cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced memory insult, γ-secretase, and neuroinflammation in triple transgenic mice by 5-lipoxygenase.

Besides amyloid and tau pathology, a constant feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an intense inflammatory response, which is considered an active player in its pathogenesis. The 5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) is a proinflammatory enzyme and an endogenous modulator of AD-like phenotype in mouse models of the disease. To further understand the role of 5LO in AD pathogenesis, we exposed the triple transgenic (3×Tg) and 3×Tg/5LO knockout mice to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known inducer of neuroinflammation, and evaluated its effect on their AD-like phenotype. 3×Tg mice treated with LPS manifested a worsening of behavior, γ-secretase up-regulation, and increased neuroinflammatory responses. These effects were completely prevented in 3×Tg mice genetically deficient for 5LO. By contrast, the absence of 5LO did not protect against increase in tau phosphorylation at specific epitopes that were mediated by the activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5. Our data demonstrate that the 5LO pathway affects key neuropathological features of the AD-like phenotype (behavior, abeta, microgliosis, astrocytosis) but not others (tau pathology) in the LPS-dependent neuroinflammation model. The opposite ways whereby 5LO influences the LPS-dependent effects in vivo supports the complex nature of the neuroinflammatory response in AD and its differential role in modulating amyloid and tau neuropathology.
A method for the preparation of labelled gossypol by the incorporation of 14C acetate

Carbon-14 14labelled gossypol has been prepared by incorporating 1,2-14C acetate in the growth medium of cold shocked cotton (Gossypium arboreum) seedling roots. Unlabelled gossypol was added during the purification procedure to aid crystallization; thus, from 350 seedling roots, 25 uCi sodium (1,2-14C) (45–60 mCi/mmol) acetate and 800 mg of unlabelled gossypol; 350 mg of labelled gossypol (1900 dpm/mg) was isolated.
Recreational damages from reservoir storage level changes.

Several extreme events affecting recreation have occurred in the Humboldt River Basin of northern Nevada. In 1992, agricultural users completely drained Rye Patch Reservoir killing millions of fish. Additionally, since 1990 gold mines located in the basin have pumped and discharged water into the Humboldt River; in recent years, discharges have equaled approximately 60% of the river's annual flow. In this paper we develop and estimate a joint model of fish catch and recreation demand, both of which depend on water levels, to assess the losses and gains from water level changes tied to events in the basin.
Frequency-domain measurement of indoor UWB channels

In this paper, we have implemented and analyzed BSFs with ring resonators. The attenuation poles were obtained using the ABCD matrix. We have utilized different perturbation elements to control the attenuation poles in order to obtain good performance. The numerical calculation of the lumped elements agrees with the simulation and measurement. In addition, all the simulated and measured results of the filters have been presented and compared with the theoretical results. ABSTRACT: A frequency-domain approach for propagation measure- ments and characterization of indoor ultra-wideband (UWB) channels is presented. The approach is based on measurement of the magnitude using a scalar network analyzer and retrieving the phase from the mag- nitude data using a Hilbert transform relationship. Extensive propaga- tion data are collected in a frequency range of 1 to 12 GHz in two buildings on the Virginia Tech campus. Using the measured data, chan- nel-characterization results are obtained and compared to those based on time-domain measurements. The statistical results for small-scale fading, the path-loss exponent, and signal quality are presented. The frequency-domain results are generally in good agreement with the time-domain results, and also reaffirm the immunity of UWB propaga- tion to small-scale fading. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 118 -123, 2005; Published online in Wiley Inter- Science (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20563
Lateral shift of an optical beam due to leaky surface-plasmon excitations

A leaky-wave theory is applied to the study of the lateral shift of a bounded optical beam reflected from a prism-air-metal (and prism-metal-air) layered configuration with surface-plasmon excitations. The locations of the pole and the zero of the reflection coefficient for the leaky surface-plasmon mode are calculated as one varies the thickness of the center layer. The excited surface-plasmon mode is leaky because of the presence of the prism. Both the real part and the imaginary part of the pole are affected by the energy leakage. The detailed structure of the reflected intensity and the forward and backward shifts of the reflected beam are illustrated.
Crack resistance by interfacial bridging: Its role in determining strength characteristics

An indentation-strength formulation is presented for nontransforming ceramic materials that show an increasing toughness with crack length (T curve, or R curve) due to the restraining action of interfacial bridges behind the crack tip. By assuming a stress-separation function for the bridges a microstructure-associated stress intensity factor is determined for the penny-like indentation cracks. This stress intensity factor opposes that associated with the applied loading, thereby contributing to an apparent toughening of the material, i.e., the measured toughness in excess of that associated with the intrinsic cohesion of the grain boundaries (intergranular fracture). The incorporation of this additional factor into conventional indentation fracture mechanics allows the strengths of specimens with Vickers flaws to be calculated as a function of indentation load. The resulting formulation is used to analyze earlier indentation-strength data on a range of alumina, glass-ceramic, and barium titanate materials. Numerical deconvolution of these data determines the appropriate T curves. A feature of the analysis is that materials with pronounced T curves have the qualities of flaw tolerance and enhanced crack stability. It is suggested that the indentation-strength methodology, in combination with the bridging model, can be a powerful tool for the development and characterization of structural ceramics, particularly with regard to grain boundary structure.
NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF DIETS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: INTRODUCTION

Meeting the nutritional needs of healthy Americans is a focus of national health priorities. Americans of all ages are being encouraged to make “healthy food choices.” Food science and human nutrition professionals are playing many roles in helping Americans to improve the nutritional quality of their diets.
Sibling relationships across the life span

Introduction: Importance of Sibling Relationships. A Life Span Perspective for Sibling Research. Methodological Approaches and Issues in Studying Siblings. Siblings in Childhood Adolescence. Siblings in Adulthood and Old Age. Siblings in Crosscultural Perspective. Understanding Sibling Relationships: A Hermeneutic Approach. Sibling Helping Relationships. Siblings as Caregivers of Elderly Parents. Siblings with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities. Sibling Conflict, Aggression, Violence, and Abuse. Sibling Sexual Experiences: Normal Exploratory Behavior, Nonabusive Incest, and Abusive Incest. Loss of Siblings through Death. Siblings and Psychotherapy. Epilog. Index.
Hydrogen bonding ligand functionality and catalytic selectivity in homogeneous hydrosilylation of enones with rhodium complexes

Abstract Hydrogen bonding ligand functionality is introduced into the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand of [Rh(cod)(NHC)(PPh 3 )]OTf (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) to look for molecular recognition effects on the selectivity of the reduction of PhCH CHCOMe by Et 3 SiH. Selectivity differences are indeed found between the control catalyst and those containing molecular recognition groups, particularly in the E : Z ratios of the silyl enol ether product.
The phylogeny of rationality

A rational agent has beliefs reflecting the state of its environment, and likes or dislikes Its situation. When it finds the world not entirely to Its liking, it tries to change that. We can, accordingly, evaluate a system of cognition in terms of its probable success in bringing about situations that are to the agent's liking. In doing this we are viewing practical reasoning from “the design stance.” It is argued that a considerable amount of the structure of rationality can be elicited as providing the only apporant solutions to various logical and feasibility problems that arise in the course of trying to design a rational agent that satisfies this design specification.
Oligomerization is essential for transport of vesicular stomatitis viral glycoprotein to the cell surface

Using ts045, a temperature sensitive strain of Vesicular stomatitis virus, we show that oligomerization of G protein is a prerequisite for its transport from RER to the Golgi apparatus and for its subsequent maturation. While wild-type G forms an oligomer in the RER, ts045 G synthesized at the nonpermissive temperature does not. When the permissive temperature is reinstated, ts045 G forms an oligomer and moves to the Golgi. The state of oligomerization was determined by chemical cross-linking and by the ability of a microinjected monoclonal antibody specific for the carboxy-terminal five amino acids of the cytoplasmic tail of G to cause patching of G in intracellular membranes. We conclude that formation of an oligomer of G protein, probably a trimer, is necessary for G protein maturation.
Minimizing the makespan of a group scheduling problem: a new heuristic

Abstract A group scheduling problem focuses on determining the sequence or order in which the jobs (parts) assigned to a cell should be processed in order to either maximize or minimize some measure of effectiveness. In this paper a new heuristic algorithm has been developed and presented for minimizing the makespan criterion of a group scheduling problem. The underlying premise for the new algorithm is based on the fact that jobs with higher mean total processing time should be given a higher priority in generating partial schedules that eventually lead to determining a complete schedule for the problem. The steps associated with the heuristic have been applied to a real world application chosen from published literature. The complete schedule determined by the new heuristic resulted in a smaller makespan than the makespan determined by two previously documented heuristics. Additionally, an extensive statistical analysis has been carried out to compare the performances of the three heuristics based on a randomized complete block design. The results obtained show a superior performance by the new heuristic over the two previous heuristics on all problem sizes (small, medium, and large) attempted.
Electrically Conducting Poly(undecylbithiophene)s. 1. Regioselective Synthesis and Primary Structure

Poly(undecylbithiophene), formally an alternating copolymer of thiophene and 3-undecylthiophene, has been synthesized via two different protocols. Direct oxidative polymerization of 3-undecyl-2,2‘-...
Predicting unpredictability: a model of women's processes of predicting battering men's violence

This paper proposes a theoretical model of how women predict men's violence within the context of battering. The model was developed from a grounded theory study of 30 women. Participants were recruited using advertisements in free neighborhood newspapers. Interviews were conducted in small groups or individually. The analysis revealed that battered women developed sophisticated knowledge about and response patterns to their partners' violent behaviors. They identified specific changes in their partners' eyes, speech, and tone of voice and described specific situations that served as warning signs of potential violence. Once able to identify warning signs, women responded with strategies of avoidance, engagement, fleeing, and enlisting the help of others to avert or delay violent incidences. These strategies provided temporary relief but did not usually result in the cessation of violence. Language: en
On the attribution and additivity of binding energies.

Abstract It can be useful to describe the Gibbs free energy changes for the binding to a protein of a molecule, A—B, and of its component parts, A and B, in terms of the “intrinsic binding energies” of A and B, ΔGAi and ΔGBi, and a “connection Gibbs energy,” ΔGs that is derived largely from changes in translational and rotational entropy. This empirical approach avoids the difficult or insoluble problem of interpreting observed ΔH and TΔS values for aqueous solutions. The ΔGi and ΔGs terms can be large for binding to enzymes and other proteins.
Individual patterns of alcohol use

Abstract Aims We present methodology to identify statistically distinct patterns of daily alcohol use and classify them into categories that could be further used in monitoring of transitions between patterns such as transitions from regular to problem use. Data The study analyzed individual patterns of adult alcohol consumption from two datasets containing short ( Results By using a non-parametric (Kolmogorov–Smirnov) test we have identified distinct drinking patterns and classified them into 8 types according to their means, percentages of non-drinking days and variances of consumed amount during drinking days. For each studied individual we calculated a transition chart that characterizes transitions between the types. Conclusions Individual daily consumption patterns can be identified, and classified into distinct patterns. Changes between the patterns could be related to life events or environmental trends, and thus provide insights into pathways towards either heavier use or recovery.
Measurement of mutual diffusion coefficients, densities, viscosities, and osmotic coefficients for the system KSCN-H2O at 25°C

Mutual diffusion coefficients measured on the volume-fixed frame of reference are reported for KSCN-H2O at 25°C over the concentration range 0.0 to 10.26 mol-dm−3. The diffusion coefficient at infinite dilution was obtained from limiting ionic equivalent conductances of K+ and SCN−. Low concentration conductances of KSCN-H2O at 25°C used to obtain the limiting ionic equivalent conductance of SCN− are reported. Values of density and viscosity for this system are reported from 0.0 to 10.30 mol-dm−3. Osmotic coefficienss of KSCN-H2O at 25°C were measured by the isopiestic method. These are reported over the concentration range of 0.30 to 24.94 molal (saturation). Values of thermodynamic diffusion coefficients for the concentration range 0.0 to 10.26 mol-dm−3 are tabulated. Results are compared to other potassium salts with monovalent anions at 25°C.
Developing the Capability to Monitor Small Fatigue Crack Growth Under Elevated Temperature, Ultra-High Vacuum Conditions (Preprint)

It has been reported that the minimum observed fatigue lifetimes in numerous structural alloys are dominated by the small-crack growth behavior. While environmental effects on fatigue crack growth behavior of Ni-base superalloys are well documented within the literature, the published research is largely limited to long crack behavior due to the difficulty of measuring small cracks in a vacuum chamber. A testing capability incorporating optical measurement of small fatigue cracks under ultra-high vacuum (~10−9 Torr) and at elevated temperatures has been developed. Optical measurement capabilities have been evaluated under laboratory air conditions to determine crack measurement accuracy. A vacuum fatigue test was then completed at 650 °C on a Ni-base superalloy specimen to quantify the effect of vacuum on the propagation life within the small crack regime. The effectiveness of this test capability and considerations for this technique are discussed.
The Structure of SiO2-Sol-Gel Glasses Produced from Gels with Various Mole-Water per Mole-TEOS Ratios

SiO2-gels produced with 4, 8, and 16 mol water per mol TEOS were densified up to 1000°C and then exposed to gamma-ray irradiation in order to produce paramagnetic defect centers. Various paramagnetic states were detected during densification of these gels, the formation of which depends on the mol water per mol TEOS ratio. In the gels O2− ions were detected. The paramagnetic centers detected in the n = 16 gel with TH = 900°C were attributed to a non-bridging oxygen and an E′1-center. Three different O2− ions, probably in interstitial positions, were detected in the n = 16-gel with TH = 1000°C. The CO2− center was observed in the n = 8 gel with TH = 900°C. A variety of new components occur at TH = 1000°C in the n = 8 gel, the origin of which remains unresolved at present. The ·CH3, CO2−, and E′1-centers were detected in the n = 4 gel with TH = 700°C. The CO2− and E′1 centers were preserved after heat treating the n = 4 gel at TH = 1000°C.
Large-scale neural modeling in MapReduce and Giraph

One of the most crucial challenges in scientific computing is scalability. Hadoop, an open-source implementation of the MapReduce parallel programming model developed by Google, has emerged as a powerful platform for performing large-scale scientific computing at very low costs. In this paper, we explore the use of Hadoop to model large-scale neural networks. A neural network is most naturally modeled by a graph structure with iterative processing. In this paper, we first present an improved graph algorithm design pattern in MapReduce called Mapper-side Schimmy. Experiments show that the application of our design pattern, combined with the current best practices, can reduce the running time of the neural network simulation on a neural network with 100,000 neurons and 2.3 billion edges by 64%. MapReduce, however, is inherently not efficient for iterative graph processing. To address the limitation of the MapReduce model, we then explore the use of Giraph, an open source large-scale graph processing framework that sits on top of Hadoop to implement graph algorithms with a vertex-centric approach. We show that our Giraph implementation boosted performance by 91% compared to a basic MapReduce implementation and by 60% compared to our improved Mapper-side Schimmy algorithm.
On a Two-Unit Standby-Redundant System with Imperfect Switchover

A standby-redundant repairable system having only two units and an imperfect switchover is considered. The Lapace-Stieltjes transform of the distribution of the time to first system faflure (TFSF) and the mean TFSF are derived. Numerical comparisons of the mean TFSF with both perfect and imperfect switching are made. All time distributions, except repair of the main units, are exponential.
Determination of explosives in soil and ground water by liquid chromatography-amperometric detection.

Abstract Electrochemical reduction of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and several nitroaromatics has been exploited toward the development of an amperometric detector for liquid chromatography (LC). Up to a ten-fold increase in sensitivity was accomplished for the explosives using amperometric detection instead of conventional UV measurement. A working glassy carbon electrode (poised at −0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl) offered a detection limit of 9, 44 and 550 n M for trinitrobenzene, TNT and 1,4-dinitrobenzene, respectively. Separation of eleven TNT-related compounds in a mixture was achieved within 15 min using a C 18 column and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–50 m M phosphate buffer pH 5 (1:2, v/v) and 18 m M sodium dodecylsulfate. The LC–amperometric detection system was applicable for analyzing soil extracts and ground water and the results obtained agreed well with that of the US Environmental Protection Agency recommended procedure. Extension to analysis of HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine) and RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) was accomplished with a silver working electrode instead of a glassy carbon electrode installed in a thin channel cell.
Tetracycline resistance determinants in Mycobacterium and Streptomyces species.

Two of seven tetracycline-resistant (Tcr) Mycobacterium fortuitum group isolates and six Tcr clinical Streptomyces isolates carried gram-positive Tcr determinants (Tet K and Tet L) and Streptomyces resistance determinants (Otr A, Otr B, and Otr C). This represents the first documentation of the acquisition by mycobacteria of determinants coding for antibiotic resistance and suggests the potential for the spread of antibiotic resistance determinants within mycobacterial species. Images
Incidence and prevention of epithelial growth within the interface after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose To analyze the incidence of epithelial growth within the interface after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and describe a technique that may prevent its occurrence. Methods Results were reviewed for all LASIK procedures performed by two surgeons using identical surgical technique with either the Automated Corneal Shaper or Hansatome microkeratome. After laser ablation, the bed and posterior surface of the flap were irrigated with 0.2 microM filtered basic salt solution, and the surfaces were swept with lint-free sponges to clear the interface of epithelial and other debris. An aspirating lid speculum connected to suction was used to evacuate irrigation fluid and debris from the field. After the flap was smoothed into position, a bandage contact lens was used for the first day after surgery to prevent lifting of the flap edge during blinking. Results Seven hundred eighty-three eyes of 419 patients had primary LASIK, and 108 eyes had LASIK reoperation. Three eyes developed epithelial growth within the interface, with a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. The interface opacity appeared within 1 month of surgery in all three eyes. Two epithelial nests were small (1.0 and 1.5 mm in diameter, respectively) and did not increase in size on subsequent visits. Neither peripheral epithelial nest affected best-corrected visual acuity or caused any other sequelae. One ingrowth occurred early postoperatively in a case with a donut-shaped flap and was eliminated by transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Conclusion Irrigating, wiping the stromal interface with sponges. aspirating irrigation fluid and debris with a suctioning lid speculum, and use of a bandage contact lens for the first day after surgery during LASIK and LASIK enhancement may markedly reduce the incidence of epithelial growth within the interface.
Determination of the free-energy coupling for binding of calcium ions and troponin I to calmodulin

Regulation of a wide variety of biological systems by Ca2+ is now known to be mediated through calmodulin, a Ca2+-binding protein. Calmodulin forms Ca2+-dependent complexes with several proteins, including troponin I. We have determined the free-energy coupling (delta GoCT) for binding of Ca2+ and troponin I to calmodulin by measuring Ca2+ binding to calmodulin and to the 1:1 calmodulin-troponin I complex by equilibrium dialysis. The dissociation constant for the Ca2+4.calmodulin and troponin I complex was also determined directly by monitoring fluorescence intensity changes accompanying complex formation between Ca2+4.CaM and N-dansylaziridine-troponin I, a fluorescent derivative of troponin I. Calmodulin displayed four Ca2+-binding sites of similar affinity with a geometric mean dissociation constant of 14 microM. In the presence of saturating troponin I, the geometric mean dissociation constant for the four Ca2+-binding sites was shifted to 1.7 microM. delta GoCT was therefore -1.25 kcal/mol of Ca2+. Saturation of calmodulin with Ca2+ would therefore be expected to increase its affinity for troponin I about 4500-fold. A dissociation constant of 20 nM was determined for the Ca2+4.calmodulin.N-dansylaziridine-troponin I complex. The dissociation constant of the calmodulin.N-dansylaziridine-troponin I complex in the absence of Ca2+ should therefore be about 90 microM. A prediction of this data is that binding of Ca2+ to calmodulin will show strong positive cooperativity when Ca2+ binding to a substoichiometric number of sites is sufficient to promote calmodulin.troponin I complex formation.
Upflow vertical tube evaporation with interface enhancement; pressure drop reduction and heat transfer enhancement by the addition of a surfactant

Abstract The heat transfer performance of a series of full-sized, commercial distillation tubes of the double-fluted type was evaluated in an upflow vertical tube evaporator, under process conditions that are realistic for large-plant multiple effect operation. This tube series comprised two of each aluminum-brass tubes, 1O-ft. long and 3-, 2-, 1.5- and 1-in. diameter, tested in parallel pairs. Fresh water and sea water were used as feeds recirculated to the evaporator, with and without the addition of a surfactant for interface enhancement: heat transfer performance was approximately doubled with the larger diameter tubes but the smaller tubes did not respond well. It was concluded that differences in tube diameter can account for the apparent contradictions in the literature, on the basis of our tube pressure drop data. Some conclusions pertinent to the design of multiple-effect vertical tube evaporators are also drawn.
2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]Fluoro-d-Glucose–Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging Evaluation of Esophageal Cancer

We evaluated the clinical utility of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)–positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) on the precise localization of pathologic foci and exclusion of normal variants in the imaging evaluation of patients with esophageal carcinoma. Combined PET/CT scans were performed in 60 patients (50 males, 10 females, age range 47–84 years) with history of esophageal carcinoma either at the time of initial diagnosis (group I, n = 14) or for surveillance and/or detection of recurrent and metastatic disease (group II, n = 46). Prior treatments included esophagectomy with gastric pull-up (n = 23), surgery and chemotherapy (n = 3), surgery and chemoradiation therapy (n = 10), chemotherapy alone (n = 5), radiation therapy alone (n = 2), and chemoradiation without surgery (n = 3). Diagnostic validation was by tissue sampling in three patients and clinical/radiological follow-up for up to 1.5 years in the remaining patients. In group I, discordant abnormalities were noted in seven patients. PET demonstrated hypermetabolism in normal-size lymph nodes on CT in three patients that were considered likely true positive in view of concurrent existence of other adjacent enlarged hypermetabolic lymph nodes in the same nodal basin. Hypometabolic incidental CT abnormalities of up to 1-cm lung nodules were noted in three patients and pleural effusion in one patient, which were considered true negative in view of no change on follow-up PET/CT studies. In group II, both PET and CT showed concordant abnormalities in 23 patients. The precise image fusion of hypermetabolism in a liver lesion allowed a diagnostic CT-guided biopsy in one patient. PET demonstrated true positive hypermetabolic abnormalities in four patients that localized to structures, which were normal by noncontrast CT criteria, and true negative in one patient with hepatic fatty deposits. PET showed decline in metabolic activity of the primary lesion in one patient after chemotherapy, while the corresponding CT abnormality remained unchanged. PET/CT image fusion provided relevant complementary diagnostic information in 14 patients with discordant findings (23% of total) that resulted in biopsy in three cases, institution of chemotherapy in four cases, and a wait-and-watch strategy in seven cases. In conclusion, our findings add to the current body of literature that suggests that FDG-PET/CT scanning may improve the imaging evaluation of patients with esophageal cancer by providing complementary structural-metabolic information. In particular, our findings support the notion that PET/CT may be the most appropriate imaging modality in the evaluation of patients of esophageal cancer that may impact patient management.
A random field model for generating synthetic microstructures of functionally graded materials

This article presents a new level-cut, inhomogeneous, filtered Poisson random field model for representing two-phase microstructures of statistically inhomogeneous, functionally graded materials with fully penetrable embedded particles. The model involves an inhomogeneous, filtered Poisson random field comprising a sum of deterministic kernel functions that are scaled by random variables and a cut of the filtered Poisson field above a specified level. The resulting level-cut field depends on the Poisson intensity, level, kernel functions, random scaling variables, and random rotation matrices. A reconstruction algorithm including model calibration and Monte Carlo simulation is presented for generating samples of two-phase microstructures of statistically inhomogeneous media. Numerical examples demonstrate that the model developed is capable of producing a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional microstructures of functionally graded composites containing particles of various sizes, shapes, densities, gradations, and orientations. An example involving finite element analyses of random microstructures, leading to statistics of effective properties of functionally graded composites, illustrates the usefulness of the proposed model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Historical Reasoning Instruction and Writing Strategy Mastery in Culturally and Academically Diverse Middle School Classrooms.

Seventy 8th-grade students (including talented writers, those with average ability, and students in need of special education services) participated in an integrated social studies and language arts unit designed to promote historical understandings and argumentative writing skills. The historical reasoning instruction lasted 12 days, and the writing instruction lasted 10 days. Students applied historical inquiry strategies when reading documents related to westward expansion and learned to plan argumentative essays related to each historical event. Results indicate that in comparison to 62 students in a control group who did not receive either form of instruction, students who demonstrated mastery of the target strategies during instruction wrote historically more accurate and more persuasive essays regardless of their initial learning profile.
Excess vitamin A and development of the cerebral cortex

In previous experiments excess vitamin A, administered to pregnant rats during the early stages of gestation, was found to interfere with the mitotic activity of the neuro-epithelial cells bordering the neural groove. The result was exencephaly and anencephaly in a high percentage of the newborn. The present work was undertaken to examine the influence of hypervitaminosis A on the behavior of the neuro-epithelial cells of the cerebral hemisphere and the subsequent migration and differentiation of the neuroblasts during the later stages of development. Swiss-Webster mice were treated with large doses of vitamin A on days 14 and 15 of gestation. When subsequently the cell cycle of the neuro-epithelial cells lining the lateral ventricle of 15-day fetuses was determined, vitamin A was found to increase both the duration of the mitosis and DNA synthetic period. In comparison with the controls, the total generation time was prolonged by approximately 40%. Since almost all neuroblasts of the cerebral cortex originate in the neuro-epithelial zone bordering the lateral ventricle, the total number of neuroblast formed is in all probability less than normal. Indeed, prelimiinary data on the number of cells present in the cerebral cortex of 10-day postnatal rats treated with excess vitamin A toward the end of pregnancy showed a decrease in cell density, indicating either a reduction in the number of cells formed or a degeneration of existing cells. In a second experiment Swiss-Webster mice were treated with excess vitamin A during three successive days in the second half of pregnancy. The cerebral cortex of the newborn was examined one to ten days after birth. Histological examination revealed a rather sharply delineated zone of abnormal cells characterized by a lightly stained cytoplasm, a thick nuclear memberane, a desely stained nucleoplasm and several dark chromatin bodies. When the position of the zone containing the abnormal cells was analyzed and correlated with the day of formation in the neuroepithelial zone, it was found that the affected cells were neuroblasts already present in the cortex before the vitamin treatment was started. This indicates that excess vitamin A, given to pregnant mice during the later stages of gestation, influences the development of the cerebral cortex, not only by interfering with the production of cells in the neuroepithelial zone, but also by affecting the differentiation of existing neuroblasts. As a result of these anomalies, some of the newborn appeared to have abnormal patterns of behavior.
Wall heating effect on local heat transfer in a rotating two-pass square channel with 90° rib turbulators

Abstract The influence of wall heating condition on the local heat transfer coefficient in a rotating, two-pass, square channel with 90° transverse ribs on the leading and trailing walls was investigated for Reynolds numbers from 2500 to 25000 and rotation numbers from 0 to 0.352. Three thermal boundary condition cases were studied: (A) all four walls at the same temperature, (B) all four walls at the same heat flux, and (C) trailing wall hotter than leading with side walls unheated and insulated. The results for case A show that the ribbed wall heat transfer coefficients with rotation increase by a factor of two to three over the smooth wall data with rotation. As rotation number (or buoyancy parameter) increases, the heat transfer coefficients on the first pass (outflow) trailing wall increase and on the first pass leading wall decrease. The reverse is true for the second pass (inflow). The heat transfer coefficients on the first pass leading and second pass trailing walls for cases B and C are 50% higher than those for case A.
High temperature oxidation of acetaldehyde

The gas phase kinetics of the first stage of acetaldehyde oxidation were studied from 1030°K to 1115°K in a turbulent flow reactor which permits accurate determination of the spatial distribution of stable species. Experiments were performed in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure containing 0.1–0.75% acetaldehyde and 0.16–8% oxygen. The major and minor products measured were H2, CO, CH4, C2H6 and CO2, C2H4, H2CO respectively. C2H2, C3H6, C2H5CHO, and (CH3)2CO were found in trace quantities ( In addition by assuming that k39≈2×1013 cm3/mole-sec, the rate constants k23=1013.3T1/2e−21,100/T cm3/(mole-seco- K1/2) and k33=1012.23 e−5,350/T cm3/mole-sec for the reactions O2+CH3CHO→HO2+CH3CO (23) HO2+CH3CHO→H2O2+CH3CO (33) were evaluated and are consistent with literature values. This analysis also showed that in the first portions of the combustion, carbon dioxide is formed primarily by CO+HO2→CO2+OH (42) although the step CO+OH→CO2+H (36) is expected to predominate in the later stages. The rate constant, k42, was determined to be 5.6×109 cm3/mole-sec at 1100°K which supports its observed high activation energy (≈20 kcal/mole). An overall rate equation, derived from a simplified mechanism is presented and is in agreement with the experimental results.
Polarization Gradient Coefficients and the Dispersion Surface of the Soft Mode in Perovskite Ferroelectrics

The gradient coefficients in the Landau-Ginzburg theory are crucial for quantitative description of domain walls in ferroelectrics. The magnitude of these gradient coefficients are a measure of nonlocal coupling strength of the polarization. In this paper, we intend to explain the physical meaning of these gradient coefficients in terms of lattice dynamics and give some relationships between these gradient coefficients and the dispersion surface of the soft mode. The implications for the study of over damped soft modes are also discussed.
Congruence of Mother and Teacher Educational Expectations and Low-Income Youth's Academic Competence.

In this study, the authors examined the independent effects of teacher and mother expectations on youth achievement outcomes, the mediating factors that explain the relationship between adult expectations and student achievement, and the effects of congruent vs. dissonant adult expectations on achievement. Participants were an ethnically diverse sample of 522 low-income, urban youth (ages 9-16). Youth's mothers and teachers also participated. Findings show that adult expectations exert a significant influence on youth's academic competency and performance. Moreover, adult expectations matter both independently and conjointly: Comparably high mother and teacher expectations have a generative effect on youth outcomes, and comparably low mother and teacher expectations have a disruptive effect. Of particular interest are findings demonstrating the buffering effects of high mother expectations in the face of low teacher expectations.
Hyperspectral target detection using independent component analysis based linear mixture model

This paper presents an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) based linear unmixing algorithm for target detection application. ICA is a relatively new method that attempts to separate statistically independent sources from a mixed dataset. The developed algorithm contains two steps. In the first step, ICA based linear unmixing is used to discriminate statistically independent sources to determine end-members in a given dataset as well as their corresponding abundance images. In the second step, unmixing results are analyzed to identify abundance images that correspond to the target class. The performance of the developed algorithm has been evaluated with several real life hyperspectral image datasets.
EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC INHALATION OF HASHISH, MARIJUANA, AND Δ9TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL ON BRAIN ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN MAN: EVIDENCE FOR TISSUE TOLERANCE*

An EEG profile for cannabis preparations equated for delta 9-THC activity has been defined in occasional cannabis users in New York and in long-term, high-dose hashish users in Athens. The EEG effects of enhanced alpha activity, decreased beta activity, and decreased mean frequency are dose dependent, both in intensity and in duration. The behavioral measures, particularly self-ratings of euphoria ("high" or "mastura") and heart rate, are also dose dependent and interrelated with the EEG measures. Tolerance to the cerebral, heart rate, and behavioral effects of repeated inhalations of delta 9-THC are demonstrable in chronic users and also in short-term (21-day) experimental administration studies. delta9-THC and cannabis preparations are distinguishable from opiates, hallucinogens, and deliriants by their EEG effects. No differences in incidence of abnormal EEG records were found between long-term heavy hashish users and controls. Taken in conjunction with the neurologic, echo-EEG, and psychopathologic data in these men, we failed to define a syndrome of persistent brain damage as a result of hashish use, although persistent adaptational changes are noted in the development of tissue tolerance.
Pronunciability in verbal learning of the deaf.

Summary The investigation was concerned with the effect of rated pronunciability on learning of trigrams by three categories of deaf subjects differing in histories of hearing loss. Lists of trigrams of three levels of difficulty were presented through a memory drum to the three groups of 18 Ss each. A total of four free recall trials was given for learning of each list. By means of the Friedman two-way analysis of variance and Mann Whitney U test, the following were the results: (a) Pronunciability is a predictor of learning for all categories of deafness. (b) With a moderate level of difficulty, the profoundly deaf Ss performed significantly more poorly than those in other categories.
Long-term chronic complications from Stamey endoscopic bladder neck suspension: a case series.

Purpose/objective Long-term complications from anti-incontinence surgical procedures are rarely reported. We report on delayed presentation of complications relating to the synthetic bolster placed for the Stamey bladder neck suspension. Materials and methods: Patients undergoing re-operative surgery following prior Stamey endoscopic bladder neck suspension were selected from a surgical database. Four women with lower urinary tract and/or vaginal symptoms following prior Stamey endoscopic bladder neck suspension were identified. All patients had undergone removal of the bolster material by a single surgeon (ESR) at re-operation. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative inpatient and outpatient records were reviewed. Results: Patients presented with a variety of symptoms including urinary incontinence, recurrent cystitis, vaginitis, and urinary frequency at 9, 11, 11, and 12 years after Stamey bladder neck suspension. In addition, two patients presented with recurrent, intermittent bloody vaginal discharge and two patients complained of recurrent urinary tract infections and irritative voiding symptoms. All patients underwent transvaginal excision of the Dacron bolster. Three patients also underwent placement of an autologous pubovaginal sling for symptomatic recurrent stress urinary incontinence. At a mean follow-up of 30 months all four patients were improved. There was no recurrence of vaginal discharge or urinary tract infections. Irritative voiding symptoms resolved. Conclusions: Delayed complications from surgically implanted synthetic materials can present many years after initial implantation. The clinical findings are often subtle and require a high degree of suspicion. Vaginal discharge and irritative urinary symptoms in patients with even a remote history of Stamey bladder neck suspension should prompt a thorough vaginal exam and cystoscopy. Excision of the bolsters can be performed and is usually followed by symptomatic improvement.
The dynamics of software project staffing: a system dynamics based simulation approach

The author focuses on the dynamics of software project staffing throughout the software-development lifecycle. The research vehicle is a comprehensive system-dynamics model of the software-development process. A detailed discussion of the model's structure as well as its behavior is provided. The results of a case study in which the model is used to simulate the staffing practices of an actual software project are then presented. The experiment produces some interesting insights into the policies (both explicit and implicit) for managing the human resource, and their impact on project behavior. The decision-support capability of the model to answer what-if questions is also demonstrated. In particular, the model is used to test the degree of interchangeability of men and months on the particular software project. >
A Framework for Entailed Relation Recognition

We define the problem of recognizing entailed relations -- given an open set of relations, find all occurrences of the relations of interest in a given document set -- and pose it as a challenge to scalable information extraction and retrieval. Existing approaches to relation recognition do not address well problems with an open set of relations and a need for high recall: supervised methods are not easily scaled, while unsupervised and semi-supervised methods address a limited aspect of the problem, as they are restricted to frequent, explicit, highly localized patterns. We argue that textual entailment (TE) is necessary to solve such problems, propose a scalable TE architecture, and provide preliminary results on an Entailed Relation Recognition task.
Precursors of neurons, neuroglia, and ependymal cells in the CNS: what are they? Where are they from? How do they get where they are going?

Neurons, neuroglia (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), and ependymal cells are three distinct categories of neural cells in the central nervous system. In the mature brain and spinal cord, the classical histological criteria define these cells by their microscopic structure very well. During development, the precursors for all of these cells reside within the epithelium of the neural plate and its successor, the neural tube. These precursor cells are the undifferentiated, primitive neuroepithelium of the classical literature. As the cerebral vesicles enlarge and their walls thicken, the primitive neuroepithelial cells elongate, maintaining a radial orientation until they migrate. Although many, but not all, of these cells span the extent of the ventricular wall, they are the precursors of neurons, neuroglia, and ependymal cells. Thus, it is useful to retain their classical designation as primitive neuroepithelial cells and to treat them as neural precursor cells. Neural precursor cells are neither neuroglia nor neurons. It is not appropriate to call them radial glial cells anymore than it is to call them radial neuronal cells. The term "radial glia" has long been used to describe the mature, elongated astrocytes, represented by Bergmann cells in the cerebellum and Muller cells in the retina. Inevitably, during development, transitional forms between neural precursor cells and the neurons, neuroglia, and ependymal cells will occur. Such transitional cells are known as neuroblasts, glioblasts, or ependymoblasts, even though they may be postmitotic. Alternative terms are "immature neurons," "immature neuroglia," and "immature ependymal cells." The migration of many neural precursor cells is accomplished by translocation rather than free cellular locomotion. There is both direct and indirect evidence to document the translocation of the nuclear/perikaryal/somal complex through the leading process of primitive neuroepithelial cells. This is conspicuous in the neocortex, where the discrete radial arrangement of pyramidal cells may result from translocation of neuroblasts, while their leading processes still contact the pial surface. Migration by translocation occurs throughout the CNS. GLIA 43:6-18, 2003.
Peptide Vaccines and Peptidomimetics of EGFR (HER-1) Ligand Binding Domain Inhibit Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated target for several cancers including lung, colorectal, and certain subtypes of breast cancer. Cetuximab targets ligand binding of EGFR, but major problems like high cost, short t1/2, toxicity, and emergence of resistance are associated with the drug. Immunization with EGFR B cell epitopes will train the immune system to produce specific Abs that can kill cancer cells. Also, therapy with stable, less-expensive, and nontoxic EGFR peptide mimics will block EGFR signaling and inhibit cancer growth. We designed three peptides based on the contact sites between EGF and EGFR. The B cell epitopes were synthesized alone and also linked with the measles virus T cell epitope to produce a chimeric peptide vaccine. The peptide vaccines were immunogenic in both mice and rabbits and Abs raised against the vaccine specifically bound EGFR-expressing cells and recombinant human EGFR protein. The peptide mimics and the anti-peptide Abs were able to inhibit EGFR signaling pathways. Immunization with the peptide vaccine or treatment with the B cell epitopes significantly reduced tumor growth in both transplantable breast and lung cancer models. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed significant reductions in microvascular density and actively dividing cells in the tumor sections after treatment in the FVB/n breast cancer model. The 418–435 B cell epitope was the best candidate both as a vaccine or peptide mimic because it caused significant inhibition in the two mouse models. Our results show that this novel EGFR B cell epitope has great potential to be used as a vaccine or treatment option for EGFR-expressing cancers.