cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic Use of Vision to Push Back the Path-Planning Horizon

Mobile robots need maps or other forms of geometric information about the environment to navigate. The mobility sensors (LADAR, stereo, etc.) on these robotic vehicles can however populate these maps only up to a distance of a few tens of meters. A navigation system has no knowledge about the world beyond this sensing horizon. As a result, path planners that rely only on this knowledge are unable to anticipate obstacles sufficiently early and have no choice but to resort to an inefficient local obstacle avoidance behavior. However, recent developments in the computer vision community allows us to collect geometric information about the environment far beyond this sensing horizon. The coarse 3D geometric estimation that can be recovered is derived from an appearance-based model. That uses a multiple-hypothesis framework to robustly estimate scene structure from a single image and estimating confidences for each geometric label. This 3D geometric estimation is used with a previously presented navigation strategy that reasons about sensor constraints and plans for measurements while navigating towards the goal. The validity of the sensing method and navigation strategy is supported by results from simulations as well as field experiments with a real robotic platform. These results also show that significant reduction in path length can be achieved by using this framework.
Evaluation of hexamethylphosphoramide for gene mutations in Salmonella typhimurium using plate incorporation, preincubation, and suspension assays.

Abstract Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), a potent rat nasal carcinogen by inhalation, and three of its metabolites, pentamethylphosphoramide (PMPA), trimethylphosphoramide (TriMPA), and formaldehyde (HCHO), were assessed in Salmonella typhimurium gene mutation assays using various protocols, including plate incorporation, preincubation and suspension assays. HMPA (tested up to 15 000 μg/plate) was not mutagenic in plate incorporation or preincubation assays with or without metabolic activation. HCHO was mutagenic in the plate incorporation and preincubation assays (tested up to 150 μg/plate). In suspension assays, however, HMPA (tested up to 40 mg/ml), PMPA (up to 44 mg/ml) and HCHO (up to 45 μg/ml), but not TriMPA (up to 29 mg/ml), were mutagenic. HMPA and PMPA were positive only with activation. HMPA's mutagenicity was optimized using a relatively high level of rat liver S9 protein (3.5 mg/plate) in the metabolic activation mixture. Semicarbazide, an HCHO trapping agent, added at concentrations up to 167 μg/ml, markedly inhibited the mutagenic activities of HMPA and PMPA suggesting that HCHO generation may play a role in their mutagenicity. These studies show that HMPA is mutagenic in a modified Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay with metabolic activation. Successive N-demethylation of HMPA eventually eliminates the mutagenic activity which further suggests that HMPA's mutagenic activity is related to the release of HCHO.
Respiratory activation of 2,4-dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase activity in plant mitochondria☆

Abstract A comparison has been made of cauliflower mitochondria, which have no 2,4-dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase (EC 3,6,1,4), with corn mitochondria, which do. Unlike corn mitochondria, cauliflower mitochondria show poor initial respiratory control ratios and phosphate uptake, but these are normalized after the first ADP addition. Sonication or high pH treatment releases a high rate of oligomycin-sensitive ATPase, indicating ATP transport into cauliflower mitochondria is the limiting factor. A brief period of respiration will activate, or “prime,” the 2,4-dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase of cauliflower mitochondria, and the activity is inhibited by atractyloside, mersalyl, and oligomycin. Influx pumping of phosphate or arsenate extends the time the priming period lasts after respiration ceases to 1–2 min unless the 2,4-dinitrophenol is added before the ATP, in which case the priming is collapsed. Respiratory priming seems to consist of creating a transmembrane potential, possibly in the form of a phosphate gradient, for driving the ATP4−-ADP3− transporter.
Complicated urinary tract infections

This review highlights recent findings regarding complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). We review recently published randomized controlled trials, Cochrane reviews, and meta-analyses. Topics covered include new findings on the genetics of acute pyelonephritis, methods to prevent catheter-associated UTI, duration of treatment for catheter-associated UTI, and reimbursement changes for Medicare patients who develop nosocomial UTI in US hospitals. Future studies on complicated UTI are needed to better define this complex disease and its management and to confirm the clinical significance of different prevention strategies.
The Epidemiology of Cancer of the Extra-Hepatic Biliary Tract in Bolivia

Data on patients with cancer of the gall bladder and cancer of the extra-hepatic bile ducts were obtained from the tumour registry in La Paz, Bolivia. Incidence rates were calculated using the Bolivian census data and compared to US incidence data from the Third National Cancer Survey. The age and population standardized incidence rates for cancer of the gall bladder in Bolivia were 5.3/100,000 males/year and 10.3/100,000 females/year. Comparable US rates were 1.0/100,000 males/year and 2.1/100,000 females/year. The age and population standardized incidence rates for cancer of the extra-hepatic bile ducts in Bolivia were 1.1/100,000 males/year and 4.1/100,000 females/year. Comparable US rates were 1.6/100,000 males/year and 1.0/100,000 females/year respectively. Both diseases occurred at younger ages in Bolivia than in the US and both showed marked racial variation. Differences in disease incidence between Bolivia and the US could not be fully explained by differences in age, sex, or racial distributions. Studies designed to investigate the causes of this remarkable variation in disease incidence could provide important clues to disease aetiology.
Establishing Bedding Requirements during Transport and Monitoring Skin Temperature during Cold and Mild Seasons after Transport for Finishing Pigs

The broad aim of this study was to determine whether bedding level in the transport trailer influenced pig performance and welfare. Specifically, the objective was to define the bedding requirements of pigs during transportation in commercial settings during cold and mild weather. Animals (n = 112,078 pigs on 572 trailers) used were raised in commercial finishing sites and transported in trailers to commercial processing plants. Dead on arrival (DOA), non-ambulatory (NA), and total dead and down (D&D) data were collected and skin surface temperatures of the pigs were measured by infrared thermography. Data were collected during winter (Experiment 1) and fall/spring (Experiment 2). Total D&D percent showed no interaction between bedding level and outside air temperature in any experiments. Average skin surface temperature during unloading increased with outside air temperature linearly in both experiments (P < 0.01). In conclusion, over-use of bedding may be economically inefficient. Pig skin surface temperature could be a useful measure of pig welfare during or after transport.
Electron traps in Tb3+-doped CaAl2O4

Abstract Tb 3+ -doped CaAl 2 O 4 samples were prepared and studied. The 5 D 3,4 to 7 F J ( J =6, 5, 4,…) afterglow emissions of Tb 3+ with a persistence time of 1 h are observed. Photoconductivity experiment determined that the ground state of Tb 3+ is 0.4 eV above the top of the CaAl 2 O 4 valence band. Two thermoluminescence peaks (−3 and 114 °C) and two thermal stimulated current peaks (−5 and 119 °C) were also detected. The results indicated that the traps at −3 °C (1.08 eV) are close to Tb 3+ emission centers, while the traps at 114 °C (0.66 eV) are far away from the centers.
Kinetics of Reactions of Cl Atoms with Methane and Chlorinated Methanes

The reactions of H atoms with methane, four chlorinated methanes, and isobutene have been studied experimentally using the discharge flow/resonance fluorescence technique over wide ranges of temperatures. The rate constants were obtained in direct experiments as functions of temperature. The experimentally obtained activation energies of the reactions of H atoms with chlorinated methanes demonstrate a correlation with the enthalpies of the reactions. Transition state theory reaction models were created on the basis of ab initio calculations, the Marcus expression for correlation between reaction barriers and reaction energetics, and analysis of experimental data. It is demonstrated that the formalism based on the Marcus expression adequately describes the observed temperature dependencies of the rate constants of the overall reactions. According to the models, abstraction by H atoms of hydrogen atoms from chloromethanes is an important process accounting for significant fractions of the overall rate const...
Monolithically integrated III-Sb CW super-luminal light emitting diodes on non-miscut Si (100) substrates

Reported is super-luminescent emission under room-temperature, continuous-wave conditions from GaSb quantum-well-based light emitting diodes (LED), monolithically integrated on Si (100) substrates. The LEDs are realised with substrate growth temperature under 500°C for the entire process and the Si (001) substrate is non-miscut. The lattice mismatch at the AlSb/Si interface is accommodated by interfacial misfit dislocation arrays (IMF) resulting in low defect-density III-Sb material without thick metamorphic buffers. The devices are grown in etched trenches on the Si substrate to reduce anti-phase domains in the III-Sb. The n-Si substrate is contacted directly and thus current flows through the III-Sb/Si IMF interface. The diodes have extremely low leakage current density (Jleakage<0.2 A/cm2) in the reverse bias (−10 V) and show very good diode characteristics but exhibit a slightly elevated forward resistance (R∼ 27 Ω), likely to be because of the IMF. The super-luminal spectra peaks at 2.14 µm with maximum output power ∼0.125 mW.
Solar Pressure Effects for a Constellation in a Highly Elliptical Orbit

I NHIGHLY elliptical orbits (HEO), the solar pressure can perturb themotion of a constellation because of the longer exposure of the satellites to the sun [1]. To study its effects on the controller, the Tschauner–Hempel (TH) equations are augmented to include the effects of the solar pressure force. These TH equations are also expressed to include the effects of the perturbation due to the oblateness of the Earth (or J2 perturbation) [2]. To formulate this problem, theCarter–Humi (CH) approach [3] is used inwhich theTH equations are expressed in terms of the eccentricity and the true anomaly angle. These terms are important for the development of the control scheme [4–6]. The TH equations contain nonlinear terms due to the J2 perturbation [2] that can be considered in the controller. Capo-Lugo and Bainum [2] developed a hierarchical control scheme, in discrete format, to maintain the separation distance constraints for the nonlinear TH equations. This controller is based on the linear quadratic regulator and compensates for these nonlinear effects. The solar pressure force is only dependent on the position of the satellite but can affect the control effort. In conclusion, this paper shows how the solar pressure effects can cause variations in the control effort for the correction of the separation distance constraints for a pair of satellites within a constellation.
Optical and other properties of a hydrocarbon‐soluble polypeptide, poly‐γ‐(n‐dodecyl)‐L‐glutamate

The polypeptide poly-γ-(n-dodecyl)-L-glutamate (PDLG) is soluble in hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, cyclohexane, and dodecane. The CD spectra of PLDG in these solvents are reported here. These spectra are typical α-helix spectra and show none of the wavelength shifts and magnitude changes displayed by partially helical proteins in membrane preparations. This observation rules out the possibility that the membrane protein CD spectra result from solvent effects. The PDLG helix is stable in dodecane up to at least 70 °C. However, it is easily disrupted by trifluoroacetic acid, with the helix–coil transition centered at 3% TFA in hexane. Viscosity measurements of PDLG in dry dichloroacetic acid exhibit polyelectrolyte effects which can be suppressed by addition of several percent water.
Contemporary Open and Robotic Radical Prostatectomy Practice Patterns Among Urologists in the United States

Purpose: We describe current trends in robotic and open radical prostatectomy in the United States after examining case logs for American Board of Urology certification.Materials and Methods: American urologists submit case logs for initial board certification and recertification. We analyzed logs from 2004 to 2010 for trends and used logistic regression to assess the impact of urologist age on robotic radical prostatectomy use.Results: A total of 4,709 urologists submitted case logs for certification between 2004 and 2010. Of these logs 3,374 included 1 or more radical prostatectomy cases. Of the urologists 2,413 (72%) reported performing open radical prostatectomy only while 961 (28%) reported 1 or more robotic radical prostatectomies and 308 (9%) reported robotic radical prostatectomy only. During this 7-year period we observed a large increase in the number of urologists who performed robotic radical prostatectomy and a smaller corresponding decrease in those who performed open radical prostatectomy. ...
Synthesis and solid-state molecular structures of nitrosoalkane complexes of iron porphyrins containing methanol, pyridine, and 1-methylimidazole ligands

AbstractNitrosoalkanes belong to the family of C-nitroso compounds and are known to bind to the iron center in heme proteins. We haveprepared and characterized a series of new nitrosoalkane heme model complexes of the form (por)Fe(RNO)(L) (por¼porphyrinatodianion; R¼isopropyl; L¼MeOH, pyridine, 1-methylimidazole) by infrared and 1 H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallogra-phy. Within the set of octaethylporphyrinato (OEP) compounds, the infrared stretching frequencies of the NO groups decrease inthe order (OEP)Fe( i PrNO)(MeOH)"MeOH (1433 cm #1 )>(OEP)Fe( i PrNO)(py) (1429 cm )>(OEP)Fe( i PrNO)(1-MeIm) (1423cm #1 ), reﬂecting the increased backdonation of electron density in the 1-methylimidazole derivative. The molecular structures of thecompounds as determined by crystallography reveal N-binding of the nitrosoalkane ligands to the formally ferrous metal centers.! 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Iron; Nitroso; Porphyrin; X-ray; Nitrosoalkane 1. IntroductionThe nitroso group of nitrosoalkanes (RNO; R¼al-kyl) is isoelectronic with dioxygen. Nitrosoalkanes be-long to the general class of C-nitroso compounds, andthe binding of nitrosoalkanes and/or nitrosoarenes toheme iron has been demonstrated in heme proteins suchas myoglobin (Mb), hemoglobin (Hb), leghemoglobin,soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), NO synthase, catalase,prostaglandin H synthase, microperoxidase, and cyto-chrome P450 [1]. Importantly, heme–RNO bond for-mation has been implicated in the severe inhibition ofthe catalytic functions of hepatic microsomal cyto-chrome P450. Such heme–RNO compounds can beproduced from the oxidative metabolism of amine-containing drugs or by reduction of nitroorganics.Excellent work by Mansuy and coworkers [2,3] hasshown that nitrosoalkane complexes of Mb can beprepared from treatment of met Mb with nitroalkanes inthe presence of dithionite. Related nitrosoarene Mbcomplexes have been reported [4–6]. We recently deter-mined the molecular structure of Mb(EtNO) by X-raycrystallography [7]. We showed that the nitrosoethaneligand was attached to the iron center through its N-atom (Fig. 1), although distal pocket residues alsohelped orient the nitrosoethane ligand to its ﬁnal ori-entation with respect to the normal to the heme planevia a hydrogen bond between the nitroso O-atom andthe distal His64 residue. This was the ﬁrst reportedstructure of a nitrosoalkane complex of a heme protein.Also, it is surprising that to date there is only one re-ported crystal structure of a nitrosoalkane complex of aheme model, namely that of (TPP)Fe(
Elastic wave propagation in heterogeneous plates

Abstract A two-dimensional linear theory of motions of heterogeneous plates is deduced from the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. Transverse shear deformations and rotatory inertia are included in the present general theory. The heterogeneity of the material is considered to be only in the thickness direction of the plate. The general plate theory is specialized to cases of symmetrically laminated aeolotropic, orthotropic and isotropic plates. A plate theory of the Kirchhoff type is also deduced. Frequency equations for the propagation of harmonic waves in an infinite two-layer isotropic plate in plane strain are obtained by the elasticity and the present plate theories. Several numerical examples are solved and their results are presented in graphs.
Multiple Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering for target tracking in urban environments

We propose a new filtering algorithm for joint tracking of multiple target states and the channel state between each pair of antennas in a radar network. The problem of tracking multiple targets in complex scenarios, such as an urban environment, poses a computational challenge as standard particle filtering (SPF) requires large number of particles to obtain an accurate estimate of the high-dimensional state vector. In this paper, we develop a hybrid filter based on the combination of multiple particle filtering (MPF) and Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering (RBPF) by exploiting the structure in the state-space model. Numerical simulations show that the proposed multiple Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering (MRBPF) performs better than the SPF and the RBPF.
Nonrandom sequence of slope-intercept estimates in longitudinal gompertzian analysis suggests biological relevance

Abstract The significance of intersections in age-specific mortality rate distributions could be attributed to a fundamental statistical relationship between estimates of slope and intercept. A strong negative correlation between estimates of slope and intercept is often observed in simple linear regression problems. The net result is that the family of lines generated by repetitive estimates of slope and intercept in a static experimental situation will tend to intersect at a common point. This statistical relationship between slope and intercept, however, should be random with respect to the time-ordered sequence of slope and intercept estimates. Annual paired slope and intercept estimates derived using the method of longitudinal Gompertzian analysis of age-specific mortality rates for men and women in the United States from 1900 to 1988 were analyzed to determine if they varied randomly. The probability that the observed sequence in these annual paired slope-intercept estimates was random is less than 10 −50 for both men and women. This finding essentially excludes the possibility that intersections in age-specific mortality rate distributions reflect a fundamental statistical relationship between slope and intercept and further suggests biological relevance for the method of longitudinal Gompertzian analysis.
Design of an image edge detection filter using the Sobel operator

The architecture of the edge detector presented is highly pipeline to perform the computations of gradient magnitude and direction for the output image samples. The chip design is based on a 2- mu m, double-metal, CMOS technology and was implemented using a silicon compiler system in less than 2 man-months. It is designed to operate with a 10-MHz two-phase clock, and it performs approximately 200*10/sup 6/ additions/s to provide the required magnitude and direction outputs every clock cycle. The function of the chip has been demonstrated with a prototype system that is performing image edge detection in real time. >
Removal of errors from monthly median absorption curves

Abstract Studies of the average levels of ionospheric absorption measured by a riometer are influenced by errors in the shape of the riometer quiet-day curve. A simple method is noted and illustrated which provides corrections for such errors in cases where unconnected absorption data are already available.
“Normal” in Catalonia: Standard language, enregisterment and the imagination of a national public

Scholars have long noted that the imagination of a national public hinges on ideologies of standard language. This study uses ethnographic and media data from Catalonia to reflect on this relationship, focusing on language professionals, the stewards of Catalan’s standard register. The ideological portrait of Catalonia that emerges is one of a national public that is precarious because a standard register of the Catalan language is taken to be the whole language. It is argued that the imagined failings of a Catalan national public suggest conditions for the successful imagining of a national public more generally. In particular, the projection of a taken-for-granted national public appears to depend on a language imagined as standard and homogeneous when contrasted with other national languages but as internally variable when examined within the national context. At one taxonomic level, registers are erased in order for one register imagined as standard and homogeneous to count as the named language in contrast with other named national languages. At a lower recursive level, these registers must be imagined to exist in order for the language and its corresponding national public to be able to account for “everyone” in the projected national public. When these conditions are not met, as in the case of Catalonia, the national public is imagined as fragile. (Language ideology, standardization, publics, enregisterment)*
On the choice of co-ordinates in simultaneous estimation of normal means under misspecification of normal priors

The problem of choice of coordinates in Stein-type estimators,when simultaneously estimating normal means, is considered. The question of deciding whether to use all coordinates in one combined shrinkage estimators or to separate into groups and use separate shrinkage estimators on each group is considered in the situation in which part of the prior information may be " misspecified". It is observed that the amount of misspecification determines whether to use the combined shrinkage estimator the separate shrinkage estimator.
Newly established AGU awards and lecture

The Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring (Biogeosciences section) recognizes AGU members who have sustained an active research career in a field related to biogeosciences while excelling as teachers and serving as role models for the next generation of female scientists. This new award acknowledges the importance of female mentors in enhancing gender balance in physical science career paths. The award is being endowed to honor Elizabeth Sulzman, an isotope biogeochemist and soil scientist, whose enthusiasm for teaching awed many undergraduates at Oregon State University. Current plans are to present the first Sulzman award at the 2013 Fall Meeting. Applicants must be women who are within 15 years of receiving their Ph.D., and nomination packages should include a cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation. As they become available, more details will be posted on the Biogeosciences section Web site (http://www.agu.org/sections/biogeo/). The award will provide up to $1000 to one successful nominee each year, although the exact monetary amount is yet to be determined. AGU is currently accepting donations to endow this award; contact Victoria Thompson (vthompson@agu.org) to get involved.
Basin and Range Extensional Tectonics Near the Latitude of Las Vegas, Nevada

The Basin and Range province at the latitude of Las Vegas, Nevada (approximately 36°N), is ideally suited for reconstructing Neogene extension owing to an abundance of structural markers, primarily Mesozoic thrust faults, developed within the generally conformable Cordilleran miogeocline. In map view, extension is heterogeneous and is divisible into two major extensional domains, the Las Vegas and Death Valley normal fault systems, that lie east and west (respectively) of a relatively unextended median block. We determined horizontal relative-motion vectors between pairs of reference points across the province, chosen so as to best allow geologic markers to constrain the relative motion of the pair during extension. We recognize three sequences of pairs, two in the Las Vegas system and one in the Death Valley system, that define an unbroken path across the entire province. The vectors along these paths sum to give 247 ± 56 km of net extension oriented N73° ± 12°W. Timing considerations indicate that extension occurred principally during the past 15 m.y. Westward motion of the Sierra Nevada away from the Colorado Plateau occurred at a rate of 20-30 mm/yr in the interval 10-15 m.y. ago, but was no greater than 10 mm/yr over the past 5 m.y. Strike-slip faulting was an important component in the extending system and absorbed perhaps 40-50 km of north-south shortening of the region during extension, indicating a constrictional strain field for the crust as a whole. If one assumes no major rotations of the Sierra Nevada during Cenozoic extension, and about 100 km of pre-15-m.y.-ago extension in the central portion of the northern Great Basin, the crust in the Las Vegas region extended by a factor of 3-4, whereas the wider Great Basin region extended by only a factor of 2. This difference may explain the contrast in regional elevation between the two areas (the northern Great Basin is on average about 1,000 m higher) and the constrictional strain in the Las Vegas region. The more widely distributed extension to the north may not have kept pace with the larger extension to the south, such that the south lost gravitational potential more rapidly. Thus, comparatively buoyant northern Great Basin lithosphere was (and continues to be) forced down the potential gradient into the Las Vegas region. Resolved parallel to the northern San Andreas fault, our reconstruction accounts for 214 ± 48 km of right-lateral shear along the Pacific-North America transform plate boundary.
Growth patterns in children with cystic fibrosis

The growth patterns of 50 children with cystic fibrosis have been studied. Serialmeasurements of height and weight were obtained monthly or bimonthly. Bone age was determined at the end of the observation period in 40 children. Significant retardation of physical growth was observed in all age periods; it was most pronounced in the preadolescent and adolescent age groups. The medians of the height and weight measurements were between the third and tenth percentiles of children with normal health. Skeletal maturation was delayed in 38 per cent of the children studied. A significant correlation was demonstrated between growth retardation and the severity of pulmonary involvement; no correlation was found between retardation of growth and the degree of pancreatic insufficiency. Upon institution of therapy, most children had a normal or above-normal rate of gain in weight. Such gains were greatest when therapy was initiated during infancy.
Histamine H3-receptors modulate nonadrenergic noncholinergic neural bronchoconstriction in guinea-pig in vivo

Abstract We have investigated whether the histamine H3-receptors influence nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) bronchoconstriction in guinea-pig in vivo. Atropine, propranolol, mepyramine and cimetidine were administered to block the effects of β-adrenoceptor-, acetylcholine, H1- and H2-receptor-mediated responses, respectively. Vagal stimulation evoked a NANC bronchoconstrictor response. The selective H3-agonist, α-methylhistamine (α-MeHA, 1–10 mg/kg i.v.) did not alter basal respiratory insufflation pressure, but reduced the NANC bronchoconstrictor response to vagal stimulation in dose-dependent manner (with a maximal inhibition of 46.0 ± 10.3%; mean ± S.E. at 10 mg/kg) (P
Preparation and physical characteristics of slowly digesting modified food starches

Abstract Starches were chemically modified with the goal of making modified food starch products with high contents of slowly digestible starch (SDS). Digestibility and physical properties of the products were measured. For waxy corn starch, combinations of crosslinking (CL) followed by stabilization via hydroxypropylation (HP) or acetylation (AC) produced more SDS than did crosslinking alone; CL-HP produced the highest content of slowly digestible starch (SDS, ∼21%), while CL-AC produced the highest content of resistant starch (RS, ∼24%). CL-HP (prepared without salt in the reaction mixture) and hydroxypropylation (with NaCl in the reaction mixture) followed by crosslinking (HP-CL) had similar SDS contents, but HP-CL had a higher RS content, indicating that the presence of salt as well as the order of modification could affect digestibility of the modified starch. Esterification with 2-octen-1-ylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) was the most effective of the modifications used for increasing both SDS and RS. Dry heating (130 °C) of OSA waxy corn starch increased the SDS content and decreased RS content. OSA starches had lower pasting temperatures and higher peak viscosities than their native counterparts. Dry heating of OSA starches resulted in even lower pasting temperatures. Peak viscosities were higher for heated OSA waxy corn and tapioca starches, but lower for heated OSA normal corn and potato starches as compared to unheated octenylsuccinylated starches. To, Tp, and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) decreased in the order native waxy corn starch > OSA waxy corn starch > heated OSA waxy corn starch. Using the combination of esterification with OSA followed by dry heating the following amounts of SDS were produced: from waxy corn starch, 47%; from normal corn starch, 38%; from tapioca starch, 46%; from potato starch, 33%.
Picturing information for money: visual usage in humanities-based grant applications

Incorporating visuals into technical documents functions as rhetorical and document design moves intended to: simplify dense text, draw attention to particular aspects, or convey emotion. Proposal writing literature, however, tends toward content and text-based analysis and production with little emphasis on visual communication. With this opportunity, this study investigates visual usage in nineteen successful National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) proposals to codify visual practices, describe current uses, and recognize opportunities to better integrate visual communication into this high-stakes genre. Results show that proposal writers in the humanities field seem to use text manipulations frequently and effectively, though there also seems to be little consistency concerning the actual form of typographical manipulations for specific purposes. Further, usage of graphical visuals appears to be an underrepresented aspect of proposal writing both in frequency of incorporating visuals and also diversity and complexity of visuals when they are incorporated in proposals.
Surface heterogeneity effects in adsorption from solution

Abstract The adsorption of benzene + cyclohexane liquid mixtures is investigated to elucidate the importance of the adsorptive heterogeneity of the solid surface. The results for the adsorption on silica gel (30°) are compared to those of other research studies.
The nature of the nitrate in the TBP solvates M(NO3)3·3TBP, M(NO3)4·2TBP and MO2(NO3)2·2TBP☆

Abstract An examination of the infra-red spectra of the TBP solvates M(NO3)3·3TBP, M(NO3)4·2TBP and MO2(NO3)2·2TBP has been made, and compared with the infra-red spectra of the corresponding hydrates. It is observed that a considerable decrease in symmetry of the nitrate group has occurred in going from the hydrates to the TBP solvates.
The effects of pentobarbital and related compounds on frog motoneurons

Abstract The effect of pentobarbital (PB) and related compounds on frog motoneurons was examined with sucrose gap recording from the ventral roots. PB was found to: (1) depress the action of glutamate, (2) selectively enhance the action of GABA, (3) reverse the non-competitive picrotoxin antagonism of GABA and the competitive strychnine antagonism of β-alanine, but not the competitive bicuculline methiodide antagonism of GABA, and (4) elicit a GABAmimetic hyperpolarization. The first three actions had a threshold concentration of 10 μM, while the GABAmimetic action required a 10-fold higher concentration. The reversal of picrotoxin's action by PB suggests that PB might modify GABA mechanisms by combining to the picrotoxin recognition site. Phenobarbital shared all of the properties of PB but was approximately one-fifth as potent. The only property that phenytoin shared with PB was a weak depression of glutamate responses. Chlordiazepoxide selectively enhanced GABA responses but was devoid of the other actions of PB. These results suggets that the GABAmimetic effect of PB may be an important feature in the depressant and anesthetic properties of PB. The anesthetic chloralose, which is structurally unrelated to PB, nevertheless shared all of the actions of PB. This finding suggests that the properties described for PB may also be found in other general anesthetics.
Martian ionosphere - A component due to solar protons.

Martian atmosphere component due to proton penetration into atmosphere from solar wind, suggesting radio occultation by Mars orbiter
A closer look at long-range chromosomal interactions

Higher-order chromosome organization is emerging as a major determinant of gene regulation. Although the structure of chromatin at the level of individual nucleosomes has been studied in considerable detail, less is known about higher levels of organization. Two new methods have been developed that can be used to obtain detailed information about the higher-order folding of chromatin. Using these methods, long-range looping interactions have been shown to occur upon activation of the murine beta-globin locus, explaining the long-standing question of how gene regulatory elements can act at large genomic distances from their target genes.
Piriform rim fixation for maxillary sulcus extension.

Abstract The piriform rim can be used for fixation of tubes in sulcus-extension procedures. The technique has been deseribed. The use of the piriform rim for fixation of sutures or dentures and for use in other sulcus-extension techniques appears possible and requires further investigation. Fixation to the piriform rim was more stable than the use of through-and-through skin sutures. The tube and flap were pulled toward the ridge in the area of fixation. Because the tube was fixed to bone, postoperative soreness resulting from movement of skin sutures was not possible. Esthetically, the internal piriform rim fixation technique is preferable because it does not require the external skin sutures used in some techniques.
Observations of the Earth's topography from the Shuttle Laser Altimeter (SLA): Laser-pulse Echo-recovery measurements of terrestrial surfaces

Meter-precision topographic measurements of a diverse suite of terrestrial surfaces have been accomplished from Earth orbit using the Shuttle Laser Altimeter (SLA) instrument flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in January of 1996. Over three million laser pulses were directed at the Earth by the SLA system during its ∼ 80 hours of nadir-pointing operation at an orbital altitude of 305 km (+/- 10 km). Approximately 90% of these pulses resulted in valid range measurements to ocean, land, and cloud features. Of those which were fired at land targets, 57% resulted in valid surface ranges, the remainder being cloud tops, false alarms, or missed shots. The SLA incorporated an electronic echo-recovery system into a pulsed, time-of-flight laser altimeter instrument in order to capture and characterize the vertical structure within each 100 m diameter surface footprint. The echoes recorded by SLA demonstrate aspects of the vertical structure of the nearly ubiquitous vegetation cover on the planet, as well as sensitivity to local slopes, surface reflectivity, and vertical ruggedness. With a vertical resolution of 0.75 m and horizontal sampling at 0.7 km length scales, SLA provides a new form of high vertical accuracy topographic data for studying problems related to the dynamics of the Earth's surface. Assessment of the error budget associated with the SLA experiment suggests that ∼2.8 m (RMS) precision was achieved for ranging measurements to oceanic surfaces, for which there are over 700,000 examples. With the availability of a precision radial orbit and post-flight Shuttleattitude information, a mid-latitude (+ 28.5° to −28.5°), georeferenced database of topographic ground control point elevations has been achieved using SLA data, consisting of ∼ 344,000 land measurements. Each of these measurements is geolocated to within 1–2 SLA footprints (100–200 m) on the Earth's surface, with vertical errors that approach the limits of resolution (0.75 m) of the instrument in topographically benign regions. When compared to available Digital Elevation Models (DEM's) with stated vertical accuracies on the order of 10–16 m, SLA's measurements differ by no more than 11 m to 46 m RMS in rugged terrain. We have computed a total vertical roughness parameter for all multi-peaked SLA echoes using a multi-Gaussian decomposition technique and have observed a very high degree of correlation of this parameter with global landcover classes. In some cases (∼6%), SLA echoes clearly resolve both the ground surface and vegetation canopy within a single footprint, suggesting that the modal height of equatorial vegetation is ∼ 18 m. The global distribution of total vertical roughness varies from ∼ 5 m to 60 m, with a mean value of 27 m and a standard deviation of 12 m. SLA successfully served as a pathfinder for high vertical resolution orbital topographic remote sensing instrumentation, and demonstrated the first high resolution echo-recovery laser altimeter observations over land surfaces.
Exterior powers of π-divisible modules over fields

Let O be the ring of integers of a non-Archimedean local field and π a fixed uniformizer of O. We prove that the exterior powers of a π -divisible O-module scheme of dimension at most 1 over a field exist and commute with field extensions. We calculate the height and the dimension of the exterior powers in terms of the height of the given π -divisible O-module scheme.
miR-17-92 angiogenesis micromanagement.

The polycistronic miRNA cluster miR-17-92 promotes tumor angiogenesis in a paracrine fashion. However, in this issue of Blood , Doebele and colleagues report cell-intrinsic, antiangiogenic properties of individual members of this miRNA cluster in endothelial cells. These context-dependent activities
Behavioral and morphological responses to cocaine require kalirin7.

Background Long-lasting increases in dendritic spine density and gene expression in the nucleus accumbens and in the ambulatory response to cocaine occur following chronic cocaine treatment. Despite numerous reports of these findings, the molecular mechanisms leading to these morphological, biochemical, and behavioral changes remain unclear. Methods We used mice genetically lacking Kalirin7 (Kal7 KO ), a Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates dendritic spine formation and function. Both wild-type (Wt) and Kal7 KO mice were given high-dose cocaine (20 mg/kg) for 4 or 8 consecutive days. Locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference elicited by cocaine were evaluated. The nucleus accumbens core was diolistically labeled and spine density and morphology were quantified using confocal microscopy. Results Cocaine increased Kalirin7 messenger RNA and protein expression in the nucleus accumbens of Wt mice. The Kal7 KO animals showed greater locomotor sensitization to cocaine than Wt mice. In contrast, Kal7 KO mice exhibited decreased place preference for cocaine, despite displaying a normal place preference for food. While Wt mice showed a robust increase in dendritic spine density after 4 and 8 days of cocaine treatment, dendritic spine density failed to increase in cocaine-exposed Kal7 KO mice. Wild-type mice treated with cocaine for 8 days exhibited larger dendritic spines than cocaine-treated Kal7 KO mice. Conclusions Kalirin7 is an essential determinant of dendritic spine formation following cocaine treatment. The absence of this single isoform of one of the many Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors expressed in the nucleus accumbens results in enhanced locomotor sensitization and diminished place preference in response to cocaine.
Studies on mechanisms of arthropod-borne virus interference in tissue culture.

Abstract Interference between Mayaro and Sindbis arthropod-borne viruses in primary chick embryo cell cultures was found to be influenced by: (1) the infection multiplicity of Mayaro interfering virus (infection interference) and (2) the production of an inhibitor by Mayaro-infected cells (inhibitor interference). Inhibition of Sindbis plaque formation could be demonstrated when sodium deoxycholate-treated Mayaro virus was used as the interfering agent. Mayaro, when inactivated by heat, ultraviolet irradiation, or Mayaro hyperimmune serum, was not found to interfere with Sindbis plaque formation. An inhibitor appeared in culture fluids of Mayaro-infected chick embryo cells after 72–96 hours and interfered with Sindbis plaque formation. This inhibitor possessed many of the properties described for influenza and other viral-induced interferon-like substances.
Entrance region flows with a free surface: the falling liquid film

Abstract Numerical solutions of the equations of motion are explored for the flow in the entrance region of a falling liquid film. Application of the von Mises transformation to the Prandtl boudary layer equations yields a solution for the free surface velocity profile which is in excellent agreement with experimental data for Reynolds numbers in the range of 145–304. A method of matching solutions of elliptic and parabolic equations was employed to investigate the validity of one of the boundary layer assumptions, and the importance of accurately locating the position of the free surface was determined. Comparisons are also made with previous theoretical treatments of this problem.
The Validity of Performance Assessments for Teacher Licensure: Connecticut's Ongoing Research

Since 1986, Connecticut has been developing a semi-structured interview (SSI) to evaluate beginning teacher competence. In 1989 it was decided to rename the project the Connecticut Teacher Assessment Center Project (CONNTAC) in order to allow for the possibility that some subject matter committees may wish to broaden the scope of the project to include forms of assessment beyond the interview. For example, our language arts committee favors use of student portfolios as an element in its performance assessment. This expansion of the performance assessment will bring the Connecticut initiative closer to the assessment center work that is currently practiced in other professions (Byham, 1986). Furthermore, we felt that the term interview could be misleading to those familiar with the less structured interviews practiced in business selection (McDaniel et al., 1987). The semi-structured interview is more like an oral examination used in doctoral examinations than it is like the interviews typically used in industry. Connecticut's strategy for validating CONNTAC performance tests is based on two assumptions. First, we define validations as activities that progressively clarify the meaning of scores on the test. Second, following the test standards set by the joint committee of the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education (1974, 1985), we assume that our research will not validate a test per se, but will address particular interpretations or uses of the examination. By systematically addressing the major potential sources of error in interpretation, we develop more confidence in the examination's usefulness for specific purposes. The systematic
Labeling of gene-spliced foods: a label we don't need.

environmental-safety determinations by regulators should be communicated for each product in each country. 5. Communications should emphasize the research that led to the introduction of each new product of food biotechnology. 6. Communications should underscore that additional foodlabeling requirements are necessary only when there is a significant change in the composition, nutritional value, or introduction of a potential food allergen from the gene transfer. 7. Government and industry communications on food biotechnology must be consistent to earn consumer confidence. 8. It is important to distinguish between consumer-group activism and consumer attitudes. Consumer-group activism does not necessarily reflect consumer attitudes, and many consumer groups either support or do not oppose biotechnology. 9. Multinational approvals are the result of strong international scientific consensus. 10. It is important to note that food biotechnology also provides important benefits in addressing hunger and food security throughout the world. If we turn our backs on biotechnology for short-term marketing or public-relations gains, we will surely pay a dear long-term price that will not only affect the future of agricultural biotechnology but also shake the very foundations of science and progress so apparent in the American century. With a little more courage, even stronger science, and much more effective communication, agricultural biotechnology will be regarded as among the most critical achievements of this new millennium.
The impact of relational consequences and intimacy on the selection of interpersonal persuasion tactics: A reanalysis

This study investigated the effects of situational variables on the likelihood of use of four types of compliance‐gaining strategies: justification, exchange, manipulation and personal rejection. Subjects rated the strategies on the probability that they would actually use them to gain compliance in each of four situations that varied systematically in intimacy and relational consequences. Both situational variables were found to he significant predictors of strategy preference. Message strategy selection was concluded to be based upon an assessment of the relative risk associated with the implementation of a given strategy and on the basis of the relative importance of three communicative goals: (1) whether strategy implementation would lead to successful compliance; (2) whether strategy implementation would result in relational harm; and, (3) whether strategy implementation would result in poor management of the agent's image. Recommendations for future research were noted.