cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teacher Perceptions of an Online Tutoring Program for Elementary Mathematics.

This study explores elementary teacher perceptions related to the implementation of an online tutoring program. Teachers were surveyed regarding factors that affected use of the online tutoring program as a supplement to mathematics instruction. Results indicated that teachers overwhelmingly reported positive views of the training and support opportunities provided, as well as confidence in their level of knowledge and the ease of use of the program. Teachers also indicated strong support of the mathematical content and instructional value of the program. Each of these factors increases the likelihood that online tutoring programs such as the one implemented in this study will continue to be used among teachers as a supplement to mathematics instruction.
The Feminized Civil War: Gender, Northern Popular Literature, and the Memory of the War, 1861–1900

"What do women know about war?" asked Fleta in the popular Northern story paper the Flag of Our Union in January 1865. "What do they not know," she answered: "What drop in all the bitter cup have they not tasted?-what ball strikes home on the battle-field that strikes not hearts at the hearthstone as well?" Women knew about war, she argued, "who steadily crush back the blinding tears, and whisper through white, brave lips, 'Go,'" or "who wait in vain for the letter that never comes-who search, with sinking hearts, and eyes dark with anguish, the fearful battlelists." Chastising those who would ask such a question, she concluded, "let the desolate homes, the bro­ ken hearts, and the low wail of agony that God hears on his throne, make answer!"! For the anonymous author Fleta, the Civil War occurred not just on the battle­ front but also on the Northern home front, where a woman's war of sacrifice and suffering complemented a man's war of fighting. Her impassioned claim to women's knowledge of the war was part of a wide-ranging popular wartime literature that explored white women's domestic war experiences, imagining them as a source of self-knowledge, an education in patriotism, an initiation into the values of work, the occasion for romance, and, increasingly, the cause of unbearable anguish. The femi­ nized Civil War of this article's title refers both to literature featuring women hero­ ines on the Northern home front and to the domestic wartime concerns that such literature highlighted. Written by both men and women, and part of a wartime liter­ ature that marked the gender of both men and women, feminized literature often appeared side by side with masculinized literature exploring men's experiences of the
Sequencing and characterization of A-2 plaque virus: A new member of the Picornaviridae family.

Abstract A-2 plaque virus (A2 virus) was originally isolated from the icteric-phase sera of US servicemen with viral hepatitis in the 1960s, but apart from a preliminary characterization little is known about the agent. We have now successfully cloned and sequenced the complete viral genome. A2 viral RNA consists of 7312 nucleotides, excluding the 62 nucleotide poly(A) tract at the 3′ end, with one large open reading frame. Although clearly a member of the Picornaviridae, there is low homology to the available sequences, suggesting it is only loosely related to the classic rhino/enterovirus genus. In addition, there was no reactivity with group specific monoclonal antibody blends against polioviruses, enteroviruses 70 and 71, coxsackievirus B, and echoviruses. Two tamarins were inoculated with A2 virus to study viral pathogenesis. Both animals that received A2 virus became transiently viremic 1 week after the infection, as determined by RT–PCR, and they developed an antibody response to A2 virus. However, no physical signs or biochemical abnormalities, including elevated liver transaminases, were observed. In addition, no liver samples from patients with fulminant hepatitis ( n = 7) or controls ( n = 7) were positive for A2 viral RNA nor was anti-A2 neutralizing antibody detected in sera from hepatitis patients ( n = 14), healthy laboratory donors ( n = 14), or US blood donors ( n = 33); however, most sera contained antibodies reactive with A2 virus proteins. These results suggest that A2 virus is a new member of the Picornaviridae but that its pathogenicity in nonhuman primates and association with human disease still need to be determined.
Additions to Gladiolus (Iridaceae) in the Flora Zambesiaca Region: The New Species G. metallicola and the Reinstatement of G. mosambicensis

New fruiting collections made since the publication of an account of Iridaceae for Flora Zambesiaca in 1993 show that spring-flowering plants until now referred to Gladiolus crassifolius Baker are better treated as a separate species, the earliest name for which is G. mosambicensis Baker. It is distinguished by the slightly smaller flowers, dry, obtuse floral bracts, and round, broadly winged seeds; G. crassifolius has green, acute bracts and wedge- to pear-shaped seeds with the wing fully developed at one or both ends but not on the sides. In addition, plants from northern Zimbabwe provisionally referred to G. permeabilis subsp. edulis (Burchell ex Ker Gawler) Obermeyer in the Flora Zambesiaca account of the genus do not belong in this species and are here described as G. metallicola Goldblatt. This plant, a member of section Hebea (Persoon) Bentham & Hooker f., remains known from one collection from the Great Dyke in Lomagundi District. Gladiolus L., the largest genus of the Iridaceae in the flora, now has 39 species in the Flora Zambesiaca region alone, and a total of 254 species worldwide.
A major switch for the Fanconi anemia DNA damage-response pathway.

The Fanconi anemia pathway is part of the DNA-damage network including breast cancer–susceptibility proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2. This pathway is activated by the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3–related (ATR) kinase, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. A new study demonstrates that a major switch activating the pathway is the ATR-dependent phosphorylation of FANCI.
Establishing reliability and construct validity for an instrument to measure environmental connectedness

The purpose of this preliminary study is to establish a reliable and valid measure of environmental connectedness (EC) to allow for further exploration of the Swedish Outdoor Recreation in Change national survey data. The Nordic concept of friluftsliv (nature-based outdoor recreation) and the environmental psychology concept of EC are explored to provide a foundation for the research. Reliability and construct validity testing on items from the Outdoor Recreation in Change survey have been tested and have demonstrated both reliability and construct validity. A reliable and construct valid measure of EC will facilitate research into the possible relationships between EC, nature-based outdoor recreation, and environmental behavior. A better understanding of these relationships may serve to further understanding of the human relationship with nature.
Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on glutathione synthesis, growth, and apoptosis is cell density-dependent

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent hepatocyte mitogen that exerts opposing effects depending on cell density. Glutathione (GSH) is the main non-protein thiol in mammalian cells that modulates growth and apoptosis. We previously showed that GSH level is inversely related to cell density of hepatocytes and is positively related to growth. Our current work examined whether HGF can modulate GSH synthesis in a cell density dependent manner and how GSH in turn influence HGF’s effects. We found HGF treatment of H4IIE cells increased cell GSH levels only under subconfluent density. The increase in cell GSH under low density was due to increased transcription of GSH synthetic enzymes. This correlated with increased protein levels and nuclear binding activities of c-Jun, c-Fos, p65, p50, Nrf1 and Nrf2 to the promoter region of these genes. HGF acts as a mitogen in H4IIE cells under low cell density and protects against tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced apoptosis by limiting JNK activation. However, HGF is pro-apoptotic under high cell density and exacerbates TNFα-induced apoptosis by potentiating JNK activation. The increase in cell GSH under low cell density allows HGF to exert its full mitogenic effect but is not necessary for its anti-apoptotic effect.
Combined forced and free convection for laminar flow in horizontal tubes with uniform heat flux

Abstract This study considers the effects of free convection on laminar flow of water in horizontal circular tubes having essentially constant heat flux at the tube wall. A visual and quantitative study was performed utilizing electrically heated glass tubing. These data were combined with other data and correlations to obtain a general picture of the influence of free convection on the Nusselt number. The final correlation curves given in Fig. 11 are provisionally recommended for obtaining heat-transfer coefficients in practical situations. With reasonable heating rates, the heat-transfer coefficients can be three to four times the values predicted by traditional constant property solutions.
Continuum theory of percolation and association

Abstract The development of a general theory of clustering is sketched. The primary focus is on the use of the pair connectedness function in problems of correlated clustering and on the Ornstein-Zernike formalism that has been developed to evaluate this function and relate it to observed mesoscopic and macroscopic properties. The treatment here stresses percolation, which has already been found to be directly relevant to complex-matter problems. It goes on to show the way the general theory becomes a theory of chemical association when applied to chemically associating fluids. In the complete-association limit, it becomes a site-site theory of molecular fluids.
Application of powder X-ray diffraction data to the determination of framework composition in zeolites

Abstract A method for determining the silicon—aluminium ( Si Al ) ratios from powder X-ray diffraction data of A-type zeolites in the composition range 1.0 Si Al
Initial Investigation of Computed Tomography for Breast Imaging with Focused Ultrasound Beams

There is growing evidence that the ultrasound attenuation coefficient is many times larger in malignant breast lesions than in normal breast tissues (1). There is also reason to believe that ultrasound transmission tomography by reconstruction may be more sensitive to small attenuating objects such as breast malignancies than conventional ultrasound imaging systems (2). The medical need for early detection of malignant breast lesions, coupled with the potential performance of ultrasonic CT scanning, provide a strong impetus for optimizing such systems.
Thermal considerations for the SPARCLE Optical System

The SPAce Readiness Coherent Lidar Experiment (SPARCLE) is the first demonstration of a coherent Doppler wind lidar in space. Coherent lidars can accurately measure the wind velocity by extracting the Doppler frequency shift in the back-scattered signal from the atmosphere through optical heterodyne (coherent) detection. Coherent detection is therefore highly sensitive to aberrations in the signal phase front, and to relative alignment between the signal and the local oscillator beams. The telescope and scanning optics consist of an off-axis Mersenne telescope followed by a rotating wedge of silicon and a window of fused silica. The wedge is in very close proximity to the experiment window, and is essentially in contact with the scanner motor/encoder system. The can environment temperature is nominally 20 degrees Celsius, the window ranges from -20 degrees Celsius to 0 degrees Celsius, and the scanner motor/encoder system alone could generate temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius. This thermal environment, coupled with the relatively large sensitivity of silicon's refractie index to temperature, has required careful thermal design and compensation techniques. This paper discusses the optical issues of these thermal effects and a variety of methods used to ameliorate them.
Test-first Java for beginners (abstract only)

Test-First Design is well-regarded process among software developers. Practitioner report that it encourages better program design, improves the testability and reliability, and reduces the stress.We have used the test-first design approach in introductory Java-based programming courses for the past ten years. With the support of our tester library, students learn to design tests without any additional syntactic or structural overhead. A number of colleagues at other universities sued the tester library in a variety of courses.Join us for a discussion on how you can help your students learn to design programs in the test-first style.This work is sponsored by two NSF DUE CCLI grants: Redesigning Introductory Computing: The Design Discipline, Grant #00618543, and Integrating Test Design into Computing Curriculum from the Beginning, Grant #0920182.
Conductive ceramic coating on polyacrylonitrile-vinyl chloride (modacrylic) discontinuous fibers via electroless deposition

Lead dioxide has electrical conductivity that is comparable to that of some of the metals. As a result like copper and nickel, lead dioxide can be deposited on non-conducting materials like polymers and ceramics using spontaneous and low cost deposition technique such as electroless deposition. This paper deals with development of conductive modacrylic fibers by coating them with lead dioxide via electroless deposition. The fibers so obtained will be used as additive in the lead-acid battery to improve its life and specific energy.
Experimental studies of thermoelectric power generation in dynamic temperature environments

Abstract We show that thermoelectrics can generate power from environments experiencing temporal temperature fluctuations; this source of power is useful for low-power devices in remote locations. We design and characterize devices that employ a thermoelectric module sandwiched between two heat exchangers with significantly different thermal masses and examine the effects of heat exchanger size and material selection, period of oscillation of the environmental temperature fluctuations, and radiative heat transfer on the thermoelectric power output. We report maximum experimental power generation on the order of milliwatts using standard bismuth telluride thermoelectric modules in devices with a size of about 10 cm 3 .
Evaluation of a real-time passive personal particle monitor in fixed site residential indoor and ambient measurements.

Recent experimental findings in animals and humans indicate adverse respiratory effects from short-term exposures to particulate air pollutants, especially in sensitive subpopulations such as asthmatics. The relationship between air pollution and asthma has mainly been determined using particulate matter (PM) measurements from central sites. Validated tools are needed to assess exposures most relevant to health effects. Recently, a personal passive particulate sampler (personal Data-RAM, pDR, MIE Inc., Bedford, MA) has become available for studying personal exposures to PM with time resolution at 1 min. The pDR measures light scatter from PM in the 0.1–10 µM range, the significant range for health effects. In order to assess the ability of the pDR in predicting gravimetric mass, pDRs were collocated with PM2.5 and PM10 Harvard Impactors (HI) inside and outside nine homes of asthmatic children and at an outdoor central Air Pollution Control District site. Results are presented of comparisons between the HI samplers and the pDR in various modes of operation: passive, active, and active with a heated inlet. When used outdoors at fixed sites the pDR readings exhibit interference from high relative humidity (RH) unless operated with a method for drying inlet air such as a heater, or if readings at times of high RH are adjusted. The pDR correlates more highly with the HI PM2.5 than with the HI PM10 (r2=0.66 vs. 0.13 for outdoors, r2=0.42 vs. 0.20 for indoors). The pDR appears to be a useful tool for an epidemiologic study that aims to examine the relationship between health outcomes and personal exposure to peaks in PM.
Superrigidity and countable Borel equivalence relations

Abstract We formulate a Borel version of a corollary of Furman's superrigidity theorem for orbit equivalence and present a number of applications to the theory of countable Borel equivalence relations. In particular, we prove that the orbit equivalence relations arising from the natural actions of SL 3 ( Z ) on the projective planes over the various p-adic fields are pairwise incomparable with respect to Borel reducibility.
Initial Boundary Value Problem for Two-Dimensional Viscous Boussinesq Equations

We study the initial boundary value problem of two-dimensional viscous Boussinesq equations over a bounded domain with smooth boundary. We show that the equations have a unique classical solution for H 3 initial data and the no-slip boundary condition. In addition, we show that the kinetic energy is uniformly bounded in time.
2-(Diphenylacetyl)-1,3-Indanedione-1-Hydrazone (Dipain) Derivatives for Detection of Trichothecene Mycotoxins

Abstract 2-(Diphenylacetyl)-1,3-indanedione-1-hydrazone and its derivatives where the NH2 has been replaced by a substituted NH or an imino group give fluoresence enhancement with trichothecene mycotoxins. Absolute amounts of T-2 toxin as low as 50 ng are detectable. Detection limits for HT-2, Diacetoxyscirpenol, Neosolaniol, and Fusarenon-X range from 0.1 to 4μg. The advantage in using 2-(diphenylacetyl)-1,3-indanedione-1-hydrazone (DIPAIN) derivatives for the detection of trichothecene mycotoxins is that response time is based on the rate of formation of a molecular association complex between the toxin and the detector reagent rather than on the chemical reactivity of the toxin. Hence, sensitive detection or mycotoxins can be achieved simply and rapidly at 25°C. Since DlPAlN derivatives have been found to be direct-acting reagents capable of detecting droplets of dissolved trichothecenes, it is speculated that they may be useful as coatings in optical waveguide devices or in other devices that are deve...
Atomoxetine versus stimulants in the community treatment of children with ADHD: an electronic diary study.

Objective: To compare the morning and afternoon/evening functioning of children with ADHD treated in the community with either atomoxetine or long-acting stimulants and reported to be doing well. Method: 109 8- to 12-year-olds and their mothers participated in one of three groups: stimulants (STIM, N = 26), atomoxetine (ATMX, N = 25), or comparison (COMP, N = 58). Mothers completed morning and evening electronic diaries installed on personal digital assistants throughout an entire week, rating the child’s behaviors and moods as well as their own moods and perceptions. Results: There was no evidence that ongoing pharmacotherapy fully normalized the behaviors of children with ADHD: Mothers in both ADHD groups reported higher rates of child inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, oppositionality, and negative affect and lower levels of parenting efficacy and positive affect than did COMP mothers. Although the behavioral profiles were generally comparable for the STIM and ATMX groups, there were indications o...
MBone provides audio and video across the Internet

Researchers have produced the Multicast Backbone (MBone), which provides audio and video connectivity from outer space to under water/spl minus/and virtually everyplace in between. MBone is a virtual network that has been in existence since early 1992. It originated from an effort to multicast audio and video from meetings of the Internet Engineering Task Force. Today. hundreds of researchers use MBone to develop protocols and applications for group communication. Multicast provides one-to-many and many-to-many network delivery services for applications such as videoconferencing and audio where several hosts need to communicate simultaneously. This article describes the network concepts underlying MBone, the importance of bandwidth considerations, various application tools, MBone events, interesting MBone uses, and provides guidance on how to connect your Internet site to the MBone. >
Validation of artificial neural network based model of microturbine power plant

This paper introduces an artificial neural network (ANN) based model for microturbine (MT) power plant. Microturbines (MTs) as efficient combined power and heat sources demonstrate a high potential to meet users' needs for distributed generation and microgrid applications. To understand and investigate the MT operation characteristics, a simple yet accurate model of the microturbine is essential. A detailed performance comparison between the GAST MT model and an ANN based model is presented. The ANN based model has three inputs and one output. The inputs are the control signal of power, speed, and temperature, and the outputs are the MT mechanical power. In this paper the MT is connected to a synchronous generator (SG) which is not included in the ANN model. The validation of the ANN based MT model indicates a close agreement between the outputs of the GAST and the proposed ANN based MT models.
Dynamics of flow inside carbon nanotubes

Future nanotechnology applications are likely to involve reactive or non-reactive species carried along a fluid stream. We have performed several molecular dynamics simulations of a buckyball, , cage or idealized atom in a helium fluid flowing axially inside a carbon nanotube. The fluid was started at some initial velocity and both the fluid and buckyball allowed to recycle axially via minimum image boundary conditions. A buckyball introduced into the feedstream (started at zero velocity) usually reached fluid velocity within 5 ps. Leakage rates of helium past the depended on the nanotube diameter and fluid velocity. These leakage rates and other important features of the dynamics changed significantly when was modelled as an idealized atom or when the nanotube was held rigid, suggesting that simulations of fluid dynamics inside nanomachines should be fully dynamic and atomistic.
Propionic Acid and Calcium Propionate in Diets for Egg-Type Layers and Broiler Chicks

Abstract Oruwari, B.M. 1993. Propionic acid and calcium propionate in diets for egg-type layers and broiler chicks. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 3:73–81. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of low levels of supplemental propionic acid or calcium propionate on performance when these nutrients were included in diets for laying hens and broiler chickens. A supplementation of 1g calcium propionate/kg significantly increased egg production and 1g propionic acid/kg or 1g calcium propionate/kg significantly increased the body weight gain of broiler chickens at 4 weeks of age. Inclusion rates of propionic acid or calcium propionate up to 1 g/kg were safe and without any depressive effect on the performance of laying hens and broiler chickens in feeding trials of 28 and 4 weeks durations, respectively. The maximum tolerable level of propionate in diets for growing chicknes. Was 2g/kg. Calcium propionate appeared to be associated with antistress function in laying hens.
Crisis in systematics.

James H. Oliver, Jr.’s Policy Forum “Crisis in biosystematics of arthropods” (20 May, p. 967) would have the scientific community do the right deed for the wrong reason. Systematics is not simply the identification of specimens, it is the reconstruction of evolutionary history; and it should be supported not just because it has practical applications (which it does) but because it is a fundamental scientific discipline. Systematics is important because all living things are the product of history, and we can understand little about the diversity of organisms without knowledge of their history— the phylogenetic knowledge provided by systematics (1). One might just as well try to understand the current political conflicts in Central America or the Middle East without understanding the history of the people of those areas. Oliver correctly deplores the placement of major systematics collections in “maintenance storage,” and we further deplore the disposal of other collections (2) and the retreat of university biology departments into nonevolutionary disciplines. Many of the biological “laws” that such disciplines discover may be bounded by clade and place, and only systematic research—research on evolutionary history—can discover those bounds. Other recent calls for the support of systematics (3) have also emphasized its practical and cataloging aspects. We agree strongly that systematics is insufficiently supported, but we fear that these arguments based exclusively on “usefulness” will backfire in the long run. Systematics will not attract the brightest students—the true innovators of theory and practice—if it is portrayed as an identification service. Systematics must command attention because of the intellectual challenge it represents, in and of itself, as the study of evolutionary history. ROBERT J. O’HARA DAVID R. MADDISON Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 PETER F. STEVENS Curator, Arnold Arboretum and Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 ______________________________________
Closed-orbit theory of oscillations in atomic photoabsorption cross sections in a strong electric field. II. Derivation of formulas.

A formula for photoabsorption cross sections of hydrogen and alkali-metal atoms in a static electric field is derived, based on the closed-orbit theory previously used to study hydrogen in a magnetic field. Electric fields are simpler than magnetic fields, because the classical motion is regular and closed orbits can be enumerated. In alkali metals the core modifies the relevant dipole matrix elements, and it produces additional phase shifts.
Peptide length, steric effects, and ion solvation govern zwitterion stabilization in barium-chelated di- and tripeptides.

Infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy has given infrared spectra of complexes of di- and tripeptides (AlaAla, AlaAlaAla, AlaPhe, PheAla) with singly and doubly charged metal ions (K+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+). The switch between charge-solvated (CS) and salt-bridged zwitterion (SB) conformations is displayed through highly diagnostic features in the mid-infrared. Systematic trends are found Correlating with the length of the peptide chain (tripeptides favoring CS conformations), metal ion size (larger metals favoring SB conformations), metal ion charge (doubly charged ions favoring SB conformations), and sterically available Lewis-basic side-chain interactions with the metal ion (for example a cation-pi interaction with Ba2+ stabilizes CS for PheAla but not for AlaPhe). The principle is that CS conformations are favored for small metal ions with high charge density and extensive microsolvation of the charge by Lewis-basic groups, especially amide carbonyls; SB conformations are favored by metal ions of high charge but low charge density, which are better stabilized by salt-bridge Coulomb interactions.
On isomorphic matching of large disk-resident graphs using an XQuery engine

There exists an increasing interest in using graphs to model data, and managing them is a challenging research field. One of the major hurdles in large graph management and processing is our ability to store graphs on disk, and develop techniques that can process the data in their native representation on the disk. Currently, many powerful processing techniques only ensure efficient processing while the graphs reside fully in volatile memory, which limits their applications. In this paper, we present a disk representation of unit graphs, called graphlets, that is amenable to leveraging both XML and relational storage structures, and associated query engines such as XQuery and SQL3. Specifically, we focus on XML and XQuery to implement a graph decomposition-based isomorphic subgraph matching technique, called NetQL, that exploits the graphlet representation. Furthermore, we present a new covering concept, called the minimum hub cover, that allows node-at-a-time processing of arbitrarily large graphs and opens up new opportunities for cost-based graph query optimization. Finally, we discuss some early results to show that such optimizations are feasible and promising by comparing our strategy with GraphQL.
In vitro and in vivo histone deacetylase inhibitor therapy with vorinostat and paclitaxel in ovarian cancer models: Does timing matter?

Abstract Objective To determine whether the combination of vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) and paclitaxel is more effective than either individual agent and to evaluate the effect of drug sequencing in ovarian cancer cell lines and in mouse models. Methods For in vitro studies, three ovarian cancer cell lines (2774, SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3) were grown with either 10nM paclitaxel, or vorinostat (0.3, 1, 3 or 10μM), or vehicle (DMSO) and subsequently treated with 10nM paclitaxel, or vorinostat (0.3, 1, 3, or 10μM), or DMSO. Apoptosis was analyzed. In the mouse, treatments were given for a total of 5 weeks: vehicle control, paclitaxel, vorinostat, vorinostat followed by paclitaxel, paclitaxel followed by vorinostat, and simultaneous vorinostat and paclitaxel. Endpoints were survival, ascites and tumor weight. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blots. Results In two cell lines (SKOV-3, OVCAR-3), the sequence of vorinostat and paclitaxel administration did not significantly alter the apoptosis percentages and the combination was not superior to individual agents. However, in one cell line (2774), the most effective combination in achieving apoptosis was paclitaxel followed by low dose vorinostat. In the mouse model, both control and vorinostat alone treatment groups were inferior to paclitaxel and the combination treatment groups, but no significant differences were observed between the groups receiving both paclitaxel and vorinostat based on the sequence of administration. Conclusions The efficacy of the combination and sequence of vorinostat and paclitaxel administration was cell line dependent and suggests that responses vary based on tumor specific characteristics.
Comparing Injection and Non-Injection Routes of Administration for Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine Users in the United States

Research examining the demographic and substance use characteristics of illicit drug use in the United States has typically failed to consider differences in routes of administration or has exclusively focused on a single route of administration?injection drug use. Data from National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used to compare past-year injection drug users and non-injection drug users' routes of administration of those who use the three drugs most commonly injected in the United States: heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Injection drug users were more likely than those using drugs via other routes to be older (aged 35 and older), unemployed, possess less than a high school education, and reside in rural areas. IDUs also exhibited higher rates of abuse/dependence, perceived need for substance abuse treatment, and co-occurring physical and psychological problems. Fewer differences between IDUs and non-IDUs were observed for heroin users compared with methamphetamine or cocaine users.
Dansylcadaverine and Cytochalasin D Enhance Rotavirus Infection of Murine L Cells

Although murine L cells bind and internalize rotavirus as well as permissive cell lines, L cells are essentially nonpermissive for rotaviruses. In nonpermissive cell lines such as L cells, internalized rotavirus fails to uncoat and remains as infectious, double-shelled particles. This block in the infectious cycle can be overcome by direct lipofection of viral particles into the L cell cytoplasm. We hypothesized that the internalized rotavirus particles within L cells are sequestered in the endocytic pathway and are unable to initiate infection. L cells were pretreated with a variety of inhibitors of endocytosis prior to infection with rhesus rotavirus. While agents which inhibit acidification of endosomes had no effect on rotavirus infection, two potential direct inhibitors of vesicular transport, dansylcadaverine and cytochalasin D, enhanced rotavirus infection of L cells 5- to 10-fold. All of the drugs, including both inhibitors of endocytosis and lysosomotrophic agents, significantly reduced infection of L cells by serotype 1 reovirus which is known to infect L cells by the endocytic pathway. Time course studies demonstrated that the drugs were effective in promoting rotavirus infection of L cells in only the early phases of infection. Pretreatment of L cells with dansylcadaverine significantly decreased the number of intact, double-shelled rotavirus particles sequestered within the cells. Inhibition of endocytosis may increase the efficiency of infection of L cells by rotavirus by allowing an increased proportion of attached rotavirus virions to enter cells by a productive route which is probably direct membrane penetration.
Targeted manipulation of mammalian genomes using designed zinc finger nucleases

Targeted introduction of a double-stranded break (DSB) using designer zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) in mammalian cells greatly enhances gene targeting - homologous recombination (HR) at a chosen endogenous target gene, which otherwise is limited by low spontaneous rate of HR. Here, we report that efficient ZFN-mediated gene correction occurs at a transduced, transcriptionally active, mutant GFP locus by homology-directed repair, and that efficient mutagenesis by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) occurs at the endogenous, transcriptionally silent, CCR5 locus in HEK293 Flp-In cells, using designed 3- and 4-finger ZFNs. No mutagenesis by NHEJ was observed at the CCR2 locus, which has ZFN sites that are distantly related to the targeted CCR5 sites. We also observed efficient ZFN-mediated correction of a point mutation at the endogenous mutant tyrosinase chromosomal locus in albino mouse melanocytes, using designed 3-finger ZFNs. Furthermore, re-engineered obligate heterodimer FokI nuclease domain variants appear to completely eliminate or greatly reduce the toxicity of ZFNs to mammalian cells, including human cells.
Studies on the fatty acid oxidizing system of animal tissues. IX. Stereospecificity of unsaturated acyl CoA hydrase.

Abstract Unsaturated acyl CoA hydrase catalyzes the hydration of both trans- and cis-crotonyl CoA. The cis isomer is hydrated with 40% of the rate with which the trans isomer is hydrated. The product of hydration of trans-crotonyl CoA is l (+)β-hydroxylbutyryl CoA, while the product of hydration of cis-crotonyl CoA is d -(−)β-hydroxybutyrtl CoA. A mechanism is proposed for the reaction catalyzed by unsaturated acyl CoA hydrase.
REIONIZATION ON LARGE SCALES. IV. PREDICTIONS FOR THE 21 cm SIGNAL INCORPORATING THE LIGHT CONE EFFECT

We present predictions for the 21 cm brightness temperature power spectrum during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). We discuss the implications of the "light cone" effect, which incorporates evolution of the neutral hydrogen fraction and 21 cm brightness temperature along the line of sight. Using a novel method calibrated against radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, we model the neutral hydrogen density field and 21 cm signal in large volumes (L = 2 Gpc h –1). The inclusion of the light cone effect leads to a relative decrease of about 50% in the 21 cm power spectrum on all scales. We also find that the effect is more prominent at the midpoint of reionization and later. The light cone effect can also introduce an anisotropy along the line of sight. By decomposing the 3D power spectrum into components perpendicular to and along the line of sight, we find that in our fiducial reionization model, there is no significant anisotropy. However, parallel modes can contribute up to 40% more power for shorter reionization scenarios. The scales on which the light cone effect is relevant are comparable to scales where one measures the baryon acoustic oscillation. We argue that due to its large comoving scale and introduction of anisotropy, the light cone effect is important when considering redshift space distortions and future application to the Alcock-Paczynski test for the determination of cosmological parameters.
Supporting the information mesh

A model for the role of the network in a distributed computing environment that will necessarily require abstractions in the operating system has been developed. This model is based on information that is long lived and widely distributed. It assumes that interesting information can be distributed around the world, and survives outside any particular application, application toolkit, or programming language runtime system. Within the information mesh, computations or activities will take place in one of three forms: one in which the focus of attention is changed, but the application remains the same; one in which the focus changes, and the application itself must also change; and a third that is less specific, more global, e.g., searching. In the cases of such global operations, one may need to limit the scope of terms of the mesh, since these are operations over regions of the mesh. It is important to include links and a native form of link shadow in each operating system, if the workstation running that operating system is to allow the user to collaborate in the information mesh. >
Adaptations for the maintenance of water balance by three species of Antarctic mites

Three species of Antarctic mites, Alaskozetes antarcticus, Hydrogamasellus antarcticus and Rhagidia gerlachei, are abundant in the vicinity of Palmer Station, Antarctica. No single mechanism for reducing water stress was shared by all three species. A. antarcticus and R. gerlachei (both ca. 200 μg) are over twice as large as H. antarcticus (ca. 90 μg), but all had similar body water content (67%) and tolerated a loss of up to 35% of their body water before succumbing to dehydration. All imbibed free water and had the capacity to reduce water loss behaviorally by forming clusters. Alaskozetes antarcticus was distinct in that it relied heavily on water conservation (xerophilic classification) that was largely achieved by its thick cuticular armor, a feature shared by all members of this suborder (Oribatida), and abundant cuticular hydrocarbons. In comparison to the other two species, A. antarcticus was coated with 2–3× the amount of cuticular hydrocarbons, had a 20-fold reduction in net transpiration rate, and had a critical transition temperature (CTT) that indicates a pronounced suppression in activation energy (E a) at temperatures below 25°C. In contrast, H. antarcticus and R. gerlachei lack a CTT, have lower amounts of cuticular hydrocarbons and have low E as and high net transpiration rates, classifying them as hydrophilic. Only H. antarcticus was capable of utilizing water vapor to replenish its water stores, but it could do so only at relative humidities close to saturation (95–98 %RH). Thus, H. antarcticus and R. gerlachei require wet habitats and low temperature to counter water loss, and replace lost water behaviorally through predation. Compared to mites from the temperate zone, all three Antarctic species had a lower water content, a feature that commonly enhances cold tolerance.
Pardoning Puritanism: Community, Character, and Forgiveness in the Work of Richard Baxter

The English Puritan Richard Baxter (1615–1691) developed an account of forgiveness that resonates with twentieth-century virtue ethics. He understood forgiveness as one component of a larger disposition of character developed in community as human beings recognize themselves as sinful creatures engaged in complex relationships of dependency and responsibility, with both God and one another. In the midst of these relationships, persons experience divine and human forgiveness and discover opportunities to practice forgiveness in return. Baxter thus negotiated a distinctive relationship between Christian hope for reconciliation and more stereotypical Puritan emphases on punishment, civil order, and justice. At the same time that recent moral reflection allows us to raise questions about some features of Baxter's argument (such as his treatment of anger), his work provides important resources for correlating dispositions with concrete obligations, establishing a place for forgiveness in the public realm, and counterbalancing the modern emphasis on individual rights.
Aortic and mitral fenfluramine-phentermine valvulopathy in 64 patients treated with anorectic agents.

Abstract Context.—Few published studies of the pathology of fenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen) valvulopathy, described by Connolly and colleagues in 1997, have appeared. Objectives.—To define temp...
Extension of Kelvin's Minimum Energy Theorem to Flows with Open Regions

Kelvin’s minimum energy theorem predicts that the irrotational motion of a homogenously incompressible fluid in a simply connected region will carry less kinetic energy than any other profile that shares the same normal velocity conditions on the domain’s boundary. In this work, Kelvin’s analysis is extended to regions with open boundaries on which the normal velocity requirements are relaxed. Given the ubiquity of practical configurations in which open regions arise, it may be argued that the longstanding question of whether Kelvin’s theorem will continue to hold remains of fundamental interest. In reconstructing Kelvin’s proof, we find it useful to denote a Kelvin surface as a boundary along which the net normal rotational velocity vanishes. The net rotational velocity refers to the di erence between the generally rotational mean flow and the corresponding potential motion. Along similar lines, the term open is used to define a boundary along which Kelvin’s velocity requirement is not fulfilled. After some analysis, two criteria are obtained, one being su cient but not necessary, that ensure the validity of Kelvin’s theorem. Both require the evaluation of a simple surface integral over the open boundary. Specific cases are then considered to illustrate the applicability of these criteria and test their usefulness. These include a variety of classic problems involving Poiseuille flow in a duct, Taylor flow in a porous channel, Taylor-Culick flow in a porous cylinder, and bidirectional helical flows of both complex lamellar and Beltramian types that may occur in a cylindrical chamber.
The Intersection of Neighborhood Racial Segregation, Poverty, and Urbanicity and its Impact on Food Store Availability in the United States

Abstract Background Food store availability may determine the quality of food consumed by residents. Neighborhood racial residential segregation, poverty, and urbanicity independently affect food store availability, but the interactions among them have not been studied. Purpose To examine availability of supermarkets, grocery stores, and convenience stores in US census tracts according to neighborhood racial/ethnic composition, poverty, and urbanicity. Methods Data from 2000 US Census and 2001 InfoUSA food store data were combined and multivariate negative binomial regression models employed. Results As neighborhood poverty increased, supermarket availability decreased and grocery and convenience stores increased, regardless of race/ethnicity. At equal levels of poverty, Black census tracts had the fewest supermarkets, White tracts had the most, and integrated tracts were intermediate. Hispanic census tracts had the most grocery stores at all levels of poverty. In rural census tracts, neither racial composition nor level of poverty predicted supermarket availability. Conclusions Neighborhood racial composition and neighborhood poverty are independently associated with food store availability. Poor predominantly Black neighborhoods face a double jeopardy with the most limited access to quality food and should be prioritized for interventions. These associations are not seen in rural areas which suggest that interventions should not be universal but developed locally.
Tracking High-Speed Targets Using a Pulse Doppler Stepped-Frequency Waveform

This paper develops a computationally efficient processing technique using fast Fourier transforms (FFT), averaging, and weighted least squares fits to track high-speed targets with a pulse Doppler waveform that is stepped in frequency. The measurements will be unambiguous in Doppler for high-speed targets of interest, but highly ambiguous in range before tracking. First, a range-Doppler matrix is formed using motion compensated data. Then, the effect of the range, radial velocity, and radial acceleration of the target on the processed data is approximated by a polynomial series, and the parameters are estimated using a weighted least squares fit. Monte Carlo simulations of the algorithm when four or more cpis of data are processed are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical predictions.
EFFECTS OF FIELD-BASED TRAINING ON TEACHERS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AND THE MOTOR PROFICIENCY OF THEIR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS '

Summary.-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of field-based training on the knowledge and attitudes of regular physical education teachers and the motor proficiency of their handicapped students. Twenty-four physical education teachers from a large, city school district completed a program in two phases, one on appropriate motor development for special populations followed by an implementation phase involving 46 handicapped students. An inventory was designed to measure teachers' knowledge, the Measurement of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons scale measured teachers' attitudes, and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency measured handicapped students' motor ability. Analysis showed that teachers' knowledge increased significantly from pre- to midproject. Nonsignificant changes were noted for teachers' attirudes although positive increases occurred throughout the project. There was a significant increase in the motor ability of the handicapped students as a result of appropriate programming. Some change among teachers and students was encouraging.
Factores que promueven la persistencia de mialgia en el síndrome de dolor miofascial y en la fibromialgia

Resumen Existen multiples causas de dolor muscular que deben tenerse en cuenta en el diagnostico diferencial de los sindromes de dolor miofascial (SDM) y del sindrome fibromialgico (SF). El SDM y el SF no son diagnosticos definitivos en si mismos, sino que son sindromes con causas. Las causas subyacentes de mialga no tratadas pueden explicar por que se produjo el dolor muscular y por que persiste. Las causas pueden ser anormalidades mecanicas como las disfunciones vertebrales y pelvicas, y el estres ergonomico o postural. Algunas enfermedades medicas sistemicas tambien causan mialgia. En esta categoria pueden incluirse alteraciones hormonales como el hipotiroidismo, trastornos nutricionales como las deficiencias de hierro o de vitaminas, y las enfermedades infecciosas como la enfermedad de Lyme o infestaciones parasitarias. Patologias del tejido conectivo como el lupus eritematoso pueden ser relevantes. Finalmente, las visceras presentan un dolor referido muscular que produce SDM caracteristicos. La identificacion y el tratamiento de estas afecciones mejoran el resultado terapeutico del SDM y del SF.