cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum tryptophan level after carbohydrate ingestion: selective decline in non-albumin-bound tryptophan coincident with reduction in serum free fatty acids.

Abstract Plasma free tryptophan exists in two forms, bound to albumin and unbound. Ninety to 180 min after adult males received 75 g glucose, the plasma tryptophan not bound to albumin had decreased maximally by 35%, without significant change in the albumin-bound fraction. The maximal fall in non-bound tryptophan occurred later than the maximal rise in blood glucose and coincided with the fall in non-esterified fatty acids. Addition of oleic acid to serum obtained at this time raised the proportion of free tryptophan to that found in serum from fasting subjects. It is suggested that physiological changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acids levels can affect the availability of free tryptophan to the tissues by altering the binding properties of plasma albumin.
Optical microangiography reveals collateral blood perfusion dynamics in mouse cerebral cortex after focal stroke

Arteriolo-arteriolar anastomosis’s role in regulating blood perfusion through penetrating arterioles during stroke is yet to be discovered. We apply ultra-high sensitive optical microangiography (UHS-OMAG) and Doppler optical microangiography (DOMAG) techniques to evaluate vessel diameter and red blood cell velocity changes in large number of pial and penetrating arterioles in relation with arteriolo-arteriolar anastomosis (AAA) during and after focal stroke. Thanks to the high sensitivity of UHS-OMAG, we were able to image pial microvasculature up to capillary level through a cranial window (9 mm2), and DOMAG provided clear image of penetrating arterioles up to 500μm depth. Results showed that penetrating arterioles close to a strong AAA connection dilate whereas penetrating arterioles constrict significantly in weaker AAA regions. These results suggest that AAA plays a major role in active regulation of the pial arterioles, and weaker AAA connections lead to poor blood perfusion to penumbra through penetrating arterioles.
Cellular permeation pathways in a leaky epithelium: the human amniochorion.

Abstract The presence of cellular permeation pathways in human fetal membranes at term was evaluated. Electrical parameters (transepithelial potential [TEP], and conductance [Gt], and intracellular potentials [cell PD]), and water and urea diffusional coefficients (Pdw, Pdu), were determined in Ussing-like chambers. In amniochorion, the TEP was practically 0 (0.1±0.03 mV), and the Gt very high (144±14 mS/cm2). The Cell PD of amnion cells was −37±3 mV. Increasing the [K+] of the amniotic perfusate between 5.8 and 125.8 mM depolarized the cells with a slope of 23 mV. The deletion of Na+ hyperpolarized the cells, whereas amiloride and ouabain depolarized them. The Pdw and Pdu were determined in intact amnion and chorion and in their epithelial cell layers. The Pdw/Pdu ratio in amnion was 4.0, and 7.0 in its cell layer; the ratio in chorion was 2.5, and 3.3 in its cell layer. The amniochorion is a leaky structure, but its cellular layers possess definite transcellular permeation pathways. The ionic conductances in amnion cells are complex, with the Cell PD being determined by at least K+ and Na+ conductances, and ouabain- and amiloride-sensitive pathways. The amnion is a more effective diffusional barrier to water and urea than chorion is; its diffusional characteristics are comparable to those of nystatin-treated lecithin: cholesterol bilayers and the membranes of human erythrocytes.
A potent dopamine-releasing factor is present in high concentrations in the rat adrenal gland

The present study shows that a novel, protease-sensitive factor present in a partially purified preparation from the rat adrenal gland selectively stimulates the release of dopamine from the rat striatal tissue superfused in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Biological activity is also found to be present in much lower concentrations in the neocortex, striatum and cerebellum but absent in liver or spleen. This putative dopamine releasing factor is probably a glycoprotein, resistent to boiling, partially inactivated by trypsin and completely inactivated by the non-specific protease pronase E.
Believing that everyone else is less ethical: Implications for work behavior and ethics instruction

Studies consistently report that individuals believe they are far more ethical than co-workers, superiors, or managers in other firms. The present study confirms this finding when comparing undergraduate students' own ethical standards to their perceptions of the standards held by most managers or supervisors. By maintaining a “holier than thou” ethical perception, new and future managers might rationalize their unethical behavior as being necessary for success in an unethical world. A prisoner's dilemma type problem can be said to exist when choosing an unethical behavior becomes each player's dominant strategy and the interaction of dominant behaviors is Pareto inferior. Dispelling the “holier than thou” perception may encourage students to revise their personal behavior payoffs such that the collective benefits that emanate from ethical conduct are favored and the prisoner's dilemma problem is converted into a coordination problem.
Improved cognitive-cerebral function in older adults with chromium supplementation

Insulin resistance is implicated in the pathophysiological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, and pharmaceutical treatments that overcome insulin resistance improve memory function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease. Chromium (Cr) supplementation improves glucose disposal in patients with insulin resistance and diabetes. We sought to assess whether supplementation with Cr might improve memory and neural function in older adults with cognitive decline. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 26 older adults to receive either chromium picolinate (CrPic) or placebo for 12 weeks. Memory and depression were assessed prior to treatment initiation and during the final week of treatment. We also performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans on a subset of subjects. Although learning rate and retention were not enhanced by CrPic supplementation, we observed reduced semantic interference on learning, recall, and recognition memory tasks. In addition, fMRI indicated comparatively increased activation for the CrPic subjects in right thalamic, right temporal, right posterior parietal, and bifrontal regions. These findings suggest that supplementation with CrPic can enhance cognitive inhibitory control and cerebral function in older adults at risk for neurodegeneration.
Effect of environmental parameters on the degradability of polymer films in laboratory-scale composting reactors

Previous research in our laboratory reported a convenient laboratory-scale composting test method to study the weight loss of polymer films in aerobic thermophilic (53°C) reactors maintained at a 60% moisture content. The laboratory-scale compost reactors contained the following synthetic compost mixture (percentage on dry-weight basis): tree leaves (45.0), shredded paper (16.5), food (6.7), meat (5.8), cow manure (17.5), sawdust (1.9), aluminum and steel shavings (2.4), glass beads (1.3), urea (1.9), and a compost seed (1.0) which is designated Mix-1 in this work. To simplify the laboratory-scale compost weight loss test method and better understand how compost mixture compositions and environmental parameters affect the rate of plastic degradation, a systematic variation of the synthetic mixture composition as well as the moisture content was carried out. Cellulose acetate (CA) with a degree of substitution (DS) value of 1.7 and cellophane films were chosen as test polymer substrates for this work. The extent of CA DS-1.7 and cellophane weight loss as a function of the exposure time remained unchanged when the metal and glass components of the mixture were excluded in Mix-2. Further study showed that large variations in the mixture composition such as the replacement of tree leaves, food, meat, and sawdust with steam-exploded wood and alfalfa (forming Mix-C) could be made with little or no change in the time dependence of CA DS-1.7 film weight loss. In contrast, substituting tree leaves, food, meat, cow manure, and sawdust with steam-exploded wood in combination with either Rabbit Choice (Mix-D) or starch and urea (Mix-E) resulted in a significant time increase (from 7 to 12 days) for the complete disappearance of CA DS-1.7 films. Interestingly, in this work no direct correlation was observed between the C/N ratio (which ranged from 13.9 to 61.4) and the CA DS-1.7 film weight loss. Decreasing moisture contents of the compost Mix-2 from 60 and 50 and 40% resulted in dramatic changes in polymer degradation such that CA DS-1.7 showed an increase in the time period for a complete disappearance of polymer films from 6 to 16 and 30 days, respectively.
Technology Initiatives Derailed in U.S Early Education Schools: Should Leadership Redesign the Organizational Blueprint?

Where and when innovation occurs in the United States (U.S.) early education schools depends greatly on the congruency of long-standing workplace norms, access to resources, and the actual oversight of school leadership. Norms include many factors not the least of which is a work groups’ desire to improve. Resource access is controlled in large part by the government, both local and national. And finally, oversight of work methods and organizational communications is difficult for early education school leadership due to the high educator turnover rate, educator qualifications and traits, such as the emotional-intelligence of the work group, and the low rate of pay for the industry. Although government initiatives and individual school initiatives alike frequently focus on ‘quality service’, the workforce is simultaneously challenged with emotional intelligence factors. Leadership education of school leaders must collaborate a wide set of divergent perceptions of what constitutes quality service and which organizational communication will be enhanced by technology. The examination of data in a November 2012 survey focuses on what the educators perceive, what technology educators have access to, how educators are using technologies they have access to, and what educators view as connected among technologies and school quality.
Determination of microgram quantities of protein in 65–80% salt solutions

Abstract Due to the necessity of determining microgram quantities of protein in 65–80% salt solutions, a combination of gel filtration and low-ultraviolet absorption of proteins was investigated as a possible solution to this problem. Such a system is described and includes a spectrophotometer equipped with a strip-chart recorder to continuously monitor a Sephadex G-25 column. Also the construction of a flow meter, and the proper method of applying samples to the column when they are in high-salt solutions is described. A wavelength of 220 nm was selected over lower wavelengths because of greater light intensity and less stray light. At this wavelength the absorption of proteins seems to be less sensitive to changes in the composition of one amino acid, such as tryptophan, and more closely related to the total content of aromatic residues and the number of peptide bonds. Excellent results were obtained when the areas of the eluting protein peaks, but not the peak heights, were used to quantitatively measure 7–50 μg of protein. Although this method cannot be easily adapted for routine analysis of very large numbers of samples, it has the advantage of being more sensitive than the Lowry method and allows for the accurate determination of microgram quantities of protein in solvent systems that would preclude the use of other methods.
A 1.1V 50mW 2.5GS/s 7b Time-Interleaved C-2C SAR ADC in 45nm LP digital CMOS

High-speed medium-resolution ADCs are widely utilized in high-speed communication systems, such as serial links, UWB, and OFDM-based 60GHz receivers. Due to complex DSP and low-power constraints, digital basebands are designed in low-leakage, high-V T low-power (LP) CMOS processes making the design of high-speed ADCs challenging. Time-Interleaved (TI) Successive-Approximation-Register-based (SAR) ADCs[1] are ideally suited to these applications due to their highly scalable architecture and due to the steady improvement in matching and density of Metal-Finger Capacitors (MFC). This paper presents a TI C-2C SAR ADC that achieves high performance by using: 1) a small-area C-2C SAR architecture with low input capacitance; 2) high-speed boosted switches to overcome high device threshold; 3) background comparator offset calibration and radix calibration; and 4) redundant-ADC-based gain, offset and timing calibration to reduce TI errors.
Normal and Hydrocephalic Brain Dynamics: The Role of Reduced Cerebrospinal Fluid Reabsorption in Ventricular Enlargement

CINE phase-contrast MRI (CINE-MRI) was used to measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) velocities and flow rates in the brain of six normal subjects and five patients with communicating hydrocephalus. Mathematical brain models were created using the MRI images of normal subjects and hydrocephalic patients. In our model, the effect of pulsatile vascular expansion is responsible for pulsatile CSF flow between the cranial and the spinal subarachnoidal spaces. Simulation results include intracranial pressure gradients, solid stresses and strains, and fluid velocities throughout the cranio-spinal system. Computed velocities agree closely with our in vivo CINE-MRI CSF flow measurements. In addition to normal intracranial dynamics, our model captures the transition to acute communicating hydrocephalus. By increasing the value for reabsorption resistance in the subarachnoid villi, our model predicts that the poroelastic parenchyma matrix will be drained and the ventricles enlarge despite small transmantle pressure gradients during the transitional phase. The poroelastic simulation thus provides a plausible explanation on how reabsorption changes could be responsible for enlargement of the ventricles without large transmantle pressure gradients.
A TECHNIQUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF COMPLEX GAMMA SPECTRA USING A SINGLE- CHANNEL GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETER

The technique described is simple, applicable to a single-channel gamma spectrometer, relatively insensitive to spectrometer drift, and suitable for the resolution of a wide variety of gamma emitting isotopes. The technique is described in terms of the resolution of the complex spectrum for the Cs/sup 134/-- Cs/sup 137/ mixture. By obtaining counting rates for an unknown Cs/sup 134/-- Cs/sup 137/ mixture at two spectrom eter base settings and then obtaining the counting rates of pure samples of Cs/sup 134/--Cs/sup 137/ at the same settings, it is possible to calculate the relative counting contributions of both isotopes in the unknown mixture. The results obtained in the resolution of a number of mixtures are tabulated. (P.C.H.)
Mössbauer absorber line separation

Abstract The assumption that Mossbauer spectra from hyperfine split absorbers can be fit by sums of single line Lorentzians is shown to introduce significant errors in determining the separation of the hyperfine levels. Fits to the separation of two lines are shown to depend on the effective thickness and the linewidths.
Factor analysis of a simulated data matrix involving aqueous complex equilibria

Abstract factor analyses were performed on databases consisting of simulated samples from aqueous equilbria. The program COMPLEX was used to generate equilibrium species in a system of three reactant metals and five reactant bases. Reactant concentrations and pH were drawn from random–normal distributions so that sample data vectors comprised a multivariate log–normal distribution of equilibrium concentrations. In addition, sample groups were created containing different distributions for pH and reactant concentrations. Equilibrium species were shown to contain variance contributed by change in pH among samples as well as change in reactant concentrations. Factor modelling revealed the qualitative relationships among the species and how the relationships change with pH. Factors also revealed those reactants containing variance in the data matrix. In some cases, reactant variance obscured relationships between pH and the equilibrium species. Since factor modelling of a simulated data matrix revealed the expected chemical equilibrium interactions, a potentially powerful tool exists for investigating the effects of outliers and error.
Digital controls for an omnidirectional wheelchair

Some issues in wheelchair control are considered. A vehicle with omnidirectional digital control is discussed as an example of the design philosophy followed at the US Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Research and Development Center during their development of some new-generation personal vehicles.
Flying plasmonic lens in the near field for high-speed nanolithography

The commercialization of nanoscale devices requires the development of high-throughput nanofabrication technologies that allow frequent design changes1,2. Maskless nanolithography3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13, including electron-beam and scanning-probe lithography, offers the desired flexibility but is limited by low throughput. Here, we report a new low-cost, high-throughput approach to maskless nanolithography that uses an array of plasmonic lenses that ‘flies’ above the surface to be patterned, concentrating short-wavelength surface plasmons into sub-100 nm spots. However, these nanoscale spots are only formed in the near field, which makes it very difficult to scan the array above the surface at high speed. To overcome this problem we have designed a self-spacing air bearing that can fly the array just 20 nm above a disk that is spinning at speeds of between 4 and 12 m s−1, and have experimentally demonstrated patterning with a linewidth of 80 nm. This low-cost nanofabrication scheme has the potential to achieve throughputs that are two to five orders of magnitude higher than other maskless techniques. Maskless nanolithography is a flexible nanofabrication technique but it suffers from low throughput. By developing a new approach that involves 'flying' an array of plasmonic lenses just 20 nm above a rotating surface, it is possible to increase throughput by several orders of magnitude.
Carnival: Ritual dance of the past and present in Earl Lovelace's The Dragon Can't Dance 1

(1984). Carnival: Ritual dance of the past and present in Earl Lovelace's The Dragon Can't Dance. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 24, “Commonwealth” Literatures in Germany, pp. 107-120.
“Always a shadow of hope”: Heteronormative binaries in an online discussion of sexuality and sexual orientation

Abstract In this article, I examine an asynchronous online discussion about sexuality that lasted for several weeks and involved students at three different universities, seven of whom I interviewed. Although issues of gay rights and alliance groups were brought up, students focused primarily on the causes of homosexuality and whether homosexuality is natural or not, with one student insistently posting that homosexuality is unnatural because same-sex couples cannot experience “true love-making.” On one level the focus on the causes and naturalness of homosexuality (with few references to heterosexuality) reinforced the heteronormative binaries that often structure thinking and discussions about sexuality, a reinforcement that I initially found disheartening. However, in many ways I came to realize that this online thread still served important academic and personal purposes for students despite and because of being situated in binaries. Drawing from my reading of the posts and from discourse-based interviews with participants, I show that online discussions developed around heteronormative binaries can serve as catalysts for movement in students’ thinking about complex issues and that online spaces in particular are valuable forums for students to articulate and then complicate their understandings of issues relating to sexuality and sexual orientation.
Ethnic Disparities in the Association of Body Mass Index with the Risk of Hypertension and Diabetes

Despite having lower body mass index (BMI) compared to other ethnic groups, Asians continue to develop significant metabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. To evaluate the disparate association of BMI and risk of hypertension and diabetes in Asians. We retrospectively studied 150,753 adults from the 1985-2011 California Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. Trends in prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were stratified by ethnicity. Multivariate logistic regression models evaluated the incremental effect of one unit BMI increase on risk of hypertension and diabetes and the disparate risks of hypertension and diabetes at different BMI thresholds. Asians had the lowest BMI among all groups. However, the impact of increasing BMI on risk of hypertension and diabetes was significantly greater in Asians. For each one unit increase in BMI, Asians were significantly more likely to have hypertension (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.13-1.18) compared to non-Hispanic whites, blacks, and Hispanics. Similar trends were seen for diabetes (Asians: OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.13-1.18). The risk of hypertension in Asians with BMI ≥ 22 was similar to non-Hispanic whites with BMI ≥ 27 and blacks with BMI ≥ 28. The risk of diabetes in Asians with BMI ≥ 28 was similar to non-Hispanic whites with BMI ≥ 30. Despite lower overall BMI compared to other groups, weight gain in Asians is associated with significantly higher risks of hypertension and diabetes. Compared to other ethnic groups, similar risks of hypertension and diabetes are seen in Asians at much lower BMI.
Synthesis and Properties of Some Spin Labeled Uridine and 2′-Deoxyuridine Analogues†

The synthesis of the spin-labeled uridine and 2′-deoxyridine analogues RUGT 2, DUGT 3, l-RUGT 4, and l-DUGT 5 is described. DUGT 3 showed some activity against the leukemia P388 cell line.
Methyl substituent effects on the 13C chemical shifts at the carbenium center of 2-aryl-2-propyl cations

Abstract Methyl substituent effects on 13 C NMR shifts of arylcarbenium ions are examined as a probe of charge distribution and are compared to methyl effects on the solvolysis rates of 1-arylethyl derivatives.
Optimizing the acquisition geometry for digital breast tomosynthesis using the Defrise phantom

In cone beam computed tomography (CT), it is common practice to use the Defrise phantom for image quality assessment. The phantom consists of a stack of plastic plates with low frequency spacing. Because the x-ray beam may traverse multiple plates, the spacing between plates can appear blurry in the reconstruction, and hence modulation provides a measure of image quality. This study considers the potential merit of using the Defrise phantom in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), a modality with a smaller projection range than CT. To this end, a Defrise phantom was constructed and subsequently imaged with a commercial DBT system. It was demonstrated that modulation is dependent on position and orientation in the reconstruction. Modulation is preserved over a broad range of positions along the chest wall if the input frequency is oriented in the tube travel direction. By contrast, modulation is degraded with increasing distance from the chest wall if the input frequency is oriented in the posteroanterior (PA) direction. A theoretical framework was then developed to model these results. Reconstructions were calculated in an acquisition geometry designed to improve modulation. Unlike current geometries in which the x-ray tube motion is restricted to the plane of the chest wall, we consider a geometry with an additional component of tube motion along the PA direction. In simulations, it is shown that the newly proposed geometry improves modulation at positions distal to the chest wall. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the Defrise phantom is a tool for optimizing DBT systems.
Activation of the innate immune system by the endogenous ligand hyaluronan.

Purpose of review Endogenous ligands are released during ischemia–reperfusion injury that occurs during organ transplantation. Evidence suggests that these ligands, such as hyaluronan, activate the innate immune system via Toll-like receptors. This review will highlight the studies on the role of hyaluronan in modulating alloimmune responses. Recent findings Within the last year, the role of hyaluronan as an endogenous activator of innate alloimmunity has been investigated. We have shown that hyaluronan activates dendritic cells and primes T-cell alloimmunity primarily via a toll like receptor 4/Tirap-dependent pathway. Recent studies have described that the hyaluronan receptor, CD44, modulates these innate immune responses by augmenting regulatory T-cell function, and augmenting the expression of negative regulators of Toll-like receptor signaling. Summary Hyaluronan activates innate alloimmune responses and subsequently influences adaptive alloimmunity. Improving our understanding of the nature of endogenous innate ligands that activate alloimmunity may lead to improved therapeutics in organ transplantation.
Whither Utility and Duty? A Case for Virtue in Community College Administration

Recent improprieties by community college administrators have scarred the public trust. Efforts to secure against maladministration are firmly rooted in utilitarian and deontological ethics. In this article, the authors argue that these common approaches cannot remedy maladministration in the community college because utilitarianism and deontology are part of the problem and, therefore, cannot be part of the solution. Instead, the authors make the case that virtue ethics provides the best framework for moral community college administration while also being the best means of restoring public trust.
Perception of Transplanted Toes Following Toe-to-Finger Transplantation

The perception of transplanted toes following toe-to-finger transplantation was investigated. Forty-six (77%) of 60 patients perceived transplanted toes as their fingers immediately or within 6 months after surgery. Such perception occurred following satisfactory surgical outcome, the appearance of adequate sensory or motor function, or both. In the remaining 14 patients, the transplanted toe was perceived as a toe, a toe as well as a finger, or something else. The present data suggest that human perception of transplanted toes appears to be geared toward restoration of the original body image.
Mechanical Design of a Robotic System for Automatic Installation of Magnetic Markers on the Roadway

Magnetic markers embedded into the roadway pavements are used in Intelligent Transportation Systems to provide the reference signals necessary for guiding and controlling vehicles. This technology has already been implemented in several locations in California to provide driver assistance for snowplow operators in harsh winter environments. Installation of these magnetic markers into the roadway pavement is a tedious manual operation. In this paper, we present a novel design of a robotic system developed for installation of these magnetic markers into the roadway pavement. It is shown how dynamic modeling and simulation can be used with simple experimentation to develop a mechanical design of a robotic system to overcome undesirable effects of vibrations due to drilling the roadway. In addition, two new and innovative concepts are introduced in the design of a robotic system. One is the design of a roller-type traction drive to achieve linear motion that can be used in a gantry robotic system and the second is a self-alignment mechanism for proper insertion of magnetic markers that can be used for any insertion and assembly operations.
Barriers to and Facilitators of HIV-Positive Patients' Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment Regimens

HIV-positive patients must strictly adhere to antiretroviral regimens for the medications to work properly. Little, however, is known about the obstacles that patients face in adhering to the regim...
Conformational studies of benzyl alcohol and benzyl fluoride

The conformations of several benzyl compounds, C6H5CH2X, have been characterized by rotational spectra and theoretical structure calculations. We have observed the microwave spectrum of benzyl alcohol and its OD isotopomer at high resolution in a pulsed-jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The spectrum is consistent with an asymmetric stable conformation characterized by a CCCO dihedral angle of approximately 60°. The spectrum is strongly perturbed by tunneling interactions. The transitions are split into doublets consistent with tunneling interactions between two equivalent conformational minima. The observed splittings diminish upon deuterium substitution. These observations are similar to those previously reported by us for benzyl fluoride. However, the minimum energy conformation for benzyl fluoride has the CCF plane orthogonal to the plane of the phenyl ring. This conformation for benzyl fluoride is consistent with a model that minimizes steric repulsion between the fluorine of the CH2F group and the closest hydrogens located on the phenyl ring. For benzyl alcohol, previous studies have suggested a weak attraction between the π electrons of the phenyl ring and the substituent OH group as the explanation for the observed stable conformation. A theoretical analysis of the atomic charges in benzyl alcohol suggests another possible explanation of the observed structure. Atomic charges generated by fits to the electrostatic potential indicate a relatively strong dipole–dipole coupling between the CH group in the methylene side chain and the closest CH group in the phenyl ring. This results in a nearly planar orientation of the CH group in the methylene side chain with the phenyl ring, a conformation that yields the observed CCCO dihedral angle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
My path to becoming an accessibility researcher

Because I started out in mathematics and theoretical computer science I am often asked how I got involved in accessibility research and in trying to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. In this article I will try to explain the why and how of becoming an accessibility researcher and why it is so important to include people with disabilities as accessibility researchers. In the process, I will describe the research that I and my students and colleagues at the University of Washington have pursued including our most recent work.
What's in a Story? The Relationship Between Narrative Completeness and Adjustment to Relationship Dissolution

The construction of narratives has been shown to assist sufferers of emotional or traumatic events - such as the ending of relationships - in making sense of and coming to terms with the event. Despite this connection, few studies have explored how the completeness of the narratives contributes to positive outcomes. Building on research in both communication and psychology, we conceptualized a complete narrative as one that clearly and extensively (1) segmented the experience episodically/sequentially, (2) represented causes and consequences in the explained events, (3) developed characters relative to the story, (4) evoked and made sense of affect, (5) drew meaning from the events in the narrative, (6) provided a coherent narrative, and (7) attributed responsibility to the characters in the story. We collected and analyzed the break-up stories of 90 participants. We then rated the narratives to see if relationships exist between narrative completeness and adjustment to relationship dissolution as well as...
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND PREVENTION OF WEIGHT GAIN IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Studies of the association between physical activity (PA) and weight maintenance have been inconsistent. We prospectively examined the association between PA patterns and prevention of weight gain among 46 754 healthy premenopausal women, aged 25–43 years in 1989. Participants reported their PA and weight in 1989 and 1997. The primary outcome was gaining >5% of baseline weight by 1997 (62% of the population). Compared with women who maintained <30 min d−1 of total discretionary activity over 8 years, women were less likely to gain weight if they sustained 30+ min d−1 (odds ratio (OR)=0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.73) or increased to 30+ min d−1 in 1997 (OR=0.64, 95%CI=0.60–0.68). Among women whose only reported activity was walking, risk of gaining weight was lower in those who sustained 30+ min d−1 over 8 years (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.49–0.91), and brisk walking pace independently predicted less weight gain. For a 30 min d−1 increase between 1989 and 1997, jogging/running was associated with less weight gain than brisk walking or other activities. Greater duration of PA was associated with progressively less weight gain, but even an 11–20 min d−1 increase was beneficial; the benefits appeared stronger among those who were initially overweight. Sedentary behavior independently predicted weight gain. Sustained PA for at least 30 min d−1, particularly if more intense, is associated with a reduction in long-term weight gain, and greater duration is associated with less weight gain. Sedentary women of any baseline weight who increase their PA will benefit, but overweight women appear to benefit the most.
Down-regulation of phytochrome mRNA abundance by red light and benzyladenine in etiolated cucumber cotyledons

Northern blot analysis revealed that a single 4.2 kb phytochrome mRNA species was detectable in cotyledons excised from five-day-old etiolated cucumber seedlings. Intact etiolated five-day-old cucumber seedlings were given a red light or benzyladenine treatment, and cotyledons were harvested at various times following treatment. The abundance of phytochrome mRNA in the cotyledons was quantitated using 32P-labeled RNA probes and slot blot analysis. By 2 h after irradiation the phytochrome mRNA level was reduced to 40% of the initial abundance and reaccumulation began by 3 h after irradiation. Reaccumulation of phytochrome mRNA to the time-zero dark control level was achieved by 10 h after treatment. A decrease in phytochrome mRNA abundance was evident by 2 h after benzyladenine treatment, and a maximal reduction to 45% of the time-zero dark control was attained by 4 h after treatment. No recovery of the phytochrome mRNA level was evident by 8 h after benzyladenine treatment. The abundance of actin mRNA was unaffected by benzyladenine treatment.
Rare earth magnetic order in RNi2B2C and RNiBC

Abstract A review of neutron diffraction experiments on the magnetic order in the RNi2B2C and RNiBC (R – rare earth) systems is given. The RNi2B2C materials exhibit a wide variety of commensurate and incommensurate magnetic structures for different rare earths, along with superconductivity that is coupled to the magnetism. Simple commensurate antiferromagnetic structures are observed for R=Pr (T N =4.0 K ) , Nd (T N =4.8 K ) , Ho (T N =8.5 K ) and Dy (T N =11 K ) . In addition, HoNi2B2C exhibits a c-axis spiral and an a-axis modulated incommensurate structure above 5 K, while both structures collapse in favor of the commensurate structure at low T. A transversely polarized spin density wave (SDW) type incommensurate structure is observed for Er (T N =6.8 K ) and Tm (T N =1.5 K ) , while a longitudinally polarized SDW structure is observed for Tb (T N =15 K ) . No magnetic ordering of any type is detected for Y, Ce and Yb. HoNiBC is an antiferromagnet (T N =9.8 K ) , ErNiBC is ferromagnetic (T C =4.6 K ) , while TbNiBC and DyNiBC exhibit both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering at 17 K and ∼12 K, respectively.
THE RELATION OF THE SPINAL CORD TO THE SPONTANEOUS LIBERATION OF EPINEPHRIN FROM THE ADRENALS

1. After section of the spinal cord in cats in the cervical region, as low as the last cervical segment, epinephrin continues to be liberated from the adrenal glands. This liberation has all the characters of the normal secretion with intact central nervous system. It is sustained through the same nerve paths connecting the cord with the adrenals. 2. After section of the cord in the middorsal region the spontaneous liberation of epinephrin from the adrenals is abolished within the limits of detectability by the methods employed (denervated eye reactions of Meltzer, and rabbit intestine and uterus segments). 3. The portion of the cord concerned in the liberation of epinephrin does not appear to extend much below the third thoracic segment. 4. In acute experiments on cats under urethane anesthesia no change in the rate of liberation of epinephrin, which could be detected by the tests employed, was observed when the cord was severed in the cervical region.
A BIT is Better Than a Lot: Bilateral Investment Treaties and Preferential Trade Agreements

The landscape of the global economy is dotted with institutions that regulate investment and trade. in recent years, the number of bilateral investment treaties (BIT s) and preferential trade agreements (PTA s), in particular, has grown at a torrid pace; practically every country is a member of at least one—if not many—of these institutions. For all the scholarly attention that these institutions have received, however, there is little research tying BIT s and PTA s together. this is surprising, since both aim to increase commerce by making it more predictable. The authors seek to fill this gap in the literature. They argue that a BIT between a developed and a developing country should make it more likely that this pair of states will subsequently form a PTA . that said, the wrinkle in the story is that more is not better in this regard; the authors further argue that a developing country that has many BIT s is less likely to conclude a PTA with a wealthy state. The authors test these hypotheses using annual data on pairs of developing and developed countries between 1960 and 2004 and find strong evidence in support of their argument.
Effects of alcohol intoxication and autonomic arousal on delay discounting and risky sex in young adult heterosexual men

Abstract Objectives The relationship between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior is complex and depends on psychological and environmental factors. The alcohol myopia model predicts that, due to alcohol's impact on attention, the behavior of intoxicated individuals will become increasingly directed by salient cues. Autonomic arousal (AA) may have a similar effect on attention. Experiential delay discounting (DD) may be increased by both alcohol consumption and AA due to their common effects and may mediate the relationship between these conditions and risky sex. Methods This study employed a 3 (alcohol, placebo, control) × 2 (high, low arousal) experimental design to examine the effects of acute alcohol intoxication and AA on experiential delay discounting, subjective sexual arousal, and risky sex. Results Path models revealed complex results that only partially supported study hypotheses. Ratings of subjective sexual arousal did not differ across either beverage or arousal conditions. DD was also unrelated to any study variable. However, subjective sexual arousal was positively related to risky sexual intentions. Alcohol intoxication was also positively associated with increased unprotected sex intentions, consistent with past studies. Conclusions These results affirm the role of subjective sexual arousal and alcohol intoxication in risky sexual decision-making, yielding effect sizes similar to comparable past studies. The lack of differences across autonomic arousal groups also suggests that effects of attentional myopia may be behavior-specific. Failure to replicate effects of alcohol intoxication on DD also suggests reservation regarding its involvement in alcohol-involved risky sex.
Nanofiber Applications for Burn Care

Nanotechnology is a growing field of manufactured materials with sizes less than 1 mum, and it is particularly useful in the field of medicine because these applications replicate components of a cell's in vivo environment. Nanofibers, which mimic collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix (ECM), can be created from a host of natural and synthetic compounds and have multiple properties that may be beneficial to burn wound care. These properties include a large surface-area-to-volume ratio, high porosity, improved cell adherence, proliferation and migration, and controlled in vivo degradation rates. The large surface area of nanofiber mats allows for increased interaction with compounds and provides a mechanism for sustained release of antibiotics, analgesics, or growth factors into burn wounds; high porosity allows diffusion of nutrients and waste. Improved cell function on these scaffolds will promote healing. Controlled degradation rates of these scaffolds will promote scaffold absorption after its function is no longer required. The objective of this article is to review the current literature describing nanofibers and their potential application to burn care.
Anisotropic Grain Growth in α‐Al2O3 with SiO2 and TiO2 Additions

Microstructural changes caused by doping α-Al2O3 with small amounts of SiO2 and TiO2 added singly or together were investigated. When they were sintered at 1450°C for 120 min, singly doped samples developed equiaxed microstructures, but codoped material developed an anisotropic microstructure that contained platelike grains with an average aspect ratio of 3.4. The development of anisotropy thus resulted from a cooperative effect of silicon and titanium. Amorphous material was present at most grain boundaries in the silicon-doped sample. In the codoped sample, only boundaries that exhibited a basal facet were penetrated by amorphous material. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed strong titanium enrichment at the edges of platelets. Additional experiments demonstrated that the volume fraction of highly anisotropic platelike grains interspersed with equiaxed grains could be adjusted by using varying amounts of titanium with a constant amount of silicon content. The fracture toughnesses of such materials increased as the structure became more anisotropic.
Computational investigation of defect segregation at the (001) surface of BaCeO3 and BaZrO3: the role of metal–oxygen bond strength in controlling vacancy segregation

The low proton grain boundary conductivity observed in perovskites such as BaZrO3 is generally attributed to a positive grain boundary core charge that repels protonic defects away from the interfacial region. This core charge develops from the segregation of positively charged defects to the grain boundary interface. Here, the results of a density function theory investigation of defect segregation at two (001) surfaces of BaCeO3 and BaZrO3 perovskites are presented that give insight into this phenomenon. Yttrium dopant and oxygen vacancy segregation were explored independently and synergistically at these simplified perovskite–vacuum interfaces in order to establish the enthalpic driving forces that promote defect segregation at different surfaces caused by intrinsic material properties. It was found that dopant segregation strongly influences the stability of oxygen vacancies at the perovskite surface because of favorable pairing between dopants and vacancies. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that selecting materials on the basis of metal–oxygen bond strengths offers a potential means of engineering perovskites to mitigate the development of a strong positively charged grain boundary core.
A one-volt, 120-/spl mu/W, 1-MHz OTA for standard CMOS technology

In this paper a folded-cascode operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is described which operates from a one-volt supply and is compatible with standard digital CMOS technology with threshold voltages in the range of /spl plusmn/0.8 V. This OTA utilizes a bulk-driven new differential pair and a new bulk-driven cascode current mirror to achieve 1 V operation while providing 1 MHz gain-bandwidth product with only 120 /spl mu/W power dissipation with a 10 pF load.
Comparison of western blot analysis to microneutralization for the detection of type‐specific herpes simplex virus antibodies

A newly developed system (as described in the previous paper) employing separated herpes simplex virus (HSV) polypeptides electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose paper, Western Blot Analysis (WBA), was compared to microneutralization (MN) for the detection of type-specific antibody to HSV types 1 and 2 in 98 human sera. Sera containing HSV1-specific antibodies reacted at least twofold more densely (as quantitated by densitometric scanning) to HSV1 than HSV2 polypeptides, while sera with HSV2-specific antibodies reacted twofold more densely to HSV2 polypeptides. The reliability of this system was determined (1) by analysis of sera from patients with true primary herpes simplex infections, (2) by adsorption studies that removed cross-reacting antibodies, and (3) by comparison with neutralization. Of 36 sera found to have HSV1-type-specific antibody by WBA, 83% had MN ratios of less than 85 (indicating HSV1 antibody), while of 28 sera found to have HSV2-type-specific antibody by WBA, 89% had MN ratios of greater than 85 (indicating HSV2 antibodies). The MN ratio obtained on sera felt to have both HSV1-type-specific and HSV2-type-specific antibody by WBA ranged from 67 to 160. WBA agreed more closely with clinical isolates and adsorption studies than MN. This system not only accurately determines the HSV-type-specific antibody status of patients but provides important information on the specific immunogenic proteins.
Clicker Evolution: Seeking Intelligent Design

Two years after the first low-cost radio-frequency audience response system using clickers was introduced for college classrooms, at least six different systems are on the market. Their features and user-friendliness are evolving rapidly, driven by competition and improving technology. The proliferation of different systems is putting pressure on universities to standardize or otherwise limit the number of different clickers a student is expected to acquire. To facilitate that choice, the strengths and weaknesses of six systems (eInstruction Classroom Performance System, Qwizdom, TurningPoint, Interwrite PRS, iClicker, and H-ITT) are compared, and the factors that should be considered in making a selection are discussed. In our opinion, the selection of a clicker system should be driven by the faculty, although students and the relevant teaching and technology support units of the university must also participate in the dialogue. Given the pace of development, it is also wise to reconsider the choice of a clicker system at regular intervals.
A theory of strategic venture investing

Some venture capital investors seek purely financial gains while others, such as corporations, also pursue strategic objectives. The paper examines a model where a strategic investor can achieve synergies, but can also face a conflict of interest with the entrepreneur. If the start-up is a complement to the strategic partner, it is optimal to obtain funding from the strategic investor. If the start-up is a mild substitute, the entrepreneur prefers an independent venture capitalist. With a strong substitute, syndication becomes optimal, such that the independent venture capitalist is the active lead investor and the strategic partner a passive co-investor. The expected returns for the entrepreneur are nonmonotonic, lowest for a mild substitute, and higher for a strong substitute as well as for a complement. The paper also explains why a strategic investor often pays a higher valuation than an independent venture capitalist.