cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of interfacial transfer kinetics. II. Solute ionization and aqueous phase ionic strength effects in two-phase transfer and rotating diffusion cells

Abstract Octanol-aqueous interfacial transfer kinetics of 5-allyl-5'-isopentylbarbituric acid and ethylparahydroxybenzoate are reported as functions of pH and ionic strength in the two-phase transfer cell. Solutes were selected to ensure that: (a) aqueous diffusional resistance at the interface was rate-determining; and (b) only the non-ionized solute partitioned. Transfer rate constants varied unpredictably with pH and fell significantly with increasing aqueous phase ionic strength. Results could not be explained by ionic strength-induced variations in partition coefficient, pKa or kinematic viscosity of the phases. When the same solutes were studied in the rotating diffusion cell (RDC), however, transfer rate constants fell with increasing pH in accordance with an extension of our previous predictive theory. In the RDC, which has a mechanically stabilized interface, aqueous diffusivities were unaffected by pH or ionic strength. Interfacial resistance to transfer was negligible for both solutes. Interfacial instability, which was affected by the presence of ions in the aqueous phase, appeared to be the reason for the unpredictable results in the two-phase transfer cell. The octanol/water system displayed low interfacial tension which varied with aqueous ionic strength. The simpler two-phase cell is adequate for transfer studies with non-ionized solutes. Experiments involving variation in the ionic content of the aqueous phase, however, should employ a diffusion cell with a stabilized interface.
Early evolution of angiosperm pollen as inferred from molecular and morphological phylogenetic analyses

Phylogenetic analyses of molecular and morphological data, revised in this study, shed light on long‐standing controversies on the early evolution of angiosperm pollen. Although relationships between angiosperms and other seed plants remain uncertain, the robust rooting of the angiosperms among the “ANITA” groups (Amborella, Nymphaeales, Illiciales, Trimenia, and Austrobaileya) clarifies their original pollen morphology. Contrary to the view that the first angiosperms had boat‐shaped monosulcate pollen with granular or atectate exine structure, the ANITA rooting implies that globose monosulcate pollen with more or less columellar structure and a continuous tectum was ancestral and a foveolate‐reticulate tectum arose soon after. The oldest recognized Cretaceous angiosperm pollen may represent the latter grade of evolution. Structure described as granular evolved independently from columellar within Nymphaeales, Magnoliales, and Laurales. In Magnoliales, columellar Myristicaceae and Magnoliaceae diverge bel...
Optical substrate materials for synchrotron radiation beam lines

The authors consider the materials choices available for making optical substrates for synchrotron radiation beam lines. They find that currently the optical surfaces can only be polished to the required finish in fused silica and other glasses, silicon, CVD silicon carbide, electroless nickel and 17-4 PH stainless steel. Substrates must therefore be made of one of these materials or of a metal that can be coated with electroless nickel. In the context of material choices for mirrors they explore the issues of dimensional stability, polishing, bending, cooling, and manufacturing strategy. They conclude that metals are best from an engineering and cost standpoint while the ceramics are best from a polishing standpoint. They then give discussions of specific materials as follows: silicon carbide, silicon, electroless nickel, Glidcop{trademark}, aluminum, precipitation-hardening stainless steel, mild steel, invar and superinvar. Finally they summarize conclusions and propose ideas for further research.
Discontinuous respiration in insects. II. The direct measurement and significance of changes in tracheal gas composition during the respiratory cycle of silkworm pupae.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine (a) the partial pressure gradients driving oxygen into and carbon dioxide out of the tracheal system of silkworm pupae with discontinuous respiration and (b) the way in which tracheal pO2 and pCO2 influence the behaviour of the spiracles. To accomplish this, methods were devised for cannulating the tracheal system of a living pupa of Hyalophora cecropia and withdrawing samples repeatedly. These samples of about 0·5 mm3 of tracheal gas were analysed by the micromethod of Scholander and Evans (1947). These analyses may be the first direct and repeated measurements of the composition of the tracheal gas of an insect. Cyclical changes in tracheal pO2 and pCO2 occurred which were correlated with the movements of the spiracles and with the gas exchange measured manometrically. During most of the respiratory cycle, the spiracles fluttered at an amplitude and frequency which maintained tracheal pO2 at 3·5 per cent. During this flutter period, tracheal pCO2 gradually increased from about 3·6 per cent to 6·4 per cent. Whereupon the spiracles opened widely, carbon dioxide and nitrogen poured out, and oxygen entered. When the insect unloaded about one-third of its carbon dioxide content, tracheal pCO2 fell to about 3·6 per cent, the spiracles constricted, and pO2 rapidly decreased from about 19 per cent to 3·5 per cent, whereupon fluttering began again. The significance for discontinuous respiration of these changes in intratracheal gas composition is discussed and earlier studies of intratracheal gas composition in insects in general are summarized.
Measurement of audience seat absorption for use in geometrical acoustics software

Systematic errors in the high frequency predictions of geometrical acoustics software can result from the use of seat absorption coefficients derived by traditional measurement methods based on diffuse-field assumptions. This analysis treats in-situ measurement methods in which seat absorption coefficients are calculated by a diffuse-field model from reverberation time measurements made in auditoria. Computer models illustrate that the nonuniform distributions of absorption in auditoria result in significant differences between the absorption coefficients derived by an in-situ measurement method and the true random-incidence absorption coefficients. Proposals are made for methods to be used when measuring seat absorption coefficients for use in geometrical acoustics software.
Bayesian Variable Selection in Linear Regression in One Pass for Large Datasets

Bayesian models are generally computed with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The main disadvantage of MCMC methods is the large number of iterations they need to sample the posterior distributions of model parameters, especially for large datasets. On the other hand, variable selection remains a challenging problem due to its combinatorial search space, where Bayesian models are a promising solution. In this work, we study how to accelerate Bayesian model computation for variable selection in linear regression. We propose a fast Gibbs sampler algorithm, a widely used MCMC method that incorporates several optimizations. We use a Zellner prior for the regression coefficients, an improper prior on variance, and a conjugate prior Gaussian distribution, which enable dataset summarization in one pass, thus exploiting an augmented set of sufficient statistics. Thereafter, the algorithm iterates in main memory. Sufficient statistics are indexed with a sparse binary vector to efficiently compute matrix projections based on selected variables. Discovered variable subsets probabilities, selecting and discarding each variable, are stored on a hash table for fast retrieval in future iterations. We study how to integrate our algorithm into a Database Management System (DBMS), exploiting aggregate User-Defined Functions for parallel data summarization and stored procedures to manipulate matrices with arrays. An experimental evaluation with real datasets evaluates accuracy and time performance, comparing our DBMS-based algorithm with the R package. Our algorithm is shown to produce accurate results, scale linearly on dataset size, and run orders of magnitude faster than the R package.
Description And Characterization Of A Commercial Digital Radiographic System

An evaluation was performed to characterize a new digital imaging system, the System One, DigiRad, Inc. and its image processing capabilities. This evaluation included reproducibility, dynamic range, linearity and the effects on several image recording system. Results show that the System One dynamic range is limited to 1300 levels in the range of 0.0 to 2.8 optical density units. It was observed that within this range, the System One response was approximately linear and reproducible within -1%. The system spatial resolution limit is between 3.0 and 3.5 1p/mm. All processing algorithms applied to digitized images of bar pattern film images degraded the resolution as compared to the images with no post processing. Improvements in System One are expected and will be evaluated as soon as they are available.
Self-observation in natural environments: Reactive effects of behavior desirability and goal-setting

Behavioral effects of self-monitoring in the laboratory may not prove significant when individuals self-record for extended periods in their normal environments. A series of three experiments examined the extent to which a behavior's desirability or “valence” may cause it to change when self-monitored for several days in natural settings. Subjects' time awareness, the dependent variable, was measured before and after exposure to favorable, unfavorable, or neutral evaluations of time concern; half of the subjects were also told that a specific time-awareness level or goal (performance standard)was desirable. Results disclosed limitations of previous laboratory data. Valences determined only the initial direction and magnitude of behavior change; their effect after the first posttreatment day was not uniform. A valence alone maintained significant behavior change only if the change was in a direction supported by the subject's environment. A performance standard maintained change in the face of an unfavorable environment providing the subject found the standard credible. A watchbox device permitted surreptitious reliability checks: Self-monitoring proved slightly more reliable than previous research had indicated.
A model of statistical database their security

Considered here, for a particular model of databases in which only information about relatively large sets of records can be obtained, is the question of whether one can from statistical information obtain information about individuals. Under the assumption that the data in the database is taken from arbitrary integers, it is shown that essentially nothing can be inferred. It is also shown that when the values are known to be imprecise in some fixed range, one can often deduce the values of individual records.
Expression of foreign proteins in a Vibrio cholerae vaccine strain using the stationary phase hemagglutinin/protease promoter

The use of the hemagglutinin(HA)/protease promoter and secretion signals to drive expression and secretion of a foreign antigen in a live genetically attenuated cholera vaccine candidate is demonstrated. A Vibrio cholerae vaccine strain, containing a HA/protease-tetanus toxin C fragment (TCF) fusion, produced soluble-and cell-associated TCF. The fraction of TCF secreted to the culture medium was degraded unless expressed in a HA/protease-defective vaccine strain. Comparison of the hapA promoter with the strong Tac promoter using quantitative real time PCR revealed that at least five times more TCF mRNA was produced when expressed from the hapA promoter.
Rice growth and yield respond to changes in water depth and salinity stress

Abstract Depth of standing water in rice paddy fields is an important agronomic parameter in the management of irrigation-related salinity problems. It was hypothesized that reductions in the yield of rice under salinity stress can be ameliorated by adjusting the water depth. This study was designed to determine the interactive effects of salinity and water depth on seedling establishment and grain yield in rice. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with nutrient solutions amended with NaCl and CaCl2 (5:1 molar concentrations). Treatments were three salt levels with electrical conductivities at 0.9, 3.3 and 6.0 dS m−1 and six water depths at 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 20 cm. The effects of both salinity and water depth were significant on plant growth and yield. However, there was no interaction between the effects of salinity and water depth. Reductions in seedling establishment and grain yield with increases of salinity and water depth resulted from a simple combination of the two different stresses on plants. Highly significant negative correlations were identified between water depth and seedling establishment and also between water depth and grain yield when data were combined across salt levels. Generally, plants performed better with respect to seedling establishment and grain yield in shallow water (i.e. 10 cm). Under salt stress, the effect of water depth was significant for panicle number, but not significant for panicle weight. The loss of grain yield under salt stress with the increases of water depth was mainly due to reduction in fertile tiller number. We suggest that water depth be lowered during the initiation and growth of productive tillers. However, the practice by lowering water depth must be incorporated with appropriate field management such as the increase of irrigation frequency, precision leveling, and effective weed control methods.
Src-signaling interference impairs the dissemination of blood-borne tumor cells

Although solid tumors continuously shed cells, only a small fraction of the neoplastic cells that enter the blood stream are capable of establishing metastases. In order to be successful, these cells must attach, extravasate, proliferate and induce angiogenesis. Preclinical studies have shown that small-molecule ATP-competitive Src kinase inhibitors can effectively impair metastasis-associated tumor cell functions in vitro. However, the impact of these agents on the metastatic cascade in vivo is less well understood. In the present studies, we have examined the ability of saracatinib, a dual-specific, orally available inhibitor of Src and Abl protein tyrosine kinases, to interfere with the establishment of lung metastases in mice by tumor cells introduced into the blood stream. The results demonstrate that Src inhibition most effectively interferes with the establishment of secondary tumor deposits when treatments are administered while tumor cells are in the initial phases of dissemination.
Update to “Reconciliation of coarse mode sea‐salt aerosol particle size measurements and parameterizations at a subtropical ocean receptor site” regarding the use of aerodynamic particle sizers in marine environments

[1] In the January 2006 issue of Journal of Geophysical Research, Reid et al. presented their findings regarding the sometimes large biases found in the measurement of the size and inferred mass concentration of coarse mode sea-salt particles. This was done on the R/P Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP) off of the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, where long fetches of the clean marine environment could be studied. As part of this analysis, data from optical particle counters and TSI aerodynamic particle sizers (APS) (model 3320) were compared to filter mass and chemistry. It was found that a ground-based APS 3320 gave superior performance on measurement of sea-salt properties relative to other size spectrometers when previously published correction factors were used. However, a calibration study of APS instruments by Volckens and Peters (2005) was published while Reid et al. (2006) was in press. Volckens and Peters (2005) found significant differences in counting efficiency between wet and dry particles that included evidence for particle impaction inside the APS's acceleration nozzle. This finding does not impact Reid et al.'s (2006) key results or conclusions. However, it does bear relevance to specific comments made regarding what was suggested as appropriate use of APS-type instruments. It also has bearing on some unexplained anomalous behavior in the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) wing-mounted APS unit. In this short note we briefly review the APS performance bibliography, provide correction factors for size estimates presented in Reid et al. (2006), and discuss how the most current findings impact the study of coarse mode sea salt.
Decomposition behavior of a nickel-silicon alloy

Abstract The decomposition of a Ni-12.5 at.% Si alloy single crystal was investigated by means of a high temperature in situ X-ray diffraction study. This study entailed the use of a Gorskii-Bragg-Williams thermodynamic model which provides a means of predicting possible decomposition mechanisms within the two-phase equilibrium region of a binary alloy having an fcc disordered matrix plus ordered domains with an Ll2 (Cu3Au type) superstructure. In order to determine if a unique ordering “instability” temperature can be associated with the development of the γ′ (Ni3Si) phase, various heating rates were used while monitoring the growth of the 100 superlattice reflection of an initially disordered specimen. This study showed that the onset of the γ′ phase growth depends upon the heating rate and no unique “instability” temperature exists, therby suggesting that nucleation and growth processes govern the decomposition behavior. This result was supported by cyclic heating studies in which the growth of the γ′ phase was observed to depend upon thermal history as predicted by the diffusion-controlled growth mechanism. Furthermore, the particle size and volume fraction growth rates of the γ′ phase were found to obey the t 1 3 and the t −1 3 law, respectively. These observations are again consistent with the diffusion-controlled coarsening kinetics.
Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to injection of bicuculline into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of conscious rats.

Abstract Stimulation of the PVN increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). However, little is known about its role in modulating ventilation. We tested the hypothesis that the stimulation of the PVN by microinjection of bicuculline methiodide (BMI), a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist, increases ventilation in conscious rats. Oxygen consumption was also evaluated to determine if the ventilatory responses were associated with increases in metabolic rate. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were instrumented with femoral catheters to measure MAP and HR and cannulae were implanted 1 mm above the PVN. After 5 to 7 days of recovery, metabolic, ventilatory, and cardiovascular responses to artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) and BMI were evaluated. Rats were given a 50 nl unilateral microinjection of aCSF (the vehicle control) followed by 50 n1 of BMI (1 mM) into the other side. Microinjection of BMI significantly increased MAP compared to aCSF (145±4 vs. 124±5 mmHg, P 14 compared to 79±12 breaths/min, P
Online Courses and Online Teaching Strategies in Higher Education

Online faculty need to engage the student. Online course work is now an integral element of mainstream higher education. Online courses often lack face-to-face interaction, peer interaction, faculty feedback and the lack of community. Engagement of the learner is essential for learning and promoting student satisfaction. There are online teaching strategies that could enhance a student’s perception of engagement. This manuscript was completed by a literature review process.
Efficient high-performance subspace-based tracking problems

In this paper, we discuss some issues relevant to efficient, high performance subspace based tracking problems. Efficient subspace updating has been widely applied to target tracking problems. In this paper, we discuss a linear frequency modulated (FM) signal model for approximating slowly time varying narrowband signals that frequently arise in subspace based tracking problems. We also discuss the appropriateness of forward-backward (FB) averaging for increasing the efficiency of subspace updating. We then derive bias expressions for the peak locations of a discrete time Fourier transform spectrum of a linear FM signal. Finally, simulations confirm our bias expressions, and show that FB averaging can enhance the time varying frequency estimation performance of MUSIC over that of forward only averaging.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The wild-west revisited

In 1985 Mark Spinrad and Curt Abraham published; "The Wild West Lifecycle (WILI)" [1] which, although written with a slightly irreverent tongue-in-cheek style, introduced a significant metaphor for the software engineering lifecycle. In this paper we will discuss briefly the importance of software metaphors in general, and then revisit and expand the Wild West analogy.
Effect of lattice orientation, surface modulation, and applied fields on free-surface domain microstructure in ferroelectrics

Abstract Ferroelectric perovskites are used in various transducer, memory and optical applications due to their attractive electromechanical and optical properties. In these applications, the ferroelectrics often have complex geometries with a significant portion of the surface free and unshielded by electrodes. The free surfaces play an important role in determining microstructure due to the intricate balance between preferred polarization orientation, mechanical stresses, and stray electric fields that exist outside the specimen. In addition, the stray electric fields at free surfaces are exploited for photochemical reactions and self-assembly. Hence, it is important to predict the domain patterns, stray fields, and mechanical stresses that form in these geometries. We apply a phase-field model in combination with finite-element and boundary-element methods for real-space calculations of microstructure at free surfaces in ferroelectrics. A key advantage of the boundary-element method is that it enables us to calculate the stray electric fields outside the specimen. We examine the effect of lattice orientation, surface modulation and applied far-field stress and electric field on domain microstructure and stray electric fields.
The intersection of the history of associate degree nursing and “BSN in 10”: Three visible paths

Abstract Associate degree nursing (ADN) education developed from Mildred Montag's research and differentiated practice vision in 1952. From the first set of graduates, Montag's differentiated practice vision did not take hold. Lack of differentiation of nurses' role and functions in practice based on education preparation continues today. The "BSN in 10" legislative proposals raise questions about the role of the ADN nurse in practice. This article is an invitation for further historical study and dialogue.
The use of area under the disease progress curve to assess resistance to late blight in potato germplasm

The multiple evaluation of potato cultivais and breeding selections (clones) for disease during the season can be costly and may not be necessary for accurate assessments of disease resistance or susceptiblity. For diseases whose progression can be described by sigmoid curves, an estimate of the area under the disease progress curve from two data points may provide as much information as from repeated assessments. Twentythree clones were planted in a randomized complete block design in Hastings, FL, in 1997 and evaluated for percent diseased foliage 14 times during a 31-day period after late blight was first noticed in the plots. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for all 14 assessments. The AUDPC was also calculated for nine sub-sets of the original data set. There was a high correlation between all the methods in the calculation of the AUDPC. The AUDPC calculated based on two dates (representing the beginning of the epidemic and the time until two of the clones were dead from late blight) was as informative as the AUDPC calculated on the entire data set. The AUDPC could be calculated based on any two dates from this time frame as long as one date was shortly after the epidemic started and the other date was as the epidemic was reaching its peak. Much information was lost if AUDPC was calculated based on dates involved only in the early part of the epidemic. A considerable savings in time and effort can be realized by only a few assessments.
Initial Validation of a Knowledge-Based Measure of Social Information Processing and Anger Management

Over the past fifteen years many schools have utilized aggression prevention programs. Despite these apparent advances, many programs are not examined systematically to determine the areas in which they are most effective. One reason for this is that many programs, especially those in urban under-resourced areas, do not utilize outcome measures that are sensitive to the needs of ethnic minority students. The current study illustrates how a new knowledge-based measure of social information processing and anger management techniques was designed through a partnership-based process to ensure that it would be sensitive to the needs of urban, predominately African American youngsters, while also having broad potential applicability for use as an outcome assessment tool for aggression prevention programs focusing upon social information processing. The new measure was found to have strong psychometric properties within a sample of urban predominately African American youth, as item analyses suggested that almost all items discriminate well between more and less knowledgeable individuals, that the test-retest reliability of the measure is strong, and that the measure appears to be sensitive to treatment changes over time. In addition, the overall score of this new measure is moderately associated with attributions of hostility on two measures (negative correlations) and demonstrates a low to moderate negative association with peer and teacher report measures of overt and relational aggression. More research is needed to determine the measure’s utility outside of the urban school context.
Role of the Ferroportin Iron-Responsive Element in Iron and Nitric Oxide Dependent Gene Regulation☆

Abstract ABSTRACT The newly described iron transporter, ferroportin (MTP1, IREG1), is expressed in a variety of tissues including the duodenum and cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). In the MPS, ferroportin is hypothesized to be a major exporter of iron scavenged from senescent erythrocytes. Changes in iron metabolism, including the sequestration of iron in the MPS, are characteristic of both acute and chronic inflammation and these conditions induce changes in ferroportin expression. In a mouse model of acute inflammation, LPS administration is associated with reduced MPS ferroportin protein and mRNA expression. In addition, the ferroportin 5′ UTR also has an iron-responsive element that binds to the iron-response proteins, but whether there is a role for this IRE in inflammation induced regulation of ferroportin has been unclear. A luciferase reporter gene under the control of the mouse ferroportin promoter and 5′ UTR was used to determine if this 5′ UTR conferred IRE-dependent regulation on this reporter gene. Stimulation of reporter gene transfected RAW 264.7 cells (a mouse macrophage cell line) with LPS resulted in IRE-dependent inhibition of luciferase production. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase abrogated the IRE-dependent effect of LPS. In addition, direct treatment of RAW 264.7 and with NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine resulted in IRE-dependent down-regulation of luciferase expression. The effect of NO was consistent with IRP1/IRE mediated translation block. There are most likely both inflammation-mediated transcriptional and post-transcriptional (IRE-dependent) mechanisms for inhibiting ferroportin expression in MPS cells.
Mechanisms of Transient Radiation Effects

Transient radiation effects are defined to be manifestations of electrons excited in materials, i. e., ionization effects. Manifestations of particular interest are the emission of secondary electrons from surfaces, conduction in ionized gases, semiconductors and insulators, and the emission and absorption of optical radiation by excess electrons. In each case the processes can be described as a sequence leading from the primary interaction of the incident nuclear radiation with an atom in the target material through the slowing down of the electrons which are detached in this interaction to the eventual recapture or trapping of the free electrons. Most of the phenomena can be described in terms of a mean lifetime for the electrons and a mobility. Assuming reasonable values for these quantities, calculations can be performed to estimate the order of magnitude of transient effects in typical materials and electronic components.
Early-onset pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A histopathologic study.

• A young girl with early-onset pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis suffered from recurrent severe bilateral iridocyclitis. Despite intensive medical therapy, she gradually lost all useful vision and ultimately required bilateral enucleation at the age of 10 years for control of pain and photophobia. Histopathologic study of the eyes revealed in the iris and ciliary body a dense inflammatory infiltrate composed principally of plasma cells, as well as angle closure, a dense cyclitic membrane, retinal detachment, cystoid macula, and optic atrophy. Immunoperoxidase stains showed little immunoglobulin within or around the plasma cells within the ciliary body, although strong reactions for IgG and κ- and λ-light chains were seen in other parts of the eyes.
Cybernetic limb prosthesis: The ALZA distinguished lecture

The last two decades have witnessed a worldwide effort to provide limb amputees with prostheses which better emulate the natural control of the normal limb. The general schema is the detection of biopotentials indicative of centralnervous-system intent followed by timely and high-fidelity transfer of such signals to servomechanisms which mimic the ablated articulations-hence the adoption of Norbert Wiener's term “cybernetic” as the control strategy. This article, a distillation of the remarks of the author on the occasion of the ALZA Distinguished Lecture of the Biomedical Engineering Society at the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology meeting in Anaheim, California, in April of 1980, outlines the historical development, current status, and future prospects of cybernetic prostheses against the background of conventional artificial hands, arms, and legs. The author augments his personal experience with single-degree- and multiple-degree-of-freedom, upper-extremity protheses control and multimodal artificial knee control at MIT with parallel efforts elsewhere in the United States and in Europe. The detection and processing of electromyographic and electroneural signals with comparisons of contemporary and future effectiveness and evolving interpretations of the role of sensory feedback in prostheses in relation to research on physiological movement control are also discussed. Brief descriptions of cybernetic approaches to orthotic devices for paralyzed limb reanimation are included. This article discusses evaluation of prostheses and the thus far formidable problems of technology transfer of sophisticated electronic electromechanical artificial limbs and acceptance by healthcare providers, both of which are essential to wide-scale availability to amputees.
Fetal-placental inflammation, but not adrenal activation, is associated with extreme preterm delivery

Objective Spontaneous labor at term involves the activation of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone and the fetal adrenal axis, but the basis for extreme preterm labor is unknown. Our objective was to determine whether placental corticotropin-releasing hormone is activated in extreme preterm labor. Study Design One thousand five hundred six mothers delivering at less than 28 weeks' gestation were enrolled. Each mother/infant pair was assigned to the category that described the primary reason for hospitalization. Observers who had no knowledge of patient categorization assessed placenta microbiology, histology, and corticotropin-releasing hormone expression. These were correlated with the primary reason for hospitalization. Results Among infants delivered at less than 28 weeks' gestation, spontaneous (vs induced) delivery was associated with less placental corticotropin-releasing hormone expression and more frequent signs of placental inflammation and infection. Conclusion Inflammation and infection, rather than premature activation of the fetal adrenal axis, should be the major focus of research to prevent extremely preterm human birth.
Maximum or Minimum Differentiation? Location Patterns of Retail Outlets

We empirically test implications from location theory using the location of Los Angeles-area gasoline stations in physical space and in the space of product attributes. We consider the effect of demand patterns, entry costs, and several proxies for competition on the tendency for a gasoline station to be physically located more or less closely to its competitors. Using an estimation procedure that controls for spatial autocorrelation and spatial autoregression, and controlling for market characteristics and nonspatial product attributes, we find considerable evidence that firms locate their stations in an attempt to spatially differentiate their product as market competition increases.
Activation analysis in a multitechnique study of trace element imbalances in age-related neurological diseases

It has been suggested that several age-related neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be related to environmental toxins. Bulk sample multielement analyses by INAA alone are not adequate to define the role of trace elements in these diseases. A multitechnique approach has been developed that incorporates 14 MeV, instrumental reactor, radiochemical, and pre-irradiation chemical neutron activation analysis, together with laser microprobe mass spectrometry. The analytical scheme is able to provide bulk or protein normalized elemental concentrations, as well as microstructural, cellular, and subcellular localization information.
Realizations op polarized targets in storage rings

Abstract While particle storage rings generally provide a large average current, they require ultra-thin targets in order to maintain a reasonable lifetime of the beam. Targets composed of polarized atomic gas are well-suited for use in storage rings because of their thinness and the high degree of purity and polarization possible. Several of these so-called internal targets have been developed and successfully used to measure scattering asymmetries at Novosibirsk; future experiments have been proposed at Bates, NIKHEF and HERA, for example, which also rely on these techniques. The methods that have so far proved feasible for producing and storing highly polarized atoms will be reviewed.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Acquisition of auxotrophy in the mouse

During passage in the normal mouse, a strain ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae (F62) has acquired genetic defects phenotypically expressed in requirements for arginine and uracil and a partial requirement for hypoxanthine. In addition, the mouse-passaged strain exhibits slower growth and colonial morphology that differs from any of the four parental colony types. Multiple changes in the mouse-passaged strain suggest several mutations. The new auxotrophic requirements and some of the colony characteristics of the mouse-derived strain resemble gonococci isolated from disseminated human infections. A normal mouse model for gonorrhea may contribute greatly to future understanding of the adaptive events occurring in the gonococcus as a result of selective host pressures.
Using a Distributed Agent-Based Communication Enabled Special Protection System to Enhance Smart Grid Security

Future smart grid capabilities promise to leverage network technologies to revolutionize the production, transmission, distribution, and consumption of electrical power. This smart grid revolution is more than just smart meters. Improvements in situational awareness are also likely to enhance security and reliability in power transmission systems. However, reliance on Internet-like communication networks also exposes vulnerabilities to increased risk from cyber-attack and other forms of Byzantine (i.e., anomalous) behavior. This article advocates the use of an agent-based decentralized protection system using peer-to-peer communications, reputation-based trust and a data retransmission scheme to combat malicious attacks and other Byzantine failures. The research presented used the electric power and communication synchronizing simulator (EPOCHS) federated simulation platform to demonstrate the added robustness provided to a special protection system in the face of an adversary by successfully defending against malicious attacks. Simulation results show promise for this approach.
Lip and jaw motor control during speech: responses to resistive loading of the jaw.

Resistive loads were applied to the jaw during speech production. Loads were initiated during the jaw closing movement associated with the production of bilabial stops, creating a situation in whic...
Extracellular hypothalamic monoamines measured by in vivo microdialysis in a rat model of dietary fat-induced obesity.

We tested two hypotheses about monoamine neurotransmitters in two strains of rats that differ in their sensitivity to obesity when eating a high-fat diet; 1) that the concentrations of norepinephrine and serotonin and of their metabolites differ in the extracellular fluid of tlie ventromedial hypothalamus of conscious, unrestrained Osborne-Mendel and S 5B/PI rats, and 2) that these monoamines are altered differently between strains by a high-fat diet. The monoamines were measured by HPLC in dialysate collected by in vivo microdialysis in rats eating a semisyntlietic low-fat diet (10% of kcal as fat) and again after either two or seven days of eating a high-fat diet (56 % of kcal as fat). Norepinephrine, serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were lower in Osborne-Mendel rats than in S 5BR1 rats eating the low-fat diet. Norepinephrine and serotonin both increased in Osborne-Mendel rats with the onset of tlie high-fat diet so that Osborne-Mendel and S 5B/PI rats no longer differed in these neurotransmitters. By day 7 of high-fat feeding, the concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyplienylglycol (MHPG), 5-HIAA and the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio rose in both strains. Ambient extracellular monoamines in the medial hypothalamus are lower in Osborne-Mendel rats than in S 5B/PI rats and the response of these catecholamines to dietary fat was greater in Osborne-Mendel rats than in S 5B/PI rats.
Rates of isotopic ligand exchange of Ni(II) complexes of α-amineoximes

The kinetics of the ligand exchange of [Ni(AO)2-H]+, [Ni(MeAO)2H]+ and [Ni(EnAO)H]+ have been investigated using C14 labeled ligands. It was found that the exchange for the series follows the general law: R = k1[complex]T + k2[complex]T[ligand]F. The overall rates are in the order AO > MeAO ⩾ EnAO. With [Ni(AO)2H]+ the exchange is rapid and carried predominately by the ligand dependent, k2 term. With [Ni(MeAO)2H]+ at constant [MeAO]T, R shows a minimum in the region of pH = 8. In the basic region the faster rate is due to increased free ligand concentration while the acidic catalysis is interpreted on the basis of a half-bonded intermediate. For [Ni(EnAO)H]+ the exchange is carried by the k1 term with k2 being small. The order of the ligand dependent step, k2, is AO > MeAO > EnAO, and is due to steric hindrance in the formation of a five co-ordinate activated state. This is supported by the catalysis of exchange by foreign chelating ions or molecules. These results are compared with the kinetics of reaction with EDTA and a mechanistic picture involving simple dissociation and a CN = 5 activated state is postulated and discussed.
The effect of conscious controlled verbalization of a cognitive strategy on transfer in problem solving.

The effect of controlled verbalization on learning to solve complex problems was investigated. Fifty participants individually solved the six-disk Tower of Hanoi problem as a criterion task, following one of the five treatments represented in a 2 × 2 factorial design with an appended control group. One factor was the presence or absence of a practice series which required participants to provide verbal rationales for their moves. The other was the presence or absence of verbalization on the six-disk criterion task. The control participants performed the practice tasks and the criterion task without verbalization. Although practice tended to be more effective than no practice for improving performance, its strongest effect occurred when it was coupled with controlled verbalization. Controlled verbalization during the criterion task facilitated performance, but only for subjects who received no prior practice. It was concluded that verbalization was most helpful during the initial flexible stages of learning to solve problems before the skill had become organized. The discussion indicated that performance is facilitated by the quality and timing of the use of verbalizations rather than by the mere activity of verbalizing.
Immunohistochemical evidence that gonads and gonad-associated tissues are sites for enrichment with immunoglobulin-containing cells in adult chickens

Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections prepared from gonads and gonad-associated tissues obtained from adult chickens was performed in order to assess the possibility that these tissues may be sites of enrichment with IgM-containing cells in various B lineages. Evidence is presented which suggests that IgM-containing B lineage cells are present in 1) the ovarian stroma and subcapsular areas of the ovary and 2) the interstitium and subcapsular areas of the epididymis of the testes. These represent new sites reported for B lineage cells in adult chickens. Some questions relevant to the physiologic, ontogenetic, and phylogenetic implications of these observations relative to vertebrate hematolymphopoietic processes are included. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of misperception on strategic behavior in legislative settings: Social psychology meets rational choice

This paper is about the conditions under which simple social psychological processes can affect collective decisions. In rational choice theory, social psychological effects are said to cancel out, be randomized, or be corrected by communication. Yet as Janis and Mann (1977) argued, there are generally recurring conditions in which such factors influence individual decisions. The question is, Under what conditions can we expect these factors to affect collective decisions? This paper suggests a general approach to identifying the effects of strategic misperception, illustrates it with an example of a social psychological process that affects player perceptions, and describes the preference distributions in which this simple process would change majority voting outcomes. The general conclusion is that strategic misperception may affect majority decisions under so many distributions of preferences that decisions cannot be predicted from knowledge of actors' preferences alone.
Initiation and study of localized corrosion by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Abstract This paper describres methods to study the initiation and formation of localized corrosion pits on stainless steel and aluminium samples. These methods are based on the use of a scanned probe microscope, the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The SECM is specifically designed for operation in electrolyte solution and so is uniquely suited for examination of corrosion processes. SECM imaging of a corrosion pit on stainless steel is presented. In addition, the initiation of single pits on aluminium and stainless steel by using the SECM tip to electrogenerate a local source of chloride ions is described.
So, You Want to Be a Better Educator …

Review of : Three highly recommended online resources at academic teaching and learning centers, including: T he McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning at Princeton University, The Institute for Teaching, Learning, and Academic Leadership (ITLAL) at the University of Albany, and The Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Minnesota.
Clinical evaluation comparing sealant and amalgam after 7 years: final report

A study compared two alternative methods for the clinical treatment of occlusal pits and fissures in the early posteruption state. On contralateral pairs of permanent first and second molars, one molar was given a preventive treatment with pit and fissure sealant, and the paired molar surfaces were restored with amalgam. The retreatment rate for sealant was highest after 6 months (20%) and declined to 11% or less during the 7 years. A generalized margin deterioration was seen in more than 50% of amalgam restorations, whereas 55% of the sealant margins remained not detectable clinically. The data from this study support the application of pit and fissure sealant as a treatment within the specific limitations of a controlled preventive program and professional supervision.
Posttreatment with the Ca2+‐Mg2+‐dependent endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid abolishes genotoxic agent‐induced nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation and decreases death of astrocytes

DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation are important nuclear changes in apoptosis. In this study we determined whether DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation occur in astrocytes treated with 100-200 microM of the genotoxic agent M-nitroso-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG). Our study also investigated the roles of Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-dependent endonuclease (CME) in the MNNG-induced nuclear changes. We found that MNNG induced profound ATP depletion as well as marked nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in the cells. Both the nuclear condensation and the DNA fragmentation were abolished by posttreatment of the cells with the CME inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA). The ATA posttreatment also significantly, but only partially, decreased MNNG-induced cell death. In contrast, pretreatment plus cotreatment with ATA did not affect either MNNG-induced nuclear condensation or cell death. Our study further suggests that ATA does not decrease the cytotoxicity of MNNG by directly inhibiting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases. Collectively, our observations suggest that MNNG can induce both DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation in astrocytes by a CME-dependent mechanism, which partially contributes to the genotoxic agent-induced cell death. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Low-dose dopamine: a physiologically based review.

Background In an attempt to prevent or alter the course of acute renal failure, many surgeons continue to use low-dose dopamine. This article critically reviews the physiologic reasons why low-dose dopamine is not clinically efficacious. Methods A critical review of English language literature. Results The effect of dopamine on renal blood flow remains controversial. If dopamine does increase renal blood flow, the vascular anatomy of the kidney would limit its effectiveness. Rather than improving renal function, dopamine has been shown to impair renal oxygen kinetics, inhibit feedback systems that protect the kidney from ischemia, and may worsen tubular injury. Dopamine has not been proven useful in the prevention or alteration of the course of acute renal failure as a result of heart failure, cardiac surgery, abdominal aortic surgery, sepsis, and transplantation. Dopamine has been associated with multiple complications involving the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and immune systems. Conclusions Based on the anatomy and physiology of the kidney, low-dose dopamine would not be expected to improve renal failure and this has been demonstrated by the lack of efficacy in clinical trials.