cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anomalous Spindles in Impatiens pallida

1. During microsporogenesis there is a differentiation of the cytoplasm into a densely granular central region and an outer vacuolate zone which persists until the completion of the homoeotypic divisions.2. The heterotypic nucleus and the homoeotypic nuclei are located toward the periphery of the cell and are almost completely imbedded in the dense cytoplasm.3. Most of the spindle fibers are cytoplasmic in origin and are formed from the less dense outer cytoplasm.4. The spindles of both divisions are curved about the periphery of the cell and the chromosomes are irregularly distributed over the spindle. There is no equatorial-plate stage.5. The chromosomes disjoin independently in both reduction divisions.6. Both divisions usually result in a normal distribution of chromosomes.7. The possible significance of these irregularities is discussed.The author wishes to acknowledge his sincere appreciation to Dr. C. E. Allen who suggested a cytological study of this genus, and to Dr. W. R. Taylor for his suggestions and criticisms during the preparation of the manuscript.
Discovery of a highly selective and efficient reagent for formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in peptides

We have discovered that trans-[Pt(en)2Cl2]2+ (en = ethylenediamine) is a highly selective and efficient reagent for the quantitative formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in peptides. A series of 14 dithiol peptides which form disulfide-containing rings ranging in size from 14 to 53 atoms were used to characterize the reagent. The dithiol peptides are cleanly and rapidly converted to their disulfide forms by a slight excess of the platinum complex under mild reaction conditions (slightly acidic and neutral media). For all the dithiol peptides studied, including a penicillamine-derived peptide, the oxidation yields range from 97% to 100%. No side reactions were observed, including no oxidation of the methionine side chain. The reaction kinetics for oxidation of reduced pressinoic acid were found to be second order overall: rate = k‘[Pt(IV)][dithiol peptide], where k‘ is a pH-dependent second-order rate constant. Values of 0.60 ± 0.01, 3.5 ± 0.2, and 22 ± 1 M-1 s-1 were determined for k‘ at pH 3.0, 4...
The performance of crisis and its calibration

Abstract We describe the calibration of CRISIS, a charge sensitive drift chamber which makes possible the identification of charged particles with momentum between 5 and 100 GeV/ c . Results indicate an optimum resolution of (7.1 ± 0.2)% fwhm, which is an improvement over the predicted value of 7.8%. We characterize the efficiency for particle identification by the ratio b = (separation between π and p)/( σ π + σ p . We achieve a value of (0.94 ± 0.02), which compares favorably with the theoretical value of 0.87 at 200 GeV. In addition to particle identification, the data from this detector will augment the other components of the Fermilab hybrid spectrometer to reconstruct particle trajectories in real space.
A Direct Synaptic Connection Mediating Both Excitation and Inhibition

Neurons have generally been thought to produce only one synaptic action on any particular cell which they innervate. An identified interneuron in the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia mediates both direct excitation and inhibition to an identified follower cell. At low firing rates the interneuron produces excitatory postsynaptic potentials; however at higher firing rates these gradually diminish in size and eventually invert to inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence indicates that the connection between these cells is monosynaptic, and that a single transmitter, acetylcholine, mediates both actions. These opposite synaptic responses appear to result from the transmitter's acting on two types of postsynaptic receptors having different thresholds for activation and different susceptibilities for desensitization.
Towards Truly Multiscale Simulation of Fatigue Processes in Metallic Structures

The fatigue resistance of metallic structures is inherently random due to environmental and boundary conditions, and microstructural geometry, including discontinuities, and material properties. A new methodology for fatigue life prediction is under development to account for these sources of randomness. One essential aspect of the methodology is the ability to perform truly multiscale simulations: simulations that directly link the boundary conditions on the structural length scale to the damage mechanisms of the microstructural length scale. This presentation compares and contrasts two multiscale methods suitable for fatigue life prediction. The first is a brute force method employing the widely-used multipoint constraint technique which couples a finite element model of the microstructure within the finite element model of the structural component. The second is a more subtle, modified multi-grid method which alternates analyses between the two finite element models while representing the evolving microstructural damage. Examples and comparisons are made for several geometries and preliminary validation is achieved with comparison to experimental tests conducted by the Northrop Grumman Corporation on a wing-panel structural geometry.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Bet2p and Mad2p are components of a prenyltransferase that adds geranylgeranyl onto Ypt1p and Sec4p

Three different prenyltransferases have been identified in yeast and higher cells, the farnesyltransferase and the type I and type II geranylgeranyltransferases (GGTase). The farnesyltransferase and GGTase-I modify peptides in vitro with the CAAX (C, Cys; A, aliphatic residue; X, terminal amino acid) consensus motif. These enzymes are heterodimers that have different beta-subunits and a shared alpha-subunit. In yeast, the RAM2 gene encodes this alpha-subunit. RAM2 is also homologous to MAD2, a yeast gene whose product has been implicated in the feedback control of mitosis. We have shown that Bet2p is a component of the yeast GGTase-II (refs 6, 12) that geranylgeranylates Ypt1p, a small GTP-binding protein that mediates transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex. Here we report that Mad2p is a component of this enzyme. Bet2p forms a complex with Mad2p that appears to bind geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but not farnesyl pyrophosphate. The efficient transfer of geranylgeranyl onto small GTP-binding proteins requires the presence of an additional activity.
Clinical Parameters and Outcomes in Periorbital Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Purpose To describe the clinical features associated with periorbital necrotizing fasciitis and to correlate these features with clinical outcomes. Methods The case logs of 3 surgeons were used to identify cases of necrotizing fasciitis. Chart reviews were performed to characterize clinical metrics, and statistical analyses were performed. Results Seventeen patients (9 males, 8 females; mean age = 48.1 years, standard deviation = 22.6 years) were identified with periorbital necrotizing fasciitis. Of these patients, 52.9% did not have immunodeficiencies, and 52.9% did not have antecedent trauma or infected facial lesions. One patient died from necrotizing fasciitis. A history of immunosuppression correlated with the requirement for exenteration, but did not correlate visual acuity of worse than 20/40 upon discharge from the hospital. Most of the patients (68.75%) were discharged with visual acuity of better than 20/40 in the affected eye. Conclusions This study represents the largest case series of patients with periorbital necrotizing fasciitis. Most of the patients in this series did not have immunodeficiencies, and the majority were discharged with favorable visual acuities. Nonetheless, a history of immunosuppression correlated with the need for exenteration, but was not statistically linked with worse visual outcomes.
Experimental evaluation of CMUTs with vented cavities under varying pressure

We propose venting the cavities of CMUTs for environments with extreme pressure variations. The CMUT have zero differential pressure across the plate at any ambient pressure, thus ensuring a stable operating point and preventing mechanical failure. The venting vias are etched through the substrate. We observe two resonances from the vented CMUTs - the mechanical resonance of the plate and an acoustic Helmholtz resonance associated with the cavity and the venting vias. We fabricated a variety of CMUTs varying the plate radius, thickness, gap height and via arrangement to study these two resonances. A pair of CMUTs was characterized in a pitch-catch setup under varying ambient pressure. The CMUTs were successfully able to transmit and receive ultrasound under an ambient pressure of up to 20 bar. As the pressure increases, the plate resonance dominated mode becomes weaker while the Helmholtz resonance dominated mode becomes stronger. The Helmholtz resonance dominated mode maintains its frequency and bandwidth under varying ambient pressure.
Dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the assessment of Pc 4-sensitized photodynamic therapy of a U87-derived glioma model in the athymic nude rat

Introduction: Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) may provide a means of tracking the outcome of Pc 4-sensitized photodynamic therapy (PDT) in deeply placed lesions (e.g., brain tumors). We previously determined that 150 μL of gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) produces optimal enhancement of U87-derived intracerebral tumors in an athymic nude rat glioma model. We wish to determine how consistently DCE-MRI enhancement will detect an increase in Gd-enhancement of these tumors following Pc 4-PDT. Methods: We injected 2.5 x 105 U87 cells into the brains of 6 athymic nude rats. After 7-8 days pre-Pc 4 PDT peri-tumor DCE-MRI images were acquired on a 7.0T microMRI scanner before and after administration of 150 μL Gd. DCE-MRI scans were repeated on Days 11, 12, and 13 following Pc 4-PDT (Day 8 or 9). Results: Useful DCE-MRI data were obtained for these animals before and after Pc 4- PDT. In the pre-Pc 4-PDT DCE-MRI scans an average normalized peak Gd enhancement was observed in tumor tissue that was 1.297 times greater than baseline (0.035 Standard Error [SE]). The average normalized peak Gd enhancement in the tumor tissue in the scan following PDT (Day 11) was 1.537 times greater than baseline (0.036 SE), a statistically significant increase in enhancement (p = 0.00584) over the pre-PDT level. Discussion: A 150 μL Gd dose appears to provide an unambiguous increase in signal indicating Pc 4-PDT-induced necrosis of the U87-derived tumor. Our DCEMRI protocol may allow the development of a clinically robust, unambiguous, non-invasive technique for the assessment of PDT outcome.
Axillary skin flaps (dog ears)

Summary The best way to treat axillary folds after breast surgery is prevention. Proper preoperative planning and incision marking helps the surgeon better determine the best incision to prevent this problem. Often the ellipse needs to be extended further laterally so that the closure does not result in noticeable dog ears. At the time of operation one must extend the resection of fat and subcutaneous tissue latterly beyond the incisions so that the skin closes without a fold. During surgical intervention, if one finds that there are dog ears present as the wound is being sutured, it is wise to try to correct this during the procedure. This can be accomplished by extending the length of the elliptical incision and by removing more fat and subcutaneous tissue by direct resection or suction lipoplasty. Although axillary folds may not seem like a significant medical problem, they can be a great concern to the patient. A surgeon who pays attention to the details to prevent and/or correct this problem will have a much happier patient after this procedure.
Studies on defects and morphology of β-AgI crystals grown by gel method

Abstract A study of defects in single crystals of β-AgI of different morphology has been made. Pyramids of β-AgI were found to be practically free of foreign inclusions, but platelets growing in the same systems contain them in large numbers. Silicon is their main constituent, presumably as in the form of silica gel.
Reparations for the Herero Genocide: Defining the Limits of International Litigation

The Herero were the first ethnic group to be subjected to genocide in the twentieth century. In 2001, the Herero became the first ethnic group to seek reparations for colonial policies that fit the definition of genocide. The Herero are the latest plaintiff to use the procedures of the Alien Torts Claim Act of 1789 to seek reparations in a US federal court for war crimes committed overseas. This article analyzes the legal arguments by Hereros against Germany within the context of current understandings of international law and identifies the challenges that lie ahead for this claim. The article also explores the implications of the Herero claim for other ethnic groups victimized by colonization. IN SEPTEMBER 2001, THE CHIEF HOSEA KUTAKO FOUNDATION instituted a legal claim against three German companies for $2 billion in reparations resulting from the genocide against Hereros in 1904-07. A separate claim was filed a couple of weeks later against the German government for another $2 billion for its role in exterminating over 65,000 Herero during the colonization of German South West Africa (now the independent Republic of Namibia). This article reviews the evolution of these legal claims and analyzes how this litigation fits within the framework of international law. The German slaughter of Herero and Nama is generally recognized as the first genocide of the twentieth century. Following an uprising of Herero against German settlers, the German Schutztruppe chased the Herero into the Omaheke Desert, forcing thousands of women and children to die of thirst while others were shot on sight. Many of those who escaped death were sent to concentration camps, or coerced into working on German commercial farms, where many died from inhumane conditions.1 Allan D. Cooper is a professor of political science at Otterbein College, Ohio (E-mail: acooper@otterbein.edu). 1. See J. Silvester and J. Gewald, Words Cannot be FoundGerman colonial rule in Namibia: An annotated reprint of the 1918 Blue Book (Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, 2003); J. Gewald, Herero Heroes: A socio-olitical history of the Herero of Namibia 1890-1923 (James Currey, Oxford, 1999); H. Bley, South-West Africa under German Rule 1894-1914 (Heinemann, London, 1971); J. M. Bridgman, The Revolt of the Hereros (University of California Press, Berkeley, 1981); H. Drechsler, Let us Die Fighting:
Dynamic deformation of metals under high hydrostatic pressure

A method for investigating the static and dynamic deformation of materials subjected to hydrostatic confining pressures is described. Results of tests on high-purity (99.995 percent) copper in compression are given. These tests cover a range of hydrostatic pressures from one to 6,985 bars (100,000 psi) and strain rates from 0.001 to 10,000 sec−1. The results show a definite strain-rate effect which is dependent on pressure.
Quasi-metallic reflection spectra of TCNQ single crystals

Abstract The optical constants of TCNQ single crystals in the range from 15 kK to 40 kK are obtained by polarized near normal incidence specular reflection for the (010), (001) and {110} faces. The absorption are obtained through Kramers-Kronig transforms. The direct absorption spectrum for (010) is also reported. The assignment of the parent molecular transition is a π* ← π singlet which is long axis polarized. The metal-like reflection spectra arise from very strong coupling and they are calculated by Drude-Lorentz theory and the theory of molecular polaritons. The Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation is also applied. The system is found to be exemplary for the study of very strong coupling.
A Service Perspective on the Marketization of Undergraduate Education

Higher education in the United States is rapidly moving toward a marketized model of service provision, one emphasizing marketing practices based upon relevance and student satisfaction. The results of the study reported herein suggest that such strategies may not ensure equal balance between service quality and the quality of education as a service. Specifically, a study is presented suggesting that grades (an indicant of learning) are neither endogenous (positively related to) nor exogenous (antecedent to) a typical service quality/customer satisfaction model vis-a-vis Introduction to Marketing courses. If student service quality perceptions, satisfaction judgments, and engagement practices are indeed unrelated to grades at the classroom level, then a question exists as to how well a focus on student satisfaction (and relevance) actually engender student involvement in the value co-creation process in education delivery. The following study suggests diligence in balancing the quality of the educational ...
The decay power law in grid-generated turbulence

The effect of initial conditions on the decay exponent and coefficient and virtual origin in the decay power-law form for the variation of the variance of the turbulent velocity downstream of biplane grids constructed of rods of both round and square cross-section is determined. This effect is determined for data obtained as part of the present study as well as from previous studies. These studies cover a Reynolds number range from 6000 to 68000, mesh sizes of 2.54 and 5.08 cm, and solidities of 0.34 and 0.44.It is shown that the choice of the virtual origin and the use of data in the non-homogeneous portion of the flow can have a significant influence on the value of the parameters in the decay power-law. Criteria are developed to identify the nearly homogeneous and isotropic portion of the flow. These criteria include low values of the velocity skewness, constancy of the skewness of the velocity derivative and balance of the turbulent kinetic energy equation.Results based on data selected by means of these criteria show that the decay exponent and virtual origin are independent of initial conditions such as Reynolds number, mesh size, solidity, and rod shape and surface roughness with values of respectively 1.30 and 0. In contrast and as expected, the decay coefficient is found to be a function of these initial conditions. Thus, the downstream variation of the variance of the turbulent velocity is universally self-similar.
Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)(3+), a tris(heteroleptic) metallointercalator.

A tris(heteroleptic) phenanthrenequinone diimine (phi) complex of Ir(III), Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)3+, was synthesized through the stepwise introduction of three different bidentate ligands, and the Λ- and Δ-enantiomers were resolved and characterized by CD spectroscopy. Like other phi complexes, this tris(heteroleptic) iridium complex binds avidly to DNA by intercalation. Electrochemical studies show that Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)3+ undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction at E0 = −0.025 V in 0.1 M TBAH/DMF (versus Ag/AgCl), and spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that this reduction is centered on the phi ligand. The EPR spectrum of electrochemically generated Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)2+ is consistent with a phi-based radical. The electrochemistry of Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)3+ was also probed at a DNA-modified electrode, where a DNA binding affinity of K = 1.1 × 106 M-1 was measured. In contrast to Ir(bpy)(phen)(phi)3+ free in solution, the complex bound to DNA undergoes a concerted two-electron reduction, to form a dir...
Hypoxia alters iron-regulatory protein-1 binding capacity and modulates cellular iron homeostasis in human hepatoma and erythroleukemia cells

Ferritin and transferrin receptor expression is post-transcriptionally regulated by a conserved mRNA sequence termed the iron-responsive element (IRE), to which a transacting protein called the iron-regulatory protein (IRP) is bound. Our data demonstrate that hypoxia powerfully enhances IRE/IRP-1 binding in human cell lines. Using the human hepatoma cell line Hep3B as a model, we found that 16 h in a 1% oxygen atmosphere markedly increases IRE/IRP-1 binding as assessed by electromobility shift assay. Hypoxia also decreased cytosolic aconitase activity. The hypoxia-enhanced IRE/IRP-1 binding stabilized the transferrin receptor message, increased the cellular mRNA content by over 10-fold, and doubled surface receptor expression. Simultaneously, hypoxia suppressed ferritin message translation. Hypoxia's effect was most strikingly depicted by the absence of ferritin synthesis in cells challenged with inorganic iron. Our results contrast with previously reported data (Hanson, E. S., and Leibold, E. A. (1998) J. Biol. Chem.273, 7588–7593) in which a 3% oxygen atmosphere reduced IRE/IRP-1 binding in rat hepatoma cells. We discuss some possible reasons for the differences. In aggregate with other investigations involving responses to hypoxia, iron, or nitric oxide, our data indicate that cellular iron metabolic responses are complex and that IRE/IRP-1 interactions vary between cell lines and perhaps between species.
Monitoring elasticity and orientation in syndiotactic polypropylene

The effect of temperature on the elasticity and structure of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) is investigated using a combination of WAXD and rheo-optical FTIR spectroscopy. sPP has a rich crystal structure, which leads to unique mechanical behavior. Beyond yield point, it exhibits elastic response associated with deformation-induced structure–structure transformation. The structure and orientation were measured both during and after uniaxial tensile stretching of films (up to 200%) as a function of temperature (25–70 8C). Our WAXD and rheo-FTIR results suggest that as the temperature increases, there is a reduction in the extent of helical to trans-planar conformational change upon stretching. When the strain is released, there is partial transformation of trans-planar conformation back to helical. The presence and orientation of the trans-planar conformation plays a key role on the elastic behavior of sPP beyond the yield point. Rheo-optical FTIR dichroism studies provide further insights into the elasticity in syndiotactic polypropylene. Different proportions of helical and trans-planar conformations orient to different extents. The helical conformation does not orient appreciably at higher temperature though they are present beyond the yield point. In contrast, the trans-planar chains show a significant increase in dichroism beyond the yield point, suggesting that there is a difference in mobility (orientation) of the helical and trans-planar chains. This further supports the importance of trans-planar chains on the elastic behavior. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Comparison of Breast, Cow, and Soy Feedings in the Prevention of Onset of Allergic Disease: A 15-Year Prospective Study

It has been reported that the feeding of cow's milk may enhance the development of atopy in predisposed infants. A prospective study following children from birth through 15 years of age in a private pediatric practice was designed to determine if the food ingested during the first months of life is related to the development of atopy in the offspring of allergic families. Each of 328 children with a positive family history of allergy was assigned to one of three groups according to the feeding preference of the parents: 48 were fed breast milk; 79 soy-based formula; and 201, cow's milk formula. All groups had egg, citrus, tomato, and wheat restrictions as well as inhalant allergen avoidance. These were compared to a control group of 580 children with no family history of allergy. Breast fed infants were found to have approximately one-half the incidence of atopy of cow's milk or soy formula fed infants from atopic families when followed for up to 15 years. Soy feeding produced no advantage over cow's milk in the prophylaxis of allergic disease. There was a three-fold increase in clinically apparent atopic disease in offspring of allergic families when compared to controls but only a two-fold increase if the infant was breast fed. These results support the hypothesis that breast feeding and delay of exposure to known allergens may reduce the frequency of clinical allergic disease in the offspring of allergic families.
Transitional, derivative content: A necessary and facilitative group dynamic?

Abstract This article describes transitional, derivative content. Two examples, both illustrating the concept's implications for group work, are presented and analyzed.
LOCALIZATION OF CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN HOUSEFLY THORACES: INHIBITION OF CHOLINESTERASE WITH ORGANOPHOSPHATE COMPOUNDS1

Cholinesterase (ChE) activity was localized by a histochemical method in thoraces of non-treated, and tepp- and dicrotophos-(Bidrin®)- treated houseflies. The findings indicate a good correlation between intoxication symptoms (knock-down) and inhibition of ChE activity in the cell body region rather than the neuropile or synaptic region of the compound ganglion. Results of histochemical studies agree well with quantitative pH-stat assays which show wide differences in levels of inhibition of total ChE activity in tepp- and dicrotophos-treated flies at knock-down. In contrast to 2 ChE's in mammalian brain, histochemical evidence is presented to support the conclusion of previous workers that a single ChE in houseflies hydrolyzes both acetylcholine and butyrylcholine. Zusammenfassung LOKALISIERUNG DER CHOLINESTERASE-AKTIVITAT IM THORAX VON STUBENFLIEGEN: HEMMUNG DER CHOLINESTERASE MIT ORGANOPHOSPHAT-VERBINDUNGEN Die Cholinesterase (ChE)- Aktivitat im Thorax von unbehandelten und mit Tepp-(Tetraathylpyrophosphat) und Dicrotophos- (α Isomer von Dimethylphosphateester mit (E)-3-hydroxy-N, N- dimethylcrotoamide) (Bidrin) behandelten Stubenfliegen wurde mit einer his-tochemischen Methode lokalisiert. Die Ergebnisse deuten eine gute Korrelation zwischen Vergiftungserscheinungen (knock-down) und Hemmungen der ChE-Aktivitat in der Region der Zellkorper an, aber nicht im Nerven bundel oder in der synaptischen Region des zusammengesetzten Ganglions. Resultate dieser histochemischen Versuche stimmen ziemlich gut uberein mit den quantitativen pH-stat-Proben. Diese Proben zeigten cinen weiten Unterschied in den Hemmungsgraden der totalen ChE-Aktivitat von Tepp-und Dicrotophos-behandelten Fliegen wahrend der Vergiftung. In Bestatigung der Schlusfolgerung fruherer Bearbeiter beweist die histochemische Untersuchung, das im Gegensatz zu zwei Cholinesterasen im Saugetiergehirn in der Stubenfliege eine einzige Cholinesterase Acetylcholin und Butyrylcholin hydrolisiert.
Method to Facilitate High-Dimensional Design Space Exploration Using Computationally Expensive Analyses

The emergence of adjoint design methods has been a breakthrough in the field of aerodynamic shape optimization. The strength of such methods lies in the fact that the adjoint formulation effectively removes the curse of dimensionality by drastically reducing the cost of computing the gradient. However, the curse of dimensionality is still very much alive when it comes to design space exploration, where gradient-free methods cannot be avoided. In attempt to solve this problem, this work presents a method called latent space gradient transformation, which facilitates gradient-free exploration for cases where function evaluations are expensive and dimensionality is high. The method builds upon previous work by applying principal component analysis to gradient information, something that had not been done before. This yields a low-rank transformation that maps a high-dimensional design space onto an equivalent, low-dimensional space in which gradient-free methods become more affordable. Concepts and limitatio...
Determining evapotranspiration by phreatophytes from climatological data

Before the available water resources of a drainage basin in arid and semiarid regions can be satisfactorily ascertained, careful consideration must be given to the consumptive water requirements of phreatophytes (or water-loving vegetation) and other types of natural vegetation and agricultural crops. The moisture requirements of natural vegetation are usually satisfied before water becomes available for irrigation and other purposes. Although evapotranspiration (consumptive use) by phreatophytes has been measured at various times and places during the past 40 years, very little data are available in most sections of the United States. This paper presents data on measured evapotranspiration by phreatophytes and describes a method of determining rates of water consumption in areas where no measurements except climatological data are available. Briefly, the procedure is to correlate existing evapotranspiration data with monthly temperature, monthly percentages of yearly daytime hours, and growing period. The coefficients so developed for different kinds of vegetation are used to transpose the evapotranspiration data for a given area to other areas for which only climatological data are available.
A Dog’s-Eye View of Canine Cognition

In this chapter we attempt to put the dog back at the heart of dog cognition studies. We identify that the majority of dogs are not first-world pets, dependent on their owners for the fulfillment of all essential needs, and acting as their “best friends.” Rather most dogs are scavengers on the periphery of people’s lives. These dogs are more likely to avoid human contact than seek it. The sensitivity of pet dogs to human actions and intentions that has been a major focus of recent research is unlikely to be a special adaptation or case of co-evolution, but rather is the expression of basic processes of conditioning as well as social and biological traits that domesticated and wild canids share. In individuals that have been socialized to humans and rendered completely dependent on them these processes lead to high levels of sensitivity to human actions. The fundamental differences between dog and wolf behavior lie at more basic levels: in the processes of socialization, in foraging, and in reproduction. Small but crucial intertwined changes led to an animal that is (1) more promiscuous than any other canid, (2) can reproduce more rapidly, and (3) is a much less effective hunter but (4) more efficient scavenger than other canids. The indirect consequences of these changes include the fact that we have dogs and not wolves resting at our feet. Though it may be a little less flattering to the human species, we believe this perspective on dogs is at least as fascinating and closer to the historical truth than the story that humans created dogs.
NAFTA as a Means of Raising Rivals' Costs: A Comment

The purpose of this comment is toclarify and extend a recent paper entitled “NAFTA as a Means of Raising Rivals Costs”. The paper indicates that the complexity of complying with the rules of NAFTA may lead to a decrease in competition in the domestic market. The comment shows that thecomplexity of NAFTA is related to the rules of origin which are a part of virtually any free-tradeagreement. Since rules of origin are a necessary part of virtually any trade agreement, the conclusions of the paper are not restricted to NAFTA but can be generalized to a large part of international trade.
Rheological Behavior of Slurries and Consolidated Bodies Containing Mixed Silicon Nitride Networks

Two particle networks, each formulated with a different interparticle potential, were mixed to control the rheological properties of ceramic slurries and to develop claylike plasticity in consolidated bodies. A weakly attractive network, containing silicon nitride powder, alkylated with hexadecanol, was mixed with a second slurry containing flocculated (nonalkylated) silicon nitride powder. The elastic modulus and apparent yield stress of concentrated suspensions containing each constituent and their mixtures were found to increase with volume fraction according to a previously reported power law function (exponents of 4.8 and 3.75, respectively). Because of the large difference in the relative strengths of the two networks, the flocculated network overwhelmingly controlled the behavior of the mixed slurries when its volume fraction (relative to total solids) exceeded 0.30. Slurries were consolidated by pressure filtration, and the saturated bodies were tested in uniaxial compression. Bodies containing only alkylated powder packed to a high volume fraction and deformed at a low flow stress. The addition of small amounts of the flocculated network increased the flow stress to produce a body with rheological properties similar to clay.
Reliability aspects of packaging and integration technology for microfluidic systems

This paper presents the reliability aspects of an integrated microfluidic-system-interface (MSI) technology for complex microfluidic systems. MSI technology provided three primary functional interface components: microfluidic interconnects, integrated microvalves, and optical windows. The microfluidic interconnects were designed to facilitate complex micro-to-macro fluid interfacing between the microsystem and the macro world in a single package. The functionality and reliability of the fluid interconnects were tested using standard capillary tubing. The pneumatic microvalves were integrated directly into the microfluidic interface. The valve leak-rate characteristics and the bonding stability between the integrated microfluidic interface and the microfluidic system were tested against the pneumatic-valve pressure. Use of the optical windows in the interface was demonstrated by enabling an on-chip infrared polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) process. This paper demonstrates the use of MSI technology as a facile and reliable interface/packaging method for a complex microfluidic system.
Break It Down: A Comparison of Macro- and Microtasks

A large, seemingly overwhelming task can sometimes be transformed into a set of smaller, more manageable microtasks that can each be accomplished independently. For example, it may be hard to subjectively rank a large set of photographs, but easy to sort them in spare moments by making many pairwise comparisons. In crowdsourcing systems, microtasking enables unskilled workers with limited commitment to work together to complete tasks they would not be able to do individually. We explore the costs and benefits of decomposing macrotasks into microtasks for three task categories: arithmetic, sorting, and transcription. We find that breaking these tasks into microtasks results in longer overall task completion times, but higher quality outcomes and a better experience that may be more resilient to interruptions. These results suggest that microtasks can help people complete high quality work in interruption-driven environments.
MUTANT AND WILD-TYPE MYOGLOBIN-CO PROTEIN DYNAMICS : VIBRATIONAL ECHO EXPERIMENTS

measurements of the CO vibrational lifetime to yield the homogeneous pure dephasing. The homogeneous pure dephasing is the Fourier transform of the homogeneous line width with the lifetime contribution removed. The measurements were made from 60 to 300 K and show that the CO vibrational spectrum is inhomogeneously broadened at all temperatures studied. The mutant protein’s CO vibrational pure dephasing rate is 20% slower (narrower homogeneous pure dephasing line width) than the wild-type protein at all temperatures, although the only difference between the two proteins is the replacement of the wild-type’s polar distal histidine amino acid by a nonpolar valine. These results provide insights into the mechanisms of the transmission of protein fluctuations to the CO ligand bound at the active site, and they are consistent with previously proposed mechanisms of protein-ligand coupling.
2 × 2 single-mode zero-gap directional-coupler thermo-optic waveguide switch on glass

A 2 × 2 single-mode thermo-optic waveguide switch fabricated on a glass substrate is reported. The device uses a zero-gap directional-coupler configuration with a heater electrode to increase the waveguide index of refraction by the use of the thermo-optic effect. With an interaction length of 6 mm and using 0.63-μm He–Ne laser light, the device experiences a complete switchover of light from a straight-through channel to a crossed channel at an electrical drive power of 0.25 W under a quasi-steady-state condition and 0.67 W under a pulsed condition of 800 μs in pulse width. The device response is independent of light polarization and insensitive to ambient temperature. Transient thermal analysis is carried out with a two-dimensional transient temperature solution derived previously [IEEE Trans. Components Hybrids Manuf. Technol. 13, 980 (1990)]. A thermo-optic equation is established to relate the optical intensity to the temperature rise in the waveguide. The deduced optical responses based on the thermo-optic equation and the calculated thermal response agree extremely well with the measured responses, thus verifying the thermo-optic equation and the thermal-analysis method. We also confirm the fundamental principle of the zero-gap directional coupler and find that the 2 × 2 single-mode switch will be a useful component in future fiber-optic and integrated-optic systems.
Fatty acid and very low density lipoprotein metabolism in obese African American and Caucasian women with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations, but African Americans (AA) have lower plasma TG than Caucasians (CC). We evaluated the hypothesis that obese AA women have lower plasma TG than obese CC women do because of differences in lipid kinetics. Eleven AA and 11 CC obese women with T2DM, matched on body mass index (BMI) (AA = 37 ± 1, CC = 37 ± 1 kg/m2), age, duration of diabetes, percentage body fat, and insulin sensitivity (SI, determined by an intravenous glucose tolerance test), were studied. Plasma TG concentration (AA = 1.14 ± 0.11, CC = 1.88 ± 0.18 mmol/l), FFA rate of appearance (Ra) into plasma (AA = 419 ± 27, CC = 503 ± 31 µmol·min−1), and total VLDL-TG secretion rate (AA = 18 ± 2, CC = 29 ± 4 µmol·min−1) were lower in AA than CC women (all P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma total apolipoprotein (apo)B-100 concentration (AA = 1,542 ± 179, CC = 1,620 ± 118 nmol/l) and VLDL-apoB-100 secretion rate (AA = 1.3 ± 0.1, CC = 1.3 ± 0.1 nmol·min−1) were similar in both groups, so the molar ratio of VLDL-TG secretion rate to VLDL-apoB-100 secretion rate was lower in AA women than in CC women. VLDL-TG concentration was lower in AA women due to lower total VLDL-TG secretion rate. However, the VLDL-apoB-100 secretion rate was the same in both groups, demonstrating that AA women secrete smaller VLDL particles containing less TG than do CC women.
Cultural commonalities and differences in spatial problem-solving: a computational analysis.

A fundamental question in human cognition is how people reason about space. We use a computational model to explore cross-cultural commonalities and differences in spatial cognition. Our model is based upon two hypotheses: (1) the structure-mapping model of analogy can explain the visual comparisons used in spatial reasoning; and (2) qualitative, structural representations are computed by people’s visual systems and used in these comparisons. We apply our model to a visual oddity task, in which individuals are shown an array of two-dimensional images and asked to the pick the one that does not belong. This task was previously used to evaluate understanding of geometric concepts in two disparate populations: North Americans, and the Munduruku, a South American indigenous group. Our model automatically generates representations of each hand-segmented image and compares them to solve the task. The model achieves human-level performance on this task, and problems that are hard for the model are also difficult for people in both cultures. Furthermore, ablation studies on the model suggest explanations for cross-cultural differences in terms of differences in spatial representations.
Estimation of alterations of serum gamma globulin by a turbidimetric technique.

Summary1. When serum with abnormally hiqh gamma globulin concentration 1s diluted with a solution containing a certain small amount of copper or zinc sulfate, a turbid precipitate forms and the opt...
Science Camp as a Transformative Experience for Students, Parents, and Teachers in the Urban Setting

This paper reports on creative partnerships to create learning communities to benefit students, parents, and teachers in the urban setting. Science Camp is a university day camp offering problem-based science exploration for urban middle school students and an introduction to college life. For parents it is an opportunity to learn about college opportunities for their children and to gather information about funding sources. For middle school science teachers and preservice teachers it is a learning laboratory for conducting problem-based learning in the urban setting. The findings describe the effects of the learning communities on the transformation of students, parents, preservice teachers, and in-service teachers.
The Comprehensive Psychological Assessment

Although rating scales and checklists are useful and informative for some clinical situations and settings, there are times when a more comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological assessment is called for. The present chapter outlines the different forms of psychological assessment and how a more comprehensive assessment might lead to improved diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the use of psychological assessment as a therapeutic intervention will also be addressed and explained. Finally, the specifics of how to ask a good referral question that might result in a beneficial assessment will be discussed.
Optimized Autonomous Space In-situ Sensor-Web for Volcano Monitoring

In response to NASA's announced requirement for Earth hazard monitoring sensor-web technology, a multidisciplinary team involving sensor-network experts (Washington State University), space scientists (JPL), and earth scientists (USGS cascade volcano observatory (CVO)), is developing a prototype dynamic and scaleable hazard monitoring sensor-web and applying it to volcano monitoring. The combined optimized autonomous space - in-situ sensor-web (OASIS) will have two-way communication capability between ground and space assets, use both space and ground data for optimal allocation of limited power and bandwidth resources on the ground, and use smart management of competing demands for limited space assets. It will also enable scalability and seamless infusion of future space and in-situ assets into the sensor-web. The prototype will be focused on volcano hazard monitoring at Mount St. Helens, which has been active since October 2004. The system is designed to be flexible and easily configurable for many other applications as well. The primary goals of the project are: 1) integrating complementary space (i.e., Earth observing one (EO-1) satellite) and in-situ (ground-based) elements into an interactive, autonomous sensor-web; 2) advancing sensor-web power and communication resource management technology; and 3) enabling scalability for seamless infusion of future space and in-situ assets into the sensor-web. To meet these goals, we are developing: 1) a test-bed in-situ array with smart sensor nodes capable of making autonomous data acquisition decisions; 2) efficient self-organization algorithm of sensor-web topology to support efficient data communication and command control; 3) smart bandwidth allocation algorithms in which sensor nodes autonomously determine packet priorities based on mission needs and local bandwidth information in real-time; and 4) remote network management and reprogramming tools. The space and in-situ control components of the system will be integrated such that each element is capable of autonomously tasking the other. Sensor-Web data acquisition and dissemination will be accomplished through the use of the open geospatial consortium sensor-web enablement protocols. The three-year project will demonstrate end-to-end system performance with the in-situ test-bed at Mount St. Helens and NASA's EO-1 platform.
The "Algorithms Studio" project: using sketch-based visualization technology to construct and discuss visual representations of algorithms

The "Algorithms Studio" project explores a novel, studio-based approach to teaching an undergraduate course on computer algorithms. Inspired by the design studio commonly used in architecture education, the approach emphasizes conceptual design activities in which students use sketch-based algorithm visualization technology to create their own visual representations of the algorithms under study. They then discuss their representations with their peers and instructor within the context of regularly scheduled critique sessions. A diverse program of planned empirical studies will investigate the value and role of visualization technology in learning algorithms at the cognitive, social, and cultural levels.
Sampling gay men

In most studies of male homosexuals, there are sampling deficiencies that relate to subject age and sample sources. Data gathered in 1969 on 686 male homosexuals show that those who came out early differ on a number of important variables from those who came out later. Samples of young gays are thus likely to be unrepresentative of the total male homosexual population. Also, all extant samples of gay men appear to under‐represent those over 45 years of age. When respondents from a variety of sample sources were compared, it was found that those obtained through advertising in the general media differ considerably from those obtained through gay‐world sources in the degree of their social involvement in the gay world. Respondents acquired through the general media may constitute a broader representation of the homosexual population than those acquired from the social structures of the gay world.
Plasmonics—turning loss into gain

The light-induced electronic excitations that occur at the surface of metals—plasmons—provide the extraordinary ability to confine electromagnetic energy to the subwavelength scale. Such extreme optical confinement can enhance the light-matter interaction and enable miniaturized optical and optoelectronic devices. However, this confinement requires that plasmonic materials possess free carriers, which unavoidably results in light being lost or absorbed in the system ( 1 ). This optical loss has hampered the realization of device designs with ultracompact, on-chip optical components and nanometer-scale resolution imaging. Because of the detrimental effects of plasmonic losses, several avenues are being explored to mitigate the high absorption, such as using gain to compensate for the losses, and synthesizing alternative low-loss plasmonic materials ( 2 ). Rather than continuing to pursue low-loss plasmonics approaches, we draw attention to the benefit of losses by high-lighting recent groundbreaking discoveries that were enabled by intrinsic losses in plasmonic systems.
Comment on Argon I Lines Produced in a Hollow Cathode Source, 332 nm to 5865 nm

Recent observations at the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicate that the Ar I wavenumbers reported by Whaling et al. [J. Res. Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. 107, 149 (2002)] are systematically too large. To investigate the source of this problem, selected lines of Ar I and Ar II were remeasured in the same spectra used by Whaling et al. The measurements show that the Ar I wavenumbers of Whaling et al. are systematically shifted with respect to the Ar II wavenumbers previously reported by Whaling et al. [J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 53, 1 (1995)] based on the same spectra. The Ar I wavenumbers can be corrected by a constant multiplicative correction of 0.999 999 933.
Formation of Self-Complementary Halogen-Bonded Dimers

The X-ray structure of a series of iodo- and bromo-phenylethynylpyridines designed to form self-complementary dimers in the solid state are reported. The perfluoroiodo- and perfluorobromophenylethynyl derivatives, 3-[(2-bromo-3,4,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine, 3-[(2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-6-iodophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine, 2-[(3-bromo-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine, and 2-[(2,4,6-trifluoro-3,5-diiodophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine, formed self-complementary halogen-bonded dimeric units in the solid state. In contrast, 3-[(2-bromo-4,5-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]pyridine formed a C–H···N hydrogen-bonded dimer.