cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross‐functional involvement in new product development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to garner multiple perspectives from cross‐functional new product development (NPD) team members and determine point of contact in and responsibilities throughout the development process.Design/methodology/approach – The use of an integrative literature review and in‐depth interviews were two qualitative approaches to data collection in the study of cross‐functional NPD. A convenience sample initiated research efforts, then snowball sampling facilitated the completion of semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews among 94 team members in 11 firms. The literature review culled research from fields as distinct as communication, industrial design, and research and development. The in‐depth, semi‐structured design provided the permitted open‐ended investigation and some unplanned questions. Face‐to‐face questioning allowed for the reading of facial expressions, other forms of body language, and the free pursuit of interesting subtopics. The study design utilized a 19‐quest...
Instruction level parallelism of non-uniform acyclic loops

New applications involving multi-rate systems, data compression and mathematical series, require high computational power, which most of the time implies the use of parallel processing. When the parallelism is associated with super-scalar architectures, code optimization must be applied at the instruction level in order to produce the desired performance. These improvements are usually applied to loop constructs due to their recurrence and criticality in the behavior of the application. Loop optimization has been studied for a very long time and, presently, it is still a complex subject to discuss in the classroom. In this study, the retiming theory is revisited and extended to the case of non-uniform one-dimensional acyclic loops with linear index expressions. The paper provides a new dimension in the study of this loop optimization technique.
Determining Future Success of College Students

Many people invest a lot of money in order to go to college with the hope that they will eventually be rewarded with higher salaries. This paper attempts to determine what aspects of college are most important in determining the future income of students. In particular, this paper studies whether GPA is an important determinant of income as well as whether some majors are better investments than others after controlling for other factors. In addition, the effect of math and verbal ability on income and how they interact with different fields of study are examined. The data comes from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth database and OLS regressions are used. The regression results show that grades, natural ability, and major all significantly affect income. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol5/iss1/7 Determining Future Success of College Students
Antihistamine blockade of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Abstract The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was produced in the rabbit by injecting human menopausal gonadotropin. It then was demonstrated that the production of this syndrome can be blocked by administration of an antihistamine in a dosage known to be capable of abolishing a histamine-mediated inflammatory response.
Medicinal Chemistry of α4β2 Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptor Ligands

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a systematic and fairly logical narrative of studies that have been performed over the past few years to understand the medicinal chemistry and neuronal nicotinic cholinergic (nACh) receptor binding of nicotinic ligands. The medicinal chemistry of nicotinic cholinergic ligands suffers from several major problems that are related to multiple subtypes of receptors (making it difficult to determine selectivity), species differences, and efficacy issues. New nicotinic ligands have proliferated at an unprecedented rate over the past decade, but few can be claimed to be truly selective. The binding of relatively few agents has been examined at multiple nACh populations, and even less is known concerning their functional (agonist, partial agonist, and antagonist) activity at each subtype. As a consequence, it is nearly impossible to refer to any of the ligands as being a selective agonist or selective antagonist. A further complication arises from agents that interact with nACh receptors in a non-competitive fashion that might have an indirect influence on binding or functional activity.
Structure-Activity Relationships for Growth Inhibition and Induction of Apoptosis by 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal in Raw 264.7 Cells

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a highly reactive lipid aldehyde byproduct of the peroxidation of cellular membranes. The structure of HNE features three functional groups, a C1 aldehyde, a C2==C3 double bond, and a C4- hydroxyl group, each of which may contribute to the toxicity of the compound. In addition, the length of the aliphatic chain may influence toxic potency by altering lipophilicity. Using analogous compounds that lacked one or more of the structural moieties, the role of each of these structural motifs in the cytotoxicity of HNE was examined in a mouse alveolar macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) by a cell survival and growth assay. The importance of these functional groups in the potency of HNE for induction of apoptosis was also examined. The rank order of effects on toxicity was C1---aldehyde >/= C2==C3 double bond >> C4---hydroxyl, with parallel results in both the survival/growth inhibition and apoptosis induction assays. The chain length also influenced toxicity in a series of alpha,beta-unsaturated alkenyl aldehydes, with increasing chain length yielding increasing toxicity. To confirm the importance of the aldehyde moiety, and to examine the role of metabolic detoxification in cellular defenses against HNE toxicity, a RAW 264.7 cell line overexpressing human aldehyde dehydrogenase-3 (hALDH3) was generated. This cell line exhibited nearly complete protection against HNE-protein adduct formation as well as HNE-induced apoptosis. These results illustrate the comparative significance of key structural features of HNE in relation to its potent toxicity and induction of apoptosis.
Use of viscoelastic coagulation testing to monitor low molecular weight heparin administration to healthy horses

Objectives To evaluate the utility of thromboelastography (TEG) and Sonoclot analyses to monitor the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration to healthy horses. Design Randomized crossover study. Setting Large animal veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Six adult mixed breed healthy mares. Interventions LMWH (dalteparin) was administered (50 U/kg subcutaneously) either every 12 or 24 h for 3 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected before LMWH administration and then at selected time points for analysis. Thromboelastography derived R-time (R), K-time (K), angle (ANG), and maximum amplitude (MA), and Sonoclot activated clot time (ACT), clot rate (CR), and platelet function (PF) were measured in whole blood 30 min after sample collection. Change (Δ) and percentage change (%Δ) from baseline of each TEG and Sonoclot variable were subsequently calculated. Anti-factor Xa activity and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were assayed in harvested plasma. The association between anti-factor Xa activity and TEG and Sonoclot (measured and calculated) variables was assessed by calculating correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The ability of measured and calculated TEG and Sonoclot variables to predict when anti-factor Xa activity fell below suggested thromboprophylactic levels was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Measurements and Main Results The correlation between aPTT and anti-factor Xa activity was weak (r = 0.343). Changes in TEG and Sonoclot variables following LMWH administration were consistent with hypocoagulation. All measured and calculated TEG variables were significantly correlated with anti-factor Xa activity. Sonoclot ACT, ΔACT, CR, ΔCR, and %ΔCR were also significantly correlated with anti-factor Xa activity. TEG ΔR and %ΔR best predicted anti-factor Xa activity below the suggested thromboprophylactic level. Conclusions Although correlations were modest, serial measurement of TEG variables may be used to monitor LMWH therapy in horses; however, further research is required in sick horses.
Quantitation of postexercise lung thallium-201 uptake during single photon emission computed tomography

To test the hypothesis that analysis of lung thallium uptake measured during single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) yields supplementary clinical information as reported for planar imaging, quantitative analysis of lung thallium uptake following maximal exercise was performed in 40 clinically normal subjects (Group 1) and 15 angiographically normal subjects (Group 2). Lung thallium uptake was measured from anterior projection images using a ratio of heart-to-lung activities. Seventy subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) (Group 3) determined by angiography (greater than or equal to 70% luminal stenosis) underwent thallium perfusion SPECT. Thirty-nine percent of these subjects had multivessel and 61% had single vessel CAD. Lung thallium uptake was elevated in 47 of 70 (67%) Group 3 subjects. Group 3 subjects with elevated lung thallium uptake did not differ from Group 3 subjects with normal lung thallium uptake with respect to extent or distribution of coronary artery disease, left ventricular function, or severity of myocardial ischemia as determined by exercise and redistribution thallium SPECT. Thus, the measurement of thallium lung uptake from anterior projection images obtained during SPECT frequently identifies patients with CAD, but it may not provide supplementary information regarding the extent of myocardial ischemia or ventricular dysfunction.
Highly sensitive electronic whiskers based on patterned carbon nanotube and silver nanoparticle composite films

Mammalian whiskers present an important class of tactile sensors that complement the functionalities of skin for detecting wind with high sensitivity and navigation around local obstacles. Here, we report electronic whiskers based on highly tunable composite films of carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles that are patterned on high-aspect-ratio elastic fibers. The nanotubes form a conductive network matrix with excellent bendability, and nanoparticle loading enhances the conductivity and endows the composite with high strain sensitivity. The resistivity of the composites is highly sensitive to strain with a pressure sensitivity of up to ∼8%/Pa for the whiskers, which is >10× higher than all previously reported capacitive or resistive pressure sensors. It is notable that the resistivity and sensitivity of the composite films can be readily modulated by a few orders of magnitude by changing the composition ratio of the components, thereby allowing for exploration of whisker sensors with excellent performance. Systems consisting of whisker arrays are fabricated, and as a proof of concept, real-time two- and three-dimensional gas-flow mapping is demonstrated. The ultrahigh sensitivity and ease of fabrication of the demonstrated whiskers may enable a wide range of applications in advanced robotics and human–machine interfacing.
Thermistor Measurement of Male Sexual Arousal

Penile erection is accompanied by genital vasocongestion which increases penile skin temperature. These changes should be measurable using thermistors attached to the penis. The present study compared the UUT51J1 Uni-Curve thermistor placed on the penis with the Barlow strain gauge in the assessment of sexual arousal in 8 heterosexual males. Sexual stimuli consisted of 3, 3-min exposures to heterosexually explicit black-and-white videotapes. The results indicated that the two measures were highly positively correlated with each other and with self-report. However, the strain gauge followed detumescence more closely than the thermistor and was more strongly correlated with subjective arousal. Also, the two probes differed as to when they reached peak response. The strain gauge typically reached its highest point prior to the end of the film, while the thermistor always peaked during the early post-film interval. The thermistor's slow transition from temperature increases to decreases during the initial moments of detumescence appeared to be its principal shortcoming as a measure of male sexual arousal.
Partial pharmacodynamic model for the circadian-episodic secretion of cortisol in man.

A pharmacodynamic model was developed to facilitate computer analysis of the circadian-episodic influx of cortisol into plasma from the adrenal gland. The model consists of a catenary system of a biorhythmic control, the adrenal gland, and a body compartment containing circulating cortisol. Computer nonlinear regression analysis was carried out on data consisting of plasma cortisol concentrations measured at 30-min intervals over 1 day in a group of normal children. Circadian rhythmic synthesis of cortisol by the adrenal gland was described by a sinusoidal function which provides the level (284 ± 50 μg/h/m2) and amplitude (245 ± 50 μg/h/m2) of the synthesis rate and theperiod (24 hours) and acrophase (8.14 ± 1.95 h) of the cycle. Cosinor analysis of the data confirmed ahighly significant circadian rhythm in the daily synthesis rate of cortisol. Episodic secretion, described by an empirical switch function, is assumed to result from accumulation of small amounts of cortisol precursors in the adrenal gland ...
Data Management Consulting at the Johns Hopkins University.

As research data complexity and quantity grows and funding agency requirements for data management are articulated, there is a growing need for data management services (DMS). Within these services, one important role emerging is that of data management consultant (DMC). Roles were analyzed that these professionals play through case study analysis in the context of the Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Findings are reported in terms of the lifecycle of data, the functions of DMCs, the requirements placed upon them, and the roles such individuals play in the success of the DMS.
“Bridging the Gap” within a Class: Managing a Range of Proficiency Levels in a Third-Year German Course

While much attention has been paid to the gap between beginning language instruction and literature courses, there is another gap which presents significant challenges to college instructors, namely the gap in proficiency levels between students in the same third-year course. This article argues that bridging this particular gap can productively challenge students as well as increase retention rates by fostering individualized learning goals. In addition, it makes practical suggestions for creating and selecting exercises from a commonly-used advanced college textbook in order to accommodate students of various ability levels in the same class.
The Effect of Age on Reproduction in Repeatedly Mated Female Rats

The effects of age and repeated pregnancies on reproduction were studied in Long-Evans rats. Indices of reproduction measured included estrous cycles, successful mating, numbers of rats producing litters, average litter size, average pup weight and serum LH-from a 4 pm proestrous blood sample. There were no differences in these reproductive parameters between rats with serial pregnancies initiated at 2 or 9 mo of age. The percentage of rats producing normal litters was reduced much faster than the percentage of successfully mated rats with normal ovarian cycles. Although 60% of the rats still had normal ovarian cycles and were mated at 17 mo of age, only one rat (4%) produced a litter. Increasing age and multiple pregnancies did not significantly affect the LH concentration of the proestrous blood sample or the average litter size or pup weight of the rats with successful pregnancies. These data suggest post-ovulatory loss of reproduction in the aging rat.
Disbond detection in adhesively-bonded structures using piezoelectric wafer active sensors

Adhesively bonded joints between metallic and composite plates are gaining increasing acceptance in safety critical applications such as automotive and aerospace structures. Lamb wave methods have considerable potential for the inspection of adhesive joints and assemblies for two reasons: they do not require direct access to the bond region, and they are much more amenable to rapid scanning than are compression wave techniques. Lamb waves can be excited in one plate of a bonded assembly, propagated across the joint region, and received in the second plate of the assembly. The paper will present a study of the use of guided Lamb waves for disbond detection in adhesively bonded layered media using piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS). The focus is on developing and compare methods for damage and disbond detection in adhesively bonded structures. For far-field detection, propagating Lamb waves will be used in pitch-catch and pulse-echo modes. The pitch-catch method will send Lamb waves across the adhesive joint, while the pulse-echo method will send Lamb waves along the joint line. For near-field detection, high-frequency standing Lamb waves will be used to evaluate the presence of disbond from the changes in the mechanical impedance of the bonded joint. The standing wave approach is achieved with the self-sensing electromechanical impedance method. Both, the propagating and the standing Lamb waves are generated with the same PWAS installation. The combination of far-field and near-field damage detection in the same sensor installation is a unique feature of our work.
Polynomial approximate solutions to the Boussinesq equation

Abstract We provide closed-form approximate solutions to models of horizontal infiltration described by the Boussinesq equation in a semi-infinite aquifer that is initially dry. The approximations preserve such important qualitative properties as scaling and wetting fronts. They are applicable to four types of boundary conditions, two on head and two on flux, enumerated in the paper. All the considered problems admit self-similar variables that allow reduction to boundary value problems for a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. This work extends recent results by Lockington et al. [Lockington DA, Parlange J-Y, Parlange MB, Selker J. Similarity solution of the Boussinesq equation. Adv Water Resour 2000;23(7):725–9] and Telyakovskiy et al. [Telyakovskiy AS, Braga GA, Furtado F. Approximate similarity solutions to the Boussinesq equation. Adv Water Resour 2002;25(2):191–4], with new approximations developed for two of the four cases and a new extension of a previously existing method for a third case. Numerical results extending the work of Shampine [Shampine LF. Some singular concentration dependent diffusion problems. ZAMM 1973;53:421–2] provide a basis for assessing the accuracy of the new methods.
Clinical Child Psychology's Progress in Disseminating Empirically Supported Treatments

Advances have been made over the past decade in identifying, evaluating, and disseminating empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Progress with adult ESTs, compared to child treatments, however, has differed. This article highlights areas of advancements, reviews literature related to specific training methods (i.e., treatment manuals, graduate education, continuing education, and EST protocols), discusses issues relevant to adult versus child treatment dissemination, and provides recommendations for enhancing the dissemination of ESTs.
Optimal wages in the market for nurses : An analysis based on Heyes' model

In a recent paper "The economics of vocation or 'why is a badly paid nurse a good nurse?"' Anthony Heyes posits a novel adverse selection mechanism whereby the average quality of nurses employed is declining in the wage, and evaluates the consequences for an optimizing monopsonistic National Health Service (NHS). I conduct a standard welfare analysis here, based on the proposed model. It turns out that, contrary to concerns raised by Heyes, the NHS will always choose a wage that is lower than the wage chosen by a welfare-maximizing social planner. Nurse are underpaid. I also extend the analysis to the case of a competitive labor market for nurses.
Percutaneous transvenous balloon valvotomy in a patient with severe calcific mitral stenosis

Percutaneous transvenous balloon mitral valvotomy was performed successfully in a 57 year old man with refractory congestive heart failure due to calcific mitral stenosis. Cardiac surgery was not an option because of other major medical problems. Balloon mitral valvotomy was performed using the transseptal technique. The interatrial septum was dilated with the use of an 8 mm balloon catheter to allow passage of larger balloon valvotomy catheters to the mitral anulus. The procedure resulted in a marked decrease in the diastolic transmitral gradient from 20 to 4 mm Hg. This decrease was associated with an increase in cardiac output from 3.4 to 5.7 liters/min. Mitral valve area increased from 0.7 to 2.5 cm2. Balloon valvotomy did not result in significant mitral regurgitation. This case indicates that further trials are warranted to evaluate percutaneous transseptal mitral valvotomy for the treatment of patients with mitral stenosis.
A Porous Hydrostatic Gas Bearing for Use in Miniature Turbomachinery

An analytical program was conducted to establish recommended types of gas-lubricated journal bearings for use in miniature cryogenic turbomachinery. Very high rotative speeds, and the limiting damping properties of gas, indicated that fractional frequency whirl is prevalent, and the most difficult problem to overcome. Of the many journal bearing types investigated, the tilting pad hydro-dynamic and porous hydrostatic journal bearings were suited to the application. A novel spring mounted, three shoe, porous hydrostatic bearing is discussed in terms of design and experimental results. A 1/2 inch diameter journal bearing is subjected to loading and speeds to 700 grams and 65,000 rpm, respectively. Excellent performance in terms of load capacity, power loss, and flow are indicated. Orbit motions of the floated bearing with respect to the supported shaft demonstrate desirable stability characteristics for the range of tests. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubr...
School Choice in a Post-Desegregation World

In contrast to unregulated school choice, regulated choice programs oversee the assignment of students to schools with equity in mind. This article puts forth evidence for three claims with respect to unregulated and regulated school choice: (c) Unregulated choice plans tend to exacerbate the stratification of students along race, class, and achievement lines; (b) regulated choice programs have the potential to increase the integration of schools and, at the very least, to prevent further social stratification; and (c) the evidence that suggests unregulated choice programs lead to improved academic achievement or curriculum innovation is unconvincing. By influencing the racial and social class composition of schools, choice programs help determine the human capital obtained by students and families. Exposure to new cultural and social forms of human capital can lead to enhanced life opportunities for all children, but particularly to those who do not otherwise have access to such capital in a hegemonic so...
The effects of cognitive defusion and thought distraction on emotional discomfort and believability of negative self-referential thoughts

Previous research has shown that rapid vocal repetition of a one-word version of negative self-referential thought reduces the stimulus functions (e.g., emotional discomfort and believability) associated with that thought. The present study compares the effects of that defusion strategy with thought distraction and distraction-based experimental control tasks on a negative self-referential thought. Non-clinical undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three protocols. The cognitive defusion condition reduced the emotional discomfort and believability of negative self-referential thoughts significantly greater than comparison conditions. Favorable results were also found for the defusion technique with participants with elevated depressive symptoms.
Effect of DOTA Position on Melanoma Targeting and Pharmacokinetic Properties of 111In-labeled Lactam Bridge-Cyclized Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Peptide

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) position on melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetics of radiolabeled lactam bridge-cyclized α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) peptide. Method: A novel lactam bridge-cyclized α-MSH peptide, Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA] {Ac-Glu-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Lys(DOTA)]}, was synthesized using standard 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. DOTA was directly attached to the α-amino group of Lys in the cyclic ring, while the N-terminus of the peptide was acetylated to generate Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]. The MC1 receptor binding affinity of Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA] was determined in B16/F1 melanoma cells. Melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of Ac-GluGlu-CycMSH[DOTA]-111In were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing C57 mice and compared to that of 111In-DOTA-Gly-Glu-c[Lys-Nle-Glu-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Arg-Pro-Val-Asp] (111In-DOTA-GlyGlu-CycMSH; DOTA was coupl...
Political Institutions and Constrained Response to Economic Sanctions

Institutional constraints within the target state not only influence a leader's ability to resist economic sanctions, but they also affect the decision-making process within the target state and the nature of information that a sender can ascertain about likely response. Autocratic leaders, who are less constrained, send noisier signals about their probable behavior. This lack of constraint also allows more freedom to resist sanctions, as they can shunt the costs of sanctions off onto the general public, who have little influence over policy outcomes or leadership retention. Democratic leaders are more constrained and more susceptible to sanctions pressure. As result, there is less uncertainty for senders about probable response. Using a heteroskedastic probit model to explore potential systematic components of the variation surrounding sanctions response, the impact of sanctions is shown to differ by regime type—both in the response to coercion as well as in the variance surrounding that response. The results presented here suggest that as expected, democracies are more susceptible to sanctions pressure, but the response of mixed and authoritarian systems are more difficult to predict. These findings have implications for the design of future sanctions policy as well as suggesting which states make the best targets for economic coercion.
Programmable genetic algorithm IP core for sensing and surveillance applications

Real-time evolvable systems are possible with a hardware implementation of Genetic Algorithms (GA). We report the design of an IP core that implements a general purpose GA engine which has been successfully synthesized and verified on a Xilinx Virtex II Pro FPGA Device (XC2VP30). The placed and routed IP core has an area utilization of only 13% and clock speed of 50MHz. The GA core can be customized in terms of the population size, number of generations, cross-over and mutation rates, and the random number generator seed. The GA engine can be tailored to a given application by interfacing with the application specific fitness evaluation module as well as the required storage memory (to store the current and new populations). The core is soft in nature i.e., a gate-level netlist is provided which can be readily integrated with the user's system. The GA IP core can be readily used in FPGA based platforms for space and military applications (for e.g., surveillance, target tracking). The main advantages of the IP core are its programmability, small footprint, and low power consumption. Examples of concept systems in sensing and surveillance domains will be presented.
Verbal and non-verbal measures of self-concept among kindergarten boys and girls.

The present report describes a comparison of the criterion-related validity of a verbal (sentence-completion test) and of a non-verbal (pictorial) measure of self-concept. Following teacher ratings of 1,042 kindergarten children, high and low self-concept criterion groups were established (25 highest boys and girls and 25 lowest boys and girls). Each child was administered the Quantified Self-concept Inventory (Wattenberg & Clifford, 1962) and a new non-verbal test. Congruence was noted between teachers' ratings of kindergarten children's self-concepts and as assessed by a non-verbal instrument, the U-scale. Verbal devices such as sentence-completion tests have little validity at the kindergarten level.
Ethics and the politics of food

This special issue examines how best to manage food production, distribution and consumption in an ethically viable manner. This issue consists of five papers. The first paper explains the differences between US and EU policies on genetically modified food and crops. The second paper explores the issues raised by the use of GM technologies in aquaculture. The third paper suggests an ethical matrix framework that enhances public justification of judgments and respects pluralism. The fourth paper reviews literature on political consumerism and challenges the new orthodoxy of the active consumer in the social sciences. The fifth paper provides an analysis of the evolution of thinking and talking about the role of scientific knowledge and expertise in food safety policymaking and in risk policymaking more generally from the late 19th century to the present day. The continued need for more thorough and concerted bridging of multiple disciplines for well-balanced work in food studies, is suggested in order to meet the challenges to food production and consumption in a just and socially responsible way.
Surface characterizations of color thresholds

We evaluate how well three different parametric shapes, ellipsoids, rectangles, and parallelograms, serve as models of three-dimensional detection contours. We describe how the procedures for deriving the best-fitting shapes constrain inferences about the theoretical visual detection mechanisms. The ellipsoidal shape, commonly assumed by vector-length theories, is related to a class of visual mechanisms that are unique only up to orthogonal transformations. The rectangle shape is related to a unique set of visual mechanisms, but since the rectangle is not invariant with respect to linear transformations the estimated visual mechanisms are dependent on the stimulus coordinate frame. The parallelogram is related to a unique set of visual mechanisms and can be derived by methods that are independent of the stimulus coordinate frame. We evaluate how well these shapes approximate detection contours, using 2-deg test fields with a long (1-sec) Gaussian time course. Two statistical tests suggest that the parallelogram model is too strong. First, we find that the ellipsoid and rectangle shapes fit the data with the same precision as the variance in repeated threshold measurements. The parallelogram model, which has more free parameters, fits the data with more precision than the variance in repeated threshold measurements. Second, although the parallelogram model provides a slightly better fit of our data than the other two shapes, it does not serve as a better guide than the ellipsoidal model for interpolating from the measurements to thresholds in novel color directions.
Customized solid supports for small-molecule synthesis: effects of crosslinking structure and degree

Divinylbenzene (DVB) and diethylene glycol bis(4-vinylbenzyl) ether (DEG) were used as crosslinkers in the preparation of four resins of mixed micro- and macroporous character and differing polarity to examine the effects of crosslinker structure and macroporosity. The Suzuki coupling process was used as the probe reaction for this purpose. Results with 2% DVB, 2% DEG, 5% DEG and 15% DEG indicate that the DEG-crosslinked resins are somewhat better suited for this process, although the degree of crosslinking appears to have only minimal effect of degree of conversion to product.
Does math self-efficacy mediate the effect of the perceived classroom environment on standardized math test performance?

We examined the effect of the perceived classroom environment on math self-efficacy and the effect of math self-efficacy on standardized math test performance. Upper elementary school students (N = 1,163) provided self-reports of their perceived math self-efficacy and the degree to which their math classroom environment was mastery oriented, challenging, and caring. Individual student scores on the California Standards Test for Mathematics were also collected. A series of 2-level models revealed that students who perceived their classroom environments as more caring, challenging, and mastery oriented had significantly higher levels of math self-efficacy, and higher levels of math self-efficacy positively predicted math performance. Analysis of the indirect effects of classroom variables on math performance indicated a small significant mediating effect of self-efficacy. Implications for research on self-efficacy and the perceived classroom environment are discussed.
Baryon magnetic moments in alternate 1 / N c expansions

Recent work shows not only the necessity of a $1/{N}_{c}$ expansion to explain the observed mass spectrum of the lightest baryons, but also that at least two distinct large ${N}_{c}$ expansions, in which quarks transform under either the color-fundamental or the two-index antisymmetric representation of $\mathrm{SU}({N}_{c})$, work comparably well. Here we show that the baryon magnetic moments do not support this ambivalence; they strongly prefer the color-fundamental $1/{N}_{c}$ expansion, providing experimental evidence that nature decisively distinguishes among $1/{N}_{c}$ expansions for this observable.
Surgical treatment of accessory atrioventricular pathways and symptomatic tachycardia in children and young adults

Abstract Twenty-seven patients aged 21 years or younger (mean 15) with symptomatic tachycardia underwent operation for ablation of an accessory atrioventricular pathway. Six patients had associated Ebstein's malformation of the tricuspid valve. Supraventricular tachycardia had been present for a mean of 5 years. At electrophysiologic study, 4 patients were found to have 2 accessory pathways. Left ventricular free wall pathways were found In 14 patients, right ventricular free wall pathways in 10 and septal pathways in 6. Successful initial ablation of all the pathways was achieved in 26 of the 27 patients. No patient died perioperatively and none had persistent complete heart block. During a mean follow-up of 11 months, no patient had recurrence of an arrhythmia related to the accessory pathway. Thus, the surgical treatment of children and young adults with accessory atrioventricular pathways and symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia is safe and effective. For these patients, unless the tachycardia can be easily controlled with a minimal number of drugs and adverse effects, surgical ablation should be considered early in the clinical course.
Predictors of the vaginal microflora.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to define influences on the patterns of the vaginal microflora. Study Design: We enrolled 617 African American and Mexican American women in a 1-year longitudinal study of sexual behaviors and the vaginal microflora on the basis of the presence of gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, trichomoniasis, or syphilis at the initial visit. The patients were assigned randomly to a behavioral intervention or standard counseling regarding sexually transmitted disease. We reevaluated 508 (82%) and 549 (89%) women at 6 and 12 months, respectively. A comprehensive survey of lower genital tract organisms was conducted at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Behavioral and microbiologic associations were screened by bivariate analysis. All variables associated with an organism at P ≤.15 were included in a multivariate analysis. Associations between behavior and the genital tract microflora were identified by logistic regression coefficients with P Results: African American race had a consistent association with vaginal microflora, specifically, Mycoplasma hominis . Trichomonas vaginalis . bacterial vaginosis, group B streptococci, Neisseria gonorrhoeae . and Chlamydia trachomatis . Various behaviors had a less consistent effect, including multiple partners, douching, frequency of coitus >3 times a week, and cunnilingus, fellatio, and anal intercourse at the last sexual encounter. M hominis (but not Ureaplasma urealyticum ), Gardnerella vaginalis . and Lactobacillus species were associated with bacterial vaginosis. Lactobacillus species appeared to protect against bacterial vaginosis and infection with G vaginalis . Sexually transmitted diseases (caused by M hominis, N gonorrhoeae . C trachomatis . and T vaginalis ) were associated with each other. In contrast, hormonal status, vaginal blood, and foreign bodies had little effect. Conclusion: The presence of other microorganisms and race have a more consistent association with the presence or absence of a cervical-vaginal organism than sexual behavior, hormonal status, vaginal devices, or the presence of abnormal vaginal bleeding. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:845-55.)
Operant responding following exposure to HZE particles and its relationship to particle energy and linear energy transfer

Abstract On exploratory class missions astronauts will be exposed to a variety of heavy particles (HZE particles) which differ in terms of particle energy and particle linear energy transfer. The present experiments were designed to evaluate how these physical characteristics of different particles affect cognitive performance, specifically operant responding. Following exposure to 28Si, 48Ti, 12C and 16O particles at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory rats were tested for their ability to respond appropriately to changes in reinforcement schedules using an operant task. The results showed that the effectiveness of different particles in disrupting cognitive performance, defined as the lowest dose that produced a performance decrement, varied as a function of the energy of the specific particle: for comparisons between different energies of the same particle (e.g., 56Fe) the effectiveness of the particle was directly proportional to particle linear energy transfer, whereas for comparisons between different particles (e.g., 56Fe and 16O) effectiveness was inversely proportional to particle linear energy transfer. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms that influence the effectiveness of different particles and energies and in terms of their implications for analyzing the possible risks to astronauts of decrements in cognitive performance following exposure to HZE particles on long-duration exploratory class missions.
Application of exoantigens of Babesia and Plasmodium in vaccine development

The University of Illinois malaria vaccine programme uses culture-derived soluble exoantigens of Plasmodium falciparum and the squirrel monkey as an experimental model. Exoantigens are soluble polypeptides naturally released into the blood plasma of animals infected with Babesia or Plasmodium species, or into the supernatant medium of in vitro cultures of these organisms. Immunization with soluble B. bovis and B. bigemina exoantigens prepared from culture supernatant fluids protected cattle against homologous and heterologous challenge. Similarly, vaccination of squirrel monkeys with supernatant fluids from P. falciparum cultures containing exoantigen induced protective immunity against acute clinical malaria. Susceptible monkeys have been vaccinated with an aluminium hydroxide-fortified antigenic fraction partially purified from supernatants of P. falciparum strains Indochina I and Geneve/SGE-1; this conferred significant clinical protection against needle challenge with the homologous Indochina I strain, and a moderate degree of immunity to the heterologous strain. Following sequential purification by high performance liquid chromatography, the N-terminal amino acid sequences of P. falciparum 100 kDa, 83 kDa and 70 kDa exoantigens were determined. A 29 amino acid peptide constructed from the N-terminal sequence of the P. falciparum (Geneve strain) 83 kDa exoantigen has been synthesized. When coupled to a carrier protein, the peptide was immunogenic in rabbits, mice and squirrel monkeys, inducing antibodies which were trophozoite-specific, reactive to native parasite proteins in a two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and in Western blots, and which inhibited P. falciparum growth in vitro. Using this synthetic peptide, EIAs are being developed for the detection of antibodies to P. falciparum blood-phase parasites in individuals living in malaria-endemic areas of Africa, Asia and South America.
Heat transfer characterization of gas-liquid flows in a trickle-bed

Abstract Instantaneous local fluid–solid heat transfer coefficient ( h t ) in a laboratory scale trickle-bed was measured using a constant-voltage anemometry technique. It was observed that convective heat transfer rate in the liquid-rich pulses was approximately 4 times that in gas-continuous bases for the air–water system. Time-averaged heat transfer rate was found to be positively influenced by both gas and liquid flow rates, with a stronger dependence on the latter. Heat removal efficiency, taking pressure drop penalty into account, suggested an optimum at intermediate liquid flow rate. Based on the measurements, a four-parameter heat transfer model featuring heat transfer coefficients in liquid-rich pulses ( h t p ) and gas-continuous bases ( h t b ), pulsing frequency and pulse fraction was developed to characterize transient h t under various flow regimes. This model can be used in any trickle-bed reactor simulation that accounts for the dynamic interactions of catalytic reactions and heat transfer. It was found that while h t p and h t b correspond to liquid–solid and gas–solid heat transfer, respectively, and are determined mainly by the fluid properties, pulsing frequency and pulse fraction are the factors characterizing different flow regimes. Pulsing frequency, which can significantly impact reaction, may be tuned by selecting appropriate packing size, since smaller sizes generate higher frequency pulses. For example, a two-fold higher frequency was detected in 6 mm packing as compared to that with 8 mm packing. Flow regime evolution along the column axial location was identified visually, while the dispersed bubbling flow retreating to pulsing flow owing to gas bubble coalescence was evidenced by the heat transfer measurements.
The neurofibromatosis gene in human pituitary adenomas.

The neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) gene encodes a protein neurofibromin, which contains a glutamyl transpeptidase (GTP)-activating protein (GAP)-related domain: NF1 GRD. This domain is able to down-regulate P21ras by stimulating its intrinsic GTPase. Because P2lras has an important role in regulating growth and differentiation, somatic mutations in the NF1 gene may result in mutant neurofibromins that might interfere with the Ras signaling pathway and contribute to the development of tumors. In this study, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-coupled single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing to examine possible mutations in the NF1 GRD in human pituitary tumors. We screened 36 nonfunctioning and 20 growth hormone-secreting adenomas. No mutation was detected in these tumors. Our results indicate that inactivation of neurofibromin may not have a primary role in the formation of pituitary adenomas.
The c-fos protein interacts with c - Jun AP -1 to stimulate transcription of AP-1 responsive genes

Abstract Cell lines stably transfected with metal inducible, MT- fos chimeric genes were used to study the ability of the c- fos gene product, Fos, to act as a transcriptional trans -activator. In 3T3MT fos cells, induction of Fos expression led to specific trans -activation of an AP-1 responsive reporter gene. Induction of Fos expression in F9MT fos cells, however, did not lead to trans -activation. Since, unlike NIH3T3 cells, F9 cells do not contain detectable levels of AP-1, we examined whether a c-JunAP-1 expression vector can restore the trans -activating effect of Fos in F9MT fos cells. Transfection with a functional c-JunAP-1 vector restored the specific trans -activating effect of Fos on AP-1 responsive constructs. When incubated with nondenatured cell extracts, anti-cFos antisera precipitated a protein complex composed of Fos and several Fos associated proteins (FAP). One of these, FAP p39, is structurally identical to c-JunAP-1. These results suggest that Fos is a trans -acting factor that is capable of stimulating gene expression not by direct binding to DNA but by interaction with the sequence-specific transcription factor AP-1. Therefore recognition of specific cis -elements by AP-1 is a prerequisite for Fos-mediated stimulation of gene expression.
THE SMELL OF CLASS: BRITISH NOVELS OF THE 1860s

E VEN BEFORE E STHER L YON enters the narrative of Felix Holt , she is introduced to the eponymous hero, whom she will eventually marry, through two smells — one present, the other absent; one highly conventional, the other distinctly unusual. As the narrator explains, Mr. Lyon’s sitting room contains “certain things” that are “incongruous” with its “general air” of “privation,” among them the “delicate scent of dried rose-leaves” and a wax candle. Lyon, embarrassed by what he takes to be Felix Holt’s unspoken criticism of such indulgence, explains to his visitor, “You are doubtless amazed to see me with a wax-light . . . but this undue luxury is paid for with the earnings of my daughter, who is so delicately framed that the smell of tallow is loathsome to her” (Eliot 53–54; ch. 5). 1 Esther’s association with the scent of roses is quite unremarkable: it simply and quickly registers her as a wholly acceptable marriage partner. Lyon’s reference to the smell of tallow candles is, however, according to the practices of Victorian fiction, quite unconventional, first because it explicitly evokes a smell that is not there, the strong odor of candles made from animal fat; secondly, because it identifies a good smell or the relative lack of one, that of wax candles, with a negative moral judgment: Esther’s practice of spending her earnings on such candles is, to Lyon at least,
Retroperitoneal inoculation of murine neuroblastoma results in a reliable model for evaluation of the antitumor immune response.

To more closely mimic the natural site of human neuroblastoma and the original spontaneous arising paraspinal murine tumor, the authors developed a new model system in which murine neuroblastoma cells (neuro-2a) are implanted directly into the retroperitoneal space. This method of administration resulted in an aggressive and reproducible neuroblastoma model, with death occurring at a median of 20.3 days after tumor implantation using 1 x 10(6) neuro-2a cells, compared with the intraperitoneal (median, 31 days) and subcutaneous routes (median, 35.1 days) (P < .001). Adoptive transfer of single cell suspensions from livers, spleens, and bone marrows of mice with retroperitoneal tumors into healthy hosts resulted in tumor growth, confirming the presence of metastatic foci in these organs. The retroperitoneal murine neuroblastoma model was used to assess the importance of natural killer (NK) and T cells in regulating the growth of neuro-2a in vivo. T cells played an equally protective role as NK cells; depletion of either T or NK populations significantly decreased survival as compared with undepleted mice. Elimination of both NK and T cells further accelerated mortality of neuro-2a-bearing mice as compared to those depleted of either T or NK populations. The retroperitoneal murine model is a highly relevant in vivo system for preclinical studies of new therapeutic approaches for neuroblastoma.