cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior modeling for whole-chip HV ESD protection circuits

This paper reports a new behavioral modeling technique for HV diode and silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) based electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structures using Verilog-A language. Accurate models were developed for various HV ESD diode and stacked SCR power clamp implemented in a foundry BCD30V process, which were validated by circuit simulation and ESD measurement.
Bioethanol production from barley hull using SAA (soaking in aqueous ammonia) pretreatment

Barley hull, a lignocellulosic biomass, was pretreated using aqueous ammonia, to be converted into ethanol. Barley hull was soaked in 15 and 30 wt.% aqueous ammonia at 30, 60, and 75 degrees C for between 12 h and 11 weeks. This pretreatment method has been known as "soaking in aqueous ammonia" (SAA). Among the tested conditions, the best pretreatment conditions observed were 75 degrees C, 48 h, 15 wt.% aqueous ammonia and 1:12 of solid:liquid ratio resulting in saccharification yields of 83% for glucan and 63% for xylan with 15 FPU/g-glucan enzyme loading. Pretreatment using 15 wt.% ammonia for 24-72 h at 75 degrees C removed 50-66% of the original lignin from the solids while it retained 65-76% of the xylan without any glucan loss. Addition of xylanase along with cellulase resulted in synergetic effect on ethanol production in SSCF (simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation) using SAA-treated barley hull and recombinant E. coli (KO11). With 3% w/v glucan loading and 4 mL of xylanase enzyme loadings, the SSCF of the SAA treated barley hull resulted 24.1g/L ethanol concentration at 15 FPU cellulase/g-glucan loading, which corresponds to 89.4% of the maximum theoretical yield based on glucan and xylan. SEM results indicated that SAA treatment increased surface area and the pore size. It is postulated that these physical changes enhance the enzymatic digestibility in the SAA treated barley hull.
The influence of environment on the drop size: contact angle relationship

Advancing contact angles are reported for the water-PTFE, water-copper, water-stainless steel, water-PMMA andn-decane-PTFE systems for a range of liquid drop sizes. The angles were determined at 25 °C in an air or nitrogen-saturated atmosphere and compared with those measured at the boiling point in an environment only of its vapor. For water-PTFE and water-PMMA systems, a decrease in contact angle with decreasing drop size was observed in an air-saturated environment at 25 ° confirming the data of Good and Koo. An increase in contact angle however occurred with decreasing drop size at the boiling point in the pure vapor atmosphere confirming the results of Boyes and Ponter. The introduction of nitrogen decreased the contact angle although the trend remained the same.
Toward a foundational normative method in business ethics

Business ethics as an applied inquiry requires an expanded normative method which allows both philosophical and religious ethical considerations to be employed in resolving complex issues or cases. The proposed foundational normative method provides a comprehensive framework composed of major philosophical and religious ethical theories. An extensive rationale from the current trends in business ethics and metaethical considerations supports the development of this method which is illustrated in several case studies. By using this method, scholars and business persons gain greater certitude about the ethical quality of their deliberations and decision making than what may be achieved with current nonsystematic or nascent normative methods.
Genetic control of Drosophila nerve cord development

The Drosophila ventral nerve cord has been a central model system for studying the molecular genetic mechanisms that control CNS development. Studies show that the generation of neural diversity is a multistep process initiated by the patterning and segmentation of the neuroectoderm. These events act together with the process of lateral inhibition to generate precursor cells (neuroblasts) with specific identities, distinguished by the expression of unique combinations of regulatory genes. The expression of these genes in a given neuroblast restricts the fate of its progeny, by activating specific combinations of downstream genes. These genes in turn specify the identity of any given postmitotic cell, which is evident by its cellular morphology and choice of neurotransmitter.
Acid/Sugar Separation Using Ion Exclusion Resins: A Process Analysis and Design

Abstract The economic feasibility of using acid hydrolysis to convert agricultural waste products, such as corn stovers, to alcohol is very dependent upon developing a cost effective sulfuric acidglucose sugar separation process. Presently, an acid/sugar stream from sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cellulose is treated with lime to precipitate the acid as gypsum. This technique not only consumes acid and lime, but also generates waste gypsum that is sent to a landfill. An ion exclusion process to perform acid/sugar separation has been designed using standard resins. Economic analysis based on a process computer model indicates that ion exclusion is 40 % less costly than a lime precipitation process.
Thermal plasma processing of materials: A review

The use of thermal plasma in materials processing industries is becoming an increasingly active and attractive field for the development of new technology. The potential applications of thermal plasma processing technology cover a wide range of activities, such as: the extraction of metals, the refining/alloying of metals/alloys, the synthesis of fine ceramic powders, spray coatings, and the consolidation and destruction of hazardous wastes. A review of thermal plasma applications in materials processing is presented.
Solvation characteristics of a model water‐soluble polymer

The model water-soluble polymer poly(ethylene oxide) was used to investigate solvation characteristics in mixtures of d-water (deuterated water) and d-alcohols (deuterated alcohols). Three d-alcohols have been used: d-methanol, d-ethanol, and d-ethylene glycol. Small angle neutron scattering was used to monitor the solvation properties of poly(ethylene oxide) in the d-solvent mixtures. Nonideal solvent mixing was observed throughout. Solvent mixtures were found to be more effective solvating agents than individual solvents. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3195–3199, 2006
Variation in pollinator preference between two Ipomopsis contact sites that differ in hybridization rate.

Pollinator-mediated reproductive isolation is often a principal factor in determining the rate of hybridization between plant species. Pollinator preference and constancy can reduce interspecific pollen transfer between otherwise interfertile, coflowering species. The importance of this ethological isolation can be assessed by comparing the strength of preference and constancy of pollinators in contact sites that differ in the frequency of hybrid individuals. We observed visitation by hummingbirds and hawkmoths in natural single-species patches and artificial mixed-species arrays in two Ipomopsis aggregata/I. tenuituba contact sites—one with few hybrids, and one in which hybrids are abundant. Pollinator preference and constancy were stronger at the low-frequency hybrid site, especially for hawkmoths (Hyles lineata). Hawkmoths at the low-frequency hybrid site showed significant preference and constancy for I. tenuituba, while at the high-frequency site hawkmoths visited both species equally. One hypothesis that might explain these differences in hawkmoth foraging is that warmer nights at the low-frequency hybrid site allow for nocturnal foraging where the light-colored corollas of I. tenuituba have a visibility advantage. These differences in hawkmoth behavior might in turn affect hummingbirds differently at the two sites, through changes in nectar resources, leading to greater pollinator-mediated isolation at the low-frequency hybrid site. Our results suggest that differences in pollinator behaviors between sites can have both direct and indirect effects on hybridization rates between plant species.
Coulomb-nuclear interference for inelastic deuteron scattering

Abstract The interference between Coulomb excitation and nuclear excitation has been observed for 54, 56 Fe, 60 Ni, 114 Cd, 152 Sm, and 192 Os by measuring excitation functions of elastic and inelastic deuteron scattering at back angles. The interference is strongly constructive, indicating a predominantly imaginary nuclear form factor. DWBA calculations using the collective model, although predicting constructive interference, are unable to predict the magnitude of the observed effect.
Carpels as leaves: meeting the carbon cost of reproduction in an alpine buttercup

We investigated the role of photosynthesis by reproductive organs in meeting the carbon costs of sexual reproduction in the snow-buttercup, Ranunculus adoneus. The exposed green carpels of snow-buttercup flowers have 1-2 stomata each. Net carbon assimilation rates of flowers are negative during bud expansion, but rise to zero at maturity, and become positive during early fruit growth. Experimental removal of separate whorls of flower parts demonstrated that the showy, nectary-housing petals account for most of the respiration cost of flower presentation. Conversely, photosynthesis by female organs contributes to a flower's carbon balance. Dipteran pollinators of R. adoneus are most active in sunny mid-morning to mid-afternoon intervals. At this time of day, rates of carpel photosynthesis (Amax) meet respiratory costs of pollinator attraction in fully expanded flowers. Achenes remain photosynthetically active until dispersal, and positive net carbon assimilation rates characterize infructescences throughout fruit maturation. Photosynthetic rates of achenes are positively correlated with infructescence growth rates. We tested the causal basis of this relationship by experimentally shading developing infructescences. Mature achenes from shaded infructescences were 16-18% smaller than those from unshaded controls. Leaf photosynthetic rates did not differ between plants bearing shaded and unshaded seed heads. Since female reproductive organs are only 8% more costly in terms of caloric investment than male ones and contribute to their own carbon balance, it is plausible that the energy cost of male function equals or exceeds that of female function in this hermaphroditic species.
Differential mitotic checkpoint protein requirements in somatic and germ cells

Cdc20 (cell division cycle 20) and Cdh1 are the activating subunits of APC (anaphase-promoting complex), an E3-ubiquitin ligase that drives cells into anaphase by inducing degradation of cyclin B and the anaphase inhibitor securin. To prevent chromosome missegregation due to early degradation of cyclin B and securin, mitotic checkpoint protein complexes consisting of BubR1, Bub3 and Mad2 bind to and inhibit APC(Cdc20) until all chromosomes are properly attached to the mitotic spindle and aligned in the metaphase plate. The nuclear transport factors Rae1 and Nup98, which convert into mitotic checkpoint proteins in M-phase, further prevent chromosome missegregation by assembling into a complex with APC(Cdh1) and delaying APC(Cdh1)-mediated ubiquitination of securin. Disruption of Mad2, BubR1, Bub3 or Rae1 in mice results in substantial aneuploidy in somatic tissues, but whether these genes are equally important for accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis has not yet been established. To address this issue, we generated cohorts of male mice in which Mad2, BubR1, Bub3, Rae1 and Nup98 were disrupted either individually or in combination. We tested the fertility of these mice and performed chromosome counts on secondary spermatocytes. We found that male fertility and accurate chromosome segregation during spermatogenesis are highly dependent on BubR1, but not Mad2, Bub3, Rae1 and Nup98. Our results suggest that the mechanisms ensuring accurate chromosome segregation differ between mitotic and meiotic cells.
The effect of instructor race and gender on student persistence in STEM fields

The objective of this study is to determine if minority and female students are more likely to persist in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) major when they enroll in classes taught by instructors of their own race or gender. Using data from public 4-year universities in the state of Ohio, I analyze first semester STEM courses to see if the race or gender of the instructor effects persistence of initial STEM majors in a STEM field after the first semester and first year. Results indicate that black students are more likely to persist in a STEM major if they have a STEM course taught by a black instructor. Similar to previous findings, female students are less likely to persist when more of their STEM courses are taught by female instructors.
Price Stability and Economic Sustainability–Achievable Goals? A Case Study of Organic Valley®

Organic Valley is the largest organic cooperative in North America, one of two national buyers of organic milk, and one of two national organic dairy manufacturers. The cooperative's official name is Cooperative of Regional Organic Producers, and it is organized as a new generation cooperative, owned and controlled by patron‐members who also transact with the business. Organic Valley has a unique policy of sustainable and stable producer pay‐pricing for organic milk in the emerging organic dairy industry. This case presents challenges faced by the leadership of Organic Valley cooperative to maintain a stable and economically sustainable pay price for its farmer members. This case also introduces students to a new organizational form of cooperative, including its governance, the industry, and the market structure in which the cooperative operates. The objective of this case study is to improve student understanding of economic concepts such as theories of the imperfect market, demand and supply, and organizational design. The case also aims to help students improve their critical thinking and analytical skills by exploring the possibility of maintaining a unique sustainable and stable pricing method through the data provided. Additionally, the story introduces the economic role that organic dairy operation might play for small and medium‐size dairy farmers as they attempt to maintain an economically sustainable family farm lifestyle.
Genetic Pathways Regulating Glutamate Levels in Retinal Müller Cells

Muller cells serve many functions including the regulation of extracellular glutamate levels. The product of two genes, Slc1a3 [aka solute carrier family 1 (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 3] and Glul (aka glutamine synthetase) are the primary role players that transport glutamate into the Muller cell and convert it into glutamine. In this study, we sought to identify the genetic regulation of both genes. Given their tightly coupled biological functions, we predicted that they would be similarly regulated. Using an array of 75 recombinant inbred strains of mice, we determined that Slc1a3 and Glul are differentially regulated by distinct chromosomal regions. Interestingly, despite their independent regulation, gene ontology analysis of tightly correlated genes reveals that the enriched and statistically significant molecular function categories of both directed acyclic graphs have substantial overlap, indicating that the shared functions of correlates of Slc1a3 and Glul include production and usage of ATP.
Material characterization and development of a constitutive relationship for hypervelocity impact of 1080 Steel and VascoMax 300

Abstract The area of hypervelocity impact and associated high energy is one of extreme interest in the research community. A specific example of this emphasis is the US Air Force test facility at Holloman Air Force Base which specializes in the field of hypervelocity impact testing. This Holloman AFB High Speed Test Track (HHSTT) is currently working to increase the speed of their test vehicle to above Mach 10. As the test sled's speed has increased into the Mach 8.5 range, a material interaction has developed which causes “gouging” in the rails or the sled's “shoes” and this starts a process that can result in catastrophic failure. In the tests that do not structurally fail, the rails and shoes are damaged. Previous efforts in investigating this event have resulted in a choice of the most suitable computer code (CTH), and a model of the shoe/rail interaction. However, the specific materials present in this impact problem were not available in CTH. In this work, the specific materials present at the HHSTT (VascoMax 300 and 1080 Steel) will be characterized using the Split Hopkinson Bar Test and a Johnson–Cook constitutive model will be developed. The model will then be validated by comparison to a series of Taylor impact tests. The coating materials utilized on the rails at the HHSTT will also be evaluated using a Taylor impact test.
Refractive elements in spectrographs

A spectrograph design was needed for an application in medial optics. Requirements for resolution were modest, cost was to be minimized, and every photon was precious. The initial design used a concave, aberration-corrected, holographically-recorded, diffraction grating. This design cost too much and collected too few of the precious photons. Several design forms, which use refractive optics with a planar diffraction grating, were investigated. The design that was chosen and built uses two aspheric glass lenses, one for collimating and one for focusing, together with a planar diffraction grating.
Multi-finger MOSFET low noise amplifier performance analysis

The Multi-finger layout technique has been extensively used in Nano-scale CMOS circuit design due to the increased circuit performance compared to a single finger layout. However choosing a finger width and number of fingers to optimize circuit performance is a challenging problem. In this paper the performance of a 2.4GHz single ended low noise amplifier (LNA) with a fixed total transistor width in 90nm CMOS technology is analyzed as function of number of fingers (N f ). The results show that the drain to source current (I ds ), transconductance (g m ) and effective gate capacitance (C geff ) increase with increasing N f . The effect of N f on transistor cutoff frequency (f T ) and LNA noise figure (NF), voltage gain (AV), center frequency (f C ), and impedance/noise matching is presented.
Influence of hydrogen on the magnetic characteristics of R2Fe14B (R Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm or Y) systems

Abstract The effect of absorbed hydrogen on the magnetic behavior of R2Fe14B (R  Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Y) has been investigated. These compounds are found to absorb 4.4 to about 6 H per formula unit. Hydrogen absorption does not change the structure of these compounds but is accompanied by an expansion in unit cell volume ranging from 4% to 6%. The measurements show that the hydrogen absorption leads to an increase in the iron moment in all the hydrides investigated and also a pronounced change in the room temperature easy direction of magnetization of the yttrium- and praseodymium-containing compounds. Anisotropy fields for Nd2Fe14B and Ce2Fe14B at 300 K are significantly reduced on hydrogenation. The results are taken to imply a weakening of 4f-3d exchange interaction with the existence of reasonably large 4f crystal field interactions at low temperatures.
De novo multifocal renal cell carcinoma in the renal allograft

A 30-year-old Caucasian male on chronic hemodialysis presents with a 4-day history of right flank pain accompanied by fever, nausea, and anorexia. On physical examination, he had a heart rate of 100 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 147/95 mm Hg. The abdomen was soft. There was no tenderness or guarding over the allograft, and lymph nodes were not enlarged. His remaining examination was unremarkable. Blood and urine cultures were negative. The patient had undergone ultrasonographic examination of the allograft every year since 1998 with evidence of simple cysts in the parenchyma (Figure la) and a persistent fluid collection adjacent to the lower pole representing a lymphocele. A CT scan of the abdomen showed two sub-centimeter low-density lesions within the enlarged right transplanted kidney, suspicious for an infectious or neoplastic process. A persistent and stable right lower quadrant lymphocele was also present. Aspiration of the lymphocele yielded sterile fluid without evidence of infection. A transplant nephrectomy was performed.
Vibrational infrared spectra of biuret and its thioanalogs. An ab initio SCF/3-21G study

Abstract The results of ab initio SCF/3-21G * calculations are reported for vibrational IR spectra (harmonic wavenumbers, absolute intensities) of biuret, thiobiuret, dithiobiuret and their model systems, formamide and thioformamide. The predicted vibrational spectra of both biurets and model systems compare well with the available experimental data, and the observed shifts of the IR wavenumbers upon deuteration of the molecules are correctly predicted by the calculations. The positions and relative intensities of characteristic IR bands of formamide and thioformamide correlate well with the corresponding data for the biurets.
Mitotic EBNA-positive lymphocytes in peripheral blood during infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is usually a benign lymphoproliferative disease caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Although EBV induces a state of continuous proliferation in infected B lymphocytes in vitro, the most prominent lymphoproliferation during IM is of activated, or atypical, T lymphocytes presumably responding to the virus or virus-infected cells. However, EBV genome-carrying cells are known to be circulating during IM, as cultured peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with the disease give rise to continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines, each cell of which contains the EBV genome and expresses the EBV determined nuclear antigen (EBNA). The proposal that EBV-infected cells in IM blood are not endowed with enhanced growth potential but are merely latently infected is supported by demonstrations that cells infected in vivo enter a viral replicative cycle when placed in vitro and that most cell lines derived from cultured lymphocytes of IM patients are infected by virus released in vitro. However the cells could also be capable of proliferation in vivo, since virus production and transformation are not mutually exclusive properties of EBV-transformed cells. Recently, EBNA has been detected in a very small fraction of peripheral blood lymphocytes of IM patients after T cells were first removed and this has been interpreted to indicate that cell transformation occurs in vivo during IM. The isolation of colonies of EBNA-positive cells from IM blood leukocytes cultures in soft agar suggests that at least some infected cells are capable of direct outgrowth into transformed cells. We report here direct evidence that circulating EBV-infected cells exhibit increased growth properties during IM.
IGF-I mediated survival pathways in normal and malignant cells

The type-I and -II insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, II) are now established as survival- or proliferation-factors in many in vitro systems. Of note IGFs provide trophic support for multiple cell types or organ cultures explanted from various species, and delay the onset of programmed cell death (apoptosis) through the mitochondrial (intrinsic pathway) or by antagonizing activation of cytotoxic cytokine signaling (extrinsic pathway). In some instances, IGFs protect against other forms of death such as necrosis or autophagy. The effect of IGFs on cell survival appears to be context specific, being determined both by the cell origin (tissue specific) and the cellular stress that induces loss of cellular viability. In many human cancers, there is a strong association with dysregulated IGF signaling, and this association has been extensively reviewed recently. IGF-regulation is also disrupted in childhood cancers as a consequence of chromosomal translocations. IGFs are implicated also in acute renal failure, traumatic injury to brain tissue, and cardiac disease. This article focuses on the role of IGFs and their cellular signaling pathways that provide survival signals in stressed cells.
Photooxidation of cell membranes in the presence of hematoporphyrin derivative: reactivity of phospholipid and cholesterol hydroperoxides with glutathione peroxidase.

Abstract The susceptibility of photodynamically-generated lipid hydroperoxides to reductive inactivation by glutathione peroxidase (GPX) has been investigated, using hematoporphyrin derivative as a photosensitizing agent and the human erythrocyte ghost as a target membrane. Photoperoxidized ghosts were reactive in a glutathione peroxidase/reductase (GPX/GRD)-coupled assay only after phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). However, enzymatically determined lipid hydroperoxide values were consistently approx. 40% lower than iodometrically determined values throughout the course of photooxidation. Moreover, when irradiated ghosts were analyzed iodometrically during PLA2/GSH/GPX treatment, a residual 30–40% of non-reactive lipid hydroperoxide was observed. The possiblity that cholesterol product(s) account for the non-reactive lipid hydroperoxide was examined by tracking cholesterol hydroperoxides in [14C]cholesterol-labeled ghosts. The sum of cholesterol hydroperoxides and GPX/GRD-detectable lipid hydroperoxides was found to agree closely with iodometrically determined lipid hydroperoxide throughout the course of irradiation. Thin-layer chromatography of total lipid extracts indicated that cholesterol hydroperoxide was unaffected by PLA2/GSH/GPX treatment, whereas most of the phospholipid peroxides were completely hydrolyzed and the released fatty acid peroxides were reduced to alcohols. It appears, therefore, that the GPX-resistant lipid hydroperoxides in photooxidized ghosts were derived primarily from cholesterol. Ascorbate plus Fe3+ produced a burst of free-radical lipid peroxidation in photooxidized, PLA2-treated ghosts. As expected for fatty acid hydroperoxide inactivation, the lipid peroxidation was inhibited by GSH/GPX, but only partially so, suggesting that cholesterol hydroperoxide-derived radicals play a major role in the reaction.
Down-regulation of c-myc gene expression with induction of high molecular weight DNA fragments by fluorodeoxyuridine

Abstract 5-Fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FdUrd), a potent inhibitor of thymidylate synthase, induces extensive bulk DNA damage at drug concentrations that produce significant in vitro growth inhibition of human ileocecal carcinoma (HCT-8) cells. Constant- and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (CFGE and PFGE), to detect size distribution of DNA double-strand breaks and repair kinetics, in parallel with northern and western blot analyses, to quantitate c-myc gene and protein expression, were utilized to analyze drug effects. At 24-hr post in vitro drug treatment, when maximum bulk DNA damage was detected, FdUrd produced a broad range of high molecular weight DNA fragments, clustering between 0.1 and 5.7 megabases in size, and resulted in a decrease in the level of c-myc transcripts and protein with no significant effect on the level of v-myc and H- ras . These effects preceded the observed cellular growth inhibition. Addition of the reduced folate leucovorin potentiated the effects induced by FdUrd, indicating that thymidylate synthase inhibition is an important initial step in drug effect followed by DNA fragmentation and suppression of c-myc expression. Changes in the integrity of the genetic materials and regulatory genes occurred prior to the observed cell growth inhibition by FdUrd, suggesting that these molecular alterations by FdUrd may be associated with subsequent FdUrd-induced cell growth inhibition.
The collectorless flotation of chalcopyrite ores using sodium sulfide

Abstract The collectorless flotation process has been tested on six different chalcopyrite ores while monitoring the potentials ( E h ) of the pulp. The results show that collectorless flotation is effective only under oxidizing conditions. In addition, the flotation requires that the chalcopyrite surface be relatively free of hydrophilic oxidation products, which can be accomplished by treating the ore pulp with sodium sulfide (Na2S). On the basis of these findings, methods of improving the collectorless flotation process are discussed.
Metabolites of pamaquine in urine.

SummaryTwo metabolites of pamaquine have been demonstrated in the plasma and urine of humans and dogs receiving pamaquine. One of these is an unstable compound which can, in vitro, convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin and lyse erythrocytes. The other is a stable compound which is highly fluorescent. Neither of these substances has been isolated in crystalline form.It is possible that the substance with the oxidant and lytic properties is responsible for the toxic actions of the parent drug. The answer as to whether it also accounts for its therapeutic effect awaits definition of its antimalarial activity.A homologue of pamaquine which differs only in its substitution on the side chain, yields metabolic products with properties similar to those obtained with pamaquine.
Distribution of the insertion sequence IS1 in Gram-negative bacteria

Translocation of DNA segments is a recombinational event seen in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromosomes, and it is thought to be involved in controlling gene expression and in the evolution of chromosomes1,2. In bacteria, insertion (IS) and transposable (Tn) elements3 not only translocate their own DNA, but also promote the rearrangement of both bacterial chromosomes and the plasmic genomes carrying them. The insertion element IS1 is one such element which is 768 base pairs long4–7. IS1 is involved in the generation of deletion mutations and in the fusion of two different plasmid genomes8–12. It can also promote the translocation of DNA segments flanked by two copies of IS1 to give rise to transposable elements responsible for antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin production13–16. We report here the distribution of the IS1 sequence in various bacterial DNAs, particularly in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Comparison of the results with the phylogenetic relationship of these bacteria suggests that IS1 was transferred from one bacterium to another after their divergence and in some bacteria the copy number of IS1 increased by translocation. The increase in the number of copies of IS1 in bacteria may increase the probability of the genetic rearrangement responsible for the generation of resistance and enterotoxin plasmids, the existence of which is a serious problem in medical microbiology.
INTENSIVE RUSSIAN IN RETROSPECT

[This account of a language course using the so-called “Army method” will be especially interesting, we believe, because the author writes both as student-participant and linguist-observer. With comparable materials and techniques a teacher can use the method described here in successful teaching of other languages.]
Individual differences in textural segregation.

Understanding how objects are represented in early visual processing is a critical issue for models of vision. Current models can be distinguished in terms of the assumptions made about the basic features of vision and the processes involved in the combination of these basic features (Essock, 1992; Treisman, 1993; WoIfe, 1994). The analysis of the nature of object representation and the implications of the psychological stimulus for "later" processing of visual information have received considerable attention. Garner (1974) proposed a theoretical framework which described distinctions in separable and integral stimulus structure based on speeded sorting, classification, and similarity-scahg tasks. Separable stimd, e.g., circle size and angle of radial he, were described as objects which were processed in terms of independent dimensions. Converging tasks demonstrated that the dimensions of separable stimuh did not interact; adults could successfully selectively attend to dimensional components and ignore variations of irrelevant dimensions, and redundant dimensional information did not affect processing. In contrast, the dimensions of integral stimuli, e.g., hue and brightness, were processed as fused unitary objects; variations of irrelevant dimensions interfered with processing, and the addition of redundant information fachtated processing (see Garner, 1974). Callaghan. (1984; Callahan, Lasaga, Garner, 1986) adapted Garner's
A two-dimensional multiregion computer model for predicting nuclear excursions in aqueous homogeneous solution assemblies

The reprocessing of nuclear fuel usually involves the process of chemical separation. The fuel, usually in oxide form, is first dissolved in some type of acid such as nitric, sulfuric, or hydrofluoric. This results in the fuel being transformed into a homogeneous aqueous fissile solution. In this form there may be a higher probability of an accidental criticality of the solution, especially when being transported through pipes or stored in vessels. Here, a new two-dimensional computer model for simulating power and pressure pulses in aqueous fissile solutions has been developed. This model includes a radiolytic gas production model that tracks the number of gas bubbles produced during an excursion. An equation of state has been developed that accounts for the production of inertial pressure due to a lag in thermal expansion and the creation of radiolytic gas bubbles. In addition, a study of various reactivity feedback mechanisms occurring during nuclear bursts has been made. The model`s predicted power and pressure pulses are compared with data from the KEWB and SILENE solution pulsed reactor experiments and have produced results that closely match the experimental data and that exhibit the main features of the experimental power and pressure traces.
CHROMOSOMES OF CORSIA (CORSIACEAE)

A chromosome number of 2n= 18 is reported for Corsia cornuta (plus karyotype) and Corsia cly
Polarity of Indoleacetic Acid in young Coleus Stems

Young internodes of Coleus blumei Benth. have long been known for their sizable amount of acropetal indoleacetic acid movement. However, plants of the same clone, under improved growing conditions, now show almost absolute basipetal polarity of 14C-indoleacetic acid, as measured by liquid scintillation counting of 14C in the receiver cylinders of agar. The ratio of basipetal to acropetal movement is now as much as 85:1, instead of the 3:1 ratio found years ago under conditions providing slower growth.
Carbenoxolone modifies spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in rat somatosensory cortex.

Gap junction (GJ) coupling between neocortical GABAergic interneurons plays a critical role in the synchronization of activity in cortical networks in physiological and pathophysiological states, e.g., seizures. Past studies have shown that GJ blockers exert anticonvulsant actions in both in vivo and in vitro models of epilepsy. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these antiepileptic effects have not been fully elucidated. This is due, in part, to a lack of information of the influence of GJ blockade on network activity in the absence of convulsant agents or enhanced neuronal excitation. One key question is whether GJ blockers act on excitatory or inhibitory systems, or both. To address this issue, we examined the effects of the GJ blocker carbenoxolone (CarbX, 150 μM) on spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in acute slices of rat somatosensory cortex. Results showed that CarbX decreased the amplitude and frequency of sIPSCs by 30.2% and 25.7%, respectively. CarbX increased the mean frequency of sEPSCs by 24.1%, but had no effect on sEPSC amplitude. During blockade of GABAA-mediated events with picrotoxin (20 μM), CarbX induced only a small increase in sEPSC frequency that was not statistically different from control, indicating CarbX enhancement of sEPECs was secondary to the depression of synaptic inhibition. These findings suggest that in neocortex, blockade of GJs leads to an increase in spontaneous excitation by uncoupling GABAergic interneurons, and that electronic communication between inhibitory cells plays a significant role in regulating tonic synaptic excitation.
Approaches for Reducing the Computational Cost of Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Systems: Overview and Comparisons

Interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems (IT2 FLSs) have demonstrated better abilities to handle uncertainties than their type-1 (T1) counterparts in many applications; however, the high computational cost of the iterative Karnik-Mendel (KM) algorithms in type-reduction means that it is more expensive to deploy IT2 FLSs, which may hinder them from certain cost-sensitive real-world applications. This paper provides a comprehensive overview and comparison of three categories of methods to reduce their computational cost. The first category consists of five enhancements to the KM algorithms, which are the most popular type-reduction algorithms to date. The second category consists of 11 alternative type-reducers, which have closed-form representations and, hence, are more convenient for analysis. The third category consists of a simplified structure for IT2 FLSs, which can be combined with any algorithms in the first or second category for further computational cost reduction. Experiments demonstrate that almost all methods in these three categories are faster than the KM algorithms. This overview and comparison will help researchers and practitioners on IT2 FLSs choose the most suitable structure and type-reduction algorithms, from a computational cost perspective. A recommendation is given in the conclusion.
Effects of African American Family Structure on School Attitudes and Performance

A test is made of the idea that variations in family structure (mother-only vs. two-parent families) have a major effect on the school attitudes and behavior of African American high-school students. Data from the High School and Beyond study show that coming from mother-only families has a small negative effect on education aspirations and expectations, task preparedness, grades, and the likelihood of staying in school. The effect of family structure is substantial only in regard to disciplinary problems. These results occur, in part, because the assumed socio-economic intervening variables — income and mother's work history — have a weak relationship to the dependent variables. Furthermore, another potential intervening variable, parental involvement, which is strongly related to the dependent variables, has only a weak relationship to family structure. When the analysis is limited to African American males the results are similar. Whites show about the same pattern as Blacks, and contrary to expectations, the effects are not consistently stronger for whites.
Differentiation and Quantification of Free Chlorine and Inorganic Chloramines in Aqueous Solution by MIMS

A membrane introduction mass spectrometric (MIMS) method for differentiation and quantification of free chlorine and inorganic chloramines in aqueous solution was developed based on a low-cost mass spectrometer. Several factors were examined for system optimization. Only membrane temperature and liquid flow rate exerted substantial influences on the performance of MIMS. Essentially linear response curves over several orders of magnitude of concentrations were observed, and limits of detection for free chlorine and mono-, di-, and trichloramine at 0.1, 0.1, 0.02, and 0.06 mg/L as Cl2, respectively, were demonstrated. System performance was evaluated with chlorination of ammoniacal water. Similar results were obtained by the MIMS method, conventional DPD/FAS titration, and UV−visible spectroscopy. Identification and quantification of inorganic chloramines by the MIMS method and DPD/FAS titration were also compared for chlorination of an aqueous solution containing glycine as the nitrogen source as well as s...
Generalizing the MTF and DQE to include x-ray scatter and focal spot unsharpness: application to a new microangiographic system

Detector characterization with modulation transfer function (MTF) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) inadequately predicts image quality when the imaging system includes focal spot unsharpness and patient scatter. The concepts of MTF, noise power spectrum, noise equivalent quanta and DQE were referenced to the object plane and generalized to include the effect of geometric unsharpness due to the finite size of the focal spot and the effect of the spatial distribution and magnitude of x-ray scatter due to the patient. The generalized quantities provide performance characteristics that consider the complete imaging system, but reduce to a description of the detector properties without magnification or scatter. We have evaluated a new neurovascular angiography imaging system based on a region of interest (ROI) microangiographic detector using these generalized quantities. A uniform head-equivalent phantom was used as a filter and x-ray scatter source. This allowed the study of all properties of the detector under clinically relevant x-ray spectra and x-ray scatter conditions. Realistic focal spots (0.8 mm nominal), beam energies (60-100 kVp), and detector exposures (0.8-2.3 mR) were used, and the effects of different scatter fractions (0-0.62) resulting from changing the beam size (0-100 cm2) were investigated. The generalized MTF and DQE were found to have very little dependence on the tube voltage and the detector entrance exposure. Magnification, with the focal spot used, results in a large decrease of the generalized DQE at higher frequencies (about 100-fold at 10 cycles/mm), but a significantly smaller decrease at lower frequencies. Scatter on the other hand, causes a constant drop in the generalized DQE (factor of 3 for scatter fraction 0.3) for all frequencies. Our results show that there are tradeoffs in the choice of the different system parameters; therefore this methodology of studying the imaging system as a whole could provide guidance in system design.
Quantasome: Size and Composition

The quantasome as seen in a two-dimensional crystalline array is 185 A long, 155 A wide, and 100 A thick. The surface of the quantasome appears to contain four or more subunits. The molecular weight, determined from volume and density measurements, is 2 x 10(6) This is twice the minimum molecular weight calculated from the manganese content and corresponds to a chlorophyll content of 230 chlorophyll molecules per quantasome.
Absence of Glomerulonephritis in Guinea Pigs Deficient in the Fourth Component of Complement

Genetically determined deficiencies of the early components of the classical complement pathway (Cl, C4, C2) or of the third component of complement (C3) in both human beings and experimental animals are known to be associated with renal disease, including glomerulonephritis. The current study was performed to examine the C4-deficient (C4D) guinea pig for the presence of renal disease. Eighteen C4D animals and 17 control animals (Cr1:Hartley) (divided by sex into four age categories) were examined. Light microscopic ex- amination revealed no differences in mesangium, glomerular cellularity, thickness of capillary loops, or presence of epithelial crescents in the kidneys of C4D guinea pigs as compared with control animals. Electron microscopic examination did not reveal glomerular or tubular immune complex deposits in either C4D or control animals. C4D guinea pigs apparently do not demonstrate glomerulonephritis. Renal disease is a common clinical manifestation of genetically determined deficiencies of the complement system in both human beings and animals. Human beings with inherited deficiencies of the components of the classical pathway (Cl, C4, and C2) and of the third component of complement (C3) frequently man- ifest membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.20 In addition, at least one animal with a genetically deter- mined deficiency of the complement system, the C3- deficient dog, is known to have renal di~ease.~ The C4- deficient (C4D) guinea pig was first identified over 20 years ago6 but has not been examined for the presence of renal disease. The C4D guinea pig has been used extensively in studies characterizing the role of the classical pathway in a variety of complement mediated reactions in vivo. Given the importance of this animal model in com- plement studies and because membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is common in human beings with C4 deficiency and dogs with C3 deficiency, we exam- ined a colony of C4D guinea pigs for the presence of renal disease.
Solar energy development impacts on land cover change and protected areas

Decisions determining the use of land for energy are of exigent concern as land scarcity, the need for ecosystem services, and demands for energy generation have concomitantly increased globally. Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) [i.e., ≥1 megawatt (MW)] development requires large quantities of space and land; however, studies quantifying the effect of USSE on land cover change and protected areas are limited. We assessed siting impacts of >160 USSE installations by technology type [photovoltaic (PV) vs. concentrating solar power (CSP)], area (in square kilometers), and capacity (in MW) within the global solar hot spot of the state of California (United States). Additionally, we used the Carnegie Energy and Environmental Compatibility model, a multiple criteria model, to quantify each installation according to environmental and technical compatibility. Last, we evaluated installations according to their proximity to protected areas, including inventoried roadless areas, endangered and threatened species habitat, and federally protected areas. We found the plurality of USSE (6,995 MW) in California is sited in shrublands and scrublands, comprising 375 km2 of land cover change. Twenty-eight percent of USSE installations are located in croplands and pastures, comprising 155 km2 of change. Less than 15% of USSE installations are sited in “Compatible” areas. The majority of “Incompatible” USSE power plants are sited far from existing transmission infrastructure, and all USSE installations average at most 7 and 5 km from protected areas, for PV and CSP, respectively. Where energy, food, and conservation goals intersect, environmental compatibility can be achieved when resource opportunities, constraints, and trade-offs are integrated into siting decisions.
Retarded ionic motion in flourites

Metals halides with the fluorite structure attain conductivity values typical of ionic melts far below their melting points, and also go through a second-order transition. Conductivity data for the fluorites are reviewed, and it is shown that the anion vacancies have a large and unique mobility value at the transition temperatures Tc. At Tc only small concentrations of defects are present, which strongly contradicts the concept of anion-sublattice melting. The conductivity mechanism above Tc is discussed in relation with the enhanced ionic motion model developed for concentrated anion-excess solid solutions based upon flourites. As a consequences of unusually large defect mobilities at Tc it is noted that retard ionic motion occurs above Tc.
A MEMS Universal Fluid Quality Interrogation Sensor

This paper describes the design of a silicon chip that integrates multiple sensors together to monitor a variety of fluid quality parameters. The MEMS universal fluid quality interrogation sensor (MUFINS) eliminates the need to design a new chip for every fluid that requires quality control. The MUFINS chip is capable of measuring temperature, viscosity, liquid level, humidity, conductivity, pH, chlorine, and optical properties such as color and turbidity.