cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARISONS OF GENETIC VARIABILITY AND GENOME STRUCTURE AMONG MOSQUITO STRAINS SELECTED FOR REFRACTORINESS TO A MALARIA PARASITE

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to evaluate Aedes aegypti genome structure and genetic variability within and between substrains selected for different levels of refractoriness to the malaria parasite, Plasmodium gallinaceum. The MOYO-R substrain was previously selected for complete refractoriness and the MOYO-IS substrain for intermediate susceptibility from the MOYO-In-Dry (MOYO) strain by selective inbreeding (F = 0.5). Eighteen mapped RFLP markers were used to provide coverage of the mosquito genome. The two substrains showed reduced genetic diversity compared with the MOYO strain, including significant reductions in mean heterozygosity, number of alleles per locus, and proportion of polymorphic loci. Genetic differentiation between the two sub-strains was statistically significant, as reflected by differences in allele frequencies. Significant pairwise linkage disequilibrium among the RFLP loci was detected in all three strains, most evidently in the MOYO strain. This is surprising because the RFLP loci examined are separated by large map distances, and therefore linkage disequilibrium should decay to zero after many generations of laboratory culture. Our hypothesis to explain this phenomena is that lack of recombination, or low recombination rates in some regions of the A. aegypti genome, is a result of chromosome inversions. Finally, we used graphical genotyping, wherein whole genome genotypic information for individual mosquitoes is represented in a simple graphic format, to illustrate genome structure and allelic variation within and among the mosquito strains. Our analysis revealed an apparent chromosomal deletion on chromosome 3 for some individuals in the MOYO strain and MOYO-IS substrain.
Activation of protein kinase D3 by signaling through Rac and the α subunits of the heterotrimeric G proteins G12 and G13

Abstract PKD is the founding member of a novel protein kinase family that also includes PKD2 and PKD3. PKD has been the focus of most studies up to date, but little is known about the mechanisms that mediate PKD3 activation. Here, we show that addition of aluminum fluoride to COS-7 cells cotransfected with PKD3 and Gα13 or Gα12 induced PKD3 activation, which was associated with a transient plasma membrane translocation of cytosolic PKD3. Treatment with Clostridium difficile toxin B blocked PKD3 activation induced by either bombesin or by aluminum fluoride-stimulated Gα12/13 but did not affect Gαq-induced PKD3 activation. Furthermore, PKD3 immunoprecipitated from cells cotransfected with a constitutively active Rac (RacV12) exhibited a marked increase in PKD3 basal catalytic activity. In contrast, cotransfection with active Rho (RhoQ63L), Cdc42 (Cdc42Q61L), or Ras (RasV12) did not promote PKD3 activation. Expression of either COOH-terminal dominant-negative fragment of Gα13 or dominant negative Rac (Rac N17) attenuated bombesin-induced PKD3 activation. Treatment with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors prevented the increase in PKD3 activity induced by RacV12 and aluminum fluoride-stimulated Gα12/13. The catalytic activation of PKD3 in response to RacV12, α12/13 signaling or bombesin correlated with Ser-731/Ser-735 phosphorylation in the activation loop of this enzyme. Our results indicate that Gα12/13 and Rac are important components in the signal transduction pathways that mediate bombesin receptor-induced PKD3 activation.
Mechanisms of percutaneous absorption of tamoxifen by terpenes: eugenol, D-limonene and menthone.

The effect of chemical penetration enhancers (e.g., eugenol, d-limonene and menthone in combination with 50% ethanol) on the in vitro percutaneous absorption of tamoxifen through porcine epidermis has been investigated. The above enhancers significantly increased (p<0.05) the permeability coefficient of tamoxifen in comparison with the control (50% ethanol). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to investigate the biophysical changes in the stratum corneum (SC) lipids by the enhancer(s). FT-IR results showed that the treatment of the SC with enhancers did not produce a blue shift in the asymmetric and symmetric C-H stretching peak positions. However, all of the above enhancers showed a decrease in peak heights and areas for both asymmetric and symmetric C-H stretching absorbances in comparison with the untreated SC. A decrease in peak heights and areas is a measure of lipid extraction. Partitioning of tamoxifen to powdered SC from control and enhancer solutions was also determined. FT-IR and partitioning studies reveal that the enhancement in the permeability coefficient of tamoxifen by eugenol and d-limonene is due to lipid extraction and improvement in the partitioning of the drug to the SC. However, menthone enhanced the permeability of tamoxifen by increasing extraction of the SC lipids and not by improving the partitioning of the drug to the SC.
Bullying: A Guide to Research, Intervention, and Prevention

1. The Context of Bullying: Definition, Prevalence, and Controversies 2. Individual, Family, and Social Factors Associated with Bullying 3. Theories that Help to Understand Bullying 4. Pinning the Tail on the Donkey: Conceptualizing, Identifying, and Responding to Bullying 5. The School: Multiple Levels and Systems 6. Cyber Bullying in a Cyber World 7. Bullying within Friendships 8. Challenges and Obstacles: Intervention and Treatment 9. Intervention and Treatment: Relationships 10. Treatment Intervention, Collaboration, and Consultation Notes References Index
Liquor in the Land of the Lost Cause: Southern White Evangelicals and the Prohibition Movement – By Joe L. Coker

Given the American South's complex past of race, class, religion, gender, and honor, thoroughly stewed in medieval legends and lost‐cause mythology, its story is one best told sober. When all of th...
Folate antagonists from a crude “X-methyl folate” preparation

Abstract A crude folic acid antagonist, previously designated as X-methyl folate was studied. Five components were found to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus faecalis. 9-Methyl folic acid was the major bioactive constituent by weight (5%), but because of its low specific activity, contributed only 1% of the biological activity of the crude reaction product. The most active compound accounted for 40% of the activity and constituted 0.04% of the crude product by weight. Spectroscopic data suggest this to be a novel folic acid analogue.
Environmental Framework of Ground‐Water Contaminationa

Ramifications of contamination are increasingly involved in the majority of ground-water problems. The volume of usable ground water is shrinking in many places because of dispersion of contaminated water. Consideration of ground-water contamination as a multitude of independent problems, separately solvable as each problem arises, is outmoded; wise policies, relating water supply to contamination potential, are needed to alleviate and to forestall problems. Methodology of managing contamination problems calls for appropriate classification of the hydrogeologic environment; these classifications include aspects of interdependent factors such as permeability, sorption, hydraulic gradient, position of water table relative to some base, and distance from source of contamination. Effective evaluations relate the dynamics of the hydrogeologic environment to contingencies involving contamination, as man changes his water-development and waste-disposal practices. Ways of contamination and pertinent parts of the physical environment include: waste-disposal practices (at or near land surface and in deep formations), artificial recharge (at land surface and in aquifers), accidents, and salt-water contamination of aquifers (shallow depth from salty surface water and at variable depths from subjacent salty aquifers). Evaluation of waste-disposal problems calls for appreciation of two opposing tendencies–the tendency of wastes to move with ground water and the tendency to be attenuated near disposal sites by decay or inherent decrease in potency, by chemical and physical sorption, and by dilution through dispersion of ground water. Mixed wastes of differing attenuation habits represent special complex problems.
Hybrid switching diffusions: Continuity and differentiability

This work focuses on hybrid switching diffusion systems. After presenting the basic models, a difficult and fundamental problem, namely, well posedness is addressed. In particular, continuous and smooth dependence on initial data is treated. The main ideas are presented, whereas the verbatim proofs can be found in [35].
Hydrogen in Crystalline Silicon under Compression and Tension

The behavior of hydrogen in crystalline silicon (c-Si) containing regions of compressive or tensile stress is important for understanding the solute’s interaction with dislocations, grain boundaries, and crack tips. A series of first-principles total-energy calculations probing the stable site for hydrogen as a function of its charge state, the Fermi level position, and the crystalline lattice constant has been performed. We find that the stable site for hydrogen depends critically on both pressure and on the hydrogen charge state. Furthermore, hydrogen is predicted to undergo a transition from an interstitial site to the bond-center site as a function of pressure.
Changes in Hypothalamic FSH-RF and Pituitary FSH During the Estrous Cycle of Rats

Hypothalamic FSH-RF content and pituitary FSH concentration were measured in female rats during the estrous cycle. Vaginal smears were take from adult female Holtzman rats daily and only those that showed at least 2 consecutive 4-day cycles were used. The rats were killed by guillotine at 9:00 or 11:00 AM on the days of proestrus, estrus and diestrus, or at 4:30 PM on the day of proestrus. Hypothalamic FSH-RF (assay method of Mittler and Meites) content was high during the morning of diestrus and proestrus, and low on the afternoon of proestrus and morning of estrus. A significant decline in hypothalamic FSH-RF content was observed between 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM on the day of proestrus. Similar changes were observed in pituitary FSH concentration. Ovariectomy early in the morning of proestrus at least partially prevented the PM decline in hypothalamic FSH-RF content. These results suggest that FSH as well as LH are involved in the process of ovulation, and that the CNS may have a common regulatory mechanism...
Towards efficient human machine speech communication: The speech graffiti project

This research investigates the design and performance of the Speech Graffiti interface for spoken interaction with simple machines. Speech Graffiti is a standardized interface designed to address issues inherent in the current state-of-the-art in spoken dialog systems such as high word-error rates and the difficulty of developing natural language systems. This article describes the general characteristics of Speech Graffiti, provides examples of its use, and describes other aspects of the system such as the development toolkit. We also present results from a user study comparing Speech Graffiti with a natural language dialog system. These results show that users rated Speech Graffiti significantly better in several assessment categories. Participants completed approximately the same number of tasks with both systems, and although Speech Graffiti users often took more turns to complete tasks than natural language interface users, they completed tasks in slightly less time.
Tissue-specific Enhancer-Promoter Interactions Regulate High Level Constitutive Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 by Glomerular Mesangial Cells

The 72-kDa gelatinase A (MMP-2) is a central mediator of the response of the intrinsic glomerular mesangial cell to inflammatory stimuli and is regulated in a unique, cell-specific manner. We isolated a 6-kilobase pair genomic fragment of the rat MMP-2 gene and sequenced and characterized 1686-base pair of the 5′-flanking region. Using a series of 5′ deletion constructs of the proximal 5′-flanking region, a strong MMP-2 enhancer element was identified. Gel shift and mutational analyses suggest that the enhancer region represents the binding site for a complex transcription factor demonstrating separable DNA-binding and transcriptional activating domains. The presence and activity of the enhancer element was evaluated in several cell types with varying capabilities to synthesize MMP-2 including mesangial cells, glomerular epithelial cells, and the monocytic U937 cell. Although binding activity was present in all cell types studied, enhancer activity was demonstrated only in mesangial and glomerular epithelial cells. Additional transcriptional control resided in a tissue-specific promoter, which supported transcription only in mesangial cells. These results indicate that the final control of mesangial cell-specific synthesis of MMP-2 derives from an interaction between the strong enhancer element and the tissue-specific MMP-2 promoter.
Microstructure and deformation in a dynamically compacted copper powder

Abstract Dynamic (shock wave) compaction of a spherical copper powder having a narrow size distribution yields a distinctive directional microstructure. Powder particles are smooth and convex on the upstream side of the shock propagation direction and sharply peaked on the downstream side. This structure results from differences in material speeds which occur because of release at free surfaces adjacent to voids. The filling of voids thus occurs faster than the deformation of surrounding particles. The structure becomes less apparent as the powder size distribution broadens. An oxide film is observed between powder particles following densification. The possible effects caused by this film are briefly discussed.
Kinetic Model for Positive Tone Resist Dissolution and Roughening

The dissolution of exposed regions of polymeric resists in aqueous base to form a pattern is a complex reactive process. It has recently been proposed that a critical level of ionization is require...
The Use of Multiple Imputation for Missing Data in Uniform DIF Analysis: Power and Type I Error Rates

Methods of uniform differential item functioning (DIF) detection have been extensively studied in the complete data case. However, less work has been done examining the performance of these methods when missing item responses are present. Research that has been done in this regard appears to indicate that treating missing item responses as incorrect can lead to inflated Type I error rates (false detection of DIF). The current study builds on this prior research by investigating the utility of multiple imputation methods for missing item responses, in conjunction with standard DIF detection techniques. Results of the study support the use of multiple imputation for dealing with missing item responses. The article concludes with a discussion of these results for multiple imputation in conjunction with other research findings supporting its use in the context of item parameter estimation with missing data.
Application of headspace analysis for the determination of volatile organic compounds in contaminated soils

Abstract It has been shown that headspace analysis is more reliable than the purge‐and‐trap method for the quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil samples. The major shortcoming of the headspace analysis in the case of soil samples is the inability of water to fully extract the soil contaminants. Experiments were conducted to fully understand the limitations and applicability of headspace analysis for the quantification of VOCs in field contaminated soils. A set of experiments were conducted using soil samples amended with (i) trichloroethylene, (ii) toluene, and (iii) trichloroethylene and toluene. A second set of experiments were conducted using field soil samples contaminated with toluene. The batch equilibrium experiments showed that the limitation of the headspace analysis for soil samples lies in the incomplete desorption of the contaminants in soil/water mixtures. However, the addition of methanol appears to overcome this problem. The toluene Henry's law constant increased with ...
Morphological localization of PNS myelin proteins.

Summary The localization of PNS myelin proteins was studied using two methods: (1) lactoperoxidase catalysed iodination of intraperiod band material, (2) solubilization of basic proteins with ammonium acetate — Triton X-100 solutions. When myelin was swollen in the presence of lactoperoxidase and subsequently submitted to lactoperoxidase catalysed iodination the P0 and what appeared to be the X protein labeled with125I. In specimens which were disrupted in 50% ethyl alcohol, the basic proteins P1 and P2 were also iodinated. When the lactoperoxidase was omitted, there was no labeling of proteins. Ammonium acetate — Triton X-100 solutions solubilized basic proteins from both whole nerve and purified myelin preparations. Electron microscopic changes which accompanied this modification included swelling and splitting of the main period band. These data indicate that the P0 and X proteins are available for iodination in the intraperiod band of swollen PNS myelin and that basic proteins are localized in the main period band.
High-performance operating system controlled online memory compression

Online memory compression is a technology that increases the amount of memory available to applications by dynamically compressing and decompressing their working datasets on demand. It has proven extremely useful in embedded systems with tight physical RAM constraints. The technology can be used to increase functionality, reduce size, and reduce cost, without modifying applications or hardware. This article presents a new software-based online memory compression algorithm for embedded systems. In comparison with the best algorithms used in online memory compression, our new algorithm has a competitive compression ratio but is twice as fast. In addition, we describe several practical problems encountered in developing an online memory compression infrastructure and present solutions. We present a method of adaptively managing the uncompressed and compressed memory regions during application execution. This memory management scheme adapts to the predicted memory requirements of applications. It permits efficient compression for a wide range of applications. We have evaluated our techniques on a portable embedded device and have found that the memory available to applications can be increased by 2.5× with negligible performance and power consumption penalties, and with no changes to hardware or applications. Our techniques allow existing applications to execute with less physical memory. They also allow applications with larger working datasets to execute on unchanged embedded system hardware, thereby increasing functionality.
Th size and shape of bacteria by light scattering measurements.

Abstract Experimental measurements show that the Rayleigh-Gans approximation for calculating the intensity of scattered light at angles up to 30° applies surprisingly well to particles as large as bacteria. Theoretically, this is because the index of refraction of the organism is nearly that of the medium, and also because the phase shifts of light scattered by different parts of a single bacterium, which are neglected in the Rayleigh-Gans treatment, largely compensate for one another when averaged over the population of different sizes and orientations. Experimental measurements were made with a simple apparatus based on an unenclosed, disjunct Zeiss PMQ II spectrophotometer. With this instrument, measurements only 1° from the primary beam could be made. Two sizes ranges of growing bacteria were studied. The light scattering measurements indicated a volume factor of about 4-fold between the two types of cultures whereas particle counter measurements indicated a factor of 7-fold. Test indicates that this discrepancy is neither due to a failure of the Rayleigh-Gans approximation nor to heterogeneity in index of refraction of the particles, but to the effect of cell walls. It is proposed that low angle light scattering can be useful in estimating the average volume of the bacterial cells in populations.
The dupli-functional articulator

Abstract 1. An instrument which serves as both a maxillomandibular function recorder and a three-dimensional tripod type of articulator has been described. 2. A technique for making permanent three-dimensional registrations of mandibular movements in cold-curing acrylic resin has been described. 3. A hydraulic type of bearing device has been suggested for obtaining the registrations of mandibular movement. 4. Some of the laboratory procedures related to the use of the three-dimensional articulator have been discussed. 5. An adjustable inclined plane incisal guidance is used to accommodate for posterior teeth with cusps and the vertical overlap of anterior teeth.
Spatial segmentation of multi/hyperspectral imagery by fusion of spectral-gradient-textural attributes

We propose an unsupervised algorithm that utilizes information derived from spectral, gradient, and textural attributes for spatially segmenting multi/hyperspectral remotely sensed imagery. Our methodology commences by determining the magnitude of spectral intensity variations across the input scene, using a multiband gradient detection scheme optimized for handling remotely sensed image data. The resultant gradient map is employed in a dynamic region growth process that is initiated in pixel locations with small gradient magnitudes and is concluded at sites with large gradient magnitudes, yielding a map comprised of an initial set of regions. This region map is combined with several co-occurrence matrix-derived textural descriptors along with intensity and gradient features in a multivariate analysis-based region merging procedure that fuses the regions with similar characteristics to yield the final segmentation output. Our approach was tested on several multi/hyperspectral datasets, and the results show a favorable performance in comparison with state-of-the-art techniques.
The decay scheme of 87Kr

Abstract Standard methods of gamma- and beta-ray spectroscopy were used to investigate the decay scheme of 87Kr. Natural krypton gas was irradiated in the VP1 reactor to produce 87Kr. A new decay scheme is proposed with energy levels at 0.40, 0.85, 1.57, 1.75, 2.42, 2.97 and 3.30 MeV. The β-ray disintegration energy of 3.85±0.04 MeV from 87Kr to 87Rb was obtained. Angular correlation measurements between 2.57 and 0.40 MeV γ-rays indicated a possible spin-parity assignment of the 2.97 MeV level to be 9 2 + . The ground state spin and parity of 87Kr was in- ferred to be 7 2 + or 5 2 + on the basis of log ft values.
Seed treatments to lengthen the sugar-beet growing period

SUMMARY Although washing, thiram soaking, advancing and combinations of these treatments increased the rate of emergence of sugar-beet seed, some combinations, particularly those involving ethyl mercuric phosphate steeps and advancing, interacted negatively and greatly reduced total seedling emergence and shoot weight without affecting the rate of emergence. This may have happened because each treatment is, to some extent, fulfilling the function of other treatments and if together the treatments go too far, mercury enters the embryo and damages it. Therefore, proposed seed treatments need careful testing in combination with other existing treatments.
A large-scale expandable I/O port interface for the TRS-80 microcomputer

Described is a large-scale expandable input/output port interface for the Tandy Corporation TRS-80 microcomputer.
Effect of Resuscitation with 21% Oxygen and 100% Oxygen on NMDA Receptor Binding Characteristics Following Asphyxia in Newborn Piglets

The present study investigated the effect of reventilation with 21% and 100% oxygen following asphyxia in newborn piglets on NMDA receptor binding characteristics, Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and lipid peroxidation. After achieving a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute, asphyxiated piglets were reventilated with 21% oxygen or 100% oxygen. 3[H]MK-801 binding showed the Bmax in the 21% and 100% groups to be 1.53 ± 0.43 and 1.42 ± 0.35 pmol/mg protein (p = ns). Values for Kd were 4.56 ± 1.29 and 4.17 ± 1.05 nM (p = ns). Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the 21% and 100% groups were 23.5 ± 0.9 and 24.4 ± 3.9 μmol Pi/mg protein/h (p = ns). Conjugated dienes (0.05 ± 0.02 vs. 0.07 ± 0.03 μmol/g brain) and fluorescent compounds (0.54 ± 0.05 vs. 0.78 ± 0.19 μg quinine sulfate/g brain), were similar in both groups (p = ns). Though lipid peroxidation products trended higher in the 100% group, these data show that NMDA receptor binding and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were similar following reventilation with 21% or 100% oxygen after a single episode of mild asphyxia.
John Siferwas and the Mythological Illustrations in the Liber cosmographiae of John de Foxton

Among the books given to the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, by Archbishop Whitgift (d. 1603/4) during his tenure as master of the college is the Liber cosmographiae (MS R. 15.21), a beautifully illustrated compendium of popular science in 104 chapters.' This unique inanuscript was compiled by John de Foxton, a Yorkshire cleric, and came into the possession of the Trinitarian house of St. Robert, near Knaresborough, where it remained until the dissolution. A scribe presumably the librarian of that house added a subscription and anathema:
Distortion characteristic of transient signals through bend discontinuity of high-speed integrated curcuits

The transmission of RF pulse through bend discontinuity in high speed integrated circuits is analyzed. The discontinuity bend is characterized by scattering parameters using the contour integral method. The modified planar model is applied as opposed to the conventional lumped element model. Transient response of the bend to RF pulse shows the quite different distortion of pulses propagating through the different kinds of bend and the optimum cut bend will provide the least distortion.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impact of signal transmission delays on power system damping control using heuristic dynamic programming

In this paper, the impact of signal transmission delays on static VAR compensator (SVC) based power system damping control using reinforcement learning is investigated. The SVC is used to damp low-frequency oscillation between interconnected power systems under fault conditions, where measured signals from remote areas are first collected and then transmitted to the controller as the inputs. Inevitable signal transmission delays are introduced into such design that will degrade the dynamic performance of SVC and in the worst case, cause system instability. The adopted reinforcement learning algorithm, called goal representation heuristic dynamic programming (GrHDP), is employed to design the SVC controller. Impact of signal transmission delays on the adopted controller is investigated with fully transient model based time-domain simulation in Matlab/Simulink environment. The simulation results on a four-machine two-area benchmark system with SVC demonstrate the effectiveness of the adopted algorithm on damping control and the impact of signal transmission delays.
Hamiltonian group actions and integrable systems

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show how some ideas from the theory of Hamiltonian systems with symmetry can be applied to dynamical systems like the nonperiodic Toda Lattice of Moser to yield striking information about their trajectories. Our presentation of these ideas is as self-contained as possible. We try to keep abstract machinery in its proper place, and emphasize the concrete computations which are implicit in some parts of modern symplectic geometry. Most of the results we shall derive are known in one form or another. The only novelties, perhaps, are some proofs and examples.
Ribonucleic guanidine demonstrates an unexpected marked preference for complementary DNA rather than RNA.

Abstract Replacement of the phosphodiester linkages of DNA and RNA by guanidinium linkages provides DNG and RNG. We report here the order of stability of mixed duplexes (RNG-U 5 ·DNA-A 5 ≫ RNA-U 5 ·RNA-A 5 > RNG-U 5 ·RNA-A 5 > RNA-U 5 ·DNA-A 5 > DNA-T 5 ·DNA-A 5 ). The considerable stability of RNG·DNA compared to RNG·RNA is shown to be due to the rigid backbone of RNG existing only in B-form and therefore lowering its affinity for A-RNA. RNG oligomers are putative antigene agents which are specific for DNA and would have minimal competitive binding to ncRNA.
THE SINLESSNESS OF JESUS

This article meets some of the recent attacks of the Moslem Ahmadia press, and shows that scholarship is on the side of orthodox Islam and historic Christianity in its affirmation of the sinlessness of Jesus, according to all the records of the Gospel.—Editor.
Waste-reducing preparation of PE-g-MAH and PE-g-DBM via solid phase grafting reaction and their application as compatibilizers

Kinetics for grafting two reactive monomers (dibutyl maleate (DBM) and maleic anhydride (MAH)) on polyethylene (PE) was investigated for the modified PE (PE-g-MAH and PE-g-DBM) using solid phase grafting process. This process avoided solvent waste produced in solution process and high operation temperature in melt process. In the presence of the radical initiator, coupling reactions, between the PE and product, and macromolecular radicals, routinely form gels and/or increase molecular weight, resulting in a worse rheological behavior for the grafting products. By adding small amount of interface agents, using combined initiators and optimizing reactor design, graft copolymers with controlled grafting degrees and good rheological properties were prepared. The grafting degrees of copolymers were determined by chemical analysis. FTIR, DSC, and pure water contact angle characterized the chemical structure, the thermal property, and the hydrophilic property of the grafting copolymers, respectively. The peel strength of the graft copolymer as powder coating on the stainless steel surface was measured as high as 12–24 kgf/cm. Mechanical strength and toughness of PE/kaolin clay, PVC/CPE, and PVC/CPE/CaCO3 alloys with small amount of the graft copolymer (∼5 wt %) added were improved significantly. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3781–3790, 2006
The simple fly larval visual system can process complex images

Animals that have simple eyes are thought to only detect crude visual detail such as light level. However, predatory insect larvae using a small number of visual inputs seem to distinguish complex image targets. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster larvae, which have 12 photoreceptor cells per hemisphere, are attracted to distinct motions of other, tethered larvae and that this recognition requires the visual system but not the olfactory system. In addition, attraction to tethered larvae still occurs across a clear plastic barrier, does not occur significantly in the dark and attraction occurs to a computer screen movie of larval motion. By altering the artificial attractant movie, we conclude that visual recognition involves both spatial and temporal components. Our results demonstrate that a simple but experimentally tractable visual system can distinguish complex images and that processing in the relatively large central brain may compensate for the simple input.
Measuring Thaw Depth Beneath Peat-Lined Arctic Streams Using Ground-Penetrating Radar

In arctic streams, depth of thaw beneath the stream channel is likely a significant parameter controlling hyporheic zone hydrology and biogeochemical cycling. As part of an interdisciplinary study of this system, we conducted a field investigation to test the effectiveness of imaging substream permafrost using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). We investigated three sites characterized by low-energy water flow, organic material lining the streambeds, and water depths ranging from 0·2 to 2 m. We acquired data using a 200 MHz pulsed radar system with the antennas mounted in the bottom of a small rubber boat that was pulled across the stream while triggering the radar at a constant rate. We achieved excellent results at all three sites, with a clear continuous image of the permafrost boundary both peripheral to and beneath the stream. Our results demonstrate that GPR can be an effective tool for measuring substream thaw depth. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An engineering curriculum for the future

It is suggested that an entirely new approach to engineering education is required. First, the introductory courses (calculus, physics, and chemistry), known as 'gatekeeper' courses because they turn students off, need to be avoided. Second, engineering should be taught up front in the freshman year, and the professional course that should be taught first is design. The design courses should take minimum use of calculus of physics; when such material is needed, it should be offered on a just-in-time basis. >
Penile plethysmography useful in diagnosis of vasculogenic impotence

Abstract Pulse-volume recordings were obtained in 40 normal subjects and 62 patients withhistory of impotence. In office practice, this study proved to be valuable for estimating penile perfusion. Penile plethysmography is a unique and adaptable screening method for penile blood flow. It measures the contributions of all vessels at the root of the penis. Pulse-volume recordings also were found to correlate with the severity of pelvic angiographic patterns of occlusive disease. Further investigation is necessary to determine the precision with which the method can detect penile blood flow in patients with early vascular compromise.
Implementing a Successful Affective Curriculum.

Theory into Practice is a regular department presenting practical teaching suggestions in the areas of reading, mathematics, written language, content areas, and organizational and social skills that can be used in a classroom or clinical setting. What practical ideas or suggestions do you find useful in your teaching or clinical situations? We encourage you to submit ideas and suggestions to one of the column co-editors: Dr. Peggy L. Anderson, Theory into Practice Co-Editor, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Education, PO Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217, or Dr. Mary E. Cronin, Theory into Practice Co-Editor, Department of Special Education and Habilitative Services, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148.--PLA & MEC
Variances in r-process predictions from uncertain nuclear rates

Rapid neutron capture or 'r-process' nucleosynthesisis a critical process for creating approximately half of heavy elements above iron in the Universe. Simulations of the r- process require theoretical calculations of neutron capture and, β-decay rates for thousands of short-lived nuclei for which no experimental data exists. We explore the impact of uncertainties in theoretical nuclear rates by performing global monte carlo simulations. We show that randomly varying neutron capture and β-decay rates within current theoretical model uncertainties results in large error bars for r-process predictions. We conclude that the reduction of rate uncertainties either by new measurements or by improved nuclear models will allow for more robust r-process predictions.
Spatial observation of Bose-Einstein condensation of 87 Rb in a confining potential

Bose-Einstein condensation of ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ has been observed in a vapor cell time-averaged orbiting potential trap, and the trapped condensates have been studied using in situ absorption and dark-ground imaging methods. Condensates of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms were observed after 26 s of evaporative cooling. The evaporative cooling sequence consisted of a combination of cooling with ramping magnetic-field strengths and radio-frequency-induced cooling. The measured sizes, numbers of atoms, and transition temperatures of the condensates are consistent with theoretical predictions that include the effects of atomic interactions.
Gravity and Magnetic Investigations in the Guiana Basin, Western Equatorial Atlantic

A free-air gravity map of the Guiana Basin between 15° N. and 6° S. in the western equatorial Atlantic, using all available shipboard and pendulum data, is presented. The gravity field is interpreted in terms of short wave-length components directly related to topographic features and a long wave-length regional field which is independent of surface or basement relief. The regional field is negative throughout the survey area, varying from −15 to −40 mgal. The magnetic anomalies over the large equatorial fracture zones indicate that the fracture zone trough is an area of zero or greatly reduced magnetization within a zone in which the magnetization is induced rather than remanent. Only about half of the gravity anomaly over the fracture zone can be assigned to topographic relief implying the presence of excess mass under the fracture zones. The gravity and magnetic evidence together suggest that large fracture zones serve as the site of intrusion of ultrabasic rocks from depth. The deformation of the lithosphere due to the sediment load of the Amazon cone and the resulting gravity anomalies were computed for various flexural rigidities, using two-dimensional elastic beam theory. The value giving the best fit to the observed gravity anomalies in both wave length and amplitude is 2 × 1023 Newton meters (nt m) (2 × 1030 dyne cm). This implies an effective lithospheric thickness of 30 km. It is suggested that the lithosphere behaves somewhat as a Kelvin (viscoelastic solid) material in its response to imposed long-term loads, approaching a minimum apparent flexural rigidity of 2 × 1030 dyne cm asymptotically in a period of a few million years.
Observations on Induced Dental Caries in Rats II. The Effect of Subcutaneous Injection of Fluoride

Epidemiological evidence (1), (2), (3), and experimental studies in rats (4), (5), (6), have shown that the process or processes involved in the production of dental caries can be altered by the presence of fluorine in the drinking water or in the food. It has been suggested that the fluoride ion acts either as an anti-enzymatic agent or produces a more resistant tooth substance; whether this action is local, systemic, or both, is not known. Dean, Jay, Arnold, McClure and Elvove (2) have pointed out that the epidemiological evidence cannot be adequately explained on the presence or absence of dental fluorosis; however, at Bauxite, Arkansas, mottled teeth resisted dental caries attack even though the population had been using a fluoride-free drinking water for the past twelve years (7). Cheyne has interpreted his results (8) to show that the action of fluorine on dental caries in rats was not dependent on the presence of saliva. McClure (9) has shown that the caries resistance of rats is correlated with the amount of fluorine in the diet; also the fluorine content of the molar teeth of these rats changes in direct proportion to the amount of fluorine in the diet. None of this evidence permits conclusions to be made as to whether the action of fluorine on dental caries is local, systemic, or associated with the tooth structure. The present experiment was planned to eliminate the local action of the fluorine so far as it is related to the presence of this element in the food or drinking water. To this end, the fluorine was administered by subcutaneous injections of NaF, and the dental caries experience of the injected rats was compared with that of a control group and a group receiving 10 ppm. F in drinking water.
Thickness deformation of constrained layer damping : An experimental and theoretical evaluation

This paper presents a study of thickness deformation of the viscoelastic material in constrained layer damping (CLD) treatments. The first goal of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility of using direct measurement to investigate thickness deformation in CLD treatments. The experimental setup consisted of a constrained layer beam cantilevered to a shaker, an accelerometer mounted at the cantilevered end, and two laser vibrometers that simultaneously measured the responses of the base beam and the constraining layer, respectively, at the free end. A spectrum analyzer calculated frequency response functions (FRFs) between the accelerometer inputs and the vibrometer outputs. Measured FRFs of the base beam and the constraining layer were compared to detect thickness deformation. Experimental results showed that direct measurements can detect thickness deformation as low as 0.5 percent. The second goal is to evaluate the accuracy of a mathematical model developed by Miles and Reinhall [7] that accounts for thickness deformation. FRFs were calculated by using the method of distributed transfer functions by Yang and Tan [13]. Comparison of the numerical results with the experimental measurements indicated that consideration of thickness deformation can improve the accuracy of existing constrained layer damping models when the viscoelastic layer is thick.
Short-Time Thermal Effects on Thermomechanical Response Caused By Pulsed Lasers

An ultrafast thermoelasticity model is proposed to analyze the heat transport and thermomechanical phenomena in metal films heated by femtosecond laser pulses. It covers 1) the dual-hyperbolic two-step heating process in thermal transport, 2) the hot-electron blast effect in momentum transfer, 3) the coupling effect between lattice temperature and strain rate, 4) the thermal stress relaxation effect, and 5) the volumetric absorption of laser beam energy. The coupled transient thermoelasticity equations are solved with a nonconventional finite difference scheme. Numerical analysis is performed for gold films under the conditions of uniaxial strain and uniaxial stress, respectively. The effects of the heat-flux relaxations in electrons and the lattice, thermal stress relaxation, hot-electron blast force, and thermal-mechanical coupling are investigated.
Structure of phage protein BC1872 from Bacillus cereus, a singleton with new fold

Phagelike and prophage elements appear in many sequenced bacterial genomes and may associate with functionally important characteristics such as serotype conversion, pathogenesis, and phage immunity.1 Some prophage genes may have a profound effect on the host and alter properties such as virulence of nonpathogenic hosts and increase virulence of pathogenic hosts.2 VSH-1 is an example of a phagelike element in Brachyspira spirochetes, which is a recognized mechanism for gene transfer between B. hyodysenteriae cells.3 Phages of this type are found to enter long-term relationships with their hosts by integrating their genome into the host chromosome and exist as autonomous linear prophages within the host genome. The genome of Bacillus cereus strain ATCC 14579/DSM 31 codes for a probacteriophage phBC6A51. The prophage region spans 61,395 base pairs and contains 75 ORFs, many of which are described as hypothetical proteins. It appears that the prophage provides some evolutionary advantage to the B. cereus; therefore, studies of its proteins are important. Because the protein structure can provide useful function information, determination of structures of these proteins are of high priority.4 We have determined the crystal structure of BC1872, a prophage phBC6A51 protein from B. cereus, by using the single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) method. The protein forms a β/α/β three-layer sandwich structure and represents a new protein fold. The functional unit of BC1872 appears to be homo-dimer, and this structure provides new information about possible functionality of the protein.
Radium-224 in natural waters measured by γ-ray spectrometry

Abstract A method based on Ge(Li) γ-ray spectrometry is applied to the determination of 224Ra (t 1 2 = 3.64 days) in natural waters. The 224Ra is first removed from several hundred liters of water by preconcentration onto manganese dioxide-impregnated acrylic fibers. The fibers are leached, radium is coprecipitated with barium sulfate, and the γ-ray activity is counted so that activity ratios among 224Ra, 225Ra and 226Ra can be calculated. Concentrations are determined by using the 226Ra concentration determined on a small separate sample. Results from samples collected from ground water, estuarine, and continental shelf environments are presented.
Online supplement: Nonparasitic warlords and geographic distance

This is an online supplement for Jerry Hinois. “Nonparasitic warlords and geographic distance.” Economics of Peace and Security Journal. Vol. 10, No. 1 (2015). doi:10.15355/epsj.10.1.5
Harmonic imaging for endocardial visualization and myocardial contrast echocardiography during transesophageal echocardiography.

Abstract Background Although harmonic imaging (HI) improves endocardial visualization and is necessary for myocardial perfusion imaging, it has yet to be implemented in transesophageal echocardiography. Our goal was to determine whether HI implemented in a prototype transesophageal echocardiography probe improved endocardial visualization and allowed perfusion imaging. Methods In 23 patients, fundamental and harmonic images were obtained in the transgastric short-axis (TSAX) and midesophageal 4-chamber views, and reviewed for endocardial visualization by 3 readers blinded to imaging mode. In 14 additional patients, perfusion imaging was performed in the TSAX view during contrast infusion. Results HI improved overall endocardial visualization, most noticeably in the anterior and lateral segments ( P P Conclusion Use of HI with transesophageal echocardiography improves endorcardial visualization and allows partial assessment of myocardial perfusion.
Review of Guillaume Plantin and Jean‐Charles Rochet, When Insurers Go Bust: An Economic Analysis of the Role and Design of Prudential Regulation

Abstract When Insurers Go Bust applies agency theory and the theories of adverse selection and moral hazard as the motivation for prudential regulation of insurance. The resulting scheme has strong flavors of verifiability, simplicity, consistency, and transparency. In consequence, ruin theory does not have an operational role. Theory is applied in familiar ways that are at best convenient shorthand for correct ideas and at worst acceptably suggestive. As in other sources, there is inappropriate emphasis on the general theory of excessive risk‐taking, which tends to deflect attention from the specific nature of insurance firms, but the theoretical excess is adequately counterbalanced by thoughtful case studies. This book is useful for the insurance scholar and feasible as a segment of an advanced undergraduate course.
Melanocytic hyperplasia of the oral mucosa.

Abstract Lesions that exhibit melanocytic hyperplasia are uncommon in the oral mucosa. They are even more rare than the various morphologic types of nevomelanocytic lesions. This article reports the clinicopathologic features of oral lesions diagnosed as lentigo simplex, junctional lentigo (“jentigo”), atypical melanocytic hyperplasia (melanoma in situ), and melanoacanthoma. The proper terminology for these lesions is also discussed.
Growth of Si on insulators using electron beams

Abstract The use of electron beams for melting and recrystallizing polycrystalline silicon layers in silicon-on-insulator structures is described. The formation of single crystal Si films with low angle grain boundaries or of large parallel grains has been achieved, similar to results for other beam and radiant heat source techniques. However, the electron beam approach has been much less thoroughly investigated than other heating sources. The advantages and disadvantages of electron beams, relative to other heat sources, are discussed, as well as the current state of application.