cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyols from epoxidized soybean oil and alpha hydroxyl acids and their adhesion properties from UV polymerization

Abstract Two types of biobased polyols, ESOGA and ESOLA, were synthesized from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) with glycolic acid (GA) and lactic acid (LA), respectively, using a solvent-free/catalyst-free method. An ESO epoxy conversion rate of over 93% was achieved for both polyols. ESOGA has a weight-/number-average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 27,700/3900 g/mol and average hydroxyl functionality (fOH) of 12.9, and ESOLA has Mw/Mn of 8800/3000 g/mol and fOH of 11.7. The structures of the polyols were further characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance. Rheology and thermal properties were studied with a rheometer and a differential scanning calorimeter. The polyols were polymerized with ESO to adhesive polymers using UV light in the presence of cationic photoinitiator. The curing rate decreased as the amount of polyol increased for resins based on ESOGA and ESOLA (EGA and ELA). With the same amount of polyol, ELA resins cured faster than EGA resins. The peel strength and tack of EGA and ELA adhesives increased significantly as the ratio of polyol in the resin increased. ELA exhibited obviously higher peel strength and tack than EGA with the same amount of polyol. All resin tapes exhibited high static shear values (20,000+min). Overall, both ESOGA and ESOLA exhibited great potential as polyols for pressure-sensitive adhesive applications.
TU-AB-BRD-04: Development of Quality Management Program

Current quality assurance and quality management guidelines provided by various professional organizations are prescriptive in nature, focusing principally on performance characteristics of planning and delivery devices. However, published analyses of events in radiation therapy show that most events are often caused by flaws in clinical processes rather than by device failures. This suggests the need for the development of a quality management program that is based on integrated approaches to process and equipment quality assurance. Industrial engineers have developed various risk assessment tools that are used to identify and eliminate potential failures from a system or a process before a failure impacts a customer. These tools include, but are not limited to, process mapping, failure modes and effects analysis, fault tree analysis. Task Group 100 of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine has developed these tools and used them to formulate an example risk-based quality management program for intensity-modulated radiotherapy. This is a prospective risk assessment approach that analyzes potential error pathways inherent in a clinical process and then ranks them according to relative risk, typically before implementation, followed by the design of a new process or modification of the existing process. Appropriate controls are then put in place to ensure that failures are less likely to occur and, if they do, they will more likely be detected before they propagate through the process, compromising treatment outcome and causing harm to the patient. Such a prospective approach forms the basis of the work of Task Group 100 that has recently been approved by the AAPM. This session will be devoted to a discussion of these tools and practical examples of how these tools can be used in a given radiotherapy clinic to develop a risk based quality management program. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how to design a process map for a radiotherapy process 2. Learn how to perform failure modes and effects analysis analysis for a given process 3. Learn what fault trees are all about 4. Learn how to design a quality management program based upon the information obtained from process mapping, failure modes and effects analysis and fault tree analysis. Dunscombe: Director, TreatSafely, LLC and Center for the Assessment of Radiological Sciences; Consultant to IAEA and Varian Thomadsen: President, Center for the Assessment of Radiological Sciences Palta: Vice President of the Center for the Assessment of Radiological Sciences
Single-Round Patterned DNA Library Microarray Aptamer Lead Identification

A method for identifying an aptamer in a single round was developed using custom DNA microarrays containing computationally derived patterned libraries incorporating no information on the sequences of previously reported thrombin binding aptamers. The DNA library was specifically designed to increase the probability of binding by enhancing structural complexity in a sequence-space confined environment, much like generating lead compounds in a combinatorial drug screening library. The sequence demonstrating the highest fluorescence intensity upon target addition was confirmed to bind the target molecule thrombin with specificity by surface plasmon resonance, and a novel imino proton NMR/2D NOESY combination was used to screen the structure for G-quartet formation. We propose that the lack of G-quartet structure in microarray-derived aptamers may highlight differences in binding mechanisms between surface-immobilized and solution based strategies. This proof-of-principle study highlights the use of a computational driven methodology to create a DNA library rather than a SELEX based approach. This work is beneficial to the biosensor field where aptamers selected by solution based evolution have proven challenging to retain binding function when immobilized on a surface.
Purification and Characterization of a Thylakoid Protein Kinase

Although protein kinases are intimately involved in the control of metabolism in animal cells, little is known about the properties and functions of such enzymes in plants. The one exception is the well documented control of State transitions in the thylakoid by reversible phosphorylation of LHC-II (the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein complex of photosystem II). The kinase catalyzing this phosphorylation is associated with the thylakoid membrane, and is regulated by the redox state of the plastoquinone pool (1).
SU-E-I-84: Accuracy Comparison of Multi-Modality Image-Based Volumes of Rodent Solid Tumors Using In-Air Micro-CT Image Volume

Purpose: Tumor volume is considered as a better predictor for therapy response monitoring and tumor staging over Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) or World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. In this study, the accuracy of subcutaneous rodent tumor volumes using preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and ultrasound (US) equipment and with an external caliper was compared using in-air micro-CT image volume of excised tumors determined as reference tumor volume in our prior study. Methods: MR, US and micro-CT images of subcutaneous SCC4 head and neck tumor xenografts were acquired 4, 6, 9, 11 and 13 days after tumor cell inoculation. Before MR and US scans, caliper measurements were made. After tumors were excised, in-air micro-CT imaging and ex vivo caliper measurements were performed. Tumor volumes were calculated using formula V = (π/6)*a*b*c where a, b and c are the maximum diameters in three perpendicular dimensions determined by the three image modalities and caliper, and compared with reference tumor volume by linear regression analysis as well as Bland-Altman plots. A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was also performed to compare volumes among caliper measurements. Results: The correlation coefficients (R2) of the regression lines for tumor volumes measured by the three imaging modalities and caliper were 0.9939, 0.9669, 0.9806, 0.9274, 0.9619 and 0.9819 for MRI, US and micro-CT, caliperbeforeMRI, caliperbeforeUS and ex vivo caliper respectively. In Bland-Altman plots, the average of tumor volume difference from reference tumor volume (bias) was significant for caliper and micro- CT, but not for MRI and US. Comparison of caliper measurements showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Using the in-air micro-CT image volume, tumor volume measured by MRI was the most accurate among the three imaging modalities. In vivo caliper volume measurements showed unreliability while ex vivo caliper measurements reduced errors.
NEW MODE OF GENETIC TRANSFER IN STREPTOCCUS FAECALIS VAR. LIQUEFACIENS

Raycroft, Ruth E. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park), and L. N. Zimmerman. New mode of genetic transfer in Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens. J. Bacteriol. 87:799–801. 1964.—When chloramphenicol-resistant mutants are grown in mixed culture with the sensitive wild type of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens 31, a transfer of chloramphenicol resistance occurs. (The marker is stable through at least five transfers.) The transfer mechanism is not inhibited by deoxyribonuclease, nor is it phage-mediated; genetic transfer is apparently dependent upon cell contact. Although kinetic studies have yet to be completed, preliminary data indicate a high efficiency (2.2 per donor cell in some experiments) of transmission. Two levels of drug resistance, 7 and 50 μg, were transferred; in each case, recipient cells expressed the donor's degree of resistance.
FIELD STUDY OF TUNNEL PREREINFORCEMENT

A program of field instrumentation was implemented at two tunnel sites to examine the mechanisms by which prereinforcement and, in particular, spiling reinforcement work. The investigation was designed to address questions primariliy related to the magnitude, distribution, and time history of the deformation-induced tension and bending of spiles as a result of excavation. Deformation induced tension was shown to be the major mechanism by which spiling reinforcement displayed its effectiveness. Results also indicated that the reinforced arch thickness was strongly dependent on ground type, while arch capacity was largely a function of opening size, shape, and depth. A study of reinforced ground-support system interaction revealed two methods by which the loads on internal supports can be predicted. One method considered stress relaxation within the reinforcement, while the other examined the characteristic shape of spile stress distributions.
UNA REINTERPRETACIÓN DE LA VIOLENCIA EN LAS ESCUELAS

Os atos de violencia nas escolas chamam a atencao por sua inadequacao e gravidade, e sao o fruto de processos que nem sempre tem uma resposta adequada e de circunstâncias que, em um momento especifico, os possibilitam. A forma de tratamento dado ao tema pode provocar alarmismo entre alunos, professores, familias e mesmo na sociedade, o que realimenta o debate e dificulta a implementacao de respostas e acoes educativas para reduzi-lo e preveni-lo. E preciso fazer, sem mais delongas, uma analise profunda do que ocorre, porque essas reacoes sao produzidas, as formas de interpreta-las e, especialmente, as alternativas educativas a serem implementadas. O interesse do grupo GRODE (Grupo de Recerca, Orientacio i Desenvolupament Educatiu) pelos fenomenos de violencia, parte do estudo deste fenomeno e da analise compartilhada com os professores sobre as formas e processos de socializacao e a aprendizagem relacional dos alunos nas escolas, abrangendo no olhar o entorno das escolas (atividades extraescolares, grupos culturais, desportivos). No artigo se apresenta o enfoque educativo que sustenta a investigacao realizada em escolas publicas e privadas de educacao primaria e secundaria da Catalunha. A metodologia seguida e baseada no modelo da pesquisa-acao participativa com os professores. Os agentes profissionais proximos a escola, que prestam servicos educativos (psicopedagogia, recursos) e trabalho social, entre outros, tambem participam, contribuindo com sua visao e experiencias.
A discipline by any other name...

The paper by Staggers and Thompson in this issue enriches the ongoing challenge of defining the field of medical informatics. Medical informatics is a maturing field whose research base is well grounded in the basic sciences of computation, information, and decision making; the full range of bench and social sciences supporting health care; the clinical sciences, including medicine, nursing, and pharmacy; and the practical realities of developing and deploying information systems for patient care. The Staggers and Thompson paper takes the perspective of a single clinical discipline, nursing, and explores the development of informatics in that context. It is important in nursing, as in any basic or clinical health science, to systematically examine how a derived field, such as medical informatics, grows and develops within its …
29 – Radionuclide Imaging of Reporter Gene Expression

This chapter reviews the instrumentation for molecular imaging focusing on the approaches to using reporter gene technology with radionuclide imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT). In many of the imaging applications, reporter genes have been driven by a constitutive exogenous promoter such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, which allows for continuous transcription of the reporter gene, but does not allow for tracking of endogenous gene expression. A reporter gene can be linked to any endogenous promoter of choice and, therefore, the endogenous gene promoter can modulate expression of the reporter gene. PET reporter gene imaging in transgenic animals and assessment of the transcriptional regulation of such an endogenous gene through imaging the suppression and induction of reporter gene expression demonstrated the feasibility of indirectly imaging endogenous gene expression. Imaging mRNA levels with antisense reporter probes may be a very useful approach for many applications. The use of antisense reporter probes would be particularly useful for endogenous genes, because unlike the reporter gene imaging approach it is not necessary to introduce any reporter vectors.
Single screw extrusion of viscoplastic fluids subject to different slip coefficients at screw and barrel surfaces

Commonly encountered viscoplastic fluids including concentrated suspensions of polymeric and ceramic composites, foams, gels, concrete, food products, and energetic compounds exhibit wall slip during their flow and processing. For some viscoplastics fluids, especially highly filled suspensions, wall slip may dominate the flow and deformation and hence the processing behavior of the suspension. The wall slip velocity is generally a function of the wall shear stress and temperature. Various factors including the materials of construction i.e., chemical nature and the roughness of the wall surface affect the wall slip behavior of viscoplastic fluids. In this study an analytical model of the extrusion of viscoplastic fluids under isothermal and fully-developed conditions in shallow channels is developed. The model accommodates the use of different slip coefficients at barrel and screw surfaces. It thus permits the investigation of effects of introducing different materials of construction for the barrel and screw surfaces and development of design expressions.
Interband Transitions between Superdeformed Bands in 87 Nb: Evidence for a Superintruder Orbital

Four superdeformed bands have been observed in ${}^{87}\mathrm{Nb}$. Transition quadrupole moment measurements on three of the bands confirm superdeformed shapes. Two of the bands were observed to mutually interact, and cross transitions between them have been observed. This is the first time such behavior has been observed in mass 80 superdeformed bands. Once this interaction is accounted for, a second crossing appears in one of the bands. This crossing is interpreted as evidence for the occupation of the ${i}_{13/2}$ superintruder orbital, making ${}^{87}\mathrm{Nb}$ the lightest nucleus by far in which the shape-driving properties of this orbital can be studied.
Preliminary investigation of high power microwave plasmas for electrothermal thruster use

Results are reported from preliminary tests to evaluate the high power microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) concept, which employs a free-floating plasma discharge maintained by applied CW microwave power to heat a propellant gas flow. Stable plasmas have been created and maintained in helium (He), nitrogen (N2), and hydrogen (H2) as propellants in both the TM(sub 011) and TM(sub 012) modes at discharge pressures from 10 Pa to 69 kPa. Reproducible starting conditions of pressure and power have been documented for all the plasmas. Vortical inflow of the propellant gas was observed to cause the formation of on-axis 'spike' plasmas. The formation and unformation conditions of these plasmas were studied. Operation in the spike plasma condition enables maximum power absorption with minimum wall heating and offers maximum efficiency in heating the propellant gas. In the spike condition, plasmas of the three propellant gases were investigated in an open channel configuration to a maximum applied power level of 11.2 kW (in N2). Microwave power coupling efficiencies of over 90 percent were routinely obtained at absorbed power levels up to 2 kW. Magnetic nozzle effects were investigated with a superconducting solenoid Al magnet applying a high magnetic field to the plasmas in and exiting from the discharge tube.
The psychological science of addiction.

Aim To discuss the contributions and future course of the psychological science of addiction. Background The psychology of addiction includes a tremendous range of scientific activity, from the basic experimental laboratory through increasingly broad relational contexts, including patient–practitioner interactions, families, social networks, institutional settings, economics and culture. Some of the contributions discussed here include applications of behavioral principles, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and the development and evaluation of addiction treatment. Psychology has at times been guilty of proliferating theories with relatively little pruning, and of overemphasizing intrapersonal explanations for human behavior. However, at its best, defined as the science of the individual in context, psychology is an integrated discipline using diverse methods well-suited to capture the multi-dimensional nature of addictive behavior. Conclusions Psychology has a unique ability to integrate basic experimental and applied clinical science and to apply the knowledge gained from multiple levels of analysis to the pragmatic goal of reducing the prevalence of addiction.
The Epidemiology of Urinary Incontinence in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose: Little research has been conducted on the epidemiology of urinary incontinence in individuals with type 2 diabetes. We examined prevalence, incidence and risk factors for urinary incontine...
Increased thymidylate synthetase in 5-fluorodeoxyuridine resistant cultured hepatoma cells

Abstract A FdUrd resistant line of cultured mouse hepatoma cells has been obtained. The resistant cell line had 6- to 10-fold higher levels of thymidylate synthetase, but dihydrofolate reductase and thymidine kinase were unchanged. No impairment of FdUrd incorporation by the resistant cell line could be detected. The increased thymidylate synthetase in resistant cells had the same turnover number and I 50 for FdUMP as the enzyme found in sensitive cells, making it unlikely that a new gene product had been obtained. Sensitive cells could be completely rescued by the addition of thymidine, suggesting that the primary mode of drug action is to diminish thymidine metabolites. Resistant cells, removed from FdUrd for several generations, did not proliferate immediately upon reintroduction of the drug; however, loss of sensitivity was much more rapid than upon initial exposure. These results are interpreted in terms of a mechanism for resistance.
Anti-thromboxane A2 actions of pinane thromboxane A2 derivatives

Six pinane-thromboxane A2 analogs have been synthesized and tested for their ability to antagonize carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (CTA2) induced coronary vasoconstriction and prostaglandin endoperoxide analog induced platelet aggregation. Two of the derivatives, 5C-15S BPTA2 and 5T-15S BPTA2 and 5T-15S BPTA2 (1 microM) showed 76 +/- 3 and 72 +/- 9 percent inhibition of CTA2 (15 nM) induced vasoconstriction of cat coronary arteries respectively, while the other compounds showed between 15 and 50 percent inhibition at 1.0 and 2.0 microM. 5C-15S BPTA2 also antagonized prostaglandin-endoperoxide analog induced human platelet aggregation, although the other compounds showed little or no antagonism of aggregation in this system.
Can a virtual patient trainer teach student nurses how to save lives--teaching nursing students about pediatric respiratory diseases.

IntroductionVirtual environments offer a variety of benefits and may be a powerful medium with which to provide nursing education. The objective of this study was to compare the achievement of learning outcomes of undergraduate nursing students when a virtual patient trainer or a traditional lecture
Chemical, Physical, and Biological Characterization of a Dimeric form of Biosynthetic Human Growth Hormone

A dimer of biosynthetic human growth hormone (HGH) has been isolated and characterized. This entity, which is the predominant dimeric species in biosynthetic HGH, is chemically identical to monomeric HGH and exists in a noncovalent dimeric form which is dissociated to monomeric HGH on polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels or in aqueous solutions containing 30% acetonitrile. This substance, found in all production lots of pituitary HGH, biosynthetic HGH, and biosynthetic methionyl HGH examined, is much less biopotent than monomeric HGH and can be distinguished from monomeric HGH by a monoclonal antibody. These data demonstrate that polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is not a valid method for measuring this dimer and that size-exclusion chromatography under aqueous conditions is required.
Evaluation of methods for leak detection in reactor primary systems

Abstract No currently available, single leak-detection method combines optimal leakage detection sensitivity, leak-locating ability, and leakage measurement accuracy. Technology is available to improve leak detection capability at specific sites by use of acoustic monitoring. However, current acoustic monitoring techniques provide no source discrimination (e.g., to distinguish between leaks from pipe cracks and valves) and no leak-rate information (a small leak may saturate the system). Seven cracks, including three field-induced IGSCC specimens and two thermal-fatique cracks, have been installed in a laboratory acoustic leak detection facility. The IGSCC specimens produce stronger acoustic signals than the thermal-fatigue cracks at equivalent leak rates. Despite significant differences in crack geometry, the acoustic signals from the three IGSCC specimens, tested at the same leak rate, are virtually identical in the frequency range from 300 to 400 kHz. Thus, the quantitative correlations between the acoustic signals and leak rate in the 300–400 kHz band are very similar for the IGSCC specimens. Also, acoustic background data have been acquired during a hot functional test at the Watts Bar PWR. With these data, it is now possible to estimate the sensitivity of acoustic leak detection techniques.
The influence of microhabitat variation on seedling recruitment ofChamaecyparis thyoides andAcer rubrum

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white-cedar) swamps are in decline in the New Jersey Pinelands, whileAcer rubrum (red maple) swamps are increasing. One possible reason for this occurrence may be differences in seedling recruitment of the two species. Seedling establishment of different species is expected to vary with physical conditions and requirements for safe sites. This study examined differences in seedling recruitment forC. thyoides andA. rubrum in the New Jersey Pinelands. A field survey of sixC. thyoides swamps found thatC. thyoides seedlings occur most often under an open orC. thyoides canopy on peaty, cedar needle covered soils or on mats ofSphagnum. In contrast,A. rubrum seedlings were most often found underA. rubrum canopies onSphagnum mats or grass-dominated bottom areas. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine whether differences in microhabitat occupation were related to differences in growth ofC. thyoides andA. rubrum seedlings. Seedlings were grown in different soil types (Sphagnum or peat) and at different water levels (inundated, saturated, or moist soil) typical of those found inC. thyoides swamps within the New Jersey Pinelands.Chamaecyparis thyoides experienced the greatest increase in height in moist soils and the least increase in height in inundated soils.Chamaecyparis thyoides achieved greater biomass thanA. rubrum in peat soil, whileA. rubrum had greater biomass inSphagnum. These results indicate thatC. thyoides andA. rubrum differ in conditions that are best for their seedling growth and that different management schemes may favor one species over the other.
Fatigue behavior of maraging steel 300

The cyclic stress-strain curves, the low cycle and high cycle fatigue lives and the fatigue crack growth rates of annealed (1 h 820°C) and aged (3 h 480°C) maraging steel 300 were determined. Incremental step testing and stable hysteresis loop tip measurements were used to determine the cyclic σ-e curves. Both annealed and aged maraging steels were found to cyclically soften at room temperature over a plastic strain range from 0.1 to 20 pct. The S-N curves were determined from 10 to 107 cycles to failure by plastic strain controlled low cycle fatigue tests performed in air and load controlled high cycle fatigue tests performed in dry argon. The test results compared very well with the theoretical lifetime predictions derived from Tomkins’ theory. Fatigue crack growth rates were measured in air and dry argon for the annealed and aged alloys. Crack growth rates of annealed maraging steel were found to be equal to those of aged maraging steel at rates between 10-7 and 10-5 in./cycle. A significant difference in crack growth rates in the two environments was found at low stress intensity factor ranges, indicating a high susceptibility to corrosion fatigue in the presence of water vapor. The mechanisms of cyclic softening in the two alloys are discussed in terms of dislocations rearrangement in the annealed alloy and dislocation-precipitate interactions in the aged alloy.
Interaction of 1,1′-Bi(4-anilino)naphthalene-5,5′-Disulfonic Acid with α-Crystallin

The hydrophobic sites in alpha-crystallin were evaluated using a fluorescent probe 1,1'-bi(4-anilino)naphthalenesulfonic acid (bis-ANS). Approximately one binding site/subunit of alpha-crystallin at 25 degrees C was estimated by equilibrium binding and Scatchard analysis (Kd = 1.1 microM). Based on fluorescence titration, the dissociation constant was 0.95 microM. The number of bis-ANS binding sites nearly doubled upon heat treatment of the protein at 60 degrees C. Likewise, the exposure of alpha-crystallin to 2-3 M urea resulted in increased binding of bis-ANS. Above 3 M urea there was a rapid loss in the fluorescence indicating the loss of interaction between bis-ANS and protein. The alpha-crystallin refolded from 6 M urea showed tryptophan fluorescence emission similar to the native alpha-crystallin. However, the refolded alpha-crystallin showed a 60% increase in bis-ANS binding, suggesting distinct changes on the protein surface resulting from exposure to urea similar to the changes occurring due to heat treatment. The fluorescence of tryptophan in native alpha-crystallin was quenched by the addition of bis-ANS. The quenching was inversely related to the amount of bis-ANS bound to alpha-crystallin. Additionally, the binding of bis-ANS reduced the chaperone-like activity of the protein. Photolysis of bis-ANS-alpha-crystallin complex resulted in incorporation of the probe to both A- and B-subunits, indicating that both subunits in native alpha-crystallin contribute to the surface hydrophobicity of the protein.
Treatment of Huntington Disease

Many pharmacological agents have been utilized in the treatment of Huntington disease (HD). Several excellent reviews about the treatment of HD are available. Formal treatment guidelines are however lacking. This is mainly the result of limited evidence available in the literature. Further, available treatment studies are frequently hard to compare due to variable outcomes/instruments used, differences in the study population, and confounding effects of complex medication regimens. Generally speaking, the treatment paradigm for an HD patient will depend on the constellation of 3 main clinical domains affected in HD: motor, behavioral/psychiatric, and cognitive. Symptoms within each of these domains remain dynamic throughout the course of HD. It is therefore necessary to monitor patients clinically and adjust drugs accordingly as the disease progresses. The most commonly used chorea drugs are antipsychotics and tetrabenazine (TBZ). Antipsychotic drugs are preferred in patients with coexistent psychiatric/behavioral comorbidities as well as in the presence of depression. Amantadine may be considered in the treatment of chorea, but data supporting its effectiveness remain conflicting. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the treatment of choice for irritability and obsessive-compulsive behaviors associated with HD. Antipsychotic agents and antiepileptic mood stabilizers may be used as add-on therapies. There is very limited evidence for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with HD. Each drug used in treatment of HD has a potential for causing significant side effects. It is, therefore, critical to assess the risk-benefit ratio on an individual basis, and carefully monitor patients throughout the course of treatment. Non-pharmacological and surgical treatment strategies for HD have not been systematically explored. Despite the lack of evidence, behavioral interventions, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies may provide additional benefits to a wide spectrum of disabilities associated with HD.
Lessons and Controversies: planning and executing immediate relief in the aftermath of the war in Iraq

The international community since the end of the Cold War has failed to agree on a satisfactory solution as to how it should respond to protect vulnerable populations at risk from internal state wars and human rights abuse. Western powers frustrated by this have increasingly resorted to intervention on the basis of ‘right to intervene’. This paper argues that what is required is for the international community to exercise ‘a right to protect’ through the UN. Meanwhile the USA since 9/11 has gone down the route of unilateral intervention on the basis of ‘self-defence’ and in the case of Iraq has extended this concept by placing humanitarian as well as military operations under the single command of the Defense Department. The paper demonstrates how this led to the exclusion of expertise from planning, co-ordination and professional support in the field of humanitarian work. The operational lessons learned are listed and the conclusion is reached that, to avoid the problems experienced in Iraq, military and...
Poetry and the Ethics of Global Citizenship

In her article "Poetry and the Ethics of Global Citizenship" Monique-Adelle Callahan argues that the recent work of poets Jorie Graham and Yusef Komunyakaa suggests the emergence of an archetypal poet who transgresses boundaries of place and time through measured wandering amongst cultures and histories. Graham and Komunyakaa offer a poetic discourse on the relationship between poetry and citizenship in an increasingly global world. Through a close reading of excerpts from Graham's 2012 Place and Komunyakaa's 2011 The Chameleon Couch, Callahan uses the paradigm of the poet-as-prophet to articulate the position of the poet vis-a-vis the geopolitical spaces she occupies. Callahan argues Graham's and Komunyakas's poetry evinces a certain nostalgia for place while at the same time delineating the existential space of placelessness. In this sense, their writing compels us to recognize an emerging shift in identity politics as it relates to both national and individual bodies
Microwave shielding effectiveness of EC-coated dielectric slabs

Correct formulas for the microwave shielding effectiveness (SE) of a thin metallic layer deposited on top of a dielectric slab are derived. For coatings much thinner than the skin depth, the following holds: (a) in a half-wave geometry, SE is a function of a sheet resistance only, SE (in dB)=20*log(1+188.5/R/sub s/) if R/sub s/ is in ohms per square; (b) in a quarter-wave geometry, SE (in dB)=20*log((1+ epsilon /sub r/)/(2 square root epsilon /sub r/)+188.5/( square root epsilon /sub r/R/sub s/)), where epsilon /sub r/ refers to the dielectric constant of the substrate. These formulas provide upper and lower limits for the effective shielding performance of an electroconductive coated dielectric slab. >
Rivaroxaban was noninferior to enoxaparin for preventing short-term recurrent VTE and superior to placebo in continued treatment

Source Citation The EINSTEIN Investigators. Oral rivaroxaban for symptomatic venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:2499-510. 21128814
Photoelectric Properties of Zinc Single Crystals

An experiment is described in which the photoelectric properties of outgassed single crystals of zinc were studied. After treating the emitting surfaces of a crystal with ultraviolet light and thermally evaporating some of the zinc, a stable condition was reached. In this stable condition a difference in the long wave limits of the polycrystalline surface and cleft 0001 face of approximately 260A was observed. The results are discussed with regard to possible sources of contamination and the presence of occluded gas layers.
Problems with current recommendations for susceptibility testing of Haemophilus influenzae.

Abstract We compared results of MIC and disk susceptibility tests on Haemophilus test medium (HTM) and those on comparative media. Ampicillin MICs were determined with seven ampicillin-resistant, non-beta-lactamase-producing (AmprNBLP) isolates by using HTM and supplemented brain heart infusion (sBHI) agar. Ampicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate disk tests with 16 AmprNBLP strains, 18 ampicillin-susceptible (Amps) isolates, and 17 ampicillin-resistant, beta-lactamase-producing (AmprBLP) strains were performed by using five media: laboratory-prepared HTM (PHTM), commercial HTM (CHTM), sBHI, enriched chocolate agar, and Mueller-Hinton chocolate agar. We observed that five of seven and three of seven AmprNBLP strains were misclassified as susceptible with PHTM (MIC, less than 2 micrograms/ml) with inocula of 10(3) and 10(5) CFU, respectively, but were resistant with sBHI (MIC, greater than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml). Whereas Mueller-Hinton chocolate agar and enriched chocolate agar plates supported the growth of all 51 strains by the disk tests, 37% (19 of 51) and 8% (4 of 51) of strains did not grow on PHTM and CHTM, respectively. Lack of growth on PHTM was observed for all three phenotypes; 7 of 18 Amps, 4 of 17 AmprBLP, and 8 of 16 AmprNBLP strains did not grow. The four strains that did not grow on CHTM were all AmprNBLP isolates. Zone sizes were significantly larger on PHTM than on the other media. Of the strains that were evaluable by the new National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines with either PHTM or CHTM, all Amps strains were classified as susceptible. Among the AmprBLP strains, CHTM correctly identified all as resistant, whereas PHTM detected two isolates to be intermediate. Among the AmprNBLP strains, CHTM and PHTM misclassified four (33%) and five (62%) isolates, respectively, as susceptible; an additional isolate was identified as intermediate on both media. We conclude that there is strain-dependent growth on HTM, that adoption of this medium for routine Haemophilus susceptibility testing is problematic due to this growth variability, and that detection of AmprNBLP isolates would be unreliable.
Stimulus versus response probability effects in choice reaction time

The effects of stimulus and response probability on choice reaction time (RT) were independently investigated. In different conditions, two sets of three stimuli of probabilities of.1, .3, .6 and.3, .3, .4 were assigned to two responses-two of the stimuli assigned to one response. All combinations of S-R assignments were studied, yielding response probabilities of .1-.9, ,3-.7, and ,4-.6. With response probability held constant, variations in stimulus probability led to consistent and substantial effects on both RT and error rates. Response-probability effects were confined to error rates, and repetition effects were negligible. The results support the assumption of recent models of choice behavior that adjustments are made to the absolute (rather than just to the ordinal) values of stimulus probability.
Effect of Ar+ ion beam in the process of plasma surface modification of PET films

In general, plasma modified polymer surfaces tend to show short aging time and rapid hydrophobic recovery after treatment. To prevent reorientation from the surface to the bulk, appropriate crosslinking is necessary among the polymer chains. In this work, an Ar+ ion beam was used to provide crosslinking to the surface. Crosslinking was shown by spectroscopic ellipsometry, AFM, and FTIR. Contact angle measurements were performed to see the aging of the modified surfaces. The surface modified with Ar+ ion beam followed by RF plasma treatment exhibited reduced chain mobility and a highly stable hydrophilic surface. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1679–1683, 2000
Effects of octopamine on miniature excitatory junction potentials from developing and adult moth muscle

Intracellular recordings of excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) and miniature EJPs (MEJPs) were made from the dorsal longitudinal muscle of Manduca sexta to determine the sites of action of octopamine. MEJPs increased in amplitude and frequency as the moth developed during the 3 days before eclosion. DL-Octopamine (5 X 10(-6) M) increased the amplitude of excitatory junction potentials in both immature moths (one day before eclosion) and adults. Octopamine (10(-5) M) also increased the amplitude and frequency of MEJPs from immature animals (one and two days before eclosion) but had the opposite effect on adults and pharate adults ready to eclose. Treatment with octopamine (10(-5) M) resulted in a decrease in input resistance and a hyperpolarization in both immature and adult muscle fibers. The results suggest that octopamine acts both presynaptically and postsynaptically but that the increase in the amplitude of the evoked response is due primarily to influences on presynaptic processes.
Single-Case Experimental Designs in Educational Research: A Methodology for Causal Analyses in Teaching and Learning

Current legislation requires educational practices be informed by science. The effort to establish educational practices supported by science has, to date, emphasized experiments with large numbers of participants who are randomly assigned to an intervention or control condition. A potential limitation of such an emphasis at the expense of other research methods is that evidence-based practices in education will derive only from science in the hypothetico-deductive tradition. Such a process omits practices originating from and tested through an inductive approach to understanding phenomena. Single-case experimental designs, developed by experimental and applied behavior analysts, offer an inductive process to identify and alter the lawful relations between the behavior of individual organisms and the environmental variables that are causally related to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of the behavior. Such designs have been essential in the development of effective instructional practices for students with disabilities and have much to offer the broader educational population as well. The purpose of the present paper is to provide an overview of single-case research methodology and the process by which this methodology can contribute to the identification of evidence-based instructional practices.
Erratum to “Visual function before and after the removal of bilateral congenital cataracts in adulthood”

In this article, we erroneously used the ratio of log contrast sensitivities instead of the ratio of raw sensitivities in Fig. 2c. We made the same error calculating predicted post-operative compensation as a function of spatial frequency in Figs. 8a, b and 9a, b. As before, the filled circles represent PDs suprathreshold settings and the dashed gray lines represent predicted post-operative compensation. Although our error had the effect of under-representing PDs post-operative contrast sensitivity improvement, particularly at high spatial frequencies in the left eye, it does not substantially change our original conclusion that PD exhibited partial but incomplete adaptation to his new optics. Revised versions of the relevant figures are shown below. Very many thanks to Professor Mark Georgeson for bringing this to our attention.
Ammonium reduces growth, fruit yield and fruit quality of watermelon

Abstract Watermelon (Citrullus lunatus Thunb.) plants cv ‘Sugar Baby’ were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse under NO3:NH4 ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3. Plants receiving the high ammonium treatment expressed symptoms of NH4‐toxicity and declined rapidly after bloom. Reducing NO3:NH4 from 3:1 to 1:1 significantly reduced growth, water use, fruit yield, flesh soluble solids and uptake of NO3, NH4, K, Ca and Mg.
Spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes in two day-active fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Lucidota).

The electroretinographic visual spectral sensitivity functions in day-active fireflies Lucidota luteicollis and Lucidota atra show a broad green sensitivity and a shoulder in the near-ultraviolet region of the spectrum (Figs. 1, 2) as is commonly found among day-active insects. The nomogram for P530 visual pigment matches the spectral sensitivity curves in the green. The adult L. luteicollis retains its larval bioluminescent light organ which has a peak emission at 562 nm. The λmax of the ERG spectral sensitivity does not match the bioluminescent peak (Fig. 1B) as it does in twilight- and dark-active fireflies. Some relevant behavioural observations with respect to mating are presented.
It’s not better or worse, it’s just different: examining Jamaican teachers’ pedagogical and emotional experiences

The problem of teacher shortage is of grave concern internationally, impacting countries such as the US, England and Australia. One popular approach to addressing issues of teacher attrition has been to hire international teachers (a.k.a. overseas-trained teachers) to fill the gap. In this paper the authors document the challenges and barriers that five Jamaican teachers faced in their first year of teaching in the US school system and the strategies they employed to overcome these difficulties. The study applies qualitative methods, specifically using thematic analysis to thread together the common descriptions the teachers provided of their experiences during that first year. Despite the overwhelming and emotionally charged situations, the teachers were able to draw on their past experiences and a range of cognitive and affective strategies to overcome the challenges. Given the success of these teachers within the US system, the authors believe that an examination of their experiences provides knowledge...
An experimental study of distributive mixing in fully intermeshing, co-rotating twin screw extruders

Co-rotating twin screw extruders are widely used for various mixing and reactive extrusion tasks in polymer processing operations. In this study, the prevailing mixing mechanisms of various screw elements employed in co-rotating twin screw extrusion process, including regular flighted, and reverse and forward kneading disc elements, were experimentally investigated. A direct goodness of mixing technique based on pigmented thermoplastic elastomers and computerized image analysis was used. The results were elucidated in conjunction with mixing indices suitable for image analysis and the continuous mixing process. Significant differences in the distributive mixing characteristics of various screw elements were revealed.
Perceiving and recovering structure from events (abstract only)

How do perceivers identify a moving object as seen against a changing background? How do figure and ground separate? Such questions have engaged psychologists for at least seventy years. In particular, the Gestalt psychologists were deeply concerned with the latter, but had only the illdefined notion of common fate, or uniform density, for dealing with the former. The coherent flow of a moving object is seen, somehow, by extracting those aspects of the whole that segregate it from the ground; the uniform destiny of all parts of the object was thought both to make the whole cohere and to separate the whole from all else. Two pairs of ideas, from two researchers who came out of the Gestalt tradition, helped elucidate the notion of common fate as applied to motion perception.
Effect of prostaglandins E2 and F2α on in vitro development and hatching of caprine blastocysts

Abstract Prostaglandin E 2 has been shown to increase the ovine embryo hatching rate, and PGF 2α to reduce the development of rabbit, bovine, and rat embryos. The objective was to determine the effects of PGE 2 and PGF 2α on development of caprine embryos. Estrus was synchronized in does ( n = 25) with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) intravaginal sponges for 12 days, and superovulated with 20 units of FSH. On day 6 following estrus, embryos were flushed ( n = 128) and incubated individually per well in 25 μl droplets of TCM-199 and BSA (8 mg/ml) for 6 days at 38.5 °C in a 5% CO 2 : air with one of the following treatments: (1) control (0.0002% EtOH), (2) PGE 2 (7 ng/ml), (3) PGF 2α (7 ng/ml), (4) low PGE 2 :high PGF 2α (3.5 ng/ml:14 ng/ml), (5) balanced PGE 2 :PGF 2α (7 ng/ml:7 ng/ml), or (6) high PGE 2 :low PGF 2α (14 ng/ml:3.5 ng/ml). Treatment with PGE 2 alone reduced ( P 2α alone (9/18; 50%), low PGE 2 :high PGF 2α (8/16; 50%), and balanced PGE 2 :PGF 2α (11/16; 69%) were similar to control (6/18; 33%). In contrast, the hatching rate was non-significantly increased (13/18; 72%) with the high PGE 2 :low PGF 2α treatment. None of the treatments affected development from the morula to blastocyst stage. From the current data, it can be concluded that PGE 2 alone reduced hatching rate, and PGF 2α alone had no effect on the development of caprine embryos. High concentrations of PGE 2 with PGF 2α improved the hatching rates. Thus, uterine concentrations of PGE 2 may need to reach a threshold level to improve embryo hatching, as previously reported, while increased uterine concentrations of PGF 2α during early pregnancy would not affect development of the embryo.
A temperature dependent creep damage model for polycrystalline ice

We present a continuum damage model for the temperature dependent creep response of polycrystalline ice under a multiaxial state of stress, suited for ice in polar regions. The proposed model is based on a thermo-viscoelastic constitutive law for ice creep and a local orthotropic damage accumulation law for tension, compression and shear loadings. Orthotropic damage is represented by a symmetric second-order damage tensor and its effect on creep is incorporated through the effective stress concept. The unknown model parameters are first calibrated using published experimental data from constant uniaxial stress tests and then predictions are made for constant strain rate and multiaxial loadings. The predicted results are in good agreement with both experimental and numerical results in the literature illustrating the viability of the proposed model. The model is mainly intended for studying the failure mechanisms of polar ice at low deformation rates with depth varying temperature profiles.