cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical Equilibrium Computations for Gasification of Biomass to Produce Methanol

Gasification of biomass into synthesis gas is the first step in producing methanol from biomass. Catalytic conversion of the gas produced by the gasifier into methanol is strongly affected by the composition of the product gas. It is thus important to know what the gas composition would be under different gasification conditions and to be able to identify those conditions that would be optimal for methanol production. A computer program is developed to determine the equilibrium composition of biomass gasification products under various conditions. The theoretical influence of temperature, pressure, moisture, and equivalence ratio on gasification is analyzed. The equilibrium computations are used to define appropriate gasification conditions for methanol production and related gasification parameters. By judiciously adjusting certain gasification parameters, it appears that one can optimize the gas generated from biomass for subsequent synthesis into methanol. Energy balances and theoretical methanol yield...
Project Management Application for Engineering Program Accreditation Preparation

This paper presents guidelines for applying project management tools and techniques to the process of preparing for a program accreditation site visit. The premise of the paper is that the proven tools and techniques of project management are effective in managing all the steps required in accreditation preparation as well as postvisit followups. The basic lesson offered by the paper’s approach is that accreditation preparation should not be turned into a last-minute crash project. Rather, proactive preparation steps should be instituted early to facilitate communication, cooperation, and coordination of the entire process. The guidelines provided in the paper are useful not only for program review, but also for continuous process and curriculum improvement. The paper cites two graduate program examples of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. preparation at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Comments on “Representation theorems for semilocal and bounded linear shift-invariant operators on sequences”

Abstract In the very nice paper by Hughett (1998) a result is given to the effect that a discrete-time time-invariant linear input–output map defined on the set of bounded inputs on the integers has an absolutely-convergent convolution representation if and only if the map is semilocal in a certain sense. One purpose of this note is to briefly direct attention to earlier more-general results along these lines that address multivariable system maps that are not necessarily shift-invariant. Another purpose is direct attention to closely related material concerning continuous-time and continuous-space systems.
Evidence of Lung Function for Stratification of Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Among adults in the United States, the prevalence of reduced lung function including obstructive and restrictive lung disease is about 20%, representing an over 40 million adults. Persons with reduced lung function often demonstrate chronic systemic inflammation, such as from elevated levels of C-reactive protein. Substantial data suggests that inflammation may have a significant role in the association between reduced lung function and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, how reduced lung function predicts CVD as risk modification remains largely unknown. Poor lung function has been shown to be a better predictor of all-cause and cardiac-specific mortality than established risk factors such as serum cholesterol, and CVD is the leading cause of mortality among those with impaired lung function. The exact mechanism of atherosclerosis is not clear, but persistent low grade inflammation is considered as one of the culprits in clot formation. The initial presentation of coronary heart disease is either myocardial infarction or sudden death in approximately half of the individuals. Unfortunately, conventional risk factor assessment predicts only 65-80% of future cardiovascular events, leaving many middle-aged and older individuals to manifest a major cardiovascular event despite being classified low risk by the Framingham risk estimates.
Determining optimum operating characteristics for a continuous processing machine centre

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate an approach to determining a minimum cost operating regimen for n continuous processing machine centre. A variational analysis is employed to determine an optimal processing trajectory, and from this an approach to establishing an upperbound on the theoretical number of machines employed in processing can be established
Soil carbon and nitrogen in 28-year-old land uses in reclaimed coal mine soils of Ohio

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) play an important role in the restoration of ecosystem function of reclaimed mine soils (RMSs). Postreclamation land use in RMSs affects soil C and N pools and fluxes. We compared the effects of 28-yr-old postreclamation land uses (forest, hay, and pasture) on selected chemical properties of soil, and C and N pools in reference to undisturbed forest and moderately disturbed agricultural land use in southeastern Ohio. The electrical conductivity was higher in RMSs under hay than that in pasture and forest land uses. The RMSs under pasture, hay, and forest had moderately acidic, neutral to slightly alkaline, and slightly alkaline pH, respectively. In the 0- to 5-cm soil depth, soil organic C(SOC) was higher in RMSs under pasture by 99% and under hay by 52% over that under forest. Similarly, total nitrogen (TN) was higher in RMSs under pasture by 98% and under hay by 43% over that under forest. Aggregate-associated SOC concentration in the 0- to 5-cm depth decreased in the order of RMSs under hay > RMSs under pasture > RMSs under forest. The SOC pools in the 0- to 30-cm depth decreased in the order of RMSs under hay = RMSs undermore » pasture > RMSs under forest = undisturbed forest = agriculture land use. Nitrogen pools followed a similar trend. Hay land use has a better potential for improving soil quality in RMSs by enhancing chemical properties and SOC and TN pools than forest or pasture land uses.« less
An Internal Model for Sensorimotor Integration

On the basis of computational studies it has been proposed that the central nervous system internally simulates the dynamic behavior of the motor system in planning, control, and learning; the existence and use of such an internal model is still under debate. A sensorimotor integration task was investigated in which participants estimated the location of one of their hands at the end of movements made in the dark and under externally imposed forces. The temporal propagation of errors in this task was analyzed within the theoretical framework of optimal state estimation. These results provide direct support for the existence of an internal model.
A technique for internal fixation of scapulohumeral luxation using scapulohumeral tension sutures in three alpacas and one miniature steer.

Objective— To report a technique for open reduction and internal fixation of scapulohumeral joint luxation in large animals, and outcome. Study Design— Clinical case reports. Animals— Mature alpacas (n=3) and immature miniature steer (1). Methods— Shoulder joint luxation was diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by radiography. Open reduction was performed with internal fixation using lateral tension band sutures. Results— Animals maintained shoulder joint reduction and were sound with radiographically normal shoulder joints (n=2) and normal range of motion without appreciable gait abnormalities (4) at follow-up 8–36 months later. Conclusions— In contrast to previous reports of open reduction with internal fixation of shoulder joint luxation in large animals, open reduction and use of lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures resulted in functionally normal shoulder joints. Clinical Relevance— Stabilization of the shoulder joint with lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures after open reduction is effective, technically simple, and should be considered in large animal species weighing <100 kg.
ESR in X-irradiated As2O3 glass

Abstract X-irradiation of glassy As2O3 at 77K or 300K produces an unusually large density (∼5×1018 cm-3) of paramagnetic centers which are stable at 300K. The average spin-Hamiltonian parameters (g = 1.998, g⊥ = 1.984, A‖ = 243G, A⊥ = 114G) indicate that these centers are analogous to those previously observed in As2Se3 and As2S3 glasses and that they consist of unpaired electrons localized on a non-bonding 4p orbital of an As atom. Unlike the results obtained for As2Se3 and As2S3, the concommitant holes in As2O3 are trapped on Fe2+ impurity sites which become Fe3+ and not on non-bonding oxygen p orbitals. The radiation induced ESR is also accompanied by a stable optical absorption tail which lies within the band gap and increases exponentially with energy. This absorption can be partially bleached with the application of sub-band-gap light.
Effects of Viewing Distance, Low Ambient Temperature and Wind Exposure on Binocular Depth Discrimination

Stimmary.-A study was conducted of the effects of exposure to combinations of low ambient temperatures (70°, 20°, O0, -20°, -40°F) and wind (3, 10, 20, 30 mph) upon binocular depth discrimination at three viewing distances (20, 40, 60 ft.). 60 groups of 8 Ss each were randomly assigned to one of 60 possible treatment combinations in a factorial design, and binocularly performed depth equality settings using the Howard-Dolman task. The results indicated significant main effects for temperature, wind, and viewing distance, as well as a significant T X W interaction, which occurred for a very brief exposure duration of 1 min. The results are interpreted in light of previous findings for binocular viewing over natural terrain, supporting the notion of two rypes of stereoscopic threshold, i.e., true stereopsis (?,) and relative sensitivity in commonplace viewing (7~). A recent study (Kobrick, 1965) showed that significant decrements in binocular visual acuity occur as a result of brief facial exposure to both low ambient temperature and wind. Previous research (Teichner & Kobrick, 1956; Teichner, Kobrick, & Dusek, 1955, 1956; Teichner, Kobrick, & Wehrkamp, 1955) demonstrated that errors in depth discrimination under both "real depth and artificial viewing conditions increase in magnitude as a simple parabolic function of the viewing distance. These errors, expressed as standard deviations in angular units of the threshold of binocular disparity (rlt), were found to be differentially unaffected by varieties of texture gradient characteristics (nan~ral terrains) across which the viewing occurred over distances ranging from 200 to 3,000 ft. Depth perception was also found to decrease in absolute precision and sensitivity while increasing in relative sensitivity with increased viewing distance. The present research was conducted to determine whether the environmental exposure conditions which previously produced decrements in visual acuity could similarly affect binocular depth discrimination, as measured by the Howard-Dolman apparatus at three different viewing distances.
Changes in locomotor response to beta-endorphin microinfusion during and after opiate abstinence syndrome--a proposal for a model of the onset of mania.

Abstract β-Endorphin (0.3 or 0.6 nanomoles) was infused into the A10-ventral tegmental area (VTA) of male Wistar rats previously treated for 6 days with either morphine sulfate or lactose via subcutaneously implanted silastic pellets. β- Endorphin microinfusions occurred at 24 and 96 hours after pellets were removed. Profound changes in locomotor response to β-endorphin were found, with morphine-pretreated rats showing a spontaneous switch from hyporesponsiveness to hyperresponsiveness over 72 hours, compared to lactose-pretreated controls. These findings may reflect on current biochemical theories regarding the “switch” process in bipolar affective disease. The data can be viewed within a heuristic model of receptor changes which may underlie the transition from depression to mania.
A General Method for the Ion Exchange of Zeolites Utilizing the Volatility of Thallous Compounds as Leaving Products

A new method of ion exchange entitled “thallous ion exchange” (TIE) is proposed without experimental confirmation. First, a zeolite or other porous solid is fully ion exchanged with Tl+ from aqueous solution and fully dehydrated. It is then exposed to the anhydrous vapor of a halide MXn where Mn+ is the incoming cation. The volatile product TlX(g) is easily removed, leaving behind, when successful, the fully cation exchanged material with no other content. During the Mn+ exchange step, the zeolite is in contact only with gases and its container. The Tl+ exchanged zeolite may also be used in solid state ion exchange to yield TlX(g). Although Tl+ is best for this, some other metal cations may be used. Although the halides offer much versatility with relative safety, oxides and organometallic compounds may be used because the Tl2O and R3Tl products are also volatile.
History, Culture, and Place Making: 'Native' Status and Maya Identity In Belize

Often, the identity of people with territory is reinforced through constructions of history which produce people and place simultaneously. However, place�making may involve the cultural territorialization of space, through attention to the details of "dwelling" in, and through, particular landscapes. When people and 'place' are not isomorphic, constructions which link history, culture, people, and place may be contested. In Belize, officially a multiethnic nation, the question of who may legitimately claim 'native' status is much contested. Although Creoles, Garifuna, and mestizos acknowledge roots in other continents, people who belong to each of these categories have also claimed 'native' status in Belize. At the same time, Mopan and Kekchi Maya are portrayed as descendants of 19th century immigrants to Belize from Guatemala. This paper explores these competing claims to 'native' status and their implications for the construction of a pan�Maya identity among Mopan� and Kekchispeakers
Studies on the enzymic reduction of amino acids. V. Coupling of a DPNH-generating system to glycine reduction

Abstract An electron transport system has been prepared in soluble form from young cells of Clostridium lentoputrescens that enables DPNH to serve as electron donor for glycine reduction. Vicinal sulfhydryl groups (or a disulfide coenzyme) are required as judged by the marked sensitivity of the enzyme system to low levels of arsenite. An FMN requirement, exhibited by partially purified protein fractions, suggests additionally the mediation of a flavoprotein electron carrier. The enzyme system that couples DPNH oxidation to glycine reduction is labile and, after its decay, glycine reduction occurs only upon the addition of substrate levels of dimercaptans such as 1,3-dimer-captopropanol. A light sensitive substance destroyed by irradiation with visible light is required for the DPNH-linked reaction as well as the dimercaptan-dependent one. From other lines of evidence it has been deduced that this substance may be a quinone. In both systems, concomitant with glycine reduction, there is the esterification of orthophosphate which leads to the accumulation of ATP. A scheme depicting the order of events that may take place during glycine reduction is presented and discussed.
Kinetic Theories for the Coagulation and Sedimentation of Particles

The coagulation and sedimentation of particles is central to many environmental and industrial processes. Kinetic descriptions of this process can be divided into two approaches. Population balance equation (PBE) theory accounts for mass transfer between particle size classes by coagulation and loss of particle mass by sedimentation. Its practical application is limited by the fact that the rate constants, or kernels, for coagulation between all combinations of cluster sizes are unknown, and only a few solutions are available for simplified forms of the coagulation kernel. A second approach involves the use of simple rate expressions for the loss of particle mass with time, where the order of the reaction is determined by the mathematical properties of the coagulation kernel and the sedimentation term. Two different theories (similarity theory, ST, and the quasi-steady-state hypothesis, QSSH) give conflicting estimates for the order of the reaction. In this paper, we derive a PBE solution for the choice of a constant kernel and a particle removal rate that increases linearly with cluster volume. The kinetics of mass removal predicted by this solution are then compared directly to generalized forms of ST and QSSH which we also derive. We find that the PBE solution does not rigorously conform to either ST or QSSH, although the predictions of ST may be close enough for practical applications. This paper presents the first rigorous comparison of PBE, ST, and QSSH descriptions of particle coagulation and sedimentation.
A new solution to the brownian coagulation equation through the use of root-shifted problem-specific polynomials

Abstract The Brownian coagulation frequency has the property that very small particles can agglomerate with relatively larger particles at very high rates. This should reflect in transient solutions of the kinetic coagulation equation with initial conditions showing a large number of small-sized particles (for example, exponential distribution). Thus immediately following the onset of coagulation the number density must catapult to zero near the origin. This is a demanding requirement of numerical solutions which past solutions have not met. In this paper a scheme is presented to control the location of the collocation points to produce solutions of very high accuracy near the origin via the method of orthogonal collocation.
Crystal Structure and Ligand Binding Properties of the D1D2 Region of the Inhibitory Receptor LIR-1 (ILT2)

LIR-1 is an inhibitory receptor that recognizes class I MHC molecules and the human cytomegalovirus class I homolog UL18. Here, we report the 2.1 A resolution crystal structure of the ligand binding portion of LIR-1 (domains 1 and 2 [D1D2]) and localize the binding region for UL18. LIR-1 D1D2 is composed of two immunoglobulin-like domains arranged at an acute angle to form a bent structure resembling the structures of natural killer inhibitory receptors (KIRs). The LIR-1 binding site comprises a portion of D1 distant from the interdomain hinge region that constitutes the KIR binding site, consistent with differences in LIR-1 and KIR recognition properties and functions.
Sulfur trioxidation of acyclic fluoro-allyl ethers: Synthesis of new fluorinated sultones and their derivatives

Abstract The new fluorinated β-sultones, CF3OCF2CF2OCF2 CFCF 2 OS O2 and CF3OCF2 CFCF 2 OS O2 ( 1 and 2 ), have been prepared along with their rearranged isomers, CF3OCF2CF2OCF2CF(SO2F)COF and CF3OCF2CF(SO2F) COF ( 3 , 4 ), and hydrolysis products, CF3OCF2CF2OCF2CFHSO2F ( 5 ) and CF3OCF2CFHSO2F ( 6 ). New sulfonyl fluoride esters have been synthesized from allyl alcohol and the β-sultones 1 and 2 ; polymerization of these esters has also been achieved.
Porous silicon biosensors using quantum dot signal amplifiers

We demonstrate the use of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as refractive index signal amplifiers for the dual-mode, optical detection of biotin in streptavidin-functionalized porous silicon (PSi) biosensors. The nanoporous silicon host matrix was first analyzed to determine the relationship between different formation conditions, the resulting pore size distributions, and the efficiency with which different sized target molecules infiltrate and bind to the pore walls. Non-specific detection of glutathione conjugated with QDs was then demonstrated using PSi films with different average pore diameters. The specific detection of small biotin molecules was confirmed when the QD-biotin conjugates resulted in a six-fold increase in the reflectance fringe shift and a distinctive fluorescence spectrum upon exposure to an optimized, streptavidin-functionalized PSi sensor. A biotin detection limit of 0.5 fg/mm 2 is achievable.
Hydrogen peroxide induces rapid digestion of oligodendrocyte chromatin into high molecular weight fragments.

Abstract High molecular weight (HMW) fragmentation of nuclear chromatin was studied in cultured rat oligodendrocytes (OL) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Intact genomic DNA was isolated by agarose embedding, and analyzed by field inversion gel electrophoresis, with and without S1 endonuclease digestion to detect and discriminate between single and double stranded fragmentations, respectively. The exposure of OL to H2O2 resulted in a very rapid degradation of chromosomal DNA into HMW fragments that reflect native chromatin structure. Hence, within 10 min after the addition of 1 mM H2O2, a discrete pool representing approximately 45% of the nuclear chromatin underwent single strand digestion into >400 kb fragments likely at AT-rich matrix attachment regions. Subsequent accumulation of single stand breaks at these regions led to bifilar scission. Ultimately, chromatin within this susceptible pool was cleaved at remaining matrix attachment regions into 50–200 kb fragments. Chromatin digestion could be elicited with H2O2 concentrations as low as 50 μM. After the removal of H2O2, most >400 kb fragments were religated within 2 h; however, digestion into 50–200 kb fragments was irreversible. The DNA digestion was not accompanied by the degradation of nuclear proteins, i.e., lamins A/C and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase indicating that chromatin fragmentation is unlikely to be mediated by proteolysis. In conclusion, H2O2 at pathologically relevant concentrations induces a very rapid and extensive digestion of OL chromatin into HMW fragments. Because the chromatin fragmentation is only partly reversible, it may be a decisive factor in committing oxidatively stressed OL to degeneration and/or death.
THE FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH BEHAVIOR OF THE Al—Cu—Li ALLOY WELDALITE 049

Abstract— The microstructure, deformation behavior, and crack growth relationships have been examined for an Al-5Cu-1.3Li-0.4Mg-0.4Ag-0.1Zr alloy. TEM of deformed samples revealed that the T3 temper deformed via highly localized planar slip due to the presence of small, coherent precipitates (GP zones and δ') while the T8 temper deformed homogeneously with T1 as the strengthening phase. Both constant Kmax and constant R (0.1) fatigue curves were generated for the T3 and T8 tempers in both the T-L and L-T orientations. The T3 temper exhibited high closure levels and an apparent intrinsic threshold of 2 MPa m1/2. The T8 temper did not exhibit high closure levels, and the intrinsic threshold was determined to be 1.3 MPa m1/2. Weldalite-T3 has a strength comparable to 2024-T3 but has a higher resistance to fatigue crack growth, whereas Weldalite-T8 has a much higher strength and a comparable fatigue crack growth resistance to 2024-T8.
Elasmobranch tissue culture: In vitro growth of brain explants from a shark (Rhizoprionodon) and dogfish (Squalus)

Brain explants from a Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) and six spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were cultured at 22 degrees C in Leibovitz L-15 medium, 1000 mOsmol, with 350 mM urea, 20 mM added NaCl, and either 2% fetal bovine serum, 2% bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) serum, or 2% spiny dogfish serum. Cell outgrowth from explants appeared after 1 month. Cells were subcultured once with 20% survival, and were viable at termination of the trials 6 months later. Cell morphology appeared normal throughout the experiment.
The predictive value of certain mammographic signs in screening for breast cancer

Prospective evaluation of aggressive screening for breast cancers which are either 5 mm in size or, alternatively, wholly intraductal or in situ lobular, was performed. Twenty-one percent of all cancers were identified by the presence of microcalcifications; 71% of these were minimal and the predictive value of microcalcifications was 11.5% (+/- 1.7). The probability of cancer given a radiographically benign, dominant mass over 1 cm in size, palpable or not, was 2% (+/- 0.8) and two-thirds of these cancers were minimal. If diagnosis had not been established by biopsy for these benign appearing lesions six percent of all cancers would not have been detected. Had clinical examination been omitted from screening, 32 cancers (16%) would have been eliminated, 13 of which were minimal. However, the false-positive rate would have been halved. The range of predictive values, true-positive rates, and percent of minimal cancers detected are presented for each of several mammographic signs when clinical examination was either positive or negative.
Colposcopic correlates of cervical papillomavirus infection

We compared the colposcopic and histologic features of 39 papillomavirus-related cervical lesions with their associated human papillomavirus type. Two thirds of the lesions contained human papillomavirus type 16-related deoxyribonucleic acid, and 69% of them were classified as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I or II, in contrast to 92% of lesions containing human papillomavirus 6/11 deoxyribonucleic acid. On histologic examination, low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions tended to be sharply demarcated and have an uneven or granular surface contour. In contrast, high-grade lesions often had diffuse borders and were usually smooth in appearance. Both low- and high-grade lesions displayed variable degrees of whiteness, thickness, and papillomatous configurations. Patterns of coarse punctation were more common in higher grade cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions and in those containing human papillomavirus 16. Predictably, the colposcopic features of lesions containing human papillomavirus 6/11 deoxyribonucleic acid sequences compared closely with those of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In contrast, human papillomavirus 16-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia exhibited a greater spectrum of colposcopic patterns, including those associated with condyloma and low- and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions. We conclude that, although a portion of low- and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions can be distinguished colposcopically, a significant number of lesions containing features of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or condyloma contain human papillomavirus 16 deoxyribonucleic acid and cannot be distinguished from presumably innocuous human papillomavirus infections.
A study of teacher change

ByButts, David P.; Raun, Chester E. A STUDY IN TEACHER CHANGE Texas Univ., Austin. Science Education Center. Spons Agency-Office of Education (NEV). Washington, D.C. Bureau of Research Report NoSIP-RR-1 Bureau NoBR50249 Pub Date (671 ContractOEC-610108 Note20p. EDRS Price MF-$0.25 HC-$0.88 Descriptors-*CHANGING ATTITUDES CURRICULUM PROBLEMS EFFECTIVE TEACHING, *ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS *INSERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION, *SCIENCE CURRICULUM Identifiers-Classroom Observation Rating .Form. Science--A Process Approach Semantic Differential, Teacher Process Measure Implementatioo of curriculum innovations requires that teachers have both knowledge of :he change and commitment to use it. In order to determine what type of teacher is most likely to perceive and practice a curriculum innovation effectively, an in-service project was set up and studied. Nineteen elementary school teachers with varying degrees of teaching...experience and previous preparation in science participated in the teacher education program developed for the new curriculum, "Science-A Process Approach," sponsored by the Commission on Science Education of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Correlation analysis of preand posttest scores and classroom observation yielded the conclusion that this in-service program was most -successful for teachers with several years previous teaching experience but with few hours of previous science courses, suggesting that the longer a teacher has taught, the more receptive he is to new and fresh approaches to teaching and the more valuable such in-service programs are. A teacher's competency in science was found to effect positive change in the teacher's attitude toward and practice of the new curriculum, but the grade level taught appeared to be unrelated to attitude and curriculum changes. Correlation tables and a 14-item bibliography are included. (JS)
How dynamic is the Web

Abstract Recent experiments and analysis suggest that there are about 800 million publicly-indexable Web pages. However, unlike books in a traditional library, Web pages continue to change even after they are initially published by their authors and indexed by search engines. This paper describes preliminary data on and statistical analysis of the frequency and nature of Web page modifications. Using empirical models and a novel analytic metric of `up-to-dateness', we estimate the rate at which Web search engines must re-index the Web to remain current.
Cellular radiation effects and the bystander response

This report reviews briefly some of the findings reported over the past 2 years that enhance our understanding of the radiation-induced bystander effect. These developments include: technicological advances; the role of oxidative stress; the effect of cytoplasmic irradiation; cell-to-cell communication; and evidence that Connexin 43 mediated intercellular communication is induced by radiation exposure. A few overriding unanswered questions are discussed. These include: what is the signal(s) transmitted from irradiated to bystander cells; what is the relationship between the bystander response and other non-targeted effects of radiation; are there beneficial effects associated with the bystander response; and what is the significance of the bystander effect for radiation protection?
The Reconstitution of American Federalism? The Rehnquist Court and Federal-State Relations, 1991–1997

This article surveys the U.S. Supreme Court justices' recent opinions on federal-state relations with a special focus the Court's 1996 term. Contrary to some claims, the Rehnquist Court is not reconstituting definitions of American federalism or the function of the Court in defining federal-state relations. What has occurred is a revitalization of a long-standing interpretive conflict about the deployment of government power within a legally constituted regime. Therefore, the debate in such cases as Printz v. United States, Camps New found/Owatonna v. Town of Harrison, City of Boerne v. Flores, and Idaho v. Coeur d'Alene Tribe is about how the political principles contained in the nation's foundational legal and historical texts, such as The Federalist and other records of the American Founders, ought to be interpreted by the justices. However, despite the limited focus on interpretative technique, the justices' debate about federalism still has important political consequences that will affect future discussions about congressional and state government power.
Rowan Williams on Christian Doctrine

The skilfully arranged pieces collected in Rowan Williams's On Christian Theology are regarded by Geoffrey Wainwright as an informal dogmatics, an instance of ‘open system’. A subtle thinker and writer, Williams starts from the heartlands of the Christian faith and explores its boundaries. His work is evaluated in this article according to what he himself establishes as the celebratory, communicative, and critical styles of theology. Williams's kenotic trinitarianism is matched with his Abelardian view of the atonement, which seems to neglect some scriptural and traditional elements that a more Anselmian understanding would take into account. Freedom is a key notion for Williams but needs more definition in relation to ‘choice’; and his location of the church remains institutionally imprecise. Wainwright particularly appreciates Williams's exposition of the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo and the aesthetic, doxological, and eschatological dimensions of his ethical thought. The book under discussion is disarmingly modest in tone, and the author himself declares that repentance is always in order for a theologian.
Relative efficiency measurements of fission fragment transfer with a helium jet

Abstract The helium jet system was designed to transfer different mass fission fragments with nearly equal efficiency. Relative efficiency measurements made with an X-ray detector comparing helium-jet transferred activity to “rabbit” -shuttle transferred activity verify that the transfer efficiency is essentially a constant except for isotopes of noble gases (krypton and xenon) which do not “stick” to the catcher at the exit of the He-jet.
Instabilities In Laser Systems At Low Pumping Levels

We discuss a simple rate equation laser model, containing intensity-dependent parameters. Our calculations suggest that the model is consistent with the emergence of self-pulsing in the good cavity limit even at very low pump levels. The dynamical behavior of two- and four-level systems shows rather good qualitative agreement with the result of previous experimental observations.
Mate swapping: Perceptions, value orientations, and participation in a Midwestern community

This article attempts to illuminate the understanding of swinging, or mate swapping, an increasingly common form of extramarital sexual activity. A theoretical formulation argues that swinging is a form of extramarital sexual activity which serves to define as good and acceptable a behavior that in other forms and in the past has been considered deviant or immoral. A stratified area probability sample of 579 married adults was drawn from a Midwestern community of 40,000. Areas investigated included community knowledge and perception of swinging, values of respondents with regard to participation in and acceptance of swinging, and the incidence of swinging in the community. Most respondents disapproved of mate swapping as well as other forms of extramarital sex. Over half of the respondents knew about mate swapping, although less than 7% of the sample would consider participating. Swinging was found to exist in the community, but less than 2% of the respondents had ever participated. The data analysis is descriptive and exploratory, focusing on social correlates and characteristics.
The Role Of Theme Parks As A Leisure Activity For Local Communities

The article investigates residents' attitudes toward and participation patterns in local theme parks as a leisure activity. Data from 250 Central Florida residents reveal that although residents' frequency and intentions to visit the local theme parks may not be attributed to their available free time or admission price consciousness, some relationships were found between intentions to visit the local theme parks and residents' perceived avail able time, as well as their perception of theme park visitation as a leisure activity, in particular an "unconditional leisure" activity.
Feeding-elicited cataplexy in orexin knockout mice

Mice lacking orexin/hypocretin signaling have sudden episodes of atonia and paralysis during active wakefulness. These events strongly resemble cataplexy, episodes of sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong positive emotions in people with narcolepsy, but it remains unknown whether murine cataplexy is triggered by positive emotions. To determine whether positive emotions elicit murine cataplexy, we placed orexin knockout (KO) mice on a scheduled feeding protocol with regular or highly palatable food. Baseline sleep/wake behavior was recorded with ad libitum regular chow. Mice were then placed on a scheduled feeding protocol in which they received 60% of their normal amount of chow 3 h after dark onset for the next 10 days. Wild-type and KO mice rapidly entrained to scheduled feeding with regular chow, with more wake and locomotor activity prior to the feeding time. On day 10 of scheduled feeding, orexin KO mice had slightly more cataplexy during the food-anticipation period and more cataplexy in the second half of the dark period, when they may have been foraging for residual food. To test whether more palatable food increases cataplexy, mice were then switched to scheduled feeding with an isocaloric amount of Froot Loops, a food often used as a reward in behavioral studies. With this highly palatable food, orexin KO mice had much more cataplexy during the food-anticipation period and throughout the dark period. The increase in cataplexy with scheduled feeding, especially with highly palatable food, suggests that positive emotions may trigger cataplexy in mice, just as in people with narcolepsy. Establishing this connection helps validate orexin KO mice as an excellent model of human narcolepsy and provides an opportunity to better understand the mechanisms that trigger cataplexy.
Sex-specific changes in gene expression and behavior induced by chronic Toxoplasma infection in mice

There is growing evidence that Toxoplasma gondii modifies the behavior of its intermediate hosts. We investigated the molecular basis of these infection-induced behavioral changes, followed by five related behavioral tests to assess the extent of biological relevance. Gene expression signatures were generated in the frontal cortex of male and female mice during the latent stage of infection. We found marked sex-dependent expression differences in mice. In female mice, Toxoplasma infection altered the expression of genes involved in the development of the forebrain, neurogenesis, and sensory and motor coordination (i.e. downregulation of fatty acid-binding protein 7 and eyes absent homolog 1, upregulation of semaphorin 7A). In male mice, infection led mainly to modulation of genes associated with olfactory function (i.e. downregulation of a number of olfactory receptors and dopamine receptor D4, upregulation of slit homolog 1). Although infection appears to affect the olfactory function in male mice, it is the female but not male mice that exhibited attraction to cat odor. In contrast, infected male mice showed a deficit in social transmission of food preference. In contrast to males, infected females displayed locomotor hyperactivity in open field. General olfaction and sensorimotor gating were normal in both male and female infection. Our results indicate that the sex of the host plays a major role in determining variable brain and behavior changes following Toxoplasma infection. These observations are consistent with heterogeneity of neuropsychiatric outcomes of the infection in humans.
Transport equation and diffusion in ultrathin channels and films

A rigorous perturbative transport equation for ballistic particles in thin films with random rough walls is derived by the diagrammatic Keldysh technique for both quasiclassical and quantized motion across the film. The derivation is based on canonical Migdal transformation that replaces a transport problem with random rough walls by an equivalent problem with flat boundaries and randomly distorted bulk. The rigorous derivation requires a modification of our previously used transformation to avoid non-Hermitian perturbations. The unusual nondiagonal structure of the effective scattering operator makes the transport equation different from the standard Waldmann-Snider equation when the distance between quantized levels for the motion across the film is comparable to the wall-induced perturbation. Outside of this anomalous quantum resonance region, the transport equation is similar to that for scattering by bulk impurities. The magnitude of the anomaly is calculated for degenerate particles and Gaussian correlations of surface inhomogeneities. The transport problem is solved analytically for the single-band occupancy and in the limiting cases of very large and very small correlation radii of inhomogeneities for an arbitrary correlation function of surface roughness. Elsewhere, the transport equation is analyzed numerically for the Gaussian correlation function. Transport coefficients are expressed explicitly via the angular harmonics of the surface correlation function; in the anomalous region, the results contain certain supplemental correlators. The results reveal various effects of interwall correlations on transport including an oscillatory dependence on the number of occupied minibands. The transition from quantum to quasiclassical description of ballistic motion across the (thick) film can be hindered by residual interwall interference effects similar to those in classical optic problems for thick films without bulk attenuation. Erroneous matrix elements in our previous calculations have been corrected.
Evaluation of 40K in food by determining total potassium using neutron activation analysis

Potassium is an extremely important major element to the human body. Potassium is made up of three isotopes with abundances of 39K at 93.1%, 40K at 0.0118% and 41K at 6.88%. It is also very well known that 40K with its 1.3 . 109 years half-life is a major naturally occurring isotope in the body and food. The usual way to determine total 40K is to measure the single 1460.8 keV photon from beta-decay. However, this procedure requires a significant amount of sample and typical counting periods of at least a day in well-shielded germanium counting system. Another approach is to determine total potassium via neutron activation analysis using the well known 41K(n,g)42K (T1/2 = 12.8 h) reaction and then evaluate 40K using the usual activity equation A = lN. In our laboratory we have effectively used epithermal neutron activation analysis and Compton suppression to determine potassium in air filters and other geological material. Upwards to 10-15 samples can be analyzed in one day using only gram quantities of material. In such way one can increase the output of determining 40K by at least one order of magnitude. Results of a detailed investigation optimization of the methodology, quality control and detection limits will be presented for reference material and various food samples.
Individualized Reading Accountability for Student Progress

A method that will enable teachers to be more accountable in determining if the basic steps in reading have been mastered and retained
Amazon lakes: Water storage and nutrient stripping by algae1

During the annual 10-m rise in water level, water from the Amazon River floods into bordering nutrient-poor lakes, and river-derived nitrate (12 µM) and phosphate (0.9 µM) are utilized during intense phytoplankton growth. The influence of the nutrient-rich water appears to extend laterally in a 50-km band, creating a ribbon of highly pro ductive lakes along its length that, in turn, may have a significant impact on Amazon water chemistry.
Cluster analysis of immunohistochemical markers in leiomyosarcoma delineates specific anatomic and gender subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) can be categorized into uterine, retroperitoneal, nonretroperitoneal soft tissue, cutaneous, visceral, and osseous anatomic subtypes. The differential expression of smooth muscle markers, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Wilms tumor-1 protein (WT1) by anatomic subtype and gender was explored. METHODS: A total of 78 LMS comprised of 30 uterine and 48 nonuterine tumors were studied. Nonuterine tumors were comprised of 17 soft tissue, 16 retroperitoneal, 7 cutaneous, 5 visceral, and 3 osseous subtypes. Immunohistochemical staining intensity on tissue microarray slides was scored as 0, 1+, or 2+, and cluster analysis was performed on the data. RESULTS: Smooth muscle actin was the most sensitive antibody (95%), followed by muscle-specific actin (91%), calponin (88%), desmin (73%), caldesmon (66%), and myosin (64%). Caldesmon and myosin were usually coexpressed, and were highest in retroperitoneal tumors (94%). There was no discernable correlation noted between histologic differentiation and smooth muscle marker expression. ER was much more common in women, with the highest frequencies noted in female retroperitoneal (86%) and uterine (63%) tumors. Nuclear WT1 was expressed in 11% of all tumors, and was limited to ER-positive uterine and female retroperitoneal tumors. Cluster analysis segregated 4 groups, most notably 1 driven by ER and PR, with the vast majority being uterine and female retroperitoneal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Smooth muscle markers demonstrated variable sensitivities in LMS, with a tendency for anatomic subtypes to segregate based on expression patterns of these markers. ER defined a subgroup of uterine and female retroperitoneal tumors, and WT1 was limited to such tumors, suggesting a common line of differentiation as well as potential therapeutic targets.
The impact of foreign direct investment on the relative return to skill

Since the early 1980s, China has adopted favourable economic policies to attract FDI in order to facilitate technology development. Since inward FDI induces either sector- or factor-biased technical progress, the impact of FDI on the distribution of income between skilled and unskilled labour is not trivial. This paper introduces vertical product differentiation to analyze the impact of FDI on the return to skill and concludes that, for a labour abundant country, this impact depends on whether the FDI-induced technology transfer is skill- or labour-biased, regardless of which sector receives FDI. The analysis shows that FDI with relatively labour-biased technology will decrease the wage gap while FDI with relatively skill-biased technology will increase the profit margin of the host country’s exports as well as its wage gap. The findings provide policy insights for FDI recipient countries in balancing wage growth between skilled and unskilled workers by managing inward FDI with relatively labour-biased and skill-biased technologies. This is particularly important for China given the expected further increase of inward FDI following its imminent membership of the WTO. JEL classification: F23, J31, P33.
Polymeric foams and sandwich composites: Material properties, environmental effects, and shear-lag modeling

Abstract Marine composite sandwich structural materials, comprising of low density PVC foam core and carbon fiber reinforced vinyl ester based resin composite facings, are studied for associated degradation in mechanical behavior caused by sea water. This paper presents experimental and analytical results concerning the properties and response of closed cell polymeric foams (PVC H100) and their sandwich composites. Data regarding the elastic properties of foam (shear and Young’s modulus) are collected by means of novel custom made devices and interpreted by means of displacement based analytical models. Emphasis is placed on environmental effects and a novel approach of using expansional strain analogy to study the effects of both sea water and temperature are proposed. It is shown that the custom made shear testing apparatus employed herein offers a significant improvement over the device recommended by ASTM. Using torsional testing, the value of shear modulus in the water-saturated outer shell of soaked foam samples are obtained and show a degradation of 72% with long-term exposure to sea water.
Preliminary studies on the effect of hormone-releasing intrauterine devices

Abstract The investigations reported here were done to see if the expulsion of intrauterine devices (IUD's) could be decreased by the addition of a progestin to the device. IUD's made of Silastic were readily expelled by rats and rabbits unless the IUD's had melengestrol acetate (MGA) added in 5 or 10 per cent concentrations. The lower concentration lessened the expulsion rate of IUD's and appeared to act locally. The 10 per cent concentration completely prevented expulsion, even of a control device from the contralateral horn, but it also inhibited mating in both species. Serial endometrial biopsies after ovariectomy on estrogen-primed monkeys demonstrated that the primate uterus also can respond to hormone-impregnated IUD's.