cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Innovative Data Acquisition for the Fall Cone Test in Teaching and Research

The fall cone device may be preferable to the Casagrande cup for the determination of liquid limits because it is based on a firm theoretical background and maintains a high degree of operator independence. This makes the fall cone device a superior tool for measuring consistency limits for research and for teaching soil mechanics. Two inexpensive data acquisition techniques are developed for the fall cone device that seek to make the fall cone equipment less expensive, better for teaching, and provide unique time-displacement data of cone motion. The first data acquisition technique uses an inexpensive USB camera and image processing to analyze cone motion, and the second method uses a commonly available linearly variable differential transformer (LVDT) to track cone motion. The techniques are validated by comparing measured liquid limit to the liquid limit measured with an unmodified fall cone and the Casagrande cup of several different soils. Details of the data acquisition techniques are presented along with typical time–displacement data of the cone motion.
Methanol Oxidation Catalyzed by Copper Nanoclusters Incorporated in Vacuum-Deposited HKUST-1 Thin Films

Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films allow the unique properties of MOFs to be incorporated into membranes and micro-electronic devices and also permit studies of catalysis employing powerful u...
Conducting a Cluster Analysis in Counseling Research: Four Easy Steps

A cluster analysis is an exploratory research method that contributes to identifying homogeneous subgroups and examining the structure of targeted data. This article provides four steps for conduct...
The Characterization of Microcracks in Brittle Solids

The detection of microcracks in ceramics and other brittle materials is a key step in determining their influence on physical properties of this class of material. Various detection techniques are reviewed and discussed. In addition, new techniques involving scanning electron microscopy and porosimetry are introduced and illustrated with observations on the Al2O3-ZrO2 system.
Coronary angioplasty

Percutaneous revascularization is a widely accepted procedure to treat patients with coronary artery disease. Since its first description in the 1970s, significant technological and pharmaceutical advances have occurred and subsequently reduced the complications associated with the procedure. Large, randomized controlled trials have provided additional evidence that percutaneous revascularization improves morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. Over the last decade, devices designed to treat patients with more complex coronary artery disease have expanded the available therapeutic options and will likely contribute to a further decline in adverse events. Despite these advances, the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction, in-stent restenosis, and multivessel coronary artery disease remains challenging. The majority of evidence supports an early, aggressive approach in patients with acute ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Ongoing clinical trials should help to further define the role of percutaneous interventions in the optimal management of patients with coronary artery disease.
Blackfishing on Instagram: Influencing and the Commodification of Black Urban Aesthetics

This article examines blackfishing, a practice in which cultural and economic agents appropriate Black culture and urban aesthetics in an effort to capitalize on Black markets. Specifically, this s...
Handheld NIRS for forage evaluation

Abstract Handheld near infrared reflectance (NIR) instruments are now available for non-scientist operators for on-farm evaluation of forages. There are a variety of instruments with different detector technologies and greatly different NIR scanning ranges. However, there is little public data or independent evaluation of their relative effectiveness in the field. Our objective was to evaluate several hand-held NIR instruments for precision and accuracy of currently available calibrations for dry matter (DM) compared to a state-of-the-art electronic moisture meter, and to evaluate forage nutritive value calibrations available on one instrument. The AuroraNir, NIR4, and SCiO handheld NIR instruments were evaluated, along with the HST-1 electronic impedance moisture probe. Over 600 haylage, corn silage and total mixed ration samples were collected in 2019 and 2020 from 19 dairy farms in NY and WI. After scanning, two subsamples of each sample were dried to determine oven DM. Samples from three of the 19 farms were measured 10 times each, with remixing between measurements, to evaluate precision. The Aurora and NIR4 instruments, with a similar NIR scanning range, were similar in precision for estimating oven DM, while the SCiO and HST-1 instruments were less precise. Using currently available calibrations, accuracy of DM estimations was in the order of AuroraNIR > NIR4 ≫ SCiO > HST-1, although current calibrations were not sufficiently robust for a range of mixed haylage, corn silage and TMR samples from NY and WI. Calibrations for the AuroraNir did not produce consistently accurate results for nutritive value determinations, particularly when dealing with mixed species haylage.
The Place of Safety Education in the Program of Health and Physical Education in the Schools

(1929). The Place of Safety Education in the Program of Health and Physical Education in the Schools. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 34, No. 8, pp. 462-467.
"Out Like a Lion": Melancholia with Euripides and Winnicott

This essay treats von Trier’s Melancholia as a reception of Euripides’ Bacchae, also a world-ending tragedy in which women leave their work to worship a hypnotic foreign god and are bewitched by strange visions of two suns. Both the youth, Leo, in von Trier’s film, and the young king, Pentheus, in Euripides’ play, navigate their way through what D.W. Winnicott called the “doldrums” of adolescence, a process that, on Winnicott’s account, involves violence, aggression, despair, and murder (of self, of other). Only von Trier’s Leo, however, is possessed of a “good enough” mother—Justine—who can play and create the in-between needed to transition to a possible adulthood. Thus, von Trier’s film explores crises of adolescence and sovereignty in a Winnicottian way.
Genetic evidence for the role of isocytochrome c2 in photosynthetic growth of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Spd mutants.

Abstract In Rhodobacter sphaeroides, cytochrome c2 (cyt c2)-deficient mutants are photosynthetically incompetent (PS-). However, mutations which suppress the photosynthetic deficiency (spd mutations) of cyt c2 mutants increase the levels of a cyt c2 isoform, isocyt c2. To determine whether isocyt c2 was required for photosynthetic growth of Spd mutants, we used Tn5 mutagenesis to generate a PS- mutant (TP39) that lacks both cyt c2 and isocyt c2. DNA sequence analysis of wild-type DNA that restores isocyt c2 production and photosynthetic growth to TP39 indicates that it encodes the isocyt c2 structural gene, cycI. The Tn5 insertion in TP39 is approximately 1.5 kb upstream of cycI, and our results show that it is polar onto cycI. The cycI gene has been physically mapped to a region of chromosome I that is approximately 700 kb from the R. sphaeroides photosynthetic gene cluster. Construction of a defined cycI null mutant and complementation of several mutants with the cycI gene under the control of the cyt c2 promoter region indicate that an increase in the levels of isocyt c2 alone is necessary and sufficient for photosynthetic growth in the absence of cyt c2. The data are discussed in terms of the obligate role of isocyt c2 in cyt c2-independent photosynthesis of R. sphaeroides.
Influence of a family program on adolescent smoking and drinking prevalence.

Reducing the prevalence of adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are public health goals of the United States. Although families have strong influence on their children, few randomized studies have examined whether family-directed programs influence those behaviors in general universal populations. This paper reports findings from an evaluation of a family program that features the mailing of four booklets to adult family members with follow-up telephone calls by health educators. A national sample of adolescent–parent pairs and a randomized experimental design were used to evaluate the program. Baseline users and nonusers of those substances were considered simultaneously in analyses so that program influences on smoking and drinking prevalence could be examined. The findings suggest that the program significantly reduced the prevalence of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol among adolescents. These findings are discussed in the context of earlier reports of research on the family program and implications for public health.
Exploiting Process Knowledge for Event Processing in Distributed Business Applications

In this paper, we address event processing for applications in distributed business processes. For this application context we present an approach for improving in-network processing of events. We highlight the role of a priori process knowledge for query optimization and describe distributed event processing based on decision points in the process.
IL-36 promotes myeloid cell infiltration, activation and inflammatory activity in skin

The IL-1 family members IL-36α (IL-1F6), IL-36β (IL-1F8), and IL-36γ (IL-1F9) and the receptor antagonist IL-36Ra (IL-1F5) constitute a novel signaling system that is poorly understood. We now show that these cytokines have profound effects on the skin immune system. Treatment of human keratinocytes with IL-36 cytokines significantly increased the expression of CXCL1, CXCL8, CCL3, CCL5, and CCL20, potent chemotactic agents for activated leukocytes, and IL-36α injected intradermally resulted in chemokine expression, leukocyte infiltration, and acanthosis of mouse skin. Blood monocytes, myeloid dendritic cells (mDC), and monocyte-derived DC (MO-DC) expressed IL-36R and responded to IL-36. In contrast, no direct effects of IL-36 on resting or activated human CD4 + or CD8 + T cells, or blood neutrophils, could be demonstrated. Monocytes expressed IL-1A, IL-1B, and IL-6 mRNA and IL-1β and IL-6 protein, and mDC upregulated surface expression of CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR and secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 after treatment with IL-36. Furthermore, IL-36α–treated MO-DC enhanced allogeneic CD4 + T cell proliferation, demonstrating that IL-36 can stimulate the maturation and function of DC and drive T cell proliferation. These data indicate that IL-36 cytokines actively propagate skin inflammation via the activation of keratinocytes, APC, and, indirectly, T cells.
Predicting Suicide Risks Among Outpatient Adolescents Using the Family Environment Scale: Implications for Practice and Research

This study was designed to identify characteristics of family functioning that relate to suicide potential in an outpatient adolescent population. Participants included 51 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 who were involved in outpatient counselling. The Family Environment Scale and the Suicide Probability Scale were used to assess adolescents’ perception of family social climate and degree of suicide risk respectively. Results revealed significant correlations between suicide risk and family systems characterized by heightened conflict and lower levels of cohesion, independence, and organization. A stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested that organization (related to clarity and structure in family activities and responsibilities) was the strongest predictor of suicide risk. Implications for research and practice are considered.
Ripple Correlation Control: An Extremum Seeking Control Perspective for Real-Time Optimization

This paper links the theory of ripple correlation control (RCC) and extremum seeking control (ESC) with emphasis on application in a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. ESC has been well-established in the automatic control literature to find the extremum of an objective function. The RCC theory and applications have been developed in the power electronics literature for real-time optimization. Both ESC and RCC are reviewed and discussed. RCC is formulated in a similar approach to ESC, but distinct based on the source of perturbations-mainly external perturbations with ESC and inherent ripple with RCC. While some recent ESC implementations utilize inherent perturbations, RCC uses high-frequency perturbations in power electronics systems not currently utilized by ESC. The formulation and equivalencies presented here are intended for future research in both methods which can benefit from existing research for further development in theory and applications. Shared aspects that include stability and convergence characteristics are discussed. RCC formulation from an ESC perspective is then applied for maximum power point tracking of a solar PV panel, using high-frequency inherent ripple in power electronics. This RCC formulation is confirmed to have high tracking effectiveness and fast convergence.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Education at Michigan Technological University

There is a strong need for a transformative curriculum to train the next generation of engineers who will help design, construct, and operate fuel cell vehicles and the associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure. In this poster we discuss how we integrate fuel cell and hydrogen technology into the project-based, hands-on learning experiences in engineering education at Michigan Technological University. Our approach is to involve students in the learning process via team-based interactive projects with a real-world flavor. This project has resulted in the formation of an “Interdisciplinary Minor in Hydrogen Technology” at Michigan Technological University. To receive the 16 credit minor, students are required to satisfy requirements in four areas, which are: • Participation in multiple semesters of the Alternative Fuels Group Enterprise, where students work on hands-on integration, design, and/or research projects in hydrogen and fuel cells. • Enrolling in a fuel cell course. • Enrolling in a lecture or laboratory course on hydrogen energy. • Enrolling in discipline-specific elective courses.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
On the main phase transition temperatures of highly asymmetric mixed-chain phosphatidylcholines.

Abstract The highly asymmetric mixed-chain phosphatidylcholines or C (X): C (Y) PC , which can self-assemble at T m into the mixed interdigitated gel-state bilayer in excess water, can be divided into two groups. Group I consists of C (X): C (Y) PC with X > Y , and Group II consists of C (X): C (Y) PC with X . The main phase transition temperatures (T m ) of these C (X): C (Y) PC have been analyzed in terms of two structural parameters (δ and N f ). Specifically, these structural parameters are related to the packing geometry of the lipid's acyl chains as the lipid molecules are packed either in a mixed (δ) or a hypothetically partially (N f ) interdigitated packing motif at T m . Based on 28 and 29 T m values of Group I and II C (X): C (Y) PC , two general equations are derived, respectively, by multiple regression analyses. These equations correlate systematically the T m values of Group I and II phosphatidylcholines with their corresponding structural parameters. Using these two derived equations, the T m values of a total of 92 molecular species of C (X): C (Y) PC are generated, and these calculated T m values can be considered as the reliably predicted T m values for highly asymmetric C (X): C (Y) PC which have ΔC/CL values within the range of 0.42–0.66.
Robustness of the two independent samples t‐test when applied to ordinal scaled data

One may encounter the application of the two independent samples t-test to ordinal scaled data (for example, data that assume only the values 0, 1, 2, 3) from small samples. This situation clearly violates the underlying normality assumption for the t-test and one cannot appeal to large sample theory for validity. In this paper we report the results of an investigation of the t-test's robustness when applied to data of this form for samples of sizes 5 to 20. Our approach consists of complete enumeration of the sampling distributions and comparison of actual levels of significance with the significance level expected if the data followed a normal distribution. We demonstrate under general conditions the robustness of the t-test in that the maximum actual level of significance is close to the declared level.
Biogeochemical characterization of MC252 oil:sand aggregates on a coastal headland beach

MC252 oil:sand aggregates, termed surface residue balls (SRBs), were sampled for physical, chemical and microbial characteristics from different tidal zones on a coastal headland beach in Louisiana, USA. Supratidal SRBs were smaller, had low moisture content, and salinities that were <2 ppt. Intertidal SRBs were hypersaline and had higher N and sulfate concentrations, consistent with regular tidal inundation. Crude oil components were highest in the intertidal “oil mat” SRBs with C1- and C2-phenanthrenes, C2- and C3-dibenzothiophenes comprising the majority of the PAH concentrations. In the other SRB categories, PAHs and alkanes were depleted and profiles were skewed toward higher molecular weight compounds. Oxygen microelectrode measurements demonstrated that saturated O2 is present immediately after wetting, but O2 consumption in the interior of the aggregate occurs after a few days. Microbial populations varied with position on the beach but sequences similar to known PAH-degrading taxa (Mycobacterium sp. and Stenotrophomonas sp.) were observed.
The adaptive significance of clustering in the hermit crab Clibanarius digueti

The Gulf of California hermit crab, Clibanarius digueti, forms discrete clusters at low tide consisting of as many as 700 individuals. To determine the adaptive value of clustering, hypotheses concerning resistance to strong currents, cold, and desiccation were evaluated experimentally. In addition, field observations of mating, shell exchange, grazing, and predator avoidance were made. Results suggest that aggregation improves survivorship of extreme cold and desiccation. When cover is lacking, clusters may also enable C. digueti to resist displacement by strong currents. Field experiments using empty, tagged shells also indicate a possible shell exchange role.
Modeling the performance of algorithms on flash memory devices

NAND flash memory is fast becoming popular as a component of large scale storage devices. For workloads requiring many random I/Os, flash devices can provide two orders of magnitude increased performance relative to magnetic disks. Flash memory has some unusual characteristics. In particular, general updates require a page write, while updates of 1 bits to 0 bits can be done in-place. In order to measure how well algorithms perform on such a device, we propose the "EWOM" model for analyzing algorithms on flash memory devices. We introduce flash-aware algorithms for counting, listmanagement, and B-trees, and analyze them using the EWOM model. This analysis shows that one can use the incremental 1-to-0 update properties of flash memory in interesting ways to reduce the required number of page-write operations.
Airborne asbestos in Colorado public schools

Levels of airborne asbestos for six Colorado public school facilities with sprayed-on asbestos materials were documented using three analytical techniques. Phase contrast microscopy showed levels up to the thousandths of a fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) up to the hundredths of a f/cc, and transmission electron microscopy coupled to selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-SAED-EDXA) up to the tenths of an asbestos f/cc. Phase contrast microscopy was found to be an inadequate analytical technique for documenting the levels of airborne asbestos fibers in the schools: only large fibers which were not embedded in the filter were counted, and asbestos fibers were not distinguished from nonasbestos.
Agricultural intensification, rainfall patterns, and large waterbird breeding success in the extensively cultivated landscape of Uttar Pradesh, India

In countries with high human populations, using agricultural areas as multifunctional systems to produce food for humans and retain wildlife may be an efficient conservation strategy for many species. Inclusion of natural habitat and species requirements on agricultural landscapes explicitly into planning processes are precluded by lack of information on drivers of species persistence. Climate change is an additional emerging complexity, and adaptation plans for agricultural landscapes are biased towards intensification to secure long-range food production. I examine the conservation potential of an agricultural landscape in two districts of Uttar Pradesh, north India where agricultural intensification and altered rainfall patterns are predicted to occur. I assess stressors affecting breeding success over eight years of two large waterbirds of conservation concern – Sarus Cranes and Black-necked Storks. Both species had high breeding success that improved with total rainfall and more wetlands in breeding territories. Agricultural and township expansions deteriorated territory quality and reduced breeding success. Sarus Crane populations were predicted to decline relatively rapidly if development activities continued to displace breeding pairs. Black-necked Storks appeared resilient over the long-term notwithstanding reduced breeding success in low-rainfall years. Waterbird nesting habitats (wetlands and trees) were retained in Uttar Pradesh as community lands by villages and by state government via legal provisions suggesting the utility of multiple conservation approaches. Incorporating species requirements explicitly, alongside traditional land use practices conducive for habitat conservation, into adaptation planning and conservation policy will be necessary to retain long-term multifunctionality of such agricultural landscapes.
Current density partitioning in time-dependent current density functional theory

We adapt time-dependent current density functional theory to allow for a fragment-based solution of the many-electron problem of molecules in the presence of time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Regarding a molecule as a set of non-interacting subsystems that individually evolve under the influence of an auxiliary external electromagnetic vector-scalar potential pair, the partition 4-potential, we show that there are one-to-one mappings between this auxiliary potential, a sharply-defined set of fragment current densities, and the total current density of the system. The partition electromagnetic (EM) 4-potential is expressed in terms of the real EM 4-potential of the system and a gluing EM 4-potential that accounts for exchange-correlation effects and mutual interaction forces between fragments that are required to yield the correct electron dynamics. We prove the zero-force theorem for the fragmented system, establish a variational formulation in terms of action functionals, and provide a simple illustration for a charged particle in a ring.
Effect of chronic morphine on the response to and disposition of other drugs

Abstract Male Fischer rats were implanted SC with a total of six 75-mg morphine (base) pellets over 8 days and tested on the 11th day. On day 11 a dose of 0.15 mg/kg of naloxone precipitated strong withdrawal signs. Chronic treatment with morphine by this schedule inhibited weight gain but other physical effects were minimal. When tested on Day 11, the morphine-pelleted rats performed a pole-climb conditioned avoidance response (CAR) task as well as placebo-pelleted rats, either because they had become tolerant to the CAR-impairing effect of the residual levels of morphine or because the residual levels of morphine were too low to affect the response. However, the impairing effects on CAR performance of pentobarbital, phenobarbital, thiopental, barbital, diazepam, and ethanol were all prolonged and/or exaggerated by the morphine pretreatment. This increase in the depressant effects of these drugs could not be completely accounted for by the effect of morphine on thier uptake, distribution, or elimination. Although an interaction between the drugs and residual levels of morphine could not be ruled out, these results suggest the possibility that chronic treatment with morphine may have caused an increase in the central responsiveness to these drugs as well.
Man Sei: The Making of a Korean American

A story shedding light on the impact of nationalism on the life of one family during a pivotal period of modern Korean history. Peter Hyun looks back on the first 17 years of his life in Korea and China, linking experiences trauma and reprieve with humour.
Male Circumcision Rates in Patients From a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Southern Florida and Acceptability of Circumcision Among Hispanics.

The objectives of this study were assessment of the prevalence of male circumcision (MC) among patients attending the Miami-Dade County (MDC) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clinic and exploration of attitudes of MC among Hispanic STD clinic attendees. Prevalence of MC was assessed by a review of 500 clinic records. Attitudes toward MC were explored during focus group sessions. The overall rate of MC was 27%. Men associated acceptability of MC with sexual performance, their partner’s anticipated responses to MC, and scientific proof of STD protection; whereas women focused on experiences with previous partners and hygiene. We found a low rate of circumcision in males attending the MDC STD clinic. Approximately half of the Hispanic men and women in focus groups also found MC acceptable or desirable.
Laboratory tests and imaging studies in patients with cutaneous malignant melanomas: A survey of experienced physicians

Background: The presence or absence of metastases is important in determining prognosis and treatment options for patients with malignant melanoma (MM). Laboratory tests and imaging studies are ordered for patients with MMs but without symptoms in an effort to detect occult metastases. However, which laboratory tests and imaging studies to order and how often to reorder them is not well established. Objective: Our purpose was to determine which tests and studies are ordered by physicians with major responsibilities for the care of patients with MM. Methods: Physicians were surveyed by questionnaire about the laboratory tests and imaging studies they ordered for MM stages 0, I, II, and III. Results: Of the 35 physicians queried, 30 (86%) responded to the survey. The majority of physicians order tests as follows: no tests for MM in situ; roentgenography of the chest with or without initial lactic acid dehydrogenase/liver function tests for stages 1, II, and III and during follow-up for stages IB, II, and III (more frequently as the Breslow thickness increases); and baseline computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging scans of the chest, abdomen/pelvis, and brain for stage III. Conclusion: Although the pattern of ordering examinations was similar for the majority of respondents, there was significant variability among experienced physicians in ordering laboratory tests and imaging studies in the search for occult metastases in patients with asymptomatic MM. The laboratory tests and imaging studies ordered and their frequency depend on the stage of the MM and sometimes on other risk factors.
NUMERICAL METHODS THROUGH OPEN-ENDED PROJECTS

ABSTRACT We present a design for a junior level numerical methods course that focuses on a series of five open-ended projects in applied mathematics. These projects were deliberately designed to present many of the ambiguities and complexities that appear any time we use mathematics in the real world, and so they offered the students a variety of possible approaches, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Because these open-ended problems lacked the normal cues that tell students how to get started, they were very effective at revealing student misconceptions, and illuminating weaknesses in their understanding. Further, they were very effective at challenging the strongest students, without leaving the weaker students behind. All students were required to write up their work on each project into a formal paper. This not only taught the valuable skill of mathematical writing, but was also an important step in teaching more organized thinking skills. Over the course of the semester, the students ...
Double Justice, Diego Laynez, and the Council of Trent

During the sixth session of the Council of Trent, Girolamo Seripando and others proposed a theory of justification which the council fathers felt leaned toward the Lutheran view of justification. The theory, known as duplex justitia or double justice, was reviewed by the various theologians, reflected upon, and finally rejected.
Trust is the Basis for Effective Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment in Veterans

BACKGROUND To reduce suicides among Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has designated suicide risk assessments for Veterans who screen positive for depression or post-traumatic stress disorder as a national performance goal. Many VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) are using brief suicidal ideation screens, administered in non-mental health ambulatory care settings, as the first step in the assessment process.
Gravitational potential energy balance for the thermal circulation in a model ocean

Abstract The gravitational potential energy balance of the thermal circulation in a simple rectangular model basin is diagnosed from numerical experiments based on a mass-conserving oceanic general circulation model. The vertical mixing coefficient is assumed to be a given constant. The model ocean is heated/cooled from the upper surface or bottom, and the equation of state is linear or nonlinear. Although the circulation patterns obtained from these cases look rather similar, the energetics of the circulation may be very different. For cases of differential heating from the bottom with a nonlinear equation of state, the circulation is driven by mechanical energy generated by heating from the bottom. On the other hand, circulation for three other cases is driven by external mechanical energy, which is implicitly provided by tidal dissipation and wind stress. The major balance of gravitational energy in this model ocean is between the source of energy due to vertical mixing and the conversion from kinetic ...
Phosphorylated Mr 32,000 dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein inhibits Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in renal tubule cells.

Abstract Dopamine inhibits Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in several renal tubule segments and thereby regulates urinary Na+ excretion. We now show that a phosphopeptide of 31 amino acids, corresponding to residues 8-38 of the protein phosphatase inhibitor DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of Mr 32,000), mimics the inhibitory action of dopamine on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in renal tubule cells from the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. The dephosphorylated form of the peptide is ineffective. The results indicate that dopamine acts through a protein phosphorylation pathway to regulate the activity of an ion pump. In addition, the data suggest that inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 by phophorylated DARPP-32 is a component of the mechanism by which dopamine regulates urinary Na+ excretion.
Conjugate Riedel deformation band shear zones

Abstract Our investigations have disclosed that individual Riedel shear zones may organize themselves into broadly distributed though rigorously oriented intraformational conjugate systems which may form without relationship to, or dependence upon, an underlying basement fault zone. The Riedel shear zones we mapped are zones of deformation bands, which developed as the preferred deformation mechanism in porous Navajo Sandstone (Jurassic). In the Cottonwood area, located at the northern end of the Kaibab Uplift, a conjugate normal Riedel deformation band shear system developed during the Laramide in the uppermost Navajo Sandstone on the outer arc of the upper hinge zone of the East Kaibab monocline. In the Sheets Gulch area, located at the northern end of the Waterpocket Fold, a conjugate strike-slip Riedel deformation band shear system developed during the Laramide in upper Navajo Sandstone within an imperfect transfer zone between the northeast-vergent Circle Cliffs Uplift and the southwest-vergent Miners Mountain Uplift. Within both the Cottonwood and Sheets Gulch areas there are tens to hundreds of Riedel shear zones, the largest of which are up to hundreds of meters in trace length. In classic Riedel fashion, the synthetic R-shears within each Riedel shear zone depart by ∼15° from the zone as a whole and are arranged in an en echelon, overstepping geometry. The antithetic R′-shears depart by ∼75° from the Riedel shear zones of which they are a part, and are especially abundant in transfer zones where they create hard linkages between overstepping R-shears. At both localities the Riedel shear zones occur in two sets that intersect at ∼60°. The Riedel shear geometry is self-similar from the scale of hand samples (and thin sections) where offsets are measured in centimeters (or millimeters), to the map scale where displacements are measured in meters. Because of the small amount of deformation which had to be accommodated in each of the two study areas, and the limits imposed by the strain-hardening nature of deformation banding, we may be seeing a rare snapshot that records an image of early, arrested fault-system development in relatively homogeneous, porous sandstone. The literature on classic Riedel shear zones postulates that displacement and shear along Riedel shears brings about a localized reorientation of stress. This interpretation can be tested and confirmed, using the geometry and kinematics of conjugate Riedel systems. Detailed understanding of the total nested geometric characteristics of the conjugate Riedel deformation band shear zone systems also provides insight regarding controls on reservoir-scale fluid flow. The low permeability of the deformation band shear zones tends to compartmentalize the Navajo Sandstone into chambers along which fluid flow is channeled. The geometry and spacing of the deformation band patterns controls shapes and sizes of the compartments, which in these examples tend to be long, polyhedral, porous chambers marked by either diamond- or rhombic-shaped cross-sections.
An Objective Peer Evaluation Scale: Construction and Validity:

Abstract : A study was made of peer ratings obtained by having the raters evaluate their peers on objective criteria of officer excellence. A peer evaluation scale was described in which statements describing the peer were selected on the basis of content analyses of paragraphs describing outstanding and inferior candidates for the billet of Marine Corps officers. The statements were written by enlisted marines with an average of 3.5 yr of active service. The items used in the peer evaluation scale were selected from these statements on the basis of their ability to discriminate between the men ranked first, fifth, tenth, and last, in a section of approximately 15 men. This preliminary scale was administered to a second independent group of candidates and 3 indexes for item selection purposes were calculated. These indexes were: a criterion index which was a measure of the relative agreement of the item with the criterion; a total test index, which was a measure of the relative agreement of the item with the total test score; and an item variability index, which was a measure of the relative intra-item variability. By using these 3 indexes, 20 items were segregated for use in the final scale. This refined peer evaluation was administered to an independent sample of candidates. The rank-difference correlation was found between the average peer score for a candidate and his rank position in the platoon as determined by 4 line officers. An average rho coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. Norms were determined for each platoon. A chi square test indicated homogeneity of the norms.
Improved bounds for a deterministic sublinear-time Sparse Fourier Algorithm

This paper improves on the best-known runtime and measurement bounds for a recently proposed Deterministic sublinear-time Sparse Fourier Transform algorithm (hereafter called DSFT). In (Iwen, 2008 ), (Iwen, 2007), it is shown that DSFT can exactly reconstruct the Fourier transform (FT) of an N-bandwidth signal f, consisting of B Lt N non-zero frequencies, using O(B2ldrpolylog(N)) time and O(B2 ldr polylog(N)) f-samples. DSFT works by taking advantage of natural aliasing phenomena to hash a frequency- sparse signal's FT information modulo O(B ldr polylog(N)) pairwise coprime numbers via O(B ldr polylog(N)) small Discrete Fourier Transforms. Number theoretic arguments then guarantee the original DFT frequencies/coefficients can be recovered via the Chinese Remainder Theorem. DSFT's usage of primes makes its runtime and signal sample requirements highly dependent on the sizes of sums and products of small primes. Our new bounds utilize analytic number theoretic techniques to generate improved (asymptotic) bounds for DSFT. As a result, we provide better bounds for the sampling complexity/number of low-rate analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) required to deterministically recover frequency-sparse wideband signals via DSFT in signal processing applications (Laska, 2006), (Kirolos et al., 2006).
Identification and emission factors of molecular tracers in organic aerosols from biomass burning Part 2. Deciduous trees

Abstract Smoke particulate matter from deciduous trees (angiosperms) subjected to controlled burning, both under smoldering and flaming conditions, was sampled by high volume air filtration on precleaned quartz fiber filters. The filtered particles were extracted with dichloromethane and the crude extracts were methylated for separation by thin layer chromatography into hydrocarbon, carbonyl, carboxylic acid ester and polar fractions. Then, the total extract and individual fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The major organic components directly emitted in smoke particles were straight chain aliphatic compounds from vegetation wax and triterpenoid acids (biomarkers) from gums and mucilages. The major natural products altered by combustion included derivatives from phenolic (lignin) and monosaccharide (cellulose) biopolymers and oxygenated and aromatic products from triterpenoids. Steroid biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were also present, however, as minor constituents. Although the concentrations of organic compounds in smoke aerosols are highly variable and dependent on combustion temperature, the biomarkers and their combustion alteration products are in these cases source specific. The major components are adsorbed or trapped on particulate matter and thus may be utilized as molecular tracers in the atmosphere for determining fuel type and source contributions from biomass burning.
Slow mapping: color word learning as a gradual inductive process.

Most current accounts of color word acquisition propose that the delay between children’s first production of color words and adult-like understanding is due to problems abstracting color as a domain of meaning. Here we present evidence against this hypothesis, and show that, from the time children produce color words in a labeling task they use them to represent color. In Experiment 1, an analysis of early color word errors finds that, before acquiring adult-like understanding, children make systematic hypotheses about color word meanings, which are best characterized as overextensions of adult meanings. Using a comprehension task, Experiment 2 finds that these overextensions are due to overly broad color categories, rather than a communicative strategy. These results indicate that the delay between production and adult-like understanding of color words is not due to difficulties abstracting color, but is largely attributable to the problem of determining the color boundaries marked by specific languages.
Structural characterization of polyetherimide-based carbon molecular sieve membranes

Supported carbon molecular sieve membranes (CMSMs) were prepared by the pyrolysis of a polyetherimide (PEI) polymeric precursor. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and micropore analysis, using gas adsorption techniques to relate their microstructure characteristics to their transport and separation characteristics. The analysis shows that preparation conditions determine whether the carbon molecular sieve layer forms within or outside the γ-alumina layer of the substrate. Micropore CO2 and N2 adsorption analysis of both supported and unsupported CMSMs showed a sharp peak at about (3.6–3.8) × 10−10 m using the Horvath-Kawazoe method. For the supported CMSMs it was observed that consecutive coating/carbonization steps reduced the pore volume in the micro- and mesoporous regions, without greatly affecting the volume of pores in the range of (3.5–6) × 10−10 m. The reduction of the pore volume in the micro- and mesoporous regions is accompanied by an increase in the separation factor and a decrease in the permeance after each coating/carbonization cycle. Micropore analysis of a membrane, whose performance had degraded, indicated that its volume of pores between (3.6–6) × 10−10 m had drastically decreased from the corresponding value of the as-prepared membranes.
Vascular myofibroblasts : Lessons from coronary repair and remodeling

Recent findings demonstrate that adventitial fibroblasts (i.e., nonmuscle cells) are endowed with several characteristics previously attributed to medial SM cells. The response of the coronary artery to balloon angioplasty is associated with the activation of adventitial cells in a porcine model. They appear to be the most reactive in the arterial wall, as reflected by the extent of proliferation and the synthesis of collagen. Differentiation of adventitial cells, which acquire alpha-SM actin, illustrates the formation of vascular myofibroblasts, a ubiquitous cellular mechanism of tissue repair. Myofibroblasts are involved in remodeling of the adventitia and may contribute to the formation of the neointima after balloon-induced coronary injury. These findings suggest that at least some synthetic SM-like cells present in intimal lesions may originate from medial or adventitial nonmuscle cells. Myofibroblasts also appear to play a role in other cardiovascular abnormalities (e.g., vein graft remodeling), which raises the possibility of targeted therapies.
Social Neuroscience: More Friends, More Problems…More Gray Matter?

The social brain hypothesis generically posits that increasing social group size relates is associated with an increase in neocortex size. A new study identifies, within a species, the specific neural circuit that may confer the primate ability to manage social relationships as they increase in number.
Detection of qualitative differences between the RNA of livers and kidneys of adult chickens and a temporal and regional study of liver RNA in chick embryos.

RNA preparations from livers and kidneys of adult chickens were qualitatively distinguished by DNA-RNA hybridizations involving double saturation experiments. This technique was used to study the temporal and regional synthesis of liver-like RNA in the developing chicken embryo. It was found that the amount of liver-like RNA in the embryo increases from two and one half days to three and one half days of development. Furthermore, this liver-like RNA was found in greater amounts in the areas of three and one half day embryos containing the differentiating liver rudiment.
TRAP, the trp RNA-binding attenuation protein of Bacillus subtilis, is a toroid-shaped molecule that binds transcripts containing GAG or UAG repeats separated by two nucleotides

Abstract The trp RNA-binding attenuation protein of Bacillus subtilis, TRAP, regulates both transcription and translation by binding to specific transcript sequences. The optimal transcript sequences required for TRAP binding were determined by measuring complex formation between purified TRAP protein and synthetic RNAs. RNAs were tested that contained repeats of different trinucleotide sequences, with differing spacing between the repeats. A transcript containing GAG repeats separated by two-nucleotide spacers was bound most tightly. In addition, transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the structure of TRAP and the TRAP-transcript complex. TRAP was observed to be a toroid-shaped oligomer when free or when bound to either a natural or a synthetic RNA.
Assessing the chemical accuracy of protein structures via peptide acidity

Abstract Although the protein native state is a Boltzmann conformational ensemble, practical applications often require a representative model from the most populated region of that distribution. The acidity of the backbone amides, as reflected in hydrogen exchange rates, is exquisitely sensitive to the surrounding charge and dielectric volume distribution. For each of four proteins, three independently determined X-ray structures of differing crystallographic resolution were used to predict exchange for the static solvent-exposed amide hydrogens. The average correlation coefficients range from 0.74 for ubiquitin to 0.93 for Pyrococcus furiosus rubredoxin, reflecting the larger range of experimental exchange rates exhibited by the latter protein. The exchange prediction errors modestly correlate with the crystallographic resolution. MODELLER 9v6-derived homology models at ~ 60% sequence identity (36% identity for chymotrypsin inhibitor CI2) yielded correlation coefficients that are ~ 0.1 smaller than for the cognate X-ray structures. The most recently deposited NOE-based ubiquitin structure and the original NMR structure of CI2 fail to provide statistically significant predictions of hydrogen exchange. However, the more recent RECOORD refinement study of CI2 yielded predictions comparable to the X-ray and homology model-based analyses.
Office 2007 at DePauw: a campus-wide rollout strategy

The transition from one version of any highly adopted productivity software to a new version within an institution is always a challenge. Productivity software application systems such as Microsoft Office are certainly not exempt from this. DePauw implemented Microsoft Office over 6 years ago and it has been universally adopted by faculty, staff members and students. We will examine the process in which DePauw University began the gradual process of upgrading everyone on campus to the newest releases of Office, for both Macintosh and PC users. Some of the topics to consider included: when to roll out the new versions; what staff members to include in the decision process and strategy sessions; delivery challenges; training and support; and the final timeline for deployment. First-year students that purchased program laptops this year from Dell had Office 2007 pre-installed on the computers. However, the rest of the student body, as well as the majority of faculty and staff members were still using Office 2003. Implementation, training, and support strategies all had to be readjusted to meet the needs of the campus. Today, Office 2003, 2004 and 2007 are all being used as students, staff and faculty members begin to make the transition to the new versions. By the fall of 2009, Office 2007/2008 will be the standard productivity tools at DePauw.
What Influences Students' Need for Remediation in College?: Evidence from California

This paper examines the relationship between students' need for remediation in college and the attributes of their high school. The analysis indicates reduced remediation need by students from high schools with more educated and experienced teachers, and higher remediation need by students with teachers operating on emergency credentials or waivers.