cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wiener Functionals for an Ν-Level Uniformly Distributed Discrete Random Process

Abstract In this paper we develop the Wiener functional for an N-level uniformly distributed discrete random process for use in non-linear system identification. We show that the kernels of the functional may be estimated using cross correlation in a manner equivalent to that developed by Lee and Schetzen for Gaussian processes. The uniformly distributed process provides more power to the systen being studied than does a Gaussian process with the same amplitude ranne and is easy to generate on a dioital computer.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Lessons from model systems

The human neurodegenerative diseases, including motor neuron disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD), are characterized by a selective involvement of certain regions of the brain/spinal cord and selected populations of neurons. Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an age-associated disease with cytoskeletal abnormalities and death of motor neurons; familial ALS (FALS), an autosomal dominant disease linked to mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), is manifested by inclusions and degeneration of motor neurons. Autosomal dominant familial AD (FAD), linked to mutations in presenilin (PS1 and PS2) genes or the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, shows brain abnormalities (e.g., neurofibrillary tangles, deposits of .-amyloid A., and death of subsets of neurons) similar to those that occur in sporadic AD, the risk of which is enhanced by the presence of one or two copies of apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) alleles. To examine the mechanisms of these diseases, investigators have used a variety of animal models, including experimentally produced, spontaneously occurring, or genetically engineered models of disease. Studies of models of degeneration of motor neurons (axotomy) and cytoskeletal abnormalities seen in motor neuron disease (i.e., axonopathy induced by .,.'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), hereditary canine spinal muscular atrophy (HCSMA), and neurofilament NF transgenic Tg mice) have demonstrated that NF-filled swellings of axons are related to alterations in the biology of NF transport. Tg mice with SOD1 mutations, which develop the clinical features of FALS, show selective degeneration of motor neurons, which is attributed to the acquisition of toxic properties by mutant SOD1. Models of AD include: aged monkeys that show both cognitive/memory deficits and cellular abnormalities (amyloid deposition/cytoskeletal abnormalities of neurons) in cortex and hippocampus; and Tg mice that express mutant human FAD-linked genes (i.e., APP and PS1) and show increased levels of A.42, amyloid deposits, dystrophic neurites, and local responses of astrocytes and microglia. This review discusses the behavioral/neuropathological features of AD, the results of investigations of mechanisms of disease in model systems, and potential utility of some of these models for testing new therapies.
Integration rules and time domain integral equation stability

Because the mathematical analysis of time domain integral equations is fraught with difficulty, researchers are often forced to use experimental means to characterize the stability of their approaches. The difficulty inherent in this approach is that the variables affecting the success or failure of an experiment necessarily depend on a computer implementation of potentially hundreds of thousands of lines of instructions hiding unknown assumptions and even errors. In this work, the importance of different integration orders for near and far basis functions is investigated, and demonstrated to have an enormous effect on the stability of the implementation. Methods previously thought unstable for difficult problems are shown reliable with tiny changes over broad choices of parameter values.
Changing Epistemological Beliefs with Nature of Science Implementations

Explicit nature of science instruction can stop the typical decline of student epistemological beliefs within an introductory undergraduate astronomy course.
Dynamics of Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the Nation’s most efficient industries. The cost of living for the average consumer would be considerably higher today without the low cost of food supplied by United States agriculture. This is particularly significant at a time when we hear so much about poverty in the United States and in other countries. Had it not been for the extremely low costs of food, there would be many more poverty stricken families today.Paper published with permission.Compilation Copyright © 2018 ASME
Perinephric Fat Stranding Is Associated with Elevated Creatinine Among Patients with Acutely Obstructing Ureterolithiasis.

Abstract Introduction: Pyelovenous/pyelolymphatic backflow from acute ureteral obstruction, manifesting radiologically as perinephric fat stranding (PFS), may result in elevated serum creatinine. A...
Selection of Angular Quadrature for Anisotropic Transport Computations

A method to test the adequacy of an angular mesh in describing the angular transfer of highly anisotropic elastic scattering (for both neutron or gamma rays) in plane geometry with azimuthal symmet...
The Too Polite Revolution: Why the Recent Campaign to Pass Comprehensive Climate Legislation in the United States Failed

"The Too Polite Revolution" analyzes the recent failed campaign to pass federal climate change legislation during President Obama's first term. Sourced from interviews with more than 75 stakeholders from all sides of the climate debate, among them the heads of the country's largest green groups, the report traces the historic battle in the House and Senate in 2009 and 2010 and examines the decision of the country's largest environmental organizations to pursue an inside-the-Beltway strategy rather than one that mobilized Americans at the grassroots. The report was commissioned by the Rockefeller Family Fund in conjunction with the Columbia Journalism School.
Conditions for reliable grip force and jaw angle estimation of da Vinci surgical tools

This work presents an estimation technique as well as corresponding conditions which are necessary to produce an accurate estimate of grip force and jaw angle on a da Vinci surgical tool using back-end sensors alone. This work utilizes an artificial neural network as the regression estimator on a dataset acquired from custom hardware on the proximal and distal ends. Through a series of experiments, we test the effect of estimation accuracy due to change in operating frequency, using the opposite jaw, and using different tools. A case study is then presented comparing our estimation technique with direct measurements of material response curves on two synthetic tissue surrogates. We establish the following criteria as necessary to produce an accurate estimate: operate within training frequency bounds, use the same side jaw, and use the same tool. Under these criteria, an average root mean square error of 1.04 mN m in grip force and 0.17 degrees in jaw angle is achieved. Additionally, applying these criteria in the case study resulted in direct measurements which fell within the 95% confidence bands of our estimation technique. Our estimation technique, along with important training criteria, is presented herein to further improve the literature pertaining to grip force estimation. We propose the training criteria to begin establishing bounds on the applicability of estimation techniques used for grip force estimation for eventual translation into clinical practice.
Twenty-year survivorship of tree seedlings in wind-created gaps in an upland hardwood forest in the eastern US

Wind is a common canopy disturbance in the upland oak (Quercus)- and hickory (Carya)-dominated stands of the Central Hardwood Region of the eastern US. Canopy openings range from small gaps, resulting from windthrow of single dominant trees, to occasional large gaps of many hectares formed by straight-line winds associated with severe thunderstorms and rare subtropical hurricanes. Vegetation regeneration response in small gaps and larger artificially created (i.e., timber harvested) gaps has been extensively studied, but little has been reported on naturally formed large gaps (> 6 trees) where a partial canopy typically remains from residual overstory and midstory trees. We investigated advance regeneration survivorship on a landscape scale within and around 12 large wind-felled gaps created by Hurricane Opal (October 1995) in a Southern Appalachian watershed. We hypothesized that survivorship would (1) change along a linear distance gradient from the unaffected forest towards gap center (2) vary in relation to categorical gap locations-within-gaps versus in the adjacent unaffected forest and (3) be affected by vegetation and environmental variables. In early 1996 we tagged tree seedlings in quadrats located along linear axes that extended from gap center into the unaffected forest and measured a variety of vegetation and environmental variables. Overall mean survivorship declined from 1997 (0.96) to 2016 (0.56). We found that survivorship was related to linear distance gradients for species rated intermediate in shade tolerance, such as red oaks, but not for shade intolerant, tolerant, and semi-tolerant species (e.g. white oaks). We found that survivorship increased on a linear distance gradient from gap center into the unaffected forest over the first 9 years of our investigation. By year 20 this relationship had reversed: survivorship increased from the unaffected forest to gap centers. Survivorship was also modeled as a function of categorical location of tagged seedlings within-gaps versus in the unaffected forest. Again, we found that survivorship of only intermediate shade tolerant species was related to categorical locations. Survivorship decreased in relation to time and cohort competition and increased with initial seedling height. Our 20-year investigation revealed changes in dynamics of regeneration that would not have been apparent in a short-term study. These results will enable resource managers to assess regeneration development in large gaps following windstorms in oak-dominated hardwood stands.
Early Stage Venture Strategy and the Survival of Nascent Entrepreneurial Firms: A Sand Cone Model Approach

Early stage firms often face conflicting pressures on where and how to prioritize their efforts. In this paper, we aim to shed light on the benefits of different competitive priorities, using a sand cone model of operations strategy specifically applied to the context of early stage new ventures. In particular, we examine the relationship between strategy and the survival of these nascent entrepreneurial firms using data from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II. We find that a competitive priority of serving customer needs is associated with a greater probability of survival in nascent ventures. Innovation and traditional marketing activities were not significantly related to survival. The paper concludes with implications for practitioners and future research.
ENGINEERED STRUGGLE AND “EARNED” SUCCESS: Preparing Black and Latino Students to Attend Elite Boarding Schools

This paper examines how a nonprofit organization prepares low-income Black and Latino/a students to attend elite boarding high schools. Using ethnographic data, I investigate how the program engineers the experience of academic and emotional struggle for students, how students experience these struggles, and what students learn from this process. I find that the program’s academically-induced emotional rollercoaster serves to strengthen students’ confidence in their academic skills and their ability to persist in the face of academic challenges—a valuable emotional asset for the students as they enter elite boarding schools. However, I argue, the feeling students emerge with of having earned their successes (and failures) may ultimately serve to reproduce the individualistic, meritocratic discourses that support the patterns of social inequality the program helps its students sidestep.
A general review of the biomechanics of root anchorage

With few exceptions, terrestrial plants are anchored to substrates by roots that experience bending and twisting forces resulting from gravity- and wind-induced forces. Mechanical failure occurs when these forces exceed the flexural or torsional tolerance limits of stems or roots, or when roots are dislodged from their substrate. The emphasis of this review is on the general principles of anchorage, how the mechanical failure of root anchorage can be averted, and recommendations for future research.
Operational modal analysis using lifted continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer measurements and its application to baseline-free structural damage identification:

A continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system is capable of efficient and spatially dense vibration measurements by sweeping its laser spot along a scan path assigned on a structu...
Incorporating Lessons Learned from Past Missions for InSight Activity Planning and Sequencing

The NASA’s InSight mission will place a lander on Mars in November 2018. During the first 90 days after landing on Mars, InSight will deploy two primary instruments on the surface: a seismometer and a heat probe. InSight will be operated daily at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) during this time with a strict tactical timeline of 10 h. To support this rapid turnaround, significant automation is being developed to decrease human effort and increase operational efficiency. During tactical operations, science planning on InSight will be performed using the JPL APGen planning software, along with a novel Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed specifically for InSight, SPImaster. Every JPL mission invariably develops its own software for surface operations. This results in missions with smaller development budgets, such as the Phoenix lander mission, developing or utilizing operations software which is difficult to work with, resulting in issues during the lifetime of the mission. Fortunately, InSight has taken a more multi-mission approach in the development of the operations software and has been able to create software with all of the necessary features found on larger Flagship missions, at a fraction of the cost. The project has been able to do this by investing in multi-mission software tools and sharing code with other missions, such as the Europa Clipper project. Building off of the lessons learned from the Phoenix lander, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), and Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missions, InSight developed a multi-mission system design, from which both small and large projects can learn. This paper, which derives material from a paper the authors delivered at the SpaceOps 2018 conference (Ridenhour et al. in 2018 SpaceOps Conference, SpaceOps Conferences (AIAA 2018-2552), 2018 [1]), describes the InSight planning software and compares its use to planning software developed for the MSL, MER, and Phoenix missions. All included figures are reproduced here with the permission of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the publishers of the transactions of SpaceOps.
HEPATITIS B VIRUS: A CAUSE OF PERSISTENT VIRUS INFECTION IN MAN

ABSTRACT. Persistent infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) commonly continue for many years with high concentrations of incomplete viral antigen (HBsAg) particles as well as infectious virus circulating in the blood. Factors which are thought to be epidemiologically associated with increased probability that HBV infection will persist include: a genetic predisposition, mild initial disease, infection with low virus dose, very young age, male sex, impaired immunity, offspring of maternal carriers, and “affinity diseases” such as Down's syndrome, lepromatous leprosy and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Direct Observation of Corrosive Wear by In Situ Scanning Probe Microscopy

Tribocorrosion involves mechanical wear in a corrosive environment, damaging the protective oxide layer of passivating alloys and increasing material loss rates. Here, we develop a nanoscale, in situ technique using scanning probe microscopy in an electrochemical cell to explore the phase-by-phase tribocorrosion behavior of a heat-treated duplex stainless-steel alloy with secondary phases. We found that under anodic potentials well within the passive oxide region, sliding mechanical contact initiated pitting corrosion and increased electrochemical cell current localized to regions undergoing pitting. Secondary phases were most vulnerable to pitting corrosion during sliding, particularly secondary austenite which is chromium-depleted relative to the matrix steel phases. Under certain conditions, even sigma phases of high nobility were damaged from pits that originate from chromium nitrides. Initiation sites coincide with nanoscale surface voids created at chromium nitride inclusions under a threshold contact stress. Below the initiation stress, no pitting or corrosive wear was observed on sensitized phases. Material loss ceased to propagate when sliding stresses were removed but accelerated when sliding contact stresses were increased. Wear rates and current in the cell were both linearly correlated with material loss. Electrochemical current data were used to monitor oxide penetration spatially but could not be used to quantify material loss. In situ tribocorrosion using a scan probe tip is a viable platform to resolve mechanisms of failure that originate at the nanoscale on actively passivated metal surfaces.
A QSAT Benchmark Based on Vertex-Folkman Problems (Student Abstract)

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to a particular family of quantified Boolean formulas (QBFs) stemming from encodings of some vertex Folkman problems in extremal graph theory. We argue that this family of formulas is interesting for QSAT research because it is both conceptually simple and parametrized in a way that allows for a fine-grained diversity in the level of difficulty of its instances. Additionally, when coupled with symmetry breaking, the formulas in this family exhibit backbones (unique satisfying assignments) at the top-level existential variables. This benchmark is thus suitable for addressing questions regarding the connection between the existence of backbones and the hardness of QBFs.
Development of nuclear underground engineered test surrogates (NUGETS): preliminary composition study and production method

A method for formulation and production of a new variety of surrogate nuclear explosive melt debris (NEMD), Nuclear UnderGround Engineered Test Surrogates (NUGETS), based on detonation of a notional improvised nuclear device in an underground environment analogous to the Nevada National Security Site is presented. Extensive statistical analyses of precursory geochemical and geophysical characteristics are combined with an augmented surrogate debris cooling technique. Comparison of NUGETS formulation to those of other NEMD surrogates is reported. Application of NUGETS methodology to future studies in urban, underground, post-detonation technical nuclear forensic analysis is suggested.
OptSelect: An algorithm for ensemble feature selection and stability assessment

Recent studies have shown that ensemble feature selection approaches can improve the robustness and stability of final classification models. Existing methods for aggregating feature lists from different methods require use of arbitrary thresholds for selecting the top ranked features and are often based on metrics independent of the classification accuracy while selecting the optimal set. In this paper, we develop the OptSelect tool for ensemble feature selection and stability assessment of individual features for improved biomarker discovery. The software tool is packaged in R for broad dis-semination. OptSelect is a multi agent-based stochastic optimization tool designed for ensemble feature selection. Stage one involves function perturbation, where ranked list of features is generated using multiple feature selection methods. Stage two in-volves data perturbation, where feature selection is performed within randomly selected learning sets of the training da-ta. The agents are assigned to different behavior states and move according to a binary PSO algorithm. A multi-objective fitness function is used to evaluate the classification accuracy of the agents. We evaluate OptSelect system performance using the random probe method testing on five publicly available microarray datasets. The performance is compared with single feature selection techniques and existing aggregation methods. The results show that OptSelect improves classification accuracy when compared to both individual and existing rank aggregation methods. The PSO algorithm is able to uncover important discriminatory features for predicting COVID-19 disease severity, demonstrating its important role within the optSelect tool. The algorithm is incorporated into an R package and disseminated via GitHub: https://github.com/kuppa12/optSe1ect.
Effigy mounds and rock art of midcontinental North America: Shared iconography, shared stories:

The effigy mounds of the Upper Midwest and the Ohio Valley long have been regarded as distinct and independent cultural developments. A review of effigy mound iconography in both regions reveals si...
Behavioral and Attitudinal Correlates of Trusted Sources of COVID-19 Vaccine Information in the US

There is a critical need for the public to have trusted sources of vaccine information. A longitudinal online study assessed trust in COVID-19 vaccine information from 10 sources. A factor analysis for data reduction revealed two factors. The first factor contained politically conservative sources (PCS) of information. The second factor included eight news sources representing mainstream sources (MS). Multivariable logistic regression models were used. Trust in Dr. Fauci was also examined. High trust in MS was associated with intention to encourage family members to get COVID-19 vaccines, altruistic beliefs that more vulnerable people should have vaccine priority, and belief that racial minorities with higher rates of COVID-19 deaths should have priority. High trust in PCS was associated with intention to discourage friends from getting vaccinated. Higher trust in PCS was also associated with participants more likely to disagree that minorities with higher rates of COVID-19 deaths should have priority for a vaccine. High trust in Dr. Fauci as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information was associated with factors similar to high trust in MS. Fair, equitable, and transparent access and distribution are essential to ensure trust in public health systems' abilities to serve the population.
Electronic Billing of Consumer Accounts Under State and Federal Law

Laws that may affect e-billing are found in federal and state law. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) is the federal law addressing electronic transactions with consumers. With respect to state law, most states have enacted some form of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) that governs electronic transactions. Both acts validate the use of electronic records and signatures in place of written ones, and they overlap significantly. The two acts are not identical, however, either in scope or substance. Determining which law governs a transaction can be difficult. This paper discusses the E-SIGN requirements for electronic billing, and then the state law requirements for electronic billing in twenty states (including the District of Columbia). In the section on state law, the focus is on what, if any, state law requirements would not be satisfied by complying with E-SIGN, and what a business can do to ensure that it complies with both E-SIGN and state law in those states.
Effects of variable-density thinning on non-native understory plants in coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Old-growth forests serve as critical habitat for many sensitive species, but management practices have diminished their prevalence, and former regions of old-growth are now dominated by second-growth stands lacking the structural heterogeneity, diversity, and species richness that these older forests possess. In western Washington state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the Olympic Habitat Development Study was designed to address this issue and hasten the development of specific old-growth features in second-growth stands using variable-density thinning. One concern with such methods, however, is the potential to introduce non-native plants, which can have negative ecological and economic impacts. Here, we examine how variable-density thinning influences desirable forest characteristics, such as increased plant species diversity, versus the less desirable effects of non-native plant species introduction. We test two hypotheses regarding plant invasions. First, thinning would promote establishment of non-native, shade-intolerant species, but their abundance would gradually decline over time. Second, thinning disturbance and increased heterogeneity of canopy cover would initially promote understory richness of all species, although richness would decline over time with canopy closure and increased cover of shrubs and regenerating trees. We found that the number and cover of non-native species initially increased after thinning, peaking at 16 species present in variable-density thinned treatments in year three. By year 17, 11 species remained throughout the seven 6.5 ha treatment plots sampled, and cover was negligible. As predicted, species richness increased following thinning, however, native species richness remained elevated through year 17, contrary to our hypothesis. Furthermore, native species diversity also increased following thinning and remained higher in thinned treatments than controls through year 17. Our results show that variable-density thinning in temperate coniferous forests can enhance native, but not exotic, plant richness and diversity in the long term.
Medical conditions associated with gastroduodenal ulceration or erosion in 168 dogs: 2008-2018

Background Many medical conditions are thought to cause gastroduodenal ulceration or erosion (GUE) in dogs. However, evidence for the association between many of these conditions and GUE in dogs is lacking. Objective To identify medical conditions associated with GUE in dogs. Animals One hundred and sixty-eight dogs with GUE and 168 randomly selected control dogs without evidence of GUE identified on necropsy between January 2008 and September 2018. Methods Patient signalment, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations, recently administered ulcerogenic drugs, as well as necropsy findings were recorded. The association between these findings and presence of GUE was assessed by univariable and multivariable analysis. Results In the final multivariable model, the following factors were associated with GUE: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-17.4; P = .0004), glucocorticoid administration (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.5-5.9; P = .001), gastrointestinal neoplasia (OR, 13.5; 95% CI, 1.7-108.0; P = .01) and gastrointestinal mechanical disease (foreign bodies, gastric dilatation, and volvulus; OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.2-19.7; P = .03). Additionally, working dog breeds were predisposed to GUE compared to mixed breed dogs (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.4; P = .04). Insufficient clinical data was available to either support or refute a role of other putative risk factors evaluated. Conclusion and clinical importance Administration of NSAID or glucocorticoid and gastrointestinal neoplasia or mechanical disease were associated with GUE in dogs. The potential predisposition of working breed dogs for GUE requires further investigation.
Oryx leucoryx (Arabian oryx)

The karyotypes were prepared from skin fibroblast cultures of a male (stock is frozen) and lymphocyte culture of a female animal at San Diego Zoo. The male karyotype is prepared by C-banding, the identification of X is tentative.
What's So Bad About Insider Trader Law?

The law of insider trading has been called everything from a “theoretical mess” to “astonishingly dysfunctional,” with calls for change from Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission to clarify the scope of the prohibition. But is the law really so bad? The elements are now well established, despite gray areas around the edges – which is not all that different for other white collar crimes. Congress and the general public have embraced insider trading as something clearly wrongful. If the law needs to be changed, the most likely push would be to expand it by adopting a possession theory of liability that makes trading on almost any confidential information subject to prosecution. That liability theory is already used by the European Union and is included in Rule 153-e for tender offers.
The Reassociation of Lipopolysaccharide, Phospholipid, and Transferase Enzymes of the Bacterial Cell Envelope ISOLATION OF BINARY AND TERNARY COMPLEXES

Abstract The components of the uridine diphosphate galactose:lipopolysaccharide α-3-galactosyltransferase system from Salmonella typhimurium were studied. Binary complexes (lipopolysaccharide-phospholipid) and ternary complexes (enzyme-lipopolysaccharide-phospholipid), previously postulated as intermediates in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, were reconstituted from the purified components. The complexes were isolated and characterized by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The association of phospholipid with lipopolysaccharide did not require a fixed molar ratio of the two components, and the binary complex appeared to be a multimolecular complex of the two components. The reconstituted complexes showed restoration of activity in the UDP-galactose:lipopolysaccharide α-3-galactosyltransferase system. The apparent role of phosphatidylethanolamine was to promote binding of the enzyme to its lipopolysaccharide substrate.
Primary culture of parenchymal liver cells on collagen membranes. Morphological and biochemical observations.

Abstract Comparative morphological and biochemical studies of primary cultures of parenchymal liver cells from adult rat liver cultured on collagen-coated plates and floating collagen membranes indicate that the latter have a markedly prolonged viability and show morphological and functional features reminiscent of liver in vivo. Tyrosine aminotransferase induction by cyclic nucleotides or steroids can be maintained in liver cells cultured on floating collagen membranes for periods of 3 weeks. The advantages of this system over those previously reported for the cultivation of liver cells is discussed.
Metabolic Engineering of Plant Allyl/Propenyl Phenol and Lignin Pathways: Future Potential for Biofuels/Bioenergy, Polymer Intermediates, and Specialty Chemicals?

Abstract Exciting recent developments in the enzymology and molecular biology of plant phenylpropanoids offer numerous opportunities to re‐engineer the composition of plant biomass. Two main targets of such modifications are the optimized production of valuable compounds and reductions in the levels of less desirable products, such as the structural biopolymeric lignins. For example, the amounts of lignin biopolymers in (woody) species might be reduced, with carbon flow concurrently redirected toward production of related nonpolymeric phenylpropanoids, such as the more valuable allyl/propenyl phenols (e.g., eugenol, chavicol). Lignins are monolignol‐derived polymeric end‐products of the phenylpropanoid pathway (originating from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine). In general, lignins represent a formidable technical challenge, particularly due to their intractable nature, for improved plant biomass utilization, for example, when considering the use of woody biomass for bioethanol production, as well as for wood, pulp, and paper manufacture. Other species‐specific outcomes of the phenylpropanoid pathway, however, include metabolites such as lignans, flavonoids, and allyl/propenyl phenols. The recent discovery of the biochemical pathway resulting in the production of the more valuable liquid allyl/propenyl phenols (e.g., eugenol, chavicol, estragole, and anethole), important components of plant spice aromas and flavors, presents one potential approach to the engineering of plant metabolism in new directions. These compounds are synthesized from monolignols in two consecutive enzymatic reactions: (1) acylation of the terminal (C‐9) oxygen of the monolignol forming an ester and (2) regiospecific, NAD(P)H‐dependent reduction of the phenylpropanoid side chain with displacement of the carboxylate ester as leaving group. The proteins involved in the latter step are homologous to well‐characterized phenylpropanoid reductases (pinoresinol‐lariciresinol, isoflavone, phenylcoumaran‐benzylic ether, and leucoanthocyanidin reductases), with similar catalytic mechanisms being operative. The proteins (and corresponding genes) involved in these transformations have been isolated and characterized and offer the potential of engineering plants to partially redirect carbon flow from lignin (or lignans) into these liquid volatile compounds in oilseeds, leafy or heartwood‐forming tissues, or woody stems. The emerging knowledge could also potentially facilitate wood processing in pulp/paper industries and offer sources of renewable plant‐derived biofuels, intermediate chemicals in polymer industries, or specialty chemicals in perfume and flavor industries.
A New Principle for Airborne Contamination Control in Clean Rooms and Work Stations

A new method is described for the control of airborne contaminants in clean rooms and work stations. The whole ceiling of the room is made of an air diffuser and the floor is made of grating with a rough filter material placed just below the grating floor. This filter traps particles as they are removed from the room and prefilters the air before it reaches the final filter. Absolute filters are located in the wall behind the work bench to move contamination generated by the worker away from the work area. A transistor telephone provides for room interior to exterior communication. Test results on a knock-down model are described. Sketches and photography show construction details. (C.H.)
Thermal Characterization of IM7/8552-1 Carbon-Epoxy Composites

Thermal properties of composite materials such as, thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat are very important in engineering design process and analysis of aerospace vehicles as well as space systems. These properties are also important in power generation, transportation, and energy storage devices including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the property that determines the working temperature levels of the material; it plays a critical role in the performance of materials in high temperature applications, and it is an important parameter in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures.The objective of this paper is to develop a thermal properties data base for the carbon fiber-epoxy (IM7/8552-1) composite. The IM7 carbon fiber is a continuous, high performance, intermediate modulus, PAN based fiber. This fiber has been surface treated and can be sized to improve its interlaminar shear properties, handling characteristics, and structural properties. The 8552 is a high performance tough epoxy matrix for use in primary aerospace structures. It exhibits good impact resistance and damage tolerance for a wide range of applications. The IM7/8552-1 is an amine cured unidirectional prepreg. The manufacturer recommended cure cycle for this material was followed, which includes consolidation under vacuum and autoclave pressure. The composite has a service temperature up to 121°C (250°F).The thermal properties of IM7/8552-1 carbon-epoxy have been investigated using experimental methods. The flash method was used to measure the thermal diffusivity of the composite. This method is based on the American Society for Testing and Materials standard, ASTM E1461. In addition, the Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard to measure the specific heat. The measured thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density data were used to compute the thermal conductivity of the IM7/8552-1 carbon-epoxy composite.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The role of the annual cycles for the air–sea exchange of CO2

Abstract The annually integrated air–sea flux of CO 2 is governed by two quantities: the basic state of the ocean (e.g., the properties of the winter mixed layer) and the signal from the annual cycles. In this study, I focus on the role of the annual cycles in mixing, sea-surface temperature and biological production. By integrating these cycles, it is shown that the annually integrated flux of CO 2 can be written as F = α ( C T W − C Eq ), where F is the mean annual air–sea flux of CO 2 , α is an equilibrium rate constant (m/year), C T W is the total dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in the winter mixed layers and C Eq is the dynamic equilibrium concentration for C T W . In the formula, α and C Eq capture the influence of the annual cycles as well as the spatial variations in, for example, the alkalinity. I analyze data from the Ocean Weather Stations (OWS) in the North Atlantic and some results from the MIT biogeochemical ocean model to find adequate descriptions of α and C Eq . According to these model/data estimates, the influence of the annual cycles in sea-surface temperature and biological production on the dynamic equilibrium concentration is on the order of −5 to −20 and 0–30 μmol/kg, respectively. These numbers are not negligible showing that the annual cycles must be considered when analyzing the oceanic carbon cycle. The spatial distribution of the quantities C T W , α , and C Eq are estimated for the North Atlantic using data from the TTO/NAS expedition and a combination of model and data analyses. The air–sea flux is calculated according to the above formula, and the seawards flux is estimated to be 0.4 Gt C/year for the area north of 30°N.
Sequences on the human Y chromosome homologous to the autosomal gene for argininosuccinate synthetase

We have used a probe (pAS-1) to the human urea cycle enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase (AS) to detect individual variation in restriction enzyme digests of human DNA from lymphocytes, fibroblasts and transformed cell lines (including HeLa). pAS-1 is a 1.55 kilobase (kb) sequence of cDNA from poly(A)+ RNA cloned in pBR322; it represents more than 90% of the AS message1. At least 15 genomic fragments are detected with pAS-1 in DNA digested with restriction enzymes recognizing 6-base sequences2. This multiplicity of fragments is explained in part by the observation that AS-like sequences are found on more than seven human chromosomes3. We report here population data and gene dosage experiments demonstrating an AS-like sequence on the human Y chromosome and confirming an AS-like sequence on the human X chromosome.
Zero Assignment in Continuous Systems

The feedback control gain to absorb the harmonic response at a desired position in continuous vibrating structures may require an infinite product of eigenvalues. Such control gain, for distributed parameter elastic structures, improves monotonically with the increase in model order of their discrete counterparts obtained by the finite difference or finite element methods. However, the estimation of control gain, using such discrete approximations is inaccurate due to dissimilar asymptotoc behavior of eigenvalues of the discrete model and associated distributed parameter system. An alternative formula uses deformation information for determining the control gain, but for non-uniform structures a closed form expression for deformation may not exist. The objective here is to show that a new mathematical model for non-uniform structure, based on piecewise constant approximation, can be successfully used for better approximation of the control gain. For simplicity, the analysis is carried out for a non-uniform vibrating rod in order to validate the above arguments.© 2003 ASME
Factors controlling hyporheic respiration in a desert stream

SUMMARY 1. Experimental manipulations were performed to determine the biological, chemical and physical attributes that govern sediment respiration in the hyporheic zone of Sycamore Creek, a Sonoran Desert stream. 2. Hyporheic respiration per unit volume of sediment was inversely related to diameter of sediment particles, indicating that respiration is affected by availability of substrate for microbial colonization (i.e. sediment surfaces). Respiration rate per unit surface area on sediments was positively correlated with particle diameter, indicating greater metabolic activity of microbes on larger sediments. 3. Hyporheic respiration was more than twice as high in water collected from the surface flow than from subsurface flow. Further, hyporheic respiration was highest immediately following exposure of sediments to surface water and declined over time, presumably due to exhaustion of labile organic matter. 4. Microbial activity was stimulated by addition of algal leachate; however, amendments of leaf leachate had little effect. Respiration was also elevated with dextrose and leucine amendments, but not with inorganic nitrogen additions, indicating hyporheic respiration is carbon limited. 5. Water from the stream surface is probably enriched in labile organic matter derived from algae and stimulates respiration at points of hydrologic downwelling where surface water enters hyporheic sediments. The physical structure of sediments further affects metabolism by affecting the area available for microbial attachment.
Defensive and simultaneous actions of glycoconjugates during spore decontamination.

Abstract An estimated $1 billion was lost in decontaminating areas exposed to anthrax in the 2001 attacks. To counter the threat of biological attacks, an effective ‘green’ decontaminant is vital to minimize the consequences of such attacks. The objective of our research was to study the ability of glycoconjugate ligands to decontaminate Bacillus cereus spores on hard surfaces. Polyvalent glycoconjugates (also known as neoglycoconjugates ) were tested during decontamination of B. cereus spores. Resulting colony forming units (CFU) of viable spores were a direct evidence of glycoconjugate decontamination efficacy. Our results indicate a substantial, decreasing CFU count due to defensive and simultaneous actions of glycoconjugates compared to spores only used as controls. Decontamination of B. cereus spores was most efficiently and consistently achieved using Galα1→3GalNAcβ-PAA-flu glycoconjugate under both defensive and simultaneous conditions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allowed us to visualize decontamination at the nanoscale level using glycoconjugates. AFM reveals the size of glycoconjugate agglomerates (clusters) and a noticeably different morphology of glycoconjugate-treated spores during decontamination. Morphological features of untreated spores disappear under a thin layer of glycoconjugate solution. This thin layer is formed due to the defensive action of glycoconjugates. Simultaneous action has shown agglomeration of glycoconjugates in solution with B. cereus spores in glycoconjugate suspensions. Glycoconjugates might be useful for the development of an environment-friendly decontaminant of bacterial spores.
Nonlinear Control of a Proof-Mass Actuator

A proof-mass actuator is an actuator for structural control that accelerates a proof-mass in linear motion, imparting an equal and opposite force to thestructure. Acontinuousmotion of theproof-mass in onedirection will eventuallylead toa collisionoftheproof-masswith itsstops,impartingshockstothestructureand possiblycausing damagetotheactuator.Weproposenonlinearcontrollawsforpreventing collisionsoftheproof-masswithitsstops. Thelinearcontrol-loop gainsaresizedso thattheproof-masswill nothit itsstopsundercommandedmotions.Then a nonlinear control loop is added to increase the restoring force to the proof-mass when the proof-mass is close to its stops. It is shown that the nonlinear control law increases the operating region over an actuator with only linear control loops. It is also shown that the nonlinear control law allows the mass of the actuator to be decreased while the same performance is maintained. Nomenclature b = modal ine uence coefe cient d = stroke length of the proof-mass Fmax = maximum force attainable from the electromagnetic subsystem fmaxstroke(x ) = maximum force available from sinusoidal motion of the proof-mass fpm(t) = electromagnetic force applied to the proof-mass fst(t) = force applied to the structure by the proof-mass Kn = gain of the nonlinear control loop Kpa = gain of the actuator’ s position loop Kps = gain of the structure’ s position loop Kva = gain of the actuator’ s velocity loop Kvs = gain of the structure’ s velocity loop m = mass of the proof-mass rmax = value of the saturation function for command limiter rpm(t) = reference input signal to the actuator control loops rst(t) = reference input signal to the outer control loops ts(x0) = 1% settling time due to the initial conditionx0 vn(t) D f (yr, P yr) = nonlinear restoring force dee ned in Eq. (16) vpm(t) = voltage input signal to the actuator ypm(t), P ypm(t) = position and velocity of the proof-mass yst(t), P yst(t) = position and velocity of the structure f ed(x0) = equivalent damping, dee ned in Eq. (9) f PM(x0) = performance function dee ned in Eq. (12) f st, x st = damping and modal frequency of the structure g (t) = modal amplitude x b = saturation break frequency
Incidence of fever and bacteremia following transbronchial needle aspiration

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and transbronchial needle aspiration were performed on 50 occasions in 47 afebrile patients. The aspirations were followed by endobronchial or transbronchial biopsies in 22 patients, as well as bronchial brushings and washings where appropriate. Blood for cultures was drawn at 5 and 30 minutes following needle aspiration, as well as at the time of any temperature above 38°C during the 24 hours following the procedure. In five (10 percent) of the 50 cases, there was temperature greater than 38°C(100.4°F) in the 24 hours following the bronchoscopy; in no patient were cultures of blood positive, whether done early after the procedure or at the time of fever. We conclude that transbronchial needle aspiration, a new procedure gaining widespread popularity in diagnostic thoracic medicine, is not associated with clinically detectable bacteremia. This procedure should not require antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients susceptible to endocarditis.
Isoelectric focusing of dansylated amino acids in immobilized pH gradients

The 21 free amino acids commonly encountered in proteins have been transformed into 'carrier ampholyte' species by reacting their primary amino groups with dansyl chloride. These derivatives can thus be focused in an immobilized pH gradient covering the pH interval 3.1 to 4.1, except for arginine, which still retains a pI of 8.8. Due to their inherent fluorescence, the dansyl derivatives are revealed in UV light, with a sensitivity of the order of 2-4 ng/sq mm. All nearest neighbors are separated except for the following couples: Asn-Gln, Gly-Thr, Val-Ile and Cys-Cys2, with a resolving power, in a Delta(pI) scale, of the order of 0.0018 pH units. Except for a few cases (notably the aromatic amino acids), the order of pI values is well correlated with the pK values of carboxyl groups, suggesting that the latter are not altered by dansylation. From the set of pK(COOH)-pI values of the different amino acids, the pK of the tertiary amino group in the dansyl label has been calculated to be 5.11 + or - 0.06. Knowing the pK of the amino-dansyl and the pI of the excess, free dansyl label (pI = 3.34), a pK of 1.57 is derived for its sulfonic acid group.