cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear spin relaxation in a spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain at high fields

The proton spin relaxation rate is calculated in the one-dimensional spin-\textonehalf{} Heisenberg antiferromagnet $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-bis (N-methylsalicylaldiminato)-copper (II), $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-CuNSal by using a fermion representation for magnons above the critical field where the magnon spectrum develops a gap. The one-magnon process which is dominant below the critical field is shown to be absent in the presence of a gap in contrast to a previous theory. Instead, we find that the three-magnon rate is large enough to explain the data at low fields. The two-magnon off-resonance damping which enters the expression for the three-magnon rate is calculated by solving the two-magnon scattering exactly, leading to a much smaller value of the rate than that predicted by the Born approximation. Also, in an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the discrepancy between the recently calculated two-magnon rate (dominant at high fields) and the data of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-CuNSal reported by Azevedo et al., we carry out the vertex correction for the spin-density correlation function by summing the RPA (random-phase approximation) series as well as the exchange ladders for the polarization part. We find that, although the exchange enhancement is significantly large, it is nearly canceled out by the RPA correction, and the net effect of the vertex correction is small. This result agrees with the recent data of the similar spin-\textonehalf{} antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain system CuS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}5${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O reported by Groen et al. On the other hand, it disagrees with a recent calculation of the two-magnon rate based on a boson representation of spins. To resolve this discrepancy we examine the effect of the boson self-energy correction on the two-magnon rate. The boson spectral shift is found to be quite large in the region where the cited two-boson rate deviates from the two-fermion rate. As a result the two-boson rate is significantly reduced, leading to reasonable agreement with the two-fermion rate.
Re-space-ing place: "place" and "space" ten years on

In the ten years since the distinction between "place" and "space" emerged as a consideration for CSCW researchers and designers, the concepts have proven useful across a range of domains. In that same period of time, wireless and mobile technologies have given us new sites at which to examine the issues of space, practice, and mobility. These changes suggest that it might be fruitful to re-examine the issues of place and space in light of recent developments. In particular, the nature of space and spatiality deserve further consideration.
Phonological memory and vocabulary learning in children with focal lesions.

Eleven children with early focal lesions were compared with 70 age-matched controls to assess their performance in repeating non-words, in learning new words, and in immediate serial recall, a triad of abilities that are believed to share a dependence on serial ordering mechanisms (e.g., Baddeley, Gathercole, & Papagno, 1998; Gupta, in press-a). Results for the experimental group were also compared with other assessments previously reported for the same children by MacWhinney, Feldman, Sacco, and Valdes-Perez (2000). The children with brain injury showed substantial impairment relative to controls in the experimental tasks, in contrast with relatively unimpaired performance on measures of vocabulary and non-verbal intelligence. The relationships between word learning, non-word repetition, and immediate serial recall were similar to those observed in several other populations. These results support previous reports that there are persistent processing impairments following early brain injury, despite developmental plasticity. They also suggest that word learning, non-word repetition, and immediate serial recall may be relatively demanding tasks, and that their relationship is a fundamental aspect of the cognitive system.
INHALED NITRIC OXIDE REDUCES LUNG INFLAMMATION IN RATS EXPOSED TO 100% OXYGEN. † 271

Patients with pulmonary hypertension are now commonly being treated with inhaled nitric oxide (NO) along with high concentrations of oxygen. High concentrations of supplemental oxygen can clearly lead to lung injury, and the effect of inhaled NO on the course of hyperoxic lung injury is uncertain. Hyperoxia-induced lung damage is associated with inflammation, and number of neutrophils in the lung has been correlated with magnitude of injury. Neutrophil accumulation in other tissues has been shown to be decreased by nitric oxide NO precursors, and increased by NO synthase inhibitors. We therefore hypothesized that NO would decrease the inflammatory response to hyperoxia in rat lungs. Lung tissue was obtained at 24 and 48 hours from adult Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to either >95% oxygen alone, or from rats exposed to >95% oxygen with 100 parts per million of inhaled NO (INO). Lung samples were also taken from air-breathing rats and used as controls. To identify inflammatory cells, lung sections were stained immunohistochemically for myeloperoxidase. After 24 hours of hyperoxia-exposure there was interstitial edema noted in both groups with an accumulation of mixed inflammatory cells (neutrophils and macrophages) in the lung interstitium and perivascular areas of lungs exposed to hyperoxia alone. After 48 hours of hyperoxia-exposure there was increased pulmonary edema evident in both groups, whereas in the hyperoxia alone group there was a dramatic increase in inflammatory cells in the lung interstitium relative to the earlier hyperoxia-exposure times and to the hyperoxia + INO animals at 48 h. There were no differences in alveolar inflammatory cell accumulations noted in hyperoxia alone and hyperoxia + INO groups. In conclusion, INO appeared to reduce the lung inflammatory response to hyperoxia, and suggests that INO may exert a beneficial response by its effects on lung inflammation.
AUTORADIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF DNA AND RNA SYNTHESIS IN THE RED BLOOD CELLS OF THE DEVELOPING CHICK EMBRYO.

Abstract By the technique of autoradiography under in vitro conditions it has been possible to demonstrate that some of the red blood cells of the 5-day chick embryo take up 3H-thymidine in the synthesis of DNA and essentially all of them take up 3H-uridine as a RNA precursor. There is a rather great synthesis of DNA in certain early cells of the definitive erythrocyte line. This seems surprising, because these cells have not been found to undergo mitosis. A weak label was found in red blood cells from embryos as old as 14 days of incubation. RNA labeling was found to occur first in the nucleus, then spread into the cytoplasm with time in the blood cells of the 5-day embryo. No uptake of 3H-uridine was observed in mature primitive erythrocytes, but was apparent in the early polychromatic cells of the definitive line. The significance of the observations in these in vitro experiments in relation to the total synthetic capacity of the erythrocytes of the chick embryo during development is discussed.
Use of N,N′ -polymethylenebis(iodoacetamide) derivatives as probes for the detection of conformational differences in tubulin isotypes

Mammalian brain tubulin is an alpha beta heterodimer; both alpha and beta exist in 6-7 isotypic forms which differ in their amino acid sequences. By the use of isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies, we have previously shown that we can purify the alpha beta II, alpha beta III, and alpha beta IV tubulin dimers from bovine brain. We have also observed that these isotypes differ in their distribution in vivo and their polymerization and drug-binding properties in vitro. We have now explored the question of whether the isotypically purified dimers differ in their overall conformation using as probes compounds of the N,N'-polymethylenebis (iodoacetamide) series which are known to form discrete intrachain cross-links in beta-tubulin. These compounds have the structure ICH2CONH(CH2)nNHCOCH2I. One of these cross-links, designated beta s, is between cys12 and either cys201 or cys211. The other, designated beta*, is between cys239 and cys354. The beta* cross-link forms in alpha beta II and alpha beta IV but not in alpha beta III; this is not surprising in view of the fact that alpha beta III has serine at position 239 instead of cysteine. However, alpha beta III is also unable to form the beta s cross-link, although it appears to have all three cysteines which may be involved in the cross-link. This suggests that at least one of the sulfhydryls involved in the cross-link may be inaccessible in alpha beta III. Although both alpha beta II and alpha beta IV can form the beta s cross-link, the dependence on cross-linker chain length is different. alpha beta II forms beta s with derivatives in which n = 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 but not with those in which n = 3 or 10. In contrast, alpha beta IV forms beta s with derivatives in which n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10. These results imply that the beta s sulfhydryls are slightly more accessible in alpha beta IV and are therefore less dependent on the conformation of the cross-linker to react with it. It appears, therefore, that the alpha beta II, alpha beta III, and alpha beta IV dimers each have unique conformations. This may help to explain the different assembly and drug-binding properties of these dimers.
Current knowledge of gene flow in plants: implications for transgene flow

Plant evolutionary biologists' view of gene flow and hybridization has undergone a revolution. Twenty-five years ago, both were considered rare and largely inconsequential. Now gene flow and hybridization are known to be idiosyncratic, varying with the specific populations involved. Gene flow typically occurs at evolutionarily significant rates and at significant distances. Spontaneous hybridization occasionally has important applied consequences, such as stimulating the evolution of more aggressive invasives and increasing the extinction risk for rare species. The same problems have occurred for spontaneous hybridization between crops and their wild relatives. These new data have implications for transgenic crops: (i) for most crops, gene flow can act to introduce engineered genes into wild populations; (ii) depending on the specific engineered gene(s) and populations involved, gene flow may have the same negative impacts as those observed for traditionally improved crops; (iii) gene flow's idiosyncratic nature may frustrate management and monitoring attempts; and (iv) intercrop transgene flow, although rarely discussed, is equally worthy of study.
Protein synthesis in imaginal disks of Plodia interpunctella during development in vivo and in vitro

Wing imaginal disks were dissected from larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) at various stages during the larval-pupal transformation. The wing-disk proteins separated by electrophoresis and scanned with a densitometer changed quantitatively but not qualitatively during development in vivo. Treatment of wing disks in vitro with beta-ecdysone resulted in a 2-fold increase in synthesis of proteins after only 2 hr incubation. The maximum rate of protein synthesis was reached 16 hr after treatment with hormone. The pattern of proteins separated by electrophoresis of wing disks that were incubated in vitro with beta-ecdysone did not change qualitatively. The major features of protein synthesis during wing-disk development in vivo were similar to those observed during beta-ecdysone-induced development in vitro.
Adolescent Sexual Debut: A Multi-System Perspective of Ethnic and Racial Differences

Data from the 1997 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were used to assess the association between family, self, proximate extra-familial, and distal extra-familial system factors and abstinence/virginity and age of first sexual intercourse by ethnicity and race (N = 1,854). Findings show how and in what circumstances measures associated with these four factors vary for Black, White, and Hispanic youth. Findings point to the robustness of class and gender for each ethnic-racial group on timing of sexual initiation and of delinquency and negative peer relations on abstinence among Black and White youth and of religious affiliation among Hispanic youth.
A case report of clinically significant coagulopathy associated with aerosolized heparin and acetylcysteine therapy for inhalation injury.

A case report of clinically significant coagulopathy associated with aerosolized heparin and acetylcysteine therapy for inhalation injury Arun Chopra , Brooke Burkey *, Sharon Calaman a Drexel University College of Medicine, Section of Critical Care, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States Drexel University College of Medicine, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States b u r n s 3 7 ( 2 0 1 1 ) e 7 3 – e 7 5
Effect of suture technique on blood velocity waveforms in the microvascular anastomosis of autogenous vein graft

In using autogenous vein grafts in microvascular surgery, maintenance of compliance at the site of anastomosis is of importance in achieving patency. Using high-frequency, 20 MHz, pulsed Doppler ultrasonography to monitor blood flow velocity through the vein graft, we have evaluated the effects of continuous and interrupted suture technique on anastomotic compliance in vessels less than 1.5 mm in diameter. In 15 dogs, 15 procedures of each technique, using the continuous technique in one limb and the interrupted technique on the contralateral limb, patency rates for both techniques, documented by arteriography, are 100% at a mean follow-up of 11 weeks. There were no significant differences in the blood velocity profile and pulsatility proximally, distally, and at the graft site between continuous and interrupted technique. This study confirms the suggestion that autogenous vein graft has sufficient elasticity to maintain normal arterial blood velocity waveforms.
Intracerebroventricular infusion of inhibitors of endopeptidase-24.11 (‘enkephalinase’) increases the spontaneous firing frequency of an identifiable set of cells in the substantia nigra

The effect of inhibitors of the membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase-24.11 ('enkephalinase') on the activity of electrophysiologically identifiable neurons in the substantia nigra is described. Dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic cells were examined. Cells were classified by their responses to striatal stimulation. Only those cells in which the stimulation evoked excitation (alone or mixed with inhibition) responded to the inhibitors. Those cells in which the evoked response was only inhibition did not respond to the drugs. Infusion of 1 mumol of N-[1-(R,S)-carboxy-2-phenyl-ethyl]Phe-pAB (CPAB), 1 or 2 mumol of N-[1-(R,S)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]Phe-pAB (CPPAB) into the lateral ventricle produced statistically significant increases (pre- to post-drug treatment) in the spontaneous activity of cells exhibiting excitatory evoked responses: average increases were 33.3%. The increase in spontaneous activity reached an apparent maximum 20 min after the end of the infusion. The increased firing frequency was shown to result from the inhibition of the enzyme, rather than a non-specific effect, as the infusion of 2 mumol of N-[1-(R,S)-carboxy-2-phenyl-ethyl]Leu-pAB, an inhibitor structurally related to CPAB and CPPAB yet two orders of magnitude less potent, was without effect on the activity of nigral neurons. The inhibition of the enzyme by 1 mumol CPAB was verified through in vitro assay. We hypothesize that inhibition of the enzyme enhances peptide-modulated (tachykinin and/or enkephalin) excitation in select neurons of the substantia nigra.
Sensitive method for the detection of infectious HIV in semen of seropositive individuals

The aim of the study was to develop a sensitive culture method for the detection of HIV in semen. Antimicrobials were evaluated to suppress bacterial and fungal contamination of HIV cultures. Toxicity of seminal plasma was reduced using a short incubation of seminal fluid with culture cells. The detection rate was determined by adding known amounts of diluted primary virus isolates to uninfected cells. The sensitivity of the method was determined in a cohort of 33 HIV seropositive men. The use of a virus transport medium with high doses of antibiotics reduced contamination of HIV cultures. Toxicity of seminal plasma on culture cells was limited when seminal fluid was incubated with culture cells for only 90 min. Detection levels for cell-associated virus and cell-free virus from semen were 12 infected cells per ejaculate and 100 infectious units per milliliter of seminal fluid, respectively. Cell-associated HIV could be recovered from 18 semen samples of 33 HIV positive men (55%). Recovery of cell-free virus from seminal fluid was infrequent. It is concluded that the method is highly sensitive for the detection of HIV from semen. However, the recovery rate of infectious cell-free virus in seminal fluid from clinical samples is infrequent.
Being Human in the Wor(l)d: Chinese Men and Maxine Hong Kingston's Reworking of Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe is nothing less than a nationalist narrative that extols the burgeoning capitalism of eighteenth-century England. In this moving tale, a ship-wrecked slave trader, stranded on an island for twenty-four-years, single-handedly consolidates the arduous and multi-tasked feat of making bread – from planting the wheat to producing the finished product – into a one-person job. On a smaller but no less devastating scale, he also succeeds in replicating the process of colonization through his master–slave relationship with Friday. The novel thus popularizes the notion of self-sufficiency through the mechanisms of capitalism, conquest, and the transmission of hegemony.
A Penalty Function Approach to Bias Reduction in Non-linear Panel Models with Fixed Effects

In this paper, we consider estimation of nonlinear panel data models that include individual specific fixed effects. Estimation of these models is complicated by the incidental parameters problem; that is, noise in the estimation of the fixed effects when the time dimension is short generally results in inconsistent estimates of the common parameters due to the nonlinearity of the problem. We present a penalty for the objective function that reduces the bias in the resulting point estimates. The penalty function involves only cross-products of scores and the hessian matrix and so is simple to construct in practice. The form of the penalty also provides interesting intuition into how the bias reduction is working. We present simulation results that suggest that the penalized optimization approach may substantially reduce the bias in nonlinear fixed effects models.
Transcriptional dynamics of developmental genes assessed with an FMN-dependent fluorophore in mature heterocysts of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120.

Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that differentiates nitrogen-fixing heterocysts when available combined nitrogen is limiting. Growth under diazotrophic conditions results in a mixture of ‘new’ (recently differentiated) and ‘old’ (mature) heterocysts. The microoxic environment present in heterocysts makes the interpretation of gene expression using oxygen-dependent fluorophores, including GFP, difficult. The work presented here evaluates the transcriptional dynamics of three developmental genes in mature heterocysts utilizing EcFbFP, a flavin mononucleotide-dependent fluorophore, as the reporter. Expression of both GFP and EcFbFP from the heterologous petE promoter showed that, although GFP and EcFbFP fluoresced in both vegetative cells and new heterocysts, only EcFbFP fluoresced in old heterocysts. A transcriptional fusion of EcFbFP to the late-stage heterocyst-specific nifB promoter displayed continued expression beyond the cessation of GFP fluorescence in heterocysts. Promoter fusions of the master regulator of differentiation, hetR, and its inhibitors, patS and hetN, to GFP and EcFbFP were visualized to determine their role(s) in heterocyst function after morphogenesis. The expression of hetR and hetN was found to persist beyond the completion of development in most heterocysts, whereas patS expression ceased. These data are consistent with a model of heterocyst patterning in which patS is involved in de novo pattern formation, hetN is required for pattern maintenance, and hetR is needed for all stages of development.
The “Strong Programme”, Normativity, and Social Causes

Barry Barnes and David Bloor of the Strong Programme of the sociology of knowledge advance a naturalized epistemology that reduces all accounts of normativity to social causes. I endorse their program of naturalizing one kind of normativity, but I argue that there is another kind they cannot naturalize. Within the context of sociological explanations of rationality, there are (1) norms of rationality instantiated by scientists that Barnes and Bloor study, and (2) Barnes and Bloor's own normative ascriptions of scientists as rational beings. I argue that Barnes and Bloor successfully justify their naturalization of the norms of rationality of the scientists they describe by a methodological caution and arguments from under-determination and finitism. But they inevitably fail to naturalize their own normative ascriptions of those scientists as rational.
Market share, distance and potential

Suppose that in every location the ratio of sales by two firms offering heterogeneous products depends onlys on the difference of economic distance from the two plants, suitably defined. Then the market share is a simple function of distances. Market areas, defined at those subregions where market share of some firm dominates that of any other firm, are identical with conventional market areas for sellers of an homogeneous product. Next curves of equal market share--isoshare lines--are introduced, discussed and calculated for special cases. It is shown that under certain restrictions on the function which specifies the distance effect and on the measure of economic distance, the present approach is consistent with demand analysis based on utility functions. Finally, the hypothesis is related to the gravity and potential concepts that have been used in travel forecasting and in other contexts of regional science.
Reflection FTIR Studies of the Conformation of 2,2‘-Bipyridine Adsorbed at the Au(111) Electrode/Electrolyte Interface

Subtractively normalized interfacial Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SNIFTIRS) has been employed to study the conformation of 2,2‘-bipyridine (22BPY) adsorbed at the Au(111) electrode surf...
Pay Equity: The Promise and the Practice in North America

Abstract This paper summarises the outcomes of a key pay equity case in the USA, and compares its results, a decade later, with its original aspirations. The paper contrasts the possibilities of a technically argued comparable worth approach, with a mobilising approach that involves women directly in campaigns for pay equity. This experience, along with other cases in Canada, illustrates significant achievements and disappointments of pay equity. A key lesson from North American experience is that women can become a powerful force for change when mobilised to take action on issues of justice.
Effect of Dimethyl Sulfoxide on Chemical and Physical Properties of Wool

A study was made of the chemical reactivity of wool in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as well as the effect of DMSO and related aprotic solvents on the physical properties of wool. Some functional groups in wool, especially amino groups of lysine and imidazole groups of histidine, are readily modified in DMSO in the presence of triethylamine by activated vinyl compounds (e.g., acrylonitrile and (di)vinyl sulfone). Treatment with vinyl sulfone increases the resistance of wool to oxidation by peracetic acid, suggesting that new cross links are present. Also studied were (a) the relative reactivities in aqueous, aqueous-DMSO, and DMSO media; (b) the supercontraction of wool and densification of felts by DMSO; (c) the effect of heating wool in DMSO on amino acid composition; and (d) stress relaxation of hair, including sulfhydryl- disulfide interchange. Our studies suggest that DMSO is a useful medium in which to modify wool with various reagents. In some applications, DMSO has advantages over water.
Decay of 160Eu

Abstract Irradiation of enriched 160 Gd with 14·7 MeV neutrons was found to produce a new radio-activity with an average half-life of 52·8 ± 10 sec, which was assigned to the decay of 160 Eu. β- and γ-radiations were studied by means of a Ge(Li) spectrometer and scintillation detectors and coincidence relations were established. Fifteen gamma rays and two beta rays were incorporated in a tentative decay scheme.
Bone Modifications Resulting from Captive Chimpanzee Mastication: Implications for the Interpretation of Pliocene Archaeological Faunas

Abstract In order to obtain chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) mastication damage on bones, cleaned, disarticulated ribs and long bones of bovids and cervids were coated with food substances found palatable by captive chimpanzees. The bones were then presented to four groups of mixed sex and mixed age chimpanzees from the Tulsa Zoo (Oklahoma) and the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (San Antonio, Texas). In the process of feeding on the coated bones, the chimpanzees inflicted discernible mastication damage on 73·61% of the total recovered bone specimens. Analysis of these chimpanzee-induced bone modifications reveals that non-technological hominoids of the same approximate size and with comparable dentition and bite force to the gracile australopithecines and earliestHomoare very capable of inflicting the same range and degree of damage to bones as are feeding carnivores. This finding implies that zooarchaeologists must take a contextual (configurational) approach when analysing mastication damage on arch-aeological bones, rather than automatically attributing all such damage to carnivores.
Defect chemistry and chalcogen diffusion in thin-film Cu2ZnSnSe4 materials

Selenium diffusion in polycrystalline thin-film Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSe) on molybdenum-coated soda-lime glass substrates was investigated by in situ monitoring of the molybdenum back-contact resistance during high-temperature selenization treatments. In these measurements, selenium diffusion through the CZTSe layer results in conversion of the molybdenum layer to MoSe2, increasing the sheet resistance of the film stack. By monitoring the rate of MoSe2 formation as a function of annealing temperature, an activation energy of 0.5 ± 0.1 eV has been measured for selenium diffusion in CZTSe. The partial pressure dependence of chalcogen diffusion suggests that chalcogen vacancies are not the defect controlling chalcogen diffusion in thin-film CZTSe.
High frequency capacitive micromechanical resonators with reduced motional resistance using the HARPSS technology

The paper reports on the implementation and characterization of thick bulk mode VHF capacitive disk resonators with reduced motional resistance. Single crystal silicon (SCS) side-supported disk resonators with thickness of 18 /spl mu/m and 10 /spl mu/m and capacitive gaps of 160 nm and 75 nm, respectively (gap aspect-ratio>130), are fabricated on silicon-on-insulator substrates using a 3-mask HARPSS-on-SOI process. Over 20/spl times/ lower motional resistance and larger signal-to-noise ratio compared to the previous thin VHF SCS resonators is demonstrated, resulting from the new resonator design with increased number of electrodes and larger device thickness. Quality factors in the order of 30,000 to 50,000 at resonant frequencies of 150-230 MHz are demonstrated for the thick disk resonators. The measured data is in excellent agreement with the theoretical values.
All Propaganda is Dangerous, but Some are More Dangerous than Others: George Orwell and the Use of Literature as Propaganda

The true battles of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union were fought on the ideological front: pitting democracy and capitalism against totalitarianism and communism. The Office of Policy Coordination (OPC) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was formed in the late 1940s to help combat the spread of Communism across Europe and in the United States. Part of the “psychological warfare” included the use of propaganda. Around the same time, British author George Orwell had recently published Animal Farm and Nineteen EightyFour. Both novels, due to the anti-Communist overtones, were adopted by the OPC as part of a larger anti-Soviet campaign. By examining the use by intelligence agencies of Orwell’s works during the Cold War and the potential use of those works in a post-9/11 global society, this paper aims to illustrate the fickle nature of literary works as propaganda. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol8/iss5/14
Associating weather conditions with ramp events in wind power generation

As the percentage of wind energy on the power grid increases, the intermittent nature of this energy source can make it difficult to keep the generation and the load balanced. While wind speed forecasts can be helpful, they can often be inaccurate. In such cases, we are interested in providing the control room operators additional relevant information they can exploit to make well informed scheduling decisions. In this paper, we investigate if weather conditions in the region of the wind farms can be effective indicators of days when ramp events are likely. Using feature selection techniques from data mining, we show that some variables are more important than others and offer the potential of data-driven predictive models for days with ramp events.
Cursive script recognition by elastic matching

Dynamic programming has been found useful for performing nonlinear time warping for matching patterns in automatic speech recognition. Here, this technique is applied to the problem of recognizing cursive script. The parameters used in the matching are derived from time sequences of x-y coordinate data of words handwritten on an electronic tablet. Chosen for their properties of invariance with respect to size and translation of the writing, these parameters are found particularly suitable for the elastic matching technique. A salient feature of the recognition system is the establishment, in a training procedure, of prototypes by each writer using the system. In this manner, the system is tailored to the user. Processing is performed on a word-by-word basis after the writing is separated into words. Using prototypes for each letter, the matching procedure allows any letter to follow any letter and finds the letter sequence which best fits the unknown word. A major advantage of this procedure is that it combines letter segmentation and recognition in one operation by, in essence, evaluating recognition at all possible segmentations, thus avoiding the usual segmentation-then-recognition philosophy. Results on cursive writing are presented where the alphabet is restricted to the lower-case letters. Letter recognition accuracy is over 95 percent for each of three writers.
Isolation and Characterization of Human Tissue Kallikrein Produced inEscherichia coli:Biochemical Comparison to the Enzymatically Inactive Prokallikrein and Methionyl Kallikrein

This report describes bacterial expression, isolation, and characterization of human tissue kallikrein recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli. Successful production of enzymatically active recombinant human kallikrein requires the following processes: expression, solubilization and refolding of prokallikrein, thermolysin activation, and chromatographic separation. All experimental data confirmed that bacterially derived human kallikrein is properly folded and exhibits expected biochemical functions. As confirmed by SDS-PAGE and reverse-phase HPLC, recombinant kallikrein is apparently pure and is devoid of reduced or other partially folded kallikrein forms. Recombinant kallikrein behaves as a monomeric molecule in solution and exhibits full enzymatic activity in hydrolyzing peptide substrates. The molecule can bind to aprotinin to form kallikrein-inhibitor complex at a 1:1 molar ratio. Peptide mapping analysis derived from pepsin digestion of recombinant kallikrein assigned five disulfide bonds which match those of porcine kallikrein predicted from X-ray structure. Peptides containing unpaired cysteines or mispaired disulfide bonds were not detected. Both properly folded prokallikrein and methionyl kallikrein, containing a propeptide and an initiator methionine at their N-termini, respectively, were also produced and isolated. These two molecules are structurally similar to recombinant kallikrein, but are not enzymatically active.
Debt-reducing exchange offers

Announcements of debt-reducing exchange offers are associated with a negative average stock price reaction. We address two questions: Why do firms undertake debt-reducing exchange offers? And, what is the information conveyed by such offers? The answers are interrelated: Debt-reducing exchange offers are undertaken by financially weak firms in an effort to stave off further financial distress and, thereby, preserve value for shareholders. A successfully completed exchange offer significantly reduces the likelihood that a firm will enter Chapter 11. Announcements of debt-reducing exchange offers apparently contain two Ž.
The COR model for analyzing information systems change

Today's world is one of rapid and constant change. Computer-based information systems, as integral components of our businesses and personal lives, must change and adapt to maintain their effectiveness. IS professionals face the challenges of analyzing, enabling and controlling information systems changes. We present a formal model for viewing and analyzing information systems change. Drawing upon the biological model of punctuated equilibrium, we identify equilibriums in the IS life cycle at which system metrics can be collected and compared with previous equilibriums. Based upon one or more system metrics a set of COR measures are developed to study system core, obsolescence, and recency. We demonstrate the application of the COR model to two interesting cases of information systems change. Conclusions and future research directions complete the paper.
The human MHC : evidence for multiple HLA-D-region genes

The human major histocompatibiliy complex regulates immune responsiveness through a complex series of HLA-D-region-controlled molecules. The use of monoclonal antibodies to dissect this expanding array of molecules has allowed the structural characterization of several of these molecular species. Here biochemical studies are discussed which, coupled with classic serological techniques, have been used to construct a model of the genetic organization of the human HLA-D region.
Understanding Employment Barriers Among Older Korean Immigrants

Purpose of the Study: This study involved an in-depth exploration of the employment barriers of older Korean immigrants in Los Angeles. Design and Methods: This qualitative study used data obtained from 6 focus groups and 5 individual interviews. Participants were 36 older Korean immigrants living in Los Angeles, aged 50 years and older, and either unemployed or employed in part-time or full-time work. A grounded theory analytical approach and constant comparison method were used. Results: Ten major themes emerged as employment barriers for older Korean immigrants and were categorized as stereotype, human capital, and acculturation barriers. Ageism among employers specific to Korean culture, lack of English proficiency, separation from U.S. culture, marginalization from both Korean and U.S. cultures, and lack of social networks were important themes. In addition, older Korean immigrants experienced multiple interconnected barriers. Implications: The findings highlight the importance of using a multidimensional approach to explore employment barriers among older Korean immigrants who face multiple obstacles in finding jobs. Implications for local governments and Korean communities and potential services to support employment opportunities for older Korean immigrants are discussed.
Sexual monomorphism in spotted hyenas, Crocuta crocuta

Intersexual and intrasexual interactions by female spotted hyenas, (Crocuta crocuta), are correlated with the ability of the heavier and more aggressive females to dominate males at large carcasses, the principal food of spotted hyenas. Female spotted hyenas have a modified clitoris closely resembling a penis. A slightly bilobed scrotum containing fat and connective tissue contributes to the male-like appearance of the female sexual facies. Penile and pseudopenis erection by spotted hyenas occurs primarily during social encounters at carcasses and elsewhere. Analyses here, based on interspecies comparisons of spotted hyena, brown hyena (Hyaena brunnea) and striped hyena (H. hyaena) morphology, behavior and ecology and interpopulation comparisons of spotted hyenas suggest possible gradualistic evolutionary interpretations of the pseudopenis.
A novel microwave method for detection of long surface cracks in metals

A novel microwave technique for detecting long surface cracks in metals is described. This technique utilizes an open-ended waveguide to probe the surface of a metal. In the absence of a crack the metal surface is seen as a relatively good short-circuit load. However, in the presence of a crack higher order modes are generated which in turn change the reflection properties at the waveguide aperture. This change brings about a perturbation in the standing wave characteristics which is then probed by a diode detector. The experimental and theoretical foundations of this technique are given, along with several examples. It is shown that cracks a fraction of a millimeter in width are easily detected at around 20 GHz or lower. Smaller cracks can be detected at higher microwave frequencies. >
Construction of an interactive online phytoplasma classification tool, iPhyClassifier, and its application in analysis of the peach X-disease phytoplasma group (16SrIII).

Phytoplasmas, the causal agents of numerous plant diseases, are insect-vector-transmitted, cell-wall-less bacteria descended from ancestral low-G+C-content Gram-positive bacteria in the Bacillus–Clostridium group. Despite their monophyletic origin, widely divergent phytoplasma lineages have evolved in adaptation to specific ecological niches. Classification and taxonomic assignment of phytoplasmas have been based primarily on molecular analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences because of the inaccessibility of measurable phenotypic characters suitable for conventional microbial characterization. In the present study, an interactive online tool, iPhyClassifier, was developed to expand the efficacy and capacity of the current 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phytoplasma classification system. iPhyClassifier performs sequence similarity analysis, simulates laboratory restriction enzyme digestions and subsequent gel electrophoresis and generates virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles. Based on calculated RFLP pattern similarity coefficients and overall sequence similarity scores, iPhyClassifier makes instant suggestions on tentative phytoplasma 16Sr group/subgroup classification status and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species assignment. Using iPhyClassifier, we revised and updated the classification of strains affiliated with the peach X-disease phytoplasma group. The online tool can be accessed at http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/data/mppl/iPhyClassifier.html.
Plasticity at the micron scale

Over a scale which extends from about a fraction of a micron to tens of microns, metals display a strong size-dependence when deformed non uniformly into the plastic range: smaller is stronger. This effect has important implications for an increasing number of applications in electronics, structural materials and MEMS. Plastic behavior at this scale cannot be characterized by conventional plasticity theories because they incorporate no material length scale and predict no size effect. While micron sized solid objects are too small to be characterized by conventional theory, they are usually too large to be amenable to analysis using approaches presently available based on discrete dislocation mechanics. The relatively large numbers of dislocations governing plastic deformation at the micron scale motivate the development of a continuum theory of plasticity incorporating size-dependence. Strain gradient theories of plasticity have been developed for this purpose. The motivation and potential for such theories will be discussed. Important open issues surrounding the foundations of strain gradient plasticity will also be addressed and a few critical experiments identified.
CHARACTERIZATION OF WETLAND MITIGATION PROJECTS IN TENNESSEE, USA

We characterized wetland mitigation projects at 50 randomly selected sites across Tennessee, USA. Mitigation in the form of creation, restoration, enhancement, and preservation was used to replace the 38 ha of jurisdictional wetlands destroyed. Over 104 ha of compensatory wetland mitigation were proposed for this loss; however, only 77.7 ha were present when each of the sites was delineated. A large percentage of the mitigation area (61%) was in the form of preservation and enhancement of existing wetlands. The majority of sites (72%) contained less area than was stipulated in the permit. Poor design resulting in improper hydrology and poor survival of planted stock was likely the primary cause of this reduced area. Wetland mitigation efforts in Tennessee likely could be improved if greater emphasis was placed on design of the project, especially with regard to the hydrology of the site.
Computer Monitoring: The Hidden War Of Control

Monitoring has become the battleground for control between labor and management. A model is proposed which examines the dynamics of monitoring on labor through three functions. The first is the use of computer monitoring to reduce the worker to simply another part of the whole machine. The second function is to reduce workers to numbers arranged by their ability to meet mechanistic goals and objectives. The third looks at the ability of monitoring to reduce costs beyond automation through its elimination of supervision and middle-management. Implications are discussed.
Social Media in the 2010 Congressional Elections

This study investigates which candidates were more likely to adopt Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter in the 2010 U.S. midterm elections and the reasons why. Large majorities of the major party candidates for the House of Representatives had a Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel. Candidates who raised the most money and those who had familiarity with earlier generations of online media were the most likely early adopters. Constituency demographics did not influence the likelihood of adopting Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, however. We found some differences in adoption across social media. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to have adopted YouTube, but there were no party differences for Facebook and Twitter. YouTube also differed in that while competitiveness of the race increased adoption, peer adoption had no effect. In contrast, higher rates of peer adoption increased a candidate’s likelihood of adopting Facebook and Twitter, while competitiveness had no effect. Finally, incumbents were significantly more likely to have adopted Facebook and YouTube, but for the newest social media application, Twitter, incumbents were the least likely to be early adopters.The study makes three contributions. First, it compares and analyzes three different social media whose technology attributes differ in ways that prove relevant to adoption decisions and, we project, to the extent and nature of their usage. Second, we use diffusion of innovation theory to derive testable hypotheses predicting adoption and explaining our results. We thereby identify two new independent variables that prove important to social media adoption in campaigns: geographic proximity contagion and propensity to adopt campaign innovation technologies. Candidate’s age is important to YouTube adoption. Finally, we rely on nearly 100 interviews with candidates and campaign staff members to refine our hypotheses and provide a richer explanation for the motivating factors. The interviews reveal that candidates are both content providers and adoption decision-makers who are concerned about image and credibility, but only about the strategic competitiveness of their race in the case of YouTube adoption. They also provide documentation for the logical speculation that lack of money and limited paid staff lead to no or late social media adoption.
Absolute Stability Analysis Using the Liénard Equation: A Study Derived From Control of Fuel Cell Ultracapacitor Hybrids

Load-following in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), hybridized with an ultracapacitor for energy storage, refers to an operating mode where the fuel cell's generated power follows the variable power demand, delivering the total demanded power at steady-state. Implementing this operating mode presents a rich set of problems in dynamical systems and control. This paper focuses on state-of-charge (SOC) control of the ultracapacitor during load-following, under transient constraints, and in the presence of an unknown nonlinearity. The problem is generalized to stabilization of a plant containing a cascaded connection of a driver and a driven dynamics, where the former is nonlinear and largely unknown. Closed-loop stability of the system is studied as a Lur'e problem and via energy-based Lyapunov equations, but both impose conservative conditions on the nonlinearity. An alternate approach is developed, where the closed-loop dynamics are formulated as a class of Lienard equations. The corresponding analysis, which is based on the nonlinear characteristics of the Lienard equation, yields more definitive and less conservative stability criteria. Additional conditions that lead to limit cycles are also derived, and a bifurcation pattern is revealed. The generality of the proposed approach indicates applicability to a variety of nonlinear systems.
Hand grasp and motion for intent expression in mid-air virtual pottery

We describe the design and evaluation of a geometric interaction technique for bare-hand mid-air virtual pottery. We model the shaping of a pot as a gradual and progressive convergence of the pot-profile to the shape of the user's hand represented as a point-cloud (PCL). Our pottery-inspired application served as a platform for systematically revealing how users use their hands to express the intent of deformation during a pot shaping process. Through our approach, we address two specific problems: (a) determining start and end of deformation without explicit clutching and declutching, and (b) identifying user's intent by characterizing grasp and motion of the hand on the pot. We evaluated our approach's performance in terms of intent classification, users' behavior, and users' perception of controllability. We found that the expressive capability of hand articulation can be effectively harnessed for controllable shaping by organizing the deformation process in broad classes of intended operations such as pulling, pushing and fairing. After minimal practice with the pottery application, users could figure out their own strategy for reaching, grasping and deforming the pot. Further, the use of PCL as mid-air input allows for using common physical objects as tools for pot deformation. Users particularly enjoyed this aspect of our method for shaping pots.