cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis of Paraprofessional-Delivered Interventions to Address Challenging Behavior Among Students With Disabilities:

Paraprofessionals report spending a substantial amount of time addressing challenging behavior in a range of school environments, yet identify behavioral intervention as a high-priority training ar...
Overlapping Stigmas of Pregnancy, Motherhood, and Weight: Policy Implications for Employment and Higher Education

Pregnant women and new mothers experience numerous biases: they are inappropriately touched, less likely to be hired or promoted, paid less, and subjected to a host of stereotypes. Pregnant women a...
Teaching ASL Signs using Signing Avatars and Immersive Learning in Virtual Reality

We present here a new system, in which signing avatars (computer-animated virtual humans built from motion capture recordings) teach introductory American Sign Language (ASL) in an immersive virtual environment. The system is called Signing Avatars & Immersive Learning (SAIL). The significant contributions of this work are 1) the use of signing avatars, built from state-of-the-art motion capture recordings of a native signer; 2) the integration with LEAP gesture tracking hardware, allowing the user to see his or her own movements within the virtual environment; 3) the development of appropriate introductory ASL vocabulary, delivered in semi-interactive lessons; and 4) the 3D environment in which a user accesses the system.
Scoliosis Braces Designed for Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, almost 1 in 323 children are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) (Center,2019). Out of the number of adolescents who are diagnosed with CP, 21%-64%develop scoliosis. (Cloake & Gardner, 2016). Numerous braces have been designed to counteract the worsening development of scoliosis, but there has yet to be one designed specifically for adolescents with CP. The needs of these children are unlike able-bodied ones. In the study performed by Tsirikos (2010), children with CP were asked to wear a “normal” scoliosis brace. Many fit issues of scoliosis braces were brought to the surface: skin irritation, respiratory issues, feeding/swallowing constrictions, and lack of neck/head support. Therefore, the purpose of the designs illustrated below is to create an effective scoliosis brace that obtains features beneficial for adolescents with CP, specifically ones who are dependent on a wheelchair.
Program Synthesis Over Noisy Data with Guarantees.

We explore and formalize the task of synthesizing programs over noisy data, i.e., data that may contain corrupted input-output examples. By formalizing the concept of a Noise Source, an Input Source, and a prior distribution over programs, we formalize the probabilistic process which constructs a noisy dataset. This formalism allows us to define the correctness of a synthesis algorithm, in terms of its ability to synthesize the hidden underlying program. The probability of a synthesis algorithm being correct depends upon the match between the Noise Source and the Loss Function used in the synthesis algorithm's optimization process. We formalize the concept of an optimal Loss Function given prior information about the Noise Source. We provide a technique to design optimal Loss Functions given perfect and imperfect information about the Noise Sources. We also formalize the concept and conditions required for convergence, i.e., conditions under which the probability that the synthesis algorithm produces a correct program increases as the size of the noisy data set increases. This paper presents the first formalization of the concept of optimal Loss Functions, the first closed form definition of optimal Loss Functions, and the first conditions that ensure that a noisy synthesis algorithm will have convergence guarantees.
Gaming and anxiety in the nursing simulation lab: A pilot study of an escape room.

Abstract Background Anxiety accompanying educational simulations is a complex issue impacting nursing students and their learning. Research has provided evidence that some pre-simulation activities can increase student comfort with the simulation environment and may also reduce anxiety. Studies have also provided evidence of promising outcomes for gaming use in nursing education. Purpose This pilot study explored a medical-surgical escape room game as an introductory simulation experience for nursing students, particularly focused on determining student anxiety levels, and both faculty and student perception of the experience. Methods A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample to explore student anxiety levels and perceived enjoyment of the game. Results Student anxiety levels significantly decreased (p = .013); however, anxiety levels remained high at posttest. Students reported high enjoyment of the game and provided positive comments. Conclusion Escape rooms can provide an engaging, interactive way to teach nursing concepts in the simulation environment.
Evolving potential field parameters for deploying UAV-based two-hop wireless mesh networks

We attack the problem of dynamic UAV-based ad-hoc mesh network deployment to find and connect people in an area of interest. Genetic algorithms tune the parameters of potential fields that control UAV movement in order to optimize people coverage and network longevity. We extend earlier work that assumed one-hop communication between UAVs to the more realistic two-hop case and find significant increase in coverage and network longevity. Experimental results show that enabling two-hop communications between UAVs improves the performance on average between 4% to 32.19%.
Carbonic Anhydrases in the Kidney

There have been several recent excellent reviews in which localization of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) (carbonate hydro-lyase; EC 4.2.1.1.) isozymes throughout the mammalian nephron have been considered. These include histochemical studies by Ridderstrale’s technique,32 which have mapped the CA activity throughout the nephron,21,22 immunohistochemical studies,19 and functional studies in which the membrane-bound CA IV is considered in regulation of acid-base balance and H+ secretion.13 Several laboratories have reported the absence of CA activity in renal papilla; however, recently it has been reported that inner medullary collecting duct cells from rat papilla in culture have CA activity equivalent per milligram of protein to the activity in erythrocytes.2 The CA inhibitors and their uses in the renal clinic and laboratory have been reviewed recently.30
The Power of a Picture: Overcoming Scientific Misinformation by Communicating Weight-of-Evidence Information with Visual Exemplars

Although most experts agree that vaccines do not cause autism, a considerable portion of the American public believes in a link. In an experiment (N = 371), we identified journalistic balance as a source of misperception about this issue and examined ways to attenuate misperceptions. In particular, by including weight-of-evidence information (i.e., stating that only one view is supported by evidence and a scientific consensus), we explored whether an article can present conflicting views without causing misperceptions. Including weight-of-evidence information fostered more accurate beliefs about an autism–vaccine link, but only for people with favorable pre-existing scientific views. However, this conditional effect disappeared when visual exemplars accompanied weight-of-evidence information. The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical implications for science communication
Lattice-matched PbSnTe/PbTeSe heterostructure device technology

The advantages of utilizing heterostructure device geometries in diode lasers and photodetectors has long been appreciated by researchers working with the narrow bandgap lead salt semiconductors, as well as by those developing shorter wavelength III-V electrooptical devices. The importance of close lattice-matching has not been as widely appreciatedbyPb-salt researchers, however; thus, while a great deal effort has been applied to developing III-V quaternary systems such as InGaAsP lattice matched to InP, much Pb-salt heterostructure device work has been done with relatively poorly matched systems such as PbSnTe on PbTe and PbSSe on PbS. As a result, in many cases the full potential of heterostructure geometries has not been realized.
[9] Receptor expression in mammalian cells

Summary The methods outlined above for the cloning of dopamine receptor cDNAs and their expression in mammalian cells allow the investigator to study dopamine receptor pharmacology with a precision and detail not previously possible. These strategies can be used to create stable and clonal genetically engineered cell lines that express a given receptor subtype, a specific spliced form of a receptor subtype, or mutant and chimeric receptors. Such transfected cells can be evaluated to determine how receptors bind ligands in a receptor-selective manner, to learn how receptors transduce the energy of the binding of agonists into a functional response, to ascertain the mechanisms by which specificity or selectivity of coupling of receptors to various G proteins and signaling pathways is attained, and to reveal the molecular basis of regulation of receptor sensitivity.
Purification and Properties of α-Ketoglutarate Reductase from Micrococcus aerogenes

Micrococcus aerogenes grown in media containing glutamate has high levels of glutamate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate reductase. The latter enzyme catalyzes the reversible reduction of alpha-ketoglutarate to alpha-hydroxyglutarate in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The enzyme has a high specificity for both substrates in either direction and displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics at moderate substrate concentrations. K(m) values of 0.12 to 0.17 mm alpha-ketoglutarate and 0.3 mm NADH for the forward reaction were calculated from data obtained at low substrate concentrations. At high concentrations, this reaction was inhibited by both substrates. The reverse reaction, which proceeded at 0.1 to 0.2 times the rate of the forward reactions, was inhibited by one of the products, alpha-ketoglutarate. K(m) values for the substrates of this reaction were 10 mm for alpha-hydroxyglutarate and 1 mm for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. alpha-Ketoglutarate reductase has a molecular weight of 7.5 x 10(4) to 8.2 x 10(4) and is composed of identical polypeptide chains with a molecular weight of 3.6 x 10(4) to 3.8 x 10(4).
ELECTROPHORETIC SEPARATION OF CONSTITUENTS OF PARTIALLY PURIFIED M PROTEIN OF STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES

Pierce, William A., Jr. (Tulane University, New Orleans, La.). Electrophoretic separation of constituents of partially purified M protein of Streptococcus pyogenes. J. Bacteriol. 88:912–921. 1964.—Partially purified M protein of a group A, type 12 strain of Streptococcus pyogenes was studied by use of chemical, electrophoretic, and immunological techniques. It was demonstrated in immunodiffusion tests that the antigen contains multiple precipitating components. The type-specific antigen was identified, and evidence was presented that, in some instances at least, the cross-reactions observed between this type 12 M protein and heterologous antisera in immunodiffusion tests involve contaminating antigens rather than the component which precipitates with adsorbed homologous-typing antiserum. In passive hemagglutination tests where M protein was adsorbed to tanned sheep erythrocytes, it was found that antisera suitably adsorbed to show good specificity in capillary precipitin tests nevertheless still contain cross-reactive antibodies which are detectable by this more sensitive technique. Electrophoresis on starch paste separates some of the components of partially purified M protein, so that a fraction can be obtained which has fewer precipitating antigens, as determined in immunodiffusion tests, and which is less cross-reactive in passive hemagglutination tests with heterologous unadsorbed antistreptococcal antisera.
A Comparison of Two Indirect Bonding Adhesives

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the clinical failure rates of the chemically cured composite bonding resin Maximum Cure (MC) and the flowable light-cured resin Filtek Flow (FF) when used in an indirect bonding technique. A total of 112 consecutive patients satisfying the selection criteria were assigned to alternating groups in a split-mouth study design. In Group 1, the maxillary right and mandibular left quadrants were indirectly bonded using MC adhesive, whereas the contralateral quadrants were bonded using FF adhesive. In Group 2, the sides bonded were opposite to those in Group 1. One patient was lost from group 1, so the adjacent patient from group 2 was excluded. Over a six-month observation period, all loose brackets were recorded and the data compared with a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Of the 2468 brackets placed, 36 with the MC adhesive came loose (2.9% failure rate) compared with 30 in the FF group (2.4% failure rate, P = .95). In the maxillary arch, 12 brackets from the MC quadrants came loose vs 24 in the FF (P = .02). In the mandibular arch, 24 brackets from the MC quadrants came loose during the six-month observation period compared with six from the FF quadrants (P = .03). These results suggest that both adhesives examined in this study (MC and FF) were suitable for the indirect bonding of brackets. The failure rates were low for both adhesives, so either could be recommended for clinical use, the choice being dictated more by operator preference.
Association of Hypertension with β2- and α2c10-Adrenergic Receptor Genotype

The adrenergic receptors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. We hypothesized that hypertension is associated with variants at the beta2-adrenergic receptor locus and at one of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor loci. In unrelated individuals, we measured untreated blood pressure and characterized each subject as hypertensive or normotensive. We then used genomic DNA to identify beta2- and alpha2c10-adrenergic receptor restriction fragment length polymorphisms. In 175 subjects (49 percent with hypertension, 55 percent black), both hypertension and race were associated with genotype at the beta2 locus (chi2 for hypertension = 11, P = .004, chi2 for race = 8.8, P = .012). The association with hypertension persisted in each race group separately (blacks only: chi2 = 9.6, P = .008; whites only; chi2 = 14.2, P = .001). This association persisted in a logistic model that controlled for race (P = .01). Genotype was also significantly associated with baseline systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures (P = .05, .01, and .02, respectively). These data suggest that the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene is a candidate gene for hypertension in blacks and whites. We also genotyped subjects at the alpha2-adrenergic receptor coded on chromosome 10. There was no association between hypertension and genotype at the alpah2c10 locus in the total group or in blacks, but there was significant association in whites (chi2 = 6.7, P = .03). These data suggest that the beta2- and alph2c10-adrenergic receptor genes may contribute, in a race-specific manner, to the inheritance of essential hypertension. Linkage studies in related individuals are needed to confirm these findings.
Organosilane polymers: synthesis and photochemical and photophysical behavior of poly[dimethyl-co-methyl(1-naphthyl)silylene]

A meltable, partially crystalline silane copolymer, PSN, containing dimethylsilylene and methyl(1-naphthyl) silylene units was synthesized and characterized. The polymer has a high molecular weight, is appreciably soluble in common solvents and is photoactive. The emission properties of PSN, under stationary and nonstationary conditions, were studied in dilute THF solution. PSN is the first organosilane polymer showing an intense intramolecular excimer emission in addition to monomer and intramolecular charge transfer (CT) fluorescence. It is shown that the ratio of excimer to monomer fluorescence can be used to monitor the UV induced degradation of the polymer.
BCNU stability as a function of ethanol concentration and temperature.

BCNU is increasingly used in low ethanol (ETOH) concentrations, 5% dextrose-water (D5W), or normal saline (NS) solutions, especially for intra-arterial and prolonged (e.g., 3 day) intravenous (IV) infusions. Little work, however, has been done to evaluate BCNU decomposition rates in concentrations, diluents, and temperatures similar to those employed clinically. This study examined BCNU solutions in ETOH, NS, and D5W to evaluate, conclusively, initial recovery and decomposition rates in these three diluents. Initial BCNU recovery rates were: 95.6 +/- 0.3% (100% D5W), 89.6 +/- 0.5% (15% ETOH), and 85.2 +/- 0.5% (NS) (P less than 0.001). Study of all solutions revealed no measurable BCNU decomposition over 24 hrs (0 degrees C) and no significant difference in decomposition rates between any of the diluents (19.5 degrees C). At 37 degrees C, the solutions showed different half-lives: 14.3 +/- 0.19 hrs (15% ETOH), 10.6 +/- 0.02 hrs (10% ETOH), 8.2 +/- 0.21 hrs (5% ETOH), 7.3 +/- 0.06 hrs (NS), and 6.8 +/- 0.07 hrs (D5W) (P less than 0.001). Decomposition rates between all three temperatures (19.5 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 50 degrees C) were significantly different (P less than 0.01) for each diluent. Dissolving BCNU powder into either D5W or NS required only 5 min when hand-shaken at body temperature. This study of initial recovery and decomposition rates suggests that, although BCNU decomposition rates were significantly increased at body temperature (37 degrees C), it was quite low and essentially unaffected by different diluents at room temperature (i.e., 19.5 degrees C).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Studies on monomer reactivity ratios. II. A charge-transfer model

A charge-transfer model is proposed for the treatment of monomer reactivity ratios in free-radical bulk polymerization. The procedure involves the assignment of three parameters to each monomer, which can be interpreted as being related to the energies of the highest occupied monomer orbital, the singly occupied radical orbital, and the lowest lying virtual orbital of the monomer. Parameters are found for 17 monomers and computed reactivity ratios for a large number of copolymer systems are tabulated and compared with experiment. Similarities of the present model and the electronegativity scheme are discussed.
Language hemispheric dominance in patients with congenital lesions of eloquent brain.

OBJECTIVE: In 90% of normal subjects, the left hemisphere is dominant for language function. We investigated whether congenital lesions of the left perisylvian regions altered cortical language representation in right-handed individuals. METHODS: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied language hemispheric dominance in five right-handed adult patients with congenitally acquired arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) originating from left hemispheric cortical language regions. The AVMs had not caused neurological symptoms during early development, but patients presented as adults with migraine, seizure, or minor hemorrhage. Results obtained from the AVM patients were contrasted to those from right-handed brain-injured stroke patients recovering from aphasia and to those from right-handed normal subjects. RESULTS: During silent picture naming and verb generation tasks, cortical language networks lateralized primarily to the right hemisphere in the AVM group, compared with the left hemisphere in the normal group. This right hemisphere-shifted language network in the AVM group exceeded the shifts toward right hemispheric dominance found in the stroke group. CONCLUSION: Patients with AVMs affecting the left perisylvian regions recruited the right hemisphere into language processing networks during early development, presumably in response to congenitally aberrant circulation. This early right hemisphere recruitment in the AVM patients exceeded the similar process in the brains of stroke patients whose left cortical language networks were damaged in adulthood. Our data provide evidence of effective plasticity in the developing human brain compared with the mature brain response to injury. Knowledge of cortical language representation should assist presurgical planning in patients with developmental anomalies affecting apparently language-dominant brain regions.
Transduction of pluripotent human hematopoietic stem cells demonstrated by clonal analysis after engraftment in immune-deficient mice

Abstract Gene transduction of pluripotent human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is necessary for successful gene therapy of genetic disorders involving hematolymphoid cells. Evidence for transduction of pluripotent HSCs can be deduced from the demonstration of a retroviral vector integrated into the same cellular chromosomal DNA site in myeloid and lymphoid cells descended from a common HSC precursor. CD34+ progenitors from human bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood were transduced by retroviral vectors and used for long-term engraftment in immune-deficient (beige/nude/XIS) mice. Human lymphoid and myeloid populations were recovered from the marrow of the mice after 7-11 months, and individual human granulocyte-macrophage and T-cell clones were isolated and expanded ex vivo. Inverse PCR from the retroviral long terminal repeat into the flanking genomic DNA was performed on each sorted cell population. The recovered cellular DNA segments that flanked proviral integrants were sequenced to confirm identity. Three mice were found (of 24 informative mice) to contain human lymphoid and myeloid populations with identical proviral integration sites, confirming that pluripotent human HSCs had been transduced.
An ice-core record of atmospheric response to anthropogenic sulphate and nitrate

RECORDS of sulphate and nitrate concentrations in ice cores show that these concentrations have increased recently because of the long-range transport of pollution from middle latitudes1–5. But these records have been neither complete enough nor long enough to allow an assessment of their sensitivity to variations in the emissions of sulphate and nitrate precursors. We have now analysed sections from an ice core in South Greenland which have allowed us to extend its sulphate and nitrate record back from 1869 to 1767. This longer record has enabled us to determine the pre-industrial natural interannual variability of non-sea-salt sulphate and nitrate. We find that the background concentration in the remote atmosphere over South Greenland is sensitive to changes in the anthropogenic emissions of sulphate and nitrate, and responds to these variations on a timescale of the order of decades.
On Code Switching inside NP.

In this article it is argued that, contrary to the assertions of Pfaff (1979), adjective/noun code-switches inside NP are possible. While not strictly following the placement rules of the language of the adjective as claimed by Aguirre (1976) and others, these switches do appear to be limited by conditions on placement internal to the languages involved. So long as significant contrasts in the placement of particular categories of lexical items are maintained, code-switching inside NP is possible and can result in “creations” such as NPs with postnominal English color adjectives.
Crystal structure of vinblastine

Vinblastine sulfate has been successfully crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor diffusion method against polyethylene glycol and lithium sulfate, and its structure determined by X-ray crystallography. The molecular geometry is rather similar to that of vincristine, with the most notable difference being that the key COOCH3 group in the C18′ position is oriented in an opposite direction from that in vincristine. Half of the 9-membered azacyclononane ring in the catharanthine portion of the molecule is remarkably flat and coplanar with the indole ring, while the other half is in a boat conformation and fused with the piperidine ring in a chair conformation. The title compound crystallizes with an unusually large number of water molecules (nineteen), which form intriguing patterns of interconnected 5-membered rings (and some 6-membered rings) over substantial portions of the unit cell.
Cholesterol Accumulation Sequesters Rab9 and Disrupts Late Endosome Function in NPC1-deficient Cells

Niemann-Pick type C disease is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to massive accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids in late endosomes and lysosomes. To understand how cholesterol accumulation influences late endosome function, we investigated the effect of elevated cholesterol on Rab9-dependent export of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from this compartment. Endogenous Rab9 levels were elevated 1.8-fold in Niemann-Pick type C cells relative to wild type cells, and its half-life increased 1.6-fold, suggesting that Rab9 accumulation is caused by impaired protein turnover. Reduced Rab9 degradation was accompanied by stabilization on endosome membranes, as shown by a reduction in the capacity of Rab9 for guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor-mediated extraction from Niemann-Pick type C membranes. Cholesterol appeared to stabilize Rab9 directly, as liposomes loaded with prenylated Rab9 showed decreased extractability with increasing cholesterol content. Rab9 is likely sequestered in an inactive form on Niemann-Pick type C membranes, as cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptors were missorted to the lysosome for degradation, a process that was reversed by overexpression of GFP-tagged Rab9. In addition to using primary fibroblasts isolated from Niemann-Pick type C patients, RNA interference was utilized to recapitulate the disease phenotype in cultured cells, greatly facilitating the analysis of cholesterol accumulation and late endosome function. We conclude that cholesterol contributes directly to the sequestration of Rab9 on Niemann-Pick type C cell membranes, which in turn, disrupts mannose 6-phosphate receptor trafficking.
Simplified method for synthesizing ampholytes suitable for use in isoelectric focusing of immunoglobulins in agarose gels.

Abstract A method for isoelectric focusing of antibodies in agarose gels with ampholytes synthesized in the laboratory from pentaethylenehexamine is presented. The ampholytes are easy to prepare, give results comparable to those with commercial ampholytes, and are much less expensive. Substituting agrarose bonded to plastic film for the polyacrylamide gels on glass plates commonly used offers many advantages and enhances the usefulness of isoelectric focusing as a tool for studying antibody molecules.
False-Positive Cytological Diagnosis of Lung Carcinoma in Patients with Pulmonary Infarcts

Abstract Cytological examination of specimens obtained from the tracheobronchial tree has become an integral part of the evaluation of pulmonary lesions. Cytological criteria for the diagnosis of carcinoma exist and are well defined. Certain benign processes, however, may possess features strongly suggestive of carcinoma of the lung. We report 3 patients in whom a positive cytological diagnosis of carcinoma of the lung was made by an experienced cytopathologist. At operation each patient was found to have a pulmonary infarct and no evidence of carcinoma. Review of this experience has disclosed cytological and clinical features that should alert the clinician to the possibility that the cytological diagnosis of lung cancer may be misleading in certain nonmalignant diseases.
Synthesis of allyl 3-deoxy- and 4-deoxy-β-D-galactopyranoside and simultaneous preparation of Gal(1 → 2)- and Gal(1 → 3)-linked disaccharide glycosides

Abstract Syntheses of galactose derivatives that are useful in probing te binding specificity of galactose- specific lectins are reported. These include allyl 3-deoxy- and 4-deoxy-β-D-xylo-hexopyranoside and several disaccharide glycosides having Gal( → 2) and Fal(1 →3) linkages. The β-linked Gal disaccharide isomers were produced using 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide, α-D-mannopyranoside, and 2-acetamido-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside as acceptors. Only the Gal(1 → 3)-linked disaccharide was obtained when the benzylidene derivatives of the mannopyranoside and 2-acetamido- 2deoxygalactopyranoside were used. Attempts at the preparation of Gal(α, 1∢ 2)Gal and Gal(α, 1» 3)Gal disaccharide glycosides were made using the same strategy, but employint the 1-trichloro-actimidate or 1-N-methylacetimidate of 2,3,4,6,-tetra-O-benzyl-C-galactopyranose as the glycosyl donor. The latter imidate produced a mixture of Gal(α, 1 » 3)Gal derivatives as major products, but the former gave the Fal(β, 1 » 2)Gal isomer as the major product.
Sulfinyl, α‐Sulfinyl, Sulfonyl, and α‐Sulfonyl Radicals

Abstract The formation and chemistry of sulfinyl, α-sulfinyl, sulfonyl, and α-sulfonyl radicals in a wide variety of systems are described. The mechanisms for radical formation and for their chemical reactivity are discussed. Molecular orbital calculations and spectral properties of the radicals are also included.
Formalism for testing theories of gravity using lensing by compact objects. II. Probing post-post-Newtonian metrics

We study gravitational lensing by compact objects in gravity theories that can be written in a post-post-Newtonian (PPN) framework: i.e., the metric is static and spherically symmetric, and can be written as a Taylor series in ${\mathsf{m}}_{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}/r$, where ${\mathsf{m}}_{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}$ is the gravitational radius of the compact object. Working invariantly, we compute corrections to standard weak-deflection lensing observables at first and second order in the perturbation parameter $\ensuremath{\epsilon}={\ensuremath{\vartheta}}_{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}/{\ensuremath{\vartheta}}_{E}$, where ${\ensuremath{\vartheta}}_{\ifmmode\bullet\else\textbullet\fi{}}$ is the angular gravitational radius and ${\ensuremath{\vartheta}}_{E}$ is the angular Einstein ring radius of the lens. We show that the first-order corrections to the total magnification and centroid position vanish universally for gravity theories that can be written in the PPN framework. This arises from some surprising, fundamental relations among the lensing observables in PPN gravity models. We derive these relations for the image positions, magnifications, and time delays. A deep consequence is that any violation of the universal relations would signal the need for a gravity model outside the PPN framework (provided that some basic assumptions hold). In practical terms, the relations will guide observational programs to test general relativity, modified gravity theories, and possibly the cosmic censorship conjecture. We use the new relations to identify lensing observables that are accessible to current or near-future technology, and to find combinations of observables that are most useful for probing the spacetime metric. We give explicit applications to the galactic black hole, microlensing, and the binary pulsar J0737-3039.
Dynamics of colloidal particles in sheared, non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract The dynamics of colloidal, axisymmetric particles suspended in non-Newtonian, polymeric liquids are examined by using optical techniques that are capable of following their average orientation. Polarimetry measurements of birefringence and dichroism are used on dispersions of colloidal iron oxide spheroids and small-angle light scattering is used on hardened, prolate human red blood cells. A variety of suspending liquids are used including Boger fluids designed to have some of the attributes of a second order fluid under steady state flow conditions, and concentrated polystyrene solutions with rheological properties similar to more commonly encountered polymer liquids. As a result of the non-Newtonian properties of the polymeric suspending fluids, and in particular the presence of normal stresses, the particles were observed to drift out of the orbits associated with their motion in Newtonian fluids. As predicted by Cohen and coworkers, in flows where the elastic forces on the particles dominate Brownian forces, the particles tend to drift away from orientations favoring the flow direction and towards the vorticity axis. When Brownian forces are large compared with the elastic forces, alignments in the flow direction are more probable. This trend, however, was only observed when the Boger fluids were used as suspending fluids. Although the polystyrene solutions possessed shear viscosities and first normal stress difference coefficients that were comparable in magnitude to those of the Boger fluids, only orientations along the flow direction were found.
Amino acid transport during development of Neurospora crassa conidia: substrate repression.

The increasing amino acid transport activity which occurs during germination of Neurospora crassa is repressed by substrate amino acid. This repression acts on the transport systems similarly to competition in that amino acids within a specific transport class (e.g., basic) repress that system. Repression of the other system (neutral-aromatic) by that amino acid is shown to be repression of the general transport system. The level of repression and the rate of derepression after removal of the amino acid appear to depend on the nonrepressed level and rate. The extent of repression caused by increasing the concentration of the amino acid is shown to be different for two amino acids. A mutant deficient in developmental transport for arginine and phenylalanine contains two mutations. The mutation affecting phenylalanine transport maps on linkage group III and results in an accumulation of phenylalanine in the medium, thus repressing the development of this transport activity.
Au(111): A theoretical study of the surface reconstruction and the surface electronic structure

On the reconstructed Au(111) surface, atoms on the surface layer occupy both the hcp and the fcc sites. Using first-principles calculations to obtain the surface energies of the system with the top Au layer occupying the fcc, hcp, top, and bridge sites, we found that the hcp site is only 1 mRy per surface atom higher in energy than the fcc site. The complex Au(111) reconstruction is then discussed with use of a two-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorowa model. We calculated the surface band structure of the Au(111) surface along high-symmetry lines in the surface Brillouin zone, with the top layer occupying the fcc, hcp, and bridge sites. We found that the surface electronic structure is almost independent of the position of the top layer.
Transformation of a type 4 encapsulated strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae strain JNR.7/87 is a highly virulent, type 4 encapsulated Gram-positive bacterium whose transformability has not been tested previously, and whose genome is currently being sequenced. The strain was transformed at very low efficiency by addition of exogenous competence-stimulating peptide: However, the efficiency was too low and irreproducible to be useful in many genetic studies. Therefore, the effects on transformation efficiency of changing different components of competence-stimulating peptide-induced transformation have been examined. Screening of growth media was followed by optimization of pre-induction culture acidification, glycine concentration, and induction time. An optimized protocol was developed whereby S. pneumoniae strain JNR.7/87 was transformed reproducibly with a streptomycin resistance (SmR) marker at an efficiency of ∼105 colony forming units per 108 cells.
Trends in policy sciences research: determinants and developments

. The policy sciences have been evolving as a discipline over the past thirty years, but the development has been less than clear, its directions somewhat uncertain. Still, the founding characteristics, as set forth by its early proponents, have remained relevant and relatively constant. The policy sciences have been defined by their multidisciplinary perspective, their problem-oriented, contextual approach, and their treatment of normative standards. This paper reviews the development of the policy sciences in light of these three hallmarks and observes how each has experienced great variations. Finally, the paper suggests six emerging conditions which could have a significant effect on the future development and practice of the policy sciences.
Synthesis of Crystalline Superlattices by Controlled Crystallization of Modulated Reactants

A series of crystalline superlattice compounds containing an integral number of intergrown transition metal-dichalcogenide layers was prepared through controlled crystallization of Ti/Se/Nb/Se superlattice reactants rather than through epitaxial growth. The component elemental-layer thicknesses and annealing sequence were chosen to favor interfacial nucleation of the component binary compounds. The layered reactants contracted in the c-axis direction during an initial low-temperature anneal as NbSe2 and TiSe2 crystallites nucleated and grew along the interfaces, kinetically trapping the desired superlattice structure. The c-axis domain size increased gradually as a function of annealing time and temperature, yielding high-quality c-axis-oriented TiSe2/NbSe2 crystalline superlattices after annealing at 500°C. The large number of observed 00 diffraction orders permitted the average crystal structure of the superlattice in the direction of the c axis to be determined through a Rietveld analysis.
Afferent-inherent regulation of myosin heavy chain isoforms in rat muscle spindles

Whether afferents exert their morphogenetic influence on spindles through release of trophic factors at intrafusal fiber junctions or via participation in proprioceptive pathways which modulate the motor activity to muscles was investigated by comparing myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in intrafusal fibers after ablation of afferents (deafferentation, or DA) to the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) of adult rats or after ablation of the corresponding central processes of afferents to the spinal cord (central-process ablation, or CPA). DA and CPA elicited an exaggerated pedal plantarflexion, and hypertrophy of the EDL concomitant with atrophy of the soleus in the affected hindlimb. Frequencies and patterns of expression of seven MHCs expressed by intrafusal fibers in CPA muscles were indistinguishable from normal rats. However, frequencies and patterns of expression of several MHCs were abnormal following DA. Thus factors transported anterogradely from afferents to intrafusal fibers may regulate MHC expression in intrafusal fibers.
Predictors for negative ureteroscopy in the management of upper urinary tract stone disease.

Objective To identify factors predictive of negative ureteroscopy (URS). Although computed tomography (CT) scans are sensitive in assessing upper tract calculi, there is increased effort to limit CT radiation exposure. On occasion, patients undergo URS and it is discovered that the stone has already passed. Methods Retrospective chart review was conducted on all URS cases for renal and ureteral stones performed by a single surgeon from August 2003 to May 2008. Renal units were examined separately and excluded for stone size >10 mm, staged procedures, and previously placed ureteral stents. Negative URS cases were compared with those where stones were identified for differences in stone size, location, presence of preoperative pain, time interval since CT, presence of hydronephrosis, and use of medical expulsive therapy (MET). Results Two-hundred fifty-six cases were identified. Twenty-five of 256 renal units (9.8%) did not have stones upon direct visualization. Stone size ( P P = .043) were significantly associated with outcome on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, only stone size was significant ( P Conclusion Negative URS occurred in almost 10% of cases, with reasonable chance of spontaneous stone passage. Our data support smaller stone size and distal location as predictive of negative URS as opposed to preoperative pain, presence of hydronephrosis, and use of MET. Time interval since CT was not predictive. Rate of negative ureteroscopy is not insignificant, thus patients with small, distal stones who elect to undergo URS should be counseled regarding negative URS with an alternative being repeat imaging.
IL-4 receptor-directed cytotoxin for therapy of AIDS-associated KS tumors.

AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS) represents one of the most common malignancies associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. To target effective therapeutic agents, we have discovered that AIDS-KS cells express high-affinity receptors for interleukin-4 (IL-4), a pleiotropic immune regulatory cytokine. Molecular studies have revealed that AIDS-KS cells express type II IL-4 receptors, in which IL-4 forms a productive complex with primary IL-4 binding protein (IL-4R beta, also known as IL-4R alpha) and a shared subunit between IL-4 and IL-13R systems (IL-13R alpha', also known as IL-13R alpha 1). A recombinant fusion protein composed of IL-4 and a mutated form of a powerful bacterial toxin called Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE)--the fusion protein is termed IL4(3837)-PE38KDEL or cpIL4-PE--was found to be highly and specifically cytotoxic to AIDS-KS cells in vitro. Normal human immune cells (e.g., resting T and B cells and monocytes) or endothelial cells, a possible precursor of AIDS-KS, expressed low numbers of IL-4R and showed little or no sensitivity to cpIL4-PE. Administration of cpIL4-PE in nude mice with established subcutaneously growing AIDS-KS tumors produced remarkable antitumor activity in a dose-dependent manner with the highest dose exhibiting complete responses without any visible toxicity. KS tumors produced metabolic changes including cachexia, hypoglycemia and lymphopenia, all of which were prevented by cpIL4-PE treatment. These studies indicate that cpIL4-PE is a promising experimental therapeutic agent for treatment of AIDS-KS.
Fuelling the Ancient Maya Salt Industry

Fuelling the Ancient Maya Salt Industry. The ancient Maya of Paynes Creek National Park in coastal southern Belize produced salt by boiling brine in ceramic vessels above fires. The process requires a constant supply of wood to maintain the fires. Charcoal recovered from Chan B’i, an Early Classic (300–600 C.E.) salt work, provides a record of fuel wood selection within a workshop context. Taxonomic identifications reveal a selection preference for species from both mangrove and broadleaf habitats. Wood from the Chrysobalanaceae family dominates the assemblage. Rhizophora mangle L., Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C.F. Gaertn., and Hieronyma sp. were also preferred wood fuel species. A total of 21 species were identified in the assemblage. Charcoal identifications are considered in terms of selection strategies within a heterogeneous landscape to better understand forest exploitation behavior for wood fuel. Selection follows principles of optimal foraging in which transport cost was a principal concern for foragers.
Electricity generation using an air-cathode single chamber microbial fuel cell in the presence and absence of a proton exchange membrane.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are typically designed as a two-chamber system with the bacteria in the anode chamber separated from the cathode chamber by a polymeric proton exchange membrane (PEM). Most MFCs use aqueous cathodes where water is bubbled with air to provide dissolved oxygen to electrode. To increase energy output and reduce the cost of MFCs, we examined power generation in an air-cathode MFC containing carbon electrodes in the presence and absence of a polymeric proton exchange membrane (PEM). Bacteria present in domestic wastewater were used as the biocatalyst, and glucose and wastewater were tested as substrates. Power density was found to be much greater than typically reported for aqueous-cathode MFCs, reaching a maximum of 262 ± 10 mW/m2 (6.6 ± 0.3 mW/L; liquid volume) using glucose. Removing the PEM increased the maximum power density to 494 ± 21 mW/m2 (12.5 ± 0.5 mW/L). Coulombic efficiency was 40−55% with the PEM and 9−12% with the PEM removed, indicating substantial oxygen diffusion i...
Approximating the Metastable Defect Concentration in Supersaturated Materials: A Case Study of the SrTiO3/TiO2 System

This study calculated an approximate metastable defect concentration necessary to induce precipitation of TiO2 in SrTiO3. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the average relative energies of interfaces in the TiO2/SrTiO3 system. These values were taken as the basis for describing the relevant interfacial thermodynamic terms associated with the activation energy for precipitation. The corresponding average Sr–O vacancy pair defect concentration necessary to induce precipitation in the grain boundary was calculated.
Nonlinear State Estimation of Moving Boundary Heat Exchanger Models for Organic Rankine Cycle Waste Heat Recovery

This paper presents results for nonlinear state estimation of a nonlinear, control-oriented Moving Boundary heat exchanger model derived from energy and mass conservation principles. The estimator design assumes pressure and temperature measurements typically available in waste heat recovery (WHR) applications. An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and a Fixed-Gain state estimator are developed for an open Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The ORC model assumes a nonlinear evaporator dynamic model connected to static expander and throttle valve models. Simulations show that the Fixed-Gain state estimator diverges when initial estimation error is present, and thus is not applicable for the nonlinear model. The EKF provides state estimates regardless of initial estimation error for both the Approximated and Full Jacobians used in the linearization update equations. The estimation error is slightly higher for the Approximated case only at the onset of mass flow rate changes, but shortly converge to zero in both cases. The results suggest the Approximated and Full Jacobians are valid for estimation of a nonlinear ORC in the presence of the examined transient inputs. Furthermore, the results are useful for state feedback control design and heat exchanger performance monitoring.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Electron Microscopy of the Replicative Form of the DNA of the Bacteriophage øX174

Electron micrographs of surface films containing the replicative form of the DNA of bacteriophage φX174 show ring structures, whose average contour length is 1.64 µ. which have the characteristic appearance of double-stranded DNA throughout most of their length.
Ignition Probability and Absolute Minimum Ignition Energy in Fuel Sprays

Abstract Ignition in a one dimensional spray by a short duration source is modeled numerically. The probabilistic nature of spray ignition is discussed using a deterministic approach. The ignition source is modeled by a hot gas region of a defined thickness simulating a pilot flame or a low temperature spark source. For a given drop spacing, the location of the droplet closest to the ignition source determines whether or not the spray ignites. The bounds of droplet location beyond which the spray will not ignite define a droplet location domain for successful spray ignition. The ratio of length of this domain to droplet spacing is defined to be ignition probability. Ignition probabilities and ignition energies are presented for different ignition source thicknesses and overall equivalence ratios. The absolute minimum ignition energy is then obtained at the limit of zero probability. Temperature and fuel species profiles, along with droplet radii and location information, are also presented.