cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment of epithelial cells with live streptococcus pneumoniae had no detectable effect on influenza A virus replication in vitro (MPF1P.774)

Influenza A virus (IAV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are two major upper respiratory tract pathogens responsible for exacerbated disease in coinfected individuals. Information on the direct effect of S. pneumoniae on IAV replication in humans is unknown. Such an investigation is important because S. pneumoniae is a commensal of the human upper respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to determine whether treatment of epithelial cells with S. pneumoniae affects IAV replication, determined with the help of a standard immunofluorescence assay (IFA). For this study, four IAV permissive epithelial cell lines including two human-derived cell lines, 12 pneumococcal strains including recent human clinical isolates which represent different genetic backgrounds and serotypes, and six IAV strains of varying genetic nature and pathogenic potential including the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus were used. Our results suggested that pretreatment of MDCK cells with 7.5×10^6 colony-forming unit (CFU) of live S. pneumoniae resulted in gradual cell-death in a time-dependent manner (1/2 hr to 4 hr). However, pretreatment of cells with 7.5×10^5 and lower CFU of S. pneumoniae had no detectable effect on either the morphology of epithelial cells or on the IAV replication. However, the effect of pneumococci on IAV replication may be different during a coinfection in vivo in the human upper respiratory tract.
PLANETARY ACCUMULATION WITH A CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF PLANETESIMALS

Previous calculations of the accumulation of small (~ MO km) planetesimals at ~1 AU to form Mars-sized bodies assumed that the initial assemblage of planetesimals were all present at the outset. This is an obviously reasonable assumption in systems in which the time scale for growth time of ~1026 g planetary bodies is long compared to estimates of the evolutionary time scale of a protosolar disk, as was the case in the pioneering work of Safronov (1969). It is now found that as a result of the preplanetary assemblage being unstable with respect to the runaway growth of the largest bodies, this is unlikely to be the case. The more realistic alternative of adding the initial planetesimals on a ~105 year time scale is considered here, as well as the consequences of the initial planetesimals being considerably smaller than those assumed previously. It is found that although the time scale for runaway growth is now actually controlled by the availability of planetesimals, for planetesimal production time scales of ~105 yrs, the final consequences are very similar. These calculations do show, however, that as a consequence of continuous infall during the runaway growth process, the late initial planetesimals are likely to be catastrophically disrupted by mutual collisions. For this reason, a more detailed treatment of the growth of planetesimals into planetary embryos will require a better understanding of the difficult problem of formation of the initial planetesimals themselves.
ABC/2: estimating intracerebral haemorrhage volume and total brain volume, and predicting outcome in children

Aim Few data exist to aid the clinician in prognosis after paediatric intracerebral haemorrhages (ICHs). Recently, ICH volume as a per cent of total brain volume (TBV) was shown to help predict outcomes in children. Thus, we sought to develop a bedside method of TBV estimation using typical hospital imaging software, and to validate the ABC/2 method for children in order to determine ICH volume and aid prognosis. Method The study group comprised 23 children and adolescents with non-traumatic, acute ICH who had undergone head computed tomography and who were available for analysis. The median age of participants, 14 males (61%) and nine females (39%), was 6 years (range 0-16 y; mean 7.8 y; SD 5.3 y). Preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks' gestation and term infants with pure intraventricular haemorrhages were excluded. Manual segmentation, which is the criterion standard for measurement of ICH volume and TBV, requires specialized software and is time-consuming. We therefore used the well-known 'ABC/2 × slice thickness' method to calculate ICH volume and TBV, thus allowing ICH size to be reported as a percentage of TBV regardless of the absolute size of ICH. Results The estimated ICH volume was highly accurate compared with the criterion standard (R(2) =0.97 and R(2) =0.93; combined R(2) =0.96), as was the estimated TBV (R(2) =0.89 and R(2) =0.77; combined R(2) =0.89). The interrater reliability was high for both ICH volume and TBV, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.94 and 0.80 respectively. Therefore, using no specialized software, we accurately measured ICH volume as a percentage of TBV. Interpretation The ABC/2 × slice thickness method is a possible bedside tool for the clinician that can aid prognosis after paediatric ICH.
Particle orientation in talc-filled thermoplastics extruded through cylindrical, rectangular and annular dies

Abstract Talc-filled thermoplastic (polystyrene) compounds have been processed by compression molding and in a range of slit, capillary, rectangular and annular dies. Talc volume fractions of 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 were investigated. We have studied the state of orientation of the talc particles through the cross-section of these samples. For the slit dies and compression-molded samples, the disk particles are parallel to the die or mold surface. This is also the situation for the capillary dies at low talc particle loadings. At volume fractions of 0.05 and 0.10 talc the disks are oriented in concentric (onion ring) shape from core to skin. At 0.20 and 0.40 volume fractions of talc the disk particles in the core of the extrudates have a disordered radial orientation while in the skin they are oriented in the circumferential direction. At a volume fraction of 0.40 the talc compound showed more radial direction than at 0.20 talc. Similar observations were made for rectangular and annular dies. The mechanisms leading to this behavior are discussed.
Therapeutic impact disclosure: A last taboo in psychoanalytic theory and practice

This article highlights the therapeutic intervention of impact disclosure. Impact disclosure occurs when the therapist voices to the patient his or her perceptions of and reactions to the patient's actions, as experienced by the therapist during their sessions. We first provide a brief statement of the interpersonal communications theory in which the intervention originally was embedded. Then we summarize essential definitions of impact disclosure, principles that might guide its use in therapy, and available empirical findings. Next we discuss perspectives on countertransference by recent psychoanalytic writers. Finally, we confront theoretical and other concerns regarding use of impact disclosure in treatment and discuss its advantages, with the hope that the intervention might assume its rightful place both in the practice and research of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.
Complete Multi-Objective Coverage with PaCcET

The Pareto Concavity Elimination Transformation (PaCcET) is a promising new development in multi-objective optimization. It transforms the objective space so that a computationally-cheap linear combination of objectives can attain (even concave) Pareto-optimal points. In this work we propose a simple extension to the PaCcET framework, which biases the optimization process toward less-covered areas of the Pareto front.
On the universality of the weak interactions mediated by vector bosons

A calculation has been made of the radiative corrections, to order α, to muon and beta decay mediated by a vector boson. The essential result is that the present experimental lower limit of 1.5 GeV on the mass of this boson, as indicated by recent experiments at CERN, is much larger than the mass required to agree with the consequences of universality.
Room-temperature fluorescence properties of the polynucleotide polydA.polydT.

The room-temperature fluorescence spectrum of the non-alternating polynucleotide polydA.polydT is found to have its maximum at about 325 nm and, when exciting in the spectral region where both adenine (A) and thymine (T) absorb, to coincide with that obtained for excitation at 293 nm where thymine is selectively excited. The fluorescence anisotropy is found to be equal to 0.18 and independent of the excitation and emission wavelengths. These observations are consistent with: (i) emission stemming from T; and (ii) transfer of electronic energy from A to T being not efficient. These inferences are also supported by the observed dependence of the fluorescence quantum yield on the excitation wavelength.
Relativistic Band Structure and Fermi Surface of Thallium. I

The band structure and Fermi surface of thallium are calculated using a relativistic modification of the orthogonalized-plane-wave formalism. The calculation is done completely in terms of the appropriate relativistic core and conduction-band wave functions. Values of the spin-induced gaps and the energy levels at the symmetry points are given explicitly, while the entire band structure along lines of symmetry is presented in graphical form. The Fermi surface is described, with theoretical dimensions being given for directions of high symmetry.
Relative Orbit Geometry Through Classical Orbit Element Differences

The relative orbit geometry of a spacecraft formation can be elegantly described in terms of a set of orbit element differences relative to a common chief orbit. For the nonperturbed orbit motion, these orbit element differences remain constant if the anomaly difference is expressed in terms of the mean anomaly and all semimajor axes are equal. A general method is presented to estimate the linearized relative orbit geometry for both circular and elliptic chief reference orbits. The relative orbit is described purely through relative orbit element differences, not through the classical method of using Cartesian initial conditions. Analytical solutions of the relative motion are provided in terms of the true anomaly angle. When this angle is swept from 0 to 2π, it is trivial to estimate the along-track, out-of-plane, and orbit radial dimensions. The orbit element-based relative motion predictions are valid for both the osculating element space and the mean element space. The main assumption being made in the linearization is that the relative orbit radius is small compared to the inertial orbit radius relative to Earth. The resulting linearized relative motion solution can be used to assist in selecting the orbit element differences that yield a natural desired relative orbit geometry. Linearized analytical solutions are provided that show what secular drift is caused by having a nonzero semimajor axis difference, or what influence the J 2 gravitational perturbation will have on the mean relative motion.
Thermocouple frequency response compensation leads to convergence of the surface renewal alpha calibration

Abstract Ramp-like shapes in the turbulent scalar trace are the signature of coherent structures, and their characteristics (i.e., amplitude and duration) are resolved via a structure-function model for use in the surface renewal flux calculation. The potential for surface renewal to provide inexpensive sensible heat flux measurements has not been fully realized because this method has required calibration against eddy covariance or other more expensive flux measurement techniques. The calibration factor alpha is ideally 0.5, but a broad range of values have been reported in the surface renewal literature. Although it has been hypothesized that the sensor size, and hence sensor frequency response characteristics, influence alpha, no effort has been previously made to compensate the thermocouple signal in surface renewal measurements. We evaluate methods for compensating the frequency response of a thermocouple in the time domain and the frequency domain, and we present a novel method for compensation in the lag domain (i.e., compensating the structure function directly). We evaluated the compensation procedure as it affects the resolution of ramp characteristics at both the smallest and the second smallest scales of ramp-like turbulent shapes. The surface renewal sensible heat flux estimates from the compensated robust thermocouples (76 μm diameter wire) agree well with the estimates from the compensated fragile thermocouples (13 μm diameter). Using both the data collected for the present experiment and a meta-analysis of data in the surface renewal literature, we correct the surface renewal estimates for thermocouple frequency response characteristics to obtain alpha calibrations that converge to close to the predicted value of 0.5. We conclude that the frequency response characteristics of the thermocouple are the prevailing influence on the alpha calibrations reported in the literature.
Research as relationship

This article explores the author’s multiple relationships with the Head Start staff and children at Wood River. The text is presented in a story-narrative form. Interspersed are the Head Start teacher’s comments about an earlier draft of this article. There are three aspects of these relationships that the author explores. The first is the relationships among researchers’ multiple community memberships when conducting research. The second is the relationships with mentors who guide researchers in how they conduct their investigations. The third entails the author’s relationships with the Wood River staff and children. These relationships do not follow a smooth path; rather, they shift over time and from one moment to the next based on the context at hand.
Energy levels of Bi210 and Po210 and the shell-model residual force

The low-lying energy level spectra of Bi/sup 210/ and Po/sup 210/ are calculated by using the j-j coupling shell model and a residual nucleon-nucleon Gaussian potential without a hard core deduced from the free two-nucleon potentials of BlattJackson and Brueckner-Gammel-Thaler. The spin-orbit force is neglected, but all direct and exchange components of the central and tensor forces are considered. Tensorforce effects are examined as a function of the range. A tensor force with reasonable range and strength accounts for the 1/sup - / state of the h/sub 9/2//, g/sub 9/2//, multiplet being the grou nd state of Bi/ sup 210/, instead of the O/sup -/ predicted by central forces. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are presented and compared with the experimental spectra. It is shown that the ground-state wave functions for Bi/sup 210/ and Po/sup 210/ are consistent with the RaE BETA -decay parameter i(r)/( sigma x r) and the measured magnetic dipole moment of Bi/sup 210/. (auth)
Phantom experiments to improve parathyroid lesion detection.

This investigation tested the hypothesis that visual analysis of iteratively reconstructed tomograms by ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) provides the highest accuracy for localizing parathyroid lesions using {sup 99m}Tc-sestamibi SPECT data. From an Institutional Review Board approved retrospective review of 531 patients evaluated for parathyroid localization, image characteristics were determined for 85 {sup 99m}Tc-sestamibi SPECT studies originally read as equivocal (EQ). Seventy-two plexiglas phantoms using cylindrical simulated lesions were acquired for a clinically realistic range of counts (mean simulated lesion counts of 75{+-}50 counts/pixel) and target-to-background (T:B) ratios (range=2.0 to 8.0) to determine an optimal filter for OSEM. Two experienced nuclear physicians graded simulated lesions, blinded to whether chambers contained radioactivity or plain water, and two observers used the same scale to read all phantom and clinical SPECT studies, blinded to pathology findings and clinical information. For phantom data and all clinical data, T:B analyses were not statistically different for OSEM versus FB, but visual readings were significantly more accurate than T:B (88{+-}6% versus 68{+-}6%, p=0.001) for OSEM processing, and OSEM was significantly more accurate than FB for visual readings (88{+-}6% versus 58{+-}6%, p<0.0001). These data suggest that visual analysis of iteratively reconstructed MIBI tomograms should be incorporated into imagingmore » protocols performed to localize parathyroid lesions.« less
Fiber Identification in Practice

AbstractBrief case studies of the problems in identification of a wide variety of ethnographic and archaeological fibers are given. The strategy of identification varied with the purpose (choice of treatment, assessment of damage or identification of its cause, or authentication) but most of all with the condition of the fibers. Fibers from ethnographic or archaeological sources tend to be aged, and are sometimes fragmentary or decayed, fossilized or charred. With fibers in such condition, the simpler methods of preparation for microscopic observation were found more successful than the classical biological methods of soaking, clearing and staining.Not all fibers could be identified. Fur fibers from characteristic areas of the pelt were usually diagnostic as to species as well as to genus. Vegetable fibers were often not mophologically specific to species. Unless “guide elements” were present, or special limitations on species distribution were known, the identification of the genus of a vegetable fiber w...
The effect of composition on the properties of nylon 612 copolymers

The series of nylon 612 copolymers was synthesized from caprolactam (C) and laurolactam (L) at 145°C. The 50/50 C/L molar ratio copolymer was found to have the minimum melting temperature (Tm ) for the series. The glass transition temperatures (Tg 's) of the copolymers were affected by the crystallinity of the copolymers. The Tg was at a minimum for the 50/50 copolymer for crystalline samples. However, for amorphous samples there was a decrease in Tg with increasing L content. Percent crystallinity was determined by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray techniques. It was found that the degree of crystallinity was at a minimum for copolymers of 70/30 to 40/60 C/L ratios. Coefficients of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) were obtained for the copolymers at 10°C intervals from 20 to 70°C for dry and from 20 to 50°C for samples conditioned at 50% relative humidity and 50°C. The dry samples gave lower initial values, but had a greater temperature dependence than the conditioned samples. As expected, the CLTE was found to be lowest for samples exhibiting the highest crystallinity. The tensile strengths and moduli decreased rapidly with increasing L up to the 70/30 C/L ratio after which they remained relatively constant. Elongations reached maximums between 70/30 and 40/60 C/L ratios. An inverse relationship was found between crystallinity and impact strength.
Phase and microstructural evolution of heat treated nanocrystalline powders in Al2O3-MgO binary system

Abstract This paper reports the results of phase and microstructural evolutions during the heat-treatments of nanocrystalline powders in the Al 2 O 3 -MgO binary system. The powders were previously synthesized using an exothermic “Auto Ignition” process and contained non-equilibrium phases. The compositions selected spanned the entire binary system and were divided into four broad categories. These are alumina-rich, alumina-rich spinel, stoichiometric spinel and magnesia-rich spinel. The heat treatments were carried out between 1100°C and 1300°C. The as-heat treated powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Exaggerated grain growth occurred at both high Al 2 O 3 and high MgO compositions when subjected to heat treatments at 1200°C for 2 hours. Nanocrystallinity was maintained for most of the compositions up to 1100°C.
Flexibility of anticipatory postural adjustments revealed by self-paced and reaction-time arm movements

In standing humans, it is not certain whether anticipatory postural adjustments associated with rapid, voluntary elbow flexion movements (focal movements) originate as a selection from preset synergies or as the result of specific planning of motor commands. We studied these muscle recruitment patterns when the same focal movement was made under behavioral conditions of a self-paced task (SPT) and a reaction-time task (RTT). While standing still, eight normal subjects performed focal movements under the SPT and RTT behavioral conditions and under three different biomechanical conditions: (1) unloaded-upright, (2) loaded-upright (holding a 3800-g metal bar), and (3) unloaded-forward leaning. Anticipatory postural adjustments were quantified using the latency and duration of electromyographic (EMG) data and the center of pressure (COP) displacement data. Postural-kinematic [joint and body center of gravity (COG) motion] data were used to quantify the anticipatory postural program's effectiveness at preventing postural movement. Focal movement kinematics and associated EMG activity differed due to biomechanical but not behavioral (SPT vs. RTT) conditions. The maximum and net displacement of the body COG measurements did not differ between the behavioral conditions. The amplitude, timing, and net movements of lower extremity joints were influenced by the behavioral conditions. However, the behavioral conditions significantly affected the phasing (including order of activation) and duration of anticipatory postural EMG activity and the phasing of COP displacements under certain biomechanical conditions. These findings support the theory that anticipatory postural adjustments are planned in detail.
One-center experience with cyclosporine in refractory nephrotic syndrome in children.

Uncontrolled or refractory nephrotic syndrome (NS), seen in a variety of glomerular disorders, leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study describes the use and efficacy of cyclosporine (CSA) for the treatment of refractory NS in 83 children seen over a 10-year period. The histological diagnosis leading to the NS was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 51% (n=42), IgM nephropathy in 20% (n=17), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 10% (n=8), lupus nephritis in 6% (n=5), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nephropathy in 5% (n=4), minimal change disease in 7% (n=6), and membranous nephropathy in 1% (n=1) of patients. During CSA therapy the mean proteinuria of the study population decreased from 5.14 g/24 h (4.80 g/m2 per 24 h) to 1.23 g/24 h (0.92 g/m2 per 24 h) (P<0.001), the mean serum albumin increased from 2.13 g/dl to 3.53 g/dl (P<0.001), the mean serum cholesterol decreased from 364 mg/dl to 223 mg/dl (P<0.001), and the mean serum creatinine increased from 0.77 mg/dl to 1.2 mg/dl (P<0.01). When analyzed by histological diagnosis, similar significant trends of reduction in proteinuria were seen in all but the lupus group. There was a rise in serum creatinine following the use of CSA in patients with FSGS, lupus nephritis, and HIV nephropathy; however the elevated serum creatinine was only significant in patients with FSGS. At the end of the study period, 20 patients had reached ESRD, of which 11 had FSGS, 5 had lupus nephritis, and 4 were patients with HIV nephropathy. Fifty-four patients were in remission at the end of the study period (48 with proteinuria <100 mg/24 h and 6 with proteinuria <500 mg/24 h). In conclusion, among children with refractory NS, CSA induced a remission in a large proportion. However toxicity, as noted by the rise in serum creatinine, was observed in several patients. Since this toxicity may be drug induced or a natural progression of the disease, careful monitoring and close follow-up are essential.
Isolation and characterization of synaptoneurosomes from single rat hippocampal slices

A technique for recovering functional synaptoneurosomes containing vesicularized elements of the presynapse and postsynapse into an enriched fraction has been modified to allow for small amounts of starting brain tissue. Single 400 microm rat hippocampal slices were homogenized and sequentially filtered in a 1 cc tuberculin syringe to produce an enriched synaptoneurosome fraction. Data from Western immunoblots for specific synaptic proteins suggest that these fractions are neurochemically similar to synaptosome fractions generated by sucrose gradients. Electron micrographs show that the 'small scale' preparations contain an abundant population of fused presynaptic and postsynaptic vesicularized bodies as previously published for synaptoneurosome fractions prepared from relatively large amounts of starting tissue. The single slice synaptoneurosome preparation is a quick, easy and reliable method for use in the study of synaptic function.
BCG Artifact Removal for Reconstructing Full-Scalp EEG Inside the MR Scanner

In simultaneous EEG/fMRI acquisition, the ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifact presents a major challenge for meaningful EEG signal interpretation and needs to be removed. This is very difficult, especially in continuous studies where BCG cannot be removed with averaging. In this study, we take advantage of a high-density EEG-cap and propose an integrated learning and inference approach to estimate the BCG contribution to the overall noisy recording. In particular, we present a special-designed experiment to enable a near-optimal subset selection scheme to identify a small set (20 out of 256 channels), and argue that in real-recording, BCG artifact signal from all channels can be estimated from this set. We call this new approach ``Direct Recording Temporal Spatial Encoding'' (DRTSE) to reflect these properties. In a preliminary evaluation, the DRTSE is combined with a direct subtraction and an optimization scheme to reconstruct the EEG signal. The performance was compared against the benchmark Optimal Basis Set (OBS) method. In the challenging non-event-related EEG studies, the DRTSE method, with the optimization-based approach, yields an EEG reconstruction that reduces the normalized RMSE by approximately 13 folds, compared to OBS.
The transforming activity of activated Gα12

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins transduce receptor-mediated extracellular signals to their effectors. Several activated mutations of Gs alpha and Gi alpha have been shown to be associated with endocrine tumors. In this report, we have evaluated the transforming activity of an putative activated form of G alpha 12 subunit. We found that transient expression in NIH3T3 cells of the G alpha 12 mutant with substitution of glutamine-229 for leucine could lead to focus formation and that stably transfected NIH3T3 cells could form colonies in soft agar and tumors in nude mice.
Differentiation and heterogeneity in T-antigen immortalized precursor cell lines from mouse cerebellum.

Recently, various techniques have been developed to transfer oncogenes into brain cells in order to generate immortalized neural cell lines. It is of interest to establish how well such cell lines reflect their cellular origin. Here we report the characterization of sixteen cell lines from mouse cerebellum and, as a control, six cell lines from skin. Lines were established by immortalizing postnatal primary cell cultures with a retro-virus carrying a modified temperature-sensitive variant of SV40 large T antigen. The cell lines reflect many properties of the cell type from which they were derived. All of the sixteen cerebellar lines expressed one or more markers of the neural precursor cells, namely, nestin and epitopes for NG2 and A2B5. In contrast, none of the six skin lines expressed neural precursor markers. Both types of cell lines expressed vimentin and fibronectin. Differentiation occurred in some of the cerebellar lines and was enhanced in defined medium. A small percentage of cerebellar cells, usually less than 5%, was positive for a marker of differentiation, e.g., glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), galactocerebroside (GalC), or L1, Expression of GFAP colocalized with that of nestin at varying levels of intensity, indicating a gradual replacement of nestin by GFAP in the cytoskeleton. Both the cells positive for precursor markers and those positive for differentiation markers tended to be located in clusters, suggesting that stochastic processes or cell-cell interactions are important for the determination of the fate of cells within a clonal cell line in vitro. The degree of differentiation seemed to correlate with a shift from serum-containing to defined medium, but not with a shift from the permissive to the nonpermissive temperature for T antigen expression. The immortalization approach described here thus allows the establishment of cell lines which are “captured” in the precursor state of the developing mouse neuroepithelium.
The ontogeny of the pecking response of laughing gull chicks

Abstract Hailman reported that wild-reared laughing gull, Larus atricilla, chicks peck preferentially at models of laughing gulls over models of herring gulls, L. argentatus, but newly hatched chicks have no species preference, and respond equally well to an isolated red bill. The experiments reported here confirm these observations. They also suggest that the pecking of newly hatched chicks is guided by heterogeneous summation. A new working definition of heterogeneous summation is presented. Furthermore, the results suggest that species preference does not develop spontaneously with maturation or on the basis of imprinting, but rather from reinforcement and conditioned inhibition or habituation. It appears that learning can take place only to a model with high releasing value for pecking, and that the crooning call of adult laughing gulls has no major effect on pecking in newly hatched chicks.
A Multilevel Analysis of the Association of Class Schedule with Student Outcomes in Community College Developmental Math

This study focused on assessing the relationship of class scheduling with student outcomes in Intermediate Algebra, the prerequisite course for College Algebra. Numerous studies of information processing theory and the spacing effect on learning have been conducted; they have produced mixed findings. Relatively few studies have been conducted to specifically study the effect of class scheduling on student outcomes in mathematics courses. The research hypothesis for this study is that student outcomes are better in class sections that meet more frequently and with shorter duration. Regardless of analytical methods implemented in this study, none of the results support the assertion that student outcomes in Intermediate Algebra are better in classes that meet more frequently and with sessions of short duration. This study provides a reasonable basis for asserting that class schedule is not a predictor of student outcomes in developmental math. Furthermore, we find no evidence that providing a variety of cla...
Continuous loading of an atom beam into an optical lattice

Abstract I propose a method of deceleration and continuous loading of an atom beam into a far-off-resonance optical lattice. The loading of moving atoms into a conservative far-off-resonance potential requires the removal of the atom׳s excess kinetic energy. Here this is achieved by the Sisyphus cooling method, where a differential lattice-induced ac Stark shift is utilized. The proposed method is described for the case of ytterbium atoms. Numerical simulations demonstrate the possibility of reaching cold and dense samples in a continuous manner on the example of ytterbium atoms.
Systemic transforming growth factor-beta in patients with bone marrow fibrosis : Pathophysiological implications

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) and secondary myelofibrosis (MF) are characterized by bone marrow (BM) fibrosis, neoangiogenesis, and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. These characteristics may be partially attributed to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a cytokine produced by monocytes. In myelofibrosis, monocytes are increased and activated with concomitant up-regulation of intracytoplasmic TGF-beta. We have therefore determined systemic TGF-beta in patients with either BM fibrosis: IMF, n = 18; MF, n = 16; or without BM fibrosis: hematologic disorders with normal platelets (n = 31); high platelets (n = 9); or normal controls (n = 27). Compared with nonfibrosis sera, there was significant TGF-beta elevation in BM fibrosis sera (P 80%) of the TGF-beta is active and belongs to the-beta1 isoform. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses in BM biopsy sections showed a marked increase in TGF-beta1 only in patients with fibrosis. Moreover, TGF-beta protein was detected mainly in myelomonocytic-like predominant areas. To determine if another functionally similar cytokine, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), may be important to BM fibrosis, we quantitated sera levels and found elevation in 57% compared with 100% elevation for TGF-beta. The data indicate that irrespective of etiology, systemic TGF-beta is elevated in patients with BM fibrosis. TGF-beta likely plays an important role in the development of BM fibrosis. The study also provides a significant parameter for early therapeutic intervention in BM fibrosis.
New Methods Of Designing Holographic Optical Elements

Holographic optical elements (photographically produced Fresnel zone plates) can be easily designed with lens design computer codes using an analogous lens model. From a ray tracing point of view this lens model focuses light exactly the same as a holographic optical element. The analog works for on-axis rays, off-axis rays and any wavelength.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A method to simulate linear stability of impulsively accelerated density interfaces in ideal-MHD and gas dynamics

We present a numerical method to solve the linear stability of impulsively accelerated density interfaces in two dimensions such as those arising in the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability. The method uses an Eulerian approach, and is based on an upwind method to compute the temporally evolving base state and a flux vector splitting method for the perturbations. The method is applicable to either gas dynamics or magnetohydrodynamics. Numerical examples are presented for cases in which a hydrodynamic shock interacts with a single or double density interface, and a doubly shocked single density interface. Convergence tests show that the method is spatially second-order accurate for smooth flows, and between first and second-order accurate for flows with shocks.
The gecko visual pigment: a pH indicator with a salt effect

1. Unlike rhodopsin, the extracted 521-pigment of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gekko) is pH-sensitive and changes its spectral absorbance in the pH range of 4.5-7.3. The colour change is reversible and pH can be employed to adjust the spectral maximum anywhere between 490 nm and its native location at 521 nm. 2. The hypsochromic shift with increasing acidity is opposite to that expected for the protonation of the Schiff base nitrogen and suggests an action on the secondary system of interacting charges that have long been postulated to adjust vertebrate visual pigment colour within the visible spectrum. 3. Chloride ions modulate this pH effect in a systematic and significant manner. For the pigment extracted in the chloride-deficient state the colour change occurs in the pH range of 6.0-7.0, the midpoint being close to 6.5, suggesting the possible participation of the imidazole group of histidine as the functional moiety. With added NaCl the colour shifts to the region below pH 6.2. 4. The modulating action of chloride is postulated to be a conformational change of the opsin leading to a shift of the secondary interacting site from one functional group to another or else to a change in pK of a single group due to the conformational alteration of the electrostatics of the system. 5. At pH values between 7.5 and 9.0 a different mechanism becomes apparent. In this region a decrease occurs in the photopigment density as well as a shift in absorbance toward the blue. This alkaline effect is readily reversed either by adding NaCl or else by lowering the pH. Along with the other protective effects of chloride these ions serve to reduce or prevent this alkaline loss in density. 6. Associated with this reversible photopigment loss is a reversible appearance of a product with a maximum at about 366 nm. The spectrum of this product is like that produced by the addition of 11-cis retinal to the extract. Acidification of the alkaline preparation leads to a restitution of the photopigment as well as to a reduction of the 366-product. 7. Addition of hydroxylamine to the alkaline extract in appropriate concentration inhibits the restitution of pigment-521 with acid or NaCl, but adding 11-cis retinal to the system leads to restoration of the photopigment after acidification. All the evidence suggests that product-366 is either free 11-cis retinal or else held to the opsin in a form that does not alter its spectral absorbance. The alkaline effect is therefore a disruption of the aldimine bond of the visual pigment. 8. In many respects the gecko 521-pigment behaves like the chicken cone pigment, iodopsin, suggesting that an investigation of the latter in terms of pH may be a worthy project for future study. 9. With its ability to change colour with pH, with chloride, with nitrate, etc. the extractable gecko pigment offers possibilities for the investigation of mechanisms responsible for adjusting visual pigment absorbance throughout the visible spectrum. The techniques of circular dichroism, Raman spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, etc. may find here a suitable material for these studies.
A method for measuring mode I crack tip constraint under static and dynamic loading conditions

A novel experimental technique for measuring crack tipT-stress, and hence in-plane crack tip constraint, in elastic materials has been developed. The method exploits optimal positioning of stacked strain gage rosette near a mode I crack tip such that the influence of dominant singular strains is negated in order to determineT-stress accurately. The method is demonstrated for quasi-static and low-velocity impact loading conditions and two values of crack length to plate width ratios (a/W). By coupling this new method with the Dally-Sanford single strain gage method for measuring the mode I stress intensity factorK I , the crack tip biaxiality parameter\(\beta = T\sqrt {{{\pi a} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\pi a} K}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} K}} \) is also measured experimentally. Complementary small strain, static and dynamic finite element simulations are carried out under plane stress conditions. Time histories ofK I andT-stress are computed by regression analysis of the displacement and stress fields, respectively. The experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained from numerical simulations. Preliminary data for critical values ofK I and β for dynamic experiments involving epoxy specimens are reported. Dynamic crack initiation toughness shows an increasing trend as β becomes more negative at higher impact velocities.
Nonoblique corrections in technicolor theories revisited.

In extended technicolor (ETC) theories, while the sideways ETC boson exchange decreases the width {Gamma}{sub {ital b}}{equivalent_to}{Gamma}({ital Z}{r_arrow}{ital b{bar b}}), the flavor-diagonal ETC boson exchange tends to increase it, and the ETC-corrected {ital R}{sub {ital b}}{equivalent_to}{Gamma}{sub {ital b}}/{Gamma}{sub had} value could agree with recent measurements. The {tau} asymmetry parameter may also increase in a way consistent with experiment. The weak-interaction {rho} parameter receives a correction from diagonal ETC exchange which is just barely acceptable by experiments.
Raising Cultural Consciousness in Nursing

The early dream of the founding fathers and mothers that the New World would settle into a homogeneous (preferably Anglo-Saxon) form has never been realized. Most recently arrived immigrants are people who look and sound distinctly different from people of Anglo-Saxon heritage. Newly-arrived residents become part of already existing groups or establish new ones. Constant re-infusion of new persons into partly acculturated groups serves to renew group values, beliefs, and practices which are clearly reflected in health care decision making.
Increasing reflective instructional decision making by clinically supervising teachers using telecommunications

Clinical supervision is a commonly accepted model used by supervisors of local school district teachers. The clinical supervision model is also used with pre-service teachers and has been enhanced by the use of e-mail and the Internet. What has been learned with pre-service teachers can be applied to local school districts. With telecommunications, greater opportunities are provided for teacher reflective decision making, formative feedback from supervisors, joint supervisor and teacher problem solving, acquisition of lesson plans and student project ideas from numerous sources, and the improvement of instruction.
Pulsed field desorption mass spectrometry: A technique for investigating field desorption ion formation mechanisms

Abstract Field desorption mass spectra of thermally labile compounds are readily obtained using a new pulsed field desorption (PFD) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. Ions are formed by applying a short high voltage pulse to the cathode of a field desorption source. The resolution of the subsequent TOF mass analysis is significantly increased by incorporating an electrostatic reflector into the TOF tube. The spectra of methyl salicylate, perylene, arginine, and adenosine are discussed in terms of the predominant ionization mechanisms occurring under PFD conditions.
Role of Multidrug Resistance P-glycoproteins in Cholesterol Biosynthesis

Multidrug resistance (MDR) P-glycoproteins were first recognized for their ability to catalyze ATP-dependent efflux of cytotoxic agents from tumor cells when overexpressed. Despite extensive study, little is known about the normal substrate(s) and normal cellular function of these proteins. In the accompanying manuscript (Metherall, J. E., Waugh, K., and Li, H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 2627-2633), we demonstrate that progesterone inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis, causing the accumulation of a number of cholesterol precursors. In the current manuscript, we use several criteria to show that the progesterone receptor is not involved in this inhibition. Rather, we demonstrate that progesterone inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis by interfering with MDR activity. We show that a steroid hormone's ability to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis is correlated with: 1) its general hydrophobicity and 2) its ability to inhibit MDR activity. The only exception to this finding is β-estradiol, which is a more potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis than expected based solely on hydrophobicity and MDR inhibition. We further demonstrate that nonsteroidal inhibitors of MDR also inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. Since MDR activity is required for esterification of LDL-derived cholesterol (P. DeBry and J. E. Metherall, submitted for publication), we investigated the relationship between these phenomena and show that inhibition of cholesterol esterification does not cause inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and that inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis does not cause inhibition of cholesterol esterification. We propose a model in which MDR is required for transport of sterols from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Inhibiting this transport prevents cholesterol esterification and cholesterol biosynthesis by preventing sterol substrates from reaching ER-resident enzymes.
Development of the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS): A Role Play Measure of Social Skill for Individuals with High-Functioning Autism

This study piloted a role play assessment of conversational skills for adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism/Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS). Participants completed two semi-structured role plays, in which social context was manipulated by changing the confederate’s level of interest in the conversation. Participants’ social behavior was rated via a behavioral coding system, and performance was compared across contexts and groups. An interaction effect was found for several items, whereby control participants showed significant change across context, while participants with HFA/AS showed little or no change. Total change across contexts was significantly correlated with related social constructs and significantly predicted ASD. The findings are discussed in terms of the potential utility of the CASS in the evaluation of social skill.
Recent advances in the analysis of therapeutic proteins by capillary and microchip electrophoresis.

The development of therapeutic proteins and peptides is an expensive and time-intensive process. Biologics, which have become a multi-billion dollar industry, are chemically complex products that require constant observation during each stage of development and production. Post-translational modifications, along with chemical and physical degradation from oxidation, deamidation, and aggregation, lead to high levels of heterogeneity that affect drug quality and efficacy. The various separation modes of capillary electrophoresis (CE) are commonly utilized to perform quality control and assess protein heterogeneity. This review attempts to highlight the most recent developments and applications of CE separation techniques for the characterization of protein and peptide therapeutics by focusing on papers accepted for publication in the in the two-year period between January 2012 and December 2013. The separation principles and technological advances of CE, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, capillary electrochromatography and CE-mass spectrometry are discussed, along with exciting new applications of these techniques to relevant pharmaceutical issues. Also included is a small selection of papers on microchip electrophoresis to show the direction this field is moving with regard to the development of inexpensive and portable analysis systems for on-site, high-throughput analysis.
“Life's Invisible Boundaries”: Identity and Interdependence in Chai's Eating Fire and Drinking Water

Abstract Some reviewers of Arlene Chai's 1996 novel Eating Fire and Drinking Water have maintained that it suffers from a major flaw: that it is a failed attempt to combine the personal stories of many characters and the political story of the Marcos military regime in the Philippines. Patrick Gale in The (London) Independent writes: “The attempt to combine the personal and political results in Chai spreading her attention too thinly to satisfy” (14). Anderson Tepper, in the New York Times, criticizes Chai for using a “superficial vision of third world revolt” to “spice up” the novel (16). Rebecca Stuhr in the Library Journal complains that the many different stories in the novel “create digressions that slow its progress” (104). And the reviewer in Publisher's Weekly finds the novel's structure “confusing” and concludes that Chai's tendency to skip “from major to minor characters” results in a “muddle” (71). These critics have failed to recognize that in Chai's novel the personal stories and the politica...