cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leadership of information technology for teacher education: a discussion of complex systems with dynamic models to inform shared leadership

Abstract Educational systems around the world are changing rapidly in response to the technological and economic restructuring that is sweeping our societies. Teacher educators who have adopted information and communication technologies (ICT) are often cast in the role of agents of change to lead education's response with the promise and potential of technology. However, the complexity of the interacting educational systems in which teacher educators work is demanding and bewildering at times. These leaders can benefit from a set of dynamic models through which to interpret, experience, and inform their vision so that ICT may serve education and today's diverse societies. This article discusses two dynamic models that have proved their value to the author over a decade. The key concepts and characteristics of complex systems and dynamic models to promote appropriate shared leadership of information technology (IT) in teacher education are illustrated by experience and related research to improve the effec...
Emergence and Transfer of Antibacterial Resistance

There is increased public and scientific interest regarding the administration of therapeutic and subtherapeutic antimicrobials to animals. This is due primarily to the emergence and dissemination of multiple antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacterial pathogens. The debate regarding antimicrobial use in animals and subsequent human health implications has been going on for over 30 yr. This was initiated by the release of the Swann report in the United Kingdom in 1969. While this issue has triggered a tremendous controversy, there is still no agreement on the significance of antimicrobial use in animals and (or) resistance in bacterial isolates from animals on the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance among human bacterial pathogens. Contributing to the controversy is the isolation of bacterial pathogens of animal and human origin that are increasingly resistant to most frontline antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and even fluoroquinolones. Recent studies have demonstrated that the majority of these multiple antimicrobial resistant phenotypes are obtained by the acquisition of external genes that may provide resistance to an entire class of antimicrobials. A number of these resistance genes have been associated with large, transferable, extra-chromosomal DNA elements, called plasmids, on which may be other DNA mobile elements, termed transposons and integrons. These DNA mobile elements have been shown to possess genetic determinants for several different antimicrobial resistance mechanisms are largely responsible for the rapid dissemination of resistance genes among different bacterial genera and species. Although the impact of a dairy practitioner or producer may seem small with regards to the emergence and dissemination of bacterial antimicrobial resistance, it is critical that we understand the importance of appropriate antimicrobial therapy from a broader perspective in the dairy production environment.
Methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia reverts fibrinolytic pathway activation in a murine model of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Increased fibrinolysis is an important component of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) bleeding diathesis. APL blasts overexpress annexin II (ANXII), a receptor for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen, thereby increasing plasmin generation. Previous studies suggested that ANXII plays a pivotal role in APL coagulopathy. ANXII binding to tPA can be inhibited by homocysteine and hyperhomocysteinemia can be induced by L-methionine supplementation. In the present study, we used an APL mouse model to study ANXII function and the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia in vivo. Leukemic cells expressed higher ANXII and tPA plasma levels (11.95 ng/mL in leukemic vs 10.74 ng/mL in wild-type; P = .004). In leukemic mice, administration of L-methionine significantly increased homocysteine levels (49.0 μmol/mL and < 6.0 μmol/mL in the treated and nontreated groups, respectively) and reduced tPA levels to baseline concentrations. The latter were also decreased after infusion of the LCKLSL peptide, a competitor for the ANXII tPA-binding site (11.07 ng/mL; P = .001). We also expressed and purified the p36 component of ANXII in Pichia methanolica. The infusion of p36 in wild-type mice increased tPA and thrombin-antithrombin levels, and the latter was reversed by L-methionine administration. The results of the present study demonstrate the relevance of ANXII in vivo and suggest that methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia may reverse hyperfibrinolysis in APL.
Unique solvability of the Dirichlet problem for an ultrahyperbolic equation in a ball

We obtain a criterion in terms of zeros of Jacobi polynomials for the uniqueness of the solution of the first boundary value problem for an ultrahyperbolic equation in a ball. The nonuniqueness in the Dirichlet problem proves to occur if and only if the coefficient of the equation belongs to a countable dense subset of the real line.
An overview of hybrid simulation implementations in NEES projects

Abstract Hybrid simulation is an advanced structural seismic experimental method that combines experimental physical models with analytical numerical models; its versatility and capability of simulating seismic response of large-scale specimens make it particularly applicable to the general civil structural systems. Hybrid simulation has been applied to over twenty George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) projects. This paper provides an overview of hybrid simulation implementations used in these projects based on the shared project data available at the NEEShub project warehouse. A brief introduction of hybrid simulation methods is firstly presented. Then hybrid simulation implementations in NEES projects are discussed in detail, including experimental substructural materials and scaling, substructural partition, hybrid simulation framework, integration algorithms, real-time hydraulic compensations, and verifications and applications of hybrid simulation results. The paper concludes that hybrid simulation is an effective, reliable and economic experimental method in earthquake engineering but requires further development to provide more realistic structural responses and validated general hybrid simulation procedure for broader application.
Pulmonary artery aneurysms; report of a case treated by surgical intervention.

The successful surgical treatment of an aneurysm of the left main pulmonary artery is reported. It appears that, after ligation of the main pulmonary artery, it is desirable not to remove the lung but preserve it as a space occupying organ which will retain some function. Literature on the subject of pulmonary aneurysms is reviewed.
Volatilization of Solid-Phase Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Model Mixtures and Lampblack-Contaminated Soils

This work summarizes the results from batch experiments investigating the vapor pressure of solid-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. Literature regarding the vapor-phase behavior of such systems is sparse because of the relative difficulty in measuring these low volatility compounds. Emerging thermal technologies for remediating soils impacted by such mixtures would greatly benefit from a better understanding of their vapor pressures. An environmentally relevant example of a multicomponent, solid-phase organic contaminant may be associated with lampblack, a sooty byproduct of the oil gasification process employed at former manufactured gas plants (MGPs). PAHs persist at high concentrations in an unspecified state on lampblack and are typically the contaminants of greatest regulatory concern at lampblack-impacted sites. In the first part of this study, three mass ratios for two binary PAH solid combinations were fabricated and studied to determine equilibrium PAH partial pressures. Binar...
Are heart-lung transplant recipients protected from developing bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome?

Background Heart-lung transplant recipients, when compared with heart transplant recipients, are relatively spared from allograft coronary artery disease. This study was undertaken to investigate whether heart-lung transplant recipients are also spared from experiencing bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) when compared with double-lung transplant recipients. In addition, the risk factors for developing BOS after lung transplantation were analyzed. Methods Heart-lung and bilateral sequential double-lung transplant recipients were reviewed retrospectively from 1990 to 2000 using the Stanford Transplant Database. The heart-lung transplant group consisted of 77 heart-lung transplant recipients and the double-lung transplant group consisted of 51 double-lung transplant recipients. The rates of BOS, survival, acute rejection, and cytomegalovirus infection at 1, 3, and 5 years were measured. Results There were no significant differences in patient demographics between the two groups. Rates of survival and acute rejection were similar in the two transplant groups. The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was significantly higher in heart-lung transplant recipients. Freedom from BOS was similar in the two transplant groups. Risk factors for the development of BOS in the heart-lung and double-lung transplant recipients included male donor, younger recipient age, a diagnosis other than cystic fibrosis, nonuse of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the use of OKT3 induction therapy. Conclusions Heart-lung transplant recipients exhibit BOS at a rate similar to double-lung transplant recipients. The immunoprotective effect the lung allograft presumably provides the heart is not reciprocated by the heart in preventing the development of BOS.
Effect of d-lysergic acid diethylamide on spinal reflexes.

SummaryThe amplitude of the monosynaptic reflexes recorded from the ventral roots of unanaesthetized spinal cats was found to be increased after i.v. injection of LSD in doses greater than 200 μg/kg. Polysynaptic activity was depressed coincidentally with facilitation of the monosynaptic spike.
Constructing an S-matrix from the truncated conformal approach data

Abstract We study the scaling region of the nonunitary minimal M2,9 theory perturbed by the o1,4 operator. We propose the corresponding minimal S1,1-matrix by performing a numerical analysis of the energy spectrum. Finally we mention a connection between this model and an RSOS reduction for the o1,2 operator.
Gamma-ray response functions for scintillation and semiconductor detectors

Abstract A gamma-ray detector response function model has been developed which enables computation of spectra for a variety of scintillation or high purity germanium detectors over the energy range 50 keV to 3 MeV. A set of 32 empirically determined parameters are used to describe the detector efficiency and interaction event probabilities. The model also computes the effects of scattered radiation, attenuation, coincidence event detection, and random pileup. The accuracy and general applicability of this model for a variety of detector types and configurations surpasses capabilities existing heretofore. The ability to compute accurate spectral templates is a requirement for radiochemical analysis of low resolution spectra using linear regression. An example analysis of a sodium iodide measurement of fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident is presented. The detector response model also provides a means of computing the response of a detector to an arbitrary photon flux profile such as leakage spectrum computed by a radiation transport code.
Impact of childhood maltreatment on physical health-related quality of life in U.S. active duty military personnel and combat veterans

Previous studies have found an association between childhood maltreatment (CM) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to a lesser extent have considered whether psychiatric symptoms may explain the relationship. This study aimed to further our understanding of the link between CM and HRQoL by testing whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and physical HRQoL. Mediation models were examined in a sample of male Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) active duty and combat veterans (n=249). PTSD and depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between CM and overall physical HRQoL, as well as participation in daily activities due to physical health, bodily pain, and social functioning. Mediation of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and physical and social functioning by depression and PTSD symptoms may lend support to neurobiological hypotheses that childhood maltreatment sensitizes the nervous system and after repeated trauma may lead to the development of psychiatric symptoms, which have a major impact on morbidity and mortality.
Spectral degeneracy of the lattice dirac equation as a function of lattice shape

Abstract We investigate the free Dirac equation in 2 + 1 dimensions on square, triangular, and hexagonal lattices. For each lattice the spectrum exhibits a degeneracy not present in the continuum limit. In the square and hexagonal cases there is a 4-fold degeneracy corresponding to 2 independent symmetries of the Hamiltonian; the degeneracy is eliminated by diagonalizing these symmetries and projecting onto the subspace characterized by a particular pair of eigenvalues. For the triangular case the degeneracy is 6-fold, but the naive Hamiltonian does not possess enough symmetry to eliminate the degeneracy. Certain ambiguities in the lattice Hamiltonian are pointed out and by the addition of terms which vanish in the continuum limit, it is cast in a form with sufficient symmetry to remove the degeneracy entirely, just as was done for the hexagonal and square lattices. It is found that after elimination of the spectral degeneracy the Hamiltonians for the hexagonal and triangular lattices are identical. The solutions to these theories are shown to have the correct continuum limit.
Serotonergic antagonists and vascular disease.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) can evoke both contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. In disease, the constrictor component of the response to the monoamine appears to dominate. 5HT2-serotonergicantagonists favor dilatation, not only because they block the activating effect of serotonin on vascular smooth muscle, but also because they unmask the (endothelium-dependent) relaxation to the monoamine and brake the amplifying effect that it exerts on platelet aggregation. These properties of serotonergic antagonists help to explain their protective effects in vascular disease.
40 years of U.S. cigarette smoking and heart disease and cancer mortality rates.

Abstract This paper reviews some recent studies of the associations between cigarette smoking and mortality rates. It also reports on time series correlation studies of the relationships between per capita cigarette smoking and mortality rates for heart disease and respiratory cancer for the period 1940–1979 for the United States. Major findings tend to support the view that there is a 20 year lag relationship between smoking (especially number of cigarettes consumed per capita) and respiratory cancer mortality, while there appears to be no lag in the relationship of smoking (especially pounds of tobacco consumed per capita) to heart disease mortality. Smoking is found to explain over 90% of the variance in the relationship between smoking and respiratory cancer mortality, while it explains only 50% of the variance between smoking and heart disease mortality.
Clients' assessment of the affective environment of the psychotherapy session : Relationship to session quality and treatment effectiveness

This study investigated clients' affective experience during therapy. Clients (N = 268) completed Therapy Session Reports (TSR) in an early session of treatment. The two sections of the TSR that assess how the client felt and how the client perceived the therapist to be feeling were combined and factor analyzed. Six stable and meaningful factors were derived (Client Distressed, Client Remoralized, Reciprocal Intimacy, Therapist Confident Involvement, Client Inhibited, and Therapist Distracted). Affect scale scores were created and compared to session quality and treatment effectiveness. Clients' affective experience was highly correlated with patient-rated session quality. The association between clients' affective experience during the session and treatment effectiveness was fairly strong for relatively brief therapy but insignificant for relatively lengthy treatment. The implications for practitioners, who—in contrast to most measures of therapeutic process—have easy access to clients' in-session emotional experiences, are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 55: 597–605, 1999.
Anomalously High Specific Absorption Rate in Bioaffine Ligand-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Suspensions

Bioaffine ligand-coated iron oxide nanoparticles have been commonly utilized to target cancer cells and have potential for application in hyperthermia for cancer treatment. Hence, it is important to gain more understanding on their heat dissipation mechanisms to better optimize them for clinical treatments. Of particular importance is to determine the effect of biofunctional coating on the heat generation rate, especially when it is formed by relatively large molecules. In this context, the heat dissipation rate of magnetite nanoparticle coated with biotin and protein A was studied by comparing their theoretical and experimental specific absorption rate (SAR). The results suggest that the experimental SAR of both samples is higher than the SAR predicted based on experimental AC magnetic susceptibility, which takes into account magnetic losses only. The increase in SAR above predictions is attributed in part to additional friction loss associated with the partial rotation of large, asymmetric clusters of magnetite nanoparticles in alternating magnetic field. This hypothesis was verified by comparing the rate of temperature increase of nanoparticles embedded in hydrogel of different stiffness.
Apical hard-tissue deposition in adult teeth of monkeys with use of calcium hydroxide

The anterior teeth of five adult monkeys were divided into two groups. In one group the pulps were removed and the teeth were left open to oral fluids. The other group had vital pulps. Five teeth were designated as controls. The pulp canals of both groups were debrided, filed, and flushed thoroughly. In the two experimental groups (vital and pulpless), the apical third of the canal was filled with Ca(OH)2. In the control group no medication was placed in the canal. The coronal access of the canals of all groups was sealed with amalgam. After 270 to 330 days, the teeth were sectioned and examined histologically. No apical bridging was observed in any group.
Workers' Education and the Reproduction of Working Class Culture in Sheffield, England

This article examines the role of selected educational institutions in reproducing the distinctive cultural practice of a socially subordinate class in a complex society. Industrial and public service workers in the city of Sheffield, England, participate in a broad range of educational activities that contribute positively to the extended reproduction of a working class culture. Why this contribution is positive and the comparative relevance of the Sheffield data are examined also.
Infrared Diffuse Reflectometer For Spectral, Angular And Temperature Resolved Measurements

This paper describes an integrating sphere - Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer (FTS) instrument and its measurements of directional hemispherical reflectance as a function of angle, temperature and wavelength in the infrared. Samples can be mounted in the center of the sphere or on the wall of the sphere. The center mounted samples can be tilted to vary the beam incidence angle from 0° to 60°; wall mounted samples can be heated to temperatures of 250°C. Measurements on samples using both sample mounts are presented and compared. A discussion of the measurement techniques used to obtain round robin results (presented in an accompanying paper) is also given. A study of the temperature dependence of a single round robin sample is presented. Detailed measurements of a ruled gold sample are given and the importance of the detector's field-of-view in explaining this data is demonstrated with a simple experiment.
Enhanced Stability and Knockdown Efficiency of Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyphosphoramidate/siRNA Micellar Nanoparticles by Co-condensation with Sodium Triphosphate

Purpose Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are a promising vehicle for siRNA delivery but suffer from low stability under physiological conditions. An effective stabilization method is essential for the success of polycationic nanoparticle-mediated siRNA delivery. In this study, sodium triphosphate (TPP), an ionic crosslinking agent, is used to stabilize siRNA-containing nanoparticles by co-condensation.
Coherent and Multi-symbol Noncoherent CPFSK: Capacity and Code Design

The capacity of coded continuous-phase frequency-shift keying (CPFSK) is found for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels under the assumption that the symbols at the modulator input are independent and uniformly distributed. Two forms of reception are considered, coherent detection and multi-symbol noncoherent block detection. Calculating the coherent capacity of CPFSK is facilitated by considering the system as a finite-state Markov channel. A methodology is proposed for designing systems that approach the capacity by using an irregular repeat-accumulate (IRA) code. The code is optimized directly from the system's EXIT chart by using linear programming to determine the optimal variable-node degree distribution. Results are presented for a rate 1/2 MSK system that is within 0.43 dB and 0.33 dB of the coherent and 4-symbol noncoherent capacities, respectively.
Sodium and the flux of calcium ions in electrically-stimulated cerebral tissue.

— The rate of efflux of 45Ca2+ from slices of rat cerebral cortex was resolved into two exponential curves which were attributed to an extracellular component and an intracellular or bound component. Electrical stimulation increased efflux of 45Ca2+ from the more stable pool and the time course for the redistribution of Na+ and K+ paralleled that for the increased efflux of Ca2+. This effect of stimulationwas dependent on the presence of Na+ in the incubation medium. Lack of Na+ in the medium during loading of the slices with 45Ca2+ increased uptake but on subsequent transfer to a medium containing Na+, electrical pulses failed to increase the rate of efflux of 45Ca2+. In unstimulated slices, the rate of efflux of 45Ca2+ was dependent upon the concentration ratio of Na+ to Ca2+ in the incubation medium. Saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin inhibited the increased efflux of 45Ca2+ that occurred during electrical stimulation but exerted no effect on Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange. Our results suggest that there is a Na+-dependent turnover of Ca2+ in brain slices which may involve changes in affinity at a common binding site. The possible involvement of such a Na+-Ca2+ interaction in the regulation of neurotransmitter function is discussed.
FREUD AS LEONARDO: WHY THE FIRST PSYCHOBIOGRAPHY WENT WRONG

ABSTRACT The first genuine psychobiography, Sigmund Freud's Leonardo da Vinci and a Memory of His Childhood (1910/1957b), presented several important guidelines for psychobiographical research Among them were the rejection both of pathography and of idealization, and the avoidance both of arguments built upon a single clue and of strong conclusions based upon inadequate data Though the guidelines are sound, Freud violated those guidelines in the very work where they first appeared Freud's methodological errors and his “obsession” with the Leonardo book are traced in part to his projective identification with Leonardo, incorporating aspects of his own sexual history and his anxieties about the future of the psychoanalytic movement
Ab initio pseudopotential calculations for aluminum-rich cobalt compounds

First principles pseudopotential calculations with a plane wave basis set are performed for a variety of real and hypothetical Al-rich structures in the Al-Co system. The technical issues arising in the application of the plane wave pseudopotential method to these compounds, specifically the transferability and the energy convergence of the pseudopotentials, the broadening schemes for finite k-point sampling, and the implementation of the conjugate gradients algorithm for metallic systems, are discussed. The structural properties of fcc Al and AlCo in the CsCl (B2) structure are studied in detail, and found to be in good agreement with experiment and linear augmented-plane-wave method calculations. Results from first principles total energy calculations for the full set of structures considered are discussed in connection with recent pair potential calculations, trends in the electronic density of states, and the structural energetics of these intermetallic compounds, closely related to quasicrystals.
Belief-based cleaning in trajectory sensor streams

The imprecision in data streams received at the base station is common in mobile wireless sensor networks. The movement of sensors leads to dynamic spatio-temporal relationships among sensors and invalidates the data cleaning techniques designed for stationary networks. As one of the first methods designed for mobile environments, we introduce a novel online method to clean the imprecise or dirty data in mobile wireless sensor networks. Our method deploys a belief parameter to select the helpful neighboring sensors to clean data. The belief parameter is based on sensor trajectories and the consistency of their streaming data correctly received at the base station. The evaluation over multiple mobility models shows that the proposed method outperforms the existing data cleaning algorithms, especially in sparse environments where the node density in the system is low.
Relevance of the single-file model to water flow through porous cell membranes.

Abstract A physical argument shows that pores of molecular width and 100 A length connecting two water-filled vessels are empty of water molecules approximately 98% of the time, contain one molecule approximately 2% of the time, and rarely contain two or more molecules. As a result, the “single-file” model of Hodgkin and Keynes does not apply to the flow of water through porous cell membranes. The same result is obtained from the equation of state of a one-dimensional fluid.
Hindered Convection of Macromolecules in Hydrogels

Hindered convection of macromolecules in gels was studied by measuring the sieving coefficient (Θ) of narrow fractions of Ficoll (Stokes-Einstein radius, rs = 2.7–5.9 nm) in agarose and agarose-dextran membranes, along with the Darcy permeability (κ). To provide a wide range of κ, varying amounts of dextran (volume fractions ≤ 0.011) were covalently attached to agarose gels with volume fractions of 0.040 or 0.080. As expected, Θ decreased with increasing rs or with increasing concentrations of either agarose or dextran. For each molecular size, Θ plotted as a function of κ fell on a single curve for all gel compositions studied. The dependence of Θ on κ and rs was predicted well by a hydrodynamic theory based on flow normal to the axes of equally spaced, parallel fibers. Values of the convective hindrance factor (Kc, the ratio of solute to fluid velocity), calculated from Θ and previous equilibrium partitioning data, were unexpectedly large; although Kc ≤ 1.1 in the fiber theory, its apparent value ranged generally from 1.5 to 3. This seemingly anomalous result was explained on the basis of membrane heterogeneity. Convective hindrances in the synthetic gels were quite similar to those in glomerular basement membrane, when compared on the basis of similar solid volume fractions and values of κ. Overall, the results suggest that convective hindrances can be predicted fairly well from a knowledge of κ, even in synthetic or biological gels of complex composition.
The roles of spokes-avatars' personalities in brand communication in 3D virtual environments

Second Life is the fastest growing avatar-based 3D virtual environment, as well as a promising media channel for marketing and advertising. Spokes-avatars are increasingly used as company (brand) representatives, personal shopping assistants, conversation partners, recommendation agents, and persuasion agents in such virtual environments. This study aimed to empirically investigate the roles of spokes-avatars’ personalities with regard to source credibility, brand attitude and consumers’ feelings of presence. A two-group comparison experiment examined the effects of spokes-avatars’ different personalities (sincere/competent vs exciting) on source credibility and brand communication. The results showed that the subjects who interacted with sincere/competent spokes-avatars showed greater source expertise and trustworthiness, a more positive attitude towards the brand, higher satisfaction with the retailer, and greater online shopping intentions than those who interacted with exciting spokes-avatars.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Two Pass Cooling Channel of Gas Turbine Blade With Analytical Wall Function Turbulence Approach

This paper reports experimental and computational studies of flow and heat transfer through a square duct with a sharp 180 degree turn. The main purpose of this research is to study flow and heat transfer predictions of the Analytical Wall-Function (AWF). To compare the predicting performance of the AWF, the standard Log-Law Wall-Function (LWF) and Low-Reynolds-number (LRN) k-e model were applied. Their results were also compared with the experimental results for validation. In addition, three extended forms of the AWF were tested. Computational results showed better agreement with the experimental data, especially after the turn of the channel. It was also found that the wall-function (WF) models predicted more reasonable results as Reynolds number increased. The both wall-function models predicted similar results except for separation/reattachment regions where the LWF predicted lower Nusselt number than the other models.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Lessened malate inhibition of guard-cell phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase velocity during stomatal opening

Leaflets of Vicia faba with closed stomata or with opening stomata were freeze-dried. Excised guard-cell pairs were assayed individually under suboptimal conditions (pH 7.1 and subsaturating substrate) for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) using quantitative histochemical procedures. l-Malate, 400 μM, significantly inhibited guard-cell PEPC activity of closed stomata but not that of opening stomata. We postulate that the lessened sensitivity of guard-cell PEPC activity to malate inhibition is an important regulatory feature of stomatal opening, which is associated with malate accumulation.
"Noninvasive" oral treatment of asthma in the emergency room.

Abstract One hundred forty consecutive patients with acute asthmatic episodes presenting to the emergency room were studied prospectively to assess the efficacy of oral therapy. After the emergency room staff was oriented to the pharmacologic action of hydroalcoholic elixir of theophyline, oral terbutaline, and a metered-dose hand-held nebulizer (metaproterenol), use of oral therapy as Initial therapy rose from 12 percent to 76 percent (p = 0.005). More than half of these patients were discharged without receiving any of the traditional more invasive therapies of subcutaneous epinephrine, intravenous hydrating fluids with aminophylline, and machine-delivered sympathomimetic aerosols. Oral therapy did not substantially after the total time spent in the emergency room. Only 4 percent treated with oral therapy required further treatment in the emergency room within 48 hours; 2 percent vomited after treatment. Oral therapy is safe and effective for most asthmatic patients presenting to the emergency room, as they generally are undermedicated with regard to theophyllines and sympathomimetic drugs. Use of oral therapy in the emergency room is a potent tool for educating asthmatic patients in the use of medication available for home use. The patients who require emergency room treatment despite being well-medicated at home (a small minority) need a higher level of care including intermittent positive-pressure breathing, corticosterolds, and often hospitalization.
First report of stem and crown rot of garbanzo caused by Sclerotinia minor in the United States and by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Arizona

In March 2000, plants began to die within two garbanzo (Cicer arietinum L.) fields about 48 km apart in southwestern Arizona. Initial symptoms included wilting of leaves and stem necrosis on individual branches, followed by entire plant necrosis and death. White mycelium was present on plant stems near the soil surface. In one field, small black irregularly shaped sclerotia (1 mm in diameter) were present on the infected stem surface along with the white mycelia, whereas in the other field the associated sclerotia were of similar shape but larger (5 to 6 mm in diameter). Isolation from diseased garbanzo stem tissue from the respective fields yielded Sclerotinia minor, which produced small sclerotia when cultured on potato-dextrose agar and S. sclerotiorum, which produced the typical larger sclerotia of this species. To fulfill Koch's postulates, healthy plants and associated soil from a garbanzo field with no evidence of infection by Sclerotinia were removed with a shovel and transferred into a series of 8-liter plastic pots. After transporting back to the laboratory, some of the plants were inoculated by wounding stems with a 5-mm-diameter cork borer, placing an agar disk containing either S. minor or S. sclerotiorum onto each wound, securing the agar disk to the stem with plastic tape, then incubating the plants at 25°C for 7 days. Control plants were treated similarly except that agar disks did not contain Sclerotinia. Stems inoculated with S. minor or S. sclerotiorum developed symptoms of wilt and necrosis, including the appearance of white mycelium and sclerotia on the stem surface, whereas control plants remained healthy. S. minor or S. sclerotiorum were recovered from garbanzo stems inoculated with the respective species of the pathogen. Sclerotinia leaf drop, which can be caused by S. minor or S. sclerotiorum on lettuce in Arizona, had been observed in both fields previously. Garbanzo fields in Arizona usually are watered by furrow irrigation. Disease was most severe in areas of the garbanzo fields that were heavily irrigated with resultant wetting of tops of plant beds. Proper management of irrigation water and avoidance of establishing a garbanzo planting in fields following lettuce could help reduce future losses from these pathogens. S. minor previously had been reported as a pathogen on Cicer arietinum from the island of Sardinia (2); however, this is apparently the first report of the pathogen on garbanzo other than in Sardinia. S. sclerotiorum has been reported as a pathogen on this host in several countries including the United States (California) (1) but not previously in the state of Arizona. References: (1) I. W. Buddenhagen, F. Workneh, and N. A. Bosque-Perez. Int. Chickpea Newsl. 19:9-10, 1988. (2) F. Marras. Rev. Appl. Mycol. 43:112, 1964.
Pressure dependence of intersystem crossing and triplet internal conversion in naphthalene vapor

Abstract The pressure dependence of intersystem crossing and internal conversion in the triplet manifold of naphthalene vapor was studied by monitoring the concentration of both the singlet ground state at the peak of and one minute after flash excitation, and the lowest triplet state at the peak of the flash. Helium was used as the foreign gas up to pressures of 460 Torr. The pressure of naphthalene was 0.026 Torr in all cases. In summary, the experimental results are: (1) Ground state depletion during the flash is independent of pressure. (2) The population of the lowest triplet state, experimentally zero initially, increases with increasing helium pressure and becomes constant above 100 Torr. (3) Photodecomposition decreases with increasing pressure of helium and finally approaches zero at pressures greater than 100 Torr. The conclusions which result from these observations are: (1) In the absence of collisions, photochemical decomposition of excited triplet molecules can compete effectively with internal conversion. (2) Intersystem crossing is not pressure dependent in naphthalene.
An inequality study of ambient nitrogen dioxide and traffic levels near elementary schools in the Tampa area

Environmental equity has been identified as a challenge and goal of national to global air quality management. Here, relationships between traffic-related air pollution measures and the social demographics of elementary schools are investigated. Ogawa passive samplers were used to measure ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) levels near 75 randomly selected elementary schools in the county containing Tampa, FL over one week in March 2008. Concentrations were determined using colorimetric reaction using Hach nitrite reagent and photometric detection at 545 nm. NO(2) levels, two metrics of traffic (highest annual average daily traffic count within 500 m and 1000 m), and school enrollment data by demographic subgroup (racial/ethnic and socioeconomic) were then compared. Data were analyzed for distribution statistics, linear correlations, and differences in subgroup category means. Weighted average values of NO(2) and traffic count were also calculated for each subgroup. All measured NO(2) levels were low, with a mean of 2.7 ppbv and range from 0.8 to 4.7 ppbv. Values were largest at sites near downtown. Results from all analyses show comparatively higher potential exposures to measured NO(2) and traffic count for black school children, and lower values for white and Asian or Pacific Islander school children. The economically disadvantaged and Hispanic subgroups were also associated with higher levels of NO(2) and traffic counts, but the relationship was not as strong or robust. Although measured NO(2) levels were low and the differences between groups are small, results suggest disparities by racial/ethnic and economic status in children's exposures to air pollution for the Tampa area.
Binding of europium(III) ions to RNA stem loops: role of the primary hydration sphere in complex formation.

Understanding the process by which RNA molecules fold into stable structures includes study of the role of site-bound metal ions. Because the alkaline earth metal ions typically associated with RNA structure [most often Mg(II)] do not provide convenient spectroscopic signals, replacement with metal ions having spectroscopically useful properties has been a valuable approach. The luminescence properties of the lanthanide(III) series, in particular europium(III), have made them useful in the study of complexation with biomolecules. We review the physical, chemical, and spectroscopic characteristics of Eu(III) that contribute to its value as a probe of RNA-metal ion interactions, and examples of information obtained from studies of Eu(III) bound to small RNA stem loops. Although Eu(III) has similar site preference to Mg(II), luminescence and isothermal titration calorimetry measurements indicate that Ln(III) loses water molecules from the inner hydration sphere more readily than does Mg(II), resulting in more direct coordination between RNA and the metal ion and very different energetics of binding. In some cases, e.g., a GAAA tetraloop, binding appears to occur by a lock and key process; in the same base sequence containing certain deoxynucleoside substitutions that alter loop structure, binding appears to occur by an induced fit process.
Amino acid transporter expansions associated with the evolution of obligate endosymbiosis in sap-feeding insects (Hemiptera: sternorrhyncha)

Mutualistic obligate endosymbioses shape the evolution of endosymbiont genomes, but their impact on host genomes remains unclear. Insects of the sub-order Sternorrhyncha (Hemiptera) depend on bacterial endosymbionts for essential amino acids present at low abundances in their phloem-based diet. This obligate dependency has been proposed to explain why multiple amino acid transporter genes are maintained in the genomes of the insect hosts. We implemented phylogenetic comparative methods to test whether amino acid transporters have proliferated in sternorrhynchan genomes at rates grater than expected by chance. By applying a series of methods to reconcile gene and species trees, inferring the size of gene families in ancestral lineages, and simulating the null process of birth and death in multi-gene families, we uncovered a 10-fold increase in duplication rate in the AAAP family of amino acid transporters within Sternorrhyncha. This gene family expansion was unmatched in other closely related clades lacking endosymbionts that provide essential amino acids. Our findings support the influence of obligate endosymbioses on host genome evolution by both inferring significant expansions of gene families involved in symbiotic interactions, and discovering increases in the rate of duplication associated with multiple emergences of obligate symbiosis in Sternorrhyncha.
A comparison of multivariate moving average control charts for the process mean

Two alternatives to the multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart are considered. One of these alternatives is an arithmetic moving average control chart which is the arithmetic average of the sample means for the last k periods. The other alternative is a truncated version of the EWMA which truncates the EWMA after a fairly short period of time so that more emphasis is placed on the most current observation. Simulated average run length (ARL) results indicate that for some situations these alternatives charts outperform the multivariate EWMA chart. Some suggestions are made for designing charts to detect a specific shift and comparing the alternative charts. Some authors have noted that past in-control data may diminish the chart's ability to detect a shift in the process mean. To examine this, the scenario will be discussed when the process is in-control initially but goes out-of-control at some random time period. This is more like a realistic manufacturing setting, where the proc...
Lectin binding to larval stages of Brugia patei.

Abstract Rao U.R. , Kwa B.H. , Nayar J.K. and Vickery A.C. 1989. Lectin binding to larval stages of Brugiapatei. Internationaljournal for Parasitology 19: 689–690. Surface properties of microfilariae (mf) and infective larvae of Brugiapatei were investigated to compare them to previous studies with the other brugian species. Of all the lectins tested, only wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binds to the sheath surface of mf indicating the presence of N-acetyl- d -glucosamine as a major surface carbohydrate. However, cuticle of infective larvae failed to show binding of these lectins. Enzyme treatment of mf with N-acetyl- d -glucosaminidase and l -fucosidase has exposed d -mannose, N-acetyl- d -galactosamine and l -fucose on the sheath surface. The binding of lectins to intact mf and to enzyme-treated mf appeared to be specific as pretreatment with specific inhibitory sugars completely abolished the binding activity. This is the first study conducted with this filarial parasite and it established that B. patei is similar to other species of Brugia but differs from Wuchereria in its surface-lectin binding properties.
An analysis of angle, orientation, and location distortions in the bent line aftereffect

One hundred twenty-eight Ss evaluated the aftereffects of bent lines on four test figures. The results indicate that the S misperceives the orientation of the test figure rather than its angularity. There is a misperception of location, but it does not contribute to the basic aftereffect. These results, in conjunction with some recent findings in our laboratory, indicate that there are at least three components of the misperceptions occurring in most orientation studies.
Exchange-correlation potential and excited-state density functional theory

The exchange-correlation potential associated with excited-state density functional theory is studied numerically using accurate electron densities for ground and excited states of He, Be, Ne, Mg, and Ar. The long-range and short-range behaviors of this potential are discussed. First-excitation energies are estimated using various prescriptions. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of species interactions on landscape abundance patterns

Summary 1. We develop a process-based bioenergetic model that incorporates population dynamics to predict the abundance trends for Anolis lizards along elevation gradients in the Lesser Antilles islands. Model outcomes are compared with empirical abundance trends on islands with and without species interactions and with differential topography. 2. The bioenergetic model incorporating body size, thermal physiology and prey abundance qualitatively predicts how lizard abundance declines with elevation for solitary anole species. Empirical elevation trends on northern and southern one-species islands have similar slopes but different intercepts at sea level. The greater anole abundance on the southern islands is predicted by the model when parameterized with the empirically observed higher insect abundance. 3. Anole abundance patterns on two-species islands diverge from the bioenergetic model predictions. One species is more abundant at sea level and the other more abundant at higher elevations compared with the trend for solitary anoles. Species interactions modify population responses to elevation gradients.
Passenger behaviors during norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.

Background Norovirus causes a majority of outbreaks of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on cruise ships calling on the United States. Control measures include patient isolation, hand washing, and facility closure. Little is known about the behaviors and practices of people who have become ill with norovirus GI illness compared to those who remained well during an outbreak. Methods Passenger surveys were distributed during three cruise ship outbreaks caused by norovirus. Surveys inquired about illness symptoms, ill contacts, illness reporting status, hand sanitation beliefs and practices, and availability of public hand sanitizer. A case was a passenger reporting three or more episodes of loose stool in a 24-hour period, three or more episodes of vomiting in a 24-hour period, or one or more episodes each of loose stool and vomiting in a 24-hour period. Controls reported that they were not ill during the cruise. Results In total, 1,323 responses were compared. All ships had passengers who were ill prior to embarkation. Most cases delayed or did not report their illness to the ship’s infirmary because they did not believe it was serious (43%–70% of responses). Cases were less likely to believe that isolation was effective in preventing disease spread [Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon (MWW) p value <0.0001]. Cases were less likely to believe that hand washing or hand sanitizer are effective means of preventing disease spread (MWW p values 0.002 and 0.04, respectively), wash their hands after restroom use (MWW p value 0.02), or believe that hand sanitizer was available for public use prior to/after knowing about an outbreak (MWW p values 0.002 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusions Prevention and control of norovirus GI illness may be improved by routine screening of embarking passengers, education about GI illness and its impact on public health, a focus on improving hand-washing practices, and identification of public hand sanitizer dispensing locations.