cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling the effect of atmospheric attenuation on a propagation outdoor noise

Noise due to explosions can be represented by a Gaussian pulse containing all frequencies. The low frequencies tend to be attenuated significantly less than higher frequencies and can therefore travel over large distances measured in kilometers. To understand the effect of the frequency-dependent attenuation of the outdoor noise on the shape and amplitude of the propagated pulse, we assume three models of frequency dependence of the atmospheric attenuation (frequency-independent, proportional to absolute value of the frequency, and proportional to the square of frequency). In each case, we compute the effect of the attenuation on the Green's function, the propagation over a hard flat surface, both in the frequency and in the time domain. We also show that for practical frequencies and distances and in a uniform atmosphere, the method for calculation of the absorption of sound, is best approximated by an attenuation model that is proportional to frequency squared. In all cases, the impact on the shape of the pulse is characterized but is found in general to be minimal. Curiously, the constant attenuation case is the most effective, while an attenuation coefficient that is proportional to the squared frequency is the least effective because this latter case favors high frequencies and ignores the low frequencies, which are the more important frequencies for long-distance atmospheric propagation.
Dynamics of cold aisle air distribution in a raised floor data center

Server manufacturers test compute equipment under ideal conditions such as quiescent surroundings, with no adverse pressure gradients at the inlet, which, hardly exist in a real data center. The dynamics of cold air delivery to the server can significantly impact server cooling and performance, especially at higher rack densities. Presently, very little is known on the physics of cold air distribution in a rack in a high density data center environment. The experimental work reported in this paper provides an insight into the raised floor cold air delivery system currently adopted for rack cooling in a hot aisle/cold aisle data center. Air flow measurements using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) are performed in the cold aisle at the inlet of a single rack. Two cases of perforated tile air delivery rates are investigated. The first case with no discharge from the tile represents the ideal case under which the servers are typically tested by manufacturers. The second case represents a realistic high density data center environment, wherein 0.755 m3/s (∼1600 CFM) of air is discharged through the perforated tile. The analysis of the flow dynamics at the perforated tile surface, rack inlet and cold aisle boundaries is reported for both cases. A distinct change in the cold aisle air velocities and flow pattern at the interrogation boundaries is observed for both the cases.
Protein Profiling in Childhood Precursor B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization (SELDI) Mass Spectrometry: A Study of Archival Samples.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Even though the risk-group adjusted therapies have dramatically improved the outcome, approximately 25% of ALL patients experience relapse of the disease. Recent gene microarray studies showed distinct gene expression profiles for immunophenotypically and genetically defined ALL subgroups and their association with treatment outcome. However, not only transcriptional control, but also a variety of post-transcriptional/post-translational modifications, play an important role in regulating protein expression and function, and ultimately may prove informative for predicting tumor behavior. In this pilot study, we hypothesize that in childhood precursor B ALL surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry can identify proteins discriminating between age and WBC defined risk-groups. Ultimately, specific proteins may emerge that will provide predictive information beyond currently known prognostic factors. Our pilot series consisted of 78 pediatric precursor B ALL patients. The protein samples were obtained from archival Wright-Giemsa stained bone marrow aspirate smears. Initial experiments, using CM10 and IMAC30 chips demonstrated that the latter provided superior resolution and presented more numerous protein peaks. The protein mass spectra were originally generated using laser intensities of 150 and 160 arbitrary units. Data obtained at laser intensity of 160 was used for further analysis. Twenty-three protein peaks common to all samples were identified within examined range (up to 30 kDa; CiphergenExpressData Manager software, Ciphergen, Fremont, CA). These proteins span the spectrum between 1.0 to 15.2 kDa. The comparison of protein profiles between standard- and high-risk groups (SR and HR, respectively), WBC subgroups (less and more than 50 K/ul) and in the prognostic age groups was performed. Two protein peaks, 3.0 and 1.7 kDa, discriminated between SR and HR (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). Both proteins showed significantly higher intensity in SR group. The protein peak of 3.0 kDa was further confirmed to discriminate between patients with low and high presentation WBC (p=0.01). Our results demonstrate that reliable quality protein profiles can be obtained using archival Wright-Giemsa stained bone marrow aspirate smears. Using this technology, specific proteins were found to discriminate between prognostic risk-groups. We are currently analyzing precursor B-cells sorted from non-neoplastic bone marrows to compare protein profiles to our pilot precursor B ALL series in a cluster analysis. The use of archival material facilitates analysis of large patient series and identification of protein panels with prognostic power, which can be validated in prospective studies.
Safety Assessment and Design of Dependable Cybercars: For today and the future.

Future generations of automobiles (also known as cybercars) will further increase the proliferation of electronic control units (ECUs) to contrive novel infotainment and distributed control applications. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26262 is an automotive standard that designates automotive safety integrity levels (ASILs) to indicate the criticality associated with a function. This article aims to provide a concise discussion on the safety assessment and design of dependable cybercars considering the current state of the art and future perspectives. I will elaborate on the risk assessment and design of dependable cybercars as stipulated in ISO 26262 and classify failure modes in cybercars and the methods to assess these failures. I will also discuss various hardware architectural metrics to assess safety and dependability of a cybercar design as well as various research challenges and future research directions for realizing safe and dependable cybercars.
Superiority of “maze-dull” animals on visual tasks in an automated maze

Two major studies and a number of pilot studies involving 100 descendants of the Berkeley S1 and S3 strains of rats were accomplished in a versatile automated maze. Positive- and negative-reinforcement paradigms were used in separate experiments, and the “dull” S3s consistently showed superior performance o n visual-discrimination and reversal discrimination problems. It is concluded that traditional “bright” and “dull” labels are clearly faulty for these strains.
Experimental confirmation of the atomic force microscope cantilever stiffness tilt correction

The tilt angle (angle of repose) of an AFM cantilever relative to the surface it is interrogating affects the effective stiffness of the cantilever as it analyzes the surface. For typical AFMs and cantilevers that incline from 10° to 15° tilt, this is thought to be a 3%-7% stiffness increase correction. While the theoretical geometric analysis of this effect may have reached a consensus that it varies with cos-2 θ, there is very little experimental evidence to confirm this using AFM cantilevers. Recently, the laser Doppler vibrometry thermal calibration method utilized at NIST has demonstrated sufficient stiffness calibration accuracy, and precision to allow a definitive experimental confirmation of the particular trigonometric form of this tilt effect using a commercial microfabricated AFM cantilever specially modified to allow strongly tilted (up to 15°) effective cantilever stiffness measurements.
Room for a third space with testimonio as curriculum and pedagogy

The goal of this self-study is to share the process of a first-year, White, middle-class, female teacher adopting a pedagogy and writing curriculum that speaks to the lived realities of her Mexican...
Qualitative Choice and Logit Models Applied to Price Optimization

Multinomial Logit Model can be implemented in a Qualitative Choice Situation in order to generate an optimal pricing policy. The analysis is based on a simple case where the seller has to define the best combination of prices to offer for two products, considering a single-type of costumers. Three alternative approaches are compared for the computation: Multinomial Logit, Binary Logit, and Two Stage or Logit-Logit. The analysis of the problem involves three phases: Simulation of sales data, Estimation of parameters and Price optimization.
Optical Activity of Mixed-Ligand Complexes of Tb(III) with Pyridine-2,6-Dicarboxylic Acid and Hydroxycarboxylic Acids

The interaction between Tb(III) and several α-hydroxycarboxylic acids has been studied by means of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopy. Complexes having the general formula Tb(DPA)(L) in ratios of 1:2:1 and 1:1:1 were studied (where DPA signifies pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate) were studied in an attempt to use CPL spectroscopy as a probe of the solution chemistry existing between the Tb/DPA complexes and the chiral hydroxycarboxylic acids. The chiral L ligands used were L-hydroxy-isocaproic acid, L-arginnic acid, L-hydroxyglutaric acid, and D-isocitric acid. All of the ligands were found to bind Tb(III) in a bidentate fashion, except for isocitrate which appeared to be terdentate. Equilibrium quotients for the interaction of the Tb/DPA complexes were calculated from the CPL data.
Production of xylanolitic enzymes and xylooligosaccharides by Aureobasidium pullulans CCT 1261 in submerged cultivation

Abstract Endo-β-1,4-xylanases are microbial-produced enzymes capable of converting lignocellulosic biomass in value-added products of biotechnological interest, such as xylooligosaccharides (XOS). Although endo-β-1,4-xylanase production using lignocellulosic substrates is commonly studied, there are few reports investigating the production of both xylanolytic enzymes and XOS by microbial species. In this paper, the production of xylanolytic enzymes and XOS by three Aureobasidium pullulans strains was evaluated during submerged cultivation, as well as the use of untreated and alkali pretreated agricultural substrates as sources of xylan for endo-β-1,4-xylanase production. The CCT 1261 strain showed the highest endo-β-1,4-xylanase activity (74.94 U/mL), specific activity (158.65 U/mg protein), productivity (P, 1.25 U/mL.h), maximum specific growth rate (μmax, 0.18 1/h), and maximum biomass concentration (Xmax, 4.10 g/L); and a low β-xylosidase production (0.19 U/mL). XOS production by the CCT 1261 strain was verified in the first 12 h of cultivation, which reached the total concentration of 1.68 mg/mL, and the XOS produced were comprised mainly of xylobiose and xylotriose. Among the agricultural substrates evaluated, untreated rice bran showed the highest amount of hemicellulose (29.6%) and a low lignin content (12.2%), which implied in the highest endo-β-1,4-xylanase activity (11.69 U/mL) when used as substrate in submerged cultivation. Endo-β-1,4-xylanase could be produced by A. pullulans in an economical way using a by-product of rice grain milling, which can be further improved by optimization of the submerged cultivation conditions.
Scalable Methods for Device Patterning as an Outstanding Challenge in Translating Paper-Based Microfluidics from the Academic Benchtop to the Point-of-Care

Paper-based microfluidic devices offer unparalleled adaptability for the development of low-cost, point-of-care analytical tests. The potential for these devices to drastically improve access to healthcare around the globe is obvious, but very few tests have found success in clinical environments. Here, we identify manufacturing—specifically, methods to pattern paper devices at large scales—as a major barrier to translating prototype paper-based devices from the academic benchtop to the field. We introduce current methods used to pattern papers and discuss their utility as means to prototype and manufacture paper-based devices.
Renal function after kidney surgery: "it's tough to make predictions, especially about the future".

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the treatment of choice for the majority of cT1 renal masses (1,2); however, selecting which procedure maximizes benefit and minimizes harm remains a significant clinical challenge. The controversy regarding the decision to perform radical nephrectomy (RN) or PN revolves around the concern for oncologically sound surgery versus optimizing postoperative renal function (2,3). Thus, a focus of research has tried to identify nomograms and protocols to determine the ideal patients for each surgical modality.
Neoplastic and Infectious Diseases Masquerading as Uveitis

Intraocular lymphoma has been termed reticulum cell sarcoma (RCS), histiocytic lymphoma, primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the CNS (NHL-CNS).1–6 Although RCS is well ingrained in the ophthalmic literature, this disease is not a sarcoma, nor is it of histiocytic origin. RCS is the most inaccurate name for this disease; nevertheless, it is virtually interchangeable with intraocular large cell lymphoma in the literature.
Medical and non‐medical cannabis use and risk of prescription opioid use disorder: Findings from propensity score matching

Introduction and aims Previous research suggested that cannabis use was associated with increased risks of prescription opioid misuse and use disorder. This study examined whether these associations differed by cannabis use purpose. Design and methods This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional surveys with propensity score matching. Medical cannabis users (N = 1295), cannabis dual users with both medical and non-medical purposes (N = 707) and non-medical cannabis users (N = 18 666) were compared with cannabis non-users (N = 57 196) in the pooled 2013-2016 US nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Propensity score models were applied to match cannabis non-users to cannabis users with different purposes with respect to potential confounders in individual socioeconomic characteristics, other substance use disorders and health conditions. In a matched sample, logistic regressions were used to assess associations. Results Propensity score matching considerably improved the balance of the potential confounders between cannabis non-users and users. In a matched sample, non-medical cannabis use was associated with increased risks of prescription opioid misuse (OR = 3.15, 95%CI: 2.89-3.44) and use disorder (OR = 2.52, 95%CI: 2.06-3.10). Cannabis dual use and medical cannabis use were associated with increased risks of prescription opioid misuse (OR = 2.55, 95%CI: 1.78-3.65; OR = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.58-2.91, respectively), but they were not associated with prescription opioid use disorder. Discussion and conclusions Medical and non-medical cannabis use both were both associated with increased risks of prescription opioid misuse. Medical cannabis use, however, was not associated with prescription opioid use disorder, and non-medical cannabis was. There appeared to be differential associations between cannabis use and prescription opioid use disorder by cannabis use purpose.
Superlattice hole injection layers for UV LEDs grown on SiC

AlGaN-based germicidal UV LEDs show promise in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through disinfection of air, water, and surfaces. We report UV LEDs grown by MOCVD on SiC substrates, fabricated into thin-film flip chip devices. Replacing the uniform p-AlxGa1-xN layer (x = 0.2) with a short-period-superlattice of alternating (x = 0.1 and 0.8) Al-composition improved EQE from 1.3% to 2.7% (3.2% with encapsulation) at 20 A/cm2. Peak EQE and WPE values of 4.8% and 2.8% (287 nm) were measured at current densities below 2 A/cm2, and maximum output power of 7.4 mW (76 mW/mm2) was achieved at 284 nm. Further WPE improvements are expected with both superlattice and uniform layer optimization, improved p-contact metallization, and active region optimization.
Change the Narrative: Empathy in Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

In post-apocalyptic fiction, the concept of empathy often is depicted as a weakness that the characters cannot afford if they hope to survive. This depiction leads to harmful perceptions on the value of empathy and its ability to avert apocalyptic catastrophes. By examining David Clement-Davies young adult novel The Sight through theories of narrative empathy and through James Berger’s theories of post-apocalyptic representation, this essay argues that by representing empathic understanding, fiction writers have the power to influence positive changes in real world situations. By representing the need to teach empathy for all people, regardless of their differences, and the harm a lack of empathy can cause on both a personal level and on a large societal scale, this novel encourages future generations to seek peaceful and empathic solutions instead of repeating the cataclysmic mistakes of their forebearers.
‘Where tide and river meet’: the estuarial imaginaries of Sarah Orne Jewett, H.D., and Louise Bogan

This article is situated in the brackish intersections between river studies and oceanic studies. Comparing the works of Sarah Orne Jewett, H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), and Louise Bogan, I argue these t...
Outcome-Yield Evaluation and Risk

Only after the range of possible outcomes of a chancy situation is determined can one assess the opportunities and risks that the situation poses. And these outcomes have to be seen as plausible prospects for realization over the nearer term. Possibilities for the longer term and more distant consequences become increasingly obscure with the elongation of the timespan and thereby become too problematic for realistic consideration. It is accordingly useful to distinguish between the outcome of a chancy situations, and its more eventual result. Thus if X makes a $10 bet with Y, the outcome could be a win for X, while the result might be X’s purchase of a cigar. The theory of rational deliberation generally leaves aside these imponderable longer-term matters of result and eventual ultimacy out of sight.
Vegetation Phenology in Global Change Studies

Global change, encompassing natural and anthropogenic changes to the Earth system at sub-annual to geologic time scales, has strong interactions with vegetation phenology. In this chapter we will refer to global change as alterations to the Earth system that are certainly or probably influenced by human activity, primarily since the industrial revolution. This form of global change includes irrefutable anthropogenic alterations to terrestrial land cover and alterations to the global climate that are probably anthropogenically influenced. Within this context we discuss three aspects of vegetation phenology: the influence of vegetation phenology on general circulation models (GCMs); a wavelet analysis of phenological patterns and associated evidence of likely phenological responses to direct human-induced land cover alteration; and third, serious challenges regarding the use of phenological data and concepts in global change research.
Microscopy analysis and production rate data for needleless vertical rods electrospinning parameters

A multiple vertical rod setup for needless electrospinning was used to fabricate submicron polymer fibers. The design with multiple vertical rods is a new concept for increased production of electrospun fibers. Different geometries and operating conditions are possible. The effects of varying the number of rods in the array have been studied and reported [1]. The goal of this work was a proof of concept of the threaded rod design by exploring the effects of variations in applied voltage and gap distance for a fixed array of rods. Effects on fiber diameter and production rate of fibers are reported. More extensive experiments are needed to quantify the interrelations between parameters and to guide the design and operation of the method. No attempt was made to optimize the operating parameters or the geometry in terms of production rates or fiber diameters.
Purification of uridine diphosphate-galactose:glucosyl ceramide, beta 1-4 galactosyltransferase from human kidney.

Abstract A galactosyltransferase that transfers galactose from UDP-galactose to glucosylceramide was purified 440-fold to apparent homogeneity from normal human kidney "buffy coat" preparation employing detergent extraction, ultrafiltration, and Sepharose Q column chromatography. On reducing and nonreducing gels, the enzyme resolved into two bands with apparent molecular weights on the order of 60,000 and 58,000, respectively. The activity of the enzyme was also associated with these two bands following separation on polyacrylamide gels. Analytical isoelectric focusing revealed that the pI of this enzyme is approximately 4.55. Product characterization and substrate specificity studies employing chromatography, enzymatic digestion with various glycosidases, and use of a variety of glycosphingolipid substrates revealed that the major product synthesized by this enzyme was Cer1-1 beta Glc4-1Gal, and Cer1-1 beta Glc was the preferred substrate. Digestion of the 60- and 58-kDa proteins with Staphylococcus aureus (V-8) protease revealed at least six peptides having identical electrophoretic migration. This finding suggests that the two proteins may be related to each other. Western immunoblot assays revealed that the antibody against UDP-galactose:GlcCer, beta 1-4 galactosyltransferase (GalT-2) but not galactosyltransferase UDP-Gal:N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-glycopeptide 4-beta-D-galactosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.38) (B-GT) immunoprecipitated (recognized) the kidney GalT-2. In contrast, antibody against B-GT did not immunoprecipitate GalT-2. Thus our data indicate that GalT-2 and B-GT are two distinct enzymes. The availability of the enzyme GalT-2 and corresponding antibody will allow functional studies in the near future.
From Vilified to Victorious: Reconceiving La Corriveau in Anne Hébert’s La Cage

The eighteenth-century murder case of Marie-Josephte Corriveau inspired a significant body of nineteenth-century fictional adaptations, notable among them Philippe Aubert de Gaspe’s Les Anciens Canadiens , James Macpherson Le Moine’s “Marie-Josephte Corriveau, A Canadian Lafarge,” Louis Frechette’s “Une Relique,” and William Kirby’s The Golden Dog . Although based on a scarcity of reliable archival information, these works transformed a rather banal incident of domestic violence into a cultural myth of great proportions. In her 1989 play La Cage , Anne Hebert denounces and dispels resilient Quebecois conceptions of La Corriveau as a murderer, a witch, or a ghost and instead casts the storied figure as a new mythical Quebec mother. Hebert relies on a combination of history, myth, and fiction to subvert basic tenets of the nineteenth-century legend, such as the fundamental symbol of La Corriveau’s iron cage; in doing so, she is able to rewrite and right some of history’s wrongs.
Steroid Hormone Receptor Signaling in Cancer

SHRs function as hormone activated, sequence specific DNA binding transcription factors that recruit multiple coactivator and other proteins to specific genes and generally stimulate transcription of these genes. SHR may have further genomic actions, that do not involve direct DNA binding, through protein-protein interactions with other sequence specific transcription factors, although these may still involve weak binding to nonconsensus steroid responsive elements in vivo. SHRs also appear to have nongenomic effects mediated through interactions with cytoplasmic signaling proteins. The major functions of SHRs in normal adult tissues appear to involve stimulation of differentiation, rather than proliferation. In contrast, the ERα and AR directly stimulate the growth of breast and prostate cancers, respectively, indicating a critical change in their functions. The ERα and AR appear to undergo further adaptation in tumor cells in response to hormonal therapies, that render these therapies ineffective. Understanding the molecular basis for these changes in SHR function during cancer development and progression may provide new targets for the generation of drugs to prevent and treat steroid stimulated cancers.
Implementing Discrete Mathematics: Combinatorics And Graph Theory With Mathematica

Permutations and Combinations Permutations Permutation Groups Inversions and Inversion Vectors Special Classes of Permutations Combinations Exercises and Research Problems * Partitions, Compositions, and Young Tableaux Partitions Compositions Young Tableaux Exercises and Research Problems * Representing Graphs Data Structures for Graphs Elementary Graph Operations Graph Embeddings Storage Formats Exercises and Research Problems * Generating Graphs Regular Structures Trees Random Graphs Relations and Functional Graphs Exercises and Research Problems * Properties of Graphs Connectivity Graph Isomorphism Cycles in Graphs Partial Orders Graph Coloring Cliques, Vertex Covers, and Independent Sets Exercises and Research Problems * Algorithmic Graph Theory Shortest Paths Minimum Spanning Trees Network Flow Matching Planar Graphs Exercises and Research Problems
DECAY SCHEME OF 25-MINUTE $sup 131$gTe

The decay of 25-min ${\mathrm{Te}}^{131g}$ produced by ${\mathrm{Te}}^{130}(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ has been investigated with the use of Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray detectors. Coincidence relationships among the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were determined in $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and sum-peak coincidence experiments. Because of the good resolution of the Ge(Li) detector we have been able to resolve complex $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray peaks observed in the \ensuremath{\sim}350- and 950- to 1000-keV regions in previous studies and to observe additional $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. The energies (in keV) of observed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays and their percentage intensities relative to 150-keV (in parentheses) are: 279 (1), 343 (1.1), 384 (1.1), 453 (24.0), 493 (7.0), 544 (0.4), 603 (5.9), 654 (1.8), 695 (0.5), 727 (0.4), 842 (0.2), 898 (0.3), 933 (1.2), 948 (3.0), 952 (0.6), 997 (5.1), 1007 (1.5), 1098 (0.8), 1147 (9.4), 1295 (1.4). The main changes from previous level schemes for ${\mathrm{I}}^{131}$ are the lowering of the \ensuremath{\sim}350-keV transitions to near the ground state and the addition of levels at 877, 1188, and 1445 keV. Preliminary measurements on the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays of 1.2-day ${\mathrm{Te}}^{131m}$ are reported. Trends of the low-lying levels of odd-$A$ iodine isotopes from mass 127 to mass 131 are discussed. The half life of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{131g}$ was determined to be 25.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 min.
Fuel and diluent effects on diesel odor species in a premixed flat flame

As a group of diesel engine exhaust products, oxygenated hydrocarbons have been found to be responsible for the characteristic diesel odor. Contadictory effects of fuel properties on the emission levels of these species in both diesel engines and spray burner experiments have been reported. In the present study, a prevaporized premixed flat flame was used to investigate the fuel and diluent effects on these species. The results suggest a definite fuel effect on formation rates of oxygenates. In general, aromatic fuels produced higher concentration levels of oxygenates than paraffins, and the oxygenate concentration increases as the carbon number increases for the straight chain compounds. GC/MS analysis of the oxygenate fraction of the samples indicated a similar oxidation mechanism for all alkanes. Branching of alkanes was found to lead to more cyclization, but not always higher oxygenate levels. The addition of CO/sub 2/ as a diluent in the combustion air increased the levels of oxygenates in the flame and post flame zones. However, diffusivity of the mixture was found to have no such effect. GC/MS analysis of the CO/sub 2/ diluted samples indicated a suppression of ring formation relative to air only samples.
Growth of Allescheria boydii in Antibiotic-Containing Media

Cazin, John, Jr. (University of Iowa, Iowa City), and David W. Decker. Growth of Allescheria boydii in antibiotic-containing media. J. Bacteriol. 90:1308–1313. 1965.—Thirteen isolates of Allescheria boydii were surveyed for their ability to grow and sporulate on media containing cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. The fungus grew well in the presence of 4 to 8 mg/ml of cycloheximide, whereas ascocarps and coremia were always inhibited at a concentration of the drug lower than that required to inhibit growth and conidial production. In certain strains, ascocarp production was inhibited by concentrations of cycloheximide (0.4 mg/ml) normally used in selective media; however, two strains produced mature ascocarps at a concentration of 1 mg/ml of the antibiotic, and two strains produced immature ascocarps at a concentration of 4 mg/ml. Growth inhibition was not observed with concentrations of chloramphenicol as high as 1,000 mg per liter in any of eight strains tested.
MC++and a Transport Physics Framework

The Department of Energy has launched the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) to address a pressing need for more comprehensive computer simulation capabilities in the area of nuclear weapons safety and reliability. In light of the decision by the US Government to abandon underground nuclear testing, the Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship (SBSS) program is focused on using computer modeling to assure the continued safety and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile. The authors believe that the utilization of object-oriented design and programming techniques can help in this regard. Object-oriented programming (OOP) has become a popular model in the general software community for several reasons. MC++ is a specific ASCI-relevant application project which demonstrates the effectiveness of the object-oriented approach. It is a Monte Carlo neutron transport code written in C++. It is designed to be simple yet flexible, with the ability to quickly introduce new numerical algorithms or representations of the physics into the code. MC++ is easily ported to various types of Unix workstations and parallel computers such as the three new ASCI platforms, largely because it makes extensive use of classes from the Parallel Object-Oriented Methods and Applications (POOMA) C++ class library. The MC++ code has been successfully benchmarked using some simple physics test problems, has been shown to provide comparable serial performance and a parallel efficiency superior to that of a well-known Monte Carlo neutronics package written in Fortran, and was the first ASCI-relevant application to run in parallel on all three ASCI computing platforms.
Trade Interdependence and the Issues at Stake in the Onset of Militarized Conflict: Exploring a Boundary Condition of Pacific Interstate Relations

This article explores a boundary condition surrounding the effect of trade interdependence on the onset of interstate conflict. In particular, we focus on the types of conflict experienced by states, including territory, policy, and regime conflicts. We draw on the MID 3.1 and Oneal and Russett’s data to build three multinomial logit models to examine how trade interdependence affects territorial, policy, and regime types of conflict between 1885 and 2000. We find that trade interdependence significantly decreases the onset of all three types of conflict. This result largely holds across three different measures of trade interdependence. Moreover, we discover that the pacific effect of trade interdependence on the three types of conflict displays different patterns. Trade interdependence at the moderate and middle levels plays a marginal role in pacifying territorial and policy conflict. This effect becomes quite strong between states with high levels of interdependence. For policy conflicts, the threshol...
Integrated Luneburg lens via ultra-strong index gradient on silicon

Gradient index structures are gaining increased importance with the constant development of Transformation Optics and metamaterials. Our ability to fabricate such devices, while limited, has already demonstrated the extensive capabilities of those designs, in the forms of invisibility devices, as well as illusion optics and super-lensing. In this paper we present a low loss, high index contrast lens that is integrated with conventional nanophotonic waveguides to provide improved tolerance in fiber-to-chip optical links for future communication networks. This demonstration represents a positive step in making the extraordinary capabilities of gradient index devices available for integrated optics.
Oxidation of Alkenes, Sulfides, Amines, and Phosphines with Peroxynitrous Acid: Comparison with Other Oxidants Such as Peroxyformic Acid and Dimethyldioxirane

The oxidation reactions of ethylene, propene, dimethyl sulfide, trimethylamine, and trimethylphosphine with peroxynitrous acid have been studied computationally with the B3LYP, MP2, MP4, CISD, QCISD, and QCISD(T) levels of theory. The activation barriers for the alkene (ethylene and propene) epoxidations (18.4 and 15.5 kcal/mol at the QCISD(T)/6-31G*//QCISD/6-31G* level, respectively) and for the oxidations of dimethyl sulfide, trimethylamine, and trimethylphosphine (8.3, 4.6, and 0.5 kcal/mol at the QCISD(T)/6-31G*//B3LYP/6-311G** level, respectively) with peroxynitrous acid are similar to the barriers of their oxidations with peroxyformic acid and dimethyldioxirane, although these peroxides have very diverse O−O bond dissociation energies. Therefore, the feasibility of alkene epoxidation and the oxidations of methyl-substituted sulfides, amines, and phosphines by peroxynitrous acid should not differ significantly from those for peroxyformic acid and dimethyldioxirane. The transition structures for the e...
Expert bidder for a pilot's monthly schedule

Several weeks before each month begins, an airline pilot is issued a bid package describing the coming month's schedule. The pilot must turn in a bid on the schedule. Schedulers then assign a "line of time" based on the category seniority number of the pilot. (A category is defined by the base, aircraft type, and seat, i.e. captain, copilot, or flight engineer.) The most senior pilot in a category gets his/her first choice and need bid only one line. The second most senior pilot will get his first choice if it is different from the #1 pilot, or his second choice if their first choices are the same. And so it goes on down the seniority list. It is obvious that a pilot must bid at least as many lines of time as his category seniority to insure he is not assigned an undesired line. Many factors can enter into bidding the lines of time, and especially for pilots near the bottom of the category seniority, a lot of time is involved. Each pilot weighs the importance of each factor differently, and priorities of each pilot often change from month to month. This paper describes an expert system to help make the task easier and more exact. The system is programmed in OPS5 and runs on a VAX 8800 machine.
Fourier transform and distributional representation of the generalized gamma function with some applications

Abstract We present a Fourier transform representation of the generalized gamma functions, which leads to a distributional representation for them as a series of Dirac-delta functions. Applications of these representations are shown in evaluation of the integrals of products of the generalized gamma function with other functions. The results for Euler’s gamma function are deduced as special cases. The relation of the generalized gamma function with the Macdonald function is exploited to deduce new identities for it.
Blockerette-Ligated Capture T7-Amplified RT-PCR, a New Method for Determining Flanking Sequences

We have developed a highly sensitive PCR-based technique termed blockerette-ligated capture T7-amplified reverse-transcription PCR (BCT-RT-PCR), which can be used to characterize unknown proviral flanking sequences from a broad range of samples and depends only on knowing the retroviral sequence. This method incorporates several essential elements to make it both sensitive and specific, including a "blockerette" linker, magnetic capture of target sequences, and exponential replication of potentially rare sequences using a nested promoter for T7 RNA polymerase, followed by nested RT-PCR. This linkage of methods was designed to increase sensitivity by decreasing DNA complexity in favor of specific amplification. The resulting PCR products can be directly sequenced to determine integration sequences. We have successfully determined the integration sequences from as little as 30 pg of provirus-containing DNA in the background of 30 ng of untransduced DNA, representing a 0.1% transduction rate. We also show this technique to have single-cell resolution even in the background of 5000 cells. We describe here for the first time the combined use of BCT-RT-PCR and laser-capture microscopy (LCM) for precise isolation of retrovirally transduced cells followed by determination of the 3' retroviral flanking sequence at the single-cell level. This method will aid significantly in determining clonality both in transplant experiments and in the generation of clonal cell populations.
High‐performance biobased epoxy derived from rosin

Great achievements have been made in the research of biobased thermoplastic polymers, but the progress concerning thermosetting resins has been minor. In particular, research on high-performance thermosetting polymers from renewable feedstock has not been reported elsewhere. A novel biobased epoxy was synthesized from a rosin acid. Its chemical structure was confirmed using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the rosin-based epoxy possessed high glass transition temperature (Tg = 153.8 °C), high storage modulus at room temperature (G′ = 2.4 GPa) and good thermal stability. A rosin-based epoxy with excellent properties was achieved. The results suggest it is possible to develop high-performance thermosetting resins from renewable resources. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Olfactory toxicity of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and disulfiram and the protective effect of DDTC against the olfactory toxicity of dichlobenil

Disulfiram and its breakdown product diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) have been investigated for their potential to protect against chemically-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis because of their inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 2E1. We used DDTC in order to examine the role that cytochrome P450 2E1 plays in the bioactivation of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) and 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (dichlobenil), resulting in site-specific olfactory lesions in the Long-Evans rat and C57B1 mouse. DDTC and disulfiram themselves produced olfactory mucosal lesions in the rat, whereas DDTC protected against the olfactory toxic effects of dichlobenil in the mouse. A dose-response study revealed that approximately twice the dose of DDTC was required in mice to cause the same olfactory toxic effects seen in the rat. A study to determine the catalytic activity of P450 2E1 by p-nitrophenol (PNP) hydroxylation indicated that the Long-Evans rat nasal mucosa is 2.4 times more active than the C57B1 mouse, which may account for the greater susceptibility of the rat to the olfactory toxic effects of DDTC. PNP hydroxylation assays confirmed that DDTC decreased P450 2E1 activity in both the rat and mouse liver and nasal mucosa. Whereas the results of the mouse study strengthen the hypothesis that dichlobenil is bioactivated to a toxic metabolite by cytochrome P450 2E1 in the C57B1 mouse, rats pretreated with a marginally toxic dose of DDTC prior to the administration of IDPN displayed olfactory mucosal damage, indicating that an alternative or additional pathway may be operative in the metabolism of IDPN and/or DDTC.
Never spare the rod

The Rhabdoviruses. Edited By Robert R. Wagner. Plenum: 1987. Pp.544. $89.50 (North America), $107.40 (elsewhere)
Exhaust Emissions and Performance of a Spark Ignition Engine Using Oxygen Enriched Intake Air

Abstract Oxygen was added to the intake air of a spark ignition engine to determine its effects on exhaust emissions and engine performance. Increasing the content of O2 in the intake air of the engine from 21 to 32 percent by volume, increased exhaust nitric oxide emissions, decreased exhaust hydrocarbon emissions, decreased thermal efficiency and permitted leaner engine operation. These effects can be largely attributed to high flame temperatures and/or flame speeds with Os enriched air.
Barriers within firms to energy-efficient investments

Abstract Many investments in energy efficiency fail to be made despite their apparent profitability. Internal hurdle rates are often set at levels higher than the cost of capital to the firm. Reasons for these practices include bounded rationality, principal-agent problems, and moral hazard. The policy implication is that government can simultaneously improve overall energy efficiency and increase private sector productivity by providing informational and organizational services that go beyond the traditional regulatory framework.
Input organization as a mediating factor in memory: A comparison of educable mentally retarded and nonretarded individuals

Abstract The effect of presentation context on the organization and recall of strongly related and weakly related words was examined in EMR adolescents and nonretarded fifth-grade children of the same mental age (131 months). In blocked presentation formats, subjects sorted words into experimenter-defined groups of four, in which the order of the groupings either changed from trial to trial (i.e., blocked-random), or was consistent across trials (i.e., blocked-consistent). In sort-prompt conditions, subjects were free to structure their own relationships among items during presentation, following instructions to form meaning-based groups (i.e., minimum-sort-prompt), or given explicit training in sorting categorization and sorting stability (i.e., maximum-sort-prompt). Both subject groups found the minimum-sort-prompt method to be as effective as the maximum-sort-prompt method for improving measures of recall and clustering relative to the blocked-random method. Nevertheless, nonretarded children showed higher levels of organization for strongly related items, and better recall and organization for weakly related items. Subsequent analyses suggested that the lower memory performance of the EMR individuals receiving weakly related items was the result of both inconsistent and poorly structured sorting schemes across trials.
Compliance With Recommendations From an Outpatient Geriatric Consultation Team

For outpatient geriatric consultation to be effective, it is necessary, although not sufficient, that recommendations made to patients are followed. This prospective cohort study describes the natu...
Stabilization of alternating TR steady-state free precession sequences.

Abstract Alternating TR steady-state free precession (ATR SSFP) has been proposed as a method to achieve a favorable frequency response compared to that of conventional balanced SSFP. ATR SSFP, much like conventional SSFP, exhibits oscillatory transient signal behavior that can degrade image quality. Thus an efficient preparation scheme is desired in order to actively reduce this initial signal fluctuation. Using an approach similar to that of Le Roux [Simplified model and stabilization of SSFP sequences, J. Magn. Resonan. 163 (1) (2003) 23–37], we construct a mathematical model for ATR SSFP sequences and show a Fourier relation between the separated odd and even terms of the RF flip angle increment sequence during an initial preparation, and the resulting oscillatory residues. A weighted Kaiser–Bessel windowed ramp can be used to design preparation schemes for arbitrary TR1, TR2, and RF phase cycling combinations. Optimized Kaiser–Bessel windowed ramp preparations for wideband SSFP and fat-suppressed ATR SSFP imaging are tested in phantoms. The results show substantially reduced transient signal oscillation with this new initial preparation method.
Distribution of type A and type B monoamine oxidase activities in rat and chicken skeletal muscle and nerves

Abstract The monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities and proportions of type A and type B MAO in rat and chicken skeletal muscles, sciatic nerves, phrenic nerves, brachial plexi, spinal cords and motor cortices were studied. Skeletal muscle contained mainly or exclusively type A MAO. The MAO in neural tissue of both species was 30–95 per cent type A, with chicken neural tissue tending to have more type B MAO than the rat. There was no evidence of a correlation between the total MAO activity of particular nerves and the MAO activity of the skeletal muscles they innervate. The MAO activity of the skeletal muscles did not correlate with their frequencies of contraction.
Is backpropagation biologically plausible

The author searches for neurobiologically plausible implementations of the backpropagation gradient descent algorithm. Any such implementation must be consistent with physical constraints such as locality (i.e., that the behavior of any component can be influenced solely by components in physical contact with it) and contingent facts of biology, and must also preserve global network properties such as fault tolerance, stability, and graceful degradation to hardware errors. The authors finds that in several posited implementations these design considerations imply that a finely structured neural connectivity is needed as well as a number of neurons and synapses beyond those inferred from the algorithmic network presentations of backpropagation. Gating synapses (Sigma-Pi units) are present while Hebbian (or pseudo-Hebbian) synapses are absent from all his posited implementations. Although backpropagation can in principle be implemented in neurobiology, such high network structure and the organizational principles required for its generation at the level of individual neurons will require more support from experimental neurobiology. >