cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Movies as tourism promotion: A ‘pull’ factor in a ‘push’ location

Abstract There are many types of tourism promotion and many more potential sources of tourist attractions, but in the category of ‘hallmark events’ one type of attraction and promotion has been largely ignored. This paper states the case of motion picture films' ‘pulling’ potential of the US tourist. Along with the notion of US tourists travelling to movie sites within the USA the paper suggests that the movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’ increased awareness of Australia's attractions in the minds of potential travellers. Reasons for attraction potential appear to lie within the motivations of escape, pilgrimage and a quest for untainted environments. These motivations are illuminated for the viewing public through movie storylines offering extended periods of vicarious contact with the destination and its attraction features.
Stochastic optimal control for hybrid electric vehicles running on fixed routes

Fixed-route driving is very common in real world, and it is different from the fixed-cycle driving in which no uncertainties are included. However, most hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) energy management strategies are developed under fixed cycles and there is not guarantee of performance of these strategies under the real-world driving conditions. The knowledge of fixed-cycle HEV optimal control usually cannot be directly extended to fixed-route driving. In this paper, a stochastic optimal control approach for fixed-route HEV is presented. The historical data on the fixed route are utilized and a road-segment-based discrete stochastic model is constructed. The energy management optimization problem is solved using stochastic dynamic programming. Most of the computation tasks can be conducted off-line, so this method can be used for onboard implementation in real-time. A time-varying scaling method is used to generate fixed-route driving data in simulation based on a standard driving cycle. The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed stochastic optimal control strategy consumes only 1.0% more energy than the global optimal result after 24 trips on the fixed-route and outperforms the other real-time HEV energy management strategies.
Tobacco, Nicotine, and Headache

Background Migraineurs variably attribute the cause of their headache to tobacco exposure, whereas tobacco is often stated to cause headache-related disability worldwide. Given tobacco's physiological and emotional addictiveness and migraine's substantial economic impact, improved functionality can be difficult for those with migraine exposed to tobacco products. Environmental tobacco exposure in indoor spaces and workplaces is associated with exacerbation of headache. Avoidance of headache triggers is included in most comprehensive migraine treatment programs, yet tobacco awareness, avoidance, or coping is rarely emphasized as part of that regimen. Objective The aims of this study were to examine the various types of tobacco products to which headache sufferers are exposed and the known basic mechanisms by which tobacco (nicotine) exposure promotes headache pain, and to review the extensive literature on tobacco related to headache with a detailed descriptive narrative providing the basis for conclusions regarding association of noncluster headache-related tobacco exposure. Tobacco-related recommendations are offered. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched without yearly restriction through the date of submission (May 2015), using the MeSH terms “tobacco,” “tobacco products,” “smoking,” “tobacco use,” “headache,” and “headache disorders.” The selection of articles was not limited to English studies or to humans. Articles were excluded when “headache” and “tobacco” were not both mentioned with data provided. Case series were included. Bibliographies of all articles were screened for additional relevant articles. Results Although migraineurs worldwide report tobacco smoke among triggers, it is rarely among the highest in frequency, and biases abound with predominantly noncontrolled retrospective data. Prospective population-based diary data are extremely limited, and no controlled trials exist to confirm a cause and effect for headache of any type. Although some studies are nonsupportive and even conflicting, headache, pain, and tobacco exposure currently remain associated. Conclusion Conflicting data support the validity of patient-reported environmental tobacco exposure as a headache trigger. Prospective controlled studies are needed, but unlikely to be performed, to determine the extent that tobacco influences the headache process, in addition to other under-recognizedfactors. Meanwhile, because of numerous other negative health effects, decreased tobacco exposure should be recommended to headache patients of all ages in hopes of decreasing disability and improving functionality.
Environmental Protection, Agency Motivations, and Rent Extraction: The Regulation of Water Pollution in Louisiana

Direct environmental regulation has been in place in the United States for more than twenty-five years. Yet there has been little study of what actually affects regulatory enforcement levels. This study examines enforcement issues by focusing on water quality enforcement by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The study finds that penalties are more likely to occur, and are likely to be higher, the more serious a firm's violation of a regulation. Penalties are also more likely, and likely to be higher, if a firm has a previous record of environmental violations. In contrast to other studies, however, we do not find that enforcement varies across regional offices. In addition, we did not find any systematic effects of the Weingast and Moran (1983) theory of legislative dominance. We did, however, find evidence of rent extraction, along the lines of McChesney (1987; 1991).
Importance of Cysteines in the LDLR-Related Domain of the Subgroup A Avian Leukosis and Sarcoma Virus Receptor for Viral Entry

The extracellular domain of the subgroup A avian sarcoma and leukemia virus (ALSV-A) receptor contains a region that is related in sequence to the ligand-binding motifs of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). This domain contains six cysteines that are highly conserved between different members of the LDLR protein superfamily, and these residues are presumed to participate in intrachain disulfide bonds. To assess the importance of each cysteine in the ALSV-A receptor, individual or multiple cysteines were mutated to alanines and the altered receptors were tested for the ability to confer susceptibility to viral infection. Receptors bearing single mutations allowed subgroup A viral entry, albeit at less than wild-type levels. Receptors containing two or three substitutions were completely inactive if one of the changed residues was Cys-35 or Cys-50. Of the altered receptors tested, the only exception to this rule was a functional receptor which lacked both Cys-35 and Cys-50, an activity that was dependent on the presence of other cysteines in this protein. Most interestingly, a receptor containing both Cys-35 and Cys-50 but lacking the other four cysteines was completely functional. These results demonstrate the importance of Cys-35 and Cys-50 for viral entry mediated by the ALSV-A receptor and show that in the presence of these two residues, all of the other cysteines in this protein can be removed without loss of this function.
Effects of methyl jasmonate on phytoalexin production and aflatoxin control in the developing cotton boll

Artificially wounded 22–27-day old developing cotton bolls were initially inoculated with, (1) a cell-free, hot water-soluble mycelial extract (CFME) of an atoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus or with, (2) chitosan lactate (CHL) or with, (3) CFME or CHL and then exposed to gaseous methyl jasmonate (MJ) or, (4) exposed to MJ alone. Five days after these treatments, the induction of the sesquiterpenoid naphthol phytoalexins, 2,7-dihydroxycadalene (DHC) and 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy cadalene (HMC), lacinilene C, lacinilene C7-methyl ether, and the coumarin phytoalexin-scopoletin was determined on the excised carpel discs surrounding the inoculated surfaces of the developing cotton bolls. The results indicated a two- or three-fold increase in the production of the phytoalexins when gaseous MJ was added in combination to the CFME or the CHL elicitors. In a separate experiment, 22–27-day old developing cotton bolls were pretreated for a five-day period as described above and then a spore suspension of a toxigenic strain of A. flavus was introduced into a second artificial wound which was produced adjacent to the first wound. On boll maturity, the cottonseeds located within the locules underlying the areas that were pretreated with both elicitors and MJ then later infected with toxigenic A. flavus exhibited a 75–95% aflatoxin B1 inhibition. These results suggest a host defense mechanism which may be triggered by both elicitors and MJ.
Parasitic bulk resistances in junction-gate FETs

A practical method for evaluating parasitic bulk resistances in junction FETs is described. The method does not require a knowledge of the actual device geometry or dimensions. It is shown that parasitic bulk resistances make up a substantial portion of measured open-channel resistance.
A Digital Fractional-N PLL With a PVT and Mismatch Insensitive TDC Utilizing Equivalent Time Sampling Technique

A 6-bit time-to-digital converter that achieves mismatch free operation by using a single delay cell and sampling flip-flop is presented. The proposed TDC was integrated in a digital fractional-N PLL fabricated in a 32-nm digital SoC CMOS process for WiFi/WiMax radios. The TDC consumes 3 mW from a 1.05-V supply and occupies an area of 0.004 mm2. A digital frequency-locked loop is used to track and correct for PVT variations in the TDC and no additional linearization or mismatch calibrations are required. The DPLL uses a 20-bit high dynamic range DAC to drive a VCO in order to effectively realize a DCO with 100-Hz frequency resolution. The 2.5-GHz WiFi band LO output is generated from a 40-MHz reference with an integrated phase noise of - 35 dBc (10 kHz to 10 MHz) while consuming 21 mW . The worst case spur in the LO output is below - 50 dBc without requiring TDC mismatch and linearity calibration.
Modeling nonelectrostatic and electrostatic powder coating

Abstract The effect of particle size, density, charge and air velocity on transfer efficiency, evenness and separation of mixtures during powder coating was investigated using modeling and experimentation. Electrostatic and nonelectrostatic coating was tested using 28, 234 and 342 μm NaCl and 195 μm starch powders. Transfer efficiency increased as particle size, density or charge increased or as air velocity decreased. Evenness increased as particle size or density decreased, as velocity increased, or as charge increased to a peak. Electrostatic coating produced higher transfer efficiency and evenness than nonelectrostatic coating. Improvement in transfer efficiency and evenness due to electrostatics increased as NaCl size, density, charge or air velocity decreased. Powder mixtures did not separate by size during coating but did separate by density and charge. Starch was affected more by the collisions and charging than NaCl, which caused the separation.
Interaction of particle-bound [125I]C3b, the third component of complement, with specific receptors on human B-lymphoblastoid cells (RAJI)

Taking advantage of the high density of the complex formed between the C3b receptor on cultured B-lymphoblastoid cells and particle-bound C3b, some properties of their interaction were studied. The process had an apparent dissociation constant equal to 10(-7) M. Thus particle-bound C3b has a higher affinity for C3b receptor than soluble C3b. Moreover, analysis of dissociation rate of particle-bound C3b-C3b receptor complexes suggested that a cooperative effect was induced at the cell surface by particle-bound C3b but not by soluble C3b. The most suitable explanations of these data are discussed.
A generalized treatment of the energetics of translating continua, Part I : Strings and second order tensioned pipes

The energetics of translating one-dimensional uniform strings and highly tensioned pipes with vanishing bending stiffness and flowing fluid are analyzed for fixed, free and damped boundary conditions. The interaction between the translating continua and the boundary supports causes energy transfer. At a fixed boundary, the transverse component of tension does work, and the Coriolis forces at a free-end cause energy flux into the second-order continuum. Under a symmetric boundary configuration, the total energy of free oscillation varies periodically at the fundamental natural frequency. Asymmetric boundary supports in the pipe-fluid system lead to damped or self-excited motions. At a viscously damped boundary, the condition for maximal energy dissipation, the destabilizing effect of dissipation and the stabilizing effect of negative damping are examined analytically using travelling wave solutions. The energies transferred at the different boundary supports are quantified by energy reflection coefficients which are determined completely by the boundary conditions. Numerical simulations verify the analytically predicted energy variations.
Molecular dissection of subunit interfaces in the acetylcholine receptor: identification of residues that determine curare selectivity

The acetylcholine receptor from vertebrate skeletal muscle is a transmembrane channel that binds nerve-released acetylcholine to elicit rapid transport of small cations. Composed of two alpha subunits and one beta, one gamma, and one delta subunit, the receptor is a cooperative protein containing two sites that bind agonists, curariform antagonists, and snake alpha-toxins. Until recently the two binding sites were thought to reside entirely within each of the two alpha subunits, but affinity labeling and expression studies have demonstrated contributions by the gamma and delta subunits. Affinity labeling and mutagenesis studies have identified residues of the alpha subunit that contribute to the binding site, but the corresponding gamma- and delta-subunit residues remain unknown. By making gamma-delta chimeras and following the nearly 100-fold difference in curare affinity for the two binding sites, the present work identified residues of the gamma and delta subunits likely to be near the binding site. Two sets of binding determinants were identified in homologous positions of the gamma and delta subunits. The determinants lie on either side of a disulfide loop found within the major extracellular domain of the subunits. This loop is common to all acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyrate, and glycine receptor subunits.
Topologies larger than α-compact topologies

Abstract Let 〈X, T 〉 be an α-compact space in the sense of Herrlich and let T ' be a Tychonoff topology on X such that T ⊂ T '. Conditions for α-compactness of T ' are obtained which continue work of Comfort, Retta, Williams, and others. Studies of Kato, Van Douwen, Williams, and others are also continued by obtaining sufficient conditions for α-compactness of partial box products of families of α-compact spaces.
Environmental contamination because of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii surrounding colonized or infected patients.

Background Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) is an important nosocomial pathogen associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of intensive care unit patients colonized or infected with MDR-AB at a tertiary care hospital from October 2008 to January 2009. For each patient, 10 surfaces in the patient room were sampled and evaluated for the presence of A baumannii . Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on all environmental isolates and a clinical isolate if available. Results Fifty rooms were sampled; 48% (24/50) were positive at 1 or more environmental sites. Supply carts (10/50, 20%), floors (8/50, 16%), infusion pumps (7/50, 14%), and ventilator touch pads (5/44, 11.4%) were most commonly contaminated. Patients with a recent history of MDR-AB were no more likely to contaminate their environment than patients with a remote history (51% vs 36%, respectively, P value=.50). In 85% (17/20) of cases, the environmental isolate was classified as genetically similar to the patient isolate. Conclusion For patients with MDR-AB, the surrounding environment is frequently contaminated, even among patients with a remote history of MDR-AB. Surfaces often touched by health care workers during routine patient care are commonly contaminated and may be a source of nosocomial spread.
Experiments with Whistling Machines

This text describes a series of experiments performed with a machine capable of synthesizing human whistles and canary song. We call this device The Universal Whistling Machine (U.W.M.). It senses the presence of living creatures in its vicinity and attracts them with a signa-ture whistle. Given a response whistle, U.W.M. counters with its own composition, based on a time-frequency analysis of the response. Here the authors present a broad overview of all issues U.W.M. touches upon, including animal-machine interaction.
Children's perceptions of occupational sex stereotypes

Female and male children ranging in age from 21/2 to 8 years were asked to indicate for each of 10 occupations whether a male or a female adult would be most likely to engage in the occupation. Five traditionally male and five traditionally female occupations were presented in random orders. The results indicated that the children at each age level made a significant distinction between the two occupational groupings, with the extent of the distinction increasing with age level. There were no significant effects involving the sex of the children. The results were interpreted as indicating the learning of adult stereotypes concerning the sex appropriateness of occupations by children as young as 21/2; years old. The potential implications of this sex stereotype for actual career decisions and aspirations were discussed.
The antifibrotic effects of relaxin in human renal fibroblasts are mediated in part by inhibition of the Smad2 pathway2

The antifibrotic effects of relaxin in human renal fibroblasts are mediated in part by inhibition of the Smad2 pathway. Background The peptide hormone relaxin has been demonstrated to exert antifibrotic effects in renal and extrarenal tissues. The aims of this study were to identify potential anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin on human renal fibroblasts in vitro and to analyze their mechanisms. Methods All experiments were performed in established renal fibroblast cell lines and in primary cortical fibroblasts. Effects of relaxin were analyzed on cell proliferation, apoptosis, activation of renal fibroblasts, synthesis and secretion of collagen type I and fibronectin, as well as on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Effects on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) receptor binding were analyzed by flow cytometry and on TGF-β1 signal transduction by immunoblot analyses for Smad4 and 7, translocation from cytosol to nucleus for Smad2 and 3 as well as for phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of p38, c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Finally, specific siRNAs for Smad2 and 3 were applied to assess the signal transduction pathway. Results After stimulation with relaxin, tyrosine phosphorylation of a 220 kD protein was demonstrated, indicating interaction with the receptor. Relaxin had only modest inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, and no effects on apoptosis. Conversely, relaxin exerted robust effects on TGF-β1-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation as well as on matrix synthesis and secretion even at the smallest dose tested. The secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was induced noticeably by all investigated relaxin concentrations. TGF-β1 receptor binding was not influenced by relaxin; however, it prevented Smad2 phosphorylation, translocation to nucleus, and complex formation between Smad2 and 3 indicating a possible interaction with TGF-β1 signaling. These findings were corroborated by studies using siRNAs to Smad2 and 3 where siRNA to Smad2 but not to Smad3 inhibited the TGF-β1 induction of fibronectin synthesis. There was no influence of relaxin on intracellular Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7 translocation or phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Conclusion Relaxin is a potent inhibitor of TGF-β1-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and secretion as well as fibroblast activation. Furthermore, it induces ECM degradation by induction of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These effects are mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling.
Health sense: a gedanken experiment on persuasive wearable technology for health awareness

In this paper, we introduce a gedanken experiment for increasing health awareness in children through wearable computing. The proposed system, Health Sense, seeks to create a sixth health sense through wearable computing components that unobtrusively sense and ambiently present wellness information in intuitive and holistic ways to children. The novelty of this experiment lies in providing an ecosystem of plug-and-play wearable components that is geared towards health education and child empowerment through a "you build it" approach. Health Sense is informed by findings from prior research in wearable systems and a literature analysis of health behavior and children's education theories. We illustrate the Health Sense design by discussing some preliminary prototypes we developed.
Mutational analysis of Agrobacterium tumefaciens pTiA6 virD1: identification of functionally important residues

Summary Mutagenesis experiments were used to identify functionally important regions of Agrobacterium tumefaciens pTiA6 VirD1. Random mutations were introduced by using Taq polymerase in a mutagenic reaction buffer containing manganese and altered nucleotide ratios to increase errors during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mutants were assayed for VirD1-, VirD2-dependent border-nicking activity in Escherichia coli harbouring a border-containing substrate plasmid. Analysis of the mutants led to the identification of a region from amino acids 45–60 that is important for VirD1 activity. This region corresponds to a previously postulated potential DNA-binding domain. Deletion mutagenesis indicated that amino acids 2–16 could be deleted without affecting VirD1 function, whereas a larger deletion, amino acids 5–27, completely inactivated VirD1.
Multiple Shifts for Testing Cockerels

Abstract DURING the first 8 years of selection at this laboratory for genetic resistance to leucosis combined with other traits of economic value, it was our practice to leave each male in his breeding pen throughout the entire hatching season of 8 to 10 weeks. By 1942 it was evident that, while marked improvement had been made in the first three years, progress thereafter had been almost nil. It was equally clear why improvement had stopped. We had tried each year to find enough good proven sires to head at least 25 percent of the breeding pens. During the first 5 years, the average number of pens used for the two resistant lines together was only 13.2, but, among the 10 cockerels or so tested annually, it was seldom possible to find 3 or 4 proven sires that could be used again without considerable misgivings. In 1940 to 1942, the average …
Complete carbon and nitrogen budgets for the hydromedusa Cladonema californicum (Anthomedusa: Cladonemidae)

Complete carbon and nitrogen budgets were constructed for a single cohort of the hydromedusaCladonema californicum Hyman, 1947, collected in 1984 from Santa Catalina Island, California, USA. The budgets accounted for 62 to 84% (average = 74%) of ingested C and 60 to 108% (average = 84%) of ingested N. During most of the medusan life cycle, expenditures for growth exceeded those for metabolism and dissolved organic release (DOR). The gross growth efficiency was lower for C than for N; different conversion rates of C and N are discussed in terms of C:N ratios and budget balances for predator and prey. Growth rates, egg production, and C and N composition ofC. californicum were quite different from those of neritic ctenophores, indicating that gelatinous predators may be a physiologically diverse group.
On the behavior over long time intervals of finite difference and finite element approximations to first order hyperbolic systems

Abstract Standard error estimates for approximations to hyperbolic equations are only valid over a finite time interval. This paper considers the behavior of the error in the two most common discretization schemes over the entire interval 0 ⩽ t Finite difference approximations are analyzed for approximating the Cauchy problem for hyperbolic systems. It is recalled that, if the system is dissipative, error estimates that are global in t can be obtained. For strictly conservative systems, the role of local energy decay is pointed out and used to obtain global in t local in x error estimates. Finite element methods are considered for nonlinear, initial, boundary value problems for hyperbolic systems. It is proven that if the nonlinear term is locally Lipschitz and the equation is dissipative when linearized about the true solution, then global in t convergence follows with the expected rates.
Rethinking multi-level governance in a changing European union: why metageography and territoriality matter

The literature on multi-level governance in Europe offers important insights into the institutional character of emerging spaces of political practice and the ways in which they are part of a politics of scale that has been unleashed in the wake of neo-liberal reform. What is less clear is the extent to which new multi-level governance arrangements are moving Europe beyond a political geography rooted in the Westphalian state system. This paper argues that a deepened understanding of the possibilities and limitations of multi-level governance requires consideration of the emerging territorial arrangements and practices that are shaping how things are organized on the ground and how people conceptualize Europe as a geographical construct. Focusing on questions of territoriality and metageography can offer insights into the socio-political significance of multi-level governance while directing attention to developments that have the potential to undermine dominant political-territorial framings of Europe.
Language of the PurSuit: Cary Grant's clothes in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest

Lehmann uses the structuralist approach of Roland Barthes to analyze Hitchcock's North by Northwest. He argues that the film and Cary Grant's role are best explained by looking at appearances - because they are deceptive - and not at hermeneutical codes, cinematic quotations, or self-referential truths. Lehmann believes his argument is exemplified by Grant's suit, which exerts a continuous presence throughout the duration of the film and thus stands analogous to the suit's normative presence in men's fashion throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Continuous Recycling in the Homogenization of Relatively Small Samples

Summary The mathematical relationships governing continuous recycling in the homogenization of small samples have been derived and compared with experimentally determined relationships. Distribution curves have been obtained showing the fraction of milk at any time t which has undergone p homogenizations. An empirical equation has been derived, showing the relationship in intermittent recycling between the degree of homogenization as measured by turbidity, and the number of homogenizations. Combining the equations defining the distribution curve with the empirical equation permits the calculation of the degree of homogenization at any time t of a sample undergoing continuous recycling in homogenization.
The use of c8-octyl columns for the analysis of catecholamines by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography with amperometric detection.

Abstract The chromatographic behavior of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid on octylsilane (C8) reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography columns was observed under various mobile phase conditions including manipulations of pH, pairing ion and methanol concentrations. The optimum isocratic conditions permitting quantitative resolution of these substances in minimum time and with maximum detector response were determined. Employing a pH 3.0–3.2 mobile phase comprising an aqueous buffer solution containing 0.1 M NaH2PO4, 0.1 mM EDTA, and 0.2 mM 1-octanesulfonate, admixed with a volume of methanol equal to 4% of the aqueous volume, the performance of the C8 columns compares favorably to that of the more widely used C18 columns. The column eluates were monitored with an amperometric detector utilizing a glassy-carbon flow-cell electrode. The detector response for NE was 1.5–2.0 nA/ng and the baseline noise was as little as 0.002 nA thereby permitting quantitation of 5-pg levels or more in the injected samples. By coupling the liquid chromatographic system to a procedure which eliminates non-catechol contaminants from the neuronal and body fluid specimens by alumina adsorption of the catechols, a sensitive and dependable method was developed and employed for the determination of catechol levels in discrete regions of rat brain, cat spinal cord, and in human plasma.
Developmental expression of cytochrome CYP26B1 (P450RAI-2) in human cephalic tissues.

Abstract Expression levels of cytochrome CYP26B1, which is involved in the specific all- trans -RA inactivation, were evaluated in human cephalic tissues at gestational days 57–110 and exhibited values approximately 10-fold higher than later gestational days 112–224 and adult tissues. CYP26B1 mRNA levels in the adult cerebellum were approximately 2-fold higher than in the adult whole brain tissue. Considered together, these data suggest a unique role for CYP26B1 during human brain development.
Natural transformation of Thermotoga sp. strain RQ7

Background Thermotoga species are organisms of enormous interest from a biotechnological as well as evolutionary point of view. Genetic modifications of Thermotoga spp. are often desired in order to fully release their multifarious potentials. Effective transformation of recombinant DNA into these bacteria constitutes a critical step of such efforts. This study aims to establish natural competency in Thermotoga spp. and to provide a convenient method to transform these organisms.
Method comparisons for particulate nitrate, elemental carbon, and PM2.5 mass in seven U.S. cities.

ABSTRACT Methods that measure PM25 mass, total particulate NO3 -, and elemental carbon (EC) were evaluated in seven U.S. cities from 1997 to 1999. Sampling was performed in Bakersfield, CA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; and Riverside, CA. Evaluating and validating methods that measure the components of fine mass are important to the effort of establishing a speciation-monitoring network. The Harvard Impactor (HI), which measures fine particle mass, showed excellent agreement (r2 = 0.99) with the PM25 Federal Reference Method (FRM) for 81 24-hr samples in Riverside and Bakersfield. The HI also showed good precision (4.8%) for 243 24-hr collocated samples over eight studies. The Aethalometer was employed in six of the sampling locations to measure black carbon (BC). These values were compared to EC as measured from a quartz filter using thermal analysis. For the six cities combined, the two methods were highly correlated (r2 = 0.94; 187 24-hr samples); however, the BC v...
Rod-cone interaction on large and small backgrounds.

Abstract The sensitivity of the rod system to a small test flash is reduced when a concentric background excites cones. For most observers, this rod-cone interaction is greater on small backgrounds than on large backgrounds. However, some observers show nearly equal interaction on both small and large backgrounds. For all observers, the magnitude of interaction on large backgrounds increases with increased background illuminance. Thus, increases of background illuminance can reduce the differences among observers, but some differences remain. The residual differences may represent fundamental differences among observers or the effect of some unexamined parameter.
Collapsing functions based on recursively large ordinals: A well-ordering proof for KPM

It is shown how the strong ordinal notation systems that figure in proof theory and have been previously defined by employing large cardinals, can be developed directly on the basis of their recursively large counterparts. Thereby we provide a completely new approach to well-ordering proofs as will be exemplified by determining the proof-theoretic ordinal of the systemKPM of [R91].
A Dynamic Model of Product Quality and Pricing Decisions on Sales Response

This paper presents a dynamic model that examines the influence of price and customer perception of product quality on the sales rate of a firm producing durable goods. The sales rate of the firm is modeled as a function of its price, average product life, perceived quality, and market potential. Specifically, the model considers: (1) the process by which perceived quality is determined by including the effects of the average life of a product and quality weighted units in the market; (2) the time delay in the influence of actual quality on perceived quality; (3) the process by which demand (i.e., potential sales) is converted to realized sales due to the effects of price and perceived quality; and (4) the saturation effect and associated non-linearity in the demand function. The model presented is a reformulation and extension of the model originally proposed by Bass [2]. The validity of the model is tested using historical data on For Mustang.
A review of the epidemiology of 1,3-butadiene and chloroprene.

Abstract Butadiene epidemiologic research has focused primarily on one cohort of workers in the North American styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) industry and on the largest cohort of workers in the United States butadiene monomer industry. The most recent studies of these populations are characterized by carefully enumerated study populations, extremely long and high quality mortality follow-up, accurate job categorizations, detailed exposure assessments, and comprehensive statistical analyses. Leukemia was clearly associated with increasing estimated butadiene exposure in the SBR study, but not in the monomer industry study. This has lead to hypotheses about exposure differences between these two industries and the presence of co-factors or confounders in the SBR industry. Research presented at this symposium should shed some light on these hypotheses. The chloroprene epidemiologic literature, on the other hand, is in an early stage of development. The existing studies are limited by poor exposure characterization, lack of control of potential confounding factors, incompleteness in cohort enumeration, short follow-up periods, and small numbers of cancer cases. The state of the science for chloroprene would be advanced by arranging more comprehensive studies than those that have been conducted to date.
Isolation and structural and genetic analysis of the mouse enkephalin gene and its d(AC/TG)n repeats.

Enkephalins, the endogenous opioids, mediate a wide variety of intercellular communications through ontogeny and their involvement has been suggested in drug addiction and alcohol abuse as well as in various neuropsychiatric disorders. In order to generate a genetic model, we have isolated the mouse enkephalin (mENK) gene, analyzed its regulatory region and compared its structure to the well characterized rat ENK (rENK) gene. We analyzed 2600 bp and found 3 highly homologous regions: The highest level (98%) of positional and sequence homology between mice and rats was in the TATA/proximal regulatory region. This region contains all the inducible regulatory elements (enkCREl, NF1, AP-2, NFkB, etc.) and also an octamer-like element at -543 bp. This high homology is interrupted in both mice and rats by the typically polymorphic d(AC/TG)n and d(TC/GA)n dinucleotide repeats positioned between nucleotides -670 and -950. The position and orientation of these repetitive elements differ substantially in the two sp...
Ba3NbFe3Si2O14: A New Multiferroic with a 2D Triangular Fe3+ Motif

Single crystals of the new multiferroic Ba3NbFe3Si2O14 have been synthesized and characterized via X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, NMR, and electric polarization measurements. The underlying topology of the Fe 3+ spins is composed of isolated triangular units stacked in 2D layers along the c-direction of the trigonal lattice. Magnetic susceptibility experiments verify the spin state of the iron moments (S = 5/2), and large antiferromagnetic interactions with θ = −190 K. A cusp in the susceptibility and lambda-like feature in the specific heat indicate a magnetic phase transition at TN = 26 K, resulting in a frustration index of f = 7. A significant amount of spin entropy is released at higher temperatures, suggestive of short-ranged magnetic correlations developing at 50 K (as evidenced by features in the specific heat and thermal conductivity). The development of a spontaneous electric polarization below 26 K verifies that Ba3NbFe3Si2O14 is a multiferroic.
A Pain in the Neck and Colon Polyps

Question: A 26-year-old man presented to our clinic with a 3-year history of intermittent hematochezia, in addition to a number of growths over his body. Three years prior, he noticed a pea sized right neck growth, which over the past few years has grown to 38 cm in diameter. He also has developed a 10to 13-cm, left neck mass and multiple growths on his back. Recent magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a diffusely infiltrating, soft tissue, fibrous tumor involving the upper back and posterior paraspinous soft tissues, consistent with a desmoid tumor (Figure A). Photographs of the desmoid tumors are shown in Figure B. lthough they caused him pain with head movement, these growths had not been previously evaluated. Physical examination also evealed a number of osteomas on his head and multiple epidermoid cysts on his back and anterior thorax. Colonoscopy to investigate the cause of hematochezia revealed 250 tubular, tubulovillous, and villous adenomas throughout he colon, up to 5 cm in size (Figure C). Restorative proctocolectomy was performed and numerous polyps were found, but no evidence of invasive carcinoma was identified. What is the diagnosis? Look on page 1259 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Ten Year Persistence of an Epidemic Burkholderia cepacia Clone in a Large Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Center

Ten Year Persistence of an Epidemic Burkholderia cepacia Clone in a Large Cystic Fibrosis Treatment Center
Computers more capable, less costly

During the past four decades of computer development, diminishing size of the integrated circuit has led to exponential increases in the capability of semiconductor chips and a steady decrease in the costs of computing. The size reduction of circuit components has resulted in a series of problems of an ultimate limit decrease and in the introduction of natural smallness barriers involving quantum effects. Techniques for fabricating microminiature chips are size limited for similar reasons. There is a marked increase in research being done in submicrometer dimension circuitry. Recently, Cornell University dedicated a new multimillion dollar building to be headquarters for the National Research and Resource Facility for Submicron Structures.
Deviation from exponential decay for spin waves excited with a coplanar waveguide antenna

We have investigated the propagation of surface spin waves in a Permalloy thin film excited by an asymmetric coplanar antenna. A surprising oscillatory behavior superimposed on the exponential decay is observed in the spin wave intensity mapped with the micro-Brillouin light scattering technique. The oscillations can be modeled as the interference between a propagating spin wave and a background magnetization with spatially uniform phase. We use a simple closed-form equation that includes both contributions to fit our experimental results. From the fit results, we extract the spin wave propagation length and the spin wave vector in a frequency range limited by the antenna bandwidth.
PLASTICITY OF ICE AND SAND-ICE SYSTEMS

The experimental deformation of ice and sand-ice systems is compared with predictions based upon plasticity theory. Properties of the materials were determined under various temperatures, confining pressures, and loading rates using conventional triaxial compression tests. Samples were indented at atmospheric pressure using flat punches and sharp wedges at two loading rates and calculated force-displacement relationships were determined for the Von Mises, coulomb, and parabolic yield conditions. Comparison of the results of the experiments with the computations indicates that the force-displacement relationships for ice and sand-ice samples can be approximated using plasticity theory. /AUTHOR/
Effect of growth parameters on TiO2 thin films deposited using MOCVD

The goal of this paper is to characterize the performance of an inverted vertical MOCVD reactor used for the deposition of titanium dioxide thin films. Utilizing two- and three-dimensional numerical simulation to gain a more complete understanding of the fundamental relationships underlying the epitaxial growth process, we develop a model to predict gas velocity, temperature distribution, concentration of reactant gas, and deposition rate. A 3D model is used to explain experimentally observed off-axis deposition of grown films. The model is also used to find the control mechanism for different process conditions. Simulations are compared to experimental results, and excellent agreement is obtained.
A Decade of Type 3 Radio Aurora Studies: Toward and Away from the EIC Interpretation.

Auroral-zone VHF radars operating near 50 MHz often receive a type of coherent backscatter from ionospheric irregularities that is characterized by narrow spectra with mean Doppler velocities below the ion-acoustic velocity. Because these echoes are distinctly different from the familiar type 1 and type 2 echoes, they were deemed to represent a new class and were named type 3. In the mid 1980's, there evolved the idea that the plasma physical mechanism leading to auroral type 3 backscatter involves electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves. Further observations made in subsequent years seemed to support this interpretation. However, refined measurements and data analysis carriedd out in recent years, uncovered substantial disagreement between 50-MHz type 3 radar observations and predictions from EIC theories. The most obvious discrepancies between theory and observations include the Doppler frequency dependence of type 3 echoes on the radar frequency, their backscatter altitude, their magnetic aspect angle dependence, and their most common mean Doppler frequency. As a result, the idea of type 3 radio aurora being associated with EIC waves has lost support from the radio science community. Although work on finding an explanation for type 3 backscatter continues, no new interpretation has yet found wide support.
Laboratory experiments with a finite-horizon job-search model

In this article we explain the essential role of controlled experiments in testing job-search models. We derive the testable implications of a finite-horizon job-search model and lay out the design of the controlled experiments that we use to test those implications. We present the results of several parametric and nonparametric tests, all conditional on the actual draws of the wage offers. Overall, we find close agreement between the predictions of the search model and observations of search duration and income for several experimental treatments.
FIRST OBSERVATIONS OF PODDING BEHAVIOR FOR THE PACIFIC LYRE CRAB HYAS LYRATUS (DECAPODA: MAJIDAE)

ABSTRACT This paper reports the first observations of podding behavior (aggregation) for the Pacific lyre crab Hyas lyratus near Kodiak Island, Alaska. Pods containing approximately 2,000 crabs of both sexes were observed on 2 separate occasions during dives in the 2-person submersible Delta in April 1991. The pods appeared to be mating aggregations. The pods occurred in an average depth of 115 m.
TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β1 (TGFβ1) INHIBITS PROUFERATION BUT DOES NOT INDUCE DIFFERENTIATION IN INFANT RENAL EPITHEUAL CELLS

TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β1 (TGFβ1) INHIBITS PROUFERATION BUT DOES NOT INDUCE DIFFERENTIATION IN INFANT RENAL EPITHEUAL CELLS
Probability Density Function For Estimates Of The Moments Of Laser Scintillation

ABSTRACT The statistics of laser scintillation have been studied for many years. The random fluctuations are describedby the probability density function (PDF). A rigorous solution for the PDF exists only for weak scattering (lognormal PDF) and very strong scattering (negative exponential PDF). Many models for a general PDF have beenproposed, and a common method of analysis has been the comparison of the moments of the PDF with experi-mental data. The accuracy of these experimental estimates for the moments is difficult to determine theoreti-cally. The statistical behavior of these estimates for the moments is determined by simulation of actual experi-mental procedures assuming various models for the true PDF. Realizations for histograms of digitized data is gen- erated using binomial random deviates. The only parameters required are the total number of statistically independent data samples collected and the average value for each data sample, which depends on the modelPDF. Each realization for the histogram generates a realization for the moments. The PDF of these estimates forthe moments is approximated by producing a histogram of a large number of such realizations. The PDF of theestimates for the moments then provides reliable confidence intervals. The behavior of the confidence limits ispresented for common models for the PDF of laser scintillation.
The H ρ of the High Energy Internal Conversion Electrons from Thorium D

The absolute ${H}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ of the $K$ internal conversion electrons from the 2.6-Mev gamma-ray of ThD has been measured using a 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} magnetic spectrometer whose field was calibrated with the proton magnetic resonance. With a proton resonance frequency, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{P}$, of 3.75 megacycles, corresponding to a field of 880 gauss and an electron radius, $\ensuremath{\rho}$, of 11.4 cm, the value ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{P\ensuremath{\rho}}=42.528\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.008$ megacycle cm was obtained for the line. This is equivalent, through the proton gyromagnetic ratio, to an ${H}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}={9988}_{.4}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$ gauss cm.
Cloning, Overproduction, and Characterization of the Escherichia coli Holo-acyl Carrier Protein Synthase (∗)

Holo-acyl carrier protein synthase (ACPS) transfers the 4′-phosphopantetheine (4′-PP) moiety from coenzyme A (CoA) to Ser-36 of acyl carrier protein (ACP) in Escherichia coli. This post-translational modification renders holo-ACP capable of acyl group activation via thioesterification of the cysteamine thiol of 4′-PP. We have purified E. coli ACPS to near homogeneity by exploiting the ability to refold ACPS and reconstitute its activity after elution from an apo-ACP affinity column under denaturing conditions. N-terminal sequencing of ACPS allowed us to identify dpj, an essential gene of previously unknown function, as the structural gene for ACPS. We report herein the 70,000-fold purification of wild-type ACPS and the overproduction and initial characterization of recombinant ACPS from E. coli.