cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
College teacher misbehaviors: What students don't like about what teachers say and do

This investigation represents a substantial change in the way we examine classroom discipline and student resistance. Rather than focusing on student non‐compliance and other types of student misbehaviors, we examined teachers themselves as potential sources of instructional and/or motivational problems in the college classroom. Study 1 was designed to elicit inductively, college student reports of teacher misbehaviors. Results indicated 28 different categories of teacher misbehaviors. Study 2 was structured to (1) validate the obtained categories of teacher misbehavior types and (2) to determine whether or not a conceptually meaningful factor structure underlies the categories. Even though most students reported that the teachers referenced in study 2 infrequently engaged in each misbehavior type, a representative number of other teachers did. Importantly, the full range of frequencies was obtained across all 28 categories. Results were further corroborated with qualitative data. Factor analyses and fact...
Ultraviolet radiation effects on the behavior and recruitment of larvae from the reef coral Porites astreoides

We tested the rarely considered hypothesis that the ultraviolet portion (UVR, 280–400 nm) of the light spectrum affects patterns of recruitment in reef-building corals. The premise for this hypothesis rests in the fact that biologically relevant intensities of UVR penetrate to considerable depths (>24 m) in the clear waters surrounding many coral reefs, and that reef organisms allocate substantial resources to prevent and repair UVR damage. The ability of larvae spawned by the brown morph of the Caribbean coral, Porites astreoides, to detect and avoid UVR was assessed in petri dishes where one-half of the dish was shielded from UVR and the other exposed. Observations made every 30 min between 10:30 and 13:30 h showed significantly higher densities of larvae swimming in regions shielded from UVR. To determine how this behavior affects settlement patterns, larvae collected from P. astreoides adults at 18 m depth were released into chambers deployed at 17 m depth where they were given a choice of three different light regions in which to settle: PAR (PAR=400–700 nm), PAR+UVAR (UVAR=320–400 nm), and PAR+UVAR+UVBR (UVBR=280–320 nm). At the end of the experiment, greater numbers of P. astreoides larvae had settled in the region of the tube where UVR was reduced than would be expected if dispersion were random. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration in any reef-building coral species that planula larvae can detect UVR and that it affects their choice of a settlement site. These results indicate that the capacity to detect and avoid habitats with biologically damaging levels of UVR may be one factor contributing to the successful recruitment of coral larvae.
Synthesis of pentafluoroseleniumoxide fluorocarbons

Abstract The reaction of xenon bis-pentafluoroseleniumoxide, Xe(OSeF 5 ) 2 , with the haloolefins, CF 2 CF 2 , CF 3 CFCF 2 , CF 2 CFCl, and CF 2 CFH, results in the low to moderate yield addition of two SeF 5 O- groups to the double bond. These are the first examples of this type of addition. From c-C 5 F 8 and the above olefins these same reaction also gave as products, C 2 F 5 OSeF 5 , n-C 3 F 7 OSeF 5 , c-C 5 F 9 OSeF 5 , and SeF 5 OCF 2 COCl in higher yields than the bis SeF 5 O- compounds. Surprisingly, those olefins capable of forming thermally stable epoxides, i.e. C 3 F 6 and c-C 5 F 8 , were found to produce significant yields of the corresponding epoxides as a by-product in these reactions, while the remaining olefins gave significant amounts of acid fluorides instead. Characterizing data are presented for all of these new R f OSeF 5 compounds.
Causes of recent changes in western North American snowpack

Monthly snow water equivalent (SWE) station observations and gridded temperature data are used to identify mechanisms by which warming affects the temporal and geographical structure of changes in western North American mountain snowpack. We first exploit interannual variability to demonstrate the sensitivity of snowpack to temperature during the various phases of the snow season. We show that mechanisms whereby temperature affects snowpack emerge in the mid to late portion of the snow season (March through May), but are nearly absent during the earliest phase (February), when temperatures are generally well below freezing. The mid to late snow season is precisely when significant loss of snowpack is seen at nearly all locations over the past few decades, both through decreases in snow accumulation and increases in snowmelt. At locations where April 1st SWE has been increasing over the past few decades, the increase is entirely due to a significant enhancement of accumulation during the earliest phase of the snow season, when the sensitivity analysis indicates that temperature is not expected to affect snowpack. Later in the snow season, these stations exhibit significant snowpack loss comparable to the other stations. Based on this analysis, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that recent snowpack changes in western North America are caused by regional-scale warming. Given predictions of future warming, a further reduction in late season snowpack and advancement in the onset of snowmelt should be expected in the coming decades throughout the region.
Deliquescence Behavior of Multicomponent Aerosols

The deliquescence behavior of multicomponent aerosols has been studied extensively by measuring the particle size or weight growth at controlled relative humidities. To our knowledge there has been no experimental investigation of the chemical composition of the aerosol surface as a function of relative humidity, which is extremely important in understanding a number of issues in atmospheric chemistry and physics. Rapid single-particle mass spectrometry (RSMS) has been used in this work to explore the deliquescence behavior of particles generated from NaCl/KCl, NaCl/NaNO3, and (NH4)2SO4/NH4NO3 mixed solutions and then conditioned at different relative humidities. Thermodynamic predictions of the crystallization/deliquescence behavior of each mixture were also given. For NaCl/KCl and NaCl/NaNO3 mixtures, the data were generally consistent with thermodynamic analysis and earlier investigations. The results indicate that as the ambient relative humidity reaches the deliquescence point of the system, the chem...
Carbohydrate heterogeneity of vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein allows localization of the defect in a glycosylation mutant of CHO cells.

Abstract The carbohydrate portion of the G glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) grown in CHO cells (CHO/VSV) has been fractionated on BioGelP6, concanavalin A-Sepharose, and pea lectin-agarose. The results suggest that, in addition to sialic acid and fucose heterogeneity, the asparagine-linked complex carbohydrate moieties of CHO/VSV also display branching heterogeneity. Although the majority of the glycopeptides bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose in a manner typical of certain biantennary carbohydrate structures, a significant proportion do not bind to the lectin. The latter behavior is typical of tri- or tetraantennary (branched) carbohydrate structures. The CHO/VSV glycopeptides which do not bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose separate into bound and unbound fractions on pea lectin-agarose suggesting that they include at least two different types of (branched) carbohydrate structures. Glycopeptides from the G glycoprotein of VSV grown in two, independently derived CHO glycosylation mutants which belong to complementation group 4 (Lec4 mutants) were examined in the same manner. In contrast to glycopeptides from CHO/VSV, glycopeptides from Lec4/VSV which passed through concanavalin A-Sepharose did not contain a component which subsequently bound to pea lectin-agarose. A glycopeptide fraction with these lectin-binding properties was also missing from cell surface glycopeptides derived from Lec4 cells. The combined results are consistent with the hypothesis that Lec4 CHO glycosylation mutants lack a glycosyltransferase activity responsible for the addition of a (branch) N -acetylglucosamine residue linked β1,6 to mannose.
Protein separation and purification in neat dimethyl sulfoxide.

Abstract Pure DMSO (instead of water) is used as the reaction medium for protein separations. It is shown that common extracellular proteins (i) have high solubility in DMSO (1–50 mg/ml), (ii) do not irreversibly inactivate in this solvent, and (iii) can adsorb onto carboxymethyl cellulose in DMSO and be subsequently fully desorbed in this solvent by inorganic salts. Ion-exchange chromatography on this resin in DMSO has been used to purify bovine pancreatic trypsin and to separate it from hen egg-white lysozyme in their mixture. Another approach to protein separation in DMSO, fractional precipitation with ethyl acetate (which does not dissolve proteins), has been verified with a mixture of bovine pancreatic chymotrypsinogen and chicken egg ovalbumin.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Regulation of Myocardial Growth and c-myc Levels in the Rat Heart

Abstract In this report we demonstrate that rats maintained on a calcium supplemented vitamin D3-deficient diet for nine weeks showed an increase in heart to body weight ratio. Morphometric analysis indicated that vitamin D3 deficiency produced cardiac myocytes that were smaller yet more numerous, indicating hyperplasia, Western blot analysis showed that vitamin D3 deficiency also resulted in increased c-myc protein levels in the hearts of vitamin D3-deficient rats. Furthermore, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 reduced c-myc protein levels in primary cultures of ventricular myocytes from neonatal rat hearts. Our data suggest a possible relationship between myocyte hyperplasia and increased c-myc levels in the vitamin D3-deficient rat heart.
Regulation of αIIbβ3 Function in Human B Lymphocytes

We studied the function of the platelet integrin alphaIIb beta3 using a B lymphocyte model in which alphaIIb beta3 can be induced to interact with fibrinogen using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). To determine whether a G protein-coupled receptor could also activate alphaIIb beta3 in lymphocytes, we coexpressed the human formyl peptide receptor (fPR) and alphaIIb beta3, finding that the fPR agonist formyl Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-stimulated lymphocyte adherence to immobilized fibrinogen and binding of soluble fibrinogen to the lymphocyte surface. The response to fMLP, but not PMA, was abrogated by pertussis toxin, indicating that the fPR was coupled to the G-protein Galphai, whereas the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited the response to both fMLP and PMA, indicating that signaling from the fPR included protein kinase C. On the other hand, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, the Syk inhibitor piceatannol, and the RhoA inhibitor C3 exoenzyme had no effect, implying that neither tyrosine phosphorylation nor the GTPase RhoA were involved. Furthermore, whereas micromolar concentrations of cytochalasin D inhibited the PMA-stimulated interaction of alphaIIb beta3 with fibrinogen, nanomolar concentrations actually induced fibrinogen binding to unstimulated cells. Our studies demonstrate that alphaIIb beta3 expressed in B lymphocytes can be activated by a physiologic agonist and outline an activating pathway that includes Galphai, protein kinase C, and the actin cytoskeleton.
Ice nucleation in the upper troposphere: Sensitivity to aerosol number density, temperature, and cooling rate

We have investigated the processes that control ice crystal nucleation in the upper troposphere using a numerical model. Nucleation of ice resulting from cooling was simulated for a range of aerosol number densities, initial temperatures, and cooling rates. In contrast to observations of stratus clouds, we find that the number of ice crystals that nucleate in cirrus is relatively insensitive to the number of aerosols present. The ice crystal size distribution at the end of the nucleation process is unaffected by the assumed initial aerosol number density. Essentially, nucleation continues until enough ice crystals are present such that their deposition growth rapidly depletes the vapor and shuts off any further nucleation. However, the number of ice crystals nucleated increases rapidly with decreasing initial temperature and increasing cooling rate. This temperature dependence alone could explain the large ice crystal number density observed in very cold tropical cirrus.
Correlation between radiographic findings of osteoarthritis and arthroscopic findings of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint

To correlate radiographic findings of osteoarthritis on axial knee radiographs with arthroscopic findings of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint in patients with chronic knee pain. The study group consisted of 104 patients with osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint and 30 patients of similar age with no osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint. All patients in the study group had an axial radiograph of the knee performed prior to arthroscopic knee surgery. At the time of arthroscopy, each articular surface of the patellofemoral joint was graded using the Noyes classification system. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the knee radiographs to determine the presence of marginal osteophytes, joint-space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts. The sensitivity and specificity of the various radiographic features of osteoarthritis for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint were determined. The sensitivity of marginal osteophytes, joint-space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint was 73%, 37%, 4%, and 0% respectively. The specificity of marginal osteophytes, joint-space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint was 67%, 90%, 100%, and 100% respectively. Marginal osteophytes were the most sensitive radiographic feature for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration within the patellofemoral joint. Joint-space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts were insensitive radiographic features of osteoarthritis, and rarely occurred in the absence of associated osteophyte formation.
A Combined Multisensor Optimal Estimation Retrieval Algorithm for Oceanic Warm Rain Clouds

The complicated interactions between cloud processes in the tropical hydrologic cycle and their responses to changes in environmental variables have been the focus of many recent investigations. Most studies that examine the response of the hydrologic cycle to temperature changes focus on deep convection and cirrus production, but recent results suggest that warm rain clouds may be more sensitive to temperature changes. These clouds are prevalent in the tropics and make considerable contributions to the radiation budget and to total tropical rainfall, as well as serving to moisten and precondition the atmosphere for deep convection. A change in the properties of these clouds in climate-change scenarios could have significant implications for the hydrologic cycle. Existing microwave and visible retrievals of warm rain cloud liquid water path (LWP) disagree over the range of sea surface temperatures (SST) observed in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. Although both retrieval methods show similar behavior for nonraining clouds, the two methods show very different warm-rain-cloud LWP responses to SST, both in magnitude and trend. This makes changes to the relationship between precipitation and cloud properties in changing temperature regimes difficult to interpret. A combined optimal estimation retrieval algorithm that takes advantage of the strengths of the different satellite measurements available on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has been developed. Deconvolved TRMM Microwave Imager brightness temperatures are combined with cloud fraction from the Visible and Infrared Scanner and rainwater estimates from the TRMM precipitation radar to retrieve the cloud LWP in warm rain systems. This algorithm is novel in that it takes into account the water in the rain and estimates the LWP due to only the cloud water in a raining cloud, thus allowing investigation of the effects of precipitation on cloud properties.
Ice Cloud Content from Radar Reflectivity

Abstract The ice equivalent radar reflectivity factor (Zi = 5.3Ze) is found from previous measurements to be related to the precipitation rate (R mm h−1) and ice mass content (M, g m−3) of ice crystal clouds by R = 0.067Zi0.804 and M = 0.037Zi0.696. Comparison with other empirical equations suggests that changes in the ice crystal size distribution accompanying the formation of precipitation particles begin to modify these relations within deep-ice clouds and lead to a different class of relations for snowfall. Accordingly, the above equations are considered valid for Zi ≲ 10 dBZ, and should be particularly appropriate for short-wavelength radar observations of cirrus clouds.
How Solid is Mass Support for Democracy—And How Can We Measure It?

A decade has passed since the Third Wave of democratization brought an avalanche of new, relatively unstable democracies into being, raising the question, “How solid is support for democracy in these countries?” In the intervening years, public support for democracy has faded in some countries, many of which are democratic in name only. It is unclear how long even the pretense of electoral democracy will survive in the Soviet successor states, apart from the Baltics (Brzezinski 2001). The prospects for democracy in Islamic countries seem particularly poor, with some writers arguing that the basic values of Islamic publics may be incompatible with liberal democracy (Huntington 1993, 1996). This article examines this claim, using the 1999–2001 wave of the World Values Survey, which includes 10 Islamic countries, making it possible for the first time to compare the Islamic world with other major cultural zones. We find surprisingly widespread support for democracy among Islamic publics—at least by conventional measures.
The origin of the rotation of one end of a cell relative to the other end during growth of gram-positive rods.

The Gram-positive rod wall elongates by an inside-to-outside mechanism of linking new peptidoglycan on the inside and the cracking, by autolysis, of old wall on the outside. During this process the peptidoglycan experiences stress in different directions in different levels of the wall. The stress that develops in a rod-shaped cell if the wall was uniform in physical properties throughout its thickness is twice as great in the hoop direction as in the axial direction. This leads to splitting in the direction of the longitudinal axis. However, the older, partially split, more peripheral wall is stressed in the direction of the elongating cell axis and thus favors circumferential cracks. It is suggested that these processes combine to form a system of helical cracks, grooves, or crevasses. The stable system of grooves would have the same handedness, fairly constant pitch and elongate as the cell grows. Their continuing development would result in the rotation of one end of the cell relative to the other even in cells with no spiral or apparent helical character. Such rotation has been experimentally observed with Bacillus subtilis. The proposed mechanism for rotation during growth may account, in part, for the formation of helical coils of bundles of filamentous organisms (macrofibers), the morphology of spirilla and vibroids, and for the shapes of some mutant and some antibiotic-treated organisms. Rotation due to generation of helical cracks as the result of the biophysics of the growth process as proposed here, is an alternative to the proposal by Mendelson (1976, Helical growth of Bacillus subtilis: a new model for cell growth. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 1740-1744) that rotation is due to the laying down of nascent peptidoglycan in a helical pattern.
Solvent-mediated electron hopping: long-range charge transfer in IBr-(CO2) photodissociation.

Solvent plays a complex and multifaceted role in facilitating charge transfer events. One obstacle to understanding its influence is that solvent molecules are in constant motion; just teasing out their arrangement in space at the point in time when an electron hops from one substrate to another is often a great challenge. Sheps et al. (p. [220][1]; published online 4 March) have studied a highly simplified prototype system, in which a single CO2 molecule coordinates, as a solvent might, to an IBr− ion in the gas phase. A combination of ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical simulations was applied that suggests that even this solitary interaction is sufficient to induce electron transfer from iodide to bromine during a dissociation reaction. Energy channeled through CO2-bending vibrations promoted formation of I(CO2) and Br−. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1184616
Integrating surgery into treatment paradigms for organ preservation: tailoring treatment to biology improves outcomes.

Purpose Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was introduced into treatment paradigms for curable head and neck cancer in the early 1970s in an effort to reduce the magnitude of mutilating surgery and to provide a rationale for adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in patients who responded to initial chemotherapy. The large number of trials that followed failed to demonstrate improved survival when neoadjuvant chemotherapy was added to conventional surgery or radiation. Importantly, a consistent observation in these neoadjuvant trials was the significant association of clinical tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy and favorable prognosis. Results The findings led to development of a new treatment paradigm that was based on the hypothesis that the biology of an individual cancer is more predictive of response to specific therapy and overall outcome than is anatomic tumor site or extent, and on the corollary that matching treatment modality to biology will improve overall survival rates. Conclusions This report identifies key findings that are important in the design and analysis of organ preservation trials and biologic markers predictive of response and outcomes. Ongoing studies incorporating biomarkers such as p53, Bcl-xL, HPV, EGFR, COX-2, and tumor promoter gene methylation are underway and will identify new targets for molecular manipulation, response monitoring, and tumor imaging that could allow real-time changes in how we integrate the various components of multi-modal therapy.
General Synthesis and Aggregation Behaviour of New Single-Chain Bolaphospholipids: Variations in Chain and Headgroup Structures

The chemical structures of polymethylene-1,ω-bis(phosphocholines) that self-assemble into nanofibres was modified on the one hand in the hydrophobic chain region, by introduction of sulfur and oxygen atoms, and on the other hand by variation of the polar headgroup structure with functionalised tertiary amines. The temperature-dependent self-assembly of these novel bolaphospholipids into nanofibres and spherical micelles was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stabilities of the nanofibres strongly depend on the chemical compositions of the headgroups and of the hydrophobic chains. The insertion of new functionalities in the headgroup region by click chemistry makes these substances interesting for potential applications in bioscience and materials science.
A novel technique for the enrichment of primary ovarian cancer cells

Objective Primary cancer cells that are extracted from ovarian tumors can serve as an optimal substrate to study the biologic characteristics of ovarian cancer. We describe an efficient and effective method of enriching ovarian tumor cells from ascitic fluid using an immunomagnetic-based method. Study Design Mononuclear cells were isolated from ascites specimens by Ficoll gradient separation. Epithelial ovarian cancer cells were labeled magnetically with monoclonal human epithelial antigen-125 that is conjugated to microbeads. After immunomagnetic separation, the purity of tumor cells before and after purification was quantified by cytologic analysis and confirmed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Results Peritoneal ascites specimens were obtained from 6 patients with ovarian cancer. The median age of our patients was 61.5 years (range, 46-79 years). Three patients had papillary serous carcinoma; 2 patients had clear cell carcinoma, and 1 patient had an undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. The mean tumor purity was only 22.8% ± 10% (range, 1%-60%) before separation. After enrichment, the purity improved to 82.3% ± 4.0% (range, 70%-90%). Our enrichment technique increased the tumor purity by 59.5% ± 8.4%. The mean percent yield after positive enrichment was 30.1% ± 14.5%. Conclusion The immunomagnetic cell separation technique is an efficient and effective method for isolating and purifying ovarian tumor cells from ascites. Results from experiments with fresh tumor cells rather than cancer cell lines may be more relevant for clinical application.
Novel Approaches for Analyzing Biological Networks

This paper proposes clique relaxations to identify clusters in biological networks. In particular, the maximum n-clique and maximum n-club problems on an arbitrary graph are introduced and their recognition versions are shown to be NP-complete. In addition, integer programming formulations are proposed and the results of sample numerical experiments performed on biological networks are reported.
Dependence of recycling and edge profiles on lithium evaporation in high triangularity, high performance NSTX H-mode discharges

In this paper, the effects of a pre-discharge lithium evaporation variation on highly shaped discharges in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) are documented. Lithium wall conditioning (‘dose’) was routinely applied onto graphite plasma facing components between discharges in NSTX, partly to reduce recycling. Reduced Dα emission from the lower and upper divertor and center stack was observed, as well as reduced midplane neutral pressure; the magnitude of reduction increased with the pre-discharge lithium dose. Improved energy confinement, both raw τE and H-factor normalized to scalings, with increasing lithium dose was also observed. At the highest doses, we also observed elimination of edge-localized modes. The midplane edge plasma profiles were dramatically altered, comparable to lithium dose scans at lower shaping, where the strike point was farther from the lithium deposition centroid. As a result, this indicates that the benefits of lithium conditioning should apply to the highly shaped plasmas planned in NSTX-U.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLIED UTILITY OF A NORMATIVE APTITUDE–ACHIEVEMENT TAXONOMY FOR THE WOODCOCK-JOHNSON PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL BATTERY-REVISED

This study developed a normative core profile taxonomy of the most common aptitude and achievement scales in the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised (WJ-R; Woodcock & Johnson, 1989). Eight scales were included in the analyses: the WJ-R's four scholastic aptitudes and their four corresponding achievement scales. Cluster analysis was used to sort 2,620 students from the standardization sample of the WJ-R. Results of internal and external validity analyses provided support for eight core profiles. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed in terms of how the ability and achievement scores covary in the population. Practical implications and utility are gained by providing a multivariate procedure through which the distinctiveness of a given child's aptitude-achievement profile can be assessed through comparison to the population core types.
Analyzing Hybrid Randomized Response Data with a Binomial Selection Procedure

The randomized response survey model introduced by Warner (1965) is reviewed and applied to the analysis of contaminated data, i. e., response or reported data which is truthful with probability less than one. Two generic mechanisms are distinguished: an active mechanism whereby the contamination is inserted into the process and hence becomes a statistical design parameter, and a passive mechanism whereby contamination of the response is suspected and hence becomes an analysis parameter. The impact of contamination on the operating characteristics of a subset ranking and selection procedure for binomial models is assessed.
NEW INDICATIONS FOR RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

AbstractPurpose: Radical prostatectomy is considered the gold standard for treatment of localized prostate cancer, either as primary or salvage therapy. Recently with the advent of increased organ transplantation, use of prostatic specific antigen for cancer detection and cryoablation as an alternative treatment, more men with prostate cancer can be considered for radical surgery. We review these new indications.Materials and Methods: Clinically localized untreated prostate cancers were identified in 3 men being considered for cardiac or lung transplantation (group 1), and 4 men originally treated with transperineal cryoablation had local relapse (group 2). All 7 men underwent radical prostatectomy.Results: Organ confined cancer (pT2C) was found in all 3 patients in group 1. All 3 men underwent successful cardiac or lung transplantation 1 to 12 months after radical prostatectomy, and they are disease-free at short-term followup. Of the group 2 patients 2 had organ confined disease (pT2b and c) and 2 had e...
Slow oxygen release on the first two flashes in chemically stressed Photosystem II membrane fragments results from hydrogen peroxide oxidation.

Flash-induced amperometric signals were measured with a Joliot-type O2 rate electrode in spinach Photosystem II (PS II) membrane fragments exposed to very low concentrations of added hydroxylamine or hydrogen peroxide. In both cases ‘anomalous O2 signals’ were observed on the first two flashes, and oscillating four-flash patterns were observed on subsequent flashes. The anomalous signals were eliminated in the presence of catalase but not EDTA. The rise times of the O2-release kinetics associated with the anomalous signals were slow (ca. 20 ms with NH2OH and ca. 120 ms with H2O2) compared to the kinetics of O2 release on subsequent flashes and in control membranes (3–6 ms). It is proposed that when the intact PS II O2-evolving complex is perturbed with small concentrations of added reductant, H2O2 can gain access and bind to the complex. Bound H2O2 can then reduce lower S states in some centers leading to anomalous O2 signals on the first two flashes. A model is presented to explain both types of anomalous O2 production. Oxygen observed on the third and subsequent flashes is due to the normal photosynthetic O2-evolution process arising from the S3-state. Anomalous O2 production could be a protective mechanism in PS II centers subjected to stress conditions.
Provisional variation and selective retention in curricular change

The undergraduate curriculum of U. S. colleges and universities has become the object of reform. In the mid-1980s national commissions and task forces issued no less than six major reports advocating extensive changes in undergraduate programs and recommending various ways in which undergraduate instruction could be improved. Explicit in five reports is the belief that assessment is the lever by which to move institutions that are resistant to curricular change. State legislatures, governing or coordinating boards, and accrediting agencies have joined the fray and insist with varying authority that institutions of higher education demonstrate their effectiveness in teaching, instruction, and/or training. The curriculum (i. e., what is taught and learned in college classrooms) is indeed the target of such pressures and criticisms. In institutions of higher learning the best of intentions often go astray. Assessment is the most promising strategy for reform, but advocates may eventually find that educational outcomes can be assessed and publicized without substantive or enduring change in undergraduate programs of instruction. College curricula are not impervious to outside pressures, but they are peculiarly adaptiveand appearances of change are often misleading. Undergraduate curricula in the year 2000 will differ from curricula of the 1970s. They may differ, however, in ways unintended and unanticipated by national commissions and task forces in the 1980s. The reasons are simple. The improvement of undergraduate education requires an understanding of curricular change that external commissions, task forces, and coordinating boards have not acquired. As off-campus constituencies of higher education, public commissions and boards of trustees do not appreciate on-campus activities and procedures that determine curricular change. They ignore faculty prerogative, curriculum committees, advisory bodies, and accrediting agencies that have far more influence on curricular
Large-deformation analysis of aortic valve leaflets during diastole

Abstract The stress distribution on the aortic valve leaflet during diastole under increasing loading conditions was calculated using nonlinear large-deformation finite elements. The geometry of the leaflet was derived based upon the actual configuration of the closed aortic valve leaflets obtained from a cast of the root of the aorta. Variability of the leaflet thickness was incorporated in the finite-element model. The leaflet material was assumed to be isotropic and three values of Young's modulus E were used. The first two E values that were used were assumed constant at 300 and 5000 kPa, which corresponded to pretransition and posttransition values, respectively, in the stress-strain curve. The third E that was used assumed a stress-dependent value according to a trilinearized approximation of the stress-strain curve. The stress distribution on the leaflet at diastolic aortic pressures of 9.33 and 16.00 kPa (70 and 120 mm Hg) are presented. The large-deformation analysis predicted lower maximal principal stresses than linear theory.
Elevated Carboxy-Terminal Peptide of Procollagen Type I in Elderly Patients with Diastolic Dysfunction

ABSTRACT Background Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common in elderly people. Myocardial fibrosis is a major determinant of diastolic function. Increased myocardial fibrosis has been observed with advancing age. We hypothesized that plasma levels of carboxy-terminal peptide of procollagen type I (PICP), a marker of fibrosis, is elevated in elderly subjects with DD compared to healthy control subjects. Methods PICP levels were measured in 29 elderly subjects with DD and 25 healthy control subjects. The relationship between PICP levels and age, gender, hypertension, and the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy were then assessed. Results PICP levels were significantly higher in elderly subjects with DD than in healthy control subjects (301.0 ± 52.0 vs. 262.9 ± 45.3 ng/mL; P = .006). PICP levels were higher in elderly with DD regardless of the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, PICP levels were not found to correlate with age. Conclusions PICP levels are elevated in elderly people with DD. PICP may be a useful marker to determine the level of fibrotic activity in this population.
Comparison of the Properties of Cu-Nb/Ti Composite Wires Fabricated by Wire Drawing and Swaging

Abstract This paper presents a comparison of the mechanical properties and microstructure of heavily deformed Cu-Nb/Ti composite wires produced via different fabrication routes. Three main fabrication routes; wire drawing, swaging and a combination of swaging and drawing, were employed with/without intermediate annealing heat treatments. Metallographic and mechanical testing techniques were used to characterize the wires. The experimental results showed that the wire produced by drawing exhibited the highest strength. Also, the application of intermediate heat treatment during fabrication resulted in the reduction of tensile strength. It was found that the strengthening of this high volume fraction Cu-Nb/Ti composite could not be explained by standard Hall-Petch type model.
Downstream trends in sediment size and composition of channel-bed, bar, and bank deposits related to hydrologic and lithologic controls in the Llano River watershed, central Texas, USA

Abstract The downstream fining of fluvial sediments is a fundamental tenet of drainage systems and, for decades, has been the subject of considerable research. Most of this research has focused on variability in channel-bed material. Other sedimentological components such as channel bars and banks, however, represent distinctively different processes occurring at various flow magnitudes and durations and thus provide an opportunity to examine a more comprehensive set of controls on the larger fluvial system. This study analyses downstream patterns of sediment size and composition for channel-bed material, bars, and banks in the Llano River watershed (11,568 km2) in central Texas, USA. Fluvial deposits in the study area were characterized through field, laboratory, and statistical analyses and standard sedimentary indices (d16, d50, d84, sorting) were computed. Two hundred thirty-eight sediment samples were collected at 15 sites along the main-stem channel with sampling occurring at the low-flow channel (thalweg), lateral bars, banks, and overbank locations. Channel-bar deposits are characterized by a downstream reduction in particle size, but low-flow-channel deposits have a substantially weaker trend, a discrepancy possibly attributed to uniformity and continuity of hydraulic sorting mechanisms during moderate and high flows. Channel-bar deposits reveal an abrupt downstream reduction in gravel size in the upper watershed, which is attributed to an increase in drainage area. Further, an abrupt gravel-to-sand transition occurs immediately downstream of a distinct lithologic change from mostly carbonate rocks to igneous and metamorphic rocks. The downstream decrease in channel-bar particle size occurs despite an increasingly constricted alluvial valley, commonly associated with greater unit stream power and relatively coarse sediment. Contrasting with channel-bed material, particle size of channel banks increases downstream, which is attributed to the addition of sand-sized sediment from igneous and metamorphic rocks. The consideration of distinctive sedimentological components of a dynamic fluvial system represents a more comprehensive and nuanced study of the topic of downstream sediment trends than prior studies, which is important to a range of engineering, biological, and planning issues at the watershed scale.
Self-assembly of silver nanoparticles into dendritic flowers from aqueous solution

Similar to folding of proteins into three-dimensional (3D) structure, self-assembly of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) into dendritic or other supramolecular structures is of greater interest, yet less understood. We observed spontaneous, template-free organisation of silver NPs into 3D, dendritic, elegant, flower-like structures from an aqueous solution containing AgNO3 and L-cysteine (Cys). The resultant NPs and dendritic structures were characterised using UV–Vis spectroscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The process initiated most likely by diffusion-limited aggregation in the liquid phase, which were further grown into elegant, dendritic flowers probably by evaporation of residual wetting layer of larger NPs. Electrostatic attraction between –COO− and –NH3 + groups of L-Cys on the surface of silver NPs may also have a role in their growth.
Refeeding after differential severity of deprivation.

Abstract Forty-eight female rats were randomly assigned in equal numbers to an eight-day 0, 20, 23, 23.5, 46-hour food deprivation schedule, or complete starvation, followed by two weeks of ad lib refeeding. Two of the completely starved subjects died. Due to decreased metabolic need of the animals after weight loss, daily food intake was considered relative to body weight. Water consumption relative to body weight increased by the end of deprivation except for animals unadapted to deprivation. The major findings during refeeding were: (a) post-starvation anorexia does not occur after any form of starvation (scheduled or complete) when body weight is considered; (b) instead of being highest on the first day of refeeding, food consumption slowly increases to a maximum and then returns to ad lib control level; (c) the more severe the deprivation, the longer time for food consumption to reach its maximum and return to control levels; (d) the more severe the deprivation, the greater the maximal food consumption.
Killing of Drosophila larvae by the fields of an electrohydraulic lithotripter.

Abstract Drosophila larvae contain small gas bodies stabilized within their respiratory system. Because these bubbles are inhibited in their capacity to expand by the surrounding tissues, it is probable that they do not respond to acoustic fields in the manner described by classical cavitation theory that assumes a spherical bubble in an infinite fluid. However, just because of this inhibited expansion, they may serve as reasonable models for the gas bodies in mammalian tissues. Approximately one half of a population of Drosophila larvae is killed by exposure to 3 to 10 double lithotripter shocks with a positive pressure of 2–3 MPa. In contrast with the predictions of classical cavitation theory, adding a negative pressure to the exposure has little influence on the killing rate or its threshold pressure. The available evidence suggests that interaction of gas bodies in tissues with pressure fields and the resultant biological effects may be qualitatively different than predicted by classical cavitation theory and that positive rather than negative pressure may be a predictor of these effects.
Immunohistochemical detection of keratin with the monoclonal antibody MNF116 is useful in the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa simplex

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is an uncommon genetic skin disease characterized by fragility of the basal keratinocytes and propensity to develop blisters. While a panel of antibodies against type IV collagen, laminin, and bullous pemphigoid antigen has been used to identify cases of EBS in frozen sections, we have found that a monoclonal antibody detecting cytokeratin in basal keratinocytes is useful in paraffin sections. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 12 patients with EBS were studied with the following monoclonal antibodies: MNF116 (DAKO, Carpinteria, CA), CAM 5.2 (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA), and AE1-AE3 mixture (Boehringer Mannheim Corp, Indianapolis, IN). Histologically, all the cases had focal vacuolization of the basal cell layer, with areas of dermal-epidermal separation. MNF116 was strongly positive in the basal keratinocytes, including the vacuolated ones, and demonstrated the presence of fragments of keratinocytes attached to the floor of the blister. CAM 5.2 stained sweat ducts only. AE1-AE3 was weakly positive in the basal cells, and almost completely negative on the fragmented basal cell keratinocytes. We consider that the immunostain with MNF116 in tissues fixed routinely in formalin and embedded in paraffin is helpful for the direct demonstration of the level of splitting in EBS.
Spinal 2-chloroprocaine: minimum effective dose.

Background and Objectives: Recent studies using preservative-free 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP) for spinal anesthesia have shown it to be a reliable short-acting agent in the 30-mg to 60-mg range. Investigations of doses below this range have not been performed. Methods: To establish the minimum effective dose for spinal anesthesia, this randomized, double-blind, crossover study investigates the characteristics of spinal 2-CP 10 mg and 20 mg in 8 volunteers and compares the results with previous data obtained for 30 to 60 mg in the same human model. Results: Peak block height, regression to L1, tolerance to tourniquet, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation all increased with increasing doses from 10 to 60 mg (P Conclusions: Spinal 2-CP 40 mg and 60 mg provide rapid and reliable sensory and motor block. Although the 20-mg and 30-mg doses can produce sensory anesthesia adequate for brief surgical procedures, less motor block and some sacral sparing should be anticipated. Because the 10-mg dose produces only brief and inconsistent sensory anesthesia, it can be considered a no-effect dose.
Amygdalar neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors mediate the anxiolytic-like actions of neuropeptide Y in the social interaction test

The effects of intra-amygdalar neuropeptide Y infusions were assessed in rats using the social interaction test. Neuropeptide Y administered into the central nucleus of the amygdala did not alter behavior, while injections into the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala produced an increased social interaction time. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effect was antagonized by co-administration of the potent neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist ((R)-N-[[4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N2-(diphen ylacetyl)-argininamide trifluoroacetate) 3304, but not with the inactive enantiomer ((R)-N-[[4-(aminocarbonylaminomethyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N2-(diphen ylacetyl)-argininamide trifluoroacetate) 3457. Therefore, neuropeptide Y produces an anxiolytic-like effect in the social interaction test through neuropetide Y Y1 receptors located in the basolateral amygdala.
The differential impacts of monetary policy: Are the differences diminishing?*

. Several recent studies have highlighted the importance of variation in industry-mix across regions or states in explaining the differential impacts of monetary shocks across those areas. However, the differences between regions in terms of the percentage of total activity accounted for by manufacturing and construction have been decreasing. The logical implication is for the differential impacts of monetary shocks to diminish over time as regions become relatively more similar. This article estimates the state-level impacts of federal funds rate shocks over two sample periods to determine whether the differences in the magnitude of monetary impacts have declined.
Role of nitric oxide in renal tubular apoptosis of unilateral ureteral obstruction

Role of nitric oxide in renal tubular apoptosis of unilateral ureteral obstruction. Background The obstructed kidney in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is characterized by renal atrophy and tissue loss, which is mediated by renal tubular apoptosis. We sought to determine whether NO is involved in renal tubular apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods Rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were subjected to mechanical stretch, and apoptosis and cell size were analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we studied UUO in mice lacking the gene for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS-/-) and their wild-type littermates. Tubular apoptosis and proliferation were detected by immunostaining. NOS activity and NOS expression were assessed by a citrulline assay and Western blot, respectively. Results Stretching-induced apoptosis in NRK-52E, which was reduced when NO was increased; conversely, stretch-induced apoptosis was increased when a NOS inhibitor was added to the cells. Stretched cells are larger and more apoptotic than unstretched cells. In UUO, the obstructed kidney of iNOS-/- mice exhibited more apoptotic renal tubules than the wild-type mice through 14 days of UUO. The obstructed kidney of iNOS-/- mice at day 3 showed more proliferative tubules compared with wild type. The obstructed kidney of wild-type mice exhibited higher total NOS activity until day 7 after UUO compared with iNOS-/- mice. However, the obstructed kidney of day 14 wild-type mice exhibited significantly lower iNOS activity and protein compared with the day 0 kidney. Conclusion These results suggest that mechanical stretch is related to renal tubular apoptosis and that NO plays a protective role in this system in UUO.