cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemorrhagic Transformation in Focal Cerebral Ischemia: Influence of Time to Artery Reopening and Tissue Plasminogen Activator

We used an adaptation of a well-established rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) that is both minimally invasive and reproducible to determine the effects of time to reperfusion and administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) on the development of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in a rat model of acute stroke. Animals were randomized to receive either t-PA 10 mg/kg (29 rats) or an equal volume of saline (29 rats) over 20 minutes, beginning 5 minutes before reperfusion. Time to artery reopening varied between 1 and 24 hours after MCAO in both groups. At 18-24 hours after ischemia, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were preserved for analysis of HT. Logistic regression was used to determine the influence of time on HT risk and calculate the time at which 50% of animals developed HT (HT50%). At 24 hours, HT was present in 17 of 29 animals in each group and was significantly influenced by the time of artery reopening: 3 (15%) of 20 animals reperfused less than 3 hours after onset of ischemia and 32 (84%) of 38 reperfused 3 or more hours after the onset of ischemia (p<0.001). There was no difference in HT50% between groups. Time to artery reopening is an important determinant of HT risk in this model of cerebral ischemia. This model may have utility in developing strategies to reduce HT formation after thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute stroke.
Racial differences in the frequency of echogenic intracardiac foci in second trimester fetuses

SECOND TRIMESTER FETUSES CRYSTAL JOHNSON, LISA HOLLIER, JOAN MASTROBATTISTA, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Repro Sci, Houston, Texas OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of echogenic intracardiac foci (EIF) in a racially diverse population in second trimester fetuses who are both at low risk and high risk for aneuploidy. STUDY DESIGN: Our ultrasound (US) database was queried from May 2003 to May 2004, for obstetric US examinations from 14 to 22 weeks gestation. All exams were performed transabdominally, and only one exam per fetus was utilized. Multiple gestations and cases without documented ethnicity were excluded. Maternal race was determined by the attending physician and patient self-assignment into the following categories: Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, and Asian (Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Eastern Indian/ Pakistani). Maternal age, gravidity and parity, and the presence of EIF were evaluated. The prevalence of EIF was compared between different racial groups. Statistical analyses included Student’s t test for continuous variables, c for categorical variables, and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 4762 US exams were reviewed; 168 (3.5%) fetuses with EIFs were identified. Significant differences in the percentage of EIF were demonstrated between ethnic groups: African American-5.5%, Asian-4.0%, Caucasian-2.5%, and Hispanic-2.3% (P ! .001). The odds of EIF were increased for African Americans compared to the other ethnic groups (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7, 3.2). EIF were found in 3.9% in women !35 years of age (low risk population) and in 2.6% in women R35 years (high risk population) (P = .03). Median gravidity (P! .001) and parity (P = .04) differed between cases and controls. Adjustment for age and parity did not change the odds of EIF for African Americans. CONCLUSION: EIF prevalence varies in different ethnic groups. A greater proportion of EIFs were found in the African American and Asian populations. Variations in the frequency of soft US markers, such as EIF, among ethnic groups may be important in risk counseling. SMFM Abstracts S177
Computationally efficient vanishing point detection for camera applications

This paper describes a computationally efficient approach to obtain vanishing points in images for consumer electronics applications. It involves modifications of the conventional J-linkage algorithm that is widely used for vanishing point detection. The developed approach involves reducing the number of hypothesis sets and utilizing an initial set of clusters using a skeletal set of edges. Both the computational efficiency and performance aspect of our approach are compared with the conventional J-linkage algorithm by examining the York Urban image database. It is shown that our approach significantly improves the computational efficiency of vanishing point detection while at the same time providing lower errors.
Substrate properties influencing ultrastructural differentiation of mammary epithelial cells in culture.

Abstract Epithelial cells dissociated from mammary glands of midpregnant mice and cultured with lactogenic hormones on plastic or collagen gel substrates have been shown to vary in their extent of differentiation, as identified by the presence of secretory organelles and accumulation and secretion of casein. Morphological and biochemical differentiation was obtained on floating collagen gels. At least four unique factors provided by the floating collagen gel substrates are not found on plastic substrates: access of nutrients to basolateral cell surfaces, close proximity of cells to the medium surface and gas phase, interaction of epithelial cells with stromal elements, and substrate flexibility permitting cell shape change. In this study, we have attempted to assess the relative contributions of these factors in the ultrastructural differentiation of mammary cells in culture. None of these factors alone is responsible for the differentiation achieved when all are present. The novel aspect of this reasearch is the identification of the cells' apparent requirements for basolateral access to nutrients and for freedom to assume a preferred shape in order to achieve differentiation.
Use of Web‐Based Tools to Enhance Collaborative Learning

This paper reports on the implementation of a collaborative learning environment in a graduate course in construction engineering and management at the Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo. This course, which was restructured in 1998, follows a model that could be called “Web-plus” because it takes advantage of Web-centric technologies plus other value-added activities such as studio classes, student's presentations, teamwork, and peer-evaluations to generate a collaborative learning environment following a holistic approach. The paper examines the concept of collaborative learning and how it can be applied in an engineering setting. The pedagogical motivations and cognitive goals behind the implementation of this Web-centric educational model are also explored. A detailed course description is presented including an explanation of MAESTRO, a software tutorial application, a review of the use of virtual portfolios and student-based assessment during formative evaluations. The paper also summarizes the lessons learned from the implementation of this Web-centric educational model.
CHARGE CONVERSION OF IRRADIATED RARE-EARTH IONS IN CaF$sub 2$. II. THERMOLUMINESCENT SPECTRA.

High-resolution emission spectra are observed for individual glow peaks from all the lanthanide ions in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. The crystals are irradiated with x rays (or $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays) at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and subsequently heated. For a given ion, identical spectra are observed for all glow peaks below 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. In all cases where the spectra can be interpreted, the ions responsible for these glow peaks are in sites of cubic symmetry. For some of these ions this is the first time that cubic emission has been seen without the complication of accompanying emission from sites of lower symmetry. The emission above room temperature is always from ions of axial symmetry, which for ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ has been identified as tetragonal. Comparison is also made between ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, and Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. In the last two cases both cubic and trigonal symmetry are observed below room temperature.
Multiband analysis for colored amplitude-modulated ship noise

Propeller radiated cavitation noise is broadband yet audibly rhythmic, taking on the characteristics of amplitude-modulated noise. The study of this process is important because the shaft and blade rates, as well as other identifying features of the ship, can be inferred from the cavitation signal envelope. Unlike the conventional method for estimating the modulation frequency, this paper proposes a multirate subband method applicable to colored signals, and shows the conditions under which it is optimal in the sense of maximum likelihood. Application to actual ship noise data confirms the utility of the new method, yet also reveals previously unobserved signal dynamics, namely acoustic frequency-dependent phase shifts and amplitude variation in the modulation spectrum.
Techniques for ultrastructure synthesis: stabilization of large second-order optical nonlinearities of poled polymers

Ultrastructure synthesis techniques for stabilization of large second order optical nonlinearities of poled polymers are reviewed. These techniques include covalent attachment of chromophores onto polyimide backbones, use of double-end crosslinkable chromophores, crosslinking of main-chain polymers with chromophores as polymer backbone components, and in-situ poling and polymerization of chromophores with multiple functionalities. By using these techniques, second harmonic generation coefficients, measured at 1064 nm wavelength, on the order of 10-7 esu and long term stability of optical nonlinearity at 90 - 125$DEGC have been realized.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The DIX domain targets dishevelled to actin stress fibres and vesicular membranes

Colorectal cancer results from mutations in components of the Wnt pathway that regulate β-catenin levels1. Dishevelled (Dvl or Dsh) signals downstream of Wnt receptors and stabilizes β-catenin during cell proliferation1 and embryonic axis formation2. Moreover, Dvl contributes to cytoskeletal reorganization during gastrulation3,4,5 and mitotic spindle orientation during asymmetric cell division6. Dvl belongs to a family of eukaryotic signalling proteins that contain a conserved 85-residue module of unknown structure and biological function called the DIX domain7. Here we show that the DIX domain mediates targeting to actin stress fibres and cytoplasmic vesicles in vivo. Neighbouring interaction sites for actin and phospholipid are identified between two helices by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Mutation of the actin-binding motif abolishes the cytoskeletal localization of Dvl, but enhances Wnt/β-catenin signalling and axis induction in Xenopus. By contrast, mutation of the phospholipid interaction site disrupts vesicular association of Dvl, Dvl phosphorylation, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. We propose that partitioning of Dvl into cytoskeletal and vesicular pools by the DIX domain represents a point of divergence in Wnt signalling.
ΔFosB enhances the rewarding effects of cocaine while reducing the pro-depressive effects of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50488.

Background Elevated expression of the transcription factor ΔFosB accompanies repeated exposure to drugs of abuse, particularly in brain areas associated with reward and motivation (e.g., nucleus accumbens). The persistent effects of ΔFosB on target genes might play an important role in the development and expression of behavioral adaptations that characterize addiction. This study examines how ΔFosB influences the responsiveness of the brain reward system to rewarding and aversive drugs. Methods We used the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm to assess the effects of cocaine in transgenic mice with inducible overexpression of ΔFosB in striatal regions (including nucleus accumbens and dorsal striatum). Mice implanted with lateral hypothalamic stimulating electrodes were trained with the “rate-frequency” procedure for intracranial self-stimulation to determine the frequency at which stimulation becomes rewarding (threshold). Results A dose-effect analysis of cocaine effects revealed that mice overexpressing ΔFosB show increased sensitivity to the rewarding (threshold-lowering) effects of the drug, compared with littermate control subjects. Interestingly, mice overexpressing ΔFosB were also less sensitive to the pro-depressive (threshold-elevating) effects of U50488 , a kappa-opioid agonist known to induce dysphoria and stress-like effects in rodents. Conclusions These data suggest that induction of ΔFosB in striatal regions has two important behavioral consequences—increased sensitivity to drug reward, and reduced sensitivity to aversion—producing a complex phenotype that shows signs of vulnerability to addiction as well as resilience to stress.
Interface chemistry and surface morphology in the initial stages of growth of GaN and AlN on α-SiC and sapphire

Abstract The morphology and interface chemistry occurring during the initial stages of growth of GaN and AlN layers on α(6H)-SiC and sapphire have been examined. Films were grown using gas source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipment containing an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma source to activate molecular nitrogen. The experiments consisted of sequential depositions of approximately one monolayer followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Evidence for silicon nitride formation on the SiC surface was obtained from the studies of both the Si oxidation states and the substrate peak intensity dependence on film thickness. The growth of GaN on sapphire appeared to occur via Stranski-Krastanov mode, while the growth on SiC showed characteristics of three-dimensional growth. AlN grew in a layer-by-layer mode on both substrates.
Gas-phase Diels–Alder cycloaddition of benzyne to an aromatic hydrocarbon bay region: Groundwork for the selective solvent-free growth of armchair carbon nanotubes

Benzyne, generated in the gas phase by pyrolysis of phthalic anhydride, has been shown to undergo Diels–Alder cycloaddition to the bay region of perylene, a typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, under solvent-free conditions in a high temperature flow system. The initial cycloadduct spontaneously loses two hydrogen atoms, thereby rearomatizing to give naphtho[1,2,3,4-ghi]perylene. Analogous Diels–Alder cycloadditions of benzyne to bay regions on the rims of suitable cylindrical hydrocarbon templates, when followed by rearomatizations and thermal cyclodehydrogenations to join adjacent benzo groups, are proposed as key steps for a directed chemical synthesis of uniform diameter armchair carbon nanotubes.
Bacterial Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in Cave Environments: A Function of Calcium Homeostasis

To determine if microbial species play an active role in the development of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) deposits (speleothems) in cave environments, we isolated 51 culturable bacteria from a coralloid speleothem and tested their ability to dissolve and precipitate CaCO 3 . The majority of these isolates could precipitate CaCO 3 minerals; scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractrometry demonstrated that aragonite, calcite and vaterite were produced in this process. Due to the inability of dead cells to precipitate these minerals, this suggested that calcification requires metabolic activity. Given growth of these species on calcium acetate, but the toxicity of Ca 2+ ions to bacteria, we created a loss-of-function gene knock-out in the Ca 2+ ion efflux protein ChaA. The loss of this protein inhibited growth on media containing calcium, suggesting that the need to remove Ca 2+ ions from the cell may drive calcification. With no carbonate in the media used in the calcification studies, we used stable i...
Treatment of acute asthma in children.

Summary Acute severe asthma in children should be managed by immediate attention to the patient's clinical condition. Careful observation, the use of sequential pulmonary function tests and appropriate blood gas studies will facilitate evaluation of severity. Therapy should be directed at the reversal and7sol;or correction of these abnormalities as well as anticipation of early treatment of potential complications. By the aggressive management of this condition, the incidence of complications can be reduced, the length of hospital stay shortened and substantial morbidity and possible mortality minimized.
Synthesizing artificial dielectric in CMOS with digitally controlled permittivity for Radio-on-a-chip applications

The talk will describe the principle in design and implementation of artificial dielectric with digitally controlled permittivity by using periodic metal strips and active CMOS switches under differential microwave transmission lines in deep-scaled standard CMOS process. The talk will also address its demonstrated circuit/system applications by using implemented digitally controlled artificial dielectric (DiCAD) in direct carrier signal modulation and broadband frequency synthesis for high linearity/efficiency power amplifications. We will also discuss its potentials and limitations in realizing multi-band and software defined microwave/mm-wave radios with dynamic/agile band/mode selection capabilities.
Versatile waveguide-coupled optofluidic devices based on liquid core optical ring resonators

A versatile waveguide-coupled optofluidic device using the liquid core optical ring resonator (LCORR) that can be operated with liquid of any refractive index (RI) is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated. The results confirm the confinement of resonant modes for all sample RIs, and reveal that confined modes in a high-RI core are excited by an external waveguide by resonant tunneling through the LCORR wall. It is further found that a thin wall must be used for effective interaction between the core mode and the waveguide. The results have important applications in optofluidic devices, including sensors, microfluidic lasers, and nonlinear optics.
Recent studies of particle packing in organic coatings

Organic coatings often contain sufficient pigmentation that the pigment volume concentration (PVC) and the critical PVC (CPVC) must be carefully considered. Past work has shown that the CPVC can be identified with the random densest packing of pigment particles after considerations of the adsorbed polymer layer on the particles is taken into account, and that this packing can be predicted by empirical particle packing algorithms developed for mixtures of particle sizes. Recent studies have shown that local fluctuations of pigment and polymer concentrations in a film can lead to local film volumes that can exceed the CPVC even though the average PVC for the whole film (the global PVC) is below the CPVC. These effects are consistent with observations of void formation in films below the CPVC, and can be analyzed by local film statistics. We have also recently performed simulations of particle packing by the compression of multiple hard spheres that allows further insight into local concentration fluctuations in PVC within a film.
Mn porphyrin-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic, MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, targets mouse heart mitochondria.

Abstract The Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ (AEOL-10113) has proven effective in treating oxidative stress-induced conditions including cancer, radiation damage, diabetes, and central nervous system trauma. The ortho cationic pyridyl nitrogens of MnTE-2-PyP5+ are essential for its high antioxidant potency. The exceptional ability of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ to dismute O2·− parallels its ability to reduce ONOO− and CO3−. Decreasing levels of these species are considered its predominant mode of action, which may also involve redox regulation of signaling pathways. Recently, Ferrer-Sueta at al. (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 41:503–512; 2006) showed, with submitochondrial particles, that ≥3 μM MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ was able to protect components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain from peroxynitrite-mediated damage. Our study complements their data in showing, for the first time that micromolar mitochondrial concentrations of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ are obtainable in vivo. For this study we have developed a new and sensitive method for MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ determination in tissues. The method is based on the exchange of porphyrin Mn2+ with Zn2+, followed by the HPLC/fluorescence detection of ZnIITE-2-PyP4+. At 4 and 7 h after a single 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration of MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, the mice (8 in total) were anesthetized and perfused with saline. Mitochondria were then isolated by the method of Mela and Seitz (Methods Enzymol. 55:39–46; 1979). We found MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ localized in heart mitochondria to 2.95 ng/mg protein. Given the average value of mitochondrial volume of 0.6 μL/mg protein, the calculated MnIIITE-2-PyP5+ concentration is 5.1 μM, which is sufficient to protect mitochondria from oxidative damage. This study establishes, for the first time, that MnIIITE-2-PyP5+, a highly charged metalloporphyrin, is capable of entering mitochondria in vivo at levels sufficient to exert there its antioxidant action; such a result encourages its development as a prospective therapeutic agent.
Asset Pricing Information in Vintage REIT Returns: An Information Subset Test

REIT return data prior to the new REIT era offer important asset pricing information. At issue is whether empiricists should focus attention on returns series covering only the new period. We use a generalized asset pricing and information subset test to disentangle REIT information from information available in several benchmark series. Results indicate that REIT returns are informative about the discounting process during the pre–new-era period. Thus, the distribution of vintage REIT returns is not fully explained by either broad market indexes or from size-based anomalies. This study should be viewed as a useful empirical precedent for those studying REIT data preceding the new REIT era.
U.S. regulatory framework for genetic biocontrol of invasive fish

This paper provides an overview of the U.S. regulatory framework governing genetic biocontrol efforts for invasive fish. Genetic biocontrol refers to the intentional release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment to control a target population of a non-native species. The terms “genetically modified” and “genetically engineered” are often used interchangeably, despite the scientific distinctions. A GMO is an organism that has had its genetic material altered or modified by humans through any method, including conventional breeding. Genetic engineering, as defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the use of recombinant DNA techniques to introduce new characteristics or traits into an organism. GE organisms are therefore a subset of GMOs. As this paper will discuss, existing laws focus on GE organisms raising significant questions as to whether organisms modified without utilizing rDNA techniques fall within the jurisdiction of any federal agency. Under the 1986 Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology, three federal agencies have primary responsibility over biotechnology—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the FDA. Because the EPA has exempted biological control agents from regulation as pesticides and no fish species are currently considered plant pests, the FDA is the agency responsible for approving the use of genetically engineered fish for biocontrol. FDA regulates genetically engineered animals through its New Animal Drug Application (NADA) process. The NADA process presents several challenges to effective and transparent regulation of genetic biocontrol, including the FDA’s focus on drug safety, secrecy provisions potentially limiting disclosure of the results of environmental reviews, and the secondary role of the Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency with the most experience with invasive species management. In addition, relying on the NADA process creates a significant regulatory gap as NADA approval is only required for GE organisms. The regulatory framework for GMOs created for genetic biocontrol without rDNA technology is unclear and primary responsibility may fall to the states. Given its extensive experience with hatcheries, invasive fish species control, and environmental reviews, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the more appropriate agency to review applications for genetic biocontrol. Efforts should be undertaken now, while genetic biocontrol is still in the theoretical stages, to increase the role of the FWS in the permitting process either through formal regulations or more informal mechanisms such as memorandum of understanding.
The TV Turtle a Logo graphics system for raster displays

Until recently, most computer graphics systems have been oriented toward the display of line drawings, continually refreshing the screen from a display list of vectors. Developments such as plasma panel displays and rapidly declining memory prices have now made feasible raster graphics systems, which instead associate some memory with each point on the screen, and display points according to the contents of the memory. This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of such systems. Raster systems permit operations which are not feasible on vector displays, such as reading directly from the screen as well as writing it, and manipulating two dimensional areas as well as vectors. Conceptual differences between programming for raster and vector systems are illustrated with a description of the author's TV Turtle, a graphics system for raster scan video display terminals. This system is imbedded in Logo, a Lisp-like interactive programming language designed for use by kids, and is based on Logo's turtle geometry approach to graphics. Logo provides powerful ideas for using graphics which are easy for kids to learn, yet generalize naturally when advanced capabilities such as primitives for animation and color are added to the system.
Dynamic Mode Switching and Loosely Coupled Conformational Events Observed in Single Ribosomes

During protein synthesis transfer RNA (tRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) translocate through the ribosome in a rapid and stepwise fashion, a process that is catalyzed by the GTPase elongation factor G (EF-G). Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) measurements show that the ribosome complex can spontaneously adopt a key translocation intermediate in the absence of nucleotide hydrolysis. By obtaining smFRET data from multiple structural perspectives, we observe that tRNA and EF-G restructure the ribosome energy landscape, increasing the rate at which this intermediate is achieved. In particular, EF-G binding induces a fast dynamic mode of the L1 stalk, which facilitates rapid and reversible formation of the translocation intermediate. Bulk measurements indicate that the extent of conformational coupling is important in determining the rate of translocation. When the extent of coupling is increased, a faster rate of translocation is achieved. The rate of translocation is decreased when the conformational changes are further decoupled, such as by the addition of the antibiotic viomycin. Thus, the extent of coupling of conformational processes on the ribosome may present a new mechanism for the regulation of gene expression.
Variables affecting the supercritical fluid extraction of analytes from octadecylsilane solid-phase sorbents

Abstract The relative effects of the numerous variables which can influence the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) efficiencies of analytes from solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents is discussed. SFE efficiencies are not only influenced by experimental variables such temperature and pressure (density), but also by sample/matrix variables, extraction vessel variables and collection variables. The significance of many of these variables are underrated, and studies aimed at quantitative comparison of these variables have generally focused on extraction of analytes from endogenous matrices, rather than SPE sorbents such as those evaluated here. The relative effects of temperature and density have been quantitatively compared for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and methoxychlor from octadecylsilane sorbents. Under the conditions studied, the effect of temperature was found to be of equal importance to that of density, and either could be used to vary the recovery of analytes over an extremely wide range. A more thorough knowledge of the relative effects of all of the controllable variables should facilitate optimization of SFE of analytes from SPE sorbents for maximum selectivity as well as maximum overall recoveries.
The Four Domains of Moral Education: The Contributions of Dewey, Alexander and Goleman to a Comprehensive Taxonomy.

Abstract This paper seeks to place a neglected dimension of John Dewey's work into its proper context‐‐and in so doing define four domains of moral education. An examination of the influence of F. Matthias Alexander on Dewey reveals that these writers clearly anticipated the research and ideas which Daniel Goleman has recently sought to popularise in his book Emotional Intelligence.Among Goleman's conclusions is the recommendation that the education of moral character needs to consciously address the development of “emotional habits” and foster “emotional literacy”. An examination of the contributions of Dewey, Alexander and Goleman points toward an internal as well as an external domain of moral education and development: each of which may be approached directly or indirectly. Consequently, a truly comprehensive model of moral education must address each of these four domains:Direct External, Indirect External, Direct Internal and Indirect Internal.
Arp2/3-Dependent Psuedocleavage Furrow Assembly in Syncytial Drosophila Embryos

Abstract Background: In syncytial blastoderm Drosophila embryos, actin caps assemble during telophase. As the cell cycle progresses through interphase, these small caps expand and fuse to form pseudocleavage furrows that are structurally related to the cleavage furrows that assemble during somatic cell division. The molecular mechanism driving cell cycle coordinated actin reorganization from the caps to the furrows is not understood. Results: We show that Drosophila embryos contain a typical Arp2/3 complex and that components of this complex localize to the margins of the expanding caps, to mature pseudocleavage furrows, and to somatic cell cleavage furrows during the postcellularization embryonic divisions. A mutation that disrupts the arpc1 subunit of Arp2/3 leads to spindle fusions that are characteristic of pseudocleavage furrow disruption. By contrast, this mutation does not significantly affect nuclear positioning during interphase, which is dependent on actin cap function. In vivo analysis of actin reorganization demonstrates that the arpc1 mutation does not prevent assembly of small actin caps but blocks cap expansion and furrow assembly as the cell cycle progresses through interphase. The scrambled gene is also required for cap expansion and furrow assembly, and Scrambled is required for Arp2/3 localization to the cap margins. Conclusions: The Drosophila Arp2/3 complex and Scrambled protein are required for actin cap expansion and pseudocleavage furrow formation during the syncytial blastoderm divisions. We propose that Scrambled-dependent localization of Arp2/3 to the margins of the expanding caps triggers local actin polymerization that drives cap expansion and pseudocleavage furrow assembly.
Real-time digital simulation-based modeling of a single-phase single-stage PV system

Abstract This paper presents real-time digital simulation-based modeling of a single-phase single-stage PV system. Discrete models of voltage source converter (VSC) controls, including proportional resonant (PR) current control and phase-locked-loop (PLL) are developed in RT-LAB. An improved incremental conductance-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method that can mitigate error signal spikes is proposed and modeled in RT-LAB as well. Simulation results demonstrate the faster response of the proposed MPPT and the real-time simulation performance of the developed system model.
Nutrition of the Mouse. IV. Comparison of Bacterial Population of Two Highly Inbred Strains.

Summary and Conclusions1. Studies were made to determine whether there is a difference in the weight and bacterial population of the cecal contents of mice of the C57 and A strains, which were the same age and received the same diet.2. The C57 animals fed a synthetic diet (No. 101) had a significantly greater amount of cecal contents and bacterial count per cecum than the A strain mice of the same age and fed the same diet. Although most of the bacterial flora appeared to be the same in the 2 strains, a Gram-negative, anaerobic rod did occur more frequently in the C57 mice than in the A strain.3. There was no significant difference between the black and white mice of the same age fed the stock ration with respect to weight of cecal contents or bacterial count per cecum. The young black mice may have had a more diverse flora than the white mice of the same age.4. It was postulated that this greater weight of cecal contents with its higher bacterial population in the C57 mice might help to explain the lower...
Incompletely Protective Refuges: Selection and Associated Defences by a Lizard, Cordylus cordylus (Squamata: Cordylidae)

Despite recent interest in refuge use, refuge characteristics and their relationships to refuge-associated antipredatory defences have been relatively neglected. These topics were studied experimentally in the Cape girdled lizard, Cordylus cordylus. Lizards used crevices in novel situations under uncertain risk and when confronted by a human simulated predator. They preferred narrow crevices opening on only one side at ground level and orientated horizontally. Narrowness restricts access by predators, reduces detectability to a small visual angle and permits use of crevice-specific defences, making the lizards difficult to dislodge. Limiting openings to one side decreases detectability by reducing light, limits attacks to one direction and permits further withdrawal from any opening. Crevices at ground level confer greater distance from and reduced visibility to an overhead predator. Horizontal orientation may reduce visibility to an overhead predator, but the preference could be an artefact of the greater ease of entering horizontal crevices. Pheromonal labelling of crevices by conspecific males did not influence short-term crevice choices by males. Within crevices, C. cordylus pressed their dorsal surfaces against crevice roofs, pushing upward with their legs. They also positioned their tails to block access by predators to their bodies. We discuss these and related crevice-associated defences in other animals.
American Republicanism and the fin-de-siècle imperialism debate

Aristotelian republicanism rests on an important premise, that persuasion is more virtuous than coercion. Nonetheless, there is an uneasy tension between the two approaches to rule in the republican tradition. This is particularly true with respect to Aristotle's views on foreign policy, wherein coercive means of bringing about justice among nations may be viewed as much an offspring of republican thought as the exercise of moral suasion to the same end. This article takes this interesting tension in Aristotelian republican thought and attempts to apply it as an exegetical lens for looking into the republican ideological contours of the fin-de-siecle American imperialism debate. Particular attention is paid to how the tension in republican approaches to rule informed and helped give shape to the debate. Analysed through this lens is the rhetoric of two of the debate's most important exponents, Theodore Roosevelt, advocating greater coercive means, and Carl Schurz, an advocate of moral suasion.
Nanofluid bioconvection in water-based suspensions containing nanoparticles and oxytactic microorganisms: oscillatory instability

The aim of this article is to propose a novel type of a nanofluid that contains both nanoparticles and motile (oxytactic) microorganisms. The benefits of adding motile microorganisms to the suspension include enhanced mass transfer, microscale mixing, and anticipated improved stability of the nanofluid. In order to understand the behavior of such a suspension at the fundamental level, this article investigates its stability when it occupies a shallow horizontal layer. The oscillatory mode of nanofluid bioconvection may be induced by the interaction of three competing agencies: oxytactic microorganisms, heating or cooling from the bottom, and top or bottom-heavy nanoparticle distribution. The model includes equations expressing conservation of total mass, momentum, thermal energy, nanoparticles, microorganisms, and oxygen. Physical mechanisms responsible for the slip velocity between the nanoparticles and the base fluid, such as Brownian motion and thermophoresis, are accounted for in the model. An approximate analytical solution of the eigenvalue problem is obtained using the Galerkin method. The obtained solution provides important physical insights into the behavior of this system; it also explains when the oscillatory mode of instability is possible in such system.
SOME TECHNIQUES FOR MAXIMIZING A TEST'S VALIDITY WHEN THE CRITERION VARIABLE IS UNOBSERVED1

A set of techniques is presented for constructing a test or test battery which can be inferred to correlate as highly as possible with a hypothetical construct which is named but not measured directly. Use of the techniques requires the test constructor to describe first the nature of the construct indirectly, by estimating the relative sizes of the construct's correlations with several observable variables which the test constructor has selected. Techniques are also described for estimating the validity of a test constructed by these methods. THE PROBLEM A General Problem One of the most familiar problems in the area of mental measurement is the problem of selecting or weighting a set of items or subtests in order to construct a test composite which is optimum in some sense. A great many methods for proceeding have been proposed (cf. Gulliksen, 1950), which produce composites with various properties. While a great many of these methods are designed to maximize some property of a test (e.g. internal consistency) related to validity, very few start from some clear statistical definition of validity itself and then proceed in a mathematically justified way to construct a test or composite with maximum validity by the definition. The principal exception to this statement consists of methods like multiple regression and its variants, which define validity simply as a test's correlation with an observed criterion variable, and then proceed to construct a test or composite for which that correlation is maximized. Except for one method proposed by Gulliksen (which has received insufficient attention in the literature and which will be discussed briefly later), there seems to be no mathematically justified method for maximizing the validity of a test or composite when a test's validity is defined as the test's correlation with a hypothetical construct which is specified but not measured directly. If we use the term "construct validity" to mean validity as inferred by any means other than simple correlation with an observed criterion variable (thereby including content validity and other types of validity within our term), then we can say that there is no mathematically justified method for weighting variables to maximize construct validity, other than the one method by Gulliksen to be mentioned later. This paper represents an attempt to partly fill this gap. Exactly what part of the gap we hope to fill will be described in the next section. The Specific Problem We Seek to Answer We assume in this paper that the test under construction is being designed to measure or predict some construct. We assume that there is no overt measure of this construct available; if there were, then that measure could be used as an ob
Effects and mechanisms of action of motilin on the cat sphincter of Oddi

The effects of motilin on gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi motor activity and transphincteric flow were studied in the cat in vivo. Motilin at doses of up to 1 microgram/kg had no effect on gallbladder motility. Increasing doses of intraarterial motilin (32-256 ng/kg) caused an increase in tonic pressures and in the force of phasic contractions of the sphincter of Oddi (p less than 0.001). Simultaneous measurements of myoelectric activity and transphincteric flow showed that motilin caused an increase in the frequency of spike bursts with a concomitant dose-dependent decrease in flow (p less than 0.001). The action of motilin was unaffected by extrinsic denervation (cervical vagotomy or splanchnicectomy), hexamethonium, and propranolol. Atropine, methysergide, or phentolamine partially blocked the excitatory effect of motilin (p less than 0.05), whereas tetrodotoxin, a combination of atropine and methysergide, or naloxone completely blocked its effects (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that (a) motilin decreases sphincter of Oddi flow by increasing its motor activity and (b) motilin activates an intramural excitatory pathway that appears to consist of opiate, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurons.
Risk Factors for Asthma Prevalence Among Urban and Nonurban African American Children

Urban residence is a risk factor for asthma. We examined multiple risk factors simultaneously among African American children. We interviewed 2409 African American mothers of newborns who had at least 1 child at home under 18 years of age. Sixteen percent reported at least 1 child with physician-diagnosed asthma. Significantly associated with an asthmatic child were maternal asthma and allergies, maternal cigarette smoking, a humidifying device, and a gas range or oven in the home. Urban residence was related to asthma but became nonsignificant once other factors were controlled for. Asthma associated with urban residence may be explained by identifiable factors.
Lexical Acculturation and Ethnobiology: Utilitarianism versus Intellectualism

Are folk-biological classification and naming informed by utilitarianist considerations (usefulness of plants and animals to people) or by intellectualist concerns (interest in species simply because they are there)? This question is investigated by examining the semantic content of native labels from Amerindian languages for living things introduced by Europeans to the New World. Such terms can be "utilitarian" in nature, for example, Cherokee "he carries heavy things" for horse, or "morphological" in nature, for example, Mataco "large tapir" for horse. This nomenchtural evidence indicates that the utility of living things is not an especially salient aspect of their conceptual cognition and, thus, lends support to the intellectualist argument.
A Ring Model for the Study of Multiplication for Complement Codes

A model is presented which, when modulo addition is used, can be used to derive multiplication correction schemata for operands expressed in either the radix complement or the diminished radix complement code.
Measuring the economic impact of a state park system

A low cost approach to estimating the economic impact on local communities of a comprehensive state park system is described. The expenditures of 51,603 visitors at 29 parks were collected, extrapolated to an additional 60 parks, and used as inputs to derive estimates of economic impact on the parks' local areas using four measures: labor income, value added, output and jobs. The potential of those kinds of analyses for positively influencing elected officials' budget decisions for parks is illustrated.
Remarks on identity and description in first-order axiom systems

? 1. Hilbert and Ackermann ([1], p. 107) define a first order axiom system as one in which the axioms contain one or more predicate constants, but no predicate variables. Here "axiom" refers to the specific subject-matter axioms and not to the rules of the restricted predicate calculus (quantification theory), which rules are presupposed for each first-order system. It is pointed out by them that an exception could be made for the predicate of identity; for the axiom scheme for this predicate, namely
Flavivirus DNA Vaccines—Good Science, Uncertain Future

The flaviviruses are the most medically significant vectorborne viral pathogens in the world. Yellow fever virus and the 4 dengue virus serotypes are leading causes of viral hemorrhagic fever and shock, and Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, and tickborne encephalitis virus produce tens of thousands of cases of viral encephalitis annually [1, 2]. Although considerable resources are directed toward prevention and control efforts, many extant strategiesavoidance of exposure to vectors, vector control, and vaccination-are ineffective or have uncertain or low benefits relative to
The relationship of emotional and tangible support to psychological well-being among older women with heart failure

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social support, symptom severity, and psychological well-being in older women with heart failure. In-home interviews were conducted with 80 older women following a hospital admission for heart failure. Subjects were asked their perceptions of emotional and tangible support received, symptom severity, and psychological well-being. Greater emotional support was related to greater positive affect and satisfaction with life. Greater tangible support was related to less negative affect. Neither emotional nor tangible support buffered symptom severity. The results indicate that emotional and tangible support may each affect different aspects of psychological well-being in older women with heart failure.
Filling holes in complex surfaces using volumetric diffusion

We address the problem of building watertight 3D models from surfaces that contain holes - for example, sets of range scans that observe most but not all of a surface. We specifically address situations in which the holes are too geometrically and topologically complex to fill using triangulation algorithms. Our solution begins by constructing a signed distance function, the zero set of which defines the surface. Initially, this function is defined only in the vicinity of observed surfaces. We then apply a diffusion process to extend this function through the volume until its zero set bridges whatever holes may be present. If additional information is available, such as known-empty regions of space inferred from the lines of sight to a 3D scanner, it can be incorporated into the diffusion process. Our algorithm is simple to implement, is guaranteed to produce manifold non-interpenetrating surfaces, and is efficient to run on large datasets because computation is limited to areas near holes.