cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forces between a Rigid Probe Particle and a Liquid Interface.

The effect of disjoining pressure between a rigid spherical probe particle (attached to an AFM cantilever) and a liquid interface (e.g., oil/water or air/water) is treated in an analytic manner to describe the total force F exerted on the probe as a function of the distance X of the probe from the rigid substrate (AFM stage) on which the liquid interface resides. Two cases (i) a flat interface under gravity and (ii) a drop whose size is sufficiently small that gravity can be neglected have been examined. A simple numerical algorithm is given for computing F(X) (the AFM observable) from a given form for the disjoining pressure. Numerical results are displayed for electrostatic probe/interface interactions which reveal the linear compliance regime experimentally observed in AFM experiments on these systems. The slope of the linear compliance regime is shown to be a function of the properties of the interface (capillary length, particle radius, drop size, contact angle of drop on rigid substrate etc.). Copyright 2001 Academic Press.
Temperature- and concentration-dependence of compatibility of the organic osmolyte β-dimethylsulfoniopropionate

Abstract The effects of the organic osmolyte β-dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) on the structural stability of three model proteins were examined to determine whether DMSP, like the structurally similar solute dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), is compatible with native protein structure at low, but not elevated, temperatures. DMSP stabilized phosphofructokinase under conditions of cold-induced denaturation. Thus, DMSP, like DMSO, may be an effective protein cryoprotectant. However, DMSP was not an effective stabilizer of protein structure under conditions of heat denaturation. Whereas low (0.2 M ) concentrations of DMSP stabilized lactate dehydrogenase against inactivation at 50 °C, higher DMSP concentrations were ineffective. DMSP favored the denaturation of glutamate dehydrogenase at all DMSP concentrations tested. DMSP may be a compatible osmotic solute only under conditions of moderate temperature and low, yet physiological, concentrations. The mechanistic basis of DMSP's temperature- and concentration-dependent effects and the possible roles played by adaptation temperature and severity of osmotic stress in the evolutionary selection of organic osmolytes are discussed.
Some remarks on minimal bases and maximal nonbases of integers

Abstract In this note, we generalize the concepts of minimal bases and maximal nonbases for integers, and prove some existence theorems for the generalized minimal bases and maximal nonbases, which generalize some results of Stohr, Deza and Erdos, and Nathanson.
An improved model for the analysis of evaporative counterflow cooling towers

Abstract A rigorous approach is applied to the thermal design of counterflow cooling towers, by obviating the six simplifying assumptions in the classical Merkel method. It is indicated that: (1) neglecting evaporation losses is the main cause of inaccuracy in the Merkel results; (2) the error in the Merkel method may reach 12%; and (3) the present solution provides a more accurate and more ecologically favorable prediction for the cooling tower.
Comparison of technetium-99m sestamibi-gated tomographic perfusion imaging with echocardiography and electrocardiography for determination of left ventricular mass

Left ventricular (LV) mass estimates obtained from post-stress gated single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) perfusion images were compared with 2-dimensionally targeted M-mode echocardiograms and with resting electrocardiographic voltage in 32 patients with stress perfusion scans that were either normal or only mildly abnormal. Myocardial pixel volumes were obtained from SPECT transaxial slices at end-diastole, end-systole, and summed (“ungated”) static reformatted SPECT images at 2 levels of background subtraction, 37.5% and 35% of peak myocardial activity. The S-wave amplitude in lead V1 and the R-wave amplitude in V5 were summed for an electrocardiographic index of voltage. Echocardiographic LV mass was calculated using the modified Penn convention formula. SPECT myocardial mass estimates were significantly greater at diastole when compared with systolic or summed images. There was a moderate, although highly significant, correlation between echocardiographic and SPECT indexes of LV mass with the lower (35%) background threshold (r = 0.59, 0.60, and 0.53 for diastole, summed, and systole, each p < 0.001). The diastolic SPECT estimate of LV mass correlation with electrocardiographic voltage (r = 0.56) was superior to the correlation between echocardiography and electrocardiography (r = 0.30). With use of published criteria for the presence of LV hypertrophy on echocardiography, diastolic and systolic gated SPECT predicted echocardiographic results with 78% accuracy.
Pathways for the Hydrolysis of Phorate: Product Studies by 31P NMR and GC-MS

A new intramolecular mechanism is proposed for the hydrolysis of phorate. (31)P NMR was used to study the formation of P-containing products of phorate hydrolysis in situ. When hydrolysis was followed by (31)P NMR, a dominant P-containing product was found and was identified to be diethyl dithiophosphate using methylation and GC-MS. Combining the data from phorate hydrolysis at three different temperatures, thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The contributions of various possible pathways to phorate hydrolysis are discussed.
Rock and the Role of Microbiology

Geomicrobiology: Interactions Between Microbes and Minerals. JILLIAN F. BANFIELD and KENNETH H. NEALSON, Eds. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, 1997. xvi, 448 pp., illus. Paper, $32. ISBN 0-939950-45-6. Reviews in Mineralogy, vol. 35.
Evidence for the Formation of Gas-Phase Inclusion Complexes with Cyclodextrins and Amino Acids

Experimental and theoretical evidence is provided that indicates the presence of inclusion complexes in the gas phase when cyclodextrin and amino acid mixtures are electrosprayed into a Fourier tra...
Social Networks Among Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders

This study examines the social networks and deviant behavior of 92 male and female adolescent offenders in a secure training school. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with the youth and repeated following a four-week interval. Record data were reviewed to assess behavioral adjustment. The Social Cognitive Map analytic technique was utilized to identify social clusters. Findings indicate that these extremely delinquent youth formed reasonably stable social networks within the institution. Social clusters were distinguished most strongly on the basis of gender, race and proximity. Individuals within clusters had similar levels of behavioral adjustment and perceptions of intimacy with peers. The processes of peer group formation are similar to those found among public school counterparts. Treatment implications are discussed.
Genetic variation in feed consumption, growth, nutrient utilization efficiency and mitochondrial function within a farmed population of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract We evaluated the effects of diets (32/4 or 36/6 percent protein/fat) and six channel catfish families for growth performance characteristics. Two families with fast- (C) and slow- (D) growth rate and with low and high feed efficiency (FE) were selected for analyses of mitochondrial complex enzymatic activities (I, II, III, and IV) and gene expression (ND1, CYTB, COX1, COX2, ATP6) levels in liver, muscle, and intestine. There were significant differences in growth rate and nutrient retention among the families. Mitochondrial enzymatic complex activities (I-V) in the tissues were all lower in family C. Four of the five genes were down-regulated in the liver and up-regulated in the muscle for the fast growing family C. There were significant differences between diets for some mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities and gene expression levels. Significant diet × family interactions were observed for some enzyme activities and gene expression levels. Changes in mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities and gene expression levels provide insight into the cellular mechanisms of fish with differences in growth rate and feed efficiency. Results also suggest that genotype × diet interactions should be accounted for when considering strategies for using mitochondrial function as a criteria in channel catfish selection programs for improved growth performance characteristics.
A GAUSS program for computing an index of tracking from longitudinal observations

Tracking can be defined as the tendency of individuals or collections of individuals to stay within a particular course of growth over time relative to other individuals. Thus, tracking describes stability in growth patterns. This paper outlines a statistical procedure for examining tracking in a single sample of measurements made on humans or other animals. This nonparametric procedure, based on Cohen's (1960) kappa statistic, is suitable for equally or unequally spaced serial data that is complete and is appropriate for questions concerning growth as well as other time-dependent phenomena. It is a conceptually simple longitudinal method that affords insight regarding the predictability of growth within a population. For example, by tracking, one can ask if young children who are in the lowest height for age category are likely to end up in that category at an older age. A user-friendly GAUSS program is provided that generates overall as well as individual and track-specific statistics. High-resolution graphic representations of the data are also generated by the program. Examples are presented, including a tracking analysis of Guatemalan Indian children using quartiles.
Minimum description length model selection of multinomial processing tree models

Multinomial processing tree (MPT) modeling has been widely and successfully applied as a statistical methodology for measuring hypothesized latent cognitive processes in selected experimental paradigms. In this article, we address the problem of selecting the best MPT model from a set of scientifically plausible MPT models, given observed data. We introduce a minimum description length (MDL) based model-selection approach that overcomes the limitations of existing methods such as the G 2-based likelihood ratio test, the Akaike information criterion, and the Bayesian information criterion. To help ease the computational burden of implementing MDL, we provide a computer program in MATLAB that performs MDL-based model selection for any MPT model, with or without inequality constraints. Finally, we discuss applications of the MDL approach to well-studied MPT models with real data sets collected in two different experimental paradigms: source monitoring and pair clustering. The aforementioned MATLAB program may be downloaded from http://pbr.psychonomic-journals.org/content/supplemental.
Potentiometric titration of poly‐L‐lysine: the coil‐to‐β transition

We have performed potentiometric titrations of poly-L-lysine. From these data we have calculated the free energy and enthalpy changes for the folding of the random coil to the α-helix in 10% ethanol (−120 and −120 cal/mole) and from the random coil to the β-structure in water (−140 and 870 cal/mole) and in 10% ethanol (−180 and 980 cal mole). Comparison of these values with each other and with values for the coil α- helix transition in water (−78 and −880 cal/mole) led to the following conclusions. The stabilization by ethanol of ethanol of the α-helix with respect to the coil is that predicted from the known free energy of transfer of the peptide group from water to 10% ethanol. Similar data to explain the enthalpy difference are not available. The thermodynamic functions for the transition from α-helix to β-structure, obtained by subtracting those for the coil α-helix and coil β-structure transitions, are explained from a consideration of the structural differences: non bonded interactions of the polypeptide backbone are less favorable in the β-structure than in the α-helix, causing an increase in the energy, while hydrophobic contacts between side chains raise the entropy of the β-structure as compared with the α-helix, so that the free energy difference between the two structures is small, but enthalpy and entropy differences are large. The observation of only small differences in the free energy and enthalpy changes for the transition from coil β-structure upon going from water to 10% ethanol is expected by considering both the free energy of transfer of the peptide group (as for the α-helix) and the free energy and enthalpy of transfer of the apolar part of the side chain involved in hydrophobic bond formation.
I09 Adenosine deaminae (ADAR1) acting on double-stranded RNA and protein kinase PKR dependent on dsRNA as opposing modulators of antiviral innate immunity

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) plays a central role in antiviral innate immunity, both as a trigger for the production of interferon (IFN) and also in the actions of IFN. Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) catalyze the C-6 deamination of adenosine (A) to generate inosine (I) in dsRNAs. Because I hydrogen bonds as G with C, not as A with U, A-to-I editing can lead to genetic recoding of RNAs and destabilization of dsRNA structures. The Adar1 gene is IFN inducible and encodes two size forms of ADAR1 protein through alternative promoter utilization; an IFN inducible promoter specifies a p150 protein that is cytoplasmic and nuclear, whereas the constitutive promoters specify a smaller constitutively expressed p110 nuclear protein. Protein kinase PKR also is IFN inducible, is activated by dsRNA, and inhibits translation through eIF-2alpha factor phosphorylation. The roles of ADAR1 p150 and p110, and PKR, during virus replication were examined using human cell clones made stably deficient in ADAR1 or PKR by an RNA interference strategy, and mouse MEF cells genetically deficient in either ADAR1 or 2. Results obtained with wild-type measles virus (MV) and mutants deleted for either C or V expression revealed important roles for both ADAR1 and PKR as modulators of IFN induction and the host response to infection. The effects of ADAR1 deficiency on MV growth, IFN beta gene induction, and virus-induced cytopathic effect generally were opposite to the effects observed for PKR deficiency. The findings indicate that ADAR1 behaves as an anti-apoptotic host factor that, in some instances, is pro-viral. The anti-apoptotic and cell protective effects of ADAR1 correlated with suppression of activation of pro-apoptotic activities exemplified by PKR. Results obtained with mouse cells genetically deficient in adar1 likewise showed a protective role of ADAR1 protein isoforms against virus-induced cytopathic effects. (Supported by NIAID, NIH).
Bankruptcy as a business strategy: The Manville Experience

In 1982, three solvent companies filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the United States Code Bankruptcy to halt an onslaught of asbestos‐related lawsuits. These companies were Ametex, UNR Industries, and the Manville Corporation.
Zeros of Racah coefficients and the pell equation

The interface between Racah coefficients and mathematics is reviewed and several unsolved problems pointed out. The specific goal of this investigation is to determine zeros of these coefficients. The general polynomial is given whose set of zeros contains all nontrivial zeros of Racah (6j) coefficients [this polynomial is also given for the Wigner-Clebsch-Gordan (3j) coefficients]. Zeros of weight 1 3j- and 6j-coefficients are known to be related to the solutions of classic Diophantine equations. Here it is shown how solutions of the quadratic Diophantine equation known as Pell's equation are related to weight 2 zeros of 3j- and 6j-coefficients. This relation involves transformations of quadratic forms over the integers, the orbit classification of zeros of Pell's equation, and an algorithm for determining numerically the fundamental solutions of Pell's equation. The symbol manipulation program MACSYMA was used extensively to effect various factorings and transformations and to give a proof.
Structure-activity studies with cycloheximide and congeners.

Abstract The antibiotic cycloheximide inhibits protein synthesis in animal cells. The effect of a number of derivatives, related compounds and stereoisomers of cycloheximide on protein synthesis in animal cells and in extracts prepared from animal cells, was studied. Substitution of the oxygen attached to carbon-1 of the cyclohexanone ring or esterification of the hydroxyl group attached to the α-carbon of the hydroxyethyl-glutarimide side chain greatly diminishes inhibitory activity. The absolute configuration of the cyclohexanone ring is important for activity, but a cyclic ketone is not necessary. Compounds with a substitution by an acetoxy or hydroxyl group of the hydrogen attached to carbon-4 of the cyclohexanone ring, as in acetoxycycloheximide and streptovitacin A, respectively, inhibit protein synthesis better than cycloheximide. The results obtained in the present investigation using animal cells are in general agreement with previous studies using yeast cells.
A group technology classification and coding scheme for discrete manufacturing simulation models

Simulation experts know very well that there are similarities between the models they build for different manufacturing systems. This article describes a group technology (GT) classification and coding scheme for discrete manufacturing simulation models, which was developed by observing those similarities. The scheme is modified and validated by reviewing application-oriented simulation studies from the literature. Clustering analysis is used to form the first GT code scheme. The GT scheme serves as a basis for creating a model base consisting of generic models. These generic models permit development of an intelligent simulation environment. Specific user models can now be constructed by modifying and configuring the generic models rather than building them from scratch, reducing the effort and skill expected of the user in the process of model construction. A surprisingly small number of truly distinct model types is found.
Surface skin development and rupture during sol-gel spin-coating

Spin coating is one of the standard methods for depositing sol-gel, nanocomposite, or polymer coatings onto flat substrates (silicon wafers, glass plates for displays, sensor substrates, etc.). Our recent research has been focused at understanding a wide variety of defect formation mechanisms and looking for ways to prevent these defects. A key aspect of spin-coating is the solvent evaporation that happens at the top surface of the coating fluid during spinning--even while the fluid is moving rapidly, radially, outward on the substrate. As the fluid gets physically thinner, concentration gradients can develop within the fluid as a result of the evaporation. The enrichment of the precursors at the top surface can cause premature gelation there, in other words a “skin” may form. This skin layer is also more resistant to stretching than the underlying fluid and can retard radial fluid motions as well as further solvent evaporation. It is even possible for the stretching forces to be large enough that fracture or tearing of the skin occurs. These surface ruptures create wispy locations of significantly thinner coating or small randomly located linear rips, but they do not typically result in complete penetration through the coating. The occurrence of these defects depends to a large degree on the volatility of key solvents used in the sol-gel process, with less volatile solvents being less likely to result in surface ruptures.
Modeling Public Decision Preferences Using Context-Specific Value Hierarchies:

Although a universal hierarchy of public values has proven elusive, the literature in individual-level values suggests that decision makers do organize their personal values into hierarchies based on context. Through analysis of public values and public decision preferences gathered in a pilot study of city-level public administrators (n = 182), we use an empirical approach to identify context-relevant public values for five different decision contexts. We then demonstrate multiple possible approaches to modeling individual- and community-level policy preferences based on value hierarchies derived from the individual-level data. We find that the predictions based on value hierarchies are better than would be predicted in the absence of such hierarchies, and that these differences are statistically significant. These findings suggest that while creating a universal hierarchy of values remains challenging, context-relevant public value hierarchies at smaller units of analysis may be useful in describing, predicting, and explaining the decisions of public administrators.
Gating of the squid sodium channel at positive potentials: II. Single channels reveal two open states

Single-channel recordings from squid axon Na+ channels were made under conditions of reverse sodium gradient. In the range of potentials studied, +40-(+)120 mV, channels opened promptly after depolarization, closed and reopened several times during the pulse. In patches containing only one channel, the distributions of open dwell times showed two components showing the existence of a second open state. The ensemble average of single-channel records showed incomplete inactivation that became more pronounced at more positive potentials, showing that the maintained phase of the current is the result of only one type of sodium channel with two open states. Analysis of bursts indicated that the dwell times of the events at the onset of the depolarization are longer than those later in the pulse. The dwell open times of the first events could be fitted with a single exponential. This indicated that the channels open preferentially through the first open state, the access to the second open state happening subsequently. Maximum likelihood analysis was used to evaluate several possible kinetic schemes incorporating a second open state. The best model to fit the data from single channels, and consistent with the data from macroscopic and gating currents, has a second open state evolving from the inactivated state. A kinetic model is proposed that incorporates information obtained from dialyzed axons.
Kinetic H/D/T Isotope and Solid State Effects on the Tautomerism of the Conjugate Porphyrin Monoanion

Using dynamic NMR spectroscopy, the kinetic isotope effects of the degenerate single hydron transfer in the conjugate 15N-labeled porphyrin anion Por-H- dissolved in organic solvents have been measured as a function of temperature. Por-H- was generated by dissolving the labeled parent compound porphyrin together with the phosphazene base 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexakis(dimethylamino)-3-[(1,1,2,2-tetramethylpropyl)imino]-3-[[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranyliden]amino]-1λ5,3λ5,5λ5,1,4-triphosphazadiene (tHept-P4) in organic solvents. In addition, by reaction of porphyrin with the base 1,1,1,5,5,5-tetrakis[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidene]amino]phosphonium fluoride (P5+F-) Por-H- could be embedded into the solid state and its tautomerism followed by 15N CPMAS NMR. Surprisingly, within the margin of error, the degeneracy of the tautomerism was not lifted in the solid state and the rate constants of the proton transfer were identical in the liquid and the solid. The kinetic isotope effects at 240 K (extrapolated) are g...
Vascular Mural Cells in Healing Canine Myocardial Infarcts

Angiogenesis is a critical process in healing of myocardial infarcts, leading to the formation of highly vascular granulation tissue. However, effective cardiac repair depends on mechanisms that inhibit the angiogenic process after a mature scar is formed, preventing inappropriate expansion of the fibrotic process. Using a canine model of reperfused myocardial infarction, we demonstrated that maturation of the infarct leads to the formation of neovessels, with a thick muscular coat, that demonstrate distinct morphological characteristics. Many of these "neoarterioles" lack a defined internal elastic lamina and demonstrate irregular deposits of extracellular matrix in the media. Vascular mural cells in healing infarcts undergo phenotypic changes, showing minimal expression of desmin during the proliferative phase (1 hr occlusion/7 days reperfusion) but in the mature scar (8 weeks reperfusion) acquire a phenotype similar to that of vascular smooth muscle cells in control areas. Non-muscle myosin heavy chains A and B are induced in infarct endothelial cells and myofibroblasts, respectively, but are not expressed in neovascular mural cells. Recruitment of a muscular coat and formation of neoarterioles in mature scars may inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and vascular sprouting, stabilizing the infarct vasculature.
The labor practices of service mediation: a study of the work practices of food assistance outreach

In this paper, we present the results of a study of the work practices of food assistance outreach workers. We introduce the construct of service mediation, which includes the technical, social, and knowledge labor practices involved in enabling access to and use of an e-government service. We explore the service mediation activities of outreach, technological assistance, providing knowledge, and ongoing engagement. These activities bring to light how successful service relationships involve fostering a process, bridging relationships, and providing broader scaffolding. The results of our research highlight the role service mediation plays in the use of services and service technologies in information-rich organizations. This research extends previous conceptualizations of mediation by documenting how mediators support broader service processes for their clients, transform potential beneficiaries into clients, and engage in long term assistance. Therefore, this work moves beyond prior conceptualizations of mediation that concentrate solely on enabling access and use of specific technologies.
The Interactive Effect of Anger and Disgust on Moral Outrage and Judgments

The two studies reported here demonstrated that a combination of anger and disgust predicts moral outrage. In Study 1, anger toward moral transgressions (sexual assault, funeral picketing) predicted moral outrage only when it co-occurred with at least moderate disgust, and disgust predicted moral outrage only when it co-occurred with at least moderate anger. In Study 2, a mock-jury paradigm that included emotionally disturbing photographs of a murder victim revealed that, compared to anger, disgust was a more consistent predictor of moral outrage (i.e., it predicted moral outrage at all levels of anger). Furthermore, moral outrage mediated the effect of participants' anger on their confidence in a guilty verdict--but only when anger co-occurred with at least a moderate level of disgust--whereas moral outrage mediated the effect of participants' disgust on their verdict confidence at all levels of anger. The interactive effect of anger and disgust has important implications for theoretical explanations of moral outrage, moral judgments in general, and legal decision making.
Neural basis of stereotype-induced shifts in women's mental rotation performance

Recent negative focus on women's academic abilities has fueled disputes over gender disparities in the sciences. The controversy derives, in part, from women's relatively poorer performance in aptitude tests, many of which require skills of spatial reasoning. We used functional magnetic imaging to examine the neural structure underlying shifts in women's performance of a spatial reasoning task induced by positive and negative stereotypes. Three groups of participants performed a task involving imagined rotations of the self. Prior to scanning, the positive stereotype group was exposed to a false but plausible stereotype of women's superior perspective-taking abilities; the negative stereotype group was exposed to the pervasive stereotype that men outperform women on spatial tasks; and the control group received neutral information. The significantly poorer performance we found in the negative stereotype group corresponded to increased activation in brain regions associated with increased emotional load. In contrast, the significantly improved performance we found in the positive stereotype group was associated with increased activation in visual processing areas and, to a lesser degree, complex working memory processes. These findings suggest that stereotype messages affect the brain selectively, with positive messages producing relatively more efficient neural strategies than negative messages.
IIT Plug-in Conversion Project with the City of Chicago

The necessity to significantly enhance efficiency of transportation vehicles in response to global warming issues and to ever-increasing oil prices is recognized around the world. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's) were the first proposed solution to reduce energy consumption, however much additional improvement is necessary. Benefits of HEV's include a smaller internal combustion engine (ICE), the inherent efficiency of the electric motor at low speeds, and the reuse of the braking energy which have generated fuel efficiency improvements of -25%, a good start but a long way from solving the energy crisis. The long-term goal for automotive power systems is zero emissions and zero use of hydrocarbon-based fuels. The significance of successful demonstration of hybrid technology is the development of appropriate electric motors, optimization and control systems, regenerative braking systems, and identification of the limits of existing battery technology. These benefits can be extended by increasing the vehicle's energy storage capacity with batteries an order of magnitude larger and with the additional energy coming from the electric grid, ideally generated from non-carbon sources. Theoretical studies have suggested that a majority of American commuters could avoid the daily use of gasoline with such a system. A Ford Escape Hybrid was obtained from the City of Chicago to be used as a test platform for this concept. Initial goal was to double the expected 25 miles per gallon using lithium ion battery technology. After characterizing the vehicle's electric power needs, a battery was proposed, designed, and installed using a controller to regulate the pack output into Ford's existing motor drive system. Initial results show proof-of-concept via improved all-electric range and gas mileage. The patented thermal management technology developed by IIT Licensee All Cell Technologies LLC allowed the use of latest high-power lithium ion cells in this demanding application. More study is needed to further improve the performance, simplify user interaction, and quantify benefits, i.e. gas mileage and reduced emissions. Sufficient progress in motors, control systems, batteries, and thermal management has been achieved by a number of innovators to make the dream of zero emissions and zero fossil fuel usage a reasonable target for the next generation of automobiles.
Seizures and failures in the giant fiber pathway of Drosophila bang- sensitive paralytic mutants

Drosophila bang-sensitive paralytic mutants suffer from hyperactivity and paralysis following a mechanical shock; after recovery from paralysis, they cannot be paralyzed for a refractory period lasting up to 1 hr. Previously, we have shown that in easily shocked (eas), a typical bang-sensitive mutant, electrical shocks delivered to the brain cause seizure-like activity in the dorsal longitudinal flight motor neurons (DLMmns), and failure of giant fiber (GF) stimulation to evoke DLM potentials via the escape response pathway (Pavlidis et al., 1994). Here, we show that seizure and failure in the GF pathway with a refractory period is common to all six members of the bang-sensitive class. This syndrome was not found in any of eight other excitability mutants, including those affecting voltage-gated sodium or potassium-channel function. We show that failure occurs at the synapse between a peripherally synapsing interneuron (PSI) and the DLMmns, while the DLMmn-DLM neuromuscular junctions remain functional. Additionally, failure occurs in all other GF pathway-activated muscles. Failures occurred without seizures in the tergotrochanteral jump muscle (TTM), as was also found in approximately 10% of DLM tests, suggesting that seizures and failures may be independent events. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that, in double mutant combination with mlenapts, which suppresses behavioral bang sensitivity, DLM failures, but not seizures, were reduced.
Photoluminescence at 1540 nm from erbium-doped amorphous silicon carbide films

Room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) was observed at 1540 nm in erbium-implanted amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:Er) films grown by thermal chemical vapor deposition at 800 °C. The PL spectra of the a-SiC:Er samples did not exhibit any defect-generated luminescence, with the PL intensity at 1540 nm dropping only by a factor of 3.6 as the sample temperature was increased from 14 K to room temperature. Time-resolved PL measurements showed that the Er3+ luminescence lifetime of approximately 0.6 ms was nearly independent of sample temperature. In addition, luminescence quenching was observed as implanted Er dose exceeded 7 × 1015 ions/cm2. It is suggested that the lower density of Si and C vacancies in the stoichiometric a-SiC:Er, as compared to its non-stoichiometric a-Si1-xCx counterpart, along with the incorporation of a higher Er dopant concentration, can effectively quench defect-produced luminescence and lead to a significant improvement in PL performance. These properties indicate that stoichiometric a-SiC is potentially a viable candidate for optoelectronic devices operating in the 1540 nm region.
POVERTY AND INCOME MAINTENANCE IN OLD AGE: A CROSS-NATIONAL VIEW OF LOW INCOME OLDER WOMEN

Over the past 40 years, great strides have been made in reducing poverty among the elderly in most rich countries. Pensioner poverty, however, has not been eradicated, especially in the Anglo-speaking nations. Poverty rates among older women are much higher than those for older men and much higher in the United States compared to other nations. In general, poverty rates rise with both age and changes in living arrangements, though living alone has a greater effect for women. Poverty rates among older women are highest among the divorced, widowed, and never married (all of which are also expected to rise significantly over the next decades). The challenge is to design retirement benefit systems that guarantee a minimum standard of living for all elderly women, while also preserving incentives for self financed retirement.
Fractals and Reactions on Fractals

Many of the structures which surround us in nature (mountains, rivers, coastlines, clouds, the vascular system and other biological structures, for example) and systems of scientific interest (aggregates, macromolecules, rough surfaces, “strange” attractors, etc.) cannot be adequately described in terms of the concepts of Euclidean geometry. The lack of a quantitative description of these structures has inhibited the development of adequate understanding of their formation and behavior. During the past 2–3 decades a new approach to the description of many of these systems has been developed.[1–3] This approach, now known as fractal geometry, has been shown to be relevant to a broad range of structures and phenomena of both scientific and practical importance.
Continuous media and machine vision distributed, active stereo reconstruction

This paper presents the framework and initial results from a distributed computer vision system to perform active stereo vision. We solve tasks in computer vision using a multi-level, distributed continuous media environment. At the highest level, the system recovers complete 3-D models. The intermediate level is a distributed algorithm for reconstructing multiple frames of the input sequence, operating on a high-speed ATM network of workstations and using a distributed, shared-memory model to store results. Control of camera parameters such as focus at the lowest level uses cues computed directly in the compressed image stream. The image stream is compressed by inexpensive multimedia boards, and we exploit the resulting compressed stream by obtaining low-level control information without complete decompression.
A Locus for Circadian Period of Locomotor Activity on Mouse Proximal Chromosome 3

Lengthened circadian period of locomotor activity is a characteristic of a congenic strain of mice carrying a nonsense mutation in exon 5 of the carbonic anhydrase II gene, car2. The null mutation in car2 is located on a DBA/2J inbred strain insert on proximal chromosome 3, on an otherwise C57BL/6J genomic background. Since reducing the size of the congenic region would narrow the possible candidate genes for period, two recombinant congenic strains (R1 and R2) were developed from the original congenic strain. These new congenic strains were assessed for period, genetic composition, and the presence of immunoreactive carbonic anhydrase II. R1 mice were homozygous DBA/2J for the distal portion of the original DBA/2J insert, while R2 mice were homozygous DBA/2J for the proximal portion. R1 mice had a significantly lengthened period compared to R2 mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice, indicating that the gene(s) affecting period is likely found within the reduced DBA/2J insert (˜1 cM) in the R1 mice. The R1 mice...
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS IN SENTENCE PROCESSING RESEARCH: A Methodological Review and User’s Guide

Since the publication of Clahsen and Felser’s (2006) keynote article on grammatical processing in language learners, the online study of sentence comprehension in adult second language (L2) learners has quickly grown into a vibrant and prolific subfield of SLA. As online methods begin to establish a foothold in SLA research, it is important that researchers in our field design sentence-comprehension experiments that adhere to the fundamental principles of research design typical of sentence processing studies published in related subfields of the language sciences. In this article, we discuss and review widely accepted principles of research design for sentence processing studies that are not always followed in L2 sentence processing research. Particular emphasis is placed on the design of experimental items and distractors, the choice and design of the poststimulus distractor task, procedures for presenting stimuli to participants, and methods for trimming and analyzing online data, among others.
A proof-of-concept implementation interfacing an object manager with a hierarchical storage system

The feasibility of providing transparent access to a collection of persistent, complex objects was investigated. An architecture for interfacing a persistent store of complex objects to a hierarchical storage system is described. Persistent-object stores support the uniform creation, storage, and access of complex objects, regardless of their lifetimes. In other words, a mechanism is provided by which persistent objects outlive the processes which create them and can be accessed in a uniform manner by other processes. This architecture was validated by implementing a proof-of-concept system and testing the system on two stores of data. These tests indicate that this architecture supports the creation, storage, and access of very large, persistent-object stores. >
Harlequin ichthyosis — A case report

SummaryThe Harlequin infant represents the most severe form of nonbullous ichthyosis. Although the clinical features of infants with Harlequin ichthyosis are generally similar, histological, ultrastructural, and biochemical analyses have not shown consistent findings. An unexpected case of Harlequin ichthyosis in a female infant born at 35 wks gestation is presented. Light microscopic and ultrastructural investigations of skin biopsies are detailed. The presence of extracellular lipid material in the stratum corneum has not been described in the previously reported cases of Harlequin ichthyosis.
Exact bounds on running ASCEND/DESCEND and FAN-IN algorithms on synchronous multiple bus networks

We consider the problem of running ASCEND/DESCEND and FAN-IN algorithms on synchronous multiple bus networks with a restricted number of buses. Exact lower bounds on the time are derived. We present a method that runs FAN-IN algorithms optimally and ASCEND/DESCEND algorithms in one step beyond the lower bound.
A framework for understanding mobile internet motivations and behaviors

Why do people access information via the mobile Internet? This qualitative study examines a group of active users and proposes a new preliminary framework for understanding their motivations and behaviors.
Travel-time study of six central Appalachian earthquakes 1962-1968

abstract Travel time studies are made of the data from six central Appalachian earthquakes that occurred during the period 1962 through 1968 in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Arrival times from forty-two station-epicenter pairs served as input data for the study. Epicentral locations were obtained for the six events with an average standard deviation for the travel time residuals of 0.5 seconds. Nineteen Pn observations in the distance range of 300 to 800 km yield a composite Pn travel-time curve given by t = ( 8.98 ± 0.14 ) sec + Δ / ( 8.22 ± 0.02 ) km / sec with a 0.19 second standard deviation in the travel-time observations. The inverse slope for the Pg phase was found as 6.24 ± 0.03 km/sec and for the Sg or Lg phases as 3.67 ± 0.02 km/sec. Magnitude determinations using m eus of Evernden (1967) are made for two of the five shocks.
Differentiating the Workplace Needs of Nurses by Academic Preparation and Years in Nursing

Questions surrounding the optimal level of academic preparation for nurses entering the workforce appear to be nearing consensus. However, in most organizations, the existing nursing workforce includes nurses of various ages, amounts of experience, and levels of academic preparation. All nurses serve an important role in caring for patients. The objective of this study was to determine if differences in work environment perceptions exist for nurses with different levels of academic preparation but similar years of experience in nursing. Mean values of work environment perceptions were compared between associate degree nurses and bachelor of science nurses with equivalent years in clinical practice using univariate statistics. Bachelor of science nurses reported similar or more positive work environment perceptions across all levels of professional experience as compared with associate degree nurses. The largest difference in perceptions between the two groups was seen in nurses with more than 15 years of professional experience. In this group, bachelor of science nurses reported more positive perceptions of peer support, unit support, workload, and overall nursing satisfaction. Intent to stay was not different between the groups considered. The results of this study suggest that efforts to expand nurses' access to baccalaureate programs may have positive implications for professional nursing and the work environment.
Relationships among Play Behaviors Reported by College Students and Their Responses to Moral Issues: A Pilot Study

This study investigated whether the types and amount of playful activity and thought exhibited from early childhood to adulthood are related to aspects of moral development, such as empathy, behavior, and reasoning. It explored whether the assertions of theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson regarding the facilitative effect of games with rules and pretense on moral development could be supported in a retrospective longitudinal study. The situated conditions of social settings, outdoor settings, and technology settings for the play were also recorded. Self-report data were collected from undergraduate students at a large midwestern university in the United States. Results indicated that a number of relationships among these variables lent support to such hypotheses. In particular, early pretense and game play were related to some aspects of reported moral development at college age. The social condition was also highly related. Significant relationships among pretense and moral development were h...
Color- and texture-based image segmentation using EM and its application to content-based image retrieval

Retrieving images from large and varied collections using image content as a key is a challenging and important problem. In this paper we present a new image representation which provides a transformation from the raw pixel data to a small set of image regions which are coherent in color and texture space. This so-called "blobworld" representation is based on segmentation using the expectation-maximization algorithm on combined color and texture features. The texture features we use for the segmentation arise from a new approach to texture description and scale selection. We describe a system that uses the blobworld representation to retrieve images. An important and unique aspect of the system is that, in the context of similarity-based querying, the user is allowed to view the internal representation of the submitted image and the query results. Similar systems do not offer the user this view into the workings of the system; consequently, the outcome of many queries on these systems can be quite inexplicable, despite the availability of knobs for adjusting the similarity metric.
A SURREALIST READING: FORMLESSNESS AND NONDIFFERENTIATION IN YITZHAK ORPAZ'S THE HUNTING OF THE GAZELLE (TSEYD HA-TSVIYAH, 1966) A CYCLE OF THREE STORIES *

The research for this paper was initiated by the following question: Why is it that avant-gardes literary trends such as Futurism and Expressionism have been evidently incorporated into Modern Hebrew poetry and prose – alongside detailed and comprehensive critical discourse regarding this incorporation – whereas the same cannot be said of Surrealism? There is no official Hebrew or Israeli Surrealist movement or extensive critical study of Hebrew Surrealism either in literature or in the visual arts and – as I shall demonstrate – this particular absence is true in only a few other countries and consequently Israel stands out in being one of these countries.1 The question thus raised two concerns: the first, which cannot be denied, is the complete absence of a collective, national Israeli affiliation with Surrealism and the second, which is more problematic, is the seeming lack of a Surrealist influence upon Modern Hebrew literature.2 The latter concern is not as relevant to other national literatures simply because so many countries have or have had nationally affiliated Surrealist movements, which in turn suggests an impact. The fact that there has never been a Hebrew or Israeli equivalent renders the concern more pertinent. My question then developed into something of a more historicist nature: is it possible that there are instances of Hebrew Surrealism within literature that are the result of an inner poetic need rather than any conscious affiliation with the movement? If so, how would we define this particular Surrealism and what would it signify?
FBI compression standard for digitized fingerprint images

The FBI has formulated national standards for digitization and compression of gray-scale fingerprint images. The compression algorithm for the digitized images is based on adaptive uniform scalar quantization of a discrete wavelet transform subband decomposition, a technique referred to as the wavelet/scalar quantization method. The algorithm produces archival-quality images at compression ratios of around 15 to 1 and will allow the current database of paper fingerprint cards to be replaced by digital imagery. A compliance testing program is also being implemented to ensure high standards of image quality and interchangeability of data between different implementations. We will review the current status of the FBI standard, including the compliance testing process and the details of the first-generation encoder.