cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Voltage-Stability Enhancement via Demand Response

We propose a real-time algorithm that improves the voltage stability of a power network by rearranging the consumption level of loads participating in demand response (DR). Towards this end, we revisit an optimization problem that seeks to maximize the smallest singular value (SSV) of the power flow Jacobian subject to nonconvex power flows and limit constraints on voltages of PQ buses, real power generation of the slack generator, and reactive power generation of the slack and PV buses. Instead of linearizations or relaxations, we penalize the limit constraints and rely on network measurements to derive an online projected gradient update to determine DR decisions. The updated DR decisions are applied to the power network per iteration and latest measurements are fed back to the algorithm. Simulations on several standard transmission networks demonstrate that the proposed methodology improves the value of the SSV of the power flow Jacobian per time step while avoiding significant bound violations.
The effects of artificial substrate and stocking density on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) performance and water quality dynamics in high tunnel-based biofloc systems

Abstract The use of artificial substrates in shrimp aquaculture may allow for production of shrimp at increased densities while providing a growth medium for microbes that assist with water quality processes and provide supplemental nutrition for shrimp. Greenhouse-based shrimp production systems can extend the shrimp production season in temperate climates while conserving water and energy. For this study, we evaluated the effects of providing extra substrate and shrimp density on water quality and shrimp production in greenhouse-based biofloc systems. Four 11-m3, wood framed, and rubber-lined tanks were constructed in each of four high tunnel greenhouses (for a total of 16 tanks). Four treatments were evaluated: high-density stocking with substrate (HDS), high-density stocking with no substrate (HDNS), low-density stocking with substrate (LDS), and low-density stocking with no substrate (LDNS). Each treatment was randomly assigned to one tank in each tunnel to block for location. No artificial heat was used, and shrimp were grown for 120 days. High-density systems were stocked at 200 shrimp/m³ while low-density tanks had 100 shrimp/m³. Adding substrate increased total in-tank surface area by 13.4%. The addition of substrate had no significant effect on any shrimp production or standard water quality parameters. Shrimp had significantly greater final weight, faster growth rate, and lower feed conversion rate in low-density treatments (P ≤ 0.02 for all). Total shrimp biomass production was significantly higher in high-density treatments (HD: 4.0 kg/m3; LD: 2.3 kg/m3; P
Intrathecal blood injection: a case report of a rare complication of an epidural blood patch

Intrathecal injection is a rare complication of spinal anesthesia and an underreported complication of epidural blood patches. Although there are other reported cases of intrathecal blood injection, these cases lack confirmatory imaging and others report injection of mixed blood with other agents. We present a case report of post-laminectomy cerebrospinal fluid leak who underwent epidural blood patch placement. CT and MRI brain imaging was obtained, depicting intrathecal blood products. The patient had subsequent seizures and respiratory distress, received supportive care, and returned to baseline after several days. The patient’s clinical course illustrates the potential complications of blood products within CSF, including seizures and respiratory distress, which improved with supportive care in this case. Importantly, to our knowledge, this is the only report that clearly depicts injection of purely blood products, without other confounding agents (such as gadolinium), into intrathecal space and with diffuse spread through the CSF as visualized on CT and MRI imaging.
Characterization of Ustilago Hordei Fimbriae Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Immunocytochemistry

Sporidia of Ustilago hordei produce surface fimbriae which are important in conjugation and pathogenicity. This work focuses on fimbrial origin and production using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunocytochemistry.Wild type I4A sporidial cells cultured to log phase with rotary shaking in yeast extract glucose (YEG) growth for 48 h. at 21° C, were harvested by centrifugation at 8000 rpm, placed on formvar coated grids, negatively stained with 2% uranyl acetate and photographed in the JEOL 1200 STEM. Some cells were prepared for sectioning by fixation with gluteraldehyde and cacodylate buffer, post fixed in osmium tetroxide, dehydrated and embedded in epoxy and stained with uranyl acetate. The remainder of the cells were sheared in a blender to remove fimbriae. The defimbriated cells and 1 ml. of fimbrial suspension were presented to TEM. The rest of the fimbrial suspension was centrifuged at 30,000 rpm and he fimbrial pellet protein concentration was determined to be 1.345 nm. as assayed by UV adsorption.
Endogenous opioids facilitate intrinsically-rewarded birdsong

Many songbirds sing in non-reproductive contexts while in flocks. Singing in such gregarious contexts is critical for maintaining and learning songs; however, song is not directed towards other individuals and has no obvious, immediate social consequences. Studies using conditioned place preference (CPP) tests of reward indicate that song production in gregarious contexts correlates positively with a bird's intrinsic reward state and with opioid markers in the medial preoptic nucleus (mPOA). However, the causal involvement of opioids in gregarious song is unknown. Here we report that the selective mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist fentanyl dose-dependently facilitates gregarious song and reduces stress/anxiety-related behavior in male and female European starlings. Furthermore, infusion of siRNA targeting MORs specifically in mPOA both suppresses gregarious song and disrupts the positive association between affective state and singing behavior, as revealed using CPP tests of song-associated reward. Results strongly implicate opioids in gregarious song and suggest that endogenous opioids in the mPOA may facilitate song by influencing an individual's intrinsic reward state.
The Magnificent Mile

This chapter examines the Magnificent Mile, one of the most popular commercial places in North America. The chapter first offers a brief history of its development and the factors that made it significant. Visual and spatial analysis indicates that tall buildings along this vital path create two remarkable clusters, the “Grand Gateway” and the “City’s Signature.” Near the intersection of the Chicago River with Michigan Avenue, an outstanding group of tall buildings forms one of the most elegant urban spaces in the city. Similarly, a group of tall buildings near the historic Chicago Water Tower forges a unique place. In both cases, tall buildings exhibit authentic architectural styles and exceptional spatial compositions, which collectively evoke a strong sense of place and identity. Overall, a provocative spatial mosaic of vibrant public plazas, vital commercial activities, and iconic buildings along the Magnificent Mile contribute to splendid placemaking.
The strain of sons' incarceration on mothers' health.

Abstract Research on disadvantage across generations typically focuses on the resources that parents pass on to their children. Yet, social disadvantage might also result from the transmission of adverse experiences from children to their parents. This paper explores one such adverse experience by examining the influence of a son's incarceration on his mother's health. Using panel data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and its young adult follow up (n = 2651 mothers; 18,390 observations), the paper shows that mothers are more likely to suffer health limitations after a son is incarcerated. A time-distributed fixed effects analysis indicates that the effect on maternal health may persist or even grow over time. Rather than a short-term shock whose effect soon diminishes, a son's incarceration is a long-term strain on mothers' health. The disproportionate incarceration of young men in disadvantaged communities is thus likely to contribute to cumulative adversity among mothers already at risk of severe hardship. More broadly, the results suggest how children's adverse experiences may influence parental well-being, producing further disadvantage across generations.
Machine Learning Driven Musical Improvisation for Mechanomorphic Human-Robot Interaction

As industrial robots and social robots become prevalent in commercial and home settings it is crucial to improve forms of communication with human collaborators and companions. In this work, I describe the use of musical improvisation to generate emotional musical prosody for improved human-robot interaction. This aims to develop a canny approach, where robots perform in a mechanomorphic manner improving collaboration opportunities with humans. I have currently collected a new 12-hour dataset and developed a Conditional Variational Autoencoder to generate new phrases. Generations have then been used to compare the impact of prosody on anthropomorphism, animacy, likeability, perceived intelligence, and trust. Future work will incorporate prosody into groups of robots and humans, using personality to drive emotional decisions and emotion contagion.
Interrogations, Torture, and Mental Health: Conceptualizing Exceptionalism

The word torture often invokes images from the distant past, such as the fate of Christian martyrs or of devices like the Iron Maiden. Yet, while many consider modern society to be more enlightened, even in the twenty-first Century, many still argue that torture is morally defensible. The United Nations’ (UN) Convention against Torture (CAT) makes no exceptions for this practice (1984). At the date of this writing, 83 nations, including the USA, have signed the Convention in whole or in part. In response to the need for international standards of documentation for allegations of torture, the UN put forth the Istanbul Protocols to provide guidance to mental health professionals, aid-workers, and attorneys, worldwide.
La descentralización de la política ambiental en la frontera norte: algunas reflexiones desde Sonora

This study describes Mexico?s decentralizing reforms in the area of environmental policy as they are evident in the case of the northwestern border state of ...
MSP dynamics and retraction in nematode sperm

Most eukaryotic cells can crawl over surfaces. In general, this motility requires three distinct actions: polymerization at the leading edge, adhesion to the substrate, and retraction at the rear. Recent in vitro experiments with extracts from spermatozoa from the nematode Ascaris suum suggest that retraction forces are generated by depolymerization of the Major Sperm Protein (MSP) cytoskeleton. Combining polymer entropy with a simple kinetic model for disassembly I propose a model for disassembly‐induced retraction that fit the in vitro experimental data. This model explains the mechanism by which deconstruction of the cytoskeleton produces the force necessary to pull the cell body forward and suggest further experiments that can test the validity of the model.
A Review of “The Presidency in the Era of 24-Hour News”

The era of 24-hour news has fundamentally altered the interrelationship between the presidency, news media, and public, key actors in the presidential news system. Previously, presidents could coun...
Identifying evolutionarily conserved segments among multiple divergent and rearranged genomes

We describe a new method for reliably identifying conserved segments among genome sequences that have undergone rearrangement, horizontal transfer, and substantial nucleotide-level divergence. A Gibbs-like sampler explores different combinations of sequence-based markers shared by the genomes under study. The sampler assigns each marker a posterior probability based on how frequently it participates in some collinear group of markers. Markers with high p.p. values are likely members of conserved segments. The method identifies both large-scale and local trends in segmental collinearity, providing suitable input for genome alignment and rearrangement history inference tools. Applying our method to genomes of four Streptococci reveals that rearranged segments in these organisms belong in two size categories: large conserved segments that are interrupted by a staccato of single gene or operon-size small segments. The rearrangement pattern of large segments is best explained by symmetric inversions about the origin of replication while the pattern of small segments is not.
Clay mineral weathering and contaminant dynamics in a caustic aqueous system II. Mineral transformation and microscale partitioning

Microscopic and spectroscopic studies were conducted to assess mineral transformation processes in aqueous suspensions of illite (Il), vermiculite (Vm) and montmorillonite (Mt) that were subjected to weathering in a simulated high-level radioactive tank waste leachate (0.05 m AlT ,2 m Na ,1 m NO3 ,p H 14, Cs and Sr 2 present as co-contaminants). Time series (0 to 369 d) experiments were conducted at 298 K, with initial (Cs)0 and (Sr)0 concentrations from 10 5 to 10 mol kg. Incongruent clay dissolution resulted in an accumulation of secondary aluminosilicate precipitates identified as nitrate-sodalite, nitrate-cancrinite and zeolite X, by molecular spectroscopy and electron microscopy (XRD, IR, NMR, SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS). Contaminant fate was dependent on competing uptake to parent clays and weathering products. TEM-EDS results indicated that high Il affinity for Cs was due to adsorption at frayed edge sites. The Il system also comprised Sr-rich aluminous precipitates after 369 d reaction time. In Mt systems, Cs and Sr were co-precipitated into increasingly recalcitrant spheroidal precipitates over the course of the experiment, whereas contaminant association with montmorillonite platelets was less prevalent. In contrast, Cs and Sr were found in association with weathered Vm particles despite the formation of spheroidal aluminosilicate precipitates that were comparable to those formed from Mt dissolution. Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Evaluation and Transfer Center for Assistive Technology, University at Buffalo

The RERC-TET is a collaborative program to evaluate and commercialize prototypes of new assistive devices. The evaluation process involves consumers conducting user trials, business people performing market analysis, and university researchers conducting technical testing. All three groups work together to move promising new devices to the marketplace. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research sponsors this collaborative program with two goals: to help useful prototype devices reach the marketplace thereby improving the quality of assistive devices, and to work towards establishing a community-based program for device commercialization, run by and for persons with disabilities. The RERC-TET is designed to add value to prototype devices, by demonstrating their utility and market viability. This paper reviews seminal prior literature, describes the RERC-TET's program, presents points of access for prospective users, and explains how the program's capabilities add value to new assistive devices.
SMART: simulation and Markovian analyzer for reliability and timing

SMART is a new tool for performance, reliability, availability, and performability modeling. Numerical solution algorithms are available for both continuous- and discrete-time Markov chains. Mixed-time non-Markovian models can be studied using simulation. Multiple interacting models and fixed-point iterative techniques for the decomposition and solution of complex models can be easily specified. To assist in the model specification and help in avoiding common mistakes, the input language is strongly typed.
Effects of Stocking Density on Production Traits of Channel Catfish×Blue Catfish Hybrids

AbstractChannel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus × Blue Catfish I. furcatus hybrid fingerlings (mean weight, 47 g) were stocked in 0.4-ha ponds at densities of 7,425, 12,375, 17,325, 22,275, and 27,225 fish/ha in three replicate earthen ponds for each density. Fish were fed a 28% protein diet to apparent satiation once daily. Ponds were equipped with electric paddlewheel aerators (12.5 hp/ha) that were turned on when dissolved oxygen (DO) levels reached <5.0 mg/L; additional aeration was provided by power-takeoff tractor-driven paddlewheels at DO < 2.5 mg/L. Feeding was terminated at the end of October and fish were harvested and weighed. Stocking density had no significant effect on feed conversion (overall average, 1.97), survival (≥93% in all treatments), or processing yield (carcass yield = 66.2%, shank fillet yield = 34.8%, nugget yield = 10.5%). Harvest weight was not significantly different between 7,425 and 22,275 fish/ha (average, 0.85 kg) but was less at 27,225 fish/ha (0.72 kg). Net production incre...
High-Density Nucleosome Occupancy Map of Human Chromosome 9p21–22 Reveals Chromatin Organization of the Type I Interferon Gene Cluster

Genome-wide investigations have dramatically increased our understanding of nucleosome positioning and the role of chromatin in gene regulation, yet some genomic regions have been poorly represented in human nucleosome maps. One such region is represented by human chromosome 9p21–22, which contains the type I interferon gene cluster that includes 16 interferon alpha genes and the single interferon beta, interferon epsilon, and interferon omega genes. A high-density nucleosome mapping strategy was used to generate locus-wide maps of the nucleosome organization of this biomedically important locus at a steady state and during a time course of infection with Sendai virus, an inducer of interferon gene expression. Detailed statistical and computational analysis illustrates that nucleosomes in this locus exhibit preferences for particular dinucleotide and oligomer DNA sequence motifs in vivo, which are similar to those reported for lower eukaryotic nucleosome–DNA interactions. These data were used to visualize the region's chromatin architecture and reveal features that are common to the organization of all the type I interferon genes, indicating a common nucleosome-mediated gene regulatory paradigm. Additionally, this study clarifies aspects of the dynamic changes that occur with the nucleosome occupying the transcriptional start site of the interferon beta gene after virus infection.
Rhythmic bimanual coordination is impaired in young children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Impairments in motor coordination are a common behavioral manifestation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We, therefore, used a drumming methodology to examine rhythmic bimanual coordination in children diagnosed with ASD (M = 47.3 months) and age-matched typically developing (TD) children (M = 42.6 months). Both groups were instructed to drum on a pad in two required phases: in-phase (drumsticks striking the pad simultaneously) and anti-phase (drumsticks striking in alteration). Analysis revealed that TD children were more able than children with ASD to stay in the required phase relationships for both in-phase and anti-phase coordination. Movement variability was higher for children with ASD than TD children. Imitation ability of the ASD group was somewhat related to their performance on the task. We discuss the implications that deficits in bimanual (intra-personal) coordination may have for social and interpersonal coordination in children with ASD.
National Theatre Week: First Week in June

While the terms theatre and drama are often used synonymously, they are marked by distinct differences. Drama is concerned with the literature of the theatre, the written basis for theatrical presentations. Theatre refers to the art of presentation, and includes the creations of the playwright, the designer, the architect, and the actor.
Evaluation and management of aortic valve and root disease

Aortic valve disease manifests in the form of stenosis, regurgitation, or some combination, yielding either excessive afterload and/or excessive preload on the left ventricle. Aortic root disease may affect valvular function, causing regurgitation; may simply be coexistent with stenotic aortic valvular disease; or may exist despite normal aortic valve function. Indications for intervening on aortic valve or root disease are determined by the presence of symptoms, by the pathology’s impact on left ventricular function, or by the inherent risk of aortic catastrophe (dissection, disruption, or sudden death). Aortic valvular and root diseases are primarily treated by surgical replacement of the pathologic structures. Mechanical aortic valve replacement has long-term durability but requires continuous anticoagulation. Bioprostheses do not require anticoagulation but have more limited durability. Valve-sparing aortic root replacement and aortic valve repair offer the potential for indefinite durability without the need for anticoagulation but are technically more difficult to perform and require more stringent selection criteria based on determining the reparability of an aortic valve. Emerging percutaneous valve technologies offer new hope for patients who are not candidates for aortic valve surgery, but the applicability and durability of percutaneous aortic valves are not yet known. Timely and appropriate intervention in aortic valve and root disease can result in the restoration of a normal life span for patients with aortic valvular and/or root disease.
DNA transfection in the ecdysteroid-responsive GV1 cell line from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The embryonic cell line, GV1, from Manduca sexta was transiently transfected with DNA constructs of the Drosophila hsp70 promoter fused to either a beta-galactosidase (pXH70ZT) or a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (HSP-CAT-1) reporter gene using lipofectin. Optimal cell density, DNA:lipofectin ratio, and time of incubation were varied to determine the optimal conditions: 2 x 10(5) cells/ml, 1:3, and 5 h. Under these conditions, the transfection efficiency was about 40%. Heat inducibility of two hsp70 constructs was compared. The HSP-CAT-1, containing 1127 bp of upstream sequence, was more sensitive to heat shock than that of pXH70ZT, containing only 194 bp of upstream sequence. Thus, the 1127 bp hsp70 promoter appears to be a better inducible promoter in these cells. A 2 kb fragment of the proximal promoter region of the MHR3 gene containing a putative ecdysone response element was shown to be responsive to 20-hydroxyecdysone after its transfection into these cells.
Macroautophagy is required for multicellular development of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum.

Macroautophagy is a mechanism employed by eukaryotic cells to recycle non-essential cellular components during starvation, differentiation, and development. Two conjugation reactions related to ubiquitination are essential for autophagy: Apg12p conjugation to Apg5p, and Apg8p conjugation to the lipid phosphatidylethanolamine. These reactions require the action of the E1-like enzyme, Apg7p, and the E2-like enzymes, Apg3p and Apg10p. InDictyostelium, development is induced by starvation, conditions under which autophagy is required for survival in yeast and plants. We have identified Dictyostelium homologues of 10 budding yeast autophagy genes. We have generated mutations inapg5 and apg7 that produce defects typically associated with an abrogation of autophagy. Mutants are not grossly affected in growth, but survival during nitrogen starvation is severely reduced. Starved mutant cells show little turnover of cellular constituents by electron microscopy, whereas wild-type cells show significant cytoplasmic degradation and reduced organelle number. Bulk protein degradation during starvation-induced development is reduced in the autophagy mutants. Development is aberrant; the autophagy mutants do not aggregate in plaques on bacterial lawns, but they do proceed further in development on nitrocellulose filters, forming defective fruiting bodies. The autophagy mutations are cell autonomous, because wild-type cells in a chimaera do not rescue development of the autophagy mutants. We have complemented the mutant phenotypes by expression of the cognate gene fused to green fluorescent protein. A green fluorescent protein fusion of the autophagosome marker Apg8 mislocalizes in the two autophagy mutants. We show that the Apg5-Apg12 conjugation system is conserved inDictyostelium.
Alteration of sexual behavior and sex accessory glands by p-chlorophynylalanine and testosterone

Abstract The treatment of rats with p-chlorophenylalanine and testosterone propionate resulted in significant changes in the weights of the testes, seminal vesicles, bulbouretheral, preputial and prostate glands. Homosexual mounting behavior was elicited by p-chlorophenylalanine, and testosterone enhanced this effect. An optimum testosterone dose level was indicated for the largest behavior and tissue weight response.
A biochemical study of the protein composition of frog sciatic nerve as a function of pH, heat treatment, and enzyme digestion

Abstract The protein compositions of peripheral nervous system myelin proteins from rat, rabbit, and frog Rana pipiens were examined by gel electrophoresis after discontinuous sucrose gradient purification. The major P 0 protein and the basic proteins P 1 and P 2 were shown to be doublets. Gel patterns of frog sciatic nerve after digestion in trypsin and Pronase are described. The peripheral nervous system myelin protein bands of frog sciatic nerve were unaffected by heat treatment to 65 °C. The effect of pH on frog sciatic nerve was studied over a pH range of 1.0 to 13.0 using gel electrophoresis and sedimentation in a continuous sucrose gradient. Phase transitions at acid pH below 2.5 and at alkaline pH above 11.5 were detected and studied. These phase transitions correlate with the different physical states of frog sciatic nerve previously reported by X-ray diffraction.
Binding of estrogen receptor to estradiol immobilized on insoluble resins

Abstract The high affinity of the specific receptors in rat uterus and other target tissues for estrogens has led to the synthesis of selective absorbents consisting of estradiol immobilized on insoluble supports. Two such materials were prepared: polyvinyl-(N-phenylenemaleimide) (PVM)-estradiol which has the hormone bound to a PVM backbone through a 17α side chain, and p-aminobenzyl estradiol in which the 2 or 4 position of the estradiol molecules is joined to p-aminobenzylcellulose by azo linkage. Both of these preparations selectively remove the soluble receptor of rat uterus from solution.
Education, labor-force participation, and fertility in the USSR.

Abstract The effect of education on Soviet fertility and female labor participation is analyzed in terms of the neoclassical theory of the household. The hypotheses are tested by multivariate analysis of Soviet census data. The main findings are that the effect of education on urban fertility is opposite that in the West; in the USSR female education has a predominantly positive effect and male education a negative effect. Rural fertility is dominated by strong interaction between male and female education. A substantial portion of the total effect of education on fertility operates indirectly, through female labor participation. The results imply a backward-bending female labor-supply curve.
Current diagnosis and management of blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta Estado atual do diagnóstico e tratamento das lesões traumáticas da aorta torácica

The diagnosis and management of aortic lacerations has been gradually improving. Historically, aortic lacerations were a common cause of exsanguination with extremely high mortality rate. However, in modern trauma systems with advanced resuscitation and rapid radiology imaging, the diagnosis of an aortic injury is improving with an emphasis on preventing the progression of intimal flaps and pseudoaneurysms to frank dissection or rupture. Both diagnostic modalities and the paradigm of immediate operative intervention have changed. The evolution of endovascular stenting may play a future role in definitive care.
Frequency and type of use of a home-based, Internet intervention for adolescent smoking cessation.

Abstract Purpose The Internet offers a potential medium for delivering smoking cessation treatment to adolescents. However, few Internet-based cessation programs for adolescents have been evaluated. We describe adolescent use of a home-based Internet intervention to stop smoking (Stomp Out Smokes [SOS]) and explore baseline characteristics associated with SOS use. Methods Participants were 70 adolescent smokers aged 12–18 years (50% female, 90% Caucasian) randomized to receive the SOS intervention for 24 weeks as part of a larger clinical trial. SOS comprised 40 components, of which eight were primarily interactive (e.g., discussion support group, ask an expert, quit plan) and 32 were primarily informational (e.g., managing withdrawal, medications to stop smoking). SOS use data were captured electronically, including total logins to the site, and type of SOS components used defined by page hits on the interactive and information components. Results A total of 7,708 SOS website pages (6825 interactive and 883 informational) were accessed over the 24 weeks. The highest proportion of page hits was for the discussion support group (35%) and quit plan (30%). Interactive pages were significantly more likely to be used than informational pages (median 65 vs. 6, p p = .04). No other baseline characteristics were univariately associated with total logins or use of informational or interactive pages. Conclusions Adolescent smokers most often used a discussion support group and other interactive Internet-based cessation components. Future studies designed to increase adolescent use, and efficacy of, Internet-based cessation programs are warranted.
Equilibrium and stability of triple junctions in anisotropic systems

Abstract When a homophase or heterophase interface involves a crystalline solid, the interfacial energy is expected to depend upon the interface–plane orientation. In this paper, the equations governing equilibrium triple-junction configurations in anisotropic systems are reviewed. These equilibrium conditions were originally derived by considering the differential change in triple-junction interfacial energy associated with a differential change in triple-junction configuration and equating it to zero. However, the derived conditions do not distinguish between a triple-junction configuration that satisfies the equilibrium conditions by residing at a local energy minimum, a local energy maximum or at a saddle point. The present paper develops stability criteria for triple junctions with and without interfaces which have anisotropic energy, which can be used to determine whether triple-junction equilibrium conditions correspond to local energy minima (stable), maxima (unstable) or saddle points. For isotropic systems, there is a single solution to the triple-junction equilibrium conditions, and it is necessarily stable. For anisotropic systems, there are multiple solutions to the triple-junction equilibrium conditions, some of which may be stable, unstable or correspond to saddle points in triple-junction interfacial energy. Microstructure features and interface lengths/areas are expected to play a role in dictating the relative energies of stable configurations.
Solution structure and dynamics of the CX3C chemokine domain of fractalkine and its interaction with an N-terminal fragment of CX3CR1.

Fractalkine, a novel CX3C chemokine, is unusual because of both its membrane-associated structure and its direct role in cell adhesion. We have solved the solution structure of the chemokine domain of fractalkine (residues 1−76) by heteronuclear NMR methods. The 20 lowest energy structures in the ensemble have an average backbone rmsd of 0.43 A, excluding the termini. In contrast to many other chemokines which form homodimers, fractalkine's chemokine module is monomeric. Comparison of the structure to CC and CXC chemokines reveals interesting differences which are likely to be relevant to receptor binding. These include a bulge formed by the CX3C motif, the relative orientation of the N-terminus and 30's loop (residues 30−38), and the conformation of the N-loop (residues 9−19). 15N backbone relaxation experiments indicate that these same regions of the protein are dynamic. We also titrated 15N-labeled protein with a peptide from the N-terminus of the receptor CX3CR1 and confirmed that this region of the r...
Oxygen consumption of pelagic juveniles and demersal adults of the deep-sea fish Sebastolobus altivelis, measured at depth

Oxygen consumption rates of the deep-sea fish Sebastolobus altivelis were measured in situ on pelagic juveniles at mesopelagic depths (608 m) and on demersal adults at bathyal depths (1 300 m) in the Santa Catalina Basin in March 1982. Two pelagic juveniles were individually collected, and respiration was measured continuously for approximately 2 d with a slurp gun respirometer manipulated from the submersible “Alvin”. Oxygen consumption rates of these juveniles were highly variable and were 1.5 to 1.8 times higher during the night than during the day. Gut contents of the juveniles were mainly euphausiids (Euphausia pacifica and Nematoscelis difficilis). Four demersal adults were collected by “Alvin” and individually placed in fish-trap respirometers on the bottom where respiration was measured continuously for approximately 1 d. Weight-specific O2 consumption rates for adults decreased with increasing body weight and were consistent in magnitude throughout the incubation period. Population O2 consumption for demersal S. altivelis (calculated from abundance, size-frequency distribution, and O2 consumption regression equation) was 11.01 μl O2 m-2 h-1, which is two orders of magnitude less than the O2 consumption rate for the population of the most abundant epibenthic megafaunal species in the Santa Catalina Basin, the ophiuroid Ophiophthalmus normani. O. normani is a principal prey for adults of S. altivelis based on gutcontent analysis. Given the population O2 consumption rate as an estimate of food energy demand, the demersal population of S. altivelis would assimilate only 0.007% of the standing crop of O. normani per day.
Differential reflection spectroscopy: a versatile modulation technique for the study of the electronic properties of alloys, semiconductors, and thin films

Differential Reflection Spectrometry utilizes two almost identical samples which are mounted stationary, side by side. The samples differe slightly in their surface properties, for example, in composition, crystal structure, etc. Unpolarized light is alternately deflected to one or the other specimen by means of a vibrating mirror. Electronic processing yields the difference in the reflectivities, that is, a first derivative-like spectrum. Examples for applications are given, such as in situ studies of corrosion and passivation in aqueous solutions, investigations of alloys, and studies of the fmer details of implantation damage in semiconducting materials.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of transplacental antibiotic prophylaxis of neonatal group B streptococcal colonization and bacteremia in rabbits

Objective: We evaluated the effect of maternal administration of ampicillin/sulbactam on colonization and bacteremia in newborn rabbits after intracervical inoculation of mothers with group B streptococci (GBS). Methods: New Zealand white rabbits on day 30 of a 31-day gestation were inoculated intracervically with 104−105 colony forming units (cfu) GBS. Two hours after inoculation mothers received ampicillin/sulbactam (50 mg/kg) or saline (control) intramuscularly as a single dose, in a randomized double-blinded manner. We induced labor 4 h later with intramuscular oxytocin. At delivery, cultures for GBS were taken from neonatal oropharynx. Thereafter, cultures were taken from neonatal oropharynx and anorectum daily and from neonatal heart at death or after 96 h. Sample size analysis showed a need for 17 pups in each group. Results: In the control group, induction failed in one animal that was excluded from analysis. At birth, 0 of 39 pups of treated does had positive oropharyngeal cultures compared to 26 of 27 (96%) pups of saline-treated does (P < 0.0001). Pups treated with antibiotic in utero were also significantly less likely to have positive oropharyngeal cultures at 24, 48, and 72 h after birth compared to controls (24 h, 0% vs. 100%, P < 0.0001; 48 h, 8% vs. 100%, P < 0.0001; 72 h, 16% vs. 100%, P < 0.0001). Treated pups were significantly less likely to have positive anorectal cultures at 24, 48, and 72 h after birth compared to control animals (24 h, 0% vs. 100%, P < 0.0001; 48 h, 0% vs. 95%, P < 0.0001; 72 h, 0% vs. 92%, P < 0.0001). Treated pups were significantly less likely to have positive heart cultures at 72 h after birth compared to controls (11% vs. 92%, P < 0.0002). Cumulative neonatal survival was higher in treated pups compared to controls at 72 and 96 h after birth (72 h, 32% vs. 0%, P = 0.0003; 96 h, 26% vs. 0%, P = 0.015). Conclusions: Single dose transplacental prophylaxis given 4 h before delivery resulted in decreased neonatal GBS colonization and bacteremia and improved neonatal survival in rabbits.
Random Walk in Random Environment: A Counterexample without Potential

We describe a family of random walks in random environment which have exponentially decaying correlations, nearest neighbor transition probabilities which are bounded away from 0, and are subdiffusive in any dimensiond 1.
The mathematics of radiation target analyses

Radiation target theory has been extended to complex biochemical systems. Mathematical analyses are presented for multiple forms of biological active proteins, for the presence of large inhibitors or activators, for compounds which regulate rate or affinity and for multipe-step reactions. Several predictions of these models have been verified experimentally.
Investigation on Dual Corrosion Performance of Magnesium-Rich Primer for Aluminum Alloys Under Salt Spray Test (ASTM B117) and Natural Exposure

Abstract Magnesium-rich primers perform very well on outdoor exposure and actual test conditions, yet fail rapidly in accelerated corrosion testing (salt spray test – ASTM B117). To investigate the behavioral dichotomy, Mg-rich primers exposed to salt spray testing and natural weathering were characterized at periodic intervals. The results revealed the presence of a thin and porous magnesium hydroxide layer in primers exposed to salt spray, and in natural exposure, a thicker, protective magnesium carbonate layer was detected and characterized. Samples exposed to atmospheric carbon dioxide exhibit excellent corrosion resistance but salt spray conditions are not conducive to facilitate magnesium carbonate formation.
Poisson Transforms on Some C*-Algebras Generated by Isometries

Abstract A noncommutative Poisson transform associated to a certain class of sequences of operators on Hilbert spaces, with property (P), is defined on some universal C *-algebras (resp. nonselfadjoint algebras) generated by isometries. Its properties are described and used to study these universal algebras and their representations. As consequences, we obtain a functional calculus, isometric (resp. unitary) dilations, and commutant lifting theorem for the class of sequences of operators with property (P). Our “geometrical” approach leads also to new and elementary proofs as well as extensions of some classical results.
In vivo desensitization of a severe driving phobia through radiO contact

Abstract A 55-yr-old man with a severe driving phobia was treated by in vivo desensitization. A radio transceiver was used to provide the anxiety-inhibiting effects of voice contact during exposure to phobic driving experiences. Treatment effects were maintained at 6-month follow-up.
Effects of sulfate deposition on pore water dissolved organic carbon, nutrients, and microbial enzyme activities in a northern peatland

Export of dissolved organic carbon from lakes and streams has increased throughout Europe and North America over the past several decades. One possible cause is altered deposition chemistry; specifically, decreasing sulfate inputs leading to changes in ionic strength and dissolved organic carbon solubility. To further investigate the relationship between deposition chemistry and dissolved organic carbon export in peatlands, a field experiment was conducted to compare the pore water chemistry and peat microbial enzyme activity of mesocosms receiving sulfate amendments to mesocosms receiving no additions. To consider how peatlands respond during recovery from increased inputs of sulfate, samples were also analyzed from an area of the same peatland that was previously amended with sulfate. Current additions of sulfate decreased dissolved organic carbon concentration and increased dissolved organic carbon aromaticity. Total dissolved phosphorus decreased in response to current sulfate amendments but was elevated in the area of the peatland recovering from sulfate amendment. The total dissolved phosphorus increase, which was reflected in microbial enzyme activity, may have shifted the system from P limitation to N limitation. This shift could have important consequences for ecosystem processes related to plant and microbial communities. It also suggests that the recovery from previous sulfate amendments may take longer than may be expected.
Heavy metals in the surficial sediments of Fontana Lake, North Carolina

Abstract Concern about the possible contamination by heavy metals of Fontana Lake (reservoir) and potential sources of such materials led to a study of surficial sediments. Samples of sediment were collected in the main body of the lake and near the mouths of its major tributaries and analayzed for magnesium, iron, aluminum, manganese, zinc, copper and mercury. Although the drainage area of the reservoir is primarily forested and rural without major industrial developments, the results indicated that manganese, copper and zinc were present in concentrations similar to areas receiving industrial pollution. Chemical analyses of pyritic materials in the watershed (e.g. schists or Anakeesta formation) showed relatively high concentrations of many of the same metals present in Fontana sediments. It appears, therefore, that the metals in the lake sediments represent materials derived from geological sources, although airborne contributions of certain metals cannot be ruled out.
An integrated ultrasonic sensor for monitoring gradual wear on-line during turning operations

Abstract The condition of the tool and the cutting process are essential inputs to any productivity improvements through process optimization in conventional and unmanned machining. Tool replacement and tool wear compensation strategies, which are based on prior experience and/or tool history are, in general, under performing. Currently, the methods of tool condition monitoring are either time consuming, as in the case of off-line direct measurements of the tool, or are modestly successful, as in the case of the on-line indirect measurements, such as forces or acoustic emissions. This in part is due to the lack of suitable sensors and/or exact dynamic model, which relate the indirect measurements to the actual tool condition. This paper describes a promising ultrasonic method for on-line direct measurement of gradual wear in turning operations. An integrated (transmit and receive) single ultrasonic transducer operating at a frequency of 10 MHz is placed in contact with the tool. The change in the amount of the reflected energy from the nose and the flanks of the tool can be related to the level of gradual wear and the mechanical integrity of the tool. The experimental results show that under laboratory conditions, a correlation exists between the ultrasonic measurement and gradual wear and that it is tool dependent.
Strongly divisible 1-designs

If a 1-design, D, admits a tactical decomposition such that the number of blocks through two distinct points depends only on their point classes and further that the number of blocks through any two distinct points of the same point class is a constant, then the decomposition is called a tactical division. In the case of D being a 2-design the terms tactical division and tactical decomposition are synonymous. If the division has c block classes and d point classes then b+d≥v+c where b is the number of blocks of D and v is the number of points of D. Tactical divisions for which b+d=v+c are of special interest and are called strong. A 1-design admitting a strong tactical division is called strongly divisible.
Modeling Transflective LCD Illumination Systems

Transflective LCD illumination models are simulated to assess image quality under influence of ambient light in terms of a user viewable image. Currently a contrast improvement of 168% is observed beyond a regular LC display.
The Kentucky Principalship: Model of School Leadership Reconfigured by ISLLC Standards and Reform Policy Implementation

This article provides perspectives about influences on the principalship following a state's 1998 adoption—without modification—of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards for School Leaders. Using literature about reconceptualizing school leadership as the framework, the paper summarizes changes in state-regulated administrator certification, state-approved preservice preparation, state-mandated first-year induction of new principals, and district-designed administrator performance evaluation that have occurred since adoption of the Standards. Perspectives about policy and contextual issues that challenge and enhance opportunities for Kentucky to achieve its goal of reshaping administrative practice are shared. Recommendations for future research about the implementation of the Standards include (a) studies about the practice of contemporary school leadership, (b) longitudinal and cross-case inquiries about implementation, and (c) explorations of the influences of school leadership on...
State-Dependent Calcium Signaling in Dendritic Spines of Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons

Striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in vivo undergo large membrane depolarizations known as state transitions. Calcium (Ca) entry into MSNs triggers diverse downstream cellular processes. However, little is known about Ca signals in MSN dendrites and spines and how state transitions influence these signals. Here, we develop a novel approach, combining 2-photon Ca imaging and 2-photon glutamate uncaging, to examine how voltage-sensitive Ca channels (VSCCs) and ionotropic glutamate receptors contribute to Ca signals in MSNs. We find that upstate transitions switch the VSCCs available in dendrites and spines, decreasing T-type while enhancing L-type channels. Moreover, these transitions change the dominant synaptic Ca source from Ca-permeable AMPA receptors to NMDA receptors. Finally, pairing bAPs with synaptic inputs generates additional synaptic Ca signals due to enhanced Ca influx through NMDA receptors. By altering the sources, amplitude, and kinetics of spine Ca signals, state transitions may gate synaptic plasticity and gene expression in MSNs.