cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Quality Preschool: The Socioeconomic Composition of Preschool Classrooms and Children's Learning.

Research Findings: As policymakers expand access to preschool, the sociodemographic composition of preschool classrooms will become increasingly important. These efforts may create programs that increase the concentration of children from low-income families or, alternatively, foster the creation of socioeconomically diverse preschool classrooms. What effect the creation of such contexts would have on very young children remains unclear. Using multilevel methods and data on 2,966 children in 704 prekindergarten classrooms, this study explores the relationship between socioeconomic classroom composition and children's social and cognitive development. The results indicate positive associations between the mean socioeconomic status (SES) of the class and children's receptive language, expressive language, and mathematics learning, regardless of children's own sociodemographic backgrounds and the characteristics of their classrooms. However, the analyses indicate no association between the development of soc...
Historical Overview of the Kepler Conjecture

This paper is the first in a series of six papers devoted to the proof of the Kepler conjecture, which asserts that no packing of congruent balls in three dimensions has density greater than the face-centered cubic packing. After some preliminary comments about the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close packings, the history of the Kepler problem is described, including a discussion of various published bounds on the density of sphere packings. There is also a general historical discussion of various proof strategies that have been tried with this problem.
A PSYCHOACOUSTICAL THEORY OF CRISPNESS

The theory is proposed that crispness is primarily an acoustical sensation. The frequency spectra and the amplitude-time characteristics of sounds produced by biting crisp foods were studied. The frequencies present in crisp sounds cover a broad range. Amplitude-time plots show irregular variations in loudness with time. A model system involving a generalized cellular structure is proposed to explain the generation of a crisp sound. As a crisp cellular material is crushed, a series of sounds is produced. Each sound is the result of the rupture of a single cell or cell wall.
Identification of dominant indigenous Rhizobium meliloti by plasmid profiles and intrinsic antibiotic resistance

Abstract Yields of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) in irrigated production agriculture in the southwest U.S.A. varies widely, but is generally higher than in other areas of the U.S.A. Since nitrogen fertilizer is rarely applied, high yields are likely to be due in part to biological N 2 fixation in the symbiotic association between alfalfa and Rhizobium meliloti . Dominant types of R. meliloti responsible for N 2 fixation were identified from nodule isolates collected from five locations throughout the state of Arizona, which were not known to have been inoculated. The locations were sampled in the winter of 1987 and the summer of 1988. The dominant types (⩾20% nodule occupancy at each sampling site) were identified through plasmid profile analysis and intrinsic antibiotic resistance patterns. Four types were found to be dominant throughout the state. A single example of each of these four dominant types and a commercial strain (Nitragin Co., Milwaukee, Wis.) were of equal symbiotic effectiveness as M. sativa cv. Lew. No significant differences were found ( P ⩾ 0.05) in shoot weight, root weight, nodule weight, acetylene reduction and total plant N content. Several of the selected cultures may have potential as inoculants for use in arid lands due to their effectiveness and their ability to survive in the extreme environmental conditions prevailing in the soils from which they were isolated.
Meteorological effects on sulfur dioxide concentrations on suburban Long Island, New York.

The relationship between meteorological variables and sulfur dioxide concentrations in a large, suburban region east of New York City was studied using mean hourly SO2 measurements. These were taken by the Long Island Lighting Company at 11 monitoring stations over a 2-y period and analyzed by the West and Gaeke method. Meteorological data were taken at Brookhaven National Laboratory and included mean hourly measurements of wind direction and speed, gustiness, temperature, lapse rate and precipitation. The SO2 data were classified by the meteorological parameters, singly and in combination. Means and standard deviations were computed for each class. Cumulative frequency distributions were found for some groups and hours with high concentrations were examined separately. Analyses show that much of the SO2 in the study region is advected from the New York metropolitan complex. Concentrations consistently average higher with westerly winds and most episodes of high concentration occur with the same direction. Average concentrations from west of the study region exceed local concentrations at the western boundary and only reach negligible levels at a distance of 100km. The effects of wind speed and gustiness class are less important although higher concentrations tend to occur with light winds and with the most unstable and most stable gustiness classes. Higher average concentrations coincide with low temperatures but cases of high concentration occur over a wide temperature range. Concentrations average somewhat lower during periods of precipitation but this is partially attributed to the wind directions prevailing during these periods.
Physiology of visual cells in mouse superior colliculus and correlation with somatosensory and auditory input

THE two main targets of the mammalian optic nerve fibres are the lateral geniculate body and the superior colliculus (optic tectum). From studies with various techniques, and in several mammalian species including the cat1–5, monkey6–9, rabbit10–12, rat13, and ground squirrel14 three major functions of the superior colliculus have been described. In the superficial layers the visual input is processed in a specific way; in deep layers several sense modalities, chiefly visual, auditory and somatosensory, are brought together; stimulation of the tectum results in an orienting of the animal's eyes, head or body towards a location corresponding topographically to the part of the tectum stimulated.
The Cathodic Disintegration of Platinum by Mercury Ions

The cathodic disintegration of platinum by mercury ions has been measured for ion velocities up to 2000 volts. The mercury ions were isolated into a beam and allowed to strike a platinum surface under such conditions that the secondary electron emission could be measured as well as the disintegration produced. The disintegration per positive ion was found to increase linearly with the energy of the ion up to 2000 volts. Approximately two atoms of platinum are ejected per incident ion of 1000 volts energy. Curves are shown which give the characteristics of the secondary electron emission as a function of the energy of the ion.
Statistical mechanics of magnetic bubble arrays. II. Observations of two-dimensional melting.

We report observations of a continuous hexatic-to-liquid melting transition as a function of density in two-dimensional magnetic bubble arrays in garnet films. Bubble arrays can be directly viewed and their motion recorded. The hexatic with orientational order undergoes a phase transition to form an isotropic liquid when dislocations unbind into disclinations. Melting occurs via the formation of progressively larger transient defect clusters that gradually percolate into one another, and eventually span the system destroying orientational order. Observations made in a linear magnetic-field gradient indicate that the transition is continuous. Defect dynamics, concentrations, and mobilities characterize the melting process. At the transition bubble motion goes from constrained in the hexatic to diffusive in the liquid. The transition is described well by a phenomenological criterion: melting occurs when the root mean square of the difference between displacements of adjacent bubbles is \ensuremath{\sim}10% of the average lattice spacing. At higher bubble densities, away from the transition, we observe a hexatic glass characterized by extended orientational order, very few immobile dislocations, and short-range translational order limited by substrate roughness.
Abstract 4246: Enhanced anti-vascular and anti-tumor effects upon combination therapy with aflibercept (VEGF Trap) and other anti-angiogenic drugs

Experimental and clinical development of anti-angiogenic drugs to date has mostly focused on the VEGF pathway, although other signaling pathways, including Dll4-Notch and Angiopoietin-Tie, are now also being explored. Targeting one pathway, however, might not result in maximum anti-vascular and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we compared the rapid effects on tumor perfusion of single agent blockade of VEGF, Dll4 or Ang2 to the effects of combined therapy (VEGF blockade plus either Dll4 or Ang2 blockade), and compared long-term tumor growth responses to these early effects on tumor perfusion. Using aflibercept (VEGF Trap) alone and in combination with a blocking Dll4 antibody or a blocking Ang2 antibody, we compared various tumors with a wide range of long-term growth responses to each agent: C6 rat glioma tumors, HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and Colo205 human colon carcinoma tumors, all grown subcutaneously in SCID/CB17 mice. Tumor vascular perfusion was assessed using contrast-enhanced micro-ultrasound at 24 and 72 hr after treatment. We found that aflibercept treatment rapidly decreased vascular perfusion in C6 (59% after 24 hr) and Colo205 (32%) tumors, whereas there was no decrease observed in HT1080 tumors. These changes in perfusion correlated with long-term tumor growth inhibition upon aflibercept treatment. Dll4 blockade resulted in decreased vascular perfusion in C6 (30% after 24 hr), Colo205 (77%), and HT1080 (54%) tumors, which again correlated with long-term growth inhibition of the different tumors. Treatment with an anti-Ang2 antibody produced a slight decrease in perfusion of Colo205 tumors (13% after 24 hr), associated with a decrease in tumor growth. However, combination treatments with aflibercept plus either anti-Dll4 or anti-Ang2 antibodies were more potent in all tumor types compared to single agent treatments at reducing tumor perfusion as well as inhibiting long-term tumor growth. Taken together, these data show that changes in tumor perfusion correlate with long-term tumor responses to combination treatment of aflibercept plus either anti-Dll4 or anti-Ang2 antibody suggesting that decreases in tumor perfusion could be an early biomarker predictive of response to anti-angiogenic therapies. Measuring the increased effectiveness of combination therapy in patients treated with different anti-angiogenic drugs may facilitate the improvement of current treatment regimens. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4246. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4246
Role of mRNA 5'-terminal caps in translational dormancy of Physarum polycephalum.

Translational regulation of protein synthesis accompanies sclerotization in Physarum polycephalum . Plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+RNA were translated in a message-dependent wheat germ lysate in the presence of the cap analogue 7-methylguanosine-triphosphate to determine whether 5′ structural alterations in mRNA accompany translational repression. The translation of plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+RNA was reduced to identical levels suggesting that both RNA populations are capped. The 5′-termini of plasmodial and sclerotial poly(A)+RNA were identified as m7G5′ppp5′Cm. Alterations in the 5′-cap of mRNA during sclerotization do not appear to be responsible for translational dormancy.
A Myth Rejected: The Nobel Savage in Dominican Dystopia *

This interdisciplinary study approximates the Columbian interpretation of the Tai nos – filtered and re-interpreted by the Dominican people, through their museums. Cultural phenomena such as vomitic spatulas, ‘talking’ idols, hallucinogens, infant cranial deformation, dances, nudity, sexual customs, punishments, and live burial produced Columbus's tendency to denounce the Tainos in his writings. These texts are displayed in the Museo del Hombre Dominicano side-by-side with anthropological exhibitions. Together, these texts and artifacts become purveyors of an ideology, one which Dominicans use to challenge the Eurocentric, romanticising, Noble Savage approach propagated during the Quincentennial.
Planarized arrays of aligned, untangled multiwall carbon nanotubes with Ohmic back contacts

Vertically aligned, untangled planarized arrays of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with Ohmic back contacts were grown in nanopore templates on arbitrary substrates. The templates were prepared by sputter depositing Nd-doped Al films onto W-coated substrates, followed by anodization to form an aluminum oxide nanopore array. The W underlayer helps eliminate the aluminum oxide barrier that typically occurs at the nanopore bottoms by instead forming a thin WO3 layer. The WO3 can be selectively etched to enable electrodeposition of Co catalysts with control over the Co site density. This led to control of the site density of MWNTs grown by thermal chemical vapor deposition, with W also serving as a back electrical contact. Ohmic contact to MWNTs was confirmed, even following ultrasonic cutting of the entire array to a uniform height.
Hyperglycaemia and insulinopenia in a neonate with cystic fibrosis.

UNLABELLED Abnormal glucose tolerance is a frequent late complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), but the prevalence of CF-related diabetes mellitus (CFRD) in children less than 10 y old is less than 2%. The youngest child with CFRD reported to date was 6 mo of age. Insulinopenia is the primary cause of abnormal glucose tolerance/CFRD, but it is unknown whether it may begin in the neonatal period. We describe a case of a neonate with CF who presented with hyperglycaemia in the diabetic range and marked insulinopenia. Insulinopenia and impaired glucose tolerance were permanent findings at 6 and 15 mo of age. CONCLUSION This case suggests that abnormal glucose tolerance/diabetes may occur much earlier in the course of CF, even during neonatal age. Careful follow-up and further studies in CF infants could reveal that the real incidence of glucose intolerance and diabetes in this age group has been underestimated.
Investigation of coherent molecular resonances in quantum dot–metallic nanoparticle systems using their spontaneous emission

Abstract In the presence of metallic nanoparticles the nature of the optical excitations (pumping) of semiconductor quantum dots can be determined by their molecular states and resonances formed via coherent coupling of excitons and plasmons. We show that the spontaneous emission of such quantum dots can provide key information regarding formation and characteristics of such molecular properties. This includes an ultra-fast switching process associated with optical transition between the molecular states of the quantum dot-metallic nanoparticle system or its plasmonic meta-resonance when the intensity of the laser field responsible for the exciton–plasmon coupling reaches a critical value. We also show that by varying the intensity of this laser, the spontaneous emission exhibits characteristic features indicating tunability of the molecular resonances and excitation-power dependence of plasmonic fields of the metallic nanoparticles.
Schedule‐Induced Polydipsia In Rats Living In An Operant Environment

The effect of variations in interreinforcement interval on the temporal and distributional relation between feeding and drinking was continuously monitored. Rats were housed continuously in an operant chamber in which water was freely available, but lever pressing was required to obtain food (45-mg pellets). Initially, pellets were delivered on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement, which was followed by testing on response-initiated fixed-interval 15-, 30-, and 60-second schedules. The total number of discrete, daily meals (a period in which several pellets were earned in succession) was slightly higher during the fixed-interval schedules than during the fixed-ratio 1, but there was no systematic effect of fixed-interval length on meal frequency. Total water consumption, in contrast, increased dramatically as the interval was lengthened: both subjects consumed two to three times as much water on the fixed-interval 60-second schedule as on the fixed-ratio 1. The increased water consumption was the result of an alteration in the distribution of drinking relative to eating. During the fixed-ratio 1 condition, drinking occurred infrequently following individual food pellets and represented the smallest percentage of total drinking; drinking occurred predominantly just before or after a meal. As the fixed interval was lengthened, however, the frequency of postpellet drinking gradually increased and eventually comprised the largest proportion of daily drinking.
The burn clinic

Abstract The team approach to long-term patient management in a paediatric burn clinic is outlined. The presence of all the relevant disciplines in a combined clinic result in improved total care for the patient and an increase in feedback to the personnel as well as a better team spirit.
Orthogonal spline collocation methods forSchr\"{o}dinger-type equations in one space variable

We examine the use of orthogonal spline collocation for the semi-discreti\-za\-tion of the cubic Schr\"{o}dinger equation and the two-dimensional parabolic equation of Tappert. In each case, an optimal order $L^2$ estimate of the error in the semidiscrete approximation is derived. For the cubic Schr\"{o}dinger equation, we present the results of numerical experiments in which the integration in time is performed using a routine from a software library.
Infringing on freedom of speech.

Several years ago, I sent a letter to the editor of a non-peer-reviewed orthopaedic journal in which I commented on the difficulties encountered by surgeons when they perform revision hip surgery without having the means to identify before surgery the manufacturer of the implant about to be revised. The editor informed me that the letter would soon be published. When the letter did not appear in the next month’s issue, I inquired of the editor about his “change of mind.” He responded that the publisher of the journal had expressed concern that my comments could be offensive to the implant manufacturing industry because industry was the main financial supporter of the publication. Later, while I was looking for a publisher for a book I had written, a major …
GEWEX: The Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment

GEWEX, which is part of the World Climate Research Program, has as its goal an order-of-magnitude improvement in the ability to model global precipitation and evaporation and furnish an accurate assessment of the sensitivity of atmospheric radiation and clouds. Attention will also be given to the response of the hydrological cycle and water resources to climate change. GEWEX employs a single program to coordinate all aspects of climatology from model development to the deployment and operation of observational systems. GEWEX will operate over the next two decades.
Monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) kinase promotes production of closed MAD2 (C-MAD2) conformer and assembly of the mitotic checkpoint complex.

MPS1 kinase is an essential component of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), but its functioning mechanisms are not fully understood. We have shown recently that direct interaction between BUBR1 and MAD2 is critical for assembly and function of the human mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), the SAC effector. Here we report that inhibition of MPS1 kinase activity by reversine disrupts BUBR1-MAD2 as well as CDC20-MAD2 interactions, causing premature activation of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome. The effect of MPS1 inhibition is likely due to reduction of closed MAD2 (C-MAD2), as expressing a MAD2 mutant (MAD2L13A) that is locked in the C conformation rescued the checkpoint defects. In the presence of reversine, exogenous C-MAD2 does not localize to unattached kinetochores but is still incorporated into the MCC. Contrary to a previous report, we found that sustained MPS1 activity is required for maintaining both the MAD1·C-MAD2 complex and open MAD2 (O-MAD2) at unattached kinetochores to facilitate C-MAD2 production. Additionally, mitotic phosphorylation of BUBR1 is also affected by MPS1 inhibition but seems dispensable for MCC assembly. Our results support the notion that MPS1 kinase promotes C-MAD2 production and subsequent MCC assembly to activate the SAC.
Computer simulation of the chemical catalysis of DNA polymerases: discriminating between alternative nucleotide insertion mechanisms for T7 DNA polymerase.

Understanding the chemical step in the catalytic reaction of DNA polymerases is essential for elucidating the molecular basis of the fidelity of DNA replication. The present work evaluates the free energy surface for the nucleotide transfer reaction of T7 polymerase by free energy perturbation/empirical valence bond (FEP/EVB) calculations. A key aspect of the enzyme simulation is a comparison of enzymatic free energy profiles with the corresponding reference reactions in water using the same computational methodology, thereby enabling a quantitative estimate for the free energy of the nucleotide insertion reaction. The reaction is driven by the FEP/EVB methodology between valence bond structures representing the reactant, pentacovalent intermediate, and the product states. This pathway corresponds to three microscopic chemical steps, deprotonation of the attacking group, a nucleophilic attack on the Pα atom of the dNTP substrate, and departure of the leaving group. Three different mechanisms for the first...
Seasonal changes in the temperature affects on oxygen consumption of a terrestrial snail

Abstract 1. 1. Oxygen consumption (Vo2) of active Stenotrema leai was similar at all seasons at 10° and 15°C. 2. 2. Vo2 at 20, 25 and 30°C was highest in the spring. 3. 3. Vo2 of summer snails was relatively independent of temperature between 15 and 35°C (Q10 = 1.3). 4. 4. Vo2 at extreme temperatures (5, 35°C) was highest in the autumn.
Intramolecular photoinduced charge transfer in rotaxanes.

We report the synthesis and photophysical investigation of a series of rotaxanes in which the physical confinement of the donor and acceptor (DA) pair leads, in some cases, to emissive exciplexes. As a comparison, we examined the photoinduced charge-transfer processes in the same DA mixtures under intermolecular conditions. The interlocked configuration of the rotaxane facilitates π orbital overlap of the excited state DA pair by keeping their center-to-center distance extremely small. This increased interaction between the DA pair significantly lowers the activation energy for exciplex formation (Ea) and helps stabilize the highly polar charge-transfer complex. We find that the stabilizing effect of the rotaxane architecture compensates for the modest thermodynamic driving force for some charge-transfer interactions. In addition, we examined the temperature dependence on the rotaxanes' optical properties. Metal coordination to the tetrahedral cavity disrupts the cofacial conformation of the DA pair and q...
Animal experiments relating to water diuresis tests for adrenal insufficiency.

ROBINSON, Power and Kepler (25) have proposed a relatively simple two part procedure as an aid in the diagnosis of Addison's disease. This was based on their own and certain older observations of tlowntree and Snell (26) and of Maranon et al. (20). The first part of their test (subsequently referred to as the R-P-K test) was simply a determination of whether or not the excretion of ingested water was at a normal rate. If this response was normal, adrenal insufficiency was considered to be eliminated; if it was sub-normal, further exclusive measures based on chloride and urea clearance were suggested to establish adrenal insufficiency with certainty. The present discussion is concerned with some animal experiments which bear on the first part of this diagnostic procedure or the “water test.” At the time this was proposed for clinical use we had been using tests based on the same principle to detect deficient adrenal function in experimental animals—a method which developed from the earlier experimental wor...
Desire and disappointment: adolescent psychotropic treatment and adherence.

This paper situates medication adherence among adolescents in current cultural and political-economic debates about compliance/adherence and the formation of biomedical subjectivities. Building on prior work of the authors, this paper explores the role of desire in adherence to show how subjectivities are shaped by concordant, instrumental, or conditional forms of desire. Data is used to show how parents and adolescents compare the medicated self before and after, resulting in the formation of desire. It is argued that adherence is an outcome of desire: no desire, no adherence, or varying types of desire. Moreover, adherence is not a steady state. It is produced moment to moment as adolescents confront the desires of others. The study uses interview data to construct a case study of concordant desire, which is a form most likely to produce adherence. With concordant desire the medicated come to expect a future life on medication and a life where symptoms are stripped of their social and psychological mean...
Concerning the nature of the initial damage required for the production of radiation-induced exchange aberrations.

(1987). Concerning the Nature of the Initial Damage Required for the Production of Radiation-induced Exchange Aberrations. International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine: Vol. 52, No. 5, pp. 805-809.
Experimental results of a deflected thrust V/STOL nozzle research program

Four deflected thrust nozzle concepts, designed to operate at the low pressure ratio typical of high bypass-ratio turbofan engines for medium speed (subsonic) V/STOL aircraft, were studied. Maps of overall performance characteristics and exit velocity distributions are used to highlight similarities and differences between the four concepts. Analytically determined secondary flows at the exit of a 90 deg circular pipe bend are compared with the experimental results from the more complex three dimensional geometries. The relative impact of total-pressure losses and secondary flows on nozzle thrust coefficient is addressed by numerical integration of exit velocity measurements. Previously announced in STAR as N83-25657
Collagen injection for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency in men: a reasonable option in selected patients

AbstractPurpose: We evaluate transurethral collagen injection as a minimally invasive option in treating stress urinary incontinence in men and identify the prognostic factors for success or failure.Materials and Methods: Transurethral collagen was injected in 35 men with grades III (22) and II (13) incontinence.Results: Of the patients 7 became dry (20%), 11 improved (31.4%) and 17 were considered failures (48.6%). Abdominal leak point pressure increased and the number of pads needed decreased. In the failed group 4 patients had a history of pelvic irradiation, 5 urethral stricture disease and 3 bladder instability before injection. There was 1 case of temporary urinary retention as a complication.Conclusions: Transurethral collagen injection for male stress urinary incontinence is a reasonable option in select patients.
Head movements of children in MEG: quantification, effects on source estimation, and compensation.

Abstract Head movements during magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings may lead to inaccurate localization of brain activity. This can be particularly problematic for studies with children. We quantified head movements in 8- to 12-year-old children performing a cognitive task and examined how the movements affected source estimation. Each child was presented auditory word stimuli in five 4-min runs. The mean change in the MEG sensor locations during the experiment ranged from 3 to 26mm across subjects. The variation in the head position was largest in the up–down direction. The mean localization error in equivalent current dipole (ECD) simulations was 12mm for runs with the most head movement, with the frontal cortex appearing to be most prone to errors due to head movements. In addition, we examined the effect of head movements on two types of source estimates, ECDs and minimum-norm estimates (MNE), for an auditory evoked response. Application of a recently introduced signal space separation (SSS) method to compensate for the head movements was found to increase the goodness-of-fit of the ECDs, reduce the spatial confidence intervals of the ECDs, and enhance the peak amplitude in the MNE. These results are indicative of the SSS method being able to compensate for the spatial smoothing of the signals caused by head movements. Overall, the results suggest that MEG source estimates are relatively robust against head movements in children, and that confounds due to head movements can be successfully dealt with in MEG studies of developmental cognition.
When detergent meets bilayer: birth and coming of age of lipid bicelles.

Lipids spontaneously form bilayered structures when brought into an aqueous environment. This is the foundation in the architecture of biological cell membranes. However, lipid bilayers do not lend themselves easily to common biophysical studies; be it of the bilayer itself or of embedded membrane proteins. Detergents, on the other hand, form small aggregates known as micelles that readily solubilize membrane proteins and are well-suited for numerous biophysical methods. However, they are not excellent models of biological membranes as they may denature the structure of a protein and the curvature of the micelle may impose a non-native protein folding. When lipid and detergent meet in an aqueous environment, entities with wholly different properties are formed: lipid bicelles. Bicelles are made of patches of lipid bilayers that are either encircled or perforated by detergent ‘rims’. They combine the advantages of both components alone (micelle and lipid bilayer), namely being good models for a biological membrane and having advantageous properties for biophysical experiments. An additional advantage of certain bicelle preparations is their tendency to macroscopically align when brought into a magnetic field. This fact has been exploited not only in the highresolution structural and dynamics studies of membrane proteins, but also for globular proteins using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Fig. 1 gives a graphical introduction to the two types of bicellar phases most commonly employed. At a high detergent concentration and low temperatures, isotropically tumbling disk-like aggregates are formed, the so-called isotropic bicelles (Fig. 1B). At a high lipid concentration and in certain temperature ranges, extended bilayered lamellae are formed that are perforated or delimited by detergent, and have the potential for magnetic alignment (Fig. 1D). Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs (A, C) of bicelles taken from the literature [1] are also included in Fig. 1. Open in a separate window Fig. 1 Lipid bicelles are supramolecular aggregates that are formed when appropriate amounts of lipids and detergents are mixed in an aqueous environment. The size and phase of bicellar aggregates depend on the [lipid]:[detergent] ratio as well as on the temperature. Two fundamentally different phases of bicellar preparations have proven highly useful in the study of protein structure using NMR spectroscopy: isotropic bicelles rapidly tumble freely and are formed at a high detergent concentration (A and B). At low detergent concentrations extended bilayered lamellae are formed (C and D), that spontaneously align macroscopically in a magnetic field. Cryo-TEM micrographs (A and C) are reproduced from the literature [1]. Micrograph (A) contains arrows marked A and B that point to disk-like bicelles viewed from the side and the top, respectively.
Reovirus receptors and apoptosis.

The mammalian reoviruses are a tractable experimental system for studies of viral replication and pathogenesis. Reovirus virions are nonenveloped, double-shelled particles containing a genome of 10 segments of doublestranded RNA (Nibert and Schiff, 2001). Reoviruses have been isolated from many mammalian species, including humans, but reovirus disease is limited to the very young (Tyler, 2001). The pathogenesis of reovirus infection has been studied using newborn mice, in which serotypespecific patterns of disease have been identified (Tyler, 2001). The best characterized of these models is reovirus pathogenesis in the murine central nervous system (CNS) (Fig. 1). After primary replication in the intestine, type 1 reovirus strains spread by hematogenous routes to the CNS where they infect ependymal cells, leading to nonlethal hydrocephalus (Weiner et al., 1977, 1980; Tyler et al., 1986). In contrast, type 3 reoviruses spread primarily by neural routes to the CNS and infect neurons, causing fatal encephalitis (Weiner et al., 1977, 1980; Tyler et al., 1986; Morrison et al., 1991). These distinct patterns of disease segregate genetically with the S1 gene (Weiner et al., 1977, 1980; Tyler et al., 1986), which encodes the viral attachment protein, 1 (Weiner et al., 1980; Lee et al., 1981). These findings have led to the hypothesis that selective recognition of cell-surface receptors by 1 is responsible for the serotype-specific expression of reovirus-induced disease. For this reason, considerable effort has been focused on studies of 1 structure, 1 receptors, and mechanisms by which 1– receptor interactions lead to cellular injury.
A New Group of Compounds with Diamond type (Chalcopyrite) Structure

IT is now possible to confirm the existence, previously predicted1, of a new group of compounds with chalcopyrite structure, and of general formula A II B IV X V 2, where A II is zinc or cadmium, B IV is silicon, germanium or tin, and X V is arsenic or phosphorus. The new II—IV—V2 compounds can be derived formally from III—V zinc blende compounds by substituting for every two atoms of the group III element one atom from each of groups II and IV (for example, GaAs → ZnGeAs2).
Rapidly Convergent Approximations to Dirichlet's Problem for Semilinear Elliptic Equations

In this paper an iterative scheme is given for solving the Dirichlet problem for the semilinear elliptic equation, ▵u = f(x, y, u, ux uy), defined in a simply connected domain with Lyapunov boundary, The procedure developed makes use of the kernel function methods of Bergman and Schiffer to estimate Green's function for the equation ▵u-α2u. Using this Green's function the Dirichlet problem is then reformulated as an integral equation. It is shown that the approximants converge to the actual solution geometrically. The convergence factor is the reciprocal of the first eigenvalue to a particular Fredholm integral equation. This eigenvalue is known to be always greater than 1
Visceral Adipose Tissue in Women: Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Fat Gain, Time, and Race

Objective: To determine the effects of fat gain, time, and race on the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a group of normal-weight premenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixty-five women participated in the study (32 African American and 33 white). The mean age of subjects was 34 ± 6 years (range, 22 to 47 years). Eligible subjects were women who had body mass indices <25 kg/m2 at baseline and who had completed evaluations at baseline and at follow-up year 1, without intervention. A subset of subjects was reevaluated annually for up to 4 years. Body composition was assessed by DXA, and VAT was determined from a single computed tomography scan. A linear mixed model was used to examine changes in VAT over time, with total body fat as a covariate Results: Total fat mass was not significantly different between races at baseline and increased significantly in both groups over time (p < 0.001). Time-related increases in total body fat were greater in African-American women (p < 0.01). VAT was significantly higher in white women at baseline (p < 0.01) and increased significantly over time in both races (p < 0.01), but remained higher in white women (p < 0.001). Increases in VAT, relative to total body fat, were greater than the increases in total body fat over time, independent of age and race (p < 0.001). Discussion: Gaining total body-fat mass results in a higher increase in VAT, relative to total body fat, regardless of race and age, although African-American women maintain a lower VAT levels across time.
Use of classification systems in epidemiologic studies of early-onset periodontitis

Abstract Original Article Lopez R, Baelum V. Classifying periodontitis among adolescents: implications for epidemiological research. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2003;31(2):136–43. Level of Evidence 4 Purpose To investigate the effect of different classification criteria of periodontitis in adolescents, on the estimates of disease prevalence, and the association between case classification and determinants of disease Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional, population study
Optical transmittance of louver systems

Abstract Louvers are extensively employed in optics and in architecture, but previous work has largely ignored the effectiveness of louver systems in transmitting light. This paper develops equations for the transmittance of various louvers.For use on north and south faces of buildings, the calculated transmittance is generally at least 50 per cent, which is satisfactory. But for east and -,vest faces, transmittance is usually less than 10 per cent. Since in the latter case, proper shielding from direct sunlight practically eliminates daylight too, the value of the -,windows is questionable.
An Integrated Model of the Transcription Complex in Elongation, Termination, and Editing

Recent findings now allow the development of an integrated model of the thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural properties of the transcription complex in the elongation, termination, and editing phases of transcript formation. This model provides an operational framework for placing known facts and can be extended and modified to incorporate new advances. The most complete information about transcriptional mechanisms and their control continues to come from the Escherichia coli system, upon which most of the explicit descriptions provided here are based. The transcriptional machinery of higher organisms, despite its greater inherent complexity, appears to use many of the same general principles. Thus, the lessons of E. coli continue to be relevant.
Surface‐modified polysulfone membranes: Aqueous phase oxidation via persulfate radical

Polysulfone (Udel P1800) ultrafiltration membranes were surface modified using potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) as a free radical source in the aqueous phase. The expected modification was hydrogen abstraction leading to hydroxylation at one or two sites on the isopropylidene linkage. Reaction time, K2S2O8 concentration, and temperature were optimized based on two criteria: (1) minimal change in pure water fluxes after surface modification and (2) reduction of adsorptive fouling with a pulp mill effluent. The pure water flux retention for an unmodified membrane was ∼20% after adsorptive fouling with the pulp mill effluent and was increased to 70% after reaction with K2S2O8. Angle-resolved XPS indicated increased oxygen and a new carbon peak consistent with an aldehyde reaction occurring in the top 3.5 nm. NMR solution analysis was inconclusive because of the low sensitivity of the experiment. Further analysis of oxidation products was carried out on finely dispersed polymer. Fourier transform infrared, internal reflection spectroscopy suggested oxidation by the formation of an aldehyde which was further oxidized to carboxylic acid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1723–1730, 2006
Development of Parkinsonism following exposure to aripiprazole: two case reports

Aripiprazole is a novel atypical neuroleptic used in the treatment of psychosis. A few recent studies have demonstrated an association between the use of aripiprazole and an exacerbation of Parkinsonism, although this relationship is poorly defined. To our knowledge, this is the first case series describing an onset of Parkinsonism in patients without prior history of Parkinson's disease following aripiprazole treatment. We describe two patients, ages 69 and 58, who developed cardinal features of Parkinson's disease shortly after receiving aripiprazole. Both patients were male veterans with a history of bipolar disorder treated with aripiprazole. They initially presented with asymmetric arm tremor, and subsequently developed rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. On examination, they were found to be at a Hoehn and Yahr stage of 2.5 for their Parkinsonism. While aripiprazole has been associated with infrequent extrapyramidal side effects, these cases raise concerns that its chronic exposure may lead to D2 receptor hypersensitivity and/or dysfunction and subsequent development of a syndrome mimicking idiopathic Parkinson's disease. With the available atypical neuroleptics becoming widely used in treating psychotic symptoms associated with a broad range of disorders, we advise closer monitoring due to their potential for inducing Parkinsonism.
Copolymerization of tri‐n‐butyltin‐α‐chloroacrylate with 2‐hydroxyalkyl methacrylates

Copolymers of tri-n-butyltin-α-chloroacrylate (TCA) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) were synthesized in solution at 55°C using azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. Copolymer compositions were determined by tin analysis. Monomer reactivity ratios were calculated by the Kelen-Tudős method. The copolymers were further characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, TGA, DSC, XRD and solubility. Biotoxicity studies of the copolymers are also reported. The copolymer system is compared with similar copolymers of tri-n-butyltin methacrylate. Tri-n-butylzinn-α-chloracrylat (TCA) wurde mit (2-Hydroxyethyl)-methacrylat (HEMA) und (2-Hydroxypropyl)-methacrylat bei 55°C in Losung mit AIBN als Initiator copolymerisiert. Die Copolymerzusammensetzung wurde durch Zinnanalyse bestimmt; die Berechnung der Copolymeristationsparameter erfolgte nach Kelen-Tudős. Die Copolymeren wurden ferner IR-und 1H-NMR-spektroskopisch sowie mittels TGA, DSC, Rontgenstreuung und Loslichkeit in organischen Losemitteln charakterisiert. Untersuchungen zur Biotoxizitat wurden ebenfalls durchgefuhrt. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit ahnlichen Tri-n-butylzinnmethacrylat-Copolymeren verglichen.
Considering Context: Developing Students' Leadership Capacity.

This chapter describes the contextual factors that influence the development of students' leadership capacity in higher education. International Leadership Association overarching Context Guiding Question: “How does the context of the leadership education program affect the program?”
Measurement of potentials in the implanted ear: Models and pitfalls

Focused electrical stimuli will likely improve the performance of cochlear implants. Models predict the probable success of focusing. The models must be tested by measuring potentials in the inner ear. Successful testing requires the minimization of electrode impedances, the maximization of the common mode rejection ratios of the amplifiers used and the consistent selection of voltage reference points in the subjects.
Merging Outcrop Data and Geomechanical Information in Stochastic Models of Fractured Reservoirs

According to recent estimates, the potential for oil production from fractured reservoirs in North America is of the order of tens of billion of barrels. With domestic production depending more and more on mature fields, better technology for characterizing fracture flow paths, especially in deep, nonconventional plays and in carbonate rocks is key to producing hydrocarbons economically. Fracture transmissivity (or permeability) can enhance oil production, or on the other hand, result in early water breakthrough and consequently early well abandonment. However, spatial characteristics of the fracture system cannot be known deterministically in the subsurface reservoir. Instead, stochastic characterisation of fracture systems is usually attempted. The development of a stochastic modeling approach that yields realistic field-scale model of fracture networks consistent with patterns observed on an outcrop and adhere to a mechanical basis for fracture propagation is presented in this paper.
An Examination of the Influence of Strength of Evidence Variables in the Prosecution’s Decision to Dismiss Driving While Intoxicated Cases

The majority of research examining prosecutorial discretion has focused on legal factors such as the seriousness of the offense or the extra-legal characteristics of the accused including race/ethnicity and gender. The amount of variance explained by court researchers, however, remains quite low. The present study extends previous research examining the primary determinants of prosecutor’s decision to dismiss or fully prosecute focusing on driving while intoxicated cases. We focus on the predictive contribution of the strength of evidence relative to legal and extra-legal variables. The data consist of 2,358 driving while intoxicated cases filed in Harris County, Texas during the first 8 months of 1999. The findings strongly support the inclusion of strength of evidence variables in court research and further suggest their past omission may have attributed significance to spurious relationships.
Improvement of Insulin Sensitivity by Short-term Exercise Training in Hypertensive African American Women

Abstract African American women have a high prevalence of insulin resistance, non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension that may be linked to low levels of physical activit...
Spectral components of the P300 speller response in electrocorticography

Recent studies have demonstrated that the P300 Speller can be used to reliably control a brain-computer interface via scalp-recorded electroencephalography (EEG) and intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG). However, the exact reasons why some disabled individuals are unable to successfully use the P300 Speller remain unknown. The superior bandwidth and spatial resolution of ECoG compared to EEG may provide more insight into the nature of the responses evoked by the P300 Speller. This study examines the spatio-temporal progression of the P300 Speller response in ECoG for six conventional frequency bands.