancomycin and Imipenem-Cilastatin/Relebactam or Piperacillin/Tazobactam in a Preclinical Model.

Background: This risk of vancomycin (VAN)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) may be altered with combination regimens. The specific AKI risk when VAN is combined with imipenem-cilastatin/relebactam (IMP-C/REL) or piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) has not been clearly defined.Objectives: To quantify the dose-AKI relationships of VAN alone and in combination with TZP or imipenem-cilastatin/relebactam (IMP-C/REL).Methods: Ten to twelve week old male C57BL/6J mice (Charles River Laboratory) were dosed with study drug regimens in three stages. Stage 1 consisted of a VAN dose-ranging design (0-600 mg/kg/day) over a 7-day period to identify the VAN monotherapy dose-AKI relationship in the murine model. Stage 2 evaluated the approximate VAN dose eliciting 50% AKI response in Stage 1 in combination with the highest human equivalent doses (HED) used in pre-clinical murine models (2.5 g/kg/day of TZP, 320 mg/kg/day of IMP-C/REL). Stage 3 tested these combinations with fractionated doses of TZP or IMP-C/REL administered at 6- and 12-hour intervals. In these studies, AKI was defined both by biomarkers (serum creatinine [SCr], blood urea nitrogen [BUN]) and histopathological assessment by a treatment-blinded pathologist.Results: VAN doses of 300 to 500 mg/kg/day reproducibly led to development of AKI within 4 days of dosing. Mice treated with VAN alone had a near doubling of their baseline SCr and BUN compared to control, IMP-C/REL alone, or TZP alone. Both VAN+IMP-C/REL and VAN+TZP had significantly (p<0.05) lower SCr and BUN values compared to VAN alone when dosed once daily. This nephroprotective effect was retained with VAN+IMP-C/REL, but not VAN+TZP, when IMP-C/REL and TZP were administered every 6 hours. Biomarker results were concordant with histopathologic findings.Conclusions: The VAN dose-AKI relationship can be attenuated with single daily HEDs of TZP or IMP-C/REL in mice. IMP-C/REL, but not TZP, retained a nephroprotective effect compared to VAN monotherapy when administered as fractionated doses.
Feedback Capacity and a Variant of the Kalman Filter with ARMA Gaussian Noises: Explicit Bounds and Feedback Coding Design

In this paper, we relate a feedback channel with any finite-order autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) Gaussian noises to a variant of the Kalman filter. In light of this, we obtain relatively explicit lower bounds on the feedback capacity for such colored Gaussian noises, and the bounds are seen to be consistent with various existing results in the literature. Meanwhile, this variant of the Kalman filter also leads to explicit recursive coding schemes with clear structures to achieve the lower bounds. In general, our results provide an alternative perspective while pointing to potentially tighter bounds for the feedback capacity problem.
THE INFLUENCE OF VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS ON THE FELLOWSHIP MATCH IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (OBGYN)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a virtual interview process influences the Obstetrics and Gynecology fellowship match at a single institution. Materials and Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) OBGYN Department conducted all interviews in a virtual setting. Applicants and faculty completed 20 and 13-question surveys, respectively. A 5-point Likert scale was used for survey responses. The fellowship interviewees included those applying to the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and Family Planning programs. Demographic data was collected and descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Comparative analyses were performed with t-tests. Results: Surveys were distributed to 45 faculty members and 131 applicants with a response rate of 95.6% (n=43) and 46.6% (n=61), respectively. Of respondents, 83.7% (n=36) of faculty and 88.6% (n=54) of applicants agreed or strongly agreed that the video conference interviews (VCI) allowed them to accurately represent themselves (p=0.48). The majority of the applicants (62.3%, n=38) had a good understanding of the program’s culture after VCI. Over 70% (n=78) of applicants and faculty agreed or strongly agreed that they were able to form connections over VCI. Both applicants (67.2%, n=41) and faculty (83.7%, n=36) reported that the VCI helped them decide whether the program or candidate, respectively, was a good fit (p=0.98). Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the majority of respondents could accurately represent themselves and form connections over VCI. Most importantly, both faculty and interviewees agreed that the VCI process helped to find a good match between applicant and program across all OBGYN fellowship programs. Given that in-person interviews require a significant amount of resources including time, unpredictable residency coverage issues, money, and coordination of travel, VCI is a viable option for fellowship interviews. Future studies should determine a standardized and evidenced-based approach for VCI. Impact Statement: The virtual interview model may be considered a long-term solution for fellowship interviews given the financial costs to the applicants and the time burden of the fellowship interview process for both the applicants and the residency programs. It will be important to optimize the VCI process so that applicants and departments can feel confident that the VCI process mirrors the match results of an in-person interview. Future research should investigate the impact of VCI on other avenues of training including the medical school and residency selection processes.
Rational and Real Exponentiation

The main purpose of this chapter is to give a detailed treatise on powers with rational and real exponents. We begin with a preparatory section on the arithmetic properties of the limit inferior and limit superior and (thereby) the limit. The Fibonacci sequence, the geometric and p-series, and some of their contest level offsprings serve here as illustrations. The core material of this chapter proves the existence of roots of (positive) real numbers paving the way to rational exponentiation and the Bernoulli inequality for rational exponents. The latter is then used to establish (the existence of) powers with real exponents and thereby the extension of the Bernoulli inequality to real exponents. The text is accompanied here with a large variety of illustrative examples of classical limits. From the myriad topics on powers, we discuss linear independence of fractional exponents of integers due to Besicovitch, the Young inequality, some sharp estimates on the p-series, equiconvergence through the Cauchy condensation test, power sums, and the lesser known method of (arithmetic) means. A short section on logarithms along with a few contest level problems is followed by a final section on the Stolz–Cesaro Theorems. These tools complete an arsenal to tackle a large number of sophisticated limits. Several methods developed here will recur later in more complex settings.
Becoming Friends or Foes? How Exposure to Competitive Environments and Social Proximity Shape Social Preferences

We study the interaction between competition and social proximity on altruism, trust, and reciprocity, with an emphasis on gender differences. We decompose the behavioral channels by utilizing variants of both the Trust Game and the Dictator Game in a design that systematically controls the transmission of relevant information regarding the outcome of a previous competition and the social proximity between the competitors. On an aggregate level, our results suggest that knowledge of a victory over a socially proximate opponents leads to a large and significant increase in participants' investment in the Trust Game, but not in the Dictator Game. However, we also found substantial gender heterogeneity across treatments: men tend to show higher levels of altruism upon learning that their competitor shares similar characteristics with them. Moreover, this information yields a significant increase in men's trust when they are also told that they won the competition. In contrast, women's decisions about trust and altruism are not responsive to any of our treatment conditions. Our results provide helpful insights into the structure of incentives within institutions and companies, which are known to affect performance.
Characterization of ornithine decarboxylase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola and its inhibition by phaseolotoxin

Abstract Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, the causative agent of halo blight of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), produces phaseolotoxin (PT), which functions as a chlorosis-inducing extracellular phytotoxin by inhibiting ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT). We previously demonstrated that PT also inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, in preparations of bean leaves. In this study, the ODC enzyme was isolated from PT-producing bacterial cultures to study enzyme characteristics and to assess the effect of PT on ODC activity. The enzyme was purified using a four-step procedure comprised of ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and adsorption to hydroxylapatite. ODC was optimally active at pH 7.3 and showed hyperbolic kinetics with a Km of 0.19±0.04 mM for ornithine. PT inhibited the ODC enzyme with a Ki of 16±0.05 μM. In addition, the specific suicide inhibitor DFMO also inhibited ODC with a Ki of 26±0.2 μM.
Nucleoside analogue 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine (Fara-A) inhibits VEGF expression through HIF-1α expresssion in ovarian cancer cells

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2970 Angiogenesis is a complex process by which new blood vessels arise from the pre-existing vasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is important for tumor progression and angiogenesis, and is a negative clinical prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine (Fara-A), the nucleoside of the therapeutic agent, interferes with DNA replication and repair and induces apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism of its action is not completely understood. Here we showed that VEGF mRNA and protein expression in ovarian cancer cells was inhibited by Fara-A. To understand the mechanism of VEGF expression inhibited by Fara-A, we used VEGF reporter containing human VEGF promoter, and found that Fara-A inhibited the VEGF reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner in the ovarian cancer cells. This result indicated that VEGF transcriptional activation was inhibited by Fara-A. In response to hypoxia, VEGF gene transcription is mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 is composed of HIF-1α and HIF-1β subunits. HIF-1 activity is mainly regulated through the level of HIF-1α expression in the cells. To determine whether Fara-A inhibited transcriptional activation of VEGF through HIF-1, we found that Fara-A dramatically inhibited levels of HIF-1α protein, but not HIF-1β protein. To study the signaling pathways involved in the process, we found that Fara-A inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. Fara-A inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT in the cells. Over-expression of active form of AKT restored Fara-A-inhibited VEGF transcriptional activation in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that Fara-A inhibits VEGF and HIF-1 expression through PI3K/AKT signaling. Taken together, we showed that Fara-A inhibits VEGF expression through the transcriptional activation and HIF-1α expression, which is regulated by PI3K/AKT signaling in the ovarian cancer cells.
The efficacy of the nitrite test and microscopic urinalysis in predicting urine culture results

The efficacy of the nitrite dipstick and microscopic urinalysis in predicting culture results were evaluated for 146 urine cultures from 56 women at risk for recurrent pyelonephritis. There were 111 negative cultures, 18 positive cultures, and 17 contaminated cultures. Nitrites were not detectable in either negative or contaminated cultures. Bacilluria was present in 10% of negative cultures and in 18% of contaminated cultures. Pyuria was present in 14% of negative and in 24% of contaminated cultures. Among the 18 positive cultures, nitrite was present in only 22%, bacilluria in only 61%, and pyuria in only 67%. These results suggest that positive cultures cannot be accurately predicted by either microscopic urinalysis or the nitrite dipstick, and that routine culturing should be performed as part of the outpatient management of women at risk for recurrent pyelonephritis.
An Incomplete Audit at the Earnings Announcement: Implications for Financial Reporting Quality and the Market’s Reliance on Earnings

This study documents that the market places more reliance on earnings announcements with a completed audit than on earnings announcements with an incomplete audit. The PCAOB’s Auditing Standards No. 2 and 3 (AS2/3) resulted in the majority of firms issuing annual earnings announcements prior to audit completion. Prior research documents an increase in earnings revisions around the implementation of AS2/3, a negative market reaction to earnings revisions, and lower investor reliance on earnings announcements that foreshadow an impending earnings revision. We argue that the issuance of earnings announcements with a completed versus an incomplete audit has a more fundamental impact on the market. Specifically, earnings announcements with an incomplete audit lead investors to perceive lower financial reporting quality and to place less reliance on the earnings announcement even in the absence of an impending or ex post earnings revision. Using both difference-in-difference and cross-sectional analyses, we find that earnings announcements with a completed audit are associated with a larger market reaction than earnings announcements with an incomplete audit. This differential market reliance on earnings announcements with a completed versus an incomplete audit persists after the implementation of AS2/3 into a more steady-state regulatory environment from 2007 through 2013.
Chemical Sensing With Resistive Microcantilevers

MEMS-based microcantilevers have been proposed for a variety of biological and chemical sensing applications. Measuring the magnitude of microcantilever deflection due to adsorption-induced bending, and following the variation in the resonant frequency of the microcantilevers due to the adsorbed mass are two techniques commonly employed for sensing analytes. Apart from possessing a high level of sensitivity to small changes in mass, microcantilevers are also very sensitive to small changes in temperature and hence the flow of heat. One way of achieving high sensitivity in thermal measurements is by using a bimaterial microcantilever and measuring its deflection as a result of thermal fluctuations. Commercially available piezoresistive microcantilevers are an example of bimaterial cantilevers and in this study, we propose the use of such cantilevers for sensing explosives. We show that sensing can be accomplished by following the differences in the thermal response of the cantilevers introduced by the presence of explosives adsorbed from the vapor phase onto the surface of the cantilever. We discuss the issues involved in determining the sensitivity of detection and selectivity of detection.
Muscle Force and Power Following Tendon Repair at Altered Tendon Length

Background While a great deal is known regarding the performance of muscle with intact tendon, little is known about muscle performance when tendon is surgically lengthened or shortened. This knowledge may allow surgeons to more accurately predict functional outcome following tendon repair when correcting a simple tendon laceration or performing a more complex vascularized neuromuscular transfer. Materials and methods We studied muscle performance 12 wk following extensor tendon repairs producing altered tendon lengths. Forty male Fischer 344 rats underwent division of the proximal and distal tendons of the extensor digitorum longus muscle. Tendons were immediately repaired producing tendons with increased length, decreased length, or presurgical length (control). Observation confirmed that altered tendon length produced inverse changes in initial resting muscle tension. Results Muscle in the decreased tendon length group demonstrated a 15.2% greater muscle mass, 4.9% greater muscle length, 9.6% greater physiological cross-sectional area, 12.6% greater maximum isometric force, and 31.9% greater maximum power relative to the control tendon length group (P Conclusion These data support the clinical practice of setting muscles with increased passive tension when performing tendon transfer surgeries. Conversely, setting muscles with decreased tension does not necessarily result in a force or power deficit.
State and distribution of potassium and sodium ions in frog skeletal muscle.

A modified method for constructing cation-selective glass membrane microelectrodes is described. The method permits routine fabrication of electrodes with tip diameters less than 1 μ and exposed tip lengths of 2 to 5 μ. These electrodes had tip resistances in the range 107 to 109 ohms and gave stable and reproducible potentials in standard NaCl and KCl solutions. Potentials were unaffected by pH in the range 6 to 8 and satisfactory calibration curves were obtained over the temperature range 15 to 25°C. Pairs of electrodes with different K−Na selectivity coefficients were used to measure K+ and Na+ activities in frog sartorius fibers. In fibers containing normal amounts of these ions, Na+ activitywas much less than would be predicted from chemical analysis of the muscles, assuming that all the apparent muscle Na+ is present in an osmotically active form in the myoplasm. Possible origins of this discrepancy are discussed. Following a 48-hr soak at 5°C in a K-free medium, the apparent Na+ concentration and activity of the fibers both increased and the K+ concentration strongly suggests the existence in normal fibers of at least two intrafiber K+ compartments, both of which exchange with external Na+ but only one of which is detectible by a microelectrode located in the myoplasm. Ca++ appears to exert a strong regulatory effect on Na+−K+ exchange between these compartments and the external medium and on the distribution of intrafiber Na+ and K+ between these compartments.
A New Energy-Based Multiaxial Fatigue Life Prediction Procedure

An energy-based fatigue life prediction framework was previously developed by the authors for prediction of axial and bending fatigue life at various stress ratios. The framework for the prediction of fatigue life via energy analysis was based on a new constitutive law, which states the following: the amount of energy required to fracture a material is constant. In this study, energy expressions that construct the constitutive law are equated in the form of total strain energy and the distortion energy dissipated in a fatigue cycle. The resulting equation is further evaluated to acquire the equivalent stress per cycle using energy based methodologies. The equivalent stress expressions are developed both for biaxial and multiaxial fatigue loads and are used to predict the number of cycles to failure based on previously developed prediction criterion. The equivalent stress expressions developed in this study are further used in a new finite element procedure to predict the fatigue life for two and three dimensional structures. The final output of this finite element analysis is in the form of number of cycles to failure for each element on a scale in ascending or descending order. Therefore, the new finite element framework can provide the number of cycles to failure at each location in gas turbine engine structural components. In order to obtain experimental data for comparison, an Al6061-T6 plate is tested using a previously developed vibration based testing framework. The finite element analysis is performed for Al6061-T6 aluminum and the results are compared with experimental results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Defense styles in eating disorders

Forty-nine adolescent anorexic patients [24 restricters (AN-R) and 25 bulimic (AN-B) subtypel], 23 normal-weight bulimics (NWB), and 29 depressed adolescents (DEP) were compared with 25 normal adolescent (NADOL) and 25 normal adults (NAD) regarding self-reported defense styles. The groups were matches for sex, SES distribution, and age with the exception of the adults
Identification of the Vibrio cholerae type 4 prepilin peptidase required for cholera toxin secretion and pilus formation

Cholera toxin secretion is dependent upon the extracellular protein secretion apparatus encoded by the eps gene locus of Vibrio cholerae. Although the eps gene locus encodes several type four prepilin-like proteins, the peptidase responsible for processing these proteins has not been identified. This report describes the identification of a prepilin peptidase from the V. cholerae genomic database by virtue of its homology with the PilD prepilin peptidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Plasmid disruption or deletion of this peptidase gene in either EI Tor or classical V. cholerae O1 biotype strains results in a dramatic decrease in cholera toxin secretion. In the case of the EI Tor biotype mutants, surface expression of the type 4 pilus responsible for mannose-sensitive haemagglutination is abolished. The cloned V. cholerae peptidase processes either EpsI or MshA preproteins when co-expressed in E. coli. Mutation of the V. cholerae peptidase gene also results in a defect in virulence and decreased levels of OmpU. The V. cholerae peptidase gene sequence shows 80% homology with the Vibrio vulnificus VvpD type 4 prepilin peptidase required for pilus assembly and cytolysin secretion in V. vulnificus. Accordingly, the V. cholerae type 4 prepilin peptidase required for pilus assembly and cholera toxin secretion has been designated VcpD.
The influence of program mediators on eleventh grade outcomes for seventh grade substance users and nonusers.

Abstract Objectives In their work examining the effects of the Take Charge of Your Life (TCYL) program, Sloboda and colleagues (This Issue) found that the TCYL program had significant positive effects on baseline marijuana users and significant negative effects on baseline nonusers of cigarettes and alcohol. Methods Mediational analyses were used to understand why the program had these differential impacts on baseline users and nonusers. Results Path models for binary outcomes revealed significant program impacts on marijuana normative beliefs and refusal skills. The treatment impacts were between 1.5 and 3 times larger for the baseline users than for nonusers. These direct effects of the program on normative beliefs and refusal skills mediated the treatment impact on use for baseline marijuana users. In contrast, the negative treatment effects on alcohol and cigarette use could not be explained by the program's targeted mediators (normative beliefs, refusal skills, consequences, attitudes and intentions). The direct effects of treatment on use for the baseline nonusers of cigarettes and alcohol remain unexplained. Conclusions Possible explanations for this pattern and implications for strengthening universal prevention programs that are delivered to both users and nonusers are discussed. The importance of mediational analyses for programs that show negative impacts, as well as for those that show positive impacts is stressed.
Analysis of Rutting Performance Impacting Factors in HMA Overlay Mixture Design

It is reasonable to assume that hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay rutting occurs only in HMA overlay(s) because of rutting from the existing pavement, if any, most of which had already occurred before the HMA overlay(s) was placed. So, this paper focuses only on the HMA overlay itself. Many factors—such as the asphalt binder grade, the aggregate gradation, the types of aggregates, the volumetric parameters of the mixtures, etc.—potentially influence the HMA rutting performance when designing an HMA overlay mix. In this paper, a Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) device is employed in order to evaluate the rutting performance of HMA overlay mixes in terms of the rut depth at specified wheel passes. An experimental design is developed to cover the different combinations of aggregates, gradations, and asphalt binder types. Through extensive laboratory tests and statistical analyses, the most significant impacting factors were identified. The corresponding HWTT rut depth prediction models were developed with high R2 values (>0.80). With these models and established rut depth criteria, the maximum allowable asphalt content that can be used without causing rutting problems was estimated for different overlay mixes. Furthermore, the models and estimated maximum allowable asphalt content were preliminarily verified by performance data of the National Center for Asphalt Technology test track sections and WesTrack test sections.
Free-Standing Thin Films Containing Hexagonally Organized Silver Nanocrystals in a Polymer Matrix

Abstract : In this communication, we report the successful preparation of novel thin nanocomposite films containing continuous periodic arrays of self-assembled silver nanocrystals in a polystyrene matrix. In the monolayer areas of the film, the silver nanoparticles are hexagonally arranged. Two different geometrical packings are observed in the bilayer sections. We suggest two schematic models for the interpretations of these interesting patterns.
Topological rigidity of strong stable foliations for Cartan actions

We show that the strongest stable foliations associated with the generators of a Cartan action on a compact infra-nilmanifold are invaraint under topological conjugacy. This has the corollary that a Cartan action on a compact infra-nilmanifold with constant exponents is smoothly conjugate to an affine action.
Hybrid computer-optical processing with inexpensive liquid crystal television

We describe a computer-optical processing system that uses an inexpensive liquid crystal (LCD) television monitor and a selective holographic filter for coherent pattern recognition. Specifically, we use a digital computer to generate an edge enhanced image of an object, expose a Fourier transform hologram of this image, and use the hologram as a sort of matched filter for recognizing the original object in real time.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hygrine, bona fide alkaloid or artifact: its chemical reduction, novel di-heptafluorobutyrylation and sensitive detection in South American coca leaves using capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection

Methodology is described for the isolation of hygrine, along with the related compound-cuscohygrine, from South Americancoca leaf and its major tropane alkaloids. The isolated hygrine was reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to yield diastereomeric alcohols, which were subsequently derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The resultant diastereomeric di-heptafluorobutyryl derivatives could be detected on-column at femtogram levels when using a polar fused-silica capillary column interfaced with 63Ni electron-capture detector. The artifactual formation of hygrine, resulting from the degradation of cuscohygrine, is discussed. Quantitative data are provided for hygrine and cuscohygrine levels in South American coca.
A simplified method for the preparation of immune-serum globulin.

. This report describes the recovery of highly purified immune-serum globulin (ISG) from the 42% ethanol precipitate fraction (42% P) generated during the first step of albumin purification. The method consists of three purification steps: (1) reprecipitation of the 42% P at 20% ethanol, pH 7.2; (2) solubilization of ISG at 17% ethanol, pH 5.2, and (3) isoelectric precipitation of ISG at 25% ethanol, pH 7.2. ISG prepared by this method was homogeneous when subjected to immunoelectrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and gave a yield equivalent to 4.7 g/l plasma, corresponding to a final recovery of over 48%.
Concomitant dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls: tissue distribution and arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in lactating rats.

Abstract Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) stimulate microsomal mixed function monooxygenases in liver and extrahepatic tissues. These compounds accumulate to high concentration in fatty tissues and are excreted into milk. Human populations that have been exposed to PBBs are also likely to have been exposed to PCBs. Therefore, to assess potential hazard of simultaneous exposure to PCBs and PBBs, it was of interest to determine the distribution of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) and PBBs (Firemaster BP6) in several tissues of lactating rats, to determine the concentrations of both agents in milk and to study the effects of these agents on hepatic and extrahepatic arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) after concomitant dietary exposure. Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on diets containing PBBs and/or PCBs from the eighth day of pregnancy to 14 days postpartum. Treatment with the highest dose of PBBs (200 ppm) retarded both dam and pup body weight gain. Stimulation of AHH was greater after treatment with PBBs alone than PCBs alone. Extrahepatic tissue concentrations of PCBs and PBBs were similar regardless of whether these agents were administered together or alone. Liver and milk contained lower concentrations of PBBs after treatment with an equal mixture of PCBs and PBBs than when PBBs were administered alone. Milk contained higher concentrations of PCBs than PBBs indicating that this route of excretion may be more important for PCBs.
Some mutually disjoint steiner systems

Abstract A t-design λ; t-d-n is a system of subsets of size d (called blocks) from an n-set S, such that each t-subset from S is contained in precisely λ blocks. A Steiner system S(l, m, n) is a t-design with parameters 1; l-m-n. Two Steiner systems (or t-designs) are disjoint if they share no blocks. A search has been conducted which resulted in discovering 9 mutually disjoint S(5, 8, 24)'s, 24 mutually disjoint S(4, 7, 23)'s, 60 mutually disjoint S(3, 6, 22)'s, and 197 mutually disjoint S(2, 5, 21)'s. Taking unions of several mutually disjoint Steiner systems will then produce t-designs (with varying λ's) on 21, 22, 23, and 24 points.
Evaluating Interest Broadcast in Vehicular Named Data Networking

Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) are expected to provide assistance to various applications, such as accident notification and emergency announcement. Named Data Networking (NDN) has been recognized as a more suitable architecture than TCP/IP for application in VANETs due to its ability to handle high mobility and intermittent connectivity. The Vehicular NDN (V-NDN) has further made special architectural modifications for VANETs. However, V-NDN can be challenged in its extensive use of broadcast in dense network situations. For example, broadcasting of interest packets could lead to more collisions. In this study, we explore the broadcast performance of V-NDN using the ORBIT testbed. Our experimental results show that VNDN suffers an increased loss ratio in dense network scenarios because of Wifi broadcast collision, and it is important to find a suitable range of values to be distributed by the collision avoidance timer before transmission.
SART-type image reconstruction from a limited number of projections with the sparsity constraint

Based on the recent mathematical findings on solving the linear inverse problems with sparsity constraints by Daubechiesx et al., here we adapt a simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) for image reconstruction from a limited number of projections subject to a sparsity constraint in terms of an invertible compression transform. The algorithm is implemented with an exemplary Haar wavelet transform and tested with a modified Shepp-Logan phantom. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the sparsity constraint helps effectively improve the quality of reconstructed images and reduce the number of necessary projections.
Supporting process design for e-business via an integrated process repository

Business process design is an integral part of e-business engineering. Given that e-business models usually involve a wide range of business processes across different business functions with complex activities, events, and documents, process design for e-business is a very challenging task. Although various process reference models (PRMs) have been developed to provide guidelines for process design, research on leveraging multiple PRMs to support process design for e-business has been scant. In this paper, we demonstrate that the diverse process design requirements in e-business are best satisfied by utilizing multiple PRMs via a case study. Then, we propose a collaborative approach grounded in knowledge management theory to integrating multiple process reference models to better support process design in e-business. We equip the integrated process repository with a set of novel features based on Web 2.0 technologies to enhance its utility, efficiency, and quality for process design support. A prototype system is developed and user experiments are conducted to evaluate the system.
The Use Of Airborne Lasers In Terrestrial And Water Environments

This document has the objective to provide some information regarding the applications for which an airborne laser system can be utilized. The considered data have been collected with the NASA Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL), operational since 1977 as a flying laser laboratory. The most basic mode of operation of the AOL involves operation as a profiler. The data collected are similar to those which would be collected by a ground survey party. In the fluorosensing mode, pulsed laser light is used to induce fluorescence in various pigments contained in land and water targets. A capability for reliably mapping bottom geometry in clear ocean water to depths of 10-12 meters was also demonstrated, while other studies are related to the utilization of the AOL for synoptic mapping of surface layer concentrations of chlorophyll and other photopigments contained in phytoplankton.
Magnetic fine structure of triplet exciton bands in molecular crystals: 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene

Abstract The quantum mechanics of triplet excitons in molecular crystals is used to determine the effect of a finite excitation transfer interaction between interchange equivalent molecules on the exciton dispersion and density of states and on the zero field spectral density functions for intraband branch—branch transitions. Four cases of specific interest M > D,E ; M ≈ D,E ; M ; and M ≈ 0 arise where M is the excitation transfer integral and D and E are the molecular magnetic fine structur parameters. Of these, only M > D,E and M ≈ 0 have been considered previously. The effects are illustrated for parameters of the 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene crystal.
An environmentally safe and effective paint removal process for aircraft

To reduce hazardous waste from fleet and depot aircraft paint stripping and to conform to regulations banning toxic chemical paint strippers, the U.S. Naval Air Systems Team (materials division, depots, and head-quarters) teamed with the U.S. Air Force at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center for concept development, characterization, and demonstration of a mature, advanced paint-removal system, the Boeing xenon/flashlamp CO2 (Flashjet®) process. Extensive metallic and composite-materials testing was conducted. This paper describes the development and characterization program leading to authorization of the process for use on fixed-wing navy aircraft.
Characterization of the ribosomal RNA precursor in Ilyanassa

Abstract Ilyanassa embryos synthesized a high molecular weight, rapidly-labeled RNA species that, as time progressed, diminished in proportion to increasing amounts of nascent ribosomal RNA. We tentatively identify this rapidly-labeled RNA species as the ribosomal RNA precursor. Its molecular weight, determined by acrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 2.4–2.5 × 10 6 ; a molecule of intermediate size (1.8 × 10 6 Daltons) was also detected.
Retention of Women and People of Color: Unique Challenges and Institutional Responses.

A literature review on retention as it relates explicitly to women and people of color suggests that specific and unique factors play a part in student persistence. Despite the gains made in enroll...
The visibility of atomic objects in the field electron emission microscope

Abstract Evidence is presented to show that atomic resolution in the field electron emission microscope is possible if the the tip radius is small enough. This condition restricts the maximum number of resolvable atoms to about twenty. Three examples are taken from the recent literature of experiments where the evidence for atomic resolution in the field emission images is particularly strong.
Nucleotide pools of Novikoff rat hepatoma cells growing in suspension culture. I. Kinetics of incorporation of nucleosides into nucleotide pools and pool sizes during growth cycle.

Results from kinetic studies on the incorporation of 3H-5-uridine and 3H-8-adenosine into the acid-soluble nucleotide poor and nucleic acids by Novikoff hepatoma cells (subline N1S1-67) in suspension culture indicate that the uridine transport reaction is saturated at about 100 μM and that for adenosine at about 10 μM nucleoside in the medium, and that above 100 μM simple diffusion becomes the predominant mode of entry of both nucleosides into the cell. The Km of the transport reactions is approximately 1.3 × 10−5 M for uridine and 6 × 10−6 M for adenosine. The incorporation of these nucleosides into both the nucleotide pool and into nucleic acids seems to be limited by the rate of entry of the nucleic acid synthesis from the rate of incorporation of nucleosides. Other complicating factors are a change with time of labeling in the relative proporation of nucleoside incorporated into DNA and into the individual nucleotides of RNA, the splitting of uridine to uracil by th ecells, the deamination of adenosine kto inosine and the subsequent cleavage of inosine to hypoxanthine. Various lines of evidence are presented which indicate that the overall nucleotide pools of the cells are very small under normal growth conditions. During growth in the presence of 200 μM uridine or adenosine, however, the cells continue to convert the nucleosides into intracellular nucleotides much more rapidly than required for nucleic acid synthesis. This results in an accumulation of free uridine and adenosine nucleotides in the cells, the maximum amounts of which are at least equivalent to the amount of these nucleotides in total cellular RNA.
Radiographic interpretation of periodontal osseous lesions

Abstract The results of a study of forty-one human skulls indicate that proximal osseous defects throughout the dental arches and furcation defects on facial and lingual surfaces of multirooted teeth can be identified with a high degree of accuracy from their radiographic appearance. Conversely, lesions on facial or lingual surfaces of the alveolar arches are extremely difficult to locate or recognize on the dental radiograph. Further research is underway to determine whether the criteria of this study can be applied clinically.
Extensions of guiding center motion to higher order

In a static magnetic field, some well-known guiding-center equations maintain their form when extended to next order in gyroradius. In these cases, it is only necessary to include the next order term in the magnetic moment series. The differential equation for guiding-center motion which describes both the parallel and perpendicular velocities correctly through first order in gyroradius is given. The question of how to define the guiding center position through second order arises and is discussed, and second order drifts are derived for one usual definition. The toroidal canonical angular momentum, P-phi, of the guiding center in an axisymmetric field is shown to be conserved using the guiding center velocity correct through first order. When second-order motion is included, P-phi is no longer a constant. The above extensions of guiding-center theory help to resolve the different tokamak orbits obtained either by using the guiding-center equations of motion or by using conservation of P-phi.
Neutron scattering study of 49 K phase transition in TTF-TCNQ

Abstract Elastic neutron scattering measurements show the existence of three low temperature phase transitions in TTF-TCNQ and are interpreted within the framework of a recent theoretical investigation by Bak and Emery. Direct evidence for the new 49 K transition is presented in addition to the 38 and 54 K transitions reported previously.
MoNA—The Modular Neutron Array

The Modular Neutron Array (MoNA), a highly efficient time-of-flight neutron detector, is being constructed for use at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The modular design of the detector provides significant flexibility and allows the bulk of the assembly and testing to be done by undergraduates at nine of the schools participating in the project.
Sampling designs for accuracy assessment of land cover

The accuracy of a land cover classification is the degree to which the map land cover agrees with the reference land cover classification (i.e. ground condition). The basic sampling designs historically implemented for map accuracy assessment have served well for the error matrix based analyses traditionally used. But contemporary applications of land cover maps place greater demands on accuracy assessment, and sampling designs must be constructed to target objectives such as accuracy of land cover composition and landscape pattern. Sampling designs differ in their suitability to achieve different objectives, and trade-offs among desirable sampling design criteria must be recognized and accommodated when selecting a design. An overview is presented of the sampling designs used in accuracy assessment, and the status of these designs is appraised for meeting current needs. Sampling design features that facilitate multiple-objective accuracy assessments are described.
AGE-RELATED CHEMOSENSITIVITY OF STEM CELLS FROM HUMAN MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOURS

Abstract After radiation therapy and chemotherapy for malignant glioma, patients aged 50 or under survive longer than patients over 50. Data from Brain Tumor Study Group trials show that, without treatment, these age groups have similar survival; therefore unperturbed tumour growth does not account for the difference. Sixteen consecutive patients with malignant glioma were studied, half of whom were ≤50 years of age; none had been treated before initial surgery, and all were subsequently treated with radiation and chemotherapeutic agents (in all but two patients, with nitrosoureas). Median survival of those aged ≤50 years was 54 + weeks whereas that of those aged >50 was 37 weeks. The longer survival for younger patients could not be attributed to tumour type, size, or location, pretreatment Karnofsky status, or mode of treatment. In-vitro sensitivity testing of clonogenic cells obtained from biopsy specimens showed that tumour cells from seven of eight patients aged ≤50 years were sensitive to 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1- nitrosourea (>40% cell kill at clinically achievable concentrations) compared with only one patient with sensitive cells out of eight older patients. Patient age was inversely correlated with in-vitro cell kill, and patients with sensitive cells were significantly younger than those with resistant cells. Therefore influence of age on survival after treatment of malignant gliomas is probably due to inherent differences in the sensitivity of clonogenic cells to radiation and/or chemotherapeutic agents.