cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turnover of Soil Carbon following Addition of Switchgrass-Derived Biochar to Four Soils

Amending soils with biochar can sequester C and improve soil properties, such as nutrient holding capacity and water retention. While biochars generally have a long residence time in soil, the turnover of biochar C can be influenced by both biochar characteristics and soil properties. Biochar can also potentially alter the rate of decomposition of native soil organic matter (SOM). The turnover of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)-derived biochar C was evaluated in the laboratory using soil from four marginally productive sites in central Pennsylvania. Carbon dioxide emissions from unamended soil, biochar-amended soil, and pure biochar were monitored during 189-d incubations, and data were fit to a two-pool exponential model to estimate the amount and mean residence time (MRT) of C in labile and stable pools. Carbon-13 signatures of emitted CO₂ were also determined to estimate the proportion of emitted CO₂ derived from the biochar. Mixing biochar with each of the soils reduced the apparent MRT of C in both labile and stable pools, but the magnitude of change depended on the soil. Overall, the biochar was largely stable in each soil, with only 1.1 to 2.1% of the added biochar C emitted during incubation. There was no measurable effect of biochar amendment on the turnover of native SOM in any of the soils. Therefore, we conclude that amendment of our soils with switchgrass-derived biochar can effectively increase net C sequestration.
Manganese dioxide as a catalyst for oxygen-independent atrazine dealkylation

The herbicide atrazine is widely distributed in the environment, and its reactivity with soil minerals is an important issue. We have studied atrazine degradation on the surface of synthetic hydrous (10% H2O) δ-MnO2 (birnessite) using UV resonance Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The products are mainly mono- and didealkyl atrazine. Atrazine disappearance is rapid (τ1/2 ∼ 5 h at 30 °C), independent of whether O2 is present or not. MnO2 reduction is a minor reaction, and the alkyl chains are converted mainly to the alkenes, in a nonredox process. A novel dealkylation mechanism is proposed involving proton transfer to Mn(IV)-stablized oxo and imido bonds. When O2 is present, olefin oxidation and ring mineralization are also observed as secondary reactions in addition to those discussed above. Thus δ-MnO2, a common soil constituent, is found to promote efficient N-dealkylation of the herbicide atrazine at 30 °C, via a nonoxidative mechanism.
Culture kinetics of glycolytic enzyme induction, glucose utilization, and thymidine incorporation of extended‐exposure phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated human lymphocytes

Glycolytic enzyme activity is significantly (P less than 0.05) induced between 24 and 48 hours of incubation in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes. Nonstimulated cultured cells do not show this induction although these cells have an approximate daily doubling of thymidine incorporation. Maximal glycolytic enzyme activity is reached between 96 and 120 hours of culture in stimulated cells (3.5-fold increase) and maintained until at least 168 hours. There is no significant induction of the hexosemonophosphate shunt or the TCA cycle during seven-day transformation. Induction of glucose utilization becomes significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in stimulated as compared to nonstimulated cultures between 48 and 72 hours of culture and is significantly elevated for at least an additional 96 hours. There is a 17% increase in total protein in the stimulated cells after 24 hours of culture and higher levels of protein content are then maintained over the control. Thymidine incorporation is significantly greater in stimulated cells from 24-144 hours of culture but is not significantly different from the nonstimulated cells at 168 hours (P = 0.98) although glycolytic enzyme activity remains elevated in the stimulated cells. There is a greater enzyme induction of the latter phase of glycolysis during transformation and this phenomenon continues in extended cultures. Increases in glycolytic enzyme activity during mitogenesis appear to be an intrinsic phenomenon independent of cell proliferation and glucose transport. The mitogen-induced increase in the activity of the glycolytic enzymes accompanies blastogenesis and the sustained elevated activity of these enzymes to be related to the high metabolic rate of transformed cells.
Paramagnetic ions enable tuning of nuclear relaxation rates and provide long-range structural restraints in solid-state NMR of proteins.

Magic-angle-spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) studies of natively diamagnetic uniformly 13C,15N-enriched proteins, intentionally modified with side chains containing paramagnetic ions, are presented, with the aim of using the concomitant nuclear paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) as a source of long-range structural information. The paramagnetic ions are incorporated at selected sites in the protein as EDTA−metal complexes by introducing a solvent-exposed cysteine residue using site-directed mutagenesis, followed by modification with a thiol-specific reagent, N-[S-(2-pyridylthio)cysteaminyl]EDTA-metal. Here, this approach is demonstrated for the K28C and T53C mutants of B1 immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G (GB1), modified with EDTA-Mn2+ and EDTA-Cu2+ side chains. It is shown that incorporation of paramagnetic moieties, exhibiting different relaxation times and spin quantum numbers, facilitates the convenient modulation of longitudinal (R1) and transverse (R2, R1ρ) r...
Wide-area situation awareness in electric power grid

Two primary elements of the US energy policy are demand management and efficiency and renewable sources. Major objectives are clean energy transmission and integration, reliable energy transmission, and grid cyber security. Development of the Smart Grid seeks to achieve these goals by lowering energy costs for consumers, achieving energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Smart Grid is expected to enable real time wide-area situation awareness (SA) for operators. Requirements for wide-area SA have been identified among interoperability standards proposed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to ensure smart-grid functionality. Wide-area SA and enhanced decision support and visualization tools are key elements in the transformation to the Smart Grid. This paper discusses human factors research to promote SA in the electric power grid and the Smart Grid. Topics that will be discussed include the role of human factors in meeting US energy policy goals, the impact and challenges for Smart Grid development, and cyber security challenges.
Expression and characterization of the fourth repeat of Xenopus interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein in E. coli

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) is an extracellular glycolipoprotein which in higher vertebrates has a 4-repeat structure and carries endogenous vitamin A and fatty acids. The location of IRBP's 1–2 binding sites for retinol is unknown. To begin to understand which repeat(s) are responsible for ligand-binding, we expressed the fourth repeat of Xenopus IRBP in E. coli to determine if it could by itself bind all-trans retinol. Our expression studies used a polyhistidine fusion domain to purify the recombinant protein directly from inclusion bodies. The fusion protein could be renatured without aggregation if refolded at a sufficiently dilute concentration (< 3 μM). The recombinant fourth repeat of Xenopus IRBP binds [3H]all-trans retinol and the fluorescence of this ligand increases 8-fold upon binding. The binding is saturable with a Kd = 0.4 μM. The expression of recombinant IRBP fragments as fusion proteins in prokayrotes will be useful for defining the structural requirements for liga...
Synthesis, Electronic Properties, and X-ray Structural Characterization of Tetrarylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran Cation Radicals

Electroactive tetraarylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran (BDF) and model diarylbenzofuran derivatives are synthesized and their structures are established by X-ray crystallography. Isolation and X-ray crystallographic characterization of the robust cation-radical salts of BDF derivatives confirm that a single charge in the BDFs is stabilized largely by the benzodifuran and coplanar α-aryl groups lying on the longitudinal axis. These findings suggest that the linear arrays of BDFs may allow the construction of molecular wires suitable for long-range electron transport.
Ultrastructural features of synapse from dorsal parvocellular reticular formation neurons to hypoglossal motoneurons of the rat.

The dorsal parvocellular reticular formation (PCRt) receives projection of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus neurons. It contains the dorsal group of interneurons that integrate and coordinate activity of the oral motor nuclei. Ultrastructural features of synaptic connection from the dorsal PCRt neurons to the motoneurons of the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) were examined at both the light and electron microscopic levels in rats. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was initially iontophoresed into the dorsal part of PCRt unilaterally. Seven days later horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the body of the tongue. After histochemical reaction for visualization of HRP and BDA, the BDA-labeled fibers and terminals were seen distributing bilaterally in XII with ipsilateral predominance. BDA-labeled terminals were closely apposed upon HRP retrogradely labeled somata and dendrites of the XII motoneurons. A total of 1408 BDA-labeled boutons were examined ultrastructurally, which had mean size of 1.22±0.37 μm in diameter. Five hundred-ninety three of these boutons in both the ipsilateral (n=401) and contralateral (n=192) XII were seen to synapse on both the dendrites and somata of HRP-labeled motoneurons. The vast majorities of synapses were axodendritic (98%, 580/593), while 2% of them were axosomatic. Of the 1408 BDA-labeled boutons, 69.6% of them were S-type boutons containing small clear and spherical synaptic vesicles and 30.4% of them were PF-type boutons containing pleomorphic and flattened synaptic vesicles. Approximately 64% of synapses between BDA-labeled boutons and HRP-labeled motoneurons were asymmetric, and 33% of synapses were symmetric. No axoaxodendritic or axoaxosomatic synaptic triad was observed. The present study illustrated the anatomical pathway and synaptological characteristics of neuronal connection between the dorsal PCRt premotor neurons and the XII motoneurons. Its functional significance in coordinating activity of XII motoneurons during oral motor behaviors has been discussed.
Clinical pharmacogenetics in pediatric patients

Pediatric pharmacogenetic studies have the potential to improve the quality of medical care for children. The pediatric population presents a unique pharmacogenetic challenge as children have the additional complexity of ontological phenotypes that impact their drug response. Prescribing medications in children has historically been largely empirical, but utilization of pharmacogenetic information will allow pediatricians to gain key information regarding which patients are best suited for a particular therapeutic agent and which patients may be at risk for serious potentially life-threatening complications from standard treatment regimens. Although large, prospective, multisite investigators are still needed, we illustrate selective clinical examples of the pharmacogenetics for treatment of transplantation, asthma, leukemia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in pediatric patients.
The relation between purulent manifestations and antibiotic treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features of patients diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), and determine which clinical features are associated with antibiotic use.
Smart Parking Brake. Neuverteilung der Aufgaben zur Ansteuerung der elektrischen Parkbremse

Im Jahr 2002 brachte TRW Automotive die erste bremssattelintegrierte, elektrische Parkbremse (Electric Parking Brake, EPB) auf den Markt. Sie wurde seither in uber 20 Modellen von der Ober- bis zur Mittelklasse in Serie eingefuhrt. Mit der Smart Parking Brake (SPB) prasentiert TRW eine Weiterentwicklung, bei der die elektrische Parkbremslosung kein separates Steuergerat mehr benotigt. Die SPB integriert die Systemfunktionen in existierende Steuergerate wie die elektronische Stabilitatsregelung.
Assessment of TRACE Code Using Rod Bundle Heat Transfer Mixture Level-Swell Tests

The TRAC/RELAP Advanced Computational Engine (TRACE) thermal-hydraulics code is currently under development by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). TRACE is used for safety analyses of both conventional and advanced light water reactors. NRC assessed the prediction accuracy of the code by quantifying the axial void distribution in a rod bundle under low-pressure (0.16 to 0.44 Pa) and low-flow conditions (0.015 to 0.20 kg/s), using data obtained from the Rod Bundle Heat Transfer (RBHT) facility at Pennsylvania State University. NRC simulated 73 steady-state experiments (assessment cases) with variations in the total rod power, inlet subcooling, system pressure, and injection flow rate. Comparisons between TRACE calculations and RBHT data showed reasonable agreement. TRACE was found to over predict the bundle-exit void fraction by 13.3% with a linear goodness-of-fit (R2 ) of 0.87 and over predict the local void fraction by 10.1% with an R2 of 0.91. This paper discusses the models and correlations used in the TRACE calculation of mixture level swell, RBHT experimental results, modeling of the RBHT facility, and comparisons between data and code calculations.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors is increased, but microvascular relaxation is impaired in patients after acute myocardial ischemia.

Abstract Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor, a specific endothelial mitogen, plays an important role in myocardial angiogenesis. Previous work has demonstrated increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in a rat myocardial infarction model, as well as in a pig model of chronic ischemia. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and other growth factors after acute myocardial ischemia in patients has not been examined. In this study we examined the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors and the responsiveness of human atrial microvessels to vascular endothelial growth factor before and after acute ischemia. Methods: Paired specimens of human atrial tissue were harvested before and after atrial devascularization (ligation) in 16 patients undergoing coronary bypass operations. Results: The messenger RNA (reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction) level of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 were increased by 22.2% ± 4.2% and 30.7% ± 7.6%, respectively ( P P P P P N G nitro-L -arginine, whereas responses to sodium nitroprusside were unchanged (90.9% ± 2.2% vs 91.2% ± 2.0%). Conclusions: This study suggests that acute myocardial ischemia in patients results in increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor but not fibroblast growth factor and that the functional activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and that of other growth factors may be impaired. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:735-42)
Temporary localized depression of tritiated thymidine incorporation in mouse tissues after pulse labelling.

Approximately two to six in every 100 mice injected with 3H-TdR appear not to incorporate the labelled precursor into the DNA. The tritium activity appears to be distributed throughout these poor utilizers of thymidine. The lack of incorporation of the precursor is not always general to the whole animal but may be restricted to a given tissue. The effect does not appear to be permanent but varies with time.
Understanding Site-Based Inference Potential for Identifying Hidden Attributes

The popularity of social networking sites has led to the creation of massive online databases containing (potentially sensitive) personal information, portions of which are often publicly accessible. Although most popular social networking sites allow users to customize the degree to which their information is publicly exposed, the disclosure of even a small, seemingly innocuous set of profile attributes may be sufficient to infer a surprisingly revealing set of attribute-value pairings. This paper analyzes the predictive accuracy of existing and ensemble inference algorithms to infer hidden attributes using publicly exposed attribute-values. For our tested population, we find that (i) certain attributes are more accurately predicted than others, (ii) each tested inference algorithm is well-suited for inferring a particular subset of attributes, and (iii) these subsets of inferable attributes often have little overlap. Taken collectively, our results indicate that the amount of information one can extract from a given user's public profile is often greater than the sum of the attributes that the user has chosen to publish.
Tricuspid Annular Systolic Velocity: A Useful Measurement in Determining Right Ventricular Systolic Function Regardless of Pulmonary Artery Pressures

Assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function can be somewhat difficult, particularly in pulmonary hypertension (PH). RV fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid valve annular motion (TAPSE) although useful in the assessment of RV performance, their use can be sometimes limited and tedious. Thus, a quicker but yet reliable alternative is needed. Accordingly, we compared peak tricuspid annulus systolic (TA Sa) velocities derived from Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) with both RVFAC and TAPSE to estimate RV function in 52 patients (53 +/- 16 years) with varying degrees of PH. In this group, mean was RVFAC 49 +/- 20, TAPSE was 2.3 +/- 0.7 cm, peak TA Sa velocity by DTI was 10.4 +/- 3.8 cm/s, left ventricular systolic function was 57 +/- 18%, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 47 +/- 28 mmHg. An excellent correlation was noted between TAPSE and RVFAC (r = 0.91, P 10.5 cm/s identified individuals with both a normal RV function and without significant PH. Therefore, we conclude that TA Sa velocity, an easily obtainable DTI measure, that has an excellent correlation with more time-consuming methods to assess RV systolic function regardless of the degree of PH should be routinely assessed during the initial evaluation and eventual follow-up of patients either at risk or with documented PH.
Information-seeking behavior of undergraduate geography students

Abstract A bibliographic instruction program to help undergraduate students in World Regional Geography locate current and historical resources to create answers for the midterm examination is described. Student papers were analyzed by citation analysis to determine what types of resources students used to gather information to create the answers. Students used a wide variety of sources in print and electronic formats to gather information for the test. The fall semester students cited print sources 62% compared to citations from electronic sources at 36% and lecture notes at 2%. The spring semester students cited print sources 51% as compared to electronic sources at 47% and lecture notes at 2%.
Development changes in sugar and starch taste preferences in young rats

Recent studies indicate that neonatal and adult rats are attracted to the taste of sugar as well as to starch-derived polysaccharides (e.g., Polycose). The present study investigated whether the relative preference for sweet and starchy tastes changes during the postweaning to adulthood period in male and female rats. This was accomplished by giving growing rats 24-hr/day one-solution (sucrose or Polycose vs. water) and two-solution (sucrose vs. Polycose) preference tests over a 9-week period (from 28 to 98 days of age). Acceptance (absolute intake) of sucrose and Polycose was also evaluated by comparing solution intakes during one-solution tests with water baseline intakes. Dilute solutions were used to minimize postingestive caloric and/or colligative effects. When tested with 2% saccharide solutions, the rats strongly preferred sucrose to Polycose with the preference increasing in magnitude from weeks 1 to 9 of testing. Sucrose acceptance also increased, relative to that of Polycose, after the third test week. When tested with 0.06 molar solutions, the rats initially consumed more Polycose (week 1) but by the fifth test week their sucrose preference and acceptance exceeded that of Polycose. These results indicate that the preference for sweet taste, relative to that for starchy taste, increases with age. Contrary to previous findings, the sweet taste preference was somewhat stronger in the male rats than in the female rats.
Unbiased estimation of size and other aggregates over hidden web databases

Many websites provide restrictive form-like interfaces which allow users to execute search queries on the underlying hidden databases. In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the size of a hidden database through its web interface. We propose novel techniques which use a small number of queries to produce unbiased estimates with small variance. These techniques can also be used for approximate query processing over hidden databases. We present theoretical analysis and extensive experiments to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Cervical cancer in older women: a molecular analysis of human papillomavirus types, HLA types, and p53 mutations.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cervical cancers in older women to determine whether they differed from tumors in younger women with respect to human papillomavirus types, frequencies of p53 mutations, and presence of a proposed high-risk HLA-DR2 haplotype. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical tissue was obtained from women undergoing surgical treatment of in situ or invasive carcinoma of the cervix. Viral and genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The presence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Viral subtypes were assigned by means of a combination of type-specific amplification and automated sequencing of the L1 region. The presence of p53 mutations was evaluated by direct sequencing of exons 5 through 9. The HLA-DR locus was screened for the presence of the high-risk DRB1*1501 allele by means of selective polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by agarose gel electrophoresis of HLA-DR2 types. RESULTS: Tumors from 39 women 62 to 85 years old were analyzed. Tumors from 104 younger women formed a reference group. Human papillomavirus 16 was found in 41% and 54% and human papillomavirus 18 was found in 10% and 12% of the tissue samples from older and younger women, respectively. The overall distributions of human papillomavirus types did not differ statistically between the groups. One of the 25 older patients tested had a p53 mutation. This tumor also had a positive test result for human papillomavirus 18. The DR*1501 allele was present in 33% of the older patients and 28% of the younger patients. The expected frequency of this allele in white Americans is 19.8%. The increased frequency of this allele among both older and younger women with cervical cancer was statistically significant ( P CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesized that cervical cancer in older women might differ from that in younger women with respect to human papillomavirus types, natural host immunity, or the frequency of nonviral origins of the cancer. The findings show, however, that tumors from older women are extremely similar to those from younger women with respect to the human papillomavirus types present and the infrequent occurrence of p53 mutations. In addition we found that an HLA-DR allele that is associated with a risk of cervical cancer in younger women is also associated with risk in older women. These findings are most consistent with a model similar to that in younger women but with an unusually long latency for the transforming effect of the virus in some hosts. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:56-61.)
Spectral, spatial and temporal characteristics of a millisecond pulsed glow discharge: metastable argon atom production

Abstract Time resolved atomic emission, atomic absorbance, and laser-induced atomic fluorescence measurements of a millisecond pulsed glow discharge, made perpendicular to the insertion probe, provide temporal profiles of 1s5 (3P2) and 1s3 (3P0) metastable argon atom populations. Acquisition of these profiles at different spatial positions in the plasma provides data from which two-dimensional spatial plots of relative populations are constructed. Each map, the result of 368 individual pulse profiles, provides insight into the production of metastable argon atoms as a function of time and position within the plasma. During power application, intensities plateau after 3 ms as the plasma reaches a steady state condition. Metastable argon atoms are most abundant 1–2 mm above the cathode surface during this time. Excitation mechanisms such as electron excitation and fast atom/ion impact appear to dominate in this temporal regime. In contrast, argon ion–electron recombination dominates metastable formation after pulse termination. The relative population maximum for metastable argon atoms in the afterpeak shifts to 5–9 mm above the cathode surface. This shift should impact signals for analyte species generated by Penning processes in the plasma. Absorption and fluorescence measurements of the 3P2 (11.55 eV) and the 3P0 (11.72 eV) metastable argon atom states indicate possible differences in the populations of these two states between the plateau and afterpeak time regimes.
Possible specific chromosome changes in large bowel cancer.

Abstract Structural and numerical changes affecting chromosomes #7 and #12 were the most frequent karyotypic changes observed in 10 large bowel cancers. The finding are briefly discussed in relation to the development of this malignancy.
Multiphoton imaging of excised normal skin and keloid scar: preliminary investigations

Wound healing is a physiologic process that acts to repair disruptions in the continuity of tissue caused by injury or surgical incision. Keloids and hypertrophic scars are forms of aberrant wound healing, which are characterized by the overproduction of collagen, resulting in an excessive amount of scar tissue. Keloid tumors, by definition, grow outside the boundary of the original tissue damage. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is an imaging technique which allows imaging of living specimens, without the use of fixation or stains. Images of collagen fibers are produced by the second harmonic signal intensity generated by endogenous fluorescence through excitation by infrared laser light. A postauricular keloid tumor was excised from a patient. The tissue was dissected, and a portion was imaged using MPM. Normal skin tissue was isolated from a patient undergoing a facelift. A portion of this tissue was also dissected and imaged using MPM. MPM images were taken using a 63X water immersion objective lens on a two-photon microscope and a titanium-sapphire laser. Images were taken beginning at the surface of the tissue and moving in at intervals of 200 nm to a final depth of 30 μm. The two-photon images were used to reconstruct three-dimensional representations of the collagen matrix within the tissues, which are readily contrasted. Density of the collagen within each tissue was also ascertained using depth dependant decay of the image intensity. Multiphoton imaging was successfully used to image the collagen matrix of normal skin and a keloid scar, demonstrating differences in their microstructures.
Characterization of the Escherichia coli K12 gltS glutamate permease gene.

The gltS gene is known to encode a sodium-dependent, glutamate-specific permease. We have localized the Escherichia coli K12 gltS gene with respect to the spoT gene, sequenced it, and recombined a null insertion-deletion allele into the chromosome without loss of viability. The gltS null allele gives a Glt- phenotype, i.e. it abolishes the ability of a gltCc host to grow on glutamate as sole carbon and nitrogen source and also confers alpha-methylglutamate resistance. A multicopy plasmid expressing the gltS gene can reverse the Glt- phenotype of gltS- or wild-type strains while other plasmids show host-dependent complementation patterns. Induction of gltS gene overexpression under control of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG)-inducible promoters severely inhibits growth. The GltS protein is deduced to be a 42425 dalton hydrophobic protein with 2 sets of 5 possible integral protein domains, each flanking a central hydrophilic, flexible region.
Reverse cyclic fatigue of a hot isostatically pressed silicon nitride at 1370 °C

The uniaxial, reverse cyclic fatigue performance of a commercially available hot isostatically pressed silicon nitride was examined at 1370 °C in air and with a 1 Hz sinusoidal waveform using button-head tensile specimens. Specimens did not fail in less than 106 cycles when the applied stress amplitude was less than 280 MPa. Slow crack growth occurred at stress amplitudes ⩾ 280 MPa and failure always occurred during the tensile stroke of the waveform. Multi-grain junction cavities resulted (i.e., the accumulation of net tensile creep strain) as a consequence of the reverse cyclic loading even though the specimens endured half their life under tensile stresses and the other half under compressive stresses. The presence of multi-grain junction cavities was a consequence of the stress exponent of tensile creep strain being greater than the stress exponent of compressive creep strain. Lastly, it was observed that the static creep resistance of this material improved when it was first subjected to reverse cyclic loading at 1370°C for at least 106 cycles at 1 Hz. Silicon nitride grain coarsening (which was a consequence of the completion of the α to β silicon nitride solution/reprecipitation process that occurred during the history of the reverse cyclic loading) lessened the capacity for grain boundary sliding resulting in an improved static creep resistance.
Extended validity of results for variance components models

Models used for investigation of variance components in analysis of variance are moderately restrictive for point estimation and quite restrictive, assuming normality, when tests and confidence regions are developed. However, the same results as occur for these models can be obtained for generalizations that are much less restrictive. In particular, results based on normality for the random variables of the model, and on their independence, remain valid for situations where each observation can have a different nonnormal distribution and dependence between each two observations can be different. The level of generalization for a model depends on what is being investigated and decreases as the number of variance components being investigated increases. Considered are the N-way classification models of various kinds and some specific examples. Similar extensions can be made for virtually all types of variance components models. The verification consists in showing that the statistics involved have the same joint distribution for the extended model as they do for the original model. Some ways of investigating outliers of nested designs, which also apply to the generalizations, are discussed.
ALGORITHMIC ENTROPY OF SETS

Abstract In a previous paper a theory of program size formally identical to information theory was developed. The entropy of an individual finite object was defined to be the size in bits of the smallest program for calculating it. It was shown that this is −log 2 of the probability that the object is obtained by means of a program whose successive bits are chosen by flipping an unbiased coin. Here a theory of the entropy of recursively enumerable sets of objects is proposed which includes the previous theory as the special case of sets having a single element. The primary concept in the generalized theory is the probability that a computing machine enumerates a given set when its program is manufactured by coin flipping. The entropy of a set is defined to be −log 2 of this probability.
High-pressure and stark hole-burning studies of chlorosome antennas from Chlorobium tepidum.

Abstract Results from high-pressure and Stark hole-burning experiments on isolated chlorosomes from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum are presented, as well as Stark hole-burning data for bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c ) monomers in a poly(vinyl butyral) copolymer film. Large linear pressure shift rates of −0.44 and −0.54cm −1 /MPa were observed for the chlorosome BChl c Q y -band at 100K and the lowest Q y -exciton level at 12K, respectively. It is argued that approximately half of the latter shift rate is due to electron exchange coupling between BChl c molecules. The similarity between the above shift rates and those observed for the B875 and B850 BChl a rings of the light-harvesting complexes of purple bacteria is emphasized. For BChl c monomer, ƒΔ μ =0.35 D, where Δ μ is the dipole moment change for the Q y transition and ƒ is the local field correction factor. The data establish that Δ μ is dominated by the matrix-induced contribution. The change in polarizability (Δ α ) for the Q y transition of the BChl c monomer is estimated at 19A 3 , which is essentially identical to that of the Chl a monomer. Interestingly, no Stark effects were observed for the lowest exciton level of the chlorosomes (maximum Stark field of 10 5 V/cm). Possible explanations for this are given, and these include consideration of structural models for the chlorosome BChl c aggregates.
A discrete Lyapunov system as an efficient associative memory

A discrete Lyapunov system that functions essentially like the Hopfield model (i.e. with feedback and thresholding) is developed. When expanded into a binomial series, the energy function for the discrete Lyapunov system is shown to be approximately equal to the energy function of the Hopfield model and also of models that utilize higher order discriminant functions. The discrete Lyapunov system is used to develop its continuous counterpart by utilizing a differential equation very similar to the one used for the Hopfield continuous model of neurons with graded response. >
Resistance training is accompanied by increases in hip strength and changes in lower extremity biomechanics during running.

Abstract Background Movement and muscle activity of the hip have been shown to affect movement of the lower extremity, and been related to injury. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased hip strength affects lower extremity mechanics during running. Methods Within subject, repeated measures design. Fifteen healthy women volunteered. Hip abduction and external rotation strength were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Three-dimensional biomechanical data of the lower extremity were collected during running using a high-speed motion capture system. Measurements were made before, at the mid-point, and after a 6-week strengthening program using closed-chain hip rotation exercises. Joint range of motion (rearfoot eversion, knee abduction, hip adduction, and internal rotation), eversion velocity, eversion angle at heel strike, and peak joint moments (rearfoot inversion, knee abduction, hip abduction, and external rotation) were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (P ⩽ 0.05). The independent variable was time (pre-, week 3, and week 6). A separate analysis of variance was conducted with the dependent variables of peak hip abduction and external rotation strength. Findings Hip abduction (P = 0.009) and external rotation strength (P Interpretation The hip abductors and external rotators were strengthened, leading to an alteration of lower extremity joint loading which may reduce injury risk. These exercises could be used in the rehabilitation, or prevention, of lower extremity injuries.
A Study of the Relative Neuromuscular Efficiency of the Dominant and Non-Dominant Eye in Binocular Vision

(1935). A Study of the Relative Neuromuscular Efficiency of the Dominant and Non-Dominant Eye in Binocular Vision. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 156-181.
Neonatal feeding performance as a predictor of neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months

This study aimed to determine whether neonatal feeding performance can predict the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants at 18 months of age. We measured the expression and sucking pressures of 65 infants (32 males and 33 females, mean gestational age 37.8 weeks [SD 0.5]; range 35.1 to 42.7 weeks and mean birthweight 2722g [SD 92]) with feeding problems and assessed their neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months of age. Their diagnoses varied from mild asphyxia and transient tachypnea to Chiari malformation. A neurological examination was performed at 40 to 42 weeks postmenstrual age by means of an Amiel-Tison examination. Feeding performance at 1 and 2 weeks after initiation of oral feeding was divided into four classes: class 1, no suction and weak expression; class 2, arrhythmic alternation of expression/suction and weak pressures; class 3, rhythmic alternation, but weak pressures; and class 4, rhythmic alternation with normal pressures. Neurodevelopmental outcome was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II and was divided into four categories: severe disability, moderate delay, minor delay, and normal. We examined the brain ultrasound on the day of feeding assessment, and compared the prognostic value of ultrasound and feeding performance. There was a significant correlation between feeding assessment and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months (p < 0.001). Improvements of feeding pattern at the second evaluation resulted in better neurodevelopmental outcome. The sensitivity and specificity of feeding assessment were higher than those of ultrasound assessment. Neonatal feeding performance is, therefore, of prognostic value in detecting future developmental problems.
Allocation of Communications to Reduce Mental Workload

Abstract As the United States Department of Defense continues to increase the number of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations overseas, improved Human Systems Integration becomes increasingly important. Manpower limitations have motivated the investigation of Multiple Aircraft Control (MAC) configurations where a single pilot controls multiple RPAs simultaneously. Previous research has indicated that frequent, unpredictable, and oftentimes overwhelming, volumes of communication events can produce unmanageable levels of system induced workload for MAC pilots. Existing human computer interface design includes both visual information with typed responses, which conflict with numerous other visual tasks the pilot performs, and auditory information that is provided through multiple audio devices with speech response. This paper extends previous discrete event workload models of pilot activities flying multiple aircraft. Specifically, we examine statically reallocating communication modality with the goal to reduce and minimize the overall pilot cognitive workload. The analysis investigates the impact of various communication reallocations on predicted pilot workload, measured by the percent of time workload is over a saturation threshold.
Influence of physical ageing on the yield response of model DGEBA/poly(propylene oxide) epoxy glasses

Abstract Cylindrical specimens were prepared from two diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) amine-terminated poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) networks of different crosslink density and subjected to quenching and isothermal ageing treatments at different temperatures and ageing times of between 0.1 and 1000 h. The changes in the structure of the glasses during the ageing towards equilibrium was subsequently assessed by measurement of the yield stress in uniaxial compression at the same temperature as the ageing. It was found that for both resins, the yield stress increases by as much as 1.8 times over the range of ageing times investigated. It was found for each system that the evolution of the yield stress virtually ceases after a critical ageing time t∗ which increases as temperature decreases. Also, it was observed that the lower yield stress corresponding to the onset of generalized plastic flow exhibits only a very small increase with the ageing time. From the influence of temperature and strain rate on the above phenomena, the kinetics of physical ageing were examined quantitatively in terms of the time-ageing time-temperature equivalence principle. The results suggest that the increase in yield stress on ageing is correlated to volume recovery and to the induced increase of the relaxation times as the polymeric glass evolves towards its equilibrium state.
TechKnowledge: efficiently and cost-effectively supporting users

For more than 20 years, the information technology organization at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) published an on-campus newsletter. Content ranged from cute tidbits to pages of programming code for hard-core COBOL readers.Information & Access Technology Services (IAT Services) identified several requirements for a publication focusing on campus technology developments and increasing awareness of technology opportunities and applications. The publication sought to be timely, cost-effective, personable, educational, recognizable, have varied entry points, and encourage reader feedback to develop future content.The result was IAT Services TechKnowledge, a monthly online-only magazine with more than 8,000 subscribers. Evolving from a paper newsletter with one writer and vision to an organization-wide effort, TechKnowledge focuses on the latest campus technology news, provides customer support, and offers practical applications and tips on training, security and related issues.
Active Control of Chaotic Vibration in a Constrained Flexible Pipe Conveying Fluid

An active vibration control system is designed, and is numerically verified, to suppress the undesirable chaotic vibration in a constrained flexible pipe conveying fluid, which exhibits regions of flutter and chaotic motions at sufficiently high flow velocity. The four-dimensional analytical model obtained from the continuous system by Galerkin's method, that has been previously verified to represent adequately the dynamics, is utilized for designing the control law. Various control design methodologies are investigated for different situations. Firstly, optimal regulator theory is applied to obtain feedback gains to stabilize the system with full state information. The effects of the location and length of the piezoelectric actuators on the efficiency as a vibration damper are theoretically examined in this case. Secondly, a state observer is added to estimate the required state signals. To cover the situation when the states are not directly measurable, dynamic compensators are obtained to control the system with only the output feedback. Finally, a robust controller for such a system with large flow velocity variations, without sensing the flow velocity or gain-scheduling, is developed. The robust control method is based on a newly developed sensitivity-based Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) scheme, which allows the controller to make the closed loop system response meet quantitatively specified performance requirements even though the system has large parameter variations. Numerical simulations are carried out for the different controllers and they validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. The QFT scheme yields a remarkable result in stability robustness with respect to flow velocity variations.
Rainwater Harvesting as a Distributed Resource

Explore the possibilities, difficulties, and benefits of large scale rainwater harvesting using recycled water distribution systems. This paper explores the growing use of recycled water and the possibilities that distribution systems have created. It investigates water quality of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems and the quality of recycled water and their uses. It examines the amount of rain water available using aproximatly 10% of available roof area in the city and examines the benefits of large scale rainwater harvesting unique to San Antonio. An exhaustive search of published materials was conducted, coupled with communications with the Texas Water Development Board and the San Antonio Water System. Quality standards for recycled water were compared with known test results for harvested rainwater. With the use of mathematical models, a distributed rainwater harvesting systems was compared to a stand alone system. Connection to a distribution system reduces the cost of rainwater harvesting by eliminating the need for large amounts of storage, which can account for 50% of the total costs of a standalone system. With minor filtering and periodic quality checks, large structures may supply sufficient amounts of rainwater to justify being a source of water in a recycled water distribution system.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Contribution of Neuropsychological Data to the Prediction of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery Outcome

Summary: Purpose: We empirically examined the contribution of neuropsychological data to the prediction of postoperative seizure control relative to base rate information in an existing series of patients undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Methods: A discriminant function predicting surgery outcome (seizure-free vs. non-seizure-free) was computed separately for samples of patients with left (n = 79) and right (n = 62) temporal lobectomy (LATL, RATL). Predictor variables included 14 measures tapping five neurocognitive domains. The predicted base rates were compared with the actual base rates in the two samples. Finally, overall predictive accuracy was examined in optimal versus suboptimal ATL patients. Results: The base rate of seizure freedom in the LATL group was 74.70%; that in the RATL group was 66.10%. The predictive function for the LATL group achieved a hit rate of 80.00% and a positive predictive power of 92.1 1%. The function for the RATL group achieved a hit rate of 83.33% and a positive predictive power (PPP) of 89.66%. The overall predictive accuracy for the optimal group was only 55%, but that in the suboptimal group was 72%. Conclusions: Neuropsychological data used in a multivariate statistical fashion may be able to offer an incremental increase in the prediction of postoperative seizure freedom relative to existing base rates of surgery success in patients with ATL epilepsy. The use of neuropsychological data may be of greatest predictive value in a population of ATL candidates with suboptimal findings with a lower base rate of postoperative seizure freedom, but may actually reduce predictive accuracy in a group of ATL candidates from an optimal population with an already high base rate of surgical success.
Measurememt of depth distribution of phosphorus in films of phosphosilicate glass by means of 31 p(p,α) 28 Si

Phosphorus concentrations of a few percent are studied as a function of depth in 1 μm thick films of phosphosilicate glass on silicon using the 31p(p,α)28Si reaction. The proton energy is 5.325 MeV. The a particles are detected at 170°. The depth resolution is better than 0.05 μm.
Transfer of small DNA fragments from polyacrylamide gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl-paper and detection by hybridization with DNA probes.

Abstract A method for transferring small DNA fragments from composite polyacrylamide-agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl (DBM)-paper is described. DNA fragments are separated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide-agarose gels crosslinked with N,N′-diallyltartardiamide instead of N,N′-methylenebis-acrylamide. The crosslinks are cleaved by treating the gel with periodic acid after electrophoresis and the DNA is denatured with alkali. After neutralization, the single stranded DNA fragments are transferred to DBM-paper and detected by hybridization with labeled DNA probes. The procedure has been used to transfer and visualize unlabeled SV40 DNA fragments in the size range 28 to 1790 base pairs.