cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards Inclusive Software Engineering Through A/B Testing: A Case-Study at Windows

Engineering software to be inclusive of all those that might/could/should use the software is important. However, today, data used to engineer software can have inherent biases (e.g. gender identity) with inclusiveness concerns. While much attention has been given to this topic in the AI/ML space, in this paper, we examine another data-centric software engineering process, A/B testing, for which we have a dearth of understanding today. Using real-world data from the Windows out of box experience (OOBE) feature, we provide a case-study of how inclusiveness concerns can manifest in A/B testing, practical adjustments to A/B testing towards inclusive software engineering, and insights into ongoing challenges. We discuss implications for research and practice.
Infrared Emission of the Galactic Center and Extragalactic Sources

The basic rationale for studying galactic nuclei, including our own, is to search for phenomena fundamentally different from those we can study nearby. In some cases, such as Seyfert galaxies, such processes are clearly occuring, but we are frustrated by the lack of detail that we can see in what is spatially an unresolved point. The Galactic Center would probably not hold our attention for long if we observed it from beyond the Local Group, but its proximity allows study on a scale completely unattainable for any other galactic nucleus. Thus, in the study of galaxies, it holds a unique place analogous to that of the sun in stellar astronomy.
Radiology of the Heart

The chest radiograph is the first imaging study performed in patients suspected of having cardiac disease. This chapter discusses the role of the chest radiograph in the diagnosis of cardiac disease in adults, with an emphasis on both normal cardiovascular anatomy and pathology in a variety of diseases. Cross-sectional imaging is correlated with plain film images to illustrate important anatomic points. Thorough knowledge of mediastinal interfaces and the cardiac borders will help to determine if pathology is present. There are many frequently occurring cardiovascular conditions with specific and often diagnostic imaging findings on the plain chest radiograph. The conditions that will be discussed include aortic stenosis and insufficiency, mitral stenosis and acute mitral regurgitation, pericardial calcification suggesting constriction, and the plain film alterations found in atrial septal defect and other intracardiac defects.
An approach to broaden the semantic coverage of ACL speech acts

Current speech-act based ACLs specify domain-independent information about communication and relegate domain-dependent information to an unspecified content language. This is reasonable, but the ACLs cover only a small fraction of the domain-independent information possible. As a key element of modern ACLs, the set of communicative acts needs to be as complete as possible to enable agents to communicate the widest range of information with agreed-upon semantics. This paper describes a new approach to broaden the semantic coverage of ACL speech acts. It provides agents with the ability to express more of the possible meanings in human languages and yields a more powerful ACL. Specifically, we first compare Austin's and Searle's classifications, and Ballmer and Brennenstuhl's comprehensive classification of speech acts. The main meaning categories and their semantics are given next. Finally, a multifaceted evaluation of our approach is presented, which points out that the approach potentially can combine the benefits of the FIPA ACL with Ballmer and Brennenstuhl's speech act classification, resulting in a more expressive ACL.
The Comparative Efficacy of Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy in Depression:: Implications for Clinical Practice

The issue of whether psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both is most effective for depression has many implications for professional psychology and for the relationship between physicians and non-medical psychotherapists in general. Empirical studies suggest that a combination treatment may hasten remission from depression. Both tricyclic medications and certain types of psychological treatments have been shown to be effective in treating outpatient depression, and neither modality has been shown to be definitively more effective than the other. However, there is limited evidence that endogenous depressions do not respond well to psychotherapy alone.
On “Stepping Back and Letting Go”: The Role of Control in the Success or Failure of Social Studies Simulations

AbstractThis comparative case study presents one key challenge that 2 experienced teachers faced when using simulations: control. Simulations are activities that place high demands on teachers, including the ability to anticipate pitfalls in advance, act in multiple capacities, shape the direction of the activity without unduly interfering, and to be comfortable with the structured chaos that simulations engender. Together these demands strain teachers’ restraint when it comes to control. Utilizing a series of interviews, observations, teacher visions of practice, and documents related to the simulations and context, data were collected on experienced teachers’ perspectives and practices with simulations. As this article indicates, the use of simulations requires teachers to engage in (soft) control that is applied both subtly and conservatively to maintain simulation’s dynamism, verisimilitude, and students’ productive engagement. Without such discretion, (hard) control serves as a destructive form of in...
Local closed world semantics: grounded circumscription for OWL

We present a new approach to adding closed world reasoning to the Web Ontology Language OWL. It transcends previous work on circumscriptive description logics which had the drawback of yielding an undecidable logic unless severe restrictions were imposed. In particular, it was not possible, in general, to apply local closure to roles. In this paper, we provide a new approach, called grounded circumscription, which is applicable to SROIQ and other description logics around OWL without these restrictions. We show that the resulting language is decidable, and we derive an upper complexity bound. We also provide a decision procedure in the form of a tableaux algorithm.
Biosynthesis of a Mycobacterial Lipopolysaccharide: EVIDENCE FOR AN ACYLPOLYSACCHARIDE METHYLTRANSFERASE

Abstract It was suggested recently that a soluble methyltransferase from Mycobacterium phlei, which was shown to transfer methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to position 6 of α(1 → 4)-linked d-glucooligosaccharides, may function in the biosynthesis of the 10 α(1 → 4)-linked 6-O-methyl-d-glucose residues of a mycobacterial lipopolysaccharide (Ferguson, J. A., and Ballou, C. E. (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 4213). In a reinvestigation of this system, we have failed to observe methylation by the M. phlei extract unless the glucooligosaccharides were partially acetylated. We have studied this phenomenon further and have determined some of the characteristics of the reaction. Different oligosaccharide preparations with 0.2 to 1.6 acetyl groups per glucose unit were active as acceptors. At low levels of acetylation (0.2 acetyls per glucose), methylation occurred only at position 6. At high levels of acetylation (1.6 acetyls per glucose), methylation at position 6 was strongly depressed, and some methylation then occurred at position 3 as well. The 6-O-methyltransferase was studied in some detail by the use of oligosaccharides with low levels of acetylation. Partially acetylated oligosaccharides, with 5 to 15 glucose residues, were readily methylated. However, only a trace of methylation was obtained with the tetrasaccharide, and no activity was observed with the di- or trisaccharide, or with cyclooctaamylose. Digestion of the enzymically methylated octasaccharide with β-amylase gave products which suggested that methylation had occurred only at sites which were more than 4 glucose residues from the nonreducing end. This is consistent with the fact that the 6-O-methylglucose-containing section of the lipopolysaccharide itself begins 4 glucose units in from the nonreducing end. The structural similarity between the methylated octasaccharide and the mycobacterial lipopolysaccharide suggests that the 6-O-methyltransferase is specific for the methylation of a partially acylated or otherwise lipophilic precursor of the lipopolysaccharide.
Steady magnetospheric convection and stream interfaces: Relationship over a solar cycle

[1] Recently, an association between steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events and solar wind stream interfaces (SI) was discovered. SMC occurrence tends to peak 0.5–1 day after a stream interface encounters the Earth, while a minimum in SMC events is seen 3–1.5 days before an SI arrives. We investigate whether this relationship holds throughout an entire solar cycle and find that during the declining phase, the relationship is consistent with previous results, while during the rising phase, no association is seen. Conditions during SMCs associated with stream interfaces are compared to unassociated SMCs, and we find differences from previous observations but consistencies with poststream interface conditions. We find that the Russell-McPherron geoeffectiveness of the solar wind stream and increased solar wind–magnetosphere coupling in the declining phase contribute to the observed association. Since SMCs usually begin with a substorm, and substorm occurrence increases both after a stream interface and during the declining phase of the solar cycle, we suggest that the increased number of substorms contributes to the higher probability of an SMC occurring during this period. The question of why coupling is greater, and why substorms occur more frequently during the declining phase, remains to be answered.
Risk factors for xerophthalmia in the Republic of Kiribati.

In 1989 in the Republic of Kiribati two teams consisting of an ophthalmologist a nurse two field officers and two village welfare group members conducted a population-based cross-sectional xerophthalmia survey among 4619 children aged 6-72 months living in the northern atolls of South Tarawa Abaiang and Butaritari and the southern atolls of Tabiteuea North Nonouti and Abemama. The study aimed to identify risk factors for xerophthalmia in Kiribati. Kiribati has among the highest xerophthalmia rates in the world. 666 children had xerophthalmia while 816 children did not. The multivariable logistic regression (controlling for age and sex) revealed that significant independent risk factors for xerophthalmia were diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45) and wasting (OR = 3.07 for mild wasting; OR = 3.55 for moderate wasting; OR = 3.82 for severe wasting). Factors associated with a protective effect against xerophthalmia included breast feeding (OR = 0.3) consumption of foods rich in vitamin A (OR = 0.93) and presence of a garden project of the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific in the village (OR = 0.7). When the researchers controlled for age sex breast feeding status diarrhea protein-energy malnutrition frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin A and the presence of a village garden project the association between measles and corneal xerophthalmia persisted (OR = 7.73). These findings suggest that greater availability and consumption of foods rich in vitamin A reduces the risk of xerophthalmia among preschool children.
Flexible parylene-based multielectrode array technology for high-density neural stimulation and recording

Novel flexible parylene-based high-density electrode arrays have been developed for functional electrical stimulation in retinal and spinal cord prosthetics. These arrays are microfabricated according to a single-metal-layer process and a revolutionary dual-metal-layer process that promises to meet the needs of extremely high-density stimulation applications. While in many cases thin-film platinum electrodes in parylene C would be sufficient, high surface-area platinum electroplating has been shown to extend the lifetime of stimulated electrodes to more than 430 million pulses without failing. Iridium electrode arrays with higher charge delivery capacity have also been fabricated using a new high-temperature stabilized parylene variant, parylene HT. In addition, a new heat molding process has been implemented to conform electrode arrays to approximate the curvature of canine retinas, and a chronic implantation study of the mechanical effects of parylene-based electrode arrays on the retina over a 6-month follow-up period has provided excellent results. Retinal stimulation from these parylene-based electrode arrays in an isolated tiger salamander preparation was shown to be comparable to light stimulation in terms of generation of action potentials in the inner retina. Finally, electrode arrays have also been implanted and tested on the spinal cords of murine models, with the ultimate goal of facilitation of locomotion after spinal cord injury; these arrays provide a higher density and better spatial control of stimulation and recording than is typically possible using traditional fine-wire electrodes. Spinal cord stimulation typically elicited three muscle responses, an early (direct), a middle (monosynaptic), and a late (polysynaptic) response, classified based on latency after stimulation. Stimulation at different rostrocaudal levels of the cord yielded markedly different muscle responses, highlighting the need for such high-density arrays.
PROGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING ATOMIC STRUCTURE OF THE ICOSAHEDRAL PHASE

Analyse par diffraction electronique de la phase quasicristalline Al 6 Mn. Les intensites diffuses observees indiquent la presence d'un certain desordre a l'interieur de cette phase. Par microscopie ionique a emission de champ, mise en evidence de plusieurs tailles d'amas qui paraissent en accord avec les modeles proposes. Comparaison entre les modeles deduits des resultats experimentaux et ceux simules par ordinateur
Prediction of scour depth around bridge piers using Gaussian process

A reliable prognostics framework is essential to prevent catastrophic failure of bridges due to scour. In the U.S., scour accounts for almost 60% of bridge failures. Currently available techniques in the literature for predicting scour are mostly based on empirical equations and deterministic regression models, like Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines, and do not predict the evolution of scour over time. In this paper, we will discuss a Gaussian process model, which includes Bayesian uncertainty for prediction of time-dependent scour evolution. We will validate the model on the experimental data conducted in four different flumes in different conditions. The robustness of the algorithm will also be demonstrated under different scenarios, like lack of training data and equilibrium scour conditions. The results indicate that the algorithm is able to predict the scour evolution with an error of less than 20% for most of the time, and 5% or less given enough training data.
An Analytical Model for the Effective Dielectric Constant of a 0-3-0 Composite

An analytical expression for prediction of the effective dielectric constant of a three phase 0-3-0 ferroelectric composite is presented. The analytical results are verified with the experimental results from Nan et al [1]. We extend the analytical model, so that the influence of the shape of the third phase inclusion, on the effective dielectric constant of the composite, can be investigated. The results indicate that the dielectric constant increases ∼7 times, when the aspect ratio of the conductive inclusion is increased from 1 (sphere) to 10 (spheroid). The analytical predictions compare favorably with the experimental values.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Surcose transport in isolated plasma-membrane vesicles from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Evidence for an electrogenic sucrose-proton symport.

An analysis of the molecular mechanism of sucrose transport across the plasmalemma was conducted with isolated plasma-membrane (PM) vesicles. Plasma membrane was isolated by aqueous two-phase partitioning from fully expanded sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves. The isolated fraction was predominantly PM vesicles as determined by marker-enzyme analysis, and the vesicles were oriented right-side-out as determined by structurally linked latency of the PM enzyme, vanadate-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase. Sucrose uptake was investigated by equilibrating PM vesicles in pH 7.6 buffer and diluting them 20-fold into pH 6.0 buffer. Using this pH-jump technique, vesicles accumulated acetate in a pH-dependent, protonophore-sensitive manner, which demonstrated the presence of a pH gradient (ΔpH) across the vesicle membrane. Addition of sucrose to pH-jumped PM vesicles resulted in a pH-dependent, protonophoresensitive uptake of sucrose into the vesicles. Uptake was sucrose-specific in that a 10-fold excess of mannose, glucose, fructose, mannitol, melibiose, lactose or maltose did not inhibit sucrose accumulation. The rate of pH-dependent uptake was saturable with respect of sucrose concentration and had an apparent K m, of 0.45 mM. Sucrose uptake was stimulated approximately twofold by the addition of valinomycin and K+, which indicated an electrogenic sucrose-H+ symport. Membrane potentials (ΔΨ) were imposed across the vesicle membrane using valinomycin and K+. A membrane potential, negative inside, stimulated pH-dependent sucrose uptake while a ΔΨ, positive inside, inhibited uptake. Conditions that produce a negative ΔΨ in the absence of a pH gradient supported, although weakly, sucrose uptake. These data support an electrogenic sucrose-H+ symport as the mechanism of sucrose transport across the PM in Beta leaves.
A program for increasing manual signing by a nonvocal adult within the daily environment

An instructional program was implemented to increase an adult's repertoire of manual signlanguage skills. The participant was a 39-year-old male with mental retardation who had never demonstrated vocal speech. The program used modified incidental teaching strategies consisting of modeling, verbal prompts, physical guidance, positive reinforcement, and naturally occurring reinforcers within the participant's daily environment. The teaching program was implemented by eight direct care personnel who interacted with the participant and five other residents in a community living arrangement (CLA) on a daily basis. Results indicated that the participant learned to independently use manual signing during structured interactions and that the independent levels of responding were maintained for the duration of this study. Results are discussed regarding the potential benefits of teaching manual signs to nonvocal individuals.
NMR study of spin dynamics in disordered Heisenberg paramagnets

Abstract The spin dynamics in the disordered paramagnets KMg1−xMnxF3 and Zn1−xMnxF2 were investigated using the F19 NMR. Linewidths and relaxation rates of those distinct classes of F19 nuclei that have different numbers of nearest neighbor magnetic ions were obtained as a function of concentration x. The particular importance of the isolated magnetic ion to the low frequency spectral density was established.
Endoscopic ultrasonography versus cholangiography for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis

Abstract Background : Choledocholithiasis is a major source of morbidity among patients undergoing cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. There is no consensus on the best approach to diagnosing bile duct stones. We compared the safety, accuracy, diagnostic yield, and cost of EUS- and ERCP-based approaches. Methods : Sixty-four consecutive pre- and post-cholecystectomy patients referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for suspected choledocholithiasis were prospectively evaluated in a blinded fashion. All were stratified into risk groups using predefined criteria. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and ERCP were sequentially performed by two endoscopists. Results : The success rates of EUS and ERCP were 98% and 94%, respectively. The accuracy of EUS for diagnosing choledocholithiasis was 94%. EUS provided an additional or alternative diagnosis to bile duct stones in 21% of patients. The complication rate of EUS was significantly lower than diagnostic ERCP. An EUS-based strategy costs less than diagnostic ERCP in patients with low, moderate, or intermediate risk. Conclusions : EUS is comparably accurate, but safer and less costly than ERCP for evaluating patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. It is useful in patients with an increased risk of having common bile duct stones based on clinical criteria and those with contraindications for or prior unsuccessful ERCP. EUS may enable selective performance of ERCP and improve the cost-effectiveness of diagnosing choledocholithiasis. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;47:439-48.)
Contrast equalization methods for layered-sensing systems

Layered sensing is a relatively new construct in the repertoire of the US Air Force. Under the layered sensing paradigm, an area is surveyed by a multitude of sensors at varying altitudes, and operating across many modalities. One of the recent pushes is to incorporate multi-sensor systems and create from them a single image. However, if the sensor parameters are not properly adjusted, the contrast amongst the images from camera to camera will vary greatly. This can create issues when performing tracking and analysis work. The contribution of this paper is to explore and provide an evaluation of various techniques for histogram equalization of Electro-Optical (EO) video sequences whose views are centered on a city. In this paper, the performance of several methods on histogram equalization are evaluated under the layered sensing construction.
Naltrexone effects on short-term and long-term smoking cessation.

Abstract Objectives: This study examined the efficacy of naltrex-one, a long-acting opiate antagonist, as a smoking cessation aid in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. It was hypothesized that naltrexone would result in higher quit rates at the end of treatment and six months later. Methods: Subjects were 68 smokers aged 18 to 65 who smoked at least 20 cigarettes daily and wished to stop smoking. They took naltrex-one or placebo daily for four weeks and were seen weekly for individual smoking cessation therapy. Results: A statistical trend towards a higher overall cessation rate (cotinine < 15 ng/mL) at end-of-treatment was observed among subjects treated with naltrexone than placebo (46.7% vs. 26.3%, respectively, odds ratio = 2.5, p < .10); however, this difference was attenuated at six months (27% vs. 15%, respectively, odds ratio = 1.9, p = ns). Stratified analysis indicated the usefulness of naltrexone primarily for female smokers and those with a history of major depression. These e...
An alternatively-spliced mRNA in the carboxy terminus of the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene is expressed in muscle

The gene for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was identified by positional cloning and found to contain two alternatively spliced exons. The first described alternatively spliced exon (exon 23a) is located within the GAP-related domain of the gene and inserts an additional 63 nucleotides into the NF1 mRNA. The second alternatively spliced exon (exon 48a) is located near the extreme carboxy terminus of the gene and inserts an additional 54 nucleotides into the mRNA. This second isoform, termed 3'ALT, was originally detected while screening a fetal brain cDNA library. Examination of its expression by reverse-transcribed RNA PCR demonstrates high level of expression in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and smooth muscle. Trace levels of expression are detected in brain and nerve. The 3'ALT isoform is expressed in fetal cardiac muscle, adult left ventricle and cardiac Purkinje cells. Further confirmation of the existence of this isoform was obtained by blotting the PCR products with a radiolabeled oligonucleotide entirely derived from sequences contained within exon 48a and by direct sequencing of the PCR products. Additionally, this isoform is expressed in muscle tissues from other vertebrate species. The expression of this isoform in muscle suggests that the NF1 gene may play additional tissue-specific roles in muscle development and signal transduction.
Topical Retinoid Treatment for Various Dry-eye Disorders

We evaluated the clinical efficacy of treating various dry-eye disorders using 0.01% and 0.1% (weight/weight) topical all-trans retinoic acid ointment. Twenty-two patients were selected and classified into four major groups: keratoconjunctivitis sicca (6 patients; 11 eyes), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (9 patients; 17 eyes), ocular pemphigoid or drug-induced pseudopemphigoid (3 patients; 6 eyes), and surgery or radiation-induced dry eye (4 patients; 4 eyes), based on the criterion that they remained symptomatic even under maximum tolerable conventional medical and/or surgical therapies. The results indicated that squamous metaplasia with mucin deficiency secondary to goblet cell loss and keratinization may be the basis for the development of clinical symptoms and morbidities, as these epithelial abnormalities were invariably present before treatment. After treatment, all patients demonstrated clinical improvements in symptoms, visual acuity, rose Bengal staining, or Schirmer test. Most importantly, this topical vitamin A treatment caused the reversal of squamous metaplasia as evidenced by impression cytology. Therefore, this treatment may represent the first nonsurgical attempt to treat these disorders by reversing diseased ocular surface epithelium.
Pulsatile flow past aortic valve bioprostheses in a model human aorta

Pulsatile flow development past tissue valve prostheses in a model human aorta has been studied using qualitative flow visualization and quantitative laser-Doppler techniques. Experiments were conducted both in steady and physiological pulsatile flow situations and the measurements included the pressure drop across the valve, the instantaneous flow rate as well as the velocity profiles and turbulent stresses downstream to the valves. Our study shows that the velocity profiles with pericardial valves are closer to those measured past natural aortic valves. The porcine valves with a smaller valve opening area produce a narrower and stronger jet downstream from the valve with relatively larger turbulent axial stresses in the boundary of the jet. Our study suggests that the pericardial valves with turbulent stresses comparable to those of caged ball and tilting disc valves are preferable from a hemodynamic point of view.
Fandangos and Bailes: Dancing and Dance Events in Early California

"A Calif ornian would hardly pause in a dance for an earthquake, and would renew it before the vibrations ceased."1 It would be simplistic merely to say that the Californios loved to dance and play, because it is a truism. Dancing fulfilled a number of very real needs of a society which was politically and economically peripheral, and which was characterized by rigorous social customs and segregation of the sexes.
Conserved structural and regulatory regions in the Salmonella typhimurium btuB gene for the outer membrane vitamin B12 transport protein.

Abstract The Salmonella typhimurium btuB gene encodes an outer membrane protein that is necessary for the transport of vitamin B12 and the uptake of the E colicins and bacteriophage BF23. The sequence of this gene showed 87 % identity of the deduced polypeptide to its Escherichia coli homolog, and its product was found to function in transport as effectively in cells of E. coli as did the native protein. The extensive sequence conservation within the first 300 transcribed nucleotides, which include the leader and early part of the coding sequence, supports the proposed role of this region in the regulation of btuB gene expression.
Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of amphiphilic spin probes in the triblock copolymer EO13PO30EO13 (Pluronic L64): hydration, dynamics and order in the polymer aggregates

Abstract Aqueous solutions of the triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) EO13PO30EO13 (Pluronic L64) were investigated over a wide concentration range (20–100%, (w/w) polymer) in the micellar, liquid crystalline and reverse micellar phases, using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy of spin probes. A series of amphiphilic nitroxide spin probes based on n-doxylstearic acid (nDSA) with n, the carbon atom to which the doxyl group is attached, equal to 5 and 10 were used to measure the local polarity, dynamics and degree of order in the self-assembled system. The 14N isotropic hyperfine splitting, aN, was the polarity sensitive parameter. The probe location and the corresponding effective local hydration, Zeff, were deduced by comparing ESR spectra of the probes in L64 solutions with spectra of the probes in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and a mixture of PEO and PPO containing the monomer molar ratio 26:30, as in L64. The results indicate that the probes reside in and provide evidence for the presence of hydrophobic and non-hydrated regions consisting of PO blocks and that the order in the aggregates decreases from the PO/EO interface toward the PO domains. Additional support for these conclusions was obtained from ESR spectra of the probes in the lamellar phase as a function of added cholesterol and by simulations of the ESR spectra of the probes in the lamellar phase of L64. This study of the hydrophobic part of the aggregates, together with our previous study based on ESR spectra of cationic probes that reside in the polar and hydrated EO regions, lead to a detailed description of the nature of L64 aggregates in aqueous solutions.
THE BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOME ESTUARINE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES. I. FATTY ACID COMPOSITION12

SUMMARY The fatty acid composition of 10 species of estuarine phytoplankton was determined using gas-liquid chromatography. Nine of the species were isolated from Yaquina Bay, Oregon. These species were common components of the phytoplankton of the bay. The tenth species, Isochrysis galbana, was obtained from the Culture Collection of Algae at Indiana University. The 10 organisms comprised 3 species of Chlorophyta, 1 species of Cryptophyta, and 6 species of Chrysophyta. Twenty-eight fatty acids were found in the 10 species. The fatty acids common to all species were 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 13:0, 18:1, and 18:2. The Chlorophyta were distinguished by a high content of linolenic acid, 18:3. The diatoms were distinguished by very low amounts of C18 acids and high proportion of 20:5. All species contained a high proportion of palmitic acid, 16:0.
Teaching Latitude and Longitude in the Upper Elementary Grades

Abstract One of the five fundamental themes in geography is that of location. By the fourth grade students should be introduced to the latitude and longitude coordinate system as a means of locating places and stating the absolute location of places. This paper presents a four-lesson unit that is designed to teach students at the upper elementary grade levels the skills and concepts related to latitude and longitude. The first two lessons teach students the fundamental skills of reading latitude and longitude coordinate references, and using them to find and state the location of places on a simple grid that is divided into four quadrants by the equator and the prime meridian. The next two lessons give students the opportunity to reinforce these skills in a stimulating fashion by plotting the track of a recent hurricane using data available from the National Hurricane Center. These lessons also introduce the students to hurricanes as tropical storms, and sets the stage for future units of work on the regi...
Ignoring linkage disequilibrium among tightly linked markers induces false-positive evidence of linkage for affected sib pair analysis

Most multipoint linkage programs assume linkage equilibrium among the markers being studied. The assumption is appropriate for the study of sparsely spaced markers with intermarker distances exceeding a few centimorgans, because linkage equilibrium is expected over these intervals for almost all populations. However, with recent advancements in high-throughput genotyping technology, much denser markers are available, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) may exist among the markers. Applying linkage analyses that assume linkage equilibrium to dense markers may lead to bias. Here, we demonstrated that, when some or all of the parental genotypes are missing, assuming linkage equilibrium among tightly linked markers where strong LD exists can cause apparent oversharing of multipoint identity by descent (IBD) between sib pairs and false-positive evidence for multipoint model-free linkage analysis of affected sib pair data. LD can also mimic linkage between a disease locus and multiple tightly linked markers, thus causing false-positive evidence of linkage using parametric models, particularly when heterogeneity LOD score approaches are applied. Bias can be eliminated by inclusion of parental genotype data and can be reduced when additional unaffected siblings are included in the analysis.
Expansion and Contraction Patterns of Large Polities: Context for Russia

Over 5,000 years of history, the effective number of separate political entities has decreased from close to a million to 24, if going by geographical area, and from about a thousand to 15, if going by population. These changes have followed interconnected exponential patterns which extrapolate to a single world polity around year 4000. Within this long-term trend, three sudden increases in polity sizes occur: around 3000 BC, 600 BC, and AD 1600. This study tests the exponential model against area and population data for five millennia. It also gives tables and graphs of area versus time for all major polities since AD 600. The median duration of large polities at more than half the peak size has been 130 years, and it has not changed over 5,000 years. Polities that expand slower tend to last slightly longer. The prospects of the Moscow-centered state are discussed in the light of these findings.
Differences in Binding of Hepatic Nuclear Proteins from Lean and Obese Rats to the 5‘‐Upstream Region of Tyrosine Aminotransferase

The glucocorticoid effects on liver tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA levels have been studied in young, lean, and obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats and 5'-upstream regions of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene have been used in gel retardation studies to investigate nuclear protein binding. Hepatic TAT mRNA levels were increased in obese fa/fa rats but were normalized seven days after adrenalectomy. Corticosterone replacement to adrenalectomized rats restored the increased levels of TAT mRNA in the obese animals. A 60-bp fragment of upstream TAT DNA (-2463 to -2403) was identified which showed higher levels of band shifting after incubation with hepatic nuclear proteins of obese rats compared with the proteins from lean animals. This differential level of gel retardation was substantially reduced by alkaline phosphatase treatment of nuclear proteins. Gel retardation was reduced when nuclear proteins were prepared from adrenalectomized obese rats, and increased with nuclear proteins from adrenalectomized rats replaced with corticosterone. DNA affinity chromatography and gel electrophoresis identified three proteins of approximately 58, 62, and 65 kDa in the DNA-protein complex. Increased amounts of these three proteins were purified from nuclei of obese rats. HNF3 alpha antibodies induced hypershift of the gel retardation pattern implicating HNF3 alpha as one of the proteins that binds to the 60 bp DNA fragment. The data support the hypothesis that decreased phosphorylation of nuclear proteins in obese rats is glucocorticoid-dependent and may contribute to the altered transcriptional activity of glucocorticoid-responsive genes.
An interface constitutive modeling problem for compressible flows with mass transfer

Abstract The complete solution of a two-phase flow problem requires the solution of appropriate partial differential equations (PDEs) of mass, momentum, and energy in the region occupied by the vapor and in the region occupied by the liquid. The moving interface between each phasic region requires the specification of additional interface conditions. These additional conditions are jump conditions imposed by the mass, momentum, and energy balances at the interface and additional interface ‘constitutive’ equations. These additional interface constitutive equations can also be thought of as internal interface boundary conditions that must be imposed on the PDEs on each side of the interface to secure a well posed problem. It is well known that the characteristic equations in any hyperbolic system give a complete picture of the required boundary conditions or interface shock conditions. In this paper, the limiting form of a set of characteristic equations will be used to determine the nature of the phasic interface conditions that are required in a compressible, viscous, conducting fluid at a mass transfer interface. The analysis will show that the traditional interface modeling constitutive equations are insufficient in number and hence lead to multiple solutions and therefore to an ill-posed problem. The source of the insufficient number of interface conditions will be discussed.
Thermal Crystallization of Polytetrahydrofuran Networks

Abstract : The thermal crystallization behavior of cross-linked rubbers formed by endlinking monodisperse and bidisperse linear polytetrahydrofurans was investigated. The introduction of crosslinkages in PTHF inhibits the ability of chain units in proximity to the crosslinks to crystallize. From melting point depression measurements, it is estimated that the suppression in crystallizability extends as much as 15 chain units away from the crosslinkage. This estimate is consistent with the degree of equilibrium crystallinity measured in the various PTHF networks. The equilibrium melting point for uncrosslinked PTHF was deduced from melting point depression in the crosslinked rubbers to be 368 K. This is in satisfactory agreement with the T determined linear PTHF, 361 K, but significantly higher than previously reported values. The distribution in the lengths of network chains exerted a trivial influence on thermal crystallization behavior, at least under the present experimental conditions. Polytetrahydrofuran, Crystallization, Cross-linking, Network architecture. (jes)
Condensation routes to polyaniline and its analogs

To obtain polyanilines which are more structurally perfect than those obtainable by the oxidation of anilines, polycondensation procedures were investigated. Model reactions gave extensive information about yields and about the physical properties of the putative structural polymer units. Condensation of anthraquinones with aromatic diamines using titanium tetrachloride and the unique base, 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane Dabco, gave high molecular weight orange polyquinonimines. Alkoxy groups on the anthraquinone ring aided solubility and molecular weight, and appropriately positioned alkoxy groups afforded stereoregular polymers. A bisthiophene benzoquinone also polymerized successfully. Application of the same procedure to 2,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone gave stereoregular poly(arylene benzoquinonimines), close analogs of pernigrani line. The factors causing problems in achieving high yields and high molecular weight were identified. Recent synthetic developments in this field are discussed. Reduction of the obtained polyquinonimines proceeded smoothly to the leucoemeraldine analogs. Unlike the results from pernigraniline obtained by oxidative polymerization, no evidence for the formation of the electrically conductive emeraldine form was obtained. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4751–4763, 2007
Anomalous polarization: evidence for vibronic coupling in the allyl radical

Abstract The resonance Raman spectra of the allyl radical display intensity in the fundamental of non-totally symmetric modes. Measurement of the depolarization ratio on the ν9 and ν12 vibrational modes yields anomalous depolarization values. The anomalous depolarization ratios provide evidence for vibronic coupling of the allyl radical-excited states in terms of B-term scattering.
Riparian forest buffer system research at the coastal plain experiment station, Tifton, GA

Recent attention has focused on riparian forest buffer systems for filtering sediment, nutrients, and pesticides entering from upslope agricultural fields. Studies in a variety of physiographic areas have shown that concentrations of sediment and agrichemicals are reduced after passage through a riparian forest. The mechanisms involved are both physical and biological, including deposition, uptake by vegetation, and loss by microbiological processes such as denitrification. Current research by USDA-ARS and University of Georgia scientists at Tifton, GA is focusing on managing riparian forest buffer systems to alleviate agricultural impacts on the environment. The underlying concept for this research is that agricultural impact on streams is best protected by a riparian forest buffer system consisting of three zones. In consecutive upslope order from the stream these zones are (1) a narrow band of permanent trees (5–10 m wide) immediately adjacent to the stream channel which provides streambank stabilization, organic debris input to streams, and shading of streams, (2) a forest management zone where maximum biomass production is stressed and frees can be harvested, and (3) a grass buffer strip up to 10 m wide to provide control of coarse sediment and to spread overland flow. Several ongoing projects at Tifton, GA are focusing on using riparian forest buffer systems as filters. A forest management project is testing the effects of different management practices on surface and ground water quality. This project includes three different forest management practices: mature forest, selectively thinned forest, and clearcut. In a different study a natural wetland is being restored by planting frees. The effectiveness of this wetland on filtering nutrients from dairy wastes which are being applied upslope is being evaluated. At this same site, a pesticide study is being conducted on the side opposite to where dairy wastes are applied. An overland flow-riparian buffer system using swine lagoon waste is evaluating the effectiveness of different vegetative treatments and lengths of buffer zones on filtering of nutrients. In this study three vegetative treatments are compared: (1) 10 m grass buffer and 20 m riparian forest, (2) 20 m grass buffer and 10 m riparian forest, (3) 10 m grass buffer and 20 m of the recommended wetland species maidencane. Waste is applied at the upper end of each plot at either a high or low rate, and then allowed to flow downslope. The three zone riparian forest buffer system is being used for the Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM). This model, which is currently under development at Tifton, GA, is a computer simulation model designed to reduce soil and water degradation by aiding farmers and land use managers in decision making regarding how best to utilize their riparian buffer system. Both information currently being collected in field studies and development of the REMM are innovative farm-level and forestry technologies to protect soil and water resources.
Structure and function of the emergency department: matching emergency department choices to the emergency department mission

Emergency caregivers experience considerable new challenges to the provision of competent, compassionate care. The good news is there are ample new approaches and new technologies to meet those new challenges.ED leaders who understand the ED mission and the resources available today and who engage vigorously in the change process will turn that mission into immensely beneficial action.
Interactions between self- and solute trapping of photocarriers in Pd-doped AgCl

EPR studies on ultraviolet-irradiated crystals of AgCl: Pd have confirmed earlier results on AgCl: Cu for the existence of an energy barrier in the self-trapping of the photohole. The height of this barrier is near 1.8 meV. Migration of the self-trapped hole was found to be athermal for temperatures below 30 K; above 35 K the self-trapped hole hops, with a diffusivity given by $D=7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}61 \frac{\mathrm{meV}}{\mathrm{kT}})$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec. This suggests that the value of the electron transfer integral is about 1% of the energy of the phonons involved, that the bandwidth for the self-trapped hole is of the order of 2 meV, and that the binding energy of the hole is approximately 0.1 eV. The dependence on temperature of the efficiency of photoproduction of various trapped-carrier palladium centers was determined, and was correlated with the migration of the self-trapped hole. The presence of a small amount of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{2+}$ "tracer" served to indicate those decay processes that were due to thermal release of trapped holes.
Diaphragmatic support of a thoracic wall defect in a dog.

A large, caudal thoracic mass was removed along with ribs 11 and 12, resulting in an approximate 16 × 14-cm, caudal thoracic wall defect in a dog. The diaphragmatic musculature was mobilized and used to support the thoracic wall defect. To our knowledge, this method of thoracic wall repair has not been previously reported. This procedure allowed for airtight closure of the thoracic cavity, provided physical support, eliminated the need for muscle flaps or commercially available meshes, and provided a good cosmetic appearance without negatively affecting the dog’s athletic performance.
Ethnic differences in risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage

Object Studies on risk factors for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) show heterogeneity. For example, hypertension has been found to be a significant risk factor in some studies but not in others. The authors hypothesized that differences in the ethnicity of the populations studied could account for these findings. Methods A metaanalysis was performed using 17 case-control and 10 cohort studies that met specified inclusion criteria. The authors used a random-effect model to calculate the pooled effect estimates for current smoking, hypertension, and alcohol consumption. A meta–regression analysis was performed using the ethnic composition of the study populations as a covariate. Studies were classified as multiethnic or monoethnic, and the pooled effect estimates were compared. Results Analysis of the cohort studies yielded a pooled effect estimate or risk ratio of 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.37–4.26) for current smoking, 3.05 (95% CI 2.09–4.44) for hypertension, and 2.46 (95% CI 1.42–4.24) for alcoh...
Estimating gravity equation models in the presence of sample selection and heteroscedasticity

Gravity models are widely used to explain patterns of trade. However, two stylized features of trade data, sample selection and heteroscedasticity challenge the estimation of gravity models. We propose a two-step method of moments (TS-MM) estimator that deals with both issues. The Monte-Carlo experiments show that the TS-MM estimates are resistant to various combinations of sample selection and heteroscedasticity. Moreover, the TS-MM estimator performs reasonably well even when the data generating process deviates from the TS-MM assumptions. We revisit the world trade in 1990 to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed model, with emphasis on the identification of the extensive margin of trade.
Toleration of background noises: relationship with patterns of hearing aid use by elderly persons.

One of the frequently quoted reasons for the rejection of hearing aids is amplification of background noise. The relationship between hearing aid use and toleration of background noise was assessed...