cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonintegrable aesthetic field theory

We review our research on a system of equations not satisfying integrability. We show how to formulate the no integrability theory within the ''aesthetic'' field framework. Although we emphasize this aesthetic field framework, many of our remarks concerning no integrability are not dependent on the aesthetic field concept. We show how to handle the no integrability theory by two different methods. We discuss some numerical work made on the no integrability system and show that the results lead to planar maxima and minima and are thereby suggestive of multiparticles. Although symmetry of mixed derivatives has been taken to be the norm in contemporary physics, it is not a compelling hypothesis, and we suggest such a restriction unduly limits our scope. In addition, the absence of symmetry for mixed derivatives may have considerable implications for physics. The way we introduce derivatives is consistent with the no integrability field equations and is the same as conventional derivatives when the integrability equations are satisfied.
Reactivity of the components of tooth structure

Abstract A restorative material capable of adhering to tooth structure is greatly needed. Bonding is complicated by the complex nature of tooth structure as well as the mechanical, toxicologic, and bacteriologic conditions which occur in the oral cavity. Heats of immersion (-δ H w ) measurements for dentin, enamel, and anorganic whole tooth tissue of known specific surface have been used to study the reactivity and degree of surface modification produced by various ions and functional groups in an aqueous environment. A decrease in the - δH w value of dentin in water from 10.3 cal/gm (4100 ergs/cm 2 ) to 4.02 cal/gm (1590 ergs/cm 2 ) in 2–40% aqueous solutions of organic solvents suggests the strengthening of electrostatic bonds between polar groups of the collagenous matrix of dentin. In absolute ethanol and hexane, dentin absorbs heat indicating the weakening of hydrophobic bonds. The - δH w values for anorganic whole tooth in aqueous solutions of organic solvents are not appreciably different from those obtained in water (109 ergs/cm 2 ). The presence of NO 2 − , NO 2 − , CNS − , SO 4 2− , and I − , at pH 5 depressed the - δH w of dentin to 4.8 cal/gm (1910 ergs/cm 2 ). Other anions (F − and Cl − ) had no effect. At pH 8, however, anions did not alter the - δH w of dentin. The addition of aldehyde groups to the liquid adsorbate at pH 8 resulted in the lowering of the apparent - δH w value of dentin. Significant changes in - δH w values for anorganic whole tooth were not observed in the presence of anions or aldehyde groups. The surface of dentin may be modified by treatment with nonpolar solvents. Ionic bonding to exposed polar groups can be achieved at the optimal pH.
Monoalkyldecaborane(14) Syntheses via Nucleophilic Alkylation and Hydroboration.

Two regioselective, high-yield routes to nido-6-alkyldecaborane(14)s via one-pot syntheses are reported. Alkyllithium reagents add to salts of nido-B10H13- to form arachno-6-R-B10H132-, which may be protonated using HCl/Et2O, first to the corresponding arachno-6-R-B10H14- anion and then, with H2 loss, to nido-6-R-B10H13. Alternately, olefin hydroboration of arachno-6,9-(SMe2)2-B10H12 produces nido-6-R-8-(SMe2)-B10H11, which may be reduced, using Superhydrid, to nido-6-R-B10H12-, and then protonated with HCl/Et2O to nido-6-R-B10H13. X-ray diffraction studies of the following intermediates and products are presented: nido-8-(SMe2)-B10H12, nido-6-Thx-8-(SMe2)-B10H11, and nido-6-Thx-B10H13.
Can white-collar crime investigators be protected from improper pressures? The case of Israel

Abstract In an attempt to discover how investigation of white-collar crime can be protected from improper influences, the Fraud Investigation Division of the Israel Police Force was studied. Despite the number of powerful persons investigated, the division was able to resist improper influences for a variety of reasons, including strong leadership, lateral entry, support from both administrative and political superiors, but most importantly the relative independence of the Attorney General (prosecutor) and of the judiciary from political influence. The Attorney General is not directly answerable to the public through election, nor are the judges, and the prosecutor has great control over investigations by the police. Possible lessons for the U.S. are discussed.
Sum Frequency Generation Imaging Microscopy of CO on Platinum

Sum frequency vibrational spectroscopy is utilized as an imaging technique to distinguish and compare the local response of carbon monoxide (CO) covered platinum (Pt) polycrystalline surface versus the average response of the investigated area. The Pt electrode was prepared using the standard method and was exposed to ∼1 atm of CO(g). SFG images and vibrational spectra were obtained where the contrast is based on the intrinsic nature of each peak in the CO vibrational spectrum. The illustration of the images and the chemical maps of CO on the platinum surface showed the distribution of the CO across the observed area. The results obtained by comparing the local and the average response confirmed the spatial distributions of the CO on the platinum sample which are due to several reasons such as dipole−dipole coupling and surface coverage. This finding has a significant contribution toward recognizing that surfaces usually considered homogeneous may in fact be quite heterogeneous.
Queerspawn Speak Out: A Review of Let's Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth With LGBTQ Parents

Let's Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth With LGBTQ Parents provides an engaging and accessible set of tools for youth from LGBTQ-headed families. The stories and resources shared encourage these youth to take pride in their families, value their diverse experiences, and work against homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of injustice. This review points out the variety of ways the book speaks back to silences that traditionally operate within and around youth with LGBTQ parents.
Linear framework defects in zeolite mordenite.

Framework defect correlations are identified in zeolite mordenite that explain both X-ray powder diffraction anomalies and diffuse intensity features in previously reported electron diffraction data. The c/2 displacement of linear “chains” of framework material parallel to the main [001] channel are shown to selectively suppress and broaden the l = 2n + 1 Bragg reflections, thereby linking these framework defects to observed trends in a number of diffracted intensity ratios. At the same time, these defects are shown to produce thin sheets of diffuse scattering that are restricted to the l = 2n + 1 planes of reciprocal space, features that have been reported in electron diffraction studies of mordenite. An empirical relationship between the defect concentration and the framework aluminum content is also established.
Large scale atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of graphene

Abstract We demonstrate that large scale high quality graphene synthesis can be performed using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on Cu and illustrate how this procedure eliminates major difficulties associated with the low pressure CVD approach while allowing straightforward expansion of this technology to the roll-to-roll industrial scale graphene production. The detailed recipes evaluating the effects of copper foil thicknesses, purity, morphology and crystallographic orientation on the graphene growth rates and the number of graphene layers were investigated and optimized. Various foil cleaning protocols and growth conditions were evaluated and optimized to be suitable for production of large scale single layer graphene that was subsequently transferred on transparent flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer substrates. Such “ready to use” graphene–PET sandwich structures were as large as 40″ in diagonal and >98% single layer, sufficient for many commercial and research applications. Synthesized large graphene film consists of domains exceeding 100 μm. Some curious behavior of high temperature graphene etching by oxygen is described that allows convenient visualization of interdomain boundaries and internal stresses.
Power across scales and levels of fisheries governance: Explaining the active non- participation of fishers in Two Rivers, North Carolina

Abstract The great emphasis placed on the democratic participation of local user groups as necessary for sustainable natural resource and environmental governance by commons scholars and advocates and practitioners of collaborative natural resource management demands a greater focus on who is and who is not participating in governance processes, and why, as well as the associated consequences. This project examines a case where commercial fishers in Two Rivers, North Carolina practice active non-participation regarding fisheries governance; they choose not to become involved in formal political activities, while instead participating in informal governance activities. I examine the causes for the active non-participation of commercial fisherpeople by tracing power across multiple levels and scales of analysis, which not only shape the participation of local Two River fishers in governance activities, but also lead to environmental degradation. Data was collected through observations, interviews, and document and policy review. An important finding from this study is that although the active non-participation of fishers is a rational response to the inequities of the formal fisheries governance system, their absence is hastening the displacement of commercial fishers from, as well as the degradation of, the fisheries they depend upon for a living.
Deposition of particles in a turbulent pipe flow

Effects of flow direction, nonlinear drag and the corrected lift force on particle deposition rate in turbulent pipe flow is studied. A digital simulation technique is used and the trajectories of particles of different sizes are analyzed. The experimental data for the mean flow field and the intensities of fluctuation velocity components are used in the analysis, and the effects of turbulent diffusion and Brownian dispersion are included in the computational model. The instantaneous turbulent fluctuation is simulated as a continuous Gaussian random vector field and the Brownian force is modeled as a Gaussian white-noise random process. Ensembles of particle trajectories are evaluated and statistically analyzed. It is shown that the simulation results for the deposition velocity are in reasonable agreement with the model predictions, the available experimental data, and the recent simulation results for channel flows. It is shown that the downward gas flow in a vertical pipe enhances the particle deposition rate, while the upward flow reduces it.
Gender and homework management reported by African American students

The present study linked gender and grade level to homework management strategies and homework completion behaviours. The participants were 685 African American students in the south‐eastern USA, including 370 eighth graders and 315 eleventh graders. Gender appeared related to the majority of homework measures examined in the present study. Specifically, compared with boys, girls reported more frequently working to manage their workspace, monitor motivation and control negative emotion. In addition, girls reported that they were more likely to complete their assigned homework and were less likely to come to class without their homework. On the other hand, grade level (eighth graders vs. 11th graders) did not relate to homework management strategies and homework completion behaviours.
Plasma instabilities in quasi two-dimensional electron gases

Abstract Recent pulsed optical experiments in n -doped quantum wells (Knox and co-workers, 1988) suggest that hot carriers relax in times as short as 10 fs. A 10 fs thermalization time is an order of magnitude shorter than the inverse plasma frequency. While Monte Carlo calculations (Goodnick and Lugli, 1988) can account for the trends in such hot carrier relaxation experiments, times as short as 10 fs are difficult to understand. As an alternative to single-particle relaxation mechanisms, we have considered the possibility of collective mode instabilities in these systems. In this paper, the longitudinal dielectric function for a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas is calculated, in the random phase approximation, for a plasma with a shell-like, excited component, analogous to that excited in the experiments of Knox, and co-workers. From this dielectric function, the plasma eigenfrequencies are determined. In this excited plasma, intrasubband plasma modes experience gain by inverse Landau damping, via coupling to the energetic electrons. Their repsonse contrast with the Landau damped behavior of the corresponding modes in a three dimensional plasma. The modes with gain are unstable, and experience amplification at rates on the order of the plasma frequency, relaxing energy from the excited distribution. While these growth rates are not fast enough to account for the observed relaxation rates in the n -doped quantum wells studied by Knox, and co-workers, the calculations do indicate an alternative relaxation path, whose rate increases linearly with density, and imply that two-dimensional plasmas are less stable than those in three dimensions.
A quantitative study of certain factors affecting soil‐ and water‐losses as the logical basis for developing practical methods of erosion control

Efforts at a quantitative study of the physical factors affecting the rate and amount of erosion and surface-runoff show that a wide range of natural forces, many of them uncontrollable, affect the results. Among the latter type are to be included those of a climatic nature such as intensity, duration and frequency of rains, as well as the time of their occurrence, especially with reference to particular surface-conditions such as frozen, dry, or saturated soils, etc. Those factors having to do with topography also are included in this group, since the degree of slope is doubtless one of the most important influences controlling the course of erosion.
Some computational aspects of cross impact matrix forecasting

Tactical questions of implementing the cross impact matrix method of forecasting were raised by initial experiments described in an article by T.J. Gordon and H. Hayward.1 These questions involve certain computational aspects of the method. The cross impact matrix technique takes account of possible interrelationships among a group of questions in a Delphi forecasting exercise, and this paper deals with the nature of the variabilities in the modified probabilities that arise in its application. It is shown that the variance can be eliminated by increasing the number of trials used in computation.
Patient preferences of cosmesis for abdominal incisions in gynecologic surgery.

Abstract Study Objective To estimate patient preferences insofar as the cosmetic appeal of abdominal incisions used for hysterectomy. We hypothesized that the laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) incision would be preferred cosmetically to traditional multiport laparoscopic incisions and open abdominal incisions via Pfannenstiel, vertical midline, or horizontal mini-laparotomy. Design Prospective comparative study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Two gynecology clinics at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Patients Seventy-three women including 50 consecutive women from a private specialty clinic and 23 consecutive women from a resident indigent care clinic. Interventions A brief questionnaire was distributed that assessed preferences via ranking and by using a visual analog scale. Patients were also asked to rate the importance of 4 factors in their decision making: size, location, and number of incisions, and perceived recovery time. Descriptive statistics, t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and χ2 tests were used to compare continuous or categorical values. Measurements and Main Results Overall, the LESS incision was the most preferred incision according to most common choice and visual analog scale scores. In the private clinic, the LESS incision was preferred most often, with 53% of women (39/73) ranking it as their first choice. In the resident clinic, the horizontal mini-laparotomy incision was preferred most often, with 27% of women (20/73) ranking it their first choice. Neither the demographic factors nor any of the factors in decision making explained the difference between the clinics. Conclusion The LESS incision was most preferred in this study. However, the horizontal mini-laparotomy incision and the traditional laparoscopic with low lateral incisions were also highly preferred. Patient perception of the “visibility” of abdominal incisions may be the distinguishing issue to explain the difference in the preferences between the clinics and the differences between the present study and previously published studies of cosmetic preferences.
Human capital convergence : international evidence

In the growth literature, evidence on income convergence is mixed. In the development literature, health and education indicators are also often used. This study examines whether health and education levels are converging across countries and calculates their convergence speed, using data from 100 countries during 1970-96. A 3SLS procedure is used in a joint analysis of human capital convergence. The results confirm that investments in education and health are closely linked. We find unconditional convergence for life expectancy and infant survival, and enrollment rates, on average and by gender; and conditional convergence for all human capital indicators, including class size.
Current-voltage characteristics of electric contacts on p-type ZnSe

The current-voltage characteristics of electric contacts made of different materials on p-type ZnSe that form Schottky barriers from 0.3 to 1.2 eV are studied theoretically using the formula $$J = \frac{{A^* T}}{k}\int_0^\infty {T(E)[F(E) - F(E - eV)]dE,} $$ where T(E) is the energy-dependent quantum tunneling probability and F(E) is the Fermi distribution function. The contribution to the total current of both the thermionic emission and the tunneling are therefore included. The net doping concentrations under study range from 1.0×1017 cm−3 to 1.0×1019 cm−3. The reverse bias voltage across the barrier at a current density of 200 A/cm2 is used to assess whether the barrier is reduced to an ohmic contact. A barrier of 0.3 eV is already an ohmic contact at doping concentration p=1.0×1017 cm−3, while a barrier of 1.2 eV still behaves like a diode event at p=1.0×1019 cm−3.
The range of protists in Mono Lake, a hypersaline soda lake in the eastern sierras

In spite of the controversies surrounding the environmental deterioration of Mono Lake, and the significant amount of research being done on this remarkably productive body of water, nobody has ever attempted to survey the protists that live beneath its surface. Beginning in July of 2003, we have been trying to remedy this situation and we spent 2 months there studying the protistan species that reside in its waters and since then have been receiving regular sample collections for analysis. Based on the metazoan eukaryotes that live in this lake, which include only Artemia monica, Ephydra hians, rare rotifers and a nematode, we were warned to expect the lake to be depauperate of protists as well. However, we are happy to report that, while not as rich in species as most freshwater lakes, Mono Lake does support a robust population of phagotrophic and heterotrophic protozoa in addition to its many species of unicellular algae, including diatoms. It contains ciliate species representing at least the genera Cyclidium, Frontonia, Lacrymaria, Litonotus, Euplotes and Aspidisca, and the stalked suctorian Tokophrya. Additionally, there are species representing the heliozoa, helioflagellates, choanoflagellates, Pseudobodo, Cercomonas and Chilomastix, among other flagellates. The gymnamoebae are represented by Vanella, Nuclearia, Mayorella and Hartmanella, and, from the Heterolobosea, probable Vahlkampfia and Gruberella species. Micrographs of many of these species will be presented. Work on these species is still very much in its preliminary stages and a more detailed analysis and identification of the protists found in this extreme environment is advancing. This work was partially supported by an NSF grant (MCB 99-77901) to Robert Jellison.
Adsorbed films of 3 He- 4 He mixtures: A systematic experimental study

The results of a systematic study of helium thin-film adsorption are presented. Measurements are reported, obtained with a 24-MHz crystal adsorptometer, on the adsorbed mass per unit area as a function of the three independent variables temperature, concentration, and pressure of the gas of 3He-4He atoms generating the adsorbed film. The investigations span concentrations from zero to unity, all pressures up to the dew point for each mixture, and temperatures from 1.3 to 2.1 K. From the experimental results we display the detailed form of the van der Waals attractive potential holding the helium atoms to the surface. The expected dependence on the cube of the distance from the substrate is confirmed over the range of distances explored. The strength of the van der Waals potential is measured and reported. This attractive potential is demonstrated to be of the same form and of the same strength both for the 3He atoms and for the 4He atoms in the mixture at all concentrations. We further deduce, directly from our measurements, the detailed relationship between Σ, the mass per unit area of film absorbed, and d, the thickness of the film.
Irradiation-tolerant nanostructured ferritic alloys: Transforming helium from a liability to an asset

Nanostructuredferritic alloys (NFAs) have the potential to make transformational contributions to developing advanced sources of fission and fusion energy. NFAs are Fe-Cr based ferritic stainless steels that contain an ultrahigh density of Y-Ti-O nanofeatures (NFs). The NFs provide both outstanding high temperature properties and remarkable tolerance to irradiation induced displacement damage as well as the degrading effects of transmutation product helium. Indeed, NFs can transform helium from a liability to an asset by forming a high density of nm-scale bubbles that act as sinks for point defects and helium may provide near immunity to radiation damage. This article outlines recent progress on engaging the challenges facing NFA development.
Sequential clustering by statistical methodology

To overcome the limitation of requiring the cluster threshold with the parametric approach, this paper presents a clustering constraint which first considers an estimate of the global distribution. The clustering process moves from local clusters identifying the data globally to larger clusters with a specified density function. Merging then occurs to provide a statistically supported representation of the data. A hashing-based sequential clustering algorithm is introduced which utilizes the initial and merging constraints. Experimental data shows the methods effectiveness at classifying varying cluster shapes and sizes when compared to recent clustering techniques.
Increased aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and prolyl hydroxylase activities in lung organ cultures exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

Abstract Exposure of neo-natal rat lungs in organ culture to 10–25 μM benzo[ a ]-pyrene (BaP) elevated the activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and prolyl hydroxylase (PH). Pyrene, a non-carcinogenic hydrocarbon did not elicit this response. Prolyl hydroxylase is an indicator of collagen synthesis and increased PH activity in the lungs reflects increased collagen synthesis. Our studies suggest that the earliest events in BaP-induced lung injury may include altered collagen metabolism.
Software Forecasting Models

Several forecasting models were evaluated with respect to their forecasting accuracy using NASA Space Shuttle failure data. Simple models like exponential smoothing are attractive if the forecasting range can be limited. This is the case because these models use the most recent data in making a forecast. In other cases, where forecasts must be made over a wide range, software reliability models are superior. The reason is that these models use a larger set of data in making parameter estimates. This feature results in more accurate forecasts over a wider range of time periods in the future. We found that significant improvements could be made to forecasting accuracy for all models by the simple process of modifying original forecasts based on the relative errors of those forecasts.
Advances and applications on microfluidic velocimetry techniques

The development and analysis of the performance of microfluidic components for lab-on-a-chip devices are becoming increasingly important because microfluidic applications are continuing to expand in the fields of biology, nanotechnology, and manufacturing. Therefore, the characterization of fluid behavior at the scales of micro- and nanometer levels is essential. A variety of microfluidic velocimetry techniques like micron-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV), particle-tracking velocimetry (PTV), and others have been developed to characterize such microfluidic systems with spatial resolutions on the order of micrometers or less. This article discusses the fundamentals of established velocimetry techniques as well as the technical applications found in literature.
Research note on a simple model for pressure-sensitive strain-hardening materials

Abstract The true stress-plastic strain curves for pressure-sensitive high strength steels are successfully predicted using a simple constitutive model. Both the strength-differential and plastic compressibility effects are taken into account in the modeling. All material constants appearing in the constitutive relations have been obtained. The procedures outlined can be readily incorporated in standard elastoplastic finite element codes.
Lipase-catalyzed esterification in monolayers and microemulsions

Abstract Studies were carried out to explore the enzymatic synthesis of glycerol and fatty acid in monolayers and microemulsions. Monolayers of stearic acid were taken on subsolutions of glycerol and water, and the enzyme (lipozyme) solution was injected under the compressed monolayers. Monolayers, when analyzed by TLC and HPLC, confirmed the esterification reaction. Interestingly, triglyceride and monoglyceride were the major products even though the lipozyme was 1,3 specific. The same reaction was carried out in water-in-oil microemulsions with sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) as surfactant and monoglyceride and diglyceride were obtained as the major products. It was also noted that the esterification reaction in the monolayer could take place at a much higher water/glycerol ratio than in the microemulsion. The results are explained on the basis of residence time of the product at the interface, curvature of the interface, orientation of substrate at the interface, and the interfacial activation effect on the lid of the active site of the enzyme.
Seeing measurements at the Multiple Mirror Telescope obtained with a very high quality 1.8-m primary mirror

Image-quality data are presented which were gathered at the University of Arizona's Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT) using a very high quality 1.8-m mirror, for median image sizes of 0.72 arcsec in 8-sec integrations. The measured image is judged to have been degraded by 0.48 arcsec from that allowed by the free atmosphere by such factors as errors in telescope focus, collimation, mirror support, mirror seeing, and the combined optical figure of the five mirror surfaces required to bring the light to the image-analysis CCD. These data imply the appropriateness of a total optical error budget of 0.2 arcsec for 8-m diameter telescopes currently being designed.
Time from consent to cesarean delivery: Salmeen et al

274 American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology nformed consent is “both an ethical I obligation and a legal requirement spelled out in statutes and case law in all 50 states,” notes the American Medical Association. Along with the diagnosis, physicians are to detail the therapeutic route under consideration and alternatives—what these are, why they are used, the risks and benefits of each option. The risks and benefits of forgoing treatment should also be discussed. Patients then need a chance to ask questions. But how long do patients have to contemplate what they’ve been told, especially in emergent situations? Journal Club members discussed a new study that explored this question. Researchers Salmeen and Brincat examined the informed consent process among laboring women who had an unscheduled cesarean section. Discussants agreed that this was a timely and important issue in medicine; especially in obstetrics, where obtaining consent is an everyday issue. The main aim of the study was to determine the amount of time that passed between consent to surgery and incision. In addition, the investigators looked at whether certain factors put women at higher risk for particularly short consent times. In explaining their work, they state that “although the practice of obtaining informed consent for cesarean delivery during labor is common, the process has not previously been described in the literature.” In this retrospective observational cohort investigation, 63% of the women in the study population were white, and the average age was 29 years. Notably, 52% had a body mass index that characterized them as obese; 31% were overweight. Most were nulliparous and on average, the women were
Proximity: a measure to quantify the need for developers' coordination

We describe a method for determining coordination requirements in collaborative software development. Our method uses "live" data based on developer activity rather than relying on historical data such as source code commits which is prevalent in existing methods. We introduce proximity, a measure of the strength of the work dependencies that lead to coordination requirements among members of a software development organization. Our proximity measure relies on a tool which captures the interactions of a developer with her IDE. It quantifies the similarity between records of interactions of developers as they work on their assigned tasks. We describe an algorithm that measures proximity between pairs of tasks or pairs of developers. Through an empirical study on an open source project that routinely records environment interaction data, we show how proximity accurately determines coordination requirements. The proximity measure thus enables proactive detection of coordination requirements and makes possible real time intervention and coordination facilitation via management-, design- and team-related decisions.
SANDROS: a motion planner with performance proportional to task difficulty

To address the need of a practical motion planner for manipulators, the authors present an efficient and resolution-complete algorithm that has performance commensurate with task difficulty. The algorithm uses SANDROS, a search strategy that combines hierarchical, nonuniform multiresolution, and best-first search to find a near-optimal solution in the configuration space. This algorithm can be applied to any manipulator, and has been tested with five- and six-degree-of-freedom robots, with execution times ranging from 20 seconds to 10 minutes on a 16 MIPS workstation. >
A MECHANICAL CYCLING PHENOMENON IN ELECTROFUSED ERYTHROCYTES

SummaryWe have characterized a reciprocating mechanical oscillation that can easily be detected in a large fraction of electrofused erythrocytes. Under our conditions, up to about 30% of all electrofusion products (e.g. doublet, triplet, and higher) show at least one cycle and up to 10% show only two cycles. A much smaller fraction (about 1–2%) show 5–10 or more cycles before stopping. In fused doublets the oscillation appears as a roughly linear and slow expansion of the diameter of the ‘hourglass constriction’ or fusion zone which proceeds simultaneously with a slow contraction of the pole-to-pole length. At what appears to be a threshold, the fusion zone diameter shrinks simultaneously with an expansion in the pole-to-pole length. This takes place rapidly (within a few video frames). The change in length is about 10% and is easily observable by video light microscopy. The periodicity is variable (5–60s) and subsequent periods often decrease substantially in length. For the range studied, the characteri...
Engineering the Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Initiative, a worldwide research effort to analyze the structure of human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and determine the location of all human genes, is discussed. The nature of the task is described, and the technologies needed to construct 'libraries' of overlapping clones of DNA fragments are examined. DNA sequencing methods and technologies are also discussed. The role that the engineer could play in supporting the project by advances in instrumentation is briefly discussed. >
Manganic acetate mediated transformation of enol-ethers into gamma-lactones

Abstract Manganic acetate and potassium methyl malonate with a 2-substituted dihydropyran provide the corresponding fused gamma-lactone in good yield. Carboxylic acids with less acidic methylene protons fail in this reaction.
Adaptive Modulation and Coding for Free-Space Optical Channels

Adaptive modulation and coding can provide robust and spectrally efficient transmission over terrestrial free-space optical channels. Three adaptive modulation schemes are considered in this paper: (i) variable-rate variable-power adaptation, (ii) channel inversion, and (iii) truncated channel inversion schemes. It is shown that a simple channel inversion scheme performs comparable to a variable-rate variable-power adaptation scheme in the weak turbulence regime but faces significant performance degradation in the strong turbulence regime. We further study adaptive coding based on large-girth quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check- (LDPC-) coded modulation. It is shown by simulation that deep fades of the order of 30 dB and above in the regime of strong turbulence can be tolerated with the proposed scheme. It is demonstrated that communication in the saturation regime is possible with the proposed adaptive LDPC-coded modulation. We also determine the spectral efficiencies for the proposed adaptive modulation and adaptive coding schemes.
Mindfulness Research Guide: a New Paradigm for Managing Empirical Health Information

Scientific knowledge of human health continues to grow substantially through publication in empirical journals. These journals, which serve as the warehouses of scientific knowledge, continue to publish vast amounts of empirical information. This abundance of information, which promotes an understanding of and advances in human health, is also a precursor of information overload that can result in unintended and negative effects in both empirical and applied fields. Researchers and practitioners also struggle with this abundance as they are often pressured by an inability to stay abreast with the vast influx of current information. I offer a brief discussion of a new paradigm to manage empirical health information. The Mindfulness Research Guide serves as a case example for use as a publicly available specialized electronic information management system that endeavors to manage, organize, centralize, and deliver a wide range of information on a specific health construct—mindfulness. As empirical information continues to accumulate and guide our knowledge of human health at an unprecedented pace, new information management paradigms such as the Mindfulness Research Guide will be needed to organize, maintain, and deliver information in an easily accessible and timely fashion.
Embedding hypercubes into pancake, cycle prefix and substring reversal networks

Among Cayley graphs on the symmetric group, some that have a noticeably low diameter relative to the number of generators involved are the pancake network, burnt pancake network and cycle prefix network. Another such Cayley graph is the star network, and constructions have been given for one-to-one and one-to-many low dilation embeddings of hypercubes into star networks. For each of dilations 1 through 4, we construct embeddings of hypercube (and hypercube-like) networks into pancake, burnt pancake, cycle prefix and substring reversal networks. Our focus is on embeddings of hypercubes into pancake networks, the other results being closely related. >
The effect of Pb2+ on the structure and hydroxyapatite binding properties of osteocalcin

Lead toxicity is a major environmental health problem in the United States. Bone is the major reservoir for body lead. Although lead has been shown to impair bone metabolism in animals and at the cellular level, the effect of Pb(2+) at the molecular level is largely unknown. We have used circular dichroism (CD), and a hydroxyapatite binding assay to investigate the effect of Pb(2+) on the structure and mineral binding properties of osteocalcin, a noncollagenous bone protein. The CD data indicate Pb(2+) induces a similar structure in osteocalcin as Ca(2+) but at 2 orders of magnitude lower concentration. These results were explained by the more than 4 orders of magnitude tighter binding of Pb(2+) to osteocalcin (K(d)=0.085 microM) than Ca(2+) (K(d)=1.25 mM). The hydroxyapatite binding assays show that Pb(2+) causes an increased adsorption to hydroxyapatite, similar to Ca(2+), but at 2-3 orders of magnitude lower concentration. Low Pb(2+) levels (1 microM) in addition to physiological Ca(2+) levels (1 mM) caused a significant (40%) increase in the amount of mineral bound osteocalcin as compared to 1 mM Ca(2+) alone. These results suggest a molecular mechanism of Pb(2+) toxicity where low Pb(2+) levels can inappropriately perturb Ca(2+) regulated processes. In-vivo, the increased mineral bound osteocalcin could play a role in the observed low bone formation rates and decreased bone density observed in Pb(2+)-intoxicated animals.
Multimedia approach to design of reinforced-earth retaining structure

There is growing need for a systematic presentation of the fundamental concepts of earth-reinforced retaining structure design and the basic steps involved in the computational methods therewith since, unfortunately, no texts suitable for undergraduate instruction with computer methods are presently available. This paper illustrates with the in-house developed software "GEOWALL" the advantage of using a computer to perform a design process, which is otherwise lengthy and tedious, for soil reinforcement method of retaining a soil mass. The earth-reinforced retaining system comprises a relatively large number of closely spaced metallic reinforcing strips or woven geotextiles or continuous sheets of geogrids, segmental facing units and selected granular fill. The software package is an interactive program developed for the design of segmental wall systems to retain soils behind the wall. The program uses recent design practices, computerizes manual methods of design to achieve improved speed as well as reliability of calculations, and runs on IBM-PC or other compatible microcomputer hardware using DOS operating system. The program achieves a high degree of user friendliness through an easily followed format and explicit data prompts.
A novel approach for texture shape recovery

In vision and graphics, there is a sustained interest in capturing accurate 3D shape with various scanning devices. However, the resulting geometric representation is only part of the story. Surface texture of real objects is also an important component of the representation and fine-scale surface geometry such as surface markings, roughness, and imprints, are essential in highly realistic rendering and accurate prediction. We present a novel approach for measuring the fine-scale surface shape of specular surfaces using a curved mirror to view multiple angles in a single image. A distinguishing aspect of our method is that it is designed for specular surfaces, unlike many methods (e.g. laser scanning) which cannot handle highly specular objects. Also, the spatial resolution is very high so that it can resolve very small surface details that are beyond the resolution of standard devices. Furthermore, our approach incorporates the simultaneous use of a bidirectional texture measurement method, so that spatially varying bidirectional reflectance is measured at the same time as surface shape.
Who Isn’t a Special Learner? A Survey of How Music Teacher Education Programs Prepare Future Educators to Work With Exceptional Populations:

As music educators are faced with an increasing number of students with various exceptionalities, their ability to differentiate instruction for those with special needs becomes paramount. The purpose of this survey was to investigate how music teacher preparation programs addressed the topic of differentiation for exceptional populations at the undergraduate level. Specifically, the survey asked if NASMaccredited universities that granted doctoral or master’s degrees in music education (a) required a course, (b) offered a course, or (c) in some other significant way systematically addressed the topic of teaching music to special populations. A link to a brief online survey was e-mailed to representatives of 212 institutions. Of 109 respondents, 29.6% required a course in teaching music to special populations, 38.9% indicated that this type of course was available, and 59.8% reported purposefully integrating the teaching of exceptional populations throughout their coursework. Respondent comments led to fu...
Assessment of the Educational Skills and Competencies Needed By Beginning Hospitality Managers

The need for competent management personnel has created outstanding career opportunities for foodservice and lodging management graduates. This increased demand, however, has also created problems ...
Supervised peer-to-peer systems

In this paper we present a general methodology for designing supervised peer-to-peer systems. A supervised peer-to-peer system is a system in which the overlay network is formed by a supervisor but in which all other activities can be performed on a peer-to-peer basis without involving the supervisor. It can therefore be seen as being between server-based systems and pure peer-to-peer systems. The supervisor only has to store a constant amount of information about the system at any time and only needs to send a small constant number of messages to integrate or remove a peer in a constant amount of time. Thus, with a minimum amount of involvement from the supervisor, peer-to-peer systems can be maintained, for example, that can handle large distributed computing tasks as well as tasks such as file sharing and Web crawling. Furthermore, our concept extends easily to multiple supervisors so that peers can join and leave the network massively in parallel. We also show how to extend the basic system to provide robustness guarantees under the presence of random faults and also adaptive adversarial join/leave attacks. Hence, with our approach, supervised peer-to-peer systems can share the benefits of server-based and pure peer-to-peer systems without inheriting their disadvantages.
Problems in Implementing Distributed Control

Design of controllers for decentralised have been considered by many researchers who have assumed that implementation of these controllers would not provide any additional problems. In this paper a number of different implementation configurations are considered. It is shown that different closed-loop dynamics may result, based on sampling rates, connection topologies and communication traffic. An expanded state-space based transition matrix is advocated for further analysis of stability and optimality issues.
Dose-dependent deficits in dual interstimulus interval classical eyeblink conditioning tasks following neonatal binge alcohol exposure in rats.

Background: Neonatal alcohol consumption in rats is widely used to model cerebellar injury arising from 3rd-trimester human fetal alcohol exposure. Binge alcohol exposure of 5 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day or more over postnatal days (PD) 4 to 9 in rats damages the cerebellum and consequently impairs classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC). The present study sought to identify deficits in EBC using doses lower than those that have been reported previously following alcohol exposure limited to PD4-9. Complex conditioned response (CR) timing tasks utilizing 2 interstimulus intervals (ISIs) were used to test the hypothesis that 3 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day of alcohol would produce early onset and early peaked CRs, whereas 4 and 5 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day would impair CR acquisition. Methods: Five neonatal treatment groups were used: (1) undisturbed controls, (2) sham intubation controls, (3) 3 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day of alcohol, (4) 4 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day of alcohol, or (5) 5 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day of alcohol. Intubations occurred over PD4-9. In adulthood, rats were trained using ISI discrimination (Experiment 1) or temporal uncertainty (Experiment 2) EBC tasks. In ISI discrimination, 2 distinct conditioned stimuli (CSs; tone and light) are reinforced with a periocular shock unconditioned stimulus (US) at 2 different CS–US intervals. Temporal uncertainty is identical in design with the exception that the same CS is presented at both CS–US intervals. Results: Alcohol-exposed subjects were impaired in CR acquisition in a task- and dose-dependent fashion. CR deficits were most salient in the peak amplitude measure and occurred in both tasks following alcohol exposure at 4 and 5 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day. Alcohol at a dosage of 3 g ⁄ kg ⁄ day impaired CR acquisition only in ISI discrimination. All alcohol doses failed to produce short latency CRs in either task. Alcohol-exposed subjects displayed later-onset and later-peaked CRs to the long-ISI CS in ISI discrimination relative to controls. Conclusions: ISI discrimination training may be ideal to identify CR deficits resulting from neonatal exposure to moderate alcohol doses. Applications of this EBC task to humans may enable reliable early identification and diagnosis of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum