cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feedback Inhibition of Leptin Receptor/Jak2 Signaling via Tyr1138 of the Leptin Receptor and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that communicates the status of body energy stores to the brain to regulate feeding and energy balance. The inability of elevated leptin levels to adequately suppress feeding in obesity suggests attenuation of leptin action under these conditions; the activation of feedback circuits due to high leptin levels could contribute to this leptin resistance. Using cultured cells exogenously expressing the long form of the leptin receptor (LRb) or an erythropoietin receptor/LRb chimera, we show that chronic stimulation results in the attenuation of LRb signaling and the establishment of a state in which the receptor is refractory to reactivation. Mutation of LRb Tyr1138 (the site that recruits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) alleviated this feedback inhibition, suggesting that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 mediates the induction of a feedback inhibitor, such as suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), during chronic LRb stimulation. Indeed, manipulation of the expression or activity of the LRb-binding tyrosine phosphatase, SH2-domain containing phosphatase-2, by overexpression of wild-type and dominant negative isoforms or RNA interference-mediated knockdown did not alter the attenuation of LRb signals. In contrast, SOCS3 overexpression repressed LRb signaling, whereas RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SOCS3 resulted in increased LRb signaling that was not attenuated during chronic ligand stimulation. These data suggest that Tyr1138 of LRb and SOCS3 represent major effector pathways for the feedback inhibition of LRb signaling. Furthermore, we show that mice expressing an LRb isoform mutant for Tyr1138 display increased activity of the leptin-dependent growth and immune axes, suggesting that Tyr1138-mediated feedback inhibition may regulate leptin sensitivity in vivo.
Some notes on the relation between the elastic moduli of anisotropic cristallites and quasi-isotropic polycrystalline aggregates

Drei Methoden zur Berechnung des mittleren Elastizitatsmoduls vielkristalliner kubischer Metalle werden formuliert als eine Summierung uber die Beitrage der Kristallite zur elastischen Energie. Dadurch kommt man zu einer zwanglosen Erklarung fur die Abweichungen der berechneten Mittelwerte vom beobachteten Modul des Vielkristalls.
Control of the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinases by mitogenic growth factors and the extracellular matrix

The identification of the nuclear enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases has profoundly influenced our understanding of cell proliferation. It now seems clear that these enzymes are responsible for mediating progression through each phase of the cell cycle and that the stimulatory effects of both mitogenic growth factors and extracellular matrix on cell proliferation can be fully explained in terms of their effects on the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinase system. In turn, these effects have provided the long-awaited molecular definitions to the phenotypes of mitogen-dependent and anchorage-dependent growth.
Respiratory responses of young adult asthmatics to sulfur dioxide exposure under simulated ambient conditions

Twenty-four young adult asthmatic volunteers were exposed to 0, 0.25, and 0.50 ppm SO/sub 2/ in random order at 1-week intervals. Exposures, conducted in a controlled-environment chamber at 23/sup 0/C and 90+% relative humidity, lasted 1 hr and incorporated alternating 10-min periods of moderate exercise (mean exercise ventilation about 27 liters/min) and rest. Airway resistance was measured before exposure, after the first exercise period, and near the end of exposure. Forced expiratory performance was measured after the final airway resistance measurement. Exposure-relatable symptoms were recorded before, during, and after exposure periods. None of these measures of response showed statistically significant variation attributable to SO/sub 2/, although small significant increases in resistance attributable to exercise were found. These negative results contrast with previous positive findings in asthmatics exposed to SO/sub 2/ via mouthpiece. The differences may relate to effects of mouthpiece breathing on respiratory defenses, or to interindividual variations in bronchial reactivity to SO/sub 2/.
Cracking of titanium alloys under cathodic applied potential

Abstract The slow-strain-rate test technique was used to evaluate the susceptibility of Ti Gr-7 and Ti Gr-12 to hydrogen-induced-cracking and/or stress corrosion cracking . Ti Gr-7 and Ti Gr-12 are two candidate container materials for the multi-barrier package for nuclear waste. The tests were done in a deaerated 90°C acidic brine (pH≈2.7) containing 5 weight percent (wt.%) NaCl using a strain rate of 3.3×10 −6 s −1 . Before being tested in the acidic brine, specimens of each alloy were pulled inside the test chamber in the dry condition at ambient temperature. Then, while in the test solution, specimens were strained under different cathodic controlled potentials. These controlled potentials were selected based on the corrosion potential measured in the test solution before the specimens were strained. Results indicate that the times to failure (TTF) for Ti Gr-12 were much shorter than those for Ti Gr-7. Furthermore, as the applied potential became more cathodic, Ti Gr-12 showed reduced ductility in terms of percent reduction in area and true fracture stress (σf). In addition, the TTF and percent elongation reached the minimum values when Ti Gr-12 was tested under an impressed potential of −1162 mV. However, for Ti Gr-7, all these ductility parameters were not significantly influenced by the changes in applied potential. In general, the results of hydrogen analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry showed increased hydrogen concentration at more cathodic controlled potentials. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the morphology of cracking both at the primary fracture face and the secondary cracks along the gage section of the broken tensile specimen. Transgranular secondary cracks were observed in both alloys possibly resulting from the formation of brittle titanium hydrides due to cathodic charging. The primary fracture face was characterized by dimpled microstructure indicating ductile failure.
Comprehensive Thermodynamic Characterization of the Metal−Hydrogen Bond in a Series of Cobalt-Hydride Complexes

A detailed structural and thermodynamic study of a series of cobalt-hydride complexes is reported. This includes structural studies of [H2Co(dppe)2]+, HCo(dppe)2, [HCo(dppe)2(CH3CN)]+, and [Co(dppe)2(CH3CN)]2+, where dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. Equilibrium measurements are reported for one hydride- and two proton-transfer reactions. These measurements and the determinations of various electrochemical potentials were used to determine 11 of 12 possible homolytic and heterolytic solution Co−H bond dissociation free energies of [H2Co(dppe)2]+ and its monohydride derivatives. These values provide a useful framework for understanding observed and potential reactions of these complexes. These reactions include the disproportionation of [HCo(dppe)2]+ to form [Co(dppe)2]+ and [H2Co(dppe)2]+, the reaction of [Co(dppe)2]+ with H2, the protonation and deprotonation reactions of the various hydride species, and the relative ability of the hydride complexes to act as hydride donors.
Transforming the Safety Net: Responses to Medicaid Managed Care in, Rural and Urban New Mexico

In this article we examine the impact of Medicaid managed care on safety net organizations in New Mexico and their ability to maintain their traditional mission of charity care. We address two particular areas of concern that have arisen in the literature on Medicaid managed care. First, analysts have debated under what circumstances safety net organizations are better positioned to survive under market competition without abandoning their social orientation. Second, analysts have suggested that populations in rural areas may be more disadvantaged under Medicaid managed care due to its intensification of already-existent barriers to access. By comparing the differential ability of safety net organizations in rural and urban New Mexico to buffer their patients from potentially harmful effects of Medicaid managed care, we identify factors that place these safety nets particularly at risk. We find that a rural location, lack of affiliation with a larger organization, and lack of recourse to charitable funding are "risk factors" determining who sinks—and who floats—in this new competitive health care system, [privatization of health care, Medicaid safety net organizations, managed care, resistance, ruralurban]
Instrument effects of images in web surveys: a research note

This research note offers cautionary evidence, indicating just how little we know about how respondents react to and complete Web surveys. Researchers using or contemplating a Web-based approach need to be very clear that the line between the phenomena to be measured and the means of measurement is often quite fuzzy. This note uses data from Survey2001 to illustrate this point. Nearly 30,000 respondents completed part or all of Survey2001, which was hosted by the National Geographic Magazine's Web site and queried individuals on a number of topics related to the impact of information technology on conservation, community and culture.
Increased Severity of Cerebral Ischemic Injury in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B–Deficient Mice

Vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VegfB) is an angiogenic protein related to VegfA, although it acts on a different set of tyrosine kinase receptors. Like VegfA, VegfB is expressed in the brain and is induced at sites of brain injury. VegfA has neuroprotective and angiogenic effects, but VegfA-knockout mice die in utero, so the effect of endogenous VegfA signaling in neuropathologic states, such as cerebral ischemia, cannot be tested directly. In contrast, VegfB-knockout mice survive to adulthood with little abnormality in the absence of pathologic stresses. To determine if VegfB regulates the severity of cerebral ischemia, the middle cerebral artery was occluded in VegfB-knockout, heterozygous, and wild-type mice, and the volume of the resulting cerebral infarcts and associated impairment of neurologic function were measured. Infarct volume was increased by approximately 40% and neurologic impairment was more severe in VegfB-knockout mice, implying that endogenous VegfB acts to protect the brain from ischemic injury. VegfB also protected cultured cerebral cortical neurons from hypoxic injury, suggesting that its protective action is mediated at least in part through a direct effect on neurons.
Some uneasy inquiries into ID expert systems

Alternative approaches to developing software automating instructional development are described in this article. Information management and expert system approaches are compared. General assumptions underlying the development of all authoring tools, including conventional authoring systems, and additional assumptions underlying the development of expert ID tools are identified. Questions are raised concerning the viability of ID automation tools. It is argued that conventional authoring systems may not be as inadequate or inferior as ID expert system developers have claimed, and that of two approaches to ID automation, tools emphasizing information management are probably most useful. Information management tools, however, still may be inappropriate in some contexts.
Two Japanese Vegetable Names Borrowed From Korean

Abstract. Neither J suzuna 'turnip' nor suzusiro 'radish' has a good J-internal etymology. But suzuna is similar in form to OK *swuy 'turnip' + *s + *no 'greens'. Likewise, suzusiro resembles OK *swuy + *s + *silay 'radish' (cf. silayki 'dried radish leaves'). Since turnips and radishes in China go back only about 2500 years and are known to have originated farther west, J suzuna and suzusiro are likely to be phrases borrowed into Japanese from Korean in proto-historic times.
Selective cleavage upon ETD of peptides containing disulfide or nitrogen–nitrogen bonds

Abstract Site-selective bond cleavage is an interesting but infrequently observed process in gas phase ions. We report the comparison of highly efficient and specific N N and S S cleavages in peptides modified at their N- or C-terminal with tags that contain a disulfide or a hydrazine-type bond. Preferential N N or S S cleavage occurs upon electron transfer dissociation (ETD) of the doubly-protonated modified peptides. Peptides modified at the N-terminal exhibit more efficient cleavage of N N or S S bonds than those modified at the C-terminal. The difference in cleavage efficiency is proposed to originate from variations in the tendency of hydrogen atoms to migrate to or localize at the N N and S S functionalities, a process that is essential for the bond cleavage. Collision induced dissociation (CID) of the peptides after the preferential bond cleavage results in formation of characteristic b and y ions, not the ETD-type c / z ions more typical of peptide radicals. For the peptides that incorporate the disulfide-containing moiety, prominent side-chain cleavages of isoleucine and leucine are also observed.
Measuring transient radiation effects in optical fibers

We propose a new method for measuring transient radiation effects in optical fibers on a nanosecond timescale. The method, which incorporates a streak camera, allows more precise time resolution than other methods and has the advantage of measuring the radiation-induced attenuation as a function of wavelength and time simultaneously. By choosing different light sources and sweep speeds, radiation-induced attenuation may be measured under a variety of experimental configurations. Examples of the types of out-put obtained with our method are given.
Regions and time in the European fertility transition: problems in the Princeton Project's statistical methodology'

Much empirical social-science research, including work in economic and demographic history, has relied on the analysis of published information on administrative districts. One famous example of this type of research, the Princeton Project on the Decline of Fertility in Europe (EFP), was carried out at Princeton University’s Office of Population Research in the 1960s and 1970s. This project aimed to characterize the decline of fertility that took place in Europe during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The project’s summary statements argued that social and economic forces played little role in bringing about the fertility transition. A central feature of the EFP argument is a series of statistical exercises which purport to show that changes in economic and social conditions exerted little influence on fertility. Two recent articles on Germany for this period have used similar data and methods to draw different conclusions. We show that the difference reflects problems in the Princeton project’s statistical methods. Those problems affect, potentially, virtually all quantitative research of this type. Our findings suggest cautious re-thinking of conclusions based on this type of evidence, starting with the EFP.
A monoclonal antibody directed against an opiate binding site in rat neural membranes.

Abstract A monoclonal antibody, capable of inhibiting opiate binding to rat neural membranes, has been obtained using hybridoma technology. This IgM cryoglobulin, OR-689.2.4, inhibited opiate binding to rat neural membranes in a titrable and saturable manner. The immunoglobulin partially inhibited the binding of all opiate agonists and antagonists tested. With regard to opiate agonists, OR-689.2.4 inhibited a greater number of moles of 3H-dihydromorphine sites than 3H-[D-Ala2-Leu5] enkephalin or 3H-ethylketocyclazocine sites. In addition to being able to block opiate binding to neural membranes, the antibody could also displace opiates from membranes equilibrated with ligand. Analysis of binding data indicates that the immunoglobulin is acting as a competitive inhibitor at a mu type opiate binding site.
Optical design of a line-focused forward-viewing scanner for optical coherence tomography

We report an optical design of a line-focused forward-viewing optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner for high-speed endoscopic imaging. To avoid a complex lens system, an off-axis cylindrical mirror is used for focusing the line illumination onto the sample surface. Because of its insensitivity to the broadband spectrum, the mirror-focused scanner improves the image quality compared to a lens-focused scanner. In this work, a feasibility study is carried out on the use of a reflective-optics-focused line scanner in OCT imaging, instead of the traditional refractive optics scanner. The Strehl ratio, chromatic focal shift, and field analysis were carried out for a plano-convex cylindrical lens, an achromatic cylindrical lens, and a cylindrical-mirror-focused scanner. ZEMAX optical modeling analysis showed that mirror-focused scanning provides better Strehl ratio in comparison to plano-convex cylindrical-lens-focused scanning, and that the Strehl ratio is comparable to achromatic cylindrical-lens-focused scanning. However, field analysis on the edges of the scanning elements within the scan range shows that mirror-focused scanning is more robust when compared to a cylindrical achromatic lens. Overall, a mirror-focused scanner shows better performance compared to lenses.
"Prequit attrition" among weight-concerned women smokers.

Abstract The impact of concerns about postcessation weight gain is sometimes minimized based on the finding of many (though not all) studies of an association between actual weight gain and successful quitting. A possible explanation is that many weight-concerned individuals either never attempt cessation or terminate their attempts very early, without seeking treatment. To investigate further, we compared attrition after screening and acceptance but prior to the first treatment session of women in two cessation trials, one targeting women with high dieting severity and concerns about body shape, the other not. The trials were similar in length and intensity. As expected, dieting severity scores for the groups were significantly higher for participants in the weight-concerns trial (WCT) than in the trial that did not involve weight concerns (NWCT). Race distribution and Body Mass Index (BMI) did not differ significantly between trials. Compared with the WCT, women accepted into the NWCT were significantly older, significantly more nicotine dependent, smoked significantly more cigarettes per day, and were significantly more depressed. Yet, despite a profile predictive of poorer outcome, “prequit attrition” was significantly lower for NWCT than for WCT (3% vs. 16%). Among WCT participants, those who dropped out scored significantly higher on dieting severity than those reporting for treatment, even after covarying for degree of dependence. To the extent that “prequit attrition” represents a proxy for unwillingness to enter treatment, our findings support the hypothesis that weight concerns constitute a more serious barrier to quitting than is evident simply from looking at treatment outcomes, since these individuals may never make it into the trial samples.
Internationally coordinated multi-mission planning is now critical to sustain the space-based rainfall observations needed for managing floods globally

At present 4 of 10 dedicated rainfall observing satellite systems have exceeded their design life, some by more than a decade. Here, we show operational implications for flood management of a ?collapse? of space-based rainfall observing infrastructure as well as the high-value opportunities for a globally coordinated portfolio of satellite missions and data services. Results show that the current portfolio of rainfall missions fails to meet operational data needs for flood management, even when assuming a perfectly coordinated data product from all current rainfall-focused missions (i.e., the full portfolio). In the full portfolio, satellite-based rainfall data deficits vary across the globe and may preclude climate adaptation in locations vulnerable to increasing flood risks. Moreover, removing satellites that are currently beyond their design life (i.e., the reduced portfolio) dramatically increases data deficits globally and could cause entire high intensity flood events to be unobserved. Recovery from the reduced portfolio is possible with internationally coordinated replenishment of as few as 2 of the 4 satellite systems beyond their design life, yielding rainfall data coverages that outperform the current full portfolio (i.e., an optimized portfolio of eight satellites can outperform ten satellites). This work demonstrates the potential for internationally coordinated satellite replenishment and data services to substantially enhance the cost-effectiveness, sustainability and operational value of space-based rainfall observations in managing evolving flood risks.
Atmospheric effect on spatial resolution of surface imagery

The combined sensor-atmosphere characteristics, defined by the modulation transfer function, are calculated and used to evaluate the apparent resolution of remotely sensed imagery as determined by those characteristics. The atmospheric effect on the upward radiance is described, and the reduction of the apparent spatial resolution due to the atmospheric effect is discussed. The atmospheric effect on remote sensing is compared to the effect of the sensor's pixel size, and results are presented for the maximum resolution that can be achieved in the presence of atmospheric blurring effects.
Kinetics of calcium carbonate (calcite)-seeded crystallization: Influence of solid/solution ratio on the reaction rate constant

Abstract Calcium carbonate (calcite) crystallization follows a parabolic rate expression over a large range of solid solution ratios. Growth occurs by a uniform advance of macro steps across the major crystallographic faces. At low seed crystal concentrations surface nucleation contributes to the observed reaction rate. Over the range of solid solution ratios examined, calcite crystallization can be described by the parabolic growth rate equation dN dt = −ksN 2 , where N is the amount of calcite to be precipitated from solution to reach equilibrium, i.e., the theoretical crystal yield (moles/liter); dN dt is the rate of change of the crystal yield with respect to time (moles/liter · min); s is the concentration of added seed material (mg/liter); and k is the crystallization rate constant [(moles/liter)(mg/liter)(min)] −1 . The constant k is independent of the solid solution ratio over much of the range examined here, but it is higher at low seed concentrations. This phenomenon is explained by the competition between growth on the calcite seed crystal surface and surface nucleation. Our results demonstrate that the parabolic crystallization rate equation-and a surface reaction mechanism—satisfactorily describe calcite formation over the solid/ solution range encountered in many geochemical and technical situations.
Fault diagnostics for GPS-based lateral vehicle control

This paper develops a fault diagnostic system to monitor the health of the lateral motion sensors on an instrumented highway vehicle. The fault diagnostic system utilizes observer design with the observer gains chosen so as to ensure that each sensor failure causes estimation errors to grow in an unique direction. The performance of the fault diagnostic system is verified through extensive experimental results obtained from an instrumented truck called the "Safetruck". The fault diagnostic system is able to monitor the health of a GPS system, a gyroscope and an accelerometer on the Safetruck. It can correctly detect a failure in any one of the three sensors and accurately identify the source of the failure.
Mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae iron-sulfur cluster assembly genes and oxidative stress relevant to Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) show several metabolic defects including aerobic blockages in methionine and lysine biosynthesis. We have previously shown that mutations in genes implicated in the formation of iron-sulfur clusters, designated seo (suppressors of endogenous oxidation), reverse the oxygen-dependent methionine and lysine auxotrophies of a sod1Δ strain. We now report the surprising finding that seo mutants do not reduce oxidative damage as shown by the lack of reduction of EPR-detectable “free” iron, which is characteristic of sod1Δ mutants. In fact, they exhibit increased oxidative damage as evidenced by increased accumulation of protein carbonyls. The seo class of mutants overaccumulates mitochondrial iron, and this iron accumulation is critical for suppression of the sod1Δ biosynthetic defects. Blocking overaccumulation of mitochondrial iron abolished the ability of the seo mutants to suppress the sod1Δ auxotrophies. By contrast, increasing the mitochondrial iron content of sod1Δ yeast using high copy MMT1, which encodes a mitochondrial iron transporter, was sufficient to mimic the seo mutants. Our studies indicated that suppression of the sod1Δ methionine auxotrophy was dependent on the pentose phosphate pathway, which is a major source of NADPH production. By comparison, the sod1Δ lysine auxotrophy appears to be reversed in the seo mutants by increased expression of genes in the lysine biosynthetic pathway, perhaps through sensing of mitochondrial damage by the retrograde response.
Geometry induced equilibrium hysteresis in the behavior of curved elastic films

Abstract Isothermal hysteretic behavior in the inflation-deflation curves of elastic films is shown to result from curvature restraints on the available equilibrium states.
A Short Form of the California Psychological Inventory

The number of items in the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) was reduced from 480 to 240 by selecting items representative of factors obtained by separate factor analyses of the 18 scales. Correlations of the short form with the standard scales, the factor structure of the short form, cross-validated regression equations to estimate standard scale scores, and test-retest reliability coefficients indicated that the short form was a reasonable alternative to the complete inventory in situations where time savings are required.
Investigation and Enforcement of a Disability Discrimination Statute Complaints of Employment Discrimination Filed in New York State

This paper presents an analysis of 7,189 complaints of disabilitybased discrimination in employment filed with New York State and open between 1984-1994. The characteristics of the complainants, th...
Optimal preconditioners of a given sparsity pattern

We consider the problem of finding the symmetric positive definite preconditionerM of a given form- e.g., having nonzero elements only in specified positions — which minimizes the ratio of the largest to smallest eigenvalue ofM −1 A, for a given symmetric positive definitive matrixA. We show how this problem can be expressed as one of minimizing a convex function and how an optimization code can be used to solve the problem numerically. Results are presented showing optimal preconditioners of various sparsity patterns and comparing these to preconditioners that have been proposed in the literature. Several conjectures are made, based on results from the optimization code.
Reaction Parameter Effects on Metal-Salt-Catalyzed Aqueous Biphasic Pulping Systems

Metal salts (MgSO4 and Li2SO4) that serve to catalyze wood delignification and also contribute to the formation of aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) have been studied. The influence of treatment conditions on the pulp properties (measured as the kappa number, residual pulp yield) has been determined by means of a 24 factorial design. The effects of the variables (temperature, time, salt, and polymer concentration) have been determined. Wood and pulp samples and lignin resulting from this process have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Geometric and energy scaling for celestial impacts

Abstract In this study the applicability of geometric and energy scaling to crater geometry metrics for typical celestial impacts is considered. Numerical experiments, conducted over an impact velocity and obliquity range of 12–24 km/s and 0–82.5°, respectively, have been considered. In this analysis we have extended the results from previous work to include the influence of impact velocity. Impactor and target materials used in the analysis were generic iron and sandstone, respectively. A detailed mesh resolution and target size study was first performed to insure numerically resolved solutions and semi-infinite behavior in the target. An interesting finding is that the lateral dimensions of the target required to insure semi-infinite confinement are roughly 100 times the diameter of the impactor, compared to the roughly 30 diameters typically required for steel targets. Results of the scaling study quantitatively validated many of the conclusions obtained only in a qualitative sense from previous work. For example, the crater volume does not scale with the vertical component of the velocity, and the crater depth does not scale with the cube root of the energy based on the vertical component of the velocity.
A comparative survey of some possible systems of polarized headlights.

In a polarizing headlight system polarizers are placed on automobile headlights and in a viewer before the eyes of automobile drivers. These polarizers are so oriented that the viewer is crossed with the headlights of an approaching car. This blocks most of the light from approaching headlights. A polarizing system has other features which make it different from a non-polarizing system. The amount of the polarized component of the reflected light from an object illuminated by a car’s headlights which is transmitted back through the viewer in the same car depends on the type and orientation of the polarizers. Thus objects have different brightness depending on the polarizing system being used. Similarly, the contrast between objects and their background will be different for different polarizing systems. In this paper some basic matrices of an optical calculus are derived. This calculus is then used to show the orientation of the headlights and viewer polarizers for all possible polarizing systems. For each of these systems the relative brightness of a specularly reflecting object is determined. Finally, equations are derived for the contrast of various types of objects with their background and a few special cases are calculated.
Beyond grade retention and social promotion: Promoting the social and academic competence of students

During the past decade, amidst the current context emphasizing educational standards and accountability, the practice of grade retention has increased. The call for an end to social promotion has generated a variety of recommendations and legislation regarding promotion policies. This context has served as a catalyst for numerous debates regarding the use of grade retention and social promotion. In an era emphasizing evidence-based interventions, research indicates that neither grade retention nor social promotion is a successful strategy for improving educational success. Moreover, research also reveals prevention and intervention strategies that are likely to promote the social or academic competence of students at risk of poor school performance. It is essential that educational professionals are familiar with the research when implementing interventions to promote student success. School psychologists may use this article as a primer for teachers, administrators, and parents, as it provides a synthesis of research addressing the following important questions: (a) What are the demographic characteristics of retained students? (b) What are the effects of retention on academic and socioemotional outcomes? (c) What long-term outcomes are associated with grade retention? (d) What are students' perspectives regarding grade retention? (e) How does a developmental perspective enhance our understanding? (f) What are some empirically supported effective intervention strategies? Educational professionals are encouraged to incorporate evidence-based programs and policies to facilitate the success of all students. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 85–97, 2006.
An activity-based assessment of the potential impacts of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on energy and emissions using 1-day travel data

This paper assesses the potential energy profile impacts of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and estimates gasoline and electricity demand impacts for California of their adoption. The results are based on simulations replicating vehicle usage patterns reported in 1-day activity and travel diaries based on the 2000–2001 California Statewide Household Travel Survey. Four charging scenarios are examined. We find that circuit upgrades to 240 V not only bring faster charging times but also reduce charging time differences between PHEV20 and PHEV60; home charging can potentially service 40–50% of travel distances with electric power for PHEV20 and 70–80% for PHEV60; equipping public parking spaces with charging facilities, can potentially convert 60–70% of mileage from fuel to electricity for PHEV20, and 80–90% for PHEV60; and afternoons are found to be exposed to a higher level of emissions.
Hacia una Teoría General de la Empresa (TGDE): Asuntos Metodológicos Previos a su Formulación

El presente articulo aborda los problemas metodologicos que presenta una Teoria General de la Empresa (TGDE)
The Student Writing Archive Project: Designing a Searchable Database of Student Writing and Teacher Commentary for English Teacher Preparation Courses

Teacher candidates have few opportunities during their teacher preparation coursework to investigate practices associated with eliciting and responding to student writing. This article describes an attempt to address this problem with a searchable online digital archive of student writing, with and without teachers’ written feedback, as well as other instructional materials from elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms in diverse linguistic/geographic regions of the country. The archive also includes interviews with teachers about their approaches to teaching writing, especially the principles and practices that inform their responses to student work. The design of the archive is described, along with three broad paths through the archive, which were created by the author. These paths provide opportunities for instructors of English teaching methods courses, writing pedagogies courses, and linguistics courses to investigate with teacher candidates issues that are commonly addressed in those three types of courses, like modeling writing, machine scoring, and responding with sensitivity to writers who are English language learners. English teacher educators who teach courses on English teaching methods, writing pedagogies, and linguistics share a unifying concern: writing instruction. Writing instruction includes how teachers design and implement writing assignments; how teachers provide feedback on student work; and how teachers use patterns they identify in student writing to plan and implement subsequent instruction.
Hepatic Stem Cells: In Search of

The field of stem cell biology has exploded with the study of a wide range of cellular populations involving endodermal, mesenchymal, and ectodermal organs. One area of extensive study has included the identification of hepatic stem and progenitor cell subpopulations. Liver stem cells provide insights into the potential pathways involving liver regeneration that are independent of mature hepatocytes. Hepatic progenitor cells are either bipotent or multipotent and capable of multiple rounds of replication. They have been identified in fetal as well as adult liver. Various injury models have been used to expand this cellular compartment. The nomenclature, origin, and function of the hepatic progenitor cell populations are areas of ongoing debate. In this review, we will discuss the different definitions and functions of hepatic progenitor cells as well as the current research efforts examining their therapeutic potential.
Direct evidence of Mg-Zn-P alloy formation in Mg/Zn 3 P 2 solar cells

Zinc phosphide (Zn 3 P 2 ) is a promising and earth-abundant alternative to traditional materials (e.g. CdTe, CIGS, a-Si) for thin film photovoltaics. The record solar energy conversion efficiency for Zn 3 P 2 cells of 6% (M. Bhushan et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 1980) used a Mg/Zn 3 P 2 device geometry that required annealing to reach peak performance. Here we report photovoltaic device results and junction composition profiles as a function of annealing treatment for ITO/Mg/Zn 3 P 2 devices. Mild annealing at 100 °C in air dramatically increases V oc values from ∼150 mV to 550 mV, exceeding those of the record cell (V oc, record = 490 mV). In devices with thinner Mg films we achieved J sc values reaching 26 mA cm−2, significantly greater than those of the record cell (J sc, record = 14.9 mA cm−2). Junction profiling by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) both show evidence of MgO and Mg-Zn-P alloy formation at the active photovoltaic junction in annealed ITO/Mg/Zn 3 P 2 devices. These results indicate that high efficiency should be realizable by optimization of Mg treatment in Mg/Zn 3 P 2 solar cells.
Sublethal injury makes Gram‐negative and resistant Gram‐positive bacteria sensitive to the bacteriocins, pediocin AcH and nisin

Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria that are resistant to bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were subjected to sublethal stresses and treated with nisin and pediocin AcH. Both bacteriocins reduced the viability of cells surviving sublethal stresses. The results explain the possible mechanisms by which bacteriocins of LAB enter through the walls (or outer membranes) to destabilize the cytoplasmic (or inner) membranes and kill cells of sensitive Gram-positive and resistant, but injured, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Perspectives on Human Sexuality

Perspectives on Human Sexuality. Anne Bolin and Patricia Whelehan. Albany: State University of New York Press. 1999. 503 pp.
Dual Dopamine/Serotonin Releasers: Potential Treatment Agents for Stimulant Addiction

“Agonist therapy” for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction involves administration of stimulant-like medications (e.g., monoamine releasers) to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. A significant problem with this strategy is that many candidate medications possess abuse liability because of activation of mesolimbic dopamine (DA) neurons in the brain. One way to reduce DA-mediated abuse liability of candidate drugs is to add in serotonin (5-HT) releasing properties, since substantial evidence shows that 5-HT neurons provide an inhibitory influence over mesolimbic DA neurons. This article addresses several key issues related to the development of dual DA/5-HT releasers for the treatment of substance use disorders. First, the authors briefly summarize the evidence supporting a dual deficit in DA and 5-HT function during withdrawal from chronic cocaine or alcohol abuse. Second, the authors discuss data demonstrating that 5HT release can dampen DA-mediated stimulant effects, and the “antistimulant” role of 5-HT2C receptors is considered. Next, the mechanisms underlying potential adverse effects of 5-HT releasers are described. Finally, the authors discuss recently published data with PAL-287, a novel nonamphetamine DA/5-HT releasing agent that suppresses cocaine self-administration but lacks positive reinforcing properties. It is concluded that DA/5-HT releasers could be useful therapeutic adjuncts for the treatment of cocaine and alcohol addictions, as well as for obesity, attention-deficit disorder, and depression.
Preparing Personnel for Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What the Special Projects Show

Tbis special issue of Teacher Education and Special Education presents 10 articles concerned with the preparation of teachers and related service providers to work with children and youth who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). The purpose of the issue is to disseminate best personnel preparation practices regarding AD/HD obtained during 3 to 5 years of study by federally funded special projects.
Secret Key Generation for Correlated Gaussian Sources

Secret key generation by multiple terminals is considered based on their observations of jointly distributed Gaussian signals, followed by public communication among themselves. Exploiting an inherent connection between secrecy generation and lossy data compression, two main contributions are made. The first is a characterization of strong secret key capacity, and entails a converse proof technique that is valid for real-valued (and not necessarily Gaussian) as well as finite-valued signals. The capacity formula acquires a simple form when the terminals observe “symmetrically correlated” jointly Gaussian signals. For the latter setup with two terminals, considering schemes that involve quantization at one terminal, the best rate of an achievable secret key is characterized as a function of quantization rate; secret key capacity is attained as the quantization rate tends to infinity. Structured codes are shown to attain the optimum tradeoff between secret key rate and quantization rate, constituting our second main contribution.
Review of A Troublesome Inheritance by Nicholas Wade

Review of A Troublesome Inheritance: Genes, Race and Human History, by Nicholas Wade. New York: Penguin Press, 2013. x + 278 pp. 978-1-5942-0446-3 (hardcover). US $27.95.
Colonization With Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Evacuees After Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina, 50 patients were evacuated to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, with limited medical records. The infection control department ordered contact precautions for 16 patients. Surveillance cultures performed on admission identified colonization with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in 9 patients (18%). Presence of a wound was the strongest predictor for MDR colonization. More data are needed to reliably predict MDR bacterial colonization.
An ERP-based Brain-Computer Interface for text entry using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation and Language Modeling

Event related potentials (ERP) corresponding to stimuli in electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to detect the intent of a person for brain computer interfaces (BCI). This paradigm is widely used to build letter-by-letter text input systems using BCI. Nevertheless using a BCI-typewriter depending only on EEG responses will not be sufficiently accurate for single-trial operation in general, and existing systems utilize many-trial schemes to achieve accuracy at the cost of speed. Hence incorporation of a language model based prior or additional evidence is vital to improve accuracy and speed. In this demonstration we will present a BCI system for typing that integrates a stochastic language model with ERP classification to achieve speedups, via the rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm.
One-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for detecting and genotyping wild-type group A rotavirus strains and vaccine strains (Rotarix® and RotaTeq®) in stool samples

Background. Group A rotavirus (RVA) infection is the major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children worldwide. Introduction of two live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines, RotaTeq® and Rotarix®, has dramatically reduced RVA associated AGE and mortality in developed as well as in many developing countries. High-throughput methods are needed to genotype rotavirus wild-type strains and to identify vaccine strains in stool samples. Quantitative RT-PCR assays (qRT-PCR) offer several advantages including increased sensitivity, higher throughput, and faster turnaround time. Methods. In this study, a one-step multiplex qRT-PCR assay was developed to detect and genotype wild-type strains and vaccine (Rotarix® and RotaTeq®) rotavirus strains along with an internal processing control (Xeno or MS2 RNA). Real-time RT-PCR assays were designed for VP7 (G1, G2, G3, G4, G9, G12) and VP4 (P[4], P[6] and P[8]) genotypes. The multiplex qRT-PCR assay also included previously published NSP3 qRT-PCR for rotavirus detection and Rotarix® NSP2 and RotaTeq® VP6 qRT-PCRs for detection of Rotarix® and RotaTeq® vaccine strains respectively. The multiplex qRT-PCR assay was validated using 853 sequence confirmed stool samples and 24 lab cultured strains of different rotavirus genotypes. By using thermostable rTth polymerase enzyme, dsRNA denaturation, reverse transcription (RT) and amplification (PCR) steps were performed in single tube by uninterrupted thermocycling profile to reduce chances of sample cross contamination and for rapid generation of results. For quantification, standard curves were generated using dsRNA transcripts derived from RVA gene segments. Results. The VP7 qRT-PCRs exhibited 98.8-100% sensitivity, 99.7-100% specificity, 85-95% efficiency and a limit of detection of 4-60 copies per singleplex reaction. The VP7 qRT-PCRs exhibited 81-92% efficiency and limit of detection of 150-600 copies in multiplex reactions. The VP4 qRT-PCRs exhibited 98.8-100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 86-89% efficiency and a limit of detection of 12-400 copies per singleplex reactions. The VP4 qRT-PCRs exhibited 82-90% efficiency and limit of detection of 120-4000 copies in multiplex reaction. Discussion. The one-step multiplex qRT-PCR assay will facilitate high-throughput rotavirus genotype characterization for monitoring circulating rotavirus wild-type strains causing rotavirus infections, determining the frequency of Rotarix® and RotaTeq® vaccine strains and vaccine-derived reassortants associated with AGE, and help to identify novel rotavirus strains derived by reassortment between vaccine and wild-type strains.
Interacting Effects of Predator and Prey Behavior in Determining Diets

A predator’s diet is the array of food types eaten by that predator. From an ecological and evolutionary standpoint, diets are particularly interesting when predators show non-random preferences; that is, when the relative abundances of different prey types in the diet differ from a random sampling of the environment (Chesson 1983). Non-random diets are ecologically important, because the effects of predators on prey communities often appear to be mediated by non-random predation (Paine 1966; Zaret 1980; Sih et al. 1985). Given that predator preferences are ecologically important, ecologists have been interested in the determinants of preference. In behavioral ecology, the dominant theme has been to interpret behavior in terms of its adaptive significance (Krebs and Davies 1984). To explain non-random diets, behavioral ecologists have used optimal diet theory (ODT) which, in its simpler forms predicts diets based on the notion that predators choose prey types that result in maximum net energy intake (Stephens and Krebs 1986).
Business Plan for 1st Street Diner and Nightclub

A business plan was created for a diner and nightclub located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, and the concept was found to be unique to the Des Moines area. The downtown community is home to sixty-six American-cuisine eateries, is under continued development, and looking to house more restaurant and entertainment establishments. Des Moines has a five-county metropolitan area with a population of 562,000 and Des Moines alone is home to 200,000 people. The downtown community is growing, and with the projected employment outlook to rise 11%, downtown’s 77,000 employees will also increase. These findings suggest that there is a market in downtown Des Moines for a restaurant and live music establishment. With proper business planning, restaurant development, web design, and a strong knowledge and understanding of hospitality law, a restaurateur can succeed in the downtown Des Moines area.