cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simplified Strategy for Introducing Genetic Variants into Drosophila Compound Autosome Stocks

Drosophila stocks bearing compound chromosomes, single molecules of DNA that carry the genomic complement of two chromosomes, are useful tools for studying meiosis and mitosis. However, these stocks cannot easily be crossed to stocks with regular chromosomes, due to the lethality of the resulting whole-chromosome aneuploidy. This prevents the examination of interesting genetic variants in a compound chromosome background. Methods to circumvent this difficulty have included the use of triploid females or nondisjunction (caused by either cold-induced microtubule depolymerization or meiotic mutants). Here, we present a new approach for crossing compound chromosomes that takes advantage of the nonhomologous segregations that result when multiple chromosomes in the same genome are prevented from meiotic crossing over by heterozygosity for balancer chromosomes. This approach gives higher yields of the desired progeny in fewer generations of crossing. Using this technique, we have created and validated stocks carrying both a compound-X and compound-2, as well as compound-2 stocks carrying the meiotic mutant nod.
Classification of remote sensed images using random forests and deep learning framework

In this paper, we explore the use of two machine learning algorithms: (a) random forest for structured labels and (b) fully convolutional neural network for the land cover classification of multi-sensor remote sensed images. In random forest algorithm, individual decision trees are trained on features obtained from image patches and corresponding patch labels. Structural information present in the image patches improves the classification performance when compared to just utilizing pixel features. Random forest method was trained and evaluated on the ISPRS Vaihingen dataset that consist of true ortho photo (TOP: near IR, R, G) and Digital Surface Model (DSM) data. The method achieves an overall accuracy of 86.3% on the test dataset. We also show qualitative results on a SAR image. In addition, we employ a fully convolutional neural network framework (FCN) to do pixel-wise classification of the above multi-sensor image. TOP and DSM data have individual convolutional layers with features fused before the fully convolutional layers. The network when evaluated on the Vaihingen dataset achieves an overall classification accuracy of 88%.
Polygenic sex determination in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni

The East African riverine cichlid species Astatotilapia burtoni serves as an important laboratory model for sexually dimorphic physiology and behavior, and also serves as an outgroup species for the explosive adaptive radiations of cichlid species in Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria. An astounding diversity of genetic sex determination systems have been revealed within the adaptive radiation of East African cichlids thus far, including polygenic sex determination systems involving the epistatic interaction of multiple, independently segregating sex determination alleles. However, sex determination has remained unmapped in A. burtoni. Here we present mapping results supporting the presence of multiple, novel sex determination alleles, and thus the presence of polygenic sex determination in A. burtoni. Using mapping in small families in conjunction with restriction-site associated DNA sequencing strategies, we identify associations with sex at loci on linkage group 13 and linkage group 5–14. Inheritance patterns support an XY sex determination system on linkage group 5–14 (a chromosome fusion relative to other cichlids studied), and an XYW system on linkage group 13, and these associations are replicated in multiple families. Additionally, combining our genetic data with comparative genomic analysis identifies another fusion that is unassociated with sex, with linkage group 8–24 and linkage group 16–21 fused in A. burtoni relative to other East African cichlid species. We identify genetic signals supporting the presence of three previously unidentified sex determination alleles at two loci in the species A. burtoni, strongly supporting the presence of polygenic sex determination system in the species. These results provide a foundation for future mapping of multiple sex determination genes and their interactions. A better understanding of sex determination in A. burtoni provides important context for their use in behavioral studies, as well as studies of the evolution of genetic sex determination and sexual conflicts in East African cichlids.
Broadening and sustaining an Air Quality K-12 curriculum through a Digital Library and undergraduate service learning course

The availability of low-cost sensors and environmental monitoring technologies is growing rapidly. While researchers are making use of these technologies and validating their results, there is also enormous potential for use in education and outreach. Through the Air Quality Inquiry Project (AQIQ), we are bringing next-generation air quality monitors into the K-12 classroom and developing a curriculum with necessary resources to support student-driven research projects.
Developing a Motion Comic for HIV/STD Prevention for Young People Ages 15–24, Part 1: Listening to Your Target Audience

Young people (15-24 years) in the United States are disproportionately affected by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Shortfalls in HIV/STD-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions (KABI) likely contribute to this discrepancy. In this report we describe our experience developing a novel means of health communication combining entertainment-education theory and recent technological advances to create a HIV/STD-focused "motion comic." We also report the audience satisfaction and acceptance of the intervention. We used the Health Belief Model (HBM), entertainment-education (EE) principles, and the Sabido Method (SM) and conducted three rounds of focus groups to develop a 38-minute HIV/STD focused motion comic for young people between the ages 15 and 24 years. Participants indicated that motion comics were an acceptable method of delivering HIV/STD prevention messages. They also expressed satisfaction with motion comics plot, story settings, the tone of humor, and drama. Our results suggest that motion comics are a viable new method of delivering health communication messages about HIV/STD and other public health issues, and warrant further development and broader evaluation.
Due Process in Public University Cases

The stakes are high for university students accused of misconduct. When expulsion is a possible sanction, an accused student faces a financial loss and a stigma that may preclude admission to another university or access to a career that requires a clean conduct record. For universities, the stakes are also high. Universities use student disciplinary processes to maintain a safe environment for learning and to convey and promote university and civic values. Discipline procedures are matters of public interest and criticism, particularly where the alleged misconduct is sexual. When student discipline processes are fair and perceived as such, these processes reinforce a culture of responsible and ethical behavior that will benefit students, faculty, and staff into the future. When discipline processes are perceived as unfair, irrelevant, or overly bureaucratic, the negative impact on the university is similarly profound and long-lasting.
Five-Membered Hetarynes

Concepts as well as matter exhibit the property of inertia. Truly new concepts meet an initial resistance proportional to their novelty, which, if it is overcome, converts to a powerful force directed at extending the idea far beyond its original sphere of applicability and appropriateness. Science is no less subject to this generalization than are the social sciences and humanities but has the obvious advantage of permitting—or rather requiring—the constant testing of its concepts against experimental fact. One of the best illustrations of such intellectual inertia in chemistry is found in the concept of reactive intermediates. Free radicals, carbanions, carbenes, and carbenium ions have all gone through this cycle of postulation, proof, overextension, and retrenchment. The consequences of this process are such modifications as radicaloids, complexed carbanions, carbenoids, and the “nonclassical ion problem.” The concept of the aryne intermediate has also followed this path albeit more recently and with less fanfare than some of its relatives. A central role in both the overextension and maturing of the aryne concept is played by five-membered hetarynes. It is the purpose of this chapter to critically examine this role through a detailed review of the postulation, preparation, and properties of five-membered hetarynes.
Solution Sets of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Relational Equations

This paper introduces the concepts of tolerable solution set, united solution set, and controllable solution set of interval-valued fuzzy relational equations. Given a continuous t-norm, it is proved that each of the three types of the solution sets of interval-valued fuzzy relational equations with a max-t-norm composition, if nonempty, is composed of one maximum solution and a finite number of minimal solutions. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions are given. Computational procedures based on the constructive proofs are proposed to generate the complete solution sets. Examples are given to illustrate the procedures.
Abstract 13137: Vitamin D Levels in People with Peripheral Arterial Disease and Associations with Functional, Muscle, and Nerve Outcomes

BACKGROUND. We assessed associations of vitamin D levels with functional performance, calf muscle density, and peripheral nerve function in participants with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) METHODS. Participants were 413 men and women with an ankle brachial index (ABI) RESULTS. Of the 413 PAD participants, 54 (13.1%) had a vitamin D level CONCLUSIONS. Low levels of vitamin D are common in men and women with PAD. Adjusting for covariates including comorbidities, BMI, and the ABI, we found no significant associations of lower vitamin D levels with poorer functional performance or calf muscle measurements. Associations of low vitamin D levels with poorer peripheral nerve function require further study.
Base Case Projection

This chapter presents a "base case" projection that assumes no change in current public and private policies for the forest and related sectors. It provides one view of future changes in the forest sector and a partial basis for identifying emerging trends that might influence future forest management or forest prod- ucts production. It envisions continued strong growth in total US forest products requirements (domestic consumption plus exports) to 2050. Imports would con- tinue to grow, but provide a smaller share of the expansion in product require- ments over the 2002-2050 period than they did over the 1952-2002 period. Future harvests from domestic forests would expand each year by 3. 1M m 3 , close to the trend over the last 50 years of 3. 4M m 3 /year. At the same time, real product price growth would fall below long-term historical rates for all products.
Use of Geographically Weighted Regression on Ecology of Crime, Response to Hurricane in Miami, Florida

Research has illuminated the complex natural and social processes that occur after a natural disaster . Despite emergent efforts given to understanding the relationship between natural disasters and crime , few geographers have studied the effect that natural disasters have on the space -time behavior of crime patterns using local-level data. This research highlights aspects of change in patterns of crime as a result of a hurricane disaster; the underlying social, economic, and demographic characteristics may contribute explanations of the changes. Specifically, this study analyzes multiple types of crime as a response to Hurricane Wilma in Miami, Florida, 2005. The results reveal that more accurate predictions of crime for specific crime types in specific cities with use of geographically weighted regression are possible.
What are the characteristics of an efficient firm in developing countries’ private sector? The case of Vietnam

The private sector is the primary source of local development in developing countries. Previous research in developing countries has documented many factors contributing to firm-level efficiency. However, which of these factors are most likely to correlate with efficiency? This paper studies the relative importance of the firm-level efficiency determinants in a transitional economy, using a firm-level panel dataset in Vietnam between 2005 and 2013. The empirical results show that firm-specific production and labor characteristics are the most significant determinants of efficiency. Thus, firms actively seeking to improve their own production process and labor force can be well-rewarded. Moreover, government technical supports and human resource training programs, combined with anti-corruption efforts, are beneficial for firm-level efficiency, thereby improving the living standards in developing economies.
Can EHR Data Close the Gap with Reference Interval Studies

Reference intervals (RIs)2 are an invaluable resource that healthcare providers use to assess a patient's clinical status and to monitor disease progress and treatment effectiveness. Over time, it has been recognized that more specific RIs were needed to improve patient care based on sex, age, and race. Currently, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute provides guidance on the development of RIs that include selection of inclusion/exclusion criteria and several acceptable means of data analysis, allowing clinical scientists some flexibility in developing RIs. However, this flexibility has resulted in a body of RI literature that is often difficult to compare, interpret, and implement between laboratories. To remove this ambiguity and improve accuracy, the IFCC mandated that member countries establish nationally recognized RIs for all clinical tests to maintain analytical standards and quality of care, but as eluded to earlier, no set standards exist in the US. In this edition of JALM , an article by Rappoport et al. addresses concerns that RIs are too generic and should be stratified based on race and ethnicities, in …
Intumescence Injury in the Leaves of Russet Burbank Potato Plants is Mitigated by Calcium Nutrition

Many plants including potato, tobacco, tomato, and geraniums often develop intumescence (oedema) injury, which is observed exclusively on plants grown in controlled environments. Early studies have suggested a link between light quality and intumescence by showing UV and/or far-red light mitigation of injury. Here, we report that intumescence can be mitigated by calcium nutrition. Commercial cultivars of Solanum tuberosum L. cvs ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Atlantic’ were grown from in vitro shoot cultures in 20.4 L pots within a climate-controlled greenhouse. Plants were irrigated daily to excess with Peter’s Professional Peat Lite Special 20–10-20 fertilizer (0.52 g·L−1 tap water) supplemented with either 1 mM or 10 mM CaCl2·2H2O. We evaluated 13 replications from both potato cultivars and Ca2+ treatments. Intumescences were observed at about 32 days after calcium treatments began, exclusively on the upper and lower leaf surfaces of Russet Burbank. Upper canopy leaves of Russet Burbank showed approximately 65 and 5% intumescence injury for the 1 mM and 10 mM Ca2+ treatments, respectively. Average leaf calcium concentration was nearly double in the plants supplemented with 10 mM compared with 1 mM Ca2+. Tuber yield and foliage weight were higher in the plants supplemented with 10 mM Ca2+ as compared with 1 mM Ca2+ and suggests that intumescence injury reduced growth and partitioning. These data provide evidence that supplemental calcium can mitigate intumescence injury on susceptible cultivars of potato in controlled environments.
Analytical approximations to predict order picking times at a warehouse

The primary objective of this research was to develop analytical approximations to predict the time taken to complete a customer order in a warehouse. The problem under study was modelled as a network of queues and the parametric decomposition approach was adopted to develop the approximations. Under this method, the queuing network is decomposed into individual queues allowing to analyse single (i.e., customer order processing, pallet building, and re-pick process) and fork-join stations (i.e., order picking with synchronisation constraints) within the same framework. Analytical formulations to estimate order picking times were developed and compared with equivalent simulation models to estimate the accuracy of the formulations. Appropriate correction terms were also developed to bridge the gap between the analytical approximations and the simulation models. The experimental study conducted indicates that the analytical approximations along with the correction terms can serve as a good estimate for the order picking times in a warehouse.
Quantifying the resolution of spatial and temporal representation in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Our ability to generate mental representation of magnitude from sensory information affects how we perceive and experience the world. Reduced resolution of the mental representations formed from sensory inputs may generate impairment in the proximal and distal information processes that utilize these representations. Impairment of spatial and temporal information processing likely underpins the non-verbal cognitive impairments observed in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). The present study builds on prior research by seeking to quantify the resolution of spatial and temporal representation in children with 22q11DS, sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), and a typically developing (TD) control group. Children (22q11DS = 70, SCA = 49, TD = 46) responded to visual or auditory stimuli with varying difference ratios. The participant’s task was to identify which of two sequentially presented stimuli was of larger magnitude in terms of, size, duration, or auditory frequency. Detection threshold was calculated as the minimum difference ratio between the “standard” and the “target” stimuli required to achieve 75% accuracy in detecting that the two stimuli were different. Children with 22q11DS required larger magnitude difference between spatial stimuli for accurate identification compared with both the SCA and TD groups (% difference from standard: 22q11DS = 14; SCA = 8; TD: 7; F = 8.42, p 0.05). Pitch detection threshold did not differ among the groups (p's > 0.05). The observation of higher detection thresholds to spatial and temporal stimuli indicates further evidence for reduced resolution in both spatial and temporal magnitude representation in 22q11DS, that does not extend to frequency magnitude representation (pitch detection), and which is not explained by generalized cognitive impairment alone. These findings generate further support for the hypothesis that spatiotemporal hypergranularity of mental representations contributes to the non-verbal cognitive impairment seen in 22q11DS.
Higher Education’s Role in the Support of Diverse and Ever-Changing New American Cities: Exploring Buffalo

Urban institutions are typically located in diverse and vibrant cities. This diversity has changed over the decades, thus requiring campuses to address the complexity that is seen as these new American cities evolve. In this article the city of Buffalo is discussed as a city that manifests a continuous change in population diversity with a significant increase in the immigrant and refugee populations. The ways that Buffalo State College has evolved its outreach to support immigrants, refugees, and new Americans is discussed, approaches that include ways to support entry and success within the city school systems, support for families and adults learning the English language and preparing for citizenship exams, convening and support to navigate their new location, and assistance in business efforts. Extensions of the mission of urban institutions to support these new members of city communities allows campuses to participate fully in addressing the needs of this important segment of our cities. Immigrant and refugee families add to the vibrancy and economic success of our communities and facilitating their adjustment, integration, and success within our cities not only provides needed support for new American families, but adds to the current and future economic and social success of the community where they now call home. This is an important aspect of the urban anchor mission.
Optimal quantizer structure for binary discrete input continuous output channels under an arbitrary quantized-output constraint

Given a channel having binary input X = (x_1, x_2) having the probability distribution p_X = (p_{x_1}, p_{x_2}) that is corrupted by a continuous noise to produce a continuous output y \in Y = R. For a given conditional distribution p(y|x_1) = \phi_1(y) and p(y|x_2) = \phi_2(y), one wants to quantize the continuous output y back to the final discrete output Z = (z_1, z_2, ..., z_N) with N \leq 2 such that the mutual information between input and quantized-output I(X; Z) is maximized while the probability of the quantized-output p_Z = (p_{z_1}, p_{z_2}, ..., p_{z_N}) has to satisfy a certain constraint. Consider a new variable r_y=p_{x_1}\phi_1(y)/ (p_{x_1}\phi_1(y)+p_{x_2}\phi_2(y)), we show that the optimal quantizer has a structure of convex cells in the new variable r_y. Based on the convex cells property of the optimal quantizers, a fast algorithm is proposed to find the global optimal quantizer in a polynomial time complexity.
Finite-Time Behavior of k-mer Frequencies and Waiting Times in Noisy-Duplication Systems

Mutations play a significant role in evolution since they lead to genomic diversity. Among different types of mutations, duplication is thought to be one of the most important. Motivated by the theory of evolution by duplication, we consider a stochastic model for the evolution of sequences under noisy tandem duplication, where segments of the sequences are replicated and approximate copies are added to the sequence. Our goal is to study the statistical properties of the sequence after a given number of mutations. To do so, we study the k-mer frequencies of the evolving sequence. We first bound the expected frequencies of different k-mers after n mutations and relate the convergence rate of the expected trajectories to the parameters of the model (probabilities of different mutations). Then we extend our analysis to second moments of the k-mer trajectories, which allow us to better characterize their evolution. Finally, we will demonstrate the application of the proposed methods to bounding waiting times, the first such results for complex mutation systems.
LYMPHOCYTE TRIGGERING BY BACTERIAL LPS. DISSOCIATION BETWEEN IMMUNOGENICITY OF TNP-LPS AND MITOGENIC AND COMPLEMENT ACTIVATING PROPERTIES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the lymphocyte triggering by bacterial lps. dissociation between immunogenicity of tnp-lps and mitogenic and complement activating properties. LPS has been demonstrated to have a variety of biological activities in its interaction with cellular and humoral systems, many of which have been ascribed to the lipid A region of the molecule. This might suggest that a functional or causal relationship exists between many of these varied functions. The chapter describes an experiment in which the relationship between LPS structure and its biological activities was investigated by effecting a “specific” modification of the LPS molecule with Polymyxin B (PB). PB was used to alter the physical properties of a number of preparations of LPS and isolated lipid A, and the ability of PB-LPS complexes to interact in selected cellular and humoral systems was examined. PB does not affect either DNA synthesis stimulated in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction or the cytotoxic lymphocytes generated by culturing cells in microtest plates.
Progress in diagnosis and treatment of severe hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common acute fever and rash disease in pediatrics, which seriously affects children′s health.It is still an important public health problem for children in China.Now, a comprehensive review of early identification and standardized diagnosis and treatment of severe cases, especially critical hand, foot and mouth disease is performed, in order to improve the success rate of severe hand, foot and mouth disease. Key words: Severe hand, foot and mouth disease; Early detection of severe disease; Standard diagnosis and treatment
Florida Strawberry Growers Need More Early Yield to Improve Profitability

Fresh strawberries are a major US fruit crop. This 3-page fact sheet written by Feng Wu, Zhengfei Guan, and Vance Whitaker and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department summarizes recent research on strawberry yield patterns and how they are predicted to affect profits. It is intended primarily for those involved in Extension, marketing, policy-making, production, and research related to the Florida strawberry industry. We believe that a better understanding of yield and price dynamics will be valuable to industry decision-makers. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1032
Grid integration of single stage solar photovoltaic system using the exponential-based variable-step-size least mean square filtering control technique

Abstract A single-stage topology grid supportive solar photovoltaic (PV) system with an exponential-based variable-step-size least mean square (EVSSLMS) control technique is demonstrated in this paper. The solar PV system’s traits provide real power exchange, reactive power rectification, load balancing, harmonic elimination, and maximum power extraction. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique used in this paper for maximal possible power extraction from the solar PV array is based on incremental conductance. The EVSSLMS control technique–based algorithm is used for harmonic current mitigation within limits provided by the IEEE-519 standard. A feed-forward compensation is provided, which improves the dynamic response of the system at changing insolation atmospheric levels. The switching sequence required by the voltage-source converter is provided with the EVSSLMS control algorithm used for fundamental load current component extraction. MATLAB-Simulink results of the proposed system are presented in this paper for variable surrounding and load conditions.
Neutron Activation Analysis of Chemical Reaction Mixtures

Results are presented of neutron activation analysis of samples prepared by one of the several methods that have been reported recently claiming chemically induced transmutation of elements. Despite some initial indication for such transmutations, thorough analysis of our data and improvement of the method of analysis revealed that actually no chemically induced transmutation of elements had occurred during the process of producing the samples. Also, observed changes of the activity of Th as compared to its activity in the sample at the beginning of the process could be explained trivially by the establishment of well-known equilibria.
Using genetic information in risk prediction for alcohol dependence

USING GENETIC INFORMATION IN RISK PREDICTION FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE By Jia Yan, B.A. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human and Molecular Genetics and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012. Major Director: Danielle M. Dick, PhD Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Human and Molecular Genetics Family-based and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of alcohol dependence (AD) have reported numerous associated variants. The clinical validity of these variants for predicting AD compared to family history has not yet been reported. These studies aim to explore the aggregate impact of multiple genetic variants with small effect sizes on risk prediction in order to provide a clinical interpretation of genetic contributions to AD. Data simulations showed that given AD’s prevalence and heritability, a risk prediction model incorporating all genetic contributions would have an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) approaching 0.80, which is often a target AUC for screening. Adding additional environmental factors could increase the AUC to 0.95. Using the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) and the Study of Addiction: Genes and Environment (SAGE) GWAS samples, we used several different sources to capture genetic information associated with AD in discovery samples, and then tested genetic sum scores created based on this information for predictive accuracy in validation ii samples. Scores were assessed separately for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated in candidate gene studies and in GWAS analyses. Candidate gene sum scores did not exhibit significant predictive accuracy, but SNPs meeting less stringent p-value thresholds in GWAS analyses did, ranging from mean estimates of 0.549 for SNPs meeting p<0.01 to 0.565 for SNPs meeting p<0.50. Variants associated with subtypes of AD showed that there is similarly modest and significant predictive ability for an externalizing subtype. Scores created based on all individual SNP effects in aggregate across the entire genome accounted for 0.46%-0.57% of the variance in AD symptom count, and have AUCs of 0.527 to 0.559. Additional covariates and environmental factors that are correlated with AD increased the AUC to 0.865. Family history was a better classifier of case-control status than genetic sum scores, with an AUC of 0.686 in COGA and 0.614 in SAGE. This project suggests that SNPs from candidate gene studies and genome-wide association studies currently have limited clinical validity, but there is potential for enhanced predictive ability with better detection of genetic factors contributing to AD.
Catalytic Oxidation of Methane over ZrO2-Supported Pd Catalysts

The catalytic oxidation of methane has been examined in an integral reactor over Pd/ZrO{sub 2} catalysts in this study in order to determine how various preparation pretreatment and reaction variables influence activity. The conversion of methane versus temperature data indicate that mild oxidative and reductive treatments enhance the activity of a 5 wt% Pd/ZrO{sub 2} catalyst while a higher-temperature reductive pretreatment produces a less efficient catalyst. Increasing the Pd loading from 0.1 to 10 wt% improves catalytic performance while higher loadings yield negligible improvement. Decay studies were performed on a 5 wt% Pd/ZrO{sub 2} catalyst and compared to those of an optimized Pd/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst. Under the conditions used in this study, the activity of the Pd/ZrO{sub 2} catalyst remains fairly constant over a 50-hr period while the Pd/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst initially exhibits an increase in activity but then a decrease after approximately 16 hr. At 250 C the Pd/ZrO{sub 2} converts 56% of the methane to CO{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O after approximately 45 hr while the Pd/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalytically oxidizes only 32% of the methane under the same conditions. An optimized Pd/ZrO{sub 2} catalyst achieves a methane conversion of 100% below 300 C, which ismore » 40 C lower than that obtained using the optimized Pd/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst. The 5 wt% Pd/ZrO{sub 2} CH{sub 4}-oxidation catalyst also was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy before and during heating in vacuum at 180 C and after treatment in a 2:1 mixture of O{sub 2} and CH{sub 4} at 180 C and 100 Torr for 45 min. The near-surface region of the as-entered catalyst consists mostly of ZrO{sub 2} and PdO along with some Pd metal. Some of the PdO is reduced to Pd metal at 180 C, which is near the onset temperature for methane oxidation, and the Pd signal is diminished probably due to agglomeration of the Pd. Exposure of the catalyst to a 100 Torr mixture of 2:1 O{sub 2} and CH{sub 4} at 180 C for 45 min results in the formation of adsorbed CH{sub x}, CO and CO{sub 3}{sup {minus}2} and/or HCO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} species. These data suggest that the CH{sub 4} hydrogen bonds are first broken to form an adsorbed carbon species, which reacts with surface oxygen to form an adsorbed CO. This CO then reacts to form a surface carbonate or bicarbonate species which decomposes to form CO{sub 2}.« less
Democratic Education and Social Learning Theory

THE ROLE OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE THEORY OF DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION In a passage that anticipates a large contemporary literature about the aims of public education, Amy Gutmann asserts that common schools help children to develop “the capacities for choice among good lives” so they can participate “in collectively shaping their society.” State control and the principle of non-repression prevent adults from limiting children’s deliberative scope. Though parents and community may legitimately predispose children toward some conceptions of the good life and away from others, they may not “sanction imposition of non-critical consciousness on children.”
Innovation and Access: Legal Strategies at the Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Law Interface

Innovation is a commercially risky and legally perilous process. It is risky because large sunk costs are often required to initiate and sustain research, product development and other steps involved in the offering of the product and winning of the market. At the cusp of commercial success however, firms have to contend with uncertainty as to whether the manner in which they exploit any intellectual property (IP) rights they have, or may be acquiring, will pass the scrutiny of competition laws. In the wake of a recent Microsoft decision in the European Union and developments elsewhere, companies have had to reassess their corporate strategies, not merely at a local or regional level, but because of the nature of IP exploitation today, on a global scale as well. This paper begins with a reflection on how courts and competition authorities regard various legal strategies implemented in the exploitation of IP rights. The discussion includes an evaluation of the legitimacy of regulatory responses to these strategies as well as the regulatory schism that impacts trans-border IP strategies. The paper then considers how firms can maximise the value of their IP within the present regulatory environment by influencing the normative framework of competition policy. The limits of this influence are explored and the paper concludes with a discussion on how global trends are likely to shape the strategic landscape arising out of the interface between IP and competition law in the years ahead.
Nitric oxide reduces the molecular activity of Na+,K+-ATPase in opossum kidney cells.

Nitric oxide reduces the molecular activity of Na + ,K + -ATPase in opossum kidney cells. Background Nitric oxide (NO) directly inhibits fluid and solute reabsorption in the proximal tubule. In the present study, we investigated the effect of NO on the Na + ,K + -ATPase of opossum kidney (OK) cells, a proximal tubule cell line, and its mechanisms. Methods Na + ,K + -ATPase activity in the membrane fraction of OK cells was measured as the ouabain-sensitive ATP hydrolytic activity. The enzyme unit number on intact cells was measured by ouabain-binding assay. Results Incubation with 0.5mm sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, for two hours inhibited the catalytic activity of the membrane-associated Na + ,K + -ATPase in OK cells to 65.5 ± 9.7% of control ( N = 6, P + ,K + -ATPase on intact OK cells, indicating that NO inhibited the molecular activity of Na + ,K + -ATPase. The soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H- 1,2,4 oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), blunted the inhibitory effect of SNP on the Na + ,K + -ATPase activity. An exogenous cGMP analog similarly inhibited the Na + ,K + -ATPase activity. Neither lipid soluble antioxidants vitamin E/probucol or thiol group compound DL-dithiothreitol (DTT) altered the inhibitory effect of SNP on the Na + ,K + -ATPase activity. Conclusions NO inhibited the molecular activity of the Na + ,K + -ATPase of the OK proximal tubule cell line probably via cGMP-dependent mechanisms.
Ion-machining ceramics for transmission electron microscopy

Thinning various materials for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) by ion machining has been discussed in the literature. Christie et al. [1] have listed many of these materials and briefly discussed a method of their preparation for T E M through ion machining. Sample dimensional requirements prior to ion machining are brought out by Barber [2], but nowhere in the literature are the techniques required for sample preparation of ceramic materials discussed. Reducing bulk materials to thin usable samples ( ~ 25/~m) can consume 50% of the total sample preparation time, including ion machining. To minimize sample preparation time, it is essential to have a simple reduction technique that produces high yields. This paper discusses a technique that has been successfully used to prepare alumina (A1208) samples for TEN[ work. An I M M I I I I 1 ion-milling machine was used for all of the experiments. The multihole anode and cathode was used, however, the single hole anode and cathode presently available would probably reduce the ion-machining time. The electron microscope used was a JE1V[-7, ~ operated at 100 KeV. The first step in preparing ceramic material for ion machining is to reduce the bulk material to a size and shape adaptable to both the ion machine and TE1V[ stages. The starting material for this study was 12.7 mmX 12.7 m m × 1.6 ram. The sample was mounted on a steel plate (measuring about 50 mm × 75 mm x 6 mm) with a high-temperature wax ~ (see Fig. 1). The plate was heated to a temperature just sufficient to allow the wax to run smoothly. The sample was pressed firmly into the wax, down to the plate, and subsequently cooled.
Subcritical (Hot/Liquid) Water Dechlorination of PCBs (Aroclor 1254) with Metal Additives and in Waste Paint

No disposal option exists for “mixed wastes” such as paint scrapings that are co-contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radioactive metals. Either removal or destruction of the PCBs...
Thermal diffusion of alkali chlorides in H2O and D2O

Abstract Entropies of transport for very dilute aqueous alkaline chlorides solution at 25° have been determined by the potentiometric method. The limiting slopes were calculated and the molar entropies of transport at infinite dilution obtained by extrapolation. The standard transported entropy of Cl − ion was also derived by extrapolating the steady state thermoelectric powers to infinite dilution. The ‘absolute’ ionic entropies of transport have been estimated from the standard transported entropy following Gurney's choice of the absolute standard partial molar entropy of H + ion as −5.5eu. Soret data obtained in H 2 O are compared with that obtained in D 2 O. Results are discussed in terms of the structure of the solvent and ionic hydration phenomena.
Some New Upper Limits of Isotopic Abundance By Mass Spectrometry

Using a spark source mass spectrograph, a search has been made for undiscovered naturally occurring isotopes of low abundance. None was found, although the spark source instrument permitted examination of elements that have not been analyzed in this context for many years. The ability of the instrument to ionize all elements and the ease with which the rarer isotopes may be seen allowed upper limits of <0 000001 atom % to be placed on some isotopes. Be, P, Mn, Co, As, Rh, Au, and Bi were confirmed as monoisotopic.
A quantitative analysis of the distribution of Purkinje cell axonal collaterals in different zones of the cat's cerebellum: an intracellular HRP study

Purkinje cells in zones a and b of the vermis and zone c in the intermediate cortex of the anterior lobe were intracellularly injected with horseradish peroxidase and the distribution patterns of the varicosities present on their axonal collaterals were quantified and compared at the light microscopic level. The data derived from this study reveal that each individual axonal arbor had a unique pattern of distribution. However, certain principles of distribution could be applied to the collaterals regardless of the cortical location of the parent cell, including the following: 1) the total number of varicosities derived from the axonal collaterals of individual Purkinje cells is relatively uniform; 2) the collateral plexi have a greater extent in the sagittal plane as compared to the transverse plane; 3) the majority of varicosities remain within 200–300 μm of the parent cell in both the sagittal and transverse planes; 4) there is a heterogenous distribution of varicosities within the area traversed by the axonal branches; and 5) the majority of varicosities are located within the Purkinje cell layer. Although there were similarities in the pattern of distribution for collaterals, there were also variations which distinguished the plexi in the three zones. The collaterals of zone a cells tended to be the most confined in both the sagittal and transverse planes. In contrast, several cells in zone b and c had branches that extended for relatively long distances in the sagittal plane. In zone b the collaterals have an asymmetric distribution around the cell of origin in the transverse plane. In zones a and c there is a tendency for a more symmetric pattern of distribution in this plane. The similarities in the number and laminar distribution of varicosities, as well as the predominantly sagittal orientation of the collaterals in all zones of the cerebellar cortex suggest that the collaterals subserve a common function throughout the cerebellar cortex. However, variations indicate that there may be subtle differences in the way recurrent collaterals process information in the cerebellar cortex that may be related to the functional heterogeneity or the location of the targets of the collaterals in the three zones analyzed.
Evaluation of Interactions of Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate-Early IE2 Regulatory Protein with Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers and Their Conjugation Enzyme Ubc9

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early protein IE2 is a nuclear phosphoprotein that is believed to be a key regulator in both lytic and latent infections. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO-1, SUMO-2, and SUMO-3) and a SUMO-conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) were isolated as IE2-interacting proteins. In vitro binding assays with glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins provided evidence for direct protein-protein interaction. Mapping data showed that the C-terminal end of SUMO-1 is critical for interaction with IE2 in both yeast and in vitro binding assays. IE2 was efficiently modified by SUMO-1 or SUMO-2 in cotransfected cells and in cells infected with a recombinant adenovirus expressing HCMV IE2, although the level of modification was much lower in HCMV-infected cells. Two lysine residues at positions 175 and 180 were mapped as major alternative SUMO-1 conjugation sites in both cotransfected cells and an in vitro sumoylation assay and could be conjugated by SUMO-1 simultaneously. Although mutations of these lysine residues did not interfere with the POD (or ND10) targeting of IE2, overexpression of SUMO-1 enhanced IE2-mediated transactivation in a promoter-dependent manner in reporter assays. Interestingly, many other cellular proteins identified as IE2 interaction partners in yeast two-hybrid assays also interact with SUMO-1, suggesting that either directly bound or covalently conjugated SUMO moieties may act as a bridge for interactions between IE2 and other SUMO-1-modified or SUMO-1-interacting proteins. When we investigated the intracellular localization of SUMO-1 in HCMV-infected cells, the pattern changed from nuclear punctate to predominantly nuclear diffuse in an IE1-dependent manner at very early times after infection, but with some SUMO-1 protein now associated with IE2 punctate domains. However, at late times after infection, SUMO-1 was predominantly detected within viral DNA replication compartments containing IE2. Taken together, these results show that HCMV infection causes the redistribution of SUMO-1 and that IE2 both physically binds to and is covalently modified by SUMO moieties, suggesting possible modulation of both the function of SUMO-1 and protein-protein interactions of IE2 during HCMV infection.
Impulsive stimulated scattering spectroscopy of surface acoustic waves

Abstract The generation of acoustic waves in a PZT film and on the surface of a bulk single crystal sample of barium titanate through impulsive stimulated scattering is demonstrated. This optical method allows routine and thorough characterization of the dispersive properties of thin film acoustic modes. The potential for extraction of the elastic and piezoelectric constants of piezoelectric thin films is discussed.
Activation of large lons in FT-ICR mass spectrometry

The advent of soft ionization techniques, notably electrospray and laser desorption ionization methods, has enabled the extension of mass spectrometric methods to large molecules and molecular complexes. This both greatly extends the applications of mass spectrometry and makes the activation and dissociation of complex ions an integral part of these applications. This review emphasizes the most promising methods for activation and dissociation of complex ions and presents this discussion in the context of general knowledge of reaction kinetics and dynamics largely established for small ions. We then introduce the characteristic differences associated with the higher number of internal degrees of freedom and high density of states associated with molecular complexity. This is reflected primarily in the kinetics of unimolecular dissociation of complex ions, particularly their slow decay and the higher energy content required to induce decomposition-the kinetic shift (KS). The longer trapping time for Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) significantly reduces the KS, which presents several advantages over other methods for the investigation of dissociation of complex molecules.
Generation of Submicrometer Particles in Dry Sliding Contact

The generation of submicrometer-sized particles during dry sliding between stainless steel surfaces is investigated by means of a laser spectrometer for particle counting and scanning tunnelling microscopy for asperity topography characterization. It has been found that, when the submicrometer wear increases with increasing sliding distance or with an initially rougher surface, the number of particles having a submicrometer size is a power function of that size. The two wear coefficients in the power function are determined empirically for the case of stainless steel contact. Different from the generation pattern of several-micrometer particles, the generation rate of submicrometer particles continuously increases until reaching the equilibrium surface condition. The asperity topography measurement shows the micrometer-sized asperities also have subasperities whose sizes are about one order of magnitude smaller. An asperity model similar to Archard’s is thus proposed for estimation of submicrometer wear. The dominant wear mechanisms are brittle fracture and plastic deformation combined with adhesion transfer. The asperity contact can be considered as a plastic-elastic deformation system with subasperities deformed plastically all the time and the micrometer asperities first deformed plastically and then deformed elastically because of the significant increase of microhardness on the soft surface in a metal pair. When the microhardness ratio between two rubbing surfaces reaches a stable value, the generation of submicrometer particles reaches the maximum rate and the wear grows steadily.