cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General solution to random advective-dispersive equation in porous media

This series of articles present general applications of functional-analytic theory to the solution of the partial differential equation describing solid transport in aquifers, when either the evolution of the system, the sources, the parameters and/or the boundary conditions are prescribed as stochastic processes in time or in space. This procedure does not require the restricting assumptions placed upon the current particular solutions on which today's stochastic transport theory is based, such as “small randomness” assumptions (perturbation techniques), Montecarlo simulations, restriction to small spatial stochasticity in the hydraulic conductivity, use of spectral analysis techniques, restriction to asymptotic steady state conditions, and restriction to variance of the concentration as the only model output among others. Functional analysis provides a rigorous tool in which the concentration stochastic properties can be predicted in a natural way based upon the known stochastic properties of the sources, the parameters and/or the boundary conditions. Thus the theory satisfies a more general modeling need by providing, if desired, a systematic global information on the sample functions, the mean, the variance, correlation functions or higher-order moments based on similar information of any “size”, anywhere, of the input functions. Part I of this series of articles presents the main relevant results of functional-analytic theory and individual cases of applications to the solution of distributed sources problems, with time as well as spatial stochasticity, and the solution subject to stochastic boundary conditions. It was found that the stochastically-forced equation may be a promising model for a variety of random source problems. When the differential equation is perturbed by a time and space stochastic process, the output is also a time and space stochastic process, in contrast with most of the existing solutions which ignore the temporal component. Stochastic boundary conditions seems to quickly dissipate as time increases.
How to do things to children with words: Language, ritual, and apocalypse in pediatric HIV treatment in Botswana

Concerned that children understood the word AIDS to portend their imminent deaths U.S. pediatricians in Botswana used ritual speech to reveal HIV-positive childrens diagnoses to them in an effort to ensure these children took their medications. They relied on euphemisms such as soldier and bad guy gradually and methodically replacing them with biomedically derived terms. While the ritual was predicated on transparency and accuracy pediatricians conviction that the word AIDS impaired childrens ability to manage their infections led them to silence representations of the epidemic as anything other than a manageable condition in order to create a stable object of biomedical intervention.
Adaptation, Collaboration, and the Critique of Originality in John Barth's The Tidewater Tales

This article reads John Barth's novel The Tidewater Tales primarily as an adaptation, rather than a work of postmodern fiction. In making the process of retelling so central to the novel, Barth creates a self-conscious assessment of the “unnecessity,” and even impossibility, of originality. By appropriating legendary literary characters, Barth implicitly critiques the idea of genius that permeates both Romantic and modernist fiction. In contrast to previous critics, I argue that Barth's critique of the modernist aesthetic stems from a dissatisfaction with the movement's retention of the idea of the “single-author genius,” which stands in stark contrast to the cooperative relationship that exists between the storyteller and the audience.
Low-cost estimation of sub-system power

Real-time, fine-grained power consumption information enables energy optimization and adaptation for operating systems and applications. Due to the high cost associated with dedicated power sensors, however, most computers do not have the ability to measure disaggregated power consumption at a component or subsystem level. We present DiPART (Disaggregated Power Analysis in Real Time), a tool to estimate subsystem power consumption based on performance (event) counters and a single, system-wide power sensor. With only one power sensor for overall system power consumption, DiPART is able to self-adapt to variations in subsystem power consumption present across nominally identical hardware. We validate the approach using a cluster of Intel Atom-based nodes that has been instrumented for subsystem (CPU, RAM and disk) power measurements. DiPART was tested across nodes in the cluster using varied benchmarks, resulting in a 40% reduction in estimation error when compared to a static model.
Simulations of three-dimensional vertical-axis turbines for communications applications

A numerical simulation has been performed to assist in evaluating vertical-axis Savonius-style wind turbines. The simulation was fully three-dimensional and unsteady. Through the simulation, it was possible to assess the performance of a wind turbine that possessed novel features such as wing venting and blade caps. Results from the simulation were compared with experimental data and it was found that they were in general agreement. The simulations provide continuous information regarding air-flow patterns and velocity distributions during the rotation. Representative patterns of flow are shown.
1H–13C hetero-nuclear dipole–dipole couplings of methyl groups in stationary and magic angle spinning solid-state NMR experiments of peptides and proteins

13C NMR of isotopically labeled methyl groups has the potential to combine spectroscopic simplicity with ease of labeling for protein NMR studies. However, in most high resolution separated local field experiments, such as polarization inversion spin exchange at the magic angle (PISEMA), that are used to measure 1H–13C hetero-nuclear dipolar couplings, the four-spin system of the methyl group presents complications. In this study, the properties of the 1H–13C hetero-nuclear dipolar interactions of 13C-labeled methyl groups are revealed through solid-state NMR experiments on a range of samples, including single crystals, stationary powders, and magic angle spinning of powders, of 13C3 labeled alanine alone and incorporated into a protein. The spectral simplifications resulting from proton detected local field (PDLF) experiments are shown to enhance resolution and simplify the interpretation of results on single crystals, magnetically aligned samples, and powders. The complementarity of stationary sample and magic angle spinning (MAS) measurements of dipolar couplings is demonstrated by applying polarization inversion spin exchange at the magic angle and magic angle spinning (PISEMAMAS) to unoriented samples.
POSSIBLE TRIPLE-SCATTERING EXPERIMENTS

Triple-scattering experiments may be used to get additional information about the spin-dependence of the scattering matrix of the second scatterer. In general two new parameters describing the scattering may be determined by means of two distinct experiments, one in which the successive scattering planes are parallel and one in which the successive scattering planes are at right angles to each other. The relation between these parameters and the scattering matrix is given for the cases of protons scattered from a spin-zero target and of proton-proton scattering. For the former case the magnitude of the left-right asymmetry in the third scattering is calculated on the basis of a phenomenological model due to Fermi in the Born approximation. Further experimental possibilities for $p\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering are discussed.
Insertional Mutagenesis and Immunochemical Analysis of Visual Arrestin Interaction with Rhodopsin

Visual arrestin inactivates the phototransduction cascade by specifically binding to light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin. This study describes the combined use of insertional mutagenesis and immunochemical approaches to probe the structural determinants of arrestin function. Recombinant arrestins with insertions of a 10-amino acid c-Myc tag (EQKLISEEDL) were expressed in yeast and characterized. When the tag was placed on the C terminus after amino acid 399, between amino acids 99 and 100 or between residues 162 and 163, binding to rhodopsin was found to be very similar to that of wild-type arrestin. Two stable mutants with Myc insertions in the 68–78 loop were also generated. Binding to rhodopsin was markedly decreased for one (72myc73) and completely abolished for the other (77myc78). Limited proteolysis assays using trypsin in the absence or presence of heparin were performed on all mutants and confirmed their overall conformational integrity. Rhodopsin binding to either 162myc163 or 72myc73 arrestins in solution was completely inhibited in the presence of less than a 2-fold molar excess of anti-Myc antibody relative to arrestin. In contrast, the antibody did not block the interaction of the 399myc or 99myc100 arrestins with rhodopsin. These results indicate that an interactive surface for rhodopsin is located on or near the concave region of the N-domain of arrestin.
When and why people are comparatively optimistic about future health risks: The role of direct and indirect comparison measures.

The goal of the current research was to test whether direct versus indirect measures of comparative optimism yield different results as a function of health risk severity and prevalence. A random-digit sample of community residents (N = 259) responded to interview questions about perceived vulnerability using both direct (i.e. self-to-peer risk) and indirect comparison measures (i.e. separate questions about self and peer risk). Responses to direct comparison measures were more affected by prevalence, whereas indirect comparison measures were more affected by severity. These results may offer guidance to researchers and practitioners about when it may be more appropriate to use direct versus indirect measures of comparative health risk.
Energy Migration in a Poly(phenylene ethynylene): Determination of Interpolymer Transport in Anisotropic Langmuir−Blodgett Films

The photophysical and energy transport properties of a poly(p-ethynylene), 1, were investigated in thin films. Highly aligned films of a precise thickness, prepared by sequential monolayer deposition using the Langmuir−Blodgett technique, were surface modified with luminescent traps (acridine orange, AO) for energy transfer studies. The degree of energy transfer to the traps was investigated as a function of the AO concentration and the number of polymer layers. An increased efficiency of energy transfer to the traps was observed with increasing numbers of layers until an approximate thickness of 16 layers. This behavior is consistent with a transition to a three-dimensional energy migration topology. A phenomenological model for the transport was proposed, and solutions were obtained by numerical methods. The model yields a fast (>6 × 1011 s-1) rate of energy transfer between polymer layers and a diffusion length of more than 100 A in the Z direction (normal to the film surface).
Estimating steady-state DlO2 with nonlinear dissociation curves and Va/Q̇ inequality

A DLO2 estimate which accounts for the nonlinearity of the oxygen dissociation curve using the Kelman blood gas routines is presented here. The simultaneous differential equations that describe O2 and CO2 diffusion between alveolar gas and pulmonary capillary blood in lung compartments with different VA/Q ratios were solved numerically with a Runge-Kutta algorithm. These integrated estimates were compared to DLO2 estimates that assume the oxygen dissociation curve is linear. In 140 gas exchange data sets from 18 healthy male subjects previously collected at rest and during exercise it was found that DLO2 estimates based on linear dissociation curves exceeded integrated DLO2 estimates by 14, 31, and 55 percent when the PIO2 was 80, 100, and 148 Torr, respectively. We conclude that the linear approximation is accurate when PIO2 is less than 100 Torr but that comparisons of DLO2 estimates at different levels of inspired oxygen must allow for the difference in curvature of the oxygen dissociation curve as a function of PIO2.
“Explaining Suicide Terrorism: A Review Essay”

Mia Bloom, Dying to Kill: The Allure of Suicide Terror (New York: Columbia University Press, 2005). Joyce M. Davis, Martyrs: Innocence, Vengeance and Despair in the Middle East (New York: Palgrave ...
Men helping women: A monastic case study

This chapter examines the patterns of male-female interaction that occur when women are structurally reliant on the help of men. A case study of the founding of a religious community for women illuminates circumstances that foster women’s need for assistance. The structural features of monastic life that produced strain between women and men are examined, as well as those that contributed to cooperation. The study concludes with consideration of possible implications for interaction between men and women who work in other sorts of institutions.
Studies on the mechanism of skin tumor promotion: evidence for several stages in promotion.

Abstract The effects of nonpromoting and weakly promoting diterpenes on skin tumor promotion by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) were investigated. When phorbol and phorbol 12,13-diacetate (both nonpromoting) were given simultaneously with TPA after 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA) initiation in female mice, they had no effect on TPA promotion. However, the nonpromoter 4-O-methyl-TPA and the weak promoter mezerein were found to inhibit TPA promotion in a dose-dependent manner when given simultaneously with TPA. Because mezerein was found to be an effective inhibitor of TPA promotion when given simultaneously and because it induces many biological responses similar to those to TPA, the capacity of mezerein to act as an incomplete promoter in a two-stage promotion protocol was also investigated. Twice-weekly applications of 1,2, or 5 μg of TPA for 2 weeks after DMBA initiation produced 0, 0, and 0.5 papilloma per mouse, respectively, at 20 weeks. When the twice-weekly applications of TPA for 2 weeks were followed by twice-weekly treatments with 2 μg of mezerein for 18 weeks, the number of papillomas per mouse was 2.2, 3.5, and 9.0, respectively. Twice-weekly applications of 2 μg of TPA for 2 weeks followed by twice-weekly treatments with 1, 2, or 4 μg of mezerein for 18 weeks produced 2.1, 3.5, and 6.8 papillomas per mouse, respectively, in DMBA-treated mice. Twice-weekly doses as high as 40 μg of 4-O-methyl-TPA were not effective in producing tumors when given after a limited treatment with TPA; however, 4-O-methyl-TPA had weak activity as a first-stage promoter. The results suggest that although mezerein by itself is a weak promoter and mimics TPA in many biochemical and morphological effects it is a potent second-stage promoter in a two-stage promotion regimen.
A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatographic assay for epoxide hydrase

Abstract A rapid method for the assay of epoxide hydrase activity is described. 3-Methylcholanthrene-11,12-oxide is employed as substrate and high speed liquid chromatography is used to separate and quantitate trans-11,12-dihydro-11,12-dihydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene (product) formation. The determination of product at picomole levels can be obtained.
Precise Control of Carbon Nanotube Synthesis of a Single Chirality

This work demonstrates precise control over the synthesis conditions and location during CNT formation, such that single chirality tubes are obtainable. This technique obviates two significant hurdles that prevent the exploitation of CNTs in micro- and nano-devices. Microelectronic applications require precise location and chirality of synthesized CNTs. Conventional CVD synthesis techniques typically yield mixtures of CNTs (semi-conducting and metallic types) that grow at random locations. Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN) techniques were used to deposit the catalysts at precisely defined locations and to pattern the catalysts on a substrate with specific sizes as well as to control the catalyst composition. After deposition of catalysts, a low temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process was used to synthesize CNT. Various known catalysts were deposited. Characterization studies before and after CVD synthesis of CNT showed that the CNT were of a single chirality as well as uniform diameter (with a very narrow range of variability). The results indicate that the chirality of the synthesized CNT can be controlled by changing the synthesis conditions (e.g., size of the catalyst patterns, composition of the catalysts, temperature of CVD, gas flow rates, etc.).Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Useful time-variable circuit-element equivalences

Because time-variable circuit elements have properties not possessed by time-invariant ones, such as the ability to modulate or amplify with low noise, it is useful to have different ways of looking at them. Here we present general equivalences for time-variable inductors, capacitors, resistors and gyrators, using time-invariant elements and time-variable transformers, which allow various properties to be determined and interpreted on physical grounds.
Effect of Injecting Vitamin B12 into Eggs from Hens Fed a Diet Low in Vitamin B12

Abstract During the course of studies on the effect of supplementing a diet low in vitamin B12 with APF concentrates, Olcese, Couch and Layman (1950) observed that the hatchability of eggs from hens fed this diet decreased toward the end of the experimental period (9-10) weeks. This occurred even when 2.5 to 15 grams of such concentrates (equivalent to 2.5 to 40 μg. B12 activity/kg.) were fed per kg. of diet. About the time these studies were completed crystalline vitamin B12 was obtained and the present work was initiated to determine the effect of injecting B12 into eggs from hens fed a diet low in B12. Lillie, Olsen and Bird (1949) presented data which indicated the importance of vitamin B12 for reproduction in poultry. EXPERIMENTAL Ten Single Comb White Leghorn hens were used in this test. These birds were in the ninth to tenth month of production and had been used . . .
Call for a climate culture shift

A new book describes the rapid reshaping of human priorities needed to save the planet from global warming. Some of that change is already under way at the community level, explains Robert Costanza.
The lithium aluminium hydride-ethyl ether system at 25°C

Abstract The vapour pressure-composition isotherm for the lithium aluminum hydride-ethyl ether system was determined at 25°C using vacuum line techniques. The vapour pressure of the solid-liquid region was determined as a function of the temperature, and these data give a value of 8170 cal/m for the heat of vaporization of ether from the two-phase system. The possibility of a liquid compound LiAlH4·n(C2H5)2O is discussed. The solubility of lithium aluminum hydride in ethyl ether was found to be much greater than that reported in the literature.
Asymmetry in prejudice attribution

Abstract The present series of experiments investigated what may be termed the asymmetry hypothesis : that discriminatory behaviors directed toward the weak by the strong are seen as more indicative of prejudice than the same behaviors directed toward the strong by the weak. The hypothesis was tested in a variety of settings with three general classes of discriminatory behavior-exclusion, derogation, and preferential treatment-over four sets of complementary, differentially empowered groups that differed in race (black/white), age (old/young), gender (female/male), or sexual preference (gay/straight). Results showed the asymmetry effect for all three classes of discriminatory behavior in all the settings sampled. In the exclusion experiments, subjects attributed more prejudice to someone who excluded members of the less empowered groups, especially when the basis for exclusion was race or sexual preference. In the derogation experiments, subjects attributed more prejudice to someone who derogated the capabilities of members of the less empowered groups. Preferential treatment, presented in cases in which the competitors for a resource were either equally or differentially deserving of it, was seen as less prejudiced when the person who received the resource, or who benefitted from ingroup favoritism, belonged to the less empowered group. It was suggested that what underlies the asymmetry effect are the perceptions that discriminatory behaviors betoken a greater intent to harm when engaged in by those with more social power, and result in greater harm to those with less social power. A final speculation, supported by work on the controllability of social flaws, was that prejudice attribution is a form of blame attribution.
The Role of Self-Regulation, Future Orientation, and Financial Knowledge in Long-Term Financial Decisions

This research examines potential explanations of why consumers have difficulty making personal financial decisions that will be most beneficial in the long run. Within the decision context of retirement savings, results from an experiment suggest that self-regulatory state, future orientation, and financial knowledge can influence consumer evaluations and intentions related to retirement investments (i.e., a 401(k) plan). Findings suggest that consumers who express higher levels of future orientation are more likely to participate in a retirement plan, an effect moderated by self-regulatory state. Results also suggest that financial knowledge and orientation toward the future can interact to influence the likelihood of 401(k) plan participation. Among consumers with a basic level of financial knowledge, future-oriented consumers expressed a greater likelihood to participate in a retirement plan than less future–oriented consumers. However, in the absence of knowledge, consumers’ orientation toward the future did not influence the likelihood of 401(k) plan participation.
Gas puff pre-ionization and density characterization in COBRA Z-pinches

Summary form only given. The 1-MA COBRA generator at Cornell can be used for a variety of different High Energy Density plasma experiments such as single and nested wire-array z- or x-pinches, conical wire arrays for jet production and gas puff z-pinches1. In the past, it has been used extensively for investigation of wire array z-pinches. Recently, gas puff z-pinch implosion studies have been initiated on COBRA. Gas puff z-pinches are an excellent way to produce and confine high-temperature plasmas. These plasmas generate copious x-ray radiation that has numerous applications such as the lithography, microscopy, and also in the Inertial Confinement Fusion.
Similarity solution of a semi-infinite fluid-driven fracture in a linear elastic solid

Abstract A similarity solution for a steadily moving semi-infinite fluid-driven fracture in an impermeable linear elastic solid is described in this note. The existence of a lag, of a priori unknown length, between the crack tip and the fluid front is explicitly taken into account. The asymptotic behavior of the solution at the tip is consistent with linear elastic fracture mechanics, whereas its asymptotic behaviour at infinity corresponds to a singular solution constructed under the assumption of zero fluid lag. A universal relation between fluid lag and fracture toughness is obtained.
Evaluating the design of mate-choice experiments: the effect of amplexus on mate choice by female barking treefrogs,Hyla gratiosa

Abstract The proper design of mate-choice experiments is critical to detecting and characterizing mating preferences. Female anuran amphibians tested in mate-choice experiments are almost always collected in amplexus (i.e. after they have chosen a mate); it has been assumed that these females are as discriminating as they are before they enter amplexus. This assumption was tested by testing females of the barking treefrog, Hyla gratiosa , twice within the same night, once before they entered amplexus (‘before’ test) and once after (‘after’ test). Two such experiments were conducted in which females were given a choice between two calls that differed either in repetition rate or fundamental frequency. In both experiments, the proportion of females choosing each alternative did not differ between the before and after tests. Some females switched their choice between the before and after tests; in both experiments, equal numbers of females switched in one direction as in the other. The response of females in the after tests was not affected by either the time that they had spent in amplexus or the time of night when they were tested. Females that had not been tested earlier in the season took significantly less time to make their choice in the after test than in the before test, but females that had been previously tested did not. The results support the assumption that female anuran amphibians captured in amplexus are as discriminating as they are when first selecting mates in natural choruses.
Micro determination of scopoletin in Nicotiana tabacum

Abstract A GLC method for quantitative analysis of tobacco for scopoletin (as free scopoletin and the glycoside, scopolin) utilizes tritium foil electron capture detection of as little as 100 ng scopoletin. Polyphenols are directly extracted with n-propanol, and hydrolyzed to produce scopoletin. After silylation the TMS-scopoletin is separated on 10% OV-101 with p-coumaric acid as internal standard.
Interferon regulatory factor-5 deficiency ameliorates disease severity in the MRL/lpr mouse model of lupus in the absence of a mutation in DOCK2.

Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) polymorphisms are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. In mouse lupus models, IRF5-deficiency was shown to reduce disease severity consistent with an important role for IRF5 in disease pathogenesis. However these mouse studies were confounded by the recent demonstration that the IRF5 knockout mouse line contained a loss-of-function mutation in the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) gene. As DOCK2 regulates lymphocyte trafficking and Toll-like receptor signaling, this raised the possibility that some of the protective effects attributed to IRF5 deficiency in the mouse lupus models may instead have been due to DOCK2 deficiency. We have therefore here evaluated the effect of IRF5-deficiency in the MRL/lpr mouse lupus model in the absence of the DOCK2 mutation. We find that IRF5-deficient (IRF5−/−) MRL/lpr mice develop much less severe disease than their IRF5-sufficient (IRF5+/+) littermates. Despite markedly lower serum levels of anti-nuclear autoantibodies and reduced total splenocyte and CD4+ T cell numbers, IRF5−/− MRL/lpr mice have similar numbers of all splenic B cell subsets compared to IRF5+/+ MRL/lpr mice, suggesting that IRF5 is not involved in B cell development up to the mature B cell stage. However, IRF5−/− MRL/lpr mice have greatly reduced numbers of spleen plasmablasts and bone marrow plasma cells. Serum levels of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) were markedly elevated in the MRL/lpr mice but no effect of IRF5 on serum BLyS levels was seen. Overall our data demonstrate that IRF5 contributes to disease pathogenesis in the MRL/lpr lupus model and that this is due, at least in part, to the role of IRF5 in plasma cell formation. Our data also suggest that combined therapy targeting both IRF5 and BLyS might be a particularly effective therapeutic approach in lupus.
Induction of dopamine-β-hydroxylase in superior cervical ganglia in organ culture

Abstract Dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity was increased in superior cervical ganglia maintained in vitro in media containing elevated levels of potassium. The addition of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) to normokalemic media also increased dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity. These effects were blocked by cycloheximide. The effect of raised potassium levels on dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity was potentiated by theophylline. In addition, elevated potassium activated the ganglion adenyl cyclase system. These results suggest that the depolarization-related induction of dopamine-β-hydroxylase in ganglia is mediated by cyclic AMP.
Expression of genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism in cotton stems and roots

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) is an important crop worldwide that provides fiber for the textile industry. Cotton is a perennial plant that stores starch in stems and roots to provide carbohydrates for growth in subsequent seasons. Domesticated cotton makes these reserves available to developing seeds which impacts seed yield. The goals of these analyses were to identify genes and physiological pathways that establish cotton stems and roots as physiological sinks and investigate the role these pathways play in cotton development during seed set. Analysis of field-grown cotton plants indicated that starch levels peaked about the time of first anthesis and then declined similar to reports in greenhouse-grown cotton plants. Starch accumulated along the length of the stem and the shape and size of the starch grains from stems were easily distinguished from transient starch. Microarray analyses compared gene expression in tissues containing low levels of starch with tissues rapidly accumulating starch. Statistical analysis of differentially expressed genes indicated increased expression among genes associated with starch synthesis, starch degradation, hexose metabolism, raffinose synthesis and trehalose synthesis. The anticipated changes in these sugars were largely confirmed by measuring soluble sugars in selected tissues. In domesticated cotton starch stored prior to flowering was available to support seed production. Starch accumulation observed in young field-grown plants was not observed in greenhouse grown plants. A suite of genes associated with starch biosynthesis was identified. The pathway for starch utilization after flowering was associated with an increase in expression of a glucan water dikinase gene as has been implicated in utilization of transient starch. Changes in raffinose levels and levels of expression of genes controlling trehalose and raffinose biosynthesis were also observed in vegetative cotton tissues as plants age.
High-resolution infrared spectra of ethanelike molecules and the barrier to internal rotation: The ν9, ν13 band of dimethylacetylene

Abstract The infrared spectrum of dimethylacetylene was measured with high resolution in the region of the perpendicular band of the CH stretching vibration and the Q branches were partially resolved in the bunches of Q branches. The upper limit to the torsional barrier was estimated to be 4 cm−1.
Mechanisms of detonation transmission in layered H 2 -O 2 mixtures

When a plane detonation propagating through an explosive comes into contact with a bounding explosive, dif- ferent types of diffraction patterns, which may result in the transmission of a detonation into the bounding mixture, are observed. The nature of these diffraction patterns and the mode of detonation transmission depend on the properties of the primary and bounding explosives. An experimental and analytical study of such diffractions, which are funda- mental to many explosive applications, has been conducted in a two channel shock tube, using H2-O2 mixtures of dif- fi~rent equivalence ratios as the primary and bounding or secondary explosive. The combination of mixtures was var- ied from rich primary / lean secondary to lean primary / rich secondary since the nature of the diffraction was found to depend on whether the Chapman-Jouguet velocity of the primary mixture, Dp, was greater than or less than that of the secondary mixture, Ds. Schlieren framing photographs of the different diffraction patterns were obtained and used to measure shock and oblique detonation wave angles and ve- locities for the different diffraction patterns, and these were compared with the results of a steady-state shock-polar solu- tion of the diffraction problem. Two basic types of diffraction and modes of detonation reinitiation were observed. When Dp > Ds, an oblique shock connecting the primary detona- tion to an oblique detonation in the secondary mixture was observed. With ))p Ds. When Dp > Ds, the primary wave acts like a wedge moving into the secondary mixture with velocity Dp after steady state has been reached, a config- uration which also arises in oblique-detonation ramjets and hypervelocity drivers.
Impact of Bending and Torsional Deformations of DNA on the Function of T7-RNA Polymerase

Transcription of DNA into RNA is the first step in gene expression and is therefore a common target of regulation. The last few decades have witnessed a significant advance in our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase (RNAP). Despite many phenomenological observations establishing a functional relationship between DNA template mechanics and transcription, very little is known about how the mechanical features of DNA interact with RNA polymerase on a mechanistic level. To shed light on how DNA bending and torsional stresses impact RNAP function, we examine the mechanical interaction of bacteriophage T7-RNAP with several circular DNA fragments that differ in length and linking number. In particular, we employ molecular dynamics to simulate the interaction of T7-RNAP with the following three DNA minicircles: 100 base pair(bp) with linking number 9 (Lk=9), 106-bp with Lk=10, and 108-bp with Lk=10. Each of these corresponds respectively to underwound, overwound, and relaxed configurations. The simulations reveal that torque from T7RNAP induces local relaxation of the bend angle of the circular DNA motif. Furthermore, T7RNAP induces out-of-plane deformation of highly strained DNA minicircles. Different torsional stresses seem to impact DNA conformation to various degrees: change in internal torque (undertwisting/overtwisting DNA) forces circular DNA complexed with T7RNAP to contort into a new shape. Based on these observations, we investigate the following: i) how the shape of a supercoiled DNA molecule impacts the barrier for the polymerase translocation step and ii) why DNA twist and bend angles are important factors in determining the transcription rate on strained templates.
Distribution of forms of sulfur in peats from saline environments in the Florida Everglades

Abstract Although there is published information on the mechanism of sedimentary pyrite formation resulting from bacterial reduction of sulfate, little is known about the distribution of forms of sulfur, including organic, in peats. In order to increase understanding of the geochemistry of sulfur in coals, we have determined distributions of forms of sulfur in five cores of saline peat and one of brackish peat, all from areas near the Shark River and Whitewater Bay in the coastal swamps of south Florida. All concentrations vary widely with depth. Total sulfur concentrations range up to 6% of dry solids. Minor amounts of sulfur are present as H2S, S0, SO42−, and acid-soluble sulfide, but the principal forms are usually pyritic and organic. The ratio, organic/pyritic, is highly variable, but at a majority of levels in a profile is considerably greater than unity. It is inferred that topochemical factors are important in determining the distribution of sulfur forms in any element of volume.
Optimal control of HVAC systems using DDP and NLP techniques

The objective of this study is to apply the differential dynamic programming (DDP) technique of optimal control to heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and to compare its performance with a non-linear programming (NLP) technique using the sequential quadratic programming method. The DDP technique is briefly described and studied. Limitations of the technique are noted. Three cases of a system that has been treated previously in the literature are optimized by the two techniques and the computational times compared. The study shows DDP to be efficient compared with NLP for the example problems. NLP is, however, more robust and general and can treat constraints on the state variables directly. Further investigation is needed for larger-scale problems to fully explore the features of the two methods.
Listeria's right-handed helical rocket-tail trajectories: Mechanistic implications for force generation in actin-based motility

Listeria monocytogenes forms right-handed helical rocket tail trajectories during actin-based motility in cell-free extracts, and this stereochemical feature is consistent with actoclampin's affinity-modulated, clamped-filament elongation model [Dickinson and Purich, 2002: Biophys J 82:605-617]. In that mechanism, right-handed torque is generated by an end-tracking molecular motor, each comprised of a filament barbed end and clamping protein that processively traces the right-handed helix of its filament partner. By contrast, torque is not a predicted property of those models (e.g., elastic propulsion, elastic Brownian ratchet, tethered ratchet, and insertional polymerization models) requiring filament barbed ends to depart/detach from the motile object's surface during/after each monomer-addition step. Helical trajectories also explain why Listeria undergoes longitudinal-axis rotation on a length-scale matching the helical periodicity of Listeria's rocket tails.
Locus of Control and Program Completion for State Funded Alcohol Clients

Abstract Client control orientation is modeled as a force on program completion in alcohol treatment programs. A representative sample of adult alcohol abusers entering all state-funded programs in Missouri was recruited into the study and administered a pre-treatment interview including a locus of control scale. Official program records of completion and reason for non-completion were also accessed. The theoretical advantage of internal control orientation on client outcomes post-treatment was mitigated by its inverse relationship to a desire to change and to program completion. Possible reasons for an effect of locus of control on retention in program are explored.
Physiological and pathophysiological roles for phospholipase D

Individual members of the mammalian phospholipase D (PLD) superfamily undertake roles that extend from generating the second messenger signaling lipid, phosphatidic acid, through hydrolysis of the membrane phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine, to functioning as an endonuclease to generate small RNAs and facilitating membrane vesicle trafficking through seemingly nonenzymatic mechanisms. With recent advances in genome-wide association studies, RNA interference screens, next-generation sequencing approaches, and phenotypic analyses of knockout mice, roles for PLD family members are being uncovered in autoimmune, infectious neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disease, as well as in cancer. Some of these disease settings pose opportunities for small molecule inhibitory therapeutics, which are currently in development.
Studies on the transfer of lymph node cells. XII. The effect of anti-rabbit-leucocyte serum on the transfer of antigen-incubated lymph node cells.

In earlier studies it was shown that if rabbit lymph node cells were incubated with Shigella-trypsin filtrate and transferred to other, recipient, rabbits, agglutinins to Shigella appeared subsequently in the sera of the recipients. However, if leucocytes from the donor rabbits were injected into the recipients at a suitable interval prior to lymph node cell transfer, agglutinins to Shigella did not appear after cell transfer. In the present study, a number of experiments were done which bear on the immunologic character of this suppressive effect on the transferred cells, the "pre-injection effect." X-irradiation of the recipients before the injection of donor leucocytes led to a decrease in the extent of the pre-injection effect, i.e. to the appearance of higher agglutinin liters, in the recipient animals. It was found possible to transfer the pre-injection effect by cells of rabbit lymph nodes draining sites of injection of rabbit leucocytes. No such effect was obtained with heated aliquots of these cell suspensions or with lymph node cells from sheep-erythrocyte-injected donors. It was also possible to transfer the pre-injection effect passively by serum. Suppression of transferred lymph node cells was observed regularly after injection of serum pooled from groups of rabbits which had been injected with leucocytes pooled from the blood of 60 to 70 rabbits. The active material in anti-leucocyte serum could be precipitated in the globulin fraction of the serum and could be removed by absorption with rabbit lymph node cells. In the course of experiments on the passive transfer of the pre-injection effect by antisera of individual rabbits to leucocytes of individual donor rabbits, evidence was obtained of the existence in the sera of some normal rabbits of antibodies to some of the rabbit leucocyte antigens.
Fiberoptic-dye dilution method for measurement of cardiac output. Comparison with the direct Fick and the angiocardiographic methods.

A new method for the measurement of cardiac output has been tested in 69 patients undergoing catheterization of the right and left sides of the heart. It is based on the recently described fiberoptic hemoreflection method. In order to verify the validity of these measurements, correlations with stroke indices determined by the Fick principle and by biplane angiocardiography were also carried out. Details of the biplane angiocardiographic technique and of the fiberoptic calibration methods are given. Comparisons were carried out in 37 instances between the results after injections in the pulmonary artery (mean stroke index, 40.8 ml/m2) and in the left ventricle (mean, 42.9 ml/m2). Good agreement was found, r=0.930, with a mean difference of 2.1 ml/m2. Stroke indices by fiberoptics (FO) were first compared with those obtained by the standard Fick method. In 100 determinations the mean stroke index by FO was 45.7 ml/m2, and Fick 49.0 ml/m2 (r=0.859; confidence limits, 0.77<p<0.93). Correlations were then car...
Histological changes produced by freshwater upon isolated and grouped procerodes, a marine turbellarian

1. Protection forProcerodes wheatlandi is afforded against freshwater when they are present in groups. 2. A histological examination of the worms exposed to such a medium indicates that mucus may be a source of protection and that leachings of substances from the cells of the organs also may be responsible for the observed protection. 3. Isolated worms present the same histological picture as the grouped. 4. Worms exposed toParamecium conditioned water present the same histological picture as those exposed to tap-water. 5. A histological examination of the early stages in the reaction to hypotonic media is not as delicate an index of the ultimate effects to be produced as is the length of the survival periods.
Taishotoyama Symposium Barriers to colorectal cancer screening: economics, capacity and adherence.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States (U.S.). Fecal occult blood testing has been shown in randomized controlled trials to decrease mortality from colorectal cancer. The incidence and mortality associated with colorectal cancer has also been illustrated to be decreased with sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy through case-control and prospective cohort studies. Current research focuses on determining which screening strategy is optimal, and how we may improve implementation. Primary screening colonoscopy may be most effective; however, this strategy would require up to 2.6 procedures per patient over their lifetime. Based on the U.S. census this equates to 7.5 million procedures annually; the current capacity in the U.S. is insufficient to provide this strategy for all eligible persons. Computed tomographic or magnetic resonance colonography (virtual colonoscopy) may be an attractive alternative, but capacity is also insufficient for implementation. Moreover, since virtual colonoscopy is a diagnostic but not therapeutic test, economic analysis has illustrated that this strategy will not be cost-effective compared to conventional colonoscopy unless it becomes much less expensive or is associated with greater adherence. Fecal DNA testing is a promising technology but current biomarkers are insufficiently sensitive to constitute a viable strategy. Newer tests such as self-propelled, self-guided endoscopes (Aer-O-Scope), ‘active’ endoscopes that decrease looping (Neoguide) and colon capsule endoscopy require formal evaluation through clinical trials prior to endorsement for colorectal cancer screening. Less than half of all eligible persons in the U.S. adhere to screening recommendations. Factors associated with screening adherence include the patient's level of education, income, access to health care, a family history of colon cancer, male gender and recommendation from the primary care physician. Conversely, non-adherence is associated with concern over the bowel preparation and fear of discomfort and embarrassment with the procedure. Moreover, it appears that the presence of multiple strategies may be the cause of non-adherence in many cases. Patients who are given a choice of several strategies are less likely to adhere to any strategy than patients who are recommended a single strategy. To increase adherence to colorectal cancer screening it is recommended that the patient be instructed to undergo the test to which they are most likely to adhere. Future research should focus on interventions to improve patient adherence to screening, and on developing accurate tests that will achieve high levels of adherence.
Contemporary evolution of an invasive grass in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 at a Mojave Desert FACE site

Elevated atmospheric CO2 has been shown to rapidly alter plant physiology and ecosystem productivity, but contemporary evolutionary responses to increased CO2 have yet to be demonstrated in the field. At a Mojave Desert FACE (free-air CO2 enrichment) facility, we tested whether an annual grass weed (Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens) has evolved in response to elevated atmospheric CO2. Within 7 years, field populations exposed to elevated CO2 evolved lower rates of leaf stomatal conductance; a physiological adaptation known to conserve water in other desert or water-limited ecosystems. Evolution of lower conductance was accompanied by reduced plasticity in upregulating conductance when CO2 was more limiting; this reduction in conductance plasticity suggests that genetic assimilation may be ongoing. Reproductive fitness costs associated with this reduction in phenotypic plasticity were demonstrated under ambient levels of CO2. Our findings suggest that contemporary evolution may facilitate this invasive species' spread in this desert ecosystem.
Stochastic online binpacking problem: exact conditions for bounded expected queue lengths under the best fit packing heuristic

We consider the following stochastic bin packing process: the items of different sizes arrive at times t = 0, 1, 2, … and are packed into unit size bins using "largest first" rule. The unpacked items form queues. Coffman and Stolyar [3] introduced this system and posed the following question: under which conditions expected queue lengths are bounded (system is stable)? We provide exact computable conditions for stability of this system using Lyapunov function technique. The result holds for a very general class of distributions of the arrival processes.
Chlamydia, group B streptococcus, and herpes in pregnancy.

ABSTRACT: This is a review of three sexually transmitted diseases which can affect pregnancy and the newborn. Maternal chlamydia may cause neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia. More severe is group B streptococcus, which can cause fatal infection in the newborn and severe perinatal infections in the mother. Primary herpes infections may result in fetal malformations, abortions, and premature labor, while neonatal herpes may cause death or severe neurologic and ocular sequelae.
Gender identity change in a transsexual: an exorcism.

Gender identity change in a conservatively diagnosed 21-year-old transsexual after faith healing was fortuitously observed, was objectively and independently measured, and is reported. This case, and other recent developments, suggests a reexamination of the possibilities of psychosocial intervention to modify atypical gender identity.