cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WISC-III administration, clerical, and scoring errors made by student examiners.

The purpose of this study was to examine the most frequent administration, clerical, and scoring errors made by graduate student examiners who administer the WIS-III. An additional goal was to document the effect of these errors on the IQ values and Index Scores. The graduate students' test protocols contained numerous administration, clerical, and scoring errors that influenced Full Scale IQs on two thirds of the protocols (average change was .83 points). When failure to record errors (failing to record responses on the test protocol) were omitted from the analysis, the subtests found most prone to error were Comprehension, Vocabulary and Similarities. Additionally, no improvement in test administration occurred over the course of several test administrations. Findings of this study have implications for the education and training of psychology graduate students enrolled in intelligence testing courses.
Stimulus properties of reinforcement during extinction of a free operant response

Abstract Six moderately retarded adolescent girls were conditioned to respond at high stable rates for 4 consecutive days on a fixed ratio 50 schedule. They were then placed on extinction until they met a variable pause criterion for not responding. They were then delivered free reinforcement. The first time that free reinforcement was delivered there was an immediate resumption of responding by all six Ss. The effect ranged from a transitory effect lasting for only one reinforcement presentation to a rather permanent effect showing no decrease after more than 100 reinforcement presentations.
Status of porous pavement research

Abstract This paper discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's porous pavement research program along with the economics, advantages, potential applications, and status and future research needs of porous pavements. Porous pavements are an available stormwater management technique which can be used on parking lots and low volume roadways to reduce both stormwater runoff volume and pollution. In addition, groundwater recharge is enhanced. Also, cost reductions result due to elimination of curbs, drains, and small sized storm sewers. Porous asphalt pavements consist of a relatively thin course of open graded asphalt mix over a deep base of large size crushed stones. Water can be stored in the crushed stone base until it can percolate into the subbase or drain laterally. Other porous pavement types include concrete lattice blocks and a porous concrete mix.
Everyday Caretaker Talk to Toddlers vs. Threes and Fours.

Interpersonal functions of everyday caretaker speech usage are examined when addressed to toddlers, threes, and fours. Twelve teachers, 4 at each age level, were each observed for 24 3-minute intervals during free play, and their speech classified into 45 responsive and spontaneous functional categories based on our previously developed classification scheme for spontaneous child speech (Schachter et al. 1974). The results support hypotheses derived from Piagetian theory concerning early developments in ego-differentiation. Speech patterns with increments in speech to toddlers include explicating desires, providing substitutes for prohibitions, reporting on the child, and word teaching, called alter-ego speech. Patterns with increments for threes and/or fours include enhancing the child's ego, assisting him to fulfil desires himself, and encouraging persistence, called ego-supportive speech, as well as modulations (explanations, justifications, etc.) and admonitions with appeals to norms, called ego-socializing speech. Implications for language acquisition are discussed.
Use of Molecular Probes in the Study of Endocrine Diseases

DNA hybridization techniques are now commonly used in studies of endocrine disease. Although solution and filter hybridization have been more widely used in endocrine studies, ISH offers many advantages to the pathologist. Individual cells can be visualized directly with the microscope to study the expression of specific gene products. ISH is somewhat similar to immunohistochemistry and can be set up rapidly in most histology laboratories, especially when nonradioactive biotinylated probes are used. The ability to combine ISH with immunochemical techniques offers to the pathologist the use of two powerful diagnostic tools simultaneously. Although DNA hybridization has only begun to have an impact in diagnostic pathology, many studies using this technique in the diagnosis of endocrine diseases are emerging. The availability of more probes, especially with nonradioactive detection systems, should accelerate the application of these techniques in diagnostic pathology. As the number of molecular probes available for hybridization studies increases, pathologists can have a major impact in this field by carefully evaluating probes that have potential diagnostic value for their specificity and sensitivity in a wide variety of normal and abnormal human tissues. Such careful and critical analyses will contribute greatly to the confidence with which these molecular probes can be used as another tool in the analysis of difficult diagnostic lesions. Molecular hybridization techniques will also contribute greatly to our knowledge of basic biology and pathophysiology in the study of abnormal gene expression in endocrine and other pathologic conditions.
Perceptions of people with psychological problems: effects of seeking counseling.

The present experiment examined the effects of variations in psychological history and academic qualifications on impressions of college applicants. 94 male and 81 female undergraduates were led to believe that the applicant had previous psychological problems or had previous psychological problems and sought professional help, or they were given no information about psychological history. Subjects also were informed that the person had strong or weak academic credentials or they were given no academic data. Applicants with previous psychological problems were rated more favorably when they sought counseling than when they did not. Applicants for whom no psychological problems were indicated were rated most highly over-all on security and sociability whereas applicants who had problems and sought counseling were evaluated most favorably on competence and character. A main effect for academic credentials was also obtained: subjects generally rated applicants with strong credentials most highly. The over-al...
Relating Calculated Leaf Area Index, Evapotranspiration, and Irrigation Method of Sugarcane

The Standard Class A National Weather Service pan evaporation (SPE) has been used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET), but requires crop coefficients, ET/SPE, which vary with plant development stage, season, leaf area index (LAI), yield, and irrigation method. The objective of this study was to establish relationships among ET, SPE, LAI, yield of plant and two ratoon crops of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), and two irrigation methods. Lysimeters were used for 3 yr (1980-1982) on a Boca fine sand (loamy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Ochraqualfs). Irrigation methods were drip irrigation and subirrigation systems
Graduate medical education training in clinical epidemiology, critical appraisal, and evidence-based medicine: a critical review of curricula.

PURPOSE: To systematically review the published literature on graduate medical education (GME) curricula in clinical epidemiology, critical appraisal, and evidence-based medicine (EBM). METHOD: The author searched the Medline and Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) databases from 1973 th
Dietary myo-inositol therapy in hyperglycemia-induced embryopathy

Dysmorphogenesis in diabetic mothers occurs more frequently than in the general population. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by the teratogenic effects of metabolic fuel mixtures with associated membrane injury and aberrations in the biochemical constituents. The present experiment was designed to determine: 1) if hyperglycemia-induced membrane injury is associated with intracellular and/or extracellular lipid disturbances; 2) if supplemental myo-inositol therapy prevents hyperglycemia-induced embryopathy; 3) if a correlation exists between dietary myo-inositol, serum and tissue levels of myo-inositol, and conceptus development; and 4) the cellular content of arachidonic acid following myo-inositol supplementation. Sixty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were mated, and divided into three groups. One group was nondiabetic normal controls, and two groups had diabetes experimentally induced with streptozotocin. Of the diabetic groups, one received a normal diet, while the other received a myo-inositol-supplemented diet during the period of organogenesis. Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 12 of pregnancy. Embryos and yolk sacs were analyzed for myo-inositol and arachidonic acid levels, using mass spectrochromatography. Dietary myo-inositol supplementation of diabetic mothers resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of neural tube defects when compared with diabetics not receiving supplements (9.5 vs. 20.4%; P < 0.05). This protective effect was incomplete, based on the incidence observed in the nondiabetic controls (9.5 vs. 3.8%; P < 0.05). The myo-inositol embryonic tissue levels in the diabetic group which had been fed a regular diet without supplementation were significantly lower than in the nondiabetic group. Dietary therapy successfully restored myo-inositol levels in the yolk sacs, as suggested by similar tissue levels in diabetics receiving myo-inositol supplementation and normal controls (18.7 ± 1.3 vs. 19.1 ± 2.0 ng/mg; P = ns). Dietary therapy, however, failed to restore myo-inositol levels in the embryos, suggesting hyperglycemia-induced faulty transport of nutrients from the yolk sac to the embryo. No correlation was noted between maternal blood levels of myo-inositol, with or without supplementation, and the clinical outcome. Tissue arachidonic acid levels were markedly reduced in the conceptuses of diabetic mothers with (0.4 ± 0.1 μg/mg) or without (0.25 ± 0.08 μg/mg) myo-inositol supplementation when compared to the nondiabetic controls (3.33 ± 0.24 μg/mg). These data demonstrate that diabetes-induced embryopathy is associated with a deficiency state in both myo-inositol and arachidonic acid. The myo-inositol deficiency is not demonstrated at the serum level, but rather at the tissue level, suggesting a paracrine action. Dietary supplementation of myo-inositol is associated with an increase in tissue myo-inositol levels and a decrease in malformations. This therapy holds promise for use as a dietary prophylaxis against diabetic embryopathy.
Bilateral incurving of the terminal phalanges of the fifth fingers (osteochondrosis

Summary Two cases of mediastinal cystic hygroma with successful surgical excision were reported. The presenting symptoms in both cases were minimal in contrast to the huge size of the tumors.
Arterial imaging with a new forward-viewing intravascular ultrasound catheter, I. Initial studies.

BACKGROUND Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of arteries is limited by the inability of current instruments to visualize beyond the catheter tip. We have developed a prototype 4-mm-diameter forward-viewing IVUS catheter (Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif) that has the ability to provide B-mode cross-sectional ultrasound data for a distance of up to 2 cm distal to the catheter tip. METHODS AND RESULTS To study the utility of this device, a 20-MHz forward-viewing IVUS catheter was used to examine 13 arterial segments (5 human femoral arteries, 1 human carotid artery, 7 canine arteries) in vitro and 1 phantom. After imaging, all data were compared with histology (Histo). In all cases, the IVUS catheter provided forward-viewing images corresponding to the arterial geometry and demonstrated vascular landmarks and atherosclerotic lesions. There was a good correlation between Histo-determined luminal diameters (LD) and IVUS-determined diameters for a distance of 14 mm ahead of the catheter tip: IVUS LD = 1.0 Histo LD + 1.3 (r = .87). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary data suggest that a forward-viewing IVUS catheter is feasible, accurate, and useful for evaluation of arterial geometry distal to the catheter tip.
The hydrodynamic forces on touching spheres along the line of centers exerted by a shear field

Abstract The flow near two touching spheres of radius a1 and a2 in a general linear flow is considered. It is shown that the force on either sphere along the line of centers (z direction) is determined by that part of the flow field which is of the form V ∞ = Vi z + G{zi z − 1/2w ∼ i w ∼ } . For a uniform shear flow G is simply related to the shear rate and doublet orientation. For a freely suspended doublet, the force along the line of centers is F 2 = 6πμa 1 2 Gh · ( a 1 a 2 ) = −F 2 , where h is a tabulated function. It is hoped the results will find application to the analysis of floc stability at high shear rates.
Evaluating Hurricane Intensity Prediction Techniques in Real Time

While the accuracy of hurricane track prediction has been improving, predicting intensity, the maximum sustained wind speed, is still a very difficult challenge. This is problematic because the destructive power of a hurricane is directly related to its intensity. In this paper, we present Prediction Intensity Interval model for Hurricanes (PIIH) which combines sophisticated data mining techniques to create an online real time model for accurate intensity predictions and we present a web-based framework to dynamically compare PIIH to operational models used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The created dynamic website tracks, compares, and provides visualization to facilitate immediate comparisons of prediction techniques. This paper is a work in progress paper reporting on both, new features of the PIIH model and online visualization of the accuracy of that model as compared to other techniques.
NMR Spin Echoes for Molecular Rotators with C 3 Symmetry

NMR spin echoes are calculated for a rotator consisting of three spin-(1/2) nuclei whose three-particle wave function obeys C(3) symmetry. On decomposing the nuclear dipole-dipole interactions in terms of irreducible operators of the representations of the group C(3) it is found that for spins belonging to the A-representation, the echo amplitude is maximized for a RF pulse sequence. The dependences of the echo formation on the orientation of the rotor and on the strengths of the dipolar interactions and the magnetic field inhomogeneities are discussed. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Role of prolactin in chloro-S-triazine rat mammary tumorigenesis.

Chloro-S-triazine herbicides [cyanazine (CZ), atrazine (AZ), simazine (SZ)] increase mammary tumors in Crl:CD® BR rats but not in F-344 rats or in mice. A nongenotoxic mechanism was investigated since the chloro-S-triazines are negative in short-term tests for genotoxicity. An in vivo battery was used to assess the chloro-S-triazines for estrogenic activity or for their ability to increase prolactin (PRL) levels, both of which play important roles in enhancing mammary gland tumorigenesis in rodents. Ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were treated with AZ, CZ, SZ, or three CZ metabolites for 4 days via intraperitoneal injection. The pattern of responses between the chloro-S-triazines and four controls (estradiol, estriol, haloperidol, reserpine) was compared. For the 6 endpoints examined, the responses from rats treated with AZ, CZ, SZ, and the metabolites of CZ most closely matched the responses from the reserpine-treated rats (a PRL rather than estrogenic mechanism). In addition, AZ, CZ, and SZ were tested...
Pretreatment of corn fiber by pressure cooking in water

The pretreatment of corn fiber using liquid water at temperatures between 220 and 260°C enhances enzymatic hydrolysis. This paper describes the laboratory reactor system currently in use for cooking of corn fiber at temperatures ranging from 200 to 260°C. The corn fiber at approx 4.4% solid/liquid slurry was treated in a 2-L, 304 SS, Parr reactor with three turbine propeller agitators and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID), controller that controlled temperature within ±1°C. Heat-up times to the final temperatures of 220, 240, or 260°C were achieved in 50 to 60 min. Hold time at the final temperature was less than 10 s. A serpentine cooling coil, through which tap water was circulated at the completion of the run, cooled the reactor’s contents to 180°C within 2 min after the maximum temperature was attained. Ports in the reactor’s head plate facilitated sampling of the slurry and monitoring the pH. A continuous pH monitoring system was developed to help observe trends in pH during pretreatment and to assist in the development of a base (2.0M KOH) addition profile to help keep the pH within the range of 5.0 to 7.0. Enzymatic hydrolysis gave 33 to 84% conversion of cellulose in the pretreated fiber to glucose compared to 17% for untreated fiber.
Treatment of giant cell granuloma of the maxilla with intralesional injection of steroids

Background Giant cell granuloma is rare in the head and neck region and most commonly affects the maxilla and mandible. Although it is a benign disease process, it may be locally destructive. Surgery is the treatment currently recommended. Because of the location of the disease, surgery may be disfiguring. Because it is a benign process, less radical nonsurgical treatment alternatives are desirable. Methods A case report of a giant cell granuloma treated with steroid injections. Results After six weekly intralesional steroid injections, a giant cell granuloma of the maxilla became calcified and smaller. After a follow-up period of 2 years, there was no evidence of regrowth, and the bony osteolytic lesion had filled with bone. A review of the literature revealed two case reports of successful steroid injections with similar response. Conclusions Steroid injections are a viable alternative in the treatment of giant cell granuloma, which may avoid surgery. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 822–825, 2000.
Technological and Demand Change in Energy Use: An Input—Output Analysis

In this study input–output tables for the US economy are used to examine the changing pattern of energy use from 1963 to 1977. A method is developed for isolating some of the reasons behind the observed changes. We examine the impact of four types of technological change and two types of demand change on energy use. Two types of technological change that are of particular importance in the time period considered are changes in energy mix and changes due to substitution among nonenergy inputs.
ESTIMATING MULTIDIMENSIONAL ITEM RESPONSE MODELS WITH MIXED STRUCTURE

This study derived an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for estimating the parameters of multidimensional item response models. A genetic algorithm (GA) was developed to be used in the maximization step in each EM cycle. The focus of the EM-GA algorithm developed in this paper was on multidimensional items with mixed structure. Simulated item response data were generated and then estimated by a computer program based on the EM-GA algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that the EM-GA algorithm is a very promising approach in estimating multidimensional item response model parameters.
Cocaine-induced changes in NMDA receptor signaling

Addictive states are often thought to rely on lasting modification of signaling at relevant synapses. A long-standing theory posits that activity at N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is a critical component of long-term synaptic plasticity in many brain areas. Indeed, NMDAR signaling has been found to play a role in the etiology of addictive states, in particular, following cocaine exposure. However, no consensus is apparent with respect to the specific effects of cocaine exposure on NMDARs. Part of the difficulty lies in the fact that NMDARs interact extensively with multiple membrane proteins and intracellular signaling cascades. This allows for highly heterogeneous patterns of NMDAR regulation by cocaine in distinct brain regions and at distinct synapses. The picture is further complicated by findings that cocaine effects on NMDARs are sensitive to the behavioral history of cocaine exposure such as the mode of cocaine administration. This review provides a summary of evidence for cocaine-induced changes in NMDAR expression, cocaine-induced alterations in NMDAR function, and cocaine effects on NMDAR control of intracellular signaling cascades.
The Athenian amnesty and the ‘scrutiny of the laws’ *

The ?scrutiny of all the laws? that Andocides invokes in his defence On the Mysteries is usually interpreted as a recodification with the aim of barring prosecution for the crimes of civil conflict. This article advances four theses against that traditional reading: (1) In Andocides? argument the Scrutiny was designed for a more practicable purpose, not to pardon crimes unpunished but to quash any further action against former atimoi, those penalized under the old regime but restored to rights in 403. In context, coming close upon the summary of Patrocleides? decree, ?all the laws? means all laws affecting atimoi. (2) The other evidence from inscriptions and literary testimony, for the Athenian Amnesty and similar agreements, supports this reading: the oath that closed the covenants, me mnesikakein, functions as a rule of estoppel or ?no reprise?; it was not in itself a pledge of ?political forgiveness?. In regard to the Scrutiny, as in Patrocleides? decree, the oath means that old penalties, now cancelled, can never again be enforced. (3) The Scrutiny itself was a reauthorization of the old laws for summary arrest and other standard remedies against atimoi who trespass or violate their restrictions. As a corollary to this re-enactment, the statute of limitations was introduced, ?to apply the laws from Eucleides?: the rules punishing the disfranchised cannot be used against those whose liabilities were incurred before 403. (4) Teisamenus? decree for new legislation was prior to this revision; it is not the decree that Andocides read to the court as a document of the Scrutiny. An ancient editor simply inserted the wrong document. Teisamenus envisioned no alteration of the ?Solonian Code?; the decree for Scrutiny was an unforeseen but necessary correction. These measures were successive reforms sorting out the new hierarchy of rules, a process whose complexity is attested in Diocles? law.
Covariant quark model of pion structure

A relativistic quark model wave function of the pion is obtained from a fit to the experimental data, including the charge radius, charge form factor and weak decay constant.The results are quite stable for different choices of quark mass.The two-photon decay width of the neutral pion and the asymptotic form factor for the gamma*+ pi^0 -> gamma transition are estimated.
PROVIZ: An integrated visualization and programming framework for WSNs

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are rapidly gaining popularity in various critical domains like health care, critical infrastructure, and climate monitoring, where application builders have diversified development needs. Independent of the functionalities provided by the WSN applications, many of the developers use visualization, simulation, and programming tools. However, these tools are designed as separate stand-alone applications, which force developers to use multiple tools. This situation often poses confusion and hampers an efficient development experience. To avoid the complexity of using multiple tools, we have designed a new extensible, multi-platform, scalable, and open-source framework called PROVIZ, which is an integrated visualization and programming framework. In this paper, we explain the various features of PROVIZ's visualization and programming framework and discuss how PROVIZ can be used as a visual debugging tool to aid in providing a software fix.
Cell cycle progression in the developing Drosophila eye: roughex encodes a novel protein required for the establishment of G1.

The onset of pattern formation in the developing Drosophila eye is marked by the simultaneous synchronization of all cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These cells will then either commit to another round of cell division or differentiate into neurons. Although cell cycle synchronization occurs in roughex (rux) mutants, cells circumvent G1 and all cells enter S phase, including cells that would normally differentiate. This leads to defects in early steps of pattern formation and cell fate determination. rux is suppressed by mutations in genes that promote cell cycle progression (i.e., cyclin A and string) and enhanced by mutations in genes that promote differentiation (i.e., Ras1 and Star). rux encodes a novel protein of 335 amino acids. We propose that rux functions as a negative regulator of G1 progression in the developing eye.
CCR4, a 3′–5′ poly(A) RNA and ssDNA exonuclease, is the catalytic component of the cytoplasmic deadenylase

The CCR4–NOT complex from Saccharomyces cerevis iae is a general transcriptional regulatory complex. The proteins of this complex are involved in several aspects of mRNA metabolism, including transcription initiation and elongation and mRNA degradation. The evolutionarily conserved CCR4 protein, which is part of the cytoplasmic deadenylase, contains a C-terminal domain that displays homology to an Mg2+-dependent DNase/phosphatase family of proteins. We have analyzed the putative enzymatic properties of CCR4 and have found that it contains both RNA and single-stranded DNA 3′–5′ exonuclease activities. CCR4 displays a preference for RNA and for 3′ poly(A) substrates, implicating it as the catalytic component of the cytoplasmic deadenylase. Mutations in the key, conserved catalytic residues in the CCR4 exonuclease domain abolished both its in vitro activities and its in vivo functions. Importantly, CCR4 was active as a monomer and remained active in the absence of CAF1, which links CCR4 to the remainder of the CCR4–NOT complex components. These results establish that CCR4 and most probably other members of a widely distributed CCR4-like family of proteins constitute a novel class of RNA–DNA exonucleases. The various regulatory effects of the CCR4–NOT complex on gene expression may be executed in part through these CCR4 exonuclease activities.
High-durability infrared transparent coatings

LWIR windows are exposed to harsh conditions during high speed flight. These include high speed rain drop impact, sand abrasion, corrosion, and aerothermodynamic load. With the possible exception of diamond, there are no LWIR transparent window/dome materials which can withstand these various environments. Rain erosion protective (REP) and oxide based abrasion resistant/oxidation resistant durable antireflection (DAR) coatings have been developed for LWIR applications. These coatings have demonstrated a substantial degree of raindrop impact protection (i.e., damage threshold velocities of approximately Mach 1, for 2 mm equivalent waterdrop impacts at normal incidence). The combination of REP + DAR coating have also demonstrated excellent resistance to sand abrasion in simulated flight environments. The high degree of abrasion resistance makes the DAR coatings applicable to ground based systems, using ZnS and ZnSe, windows as well. An additional advantage of the Raytheon REP + DAR combination is that they are transparent from the visible to the LWIR (8 to 12 mm), making them suitable for applications requiring broadband transparency. Furthermore, the DAR coatings have protected ZnS substrates from oxidation at temperatures up to 1000 degree(s)C. The combination of ZnS REP coating and DAR coating are ideally suited for protecting high speed LWIR missiles from rain and sand damage during captive carry, as well as protecting the dome/window from oxidation during high speed flight. Data are presented to demonstrate the rain/sand and oxidation protection provided by these coatings. The REP and DAR coatings have been scaled up to coat windows and domes for far infrared applications.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spin-exchange kinetics of excitons in Cu 2 O : Transverse acoustic phonon mechanism

The interconversion between orthoexcitons and lower-lying paraexcitons in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ is studied by time resolving the orthoexciton and paraexciton luminescence following picosecond photoexcitation. The buildup of paraexciton numbers and the orthoexciton decay are observed over the temperature range $2--20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. The low-temperature limit of the conversion rate is accurately measured. The temperature dependence of the interconversion rate suggests that the dominant mechanism for ortho-para interconversion is the emission or absorption of a single transverse acoustic (TA) phonon. We propose a microscopic model in which rotation of the lattice induces the spin flip through spin-orbit coupling. The energy splitting between orthoexcitons and paraexcitons is modified by applying stress to the crystal, and the the interconversion rate as a function of this splitting is found to be consistent with the single TA phonon mechanism.
Congenital malformations and psychosocial development in children conceived by in vitro fertilization

To determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a method of conception is associated with an increased risk for congenital malformations or developmental dysfunction, we performed a general physical examination for malformations, neurologic examination, developmental examination (Bayley Scales), echocardiography, electrocardiography, abdominal ultrasound study, and, when possible, cranial ultrasound examination on a cohort of 83 IVF children and 93 matched non-IVF children. Major malformations were found in two IVF and one non-IVF subject; the rates were not significantly different. The mean Mental Development Index scores for IVF subjects and the comparison group were 115 +/- 13 and 111 +/- 13, respectively (p = 0.12). The mean Psychomotor Development Index scores were 114 +/- 14 and 108 +/- 15 (p = 0.04). Based on these small numbers but extensive evaluation, we found no association between conception by IVF and an increased risk for congenital malformations. Likewise, children conceived by IVF showed no evidence of developmental delay. Their high average achievement on the Bayley tests probably resulted from the exceptional motivation of their parents ("wantedness") and their generally high socioeconomic status.
Trade-offs of optimal time advance in terminal area arrivals: Airspace efficiency vs. fuel efficiency

A cost-benefit analysis of scheduled time advance for air traffic arriving in a terminal airspace
Identification of armature circuit and field winding parameters of large utility generators

This paper presents a methodology to estimate armature circuit and field winding parameters of large utility generators using both the synthetic data obtained by the machine natural abc frame of reference simulation and real time operating data of a utility generator. A one-machine infinite bus system including the machine and its excitation system is simulated in the abc frame of reference by using parameters provided by the machine manufacturer. A proper data set required for estimation is collected by perturbing the field side of the machine in small amounts. The recursive maximum likelihood (RML) estimation technique is employed for the identification of armature circuit parameters. Subsequently, based on the estimates of armature circuit parameters, the field winding and some damper parameters are estimated using an output error estimation (OEM) technique. For each estimation case, the estimation performance is also validated with noise corrupted measurements. Finally, the developed methodology is used to identify an actual utility generator parameters from on-line operating data.
Archaeal RecA homologues: different response to DNA-damaging agents in mesophilic and thermophilic Archaea.

Two archaeal proteins, RadA and RadB, share similarity with the RecA/Rad51 family of recombinases, with RadA being the functional homologue. We have studied and compared the RadA and RadB proteins of mesophilic and thermophilic Archaea. In growing cells, RadA levels are similar in mesophilic Methanococcus species and the hyperthermophile Methanococcus jannaschii. Treatment of cells with mutagenic agents (methylmethane sulfonate or UV light) increased the expression of RadA (as evidenced by higher levels of both mRNA and protein) in all organisms tested, but the increase was greater in the mesophiles than in the thermophiles M. jannaschii and Sulfolobus solfataricus. Recombinantly expressed RadA proteins from the mesophile M. voltae and the thermophile M. jannaschii were similar in their ATPase- and DNA-binding activities. All the data are consistent with proposals that RadA plays the same role as eukaryotic Rad51. Surprisingly, the data also suggested that the thermophiles do not need more RadA protein or activity than the mesophiles. On the other hand, RadB is not coregulated with RadA, and its role remains unclear. Neither RadA nor RadB from a mesophile or from a thermophile rescued the UV-sensitive phenotype of an Escherichia coli recA– host.
Differences in Alcohol-Soluble Protein from Genetically Altered Wheat Using Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, One- and Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis, and a Novel Gluten Matrix Association Factor Analysis

ABSTRACT Wheat protein composition and organization play interrelated roles in determining physical properties for technological purposes. In prior research, a number of isogenic wheat lines of Bobwhite that have high levels of expression of the native Dx5 and/or Dy10 high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) were examined vis-a-vis physical properties related to separation. In particular, these altered lines were characterized by poor mixing properties, the formation of mixtures in water that could not be separated by conventional mechanical methods, reduced water absorption, unique milling properties, and severely limited development of microscopic fibrils. These attributes suggested inherent organizational differences at submicroscopic and molecular levels among the various lines. Therefore, proteins were fractionated from whole meals using 70% ethanol to elucidate solubility characteristics and compositions and to infer structural properties. Capillary zone electrophoresis and one- and two-dime...
Isolation and characterization of lipid N-methyltransferase from dog lung

Abstract A soluble protein with lipid N-methyltransferase activity has been isolated from microsomes of dog lung. This protein catalyzes the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to phosphatidyl ethanolamine with the formation of phosphatidyl choline. The partially purified protein was stable at pH greater than 8.2 in the presence of cysteine. It contained 2–5% lipid and had optimal activity at pH 8.0–9.0. Reaction velocities were markedly increased by exclusion of O2 from the reaction system. When saturating levels of S-adenosylmethionine were used, highest reaction velocities were obtained with disaturated phosphatidyl ethanolamine and lower rates with more unsaturated substrates. Reaction rate in the liver particulate-bound system are higher than lung but are the same with saturated or unsaturated phosphatidyl ethanolamine as substrate. In sucrose density-gradient centrifugation experiments the transferase protein was shown to be associated with lamellated structures peculiar to lung pneumocytes. These results suggest that the N-methyltransferase of lung has special properties and may be important in the synthesis of disaturated surface-active phosphatidyl choline.
The role of a single end group in poly(ethylene oxide) adsorption on colloidal and film polystyrene: complimentary sedimentation and total internal reflectance fluorescence studies

Abstract This work examines “apparent equilibrium” and kinetic features of adsorbing homopolymers with a modification at one end of each chain to enhance chain-end adsorption. The end groups combined fluorescent and hydrophobic units so that polymers could be easily assayed and label-induced artifacts avoided. A series of end-modified poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEOs) of constant backbone length (molecular weight 100 000) but with varied end-group hydrophobicity were synthesized and their adsorption on polystyrene (PS) latex and films examined. Isotherms generated by the centrifugation of PS latex revealed that hydrophobically modified PEO adsorbed up to five times more than unmodified PEO. Total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) spectroscopy revealed faster accumulation of hydrophobe-containing PEO compared with less hydrophobic samples. All layers, however, appeared equally stable to washing in pure solvent. Hydrophobe-containing PEOs could incorporate into or displace chains from preadsorbed layers of less hydrophobic PEO, but a preadsorbed layer of end-hydrophobic PEO excluded chains from a less hydrophobic sample. The impact of the small hydrophobic end groups on surface coverages and kinetic features was greater than expected for brush-forming polymers and PEO-surfactant systems. The enhanced end-group effects were attributed to the adsorption of the main backbone, a feature lacking in many previous polymer brush or surfactant studies. A comparison of surface coverages measured by TIRF spectroscopy and centrifugation methods revealed inaccuracies in the internal TIRF calibrations. The centrifugation method was thought to give a more accurate determination of the surface excess, while TIRF spectroscopy is better suited to kinetic and dynamic studies.
Report of a novel OCA2 gene mutation and an investigation of OCA2 variants on melanoma risk in a familial melanoma pedigree

Summary Background Oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) is caused by mutations of the OCA2 gene. Individuals affected by OCA2 as well as other types of albinism are at a significantly increased risk for sun-induced skin-cancers, including malignant melanoma (MM). Objective To identify the molecular etiology of oculocutaneous albinism in a previously uncharacterized melanoma pedigree and to investigate the relationship between two OCA2 variants and melanoma predisposition in this pedigree. Methods DNA and RNA were isolated from the peripheral blood of seven patients in a familial melanoma pedigree. Electron microscopy was performed on the individual with clinical oculocutaneous albinism. OCA2 , TYRP1 , MC1R , CDKN2A / p16 , CDKN2A / p19ARF , and CDK4 genes were sequenced in affected individuals. The relationship between OCA2 variants and melanoma was assessed using a pedigree likelihood-based method. Results The proband was determined to be an OCA2 compound heterozygous mutation carrier with a previously reported conservative missense mutation (V443I) and a novel non-conservative missense mutation (L734R). The pedigree contained individuals diagnosed with both cutaneous and iris melanoma. Based on co-segregation analysis, the odds of these OCA2 variants being high penetrance loci for melanoma was: 1.3-to-1 if we include the iris melanoma as affected and 6.5-to-1 if we only consider cutaneous melanoma as affected. Conclusion The discovery of this novel OCA2 variant adds to the body of evidence on the detrimental effects of OCA2 gene mutations on pigmentation, supports existing GWAS data on the relevance of the OCA2 gene in melanoma predisposition, and may ultimately assist in the development of targeted molecular therapies in the treatment of OCA and melanoma.
Toward Selective Covalent Inactivation of Pathogenic Antibodies A PHOSPHONATE DIESTER ANALOG OF VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL PEPTIDE THAT INACTIVATES CATALYTIC AUTOANTIBODIES

We report the selective inactivation of proteolytic antibodies (Abs) to an autoantigen, the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), by a covalently reactive analog (CRA) of VIP containing an electrophilic phosphonate diester at the Lys20 residue. The VIP-CRA was bound irreversibly by a monoclonal Ab that catalyzes the hydrolysis of VIP. The reaction with the VIP-CRA proceeded more rapidly than with a hapten CRA devoid of the VIP sequence. The covalent binding occurred preferentially at the light chain subunit of the Ab. Covalent VIP-CRA binding was inhibited by VIP devoid of the phosphonate diester group. These results indicate the importance of noncovalent VIP recognition in guiding Ab nucleophilic attack on the phosphonate group. Consistent with the covalent binding data, the VIP-CRA inhibited catalysis by the recombinant light chain of this Ab with potency greater than the hapten-CRA. Catalytic hydrolysis of VIP by a polyclonal VIPase autoantibody preparation that cleaves multiple peptide bonds located between residues 7 and 22 essentially was inhibited completely by the VIP-CRA, suggesting that the electrophilic phosphonate at Lys20 enjoys sufficient conformational freedom to react covalently with Abs that cleave different peptide bonds in VIP. These results suggest a novel route to antigen-specific covalent targeting of pathogenic Abs.
Three improved hybrid metaheuristic algorithms for engineering design optimization

This paper presents three hybrid metaheuristic algorithms that further improve the two hybrid differential evolution (DE) metaheuristic algorithms described in Liao [1]. The three improved algorithms are: (i) MDE'-HJ, which is a modification of MA-MDE' in Liao [1] by replacing the random walk with direction exploitation local search with the Hooke and Jeeves (HJ) method; (ii) MDE'-IHS-HJ, which is constructed by adding the Hooke and Jeeves method to the original cooperative hybrid, i.e., MDE'-IHS; and (iii) PSO-MDE'-HJ, which is a variation of MDE'-IHS-HJ by replacing improved harmony search (IHS) with particle search optimization (PSO). A comprehensive comparative study was carried out to compare the three improved hybrids with the three algorithms presented by Liao [1] in terms of average success rate, average function evaluations taken, average elapsed CPU time, and convergence profiles. A total of 18 problems, 4 more than those used in Liao [1], were selected from different engineering domains for testing. The test results indicate that all three new hybrids can achieve higher success rate in much less CPU time. Among these three hybrids, MDE'-IHS-HJ is the best one in terms of success rate, better than the best hybrid in Liao [1] by over 15% and better than the second best, PSO-MDE'-HJ, by nearly 10%.
Structure of a superconducting vortex pinned by a screw dislocation

Spatial dependence of the magnetic field and the superconducting current in a flux line pinned by a screw dislocation are computed. Interaction of a superconducting vortex with the chiral-symmetry breaking elastic strain of a screw dislocation results in a helical current along the axis of the dislocation. It is argued that screw dislocations make impossible a force-free arrangement of flux lines in the presence of a transport current.
Anomalous Coupling Between Topological Defects and Curvature

We investigate a counterintuitive geometric interaction between defects and curvature in thin layers of superfluids, superconductors, and liquid crystals deposited on curved surfaces. Each defect feels a geometric potential whose functional form is determined only by the shape of the surface, but whose sign and strength depend on the transformation properties of the order parameter. For superfluids and superconductors, the strength of this interaction is proportional to the square of the charge and causes all defects to be repelled (attracted) by regions of positive (negative) Gaussian curvature. For liquid crystals in the one elastic constant approximation, charges between 0 and $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ are attracted by regions of positive curvature while all other charges are repelled.
Radiative corrections for many-electron atoms in perturbation theory

Abstract The techniques of Erickson and Yennie for treating the Lamb shift are generalized to obtain finite expressions for additional radiative corrections. These terms were previously formally generated by us in their unrenormalized form in perturbation theory, and are of significance for the case of many-electron atoms. For the sake of brevity, only log corrections (terms proportional to ln(Zα)2 and the analogues of the Bethe-log term) are considered. Explicit finite expressions, suitable for immediate numerical evaluation, are obtained. The effect of these corrections is first to replace the unshielded nucleus by one that is shielded by the core electrons. A secondary effect accounts for the change of the energy of a given orbital state due to the radiative effects on the core electrons during their interaction with that orbital state. Because of the simple physical interpretation of the perturbation theory results, the corresponding radiative correction contributions to the Dirac-Fock approximation can be obtained in the simplest approximation (neglect of Bethe-log terms) and can be conjectured in the general case.
The Power and Generalized Logarithmic Means

(1980). The Power and Generalized Logarithmic Means. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 87, No. 7, pp. 545-548.
Braids which can be plaited with their threads tied together at each end

The group of braids, which can be plaited from n untwisted threads tied together at each end, is examined and its structure is determined. An algorithm is derived for deciding whether or not a given braid can be so plaited and a calculation procedure is described. The problem arises from a process of manufacturing braids by a machine which plaits by passing a shuttle, on which the constructed braid is wound, between the threads, which are supplied from bobbins effectively fixed and inaccessible. Every plait on three threads can be constructed in this way. For more than three threads, examples are given both of plaits which can be so constructed and of plaits which cannot.
Coevolution of heterogeneous multi-robot teams

Evolving multiple robots so that each robot acting independently can contribute to the maximization of a system level objective presents significant scientific challenges. For example, evolving multiple robots to maximize aggregate information in exploration domains (e.g., planetary exploration, search and rescue) requires coordination, which in turn requires the careful design of the evaluation functions. Additionally, where communication among robots is expensive (e.g., limited power or computation), the coordination must be achieved passively, without robots explicitly informing others of their states/intended actions. Coevolving robots in these situations is a potential solution to producing coordinated behavior, where the robots are coupled through their evaluation functions. In this work, we investigate coevolution in three types of domains: (i) where precisely n homogeneous robots need to perform a task; (ii) where n is the optimal number of homogeneous robots for the task; and (iii) where n is the optimal number of heterogeneous robots for the task. Our results show that coevolving robots with evaluation functions that are locally aligned with the system evaluation significantly improve performance over robots evolving using the system evaluation function directly, particularly in dynamic environments.
HIV Infection and Aging Independently Affect Brain Function as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We investigated the interactions between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and aging and their effects on brain function demands by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A multiple-regression model was used to study the association and interaction between fMRI measures, HIV serostatus, and age for 26 HIV-infected subjects and 25 seronegative subjects. Although HIV serostatus and age independently affected fMRI measures, no interaction occurred. Functional brain demands in HIV-positive subjects were equivalent to those of HIV-negative subjects who were 15-20 years older. Frailty parallels between HIV infection and aging could result from continued immunological challenges depleting resources and triggering increased metabolic demands. In the future, fMRI could be a noninvasive biomarker to assess HIV infection in the brain.