cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Giving Claim-Rights Their Due

This article invokes a particular understanding of famed rights theorist Hohfeld's "rights in the strictest sense," otherwise referred to as claims or claim-rights. This understanding respects a number of points made by Hohfeld, and is such that agreements and promises are paradigmatic sources of claim-rights. That is generally agreed by rights theorists. Generally, however, rights theorists have developed accounts of claim-rights (sometimes simply rights) such that they are not, or not obviously, claim-rights as understood here. That may be in part because they wish their accounts to subsume a particular canonical set of ascriptions of rights of the form "A has claim against B to B's doing x." This article does not espouse that aim. Rather, it seeks to understand claim-rights of the sort afforded to us by promises and agreements. Central to the possession of such a claim-right against a given person to his performance of some action or actions is the possession of the standing to demand that action or those actions of the right's addressee. It is argued that a process of joint commitment, when understood in a way that is explained, is a source of claim-rights. For this and other reasons a joint commitment account of agreements, on the one hand, and promises, on the other, recommends itself. Whether or not there are any other sources of claims-rights -- in the present sense -- than joint commitment is an important question that is mooted but left open.
Overview of a Robotic System for Azimuthal Dimensions of SSC Dipole Coils

This system measures the azimuthal dimensions of SSC dipole long coils automatically, taking over 500 measurements in less than four hours. These measurements are then analyzed and displayed via software reports which reveal coil statistics, point by point dimensional graphics, modulus of elasticity measurements, comparisons with previous coils and pre-collaring shimming information. The rapid turnaround of this system yields the ability to spot process variables and fine tune the fabrication techniques. This process will aid in producing coils to the required precision.
Approximation of Gaussian spatial autoregressive models for massive regular square tessellation data

Most of the literature to date proposes approximations to the determinant of a positive definite n × n spatial covariance matrix the Jacobian term for Gaussian spatial autoregressive models that fail to support the analysis of massive georeferenced data sets. This paper briefly surveys this literature, recalls and refines much simpler Jacobian approximations, presents selected eigenvalue estimation techniques, summarizes validation results for estimated eigenvalues, Jacobian approximations, and estimation of a spatial autocorrelation parameter, and illustrates the estimation of the spatial autocorrelation parameter in a spatial autoregressive model specification for cases as large as n = 37,214,101. The principal contribution of this paper is to the implementation of spatial autoregressive model specifications for any size of georeferenced data set. Its specific additions to the literature include 1 new, more efficient estimation algorithms; 2 an approximation of the Jacobian term for remotely sensed data forming incomplete rectangular regions; 3 issues of inference; and 4 timing results.
57. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community: An Assessment of its Institutional Prospects

This article examines the idea of an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community and the possibility of institutionalization. ASEAN’s plan for a socio-cultural community is evaluated from an institutional perspective, which takes into consideration the regional political and social environment as well as the role of the individual. By examining the problems in identity-building in ASEAN, the paper shows that institutionalization is a difficult and contradictory process which will have some unintended consequences.
Anatomical Considerations on the Alveolar Antral Artery as Related to the Sinus Augmentation Surgical Procedure

Background The alveolar antral artery (AAA) is a vascular structure that often passes through the area of lateral window opening during sinus augmentation and can reach dimensions that, if the vessel is severed, can represent a serious complication of the surgical procedure. Purpose With this narrative review, we aimed at summarizing the results obtained from all the studies that analyzed the variability in anatomical position and dimension of the AAA in order to give the clinician a reference when planning for a sinus augmentation surgery. Materials and Methods A search of available literature was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed and Medline) and manual searching. Results Detection rate of AAA on cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) is variable and may depend upon the experience of the clinician. The course of the vessel is most frequently intraosseous, and its diameter, despite being smaller than 1 mm in most of the cases, can have a high incidence of diameters between 1 mm and 2 mm. Mean distances of the AAA from alveolar crest and sinus floor range from 11.25 mm to 26.90 mm and 5.80 mm to 10.40 mm. Conclusions Anatomical variants of the AAA that may increase the risk of severe intraoperatory bleeding are frequent and must be detected by the clinician implementing the use of the CBCT.
Past 15-year trends in adolescent marijuana use: Differences by race/ethnicity and sex.

BACKGROUND: The potential for increases in adolescent marijuana use is an important concern given recent changes in marijuana policy. The purpose of this study was to estimate trends in marijuana use from 1999 to 2013 among a national sample of US high school students. We examine changes over time by race/ethnicity and sex. METHODS: Data are from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which involves biennial, school-based surveys that generate nationally representative data about 9th-12th grade students in the United States. Students self-reported sex, race/ethnicity, and marijuana use (i.e., lifetime use, past 30-day use, any use before age 13). We generated national estimates of the prevalence of marijuana use for the time period, and also tested for linear and quadratic trends (n=115,379). RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime marijuana use decreased modestly from 1999 to 2009 (44% to 37%), and has increased slightly since 2009 (41%). Other marijuana use variables (e.g., past 30-day use) followed a similar pattern over time. The prevalence of past 30-day use from 1999 to 2013 for all groups and both sexes was 22.5%, and it was lowest among Asians and highest among American Indian/Alaska Natives. Although boys have historically had a higher prevalence of marijuana use, results indicate that male-female differences in marijuana use decreased over time. CONCLUSION: Despite considerable changes in state marijuana policies over the past 15 years, marijuana use among high school students has largely declined. Continued surveillance is needed to assess the impact of policy changes on adolescent marijuana use. Language: en
The UA_handle: a versatile submotif in stable RNA architectures

Stable RNAs are modular and hierarchical 3D architectures taking advantage of recurrent structural motifs to form extensive non-covalent tertiary interactions. Sequence and atomic structure analysis has revealed a novel submotif involving a minimal set of five nucleotides, termed the UA_handle motif (5′XU/ANnX3′). It consists of a U:A Watson–Crick: Hoogsteen trans base pair stacked over a classic Watson–Crick base pair, and a bulge of one or more nucleotides that can act as a handle for making different types of long-range interactions. This motif is one of the most versatile building blocks identified in stable RNAs. It enters into the composition of numerous recurrent motifs of greater structural complexity such as the T-loop, the 11-nt receptor, the UAA/GAN and the G-ribo motifs. Several structural principles pertaining to RNA motifs are derived from our analysis. A limited set of basic submotifs can account for the formation of most structural motifs uncovered in ribosomal and stable RNAs. Structural motifs can act as structural scaffoldings and be functionally and topologically equivalent despite sequence and structural differences. The sequence network resulting from the structural relationships shared by these RNA motifs can be used as a proto-language for assisting prediction and rational design of RNA tertiary structures.
Model system for the in vitro testing of a synthetic histidine peptide against Candida species grown directly on the denture surface of patients with denture stomatitis

Abstract The denture surface provides a nidus for the growth of microbial species that act to initiate, aggravate, and maintain clinical disease. The present investigation describes the development of a model system for the testing of the effectiveness of agents against these microbial species inhabiting the denture surface. It was observed through in vitro growth patterns that the model permitted the testing of representive samples of the microbial flora. Poly-L-histidine was observed to inhibit both Candida albicans and C. glabrata from growing from the denture surface into nutrient broth. Scanning electron microscopy of control and treated denture disks revealed that poly-L-histidine had either eliminated most microbial flora from the denture surface or had effected a noticeable distortion of those Candida blastospores still present on the surface. From microbiologic studies, it appeared that poly-L-histidine had inflicted direct but not lethal damage to the still-attached distorted blastospores because the latter were still able to promote growth in agent-free broth. The antifungal effects of poly-L-histidine were observed to be dependent on the concentration of the polypeptide. The data obtained were consistent for all of the patients regardless of their denture stomatitis classification.
Concentrated animal feeding operations, row crops, and their relationship to nitrate in eastern iowa rivers

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) and fertilizer application to row crops may contribute to poor water quality in surface waters. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated nutrient concentrations and fluxes in four Eastern Iowa watersheds sampled between 1996 and 2004. We found that these watersheds contribute nearly 10% of annual nitrate flux entering the Gulf of Mexico, while representing only 1.5% of the contributing drainage basin. Mass budget analysis shows streamflow to be a major loss of nitrogen (18% of total N output), second only to crop harvest (63%). The major watershed inputs of nitrogen include applied fertilizer for corn (54% of total N input) and nitrogen fixation by soybeans (26%). Despite the relatively small input from animal manure (∼5%), the results of spatial analysis indicate that row crop and CAFO densities are significantly and independently correlated to higher nitrate concentration in streams. Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.59 and 0.89 were found between nitrate c...
Crystal structure of a chiral, copper(I) complex of styrene

Abstract The crystal structure of a copper(I) complex of styrene in the presence of a chiral, nonracemic bisbenzothiazine ligand has been determined. Comparisons are made between similar crystal structures reported in the literature.
Effects of Chemical and Biological Warfare Remediation Agents on the Materials of Museum Objects

In the fall of 2001, anthrax-contaminated letters were sent to public figures in the United States. Chemical and radiation treatments were employed to decontaminate exposed buildings, objects, and materials. These treatments are effective, but potentially damaging to exposed objects and materials. The recommended surface chemical treatments include solutions, gels, and foams of oxidizing agents such as peroxides or chlorine bleaching agents. Such oxidizing agents are effective against a wide range of hazardous chemical and biological agents. Knowing how these reagents affect various substrates would help to anticipate and to minimize any potential damage. We are examining the effects on typical museum materials of reagents likely to be used, including hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and potassium peroxymonosulfate. Results so far show significant changes in a number of materials. Surface corrosion was observed on metals such as copper, silver, iron, and brass. Color changes occurred with at least one reagent in about one-fourth of the dyed fabric swatches tested, and about half of the inks. Samples of aged yellowed paper are bleached. Effects varied with both the substrate and the tested reagent. The observed changes were generally less drastic than might have been expected. Enough materials were affected, though, to preclude the use of these reagents on museum objects unless no less drastic alternative is available. It appears that many objects of lesser intrinsic value can be treated without severe loss of properties or usefulness. For example, most documents should remain legible if the appropriate reagent is used. This work will provide a basis for determining which treatment is most appropriate for a specific situation and what consequences are to be expected from other treatments.
Perfectly matched multiscale simulations for discrete lattice systems: Extension to multiple dimensions

Extending the technique of the perfectly matched layer (PML) to discrete lattice systems, a multiscale method was proposed by To and Li [Phys. Rev. B 72, 035414 (2005)], which was termed the perfectly matched multiscale simulation (PMMS). In this paper, we shall revise the proposed PMMS formulation, and extend it to multiple dimensions. It is shown in numerical simulations that the perfectly matched layer between the fine scale region and the coarse scale region can provide an efficient remedy to reduce spurious phonon reflections. We have found (i) the bridging projection operator stems from minimization of the temperature of an equilibrium system; (ii) for discrete lattice systems, the perfectly matched layer (PML) can be constructed by stretching the lattice constant, or the equilibrium atomic spacing, in the Fourier domain; (iii) the dispersive relation in the PML zone is significantly different from the one in the original lattice system, and the PML usually behaves like a low-frequency pass filter. This may be one of the mechanisms to eliminate the reflective waves at the multiscale interface. Moreover, we apply the multidimensional PMMS algorithm to simulate a screw dislocation passing through different scales.
Age dependence of homosynaptic non-NMDA mediated long-term depression in field CA1 of rat hippocampal slices

Abstract It has been hypothesized that high levels of presynaptic activity that fail to activate postsynaptic N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors may lead to long-term depression (LTD). Therefore, we tested the ability of high-frequency (50 Hz) synaptic stimulation in the presence of a blocker of NMDA receptors to elicit homosynaptic LTD at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices from 15-, 30- and 60-day-old rats. In control slices, there were no developmental differences in the incidence of long-term potentiation (LTP) of either EPSP slope or population spike amplitude. However, while NMDA receptor blockade with the specific antagonist d -2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5; 25 μM) completely eliminated LTP in 30 and 60-day-olds, a significant number of slices from 15-day-old rats displayed some non-NMDA LTP of synaptic transmission. Moreover, under NMDA receptor blockade, the same high-frequency stimulation now induced homosynaptic LTD of population spike amplitude in a significant number of slices from 15- and 60-day-old rats (47% and 42%, respectively) but not in 30-day-olds (7%). LTD of population spike amplitude was most pronounced in 15-day-old slices (27 ± 6% of baseline), whereas, in 60-day-old slices, LTD was 81 ± 3% of baseline. LTD of EPSP slopes occurred in 44% of 15-day-olds, 13% of 30-day-olds, and 33% of slices from 60-day-old rats; the magnitude of EPSP was similar in 15 and 60-day-old slices (70 ± 9% versus 81 ± 1% of baseline). Our findings indicate that: (i) substantial non-NMDA LTD can be unmasked when NMDA receptors are blocked in slices from 15- and 60-day-old rats; (ii) during development, non-NMDA LTD is largest in the immature (15-day-old) hippocampus; and (iii) a part of LTP in 15-day-old slices is also independent of NMDA receptor activation.
GROWTH ANALYSIS OF MYCORRHIZAL AND NONMYCORRHIZAL BLACK OAK (QUERCUS VELUTINA LAM.) SEEDLINGS

Summary Inoculation of seedlings of black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch and Suillus luteus (L. ex Fr.) S. F. Gray stimulated total growth and several individual growth components as indicated by classical growth analysis of a 19-week experiment. Inoculation with Pisolithus was more effective in increasing growth than was inoculation with Suillus. Mycorrhizal seedlings exhibited generally higher leaf area ratios than did uninfected seedlings from the seventh week after planting. Unit leaf rates (Ē) and relative growth rates (R) were higher for two of five harvest intervals in mycorrhizal plants, with the greatest values of Ē and R observed in seedlings inoculated with Pisolithus. The alteration of growth patterns associated with inoculation was observed from six to nine weeks before substantial infection was detected. In general, mycorrhizal infection was associated with a greater relative investment of dry weight in leaf area and in early stimulation of Ē and R, a situation that increased total growth greatly as a result of early gains in productive plant mass.
Soames on Kripke

Naming & Necessity weaves themes from semantics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Critical reaction has been in a certain way divided. Some philosophers, notably twodimensionalists like Chalmers and Jackson, think that Kripke has underestimated the connections here. He should have identified metaphysical, epistemic, and semantic possibility, at least considered as features of worlds. Other philosophers, such as Donnellan and Salmon, have the opposite worry: they think that the weaving together becomes at some points a blurring together. Scott Soames's four chapters on Kripke are the latest and most interesting installment in this push-back tradition.1 Soames agrees with Kripke about names' semantic values and how they acquire those values. He agrees with Kripke that there can be contingent a priori truths and necessary a posteriori truths henceforth, "mixed" truths. But these are separate issues for Soames. Names do of course figure in the examples Kripke offers of mixed truths; but just for that reason, the examples give a misleading impression of what is going on. Sometimes the problem is that
Impact of Farm Size on the Bidding Potential for Agricultural Land

A theoretical model is constructed to determine the maximum bid price that would be made for an acre of land by a decisionmaker with a given set of characteristics, capabilities, and expectations. The variables included that have an impact on the maximum bid price are net income, income variability, wealth, degree of risk aversion, marginal income tax rate, rate of pure time preference, and expected rate of growth in land income and prices. A numerical illustration of the model, developed for cash-grain farmers in Iowa, demonstrates the relative importance of the variables in determining bid-price differentials among farm-size classes.
Multilinear (Tensor) Image Synthesis, Analysis, and Recognition [Exploratory DSP]

Linear algebra, the algebra of vectors and matrices, has traditionally been a veritable workhorse in image processing. Linear algebraic methods such as principal components analysis (PCA) and its refinement known as independent components analysis (ICA) model single-factor linear variation in image formation or the linear combination of multiple sources. In this exploratory signal processing article, we review a novel, multilinear (tensor) algebraic framework for image processing, particularly for the synthesis, analysis, and recognition of images. In particular, we will discuss multilinear generalizations of PCA and ICA and present new applications of these tensorial methods to image-based rendering and the analysis and recognition of facial image ensembles.
Laser Optometric Assessment Of Visual Display Viewability

Through the technique of laser optometry, measurements of a display user's visual accommodation and binocular convergence were used to assess the visual impact of display color, technology, contrast, and work time. The studies reported here indicate the potential of visual-function measurements as an objective means of improving the design of visual displays.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pteroylpolyglutamate synthesis by lung‐ and culture‐derived Pneumocystis carinii

Pneumocystis carinii synthesizes folates de novo from exogenous p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA). Lung-derived organisms take up [3H]pABA in vitro except in the presence of sulfamethoxazole. Supernatants from spinner-flask cultures take up [3H]pABA if they were inoculated with lungs from infected rats, but not if they were inoculated with lungs from uninfected rats. P. carinii folates consist primarily of pteroylpentaglutamates. Plasmodium falciparum, in contrast, contains primarily pteroyltetraglutamates. Culture-derived organisms synthesize folates at a four-fold higher specific activity than lung-derived organisms, possibly because they contain less contaminating lung debris. These data suggest that P. carinii remains metabolically active in culture for at least 4 days.
The Relevancy of Community-Based Methods: Using Diet within Native American and Alaska Native Adult Populations as an Example

The rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in Native Americans and Alaska Natives far exceed that of the general US population. There are many postulating reasons for these excessive rates including the transition from a traditional to a contemporary diet. Although information on the dietary intakes of Native American and Alaska Native communities are limited, there seems to be a consensus that the Native American and Alaska Native diet is high in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Further information on the diet needs to be attained so that dietary interventions can effectively be implemented in these communities. An approach that is community based is proposed as the best solution to understanding the Native diet and developing culturally tailored interventions to sustainably improve diet.
Patient response to variations in denture technique. Part VII: Twenty-year patient status.

Abstract Sixty-four patients were originally treated with complete dentures. Two different techniques, complex and standard, were used with 32 patients assigned to each group. Patients were recalled for their 20th year recall and 34 of the original 64 patients returned. Of those 34 patients, 26 patients were still wearing their original dentures. All 26 patients were judged by three project clinicians to have clinically acceptable dentures. In addition, all but two stated that their dentures were clinically acceptable. Neither of these patients were unhappy with fit, but with the esthetics. One patient had worn Ms denture teeth by pipe smoking and the other had bleached the pink out of her denture bases. The remaining eight patients who still participate in the project have had modifications in their original dentures or have had new dentures constructed.
Activation energy for electromigration in aluminum films alloyed with copper

The rate of electromigration in thin films of aluminum and aluminum alloyed with copper has been determined by measuring the changes in resistance of stripes subjected to a current density of 4 × 106 A/cm2. At temperatures in the range from 100 to 200°C the activation energy for electromigration has been found to have the same value for both the pure and the copper-alloyed samples, namely, 0.6 eV. However, the rate of migration is much smaller, by a factor as large as 100, in the copper-bearing samples. These results are discussed in terms of grain boundary diffusion and the effect of alloying additions on diffusion mechanisms.
Projectile charge state dependence of K x-ray production by 1-4-MeV/amu heavy ions in gases

We report the observation of large projectile-structure effects in heavy-ion-induced $K$ x-ray yields from thin, light gas targets in a projectile energy region (\ensuremath{\sim} 1-4 MeV/amu) where molecular promotion effects are not expected to be significant. The $K$ x-ray yield from both projectile and target is found to be very sensitive to the ionic charge $q$ of the projectile. In some cases, notably for ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{q+}$ on Ne at 80 MeV and for ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{q+}$ on Ne at 42 MeV, the target yield increases exponentially with projectile charge, the projectile nuclear charge and velocity remaining constant. In all cases, the projectile $K$ x-ray yield increases faster than exponentially, even when the incident projectile has a full $K$ shell. It is evident that targets become highly ionized in these collisions, and already highly ionized projectiles are often further ionized in these targets of less-than-eqilibrium thickness. We discuss the limitations imposed on the determination of absolute x-ray cross sections in multiply ionizing collisions. These limitations cast serious doubt on the accuracy of $K$-shell ionization cross sections extracted from measured $K$ x-ray cross sections in this and other experiments. The projectile-target combination studied in the present experiment are ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{q+}$ on Ne (at 80 and 152 MeV), ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{q+}$ on Ne and S${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$ (at 42 and 50 MeV), and ${\mathrm{F}}^{q+}$ on two chlorine-bearing Freon compounds (at 43 MeV).
Stochastics and their role in structural performance

The influence of random microstructures and strengths on mechanical performance of advanced ceramics is now being recognized as critical. Experimental results on new ceramics demonstrate the importance of stochastic phenomena, particularly in fiber-reinforced composites. New theoretical approaches have been developed to tackle the combined mechanics-statistics problem of failure in these materials; they demonstrate general trends in the statistics of failure and provide specific predictions of strength, reliability, and sample volume effects. (C) Current Chemistry Ltd
Dimeric transfer RNA precursors in S. pombe

Sequence analysis of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe DNA fragment revealed two tRNA coding regions separated by a seven nucleotide spacer. the 5'-proximal tRNA gene encodes a tRNAUCGSer sequence, which is interrupted by a 16 nucleotide intron at the 3' side of the base adjacent to the anticodon. The second tRNA gene encodes an initiator tRNAMet sequence. This DNA fragment, cloned into pBR322, was used as template for in vitro transcription in a nuclear extract of Xenopus oocytes. The tRNA genes were transcribed into one RNA precursor which contained both tRNA sequences. The primary transcription product initiates with pppG, contains a 9 nucleotide leader sequence, a 16 nucleotide intron, a 7 nucleotide spacer between the two tRNA molecules and an 8--9 nucleotide trailer sequence. RNA initiation was only observed upstream of the 5'-proximal tRNASer. We used RNA analysis to establish a sequence of the enzymatic steps of tRNA maturation in the nuclear extract. The first step in processing the dimeric precursor is an endonuclease cleavage which generates the mature 5' end of the tRNAMet. Further steps include the removal of the flanking sequences and addition of the CCAOH 3' terminus. The last step is the splicing of the tRNASer precursor to remove the intervening sequence.
A perspective on today’s scaling challenges and possible future directions

Abstract Progress in scaling of MOS transistors and integrated circuits over the years is reviewed and today’s status and challenges are described. Generalized scaling is updated for the present leakage-constrained environment to project results of continued scaling at a constant power-supply voltage. Alternatives to achieve energy-efficient operation at lower voltages are discussed. Particular attention is given to threshold variability issues and to the design challenges in reducing and controlling variability using back-gate devices. The importance of the depth of the inversion layer below the silicon surface as a limit to the effectiveness of gate-insulator scaling is illustrated by a design study. Low-temperature operation is considered as a possible future direction for continuing scaling.
On the evolution of group and network structure

Abstract The evolution of the structure of a social group through time is described. The procedures employed to do this are based on algebraic topological notions and this structural language is shown flexible enough to describe structural change. The description of structural change raises the issue of explaining these structural changes. However, the data used here are not rich enough to permit the explanation of the changes described. This points to the need to couple data collection, theoretical analysis and methodological procedures for network analysis in real time, or to have a body of data rich enough to return to for clarification and answers whenever structural changes through time are delineated and require explanation. This will have to be done within a dynamically orientated framework.
Late quaternary rates of abyssal mud deposition in the western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract Mud layers of turbidite origin are readily distinguished from those of hemipelagic origin in X-radiographs of dominantly muddy cores collected in the southern part of the Balearic Abyssal Plain, western Mediterranean Sea. Radiocarbon dates based on the carbonate sand fraction sieved from hemipelagic muds indicate a hemipelagic rate of sedimentation of 10 cm 1000 yr and a frequency of turbidity current incursions of > 3 2000 yr during the past 15,000 years.
Purification, amino acid sequence and mode of action of bifidocin B produced by Bifidobacterium bifidum NCFB 1454.

Z. YILDIRIM, D.K. WINTERS AND M.G. JOHNSON. 1999.Bifidocin B produced by Bifidobacterium bifidum NCFB 1454 was purified to homogeneity by a rapid and simple three step purification procedure which included freeze drying, Micro-Cel adsorption/desorption and cation exchange chromatography. The purification resulted in 18% recovery and an approximately 1900-fold increase in the specific activity and purity of bifidocin B. Treatment with bifidocin B caused sensitive cells to lose high amounts of intracellular K + ions and u.v.absorbing materials, and to become more permeable to ONPG. Bifidocin B adsorbed to the Gram-positive bacteria but not the Gram-negative bacteria tested. Its adsorption was pHdependent but not time-dependent. For sensitive cells, the adsorption and lethal action of bifidocin B was very rapid. In 5 min, 95% of bifidocin B adsorbed onto sensitive cells. Several salts inhibited the binding of bifidocin B, which could be overcome by increasing the amount of bifidocin B added. Pre-treatment of sensitive cells and cell walls with detergents, organic solvents or enzymes did not cause a reduction in subsequent cellular binding of bifidocin B, but cell wall preparations treated with methanol:chloroform and hot 20% (w/v) TCA lost the ability to adsorb bifidocin B. Also, the addition of purified heterologous lipoteichoic acid to sensitive cells completely blocked the adsorption of bifidocin B. The amino acid sequence indicated that the bacteriocin contained 36 residues. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis yielded a sequence of KYYGNGVTCGLHDCRVDRGKATCGIINNGGMWGDIG. Curing experiments with 20 m gm l 1 acriflavine yielded cell derivatives that no longer produced bifidocin B but retained immunity to bifidocin B. Production of bifidocin B, but not immunity to bifidocin B, was associated with a plasmid of about 8 kb in this strain.
A Prospective Study of Outcomes of Nursing Home Residents with Chronic Kidney Disease with and without Anemia

Objectives: To determine whether anemia is a risk factor for functional decline in nursing home (NH) residents with chronic kidney disease. Design: Prospective 26-week observational study. Setting: Eighty-two geographically representative NHs in the United States. Participants: Three hundred eleven NH residents with chronic kidney disease (CKD; estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) who had anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL for women, <13 g/dL for men, n = 177) or not (n = 134). Measurements: The primary outcome was the distance walked or wheeled for 10 minutes. Secondary outcomes were single chair stand time, grip strength, leg extension strength, Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information scores, Modified Barthel Index, falls, hospitalization, and mortality. Results: Mixed-effects model analysis of distance walked or wheeled showed that changes between weeks 2 and 14 but not between weeks 2 and 26 were significantly different between participants with CKD with anemia and those without anemia. There were no significant differences for the other physical performance or self-report measures. After adjustment for an anemia propensity score, participants with CKD with anemia did not have higher rates of hospitalization or death at 26 weeks than those without anemia. Conclusion: Nursing home residents with CKD and anemia experienced greater decline than those with CKD without anemia only for a mobility distance task over a 3-month but not a 6-month period and not for other performance or self-report measures. Anemia may not increase the risk of functional decline in NH residents with CKD, but further research is necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate whether a lower hemoglobin cutpoint confers greater risk for functional decline in this population.
Processing of the psbA 5′ Untranslated Region in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Depends upon Factors Mediating Ribosome Association

The 5′ untranslated region of the chloroplast psbA mRNA, encoding the D1 protein, is processed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Processing occurs just upstream of a consensus Shine-Dalgarno sequence and results in the removal of 54 nucleotides from the 5′ terminus, including a stem-loop element identified previously as an important structure for D1 expression. Examination of this processing event in C. reinhardtii strains containing mutations within the chloroplast or nuclear genomes that block psbA translation reveals a correlation between processing and ribosome association. Mutations within the 5′ untranslated region of the psbA mRNA that disrupt the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, acting as a ribosome binding site, preclude translation and prevent mRNA processing. Similarly, nuclear mutations that specifically affect synthesis of the D1 protein specifically affect processing of the psbA mRNA. In vitro, loss of the stem-loop element does not prohibit the binding of a message-specific protein complex required for translational activation of psbA upon illumination. These results are consistent with a hierarchical maturation pathway for chloroplast messages, mediated by nuclear-encoded factors, that integrates mRNA processing, message stability, ribosome association, and translation.
Tag retention, growth, and survival of red swamp crayfish marked with a visible implant tag

Abstract Eighty juvenile (means: 42.4 mm total length, 1.6 g) red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii were implanted with sequentially numbered visible implant tags and held in the laboratory. Tags were injected transversely into the musculature just beneath the exoskeleton of the third abdominal segment from the cephalothorax; tags were visible upon inspection. An additional 20 crayfish were left untagged and served as controls. After 150 d, tag retention was 80% and all tags were readable. No tagged crayfish died during the study, and no differences in total length or weight were detected between tagged and control crayfish. All individuals molted at least three times during the 150-d study, and some individuals molted up to six times, suggesting that most tags would be permanently retained. The readability in the field without specialized equipment makes the visible implant tag ideal for studies of crayfish ecology, management, and culture.
What makes teacher professional development work? The influence of instructional resources on change in physical education

The purpose of this study was to understand factors that make teacher professional development successful and what success might mean in terms of teachers’ instructional practices and feelings about change. Specifically, this study focused on the impact of instructional resources on the large‐scale curricular reform of 30 urban physical education teachers. Data were collected through interviews and class observations. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis, member checks, a research team and triangulation. Analysis of these teachers’ use of and perspectives toward the instructional resources provided in the professional development process suggested that they experienced significant instructional and emotional outcomes. First, the resources enabled them to improve their instruction by: teaching more content, maximizing student learning opportunities, teaching diverse learners, teaching to development, and increasing classroom safety. Second, they also reported strong positive and negative emotions fr...
Labor Market and Teaching Staff Considerations for Making Early Childhood Education Work for Migrant Head Start Teachers: The Case of Michigan Migrant Head Start.

This paper considers the case of the Michigan Migrant Head Start program to describe and analyze the labor market conditions and teaching staff characteristics to identify the challenges faced by Migrant Head Start grantees in attracting, hiring, retaining, and training degreed teachers. The emphasis is on describing and analyzing the child care labor market characteristics that confront Migrant Head Start grantees in upstream locations and on describing the characteristics and opinions of Migrant Head Start teachers and interpreting their significance for developing educational programs that facilitate the ability of Migrant Head Start teachers to become degreed in early childhood education. The implications of the findings for making early childhood education work for Migrant Head Start teachers are discussed from the perspective of administrators of Migrant Head Start programs and teacher preparation programs at community colleges and universities. The title of the original submission to the JECTE was ...
Perineural dexmedetomidine provides an increased duration of analgesia to a thermal stimulus when compared with a systemic control in a rat sciatic nerve block.

Background and Objectives: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that perineural dexmedetomidine provides a longer duration of analgesia than the same dose given subcutaneously in a peripheral nerve block in rats. Methods: Fifty-four rats received unilateral sciatic nerve blocks along with a subcutaneous injection at the base of the neck by a blinded investigator assigned at random. Combinations were as follows: perineural ropivacaine alone and subcutaneous (SQ) saline, perineural ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine and SQ saline, perineural ropivacaine and SQ dexmedetomidine, perineural dexmedetomidine alone and SQ saline, and perineural saline and SQ dexmedetomidine. The ropivacaine concentration was fixed at 0.5%, and the dose of dexmedetomidine was 20.0 μg/kg (119.3 μmol/L). Sensory analgesia was assessed by paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to a thermal stimulus every 30 mins after the block for a minimum of 240 mins or until the return of normal sensory function. The unblocked paw served as the control for assessment of systemic, centrally mediated analgesia. Between-group and within-group comparisons of PWL were obtained for measures from operative and control paws. Results: The analgesic effect of perineural dexmedetomidine was superior to that of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine in ropivacaine sciatic nerve blocks from time points 120 to 210 mins (P Conclusions: Sensory analgesia provided by dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine for peripheral nerve blocks in rat is a peripherally mediated effect.
Analysis and design of ultra low power thermoelectric energy harvesting systems

Thermal energy harvesting using micro-scale thermoelectric generators is a promising approach to alleviate the power supply challenge in ultra low power systems. In thermal energy harvesting systems, energy is extracted from the transducer using an interface circuitry, which plays a key role in the determining the energy extraction efficiency. This paper presents techniques for the systematic modeling, analysis, and design of interface circuitry used in micro-scale thermoelectric energy harvesting systems. We characterize the electrical behavior of a micro-scale thermoelectric transducer connected to a step-up charge pump based power converter and model the relationship between the transducer output voltage and the charge pump switching frequency. We model various power loss components inside the interface circuitry and present an analytical design methodology that estimates optimal parameter values for the interface circuitry. These parameter values lead to maximum net output power being delivered to the energy buffer. We have implemented various interface circuitries using IBM 65nm technology to verify our proposed models and methodology. Circuit simulation results show that the proposed methodology accurately estimates the maximum power point voltage of the system with an error of 3%.
Melting point trends in intermetallic alloys

Abstract We have examined the melting points of approximately 500 intermetallic binary alloys. We attempted to correlate the melting point behavior of the binary (1:1) alloys with a number of elemental variables including electron number, atomic size, orbital radii, electronegativity, etc. We find that a “Vegards's Law” of melting points works very well for predicting the melting points of binary transition metal alloys, i.e. the melting point of the alloy correlates with the linear average of the elementary melting points. However, this “law” works only moderately well for alloys involving simple metals. In addition, we find that transition metal alloys tend to have melting points below the averaged elemental melting points. This finding is in sharp contrast to simple metal alloys where the opposite trend is observed and it is indicative of fundamental differences between transition metal and simple metal binding. Finally, we have attempted to correlate deviations from a Vegard's law of melting with elemental variables. We found no strong correlation with elemental variables (or the heats of formation of the alloy in question) with the possible exception being a correlation with elemental volume changes upon alloying. The consequences of this correlation upon alloy design and metallic alloy formation are briefly discussed.
Successor to Weidenreich

Koobi Fora Research Project. Volume 4: Hominid Cranial Remains. By Bernard Wood. Oxford University Press: 1991. Pp. 466. £95, $220.
PARTITIONING OF SPACE AND WATER BETWEEN TWO CALIFORNIA ANNUAL GRASSLAND SPECIES

We examined the potential for resource partitioning between two sympatric species with similar phenologies but different rooting morphologies. The annual grass, Bromus diandrus (Roth.), and annual forb, Erodium botrys (Cav.), were grown in monoculture and 50:50 mixed stands at each of three densities (10, 30, 100 seeds/dM2) in a randomized complete block design. Plants were grown outdoors, in 1-m-tall x 15-cm-diameter containers. Comparison of seed number produced per plant in mixture and in monoculture indicated greater effects of intraspecific than interspecific competition for Erodium. Such differences were not detected for Bromus seed number, and the converse relationship was suggested from Bromus shoot biomass. Final size inequality of Bromus populations tended to be higher in monoculture than in mixture; no patterns in Erodium size distribution over time or stand composition were evident. Bromus roots were primarily in the upper 10 cm of soil, while Erodium roots were bimodally distributed in the surface and deep soil. Roots of the two species in mixture showed a distribution pattern intermediate between those of the two monocultures. The rate of soil water depletion was higher in the high density than in the low density stands, but was not dependent on stand composition at a given density. Partitioning of belowground space and water resources by groups of species with different root morphologies may partially explain the high species diversity in the grassland. Morphological differences between species can promote resource partitioning by allowing spatial segregation of individuals. When co-occurring species partition resources through space or time, interspecific competition among individuals may be weaker than intraspecific competition, allowing equilibrial coexistence (Harper, 1964; Caswell, 1978; Berendse, 1979; Aarssen, 1983; Cody,
Secondary malignancies among nonseminomatous germ cell tumor cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: Men on active surveillance for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) undergo frequent computed tomography imaging to avoid delayed detection of disease. Irradiation from frequent imaging and chemotherapy upon progression may place patients at increased risk of a second malignancy. In this study, the authors sought to identify such an increased risk among men who chose initial surveillance for NSGCT. METHODS: The authors utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program and stratified the cohort based on whether they underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). A propensity-score model was used to adjust for covariates, and a competing-risks regression analysis was performed to estimate cumulative incidence rates of second malignancy. Incidence risk ratios were predicted by using the cumulative incidence rates per 10,000 patients. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant increase in the incidence of a secondary malignancy for the entire cohort of testicular cancer survivors. However, when the analysis was restricted to patients with clinical stage I NSGCT, nonsurgical management only in those aged >45 years was an independent predictor of developing a second malignancy. For every 10,000 patients with stage I NSGCT who chose to forego RPLND, an absolute excess incidence of 22, 52, and 73 secondary malignancies would be diagnosed at 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that patients aged >45 years who forego RPLND for T1 or T2 clinical stage I NSGCT are more likely to develop a second malignancy than those who do undergo RPLND. Nonsurgical management of NSGCT may be associated with more long-term health risks than primary RPLND. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Application of difference gel electrophoresis to the identification of inner medullary collecting duct proteins.

In this study, we present a standardized approach to purification of native inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells from rat kidney for proteomic analysis and apply the approach to identificat...
The handedness distributions of gifted and non-gifted children.

Abstract The handedness distribution of a group of 578 gifted elementary school children (I.Q. = 132) was compared to handedness distribution of 391 non-gifted children (I.Q. = 132), with the result that the gifted group was significantly less right-handed than their non-gifted peers. These data were discussed-relative to Bakan's hypothesis that left-handedness results from stressful prenatal and birth conditions. In addition attention was paid to the possibility of a non-linear relationship between intelligence and degree of right-handedness.