cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of exponential decay curves: a three-step scheme for computing exponents

Abstract A study of four techniques is examined to determine which method has the greater overall utility. An iterative least-squares error minimization method provides the greatest accuracy, while a linear algebraic method is accurate only for two-exponential data with small error. Consequently, a three-method sequential identification scheme is devised utilizing a graphical method, a transform method, and an iterative method. This scheme is successfully applied to physiological data containing three and four exponents.
Assessment of attention in male and female Brattleboro rats using a self-paced five-choice serial reaction time task

The Brattleboro rat is a mutant variation of the Long-Evans strain that exhibits negligible central nervous system levels of vasopressin, a neuropeptide that may influence behavioral and cognitive processes. Compared to Long-Evans rats, Brattleboro rats exhibit diminished fear conditioning and have impairments in spatial memory and sensory gating. The present study sought to further evaluate the cognitive profile of vasopressin-deficient rats by studying attention in male and female Brattleboro and heterozygous rats using a self-paced version of the five-choice serial reaction time task. Male Brattleboro rats required significantly more sessions to meet the training criteria than those by heterozygotic and Long-Evans (wild type) rats. Female Brattleboro rats displayed significantly poorer attention accuracy compared to heterozygotic and Long-Evans rats. Taken together, the present findings add further evidence that vasopressin deficiency diminishes cognitive functioning.
Water-soluble porphyrin nanospheres: enhanced photo-physical properties achieved via cyclodextrin driven double self-inclusion.

We describe a method to construct water-soluble porphyrinic nanospheres with enhanced photo-physical properties as a result of precluding (via intra-molecular host–guest interactions) the individual porphyrins units from aromatic–aromatic stacking.
925 EFFECT OF ASPIRIN ON ALPHA2-RECEPTORS ON HUMAN PLATELETS

Aspirin decreases epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation and release reaction. Activation by epinephrine is mediated through interaction with alpha2-adrenoceptors on platelet membrane. We evaluated specific binding of alpha2-antagonist 3H-yohimbine to determine the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) and the dissociation constant (KD) of alpha2-receptors. Platelet alpha2-receptor Bmax and KD were quantitated in four normal subjects before and 24 hours after aspirin 650 mg ingestion. In these subjects, Bmax increased from 166±40 to 281±30 fmol/mg protein (P<0.05) and KD, from 2.95±0.52 to 5.91±0.92 nM (P<0,05). To determine if these effects were direct, isolated human platelet membranes were studied before and after in vitro incubation with aspirin (90μg/ml) for 30 minutes. In three experiments, alpha2-adrenoceptor Bmax increased significantly (P<0.05) from 135±34 to 236±42 fmol/mg protein, KD also increased from 2.52±0.42 to 9.42±1.12 nM (P<0.05). These studies indicate that aspirin causes an increase in the number of alpha2-adrenoceptors on platelets, and increase in KD, representing a decrease in affinity. Decreased affinity may be a mechanism for diminished responsiveness of platelets to epinephrine after aspirin.
Tularemia in The Pediatric Age Group: Clinical presentation and Outcome in 10 Children. 759

Tularemia in The Pediatric Age Group: Clinical presentation and Outcome in 10 Children. 759
The role of entrepreneurship in industrial marketing activities

Abstract This article investigates the relationship between marketing and entrepreneurship in established firms. Entrepreneurship is approached as an organizational process consisting of three dimensions: innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking. Results are reported from a survey of marketing managers regarding their perceptions of the entrepreneurship construct, its overall importance in their firms, the marketing management areas where entrepreneurship is most critical, and the major obstacles to encouraging entrepreneurship within the marketing function. Marketers generally see their own activities as fairly entrepreneurial.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF WIDE-FIELD ENDOTHELIAL SPECULAR PHOTOMICROGRAPHS

Samples from the center of a wide-field specular micrograph adequately assessed cell density and frequency distribution of cell areas. A preliminary analysis of the spread of values indicated whether an increased sample size was required. An algorithm determined how large a sample taken from the central photogreaph (three, five, or nine rectangles) was necessary to permit detection of a 10% change in cell area. This analysis of sample size also indicated that sampling by small-field specular microscopy was not representative of the surrounding square millimeter of corneal endothelium.
Diagnosis and management of pediatric cervicofacial venous malformations: retrospective review from a vascular anomalies center.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Venous malformations are rare congenital aberrations of vein development frequently presenting in the head and neck. Without treatment, venous malformations cause progressive disfigurement, dysfunction, and bleeding. In this study, we analyzed a cohort of pediatric patients with cervicofacial venous malformations (CFVM), with the goal of developing a treatment algorithm for these complex lesions. Study Design: Eleven-year retrospective chart review. The setting was a vascular anomalies center at a pediatric tertiary hospital. Nineteen patients (10 male, 9 female), aged 11 months to 17 years, presented with CFVM. Methods: Patient charts were reviewed for demographics, signs and symptoms, timing of first and subsequent interventions, total number and type of interventions performed, and procedural complications. A family questionnaire supplemented outcome measures by determining the perception of disease control. Results: Presenting symptoms for CFVM include growth (100%), disfigurement (63%), pain (58%), respiratory compromise (42%), and dysphagia (32%). A mean of 6.7 interventions were performed per patient (median, 6; range, 2-12), requiring a mean of 0.8 excisions, 4.6 laser treatments, and 1.3 sclerotherapy injections. Average age at first procedure was 8.5 years. Time between treatments averaged 8.9 months. Four complications occurred in 127 procedures (3.1%). Questionnaire responses indicated subjective improvement following therapy. A management algorithm could be developed from therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: Treatment of CFVM can be safely and successfully performed with a combination of laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and surgical excision. A treatment algorithm involving multiple procedures during childhood can lead to successful management of CFVM.
Reinvestigation of the Rosenberg Synthesis of Silyleneferrocenylene Polymers

Reinvestigation of the original Rosenberg synthesis of silyleneferrocenylene polymers shows that no condensation−polymerization occurs in the reaction of dilithioferrocene (1) and dimethyldichlorosilane (2a) in the THF/hexane solvent mixture specified. These experimental conditions result in the direct formation of [1](dimethylsilylene)ferrocenophane (3a). Differing work up conditions result in differing products, and those reported produce a mixture of ferrocenylene- and ferrocenylsiloxanes. The addition of 1 to 2a in THF also produced the ferrocenophane as the most abundant product, whereas the reverse addition of 2a to 1 resulted in the formation of ferrocenophane at low temperatures and a polymeric material at high temperatures. Similar results were obtained upon replacing 2a by diphenyldichlorosilane (2b), suggesting that the results are general.
Properties of a fatty acyl hydrolase preferentially attacking monogalactosyldiacylglycerols in Dunaliella salina chloroplasts

Abstract Chloroplasts of Dunaliella salina contain a lipid acyl hydrolase having very different properties from the acyl hydrolase present in D. salina microsomes. Chloroplast fragments hydrolyzed endogenous and exogenous lipids with a marked preference for removing fatty acids bound at the sn-1 position of monogalactosyldia-cylglycerol (MGDG) molecular species typical of this alga. Pisum sativum MGDG molecular species were hydrolyzed less effectively, and catalytically hydrogenated MGDG was completely resistant. Digalactosyl-diacylglycerol and phospholipids were deacylated to a much smaller extent. The enzyme required 10 mM Ca2+ for full activity but, unlike the phosphatidylglycerol acyl hydrolase of microsomes, was not affected by calmodulin or calmodulin antagonists. Its activity also differed from that of the microsomal enzyme by not increasing in cells stressed by low temperature. While no evidence for MGDG hydrolysis was detected in vivo under normal growing conditions, indications of acyl hydrolase activity appeared when cells were grown in nutrient-deficient medium.
Activating and Suppressing Hostile and Benevolent Racism: Evidence for Comparative Media Stereotyping

This research examines the role of media literacy training and counter-stereotypical news stories in prejudice reduction. Research participants read either stereotypical or counter-stereotypical news stories after exposure to a media literacy video or a control video. After this, they completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire that included Likert-type scales and feeling-thermometer ratings about their feelings toward African Americans, Asian-Indians, and Caucasian-Americans. The findings reveal that hostile prejudice is more likely to be expressed toward African-Americans and benevolent prejudice is more likely to be expressed toward Asian-Indians. As predicted, counter-stereotypical news stories as compared to stereotypical news stories decrease prejudice toward Asian-Indians. Contrary to expectations, the media literacy video seems to prime prejudices rather than suppress them. Interestingly, news stories about Asian-Indians increase hostility toward African-Americans. These comparative stereotyping ar...
Glomerular basement membrane attenuation in familial nephritis and "benign" hematuria

Lamination of the basement membrane has been considered to be the lesion characteristic of familial nephritis and attenuation to be the lesion of "Benign" familial hematuria. Electron micrographs were reviewed of 57 children who had renal biopsies for persistent hematuria. Attenuation or lamination of the glomerular capillary basement membrane was found in each. Twenty of the 57 children had familial nephritis; 20 had familial hematuria; and 17 had no involved relatives. Follow-up data were available for 14 of 20 children with familial nephritis, 12 of 20 with familial hematuria, and 12 of 17 with sporadic hematuria for 13.6 +/- 6.3, 6.7 +/- 4.6, and 7.0 +/- 4.8 years, respectively, after discovery of hematuria. Five children developed end-stage renal disease: three with familial nephritis, one with familial hematuria, and one with sporadic hematuria. Only two no longer had hematuria. Attenuation of the glomerular capillary basement membrane was seen in every biopsy, whereas lamination was not. Because hematuria and ultrastructural abnormalities were findings shared by all the children, we suggest the possibility that familial nephritis, and familial or sporadic hematuria as defined in this study, may be variations in a spectrum of inherited abnormality or abnormalities in the formation of the glomerular capillary basement membrane.
The Effect of Cytoplasmic Domain Mutations on Membrane Anchoring and Glycoprotein Processing of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein C

The predicted amino acid sequence of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein C (HSV-1 gC) shows that it has the features of a typical type 1 integral membrane protein: a cleavable N-terminal signal sequence, a glycosylated ectodomain, a single transmembrane domain, and a small, charged cytoplasmic domain. In an earlier investigation of the function of the gC cytoplasmic domain, it was shown that the gC synthesized by a gC mutant, dl2, which lacked the last three residues of the transmembrane domain and the entire cytoplasmic domain, was initially synthesized as a membrane bound glycoprotein, but was not stably anchored in the plasma membrane. In this study, we generated a panel of four HSV-1 gC mutants with novel cytoplasmic domains in order to further delineate the role of this domain in stable anchoring and to investigate the role of charged residues in this process. The cytoplasmic domain mutants produced significant quantities of a novel precursor (pgC-86K), approximately 6K smaller than the wild-type gC precursor. The quantity of pgC-86K correlated with the number of positive charges in the cytoplasmic domain. Although the nature of the novel form of the precursor is unclear, its correlation with cytoplasmic domain charge suggests that an important function of this domain is to influence gC processing. Significantly, restoration of the carboxy-terminal 3 amino acids of the gC transmembrane domain restored the wild-type anchoring phenotype to gC, indicating that the cytoplasmic domain is not required for membrane anchoring. Further characterization of dl2 gC confirmed that this glycoprotein is not released from the membrane by proteolysis. We suggest that the addition of three additional hydrophobic residues to the dl2 transmembrane domain increases its hydrophobicity enough to stabilize membrane anchoring of the glycoprotein.
Quantization via real polarization of the moduli space of flat connections and Chern-Simons gauge theory in genus one

We study the quantization of the moduli space of flat connections on a surface of genus one, using the real polarization of this space described in [10]. The quantum wave functions in this formalism are exponential functions supported along the integral fibres of the polarization. The space of wave functions obtained in this way is isomorphic to a space of theta functions. We use our construction to construct part of what may be a topological field theory in genus one, and to compute the associated invariants of some three manifolds. These computations agree with those of Witten [12], but the invariants are expressed as sums of quantities computed at a discrete set of connections with curvature concentrated on a link in the three manifold. A similar prescription is used to produce knot invariants.
Increased mortality at low-volume orthotopic heart transplantation centers: should current standards change?

Background The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate that orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) centers perform 10 transplants per year to qualify for funding. We sought to determine whether this cutoff is meaningful and establish recommendations for optimal center volume using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry. Methods We reviewed UNOS data (years 1999 to 2006) identifying 14,401 first-time adult OHTs conducted at 143 centers. Stratification was by mean annual institution volume. Primary outcomes of 30-day and 1-year mortality were assessed by multivariable logistic regression (adjusted for comorbidities and risk factors for death). Sequential volume cutoffs were examined to determine if current CMS standards are optimal. Pseudo R 2 and area under the receiver operating curve assessed goodness of fit. Results Mean annual volume ranged from 1 to 90. One-year mortality was 12.6% (n = 1,800). Increased center volume was associated with decreased 30-day mortality ( p p p = 0.03—censored for 30-day death). The greatest mortality risk occurred at very low volume centers (≤ 2 cases=2.15 times increase in death, p = 0.03). Annual institutional volume of fewer than 10 cases per year increased 30-day mortality by more than 100% (OR 2.02, 95%CI: 1.46 to 2.80, p p p Conclusions Annual center volume is an independent predictor of short-term mortality in OHT. These data support reevaluation of the current CMS volume cutoff for OHT, as high-volume centers achieve lower mortality.
Reading, study, and discussion of the “great texts” of literature, philosophy, and politics as a complement to contemporary leadership education literature

In his article, “Educational Research: The Hardest Science of All,” policy scholar David Berliner (2002) asserts that “no unpoetic description of the human condition can ever be complete” (p. 20). Berliner's words echo the epistemological and methodological climate of late 1970s and early 1980s social science research, a phase often characterized as the “literary turn.” In this historical moment, social science scholars turned to interdisciplinary sources, most notably literary theory and the humanities, for new means of addressing the ineffable, aesthetic aspects of human activity. This work and emphasis remains a prominent, growing genre within several fields, exemplified by widespread recognition of Margaret Wheatley's poetic approach to leadership inquiry and pedagogy (2009), frequent inclusion of aesthetic works in leading research journals (such as Qualitative Inquiry), and recent creation of arts- and humanities-based educational research criteria for submissions to the American Educational Research Association's annual conference and sponsored journals. No field of inquiry better illustrates the need to understand human activity as “poetic” than leadership, which is perhaps the quintessential marker of social existence. Accordingly, in this symposium we wish to explore how such interdisciplinary approaches, specifically those grounded in the humanities, have manifested in leadership inquiry and pedagogy. It is our hope that this collection of essays will illustrate the breadth and depth of the field of leadership studies, as well as offer our readers new perspectives and inspiration in their own research and practice.
Evaluation of a delayed coking process by 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy: 2. Detailed interpretation of liquid n.m.r. spectra

Abstract The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectra of a delayed coking feedstock and products, presented in a previous paper, are analysed here in detail by matching results from inspection of both nuclei. The conventional spectra of whole samples are used in combination with elemental analysis data, and substantial agreement is obtained. Differences are explored to yield valuable information. Interpretation of some band assignments is modified to account for new results. This approach results in a detailed quantitative estimation of a few key structures that contain the main functional groups that characterize these petroleum fractions.
Macromolecular synthesis in cells infected by frog virus 3. X. Inhibition of cellular protein synthesis by heat-inactivated virus.

Abstract Heat-inactivated frog virus 3 (ΔFV3) inhibits host cell protein synthesis without interfering with protein synthesis directed by active FV3. An examination of various parameters of cellular protein synthesis after exposure of cells to ΔFV3 revealed the following. (i) The rate of inhibition was multiplicity dependent. (ii) There was a rapid disaggregation of both free and membrane-bound polysomes. (iii) Rates of protein chain elongation remained unaltered. (iv) There was neither a detectable breakdown nor modification of cellular mRNAs; the mRNAs isolated from ΔFV3-treated cells could be translated in vitro and the pattern of the translational products appeared identical to that of mRNAs from untreated cells. These data are consistent with the conclusion that inhibition of host cell protein synthesis by ΔFV3 is the result of a selective effect on a step(s) essential for the initiation of translation of cellular mRNAs.
Effects of Married-Couple Dual-Earner Households on Metropolitan Commuting: Evidence from the Atlanta Metropolitan Area

The idea of creating a balance between jobs and housing within different commuter catchment areas of a metropolis has been a prominent approach for reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and journey-to-work times. Married-couple, dual-earner households, in which both spouses are employed, have been identified as an obstacle to the job-housing balance concept because of their constrained ability to choose a residential location near both workplaces. However, this has not yet been conclusively tested. Drawing on the 2000 5% PUMS dataset for metropolitan Atlanta, this article examines the commuting behavior of such households relative to single-earner households. The results challenge the dominant assumption that the average commutes of married-couple, dual-earner households are necessarily longer than those of single-earner households. In fact, after controlling for all forms of socioeconomic factors in the analysis, this study shows there are either no significant differences, or if there are, the average commutes of single-earner households are longer. It is a lack of affordable housing near job locations, or vice versa, and not the presence of dual-earner households, that should be blamed for lengthening commuting time and difficulties in implementing job-housing balances.
Potential Student Decision Making in Academic ESL Grammar Textbooks

Abstract This article presents research on the potential of four intermediate-level ESL grammar textbooks to provide student control of learning, based on the textbook authors' presentation of student decision making opportunities in tasks. Textbook tasks were analyzed for the potential controller of learning conditions related to content choice, procedure options, and evaluation techniques, based on the studies of Grannis. The findings suggest that students potentially have few choices and thus little control of the educational process. The majority of tasks may train students primarily for bureaucratic jobs while the focus on right answers may impede language learning. ESL teachers need to mediate a textbook's potential to control if the goal is to create learners who have some control over their own learning through curricular decision making.
Readiness for Community-based Bicycle Helmet Use Programs : A Study Using Community-and Individual-level Readiness Models

Understanding community context is as important to develop effective community-based injury prevention programs as assessing attitudes and behaviors among individuals. Readiness of a community toward community efforts to promote bicycle helmet use and of individuals to use bicycle helmets were examined in a northern Colorado town in the United States, using a semi-qualitative approach. Community readiness and individual readiness to prevent injuries through use of bicycle helmets differed across groups. The findings provide a better understanding of interactions between community perceptions and individual attitudes and behaviors. Further, target groups for improving bicycle helmet use were identified.
Economic demand predicts addiction-like behavior and therapeutic efficacy of oxytocin in the rat

Development of new treatments for drug addiction will depend on high-throughput screening in animal models. However, an addiction biomarker fit for rapid testing, and useful in both humans and animals, is not currently available. Economic models are promising candidates. They offer a structured quantitative approach to modeling behavior that is mathematically identical across species, and accruing evidence indicates economic-based descriptors of human behavior may be particularly useful biomarkers of addiction severity. However, economic demand has not yet been established as a biomarker of addiction-like behavior in animals, an essential final step in linking animal and human studies of addiction through economic models. We recently developed a mathematical approach for rapidly modeling economic demand in rats trained to self-administer cocaine. We show here that economic demand, as both a spontaneous trait and induced state, predicts addiction-like behavior, including relapse propensity, drug seeking in abstinence, and compulsive (punished) drug taking. These findings confirm economic demand as a biomarker of addiction-like behavior in rats. They also support the view that excessive motivation plays an important role in addiction while extending the idea that drug dependence represents a shift from initially recreational to compulsive drug use. Finally, we found that economic demand for cocaine predicted the efficacy of a promising pharmacotherapy (oxytocin) in attenuating cocaine-seeking behaviors across individuals, demonstrating that economic measures may be used to rapidly identify the clinical utility of prospective addiction treatments.
Indolyl-3-acetic Acid from the Developing Banana Fruit

THE endogenous auxin of the banana fruit has never been investigated. Only Steward and Simmonds1 and Khalifah2 have published reports of work on the natural hormones of bananas. A cell division factor1, presumably a cytokinin, and two gibberellin-like substances2 have been demonstrated in young banana fruit. A role for auxin in the development of parthenocarpic banana fruit was suggested3 after exogenous application of α-naphthyl-acetic acid in an experiment to examine the nature of the auxin in the developing fruit of banana and to identify it.
Changing Sea Levels: Effects of Tides, Weather and Climate

Variability in sea level is one of the most readily observable dynamic features of the coastal ocean, obvious to the most casual beachgoer, and of concern to a rapidly growing portion of the world population. Sea level varies on an astoundingly large variety of scales, from surface waves and seiches, tides, and storm surge, to longer-term variability both man-made and natural. All of these sources of variability are not only of scientific interest but also of great societal importance, due to the ever-increasing percentage of the human population living in coastal regions. David Pugh's clearly written and cleanly presented new book, Changing Sea Levels: Effects of Tides, Weather and Climate, covers these topics at a level of sophistication appropriate for an undergraduate science course. The book is rich in the history, lore, and culture of tides and other sea level phenomena, and discusses the ecological and societal impacts of sea level change across the spectrum of phenomena.
Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to right atrial injections of phenyl diguanide in pentobarbital-anesthetized newborn piglets.

Summary: The present series of experiments was designed to determine whether the piglet has mature cardiorespiratory responses to the administration of phenyl diguanie (PDG) similar to those reported in adult mammals. A total of 26 acutely instrumented piglets aged 2–23 days were lightly anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. After control conditions were established, PDG was injected into the right atrium. Each animal was its own control for determination of presence and magnitude of aortic pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and volume, and blood flow responses to test doses of PDG. A fall in blood pressure was observed in all animals within 2–4 sec after right atrial injection of PDG. Bradycardia occurred and a transient cardiac arrhythmia, consisting of 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, was observed in most animals; the latter has not been previously reported. Apnea followed by rapid shallow breathing was observed in most animals. This respiratory effect was more pronounced in the younger animals. After atropine, PDG elicited a monophasic rise in aortic pressure; the cardiac rhythm and rate changes were abolished. However, the apneic response was retained. Subsequent bilateral vagotomy abolished the hypotensive effect on PDG. Such results suggest the possibility that the piglet's cardiorespiratory response to the administration of PDG may be evoked by stimulation of type J pulmonary receptors. These have been postulated to be responsible for the triad of responses of hypotension, bradycardia, and apnea seen in other species after PDG administration.
Uncoupling the Roles of the SUV3 Helicase in Maintenance of Mitochondrial Genome Stability and RNA Degradation

Yeast SUV3 is a nuclear encoded mitochondrial RNA helicase that complexes with an exoribonuclease, DSS1, to function as an RNA degradosome. Inactivation of SUV3 leads to mitochondrial dysfunctions, such as respiratory deficiency; accumulation of aberrant RNA species, including excised group I introns; and loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Although intron toxicity has long been speculated to be the major reason for the observed phenotypes, direct evidence to support or refute this theory is lacking. Moreover, it remains unknown whether SUV3 plays a direct role in mtDNA maintenance independently of its degradosome activity. In this paper, we address these questions by employing an inducible knockdown system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with either normal or intronless mtDNA background. Expressing mutants defective in ATPase (K245A) or RNA binding activities (V272L or ΔCC, which carries an 8-amino acid deletion at the C-terminal conserved region) resulted in not only respiratory deficiencies but also loss of mtDNA under normal mtDNA background. Surprisingly, V272L, but not other mutants, can rescue the said deficiencies under intronless background. These results provide genetic evidence supporting the notion that the functional requirements of SUV3 for degradosome activity and maintenance of mtDNA stability are separable. Furthermore, V272L mutants and wild-type SUV3 associated with an active mtDNA replication origin and facilitated mtDNA replication, whereas K245A and ΔCC failed to support mtDNA replication. These results indicate a direct role of SUV3 in maintaining mitochondrial genome stability that is independent of intron turnover but requires the intact ATPase activity and the CC conserved region.
On the design of advanced metal oxide nanomaterials

A novel growth concept and a low-temperature aqueous chemical growth (ACG) thin film processing technique are presented that aim to contribute to the rational fabrication of smart and functional metal oxide particulate thin films and coatings. Such purpose-built materials are modelled, designed, and engineered to match the physical, chemical, and structural requirements of their applications. The concept involves a thermodynamic model monitoring the nucleation, growth, and ageing processes via the chemical and electrostatic control of the interfacial free energy of the system. It enables the control of the size of nano-, meso-, and micro-crystallites, their surface morphology, their orientations onto substrates as well as their crystal structure. The templateless and surfactant-free aqueous synthesis method allows generation, at large-scale, low-cost, and mild temperatures, of advanced metal oxides thin films with designed complexity. It features two- and three-dimensional (patterned) arrays and nanocomposites of transition metal oxides consisting of various isotropic and anisotropic building-blocks with advanced architectures. Such materials are designed to develop a new generation of metal oxide-based composites for optical, optoelectronic, magnetic, and sensor devices.
Authentic inquiry: Introduction to the special section

CLARK A. CHINN, CINDY E. HMELO-SILVERDepartment of Educational Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USAReceived 1 January 2000; revised 8 December 2000; accepted 15 March 2001INTRODUCTIONThis special section of four papers explores the issue of authentic scientiﬁc inquiry. Ourbasic premise, presented in the ﬁrst paper by Chinn and Malhotra, is that many inquiryactivities found in schools fail to capture important characteristics of authentic scientiﬁcinquiry.Byauthenticinquiry,wemeantheactivitiesthatscientistsengageinwhileconduct-ing their research (Dunbar, 1995; Latour & Woolgar, 1986). Chinn and Malhotra present ananalysis of key features of authentic inquiry, and show that most of these features have notbeen incorporated into most inquiry tasks designed for use in schools. Their analysis pointsto the importance of three research goals: (a) to develop more complex inquiry tasks thatincorporate more of the features of authentic scientiﬁc inquiry, (b) to investigate reasoningstrategies that are effective on these more complex tasks, and (c) to investigate instructionaltechniques that succeed at helping students learn effective reasoning strategies. Collec-tively, the remaining three papers in the special section address these three research goals.
Pedunculopontine nucleus deep brain stimulation in a patient with primary progressive freezing gait disorder.

Background: Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has recently been suggested for treatment of medication-unresponsive gait and axial symptoms in Parkinson’s d
Synthesis and Structure of an Amino-Linked N-Heterocyclic Carbene and the Reactivity of its Aluminum Adduct

Treatment of [HC{(MES)N(CHCH)N(CH2CH2NHtBu}]Br·HBr (1) with an excess of NaOH afforded the organic-soluble imidazolium salt 2, [HC{(MES)N(CHCH)N(CH2CH2NHtBu}]Br, the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Deprotonation of 2 by NaN(SiMe3)2 yielded the thermally unstable amino-linked free carbene, 3. The molecular structure of 3 was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, revealing an unexpectedly close intermolecular contact associated with the carbene and amine through an N−H···C interaction. In contrast to compound 3, the reaction of 2 with LiN(SiMe3)2 gave the much more stable LiBr carbene adduct 3-LiBr, which serves as an effective carbene transfer agent for organoaluminum compounds to give the corresponding AlR3-NHC (4a, Me; 4b, Et) in high yield. X-ray diffraction studies of 4a and 4b confirmed the formation of monomeric distorted tetrahedral Al species, in which the NHC binds via conventional σ-donation of the lone pair to the electrophilic metal center. The reaction of benz...
Short communication: Nonstandard operator precedence in Excel

Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet program implements an unusual operator precedence in formulas. This can cause errors in statistical calculations, if it is not properly followed. For example, some errors by Excel in nonlinear regression reported by McCullough and Wilson (2002. On the accuracy of statistical procedures in Microsoft Excel 2000 and Excel XP. Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 40, 713-721) were probably due to programming by the users that did not follow the unusual operator precedence rules. In this note the operator precedence in Excel is explained, the previous nonlinear regression results are corrected, and a simple example of maximum likelihood estimation is given.
Photosynthetic responses and daily carbon balance of Colpomenia peregrina : Seasonal variations and differences between intertidal and subtidal populations

The seasonal photosynthetic responses and daily carbon gain of upper intertidal, low intertidal and subtidal (3 to 4 m depth) populations ofColpomenia peregrina were examined over a 2 yr period (1986–1988) in Santa Catalina Island, California, USA. The populations showed significant differences in their photosynthetic responses, daily carbon balance and carbon-specific growth rates when normalized to tissue area or to chlorophyll content. The substantial plasticity with respect to photosynthetic responses shown byC. peregrina is considered to be an important factor in facilitating the colonization of both intertidal and subtidal habitats. This species appears to have a cellular carbon metabolism influenced by responses to season and tidal elevation. Highest net daily carbon balance, predicted carbonspecific growth rates and net growth efficiency were achieved in upper intertidal habitats during summer. These parameters decreased in winter and progressively declined with increasing depth as plants become increasingly exposed to low-light regimes. The diminishing net daily carbon balance and predicted carbon-specific field growth rates found during winter suggest that standing stock and lower subtidal limits of distribution ofC. peregrina are at least partly controlled by these two factors.
Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Constituents in Water

Methods used for determining inorganic constituents in natural waters have undergone considerable change in the last decade. A majority of metal constituents are now determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Various chelation and extraction procedures when used with AAS have lowered the detection limits to the microgram-per-liter range for many metal constituents. Aeration techniques have been developed which utilize AAS to determine such constituents as mercury, arsenic, and selenium. Vaporization techniques using graphite furnaces and similar devices linked with atomic absorption spectrophotometers provide for still lower detection limits and greater simplicity. These vaporization procedures require more research to limit interferences before they can be widely applied to the mass analysis of natural waters. Automated equipment is routinely used to analyze water samples. Colorimetric procedures have proven most useful but several potentiometric methods have recently been developed which also adapt themselves well to an automated approach. A procedure for determining fluoride using a potentiometric method has proven especially beneficial. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer has been joined with sampler and proportioning pump modules to produce automated determinations. Further potential development of the already mentioned instrumental techniques as well as anodic stripping voltammetry, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, neutron activation analysis, and mass spectroscopy are described.
Classical algebraic chromodynamics

I develop an extension of the usual equations of $\mathrm{SU}(n)$ chromodynamics which permits the consistent introduction of classical, noncommuting quark source charges. The extension involves adding a singlet gluon, giving a $\mathrm{U}(n)$-based theory with outer product ${P}^{a}(u, v)=(\frac{1}{2})({d}^{\mathrm{abc}}+i{f}^{\mathrm{abc}})({u}^{b}{v}^{c}\ensuremath{-}{v}^{b}{u}^{c})$ which obeys the Jacobi identity, inner product $S(u, v)=(\frac{1}{2})({u}^{a}{v}^{a}+{v}^{a}{u}^{a})$, and with the ${n}^{2}$ gluon fields elevated to algebraic fields over the quark color charge ${C}^{*}$ algebra. I show that provided the color charge algebra satisfies the condition $S(P(u, v), w)=S(u, P(v, w))$ for all elements $u$, $v$, $w$ of the algebra, all the standard derivations of Lagrangian chromodynamics continue to hold in the algebraic chromodynamics case. I analyze in detail the color charge algebra in the two-particle ($qq, q\overline{q}, \stackrel{-}{\mathrm{qq}}$) case and show that the above consistency condition is satisfied for the following unique (and, interstingly, asymmetric) choice of quark and antiquark charges: ${Q}_{q}^{a}={\ensuremath{\xi}}^{a}$ ${Q}_{\overline{q}}^{a}={\overline{\ensuremath{\xi}}}^{a}+{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{a0}{(\frac{n}{2})}^{\frac{3}{2}}1$, with ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{a}{\ensuremath{\xi}}^{b}=(\frac{1}{2})({d}^{\mathrm{abc}}+i{f}^{\mathrm{abc}}){\ensuremath{\xi}}^{c}$, ${\overline{\ensuremath{\xi}}}^{a}{\overline{\ensuremath{\xi}}}^{b}=\ensuremath{-}(\frac{1}{2})({d}^{\mathrm{abc}}\ensuremath{-}i{f}^{\mathrm{abc}}){\overline{\ensuremath{\xi}}}^{c}$. The algebraic structure of the two-particle $\mathrm{U}(n)$ force problem, when expressed on an appropriately diagonalized basis, leads for all $n$ to a classical dynamics problem involving an ordinary SU(2) Yang-Mills field with uniquely specified classical source charges which are nonparallel in the color-singlet state. An explicit calculation shows that local algebraic $\mathrm{U}(n)$ gauge transformations lead only to a rigid global rotation of axes in the overlying classical SU(2) problem, which implies that the relative orientations of the classical source charges have physical significance. (For an application to the static $q\overline{q}$ force problem, see my later paper). I conclude with a series of conjectures about the extension of the algebraic results to the general $N$-particle case, and about the extension of the classical theory developed here to a full field theory.
Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of poly(amine-co-esters) via copolymerization of diester with amino-substituted diol.

Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) was found to be an efficient catalyst for copolymerization of diesters with amino-substituted diols to form poly(amine-co-esters) in one step. The copolymerization reactions were carried out at 50−100 °C in two stages: first stage oligomerization under 1 atm pressure of nitrogen followed by second stage polymerization under 1−2 mmHg vacuum. The formed copolymers possessed molecular weight (Mw) up to 59000 and typical polydispersity (Mw/Mn) between 1.5 and 2.3. The enzymatic reaction appears to be quite general and accommodates a large number of comonomer substrates with various chain length and substituents. Thus, C4−C12 diesters (i.e., from succinate to dodecanedioate) and diethanolamine comonomers with either an alkyl (methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, t-butyl) or an aryl (phenyl) substituent on nitrogen were successfully incorporated into the poly(amine-co-ester) chains. Biodegradable polyesters bearing tertiary amino groups have been reported to be efficient carriers for gene ...
Learning errors from fiction: difficulties in reducing reliance on fictional stories.

Readers rely on fiction as a source of information, even when fiction contradicts relatively wellknown facts about the world (Marsh, Meade, & Roediger, 2003). Of interest was whether readers could monitor fiction for errors, in order to reduce suggestibility. In Experiment 1, warnings about errors in fiction did not reduce students’ reliance on stories. In Experiment 2, all subjects were warned before reading stories written at 6th- or 12th-grade reading levels. Even though 6th-grade stories freed resources for monitoring, suggestibility was not reduced. In Experiment 3, suggestibility was reduced but not eliminated when subjects pressed a key each time they detected an error during story reading. Readers do not appear to spontaneously monitor fiction for its veracity, but can do so if reminded on a trial-by-trial basis.
An algorithm for technology choice in local area network design

Technological advances in both the manufacturing and office sectors have emphasized the need to link processors and communications equipment into Local Area Networks LANs to facilitate communication and promote resource sharing. Interviews with designers and users of LANs revealed that a primary problem in the acquisition of a LAN is making technology choices in a cost effective manner when the available technologies and their costs are constantly changing. Since no standards for technology choice currently exist and user demand is expected to increase, system flexibility is also an important concern. The problem of technology choice is formulated as a dynamic integer program. Because of the numerous combinations of technology and network configuration pairings, the Sweeney-Tatham reduction method is utilized to reduce the problem to a computationally tractable size. Finally, the formation is applied to the actual case of an institutional user seeking to network 29 buildings. The resulting reduced problem can be solved on a microcomputer as a shortest path problem.
Free Cholesterol Loading of Macrophages Induces Apoptosis Involving the Fas Pathway

Macrophage death is an important feature of atherosclerosis, but the cellular mechanism for this process is largely unknown. There is increasing interest in cellular free cholesterol (FC) excess as an inducer of lesional macrophage death because macrophages accumulate large amounts of FC in vivo, and FC loading of macrophages in culture causes cell death. In this study, a cell culture model was used to explore the cellular mechanisms involved in the initial stages of FC-induced macrophage death. After 9 h of FC loading, some of the macrophages exhibited externalization of phosphatidylserine and DNA fragmentation, indicative of an apoptotic mechanism. Incubation of the cells with Z-DEVD-fluoromethylketone blocked these events, indicating dependence upon effector caspases. Macrophages from mice with mutations in either Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) demonstrated substantial resistance to FC-induced apoptosis, and FC-induced death in wild-type macrophages was blocked by an anti-FasL antibody. FC loading had no effect on the expression of cell-surface Fas but caused a small yet reproducible increase in cell-surface FasL. To determine the physiological significance of this finding, unloaded and FC-loaded Fas-deficient macrophages, which can only present FasL, were compared for their ability to induce apoptosis in secondarily added Fas-bearing macrophages. The FC-loaded macrophages were much more potent inducers of apoptosis than the unloaded macrophages, and this effect was almost completely blocked by an inhibitory anti-FasL antibody. In summary, during the early stages of FC loading of macrophages, a fraction of cells exhibited biochemical changes that are indicative of apoptosis. An important part of this event is FC-induced activation of FasL that leads to Fas-mediated apoptosis. In light of recent in vivo findings that show that apoptotic macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions express both Fas and FasL, we present a cellular model of Fas-mediated death in lesional foam cells.
Elasticity and strength of calcium silicate perovskite at lower mantle pressures

Abstract CaSiO 3 perovskite was synthesized in a diamond cell and its lattice strain anisotropy was measured under non-hydrostatic compression to conditions corresponding to 61 GPa. Experiments were performed using energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction in a radial geometry. The equation of state of CaSiO 3 perovskite obtained from lattice strains measured at different angles from the loading direction can describe the range of compression curves previously reported under quasi-hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic conditions. The ratio of the differential stress to the shear modulus increases from 0.016(5) to 0.039(4) for CaSiO 3 perovskite over pressures from 19 to 61 GPa. In combination with a theoretical prediction for the shear modulus, room-temperature yield strengths are 3–11 GPa for CaSiO 3 perovskite over this pressure range. Under the assumption that the effect of the tetragonal distortion is minimal, the elastic constants for CaSiO 3 perovskite were recovered. Single-crystal elastic constants of CaSiO 3 perovskite are in good agreement with theoretical predictions for the cubic phase. In particular, the elastic anisotropy, S , decreases from 0.0020(7) to 0.0004(2) GPa −1 over the 19–61 GPa pressure range. Comparison with theoretical elasticity data provides evidence for possible strength anisotropy.
Multiple insemination demonstrated experimentally in the kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getulus )

A female snake chosen on the basis of her previously determined blood protein genotype was mated on successive days to 2 males similarly selected. Electrophoretic analysis of 6 young showed that each male had sired 3 off-spring, thereby providing an unequivocal demonstration of multiple insemination.
IS200: A Salmonella-Specific Insertion Sequence

A new IS element (IS200) has been identified in Salmonella. The sequence was identified as an IS element by the following criteria: its insertion caused the mutation hisD984; six copies of the sequence are present in strain LT2 of S. typhimurium; and transposition of the sequence has been observed on several occasions. IS200 is found in almost all Salmonella species examined but is absent from most other enteric bacteria. The specificity of this element for Salmonella (and the absence of IS1-IS4 from Salmonella) suggest that transfer of insertion sequences between bacterial groups may be less extensive than is commonly believed. Alternatively, the distribution may suggest that these elements play a selectively important role in bacteria.