cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term nitrogen isotope dynamics in Encelia farinosa reflect plant demographics and climate.

While plant δ15 N values have been applied to understand nitrogen (N) dynamics, uncertainties regarding intraspecific and temporal variability currently limit their application. We used a 28 yr record of δ15 N values from two Mojave Desert populations of Encelia farinosa to clarify sources of population-level variability. We leveraged > 3500 foliar δ15 N observations collected alongside structural, physiological, and climatic data to identify plant and environmental contributors to δ15 N values. Additional sampling of soils, roots, stems, and leaves enabled assessment of the distribution of soil N content and δ15 N, intra-plant fractionations, and relationships between soil and plant δ15 N values. We observed extensive within-population variability in foliar δ15 N values and found plant age and foliar %N to be the strongest predictors of individual δ15 N values. There were consistent differences between root, stem, and leaf δ15 N values (spanning c. 3‰), but plant and bulk soil δ15 N values were unrelated. Plant-level variables played a strong role in influencing foliar δ15 N values, and interannual relationships between climate and δ15 N values were counter to previously recognized spatial patterns. This long-term record provides insights regarding the interpretation of δ15 N values that were not available from previous large-scale syntheses, broadly enabling more effective application of foliar δ15 N values.
The Novel Use of Flexible Endoscopic Techniques in the Management of Pharyngocutaneous Fistulas

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a complication of laryngectomies in 14 to 23% of patients. The rate of spontaneous resolution of small and low-output fistulas has been shown to be 65 to 94% in those who are radiation-naive, with a reduced rate of resolution in patients who were previously radiated as low as 33%. Two patients are presented who underwent total laryngopharyngectomy and anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction at our institution eventually complicated with PCF. All the pertinent patient data were retrieved through chart review from the records of our institution. The cases presented had a prior history of radiation or chemoradiation complicating the spontaneous resolution of the PCF. Both patients had successful resolution of PCF with the flexible endoscopic techniques presented. This case series highlights the management of small PCFs using flexible endoscopic techniques including over-the-scope clips and Vicryl mesh plugs.
Physiological and Metabolic Requirements, and User-Perceived Exertion of Immersive Virtual Reality Exergaming Incorporating an Adaptive Cable Resistance System: An Exploratory Study.

Objective: To measure metabolic and physiological demand, subjective fatigue, and enjoyment during a signature 30-minute immersive virtual reality (IVR) adaptive cable resistance exergaming session...
Knock Characteristics of Liquid and Gaseous Fuels in Lean Mixtures

The knock characteristics of natural gas (NG), 89 octane unleaded gasoline, 2,2-dimethyl butane (22DMB), and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is stoichiometric and lean fuel-air mixtures were studied in a production 4-cylinder automotive engine. The Intake Temperature at the Knock Limit (ITKL) was found to be very different for each fuel but in every case the ITKL of lean mixtures was much higher than that of a stoichiometric mixture. Gasoline and 22DMB exhibited a much greater increase in ITKL than MTBE and NG at lean conditions. Surprisingly, for lean mixtures 22DMB exhibited values of ITKL that were much higher than MTBE and almost as high as those of NG. These results are compared with a detailed numerical model of autoignition chemistry. Good agreement between model and experiment is found for all modelled conditions. The computations show that the internal isomerization of alkyperoxy radicals which form much more readily in gasoline and 22DMB than the other fuels, accounts for the effect of equivalence ratio on the ITKL.
Antibodies Against the Activated Coagulation Factor X (FXa) in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome that Interfere With the FXa Inactivation by Antithrombin

Antiphospholipid Ab have been shown to promote thrombosis and fetal loss in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Previously, we found IgG anti-thrombin Ab in some APS patients that could interfere with inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin (AT). Considering that activated coagulation factor X (FXa) is homologous to thrombin in the catalytic domains and is also regulated primarily by AT, we hypothesized that some thrombin-reactive Ab may bind to FXa and interfere with AT inactivation of FXa. To test these hypotheses, we studied reactivity of eight patient-derived monoclonal IgG antiphospholipid Ab with FXa and the presence of IgG anti-FXa Ab in APS patients and investigated the effects of FXa-reactive mAb on AT inactivation of FXa. The results revealed that six of six thrombin-reactive IgG mAb bound to FXa and that the levels of plasma IgG anti-FXa Ab in 38 APS patients were significantly higher than those in 30 normal controls (p < 0.001). When the mean plus 3 SDs of the 30 normal controls was used as the cutoff, 5 of 38 APS patients (13.2%) had IgG anti-FXa Ab. Importantly, three of six FXa-reactive mAb significantly inhibited AT inactivation of FXa. Combined, these results indicate that anti-FXa Ab may contribute to thrombosis by interfering with the anticoagulant function of AT on FXa in some APS patients.
Generation of high densities of gas phase O/sub 2/(a/sup 1//spl Delta/) from optical pumping of liquid oxygen

A long-pulse Nd:YAG laser is used to produce high densities of O/sub 2/(a/sup 1//spl Delta//sub g/) in liquid oxygen. Optical absorption, oxygen excitation and partial energy disposal into heating results in the production of an atmosphere of gas phase O/sub 2/(a/sup 1//spl Delta//sub g/).
Decentralized monitoring of leader-follower networks of uncertain nonlinear systems

Efforts in this paper seek to develop a new method to monitor for undesirable performance in the general leaderfollower network structure of autonomous agents. Concepts from optimal control and adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) are used to develop a novel metric which networked agents with uncertain nonlinear dynamics use to monitor each other with decentralized communication. The developed approach uses a data-driven concurrent learning-based policy to identify agent dynamics and functions used to characterize optimality conditions, which are then used to check for compliance with specified performance criteria.
Parental Expressed Needs: A Preliminary Guide for Services and Interventions

Abstract This study examined the expressed needs of 150 care-givers of HIV-infected children. The authors assessed the frequency of reported needs and examined the effect of variables that may influence them. The variables include: the caregiver's relationship to the child, their HIV-status, and race, the age of the child, the route of transmission, and the child's awareness of their own HIV diagnosis. The study delineates the different needs articulated by caregivers for the HIV-infected children at three different developmental stages, and by the caregivers' HIV-status and relationship to the children. The most urgent needs found were for mental health services and health education. The age of the child, the parent's HIV status, and the child's awareness of his or her diagnosis had the most impact on the types of services caregivers requested.
Membrane Proteins: Structure and Arrangement in the Membrane

The membranes of a cell have the principal function of setting the boundaries between the cell and the environment and between compartments within the cell. These boundaries prevent the movement of all polar solutes from one compartment to another, unless such movement is required for biological activity; under these circumstances, special transport systems are required. Thus membranes can be considered as structures which are selectively permeable. The barrier to movement of polar solutes across the membrane is provided by one of the two major components of the membrane: the lipids. The other major component of the membrane, the proteins, provides the permeability function. Membrane proteins also determine most of the other properties of a membrane: They carry the determinants of specificity which distinguish one cell from another and allow for recognition between cells; they determine the shape and architecture of the membrane; they are the receptors for information about the environment and relay that information to other parts of the cell; and they are enzymes with a precise compartmental localization.
Interreader variability and predictive value of US descriptions of solid breast masses: pilot study.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives This study evaluated the specificity of ultrasound (US) characteristics of solid breast lesions and the interreader variability in their interpretation. Materials and Methods In 61 patients, 70 sonographically visible solid masses, scheduled for biopsy because of findings from conventional imaging, were prospectively and sequentially accrued for evaluation. Three readers interpreted the sonograms and described the solid masses in terms of established US characteristics. The specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for each characteristic were calculated by comparing US findings with biopsy findings, and interreader variability was evaluated. Five assessment categories were developed to guide recommendations for patient care. The relative performance of each reader was assessed by measuring the PPV for each assessment category and by measuring the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results The specificity and PPV were calculated for all characteristics and for each reader. The average specificities of the three readers for the most frequently used six characteristics were as follows: spiculation, 97% ± 5 (standard deviation); taller than wide, 91% ± 4; central shadowing, 77% ± 1; markedly hypoechoic, 86% ± 5; duct extension, 95% ± 5; and microlobulation, 84% ± 3 (overall average specificity, 88.5%). The average PPVs for categories II–V were 5%, 10%, 63%, and 94%, respectively. The readers' interpretations were similar and correlated well. Conclusion The proposed US recommendation system is an accurate predictor of histologic findings. A sonographic classification lexicon should prove valuable.
The Effect of Concentration, Solvent, and Temperature on Aggregation of a Commercial Calcium Sulfonate Additive as Studied by FTIR and Light Scattering Techniques

The aggregation of a calcium sulfonate in organic solvents was studied by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. The symmetric stretching band of the S = O bond was found to be sensitive to the concentration of the additive and to the polarity of the solvent. A critical micelle concentration (CMC) may exist in the concentration range of 0.04–0.11 millimole/liter. As the solvent polarity increased, the width in half height of the symmetric stretching band of S = O increased, and the interaction between the solvent and the polar head of calcium sulfonate increased accordingly. This interaction weakened the interaction between the polar heads themselves, and thereby the size of the micelle decreased as found by dynamic light scattering. When the polarity of a solvent is strong enough, e.g., in heptanoic acid or water, the micelles formed may revert back to normal micelles. The FTIR spectra and aggregation size of calcium sulfonate in hexadecane showed that...
Densovirus of Aedes aegypti as an Expression Vector in Mosquito Cells

Abstract We have constructed an infectious DNA clone containing the genome of Aedes aegypti densovirus (AeDNV) in a bacterial plasmid. When this clone was transfected into Aedes albopictus C6/36 mosquito cells, the AeDNV genome rescued from the plasmid and replicated as the wild-type virus. To investigate the cloned virus as an expression vector, the reporter gene encoding β-galactosidase (β-gal) was inserted into four large open reading frames (ORF) observed in the AeDNV genome. When these recombinant constructs were transfected into Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells, the β-gal was expressed efficiently from the right ORF (encoding capsid proteins, Vps) and the mid ORF (encoding putative nonstructural protein 2). A low level of expression was found from the left ORF (encoding nonstructural protein 1, NS1), and no expression was detected from the ORF observed on the minus strand of the AeDNV genome. The expression from the right, mid, and left ORFs can be trans-activated with NS1. A putative nuclear targeting sequence observed in the N-terminus of the AeDNV Vps is presumed to be responsible for transport of the chimeric β-gal into nucleus. The recombinant AeDNV genomes (carrying the β-gal gene) supplied with the AeDNV capsid proteins can be packaged into infectious transducing particles. Our results indicate that the genome of AeDNV can serve as a vector for delivery and expression of foreign genes in mosquito cells with subsequent targeting of the product to the desired cell compartment.
Measurement of erythrocyte C4d and complement receptor 1 in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective C4-derived activation fragments are the only complement ligands present on the surfaces of normal erythrocytes. The significance of this observation is unknown, and the role of erythrocyte-bound C4 (E-C4) in human disease has not been explored. More than any other human disease, the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been characterized by defects in clearance of complement-bearing immune complexes via erythrocytes expressing complement receptor 1 (CR1). This study was undertaken to determine whether these functional defects might be reflected by abnormal patterns of E-C4 and E-CR1 expression on erythrocytes of patients with SLE. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 patients with SLE, 133 patients with other diseases, and 84 healthy controls. Erythrocytes were characterized by indirect immunofluorescence and by flow cytometry for determination of levels of C4d and CR1. Results Patients with SLE had higher levels of E-C4d and lower levels of E-CR1 than did patients with other diseases (P ≤ 0.001) or healthy controls (P ≤ 0.001). The test was 81% sensitive and 91% specific for SLE versus healthy controls and 72% sensitive and 79% specific for SLE versus other diseases, and it had an overall negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion This is the first report of abnormal levels of E-C4d in human disease. We found that abnormally high levels of E-C4d and low levels of E-CR1 are characteristic of SLE, and combined measurement of the 2 molecules has high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for lupus. Determination of E-C4d/E-CR1 levels may be a useful addition to current tests and criteria for SLE diagnosis.
Computer-assisted instruction: Is it right for you?

AbstractThis article discusses computer-assisted instruction (CAI) from the perspective of program-format and courseware users and provides current examples of computer-assisted instruction in the health field. The major benefits and limitations of various CAI formats will also be presented. Lastly,
Crystal Orientation Effects on Electronic Properties of Wurtzite GaN/AlGaN Quantum Wells with Spontaneous and Piezoelectric Polarization

Crystal orientation effects on electronic properties of a WZ GaN/AlGaN quantum well (QW) with spontaneous (SP) and piezoelectric (PZ) polarization are invetigated using the multiband effective-mass theory. The interband transition energy for the flat-band (FB) model without SP and PZ polarization shows a slow decrease with increasing crystal angle. On the other hand, the self-consistent (SC) model shows a significant redshift for cystal angles near θ=0 and a rapid increase of the interband transition energy due to the reduced SP and PZ ploarization effects. The SC model also shows that the matrix elements are significantly reduced near the (0001) orientation due to the large spatial separation between electron and hole wave functions. However, it is observed that the matrix elements rapidly increase with crystal orientation. In the case of the average hole effective mass, both SC and FB models show that their effective mass is significantly reduced near the (1010) crystal orientation. These results mean that the non-(0001) QWs, particularly the (1010) QWs, have a much smaller effective mass and larger matrix elements compared to those of the conventional (0001)-oriented QW.
An Integrated Quadraphonic DC Volume Control

Because of the space requirements, poor tracking capabilities, and connection difficulties of four-ganged potentiometers for use in quadraphonic volume controls, many manufacturers of four channel equipment have been reluctant to use a single master volume control. Instead they have tended to use pairs of dual controls, typically connected as front and back gain controls combined with a pair of left/right balance controls. This results in even poorer tracking and in virtually unrepeatable balance setting for any room arrangement other than an ideally symmetric one where the listener is located on the axis requiring equal level settings on both gain controls. This paper discusses a four channel monolithic volume control whose gain is set by a single dc control voltage, with the ease of connection and space savings this implies. In addition to good channel to channel tracking, it has a fully flexible set of dc controlled balance functions and the capability of gain variation with logic enhanced 4-2-4 matrix recording systems. 1
Tailoring immunosuppressants to hepatitis C virus–infected transplant patients

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading indication for liver transplant in the world. After transplantation, patients remain infected with HCV and are at high risk for recurrent end-stage liver disease. We will review retrospective and prospective studies, which suggest that specific immunosuppressive cocktails are more associated with severe recurrent HCV and relate these studies to in vitro analysis of the effect of immunosuppressants on HCV in vitro. Immunosuppressive antibodies and high-dose steroids have been associated with increased viral replication in the short term, and data also suggest worsening liver disease in the long term. On the other hand, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, and cyclosporine have all been shown to have antiviral properties against HCV in in vitro studies. Although future research is desperately needed, a picture of how the risks and benefits of immunosuppressive regimens in HCV-infected patients differ from non–HCV-infected patients is emerging, and possible recipes for immunosuppressant cocktails tailored to limit HCV while still preventing graft rejection are contemplated.
Attitude Determination from Light Curves

T HE unscented Kalman filter (UKF) [1,2] has been used extensively in spacecraft attitude determination based on standard in situ measurements using gyro-based models for attitude propagation [3,4] and, more recently, in orbit determination from groundbased angles and range measurements [5]. In the latter application, the filter is unable to track changes in attitude, because these changes affect the nonconservative forces, which are subtle as compared with the dominant gravitational forces. (i.e., becoming manifest in positional data over long time scales). Attitude changes must be modeled and tracked to properly account for the nongravitational forces experienced by the object. In thisNote,we describe for thefirst time the use of the UKF in attitude determination from ground-based brightness measurements (i.e., light curves), which are very sensitive to attitude variations. This novel application of the UKF allows for the possibility of more accurate and precise orbit determination by exploiting multi-data-type fusion, combining both astrometric and photometric observationswithin the samedata-reduction process [5].
User-configurable data acquisition systems

Over the past three years we have developed a suite of software tools to support the use of systems with dynamically reconfigurable hardware by scientists and engineers who are not skilled hardware designers. A typical application for our system is the support software for a reconfigurable data acquisition card consisting of a fixed analog section and a configurable digital section built from one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), static RAM chips, and, perhaps, a dedicated processor. In this paper we discuss our software tools, the prototype data acquisition hardware that we have developed, and an example application.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Identity politics as high-risk activism: career consequences for lesbian, gay, and bisexual sociologists

This paper argues that identity politics is a form of high-risk activism. We draw from collective identity approaches to social movements to describe how the Sociologists’ Lesbian and Gay Caucus has used identity-based organizing, assimilationist politics, and personalized political strategies during the past two decades to challenge stigmatized representations of same-sex sexuality and promote equal treatment of gays and lesbians in sociology and the larger society. Using survey data collected in 1981 and 1992 from caucus members, supplemented by intensive interviews, we assess the extent to which an increase in reported rates of discrimination and bias during the past ten years is linked to variations in activist experience and political consciousness. We then present a qualitative analysis of five career consequences suffered by gay, lesbian, and bisexual sociologists who engage in various forms of personalized political resistance: 1) discrimination in hiring; 2) bias in tenure and promotion; 3) exclusion from social and professional networks; 4) devaluation of scholarly work on gay and lesbian topics; and 5) harassment and intimidation. We conclude by examining the implications of our findings for the social movement literature that addresses the formation, use, and impact of identity politics.
MIGRATION TO ZERO OFFSET (DMO) FOR A CONSTANT VELOCITY GRADIENT: AN ANALYTICAL FORMULATION1

Migration to zero offset (MZO) is a prestack partial migration process that transforms finite-offset seismic data into a close approximation to zero-offset data, regardless of the reflector dips that are present in the data. MZO is an important step in the standard processing sequence of seismic data, but is usually restricted to constant velocity media. Thus, most MZO algorithms are unable to correct for the reflection point dispersal caused by ray bending in inhomogeneous media. We present an analytical formulation of the MZO operator for the simple possible variation of velocity within the earth, i.e. a constant gradient in the vertical direction. The derivation of the MZO operator is carried out in two steps. We first derive the equation of the constant traveltime surface for linear V(z) velocity functions and show that the isochron can be represented by a fourth-degree polynomial in x, y and z. This surface reduces to the well-known ellipsoid in the constant-velocity case, and to the spherical wavefront obtained by Slotnick in the coincident source-receiver case. We then derive the kinematic and dynamic zero-offset corrections in parametric form by using the equation of the isochron. The weighting factors are obtained in the high-frequency limit by means of a simple geometric spreading correction. Our analytical results show that the MZO operator is a multivalued, saddle-shaped operator with marked dip moveout effects in the cross-line direction. However, the amplitude analysis and the distribution of dips along the MZO impulse response show that the most important contributions of the MZO operator are concentrated in a narrow zone along the in-line direction. In practice, MZO processing requires approximately the same trace spacing in the in-line and cross-line directions to avoid spatial aliasing effects.
Divide and conquer hartree-fock calculations on proteins

The ability to perform ab initio electronic structure calculations that scale linearly with the system size is one of the central aims in theoretical chemistry. In this study, the implementation of the divide and conquer (DC) algorithm, an algorithm with the potential to aid the achievement of true linear scaling within Hartree−Fock (HF) theory, is revisited. Standard HF calculations solve the Roothaan−Hall equations for the whole system; in the DC-HF approach, the diagonalization of the Fock matrix is carried out on smaller subsystems. The DC algorithm for HF calculations was validated on polyglycines, polyalanines, and 11 real three-dimensional proteins of up to 608 atoms in this work. We also found that a fragment-based initial guess using the molecular fractionation with conjugated caps (MFCC) method significantly reduces the number of SCF cycles and even is capable of achieving convergence for some globular proteins where the simple superposition of atomic densities (SAD) initial guess fails.
Ultra-Fine Water Mist Extinction Dynamics of a Co-Flow Diffusion Flame

Computations are performed to examine the effectiveness of mono-disperse water droplets in extinguishing a co-flow, propane diffusion flame by injecting the droplets into the air stream. The calculations show that the droplets entrained into the reaction kernel at the flame base are crucial for extinction. The reaction kernel detaches from the burner rim and blows-off when the droplet concentration is increased to a critical value (extinction concentration). At the critical value, the maximum chain-branching reaction (H2 + O = OH + H) rate in the reaction kernel was found to be reduced by a factor of 5 in our computations. A large decrease in the reaction rate indicates that the maximum heat generations rate and Damkholer number are too low to sustain the flame, and cause the flame blow-off. Large drops are more effective than small drops, and the extinction concentration of water increases from 10.5% to 15% by mass as the size is reduced from 32 to 4 μm. This is because of competition between the degree ...
Surgical treatment of posterior instability of the shoulder with the posterior-inferior capsular shift

Surgical Principles The posterior-inferior capsular shift is performed to treat recurrent glenohumeral instability that has failed to respond to conservative therapy. Through a posterior approach, the excessively redundant posterior and inferior joint capsule is shifted superiorly to reduce excessive capsular volume. The extent of the lateral capsular dissection inferiorly, as well as the amount of tissue shifted, can be tailored to fit the degree and location of the laxity. When the posterior labrum is found to be detached, it is reattached to the glenoid rim before proceeding with the posterior capsulorrhahy. Bony augmentation of the repair is needed in only rare cases, i.e. in glenoid hypoplasia or in revision capsulorrhaphy procedures.
Porcine xenograft burn dressings. A critical reappraisal.

Early use of porcine skin and mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon Cream) in burn wound care was reported to produce early eschar separation and decrease burn sepsis and pain. Critical evaluation of 20 patients was performed comparing xenograft and mafenide to mafenide alone on the same or similar burn in acute burn surface management with use of the patient as his own control. No difference was found in the interval to eschar separation and healing or autografting. Similarly, no difference was noted between the two treatment areas by skin biopsy or incidence of burn wound infection.
Hydrogen on Pd(111): Self-Consistent Electronic Structure, Chemical Bonding, and Photoemission Spectra

The electronic properties of H chemisorbed on the Pd(111) surface are studied using a self-consistent pseudopotential mixed-basis method. The H atoms are predicted to prefer a threefold hollow over the top site. Strong bonding between hydrogen and the substrate results in (a) dramatic changes in the surface electronic structure and (b) the formation of bonding and antibonding adsorbate states. The combined effects of both accurately reproduce and explain the salient features of recent photoemission measurements.
Loss of neurons in rostral ventromedial medulla that express neurokinin-1 receptors decreases the development of hyperalgesia.

It is well known that neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) are involved in descending modulation of nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. It has been shown that activation of neurokinin-1 receptors (NK-1Rs) in the RVM, which are presumably located on pain facilitating ON cells, produces hyperalgesia whereas blockade of NK-1Rs attenuates hyperalgesia. To obtain a better understanding of the functions of NK-1R expressing neurons in the RVM, we selectively ablated these neurons by injecting the stable analog of substance P (SP), Sar(9),Met(O2)(11)-Substance P, conjugated to the ribosomal toxin saporin (SSP-SAP) into the RVM. Rats received injections of SSP-SAP (1 μM) or an equal volume of 1 μM of saporin conjugated to artificial peptide (Blank-SAP). Stereological analysis of NK-1R- and NeuN-labeled neurons in the RVM was determined 21-24 days after treatment. Withdrawal responses to mechanical and heat stimuli applied to the plantar hindpaw were determined 5-28 days after treatment. Withdrawal responses were also determined before and after intraplantar injection of capsaicin (acute hyperalgesia) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) (prolonged hyperalgesia). The proportion of NK-1R-labeled neurons in the RVM was 8.8 ± 1.3% in naive rats and 8.1 ± 0.8% in rats treated with Blank-SAP. However, injection of SSP-SAP into the RVM resulted in a 90% decrease in NK-1R-labeled neurons. SSP-SAP did not alter withdrawal responses to mechanical or heat stimuli under normal conditions, and did not alter analgesia produced by morphine administered into the RVM. In contrast, the duration of nocifensive behaviors produced by capsaicin and mechanical and heat hyperalgesia produced by capsaicin and CFA were decreased in rats pretreated with SSP-SAP as compared to those that received Blank-SAP. These data support our earlier studies using NK-1R antagonists in the RVM and demonstrate that RVM neurons that possess the NK-1R do not play a significant role in modulating acute pain or morphine analgesia, but rather are involved in pain facilitation and the development and maintenance of hyperalgesia.
Glyoxal-methylglyoxal cross-reactions in secondary organic aerosol formation.

Glyoxal (G) and methylglyoxal (MG) are potentially important secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors. Previous studies of SOA formation by G and MG have focused on either species separately; however, G and MG typically coexist in the atmosphere. We studied the formation of secondary organic material in aqueous aerosol mimic mixtures containing G and MG with ammonium sulfate. We characterized the formation of light-absorbing products using UV−vis spectrophotometry. We found that absorption at 280 nm can be described well using models for the formation of light-absorbing products by G and MG in parallel. Pendant drop tensiometry measurements showed that surface tension depression by G and MG in these solutions can be modeled as a linear combination of the effects of G and MG alone. Product species were identified using chemical ionization mass spectrometry with a volatilization flow tube inlet (Aerosol CIMS). Peaks consistent with G-MG cross-reaction products were observed, accounting for a significant f...
Could Enough Samples be more Important than Better Designs for Computer Experiments

A study was conducted to compare fifteen approaches to improve Latin hypercube designs for computer experiments, based on simulation tests and statistical analyses ANOVA. Kriging models were employed to approximate twenty test functions. Validation at 5000 or 10,000 points was conducted to find prediction errors. The results show that there are statistically significant differences between the approximatin results of employing different designs, but more often the difference is not significant. In most cases, the number of runs or the sample size has stronger impact on the accuracy than do different designs. When the dimension is low, a small size increment can often reduce more error than do "better designs." To get the desired precision by one-stage method, enough samples may be needed regardless what design is used. Sample size determination may need much more attention for computer experiments.
Power Generation Through Coal Gasification: An Overview of DOE-Funded Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy is currently sponsoring a variety of projects aimed at developing advanced systems for power generation using coal gasification as the central conversion process. These systems include both gas turbines and fuel cells as power generating devices and emphasize hot gas cleanup for equipment protection and environmental control from coal contaminants.Gasification projects in the DOE program cover a range of scales from laboratory investigations to PDU scale plants. Fundamental studies of gasification reactions, ash chemistry, transport processes, and modeling are being conducted to uncover potential improvements that may be made to gasification processes and to ways of reducing cleanup burdens on downstream equipment. Several PDU scale projects are being sponsored to further promising processes. Gas stream cleanup emphasize hot control of particulates, sulfur, alkali, and trace species which may damage power generation equipment. A systems approach has been adopted in formulating strategies for these programs. This approach and brief description of projects in gasification and cleanup will be presented.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
TGF-β in infections and infectious diseases

Since it was first described as having the ability to inhibit macrophage activation, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has been analyzed for its role in regulating immune responses to a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, yeast, and protozoa. Most of the studies have involved organisms that infect macrophages, and this discussion will attempt to highlight these findings. Perhaps the most work has been performed with protozoan pathogens, including Trypanosoma cruzi and a variety of Leishmania species, so the discussion will begin with these organisms. Other studies have focused on mycobacteria and viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, so these areas will also be emphasized in the discussion. For the most part, investigators have reported that TGF-β has, as expected, a negative influence on host responses and a beneficial effect on the survival and growth of intracellular pathogens. However, other studies have found that TGF-β may have a positive or beneficial effect in some models of infection. This review will attempt to highlight studies and conclusions on the roles of TGF-β in infection.
The development of ecosystem objectives for the Laurentian Great Lakes

Historically management of human use of ecosystems has been based around engineering and chemical approaches and through the construction of treatment facilities, effluent controls and setting chemical concentrations, both at end of pipe and in the aquatic environment. However, the general continued degradation of many ecosystems shows these approaches alone are insufficient. In the Laurentian Great Lakes the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was first signed in 1972 and ratified in 1978 and in 1987 tacitly acknowledged the problems with a chemical only approach by requiring the development of ecosystem objectives in the 1978 agreement. Furthermore, the agreement specifically identified numerical ecosystem objectives in the 1987 agreement. The evolution of ecosystem objectives in the Great Lakes has expanded from the strictly numerical objectives such as production of lake trout and abundance of the amphipod Pontoporeia hoyi. More recent developments in ecosystem objectives have been the inclusion of indicators for wildlife, habitat, human health and stewardship.
Circumgrids: A repertory grid package for personal computers

Personalconstruct theory(Kelly, 1955) is basedon the assumption that a person's behavior is shapedby his/her constructs. Because of the importance placed on constructs, the major task for construct psychologists is the assessment of theindividual's system of constructs. Nearly a thousand publications using construct theory have emerged since the theory's creation, with about 90% of these using scaling techniques called repertory grids. There are many forms of repertory grids (Beail, 1985; Fransella& Bannister, 1977),with eachproviding some numeric or geometric representation of the individual's construct system. In completing a grid, the person typically ratesor ranksa set of peopleor events alonga number of construct dimensions, suchas intelligent.friendly, and so forth. This rating/ranking produces matrices of numbers that are analyzed, per individual, by oneor more of numerous types of analysis. Results fromthese separate analyses are then either interpreted per individual, as in clinical assessment, or concatenated with results from other subjects' grids to be further analyzed. Research withgridscan be very time-consuming when analysis proceeds by hand. For a number of years, the Britishgovernment providedBritish researchers and clinicians free access to a principal components grid package. This service led to a dramatic increase in publications employing repertory grids.The service hassincebeendiscontinued. At present there are several commercially available computerpackages for grid analysis. The packages generallyprovideonly one type of analysis, are expensive,and requireboth programming skillsand access to mainframe computers. The average researcher, clinician, or studenthoping to usegrid techniques todayfaces formidable obstacles. The purposeof this article is to introduce a computer gridpackage written forpersonal computers. The program, Circumgrids, is written in Turbo Pascal for the ffiM PC system, is user friendly, andprovides several types of analysis. The name Circumgrids is derived fromthe wordcircumspection, a technical term
Estimations of number of active loci, dominance and heritability in polygenic inheritance of gregarious behavior inMuscidifurax raptorellus [Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae]

Estimates of the minimum number of genetic loci governing expressions of gregarious oviposition inMuscidifurax raptorellus Kogan & Legner were enabled by the verification of recombinant males, which were secured from virgin hybrid females, formed by crossing cohorts from solitary and gregarious populations. Examinations of parasitization behavior in female progeny that had F1 male fathers indicated the presence of hybrids among the males. Estimates of gene number, made on the basis of variances in P1, F1, F2 and backcross progeny, and by observing behavior in second and third order backcrosses, ranged from two to 19, with most between two and five. However, backcrossing data suggested that at least eight loci were actively segregating for this characteristic. Semi-dominance of the solitary trait (D=0.63 to 0.84), and unequal gene effects probably caused these gene estimated to be lower than the actual number. Estimates of the coefficient of heritability, in the broad sense based on parental and F1 and F2 variances indicated that variability of gregarious behavior in the experimental environment was influenced >60% by genotypic factors, offspring-parent regression analyses gave estimates >38%.
Seeking the Identity of Jesus: A Rejoinder

Bauckham’s response, while focusing on the historical dimensions of Jesus, is right to raise the question of the meaning of ‘identity’. It perhaps invests too much confidence, however, in memory and recollection. Riches’ thoughtful unpacking of some of the tensions in the volume nevertheless downplays the apocalyptic and the narrative contours of Paul’s thought. While Riches’ call for a wider global view might offer fresh perspectives on the situation of poverty in Jesus’ own context, it would hardly enable us to relativize the demonic realm. Seeking the Identity of Jesus calls for an epistemological approach that recognizes not only ‘the historical nature of theological truth’ (Riches) but also the theological nature of historical truth.
Reversible unfolding of fibronectin type III and immunoglobulin domains provides the structural basis for stretch and elasticity of titin and fibronectin

Abstract The elastic protein titin comprises a tandem array of fibronectin type III and immunoglobulin domains, which are structurally similar 7-strand beta-sandwiches. A proposed mechanism for stretching titin, by sequential denaturation of individual fibronectin type III-immunoglobulin domains in response to applied tension, is analyzed here quantitatively. The folded domain is approximately 4 nm long, and the unraveled polypeptide can extend to 29 nm, providing a 7-fold stretch over the relaxed length. Elastic recoil is achieved by refolding of the denatured domains when the force is released. The critical force required to denature a domain is calculated to be 3.5-5 pN, based on a net free energy for denaturation of 7-14 kcal/mol, plus 5 kcal/mol to extend the polypeptide (1 cal = 4.184 J). This force is comparable to the 2- to 7-pN force generated by single myosin or kinesin molecules. The force needed to pull apart a noncovalent protein-protein interface is estimated here to be 10-30 pN, implying that titin will stretch internally before the molecule is pulled from its attachment at the Z band. Many extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules, such as fibronectin, contain tandem arrays of fibronectin type III domains. Both single molecules and matrix fibers should have elastic properties similar to titin.
Investigating the Influences of a LEAPS Model on Preservice Teachers' Problem Solving, Metacognition, and Motivation in an Educational Technology Course.

This paper discusses a qualitative study which examined students’ problem-solving, metacognition, and motivation in a learning environment designed for teaching educational technology to pre-service teachers. The researchers converted a linear and didactic learning environment into a new open learning environment by contextualizing domain-related concepts and skills and providing ill-structured, collaborative problem-solving opportunities. The intervention called Learning Environments Approaching Professional Situations (LEAPS) took into account issues surrounding motivation and situativity that are of particular interest to instructional developers and design-based researchers. In this study, four classes were assigned as either traditional or LEAPS environments from which four cases were selected for further examination. The results suggested that the LEAPS approach was beneficial in supporting students’ problem-solving, motivation, and self-reflections, but only under specific conditions. The implications for instructional design and motivation are discussed.
The Moments Sliding Vector Field on the Intersection of Two Manifolds

In this work, we consider a special choice of sliding vector field on the intersection of two co-dimension 1 manifolds. The proposed vector field, which belongs to the class of Filippov vector fields, will be called moments vector field and we will call moments trajectory the associated solution trajectory. Our main result is to show that the moments vector field is a well defined, and smoothly varying, Filippov sliding vector field on the intersection $$\Sigma $$ of two discontinuity manifolds, under general attractivity conditions of $$\Sigma $$ . We also examine the behavior of the moments trajectory at first order exit points, and show that it exits smoothly at these points. Numerical experiments illustrate our results and contrast the present choice with other choices of Filippov sliding vector field.
Commentary on "Kindergarten classroom functioning of extremely preterm/extremely low birth weight children" or "Leaving no child behind: promoting educational success for preterm survivors".

Abstract Objective Our purpose was to discuss the supports required at school entry for children with extreme prematurity. Methods We commented on the kindergarten classroom functioning and the importance of providing structure and supports to ensure school-entry learning success. Results Kindergarten readiness is a multidimensional construct that integrates physical, developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive skills necessary for learning in groups. Key components that predict classroom functioning include attention and executive function skills. Conclusions Extremely preterm survivors as well as other critically ill neonates require proactive supports by informed educators.
Characterization of the light-induced currents in Hermissenda

Abstract Classical conditioning of the seaslug, Hermissenda crassicornis, with light and turbulence produces changes in the membrane properties of type B photoreceptors. The light response consists of a generator potential, which persists for the duration of the light flash, followed by a smaller, long lasting depolarization (LLD). Voltage clamp data suggests that two currents generate the light response: a transient sodium current, previously modeled as an IP3-gated sodium current, and a smaller, prolonged current that is sensitive to calcium. A model of the calcium-sensitive light-induced current is developed and included in a model with previously characterized light-induced and voltage-dependent currents. Voltage clamp simulations using this five channel model show that the calcium sensitive component consists of both a sodium current and a potassium current, and that both of them are required for the LLD.
The Malleability of Possible Selves and Expectations regarding Aging.

Many people are apprehensive about old age and their future years. This pilot study sought to improve participants’ sense of possibility in, and expectations for, old age. Students and middle-aged volunteers completed a survey including the Expectations Regarding Aging 38-item questionnaire (ERA-38) and a possible-selves questionnaire before and after a positive-aging-intervention presentation. While there were no significant possible-selves changes, respondents demonstrated an improvement in expectations about aging. This study demonstrates the potential for a brief positive aging intervention to impact expectations for the future. Implications for decision making and health choices are discussed.
A new look at uterine muscle contraction.

Recent progress in our understanding of uterine smooth muscle contraction is reviewed. We no longer believe that actin=myosin interaction in the myometrium occurs through activation of the thin filament; but it is triggered by calcium-depehdent phosphorylation of myosin in the thick filament. Calcium is now thought to originate from both extracellular and intracellular sources. Calcium can enter the cell through either a voltage- or a hormone-controlled calcium channel. The intracellular source of calcium is the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The effect of oxytocin in human labor is no longer considered the result of increased circulating oxytocin but rather of increased oxytocin receptors. In contrast, the contractile action of some prostaglandins is related to increased prostaglandin formation at human parturition. The step between hormone binding and cellular action is mediated by second messengers. The uterine-relaxing action of cyclic adenosine monophosphate is now thought to be limited to the inhibition of myosin phosphorylation. Recently discovered second messengers for contraction of the myometrium are phosphoinositides; their turnover causes calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Guanine nucleotides are thought to be modulators of these two second messengers.