cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current profile control and fluctuation reduction in MST via electrostatic current injection

Summary form only given, as follows. We have designed and are conducting a current profile control experiment aimed at reducing fluctuations and improving confinement in RFP plasmas. Profile modification will be achieved via electrostatic injection of electrons from /spl sim/30 miniature plasma sources. Each source produces a 1 kA electron beam which is dense (/spl sim/150 kA/cm/sup 2/ at 70 cm from the source), highly directional, and without large impurity content. An initial multi-injector experiment in which a total current of 5 kA was injected is completed. Results from this experiment will be discussed. One of the promising results is an apparent increase in the plasma density by 50% and associated increase in the particle confinement time. Low impurity influx from the sources is essential for scaling up the injection system. MHD computations predict a current of /spl sim/30 kA is necessary to suppress fluctuations in Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) and future experiments will employ an increasing number of injectors until this level is reached.
The XENON Dark Matter Search

The XENON experiment will search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPS), a leading candidate for the dark matter content of the Universe. The XENON detector uses the simultaneous measurement of ionization and scintillation in liquid xenon to distinguish between nuclear recoils and background electronic interactions. Ionization electrons are extracted into the xenon vapor where they produce a large proportional scintillation signal in a grid assembly. Both prompt and proportional scintillation light are detected by PMT arrays on the top and bottom of the active liquid xenon volume. The distribution of proportional scintillation light in the top PMT array can be used to achieve xy position resolution, while the ionization drift time gives position resolution in the z direction. This allows the definition of a low‐background fiducial volume. I describe the results of the R&D phase of this project before providing a status update on the XENON10 phase.
Regulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) of TRH receptor mRNA degradation in rat pituitary GH3 cells.

In rat pituitary GH3 cells, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) down-regulates TRH receptor (TRH-R) mRNA (Fujimoto, J., Straub, R.E., and Gershengorn, M.C. (1991) Mol. Endocrinol. 5, 1527-1532), at least in part, by stimulating its degradation (Fujimoto, J., Narayanan, C.S., Benjamin, J.E., Heinflink, M., and Gershengorn, M.C. (1992) Endocrinology 130, 1879-1884). Here we show that TRH regulates RNase activity in GH3 cells and that specific mRNA sequences are needed for in vivo regulation of TRH-R mRNA by TRH. TRH affected RNase activity in a biphasic manner with rapid stimulation (by 10 min) followed by a decrease to a rate slower than in control lysates within 6 h. This time course paralleled the effects of TRH on degradation of TRH-R mRNA in vivo. The regulated RNase activity was in a polysome-free fraction of the lysates and was not specific for TRH-R RNA. A truncated form of TRH-R RNA that was missing the entire 3'-untranslated region (TRHR-R5) was more stable than full-length TRH-R RNA (TRHR-WT). In contrast to TRHR-WT mRNA, TRHR-R5 mRNA and TRHR-D9 mRNA, which was missing the 143 nucleotides 5' of the poly(A) tail, were not down-regulated by TRH in stably transfected GH3 cells as their rates of degradation were not increased. These data show that TRH regulates RNase activity in GH3 cells, that the 3'-untranslated region bestows decreased stability on TRH-R mRNA and that the 3' end of the mRNA is necessary for regulation by TRH of TRH-R mRNA degradation. We present an hypothesis that explains specific regulation of TRH-R mRNA degradation by TRH in GH3 pituitary cells.
Numerical Calculation of the Transonic Flow Past a Swept Wing

A numerical method is presented for analyzing the transonic potential flow past a lifting, swept wing. A finite difference approximation to the full potential equation is solved in a coordinate system which is nearly conformally mapped from the physical space in planes parallel to the symmetry plane, and reduces the wing surface to a portion of one boundary of the computational grid. A coordinate invariant, rotated difference scheme is used, and the difference equations are solved by relaxation. The method is capable of treating wings of arbitrary planform and dihedral, although approximations in treating the tips and vortex sheet make its accuracy suspect for wings of small aspect ratio. Comparisons of calculated results with experimental data are shown for examples of both conventional and supercritical transport wings. Agreement is good for both types, but it was found necessary to account for the displacement effect of the boundary layer for the supercritical wing, presumably because of its greater sensitivity to changes in effective geometry.
Experimental evaluation of a solar concentrator

A program concerned with the development of a large scale solar concentrator/collector subsystem is considered. Distributed collector approaches are related to the use of a parabolic mirror, a Fresnel reflector, and a Fresnel lens. A system description is given, taking into account questions of turbine interface selection and aspects of collector field layout. Performance sensitivity studies on particular components and parameters are discussed along with performance data which have been obtained for parabolic reflector, Fresnel lens, and Fresnel reflector concentrators. Attention is given to details regarding the design, the operation, and the status of development of the collection subsystem which is being developed.
A Summary of the UV, Optical and IR Properties of Disks in CV’s

The available observations of dwarf novae and novalike systems that are relevant to the study of accretion in cataclysmic variables are reviewed. This includes UV data from IUE and optical spectroscopy and infrared photometry. The flux distributions are compared to available steady state models to obtain an estimate of the mass accretion and the range of this parameter among the dwarf novae (U Gem, Z Cam and SU UMa types) and the novalikes (UX UMa, AM Her, DQ Her types). The normal and abnormal range of variation in the continuum and line fluxes is discussed.
Teacher and Student Perceptions of the International Baccalaureate Program

Abstract This study examined the perceptions of teachers and students during the first year of implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at a high school. The research team interviewed all IB teachers and students regarding their decision to teach/enroll in IB; how IB differed from teaching/taking regular courses; and other facets related to the Program. IB faculty and students perceived the Program positively, believing it challenged them to be better teachers and higher achieving students. The study also cited the increased workload of teaching/taking IB courses and its impact. Policy recommendations are offered for schools utilizing the IB for the first time, and guidance is provided to parents regarding the suitability of IB as an option for gifted students.
Preparation and characterization of single phase Ba1−xKxBiO3

Abstract High quality single phase samples of Ba 1− x K x BiO 3 (BKBO) have been made across the range of compositions from 0 x x x > 0.35 show sharp superconducting transitions from both resistivity and magnetization measurements. Care during sample preparation is vital for obtaining quality samples of this material.
On the evolutionary history of the circumsporozoite protein in plasmodia.

We report the complete nucleotide sequence of the circumsporozoite (CS) gene of Plasmodium brasilianum and present an analysis of its evolutionary profile. Despite the lack of a reliable time scale, the analysis of the number and distribution of fixations among seven taxa provides a first glimpse of the evolutionary history of the CS gene, and suggests that the branching events of this gene are completely unconnected with—and far precede in time—the speciation event of the parasite's vertebrate hosts.
Temporal dynamics of the action-sentence compatibility effect.

A number of recent studies have demonstrated variants of the action–sentence compatibility effect (ACE), wherein the execution of a motor response is facilitated by the comprehension of sentences that describe actions taking place in the same direction as the motor response (e.g., a sentence about action towards one's body facilitates the execution of an arm movement towards the body). This paper presents an experiment that explores how the timing of the motor response during the processing of sentences affects the magnitude of the ACE that is observed. The results show that the ACE occurs when the motor response is executed at an early point in the comprehension of the sentence, disappears for a time, and then reappears when the motor response is executed right before the end of the sentence. These data help to refine our understanding of the temporal dynamics involved in the activation and use of motor information during sentence comprehension.
The biogenesis of anthocyanin. VI. The role of riboflavine.

Abstract 1. 1. The inhibition of the formation of anthocyanin brought about by methionine, ethionine, thiouracil, azaguanine, etc. can be completely reversed by riboflavine. The amount of riboflavine needed for reversal is approximately constant and independent of the concentration of inhibitor. 2. 2. Riboflavine alone has a small promoting effect on anthocyanin formation, but only after the linear phase of pigment increase has been passed. 3. 3. When the plants are preilluminated, riboflavine increases anthocyanin production in a subsequent dark period; this action is enhanced by sucrose and diminished by the absence of CO2. Yields in the dark almost as high as those in the light can thus be obtained. 4. 4. It is deduced that riboflavine acts, not as a photoreceptor, but as a dark catalyst to produce anthocyanin from sucrose or other precursors. It is calculated that each molecule of riboflavine leads to the formation of 30 to 60 molecules of anthocyanin. 5. 5. The above deduction is confirmed by direct riboflavine determinations, which show that the riboflavine content of the plants varies parallel to their anthocyanin content. When azaguanine inhibits the formation of anthocyanin (in the light), riboflavine formation is also prevented, and the addition of riboflavine solution restores both the riboflavine and the anthocyanin content. Similarly, azaguanine and ethionine, which do not inhibit anthocyanin formation in the dark, do not affect riboflavine formation in the dark either. 6. 6. The light reaction in the formation of anthocyanin is probably, at least in the main, the synthesis of riboflavine.
Neighborhood revitalization's effects on tenants and the benefit-cost analysis of government neighborhood programs

Abstract This paper analyzes the potential effects of neighborhood improvements on low-income tenants. The theoretical model shows that tenants with strong psychological ties to their current neighborhood may suffer significant losses due to rent increases caused by neighborhood improvement, even if no displacement occurs. These tenant effects bias property value measures of the benefits of government neighborhood programs. The model is tested using data from the Experimental Housing Allowance Program, and modest but important tenant effects are found.
Public sector information system critical success factors

Purpose – Project management literature contains an evolving body of research addressing critical success factors. The majority of these studies have focused on projects completed within private sector organizations or, in a few cases, a mix of public and private sector organizations. Given the distinct qualitative differences that exist between private and public sector entities, it would be naive to blindly apply the lessons learned from prior studies to public sector information technology (IT) project management. This paper seeks to investigate public sector information system critical success factors.Design/methodology/approach – Using a survey research methodology and the project implementation profile, this study empirically tests the critical success factors proposed and confirmed in the existing management literature as important to information system project implementation success within the context of public sector IT projects.Findings – This research effort strongly suggests that significant d...
Biopsychosociospiritual Medicine and Other Political Schemes

In the mid-1970s, the biomedical model of medicine gave way to the biopsychosocial model of medicine; it was billed as a more comprehensive and compassionate model of medicine. After more than a century of disentangling medicine from religion, the medicine and spirituality movement is attempting to bring religion and spirituality back into medicine. It is doing so under a biopsychosociospiritual model. I unpack one model for allowing religion back into medicine called the RCOPE. RCOPE is an instrument designed to categorize religion and spirituality as psychological coping mechanisms. I explore how such instruments are related to the history of statistical measurement and demonstrate the political impetus that governs such enterprises. The biopsychosociospiritual medicine is billed as a more holistic and comprehensive model. This new model of medicine offers total care. However, I demonstrate how this total care becomes totalizing, indeed totalitarian, admitting religion and spirituality back into the fold of medicine under a new secularized medical control.
FRAGMENTATION, PROTOSTELLAR WINDS, AND STAR FORMATION*

Aspects of the current theory of molecular-cloud (MC) evolution and star formation are reviewed, with consideration of recent star and MC observations. The problem of MC collapse is discussed in terms of fragmentation in spherically symmetric collapse, the role of magnetic fields and density fluctuations, anisotropic collapse, and nonlinear interactions between fragments. Protostellar winds are identified as the source of the energy supporting MC against collapse, sweeping shells of mass into MC to produce low-mass stars continuously, and sustaining the production of massive stars once it is triggered by the collision of MCs, as in the spiral density-wave peaks. The clumping and coagulation processes are considered for the case of the MC in Orion. The protostellar-wind mass input required to inhibit systematic MC-core collapse is estimated at 10 to the -6th solar mass/cu pc year.
Effect of Manual Defoliation on Pole Bean Yield

Manual defoliation of ‘McCaslan 42’ pole bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) resulted in yield looses which were best described by the quadratic model y = a + b1X + b2X2 where y = yield and X = percentage of defoliation. The plants were most sensitive to onetime foliage loss 5 weeks after planting. The removal of both primary leaves, when only primary leaves were present, reduced yield by approximately 65%. Repeated weekly defoliation of 50% resulted in yield losses of approximately 34%.
An Empirical Relationship for Extrapolating Sparse Experimental Lap Joint Data

Correctly incorporating the influence of mechanical joints in built-up mechanical systems is a critical element for model development for structural dynamics predictions. Quality experimental data are often difficult to obtain and is rarely sufficient to determine fully parameters for relevant mathematical models. On the other hand, fine-mesh finite element (FMFE) modeling facilitates innumerable numerical experiments at modest cost. Detailed FMFE analysis of built-up structures with frictional interfaces reproduces trends among problem parameters found experimentally, but there are qualitative differences. Those differences are currently ascribed to the very approximate nature of the friction model available in most finite element codes. Though numerical simulations are insufficient to produce qualitatively correct behavior of joints, some relations, developed here through observations of a multitude of numerical experiments, suggest interesting relationships among joint properties measured under different loading conditions. These relationships can be generalized into forms consistent with data from physical experiments. One such relationship, developed here, expresses the rate of energy dissipation per cycle within the joint under various combinations of extensional and clamping load in terms of dissipation under other load conditions. The use of this relationship-though not exact-is demonstrated for the purpose of extrapolating a representative set of experimental data to spanmore » the range of variability observed from real data.« less
High temporal resolution measurement of nitrate uptake from flowing solutions

The nitrate (NO−3) uptake rates of intact, 23 day old rice plants were measured to determine the relationship between the plant's NO−3 nutrition history and the NO−3 uptake rate. A system for measuring NO−3 uptake was designed, built and tested. Specific design goals, which were met, include: low handling shock to the plants, high measurement accuracy (4%), high temporal resolution (10 min) and minimal mass-transfer limitations to uptake. Important design factors were identified and the overall uncertainties in the reported measurements were computed. The observed uptake rates were dependent on the NO−3 concentration ([NO−3]) to which the plants were exposed for the 24 h prior to testing; plants pretreated at higher [NO−3] had lower uptake rates from 200 μm NO−3 solutions than plants pretreated at lower [NO−3].
An approximate method for a three-dimensional analysis of rolling

Abstract A theory, based on the extremum principle for rigid perfectly plastic materials, is given for the analysis of three-dimensional deformation in rolling. Theoretical solutions are obtained for single-pass rolling in terms of sideways spread, roll torque and the location of neutral points. The results on spread and roll torque showed excellent agreement with those found by experiments in the literature.
The ploys of sex: relationships among the mode of reproduction, body size and habitats of coral-reef brittlestars

Observations were made of 33 species of brittlestars (3980 specimens) from specific substrata collected in four zones on the Belize Barrier Reef, Caribbean Sea. The body size of most species of brittlestars with planktonic larvae differs significantly among different substrata. Generally, individuals from the calcareous alga Halimeda opuntia are smallest, those found in corals (Porites porites, Madracis mirabilis, and Agaricia tenuifolia) are larger, and those from coral rubble are the largest. This suggests that brittlestars with planktonic larvae move to new microhabitats as they grow. In contrast, most brooding and fissiparous species are relatively small and their size-distributions are similar among all substrata. Halimeda harbours denser concentrations of brittlestars and more small and juvenile individuals than the other substrata. Juveniles of the brooding and fissiparous species are most common in Halimeda on the Back Reef whereas juveniles developing from planktonic larvae are most common in Halimeda patches in deeper water. Fissiparity and brooding may be means for individuals (genomes) of small, apomictic species to reach large size (and correspondingly high fecundities) in patchy microhabitats that select for small body sizes. Small brittlestar species and juveniles are most numerous in the microhabitats called refuge-substrata, such as Halimeda, which may repel predators and reduce environmental stress. Whether young brittlestars are concentrated in refuge-substrata through settlement behavior, migration, or differential survival remains unknown. Experiments revealed that coral polyps kill small brittlestars, perhaps accounting for the rarity of small and juvenile brittlestars in coral substrata.
Suppressed glucose metabolism in acinar cells might contribute to the development of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

High prevalence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been observed in diabetic patients. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well known. Reduced cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in pancreatic acinar cells may contribute to lower digestive enzyme secretion. It is well known that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regulates cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in acinar cells; however, little is known as to whether diabetes impairs glucose metabolism that produces ATP in acinar cells. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mouse model was used. Four weeks after being diabetic, pancreatic acinar cells were isolated; and amylase secretion and contents, glucose utilization and oxidation, the activities of several key enzymes for glucose metabolism, and ATP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH) contents were determined. Compared with controls, diabetic mice had lower body weight. Cholecystokinin-8- and acetylcholine-stimulated amylase secretion was significantly impaired, and total amylase activity in acinar cells of STZ-diabetic mice was markedly reduced. Glucose utilization and oxidation were suppressed; measured enzyme activities for glucose metabolism and the ATP and NADPH contents were significantly reduced. These data indicate that glucose metabolism and ATP and NADPH productions are very important for maintaining acinar cell normal function. Reduction of ATP (reduces cytosolic Ca(2+) signals) and NADPH (reduces cell capability for antioxidative stress) productions may contribute to the development of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in STZ-diabetic mice.
Emerging concepts for management of river ecosystems and challenges to applied integration of physical and biological sciences in the Pacific Northwest, USA*

Abstract Integration of biological and physical concepts is necessary to understand and conserve the ecological integrity of river systems. Past attempts at integration have often focused at relatively small scales and on mechanistic models that may not capture the complexity of natural systems leaving substantial uncertainty about ecological responses to management actions. Two solutions have been proposed to guide management in the face of that uncertainty: the use of “natural variability” in key environmental patterns, processes, or disturbance as a reference; and the retention of some areas as essentially unmanaged reserves to conserve and represent as much biological diversity as possible. Both concepts are scale dependent because dominant processes or patterns that might be referenced will change with scale. Context and linkages across scales may be as important in structuring biological systems as conditions within habitats used by individual organisms. Both ideas view the physical environment as a...
Biopolymers and the environment.

Although the Viewpoint by R. A. Gross and B. Kalra “(Biodegradable polymers for the environment,” Special Issue on Green Chemistry, 2 Aug., p [803][1]) makes a deliberate effort to present biopolymers and their prospects in the most favorable light, the authors have chosen to completely omit any
Some aspects of the photochemistry of coordination compounds

Abstract The results of some investigations in this Laboratory on the photochemistry of Cr III and Co III complexes are summarized. Cr III complexes undergo only photosubstitution reactions, but not necessarily the ones that predominate in their thermal reaction chemistry. Co III complexes not only show the same type of photochemistry as do the Cr III ones, but also can undergo photoredox decompositions yielding Co II and oxidized ligand. Another kind of photoredox reaction, so far only observed with certain cyano complexes, is that of photoelectron production. A given complex may show one or another type of reaction, depending on the wave-length of light used, and one can generally account for the reaction mode in terms of the kind of excited state involved. Thus irradiation of d-d absorption bands tends to produce photosubstitution, and that of charge transfer bands, to give redox decomposition or photoelectrons. Often, more than one kind of substitution reaction is possible, and in the case of Cr III complexes the reaction chemistry of the excited quartet state supposed to be involved can be described with some success by means of empirical rules. The situation is complicated by competing radiationless deactivation processes, and by the likelyhood that the various excited states may have a different geometry from, i.e. be distorted relative to the ground state.
Discourse processes in instructional conversations: Interactions between teacher and transition readers

Generations of educators since the time of Socrates have argued for a kind of teaching that helps students develop the ability to comprehend complex ideas and texts. This kind of teaching might be particularly important for low‐income, cultural‐minority students learning a second language, many of whom continue to be at risk for underachievement in school. We propose that “instructional conversations” (Tharp & Gallimore, 1988, 1989) might be one way to achieve these ambitious, but elusive, educational goals. In this article we discuss the discourse properties of instructional conversations and suggest their likely effects on students’ conceptual and linguistic development.
Probing the contribution of electronic coupling to the directionality of electron transfer in photosynthetic reaction centers.

Subpicosecond transient absorption studies are reported for a set of Rhodobacter (R.) capsulatus bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) designed to probe the origins of the unidirectionality of charge separation via one of two electron transport chains in the native pigment−protein complex. All of the RCs have been engineered to contain a heterodimeric primary electron donor (D) consisting of a bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) and a bacteriopheophytin (BPh). The BPh component of the M heterodimer (Mhd) or L heterodimer (Lhd) is introduced by substituting a Leu for His M200 or His L173, respectively. Previous work on primary charge separation in heterodimer mutants has not included the Lhd RC from R. capsulatus, which we report for the first time. The Lhd and Mhd RCs are used as controls against which we assess RCs that combine the heterodimer mutations with a second mutation (His substituted for Leu at M212) that results in replacement of the native L-side BPh acceptor with a BChl (β). The transient ab...
Reply---A Response to Malhotra's Comment on Testing the Homogeneity of Segments

Author's response to the comment Malhotra, N. K. 1987. Testing the homogeneity of segments for estimating disaggregate choice models. Marketing Sci.6 98--99.
Applied geomorphology and the impact of natural hazards on the built environment

This paper examines the scope and limitations of geomorphological investigation of the sites of architectural and engineering works. Various degrees of vulnerability, forms of impact, and types of applied geomorphological response are summarized. Aspects of land development and construction practice that may increase the vulnerability of buildings and structures to geomorphological hazards are discussed. Strengths and weaknesses of the geomorphological input to hazard mitigation are reviewed. Examples are described that show both negative and positive influences exerted by geomorphological site analysis on urban and regional planning for unstable terrains in Italy. It is concluded that societal choice, within the overall matrix of a society's culture (sensu largo), will influence the way in which vulnerability is managed at sites, and hence the scope for utilizing geomorphological analysis of the physical risks.
The O VI Absorbers toward PG 0953+415: High-Metallicity, Cosmic-Web Gas Far from Luminous Galaxies*

The spectrum of the low-redshift QSO PG 0953+415 (zQSO = 0.234) shows two strong, intervening O VI absorption systems. To study the nature of these absorbers, we have used the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph to conduct a deep spectroscopic galaxy redshift survey in the 5' × 5' field centered on the QSO. This survey is fully complete for r' < 19.7 and is 73% complete for r' < 21.0. We find three galaxies at the redshift of the higher z O VI system (zabs = 0.14232), including a galaxy at projected distance ρ = 155 h kpc. We find no galaxies in the Gemini field at the redshift of the lower z O VI absorber (zabs = 0.06807), which indicates that the nearest galaxy is more than 195 h kpc away or has L < 0.04L*. Previous shallower surveys covering a larger field have shown that the zabs = 0.06807 O VI absorber is affiliated with a group or filament of galaxies, but the nearest known galaxy has ρ = 736 h kpc. The zabs = 0.06807 absorber is notable for several reasons. The absorption profiles reveal simple kinematics indicative of quiescent material. The H I line widths and good alignment of the H I and metal lines favor photoionization, and moreover, the column density ratios imply a high metallicity: [M/H] = -0.3 ± 0.12. The zabs = 0.14232 O VI system is more complex and less constrained but also indicates a relatively high metallicity. Using galaxy redshifts from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we show that both of the PG 0953+415 O VI absorbers are located in large-scale filaments of the cosmic web. Evidently, some regions of the web filaments are highly metal enriched. We discuss the origin of the high-metallicity gas and suggest that the enrichment might have occurred long ago (at high z).
On nonrepetitive sequences

Abstract We prove the following results: (1) There exists an infinite binary sequence having no identical adjacent blocks of length 3 or greater. (2) Every binary sequence of length greater than 18 has identical adjacent blocks of length 2 or greater. (3) Every infinite binary sequence has arbitrarily long adjacent blocks that are permutations of each other.
A combined hierarchical and steepest-descent clustering algorithm

Abstract A clustering procedure is developed, using a combined hierarchical and steepest-descent search procedure in a stepwise algorithm. The trace of the within-group scatter matrices is used in a global criterion function. The procedure is tested on a series of small data sets and compared with previously published results on a 96-point data set. The algorithm is shown to be rapidly convergent, and the results are both intuitively and comparatively appealing.
The effect of gas flow rate on the evolution of the surface oxide on a molten low carbon Al killed steel

The oxide phase formation on a molten Al killed low carbon steel surface under a flowing Ar atmosphere with an oxygen partial pressure of Po2 = 1–5 × 10−5 atm has been visualized with a Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope (CSLM) equipped with a gold image furnace. In this study, the effect of gas flow rate variation (170–300 cm3/min) on the oxide evolution under isothermal conditions of 1600∘C was investigated. Al2O3, rather than the thermodynamically stable phase FeAl2O4, was found to precipitate under all the experimental conditions studied and the apparent rate of evolution was found to increase with increasing gas flow rate. The oxide evolved as a network that started from the container wall and grew towards the crucible center. At low flow rates the growth was a result of primarily crystal growth resulting in distinctly dendritic crystals. As the flow rate was increased, growth due to the attachment of discrete inclusions to the advancing front was observed which resulted in a final oxide network that constituted of smaller facetted particles. In the latter case, the transport of the individual inclusions to the advancing front could be caused by surface Marangoni flow due to gradients in both temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration.
Evidence that Sindbis virus NSP2 is an autoprotease which processes the virus nonstructural polyprotein

The four nonstructural proteins (nsP1-4) of Sindbis virus, a member of the Togaviridae family, are initially expressed from the 5' segment of the single-stranded genomic (+)RNA as a polyprotein which is subsequently proteolytically processed. In attempts to identify the protease acting on this nonstructural polyprotein, we established a coupled in polyprotein, we established a coupled in vitro transcription-translation system which was able to faithfully process the major polyprotein when an mRNA encoding all four nonstructural proteins was used. A cDNA plasmid containing the entire Sindbis virus genome positioned immediately downstream of the phage SP6 polymerase promoter was cut with restriction endonucleases at sites located within the genes for the nonstructural proteins and mRNAs transcribed from these DNA fragments. The nsP1-2 and nsP2-3 cleavage sites are alanyl-alanine and both were susceptible to proteolysis in vitro only after all of nsp1 and nsP2 and 157 amino acids of nsP3 were translated. The nsP1-2 site was cleaved from a polyprotein that contained nsP1 and nsP2 and 59 amino acids of nsP3 but not from six polyproteins whose sequences terminated in the nsP2 gene. These data support our hypothesis that the nonstructural polyprotein is processed by a virus autoprotease and we propose that its active site is encoded within the nsP2 sequences.
Computed tomographic changes associated with the prepatent and early patent phase of dirofilariasis in an experimentally infected dog

Evolution of pulmonary arterial and parenchymal changes as assessed with computed tomography (CT) is described in a dog experimentally infected with Dirofilaria immitis. The dog was imaged 125, 168, 216, and 402 days after infection. Initial changes during the prepatent phase of infection included enlargement of the peripheral caudal lobar pulmonary arteries and intermittent periarterial interstitial infiltrates. The changes were progressive, involving additional arteries over time, but remained mild. With the presence of adult filariae a filling defect was observed in the caudal lobar pulmonary artery using CT angiography. Recognizing thoracic CT findings associated with the prepatent phase of canine heartworm infection may be important in endemic areas.
Do restrained eaters restrict their caloric intake prior to drinking alcohol

This research used multilevel modeling to investigate the hypothesis that restrained eaters increase dietary restriction when they expect to drink alcohol. Undergraduate women (39 restrained eaters; 40 unrestrained eaters) monitored their food and alcohol intake for ten days. Restrained eaters, on average, consumed fewer calories per day than unrestrained eaters. Although the intent to drink alcohol did not impact the overall caloric intake of restrained eaters prior to drinking, restrained eaters reported significantly fewer eating episodes than unrestrained eaters on days the participants intended to drink. Given that restrained eaters generally consumed fewer calories per day and had fewer eating episodes prior to drinking, one major implication of higher levels of intoxication would be increased risk of negative alcohol-related consequences. Future research should extend this study and evaluate negative alcohol-related consequences that occur with higher levels of intoxication.
Should antidepressant drugs of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor family be tested as antiepileptic drugs

For a long time, there has been a misconception that all antidepressant drugs have proconvulsant effects. Yet, antidepressants of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family not only have been shown to be safe when used in patients with epilepsy (PWE) but also have been found to possess antiepileptic properties in animal models of epilepsy. In humans randomized to SSRIs vs. placebo for the treatment of major depressive episodes, the incidence of epileptic seizures was significantly lower among those treated with the antidepressants. These data raise the question of whether there is enough evidence that would support a randomized placebo-controlled trial to test antiepileptic effect of SSRIs in PWE. This article reviews the preclinical and clinical data to address this question.
Performance evaluation of various semiconductor technologies for automotive applications

This paper evaluates the commercially available semiconductor switches for automotive applications. For this purpose, a conventional Silicon (Si) Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) is compared with a Silicon Carbide (SiC) Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET). Performance criteria for automotive drive systems are compared between the two switches. Electromagnetic interferences due to the switching times of the switches are studied. A test is performed to measure the actual power losses for both switches. Using the simulated model of the heatsink, the temperature of the junction for each switch is estimated. Afterwards, the results are compared with the data provided in the technical documents of the switches.
Tip-to-tail: Developing a conceptual model of magnetism with kindergartners using inquiry-based instruction

This study reports changes in kindergarten students’ understanding of magnets after participating in a series of hands-on, inquiry-based lessons. The lessons focused on the dipole nature of magnets and employed a visual representation of a magnet as an arrow for the kindergarten students. This dipole model was used to describe how magnets interact with each other and how they interact with steel objects (i.e., magnetization). Many students adopted this dipole model of magnets and were able to use it to describe how multiple magnets would interact and how magnetized paperclips would interact with magnets and with each other.
Gender differences in seasonal variation of urine stone risk factors.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined whether men and women differ in urine stone risk factors during the 4 seasons of the year.Materials and Methods: Measurements from 28,498, 24-hour urines from stone forming patients prior to treatment were analyzed to determine whether monthly variation was significant and whether the sexes differed using ANOVA. Locations of supersaturation maxima were determined.Results: The 2 sexes showed modest sodium depletion in summer with a corresponding decrease in urine calcium but men showed a remarkable decrease in urine volume, causing high calcium oxalate supersaturation. Women had maximum calcium oxalate supersaturation in early winter because of decreasing urine volume and increasing urine calcium excretion. Urine pH was reduced in the 2 sexes during summer but the decrease was far more marked in men, who had a uric acid supersaturation spike.Purpose: Overall the sexes differ markedly in the timing of stone risk. Men show a dual summer calcium oxalate and uric acid high risk, ...
Development of a deodorization and solvent recovery system

Abstract This system is an economical processing system for organic solvents, consisting of a honeycomb-type deodorization equipment and a fluidized-bed solvent recovery equipment. It deodorizes exhaust gas containing organic solvents in a workshop and recovers organic solvents which would otherwise pollute the atmosphere.
Observability and topological dynamics

Using methods of topological dynamics, we study sufficiency conditions for observability of a given dynamical system (X, T) by a continuous output function. In particular, we show that ifX has either finite topological or covering dimension andT does not have infinitely many periodic points with same period, then (X, T) admits an observable. The paper also gives a partial survey of various related results and improves some of them.
Recombination between plus and minus strands of turnip crinkle virus.

Abstract Turnip crinkle virus (TCV), a small monopartite RNA virus, is associated with several subviral RNAs, some of which are the products of recombination between the genomic RNA and an unrelated satellite RNA (sat-RNA D). As part of a study on the nonrandom sequences found at the junctions of nearly all TCV recombinant molecules, we have characterized a novel recombinant (D/TC 950 ) that was formed from sat-RNA D and both the plus and minus strands of the genomic RNA. D/TCV 950 (517 nt) is composed of sat-RNA D at the 5′-end, joined to four nontemplate derived uracil residues, and then three segments of TCV genomic RNA, one of which is from the complementary strand. Sequences at the right sides of the junctions were similar to sequences previously found at the right sides of junctions in other TCV-associated recombinant molecules. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a recombinant molecule formed from both coding and complementary strands of a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus.
Infected müllerian anomaly: an unusual cause of pelvic abscess during pregnancy.

The history of a pregnant woman with a pelvic abscess related to an infected mullerian anomaly is detailed. The differential diagnosis as well as management is outlined.
Quasi-geostrophic motions in a galactic flow

We continue the theoretical investigation of geostrophically balanced motions of a star gas in a rotating galaxy. The method of small perturbations is employed to derive a quasi geostrophic vorticity equation suitable for solving initial value problems for ‘slow’ galactic eddying motions. The results derived for this simple theoretical model are then generalized to obtain approximate geostrophic forecast equations suitable for study of nonlinear galactic motions over a whole disk galaxy. A simple discussion of the stability of our approximate vorticity equation is presented. It is expected that in the absence of rapid gravitational instabilities, actual eddy motions observed in spiral galaxies will be at least approximately of the type of motion discussed in this paper. The Rossby adjustment problem is investigated in this context.
Phase transition of Boolean networks with partially nested canalizing functions

We generate the critical condition for the phase transition of a Boolean network governed by partially nested canalizing functions for which a fraction of the inputs are canalizing, while the remaining non-canalizing inputs obey a complementary threshold Boolean function. Past studies have considered the stability of fully or partially nested canalizing functions paired with random choices of the complementary function. In some of those studies conflicting results were found with regard to the presence of chaotic behavior. Moreover, those studies focus mostly on ergodic networks in which initial states are assumed equally likely. We relax that assumption and find the critical condition for the sensitivity of the network under a non-ergodic scenario. We use the proposed mathematical model to determine parameter values for which phase transitions from order to chaos occur. We generate Derrida plots to show that the mathematical model matches the actual network dynamics. The phase transition diagrams indicate that both order and chaos can occur, and that certain parameters induce a larger range of values leading to order versus chaos. The edge-of-chaos curves are identified analytically and numerically. It is shown that the depth of canalization does not cause major dynamical changes once certain thresholds are reached; these thresholds are fairly small in comparison to the connectivity of the nodes.
Adaptive Piecewise–Affine Inverse Modeling of Hybrid Dynamical Systems

Abstract Motivated by the study of complex motor control systems, we consider the identification and control of PieceWise Affine (PWA) systems and propose a novel data-driven framework that adaptively inverts the dynamics of such systems using noisy sampled data. First, we propose a novel PWA identification algorithm based on convex optimization applicable to both state–space and input/output models. Given a PWA model of the dynamics obtained from the identification algorithm, we consider the control of the resulting hybrid system where our goal is to find an input that reproduces a given reference trajectory or that extremizes a performance criterion. We demonstrate our proposed framework on a model of a jumping robot.
Membrane topology analysis of Escherichia coli mannitol permease by using a nested-deletion method to create mtlA-phoA fusions.

Abstract The Escherichia coli mannitol permease catalyzes the concomitant transport and phosphorylation of D-mannitol. This 68-kDa protein consists of a membrane-bound, N-terminal domain involved in mannitol binding and translocation and a C-terminal, cytoplasmic domain responsible for mannitol phosphorylation. Secondary-structure prediction methods suggest that the N-terminal half of the permease spans the membrane approximately seven times in alpha-helical segments, but these data cannot conclusively predict the structure. We have used gene fusions between mtlA (encoding the permease) and 'phoA (encoding alkaline phosphatase lacking its signal sequence) to further investigate the topology of the mannitol permease. Initially, fusions were constructed by using a lambda TnphoA vector and in vitro cloning of 'phoA into naturally occurring restriction sites in mtlA. However, the former method gave severe problems with insertion "hot-spots" in our vector systems, and the latter method was limited by the number of useful restriction sites. Therefore, we developed a nested-deletion method for creating mtlA-phoA fusions. 'phoA was first cloned downstream from the part of mtlA encoding the membrane-bound half of the permease. This construct was then treated with the appropriate restriction enzymes and with exonuclease III to create random fusions. An analysis of greater than 40 different fusion clones constructed by these methods provides strong evidence for six membrane-spanning regions in the mannitol permease with three relatively short periplasmic loops and two large cytoplasmic loops in the membrane-bound half of the protein.
Calibration and use of continuous heat-type automated seepage meters for submarine groundwater discharge measurements

Abstract Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) assessments were conducted both in the laboratory and at a field site in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, using a continuous heat-type automated seepage meter (seepmeter). The functioning of the seepmeter is based on measurements of a temperature gradient in the water between downstream and upstream positions in its flow pipe. The device has the potential of providing long-term, high-resolution measurements of SGD. Using a simple inexpensive laboratory set-up, we have shown that connecting an extension cable to the seepmeter has a negligible effect on its measuring capability. Similarly, the observed influence of very low temperature (≤3 °C) on seepmeter measurements can be accounted for by conducting calibrations at such temperatures prior to field deployments. Compared to manual volumetric measurements, calibration experiments showed that at higher water flow rates (>28 cm day −1 or cm 3 cm −2 day −1 ) an analog flowmeter overestimated flow rates by ≥7%. This was apparently due to flow resistance, turbulence and formation of air bubbles in the seepmeter water flow tubes. Salinity had no significant effect on the performance of the seepmeter. Calibration results from fresh water and sea water showed close agreement at a 95% confidence level significance between the data sets from the two media ( R 2 = 0.98). Comparatively, the seepmeter SGD measurements provided data that are comparable to manually-operated seepage meters, the radon geochemical tracer approach, and an electromagnetic (EM) seepage meter.