cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Chronic and Increasing Shortage of Fully Certified Teachers in Special and General Education

This study addresses the chronic and increasing national shortage of fully certified special education teachers (SETs) in comparison with general education teachers (GETs). The data sources were the 1987–1988 through 1999–2000 Schools and Staffing Surveys and the Data Analysis System for special education for school years 1987–1988 through 2001–2002. The study found that (a) the shortage of fully certified SETs increased from 7.4% in 1993–1994 to 12.2% in 2001–2002 (2%-4% greater than the shortage of fully certified GETs), (b) the number of additional fully certified SETs needed almost doubled from 25,000 in 1993–1994 to 49,000 in 2001–2002, (c) the shortage of fully certified teachers was exacerbated by entering teachers (only 44.4% of entering SETs were fully certified), and (d) only 53.1% of first-time entering SETs with extensive teacher preparation were fully certified.
Using Open-Source Data to Study Bias Homicide Against Homeless Persons

Despite their high-profile nature, there has been a lack of scholarly research on bias-motivated homicide in the United States. One explanation for this dearth of prior research is the lack of official data available on this type of crime. In response, the current study proposes an alternative method for studying one form of bias crime, homicides targeting homeless persons, using open-source data (e.g., court documents, news media reports, advocacy group chronologies, etc.). To demonstrate their utility, open-source data are employed to empirically examine anti-homeless homicide incident, suspect, and victim characteristics. Findings reveal that anti-homeless homicide tends to be committed in public parks with blunt objects by groups of young males against older, solitary male victims. Implications for policy are briefly discussed.
Coupling between light- and food-entrainable circadian oscillators in pigeons

Two experiments were conducted with a restricted feeding schedule to determine whether pigeons have a separate food-entrainable oscillator (FEO) and to assess the coupling strength between the FEO and the light-entrainable oscillator (LEO). In the baseline condition, the body temperature (Tb) and O2 consumption of two pigeons increased prior to light onset (LD 12:12 cycle) and food presentation (at the ninth hour of the light phase). In one experiment, when the LD cycle was phase delayed or advanced by 4 h while feeding time remained unchanged, the Tb and O2 rises prior to light-onset showed the expected delaying or advancing transients, but the rises prior to feeding also delayed or advanced for several days before returning to their proper phase position. In the second experiment, food was presented at 23.5-h intervals for 10 days while the LD cycle continued with a 24-h period. Entrainment to the LD cycle was unaffected, and Tb and O2 consumption continued to rise prior to the changing feeding time, but with a reduced lead time. When the feeding time was subsequently delayed by 5 h, Tb and O2 consumption with regard to the LD cycle were unaffected, but delaying transients occurred until both measures reentrained to the new feeding time. The results provide support for the existence of a separate FEO in pigeons and indicate asymmetrical coupling between the LEO and FEO, with the former having a stronger effect on the latter.
ROLES OF CELL-INTRINSIC AND MICROENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN PHOTORECEPTOR CELL DIFFERENTIATION

Photoreceptor differentiation requires the coordinated expression of numerous genes. It is unknown whether those genes share common regulatory mechanisms or are independently regulated by distinct mechanisms. To distinguish between these scenarios, we have used in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR to analyze the expression of visual pigments and other photoreceptor-specific genes during chick embryo retinal development in ovo, as well as in retinal cell cultures treated with molecules that regulate the expression of particular visual pigments. In ovo, onset of gene expression was asynchronous, becoming detectable at the time of photoreceptor generation (ED 5-8) for some photoreceptor genes, but only around the time of outer segment formation (ED 14-16) for others. Treatment of retinal cell cultures with activin, staurosporine, or CNTF selectively induced or down-regulated specific visual pigment genes, but many cognate rod- or cone-specific genes were not affected by the treatments. These results indicate that many photoreceptor genes are independently regulated during development, are consistent with the existence of at least two distinct stages of gene expression during photoreceptor differentiation, suggest that intrinsic, coordinated regulation of a cascade of gene expression triggered by a commitment to the photoreceptor fate is not a general mechanism of photoreceptor differentiation, and imply that using a single photoreceptor-specific "marker" as a proxy to identify photoreceptor cell fate is problematic.
Energy dependence of nonradiative decay in polyatomic molecules

A theory is presented to describe the dependence of nonradiative decay rates of polyatomic molecules upon the initially selected vibronic states. In the large molecule statistical limit it is demonstrated that it is possible to assign vibrational frequencies in an electronic state by measuring nonradiative decay rates into that electronic state. After discussing the inadequacies of other theories, a discussion is presented of the richness of phenomena that are expected to arise from the energy dependence of nonradiative decay rates in polyatomic molecules.
Development of a physical model of the human elbow joint using polyacrylonitrile fibers

A physical model of the human elbow joint was designed using the polymer fiber polyacrylonitrile (PAN), developed at the University of New Mexico. The elbow model uses six PAN fiber bundles, as artificial muscles, to create the forces needed for elbow movement. These six fiber bundles were designed to imitate the major muscles that cross the human elbow joint. Four distinct movement tasks (elbow flexion/extension and forearm pronation/supination) were designed into the physical mode. Several steps were taken to meet this objective. First, the mechanical properties of the PAN fibers were characterized using the techniques developed by A. V. Hill, and compared with his results. The results show that the fiber mechanical properties have similarities to human muscle properties, and thus permitting a realistic elbow model to be developed. Second, a method of encasing the individual bundles of fibers was developed. The encasing lengthens and shortens with the fibers, prevents fluid leakage, and does not deteriorate given the acid and base fluid components. Third, a method of supplying and removing the activating fluids was developed. This system is chemically resistant, provides a method for controlling inlet and exit fluid flow, and allows for complete fluid exchange in less than 5 seconds. Finally, a microcontroller was incorporated to provide joint position and velocity control based on joint potentiometers and provide real-time feedback of joint positions. Using these components, a human elbow joint system was developed that allows movement in two degrees of freedom. Due to the characteristics of the PAN fiber bundles, the elbow joint was slower and weaker than originally designed. System improvements relate closely to increasing fiber bundle force and decreasing the reaction time constant.
Should pelvic examinations and Papanicolaou cervical screening be part of preventive health care for sexually active adolescent girls

Over the past 10 years preventive health care of adolescents has received increased attention with the publication of the American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines for Preventive Services (GAPS) Bright Futures Health Supervision Guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations. Screening of sexually active girls for risk behaviors and for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and with Papanicoloau (Pap) smears as well as the provision of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing have assumed increased importance. The 1995 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that over 50% of ninth- to 12th-grade high school girls reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Higher percentages are reported by out-of-school youth. In addition girls who do not report consensual intercourse but have been victims of sexual abuse or assault may add to the number of adolescents who have been exposed to STDs including human papillomavirus (HPV) a risk factor for abnormal Pap smears. (excerpt)
Bisexual Pedagogy: Bringing Bisexuality into the Classroom

Following the emphasis over the last decade on coming out as a pedagogical tool, I use my personal experience in the classroom to problematize this approach. I articulate the specific experience of the bisexual teacher in the classroom, which is a different and undertheorized experience than that of heterosexual or gay and lesbian teachers. I offer “bisexual pedagogy” as a pedagogy that (1) encourages students and instructors to theorize their full, bodily presence in the academic classroom; (2) borrows Gloria Anzaldua's concept of the mestiza to complicate not just personal identity labels, but all categories of difference, thus incorporating the multicultural nature of bisexual identity into a multicultural, interdisciplinary approach to the classroom; and (3) takes as a given the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and pedagogical approach. In this sense, bisexual pedagogy is a pedagogy that is particularly sensitive to the realities of “blended identity categories” of race, sexuality, gender, rel...
Secondary X-ray imaging: an alternative approach to angiography and other applications

Abstract Secondary X-ray imaging is made possible by the energetic X-ray beams emerging from wigglers, or preferably undulators, installed on electron storage rings. It is applicable to microtomographic studies of complex samples, and medical imaging. As an alternative, or complement to the elegant KES and DPA-based imaging techniques, it offers the advantages of broad frequency band acceptance, the decoupling of primary and secondary X-ray energies, thereby reducing the absorbtion of the former by the human body; and avoids the need for monochromatization. These factors contribute to reducing the primary photon intensity required for the same image quality. Also, with this method sharp image quality is compatible with locally quantitative measurements, and (depending on the detector) with a pixel by pixel elemental analysis. Drawbacks are: the beam is to be rastered through the sample along both x and y, the detector area has to be large, timing of secondary photons has to be recorded, and primary photon reflectors must operate at grazing incidence angles. As an example human angiography is considered. It is found that both the APS and PETRA II machines can produce significantly more photons than is required for high-quality medical imaging.
Relay node placement in large scale wireless sensor networks

Scalability and extended lifetime are two critical design goals of any large scale wireless sensor network. A two-tiered network model has been proposed recently for this purpose. This is a cluster-based network model composed of relay and sensor nodes. Relay nodes are placed in the playing field to serve as cluster heads and to form a connected network topology for information dissemination at the higher tier. The relay nodes are capable of aggregating data packets from the sensor nodes in their clusters and transmitting them to the sink node via wireless multi-hop paths. In this paper, we study the relay node placement problem in large scale wireless sensor networks. Our objective is to place the fewest number of relay nodes in the playing field of a sensor network such that (1) each sensor node can communicate with at least one relay node and (2) the network of relay nodes is connected. However, placement strategies realizing goals (1) and (2) do not provide any fault-tolerance as the network may lose functionality after failure of some of the relay nodes. In order to incorporate fault-tolerance in such a network, we ensure that every sensor node is able to communicate with at least two relay nodes and the induced network topology is 2-connected. This strategy will ensure survivability of the network in the event of single fault, in lieu of higher relay node placement cost. We formulate the relay node placement in wireless sensor networks as two optimization problems: (i) Connected Relay Node Single Cover (CRNSC) problem and (ii) 2-Connected Relay Node Double Cover (2CRNDC) problem. We present two polynomial time approximation algorithms to solve the CRNSC problem. We prove that the ratio of the number of relay nodes needed by the approximation algorithm to the number of relay nodes needed by the optimal algorithm is bounded by 8 for the first algorithm and 4.5 for the second. In addition, for the 2CRNDC problem we provide two approximation algorithms with performance bounds 6 and 4.5, respectively.
Exact multiplicity for semilinear elliptic Dirichlet problems involving concave and convex nonlinearities

Let B be the unit ball in Rn, n ≥ 3. Let 0 0 and no solution for large λ. In this paper, we prove that there is a critical number Λ > 0 such that this problem has exactly two solutions for λ ∈ (0, Λ), exactly one solution for λ = Λ and no solution for λ > Λ.
Lattice Distortion Mediated Paramagnetic Relaxation in High-Spin High-Symmetry Molecular Magnets

Field-dependent maxima in the relaxation rate of the magnetic molecules ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{12}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ac}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{8}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{tacn}$ have commonly been ascribed to some resonant tunneling phenomena. We argue instead that the relaxation is purely due to phonons. The rate maxima arise because of a Jahn-Teller-like distortion caused by the coupling of phonons to degenerate Zeeman levels of the molecule at the top of the barrier. The binding energy of the distorted intermediate states lowers the barrier height and increases the relaxation rate. A nonperturbative calculation of this effect is carried out for a model system. An approximate result for the field variation near a maximum is found to agree reasonably with experiment.
1H and 13C NMR Studies of Mixed Counterion, Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide/Cetyltrimethylammonium Dichlorobenzoate, Surfactant Solutions: The Intercalation of Aromatic Counterions

One- and two-dimensional 1H NMR studies of mixed counterion CTAB/CTA3,5 and CTAB/CTA2,6 surfactant systems indicate that, in their respective micelles, the dichlorobenzoate counterions intercalate among the surfactants' trimethylammonium headgroups. Shielding effects observed in 1D 1H NMR studies of the N−CH3 and the α-CH2 through e-CH2 protons suggest that, on average, the 3,5-dichlorobenzoate counterions insert further into the interface of their rodlike micelles than the 2,6-dichlorobenzoate counterions insert into the interface of their spherical micelles. 13C chemical shifts for the carbonyl carbons of the dichlorobenzoate counterions in their respective micellar systems also support this assertion.
Effects of Retroviral‐Mediated MDR1 Expression on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self‐Renewal and Differentiation in Culturea

: Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells would be useful for bone marrow transplantation and gene therapy applications. Toward this goal, we have investigated whether retrovirally-transduced murine stem cells could be expanded in culture with hematopoietic cytokines. Bone marrow cells were transduced with retroviral vectors expressing either the human multidrug resistance 1 gene (HaMDR1), a variant of human dihydrofolate reductase (HaDHFR), or both MDR1 and DHFR in an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-containing bicistronic vector (HaMID). Cells were then expanded for 15 days in cultures stimulated with interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, and stem cell factor. When very low marrow volumes were injected into lethally irradiated recipient mice, long-term reconstitution with 100% donor cells was seen in all mice injected with HaMDR1- or HaMID-transduced cells. By contrast, engraftment with HaDHFR- or mock-transduced cells ranged from partial to undetectable despite injection of significantly larger marrow volumes. In addition, mice transplanted with expanded HaMDR1- or HaMID-transduced stem cells developed a myeloproliferative disorder that was characterized by an increase in abnormal peripheral blood leukocytes. These results show that MDR1-transduced stem cells can be expanded in vitro with hematopoietic cytokines, but indicate that an increased stem cell division frequency can lead to stem cell damage.
A 13C NMR study of some metal acetylacetone complexes

Abstract 13 C NMR spectra of nine metal acetylacetonates in (H 3 C) 2 SO- d 6 and ten metal acetylacetonates in CDCl 3 are reported. The complexes are of the type M(acac) n where n is 1,2,3 or 4. The downfield shift of the methyl, methine and carbonyl carbon resonances from tetramethylsilane (TMS) are interpreted in terms of the complexed metal and a solvent effect. 13 C 195 Pt spin coupling is also observed for the Pt(acac) 2 complex.
The Legacy of Buckley v. Valeo

55 HAVING LONG DEFENDED the First Amendment,1 I considered it a great privilege to have been one of the lawyers who argued Buckley v. Valeo2 on behalf of a great liberal Democratic Senator, Gene McCarthy. And it is a great privilege for me now to help fight the same First Amendment battles on behalf of a great conservative Republican Senator, Mitch McConnell, who has been a stalwart defender of the First Amendment no matter the political cost. Senator McCarthy was a leader in establishing the principles recognized in the Buckley case, and Senator McConnell has been a leader in seeking to vindicate those principles. The common ground on which these two so different leaders meet is the conviction that campaign finance limits are fundamentally at odds with First Amendment freedoms. They believe that the text, history and proper interpretation of the First Amendment’s core principal protections of political freedom are basically against permitting government to limit the ability of individuals and groups to use their resources to speak their minds on the political issues and the political figures of the day. I am proud to stand on that same ground and to try to set forth the ways in which the newest campaign finance law runs afoul of those core principles. Though imperfect in some ways, the decision in Buckley v. Valeo, handed down slightly more than 25 years ago, was a landmark of political freedom in its refusal to sanction plenary government control over the very political processes by which government is chosen and held accountable. In this paper, I will discuss the Buckley case, the 25 years of precedential and political developments since the decision, the extraordinary new federal statute that is now being challenged by Senator McConnell and so many others, a word from our sponsors, and the constitutional crossroads we may be approaching.
Singlet oxygen intermediacy in the photodynamic action of membrane-bound hematoporphyrin derivative.

Abstract The cell-damaging photochemistry of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) has been investigated using isolated erythrocyte membranes as a test system. Irradiation of membranes in the presence of the tumor-localizing fraction of HPD resulted in formation of singlet molecular oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) as measured by the phosphorescence at 1268 nm. The authentic product of 1 O 2 attack on cholesterol, 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-6-ene-5-hydroperoxide, was identified in this system. Relatively insignificant amounts of free radicalderived hydroperoxides were detected. These results suggest that 1 O 2 plays a major role in the HPD-sensitized photokilling of tumor cells in vivo.
Water hemlock poisoning in cattle: Ingestion of immature Cicuta maculata seed as the probable cause

It is well understood that water hemlock tubers are highly toxic to animals and to humans. However, this is the first time that immature seed from (Cicuta maculata) has been implicated in livestock poisoning. Nine mature Hereford cows from a herd of 81 died in northwestern Utah after ingesting immature seed heads of water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) in late summer. No obvious signs of poisoning were reported as all nine were found dead near the banks of the stream where water hemlock was found. Upon discovery of the dead cows, the remaining 72 cows were immediately removed from the pasture and no further losses occurred. Field necropsy of 3 of the dead cows and follow-up serology and histopathological examination of selected tissues did not identify any bacterial or viral causes. History of ingestion of large quantities of water hemlock seed, the acute nature of the deaths, chemical comparison of seed with toxic tubers and follow-up mouse bioassay testing supported the diagnosis of water hemlock poisoning. Seed heads collected from the neighboring pasture upstream and across the fence from the poisoned cattle and tubers collected from grazed plants were chemically analyzed and found to contain cicutoxin, and high levels of two cicutol-like derivatives (cicutol-#1 and #2) as well as other unidentified polyacetylene compounds. Seeds and tubers from suspected plants were semi-quantified and compared to archive samples of highly toxic tubers used in previous experiments. The immature hemlock seed contained less cicutoxin (0.01 times), but 9.5 and 22.5 times more cicutol-#1 and cicutol-#2 respectively, compared to the archive sample. Tubers from the grazed plants contained 4.6 times more cicutoxin and 9.8 and 18.8 times more cicutol-#1 and cicutol-#2 respectively, compared to the archive sample. Mouse bioassays with water extracts of immature seed and tubers from grazed plants demonstrated both were highly toxic and of greater toxicity when compared to archived sample.
1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced alterations in Na+-H+ exchange in rat colonic brush-border membrane vesicles.

Abstract 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine in weekly subcutaneous (s.c.) doses of 20 mg/kg weight, produces colonic tumors in virtually 100% of rodents, with a latency period of approximately 6 months. To determine whether alterations in Na + —H + exchange existed before the development of dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer, rats were given s.c. injections of this agent (20 mg/kg body wt. per week) or diluent for 5 weeks. Animals were then killed, rat colonic brush-border membrane vesicles prepared and amiloride-sensitive sodium-stimulated proton efflux was measured and compared in control and treated-preparations. The results of these studies demonstrated that dimethylhydrazine treatment: (1) significantly increased the V max of this exchange without altering the K m for sodium of this exchange process, utilizing the fluorescent pH-sensitive dye, acridine orange; 22 Na flux experiments also demonstrated an increase in amiloride-sensitive proton-stimulated sodium influx across treated-membrane vesicles; (2) did not appear to significantly influence Na + permeability or proton conductance in treated-preparations compared to their control counterparts; (3) did not significantly affect the kinetic parameters of amiloride-sensitive sodium-stimulated proton efflux in renal cortex brush-border membrane vesicles using acridine orange. This data, therefore, suggests that alterations in Na + —H + exchange in rat colonic brush-border membranes may be involved in the malignant transformation process induced by this procarcinogen in the large intestine.
A Bootstrap-based Simple Probability Model for Classifying Network Traffic and Detecting Network Intrusion

Network traffic audit data provide unique and valuable information for network security. Although a comprehensive intrusion detection scheme contains multiple data sources and multiple measurements, the system-level traffic data provide important baseline information on anomalous traffic that could harm the network system, and such information can be learned from training data. However, when labeled abnormal data are not available or such events are insufficient in training data, conventional supervised classification methods, such as regression models and neural networks, are not suitable. Using the bootstrap resampling method, we developed a simple probability model trained with an anomaly-free training sample and yielded a receiver operating characteristic area of 0.96, specificity of 0.96, sensitivity of 0.96, and a classification agreement rate of 0.96 to detect abnormal events in a testing sample. The model provides a potential approach for classifying network traffic when limited or no abnormal information is available in training data.
Mobilization of actinides by dissolved organic compounds at the Nevada Test Site

Abstract The effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on Am(III), Pu(IV), Np(V), and U(VI) sorption was investigated with natural water (pH ∼8) and zeolitized tuff samples collected from the Rainier Mesa tunnel system, Nevada Test Site, where the USA detonated underground nuclear tests prior to 1992. Perched vadose zone water at Rainier Mesa has high levels of DOM as a result of microbial degradation of mining debris (diesel, wood, etc.). The Am and Pu sorption Kds were up to two orders of magnitude lower in water with high DOM (15–19 mg C/L) compared to the same water with DOM removed (
MetOp-A/IASI Observed Continental Thermal IR Emissivity Variations

Satellite thermal infrared (IR) spectral emissivity data have been shown to be significant for atmospheric research and monitoring the Earth's environment. Long-term and large-scale observations that are needed for global monitoring and research can only be supplied by satellite-based remote sensing. Presented here is the global surface IR emissivity data retrieved from the last five and half years of Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) measurements observed from the MetOp-A satellite. Monthly mean surface properties (i.e., skin temperature Ts and spectral emissivity eν) with a spatial resolution of 0.5 × 0.5-degrees latitude-longitude are produced to monitor seasonal and inter-annual variations. Continental IR spectral emissivity derived from satellite ultraspectral IR measurements reveals its variation depending on surface weather and climate conditions. Variation behaviors of continental IR spectral emissivity, associated with the seasonal change as well as weather and climate conditions are initially captured by IASI measurements and will be continuously monitored as provided by the satellite measurements. Surface eν retrieved with IASI measurements can be used to assist in monitoring surface weather and surface climate change. Surface eν together with Ts from current and future operational weather satellites can be utilized as a means of long-term and large-scale monitoring of Earth's surface weather environment and associated changes.
Viewpoint: immunization against poverty.

According to several demographic analyses there is a correlation between health and poverty. Data have shown that diseases and their underlying causes affect family economy in a number of ways: reduced productivity impediment of education or retained high dependency ratios. Hence it is concluded that the right investment in health is at least as important as education. One effect of this poverty reduction perspective is prioritizing and focusing on a limited set of predominantly infectious diseases. An advantage of investing in excess for poor people is that investments become self-targeting and could possibly become free or almost free. However impact of health reforms on immunization in other countries appears to be mixed. The use of quantitative randomized trials has resulted in better coverage compared to health center-driven strategies. Among the suggestions of this paper to achieve the objectives of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization include enhancing global funding for children vaccines strengthening of immunization infrastructure and coverage making of sustainable vaccine procurement securing research and development for vaccines for the poor and vaccine research discovery.
Thymosin Alpha-1 as Adjunct for Conventional Therapy of Malignant Tumors: a Review

T alpha 1, a 28-amino-acid peptide, is derived from PT alpha, which is an intracellular, nonsecretory protein of unknown function. Both T alpha 1 and PT alpha are found in the blood of normal individuals. Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of T alpha 1 in doses up to 9.6 mg/m2 are tolerated without side effects, and 0.9 mg/m2 injections raise the serum level approximately 30-fold after 1 hr of administration, which slowly returns to baseline within 24 hr. In vitro, and perhaps in vivo, T alpha 1 restores normal T-cell function. It increases IL-2 production and IL-2 receptors in normal mitogen-stimulated T cells and stimulates IL-3 production in immunocompromised mice. The dose-response relationship for these effects is not linear and may be bimodal. T alpha 1 binds to VIP receptors and inhibits in vitro and xenograft growth of non-SCLC cell lines. In patients with nonbulky carcinomas who have received standard therapy, T alpha 1 is possibly effective in prolonging the time to relapse and in improving survival. At present there is a great need to clearly define the clinical role of T alpha 1 in cancer patients. A major problem encountered in studies with T alpha 1 will, however, be the present lack of knowledge with regard to its mechanism in effecting tumor growth. It is not at all clear whether its immunomodulatory functions, its interaction with VIP receptors, or none of these mechanisms are related to its antineoplastic activities. In addition, the apparent nonlinear dose-response relationship will make it difficult to choose a reasonable dosing schedule for clinical trials. This is particularly apparent in light of the experimental animal data summarized above where a tumor response was seen at doses of 4 micrograms/kg and 400 micrograms/kg but not at 0.4 microgram/kg and 40 micrograms/kg. This dose range could conceivably be given to humans since 9.6 mg/m2, the maximum dose given to humans without major side effects to date, is roughly equivalent to 250 micrograms/kg. At this time a reasonable clinical approach would be a well-designed risk factor stratified phase III clinical trial using 0.9 mg/m2 T alpha 1 subcutaneously twice a week compared to a control group to substantiate the data reported by Schulof et al. Before such data are available, T alpha 1 should not be used in clinical oncology.
Durability of PEFCs at High Humidity Conditions

This work addresses issues of long-term durability of hydrogen-air polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The chromium in a Pt 3 Cr binary alloy catalyst has been found to migrate from cathode to anode during the course of life testing when operating within the oversaturated, or high-humidity, gas feed regime (one or both inlet feeds with a dew point equal to or higher than cell operating temperature) above 1 A/cm 2 current density. Other major factors such as membrane degradation, dissolution of catalyst-layer recast ionomer, catalyst oxidation, and catalyst agglomeration/growth have been identified as simultaneous, gradual processes that can lead to long-term PEFC failure. In situ cyclic voltammetry measurement of electrochemically active catalyst surface area shows a continuous decrease, revealing that catalyst agglomeration and/or growth may be a major cause of membrane electrode assembly degradation during middle-term life tests (i.e., operation times up to about 2000 h) under high-humidity conditions. Membrane and/or recast ionomer degradation was confirmed by the presence of fluoride and sulfate anions in the cathode outlet water. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy observation of a tested MEA suggest the loss of carbon-supported catalyst clusters and possible dissolution of recast Nafion ionomer.
Pathogens and manure management systems: a review.

Abstract There has been an increasing concern about the effects of pathogens that are present in animal manure on human and animal health. In recent years, outbreaks of food‐borne diseases associated with the consumption of animal products have received much attention from the media in North America and Europe, leading to increased consumer concerns about the safety of their food supply. The health risks associated with animal operations depend on various factors. The most important ones appear to be related to the animal spedes being reared and the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in animal manure. The ability of the pathogens to survive for long periods and through treatment to remain infective in the environment until ingested by human or animal host is an added concern. On the other hand, the role of livestock in most waterbome bacterial outbreaks has often been difficult to clarify since both humans and various wildlife spedes can shed the same microorganisms and thereby serve as sources of...
Grieving: 22 to 30 percent of all college students

The author offers evidence that 22 to 30 percent of college undergraduates are in the first year of bereavement, reviews the effects of their grieving, and addresses implications for colleges and universities.
Bombardment-Induced Tunable Superlattices in the Growth of Au-Ni Films

Highly ordered superlattices are typically created through the sequential deposition of two different materials. Here, we report our experimental observation of spontaneous formation of superlattices in coevaporation of Au and Ni under energetic ion bombardment. The superlattice periodicities are on the order of a few nanometers and can be adjusted through the energy and flux of ion beams. Such a self-organization process is a consequence of the bombardment-induced segregation and uphill diffusion within the advancing nanoscale subsurface zone in the film growth. Our observations suggest that ion beams can be employed to make tunable natural superlattices in the deposition of phase-separated systems with strong bombardment-induced segregation.
Investigation of the Flow Structure in Step-Up Street Canyons—Mean Flow and Turbulence Statistics

A step-up street canyon is a characteristic urban element composed of two buildings in which the height of the upwind building ( $$H_\mathrm{u}$$ ) is less than the height of the downwind building ( $$H_\mathrm{d}$$ ). Here, the effect of canyon geometry on the flow structure in isolated step-up street canyons is investigated through isothermal wind-tunnel measurements. The measurements were acquired along the vertical symmetry plane of model buildings using two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) for normal approach flow. The building-height ratios considered were: $$H_\mathrm{d}/ H_\mathrm{u} \approx 3$$ , and $$H_\mathrm{d}/ H_\mathrm{u} \approx 1.67$$ . For each building-height ratio, the along-wind lengths (L) of the upwind and downwind buildings, and the street-canyon width (S) were kept constant, with $$L \approx S$$ . The cross-wind widths (W) of the upwind and downwind buildings were varied uniformly from $$W/S \approx 1$$ through $$W/S \approx 4$$ , in increments of $$W/S \approx 1$$ . The objective of the work was to characterize the changes in the flow structure in step-up canyons as a function of W/S, for fixed L, S, and $$H_\mathrm{d}/H_\mathrm{u}$$ values. The results indicate that the in-canyon flow structure does not vary significantly for $$H_\mathrm{d}/H_\mathrm{u} \approx 3$$ for the W/S values considered. Qualitatively, for $$H_\mathrm{d}/H_\mathrm{u} \approx 3$$ , the upwind building behaves as an obstacle in the upwind cavity of the downwind building. In contrast, the flow patterns observed for the $$H_\mathrm{d}/H_\mathrm{u} \approx 1.67$$ configurations are unique and counter-intuitive, and depend strongly on building width (W/S). For $$W/S \approx 1$$ and $$W/S \approx 2$$ , the effect of lateral flow into the canyon is so prominent that even the mean flow patterns are highly ambiguous. For $$W/S \approx 3$$ and 4, the flow along the vertical symmetry plane is more shielded from the lateral flow, and hence a stable counter-rotating vortex pair is observed in the canyon. In addition to these qualitative features, a quantitative analysis of the mean flow field and turbulence stress field is presented.
VTB-Based Design of a Standalone Photovoltaic Power System

Design and prototyping of a standalone photovoltaic power generation system using the Virtual Test Bed software environment is presented. The design includes establishing physics-based models for components, prototyping system architectures, implementing control algorithms, testing and evaluating the system performance using the actual weather data at a particular geographical location. The dynamic performance of the photovoltaic power system and its components are revealed in great details through the system level simulation. This knowledge is used for verification and improvements of the system design in order to achieve the best system power capability, efficiency and size.
The politics of bird flu: The battle over viral samples and China’s role in global public health

Avian influenza outbreaks in Southeast Asia have focused an intense global spotlight on the entire region, specifically on China’s role in an adequate global health network which would be able to prevent or to contain a severe outbreak of the disease. Highly-publicized and politically-charged battles over samples of the H5N1 virus, transparency, timely case reporting, and China’s contribution to and cooperation with global institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), have all emphasized the mounting political positioning of public health prevention measures. The language surrounding viral samples of avian influenza highlights the increasingly overlapping worlds of politics and public health. In an age of popularized discourses about national biosecurities, risk, and the growing threat of globalized, contagious disease, bird flu has been recast as a focal point of contention, a figurative space where the stakes are high — both for public health systems and the political structures which support them.
The Electronic Text Center: a humanities computing initiative at the University of Virginia

As part of an on‐going commitment to the use of computers in education and research, the University of Virginia (UVa) Library has established an Electronic Text Center and an online collection of machine‐readable texts. Open since September 1992, the Center collects and prepares texts for inclusion into our online text service, makes available hardware and software that permits the computerized analysis of text, and provides guidance and training for these new scholarly tools.
Pressure-volume equation of state of the high-pressure B 2 phase of NaCl

We have measured the unit-cell volume of the high-pressure $B2$ phase of NaCl up to 68 GPa in a diamond anvil cell with the laser annealing technique and synchrotron radiation. Laser annealing promotes the release of nonhydrostatic stress in the sample chamber, resulting in a quasihydrostatic condition for the sample at high pressures and an associated precision increase in the unit-cell volume determination. Since the $B2$ phase is only stable over 30 GPa, it is difficult to use the conventional Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (EOS) due to the lack of volume information at zero pressure. We adopted a modified data treatment which uses a reference volume ${V}_{r}$ at any pressure instead of the zero-pressure volume ${V}_{0}.$ The modified third-order Birch-Murnaghan EOS is expressed by the pressure ${(P}_{r}),$ bulk modulus ${(K}_{r}),$ and pressure dependence of the bulk modulus ${(K}_{r}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ at the reference point. We also fitted our data to the modified universal EOS, with which infinite zero-pressure volume can be treated. All these treatments yield reasonably consistent results. We calculated the pressure dependence of the bulk modulus and compared the result with other materials generally used as pressure media. The bulk modulus of the $B2$ phase of NaCl is similar to that of the $B1$ phase around the transition pressure, but it increases faster with pressure. The bulk modulus data show that, at $P=100 \mathrm{GPa},$ the $B2$ phase of NaCl $(K\ensuremath{\sim}420 \mathrm{GPa})$ is harder than argon $(K\ensuremath{\sim}360 \mathrm{GPa}),$ but still softer than MgO $(K\ensuremath{\sim}500 \mathrm{GPa}).$
Language Nesting, Superdiversity and African Diasporas in Regional Australia

This paper tells previously untold stories about the dynamic cultures, linguistic repertoires and language practices of migrants and refugees that are continuously shaped and mediated by the convoluted histories, journeys and migration itineraries of these people. It brings to light the effect of proficiency in multiple languages on their speakers' affiliations, and their perceptions of belonging in local communities. The paper draws on the outcomes of a study with refugee background Africans (hereafter, African diasporas) in regional New South Wales (NSW) to propose the language nesting model that seeks to illustrate the complex linguistic and discursive practices of these people and how such resources are used to create and negotiate material and social spaces in everyday life. The paper concludes that the stories that were elicited—about the languages, cultures, identities, migration histories and just about everything else about the sampled African diasporas—both support and resist the theoretical sup...
Ovarian and placental origins of plasma progesterone following fetectomy in monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Fetectomy, either alone or combined with ovariectomy, was performed in 17 monkeys. Following fetectomy alone in 8 animals, progesterone values were maintained at normal pregnancy levels (1.0 ng/cc plasma or more), until expulsion of the placenta, which frequently occurred at a time well past normal term. Values declining toward but not reaching the nonpregnancy range were observed in some animals in the 2 to 6 weeks preceding expulsion; no similar decline occurs preceding normal labor. In all cases, after the placenta was expelled, progesterone values fell below 1 ng/cc plasma within 2 days. When ovariectomy was superimposed on 3 animals previously fetectomized, plasma progesterone values fell abruptly to nonpregnancy levels, and the placenta was expelled in an average of 6.3 days. The source of the progesterone in these fetectomized animals was, therefore, the ovaries, not the placenta damaged by a preceding fetectomy. However, the ovarian progesterone production after fetectomy was dependent on the cont...
Improvement of depression following transcranial magnetic stimulation

Psychiatry as a field was transformed by the discovery and introduction of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a treatment in the early part of this century. ECT demonstrated that depression was a disease of the brain and that it could be treated with a direct brain intervention. Psychiatry’s evolution continued in 1958 with the discovery of the antidepressant activity of the monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Interestingly, although the area of neuropsychopharmacology has continued to advance, the realm of physical somatic interventions in psychiatry has lagged behind. With perhaps the exception of light therapy, there were no advances in somatic interventions in psychiatry. However, in 1985, Barker et al. 1 developed a brief high intensity electromagnet capable of depolarizing cortical neurons, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). There has been much interest in the past 10 years in whether TMS might have antidepressant actions, similar to ECT but without causing a seizure and with no apparent cognitive side effects. This review examines the basic principles underlying TMS, and describes how TMS differs from electrical stimulation and the other uses of magnets.
294 Disruption of Highly Conserved Noncoding Dna Elements in Congenital Heart Defects

Background and aims: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) represent the most common structural birth defect in humans. While the identification of specific genes in these disorders have contributed to our understanding of cardiac development, they have not provided significant insight into the etiology of common, non-syndromic forms of CHDs. Our goal was to identify the copy number variants (CNVs) associated with CHDs. Methods: We used a systematic approach using high-resolution SNP genotyping arrays to identify CNVs priority ranked based on their potential pathogenicity using a program, Perl Copy Numbers of Potential Interest (PECONPI), developed in our lab. PECONPI identifies disruptions in highly conserved non-coding regions 1 Mb upstream or downstream to known developmental cardiac loci. We screened of 362 probands with CHDs and 3000 controls using PECONPI. Results: We identified over 150 candidate CNVs that meet the criteria: 1) highly or ultra-conservation, 2) within 1 Mb of a candidate locus, and 3) not present in control samples. We identified a cluster of overlapping deletions involving a conserved non-coding element (CNCE) on 2p 13.3 in 7 unrelated probands, 6 with identical 5 Kb deletions and one with a smaller I Kb deletion, not seen in 3000 controls. This included 4 with TGA, 1 with TOF, 1 with a vascular ring, and 1 with unbalanced atrioventricular canal. Conclusions: The presence of TGAs in 4/7 (57%) is discordant from the total population screened in which TGAs were present in 46/362 (13%) of the probands. Thus we have identified a novel CNCE for CHD.
Epidemiologic and medical-legal aspects of occupational asthma

In this article, 1 shall review the types of information that can be obtained from epidemiologic studies on occupational asthma by illustrating some of the results of investigations by my colleagues in our interdisciplinary unit. I shall also briefly provide some personal views on establishing a diagnosis of occupationally related asthma which very often is part of a medical-legal evaluation. Finally, some principles will be suggested concerning the management of workers who have developed asthmatic symptoms as a result of exposure to particulates or gaseous substances in their work environments. The role of epidemiologic studies is to provide new knowledge on the determinants and distribution of disease in a study population. In occupational asthma, this should include the qualitative or quantitative assessment of environmental inhalants, usually by monitoring of airborne contaminants. Second, there must be measurement of appropriate indicators of an adverse biologic response which in the study of occupational asthma will most often be accomplished by questionnaire, physiologic, and immunologic methods. Host factors must be identified in the study population in order to assess their influence on susceptibility of workers to the development of bronchoconstrictor disease. Whenever possible, human and animal investigations should be directed toward elucidating the mechanism of action, whether immunologic or nonimmunologic. Finally, correlations of exposure, host and other factors such as smoking, and the biologic response will provide evidence on doseresponse relationships and how these relationships may be altered or modified. Dose-response curves may or may not reveal threshold levels of exposure below which indicators of disease do not occur. Several years ago, my co-workers and I were provided the opportunity to begin an epidemiologic study
The behavioral effects of amphetamine on REM deprived rats

Abstract In the rat, moderate doses of amphetamine induce a series of stereotyped behaviors which can be modified by various treatments and drugs. We attempted to use this standard bio-assay procedure to investigate the effects of REM sleep deprivation on the awake animal. Instead of simply showing modified behaviors, the animals given amphetamine after deprivation spontaneously began to fight and show sexual behavior patterns in the total absence of any customary releasing stimuli. These results suggest an intimate relationship between REM sleep processes and instinctual behaviors. Because similar results can be obtained by alteration of cerebral amines by various drugs, the possibility is suggested that these amines are basic to the regulation of REM sleep and instinctual behavior.