cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of nifedipine and verapamil on nicotine-induced antinociception in rats

Abstract We examined the modulatory effect of nifedipine (NIF, 0.04, 2, 5 and 15 mg/kg i.p.) and verapamil (VER, 2.5 and 10 mg/kg s.c.) on nicotine-induced antinociception in male rats, employing the tail-flick (TF) test. All rats were divided according to their responses to nicotine (1 mg/kg s.c.) alone, and classified as responders and nonresponders; both types were used. Both tested drugs were injected simultaneously with nicotine (NIC). In responders , NIC (1 mg/kg s.c.) alone produced a ceiling TF latency (15 sec) within 2.5 in lasting for 2.5 – 7.5 min. NIF, at the dose of 15 mg/kg i.p., prolonged this effect up to 40–50 min. Lower doses (5, 2 and 0.04 mg/kg) were not effective. VER in either dose did not prolong NIC-induced antinociception. In nonresponders , NIF also potentiated NIC-induced antinociception, and this effect appeared to be dose-related, lasting from 10 up to 40 min. VER was ineffective in either dose. These data support our hypothesis that calcium is involved, at least in part, in nicotine-induced antinociception. The potential risk for smoking patients treated with NIF is discussed.
The anatomy of the middle ear of the tinamiformes (Aves: Tinamidae)

The morphology of the middle ear region including the basicranium and quadrate of tinamous is compared among ratites and flying birds belonging to the Procellariiformes, Sphenisciformes, Pelecaniformes, and Ciconiiforms. The middle ears of tinamous and ratites share a number of important characters including absence of a separate foramen for the glossopharyngeal nerve; eustachian tube, carotid artery, and stapedial artery encased in bone; and a metotic process with vascular canals or notches. Outgroup analysis confirms these characters as synapomorphies. These data support the position that the Tinami and Ratiti form a monophyletic assemblage.
Capacity Theory as a Model of Cortical Behavior

Growing evidence suggests that a more complete understanding of cortical function requires developing cognitive models that are predictive of multivariate neural behavior (e.g., Raichle, 2000; Shulman et al., 1997). Towards this end, one approach is to interpret population-specific activity in cortex from the perspective of capacity theories of selective attention (e.g., Handy, Hopfinger, & Mangun, in press). In brief, the model is founded on the ideas that (1) processing capacity is limited and (2) different processes may draw on different capacities (e.g., Boles & Law 1998; Polson & Friedman, 1988; see Kramer & Spinks, 1991). Testable hypotheses are then based on whether manipulations of process-specific load will lead to negative or positive covariation between different function-related clusters of activation in cortex - the predicted pattern depends on whether or not the clusters in question are assumed to share a common processing capacity. Expanding on these ideas, the current article addresses several recent issues that have arisen in the effort to apply capacity theory to the study of cortical function.
Production and separation of neutron-rich rare isotopes around and below the Fermi energy

Abstract The production of n-rich rare isotopes around and below the Fermi energy is investigated using beams from the K500 Superconducting Cyclotron and the MARS recoil separator at the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University. The experimental results from the reactions of 25 MeV/nucleon 86Kr + 64Ni and 21 MeV/nucleon 124Sn + 124Sn are presented and compared with simulations. The calculations involve a deep inelastic transfer (DIT) code for the primary interaction stage followed by the code GEMINI for the de-excitation stage. The results are also compared with the EPAX parametrization. The data on the 25 MeV/nucleon 86Kr + 64Ni reaction show that both proton-removal and several-neutron pick-up isotopes are produced. An enhancement is observed in the production of n-rich isotopes close to the projectile relative to the predictions of DIT/GEMINI and the expectations of EPAX. The data of 21 MeV/nucleon 124Sn + 124Sn for fragments away from the projectile (Z=30–20) show also production of very n-rich nuclides, despite the less peripheral character of these collisions. In general, the large cross sections of n-rich nuclides from these reactions around the Fermi energy indicate that they may be exploited to produce beams of very n-rich rare isotopes. The application of such reactions in current plans of rare beam production at Texas A&M using a superconducting solenoid line will be described.
On the rank one perturbations of the Heisenberg commutation relation and unbounded subnormal operators

In this paper, a functional model of rank one perturbation of the Heisenberg commutation relation is established. In some cases, it turns out to be unbounded subnormal.
The effect of maturity on the oxalate content of spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.).

SUMMARY Dark Green Bloomsdale spinach was grown in the fall and in the spring to study the effect of stage of development upon the distribution of total and soluble oxalates in the plant. The total oxalate content of fall-grown spinach was highest 32 days after planting, with the amount decreasing as the plant developed vegetatively. Spring-grown spinach was highest in total and soluble oxalates 32 days after planting, with the amounts decreasing as the plants developed vegetatively. Leaves harvested earlier in growth were higher in total oxalates than leaves harvested when older. The concentration of total and soluble oxalates was highest in the leaves, petioles, and roots, in that order. The total oxalates were closely correlated between the leaves, petioles, and roots. Soluble oxalates were closely correlated between leaves and petioles, but not in the roots. The oxalates in all plant parts were predominantly in the soluble form. Analysis of leaf tissues for total oxalates could indicate the level to be expected in the petioles and roots. The level of soluble oxalates in the leaves and petioles could also be predicted.
Hypercholesterolemia after cardiac transplantation in children

Abstract Since the 1980s a steadily increasing number of children have undergone cardiac transplantation. Although graft rejection and complications of immunosuppressive therapy are the leading causes of death in children and adults after cardiac transplantation, coronary atherosclerosis is a significant cause of late mortality. 1,2 Our first pediatric heart transplant patient died suddenly 17 months after transplantation at 3 years of age with severe coronary atherosclerosis. Transplant coronary atherosclerosis may be the result of immune endothelial injury, with a response characterized by proliferation of myointimal cells, thrombus formation, and ultimate intraarterial deposition of lipid material. 3–5 The development of atherosclerosis in transplanted hearts may be enhanced by the presence of hyperlipidemia, both hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. We measured serial lipid levels in 14 children after heart transplantation to assess the prevalence of lipid abnormalities and the usefulness of niacin therapy in children with significant hypercholesterolemia after transplantation.
Apolipoprotein epsilon 4 allele modifies waist-to-hip ratio effects on cognition and brain structure.

Background This study aimed to determine whether relationships between obesity, as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and cognition and brain structure were modified by the apolipoprotein epsilon 4 allele (apoE4). Methods The sample included 1969 stroke- and dementia-free participants from the Framingham Offspring Cohort who underwent neuropsychological (NP) testing and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 1999 and 2002. WHR was categorized into sex-specific quartiles with those in Q4 representing central obesity. Multivariate linear regression estimated the relationships between Q4-WHR, cognitive, and MRI measures; interaction terms examined modification of these relationships by the presence of apoE4. All analyses were cross sectional. Results ApoE4 status significantly modified a number of associations. Specifically, we observed a significant negative relationship between Q4-WHR and a measure of executive function in the apoE4 + group but not in the apoE4 − group. Similarly, we observed a stronger negative relationship between Q4-WHR and a measure of memory function for those in the apoE4 + group compared to those in the apoE4 − group. In addition, apoE4 status modified the relationship between Q4-WHR and 2 measures of structural brain integrity. First, a paradoxical finding of a negative association between WHR and frontal brain volume that was significant only for those in the apoE4 − group, and a second finding that WHR was significantly associated with greater white matter hyperintensity volume only in the apoE4 + group. Conclusions These findings suggest that associations between central adiposity and both neuropsychological performance and underlying brain structure are highly complex and must be considered in the context of possible modifying genetic influences.
Stuttering Treatment Research 1970–2005: I. Systematic Review Incorporating Trial Quality Assessment of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Related Approaches

Purpose To complete a systematic review, with trial quality assessment, of published research about behavioral, cognitive, and related treatments for developmental stuttering. Goals included the identification of treatment recommendations and research needs based on the available high-quality evidence about stuttering treatment for preschoolers, school-age children, adolescents, and adults. Method Multiple readers reviewed 162 articles published between 1970 and 2005, using a written data extraction instrument developed as a synthesis of existing standards and recommendations. Articles were then assessed using 5 methodological criteria and 4 outcomes criteria, also developed from previously published recommendations. Results Analyses found 39 articles that met at least 4 of the 5 methodological criteria and were considered to have met a trial quality inclusion criterion for the purposes of this review. Analysis of those articles identified a range of stuttering treatments that met speech-related and/or so...
Extending use cases throughout the software lifecycle

The relevance of use cases throughout the software development life cycle is considered in the context of an actual project. Extensions, called behavior case and test cases are proposed to address design and testing activities.
COGNITIVE LEARNING APPLIED TO OLDER ADULT LEARNERS AND TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT This article addresses the needs of older adults learning computer skills and the place of technology, especially the computer, in enhancing their lives. A model is discussed that illuminates the process used by older adults to learn computer skills. The model may be used to analyze and provide specific aid for common difficulties of the aged. Suggestions and recommendations are proposed that facilitate the older adult learner's use of computers. One of the underlying assumptions for the model is that the fundamental interests of the learner can be discerned and, with careful preparation by the teacher, motivation will follow.
Solid-phase derivatization reactions for biomedical liquid chromatography

Polymeric reagents have been developed for performing off- and on-line derivatizations of numerous organic analytes in HPLC-detection modes. Such reagents utilize ionic or covalent attachment of labile tags that possess specific detector enhancement properties: ultraviolet, electrochemical, fluorescence, and so forth. Specific synthetic procedures have evolved to generate various linkages of the tag to the underlying, polymeric support, usually involving activated ester connections (leashes). The polymer itself may play a number of roles in the nature of the overall reactions, such as hydrophobic-hydrophillic exclusion, pore size restriction, stabilization of the attachment leashes, and protection of the tags from hydrolysis in aqueous media. The basic, underlying chemistry of polymeric reagents has evolved to the point where it is possible to engineer the polymer support itself, the attachment leash, and the various tags that are then transferred to the analyte molecules. These procedures have now reached the stage of commercialization and practical applicability for real-world drugs and bioorganics in complex biofluid type samples. Polymer supported reagents can now be used for direct injection of biofluids with solid-phase (hydrophobic) extraction of the analytes of interest, followed by sample cleanup, derivatization, elution onto the HPLC column, peak compression, gradient HPLC elution, multiple detection, and final data interpretation with quantitation. This review summarizes much or most of what has been described in the scientific literature over the past decade in the various areas where polymeric reagents are being used for derivatization in HPLC and in capillary electrophoresis as well.
Role of the thymus and kidney graft in the maintenance of tolerance to heart grafts in miniature swine.

Background. The authors have examined the mechanism whereby co-transplantation of a kidney and heart from the same donor induces and maintains tolerance to both organs in miniature swine. Methods. Transplants were performed across a major histocompatibility complex class I mismatch, and recipients received cyclosporine for 12 days. Group 1 animals received heart transplants alone (n=5), and all other groups received both heart and kidney allografts. Group 2 animals received no further intervention (n=2). Group 3 animals underwent transplant nephrectomy 8 days after heart and kidney co-transplantation (n=2). Group 4 animals underwent transplant nephrectomy 100 days after co-transplantation (n=2). Skin grafts were placed on group 4 animals, on one group 3 animal, and on two animals from group 2. Group 5 animals underwent thymectomy 100 days after co-transplantation (n=4). Results. Group 1 animals developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and rejection. Group 2 animals never developed CAV and demonstrated in vitro donor-specific unresponsiveness. Group 3 animals suffered CAV and rejection. Group 4 animals developed CAV without concomitant donor-specific cell-mediated lympholysis reactivity, interstitial rejection, or cessation of graft function. Skin grafts on group 3 and group 4 animals led to fulminant rejection of heart and skin grafts, in contrast to grafts on group 2 animals that had no in vivo effect. Group 5 animals developed CAV but no significant increase in interstitial infiltrates. Conclusions. Both the kidney and thymus were necessary for maintenance of tolerance to heart allografts.
Guideline-Driven Intervention on SCI-Associated Dyslipidemia, Metabolic Syndrome, and Glucose Intolerance Using Pharmacological Agents

This review summarizes current thinking and evidence-based recommendations for pharmacotherapy in the treatment of dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and glucose intolerance as a basis for their application to individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the evidence that subjects with an SCI are categorically at increased risk for cardiovascular disease is mixed, a significant number of such patients have cardiometabolic risk factors and therefore a systematic approach to this problem is important. The guidelines discussed are those recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program. These focus primarily on low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Several cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and glucose intolerance constitute possible targets for pharmacotherapy beyond LDL-C.
Design and NMR analyses of compact, independently folded BBA motifs

Background : Small folded polypeptide motifs represent highly simplified systems for theoretical and experimental studies on protein structure and folding. We have recently reported the design and characterization of a metal-ion-independent 23-residue peptide with a ββα structure (BBA1), based on the zinc finger domains. To understand better the determinants of structure for this small peptide, we investigated the conformational role of the synthetic residue 3-(1,10-phenan-throl-2-yl)-L-alanine (Fen) in BBA1. Results : NMR analysis revealed that replacing the Fen residue of peptide BBA1 by either of the natural amino acids tyrosine (BBA2) or tryptophan (BBA3) resulted in conformational flexibility in the sheet and loop regions of the structure. This conformational ambiguity was eliminated in peptides BBA4 and BBA5 by including charged residues on the exterior of the β hairpin designed to both select against the undesired fold and stabilize the desired structure. The evaluation of two additional peptides (BBA6 and BBA7) provided further insight into the specific involvement of the surface polar residues in the creation of well-defined structure in BBA4 and BBA5. The sequences of BBA5, BBA6 and BBA7 include only one non-standard amino acid (Dproline), which constrains a critical engineered type II′ turn. Conclusions : Manipulation of residues on the exterior of small ββα motifs has led to the design of 23-residue polypeptides that adopt a defined tertiary structure in the absence of synthetic amino acids, increasing the availability and expanding the potential uses of the BBA motif. The importance of negative design concepts to the creation of structured polypeptides is also highlighted.
David Abercrombie and the changing field of phonetics

Abstract David Abercrombie (1909–1992) played an interesting role in the development of phonetics. Before his time the field was not considered to be a separate university subject in which one could get a degree. The notion of general phonetics as a discipline hardly existed until after World War II. Abercrombie helped define and shape the field. But by the time of his death two events had occurred that changed the role of phonetics: the Chomskyan revolution had made syntax rather than sound systems the major object of study in linguistics; and the needs of communication engineers had become more important than those of language teachers. Abercrombie's view of phonetics is now less central.
Bubble-induced skin-friction drag reduction and the abrupt transition to air-layer drag reduction

To investigate the phenomena of skin-friction drag reduction in a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) at large scales and high Reynolds numbers, a set of experiments has been conducted at the US Navy's William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC). Drag reduction was achieved by injecting gas (air) from a line source through the wall of a nearly zero-pressure-gradient TBL that formed on a flat-plate test model that was either hydraulically smooth or fully rough. Two distinct drag-reduction phenomena were investigated; bubble drag reduction (BDR) and air-layer drag reduction (ALDR). The streamwise distribution of skin-friction drag reduction was monitored with six skin-friction balances at downstream-distance-based Reynolds numbers to 220 million and at test speeds to 20.0 m s -1 . Near-wall bulk void fraction was measured at twelve streamwise locations with impedance probes, and near-wall (0 25 %) is limited to the first few metres downstream of injection; marginal improvement was possible with a porous-plate versus an open-slot injector design; BDR has negligible sensitivity to surface tension; bubble size is independent of surface tension downstream of injection; BDR is insensitive to boundary-layer thickness at the injection location; and no synergetic effect is observed with compound injection. Using these data, previous BDR scaling methods are investigated, but data collapse is observed only with the 'initial zone' scaling, which provides little information on downstream persistence of BDR. ALDR was investigated with a series of experiments that included a slow increase in the volumetric flux of air injected at free-stream speeds to 15.3 m s -1 . These results indicated that there are three distinct regions associated with drag reduction with air injection: Region I, BDR; Region II, transition between BDR and ALDR; and Region III, ALDR. In addition, once ALDR was established: friction drag reduction in excess of 80 % was observed over the entire smooth model for speeds to 15.3 m s -1 ; the critical volumetric flux of air required to achieve ALDR was observed to be approximately proportional to the square of the free-stream speed; slightly higher injection rates were required for ALDR if the surface tension was decreased; stable air layers were formed at free-stream speeds to 12.5 m s -1 with the surface fully roughened (though approximately 50 % greater volumetric air flux was required); and ALDR was sensitive to the inflow conditions. The sensitivity to the inflow conditions can be mitigated by employing a small faired step (10 mm height in the experiment) that helps to create a fixed separation line.
Rational argument for the impracticability of 1× reticles

Even at 0.5 micrometers design rules, the specifications on 5X reticles are set extremely tightly, on the grounds that ULSI patterns are so complex that tight specifications are essential to obtain acceptable yield. It is usually assumed that these specifications scale with the design rules, and that they should be even tighter for 1X reticles. As a consequence, it has been argued that 1X reticles for 0.25 micrometers design rules are impracticable. A statistical analysis, starting from first principles, and assuming point independent, normally distributed errors, supports the way in which mask specifications are currently set. The assumptions of spatial invariance and normal distribution are crucially important in the analysis. However, it is far from clear that they are valid. Consequently, mask specifications in general, as they are currently set, may be unnecessarily severe.
Properties of aldose reductase from the methanol yeast Candida boidinii.

Abstract In addition to xylose isomerase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities, Candida boldinii contains aldose reductase activity. This aldose reductase does not appear to contribute to sorbitol formation because it has negligible activity with glucose as a substrate. The high activity of this aldose reductase with non-sugar aldehydes suggests that there may be industrial potential for this or other yeast aldose reductases in the production of various diols and triols, particularly since this enzyme acts irreversibly on these aldehyde substrates.
Grazing on bacteria by flagellates and cladocerans in lakes of contrasting food-web structure

We tested the hypothesis that grazing on bacteria would vary between lakcs with differing plankton community structures. Paul and Tuesday lakes (Gogebic County. MI) are respectively dominatcd by piscivorous and planktivorous fish. Consequcntly, zooplankton in Paul are primarily large daphnids, while zooplankton in Tuesday are primarily small cladocerans and copepods. Wc measured flagellate grazing on bacteria using a fluorescent minicqll method, while cladoceran grazing was estimated from the relationship between body length and filtering rate. We predicted that cladoceran grazing on bacteria would bc higher in Paul, and f'lagellate grazing would be highcr in Tuesday. Cladoceran grazing on bacteria was important in both lakes contrary to our initial expectation. Large populations ofthe small cladoceran, Bosmina longirostris, in Tuesday exertcd a grazing pressure (0.18-35 x 106 bacteria I ' h ') approximately equal to that of thc large cladoceran, Daphnia pulex, in Paul (0.34-30 x 106 bacteria I ' h ').Flagellate grazingwas higher in Tuesdayaspredict ed(range: Paul,0.l 6 x l06bacterial rh rlTuesday.0.2-20 x 10('bacterial I h '). Hrrwever, there was not a simple relationship bctwcen total abundance of flagellates and total grazing rates. High community grazing by flagellates occurred when attached choanoflagellates were present. These flagellates had higher ingestion rates than free forms. We find no clear evidcnce that differences in food-web structure between the two lakes influence the process ofgrazing on bacteria. Instead, our results emphasize the significance ofcladocerans and attached tlagellates as consumers of bactena in freshwater ecosvstems.
The Beta-Jacobi Matrix Model, the CS Decomposition, and Generalized Singular Value Problems

We provide a solution to the β-Jacobi matrix model problem posed by Dumitriu and the first author. The random matrix distribution introduced here, called a matrix model, is related to the model of Killip and Nenciu, but the development is quite different. We start by introducing a new matrix decomposition and an algorithm for computing this decomposition. Then we run the algorithm on a Haar-distributed random matrix to produce the β-Jacobi matrix model. The Jacobi ensemble on ${\Bbb R}^{n}$, parametrized by β > 0, a > -1,and b > -1, is the probability distribution whose density is proportional to $\prod_{i}\lambda_{i}^{({\beta}/{2})(a+1)-1}(1-\lambda_{i})^{({\beta}/{2})(b+1)-1}\prod_{i 0. Observing a connection between Haar measure on the orthogonal (resp., unitary) group and pairs of real (resp., complex) Gaussian matrices, we find a direct connection between multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and the new matrix model.
COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANTS AND SL(2,C)

Abstract The contribution of hyperelliptic Riemann surfaces to type II superstring cosmological constant is calculated by using the branch point operator method. It is shown that the vacuum energy not only vanishes but also satisfies a simple recursion relation between each genus due to SL(2, C ) symmetry of Riemann surfaces.
The autocorrelation of waveforms generated from ocean-scattered GPS signals

A "waveform" is generated by cross-correlating local copies of a global positioning system (GPS) signal with an ocean-reflected GPS signal, over a range of carrier frequencies and code delays. The shape of this waveform can be inverted to obtain estimates of the ocean surface roughness. To assess the accuracy of these retrievals, a stochastic model for the waveform time series measurements was developed in a previous publication. In this letter, this model is validated by comparing the predicted autocorrelation function of the waveform against the autocorrelation computed from experimental waveforms collected from an airborne receiver. A 1-ms coherent integration time was used at first. Then, blocks of these measurements were concatenated to produce equivalent integration times of up to 5 ms to compare the dependence of model predictions on integration time. Correlation time was estimated by fitting a model Gaussian function to the magnitude or the real part of the autocorrelation function. The magnitude and phase of the complex autocorrelation function from the model were also studied to show the location of the first null, and better explain cases in which the Gaussian function did not fit well. The autocorrelation is found to be weakly dependent upon the surface roughness, over a range of moderate wind speeds.
Technology and competence alignment to the roadmap

Roadmaps serve as a useful graphical tool to integrate strategic objectives, technology-assessment, technology-roadmapping and product road mapping against an axis of time. Much research has been done related to linking specific technologies with the product roadmap. It is equally important to understand how the sourcing of this technology can be done. This leads to the discussion of competence development to meet the technology gap. The paper describes the alignment of this technology and competence with the overall roadmap.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE SEEKING AMONG KOREAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES: A PATH ANALYSIS

South Koreans represent the third largest group of international students in the United States, yet little is known about their help-seeking behaviors, nor how these behaviors might be influenced by Asian cultural values. The purpose of this study is to (a) explore the effects of public stigma, self-stigma, and attitudes associated with seeking counseling services on the relationship between cultural values and willingness to seek counseling services and (b) develop a more culturally sensitive help-seeking model based on modified labeling theory. Participants included 177 Korean international students in the United States. Results indicated that the effect of cultural values on mental health service-seeking behaviors is mediated by one's perception of public stigma toward counseling services, self-stigma, and attitudes toward counseling services among Korean international students. Implications for developing outreach programs to promote help-seeking behaviors among Asian international students are discussed.
Patents: untapped sources of technical information

Summary form only given. The author has considered the importance of patent information, the types of information available, and how a technology manager can use this information to benefit the company. It is noted that patent information can guard against infringement of other companies' patents, and speed up, reduce the cost of, and generally improve the product-development effort. US, and foreign patents are an important source of detailed technical information that can be used for diverse purposes including compiling competitor information, performing state-of-the-art searches, tracking technology, and solving problems without reinventing the wheel. The amount of patent literature that can be searched efficiently and easily is constantly increasing. Several commercial databases offering US and foreign patents have been examined. The Patent Office's Official Gazette is another source of information on patents. >
Improving Reading Comprehension and Social Studies Knowledge Among Middle School Students With Disabilities

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a content knowledge and reading comprehension treatment implemented by eighth-grade general education social studies teachers among students with disabilities included in the classes. Data on students with disabilities across 2 years of study were combined for the analysis presented here. Students in the treatment conditions (n = 72) scored statistically higher than students in the comparison conditions (n = 58) on knowledge acquisition (effect size [ES] = .26) and content reading comprehension (ES = .34) but not standardized reading comprehension. Findings are interpreted as demonstrating support for the treatment in improving both knowledge acquisition and reading comprehension within content area instruction among students with disabilities served in the general education social studies classroom.
E2F1 and E2F2 Determine Thresholds for Antigen-Induced T-Cell Proliferation and Suppress Tumorigenesis

E2F activity is critical for the control of the G1 to S phase transition. We show that the combined loss of E2F1 and E2F2 results in profound effects on hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as increased tumorigenesis and decreased lymphocyte tolerance. The loss of E2F1 and E2F2 impedes B-cell differentiation, and hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow of mice lacking E2F1 and E2F2 exhibit increased cell cycling. Importantly, we show that E2F1 and E2F2 double-knockout T cells exhibit more rapid entry into S phase following antigenic stimulation. Furthermore, T cells lacking E2F1 and E2F2 proliferate much more extensively in response to subthreshold antigenic stimulation. Consistent with these observations, E2F1/E2F2 mutant mice are highly predisposed to the development of tumors, and some mice exhibit signs of autoimmunity.
Radial versus circumferential incision in myringotomy and tube placement

Pressure equalization tubes are a well-recognized treatment for persistent otitis media with effusion and recurrent acute otitis media. Ideally, the tube should remain in place until the Eustachian tube function returns. Efforts to improve the functional life expectancy of tubes have concentrated on tube design with little attention directed at modification of the surgical technique. Some authors have noted that a radial incision offers theoretical advantages over a circumferential incision. A randomized study comparing radial and circumferential incisions in myringotomy with tube placement was conducted. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients had a circumferential incision performed in one ear and a radial incision in the opposite ear. On follow-up examinations the tube position and time to extrusion were noted. Using the sign test, there was no statistical difference in extrusion rates between the two groups. This study does not support the theoretical advantages espoused in the literature.
Solubilization of functional plasma membrane-localized hepta-beta-glucoside elicitor-binding proteins from soybean.

Total membranes prepared from roots of soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings have previously been shown to contain proteinaceous binding site(s) for a hepta-[beta]-glucoside elicitor of phytoalexin accumulation. The hepta-[beta]-glucoside elicitor-binding proteins have now been shown to co-migrate with a plasma membrane marker enzyme (vanadate-sensitive H+-ATPase) on linear sucrose density gradients. With the use of detergents, the elicitor-binding proteins have been solubilized in functional form from soybean root membranes. The nonionic detergents n-dodecylsucrose, n-dodecylmaltoside, and Triton X-114, at concentrations of 5 to 10 mg/mL, each solubilizes between 50 and 60% of the elicitor-binding activity in a single extraction of the membranes. A zwitterionic detergent, N-dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane-sulfonate (ZW 3–12), also solubilizes about 40% of the total binding activity at detergent concentrations between 1 and 2 mg/mL, but the total binding activity recovered is only approximately 50% of that recovered with the nonionic detergents. The elicitor-binding proteins solubilized with either n-dodecylsucrose or ZW 3-12 retain the high affinity for radiolabeled hepta-[beta]-glucoside elicitor (apparent dissociation constant [Kd] = 1.8 nM and 1.4 nM, respectively) that was observed with the membrane-localized binding proteins (apparent Kd = 1 nM). Competitive ligand-binding experiments with several structurally related synthetic oligoglucosides demonstrate that the solubilized binding proteins retain specificity for elicitor-active oligosaccharides, irrespective of the detergent used for solubilization. Moreover, the binding affinities of the oligoglucosides for the solubilized binding proteins correlate well with their abilities to induce phytoalexin accumulation in soybean cotyledon tissue. Gel-permeation chromatography of n-dodecylsucrose-solubilized elicitor-binding proteins demonstrate that the bulk of the elicitor-binding activity is associated with large detergent-protein micelles (relative molecular weight > 400,000). Our results suggest that n-dodecylsucrose is a suitable detergent for solubilizing elicitor-binding proteins from soybean root membranes with minimal losses of binding activity. More importantly, we demonstrate that solubilization does not significantly alter the binding properties of the proteins for elicitor-active oligoglucosides.
Constructivist Listening for Empowerment and Change

Reform programs that address only the cognitive and behavioral aspects of educators' professional lives neglect an important part of their humanness and fall short of fully attending to the empowerment of teachers. By ignoring the influence of feelings on thought and action, such programs promote a view of school as a factory, whose purpose is to install knowledge into students' minds. Some educators, however, have a vision of schools as communities where 1) people care about and support each other in learning and living, 2) adults nurture young people as complete and complex human beings, and 3) youngsters are encouraged and stimulated to construct their own understanding, rather than memorize facts and procedures. If such a view is to be promoted, then reform programs must include methods that address educators' feelings concerning schools, students, and colleagues. Although some of the literature 1 on school culture implicitly recognizes that teachers' feelings affect, and are affected by, school culture, and although some of the educational change literature makes the connection between feelings and change more explicit, 2 the depth of the relationship between
Empirical Selection Equation for Friction Pendulum Seismic Isolation Bearings Applied to Multistory Woodframe Buildings

AbstractBase-isolation systems have been increasingly used in concrete and steel structures for seismic design, but their application to woodframe structures remains largely unexplored with only several hundred buildings isolated, primarily post-and-beam buildings in Japan. This paper examines the incorporation of friction pendulum (FP) bearings into the performance-based seismic design (PBSD) for woodframe structures using nonlinear time-history analysis. Specifically, a regressive equation for the selection of the bearing radius (R) based on the fundamental period and the seismic weight present on each FP bearing is developed. Six generalized models representative of 1- to 6-story woodframe buildings were analyzed and used to develop a regressive design equation. Based on rigorous multi-incremental dynamic analysis (M-IDA), a regressive linear relationship between the spectral acceleration and bearing radius of the FP bearing was developed. An illustrative application to a 4-story residential woodframe ...
Body fat and fat-free mass inter-relationships: Forbes's theory revisited

A theoretical equation was developed by Forbes that quantifies the fat-free proportion of a weight change as a function of the initial body fat. However, Forbes's equation was strictly valid only for infinitesimal weight changes. Here, I extended Forbes's equation to account for the magnitude and direction of macroscopic body weight changes. The new equation was also re-expressed in terms of an alternative representation of body composition change defined by an energy partitioning parameter called the P-ratio. The predictions of the resulting equations compared favourably with data from human underfeeding and overfeeding experiments and accounted for previously unexplained trends in the data. The magnitude of the body weight change had a relatively weak effect on the predicted body composition changes and the results were very similar to Forbes's original equation for modest weight changes. However, for large weight changes, such as the massive weight losses found in patients following bariatric surgery, Forbes's original equation consistently underestimated the fat-free mass loss, as expected. The new equation that accounts for the magnitude of the weight loss provides better predictions of body composition changes in such patients.
Differentiation of Streptococcus pneumoniae Conjunctivitis Outbreak Isolates by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus [Pnc]) is a causative agent of many infectious diseases, including pneumonia, septicemia, otitis media, and conjunctivitis. There have been documented conjunctivitis outbreaks in which nontypeable (NT), nonencapsulated Pnc has been identified as the etiological agent. The use of mass spectrometry to comparatively and differentially analyze protein and peptide profiles of whole-cell microorganisms remains somewhat uncharted. In this report, we discuss a comparative proteomic analysis between NT S. pneumoniae conjunctivitis outbreak strains (cPnc) and other known typeable or NT pneumococcal and streptococcal isolates (including Pnc TIGR4 and R6, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes) and nonstreptococcal isolates (including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus) as controls. cPnc cells and controls were grown to mid-log phase, harvested, and subsequently treated with a 10% trifluoroacetic acid-sinapinic acid matrix mixture. Protein and peptide fragments of the whole-cell bacterial isolate-matrix combinations ranging in size from 2 to 14 kDa were evaluated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Additionally Random Forest analytical tools and dendrogramic representations (Genesis) suggested similarities and clustered the isolates into distinct clonal groups, respectively. Also, a peak list of protein and peptide masses was obtained and compared to a known Pnc protein mass library, in which a peptide common and unique to cPnc isolates was tentatively identified. Information gained from this study will lead to the identification and validation of proteins that are commonly and exclusively expressed in cPnc strains which could potentially be used as a biomarker in the rapid diagnosis of pneumococcal conjunctivitis.
Metal-Catalyzed Oxidation of Phenylalanine-Sensitive 3-Deoxy-d-arabino-Heptulosonate-7-Phosphate Synthase from Escherichia coli: Inactivation and Destabilization by Oxidation of Active-Site Cysteines

The in vitro instability of the phenylalanine-sensitive 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase [DAHPS(Phe)] from Escherichia coli has been found to be due to a metal-catalyzed oxidation mechanism. DAHPS(Phe) is one of three differentially feedback-regulated isoforms of the enzyme which catalyzes the first step of aromatic biosynthesis, the formation of DAHP from phosphoenolpyruvate and d-erythrose-4-phosphate. The activity of the apoenzyme decayed exponentially, with a half-life of about 1 day at room temperature, and the heterotetramer slowly dissociated to the monomeric state. The enzyme was stabilized by the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate or EDTA, indicating that in the absence of substrate, a trace metal(s) was the inactivating agent. Cu2+ and Fe2+, but none of the other divalent metals that activate the enzyme, greatly accelerated the rate of inactivation and subunit dissociation. Both anaerobiosis and the addition of catalase significantly reduced Cu2+-catalyzed inactivation. In the spontaneously inactivated enzyme, there was a net loss of two of the seven thiols per subunit; this value increased with increasing concentrations of added Cu2+. Dithiothreitol completely restored the enzymatic activity and the two lost thiols in the spontaneously inactivated enzyme but was only partially effective in reactivation of the Cu2+-inactivated enzyme. Mutant enzymes with conservative replacements at either of the two active-site cysteines, Cys61 or Cys328, were insensitive to the metal attack. Peptide mapping of the Cu2+-inactivated enzyme revealed a disulfide linkage between these two cysteine residues. All results indicate that DAHPS(Phe) is a metal-catalyzed oxidation system wherein bound substrate protects active-site residues from oxidative attack catalyzed by bound redox metal cofactor. A mechanism of inactivation of DAHPS is proposed that features a metal redox cycle that requires the sequential oxidation of its two active-site cysteines.
Optimal force transmission in reinforced concrete deep beams

Abstract In the literature on the theory of optimal structural design several theories have been developed and discussed in most general terms but the examples solved to illustrate them are usually very simple and with little practical significance. Solutions of many more problems of practical significance are required to exploit the available theories to the fullest extent and, thus, to narrow the gap between the theoretical development and its application. In this paper the well established theory of pin-jointed frameworks is applied to rationally design non homogeneous structures the material of which is weak in tension and rigid, ideal plastic in compression. Several optimal solutions are obtained and their validity is discussed in qualitative terms in light of the existing experimental evidence. Although the discussion in this paper is limited to the deep beams and the reinforced concrete, the method is equally well applicable to other materials such as reinforced plastics and, thus, can be used in other fields of research.
Age-related changes in insulin receptor regulation in liver membranes from Zucker fatty rats.

Hyperinsulinemic obese rodents have been shown to have reduced insulin binding to liver plasma membranes, a finding consistent with the model of down-regulation of insulin receptors by hyperinsulinemia. In contrast, hepatocytes from the hyperinsulinemic Zucker fatty rat were reported to have insulin binding equivalent to that of lean littermates. We have isolated liver plasma membranes from Zucker fatty rats 10 weeks, 5 months, and 1 yr of age and from fatty rats diet restricted until 5 months and 1 yr of age. We found no evidence for down-regulation of hepatic insulin receptors at 10 weeks of age. However, at 5 months and 1 yr of age there was marked down-regulation evident in isolated liver plasma membranes. Scatchard plots of the data are consistent with a decreased number of receptors rather than changes in receptor affinity accounting for the decreased binding. Diet restriction of the fatty rats resulted in lower plasma insulin levels and less marked down-regulation of hepatic insulin receptors. Our ...
Contamination of Pharmaceutical Products

The ubiquitous problem of contamination of pharmaceutical products is well known to anyone involved in drug manufacture, control, or distribution. In fact, the types of contaminants, their relative hazard to human health, the sources of contamination, and the methods for prevention and detection such contamination are so varied and numerous as almost to defy compilation. This paper attempts to condense some of the more pertinent literature as well as to put forth possible paths of action with the hope of reducing the future incidence of contaminated drugs.
First report of Yersinia ruckeri biotype 2 in the USA

A polyphasic characterization of atypical isolates of Yersinia ruckeri (causative agent of enteric redmouth disease in trout) obtained from hatchery-reared brown trout Salmo trutta in South Carolina was performed. The Y. ruckeri isolates were biochemically and genetically distinct from reference cultures, including the type strain, but were unequivocally ascribed to the species Y. ruckeri, based on API 20E, VITEK, fatty acid methyl ester profiles, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. These isolates were nonmotile and unable to hydrolyze Tween 20/80 and were therefore classified as Y. ruckeri biotype 2. Genetic fingerprint typing of the isolates via enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (amplified by polymerase chain reaction) and fragment length polymorphism showed biotype 2 as a homogeneous group distinguishable from other Y. ruckeri isolates. This is the first report of Y. ruckeri biotype 2 in the USA.
Structure relations in special A ∞ -bialgebras

We compute the structure relations in special A∞-bialgebras whose operations are limited to those defining the underlying A∞-(co)algebra substructure. Such bialgebras appear as the homology of certain loop spaces. Whereas structure relations in general A∞-bialgebras depend upon the combinatorics of permutahedra, only Stasheff’s associahedra are required here.