cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control strategies and polity competition in the lower Yi-Luo Valley, North China

The development of control strategies is a key to understand the evolution of complex societies. The nodes of control are central places comprise public facilities and monumental structures and are often inhabited by large non-food producing population. The ability to levy labor and food surplus from the countryside are essential challenges to the social elite in the building and maintenance of central places. By strategically locating the regional and local control nodes, a web is formed to regulate the political economy of the polity. The Yi-Luo Valley in North China is a circumscribed region that documents in archaeology a long sequence of the development of social complexity. The settlement pattern suggests that the placement of control nodes facilitated the effective extraction of resources from the hinterlands. In addition, the formation of two large primary centers, Erlitou and Yanshi, in the mid-second millennium B.C. indicates the competition between regional polities.
Structure of Jupiter and Saturn

Understanding of the planetary interiors depends upon our knowledge of the equations of state and of the transport properties of matter at high pressures and temperatures. The present status of this knowledge in relation to hydrogen and helium is discussed in detail including electrical and thermal conductivity, viscosity, diffusivity, etc. On this basis the various possible models of the internal structure of Jupiter and of Saturn are presented and their agreement with observational constraints such as the multipole gravitational coefficients analyzed. Relevance of planetary magnetic fields, basic atmospheric information and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter to the models of the interiors are discussed.
Approximate Coulomb distortion effects in ( e , e ′ p ) reactions

In this paper we apply a well-tested approximation of electron Coulomb distortion effects to the exclusive reaction (e,e{sup {prime}}p) in the quasielastic region. We compare the approximate treatment of Coulomb distortion effects to the exact distorted wave Born approximation evaluated by means of partial wave analysis to gauge the quality of our approximate treatment. We show that the approximate Mo/ller potential has a plane-wave-like structure and hence permits the separation of the cross section into five terms which depend on bilinear products of transforms of the transition four current elements. These transforms reduce to Fourier transforms when Coulomb distortion is not present, but become modified with the inclusion of Coulomb distortion. We investigate the application of the approximate formalism to a model of {sup 208}Pb(e,e{sup {prime}}p) using Dirac-Hartree single particle wave functions for the ground state and relativistic optical model wave functions for the continuum proton. We show that it is still possible to extract, albeit with some approximation, the various structure functions from the experimentally measured data even for heavy nuclei. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Determination of zinc in geological samples using Compton suppression with thermal and epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis

The determination of Zn in geological samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis is usually done using the 64Zn(n,γ)65Zn reaction and its 244 day half-life. However this analysis has proven to be potentially difficult. This is due to its relatively low neutron absorption cross section and gamma ray intensity, and the relatively high neutron absorption cross section and gamma intensity of 46Sc, which has an energy peak that is only 5 keV greater than 65Zn. The use of a high resolution detector makes it possible to differentiate between the 65Zn and 46Sc photopeaks peaks. However, the dominating 46Sc gamma ray can even make peak fitting routines unsuccessful in the proper determination of 65Zn. The use of a Compton suppression system suppresses the 46Sc peak, which has two coincident gamma-rays, and this greatly improves the ratio of the height of the 46Sc 1120.5 keV photopeak to the 65Zn 1115.4 keV photopeak. Irradiating the sample with epithermal neutrons also improves the measurement since 65Zn has a higher cross section for epithermal neutrons rather than thermal neutrons, whereas 46Sc has a higher thermal cross section. Another technique to determine zinc is the use of 68Zn(n,γ)69mZn reaction with its 13 h half-life using epithermal neutrons and Compton suppression INAA. However, the 438 keV gamma ray of 69mZn has no interference with any adjoining photopeak. A critical comparison of these two methods is given.
Demonstration of a Runaway Exothermic Reaction: Diels–Alder Reaction of (2E,4E)-2,4-Hexadien-1-ol and Maleic Anhydride

In a demonstration that involves a solvent-free Diels–Alder reaction of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadien-1-ol and maleic anhydride, one can use relatively small quantities of reactants to illustrate the process of scaling up a solvent-free reaction, including consideration of reactivity of the starting substances, scale of the reaction, and size and shape of the reaction vessel. Upon being mixed, the two solid compounds form a melt and react in the liquid phase to form a solid product. In a 50 mL beaker on a 5.00 mmol scale, the reaction was relatively uneventful. However, an increase to a 10.00 mmol scale in the same size beaker resulted in a vigorous exothermic reaction, which produced dark insoluble syrupy material. When water was added to the reaction mixture, the reaction was faster, with only a modest increase in the reaction temperature and 1,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isobenzofurancarboxylic acid was obtained as a pure white solid. The demonstration may help students understand the role of solvent...
Pro-angiogenic effects of MDM2 through HIF-1α and NF-κB mediated mechanisms in LNCaP prostate cancer cells

Hypoxia stimulates several pathways that are critical to cancer cell growth and survival, including activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcription. Overexpression of VEGF and the extent of neoangiogenesis are closely correlated with tumor development and cancer metastases. Recent studies suggest MDM2 as one of the major regulators of pro-angiogenic mechanisms. To assess the direct correlation of HIF-1α and NF-κB, and the actual mechanism of MDM2 involved in the control over VEGF transcription, we exposed the LNCaP and LNCaP-MST cells (MDM2 transfected) to hypoxia. Our experiments confirm that MDM2 activation can lead to significant decrease in the levels of p53 in MDM2 transfected LNCaP-MST cells than the wild-type LNCaP cells. The results further suggest that MDM2 can be a strong regulator of both p53 dependent and independent transcriptional activity. Similarly, an increased level of other transcription factors such as HIF-1α, P300, STAT3, pAKT and NF-κB was observed. As a point of convergence for many oncogenic signaling pathways, STAT3 is constitutively activated at high frequency in a wide diversity of cancers. Our results indicate that STAT3 can directly regulate VEGF expression that is controlled by MDM2. Furthermore, it is evident from our results that NF-κB may interfere with the transcriptional activity of p53, by downregulating its levels. On the other hand, several pro-angiogenic mechanisms, including VEGF transcription which is controlled by MDM2, seem to be mediated by NF-κB.
Esterase-8 (Es-8): characterization, polymorphism, and linkage of an erythrocyte esterase locus on chromosome 7 of Mus musculus.

An electrophoretic polymorphism of an erythrocyte esterase, esterase-8, specific for the substrates α- and β-naphthyl acetate has been observed in the Asian house mouse, Mus musculus castaneus. M. m. castaneus is interfertile with inbred strains of mice, and F1 hybrids (C57BL/6J × castaneus)F1 and (SWR/J × castaneus)F1 show a double-banded phenotype similar to a mixture of parental forms. This pattern suggests codominant expression of a structural gene difference. In backcrosses, ES-8 segregated as a single autosomal gene, designated Es-8, linked to Gpi-1 on chromosome 7. A gene order of Es-8, Gpi-1, c, Mod-2, and Hbb was determined from a series of crosses.
Mating behaviour and male mating success in the green treefrog

Abstract Green treefrogs, Hyla cinerea , at a study site in eastern Georgia behaved as prolonged breeders: there were many more males present each night than females, the arrival of which was unpredictable. Individual males were usually consistent in their behaviour during a single night, and were most often observed calling. There was a weak, negative correlation between male size (snout-vent length, unless otherwise stated) and the frequency of satellite behaviour, defined as a non-calling male's being situated near a calling male. In 2 of 3 years, the mean size of males observed as satellites was less than that of the calling males with which they were associated on a given night; however, many satellites were the same size or larger than calling males. The distributions of matings per male during three seasons were not significantly different than Poisson distributions with the same means. Individual mating success was best predicted by attendance at the breeding site; mating success was negatively related to the frequency of satellite behaviour in some analyses, but very little of the variance was explained. An exhaustive series of analyses failed to show any pattern of size-dependent mating, including weight-assortative mating, even when males that were frequently satellites were excluded. The relative sizes of males and females in amplexus had little effect on fertilization success. On a seasonal basis, males were clumped in their spatial distribution, and matings tended to occur where male density was highest. Individual males were highly variable in their patterns of movement, which were not correlated with size or mating success. Mating success was also unrelated to the frequency (Hz) of the low-frequency spectral peak in the advertisement call of the male; male size and weight were negatively correlated with the frequency of the low-frequency peak.
Strength and stress‐strain behavior of clays from the nares abyssal plain

Abstract The Nares Abyssal Plain is situated in the Western North Atlantic between 22° and 25° N and 60° and 67° W. This distal plain is connected to the Hatteras Abyssal Plain by the Vema Gap. The study site contains pelagic and hemipelagic sediments with upper meters containing predominantly finegrained turbidites. Large diameter piston cores up to 26 meters in length were obtained within the southern region of the Nares. This study focused on the stress‐strain and strength properties of the pelagic clay units of the sediment column. A significant portion of the sediment column was found to be in a state of under‐consolidation attributed to impeded drainage caused by apparent over consolidation of the surficial zone and significant variations in permeability between pelagic and turbiditic layers. Effective friction angles ranging from 19.9 to 31.6 degrees were generally higher for isotropically as opposed to anisotropically consolidated triaxial series. Additionally, there were correlations between fric...
Prolog query interface: a set-of-mappings approach with optional segmentation

A Prolog-based query interface with optional data segmentation via modules is presented in this paper. The motivation of this work is to provide an implementation of a useful, but simple interface that relieves the Prolog programmer from having to recall the component order within a tuple and the complete definitions of a set of underlying facts when forming declarative queries. The implementation includes a schema level representation and accompanying query predicates, such that the order and number of columns within a Prolog query becomes unimportant, resulting in increased data independence. The interface supports three architectures: 1) the traditional Prolog environment, 2) an environment in which Prolog ground clauses have been extracted from heterogeneous data sources, and 3) as an abstraction layer in a loosely coupled architecture with interfaces to Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) compliant sources in which data is accessed as though it existed as ground clauses within the Prolog environment. As compared to traditional approaches to forming a Prolog query, the current implementation of the interface introduced an additional 17.6 microseconds to retrieve a tuple using a 2.0 GHz Intel Xeon processor with 1 GB of RAM.
Paper 30: Review of Surface Texture Measurement and the Associated Metrological Problems

A brief review is presented of the physical phenomena (optical, capacitance, conductance, absorption, pneumatic, and hydraulic) which have been utilized in the various types of instruments developed to express, by means of a single index, the relative roughness of different specimens. The readings taken with such instruments are normally functions of the three-dimensional characteristics of the surface under test but, since they are of an empirical nature, there is little or no correlation between measurements made with the different types of instruments.Instruments measuring in two dimensions and recording in absolute units of length have been universally accepted. The most popular instrument is the stylus tracer type with electronic amplification of the stylus movement. The output of these devices is dependent on factors that have been standardized by the manufacturers (electronic circuitry, the form of stylus, etc.) and other elements, the characteristics of which are not uniform for all instruments (s...
Some Case Histories of AVO Failures In the Texas Gulf Coast

Case 1: AVO Downdip of a Gas/Water Contact Figure 1 shows the final time structure map of Yegua (Eocene) Y-4 sands constructed after the drilling of the wells. The dry hole on the right was an older well. Line A displayed an AVO anomaly, indicated by a box in figure 1, which was first tested by the dry hole on the left (Well 1 in figure 1). Later the anomaly was retested by a gas discovery well (Well 2). The migrated relative amplitude version of seismic line A is shown in figure 2. The anomaly at 0.5 s corresponds with production and the deeper Yegua anomaly was the prospect tested by both wells in figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 displays the gathers across the anomaly and the locations of the original dry hole and the later discovery. The typical AVO response across the entire line is a decrease with offset, while the AVO increase at the Yegua anomaly is a strong increase in AVO. Well 1 was drilled 200 ft. off the line, projecting to the gather shown. It is within the bright spot and the AVO anomaly although not the strongest part of the AVO anomaly. Well 1 found a clean 60’ thick sand with about 33% porosity calculated from the density log, with no gas Figure 1 time structure map of the Yegua Y-4 sand constructed show. Well 2 tested the same anomaly slightly updip to after drilling of Well #l and Well t2. Rf is the approximate radius of
Heme Oxygenase-1 Modulates Mesangial Cell Proliferation by P21Waf1 Upregulation

Mesangial cell (MC) proliferation is a hallmark of many progressive renal diseases. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been shown to have an anti-proliferative effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we evaluated the role of HO-1 on MC proliferation and the involved molecular mechanism. Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) not only enhanced mesangial cell HO-1 expression but also stimulated proliferation of MCs. Interestingly, inhibition of HO-1 induction (by zinc protoporphyrin, ZnP) was associated with an accelerated mitogenic response to EGF and HGF in MCs. Induction of HO-1 was associated with enhanced mesangial cell p21 expression. On the other hand, hemoglobin and ZnP inhibited mesangial cell p21 expression. It appears that the effect of HO-1 on MC growth may be mediated through upregulation of p21 expression.
The role of the prosthetic axilloaxillary loop access as a tertiary arteriovenous access procedure.

Purpose In the last decade, the Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (DOQI) Guidelines have enhanced the longevity of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Consequently, surgeons are increasingly challenged to provide vascular access for patients in whom options for access in the upper extremity have been expended. This situation is even more problematic in the morbidly obese patient on hemodialysis. Our group previously reported a high rate of infection and need for secondary interventions in obese patients with prosthetic femorofemoral accesses. We now report a series of patients who underwent placement of a prosthetic axilloaxillary loop access. This study presents our technique and evaluates our results, particularly as they relate to the obese patient. Methods From January 1998 to May 2006, 34 prosthetic axilloaxillary loop accesses were placed in 32 patients with ESRD. Eleven patients (12 accesses) were obese, as defined by a body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 . Median follow-up was 16 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine primary and secondary patency as well as patient survival for the entire cohort and for the obese and nonobese patient cohorts. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test for equality over strata. Results The secondary patency rate was 59% at 1 year (median, 18 months). The 1-year patient survival was 69%. Infection occurred in 15% patients. Comparison of the obese vs nonobese cohorts demonstrated no statistically significant difference in 1-year primary patency (36% vs 10%, P = .17) or secondary patency (71% vs 65%, P = .34). There were no infections in the obese cohort. Conclusion These data show that the prosthetic axilloaxillary loop access has acceptable outcomes and should be considered the tertiary vascular access procedure of choice in the obese patient on hemodialysis.
Dissociation of alkylamines adsorbed on iron and nickel

Abstract Infrared spectra for methylamine, isopropylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine adsorbed on iron and nickel have been obtained. Chemisorption of all four took place at room temperature without noticeable decomposition. When CO is coadsorbed with the amines, the secondary and tertiary amines decompose to give mainly adsorbed primary amine. The results are understandable within the framework of a simple molecular-orbital model of the adsorbed species.
Protein recovery and identification from the gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis: Comparing snap-frozen and RNAlater® preserved tissues

Reliable proteomic analysis of biological tissues requires sampling approaches that preserve proteins as close to their in vivo state as possible. In the current study, the patterns of protein abundance in one-dimensional (1-D) gels were assessed for five tissues of the gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, following snap-freezing tissues in liquid nitrogen or immersion of fresh tissues in RNAlater(®). In liver and heart, the protein profiles in 1-D gels were better preserved by snap-freezing, while in gill, the 1-D protein profile was better preserved by immersion in RNAlater(®). In skeletal muscle and brain, the two approaches yielded similar patterns of protein abundance. LC-MS/MS analyses and database searching resulted in the identification of 17 proteins in liver and 12 proteins in gill. Identified proteins include enzymes of energy metabolism, structural proteins, and proteins serving other biological functions. These protein identifications for a species without a sequenced genome demonstrate the utility of F. grandis as a model organism for environmental proteomic studies in vertebrates.
Human capital and wage inequality during transition: evidence from Bulgaria

This article examines changes in human capital returns and their impact on wage inequality during Bulgaria's transition to a market economy. Using household data spanning the transition period 1995–2003, I find that returns to human capital differ by age. Returns to experience are low as the market economy devalues experience acquired pre-1990. Returns to education also start low but increase over time. This increase is driven by young cohorts receiving higher returns for education acquired post-1990 and middle-aged cohorts receiving higher returns over time. I estimate that these rising returns account for over 77% of the growth in wage inequality.
Digital CS1 study pack based on Moodle and Python

We believe that CS1 courses can be made more attractive to students: by teaching a highly interactive scripting language - Pythonby using an open source course management system - such as Moodle - to make all course resources available in a comprehensive digital study pack, andby offering detailed self-guided online labs.We have used Moodle [1] and Python [2] to develop a "Python First" digital study pack [3] which comprises a wealth of new, original learning modules: extensive e-texts, detailed self-guided labs, numerous sample programs, quizzes, and slides. Our digital study pack pedagogy is described in recent ITiCSE and SIGCSE papers [4, 5]. "Python First" digital packs instances have already been adopted by instructors at several universities. This demonstration reveals instructor and student perspectives to the "Python First" digital pack. In particular, we demonstrate how instructors can use standard Moodle functionality to customize and manage digital packs. We also demonstrate several Moodle-supported, Python-based self-guided labs.
Judges’ Perceptions of the Nebraska CASA Program

This article discusses judges’ perceptions of court appointed special advocates (CASA) programs in the rural state of Nebraska, as reported in two online surveys. The goal of CASA is “to train and support volunteers in advocating for safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children” (CASA for Children 2013). One survey investigated the opinions of judges presiding in Nebraska counties that did not yet have a local CASA program; another was administered to judges in counties that did have a CASA program. A total of 36 judges completed a survey. Data from both surveys were analyzed separately and then compared to provide information regarding judges’ satisfaction with local programs and general perceptions of the Nebraska CASA Association. Results offer vital information for program growth and contain a hopeful tone for the Nebraska CASA Association and their goal of providing every child a voice by 2020. Both groups of judges expressed support for CASA programs overall, although judges in counties with CASA programs expressed significantly more support than those in counties without CASA programs. Judges presiding in counties with lower county populations and lower numbers of children in foster care also tended to be more supportive of the CASA program. Additional information was collected from judges regarding readiness for the development of CASA programs in counties not yet utilizing a program and perceived strengths and limitations of existing CASA programs. This study has the capacity to inform CASA programs seeking similar information to guide program growth in other states.
Metabolism of dynorphins by peptidases of pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Degradation of several dynorphins by peptidases expressed in cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells was studied by incubation of the peptide in cell suspensions followed by electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric analyses. Under the in vitro conditions applied, only the metabolism of dynorphin A 1-8 occurred in a significant extent. Studies involving specific peptidase inhibitors indicated that mainly bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidases, thiorphan-sensitive endopeptidases, and cFPAAF-pAB-sensitive endopeptidases expressed by the endothelial cells were involved in the process that converted dynorphin A 1-8 to dynorphin A 2-8 , dynorphin A 1-6 , and leucine enkephalin (dynorphin A 1-5 ), respectively. These peptidases may form a metabolic barrier for the cellular penetration of intact dynorphin A 1-8 and/or control effects of the circulating peptide on endothelial opioid receptors of the cells.
Site-site communication in the EF-hand Ca2+-binding protein calbindin D9k.

The cooperative binding of Ca2+ ions is an essential functional property of the EF-hand family of Ca2+-binding proteins. To understand how these proteins function, it is essential to characterize intermediate binding states in addition to the apo- and holo-proteins. The three-dimensional solution structure and fast time scale internal motional dynamics of the backbone have been determined for the half-saturated state of the N56A mutant of calbindin D9k with Ca2+ bound only in the N-terminal site. The extent of conformational reorganization and a loss of flexibility in the C-terminal EF-hand upon binding of an ion in the N-terminal EF-hand provide clear evidence of the importance of site–site interactions in this family of proteins, and demonstrates the strength of long-range effects in the cooperative EF-hand Ca2+-binding domain.
Emissivity of a uniaxial crystalline slab

Sapphire is a commonly used dome material. It is uniaxial and features different propagation properties depending on propagation direction and crystallographic orientation to the window boundary. These differences are particularly important for a hemispherical dome geometry. Prior work examined a semi-infinite medium. However, to be practical, a medium of finite thickness must be considered. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a detailed calculation of the direcitonal emissivity of a finite sheet of uniaxial crystal located in an isotropic environment when the parallel plane surface so the crystal sample have an arbitrary orientation with respect to the crystallographic axes. Furthermore, the permittivities of the uniaxial crystal are allowed to have a complex part. Transmission measurements between 1400 cm-1 and 2500 cm-1 using a Fourier transform spectrometer are used in conjunction with the present theoretical result to determine the room temperature multiphonon absorption coefficient for the extraordinary-ray of sapphire. Application of the theory to a dome geometry is described.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Interaction of cholecystokinin and somatostatin with a selective μ-opioid agonist and μ- and κ- antagonists in thermoregulation

We examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) and somatostatin (SST) and the interactions of these neuropeptides with the selective opioid antagonists, CTAP (mu) and nor-BNI (kappa) and the mu-agonist, PL017, on body temperature (Tb) of the rat at normal ambient temperature (21 +/- 0.5 degrees C). CCK-8 produced short-lasting (15-60 min), dose-related increases in Tb in a dose range of 20 to 900 ng but did not change the Tb at lower doses (0.1-2 ng). Lower doses of SST (1 and 2 micrograms) produced hyperthermia (30-60 min) and a higher dose of SST (10 micrograms) caused hypothermia (30-45 min). PL017 (1 microgram, i.c.v.), alone and in combination with CCK-8, produced hyperthermia. The CCK-8 (300 ng)-induced hyperthermia was blocked by pretreatment of rats with CTAP (1 microgram, i.c.v.), suggesting that the higher doses of CCK-8 increase Tb through the interaction with mu-receptors or the enhancement of release of endogenous opioids acting on the mu-receptor. The hyperthermia elicited by a lower dose of SST (1 microgram) was prevented by pretreatment with CTAP but not with nor-BNI (1 microgram, i.c.v.). Pretreatment with nor-BNI blocked the higher dose (10 micrograms) of SST-induced hypothermia. PL017 or CTAP did not prevent the hypothermic effect of that dose of SST. These results indicate that a lower dose of SST (1 microgram) stimulates the mu-receptor (directly or indirectly) and a higher dose (10 micrograms) interacts with the kappa-receptor in regulation of Tb. Thus, the effects of both CCK-8 and SST on Tb appear to involve the endogenous opioid system.
Regulation of the phage φ29 prohead shape and size by the portal vertex

Abstract Bacteriophage φ29 of Bacillus subtilis packages its double-stranded DNA into a preformed prohead during morphogenesis. The prohead is composed of the scaffold protein gp7, the capsid protein gp8, the portal protein gpt 0, and the dispensable head fiber protein gp8.5. Our objective was to elucidate the φ29 prohead assembly pathway and to define the factors that determine prohead shape and size. The structural genes of the φ29 prohead were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli individually or in combination to study form determination. The scaffold protein was purified from E. coli as a soluble monomer. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that the scaffolding protein interacted with both the portal vertex and capsid proteins. When the scaffold protein interacted only with the capsid protein in vivo , particles were formed with variable size and shape. However, in the presence of the portal vertex protein, particles with uniform size and shape were produced in vivo . SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the latter particles contained the proteins of the scaffold, capsid, head fiber, and portal vertex. These results suggest that the scaffolding protein serves as the linkage between the portal vertex and the capsid proteins, and that the portal vertex plays a crucial role in regulating the size and shape of the prohead.
From Curricular Alignment to the Culminating Project: The Peabody College Ed.D. Capstone

In 2006, the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations (LPO) at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University launched a new doctoral project that replaced the conventional Ed.D. dissertation with a team-produced, client-consultant-oriented, culminating report. This chapter describes the purpose and principles associated with the “Capstone” project and details three courses that underscore the intentional “fit” between the curriculum and the Capstone experience. The chapter highlights elements that were modified after the initial series of Capstone reports were completed. These changes reflect the “lessons learned” from the initial cohort of doctoral students and clients who collaborated in the pilot year of Capstone projects.
Social conflict over property rights: the end, a new beginning, or a continuing debate?

The ownership and control of private land is a core social value in the United States. Public planning can be seen as conflicting with this value. The long-standing tension between private property rights and public planning was heightened in the 1990s with the emergence of the so-called private property rights movement. This movement seeks to limit governmental authority over privately owned land through a multi-level strategy of legal, policy, political, and public relations actions. This paper explores the historical basis for this conflict, the legal framework within which it functions, and contemporary policy battles. The paper concludes that there may be no final outcome to this debate. Property rights activists are impassioned and believe their view of history and law is correct. I argue that it may be best to see debate about land use and property rights as one of the central vehicles for a continual reframing of core values in the American experience.
Phenotypic variation among three broiler pure lines for Marek's disease, coccidiosis, and antibody response to sheep red blood cells

To identify candidate genes, chicken lines with the most divergent phenotypes are usually crossed to generate resource mapping populations, for example, either backcrossed or F2 populations. Linkage between the genetic marker and the phenotypic trait locus is then tested in the mapping population. As an initial step in the development of a mapping population from commercial broilers, the goal of the current research was to evaluate the phenotypic variation among three pure lines for antibody response to SRBC and in resistance to two economically important poultry diseases, Marek's disease (MD) and coccidiosis (Eimeria acervulina). Chicks from each line were received and separated into three experimental studies to evaluate each of their responses. In summary, broiler Line 3 had significantly lower antibody responses to SRBC immunizations compared to the other two lines, and nonvaccinated birds from Line 3 were also more susceptible to MD. With coccidiosis, the response was complex, and ranking of the lines was dependent on the age of infection, and whether it was a first or second challenge. With the first challenge, Line 1 was most susceptible at the younger age (Day 30), whereas Line 3 was susceptible at the older age (Day 58). Upon the second challenge, broiler Line 1 remained susceptible at the younger age, but Line 2 was more susceptible at the older age. Line 3 was completely resistant to the second challenge at the older age. Thus, although the broiler lines have been intensively selected for productivity and general livability, this study also demonstrates that the lines differ for immune response and disease resistance. Based on the phenotypic differences between Lines 1 and 3, they were chosen to establish a mapping population for identifying candidate genes that affect MD and coccidiosis in commercial broiler chickens.
CEST and PARACEST MR contrast agents

In this review we describe the status of development for a new class of magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents, based on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). The mathematics and physics relevant to the description of the CEST effect in MR are presented in an appendix published in the online version only. We discuss the issues arising when translating in vitro results obtained with CEST agents to using these MR agents in in vivo model studies and in humans. Examples are given on how these agents are imaged in vivo. We summarize the status of development of these CEST agents, and speculate about the next steps that may be taken towards the demonstration of CEST MR imaging in clinical applications.
Theoretical study of polarization properties of dielectronic satellite lines of Be-like Mg and Fe ions.

Abstract We have calculated the polarization properties of dielectronic satellite lines in Be-like Mg and Fe ions excited by an electron beam. Polarization-dependent synthetic spectra have been computed associated with two polarization states: parallel and perpendicular to the electron beam. We will discuss the dependence of the polarization-dependent spectra on the characteristics of the electron beam and on the nuclear charge of the ion. These results are relevant to diagnostics applications of x-ray line polarization spectroscopy in non-equilibrium plasmas whose electron distribution functions can show anisotropy.
The centrality of scientists and the translation of interests in the U.S. acid rain controversy

Les etudes societies traitant les controverses et problemes de l'environnement concentrent davantage leur attention sur les activites d'entrepreneur des hommes de science. Cet expose sur le probleme de la pluie acide aux Etats-Unis analyse des activites ‘reclamatrices’ et de ‘traduction’ des premiers chercheurs-universitaires concernant la pluie acide. Il explique aussi comment ceci permit aux hommes de science et chercheurs scientifiques de se situer au coeur de la controverse. L'article se concentre sur plusieurs points de la controverse concernant les pluies acides aux Etats-Unis: la comprehension au cours des annees 70 que les pluies acides etaient un probleme scientifique et aussi un probleme d'environnement, la creation du National Atmospheric Deposition Program et le National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, et la construction des limites entre la science de la pluie acide et la vie politique. La position centrale de la recherche scientifique dans la controverse americaine sur les pluies acides sera ensuite comparee avec le role de la science dans le contexte canadien. Bien que la recherche scientifique soit placee au coeur dans les deux contextes, la politique en matiere de la recherche scientifique concernant les pluies acides a eteelaboree par des institutions differentes, et pour des buts et des interets tout aussi differents. Social studies of environmental problems and controversies are focusing more attention on the entrepreneurial activities of scientists. This case study of the U.S. acid rain problem analyses the ‘claimsmaking’ and ‘translation’ activities of early, university-affiliated, acid rain scientists and how they enabled scientists and scientific research to be situated in a central position in the controversy. The paper focuses on several areas of the U.S. acid rain controversy: the construction of acid rain as a scientific and environmental problem in the 1970s, the formation of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program and the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, and the construction of boundaries between acid rain science and politics. The centrality of science in the U.S. acid rain controversy is then compared with the role of science in the Canadian context. Even though science was centrally placed in each context, acid rain science policies were shaped by different institutional actors and for different goals and interests.
Poincaré sphere representation of birefringent networks

The Poincaree sphere representation is used to analyze the operation of wavelength-dependent birefringent optical networks. A broadband input signal is spread on the sphere into a linear spectral density of states locus, which is in general further deformed on passage through subsequent birefringent elements. Unlike alternative mathematical procedures, this representation gives a clear visualization of the evolution of the state of polarization within an element, the dependence of that state on optical wavelength, and the requirements of a practical device design. Finally, it makes possible the synthesis of a new class of networks not previously considered.
Observation of the microfauna of the deep-sea benthos using light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Techniques using light and scanning electron microscopy are presented for finding the microfauna of the deep-sea benthos. By these techniques numerous microfaunal organisms were observed, some of which are illustrated. The predominant eucaryotic organisms observed were sarcodines of the orders Proteomyxida and Amoebida. The light microscope technique is discussed in regards to effectiveness and possible application to quantitative studies.
Screening Oryza Species Plants for Rice Sheath Blight Resistance.

Rice wild relatives, Oryza species, are one possible source of sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) resistance genes. However, Oryza spp. cannot be screened in the field as is done for cultivated rice (O. sativa) because the plant canopy does not favor disease development and many plants drop mature seed. Thus, a growth chamber-greenhouse method of screening Oryza spp. and their early generation progeny is needed. Primary-secondary and ratoon tillers of rice cultivars-germplasm which ranged from moderately resistant to very susceptible were evaluated first for sheath blight susceptibility. Plants were inoculated by placing R. solani-colonized toothpicks at the leaf collar, then incubating plants in a growth chamber. After 7 days, plants were visually rated for sheath blight severity, and the lesion length of each leaf was measured. Ranking of cultivar-germplasm susceptibility by visual rating of primary-secondary tillers corresponded to the ranking from field ratings. Visual ratings correlated best with combined lesion length of the second and third leaves. For ratoon tillers, visual ratings correlated best with second-leaf lesion length. Next, this method was used with ratoon tillers to evaluate sheath blight susceptibility of 21 Oryza spp. accessions and F1 progeny from crosses between 17 accessions and cultivated rice. This method proved useful on a limited scale for screening germplasm that could not be evaluated under field conditions.
Mechanisms of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Growth by the Laser Vaporization Technique: In Situ Imaging and Spectroscopy

Single-wall carbon nanotubes are formed by Nd:YAG laser vaporization of a graphite/(1 at. % Ni, 1 at. % Co) target into flowing argon (500 Torr) within a quartz tube furnace (1000 °C). Here, this process is investigated for the first time with time-resolved laser-induced luminescence imaging and spectroscopy of Co atoms, C2 and C3 molecules, and clusters. These measurements under actual synthesis conditions show that the plume of vaporized material is segregated and confined within a vortex ring which maintains a ~1 cm3 volume for several seconds. Using time-resolved spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging, the time for conversion of atomic and molecular species to clusters was measured for both carbon (200 μs) and cobalt (2 ms). This rapid conversion of carbon to nanoparticles, combined with transmission electron microscopy analysis of the collected deposits, indicate that nanotube growth occurs during several seconds of time from a feedstock of mixed nanoparticles in the gas-suspended plume. Using these in situ diagnostics to adjust the time spent by the plume within the high-temperature zone, single-walled nanotubes of controlled length were grown at an estimated rate of 0.2 μm/s.
New Far-Infrared Laser Emissions From Optically Pumped ${\rm CH}_{2}{\rm DOH}$ , ${\rm CHD}_{2}{\rm OH}$ , and ${\rm CH}_{3}{^{18}}{\rm OH}$

An optically pumped molecular laser system utilizing a transverse or zig-zag pumping geometry of the far-infrared (FIR) laser medium has enabled the reinvestigation of the CH2DOH, CHD2OH, and CH318OH isotopic forms of methanol for wavelengths > 100 μm. With this system, 28 FIR laser emissions have been discovered with wavelengths ranging from 117.2 to 744.7 μm. Along with the wavelength, each laser emission is reported with its optimal operating pressure, polarization with respect to the CO2 pump laser, and relative intensity. Three of the laser emissions generated by CH318OH support the spectroscopic assignments of FIR laser transitions originally proposed through combination-difference loops. A fourth CH318OH laser emission should contribute to another, incomplete FIR laser scheme.
The New Media and Older Adults Usable and Useful

This article discusses the potential impact of new media on older adults. It outlines trends in population aging and in the use of computers and the Internet. The potential demands of new media on older adults are characterized, and physical and psychological changes in older adults that may affect new media use are briefly reviewed. Finally, the article provides design suggestions that may help attenuate the effects of aging on access to new media.
FETI-LEAP: Making domain decomposition robust

This paper outlines a robust, effective and efficient local preconditioning strategy for Domain Decomposition Methods (DDM) in electromagnetic computations. The multilevel preconditioner is constructed based on a hierarchy of small auxiliary problems on local topological entities. Eigenspectra and convergence history plots on different decomposition strategies showcase the effectiveness and robustness of the method.
Commentary: politics and the health care system.

American youngsters are taught in their civics courses that "smart" American voters stand ready to be confronted with tough choices, to ponder them carefully, and to express their own choices at th...
Quantitation of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction by biplane transesonhageal echocardiography

Transthoracic echocardiography has been reported to be a useful noninvasive method for quantitative assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction.1–6 Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been used to provide an assessment of LV wall motion and thickness. 7–10 TEE would be expected to be useful for quantitative assessment of volumes and ejection fraction, especially with use of the biplane probe, with nearly orthogonal cross sections.11, 12 The accuracy of TEE may be limited by the inability to image the true apex with foreshortened cross sections. This study assesses the accuracy of biplane TEE for estimation of LV volumes and ejection fraction in comparison with that of transthomcic echocardiography.
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein biosynthesis and cellular cholesterol homeostasis are tightly interconnected.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates triglyceride and cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer between lipoproteins, and its activity is strongly modulated by dietary cholesterol. To better understand the regulation of CETP synthesis and the relationship between CETP levels and cellular lipid metabolism, we selected the SW872 adipocytic cell line as a model. These cells secrete CETP in a time-dependent manner at levels exceeding those observed for Caco-2 or HepG2 cells. The addition of LDL, 25OH-cholesterol, oleic acid, or acetylated LDL to SW872 cells increased CETP secretion (activity and mass) up to 6-fold. In contrast, CETP production was decreased by almost 60% after treatment with lipoprotein-deficient serum or β-cyclodextrin. These effects, which were paralleled by changes in CETP mRNA, show that CETP biosynthesis in SW872 cells directly correlates with cellular lipid status. To investigate a possible, reciprocal relationship between CETP expression and cellular lipid homeostasis, CETP biosynthesis in SW872 cells was suppressed with CETP antisense oligonucleotides. Antisense oligonucleotides reduced CETP secretion (activity and mass) by 60% compared with sense-treated cells. When CETP synthesis was suppressed for 24 h, triglyceride synthesis was unchanged, but cholesterol biosynthesis was reduced by 20%, and acetate incorporation into CE increased 31%. After 3 days of suppressed CETP synthesis, acetate incorporation into the CE pool increased 3-fold over control. This mirrored a similar increase in CE mass. The efflux of free cholesterol to HDL was the same in sense and antisense-treated cells; however, HDL-induced CE hydrolysis in antisense-treated cells was diminished 2-fold even though neutral CE hydrolase activity was unchanged. Thus, CETP-compromised SW872 cells display a phenotype characterized by inefficient mobilization of CE stores leading to CE accumulation. These results strongly suggest that CETP expression levels contribute to normal cholesterol homeostasis in adipocytic cells. Overall, these studies demonstrate that lipid homeostasis and CETP expression are tightly coupled.
Coupled two-phase model of a gas microbubble containing suspended light absorbing nonoparticles

A mathematical model of a micrometer size gas bubble containing nanometer size light absorbing nanoparticles is presented. A description of such a system can be obtained in terms of a two-coupled phase model with the solid particles in suspension in a fluid phase, i.e. the gas. It is assumed that the suspension is diluted so that particle-particle interaction can be ignored. Because the heat exchange between the nanoparticles and the gas is of main interest in this calculation, it is assumed in first approximation that the gas and the particles have the same velocity and pressure. The pressure is assumed to be function of time only. In this case, only the equations of continuity and energy for both the particulate phase and the gas phase. The two-coupled model is then solved in linear approximation and a system of four differential equations with constant coefficients is obtained. The system is diagonalized and the general solution of the two coupled system is obtained. The general solution is a combination of exponential decaying oscillatory functions for the temperature of the two phases, the pressure and the microbubble radial oscillations. It was found that the oscillatory behavior takes place in the MHz range.
Ultrafast dynamics of acetone–water clusters: the influence of solvation

Abstract The ultrafast dynamics of acetone clusters and mixed clusters of acetone and water have been investigated using the pump-probe technique employing a femtosecond laser system coupled to a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Studies using an excitation wavelength of 407 nm have revealed that solvation by both acetone and water molecules has a pronounced influence on the dynamics of acetone excited to the 5d Rydberg state. The lifetime of the excited acetone moiety was found to increase substantially from