cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partner language development in TWI: Teachers’ beliefs and practices

Abstract Prior research has sought to describe how teachers view and approach attention to partner language (PL) development in Spanish immersion settings ( Cammarata & Tedick, 2012 ; Fortune et al., 2008 ; Lindholm-Leary, 2001 ; Walker & Tedick, 2000 ). However, it has not focused specifically on the particularities of two-way immersion (TWI), which is unique for its inclusion of both heritage speakers and second language learners. The current project adds to existing knowledge by using teacher interviews and a survey to report a qualitative case study of three TWI teachers’ beliefs and practices. Data is triangulated through PL student testing and analysis of classroom observations. Results confirm many of the findings of prior research, especially regarding teachers’ perceived need for increased guidance and resources. They also provide insight into how TWI teachers view PL development in the two groups of learners. Implications for teacher training and future research are discussed.
T-product Tensor Expander Chernoff Bound

In probability theory, the Chernoff bound gives exponentially decreasing bounds on tail distributions for sums of independent random variables and such bound is applied at different fields in science and engineering. In this work, we generalize the conventional Chernoff bound from the summation of independent random variables to the summation of dependent random T-product tensors. Our main tool used at this work is majorization technique. We first apply majorizaton method to establish norm inequalitites for T-product tensors and these norm inequalities are used to derive T-product tensor expander Chernoff bound. Compared with the matrix expander Chernoff bound obtained by Garg et al., the T-product tensor expander Chernoff bound proved at this work contributes following aspects: (1) the random objects dimensions are increased from matrices (two-dimensional data array) to T-product tensors (three-dimensional data array); (2) this bound generalizes the identity map of the random objects summation to any polynomial function of the random objects summation; (3) Ky Fan norm, instead only the maximum or the minimum eigenvalues, for the function of the random T-product tensors summation is considered; (4) we remove the restriction about the summation of all mapped random objects is zero, which is required in the matrix expander Chernoff bound derivation.
Albatross Community College: Bullying versus a Broken Culture (Presentation Slides)

Albatross Community College had a reputation for being an undesirable place to work, in which the staff morale was low, students were disengaged and not attending, and the turnover rates were high. Although the conflict taking place was staff bullying and lack of human resources intervention in the scenario, I believe that there is a breakdown in the school culture due to leadership failing to prioritize staff conflict, which is what ultimately impacts the school community.
Adaptive Dynamic Matrix Control: Online Evaluation of the DMC Model Coefficients

Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC), an internal model control algorithm based on a linearized system model, has been used successfully as a process control algorithm for more than a decade. According to current literature, the model coefficients are evaluated by physically pulsing each input to the system, and by recording the responses of the various outputs. Since the model is a linear approximation of the system dynamics, its validity degrades as the system parameters change with time. This paper describes a method, called Online Coefficient Evaluation (OCE), of evaluating the DMC model coefficients without disturbing the system. When DMC is used in conjuction with OCE, the result is an adaptive control algorithm, called Adaptive Dynamic Matrix Control (ADMC), which is capable of automatically adjusting to time-varying system dynamics. An example of the application of ADMC is included.
Redefining reliability evaluations for software-intensive systems

The Department of Defense has increased the use of Major Automated Information Systems (MAIS); in particular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems seek to simplify business operations, optimize processes, and maximize efficient financial and logistics management capabilities. These automated information systems integrate all departments and functions across an organization into a single, integrated, centralized database software suite which serves all the internal departments' needs. Due to their unique characteristics and non-traditional programmatic structures, these system's often benefit from the evaluation of uniquely defined metrics than what is typically used for hardware centric systems. Often MAIS reliability requirements are at such a high level (essentially accounting only for the combined experience of all users simultaneously) that they fail to fully capture the experience of the individual end user. While system level Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) requirements are necessary, there is a need to focus the evaluation on supplementary metrics that address end user level failures. This paper will discuss innovative approaches to defining reliability evaluations for MAIS programs. This includes understanding how the reliability requirements are defined and what they intend to measure, appropriate use of metrics such as server reliability versus end user experience, and the utilization of additional metrics to provide a meaningful software reliability evaluation to decision makers.
Renal Micropuncture Techniques

The sections in this article are: 1 Animal Subjects 2 Equipment, Tools 2.1 Dissecting Microscopes 2.2 Compound Microscopes 2.3 Pipette Pullers and Grinders 2.4 Capillary Glass, Micropipettes 2.5 Syringes, Tubing 2.6 Micromanipulators 2.7 Microperfusion Pumps 2.8 Infusion Pumps 2.9 Heated Micropuncture Tables 2.10 Pressure Transducers 2.11 Specialized Surgical Equipment 2.12 Scintillation Counters 2.13 Voltmeters 2.14 Electrodes 2.15 Recorders 2.16 Oil and Wax Blocks 2.17 Wax Injection Apparatus 2.18 Timers 3 In Vivo Micropuncture: Functional Assessment of Individual Nephron Segments 3.1 Anesthesia and Surgery 3.2 Evaluation of Kidney before Micropuncture 3.3 Micropipette Placement 3.4 Identification of Accessible Cortical Tubules and Vessels 3.5 Identification of Papillary Structures 3.6 Measurement of Distance to Puncture Site and Length of Perfused Tubule 3.7 Determination of Filtration and Transport Rates 3.8 Determination of Blood Constituents 3.9 Measurement of Capillary and Tubule Pressure 3.10 Potential Problems 4 Micropuncture in Nonstandard Preparations 5 Microanalytical Techniques 5.1 Volume 5.2 Inulin 5.3 Protein 5.4 Urea 5.5 Osmolality 5.6 Metal Cations 5.7 Halide Anions 5.8 Ammonia 5.9 Carbon Dioxide and Bicarbonate
Análisis rápido de un cemento por absorción Atómico

Varios procedimientos instrumentales han sido estudiados en estos ultimos anos para hacer los analisis de cementos, mas simples, rapidos y precisos. Quizas la absorcion atomica ha sido la que ha tenido una mayor aceptacion entre los fabricantes de cemento, pues por esta tecnica pueden analizarse todos los elementos de interes, tanto en cementos como en materias primas. La precision en las medidas es grande, el tiempo de analisis suficientemente corto para la mayoria de los problemas, y la simplicidad de operacion es tal que cualquier ayudante de laboratorio no cualificado puede realizar el analisis completo con un entrenamiento no superior a una semana.
Modeling Recidivism Times: Comment on Bloom

Bloom (1979) discussed a new mathematical model that has considerable potential for facilitating program evaluations based on analyses of recidivism data. However, he overlooked a rich literature in other fields, such as survival analysis and reliability theory, dealing both with his particular model and the general type of process of which recidivism may be considered an example. Use of results from that literature could have streamlined his discussion. More fundamentally, Bloom did not carry his consideration of the behavioral mechanisms underlying his data to the point where his particular model specification, and no others, followed as a logical necessity. This limits the generalizability of his approach. One possible formulation of underlying relationships leading directly to Bloom's model is suggested.
Hybrid thoracoscopic epicardial and catheter-based endocardial ablation for atrial fibrillation

Treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has evolved substantially, from open surgical 'cut-and-sew' procedures to catheter ablations to minimally invasive ablation with novel energy sources. Recurrences present a significant challenge, both to clinicians and to patients who seek a durable result and freedom from antiarrhythmic medications. Our centre performs a minimally invasive bilateral thoracoscopic epicardial ablation and atrial appendage exclusion, followed by a catheter-based endocardial electrophysiology study and ablation. Results demonstrate favourable outcomes with improvement over catheter-based ablation alone or thoracoscopic ablation alone. We will describe our surgical approach, mid-term results and a brief review of the literature surrounding this dual-modality approach to AF ablation.
Traumatic brain injury in a child psychiatry inpatient population : A controlled study

ABSTRACT Objective To extend our findings from child psychiatry outpatients to child psychiatry inpatients regarding the similarity of children with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly mild TBI, to matched children without such a history. Method This is a chart review of patients consecutively admitted to a child psychiatry inpatient unit over a 5-year period. Children with TBI were matched by age, sex, race, and social class to children with no history of TBI. Axis I and II diagnoses and diagnostic clusters and use of special education services and IQ scores were compared. Results Fifty-six (8.1%) of 694 consecutive patients admitted had a definite TBI. Not one of more than 50 variables compared between TBI and control subjects was significantly different. Conclusion In a child psychiatry inpatient unit, patients with a history of TBI were virtually indistinguishable from matched children without TBI. Caution should be exercised before attributing the child's problems, especially long-term problems, to the TBI unless the injury was severe or the child is exhibiting related phobic or posttraumatic stress symptomatology.
College Student Perceptions of AICPA and State Association Accounting Career Information Websites

ABSTRACT: Incorporating recent advances in communication and technology, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and several state professional societies have developed accounting career information websites to attract talented students and retain professionals by providing career‐related information. Our study examines perceptions of these websites held by one user group, specifically college students, using an empirically validated instrument. Results indicate that college student users are generally unaware that these websites exist. However, once these users examine the websites, both beginning college students and accounting majors generally assign them high quality ratings. College student users perceive some differences between the websites, as three are consistently rated higher while three others consistently received lower ratings. Thus, we provide evidence suggesting that at least one user group (i.e., college students) perceives that the career information websites, deve...
Computer applications: a service course

A paperless computer applications course, which is driven by an online syllabus is described. Students demo their work on the computer rather than hand in paper assignments. Several advanced topics are included to challenge the students and downloads are provided to minimize the amount of student busywork. The use of weekly lecture and assignment downloads allow instructors to teach sections with twenty-five students with no graduate student or clerical support.
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Lung

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is among the most common soft tissue sarcomas of adult life, but rarely occurs elsewhere. We report an example of primary MFH of the lung and review 15 previously reported acceptable cases with current follow-up information. Histologically, the tumor in our case was pleomorphic with storiform and fascicular areas. Tumor cells showed positive immunostaining for alpha,-antitrypsin, alpha,-antichymotrypsin, and vimentin. Stains for desmin, cytokeratin, myoglobin, epithelial membrane antigen, SlOO protein, and lysozyme were negative. Electron microscopic study showed histiocyte-like, fibroblast-like, intermediate, and undifferentiated tumor cells. A variety of methods were used to treat these patients. Two patients survived for 5 or more years, two were alive and well at 8 and 12 months, respectively, two were alive with metastatic tumor at 3 and 18 months, respectively, and ten patients died of tumor, with an average survival of 1 year. Cancer 61:137-145, 1988. ALIGNANT FIBROUS histiocytoma (MFH) is one of M the most common soft tissue sarcomas of older adults, with a peak age incidence in the sixth and seventh decades of life.'.2 It most frequently involves the extremities, retroperitoneum, and trunk. Primary MFH of the lung is rare, with leiomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma being the most commonly reported primary pulmonary sa~comas.~'~ By routine light microscopic examination, MFH may be difficult to distinguish from leiomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, pleomorphic rhab domyosarcoma, malignant schwannoma, spindle-cell and anaplastic carcinoma, and malignant melanoma, such that immunohistochemical and electron microscopic techniques may be required for the diagnosis. We report an example of primary MFH of the lung, confirmed by electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies, and review the previously reported
Auditory-nerve fiber responses to frequency-modulated tones

Discharge patterns of cat auditory-nerve fibers were obtained in response to frequency-modulated (FM) tones. The rate and direction of frequency change and the sound-pressure level of the sweep tones were systematically varied, and aspects of the discharge patterns were compared to aspects of the discharge patterns elicited by pure tones. Increases in SPL broaden the frequency range over which the fiber responds, as is the case with pure-tone stimuli. Increases in the rate of frequency change have little effect on frequency selectivity for the rates tested. In general, the pure-tone response area is a good predictor of the response area to FM. Although approximately equal numbers of spikes are elicited by ascending and descending sweeps, the discharge patterns differ slightly; for each direction of frequency change, the FM response area is shifted in the direction of the earliest-occurring frequencies. Most of this shift can be accounted for by neural adaptation. This asymmetry is small, relative to those observed in the central nervous system.
The effects of prenatal stress on motivation in the rat pup

Exposure to prenatal stress (PNS) has been shown to induce a set of psychological and behavioral changes in developing offspring. We used the rodent model to investigate whether PNS produces changes in the ability of the pup to express social motivation. We used a set of behavioral tasks including monitoring ultrasonic vocalizations after isolation, a conditioned place preference, and a novel and familiar odor approach test. Pregnant Long-Evans rats were exposed to an unpredictable, variable stressor twice daily during the third week of gestation. Isolation vocalizations were assessed on postnatal day (PND) 10. Pup affinity for the dam was evaluated on PND 15. Typically, pups display a selective preference for an odor-paired environment only after the odor has been associated with the dam. This previous association produces a positive conditioned stimulus (CS). Normally, pups exposed to a neutral CS (odor paired with cotton balls) do not form this place preference. Results indicate that PNS exposed pups had significantly increased distress vocalizations and an equal preference for the positive and neutral conditioned stimuli. This type of alteration in forming early preferences could be detrimental because of decreases in the specificity of social learning and an impaired responsiveness in social relationships.
Efficiency of food utilization by fruit bats.

Neotropical fruit bats consume figs (Ficus spp.) and other fruit in small bites which they suck dry and drop as pellets. The swallowed juice transits the short digestive system in 0.5 h or less. The efficiency of this unusual mode of feeding was determined by comparing the nutritional content of pellets, feces and urine of captive Artibeus jamaicensis to that of the wild figs (Ficus insipida) they had been fed. The bats extracted 57% of the wet weight and 37% of the dry weight of the fruit. The swallowed juice contained 40% of the non-fiber carbohydrate present in whole figs and was digested almost completely. Of the 160±37 seeds per fig, roughly 80% were swallowed, but almost all of these were passed intact in the feces. Overall 25–30% of the metabolizable calories in the figs were swallowed and absorbed. This mode of feeding enables the bats to extract the readily digestable calories from up to 2x their 50 g body weights in figs each night while never having to fly with more than a few grams of food in their guts at any one time.
Ambient air measurement of acrolein and other carbonyls at the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge toll plaza

Interest in ambient concentrations of acrolein and other α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and dicarbonyls (e.g., crotonaldehyde, methyl glyoxal, glyoxal, malonaldehyde (malondialdehyde)) is growing because either they exist at high levels in motor vehicle emissions or they arise from photooxidation of other hydrocarbons emitted from mobile sources. In addition, their mutagenic, genotoxic, or carcinogenic properties are well-established, and the results of a dispersion-modeling study regarding the health risks posed by the 188 hazardous air pollutants in California attributes the highest noncancer risk to exposure to acrolein. Such modeling studies, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), also predict median ambient air concentrations of acrolein higher than 0.06 μg/m3, the chronic inhalation reference exposure level stipulated by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in counties surrounding the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. We measured acrolein and other po...
Archaeological Heritage of “We the People”: Public Archaeology at Independence National Historical Park

Keywords: commentary, tourism, public archaeology, historical archaeology, historical memory, heritage tourism, Independence Park, civil religion, North America, Philadelphia
Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Synthesis Induce PPARα-Regulated Fatty Acid β-Oxidative Genes: Synergistic Roles of L-FABP and Glucose

While TOFA (acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor) and C75 (fatty acid synthase inhibitor) prevent lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, the mechanism of action is not simply accounted for by inhibition of the enzymes alone. Liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), a mediator of long chain fatty acid signaling to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) in the nucleus, was found to bind TOFA and its activated CoA thioester, TOFyl-CoA, with high affinity while binding C75 and C75-CoA with lower affinity. Binding of TOFA and C75-CoA significantly altered L-FABP secondary structure. High (20 mM) but not physiological (6 mM) glucose conferred on both TOFA and C75 the ability to induce PPARα transcription of the fatty acid β-oxidative enzymes CPT1A, CPT2, and ACOX1 in cultured primary hepatocytes from wild-type (WT) mice. However, L-FABP gene ablation abolished the effects of TOFA and C75 in the context of high glucose. These effects were not associated with an increased cellular level of unesterified fatty acids but rather by increased intracellular glucose. These findings suggested that L-FABP may function as an intracellular fatty acid synthesis inhibitor binding protein facilitating TOFA and C75-mediated induction of PPARα in the context of high glucose at levels similar to those in uncontrolled diabetes.
Predicting Frequency of Treatment Visits in Community-Based Youth Psychotherapy.

The current study examines factors associated with the number of treatment visits attended by a youth and/or family, including sociodemographic variables, youth clinical characteristics and parent/family characteristics at intake, therapist characteristics, and treatment entry characteristics. A total of 57 therapists in two publicly-funded youth mental health clinics and 169 youths and parents from the therapists’ combined caseloads were included in the study. Negative binomial regression was used to examine whether factors within these domains predict the number of treatment visits in this community-based sample. Both therapist and treatment entry characteristics significantly predicted the frequency of treatment visits. Specifically, youth self report of higher symptom severity and stronger parent-youth treatment goal agreement were associated with a higher number of treatment visits. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Thermal Stability of Si/Si0.85Ge0.15/Si Modulation Doped Double Heterostructures

The thermal stability of Si/Si0.85Ge0.15/Si p-type modulation doped double heterostructures grown by the Ultra High Vacuum/Chemical Vapor Deposition technique has been examined by Hall measurement, transmission electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. As deposited heterostructures showed two-dimensional hole gas formation at the abrupt Si/SiGe and SiGe/Si interfaces. Annealing at 800 °C. for 1 hr. caused the diffusion of boron acceptors to the heterointerfaces, degrading the hole mobilities observed in the two dimensional hole gas. Rapid redistribution of boron, causing a loss of the 2 dimensional carrier behavior, was observed after a 900 °C, 0.5 hr. anneal. Neither Ge interdiffusion nor the generation of misfit dislocations were observed in the annealed heterostructures, evincing the defect-free crystal quality of these as-grown strained heteroepitaxial layers. The superior stability of these heterostructures have strong positive implications for Si:Ge heterojunction devices.
Identification of an 8-Lipoxygenase Pathway in Nervous Tissue of Aplysia californica

Arachidonic acid is converted to (8R)-hydroperoxyeicosa-5,9,11,14-tetraenoic acid (8-HPETE) during incubations with homogenates of the central nervous system of the marine mollusc, Aplysia californica. 8-HPETE can be reduced to the corresponding hydroxy acid or be enzymatically converted to a newly identified metabolite, 8-ketoeicosa-5,9,11,14-tetraenoic acid (8-KETE). These metabolites were identified by high performance liquid chromatography, UV absorbance, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Stereochemical analysis of the products demonstrate that the neuronal enzyme is an (8R)-lipoxygenase. Previously we have shown that the neurotransmitters, histamine and Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide, activate 12-lipoxygenase metabolism in isolated identified Aplysia neurons. We now show that acetylcholine activates the (8R)-lipoxygenase pathway within intact nerve cells. Thus, both (12S)- and (8R)-lipoxygenase co-exist in intact Aplysia nervous tissue but are differentially activated by several neurotransmitters. The precise physiological role of the 8-lipoxygenase products is currently under investigation, but by analogy to the well-described 12-lipoxygenase pathway, we suggest that (8R)-HPETE and 8-KETE may serve as second messengers in Aplysia cholinoceptive neurons.
Cell proliferation in the neural tube: an electron microscopic and golgi analysis in the mouse cerebral vesicle.

The shape and fine structure of ventricular (primitive ependymal) cells during their generation cycle was studied. Interphase cells are radially oriented bipolar elements with processes spanning the thickness of the brain wall. Zonular junctional complexes joining internal processes at the ventricle consist of gap junctions and wider intermediate junctions. The external limiting layer consists of expanded end-feet in simple apposition; they resemble axonal growth cones and contain a feltwork of 60 A microfilaments, elements of smooth endoplasmic reticulum but no microtubules. During prophase, nuclei of ventricular cells move to a juxtaventricular position, while their external processes remain fully extended. The internal processes of such cells contain numerous longitudinally arranged microtubules and microfilaments. Subsequent to nuclear migration, in prometaphase or metaphase, the cell withdraws or pinches off its external process and becomes nearly spherical. During telophase an asymmetrical furrow formation results in a thin connector (midbody) between daughter cells which is adjacent to the ventricle and attached there by the junctional complex. Either before or after complete separation, an external process starts regrowing towards the external limiting layer, eventually resulting in a bipolar interphase cell again. Microfilaments are present in telophase cells before outgrowth of external processes and in growing tips of external processes.
The representation of nonlinear systems by exhaustive linearization

Some established results in functional analysis yield a simple formula for representing physical systems exactly in terms of their linear behaviors. Although the formula has been exploited to solve bifurcation problems in elasticity and hydrodynamics, its use in system theory remains to be developed.
Selective detection of olefins using a luminescent silver-functionalized metal organic framework, RPM3

Abstract A highly flexible, luminescent, three-dimensional metal organic framework (MOF), [Zn2(bpdc)2(bpee)]·2DMF (bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpee = 1,2-bipyridylethylene) also known as RPM3 was post functionalized with AgNO3 forming a π complex with the MOF’s conjugated linkers. The Ag+ functionalized MOF in its activated form exhibits structural rearrangements from the interaction of Ag+ ions monitored by Raman spectroscopy. The reversible binding of olefins such as ethylene (C2H4) and 1-hexene (C6H12) by the Ag+ functionalized MOF was monitored by fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. These findings hold promise for the utilization of RPM3 for olefin/paraffin based separations and for a MOF based chemical sensor applicable for the detection of olefins.
Chemically etched ultra-high-Q resonators

Using a wet etch process, optical resonators with quality factor as high as 875 million are demonstrated. These silicon-chip-based devices are fabricated without reflow, thereby expanding the range of integration opportunities and possible applications.
An Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the Conformational Transition of Elastin-Like Polypeptides

The infrared spectroscopy of elastin-like polypeptides and the relation to the inverse thermal transition are discussed. To correlate the spectroscopic observations with structure a density function theory model was created that captures the essential hydrogen bonding and packing of the beta-spiral structure proposed for elastin and elastin-like polypeptides. The infrared spectrum was calculated using periodic boundary conditions and a method for estimating the difference dipole moment permits both frequencies and intensities to be obtained for the modeling of spectra. The two observed amide I bands at 1615 cm(-1) and 1656 cm(-1) are shown to arise from the beta-spiral structure. The increase in intensity of these bands with increasing salt concentration and temperature is assigned to the closer association of strands of the beta-spiral. The sharp inverse temperature transition is observed within 1 degrees C and involves a change in secondary structure that involves formation of interstrand beta-sheets for approximately 25% of the amino acids. This conclusion is consistent with available data and simulations that have been reported to date.
Rapid near-optimal aerospace plane trajectory generation and guidance

Effort was directed toward the problems of the real time trajectory optimization and guidance law development for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) applications. In particular, singular perturbation methods were used to develop guidance algorithms suitable for onboard, real time implementation. The progress made in this research effort is reported.
β-Endorphin alters the course of central nervous system disease induced by a temperature-sensitive vesicular stomatitis virus in reconstitued nude mice

A 100 plaque forming unit (pfu) dose of a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), tsG31 KS5, engendered a slowly progressive paralytic central nervous system (CNS) disease that killed all BALB/c nude mice within 28 days. Reconstitution of nude mice with 10(7) syngeneic splenocytes 24 h before intracerebral inoculation with tsG31 KS5 VSV, however, protected 92% of the animals from death. When these reconstituted animals were injected intracerebroventricularly with 14 pmol of beta-endorphin 24 h after reconstitution with splenocytes and 24 h before inoculation with tsG31 KS5 VSV, only 72% of the animals survived. Furthermore, whereas 40% of the afflicted reconstituted nude mice given intracerebroventricular injections of sterile water were able to recover from the symptoms of disease, those surviving animals which received beta-endorphin were unable to do so. A single intravenous injection of 14 pmol beta-endorphin, or repeated postinfection administration of 28 pmol of beta-endorphin intravenously into nude mice reconstituted with syngeneic splenocytes, which were pretreated with beta-endorphin, did not alter the course of CNS disease induced by tsG31 KS5 VSV. The effect induced by intracerebroventricular injection of beta-endorphin was antagonized by naloxone, but not by the neuropeptide fragment beta-endorphin-(1-27). A simultaneous intracerebroventricular injection of reconstituted nude mice with 1220 pmol of naloxone and 14 pmol of beta-endorphin resulted in a 89% survival rate, and 33% of the afflicted animals were able to overcome the symptoms of the disease induced by tsG31 KS5 VSV. Intracerebroventricular injection of reconstituted nude mice with 330 pmol of beta-endorphin-(1-27) and 14 pmol of beta-endorphin resulted in a 72% survival rate and the surviving animals were unable to improve appreciably the clinical status of their disease. Injection of reconstituted nude mice with either 1220 pmol of naloxone or 330 pmol of beta-endorphin-(1-27) alone did not alter the course of the CNS disease in any way. A single intracerebroventricular injection of 29 pmol of another psychoactive peptide, [Des-Tyr]-endorphin, 24 h after reconstitution of nude mice with splenocytes and 24 h prior to infection with virus, resulted in 74% survival; and 39% of the afflicted animals were able to recover from the clinical symptoms.
Pentoxifylline in the treatment of distal diabetic neuropathy

Painful diabetic distal sensory neuropathy is a disabling and common complication of diabetes mellitus. There is evidence that microvascular changes resulting in ischemia to the vasa nervorum may contribute to this problem. Pentoxifylline has been shown to improve circulation through partially occluded peripheral vessels and has been postulated to be of potential benefit. Forty adult type II diabetics were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study utilizing pentoxifylline for six months. Visual analog scores, nerve conduction studies, and physical examinations were used to evaluate response to treatment. At the end of the six-month trial, there was no significant difference in the patients' pain between the pentoxifylline- and placebo-treated groups. The authors conclude that pentoxifylline is not useful in the treatment of painful distal diabetic neuropathy.
Recovery of cytomegalovirus and chlamydia trachomatis from vaginal tampons

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Chlamydia trachomatis are important agents in venereal and neonatal disease. Vaginal tampon culture for HSV has previously been demonstrated to be a simple and effective technique for quantitative culture of cervical secretions. We have evaluated the tampon culture as a means of performing quantitative cultures for CMV and C trachomatis. Cell-free and cell-associated CMV were quantitatively recovered from vaginal tampons when extraction was performed within one hour of tampon inoculation. However, when tampons were stored, there was a rapid loss of infectivity over time at all storage temperatures except -70 degrees C. C trachomatis was quantitatively recovered from tampons stored at less than or equal to 4 degrees C for four days. When stored at -70 degrees C, C trachomatis was stable on tampons for more than one week. Because HSV, CMV, and C trachomatis are stable in a single transport medium, a tampon stored at 4 degrees C briefly or at -70 degrees C for one week could be utilized for the detection of all three agents.
DKP and MDKP hierarchy of soliton equations

Abstract In a series of papers, Date, Jimbo, Kashiwara and Miwa (DJKM) studied soliton equations using representation of Lie algebras. In particular, they found a remarkable new hierarchy of KP type, namely BKP. One can also study the same problem using vertex operators for the infinite rank affine Lie algebras a ∞ , b ∞ . Combining the ideas of Kac and DJKM, we found the realization of the basic representation and the half spin representations for d ∞ as well. In particular, we show that DKP and BKP are essentially the same, moreover, one gets a modified DKP hierarchy.
High frequency oscillations in limbic rat model for temporal lobe epilepsy

Recently a number of groups [1,2] have reported on the existence of pathological High frequency oscillations (HFO's) (oscillations in the frequency range of 80–200 Hz, termed as Ripple band and oscillations in the frequency range of 200 Hz and above, termed as Fast Ripple band) in the epileptic brain both in in-vivo and in-vitro experiments. Our goal in this study is to study the statistical modulation of HFOs during epileptogenesis in order to characterize their function in progression to seizures in the epileptic brain. In this study we define a HFO event as a subset of wave having significant high frequency component with low wave amplitude. HFO are detected from data recorded at a sampling rate of 12000 Hz for the entire duration of epileptogenesis which lasts anywhere from about 3–6 weeks. Statistical analysis on the HFO suggest that occurrence of HFO's occur primarily during the 12 hour dark cycle whereas the HFO's primarily seem to occur during the 12 hour day cycle in the control rat The video recording shows that the rat is primarily in active and exploratory state during the dark cycle. These observations suggest that HFO in epileptic rats are correlated with the state of arousal. Spatial correlation of HFOs in different regions of the brain is also investigated with cross-correlogram. Comparison of cross-correlogram of the post-stimulus HFO in the epileptic rat to the pre stimulus HFO (control) suggests modification in the circuitry in the hippocampus, evidence for which in in-vitro experiments were provided by [3].
Burrow morphology as related to social organization of Microtus ochrogaster

The underground nest and associated burrows of male-female pairs and communal, social groups of Microtus ochrogaster were compared using excavated foam-injected casts of burrows. Differences in burrow morphology were related primarily to the type of social group inhabiting the nest and not to seasonal differences. There was no relationship between the number of reproductive females in a group and the number of nest chambers in the burrow system. Burrows where communal groups nested had greater complexity than burrows of male-female pairs; communal nest chambers were 49% larger, and burrow area was 2.7 times larger, with twice as many entrance holes.
Broadcast-Signal Bandwidth Measurements Using Real-Time Data Averaging

The bandwidth of a signal may be analyzed in terms of what is defined as an observable, or detectable, signal level, the frequency range over which this detectable signal occurs, and the percentage of time that the sigal exceeds defined limits. This paper presents a technique for observing and quantitating in real time the frequency excursion of radio signals in the time domain. A scanning spectrum analyzer interfaced to a minicomputer data-acquisition system is used to collect spectral bandwidth data. The concept of percentage band-width occupancy is presented for evaluating the broadcast-signal modulation character and representative data are given for signals in the FM broadcast band.
Changes of lysine reactivities of actin in complex with myosin subfragment-1, tropomyosin and troponin

The interactions of actin with myosin subfragment-1 and tropomyosin were explored by comparing the reactivities of lysine residues in F-actin alone with those in F-actin complexed to the other proteins. Limited reductive methylation was carried out on F-actin and the F-actin complexes with [14C]HCHO and [3H]HCHO, respectively. After dissociation from the other components, [3H]actin was combined with [14C]actin and 3H/14C of each lysine residue was measured. Myosin subfragment-1 reduced the reactivities of Lys-335 and Lys-372, while tropomyosin reduced those of Lys-237, -325, 327 and -335. When troponin was present in the absence of Ca2+, the effect of tropomyosin on Lys-335 remained the same, but its reactivity was completely restored upon the addition of Ca2+. Thus, the results suggest that different parts of actin are affected by the interaction with myosin subfragment-1 and tropomyosin, but the region containing Lys-335 is commonly affected by the presence of either of them. The change in reactivity is attributable either to a direct steric effect or to an induced conformational effect.
Congregations in Conflict: Cultural Models of Local Religious Life

Congregations in Conflict examines the nature of American congregations as institutions, looking in particular at how they deal with conflict within their ranks, to gain insight into religious culture, or the moral order of local religious life. In detailed and well documented case studies of conflict in twenty-three congregations Becker examines such factors as organizational processes, the extent and types of ties between church members, their shared understandings about mission and identity, and level of public commitment. From these factors, the author develops four models of local religious cultures, each of which emphasizes different aspects of the mission imperatives that broadly characterize American religion - to reproduce an historic faith, to provide a caring community of believers, and to witness. Becker finds vital 'public religion': congregations that provide caring and support for members, service to the local community, and important arenas for moral debate and public activism.
A preliminary study of the seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forssk.) den Hartog from Eastern Indonesia. Biological results of the Snellius II expedition

Abstract Two dense meadows of the seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum (Forssk.) den Hartog were sampled during the Indonesian—Dutch Snellius II expedition to Eastern Indonesia. Production data were obtained from one of these meadows. The production of leaf biomass was measured by the leaf marking technique of Zieman and by the plastochrone interval method. The two methods reached comparable results. The production of leaf tissue was 4.2 mg ADW shoot−1 day−1. The production of rhizome biomass was calculated in a similar way, based on the plastochrone interval of rhizome nodes. The production of the meadow, exclusive of the production of roots and fruits, amounted to 4.5 g ADW m−2 day−1. A significant correlation between the growth rates of rhizomes and leaves was observed. Biomass data from the second site are given.
Re‐thinking instructional immediacy for web courses: A social cognitive exploration

The growth of the World‐Wide Web of as a medium of instruction in higher education rekindles an old debate about the effectiveness of instructional technology. The present limitations of the Internet medium restrict the teacher immediacy of Web courses and possibly have a negative impact on both affective and cognitive learning. Web courses also appear to be a deficient means to form close relationships between students, which was termed student immediacy. But Web courses also have the potential to be more immediate than conventional classroom instruction by introducing a new “agency”; into the learning environment, the computer. Learner interactions with computers potentially convey a sense of personal tutorship or computer immediacy that augment immediacy in comparison to the limited large group interaction prevalent in conventional lecture sections. Social cognitive theory was applied to develop a unified construct of instructional immediacy that encompassed teacher, student and computer agency. Within...
Monoclonal antibodies to the sea urchin egg vitelline layer inhibit fertilization by blocking sperm adhesion

Thirty-one mouse hybridomas were produced against the vitelline layer (VL) of the egg of the sea urchin S. purpuratus. Ascites fluids of eight of the 31 bound to the VL surface in the high ionic strength conditions of sea water. Binding was specific to the VL, since immunofluorescence showed that the antibodies elevated from the egg surface with the fertilization envelope after activation with ionophore A23187. Antibody binding was strictly species-specific, the eggs of L. pictus showing no reaction. An immunoperoxidase surface-binding assay showed a wide range in the amount of each monoclonal antibody binding to the VL surface at saturation. All eight monoclonals inhibit fertilization by inhibiting the binding of sperm to the VL. None of the eight ascites fluids reacted with egg jelly. The inhibition of fertilization correlates positively with amount of antibody binding the egg surface. In contrast to the effects of polyclonal rabbit antisera raised against whole eggs or egg cortices, these eight monoclonal antibodies to the VL do not induce the wrinkling of the egg, the cortical granule reaction, the centering of pronuclei, or any other visual indication of metabolic activation.
Design and characterization of redox enzyme electrodes: new perspectives on established techniques with application to an extremeophilic hydrogenase

Biofuel cells promise power generation with low cost and almost unlimited biocatalyst supply. This paper reports new perspectives on the characterization of immobilized thermostable (Pyrococcus,furiosus) hydrogenase electrodes in working configuration, using a combination of well defined electrochemical and spectrophotometric techniques. Electrodes based on porous pyrolytic carbon paper (PCP) and packed graphite columns (PGC) were fabricated for hydrogenase immobilization, which used a direct (hydrophilic adsorption) technique. Potentiostatic de polarization, dynamic potentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were combined with spectrophotometric detection of enzyme activity in order to characterize the electrodes and differentiate the relative contributions from enzyme loading, charge transfer, and mass transport to the limiting current density, which is a critical consideration for electrodes intended for fuel cell and bioelectrocatalytic application. Dynamic potentiometry proved useful as a rapid screening and characterization procedure for both blank electrodes and the presence of bound hydrogenase post-immobilization. Combining current density data determined via dc polarization (hydrogen oxidation currents of 30 muA cm(-2) for PCP electrodes and 90-120 muA cm(-2) PGC electrodes at 75 degreesC) with hydrogen mass transport limits determined via modeling and platinum electrode polarization (480 muA cm(-2) at 75 degreesC), allowed determination that insufficient active enzyme was present to reach system mass transport limits to hydrogen supply for all electrodes. Additionally, spectrophotometric enzyme determination on the PCP electrode (0.034 units cm(-2)) was used to derive a theoretical maximum in hydrogen oxidation current (110 muA cm(-2), assuming 100% enzyme/support charge transfer efficiency), which when combined with current density data (30 muA cm(-2)), allowed determination that actual charge transfer efficiency per unit total bound enzyme was significant (28%). The EIS scans on immobilized PGC type electrodes suggest that mass transport might attribute the most to cell impedance at the low frequency regime. These combined results indicated that low bulk enzyme loading was the limiting factor to current density for thermostable hydrogenase electrodes fabricated for the study. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Surgical management of hard palate malignancies.

Objective: A variety of surgical procedures can be used to treat malignancies of the hard palate and inferior maxilla. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of alveolectomy, palatectomy, and infrastructure maxillectomy in the treatment of cancers in these areas. Methods And Material: A retrospective review of 50 patients who underwent alveolectomy, palatectomy, or infrastructure maxillectomy from 1971 to 1997 was performed. The pathology of these lesions included squamous cell carcinoma (25), adenoid cystic carcinoma (11), adenocarcinoma (6), and others (8). Results: The 5-year survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis for all lesions was 85%. The 5-year survival rate for squamous cell carcinoma was 76%, and that for adenoid cystic carcinoma was 90%. The 10-year survival rate for adenoid cystic carcinoma was 75%. There was minimal morbidity associated with these procedures. Discussion: Alveolectomy, palatectomy, and infrastructure maxillectomy are the procedures of choice for lesions in the region of the hard palate. The differences between these surgical techniques are presented, and indications, contraindications, and results for each technique are discussed. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;121:548-52.)
Soluble HLA-I in rheumatic diseases.

Abstract Objective: To study serum levels of Class I soluble HLA (sHLA-I) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyositis or dermatomyositis (PM/DM) or scleroderma and to assess the possible influence of ethnic factors on concentration in each disease group. Methods: Solid-phase enzyme linked immunoassay was used to measure sHLA-I in the serum of 385 patients with varied ethnic backgrounds (American-Caucasians, African-Americans, Georgian-Caucasians) with rheumatic diseases. Studies on patients were compared to similar measurements of 189 healthy individuals. Results: Mean sHLA-I levels were significantly higher in patients with SLE than those observed in healthy individuals or other rheumatic diseases. Highest concentrations were present in Georgian-Caucasian patients with SLE. American-Caucasian patients with RA or scleroderma had higher sHLA-I levels than normal Caucasian individuals. The majority of patients with PM/DM in all ethnic subgroups were low secretors of sHLA-I. Conclusion: Mechanisms underlying the secretion of sHLA-I appear to differ among the rheumatic diseases studied and various ethnic groups. These genetic differences in sHLA-I secretion could be associated with ethnic and pathophysiologic differences among these rheumatic diseases.
Marketing information system utilization: An application of self-concept theory

Abstract The impact of marketing information systems (MIS) has not been substantial and developed systems have not been highly utilized. Borrowing the theory of self-concept from the behavioral sciences, 46 system users' self-images, ideal self-images, and the images of a significant other (one who facilitates usage of the MIS) are measured and related to the image of a heavy user of the information system. The results shed some light on the system usage problem and provide some direction for marketing the MIS to marketing managers/ system users.