cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfur dioxide transport through aqueous solutions: Part II. Experimental results and comparison with theory

Measurements were made of the steady state flux of sulfur dioxide through films of water and solutions of neutral and alkaline sodium salts (0.1 to 2.0 M sodium chloride, 10−3 to 3.0M sodium hydroxide, NaHSO3 or sodium sulfite) with sulfur dioxide partial pressures between 10 and 100Pa. In agreement with equilibrium theory (Part I), data from water and sodium chloride solutions show that HSO is responsible for 83 to 95% of the flux (facilitation factor F between 5 and 19). In alkaline solutions, HSO and other sulfur containing species cause F to be as large as 1 370. Equilibrium theory, however, overpredicts F by up to a factor of 7. The NEBLA (Part I) accounts for this deviation.
Galactoside-dependent proton transport by mutants of the Escherichia coli lactose carrier: substitution of tyrosine for histidine-322 and of leucine for serine-306

The lac Y genes from two Escherichia coli mutants, MAB20 and AA22, have been cloned in a multicopy plasmid by a novel 'sucrose marker exchange' method. Characterization showed that the plasmids express a lactose carrier with poor affinity for lactose. Neither mutant carried out concentrative uptake with methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside, lactose, or melibiose as the substrate. Nor did the mutants catalyze counterflow or exchange with methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside. Both mutants did, however, retain the capacity to carry out facilitated diffusion with lactose or melibiose. DNA sequencing revealed that MAB20 (histidine-322 to tyrosine) and AA22 (serine-306 to leucine) have amino acid substitutions within the putative 'charge-relay' domain thought to be responsible for proton transport. Galactoside-dependent H+ transport was readily measured in both mutants. We conclude, therefore, that the presence of a histidine residue at position 322 of the lactose carrier is not obligatory for H+ transport per se.
A model for quenching via hidden variables; Non-equilibrium behaviour of a system with two long range order parameters

Abstract In order to study the dynamic behavior of a lattice gas, it is assumed that the molecules have a “hidden” (i.e. not directly observable) variable such as two possible orientations. This generalization of the Glauber-model to a spin one system is solved using the most probable path method. The dynamic equations are solved for a system which has a first order transition. The solution is given in the form of a flow diagram and the results for various assumptions about the rate constants are described. A method is suggested as to how such a system can become trapped in a metastable state by rapid cooling and by manipulation of the “hidden” variable.
The visual response of the purple shore crab,Hemigrapsus nudus, to ionizing and non-ionizing radiations

Im Krabbenauge vonHemigrapsus nudus entstehen elektroretinographische Reaktionen (ERG) mit sichtbarem Licht und Rontgenstrahlung, die andeuten, dass dieselben Rhodopsin-Erregunsprozesse mit beiden Strahlungsarten stattfinden. Nach90Sr-β-Strahlung wird angenommen, dass Cerenkov-Effekt- und induzierte Fluoreszenz-Lichterzeugung dieβ-ERG-Reaktion deutlich beeinflussen.
Effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine and some blocking agents on tunicate smooth muscle.

Abstract 1. 1. Epinephrine and norepinephrine increase the rate of contraction of smooth muscle of Ciona intestinalis . 2. 2. α-Blocking agents such as Dibenzyline alter the contraction by themselves and also partially change the effect of epinephrine. 3. 3. β-Blocking agents such as Propanolol do not affect the contraction by themselves but do effectively epinephrine action.
Obligatory roles of filamin A in E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion in epidermal keratinocytes

Abstract Background Extracellular Ca 2+ (Ca o 2+ )-induced E-cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion plays a critical role in promoting differentiation in epidermal keratinocytes. Our previous studies show that the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) regulates keratinocyte cell–cell adhesion and differentiation via Rho A-mediated signaling. CaR forms a protein complex with Rho A, guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio, and a cytoskeletal actin-binding protein, filamin A, at the cell–cell junctions in response to elevated Ca o 2+ levels. Filamin A has the ability to interact directly with CaR, Trio, and Rho and mediate CaR-dependent signaling events. Objective This study was conducted to investigate the roles of filamin A and Trio in regulating Ca o 2+ -induced Rho activation and intercellular adhesion. Methods Expression of filamin A and Trio in keratinocytes was inhibited by siRNA. Its effects on Ca o 2+ -dependent junction formation and adhesion complex formation were evaluated by fluorescence immunostaining and immunoprecipitation. Endogenous Rho activity and expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers were also examined. The significance of the physical interactions of filamin A with Trio and Rho was assessed in dominant-negative inhibition studies. Results Inhibiting filamin A expression blocked the formation of CaR-Rho A-Trio-E-cadherin protein complex. Knockdown of filamin A or Trio inhibited Ca o 2+ -induced membrane localization and activation of Rho A, formation of the E-cadherin–catenin adhesion complex, and keratinocyte terminal differentiation. Expressing dominant-negative peptides disruptive to the endogenous filamin–Trio, filamin–Rho, and CaR–filamin interactions suppressed the formation of adherens junctions. Conclusion Through physical interactions with CaR, Trio and Rho, filamin A generates a scaffold for organizing a signaling complex that promotes E-cadherin-mediated cell–cell adhesion and keratinocyte differentiation.
Frozen section pathology for decision making in parotid surgery

Importance For parotid lesions, the high accuracy and utility of intraoperative frozen section (FS) pathology, compared with permanent section pathology, facilitates intraoperative decision making about the extent of surgery required. Objective To demonstrate the accuracy and utility of FS pathology of parotid lesions as one factor in intraoperative decision making. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of patients undergoing parotidectomy at a tertiary care center. Interventions Evaluation of the accuracy of FS pathology for parotid surgery by comparing FS pathology results with those of permanent section. Main Outcomes and Measures Documented changes from FS to permanent section in 1339 parotidectomy pathology reports conducted from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2009, included 693 benign and 268 primary and metastatic malignant tumors. Results Changes in diagnosis were found from benign to malignant (n = 11) and malignant to benign (n = 2). Sensitivity and specificity of a malignant diagnosis were 98.5% and 99.0%, respectively. Other changes were for lymphoma vs inflammation or lymphoma typing (n = 89) and for confirmation of or change in tumor type for benign (n = 36) or malignant (n = 69) tumors. No case changed from low- to high-grade malignant tumor. Only 4 cases that changed from FS to permanent section would have affected intraoperative decision making. Three patients underwent additional surgery 2 to 3 weeks later. Overall, only 1 patient was overtreated (lymphoma initially deemed carcinoma). Conclusions and Relevance Frozen section pathology for parotid lesions has high accuracy and utility in intraoperative decision making, facilitating timely complete procedures.
Effects of Anaerobically Digested Poultry Manure on Soil Phosphorus Adsorption and Extractability

Research in the past has indicated that large additions of animal manures to soil can reduce soil P adsorption and increase P extractability. However, application rates used in many studies are unrealistic with respect to crop fertilization and land disposal due to excessive quantities of N applied with the manures. The objective of this study was to evaluate effluent from a poultry manure anaerobic digester applied to a Hayesville loam soil (clayey, oxic, mesic, Typic Hapludult) on soil P adsorption and extractability after three incubation periods (0, 30 and 90 d). Effluent solids were applied at rates corresponding to 753 through 7530 mg N/kg soil. Langmuir equation parameters (from least square fitted data: R squared more than 0.98) were used as a basis to compare the influence of treatments on P adsorption properties of the soil. The P adsorption maxima parameter was not influenced by any of the effluent treatments. The parameter related to P bonding energy of the soil was reduced 33 and 41%, respectively, by mid and high rate effluent applications. A similar reduction was not observed for the low rate treatment, which corresponded to fertilizer application of 100 mg N/kg soil. Extractable soil P increased in amore » predictable manner with increased effluent solids application for all three incubation periods. These increases in extractable P could be described by linear regression equations. The slopes of these lines indicate that a one gram addition of effluent solids to one kg soil accounts for increases in extractable P of 3 to 6 mg/kg. 9 references.« less
Water reservoir maintained by cell growth fuels the spreading of a bacterial swarm

Flagellated bacteria can swim across moist surfaces within a thin layer of fluid, a means for surface colonization known as swarming. This fluid spreads with the swarm, but how it does so is unclear. We used micron-sized air bubbles to study the motion of this fluid within swarms of Escherichia coli. The bubbles moved diffusively, with drift. Bubbles starting at the swarm edge drifted inward for the first 5 s and then moved outward. Bubbles starting 30 μm from the swarm edge moved inward for the first 20 s, wandered around in place for the next 40 s, and then moved outward. Bubbles starting at 200 or 300 μm from the edge moved outward or wandered around in place, respectively. So the general trend was inward near the outer edge of the swarm and outward farther inside, with flows converging on a region about 100 μm from the swarm edge. We measured cellular metabolic activities with cells expressing a short-lived GFP and cell densities with cells labeled with a membrane fluorescent dye. The fluorescence plots were similar, with peaks about 80 μm from the swarm edge and slopes that mimicked the particle drift rates. These plots suggest that net fluid flow is driven by cell growth. Fluid depth is largest in the multilayered region between approximately 30 and 200 μm from the swarm edge, where fluid agitation is more vigorous. This water reservoir travels with the swarm, fueling its spreading. Intercellular communication is not required; cells need only grow.
On the relative expressiveness of description logics and predicate logics

Abstract It is natural to view concept and role definitions in description logics as expressing monadic and dyadic predicates in predicate calculus. We show that the descriptions built using the constructors usually considered in the DL literature are characterized exactly as the predicates definable by formulas in \ tL3, the subset of first-order predicate calculus with monadic and dyadic predicates which allows only three variable symbols. In order to handle “number bounds”, we allow numeric quantifiers, and for transitive closure of roles we use infinitary disjunction. Using previous results in the literature concerning languages with limited numbers of variables, we get as corollaries the existence of formulas of FOPC which cannot be expressed as descriptions. We also show that by omitting role composition, descriptions express exactly the formulas in \ tL2, which is known to be decidable.
Framing the Feminine: Diasporic Readings of Gender in Popular Indian Cinema

This essay focuses on the ways in which Indian immigrant women actively engage and interpret Indian cinema. Employing an ethnographic approach, the analysis moves between readers' readings and film texts in order to locate how Indian cinema mediates the constitution of gendered identities in the diaspora. Keeping alive the sense of agency, this study demonstrates that Indian women viewers/readers simultaneously comply with and resist the dominant patriarchal representations that saturate Indian cinema.
SU‐FF‐I‐138: Computer‐Aided Image Texture Analysis as An Indicator of Image Quality: A Feasibility Study in FFDM

Purpose:Image quality is often quantified using signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR). We hypothesize that clinical image texture features are also reflective of image quality. To test feasibility, we investigated the relationship between quantitative image texture features and SNR as a function of acquisition parameters for a full‐field digital mammography (FFDM) system. Method and Materials: An anthropomorphic breast phantom (Model 169, Gammex RMI, Madison, WI) was imaged with a Senographe 2000D (General Electric Medical Systems, Chalfont St. Giles, UK). Images were acquired with various target/filter, kV (25 – 32 kV) and mAs combinations. The mAs was varied from 10 to 300% of that required for a standard phototimed exposure yielding an average glandular dose (AGD) of 1.8 mGy. SNR was computed in a 2.5cm2 retroareolar region of interest (ROI) segmented from linear images after flat‐field and offset correction. Signal intensity was computed as the average pixel value in the ROI. Noise was computed as the RMS difference of two images acquired using the same acquisition parameters. Image texture features of skewness, coarseness, contrast, energy, homogeneity, and fractal dimension were computed in the corresponding ROI from the Premium View™ processed FFDM images.Results: Homogeneity decreases continuously as a function of mAs. Skewness, coarseness, and fractal dimension increase, while contrast and energy decrease, until all reach a threshold. The threshold occurs between 40–100% of the phototimed AGD, beyond which no further change is seen. Linear regressions with mAs were strong after logrithmic transformation, having R2 ⩾ 0.84, p < 0.001 for coarseness, energy, and homogeneity. Conclusions: Clinical texture features are indicative of image quality. While homogeneity correlates closely with SNR, other texture features reach a threshold, seeming to indicate optimal dose settings. Further work is underway to fully investigate the potential use of image texture as an indicator of clinically acceptable FFDM image quality.
The 'kiss of death' by dendritic cells to cancer cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) specialized in the stimulation of naive T lymphocytes, which are key components of antiviral and antitumor immunity. DCs are 'sentinels' of the immune system endowed with the mission to (1) sense invading pathogens as well as any form of tissue distress and (2) alert the effectors of the immune response. They represent a very heterogeneous population including subsets characterized by their anatomical locations and specific missions. Beyond their unique APC features, DCs exhibit a large array of effector functions that play critical roles in the induction and regulation of the cell-mediated as well as humoral immune responses. In the course of the antitumor immune response, DCs are unique in engulfing tumor cells killed by natural killer (NK) cells and cross-presenting tumor-associated antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, while DCs mediate antitumor immune responses by stimulating tumor-specific CTLs and NK cells, direct tumoricidal mechanisms have been recently evoked. This review addresses the other face of DCs to directly deliver apoptotic signals to stressed cells, their role in tumor cell death, and its implication in the design of DC-based cancer immunotherapies.
Data center asset tracking using a mobile robot

Management and monitoring of data centers is a growing field of interest, with much current research, and the emergence of a variety of commercial products aiming to improve performance, resource utilization and energy efficiency of the computing infrastructure. Despite the large body of work on optimizing data center operations, few studies actually focus on discovering and tracking the physical layout of assets in these centers. Such asset tracking is a prerequisite to faithfully performing administration and any form of optimization that relies on physical layout characteristics.In this work, we describe an approach to completely automated asset tracking in data centers, employing a vision-based mobile robot in conjunction with an ability to manipulate the indicator LEDs in blade centers and storage arrays. Unlike previous large-scale asset-tracking methods, our approach does not require the tagging of assets (e.g., with RFID tags or barcodes), thus saving considerable expense and human labor. The approach is validated through a series of experiments in a production industrial data center.
In vivo polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in rodent cerebral cortex

Maintaining a reliable neural interface is a well-known challenge with implanted neural prostheses. Here we evaluate a method of forming an integrated neural interface through polymerization of PEDOT in vivo. Polymerization resulted in lower impedance and improved recording quality of local field potentials on implanted electrodes in the rat cerebral cortex. Histological analysis by optical microscopy confirmed successful integration of the PEDOT within tissue surrounding implanted electrodes. This technique offers a unique neural interfacing approach with potential to improve the long-term functionality of neural prostheses.
Single-site approximations in the electronic theory of liquid metals

Abstract The electronic structure of liquid metals is described by a multiple scattering formalism. Alternate methods based on a single site description of the liquid are developed and compared. The first method, the quasicrystalline approximation of Lax, is used to interpret and extend the work of Ziman and Anderson and McMillan. The second method, discussed here for the first time, extends the coherent potential theory of binary substitutional alloys to the liquid problem. Formally, this method is based on the introduction of a local self-energy operator associated with each site, and the subsequent self-consistent decoupling of the multiple scattering hierarchy. The lowest-order effects of one and two atom clusters are then discussed in connection with the expansion of the total scattering operator. It is shown that in the liquid, as in the alloy, these effects are treated more accurately by the self-consistent methods than by their non-self-consistent counterparts, the quasicrystalline and average t matrix approximations. It is in fact possible to establish a parallel between the self-consistent and coherent potential approximations on the one hand and the quasicrystalline and average t matrix approximations on the other. In the evaluation of second-order corrections to the work of Anderson and McMillan, unitarity requirements suggest an expansion in terms of the reaction matrix rather than the scattering matrix. This procedure treats the damping of electrons more carefully, eliminating spurious contributions. These formal considerations are illustrated by a calculation of the complex band structure and density of states for liquid Cu.
Effective-mass hamiltonians and wavefunctionmatching conditions for abrupt heterojunctions

In the present work, we carry out a numerical investigation of the binding energy of a nonhydrogenic donor placed at the center of a Ga1−1AlxAs/GaAs/Ga1−xAlxAs quantum well. In the Hamiltonian for the donor, we use kinetic energy operators of the form T = (12) (mαpmβpmα), where p is the momentum operator (in the direction perpendicular to the abrupt heterojunction), and α and β are (real) parameters subject to 2α + β = −1. We have used the wavefunction-matching conditions that require the continuity of mαψ (ψ is the donor wavefunction) and mα + β ψ (ψ is the spatial derivative of ψ). We consider a series of values for the parameter β, and find that the binding energy of the donor is a sensitive function of this quantity.
NSF, NASA bills move to conference committee

The Senate acted on a number of important science funding bills this week, including those covering the National Science Foundation and NASA. The full Senate completed action on HR2491, the VA, HUD, Independent Agencies appropriations bill. Although the Senate deliberated many hours over 3 days, there was no discussion of the committee report on the future role of NSF that accompanied the bill (see Eos, September 21).
Infrared and Microwave Molecular-Beam Studies of N2O5

Abstract Rotational spectra of therP0andrR0b-type subbands of N2O5for both internal rotor states were recorded using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. The present measurements extend our previous results on N2O5which were confined to therR0,rR1,rQ1, andrP1,b-type subbands due to limitations in the frequency coverage of the instrument. The present measurements provide new energy-level differences which give a nearly complete experimental picture of theK= 0, 1, and 2 energy levels. The measurements also support our previous picture of N2O5as aC2symmetry molecule with facile geared internal rotation of the two equivalent NO2groups. Infrared spectra of the 1246 cm−1, ν12, N–O stretching fundamental band of N2O5were also recorded using a lead-salt diode-laser spectrometer and a slit-jet nozzle molecular-beam apparatus. The spectra reveal a complex resolved rotational structure which is at present unanalyzed.
Thermocapillary flow about an evaporating meniscus

The steady motion and thermal behavior of an evaporating superheated liquid in a small cavity bounded by isothermal sidewalls is examined. Scaling analyses and a two-dimensional finite element model are used to investigate the influence of thermocapillarity, buoyancy, and temperature-dependent mass flux on flowfield, interfacial heat transfer, and meniscus morphology. Numerical investigations indicate the existence of two counter-rotating cells symmetric about the cavity center. Results also show that evaporation tends to counteract this circulation by directing flow toward the hotter sidewalls. Although thermocapillarity and evaporation yield different flowfield distributions, both effects tend to increase interfacial temperature and heat transfer.
Bioplasmonic Paper as a Platform for Detection of Kidney Cancer Biomarkers

We demonstrate that a common laboratory filter paper uniformly adsorbed with biofunctionalized plasmonic nanostructures can serve as a highly sensitive transduction platform for rapid detection of trace bioanalytes in physiological fluids. In particular, we demonstrate that bioplasmonic paper enables rapid urinalysis for the detection of kidney cancer biomarkers in artificial urine down to a concentration of 10 ng/mL. Compared to conventional rigid substrates, bioplasmonic paper offers numerous advantages such as high specific surface area (resulting in large dynamic range), excellent wicking properties (naturally microfluidic), mechanical flexibility, compatibility with conventional printing approaches (enabling multiplexed detection and multimarker biochips), and significant cost reduction.
NEW VISUALIZING REAGENTS FOR SELECTED PHENOLIC DRUGS INVESTIGATED BY THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Thirteen new visualizing reagents have been used to detect 13 phenolic drugs following thin layer chromatography on silica gel layers. Limits of detection (detectability), detectability index, and broadening index were determined for these drugs following use of these visualizing reagents. Aniline blue and brilliant green were the best and most universal visualizing reagents for the phenolic drugs investigated. Densitograms of selected phenolic drugs after spraying with aniline blue and brilliant green are presented.
Spontaneous brain hemorrhage

Spontaneous brain hemorrhage accounts for about 10% of all strokes and is fatal in about 50% of the cases. Its incidence, in contrast to other types of strokes, has not declined. Hypertension accounts for about half of these hemorrhages; the rest are due to tumors, aneurysms and vascular malformations, inflammatory and degenerative vasculopathies and hematologic and iatrogenic disorders of coagulation. In some patients no cause is ever found. Hypertensive brain hemorrhage occurs in the deep gray nuclei of the hemispheres, the cerebellum, and the pons and results in specific clinical syndromes depending on the location. Computerized tomography has revolutionized the diagnosis of brain hemorrhage and is resulting in the development of rational criteria for medical and surgical management of these lesions. Intensive medical therapy guided by clinical status and continuous monitoring of ICP may improve outcome. Surgical removal of the hematoma is indicated in lobar and putaminal hemorrhages when the patient is deteriorating in spite of vigorous medical therapy. In addition most large (greater than 3 cm) cerebellar hemorrhages, as well as smaller cerebellar hemorrhages that result in significant brain stem compression should be evaluated. The roles of intensive medical therapy, elective late surgery and of immediate operation in improving eventual functional outcome need to be investigated further.
Detrimental Relations of Maximization With Academic and Career Attitudes

Maximization refers to a decision-making style that involves seeking the single best option when making a choice, which is generally dysfunctional because people are limited in their ability to rationally evaluate all options and identify the single best outcome. The vocational consequences of maximization are examined in two samples, college students and working adults. After controlling for trait perfectionistic striving, highly maximizing students reported lower satisfaction and perceived fit with their majors, higher academic turnover cognitions, and lower career decision self-efficacy (Study 1). Similarly, highly maximizing adults reported less satisfaction and perceived fit with their jobs, higher employment turnover cognitions, and less satisfaction with the progression of their careers (Study 2). In both studies, the relations of maximization and these outcomes were mediated by negative affect, pointing to feelings of regret and frustration as a mechanism that drives these negative appraisals. Imp...
Methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization in a rodent model of posttraumatic stress disorder

Background Single prolonged stress (SPS) is a rodent model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like characteristics. Given that PTSD is frequently comorbid with substance abuse and dependence, including methamphetamine (METH), the current study sought to investigate the effects of SPS on METH-induced behavioral sensitization.
Computer Simulation of VLF Power Amplifiers under Reactive Loading

Recent efforts have been made to achieve substantially increased baud rates with the U. S. Navy's very low frequency (VLF) communication system. Because of the constraints imposed by existing transmitter and antenna structures it was necessary to reexamine the operation of every major system component. Each particular VLF transmitter was subjected to an extensive theoretical analysis followed by a detailed on-site measurement program. Following a review of three major systems, Cutler, Lualualei, and North West Cape, a sufficient body of data was available to substantiate the validity of the computer-simulated transmitter analysis presented here. With this method it is possibe to predict frequency-shift keying (FSK) and minimum shift keying (MSK) performance limitations for particular VLF transmitting systems based primarily on the 0 of the antenna at the operating frequency.
Enhanced corrosion-based Pd/Mg bimetallic systems for dechlorination of PCBs.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic pollutants notorious for their aquatic and sedimentary prevalence and recalcitrant nature. Bimetallic systems like Pd/Fe have been widely studied for degrading them. Mg, with oxidation potential higher than Fe, has been reported to dechlorinate PCBs in conjunction with K2PdCl6systems that are distinct from Pd/Mg bimetals. This study primarily aims to evaluate Pd/Mg bimetallic systems for dechlorinating 2-chlorobiphenyl (2-ClBP), a model PCB. Candidacy of Mg is based on its unique corrosion properties that afford synthesis and storage under ambient conditions and application-based advantages. A simple wet-chemistry procedure was developed to synthesize Pd/Mg particles with 0.11−1.62% Pd content and nanoscale Pd-islands as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Aqueous 2-ClBP matrices were effectively degraded using these particles, the dechlorination kinetics showing linear dependence on the total Pd content. T...
SIMULATION OF MICROSCOPIC ELASTIC-PLASTIC CONTACTS BY USING DISCRETE DISLOCATIONS

A new method for simulation of microscopic elastic-plastic contacts, such as those be­tween surface microasperities, is developed. Asperity plastic deformation is described in terms of nucleation and motion of discrete crystal dislocations, which allows the model to be made scale-sensitive. The new method allows elastic-plastic microcon­tacts to be investigated on the scales too small to apply conventional continuum mechanics methods, but still too large for atomistic simulations. Using the devel­oped method, several microcontact simulations are performed. The junction growth effect for asperity microcontacts is studied and found to be very strong in certain cases. Subsurface stress distributions at an asperity microcontact are analysed. High-magnitude tensile stress spikes, apparently caused by groups of dislocations piling up against one another, are found below the contact area. Interaction between a pair of microasperities is simulated and an estimation of the plasticity contribution to friction is obtained. The new approach appears promising, although the present model is simplistic.
The Effect of Two-dimensional and Stereoscopic Presentation on Middle School Students’ Performance of Spatial Cognition Tasks

We investigated whether and how student performance on three types of spatial cognition tasks differs when worked with two-dimensional or stereoscopic representations. We recruited nineteen middle school students visiting a planetarium in a large Midwestern American city and analyzed their performance on a series of spatial cognition tasks in terms of response accuracy and task completion time. Results show that response accuracy did not differ between the two types of representations while task completion time was significantly greater with the stereoscopic representations. The completion time increased as the number of mental manipulations of 3D objects increased in the tasks. Post-interviews provide evidence that some students continued to think of stereoscopic representations as two-dimensional. Based on cognitive load and cue theories, we interpret that, in the absence of pictorial depth cues, students may need more time to be familiar with stereoscopic representations for optimal performance. In light of these results, we discuss potential uses of stereoscopic representations for science learning.
Bronchoscopic guidance makes percutaneous tracheostomy a safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-teach procedure.

Background. We wanted to assess the efficiency of instituting a modified technique of percutaneous tracheostomy (PET) with bronchoscopic guidance. Methods. During a 10-month period 48 consecutive trauma patients requiring tracheostomy were divided between a standard tracheostomy control group (ST) and a PET group. All patients were followed prospectively. The hospital charges were reviewed retrospectively. Results. Age, gender, body habitus, and principal diagnosis were similar in the 21 ST patients and the 27 PET patients. All STs and 15 of the PETs were performed in the operating room (OR), and the 12 remaining PETs were done in the intensive care unit (ICU). Four patients in the ST group and six in the PET group died. One of these deaths occurred in a patient in the PET group with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome. Procedure time was shorter for PET (16 versus 45 minutes, p Conclusions. PET was performed easily and safely in the OR and at the ICU bedside. PET required one-third the time of ST. Bronchoscopic supervision of PET may have contributed to the small number of complications and the educational experience of junior residents. PET in the ICU can reduce hospital charges significantly and avoids transport of patients to the OR. PET is as safe as ST and should be considered the procedure of choice for an ICU patient requiring an elective tracheostomy.
Growth, nutritional, and gastrointestinal aspects of ankyloblepharon‐ectodermal defect‐cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) syndrome

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defect-cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) is a rare genetic disorder due to mutations in the TP63 gene. In the present study, we characterized the pattern of growth and body composition and the nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of children and adults (n = 18) affected with this disorder using clinical anthropometry and a survey questionnaire. The mean birth weight and height-for-age z-scores of the AEC patients were significantly lower than those of the reference population. The weight-for-age z-score of the AEC cohort increased significantly with advancing age because of increasing body fat. Cleft lip and palate were present in 47% and 94%, respectively, of the AEC cohort; 28% had dentures. One-fourth or more of the AEC cohort reported having nutritional and/or gastrointestinal problems including the need for supplemental formula feedings, gastrostomy placement, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation. Our observations provide novel clinical information about growth, body composition, and nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of children and adults with AEC.
Determination of Fluorine, Chlorine, and Bromine by Molecular Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract Fluorine was determined by molecular absorption spectrometry (MAS) in a graphite tube furnace, and fluorine, chlorine, and bromine were determined in a flame. For the fluorine work, aluminum nitrate was added as a reagent to produce aluminum fluoride molecules whose absorbance was monitored with emission from a platinum hollow cathode lamp (HCL) at 227.45 nm. A deuterium arc lamp was employed for background correction. For the furnace work, barium nitrate was used as a chemical modifier to increase the absorption signal. After optimization of the chemical and furnace conditions, a detection limit of 160 pg F was obtained, with a linear dynamic range of two orders of magnitude. Graphite furnace MAS was used to accurately determine fluoride in dental rinse and National Institute of Standards and Technology oyster tissue, but the precision was between 21 and 23%. Low recoveries were obtained for the determination of trifluoroacetic acid and l,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropan-1-ol by graphite furnace MAS. The detection limit for F by flame MAS was 13 mg liter −1 which is a factor of 5 lower than the best reported flame MAS detection limit. Chlorine was determined by flame MAS with the aluminum chloride molecule. Excitation was done at 261.4 nm with a lead HCL. and a detection limit of 180mg liter −1 was obtained. Flame MAS of bromine was done by use of AlBr (excitation at 279.0 nm with an arsenic HCL) and InBr (excitation at 284.3 nm with a chromium HCL), but very poor detection limits were obtained: 24.5 g liter −1 and 500mg liter −1 , respectively.
A Reduced Set of Air Plasma Reactions for Nanosecond Pulsed Plasmas

The reduction of a mechanism describing plasma chemistry for dry air has been carried out for conditions of nanosecond-pulsed discharge plasmas. The discharge conditions include both diffuse glow and filamentary spark modes. A reduced set for glow discharges is found to have inelastic electron-impact reactions of N2 and O2, quenching of excited N2, electron attachment to O2−, ion conversion between N2+, N4+, O4+, O2+·N2, and O2+, and ion–ion and electron–ion recombination. When the discharge is in a filamentary mode, additional reactions are required beyond those for the glow discharge as a result of the increased electron number density and high levels of molecular dissociation. Those additional reactions include electron-impact excitation of N and O, quenching of excited N2 by N and O, and associative ionization by collisions between excited N2. A significant reduction in the number of species and reactions is obtained without compromising the predicted species’ number densities and temperature. These results provide researchers with reduced kinetic mechanisms that high-fidelity simulations could rely on to save computational time.
A Detailed Comparison Between The NMR Ensemble, Two X-ray Models And Computational Predictions Of Motions For A Designed Sugar Binding Protein

Coarse-grained elastic network models with single point representation of amino acids are becoming increasingly popular for describing conformational flexibility and equilibrium dynamics of proteins. In particular, the Gaussian network model (GNM) predictions have been fairly successful in interpreting the residue-level root-mean-square variations in residue positions inferred from NMR ensembles of structural models for a given protein and the fluctuations in residue positions indicated by crystallographic B-factors. Here, we carried out a detailed analysis for a designed sugar binding protein whose structure was solved in two crystal forms by X-ray crystallography and by NMR. Comparison with experimental data and results from molecular dynamics simulations confirm that the GNM predicts well the equilibrium dynamics of this protein and correlates better with the NMR derived data than crystallographic B-factors. The results further stipulate the importance of examining multiple structures determined by different methods as well as performing both analytical and numerical studies, toward gaining an accurate understanding of the type and range of conformational motions accessible to a given protein under native state conditions.
Advances in psychotropic formulations.

Abstract Background Successful pharmacotherapy is dependent on several factors. While efficacy is obviously important, other factors that are often overlooked include the availability of optimal dosage forms, treatment compliance and reduction in side effects. A number of innovative delivery systems have been developed to address suboptimal therapy outcomes by enhancing drug delivery, assuring efficacy of treatment, reducing side effects, and improving compliance. Objective The purpose of this review is to discuss the advances in formulations for various psychotropic agents that have been developed for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses such as depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Methods Information was identified via a MEDLINE and EMBASE search of data published between 2002 and 2005 with keywords ‘psychotropic’, ‘atypical antipsychotic’, ‘antidepressant’ or ‘anxiolytic’ in combination with ‘new/novel/advanced formulation/delivery/technology’, or ‘controlled release/extended release’, or ‘fast-acting/fast-dissolving/orodispensible’, or ‘intramuscular/inject’. Results In antidepressant therapy, formulations that allow extended release for once-daily and even once-weekly administration, orally disintegrating tablets, and transdermal systems have all been introduced. Long-acting central nervous system stimulants for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder eliminate the need for multiple dosing. A number of new formulations of atypical antipsychotic agents have become available, offering important alternatives in certain patient groups. These include rapid-acting intramuscular injections, liquid formulations, and fast-dissolving tablets, all of which are useful options in the acute treatment setting as well as for geriatric and/or pediatric populations. Furthermore, formulations that deliver sustained levels of medications, including a long-acting antipsychotic and a new extended-release oral formulation, are important new developments that may improve compliance and offer efficacy and safety benefits in long-term management. Conclusions New formulations of psychotropics can offer advantages over older formulations in terms of convenience, side-effect profiles, efficacy, and/or a fast onset of action. Treatment-related factors can help to enhance patient's satisfaction with treatment and compliance, thereby improving patient prognosis and outcomes in both acute and outpatient management.
Treatment of behavior disorders by parents and in the home

Children's behavior disorders are particularly stressful on families. Such behavior disorders may result from coercive family interactions and at the same time contribute to family dysfunction. This unfortunate cycle often results in child abuse, later delinquency, and continued use of aggression and violence in later life. Training parents to use effective behavior control procedures can prevent future and more serious behavior problems. Behavioral procedures that have been effectively applied by parents in the home include differential attention, timeout, token economies, daily report card systems, and contingency contracting. Siblings have also been effective in treating behavior disorders as have the behavior disordered children themselves. A variety of parent training programs have been implemented with individuals and groups. Parent training appears to be most effective when provided early in the child's life, when follow-up assistance is provided and gradually reduced, and when parents use self-management procedures to plan, rearrange, and monitor their own parenting environment.
Media and protocols for the isolation of independent mutants and transformants from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia protoplasts

Developing protoplasts of N. plumbaginifolia can be spatially separated at an early age by embedding them in agarose. If 0.2% bovine serum albumin (BSA) is added to the medium, embedding substantially improves plating efficiencies of these protoplasts over unshaken liquid culture. This procedure allows regeneration of thousands of independent mutant or transformant cell lines with minimal chance of chimeras or multiple regenerants from one transformation event. Reproducible plating efficiencies of 8–20% were achieved under these conditions. A medium that increased the stability of isolated protoplasts also increased the absolute transformation efficiency obtained with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation by over 40%. Thus, the protoplast culture and transformation system described here constitutes a very efficient system for the generation of large numbers of independently transformed callus lines and is suitable for large scale insertion mutagenesis experiments based on transformation of haploid protoplasts.
Uncorrelated error properties of digital filters

In the implementation of digital filters, whether it be hardware or software implementation, registers consisting of a number of a finite number of bits are used to represent and manipulate quantities. A consequence of the use of this finite number of bits in the representation of quantities is the need for the roundoff of quantities after arithmetic or other operations. Round-off of the quantities results in errors, and the nature of these errors depends upon a variety of factors. In particular these errors are deterministic or stochastic depending upon whether the input is deterministic or stochastic, respectively. However, under certain circumstances for the case of the deterministic input, a stochastic model for the errors may be considered. This enables one to dichotomize the roundoff and other errors depending upon the correlated or the uncorrelated nature of these errors. The present paper considers various sources and the nature of these errors, and analyzes the generation, propogation and the effect of these errors on the performance of a digital filter, where the assumption of uncorrelatedness holds.
The introduction of mathematics in higher education in China, 1865–1887

Abstract A description, based on official documents and writings by contemporary European observers, of the three decisive events leading to the introduction of mathematics in higher education in China in the period 1860–1890: (1) The printing, under the patronage of the scholar general Tseng kuo-fan, of a complete Chinese translation of Euclid's Elements by Li Chan-lan and Alexander Wylie. (2) Under the leadership of Prince Kung (I-hsin), the establishment of the Imperial Interpreters College and the inclusion of mathematics in its curriculum, with Li-Shan-lan as one of the first professors of mathematics. (3) Inclusion of mathematics in the civil service examinations. The record shows that military motivations were dominant in the reform movement.
Muertas en vida. Investigación sobre la represión dada a las mujeres en la postguerra española en Ciudad Real

Este texto analiza los aspectos de genero que diferenciaron la represion dirigida a las mujeres de la aplicada a los hombres durante los primeros anos del regimen de Franco. Para ello se aplica una perspectiva de analisis tanto desde el feminismo y los estudios de genero como desde la antropologia politica, a la situacion historica particular. De esta manera, sera posible enlazar dichos aspectos con las tradiciones heredadas, tanto politicas como de pensamiento, vigentes durante el regimen franquista. El articulo propone una explicacion sobre como la salida de la mujer del espacio domestico y su actuacion como sujeto politico en el espacio publico, ocurrida en Espana durante la II Republica y la Guerra Civil, no fue un hecho ignorado, sino acallado por las politicas represivas gubernamentales, que construyo un elaborado discurso de narracion historica en el que este suceso fue re-significado y re-construido como colectiva y publicamente inexistente, siendo convertido en una distorsion: una serie de casos particulares de delincuencia y desviacion. La constitucion de este discurso se baso desde un principio en el desarrollo de una serie de practicas entre las que destaca la logica del sistema de justicia, como mostraremos a traves del analisis de los expedientes de los juicios sumarisimos de las mujeres. Es a traves del examen de estos expedientes, en tanto que producciones culturales, donde se aprecia el funcionamiento de un sistema de construccion simbolico incapaz de conceptualizar a la mujer como sujeto politico.
Early Literacy: Linkages between Home, School and Literacy Achievement at Age Five.

Abstract This article reports the findings relating the predictor variables identified through the analyses discussed in the previous articles to the outcome measures of early literacy from the test battery administered to the children in the Home-School Study of Language and Literacy Development at age five. The test battery, called the SHELL-K (School Home Early Language and Literacy), uses a variety of assessment procedures to develop a componential view of each child's language and literacy development. The results demonstrate that both home and school measures contribute to children's literacy achievement at age five. Finally, profiles of the three selected children are presented demonstrating the variability in the experiences and outcomes for these children.
Surface and optical properties of Langmuir and LB films of a crown-ether C60 derivative

The Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of a benzo-18-crown-6-methanofullerene (1) were studied by spectrophotometry and Breewster angle microscopy. The surface pressure-area isotherm of the C{sub 60} derivative (1) was obtained, and the compressibility of the isotherms was calculated. The addition of KCl to the water subphase stabilized the monolayer and increased the limiting area per molecule from 84 to 101 A, which is near the theoretical value. The changes of the Langmuir monolayer UV-vis spectra as a function of time are considered to be due to fullerene aggregation. Polymerization was not detected upon UV irradiation, in contrast to what has been reported in the literature. Breewster angle microscopy shows different aggregation properties of the benzo-18-crown-6-methanofullerene (1) Langmuir monolayers on pure water compared to those on a 1 M KCl subphase. 24 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.