cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mean Centering Helps Alleviate 'Micro' But Not 'Macro' Multicollinearity

There seems to be confusion among researchers regarding whether it is good practice to center variables at their means prior to calculating a product term to estimate an interaction in a multiple regression model. Many researchers use mean centered variables because they believe it’s the thing to do or because reviewers ask them to, without quite understanding why. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there is also a perspective in the literature that mean centering does not reduce multicollinearity. In this article, we clarify the issues and reconcile the discrepancy. We distinguish between "micro" and "macro" definitions of multicollinearity and show how both sides of such a debate can be correct. To do so, we use proofs, an illustrative dataset, and a Monte Carlo simulation to show the precise effects of mean centering on both individual correlation coefficients as well as overall model indices.We hope to contribute to the literature by clarifying the issues, reconciling the two perspectives, and quelling the current confusion regarding whether and how mean centering can be a useful practice.
Commercialization of the Ceres Power SteelCell® Technology: Latest Update

Ceres Power continues to acquire commercial partners for its low-temperature metal supported SteelCell® SOC technology based predominantly around the use of ceria. This unique design architecture allows for a robust, low cost, subsidy free fuel cell product, whilst retaining the advantages of fuel flexibility, high efficiency and low degradation.Over the last year, significant commercial developments have taken place, rapidly progressing genuine mass-market adoption of SteelCell® technology for power generation. Two major OEM partners, Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany and Doosan Fuel Cell in South Korea now have licenses to manufacture SteelCell® cells and stacks with a full technology transfer from Ceres, with a commitment to volume manufacturing. Doosan is initially building a 50MW/y manufacturing plant with potential to extend that further in future. This complements Ceres' own manufacturing facility in Redhill, UK which is fully operational with an expandable capacity of 2MW/y to meet demand from other customer demonstration programs.Other active customer programs include the successful ongoing commercial launch of a 4.2kWe CHP system by Miura in Japan and the development of a 30kWe range extender for electric buses by Weichai Power in China.Another significant commercial development is Ceres Power agreeing a strategic partnership with AVL in Austria to combine engineering expertise and knowhow in fuel cell system development and conduct joint R&D, which will enable the incorporation of SteelCell® technology into new applications. The first agreement has already been signed with an unnamed customer.As part of a drive to broaden the applicability of SteelCell® technology and play a larger part in the rapidly developing green hydrogen economy, a major program has been initiated to evaluate and develop SteelCell® technology for steam electrolysis and the potential production of E-fuels.All of these developments are rapidly bringing about the full commercialization of SOC technology as a significant contributor to the evolving net zero energy sector.
Time Variations of Structural Properties During Strong Ground Shaking

After modeling the system as a linear time variant single degree-of-freedom system, a systematic methodology for the analysis of such behavior from a knowledge of the basement and roof records has been developed. By utilizing such noisy records, and incorporating any data available from pre- and post-earthquake vibration tests, the time varying coefficients of the differential equation, used to model the structure, have been identified using a minimum variance sequential filter. The technique has been used to analyze the response of a nine-story reinforced concrete structure during the San Fernando, Calif., earthquake of February 9, 1971. The results indicate that significant changes in the stiffness and damping characteristics, relative to those obtained during small amplitude vibration tests, could occur during the actual progress of strong ground shaking and that a proper knowledge of the pre-earthquake characteristics may be very useful in identification using strong ground motion records.
The Critical Nature of Verbal Leaks and Nonverbal Signals During Bargaining Interactions

When persons negotiate, much of the communication involves verbal leaks and nonverbal signals which subtly disclose their true intentions. Individuals who learn to listen carefully for the precise words used and to watch for significant nonverbal signals can discover meanings that go well beyond what their counterparts seem to be communicating. The ability to discern and understand such factors can greatly enhance the ability of the observers to accomplish their bargaining objectives.
Understanding Human Behaviors Based on Eye-Head-Hand Coordination

Action recognition has traditionally focused on processing fixed camera observations while ignoring non-visual information. In this paper, we explore the dynamic properties of the movements of different body parts in natural tasks: eye, head and hand movements are quite tightly coupled with the ongoing task. In light of this, our method takes an agent-centered view and incorporates an extensive description of eye-head-hand coordination. With the ability to track the course of gaze and head movements, our approach uses gaze and head cues to detect agent-centered attention switches that can then be utilized to segment an action sequence into action units. Based on recognizing those action primitives, parallel hidden Markov models are applied to model and integrate the probabilistic sequences of the action units of different body parts. An experimental system is built for recognizing human behaviors in three natural tasks: "unscrewing a jar", "stapling a letter" and "pouring water", which demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach.
Antisocial behavioral syndromes and 3-year quality-of-life outcomes in United States adults.

Goldstein RB, Dawson DA, Smith SM, Grant BF. Antisocial behavioral syndromes and 3-year quality-of-life outcomes in United States adults. Objective: To examine 3-year quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes among United States adults with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), syndromal adult antisocial behavior without conduct disorder (CD) before age 15 [adulthood antisocial behavioral syndrome (AABS), not a DSM-IV diagnosis], or no antisocial behavioral syndrome at baseline. Method: Face-to-face interviews (n = 34 653). Psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule – DSM-IV Version. Health-related QOL was assessed using the Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12v2). Other outcomes included past-year Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) scores, employment, receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), welfare, and food stamps, and participation in social relationships. Results: Antisocial personality disorder and AABS predicted poorer employment, financial dependency, social relationship, and physical health outcomes. Relationships of antisociality to SSI and food stamp receipt and physical health scales were modified by baseline age. Both antisocial syndromes predicted higher PSS-4, AABS predicted lower SF-12v2 Vitality, and ASPD predicted lower SF-12v2 Social Functioning scores in women. Conclusion: Similar prediction of QOL by ASPD and AABS suggests limited utility of requiring CD before age 15 to diagnose ASPD. Findings underscore the need to improve prevention and treatment of antisocial syndromes.
Slot dual dipole antenna with miniature elliptical substrate lenses for millimeter-wave imaging

Slot dual dipole antennas mounted on miniature elliptical substrate lenses are proposed for plasma diagnostic millimeter wave imaging systems. Compared to previous and current antennas with balanced outputs, slot dual dipole antennas eliminate the necessity of a balun, while maintaining the advantages of dual dipole antennas including low sidelobes and wide bandwidth.
Solving two-person zero-sum repeated games of incomplete information

In repeated games with incomplete information, rational agents must carefully weigh the tradeoffs of advantageously exploiting their information to achieve a short-term gain versus carefully concealing their information so as not to give up a long-term informed advantage. The theory of infinitely-repeated two-player zero-sum games with incomplete information has been carefully studied, beginning with the seminal work of Aumann and Maschler. While this theoretical work has produced a characterization of optimal strategies, algorithms for solving for optimal strategies have not yet been studied. For the case where one player is informed about the true state of the world and the other player is uninformed, we provide a non-convex mathematical programming formulation for computing the value of the game, as well as optimal strategies for the informed player. We then describe an efficient algorithm for solving this difficult optimization problem to within arbitrary accuracy. We also discuss how to efficiently compute optimal strategies for the uninformed player using the output of our algorithm.
How development may direct evolution

A framework is presented in which the role ofdevelopmental rules in phenotypic evolution canbe studied for some simple situations. Usingtwo different implicit models of development,characterized by different developmental mapsfrom genotypes to phenotypes, it is shown bysimulation that developmental rules and driftcan result in directional phenotypic evolutionwithout selection. For both models thesimulations show that the critical parameterthat drives the final phenotypic distributionis the cardinality of the set of genotypes thatmap to each phenotype. Details of thedevelopmental map do not matter. If phenotypesare randomly assigned to genotypes, the lastresult can also be proved analytically.
Decomposition with Thermoeconomic Isolation Applied to the Optimal Synthesis/Design of an Advanced Tactical Aircraft System

A decomposition methodology based on the concept of “thermoeconomic isolation” and applied to the synthesis/design and operational optimization of an advanced tactical fighter aircraft is the focus of this paper. The most promising set of aircraft sub-system configurations, based on both an energy integration analysis and aerodynamic performance, were first developed and detailed thermodynamic, geometric, physical, and aerodynamic models at both design and off-design were formulated and implemented. Conceptual, time, and physical decomposition were then applied to the synthesis/design and operational optimization of the aircraft system. The physical decomposition strategy used, called Iterative Local-Global Optimization (ILGO), was developed by Munoz and von Spakovsky (2001a,b) and has been applied to a number of complex stationary and transportation applications. This decomposition strategy is the first to successfully closely approach the theoretical condition of “thermoeconomic isolation” when applied to highly complex, highly dynamic non-linear systems.
Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor as a putative marker of male accessory gland inflammation

Summary The association between male accessory gland infection/inflammation (MAGI) and infertility is well-known in clinical practice. Standard semen analysis, leukocytospermia, and microbiological tests are often not enough accurate for a diagnosis. A large amount of biochemical parameters in seminal plasma have been suggested as inflammation markers, however, there is not yet a sensitive and specific biomarker that accurately identifies MAGI. We investigated the presence of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), known marker of systemic inflammation, in the seminal plasma to evaluate its possible involvement in urogenital tract inflammation. On the basis of andrological evaluation, including spermiogram and ultrasound findings, we selected 76 patients with MAGI and 30 healthy men as control group. Patients were classified according to the results of the semen culture in group A (n = 28) presenting a bacterial MAGI and group B (n = 48) with abacterial MAGI. C-reactive protein (CRP), total protein (TP), procalcitonin (PCT), leukocytes peroxidase (LP), and suPAR concentrations were assayed on seminal plasma. Spermiogram parameters were significantly lower in the patients with MAGI than in controls. CRP, TP, PCT, and LP did not differ in MAGI vs. controls. suPAR was detectable in all semen samples; it was significantly increased in A and B groups (86.6 ± 30.7 ng/mL vs. 39.7 ± 17.2 ng/mL) with an inverse correlation with sperm parameters. We selected by receiver operating characteristic curve a suPAR cut-off value of 55.3 ng/mL as a diagnostic threshold for the diagnosis of MAGI. We report in this study the first evidence of suPAR presence in seminal plasma, focusing on its interesting role as reliable and sensitive marker of inflammation for the differential diagnosis of MAGI.
Jurisdiction of Arbitrators to Decide Their Own Jurisdiction: Competence-Competence in Kansas and MBNA America Bank N.A. v. Credit

Under both federal and state arbitration law, arbitrators are generally understood to have the authority to rule on their own jurisdiction in the first instance, including ruling on whether the parties have agreed to arbitrate. A party that asserts it has not agreed to arbitrate is entitled to have a court adjudicate that issue (assuming the party has not waived it), either before an award is made (on a motion to enjoin the arbitration) or after (on a motion to vacate the award). In MBNA America Bank N.A. v. Credit, however, the Kansas Supreme Court asserted that the arbitration proceeding must stop once a party argues to the arbitrator that it has not agreed to arbitrate - i.e., that the arbitrators lack the authority to rule on their own jurisdiction. If followed, this assertion would put Kansas out of step with well-accepted principles of American arbitration law. The assertion was dictum in Credit and should be rejected in future cases.
The analytical trispectrum for multiple degree-of-freedom systems possessing cubic nonlinearity

Higher-order spectra have become a useful tool in spectral analysis, particularly for identifying the presence and sometimes type of nonlinearity in a system. Two such spectra that have figured prominently in signal processing are the bispectrum and trispectrum. The bispectrum is well-suited to capturing the presence of quadratic nonlinearities in system response data while the trispectrum has proved useful in detecting cubic nonlinearities. In a previous work, the authors developed an analytical solution for the auto-bispectrum for multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Here this analysis is extended to the trispectrum. Specifically, an expression is developed for the trispectral density of a multi-degree-of-freedom system subject to Gaussian excitation applied at an arbitrary location. The analytical expression is compared to those obtained via estimation using the direct method.
Terrorists: A Distinct Species

This article first lays out arguments that explain why terrorists should not be treated as criminals or as soldiers. It suggests that they are best characterized as a third, distinct species. Although their basic rights should be honored, e.g., they should not be tortured, on all other matters they should be subject to distinct authorities and procedures. For instance, instead of being held indefinitely without review, they should be held until a review board (somewhat like a parole board in prison) determines that they are no longer a danger to society.
Exporting solid models (SM) of electrical assemblies into finite element analysis (FEA)

Designing of electrical components and assemblies has changed dramatically from CAD to SM-based designs. Following the SM electrical assembly through the FEA process is different than it was in the CAD days. The assembly must be loaded and constrained based on the SM geometry of the electrical assembly.
A volume resolution phantom for MRI.

Abstract Multisite quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) of volume requires a small isotropic point spread-function (PSF) that is spatially, temporarily, and platform invariant. A phantom which will allow rapid assessment of this metric throughout the imaged volume without repositioning will assist certification of imaging sites for use in qMRI studies based on volume. This paper presents a phantom design for this purpose with a three-dimensional repeating pattern throughout its 800-cm 3 volume. The image of the pattern from the phantom contains a series of positive signal points and lines which can be used to measure the PSF, gradient linearity, gradient orthogonality, and B 0 homogeneity at multiple locations throughout its volume. The phantom is readily constructed, can be filled with any nuclear magnetic resonance signal-bearing liquid, and the design is scalable to cover larger volumes.
Fractional topological superconductor with fractionalized Majorana fermions

In this paper, we introduce a two-dimensional fractional topological superconductor (FTSC) as a strongly correlated topological state which can be achieved by inducing superconductivity into an Abelian fractional quantum Hall state, through the proximity effect. When the proximity coupling is weak, the FTSC has the same topological order as its parent state and is thus Abelian. However, upon increasing the proximity coupling, the bulk gap of such an Abelian FTSC closes and reopens, resulting in a new topological order: a non-Abelian FTSC. Using several arguments we will conjecture that the conformal field theory (CFT) that describes the edge state of the non-Abelian FTSC is U(1)$/{Z}_{2}$ orbifold theory and use this to write down the ground-state wave function. Further, we predict FTSC based on the Laughlin state at $\ensuremath{\nu}=1/m$ filling to host fractionalized Majorana zero modes bound to superconducting vortices. These zero modes are non-Abelian quasiparticles, which is evident in their quantum dimension of ${d}_{m}=\sqrt{2m}$. Using the multi-quasi-particle wave function based on the edge CFT, we derive the projective braid matrix for the zero modes. Finally, the connection between the non-Abelian FTSCs and the ${Z}_{2m}$ rotor model with a similar topological order is illustrated.
Drivers and Passengers: Are the Perceptions of Braking Time the Same?:

Two experiments were performed to investigate how the driving situation is perceived differently as a driver versus a passenger. The first experiment utilized an “ideal” brake onset time identified by previous research and investigated differences in the perception of “safe” and “comfort” between drivers and passengers. Both drivers and passengers were presented with animations of a driving situation. The animations involved different rates of closure between the vehicle being driven and a lead vehicle, stopping distances (based on time and rate of closure), and whether or not the lead vehicle was moving or stopped. Results show that participants preferred the proposed “ideal” brake onset time more than other times for all rates of closure. Also noted were significant differences between the perceptions of drivers and passengers. The second experiment explored the same questions of comfort and safety when in a simulated driving situation. Unlike the first experiment, in this experiment the driver stopped ...
Surgical management of vascular trauma

Abstract 1. 1. The pathogenesis, symptoms and signs of arteriovenous aneurysms have been reviewed. 2. 2. Certain systemic phenomena have been given pointed consideration with especial attention to their cause. 3. 3. The management of arteriovenous aneurysms has been discussed with reference to certain general principles as well as to the definitive treatment. In our experience quadruple ligation and excision has been employed routinely with entirely satisfactory results in all save one case (Case XII). Sympathetic nerve block was used practically routinely in our series and its value as a means of improving and maintaining the circulation in the affected extremity is unquestionable. 4. 4. Some reference has been made to vascular trauma per se, that is, independent of arteriovenous fistula. Our experience indicates that when a large artery is ligated, a concomitant ligation of the accompanying vein is a distinct safeguard against subsequent gangrene. 5. 5. Three patients in our series of thirty cases of arterial or arteriovenous trauma lost a limb due to gangrene. There were definite extenuating circumstances in each instance. Their cases are reported. 6. 6. Several additional representative cases are reported, with illustrations of operative procedure.
Endorphins and pain perception in silent myocardial ischemia

Evidence suggests that endogenous opioids, particularly the beta-endorphins and met-enkephalins, are closely involved in stress-induced analgesia and nociceptive pain control. Numerous investigations have been conducted to evaluate the role of opioids in silent vs symptomatic myocardial disease. There is good evidence to suggest that patients with asymptomatic ischemia have defective pain perception compared with those with angina; however, the precise role of the endorphin and enkephalin systems in this phenomenon remains to be elucidated. Possible sources for disparate study results include variation in patient populations, insensitive or improperly timed assay techniques, and differences in amount of ischemia.
Anticoagulation therapy and primary care internal medicine: A nurse practitioner model for combined clinical service

The anticoagulation clinics at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center and the University of California at Davis Medical Center are nurse-practitioner-operated, are affiliated with the general medicine clinic, and rely on portable prothrombin time (PT) monitors that use whole blood and provide timely as well as accurate results reported in PT seconds or as the international normalized ratio (INR). On-site PT/INR testing at these clinics simplifies anticoagulation, mandates direct patient contact, and facilitates primary as well as comprehensive care for patients requiring multispecialty services in large tertiary care centers. Encounters are relatively brief, averaging 19 minutes; 72% of the encounter time involves anticoagulation care and 28% involves primary care. Anticoagulation results using portable PT/INR monitors are safe and accurate based on comparisons with results from clinics relying on standard instruments.
Morphology and Phylogenetic Analysis of Paloue and Related Genera in the Brownea Clade (Detarieae, Caesalpinioideae)

We present a morphological phylogenetic analysis of selected members of the Brownea clade (Detarieae: Caesalpinioideae), concentrating on generic and species‐level relationships of Elizabetha, Paloue, Paloveopsis, and Heterostemon. The Brownea clade is composed of ca. eight genera. This study explores the phylogenetic relationships among those closely related genera found predominantly in the Guiana Shield region and used 125 morphological, anatomical, and floral characters in the analysis. A comparison is made between the morphological characters used by Richard Cowan to define generic and species boundaries and those found to be phylogenetically informative in this analysis. Characters previously used to delimit genera and species are explored in a phylogenetic context, and hypotheses of leaf and floral evolution are inferred.
A short-range ordering description of amorphous metal alloys using the central atoms model

Abstract A description of the atomic structural properties of a binary metallic glass is developed by employing the central atoms model (CAM). The original CAM, derived for crystalline materials, is extended to the amorphous phase by utilizing the short-range order (SRO) inherent in the glassy structure. CAM is then validated through comparison of calculated short-range atomic structure with calculation from other models, as well as with experimental data. Predicted partial coordination numbers are in general agreement with those determined by neutron and X-ray scattering experiments. When applied to Zr- and Fe-based binary metallic glasses, chemical ordering is observed, occurring most prominently at compositions experimentally shown to possess the best glass-forming ability. The model suggests the observed differences in glass stability between Cu– and Ni–Zr binary alloys are a result of the local atomic arrangements around Cu and Ni atoms.
Syntrophin isoforms at the neuromuscular junction: developmental time course and differential localization.

Abstract The syntrophins are a family of cytoplasmic adapter proteins that associate with dystrophin family proteins and have putative signaling and structural roles at the neuromuscular junction. We have localized the syntrophin family members within the rodent junction from birth to adulthood. α-Syntrophin is the only isoform on the postsynaptic membrane at birth. In the adult, it occurs on the crests of the junctional folds, with utrophin, and in the troughs, with dystrophin. Surprisingly, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) does not accompany α-syntrophin onto the crests. β2-Syntrophin, a junction-specific form, is not present at birth and occurs mainly in the troughs in the adult. β1-Syntrophin is a sarcolemmal form at birth, not concentrated at the junction, and disappears entirely from most fibers by 6 weeks. In positive fibers, junctional β1-syntrophin occurs exclusively in the troughs. These results suggest that the syntrophin isoforms have distinct functions at the junction and show that the known protein–protein associations of the syntrophins and nNOS in skeletal muscle are not sufficient to explain their localizations.
An in situ/ex situ X-ray analysis system for thin sputtered films

Abstract An in situ X-ray analysis system for thin sputtered films was developed. This set-up was designed to perform reflectivity, grazing incidence X-ray scattering, and texture analysis experiments on films as they are deposited. Beam alignment was facilitated by mounting a rotating anode tube tower on a goniometer which allowed both translation and rotation. The X-ray source could then be aligned with either a standard four-circle goniometer (ex situ) or a diffractometer designed around a high-vacuum sputter deposition system (in situ). Custom designed UHV beryllium windows allowed X-rays to enter and exit the sputter chamber. An Inel ™ curvilinear position sensitive X-ray detector capable of rapidly and simultaneously collecting diffracted intensities through a 90° range with a resolution of ∼0.02° was used. To test system performance, Mo sputter depositions were studied. Diffraction patterns were collected in as little as 2 s. This data can provide information concerning grain size, texture, and strain evolution which are free of the distortions associated with deposition interruption, thermal fluctuation, and surface oxide formation.
INFERTILITY IN THE HORSE ASSOCIATED WITH CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES

SUMMARY Reproductive failure was studied in 12 phenotypically normal mares (9 Arabian, 3 Quarter horses, 1 Appaloosa and 1 pony). Karyotyping was performed using lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient procedures, followed by standard culture methods for karyotyping. Nine mares had karyotypes of 63,XO; 1 had 63,XO/64,XX; 1 had 63,XO/64,XY and 1 had 64,XY. All mares had small, firm ovaries that when removed and examined from 4 mares, lacked germ cells and consisted of undifferentiated ovarian stroma.
Residence background, socioeconomic status, and fertility.

Previous research has demonstrated that socioeconomic differentials in fertility are heavily influenced by couples with rural background. These studies show an inverse relationship between fertility and socioeconomic status for couples of rural background, but no relationship for urbanorigin couples. The effect of urban background on rural fertility differentials has not been examined. This study investigates the potential effect of urban-origin couples on socioeconomic differences in fertility in rural areas. Data from the 1967 Survey of Economic Opportunity are analyzed to show that rural socioeconomic fertility differences are not influenced by the presence of persons of urban background.
Nonparametric event study tests

This paper provides the first documentation of the power and specification of the generalized sign test, which is based on the percentage of positive abnormal returns in an estimation period. In simulations using daily stock return data, the generalized sign test is well specified with both exchange listed and NASDAQ stocks. A rank test is more powerful under ideal conditions. However, the rank test is more sensitive to increases in the length of the event window, to increases in return variance, and to thin trading. The generalized sign test is a viable alternative to the rank test under these conditions.
Thiolated Chitosan/DNA Nanocomplexes Exhibit Enhanced and Sustained Gene Delivery

Thiolated chitosan appears to possess enhanced mucoadhesiveness and cell penetration properties, however, its potential in gene-drug delivery remains unknown. Herein, we report on a highly effective gene delivery system utilizing a 33-kDa thiol-modified chitosan derivative. Thiolated chitosan was prepared by the reaction with thioglycolic acid. Nanocomplexes of unmodified chitosan or thiolated chitosan with plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescenct protein (GFP) were characterized for their size, zeta potential, their ability to bind and protect plasmid DNA from degradation. The transfection efficiency of thiolated chitosan and sustained gene expression were evaluated in various cell lines in vitro and in Balb/c mice in vivo. Thiolated chitosan–DNA nanocomplexes ranged in size from 75 to 120 nm in diameter and from +2.3 to 19.7 mV in zeta potential, depending on the weight ratio of chitosan to DNA. Thiolated chitosan, CSH360, exhibited effective physical stability and protection against DNase I digestion at a weight ratio ≥ 2.5:1. CSH360/DNA nanocomplexes induced significantly (P < 0.01) higher GFP expression in HEK293, MDCK and Hep-2 cell lines than unmodified chitosan. Nanocomplexes of disulphide-crosslinked CSH360/DNA showed a sustained DNA release and continuous expression in cultured cells lasting up to 60 h post transfection. Also, intranasal administration of crosslinked CSH360/DNA nanocomplexes to mice yielded gene expression that lasted for at least 14 days. Thiolated chitosans condense pDNA to form nanocomplexes, which exhibit a significantly higher gene transfer potential and sustained gene expression upon crosslinking, indicating their great potential for gene therapy and tissue engineering.
A simplified projection system for single-frame stereoscopic fundus slides.

BOTH halves of a stereo pair of slides can be placed in the same 35-mm frame,' but stereoscopic projection of such slides requires an expensive slide projector attachment. An inexpensive slide projector adaptor that allows stereoscopic projection of single-frame stereoscopic slides and that can be assembled from available parts is described. The device consists of two base-in prisms to which polarizing filters are attached. A frame holds the prisms in place over the projector lens (Fig 1).
Chemically mediated arrestment of the predaceous mitePhytoseiulus persimilis by extracts ofTetranychus evansi andTetranychus urticae

SinceTetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard had been observed to be unfavorable prey for several species of phytoseiid mite predators, a study was conducted to determine the possible existence of an allomone produced by this species againstPhytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. Instead,P. persimilis was strongly arrested by extracts of eggs, adults and, especially, webbing plus excreta ofT. evansi. Methanol extracts ofTetranychus urticae (Koch) showed a stronger arrestment than extracts ofT. evansi.
Versatile new uranyl(VI) dihalide complexes supported by tunable organic amide ligands.

A series of uranyl(VI) dihalide complexes UO2X2L2 (X = Cl, Br) supported by organic amide ligands (L = R′C(O)NR2; R′ = i-Pr; R = i-Pr, i-Bu, s-Bu) offers the versatile combination of facile synthesis using benchtop methods, air-stable crystalline solids obtained in high yield, high solubility in common organic solvents and tunable steric/electronic properties.
Webs on surfaces, rings of invariants, and clusters.

We construct and study cluster algebra structures in rings of invariants of the special linear group action on collections of 3D vectors, covectors, and matrices. The construction uses Kuperberg’s calculus of webs on marked surfaces with boundary.
The Knee Meniscus: A Complex Tissue of Diverse Cells

This review describes the knee meniscus and its diverse cell populations. Situated between the femur and tibia, the meniscus acts to transmit loads within the knee while maintaining joint stability. Not only does this tissue display complex geometry and anatomy, its cellular profile ranges from fibroblast-like to chondrocyte-like. When the tissue first begins to develop in the body, its cells are similar in shape and morphology, but as it matures, these cells take on distinct characteristics. The spindle-shaped cells of the outer meniscus are well-suited to maintaining a fibrous extracellular matrix rich in collagen type I. The round, inner meniscus cells produce both collagen types I and II, and glycosaminoglycans, giving rise to a hyaline-like inner portion of the tissue. Cells intermediately located display characteristics of both cell types. Fibrochondrocytes are also known to be highly dependent on mechanical stimulation to maintain healthy tissue, and display regional variation in response to different biomolecular cues. Investigating this cell population under a variety of conditions can lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and regenerative processes of the meniscus.
Engaging students for learning with online discussions

Online discussions can be important in extending classroom learning opportunities for students and promoting student interaction about a topic. Challenges of leading online discussions as opposed to classroom discussions are very different. This article presents a literature review describing current best practices in leading online discussions. Sample implications for nurse educators include clarifying the purpose of particular discussions, providing clear student discussion expectations, and clarifying faculty roles.
Connections Between Marital Conflict and Adolescent Girls’ Disordered Eating: Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality as a Mediator

The family system has frequently been suggested to play an important role in adolescents’ health. Particularly, conflict within the marital dyad has been associated with maladjustment among adolescents, although studies have rarely focused on disordered eating as a possible negative outcome. In this study, we examined the direct association between marital conflict and disordered eating among 123 adolescent girls in middle school and high school. We also tested the mediating role of adolescents’ positive relationship quality with their mothers and fathers (e.g., high warmth and low control) in this relation. For our hypothesized direct effects and mediation models, we formed latent constructs with cross-sectional data collected from girls’ self-report questionnaires and applied bootstrapping procedures. We found that marital conflict was both directly and indirectly, via poor mother– and father–adolescent relationship quality, associated with girls’ disordered eating. This suggests that the mother–father, mother–adolescent, and father–adolescent family subsystems can play a part in influencing girls’ eating patterns. Clearly, family subsystems have significant roles in promoting the health of young, female adolescents. Future research and treatment efforts for girls exhibiting disordered eating should aim to include family members and address the roles of different family subsystems.
A ranking and exploration service based on large-scale usage data.

This poster presents the architecture and user interface of a prototype service that was designed to allow end-users to explore the structure of science and perform assessments of scholarly impact on the basis of large-scale usage data. The underlying usage data set was constructed by the MESUR project which collected 1 billion usage events from a wide range of publishers, aggregators, and institutional consortia.
Individual differences in basal and cocaine-stimulated extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens using quantitative microdialysis.

Abstract The current experiment examined the role of nucleus accumbens (NACC) dopamine in individual differences. Subjects were divided into high responders (HR) and low responders (LR) based on their locomotor response to a novel environment. HR rats were subjects which had a locomotor response to novelty in the upper third of the population sscreened and LR rats in the bottom third of the population. A new method of microdialysis was then used that allowed determination of the extracellular dopamine concentration. This was accomplished by adding various dopamine concentrations (0.0.5.0 and 20.0 nM) to the perfusate. The concentration of dopamine in the dialysate was subsequently determined. The difference in the dialysate and perfusate dopamine was regressed on the perfusate dopamine. The regression yielded the in vivo recovery and the extracellular concentration. HR rats exhibit a 250% higher basal dopamine concentration (6.45 ± 1.01 nM, n = 6) than LR rats (2.58 ± 0.16 nM, n = 7). The in vivo microdialysis recovery was used to estimate the extracellular dopamine followin cocaine challenge (15mg/kg) in the two groups. Following i.p. cocaine administration. HR rats had both a greater locomotor response and increase in absolute dopamine concentration compared to LR rats. The maximum dopamine concentration in the HR group was 2.3 ± 2.9 nM, while that in the LR group was only 8.6 ± 1.1 nM. The maximum on the LR group is comparable to the basal level in the HR group. However, there were no difference in percent change in dopamine following cocaine. These result provide further evidence in support of a role for variation in NACC dopamine in individual differences in vulnerability to psychomotor stimulants.
Earth Radiation Budget Experiment scanner instrument

Orbital measurements of the earth's longwave emitted radiation, and the sun's radiation reflected by the earth are being made by scanning radiometers on three spacecraft platforms in both high altitude sun-synchronous polar (833 km) and low altitude (600 km) equatorial orbits. These ERBE instruments were carried aboard two TIROS ATN satellites (NOAA-9 and -10) in December 1984, and September 1986, and on the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite launched from Space Shuttle mission 41-G in October 1984. Electronic problems with the scanners on all platforms have halted the reception of data after surpassing the scanner design life. The ERBE instruments have been designed to measure the radiance from earth with an absolute radiometric error of less than one percent. The scanner instrument consists of three broadband radiometer channels, shortwave, 0.25 micron to 3.5 microns, longwave 5.0 to 50 microns; and total, 0.25 microns to more than 50 microns, and use thermistor bolometers as sensing elements. This paper describes the design and operation of the ERBE scanner, an overview of the ground calibration approach, the in-flight calibration stability, and an analysis of on-orbit anomalous behavior.
Maturation, spawning and growth of rock soles off Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska

Northern rock sole Lepidopsetta polyxystra females from the Kodiak Island area, Alaska, reached 50% maturity at 328 mm LT and an average age of 7 years. In contrast, southern rock sole Lepidopsetta bilineata females reached 50% maturity at 347 mm LT and an average age of 9 years. Spawning started in midwinter for northern rock sole and peaked during the spring, while spawning for southern rock sole occurred during the summer. The bottom depth for spawning northern rock sole ranged from 43 to 61 m and averaged 45 m; spawning depth for southern rock sole ranged from 35 to 120m and averaged 78m. Both species appeared to develop a single stock of oocytes and to ovulate them in a single spawning. Northern rock sole females grew faster overall (K=0.24) than southern rock sole females (K=0.12) but reached a smaller maximum length (L∞=430 mm) than southern rock sole (L∞=520mm). Males of both species grew more slowly than females after 5 years of age and reached a smaller maximum length.
TRANSITION STRUCTURE GEOMETRIES FOR TRANSFERS OF NEUTRAL AND ANIONIC NITROGEN TO LITHIATED CARBANIONS

The geometries of nucleophilic substitutions at neutral and anionic nitrogen by organolithium species have been investigated. The demonstration of an intramolecular conversion of 9 to 10 provides an endocyclic restriction test which supports a trigonal bipyramidal transition structure for nitrogen transfer. A lack of isotopic scrambling of 12a-18O during nitrogen transfer is taken to rule out reaction via an oriented ion pair. Attempted endocyclic restriction tests for transfers of formally anionic nitrogen with 32 and 33 were not successful. Reactions of n-butyl, s-butyl and tert-butyllithium reagents with 16, 23, 30, 31, and 36−38 generally afford higher yields with increasing substitution at the carbon of the organolithium reagent and with decreasing substitution adjacent to the nitrogen of the aminating reagent. These results are consistent with trigonal bipyramidal transition states for nucleophilic displacements of oxygen by carbon at neutral and anionic nitrogen.
On the mechanism of inactivation of antibody activity by cobalt-60 gamma radiation. I.

Abstract Experimentally determined relationships between 60 Co radiation dose and inactivation of combining activity of anti-PAB indicated that a relatively large number of reactions were associated with inactivation. A progressive increase in gross molecular disorganization with increasing radiation dose was indicated by a change in viscosity. Some degree of molecular rearrangement was also suggested by an increased availability of an average of two to three disulphide bonds for reduction after irradiation in presence of urea. The molecular rearrangement suggested by viscosity and disulphide analysis is probably related to the inactivation process, rather than to mere secondary radiation-induced damage of material already inactivated, since, they were first measurable at doses of 7 × 10 4 and 15 × 10 4 rads, respectively, as compared to D 37 of 35 × 10 4 rads. The irradiated material was found to contain, in addition to a grossly denaturated fraction insoluble at low ionic strength, some subtly denaturated fractions. These fractions were demonstrated by such sensitive techniques as elimination patterns in rabbits and rates of tryptic hydrolysis. Augmented inactivation above, that resulting from irradiation alone, was demonstrated to follow mild post-irradiation heat treatment (40–41° for 3 hr). This increased heat-induced inactivation was not accompanied by detectable changes in viscosity or in the number of disulphide bonds available for reduction. It appeared to relate to the presence of molecular species, in irradiated antibody solution, that had undergone almost complete disorganization of combining sites, since stabilization of combining site by p -iodobenzoic added before heat treatment could not protect against the additional loss of activity. The degree of inactivation relating to the alternative possibility of free radical reactions with a critical group(s) in the combining site was evaluated by blocking experiments with specific haptens and was found to be insignificant.
The Use of Curriculum-Based Measures in Young At-Risk Writers: Measuring Change Over Time and Potential Moderators of Change

This study examined gains in written language as assessed by targeted curriculum-based measures (CBMs), and explored how these gains were affected by moderator variables of specific cognitive functions and student subgroups. The sample included 68 second grade students who were at risk for writing disabilities. Handwritten compositions were collected throughout a written language intervention at baseline, sessions 3, 5, 10, 13, 15, 20, 22, and termination. Specific CBM variables included Total Number of Words Written, Words Spelled Correctly, Correct Word Sequences, and Percentage of Correct Word Sequences. Using latent growth curve analysis, models were estimated for each of the CBMs, but the data showed poor model fit. Latent class groupings using cognitive variables and student subgroups significantly moderated the growth rate for written language assessed by specific CBMs. Although these latter findings reflected potential moderators of change in written language, the lack of model fit raised question...
Effects of Three Orconectes Crayfishes On Epilithic Microalgae: a Laboratory Experiment

[We tested the implications of littoral zone food web changes for periphyton abundance by comparing algal removal rates of three Orconectes crayfishes and a grazing snail (Amnicola sp. or spp.) in a laboratory experiment. Periphyton communities were established on unglazed clay tiles incubated in grazer free enclosures in the littoral zone of Carrol Lake, Wisconsin. In the laboratory, tiles were placed in individual arenas that were randomly assigned to one of four grazing treatments or a control treatment. After 96 h, total algal biovolume was reduced except by O. rusticus. However, when algal removal rates were expressed as per unit shell-free dry weight, Amnicola removal rates were at least 17 × higher than that of any crayfish. These data are consistent with previous field observations that show snails remove (primarily grazing) periphyton more efficiently than crayfish. Combined with previous work on crayfish predation on snails, our results suggest that crayfishes have a strong indirect positive effect on periphyton by reducing snail abundances, whereas the direct effects due to crayfish grazing are minimal., We tested the implications of littoral zone food web changes for periphyton abundance by comparing algal removal rates of three Orconectes crayfishes and a grazing snail (Amnicola sp. or spp.) in a laboratory experiment. Periphyton communities were established on unglazed clay tiles incubated in grazer free enclosures in the littoral zone of Carrol Lake, Wisconsin. In the laboratory, tiles were placed in individual arenas that were randomly assigned to one of four grazing treatments or a control treatment. After 96 h, total algal biovolume was reduced except by O. rusticus. However, when algal removal rates were expressed as per unit shell-free dry weight, Amnicola removal rates were at least 17 × higher than that of any crayfish. These data are consistent with previous field observations that show snails remove (primarily grazing) periphyton more efficiently than crayfish. Combined with previous work on crayfish predation on snails, our results suggest that crayfishes have a strong indirect positive effect on periphyton by reducing snail abundances, whereas the direct effects due to crayfish grazing are minimal.]
Compliance as a factor effecting the patency of a copolyurethane vascular graft

A new solid-wall vascular graft which has a compliance approximating that of the natural artery has been prepared from a copolyether-urethane material. Six of nine of these compliant grafts implanted in dogs were patent on removal, the longest implant time being 77 days for a 4-mm I.D. femoral artery graft. This is in contrast to noncompliant grafts of the same copolyurethane in which failure usually occurred within 48 hr.