cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IL-2/15 receptor-β gene deletion alters neurobehavioral performance

The common IL-2/15 receptor-beta (IL-2/15Rbeta) is an essential signaling subunit that is shared exclusively by IL-2 and IL-15, and is enriched in the hippocampal formation and related limbic regions. We have previously shown that mice lacking IL-2 exhibit alterations in hippocampal-dependent learning, sensorimotor gating and accompanying reductions in hippocampal infrapyramidal mossy neuronal fiber length. Although the effects of exogenous IL-2 on various aspects of forebrain neuronal function are well documented, it is unclear whether IL-15 has neuromodulatory actions. Here we sought to test the hypothesis that the combined loss of the ability of IL-2 and IL-15 to signal through IL-2/15Rbeta in the brain would influence neurobehavioral performance, in particular spatial learning and memory performance. To test this hypothesis, we compared several different domains of behavior in mice that had one or both IL-2/15Rbeta gene alleles deleted. Compared with C57BL/6-IL-2/15Rbeta+/+ wild-type and C57BL/6-IL-2/15Rbeta+/- heterozygote littermates, C57BL/6-IL-2/15Rbeta-/- knockout mice exhibited a deficit in prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (PPI). The IL-2/15Rbeta knockout mice also showed significant reductions in acoustic startle reactivity, and modest differences in behavior in the elevated plus-maze test indicative of reduced levels of fearfulness in response to novelty. The IL-2/15Rbeta knockout mice did not differ in locomotor activity in either the plus-maze or the Morris water-maze, and contrary to our working hypothesis, they did not differ in spatial learning or memory performance in the water-maze. Further studies are required to determine if these behavioral alterations may be attributable to factors such as the loss of the ability of IL-15 and/or IL-2 to modulate limbic neurons, autoimmunity or genetic factors associated with IL-2/15Rbeta gene deletion.
Religious Influences on Sensitive Self-Reported Behaviors: The Product of Social Desirability, Deceit, or Embarrassment?

Religion appears to exert influence on numerous types of adolescent attitudes and actions. However, some researchers remain skeptical, attributing religious effects to selection processes, social desirability bias in survey responses, or a combination of the two. In this study we evaluate the evidence about social desirability and candidness explanations for apparent religious influences, and analyze data from a nationally representative dataset of American adolescents. Results suggest that while social desirability and embarrassment modestly diminish the likelihood of self-reporting some sensitive behaviors, they are neither associated with religiosity nor do they undermine apparent religious effects. We conclude that religious youth are not systematically at risk of providing unintentionally invalid or intentionally inaccurate self-reports of behaviors that are of a sensitive nature.
Membrane topology and quaternary structure of cardiac gap junction ion channels.

Abstract The membrane topology and quaternary structure of rat cardiac gap junction ion channels containing α1, connexin (i.e. Cx43) have been examined using anti-peptide antibodies directed to seven different sites in the protein sequence, cleavage by an endogenous protease in heart tissue and electron microscopic image analysis of native and protease-cleaved two-dimensional membrane crystals of isolated cardiac gap junctions. Specificity of the peptide antibodies was established using dot immunoblotting, Western immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Based on the folding predicted by hydropathy analysis, five antibodies were directed to sites in cytoplasmic domains and two antibodies were directed to the two extracellular loop domains. Isolated gap junctions could not be labeled by the two extracellular loop antibodies using thin-section immunogold electron microscopy. This is consistent with the known narrowness of the extracellular gap region that presumably precludes penetration of antibody probes. However, cryo-sectioning rendered the extracellular domains accessible for immunolabeling. A cytoplasmic “loop” domain of at least Mr = 5100 (residues (101 to 142) is readily accessible to peptide antibody labeling. The native Mr = 43,000 protein can be protease-cleaved on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, resulting in an Mr ≈ 30,000 membrane-bound fragment. Western immunoblots showed that protease cleavage occurs at the carboxy tail of the protein, and the cleavage site resides between amino acid residues 252–271. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that the Mr ≈ 13,000 carboxy-terminal peptide(s) is released after protease cleavage and does not remain attached to the Mr ≈ 30,000 membrane-bound fragment via non-covalent interactions. Electron microscopic image analysis of two-dimensional membrane crystals of cardiac gap junctions revealed that the ion channels are formed by a hexagonal arrangement of protein subunits. This quaternary arrangement is not detectably altered by protease cleavage of the α1 polypeptide. Therefore, the Mr ≈ 13,000 carboxy-terminal domain is not involved in forming the transmembrane ion channel. The similar hexameric architecture of cardiac and liver gap junction connexons indicates conservation in the molecular design of the gap junction channels formed by α or β connexins.
General multiple-objective decision functions and linguistically quantified statements

Abstract The concept of linguistically quantified propositions is used to develop a whole family of forms for the representation of multiple-objective decision functions.
Reference, Understanding, and Communication

Brian Loar [1976] observed that, even in the simplest of cases, such as an utterance of (1): ‘He is a stockbroker’, a speaker's audience might misunderstand her utterance even if they correctly identify the referent of the relevant singular term, and understand what is being predicated of it. Numerous theorists, including Bezuidenhout [1997], Heck [1995], Paul [1999], and Recanati [1993, 1995], have used Loar's observation to argue against direct reference accounts of assertoric content and communication, maintaining that, even in these simple cases, the propositional contribution of a referring expression must be more than just its referent.I argue here that, while Loar's observation is correct, the conclusion he and others have sought to draw from it simply does not follow. Rather, his observation helps to remind us of an important Gricean insight into the nature of communicative acts—including acts of speaker-reference—namely, that there is more to understanding a communicative act than merely entertai...
Effects of molecular weight distribution in drag reduction and shear degradation

A reduction of frictional drag in turbulent flow was obtained in benzene by using three monodisperse polystyrene samples having weight-average molecular weights of 1.8, 4.1 and 7.1 × 106. By testing these polymers individually and in mixtures, data were obtained for samples with known molecular weight distributions. The drag reduction of these samples was studied as a function of polymer concentration and flow rate so that a generalized picture of the effects of polydispersity could be obtained. These results are used to help explain much of the behavior that was observed for polystyrene and other polymers. This includes the fact that the polystyrene samples exhibit a remarkably high resistance to the loss of drag reduction via degradation in turbulent flow. Such experiments indicate that drag reduction and degradation depend strongly on molecular weight distribution. Thus a molecular level interpretation of experimental results cannot be made unless the effects of the distribution are considered.
High strain rate superplasticity of Si3N4 whisker reinforced 7075 alloy matrix composite fabricated by squeeze casting

The {alpha}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} whisker reinforced 7075 aluminum alloy composite which exhibits superplasticity was produced by squeeze casting, followed by hot extrusion to pursue industrial advantages, and following results were obtained: (1) the production of {alpha}-Si3N4 whisker reinforced 7075 aluminum alloy composite which exhibits superplasticity was succeeded by squeeze casting; (2) the composite exhibited a total elongation of 260% at strain rates 0.18 s{sup {minus}1} at 773 K; (3) the superplasticity occurred in the wide range of strain rate from 0.1 to 1 s{sup {minus}1}; (4) the superplasticity occurred in the industrially useful whisker volume fraction range of 20%--30%.
Characterization of supercoiled oligomeric SV40 DNA molecules in productively infected cells.

Abstract We have characterized oligomeric supercoiled forms of SV40 DNA which appear during the latter stages of productive infection and account for more than 10% of the intracellular viral DNA 70 hr after infection. These DNA molecules form a series of oligomers that are integral multiples (dimers through hexamers) of supercoiled SV40 DNA. We have determined the sedimentation constants of oligomeric DNA under neutral and alkaline conditions and ascertained electrophoretic mobilities of the different supercoiled forms. Nucleic acid hybridization studies as well as cleavage with bacterial restriction endonucleases both indicate that oligmeric supercoiled DNA molecules contain only SV40 DNA sequences. These unintegrated viral DNA forms appear predominantly in the Hirt pellet and sediment in regions of alkaline sucrose gradients characteristic of high molecular weight cellular DNA.
Sexual Homicide and Sexual Violence-Associated Homicide: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System

Sexual violence is linked to homicide in a variety of ways. In this study the authors analyzed narratives that described the homicide circumstances of 285 homicide victims from 17 states who participated in the National Violent Death Reporting System during 2003-2007. The authors discuss a narrative analysis conducted using qualitative methods that revealed four categories of homicide linked to sexual violence, in addition to classic sexual homicide. In this article, the authors provide descriptions of the circumstances involved in sexual violence–related homicides, narrative examples of each type, and offer an expanded classification of these crimes. The analyses reveal specific types of homicide that are related to the perpetration of sexual violence, some of which have received little to no attention in the sexual violence or homicide literature. The study demonstrates the potential of the NVDRS as a strong data source for sexual homicides as well as other forms of homicide. Finally, the authors discuss implications for ongoing monitoring of homicides that are linked to sexual violence.
Studies of the guanylate cyclase of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum

Observations on the properties of the guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum are reported. On the basis of similarities in kinetic and fractionation properties, it is shown that the activity from vegetative cells and the sixfold higher activity from starved cells appear to be due to the same enzyme. Most of the activity is found to be soluble, and by gel exclusion chromatography a molecular weight of 250,000 has been estimated for this form. As the enzyme shows considerably more activity with Mn+2 than Mg+2, the Km for Mn+2 activation was determined (700 microM), and compared to the levels of total cell Mn+2 (10 microM) and Mg+2 (3mM). These data suggest that Mg+2 is probably the physiological cofactor. A previous report [J. M. Mato, (1979) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 88, 569-574] that the enzyme is activated about twofold by ATP was confirmed; but contrary to that report, activation by the ATP analog 5'-adenylyl-imidodiphosphate was also obtained. Since this analog does not donate its phosphate in kinase reactions, it is likely that ATP activates the guanylate cyclase by direct binding rather than by phosphorylation. The known in vivo agonist of the guanylate cyclase, cAMP, did not activate the enzyme in vitro, either alone or in various combinations with calcium, calmodulin, ATP, and phospholipids.
Metal Complexes of meso-Amino-octaethylporphyrin and the Oxidation of NiII(meso-amino-octaethylporphyrin)

The crystal structures of meso-NH2−OEPH2, NiII(meso-NH2−OEP), and CuII(meso-NH2−OEP) (where OEP is the dianion of meso-amino-octaethylporphyrin) have been determined to examine the effects of the m...
Ab initio calculation of phonon frequencies of Al

We report a first-principles calculation of the phonon frequencies and mode-Gr\"uneisen parameters of Al with the use of the atomic number and the atomic mass as the only inputs. The phonon frequencies are determined by calculating the total energy of the perfect crystal and that of the crystal distorted by a frozen-phonon mode. Calculated results agree very well with experimental values. The contributions to the restoring force for various phonon modes are analyzed and discussed.
Glottis segmentation using dynamic programming

High speed videoendoscopy (HSV) is widely used for the assessment of vocal fold vibratory behavior. Due to the huge volume of HSV data, an automated and accurate segmentation of glottal opening is demanded for objective quantification and analysis of vocal fold vibratory characteristics. In this study, a simplified dynamic programming based algorithm is presented to do glottis segmentation. The underlying idea is to track glottal edge in gradient image, where the average gradient magnitude along edge path is assumed to be maximal. To achieve accurate segmentation results and enable further analysis, we addressed different aspects of the problem, including reflection removal, detection of posterior and anterior commissures and determination of open and closed portions of glottal area. Reflection removal, which is essential for robust segmentation, is also achieved by dynamic programming. Posterior and anterior commissures in each frame of HSV data help pre-define the range of glottal area which needs to be segmented and therefore decrease the segmentation cost. In addition to the proposed algorithm, three other methods (including active contour, standard dynamic programming and fixed-threshold segmentation) have been implemented. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is more efficient and accurate than the others.
Tetanus relaxation. Temperature effects and Arrhenius analysis.

Abstract Time constants (τ) have been accurately measured for the exponentially falling, latter 60–70% of the relaxation phase of maximal isometric tetani of the mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle over the range 15–35°C. Corresponding to the τ values, the rate constants (k = 25.0−189 s-1) are assumed to describe a temperature-sensitive, first-order, rate-limiting reaction underlying, and determining the kinetics of, muscle relaxation. The mean Arrhenius plot for the k values of 6 muscles consists of 2 linear segments with a 25°C transition temperature. The activation energies at the relatively lower and higher temperatures are 22.9 and 12.6 kcal/mol, respectively. These values are qualitatively, and to some extent quantitatively, similar to corresponding known Arrhenius results of the Ca2+ active transport mechanism and the physical properties of the membrane of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the present findings strongly indicate that relaxation of living muscle critically involves the ‘relaxing factor’ activity of Ca2+ uptake, as previously inferred from research on isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Using transition-state theory, the Arrhenius results indicate that ΔG ‡ of the assumed rate-limiting reaction is 14.8–15.0 kcal/mol at all temperatures studied, and ΔS ‡ is about 25 and −10 cal/degree per mol at temperatures below and above the transition temperature, respectively. These also correspond, at least qualitatively, to the values of the activation thermodynamic parameters of isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum. The negative ΔS ‡ at the higher temperature range, denoting an increase in order associated with the assumed activation process of the Ca2+ transport system, requires clarification.
An automatic device for the study of tethered flight in insects

A flight mill is described which permits the automatic measurement of flight duration, speed, periodicity and wing-beat frequency.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 225

Abstract The available information on the decay characteristics and level structure for all nuclei with the mass number A = 225 has been examined. A summary and evaluation of the experimental data, including adopted values and comparisons with theory, are presented. The individual level schemes are discussed, and comments pertaining to spin and parity assignments and to γ-ray multipolarities are given. Any apparent discrepancies or inconsistencies are pointed out. It should be noted that most of the level information in the A = 225 mass chain is obtained from the α-decay of the A = 229 parent. Therefore, while a summary of these results is reflected in both the level schemes and in the discussions under “Level Properties” and “Gamma-Ray Properties,” the actual data are presented under the respective A = 229 parent. Any information concerning the decay of nuclei with A = 229 which is used in constructing the A = 225 decay schemes and which has become available since the A = 229 compilation of 1971 (71El11) is referenced esplicitly in the discussion of the particular A = 225 decay scheme. There has been considerable disagreement in the literature concerning the parity of the 225Ac g.s. The spin and parity assignments proposed by the compilers for levels in 225Ac are consistent with, and strongly linked to, the spin and parity assignments proposed for the 221Fr daughter and 217At granddaughter. Any new information which would alter the assignments in these isotopes might therefore affect the parity assignments (and hence the rotational band designations) in 225Ac. It should also be noted that the characterization of the favored rotational band in 225Ac permits a tentative new assignment of 5/2+[642] for the previously uncharacterized 229Pa g.s. (see 71Ell1).
Comparative Studies of Pharmacotherapy for School Refusal

Two studies compared alprazolam and imipramine in the treatment of school refusal. In an open label study (N = 17), two-thirds of the subjects completing a trial in both the alprazolam and imipramine groups showed moderate to marked global improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study (N = 24), posttreatment scores calculated as change from baseline on the Anxiety Rating for Children were significantly different (p = .03) among the three treatment groups, with the active medication groups showing the most improvement. Additionally, on all depression rating scales, similar trends were evident with the alprazolam and imipramine groups demonstrating greater improvement than the placebo group. However, analyses of covariance (with pretreatment scores as the covariates) showed no significant differences among the three treatment groups on change in anxiety and depression scales. Thus, additional research is needed to determine whether trends in this study are explained by drug effect or baseline differences on rating scales.
Effects of ethanol exposure during adolescence or in adulthood on Pavlovian conditioned approach in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Abstract Human studies have shown that adolescents who repeatedly use alcohol are more likely to be dependent on alcohol and are more likely to suffer from psychological problems later in life. There has been limited research examining how ethanol exposure in adolescence might contribute to later abuse or addiction in adulthood. The present experiment examined effects of intermittent ethanol exposure during adolescence on sign-tracking behavior in adulthood, indexed by a Pavlovian conditioned approach (PCA) task wherein an 8s lever presentation served as a cue predicting subsequent delivery of a flavored food pellet. Although no response was required for food delivery, after multiple pairings, 1 of 2 different responses often emerged during the lever presentation: goal tracking (head entries into the food trough) or sign tracking (engagement with the lever when presented). Sign tracking is thought to reflect the attribution of incentive salience to reward-paired cues and has been previously correlated with addiction-like behaviors. Following the last PCA session, blood samples were collected for analysis of post-session corticosterone levels. Sixty-two rats ( n = 10–12/group) were pseudo-randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intragastric (i.g.) exposure groups (water or 4 g/kg ethanol) or a non-manipulated (NM) control group. Animals were intubated with ethanol or water every other session from postnatal session (PND) 28–48 or PND 70–90. Rats were then tested in adulthood (PND 71–79 or PND 113–122) on the PCA task. Animals exposed chronically to ethanol during adolescence exhibited significantly higher levels of sign-tracking behavior in adulthood than NM and water-treated animals, and showed higher corticosterone than NM control animals. These effects were not seen after comparable ethanol exposure in adulthood. These results suggest that adolescent alcohol exposure has long-term consequences on the expression of potential addiction-relevant behaviors in adulthood.
Tunneling in the proton transfer between two water molecules

Abstract SCF CNDO calculations were performed for the species H5O+2 at several positions of the intervening proton and at interoxygen distances of 2.65, 2.70 and 2.75 A. The energy profile was fitted to a potential energy function containing a quadratic term plus a gaussian. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors were obtained by using the variational method with the eigenfunctions of the parabolic potential as basis set. The results indicate that at 2.65 A the top of the barrier is below the first energy level and that at 2.75 A the first two energy levels are below the top of the barrier with the splitting of the symmetric-antisymmetric pair of 0.00132 au indicating that tunneling occurs at a frequency of 1014 reciprocal seconds.
A Survey of Eating and Weight-Related Behaviors in a Medical University Student Population

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess using a survey questionnaire the lifetime prevalence of several eating- and weight-related behaviors in medical, dental, and nursing students. The sample included 109 students: 59% were female, 67% were single, 84% were Caucasian, and average age was 26.5 years. The results indicated that the prevalence rates of food restriction, exercise, self-induced vomiting, laxative use, and diuretics use was similar to rates reported on more traditional university campuses. The chi-square statistic revealed significant gender differences, with more females than males having engaged in food restriction (75% vs. 40%), vomiting (22% vs. 2%), laxative use (17% vs. 2%), laxative use (17% vs. 2%), and diet pill use (36% vs. 0%). These results indicate that students in health fields (and particularly female students) are not immune to disordered eating- and weight-related behaviors.
Progress and prospects of long-wavelength VSELs

The story of long-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) reminds us of an age-old proverb - with a small modification: where there is a will , there is a way. Although the realization of long-wavelength VCSELs was once considered nearly impossible, the progress of the field during the last three to four years has been tremendous, in part due to the abundance in funding. Although at the present time it is difficult to forecast the market, we believe the technical ground for potential applications of long-wavelength VCSELs is sound. The authors provide an overview of the exciting progress and discuss application requirements for these emerging optoelectronic sources.
Dual Chamber Pacing for Neurally Mediated Syncope with a Prominent Cardioinhibitory Component

The role of cardiac pacing for treatment of recurrent neurally mediated syncope (NMS) remains controversial. We hypothesized that dual chamber pacing in NMS patients with a prominent cardioinhibitory component may be beneficial. Twelve patients (mean age = 37.8+/-17 years, range 15-78 years, 7 men and 5 women) with a mean of 4+/-2.2 episodes of syncope underwent tilt table evaluation. Patients were passively tilted to 70 degrees head-up position for 20 minutes and then returned to the supine position. Isoproterenol was then infused at 1-2 microg/min to increase heart rate by > or = 25% and tilt was repeated. Patients lost consciousness after 16+/-6 minutes of tilt; nine patients had syncope in the baseline state and three during isoproterenol infusion. All patients had at least 5 seconds of asystole with a mean of 9.5+/-4 seconds (range 5-20 s). A dual chamber permanent pacemaker with a special feature allowing heart rate acceleration in response to bradycardia was implanted in all patients. During a mean follow-up of 18.6+/-4.2 months, 11 (92%) of these patients were free of syncope and had negative tilt table test. One (8%) patient had two episodes of syncope. We conclude that dual chamber pacing may be beneficial in patients with NMS with a prominent cardioinhibitory component.
Elevated temperature erosion of steels

Abstract The elevated temperature erosion behavior of several commercial ferritic and austenitic steels was determined over a range of temperatures from room temperature to 900 °C. It was determined that all the steels had constant or decreasing erosion rates as the test temperature was increased until a temperature was reached where a marked increase in erosion rate began to occur with temperature. Austenitic steels were determined to have lower erosion rates than ferritic steels and their hardness had no correlation with their erosion rate. All the steels tested eroded by the platelet mechanism of erosion.
Several insertion reactions of Fe(C5H5)(dpe)H and Fe(C5H5)(dpe)CH3 with acetylenes, CS2 and SO2

The compound Fe(C5H5)(dpe)H adds to the acetylenes RCCR (R = CF3, COOMe) to give the products Fe(C5H5)(dpe)CRCHR. For R = CF3, cis addition is established by 19F nmr. Addition of the iron hydride complex to CS2 gives a new S-bonded thioformate complex Fe(C5H5(dpe)S2CH. The compound Fe(C5H5)(dpe)CH3 adds SO2 to give Fe(C5H5)(dpe)SO2CH3, a S-bonded sulfinate complex.
Carboxylic acid to thioamide hydrogen bonding

Abstract The lactam groups of dipyrrinones avidly engage in amide–amide hydrogen bonding to form dimeric association complexes in non-polar solvents (in CHCl3, KD ∼25,000 M−1 at 22 °C). The corresponding thioamides (dipyrrinthiones), prepared from dipyrrinones by reaction with Lawesson's reagent, also form intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded dimers in non-polar solvents, albeit with much weaker association constants (in CHCl3, KD ∼200 M−1 at 22 °C). When a carboxylic acid group is tethered to C(9) of the dipyrrinone, as in the hexanoic acid of [6]-semirubin, tight intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid group and the lactam moiety (intramolecular Kassoc ≫25,000) is found in CHCl3 with no evidence of dimers. In contrast, the analogous dipyrrinthione, [6]-thiosemirubin, eschews intramolecular hydrogen bonds, as determined using NMR spectroscopy and vapor pressure osmometry, preferring to form intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded dimers of the thioamide–thioamide type.
Multi-resolution HDD contact detection technique for low SNR applications

The accurate calibration of active flying height in a hard disk drive (HDD) is an essential metrology for proper drive operation. Detecting head-disk contact of a head-disk-interface (HDI) is a critical step in calibrating the active fly height. Proposed is a head-disc contact detection technique that is an improved adaptive discrete wavelet transform (ADWT) methodology that can be integrated into an advanced HDD. The method is designed to process low SNR head/disc proximity probe data during a thermal protrusion pulse and extract HDI head modulation signatures correlating them with the contact event. The significance of the proposed ADWT implementation is in fact that thousands of DWT coefficients can be represented by a simple statistically derived data set of four parameters that can be tracked to declare the contact. This compact approach enables a practical, cost-effective ADWT implementation into the HDD hardware architecture using existing micro-processors and on-board memory.
Should we welcome a cure for autism? A survey of the arguments

Substantial research efforts have been devoted to developing a cure for autism, but some advocates of people with autism claim that these efforts are misguided and even harmful. They claim that there is nothing wrong with people with autism, so there is nothing to cure. Others argue that autism is a serious and debilitating disorder and that a cure for autism would be a wonderful medical breakthrough. Our goal in this essay is to evaluate what assumptions underlie each of these positions. We evaluate the arguments made on each side, reject those that are implausible and then highlight the key assumptions of those that remain.
Characterizing a spheroidal nanocage drug delivery vesicle using multi-detector hydrodynamic chromatography

The biological application of nanoparticles has resulted in an increased need for the development of robust, accurate, and precise methods for quality control analysis and characterization. Parameters such as particle size, particle shape, and their distributions affect end-use properties such as chemical reactivity, diffusivity, permeability, and transport. Introduced here is a hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) method utilizing multi-angle static light scattering, quasi-elastic light scattering, differential viscometry, and differential refractometry detection for characterizing nanoscale vesicles. Quadruple-detector HDC was used to determine multiple sizing parameters and their statistical moments and distributions. Molar mass and molar mass averages were determined in a calibrant-independent fashion. Both the sizing parameters and the molar mass were measured across the HDC elution profile. The shape and structure of the nanoparticle were monitored as a function of HDC elution volume through the dimensionless ratio ρ ≡ RG,z/RH,z. The HDC results were comparable to those obtained by transmission electron microscopy, but more extensive characterization was possible by HDC, which provided distributions of both particle size and particle shape.
Can solar panels leapfrog power grids? The World Bank experience 1992–2009

Abstract Solar photovoltaic systems promise both rural access to electricity and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. During 1992–2009, the World Bank contributed US$790 million to promote the uptake of off-grid solar home systems in 34 developing countries. This paper reviews the experience of the World Bank involvement in the rural solar photovoltaic market and draws lessons learned. The review finds that World Bank efforts, using quality-contingent producer subsidies and relying on microfinance for consumers, have been effective in stimulating the diffusion of the solar technology although the impact on greenhouse gas reductions is rather limited because of limited energy consumption of off-grid households.
Diabetes, autoimmunity, and arteriosclerosis.

Autoantibodies are believed to play a pathogenic role in a variety of clinical conditions. While the direct or indirect pathogenic role of autoantibodies has been well established in conditions such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, etc., their precise significance in many of the diseases in which they are detected remains the object of controversy. Also, many questions remain unanswered concerning the factors that trigger their production. Many theories have been proposed to explain the origin of autoimmune responses; for example, it has been postulated that immune responses directed against host antigens could result from genetic predisposition, exaggerated random B cell activity, cross-reactivity between host and foreign antigens, or modification of host proteins as a consequence of infection, inflammation, drug administration, etc. Theories such as those invoking the release of previously sequestered antigens or the persistence of a forbidden clone have lost popularity since considerable data have accumulated suggesting that, at best, those theories could only apply to a very limited number of situations. It is also becoming increasingly more obvious that autoimmunity manifestations are seen in such disparate conditions that no single theory may be expected to satisfactorily explain the emergence of all types of autoimmunity. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a typical example of a disease in which autoantibodies have been detected but in which a considerable degree of uncertainty remains as to their precise role. In type I (insulin-dependent) DM, anti-islet cell antibodies (ICA) have been observed in almost all newly diagnosed patients and have been suggested as being involved in the pathogenesis of islet ceil damage. Many of these patients develop islet cell antibodies, usually of the IgG2 and/or IgG4 subclasses, months or years before the appearance of clinical symptoms. At the time of diagnosis ICA are detected in as many as 90% of type I diabetic patients, but they diminish in frequency to 5-10% in patients with long-standing DM (1). There is also evidence that certain HLA class I and class II serotypes are unusually frequent in patients with type I DM; many patients are positive for DR-3 and DR-4 (MHC class II antigens). It has been speculated that the MHC class II genes coding for these highly represented specificities may be linked to immune response genes and may account for the increased risk of developing diabetes in individuals who express them. In type II (noninsulin dependent) diabetic patients, the coexistence of DR3/DR4 heterozygosity and ICA positivity is associated with significant impairment of l3 cell function, suggesting that both genetic and immune
Electron-Withdrawing Phosphine Compounds in Hydroformylation Reactions. 1. Syntheses and Reactions Using Mono- and Bis(p-toluenesulfonylamino) Phosphines

The rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-hexene has been examined in the presence of members of a new class of electron-withdrawing phosphorus ligands, the N-sulfonylphosphoramides. All of the phosphorus compounds in this initial study contain one or two p-toluenesulfonylamino (TsN) groups attached to the phosphorus atom, including three compounds that have been described previously, TosL (1), a monophosphorus compound with two TsN groups, diTosL (2), a diphosphorus compound with one TsN group on each phosphorus atom, and 3, a chiral amino acid-derived ligand with one TsN and one O-acyl group on phosphorus. In addition, two new chelating analogues of 1 containing two- and four-carbon bridges between the phosphorus atoms (5, 7), an analogue of 1 with an ethyl instead of a phenyl group on phosphorus (8), a nonchelating monophosphorus analogue of 2 (10), and a monophosphorus adduct of the ditosylate of o-phenylenediamine (12) have been synthesized and used in hydroformylations, and comparison reactions wi...
Perinatal Listeria monocytogenes susceptibility despite preconceptual priming and maintenance of pathogen-specific CD8(+) T cells during pregnancy

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is an intracellular bacterium with unique predisposition for systemic maternal infection during pregnancy and morbid consequences for the developing fetus. Given the high mortality associated with prenatal Lm infection, strategies for augmenting protective immunity during the exceedingly vulnerable period of pregnancy are urgently needed. Herein, protection conferred by attenuated Lm administered before pregnancy against subsequent virulent Lm prenatal infection was evaluated. We show that protection against secondary Lm infection in non-pregnant mice is sharply moderated during allogeneic pregnancy because significantly more bacteria are recovered from maternal tissues, despite the numerical and functional preservation of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells. More importantly, preconceptual priming does not protect against in utero invasion or fetal wastage because mice inoculated with attenuated Lm prior to pregnancy and naive pregnant controls each showed near complete fetal resorption and pathogen recovery from individual concepti after Lm infection during pregnancy. Remarkably, the lack of protection against prenatal Lm infection with preconceptual priming in allogeneic pregnancy is restored during syngeneic pregnancy. Thus, maternal–fetal antigen discordance dictates the ineffectiveness of preconceptual vaccination against fetal complications after prenatal Lm infection, despite the numerical and functional preservation of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells.
Curriculum-Context Knowledge: Teacher Learning From Successive Enactments of a Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculum

AbstractThis study characterizes the teacher learning that stems from successive enactments of innovative curriculum materials. This study conceptualizes and documents the formation of curriculum-context knowledge (CCK) in three experienced users of a Standards-based mathematics curriculum. I define CCK as the knowledge of how a particular set of curriculum materials functions to engage students in a particular context. The notion of CCK provides insight into the development of curricular knowledge and how it relates to other forms of knowledge that are relevant to the practice of teaching, such as content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. I used a combination of video-stimulated and semistructured interviews to examine the ways the teachers adapted the task representations in the units over time and what these adaptations signaled in terms of teacher learning. Each teacher made noticeable adaptations over the course of three or four enactments that demonstrated learning. Each of the teachers d...
E‐Glass/DGEBA/m‐PDA single fiber composites: The effect of strain rate on interfacial shear strength measurements

Precise measurements of fiber break regions have been made during the single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT) procedure on E-glass/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA)/meta-phenylenediamine (m-PDA) test specimens. From these measurements, the location and size of each fiber fragment was determined, and the resulting information was used to construct fragmentation maps of the tested fiber. By comparing these maps, the fragmentation process supports random fragmentation along the length of the fiber. Since the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) or the interfacial shear stress transfer coefficient (I-STC) is obtained from the fragment length data at the end of the test (saturation), frequency histograms of the fragment length data were constructed to determine the repeatability of the fragmentation process. Since the SFFT is performed by sequential step-strains of the test specimen, test protocols were developed by controlling the step size of each strain increment and the time between each step-strain (dwell time). For the testing protocols used in this research, the E-glass/DGEBA/m-PDA frequency histograms of the fragment lengths were found to be generally repeatable. However, when the effective strain rate of the test was altered by changing the dwell time between strain increments, the fragment distribution at saturation of the E-glass/DGEBA/m-PDA SFFT specimens changed. The direction of the change was found to be inconsistent with the effect one might expect when only the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior of the matrix is considered. However, the magnitude of the change observed in the E-glass/DGEBA/m-PDA SFFT specimens is not universal. Fragmentation data obtained on E-glass/polyisocyanurate SFFT specimens revealed a much smaller change in fragment length distributions with the same change in testing protocols. Consistent with the results obtained on the E-glass/DGEBA/m-PDA, fiber fragmentation occurs when the polyisocyanurate matrix exhibits nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. The implication of these results for interfacial shear strength measurements is discussed.
Objective vs. subjective measurements of sleep in depressed insomniacs: first night effect or reverse first night effect?

Study Objectives:This study examined changes in sleep parameters between the laboratory and the home setting before and after laboratory monitoring in depressed insomniacs undergoing treatment.Meth...
Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier Second Harmonic as Millimeter-Wave Beacon Source for Atmospheric Propagation Studies

The design and test results of a novel waveguide multimode directional coupler for a CW millimeter-wave satellite beacon source are presented. The coupler separates the second harmonic power from the fundamental output power of a traveling-wave tube amplifier. A potential application of the beacon source is for investigating the atmospheric effects on Q-band (37 to 42 GHz) and VW-band (71 to 76 GHz) satellite-to-ground signals.
Taking Credit Couples' Reports of Contributions to Child Care

Biases in husbands' and wives' reports of the relative distribution of child-care responsibility, and the effect of those biases on marital adjustment, were examined in this study. Two hundred and sixty-eight married couples estimated each spouse's percentage contribution to 32 specific child-care tasks and to five global aspects of child-care responsibilities, and completed the Spanier dyadic adjustment scale. The t tests comparing husbands' and wives' estimates on the child care measures showed a consistent credit-taking bias. Spouses gave themselves more credit for participation on a given task than they were given by their partners. Pearson correlations between the degree of credit-taking and marital satisfaction were not significant. The inconsistency between credit-taking for child care and other evidence suggesting an idealization bias between spouses is discussed.
Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Secretin on Gastric Secretion

Summary Intravenously administered secretin (Boots) caused profound inhibition of food-induced secretion of gastric acid from Heidenhain fundic pouches in 10 dogs. Diversion of bile from the duodenum by means of an external (seven animals) or internal (three animals) biliary fistula abolished the inhibitory effect of secretin upon food-induced secretion from the Heidenhain pouches. The instillation of bile into the duodenum alone or during the intravenous administration of secretin caused inhibition of food-induced secretion, although the duodenal instillation of sodium taurocholate failed to reproduce the effect of whole bile. Secretin inhibited food-induced secretion from the Heidenhain pouches in three dogs with complete ligation of the pancreatic ducts.
A Real-Time Route Diversion Management System

We present our work on the real-time route diversion system RTRDS, a module developed for the State of Florida's SunGuide Automated Transportation Management System ATMS. Our RTRDS is an extensible, adaptor-based framework designed to create optimal route diversions based upon available real-time and historical traffic information, and disseminate these plans in real time. Given the need for a route diversion, operators can choose to have the system generate a new route diversion, or select from an archive of historical route diversions. The user interface permits operators to modify generated and historical route diversion plans on-the-fly and then implement them with existing hardware (dynamic message signs, etc.). Furthermore, due to the tight integration with Dynasmart-P, operators can save the current route diversion plan and traffic conditions to files that can be used for later performance analysis.
A Graph Theoretical Analysis of the Web Using DNS Traffic Traces

The structure of the web has been extensively studied using HTML-based data. However, the increase in dynamic and personalized content has made the analysis of HTML-based data more difficult. A viable alternative to studying the web using HTML data is to study the web using DNS traffic traces. In this paper, we conduct a preliminary study to investigate the question - What can DNS traffic traces tell us about the structure of the web? In particular, we analyze the connectivity properties of this web graph by using eigenvalue analysis and spectral clustering. We also discuss the implications of this analysis with respect to web development and user privacy.
The Influence of Phragmites (Common Reed) on the Distribution, Abundance, and Potential Prey of a Resident Marsh Fish in the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey

This study investigates the influence ofPhragmites australis (common reed) invasion on the habitat of the resident marsh fish,Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog) in the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. These abundant fish play an important role in the transfer of energy from the marsh surface to adjacent subtidal waters and thus estuarine food webs. The objectives of this 2-yr study (1999 and 2000) were to compare the distribution and abundance of the eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults of mummichog and their invertebrate prey inhabitingSpartina alterniflora-dominated marshes withPhragmites-dominated marshes, and to experimentally investigate the influence of marsh surface microtoprography on larval fish abundance withinPhragmites-dominated marshes. In 2000, we verified that egg deposition does occur inPhragmites-dominated marshes. In both years, the abundance of larvae and small juveniles (4–20 mm TL) inS. alterniflora was significantly greater than inPhragmites-dominated marshes, while larger juveniles and adults (>20 mm TL) were similarly abundant in both habitat types. The overall abundance of larvae and small juveniles was significantly greater in experimentalPhragmites plots in which microtopography was manipulated to resemble that ofSpartina marshes than inPhragmites control plots. Major groups of invertebrate taxa differed between marsh types with potential prey for larval fish being significantly more abundant inS. alterniflora marshes.Phragmites-dominated marshes may not provide the most suitable habitat for the early life-history stages of the mummichog. The low abundance of larvae and small juveniles inPhragmites marshes is likely due to inadequate larval habitat and perhaps decreased prey availability for these early life history stages.
Fire Exclusion Effects within the Pinus palustris Communities of Upland Island Wilderness, Texas

Abstract This study quantifies differences in vegetation richness, composition, and structure between sites where fire has been excluded for 20 years and frequently burned sites in a Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) community within the Upland Island Wilderness in eastern Texas. Sixty plots were allocated equally between two sites: Upland Island, where fire had been excluded, and Boykin Spring, where fires were frequent. Plots were stratified within 3 relative topographic positions: lower slopes, upper slopes, and ridges. We collected data on vegetation within four strata (herbaceous, woody understory, mid-story, overstory) and on site parameters. Compared to the frequently burned site, the fire-excluded site had lower herbaceous species richness and cover, greater cover by shrubs and other pines in the understory and midstory, a denser midstory, and less Longleaf Pine regeneration. Overall, vegetation differences did not appear to be shaped by any underlying local edaphic and physiographic gradients. Our ...