cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
It's not the model that doesn't fit, it's the controller! The role of cognitive skills in understanding the links between natural mapping, performance, and enjoyment of console video games

Examines differences between a motion controller and a traditional controller.Cognitive skills predicted performance for both controllers.Motion control was significantly more frustrating.Evidence that traditional controller was more naturally mapped for gameplay. This study examines differences in performance, frustration, and game ratings of individuals playing first-person shooter video games using two different controllers (motion controller and a traditional, push-button controller) in a within-subjects, randomized order design. Structural equation modeling was used to demonstrate that cognitive skills such as mental rotation ability and eye/hand coordination predicted performance for both controllers, but the motion control was significantly more frustrating. Moreover, increased performance was only related to game ratings for the traditional controller input. We interpret these data as evidence that, contrary to the assumption that motion controlled interfaces are more naturally mapped than traditional push-button controllers, the traditional controller was more naturally mapped as an interface for gameplay.
Silicide Nanopowders as Low-Cost and High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials

Thermoelectric devices directly convert heat into electricity and are very attractive for waste heat recovery and solar energy utilization. If thermoelectric devices can be made sufficiently efficient and inexpensive, then they will become a transformative energy technology that can tap a significant portion (10–20%) of the vast amount of heat existing in nature as well as industrial processes. Nanopowders of Earth-abundant, silicide-based materials, such as Mg2Si and its alloys, provide a unique opportunity to realize this goal. This article will present an overview of recent advances in the synthesis and thermoelectric properties of silicide-based nanostructured materials.
High-Level ab Initio Studies of Hydrogen Abstraction from Prototype Hydrocarbon Systems

Symmetric and nonsymmetric hydrogen abstraction reactions are studied using state-of-the-art ab initio electronic structure methods. Second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) and the coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] methods with large correlation consistent basis sets (cc-pVXZ, where X = D,T,Q) are used in determining the transition-state geometries, activation barriers, and thermodynamic properties of several representative hydrogen abstraction reactions. The importance of basis set, electron correlation, and choice of zeroth-order reference wave function in the accurate prediction of activation barriers and reaction enthalpies are also investigated. The ethynyl radical (*CCH), which has a very high affinity for hydrogen atoms, is studied as a prototype hydrogen abstraction agent. Our high-level quantum mechanical computations indicate that hydrogen abstraction using the ethynyl radical has an activation energy of less than 3 kcal mol(-1) for hydrogens bonded to an sp(2) or sp(3) carbon. These low activation barriers further corroborate previous studies suggesting that ethynyl-type radicals would make good tooltips for abstracting hydrogens from diamondoid surfaces during mechanosynthesis. Modeling the diamond C(111) surface with isobutane and treating the ethynyl radical as a tooltip, hydrogen abstraction in this reaction is predicted to be barrierless.
Effect of steel microfibers on corrosion of steel reinforcing bars

Steel microfiber reinforcement was previously found to be successful in mitigating alkali silica reaction in concrete, an expansive phenomenon. The use of steel microfibers to mitigate rebar corrosion, another expansive reaction, was investigated. Mortar specimens with and without steel microfiber reinforcement were exposed to a corrosive environment. All specimens were prepared with water/cement ratios of both 0.40 and 0.55, cured for 28 days, and then submerged in aerated 3.5% NaCl solution. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was monitored via electrochemical measurements. Three types of electrochemical tests were performed: corrosion potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Chloride concentration measurements and microscopic analysis were performed as well. The polarization curves, Tafel, and polarization resistance measurements indicate that the steel rebar in the microfiber-reinforced mortars are more resistant to corrosion than the rebar in the control mortars, despite higher chloride concentrations. Furthermore, the steel microfiber-reinforced cement based materials have a lower electrolytic resistance. This is not indicative of a higher corrosion rate, which would be the case if it had been observed in standard mortar specimens.
The Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker Losartan in Clinical Practice: A Review

Blockade of angiotensin II receptors was first achieved in the 1970s using a peptide, saralasin acetate. Although it was effective in lowering blood pressure, it required parenteral administration and had a short duration of action and partial agonist activity. These disadvantages are absent with losartan, a selective, orally administered, nonpeptide blocker of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor that recently became available for clinical use. Losartan has a sustained duration of action, permitting once-daily dosing in many patients, and lacks partial agonist activity. More than 3300 hypertensive patients have received losartan in Phase III, controlled clinical trials. Losartan given concomitantly with a low dose (12.5 mg) of hydrochlorothiazide further reduces blood pressure. Its overall incidence of adverse experiences is similar to that of placebo. Because of its efficacy, specificity, duration of action, and safety profile, losartan should be considered as first-line therapy for the treatment of patients with hypertension.
The initial formation and structure of two-dimensional diffusive shock waves

Shock wave formation is described for quasi-linear partial differential equations with weak diffusion. A singularity develops from smooth two-dimensional initial conditions when characteristics intersect. Within the caustic surface for the characteristics, the wave folds over and becomes triple-valued. Near the first breaking, the characteristics and their singularity are described by a generic cubic equation. A transition region exists satisfying the one-dimensional Burgers' equation. The diffusion equation is obtained from the Hopf-Cole transformation. The solution, corresponding to the usual formation of a two-dimensional shock wave, is shown to be a canonical exponential integral with a quartic phase. Critical points satisfy the fundamental cubic equation. The Rankine-Hugoniot shock conditions are shown to emerge from within the caustic surface.
Challenging Norms in Bioethics—Helping Others to Find Their Voice

Miller and Truog (2008) rightly identify internal tensions regarding bioethical work, especially for philosophically trained bioethicists. Our work is uniquely situated, which creates both hazards ...
Substituent Effects on the Spectroscopic Properties and Reactivity of Hexacoordinate Silicon(IV) Porphyrin Complexes

A general high-yield synthetic route to the hexacoordinate silicon porphyrin dichloride complexes trans-(Por)SiCl2 {Por = the dianions of octaethylporphyrin (OEP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and tetrakis(p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)porphyrin (TTFP)} is reported. Reacting (Por)SiCl2 with SbF3 and AgOTf produces the corresponding difluoro trans-(Por)SiF2 and bis(triflato) trans-(Por)Si(OTf)2 complexes, respectively. The spectroscopic properties (1H, 19F, and 29Si NMR and visible) of these hexacoordinate silicon compounds are surprisingly insensitive to the electron-donating ability of the porphyrin or the nature of the axial substituents. The nature of the porphyrin and the axial substituent do play a role in the reactivity of these silicon complexes. The strong Si−F bond makes the difluorides stable to hydrolysis and methanolysis. The dichlorides, on the other hand, do undergo hydrolysis and methanolysis, the extent of which is determined by the electronics of the porphyrin ring. The strong electron-donatin...
Using LIDAR-based DEM to orthorectify Ikonos panchromatic images

Recent development in remote sensing technologies has stimulated a great interest in its application in large-scale mapping. For example, the Ikonos satellite images, available since 2000, have an improved resolution of 1 m that afford mapping of a lot of ground objects from the satellite images. However, the use of these images in high-accuracy mapping applications has been limited since the sensor model parameters are not yet released. On the other hand, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a fast method for sampling the earth's surface with a high density and high accuracy point cloud that is used to generate high density and high accuracy Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and DSMs. Integrating both technologies makes it possible to provide reliable and automatic solutions for large-scale mapping applications, 3-D visualization, GIS and change detection. In this research a 1-m resolution LIDAR-based DEM is used to orthorectify a single Geo-panchromatic Ikonos image. The LIDAR-based DEM is first rectified using 12 Ground Control Points (GCPs) surveyed using the Differential GPS (DGPS) technique. The LIDAR-based DEM is then used as a source for other GCPs that are used to orthorectify the Ikonos image. Different 2-D transformation models are used with different sets and distributions of GCPs. The planimetric Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) achieved, using these models, is about 5 m. The relationship between the planimetric errors and the elevations of the checkpoints suggested using 3-D to 2-D transformation models. Three different types of these models are examined and their results are reported. The results showed that less than 2 m mapping accuracy could be achieved using the 3-D to 2-D transformation models. These results suggest that using a single panchromatic Ikonos image together with a 1-m resolution LIDAR-based DEM could achieve the required planimetric accuracy for 1:5000 topographic maps.
MONSAG: A new monitoring system for measuring the load filling of a SAG mill

Abstract The utilization and availability of large SAG mills depends strongly on the stability of the controlled load filling. A too large or too small load filling conducts to unproductive operating conditions or to an aggressive operation for the liners, respectively. A new monitoring system (MONSAG) intended for indirect measurement of the load filling of a SAG mill is presented. The operating principle is based on the processing of electrical variables of the motor vector-control and process variables, complementing the typical bearing pressure measurement and contributing to the process control quality. The method can be applied for any kind of synchronous mill motor. Results of an actual application are presented, namely for a 15 000 Hp SAG mill showing a good correlation with the filling measured by visual inspections. Using this new system, production average was improved by about 3.2% and specific energy consumption (kWh/Ton) was improved by 3.8%.
Exact penalty functions in nonlinear programming

It is shown that the existence of a strict local minimum satisfying the constraint qualification of [16] or McCormick's [12] second order sufficient optimality condition implies the existence of a class of exact local penalty functions (that is ones with a finite value of the penalty parameter) for a nonlinear programming problem. A lower bound to the penalty parameter is given by a norm of the optimal Lagrange multipliers which is dual to the norm used in the penalty function.
Impacts of Dogwood Anthracnose (Discula destructiva Redlin) on the Fruits of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida L.): Implications for Wildlife

Abstract Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) fruits are an important fall food for many species of birds and mammals throughout the eastern United States. However, the rapid spread of the fungal disease dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva Redlin) has caused extensive mortality of dogwoods throughout the Appalachians. We examined the impacts of dogwood anthracnose on the production of inflorescences by flowering dogwoods in western North Carolina as an indication of fruit production. We also collected ripe fruits in the fall, weighed the pulps and analyzed them for protein, lipids, Ca, K, Mg and P. Only one-third of 173 live trees flowered. Large trees were significantly more likely to flower than small trees, and as disease severity increased, the probability of flowering decreased. Neither the mean number of inflorescences per tree nor mean pulp weight differed among two size classes or three disease categories of trees. However, pulps from moderately infected trees contained significantly more Ca...
Metabolite Profiling of a NIST Standard Reference Material for Human Plasma (SRM 1950): GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR, and Clinical Laboratory Analyses, Libraries, and Web-Based Resources

Recent progress in metabolomics and the development of increasingly sensitive analytical techniques have renewed interest in global profiling, i.e., semiquantitative monitoring of all chemical constituents of biological fluids. In this work, we have performed global profiling of NIST SRM 1950, “Metabolites in Human Plasma”, using GC-MS, LC-MS, and NMR. Metabolome coverage, difficulties, and reproducibility of the experiments on each platform are discussed. A total of 353 metabolites have been identified in this material. GC-MS provides 65 unique identifications, and most of the identifications from NMR overlap with the LC-MS identifications, except for some small sugars that are not directly found by LC-MS. Also, repeatability and intermediate precision analyses show that the SRM 1950 profiling is reproducible enough to consider this material as a good choice to distinguish between analytical and biological variability. Clinical laboratory data shows that most results are within the reference ranges for e...
The influence of the loss of teeth and attrition on the articular eminence

A review of the literature revealed that changes in the articular eminence associated with changes in the dentition were usually overlooked in most reports. An attempt was made to determine whether changes in attrition and loss of teeth would correlate with a change (decreased angulation) in the articular eminence. The population consisted of 103 adult skulls and mandibles of both sexes and three different races. They included partial and totol edentulism, mild to severe attrition, and complete dentitions in good condition. An impression of each of the 206 articular eminences was made and the angulation established. The data were transferred to computer cards and a statistical analysis performed. The level of significance for each of the variables was established and conclusions were made.
Complete Elimination of Mitosis and DNA Synthesis in the Lens of the Hypophysectomized Frog: Effects on Cell Migration and Fiber Growth

Three weeks after hypophysectomy mitosis and DNA synthesis are absent in the lens of the leopard frog (Rana pipiens). By labeling germinative zone cells in their last DNA synthetic period we were able to follow them in the absence of further proliferation. By this means it has been demonstrated that migration of epithelial cells to the equator of the lens is stopped. Based on indirect measurements it seems that lens fiber formation also ceases. A correlation coefficient of 0.86 was computed between average labeling index and average distance migrated. In hypophysectomized animals the correlation coefficient between time and migration was 0.02 while in intact animals it is 0.87.
Forecasting residential air conditioning loads

Abstract A doubly censored Tobit model is used to forecast hourly air-conditioner usage for individual households. The model worked well over a wide range of temperatures, 9–38 °C, making it possible to accurately forecast the electricity load for a variety of demand response applications including operational reserves for renewable energy integration. Individual models are simulated and summed to obtain aggregate forecasts and confidence intervals. The model allows for correlation between the individual shocks that occur in a region. This approach gives substantially more accurate results than the moving average method typically used for forecasting and measuring direct load control. Applying the model to data from three U.S. utilities produced mean square error values from 0.027 to 0.041 with average load values per customer ranging from 0.49 to 0.62 kW.
The Effects of Pattern of Performance and Order of Presentation On Recall and Attribution of Ability

Two experiments were conducted to test the effects of the pattern of a stimulus person's performance (ascending pattern or descending pattern) and the order of presentation of the performances (normal chronological order or reverse chronological order) on observers' recall of performance and attributions of ability. A significant interaction between pattern and order was found on the measures of recall of number of success, predictions of future success, and attributed ability. With the normal chronological order, the ratings were higher for the descending pattern, but under the reverse chronological order ratings were higher for the ascending pattern. The results are discussed in terms of the stable entity proposition.
Transition on a sharp cone at high enthalpy - New measurements in the shock tunnel T5 at GALCIT

An exploratory study of the laminar, transitional and turbulent boundary layer on a slender cone in hypervelocity flow was conducted in the high-enthalpy shock tunnel T5. A novel flow visualization technique using sodium seeding to increase the sensitivity of conventional interferometric techniques by resonant enhancement of the refractivity of the medium was developed to study its structure. The experiments were designed to cover a large range of specific reservoir enthalpy, ranging from the perfect-gas region to the range where significant oxygen and some nitrogen dissociation and recombination effects may be expected in the boundary layer. Surface heat flux measurements indicate that the transition Reynolds number is approximately the same as that observed in cold hypersonic flow in conventional continuous flow facilities, but significantly lower than that observed in 'quiet' tunnels. No significant effect of reservoir specific enthalpy on transition was observed. The heat flux distribution showed differences between the air and the nitrogen experiments in the laminar regime. These are consistent with the presence of recombination of oxygen at the wall. This view is supported by the fact that this effect is absent in the low-enthalpy region, where the heat flux distribution agrees with the similarity theory.
Can an isotropic plasma pressure distribution be in force balance with the T96 model field

[1] In this paper we investigate how close the gradient force of an isotropic pressure distribution P can be in force balance with the magnetic (Lorentz) force in the T96 empirical model. The study leads to the conclusion that no isotropic pressure can be found in exact force balance with the magnetic field of the quiet time T96 model. The conclusion is derived from several analyses: (1) computing the loop integral of J × B from the model along a closed contour in the equatorial plane (the integral should vanish if J × B = ∇P); (2) obtaining one-dimensional profiles for P on the Sun-Earth axis by integrating ∇P = J × B and comparing them with observations; and (3) decomposing J × B into gradient-free and curl-free terms (the former term would be zero in an exact equilibrium) and subsequently computing the two terms by solving a Poisson-like equation with constraints. Possible physical reasons for our finding that no P exists such that J × B = ∇P include small mass flows as well as nonisotropic (and possibly even nongyrotropic) terms in the magnetospheric pressure tensor. While the lack of exact force balance with isotropic P will probably be not too serious for many situations, for some physical applications, such as the computation of Birkeland currents using the Vasyliunas relation, care must be exercised if one uses the model field in conjunction with isotropic pressure. Finally, we discuss possible ways of computing magnetospheric configurations in exact force balance with isotropic P by using empirical model fields as a starting point.
Impact of Computerized Order Entry and Pre-mixed Dialysis Solutions for Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodiafiltration on Selection of Therapy for Acute Renal Failure

To investigate the impacts of availability of pre-mixed solutions and computerized order entry on nephrologists' choice of the initial mode of renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure. We studied 898 patients with acute renal failure in 3 consecutive eras: era 1 (custom-mixed solution; n?=?309), era 2 (pre-mixed commercial solution; n?=?324), and era 3 (post-computerized order entry; n?=?265). The proportion of patients treated with renal replacement therapy and the time from consult to initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy was similar in the 3 eras. Following introduction of the pre-mixed solution, the proportion of patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy increased (20% vs. 33%; p?<?0.05), it was initiated at a lower serum creatinine (353?±?123 μmol/L vs. 300?±?80 μmol/L; p?<?0.05) and in older patients (53?±?12 vs. 61?±?14 years; p?<?0.05). There was a progressive increase in the use of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (18% vs. 79% vs. 100%; p?<?0.05) and in the total prescribed flow rate (1,382?±?546 vs. 2,324?±?737 vs. 2,900?±?305 mL/hr 3; p?<?0.05). There was no significant impact on mortality. The availability of a pre-mixed solution increases the likelihood of initiating continuous renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure, initiating it at a lower creatinine and for older patients, use of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis and higher prescribed continuous renal replacement therapy dose. Computerized order entry implementation is associated with an additional increase in the use of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis, higher total prescribed dialysis dose, and use of CRRT among an increasing number of patients not on mechanical ventilation. The effect of these changes on patient survival is not significant.
Music, Politics, and Violence

What is the relationship between music and violence? What is the nature of that relationship when violence is rooted in the nation-state? How can music, like poetry or photography, frame acts of vi...
Classification of Corneal Endothelial Disorders Based on Neural Crest Origin

The corneal endothelium is derived from the neural crest. A general classification of disorders of development of the neural crest has been previously presented (Johnston). Disorders of the corneal endothelium may be considered according to a modification of this scheme to reflect its true embryologic origin. In this classification, corneal endothelial disorders are categorized as abnormalities of neural crest cell formation (cyclopia), migration (Peters' anomaly), proliferation (iridocorneal endothelial syndrome), final differentiation (Fuchs' dystrophy), and acquired abnormalities (metaplasia, abiatrophy, and proliferation).
981-52 Six-minute Walk Compared to Peak and Low-level Aerobic Capacity in 302 Patients with Heart Failure

Distances walked spontaneously during 6 min may reflect peak exerc capacity, the ability to sustain 6 min of low exercise without anaerobic metabolism, and non-metabolic factors such as stride. To determine how well 6-min walks in 302 heart failure patients reflected aerobic capacity at peak exercise (pkVO2) and/or R (VCO2/VO2) after 6 min of low-level exercise similar to walking, 6-min walks were measured within 48 hrs of bicycle exercise with gas exchange during 6 min 20-watt riding and then during incremental exercise. Download : Download high-res image (75KB) Download : Download full-size image Although 6 min walk correlated with extremes of pkVO2, it varied widely (r = 0.25) when pkVO2 was 10–20 ml/kg/min (generally Class II-III). Although 6 min 20W ride required VO2 9 ± 2 ml/kg/min, similar to 3 METS estimated for walking, 6-min 20W R did not correlate well inversely with 6 min walk distance except at very short and long walks. In moderate heart failure, 6 min walk reflects factors other than aerobic capacity at peak or during 6 min of sustained low-level exercise.
Microdissection of the Y chromosome and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of the sex chromosomes of lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush.

Lake trout,Salvelinus namaycush, is one of the few salmonids with morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes. Genetic analysis suggested that the sex-determining region of this species lies on the short arm of the Y chromosome. The differential arm of the Y chromosome was microdissected and the resulting DNA amplified in a sequence-independent manner. Amplified DNA was biotin labeled as a probe for fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH). Strong hybridization signals were seen covering defined regions of both the Y and X chromosomes. Homeologous chromosomes of the ancestrally tetraploid genome were not identified by FISH with the Y probe, indicating diploidization of this region of the genome.
Tuberal hypothalamic expression of the glial intermediate filaments, glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin across the turkey hen (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive cycle: Further evidence for a role of glial structural plasticity in seasonal reproduction.

Abstract Glia regulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis in birds and mammals. This is accomplished mechanically by ensheathing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone I (GnRH) nerve terminals thereby blocking access to the pituitary blood supply, or chemically in a paracrine manner. Such regulation requires appropriate spatial associations between glia and nerve terminals. Female turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) use day length as a primary breeding cue. Long days activate the HPG-axis until the hen enters a photorefractory state when previously stimulatory day lengths no longer support HPG-axis activity. Hens must then be exposed to short days before reactivation of the reproductive axis occurs. As adult hens have discrete inactive reproductive states in addition to a fertile state, they are useful for examining the glial contribution to reproductive function. We immunostained tuberal hypothalami from short and long-day photosensitive hens, plus long-day photorefractory hens to examine expression of two intermediate filaments that affect glial morphology: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin. GFAP expression was drastically reduced in the central median eminence of long day photosensitive hens, especially within the internal zone. Vimentin expression was similar among groups. However, vimentin-immunoreactive fibers abutting the portal vasculature were significantly negatively correlated with GFAP expression in the median eminence, which is consistent with our hypothesis for a reciprocal relationship between GFAP and vimentin expression. It appears that up-regulation of GFAP expression in the central median eminence of turkey hens is associated with periods of reproductive quiescence and that photofractoriness is associated with the lack of a glial cytoskeletal response to long days.
Treatment of Droplike Clusters in Nucleation Theory Using Reiss's Method

The expression of the correction factorΦ in nucleation theory is derived by extending the method Reiss used recently.Φ is the factor appearing in the number of critical nuclei (formed as a vapor condenses into liquid drops) as a correction to the conventional theory. It is shown thatΦ=p l /ν g /kT, wherep l is the pressure of the liquid phase inside the drop,ν g , is the volume per molecule in the vapor phase,k is the Boltzmann constant, andT is the absolute temperature. The difference between thisΦ and Reiss's expression isp l , which replaces hisp g (the vapor pressure in equilibrium with the drop). TheΦ derived in this paper is compatible with the expressionΦ=ν g /ν l (ν l is the molecular volume in the liquid phase) previously proposed by the present author.
Visible semantics for programming languages

Operational models for the semantics of programming languages often employ data structure diagrams for representing computation states (snapshots). Provided that these data structures are simple enough, automation of their display is feasible, supplying "visible semantics" for the languages modelled.One automation technique is described for displaying ALGOL program snapshots, based on the Contour Model, and the structure of the implemented display processor is discussed. Extensions and generalizations of this processor for use with a wide variety of programming languages are suggested.
The structure of asymptotic states in a singular system of conservation laws

We determine the structure of the nonlinear waves to which solutions of a nonstrictly hyperbolic system decay as t -> + ~. The waves in general are not the same as the waves that solve the Riemann problem for the states at x = +/- ~, and solutions do not depend continuously on initial values in the L^1-norm. The role of the Lax admissibility condition is explored.
Experimental observations and numerical simulations of curved crack propagation in laminated fiber composites

Abstract Fracture experiments were carried out on continuous fiber polymer matrix laminated composite panels to investigate cohesive, through-the-thickness crack propagation. The experiments were designed to examine curved cracks, resulting from either eccentric loading or non-symmetric specimen geometry with respect to the starter crack. The constitutive description of the observed complex diffused damage zone, which from a continuum viewpoint may be considered a macroscopic crack, involves complex/evolving traction–separation relations and mode-mixity conditions. This paper presents some relevant experimental investigations and their numerical modeling using the variational multiscale cohesive method developed by Rudraraju et al. [21] which is an effective framework for simulating cohesive crack evolution and thereby predicting the residual strength of cracked composite panels.
Hyperconsciousness of Race and Its Negation: The Dialectic of White Supremacy in Brazil

Brazilian social relations—their practices and their representations—are marked by a hyperconsciousness of race. Such hyperconsciousness, while symptomatic of how Brazilians classify and position themselves in the life world, is manifested by the often vehement negation of the importance of race. This negation forcefully suggests that race is neither an analytical and morally valid tool, nor plays a central role in determining Brazilian social hierarchies. The hyperconsciousness/negation of race dialectic allows us to understand how a system that is on the surface devoid of racial awareness is in reality deeply immersed in racialized understandings of the social world. To approach the hyperconsciousness/negation of race conundrum, I review pertinent Brazilian and United States bibliography focusing on problems associated with the racial democracy myth, and utilize ethnographic data and interpret newspapers articles reporting on one of the many events of police corruption and brutality in Rio de Janeiro.
Two-layer antibody capture of enzymes on the surface of microtiter plates: application to the study of the regulation of phospholipase C-γ1 catalytic activity

Abstract In vitro quantification of the catalytic activity of an enzyme isoform requires the availability of selective agents that allow for either measurements in the presence of the other enzyme isoforms or purification of the isoform and subsequent performance of these measurements on the purified enzyme. Isozyme-specific antibodies are useful tools for these types of analyses. In the present report, we detail a method for the measurement of phospholipase C-γ1 enzyme activity employing native enzyme that is immobilized on microtiter plates. The method uses biotinylated antiglobulin bound to streptavidin-coated microtiter plates to immobilize antiphospholipase C-γ1 antibody and subsequently capture phospholipase C-γ1 from brain tissue lysates. This method avoids biotinylation of the primary (antiphospholipase C-γ1) antibody, making it less labor intensive than previously described methods for using streptavidin-coated plates; in addition, it is highly reproducible and sensitive and allows for quantification of enzyme activity. We employ the technique to show that one or more tyrosine kinases copurify with rat brain phospholipase C-γ1. The method is applicable to the study of any enzyme isoform for which antibodies that capture the native form of the enzyme are available and could easily be employed in high-throughput procedures.
A battery model for constant-power discharge including rate effects

A battery discharge model is developed to predict terminal voltage and current for a constant-power discharge. The model accounts for the impact of discharge rate on the effective capacity. The model utilizes empirically-determined coefficients, easily obtainable from product data sheets. The model is intended to provide estimates for initial predictions and system sizing; total computational and engineering costs to develop the inputs and obtain results are low. Comparison of model predictions with experimental data in the development and testing of alkaline primary cell battery packs shows good agreement.
Energy Absorption in Polymer Composites for Automotive Crashworthiness

The energy absorption capability of a composite material is critical to developing improved human safety in an automotive crash. Energy absorption is dependent on many parameters like fiber type, m...
β-Glucan Synthetases of Plasma Membrane and Golgi Apparatus from Onion Stem

Biosynthesis of glucans occurred in cell-free fractions isolated from onion stem (Allium cepa L.) enriched in either dictyosomes or plasma membranes. beta-1,3- and beta-1, 4-Glucans were synthesized in differing proportions and at different rates as the concentration of uridine diphosphoglucose or the proportion of dictyosomes or plasma membrane varied. At low (1.5 mum) UDP-glucose concentrations synthesis of alkali-insoluble glucan was correlated with abundance of dicytosomes; most of the substrate utilized by plasma membrane was for glycolipid synthesis. At high (1 mm) UDP-glucose concentration, the synthesis of alkali-insoluble glucans correlated with the abundance of plasma membrane. Substrate enhancement of beta-1, 4-glucan synthesis in dictyosome fractions was less than proportional to increases in substrate concentration. In contrast, beta-1, 4-glucan synthesis by plasma membrane was more than proportionately increased. At high substrate concentrations the synthesis of beta-1, 3-glucans predominated in both dictyosome and plasma membrane fractions. The results show that the capacity to synthesize glucans resides in both Golgi apparatus and plasma membranes of onion stem, but that the plasma membrane has the greatest capacity for synthesis of alkali-insoluble glucans at high UDP-glucose concentrations.
Comparison of Shelf Life and Quality of Mullet Stored at Zero and Subzero Temperature

The shelf life and quality of mullet (Mugil spp.) caught off the Southeast Atlantic coast were evaluated during storage at subzero temperature (-2°C) either unpackaged or vacuum packed in iolon film. Subzero temperature was maintained by storing fish in either 2% NaCl- or 7% propylene glycol-ice. Shelf life of fish stored in -2°C ice was 10 days, compared to 7 days for the fish stored in 0°C ice. Extension of shelf life was attributed to delayed microbial growth and slow biochemical changes. Structural changes due to ice crystals at subzero temperature storage appeared to be minor compared to those which occurred during freezing at -20°C as revealed by microscopic examination. The minor structural changes along with insignificant biochemical changes resulted in products having acceptable eating quality for 10 days.
Modeling of Crack Depths in Digital Images of Concrete Pavements Using Optical Reflection Properties

Digital image-based automated pavement crack detection and classification technology has seen vast improvements in the recent years. Although crack lengths and widths can be evaluated using state-of-the-art software with a reasonable accuracy, no reported evidence is found in extending this technology to evaluate crack depths. As a supplement to the existing technology, additional information relevant to pavement crack severity could be revealed by the optical modeling of the image formation process and the subsequent analysis of the variation in pixel intensity profiles within images. A preliminary study was carried out to model the digital image formation of cracked concrete pavements based on the bidirectional reflection distribution function. This study was specifically focused on the optical modeling of shallow longitudinal and transverse cracks as well as joints of concrete pavements using the variation of reflection properties at surface discontinuities. Surface discontinuities were considered to b...
Recycling Turkey Hens with Low Light Intensity

Abstract Yearling turkey breeder hens were recycled into a second egg production cycle by exposure to 16 hr of light per day (16L:8D) of .5, 2.2, 4.3, or 7.6 lx intensity. Controls were exposed to 6L:18D of 55 lx intensity. At the end of the 8-week recycling treatments, all hens were photostimulated with 16L:8D of 55 lx intensity and the time to first egg and rate of egg production were recorded. Low light intensity terminated photorefractoriness and resulted in egg production comparable to the controls in the .5 lx treatment only. Light intensities of 2.2, 4.3, and 7.6 lx resulted in significantly reduced egg production. Turkey hens can be successfully recycled with a low light intensity of .5 lx but not 2.2 lx or greater.
Recovering Grain-Boundary Inclination Parameters through Oblique Double Sectioning

A method for the retrieval of grain-boundary inclination parameters of the grain-boundary character distribution (GBCD) by oblique double sectioning (ODS) is proposed. In this hybrid approach, grain-boundary inclination parameters are directly measured by double sectioning, while a statistically reliable sampling of the microstructure is achieved by oblique sectioning. The solution to the fundamental equations is posed in a manner similar to the recovery of the orientation distributions from sets of incomplete pole figures, using classical Fourier representations of the distribution functions. The ODS is validated by and compared to the L A /S V stereology through simulations and experimental implementation in a sample of 439 stainless steel. Simulations show that the grain-boundary normal distributions recovered by ODS and stereology are comparable, giving errors on the order of 10−2. Experimental implementation of ODS and the L A /S V stereology in alloy 439 stainless steel demonstrate additional practical limitations of the ODS methodology when applied to materials of large or uneven grain size.
Use of Carbon Fibre Composite Molecular Sieves for Air Separation

The adsorption of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide onto a carbon fibre composite was investigated using static and dynamic techniques. Molecular-sieving effects in the composite were highlighted by the adsorption of carbon dioxide, a more sensitive probe molecule for the presence of microporosity in adsorbents. The kinetic studies revealed that oxygen was more rapidly adsorbed on the composite than nitrogen and with a higher uptake under equilibrium conditions. Preliminary experiments indicated that the carbon fibre composite was capable of separating oxygen and nitrogen from air on the basis of the different diffusion rates of the two molecules in the micropore network of the composite. It is proposed that the relatively high electrical conductivity of the carbon fibre composite material could be exploited for air separation by facilitating the production of O2 and N2 through electrical swing adsorption rather than the depressurization of adsorber beds.
Having it both ways: MHC recognition in cis and trans.

Natural killer cells are kept in check by their inhibitory receptors. Data now indicate that these receptors can bind ligands that are next to them on the same cell surface, with unexpected functional consequences.
Tropical Cyclone Changes in the Western North Pacific in a Global Warming Scenario

Abstract The influence of global warming on the climatology of tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific basin is examined using the high-resolution International Pacific Research Center (IPRC) regional climate model forced by ocean temperatures and horizontal boundary fields taken from the NCAR Community Climate System Model version 2 (CCSM2) coupled global climate model. The regional model is first tested in 10 yr of simulation with boundary forcing taken from observations and is shown to produce a reasonably good representation of the observed statistics of tropical cyclone numbers and locations. The model was then run for 10 yr with forcing from a present-day control run of the CCSM2 and then for 10 yr with forcing fields taken from the end of a long run with 6 times the present-day atmospheric CO2 concentration. The global-mean surface air temperature warming in the perturbed run is 4.5 K, while the surface warming in the tropical western North Pacific is about 3 K. The results of these experime...
Diffusion from a line source in an urban atmosphere

Abstract A model for the diffusion of material from a line source in an urban atmosphere is presented. The plume is assumed to have a well-defined edge at which the concentration falls to zero. The vertical wind shear is accounted for by using a power law, the exponent of which is explicitly determinable as a function of surface roughness characteristics of the terrain and the stability of the atmosphere (Monin-Obukhov length, L). The concentrations estimated from the model compare favorably with the field observations of other investigators.
Automated fluorometric analysis of DNA, protein, and enzyme activities: application to methods in cell culture.

Automated fluorometric methods for the analysis of DNA, protein, and selected enzyme activities for N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are described. Instrumentation for these assays includes a Gilford 3500 computer-directed analyzer in conjunction with a Farrand Ratio Fluorometer-2 modified for flowthrough sampling. Comparisons were made between the automated fluorometric methods described and manual spectrophotometric or fluorometric methods for reproducibility, speed of analysis, and quantitative correlation. Typical values of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities obtained by these methods in isolated rat hepatocytes and Reuber H-35 hepatoma cells are reported.
Gelation of dilute collagen solutions by ultraviolet light

Dilute collagen and collagen–polymer solutions were irradiated at 4°C with UV light (254 nm) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The collagen had been recovered from native tissue by a process of simultaneous acid solubilization together with proctase treatment to remove telopeptides. In the range of concentrations studied (0.1% to 0.9% collagen), gelation occurs after a few minutes, and the dynamic mechanical properties are followed thereafter using a freely oscillating torsion pendulum. During the irradiation, crosslinking and scission reactions compete. Initially crosslinking reactions dominate and the storage modulus increases. However, with extensive irradiation, scission reactions become important, and the storage modulus passes through a maximum and finally decreases. Furthermore, the time for incipient gelation decreases with concentration and the maximum storage modulus increases with concentration to the 2.5 power for collagen solutions. As an example, the maximum storage modulus for a 0.5% solution is 1.1×104 dynes/cm2. The modulus–dose behavior can be reduced to a single relationship in which the ratio of modulus to maximum modulus is a function of dose divided by dose to reach the maximum modulus.
Precursor complement protein (pro-C4) is converted in vitro to native C4 by plasmin

The fourth component of complement (C4) is a constituent of the classical serum complement pathway, one of the principle effectors of inflammatory reactions. A single chain protein (molecular weight (MW) 200,000), presumed to be the precursor of C4 (pro-C4), was first identified as a product of cell-free translation on polysomes from guinea pig liver homogenate1. Pro-C4 has since been detected in human2,3 and guinea pig4 plasma and intracellularly in macrophage5 and liver cultures1. Native C4 is composed of three polypeptide chains of unequal size and linked by disulphide bridges—the α, β, and γ chains which have MWs of approximately 95,000, 75,000 and 31,000 respectively (ref. 6). Kinetic studies of C4 biosynthesis in tissue culture, a comparison of peptide maps from tryptic digests7 and identity of the amino-terminal segments of guinea pig pro-C4 with β chain of guinea pig and human C4 (ref. 8) suggested that pro-C4 was a precursor of C4. However, conversion of pro-C4 to native C4 has not been demonstrated directly. We now report that the addition of plasmin to radiolabelled pro-C4 (in cell lysates of guinea pig macrophages) generated a protein with the characteristic size and subunit structure of native C4, establishing the precursor–product relationship between these proteins. These data also suggest that a plasmin-like enzyme is responsible for post-translational conversion of this procomplement (pro-C4) protein to C4 in vivo. Another enzyme, the C1s subunit of the first component of complement, cleaved pro-C4 at a single site, distinct from the plasmin cleavage sites, to generate fragments of approximate MWs 112,000 and 91,000. This experiment indicated that β-α-γ is the sequence of subunits in pro-C4.
Modeling Intraseasonal Features of 2004 North American Monsoon Precipitation

Abstract This study examines the capabilities and limitations of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) in predicting the precipitation and circulation features that accompanied the 2004 North American monsoon (NAM). When the model is reinitialized every 5 days to restrain the growth of modeling errors, its results for precipitation checked at subseasonal time scales (not for individual rainfall events) become comparable with ground- and satellite-based observations as well as with the NAM’s diagnostic characteristics. The modeled monthly precipitation illustrates the evolution patterns of monsoon rainfall, although it underestimates the rainfall amount and coverage area in comparison with observations. The modeled daily precipitation shows the transition from dry to wet episodes on the monsoon onset day over the Arizona–New Mexico region, and the multiday heavy rainfall (>1 mm day−1) and dry periods after the onset. All these mode...