cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Striving for Equitable Classroom Assessments for Linguistic Minorities: Strategies for and Effects of Revising Life Science Items.

Striving for equitable assessments that can contribute to classroom learning for linguistic minorities is a goal of increasing importance as the national population of English language learners continues to rise. This study investigated classroom assessments for English learners in middle school life science courses in two California schools. A framework for equitable classroom assessments, “McCes—Sounds like Success,” was used to refine and evaluate assessments in the study. Ways to improve two written assessments for advanced English learners were developed through teacher research and tested with a pretest/posttest design. Eleven changes to the items were developed, such as adding visual supports and dividing prompts into smaller units. Regression analyses of raw and Rasch modeled data from the pretest/posttest showed that both English only students and advanced English learners scored significantly better on the modified classroom assessments. A new perspective on validating equitable classroom assessments as opposed to standardized assessments for English learners is discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 864–881, 2007
Isolation of the A protein from bacteriophage R17

Abstract The A protein (maturation protein) has been isolated from purified bacteriophage R17. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the isolated protein in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate has provided a molecular weight estimate in the range of 40,000. Amino acid analysis of A protein which is approximately 90% pure reveals the existence of five histidine residues per 38,000 molecular weight units. This histidine content correlates well with the radioisotopic determination of four histidines per phage and thus dictates the association of an average of one A protein molecule per wild-type R17 particle.
On structural theories of basal metabolic rate

Abstract Because cells and organisms interface with the environment through surfaces, their design should be governed by surface laws. Yet, basal metabolic rate is not proportional to the 0·67-power of body mass (surface law) but to the 0·75-power of body mass. From the many theories that have derived a surface law, Teissier's dimensional analysis theory was probably the neatest. However, the surface law has been empirically invalidated. Moreover, Teissier assumed that times in the prototype animal and a similar one with different size are in the same ratio as their linear sizes. This is incorrect, however, because heart rates, being inverses of times, should be proportional to the 1 3 -power of body mass—but are proportional to the 1 4 -power of body mass, which is consistent with a 0·75-power law of basal metabolic rate. McMahon's recent attempt to explain the deviation of the empirical law from a surface law based entirely on structural considerations, is critically examined. It does not appear that purely structural considerations could explain the deviation between the empirical 0·75-law of basal metabolic rate and the surface law.
Graphene Optoelectronics based on Antidot Superlattices

Graphene is well known for its outstanding electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties, and has recently gained tremendous interest as a nanomaterial for optoelectronic devices. We review our recent efforts on exfoliated graphene with a particular focus on the influence of graphene's chiral edges on the electronic and optical properties. We first show that Raman spectroscopy can not only be used for layer metrology but also to monitor the composition of graphene's zigzag/armchair edges. To elucidate the role of the localized edge state density, we fabricated dye sensitized antidot superlattices, i.e. nanopatterned graphene. The fluorescence from deposited dye molecules was found to quench strongly as a function of increasing antidot filling fraction, whereas it was enhanced in unpatterned but electrically back-gated samples. This contrasting behavior is strongly indicative of a built-in lateral electric field of up to 260 mV accounting for p-type doping as well as fluorescence quenching due to dissociation of electron-hole pairs from attached dye molecules. Our study provides new insights into the interplay of localized edge states in antidot superlattices and the resulting band bending, which are critical properties to enable novel applications of nanostructured graphene for light harvesting and photovoltaic devices.
Transmission of substituent effects through the GeGe bond

Abstract A series of digermanes of type XMe 2 GeGeMe 3 , where X = CH 3 , Cl, Br, CN, and OC 2 H 5 , have been prepared and their 13 C 1 H coupling constants and 13 C and 1 H chemical shifts were measured. Correlations of the coupling constants with a variety of inductive parameters were performed. Comparisons with the carbon and silicon analogs showed that the GeGe linkage is a slightly better transmitter of substituent effects than the SiSi linkage but not as good as the CC bond. The relative transmitting abilities can be rationalized by a combination of inductive and electrostatic field effects.
Differential classification of adult self-reported offender types

In this study, demographic and lifestyle measures were used to develop an empirical classification of unofficial, nonpredatory, white-collar and violent offenders. Using a sample of 504 adult, self-reported offenders drawn from the 1981–82 British Crime Survey (BCS), the results of a multiple discriminant analysis indicated that each offender group could be successfully differentiated and classified according to variables such as: age, alcohol consumption, weekend nights spent home and personal victimization experiences. In addition, the findings from this study support the proposition that homogenous offending patterns do exist among select subclasses of self-reported criminals.
A Production Function with an Inferior Input: Comment

Epstein and Spiegel (The Manchester School, Vol. 68 (2000), No. 5, pp. 503–515) have discussed a production function in which one input is inferior: an increase in the target level of output reduces the quantity of the input demanded. This paper provides a more straightforward proof that the input in question is inferior. This proof has the added advantage that, unlike the proof of Epstein and Spiegel, it is based on the firm’s cost minimization problem. It thus emphasizes the connection between the firm’s cost minimization problem and the issue of input inferiority. It is also shown that, if we treat the Epstein–Spiegel functional form as a utility function rather than a production function, then the inferior good can exhibit Giffen behavior.
Frequency Distribution of Wind Speed Near the Surface

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide information about frequency distributions of wind speed near the surface of the earth. There has been a recent increased interest in this topic because of the potential for obtaining electrical energy from wind power. Frequency distributions of wind speed from a large collection of data are examined. Most distributions are skewed to the right and the mean is usually greater than the median. Experience has shown that the Weibull distribution provides a good analytical approximation to the cumulative distribution and is particularly useful for the 90–99% thresholds. Two methods of fitting a Weibull distribution with a nonzero location parameter are discussed. Both of these methods require less computational effort than the maximum likelihood solution for a three-parameter model and are suitable for practical use by the engineer. It is shown that the three-parameter model is better than the two-parameter model for predicting extreme values.
The Author and the Authorship: Recent Kierkegaard Literature

The three works under review are among the most important additions of the past few years to the Kierkegaard literature in English. The importance of the new translation of the journals and papers, projected in five large volumes, hardly requires comment. The first volume of this monumental work of translation has appeared, already containing almost as many entries as the major selection from the journals that we have had available in English before, and it is safe to say that when Howard and Edna Hong have finished their work we shall have as much of the journals and papers available in English as we are ever likely to need. It will still be no more than a substantial selection from the twenty folio volumes of the Danish edition, but those whose interest in Kierkegaard is so determined that they need much more than the Hongs give us will probably want to learn Danish anyway. The other two books, aside from revealing a penchant for alliteration in their titles, are representative of the substantial, critical interpretation of Kierkegaard's work that has begun to appear in this country in the years since the Kierkegaard vogue ran its course. Neither book is an introductory text designed to initiate the casual reader into the mystique of "SK," nor on the other hand does either book contain earnest warnings against the pathological irrationalism of an author who, if anything, was pathologically reflective. Both Professor Thompson and Professor Sponheim are thoroughly at home in the Danish texts of Kierkegaard's corpus, and also in his personal and cultural milieu, and they are sufficiently sure of themselves to undertake dis-
Sesquiterpene lactones. Part XXII. Sesquiterpene lactones in Species of the Genus Chrysanthemum

A method of effective study on sesquiterpeine lactones in unknown plant material was worked out. This method allows the choice of species with high sesquiterpene lactones content and interesting chemical composition. Studies were carried out on 14 species of Chrysanthemum s.l.. The method of elementary appreciation consisted in: estimation of the bitter principle index (assayed by the modified Ph-P.IV. method), quantitative analysis of lactone fractions and chromatographical examination. Quantitative analysis of sesquiterpene lactones in plant material was carried out by the IR spectroscopy method specially adapted for this purpose. Chromatographic examinations were carried out by the thin-layer technique on silica gel. Chromatograms of lactone fractions were developed with 6 selective reagents. The correlation between the bitter principle index and quantitative content of sesquiterpene lactones was ascertained. Bisides great qualitative also quantitative differences were observed between 14 investigated species from Chrysanthemum s.l.
Medical cognitive graphics

Medical inference problems that seem too complex for intuitive solution can be made tractable if the problem information is presented in the form of a graphic display. The medical cognitive graphics approach to aiding complex problem solving conceives of a medical professional as a person trying to form a mental model of the patient's situation. Appropriate computer graphics make mental models easier to form and easier to explore. This paper develops the notion of medical cognitive graphics via two examples drawn from medical diagnosis and monitoring.
An integer programming model for the allocation of databases in a distributed computer system

Abstract Designers of distributed computer systems have to resolve issues like allocation of user nodes among processors, partitioning the central database and allocation of these partitions among processors. In this paper, we identify systems where decisions regarding the database partitioning and the allocation of these partitions among processors can be effectively merged with decisions regarding the assignment of user nodes to processors. An integer programming model that can be used in designing these systems is formulated. Heuristic and optimal solution procedures are developed. These procedures are tested and found to be effective on a wide range of problem structures.
Correlation Between Cooked Rice Texture and Rapid Visco Analyser Measurements

ABSTRACT Although amylose content is considered the most important determinant of cooked rice texture, this constituent falls short as a predictor, because cultivars with similar amylose contents may differ in textural properties. Thus, amylography is used as one of a battery of tests, in addition to measuring amylose content, to improve differentiation of cultivars. The purpose of our study was to determine how well amylography conducted with a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) serves as a predictor of cooked rice texture, alone and in combination, with amylose content. Textural properties of 87 samples representing short-, medium-, and long-grain rice cultivars were assessed by descriptive sensory and instrumental texture profile (TPA) analyses and related to RVA measurements. None of the cooked rice textural attributes, whether measured by descriptive analysis or TPA, were modeled by RVA with high accuracy (i.e., high r2). Sensory texture attributes cohesiveness of mass, stickiness, and initial starchy coatin...
Cardiovascular drug class specificity: β-blockers

Beta-adrenergic blockers are one of the most frequently prescribed cardiovascular drugs. Numerous beta-blockers are available for clinical use. Although these agents differ substantially, it is not clear whether (and which) differences are clinically relevant. Most of the important differences among agents reflect the relative specificity for beta1-, beta2-, and alpha-adrenergic receptors. Selection of a particular agent and target dose is probably best guided by available trial data, even though data are limited. Nonselective agents (with or without alpha-blocking properties) devoid of intrinsic sympathetic activity (ISA) are most appropriate postinfarction. Evidence exists demonstrating a mortality benefit postinfarction for propranolol, timolol, metoprolol, and, in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction, carvedilol. In the setting of heart failure, the selective agents metoprolol and bisoprolol as well as the nonselective agent carvedilol (which possesses alpha-blocking properties) have a demonstrated mortality benefit. Not all tolerated beta-blockers are associated with a survival benefit and it is probably not advisable to extrapolate benefits to all drugs with similar (although probably not identical) properties. Carvedilol may possess advantages over other beta-blockers and a possible survival advantage, suggested by the recent Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET), although these findings are not universally accepted. Ultimately, selection of a specific agent avoids obvious contraindications and uses trial data to guide selection and dose as long as side effects are absent or tolerable.
Membrane topology of the human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) determined by epitope insertion and immunofluorescence.

The human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) mediates efflux of drugs and organic anions across the plasma membrane. Hydropathy analysis suggests that BCRP consists of a nucleotide-binding domain (residues ∼1-395) and a membrane-spanning domain (MSD) (residues ∼396-655); however, its exact topology structure remains unknown. In this study, we determined the topology structure of BCRP by inserting hemagglutinin (HA) tags in its predicted hydrophilic regions of the MSD. HA-tagged BCRP mutants were expressed in HEK cells and tested for their ability to efflux mitoxantrone and BODIPY-prazosin. Polarity of the inserted tags with respect to the plasma membrane was determined by immunofluorescence. All of the mutants were expressed at levels comparable to wild-type BCRP as revealed by immunoblotting with specific antibodies against BCRP and the HA tag. Insertions at residues 423, 454, 462, 499, 529, 532, and 651 produced functional mutants, whereas insertions at residues 560, 594, and 623 resulted in mutants with significantly reduced activity and insertions at residues 387, 420, 474, and 502 completely abrogated the activity. HA tags inserted at residues 387, 474, 529, 532, 560, and 651 were localized intracellularly, whereas those inserted at residues 420, 423, 454, 499, 502, 594, and 623 revealed an extracellular location. Residue 462 was localized in a transmembrane (TM) segment. These results provide the first direct experimental evidence in support of a 6-TM model for BCRP with the amino and carboxyl termini of the MSD located intracellularly. These data may have important implications for understanding the transport mechanism of BCRP.
Factors affecting coagulation with aluminum sulfate—I. Particle formation and growth

Abstract This paper describes the effects of several important water quality and water treatment variables on particle formation and growth during chemical coagulation. Experimental variables included initial pH, initial turbidity, aluminum sulfate dose, preozonation dose and flocculation time. An orthogonal experimental design was employed with statistical analysis of data by the Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The variables investigated proved to be capable of imparting, individually or collectively, statistically significant effects on particle formation and growth. Particle growth during coagulation is a necessary prerequisite for the effective use of subsequent solid-liquid separation processes.
Development of clickable active site-directed photoaffinity probes for γ-secretase

Abstract We have developed clickable active site-directed photoaffinity probes for γ-secretase which incorporate a photoreactive benzophenone group and an alkyne handle for subsequent click chemistry mediated conjugation with azide-linked reporter tags for visualization (e.g., TAMRA-azide) or enrichment (e.g., biotin-azide) of labeled proteins. Specifically, we synthesized clickable analogs of L646 (2) and L505 (3) and validated specific labeling to presenilin–1 N-terminal fragment (PS1-NTF), the active site aspartyl protease component within the γ-secretase complex. Additionally, we were able to identify signal peptide peptidase (SPP) by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, we analyzed the photo-labeled proteins in an unbiased fashion by click chemistry with TAMRA-azide followed by in-gel fluorescence detection. This approach expands the utility of γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) photoaffinity probes in that labeled proteins can be tagged with any number of azide-linked reporters groups using a single clickable photoaffinity probe for target pull down and/or fluorescent imaging applications.
The biological effects of the water-soluble fractions of a no. 2 fuel oil on the planktonic shrimp, Lucifer faxoni

Abstract The biological effects of water-soluble fractions (WSFs) of a No. 2 fuel (heating) oil on the planktonic shrimp, Lucifer faxoni, were investigated. Biological parameters used to assess toxicity were survival, respiration, feeding rate and degree of activity. In the survival and feeding studies two experiments were carried out, one with freshly prepared WSF (Exp. 1), the other with WSF exposed to air for 48 h (Exp. 2) before the animals were introduced. Based on survival data for fourteen days exposure, critical levels of toxicities in Exp. 1 were about 0·2 ppm, while in Exp. 2 they were around 2 ppm. A similar trend was found in studies of feeding and degree of activity. Unexposed extracts (Exp. 1) were more toxic and the effect on feeding was immediate and irreversible; exposed WSF was less toxic, the effect on feeding was delayed and reversible. The chemical composition of fresh WSF and of WSF exposed to air from 6 h to 5 days was determined. Alkyl benzenes, indans, and naphthalenes were rapidly lost from the exposed solution, with only negligible concentrations remaining after 24 h. In contrast, certain non-hydrocarbon compounds such as alkyl anilines, phenols, and indoles were generally present even after 5 days at greater than 50% of their initial concentration. The biological and chemical data appear to indicate that the higher toxicity of fresh WSF to L. faxoni was due to volatile aromatic hydrocarbons. It seems that the toxicity of oil spills could be markedly less than some laboratory results suggest because there is reduced toxicity following weathering by evaporation. Respiration rates of L. faxoni during an 8 h exposure to freshly prepared WSF rose with increasing concentrations up to 30% of WSF, then fell with further increases of concentration of WSF.
Effect of an inhibitor of protein kinase C on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte degranulation

Abstract The protein kinase C inhibitor C-I reduced superoxide production by human neutrophils in response to phorbol myristate acetate by > 50%. In contrast to its effects in oxidative metabolism, 100 uM C-I caused minimal inhibition (5–18%) of lysozyme release in response to phorbol myristate acetate. Enzyme release produced by the formylated oligopeptide FMLP was enhanced by 23–54% in neutrophils pretreated with 100 uM C-I. These findings suggest that protein kinase C activation is not required for phorbol myristate acetate induced enzyme release. Enhancement of FMLP stimulated degranulation by C-I suggests that protein kinase C activation may have inhibitory effects on the release of granule enzymes by human neutrophils.
Magnetoreflection studies of single crystal pyrolytic and kish graphite

Abstract Magnetoreflection experiments have been performed on samples of pyrolytic, single crystal and kish graphite. Comparing the data for these samples we conclude that with a single set of band parameters the Slonczewski-Weiss-McClure band model adequately describes the magnetoreflection data for all three varieties of graphite. Furthermore, more precise values of the band parameters γ 0 and Δ are determined from the H point magnetoreflection resonances. It is also concluded that the introduction of a stacking fault parameter into the electronic energy band model as proposed by Tsukada and Uemura is not necessary for the interpretation of magnetoreflection data.
Reprint of: Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer in conducting polymer–buckminsterfullerene composites

Abstract We report time-resolved photoinduced absorption and time-resolved photoconductivity in conducting polymer-C 60 composites. Photoinduced electron transfer occurs at times τ 60 shows similar spectral features at early times ( 60 . Ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer improves the quantum efficiency for photogeneration of charge carriers; in the ps domain the photoconductivity of the conducting polymer host is enhanced by more than an order of magnitude upon mixing in a few percent C 60 .
The B(H2)nH2 binding energies, for n = 0–3

Abstract The complete basis set limit BH2 dissociation energy (De) is determined to be 133 cm−1. This is in good agreement with the estimate made by Alexander. The optimal structures for B(H2)n (n = 1–3) have the H2 bond axes aligned with the open-shell B 2p orbital to maximize the B to H2 σ ∗ donation. The H2 bond midpoints and B atom all lie in a plane. For n = 4, the analogous structure is slightly above the most stable isomer, which adds an H2 molecule above one pair of H2 molecules in B(H2)3. This non-planar B(H2)4 structure is that recently deduced from the BH2 and H2H2 potentials. The computed H2 binding energies for n = 2–4 are between about 150 and 170 cm−1 and are expected to be 5–10 cm−1 too small.
13C 12C exchange between calcite and graphite: A possible thermometer in Grenville marbles

The fractionation of 13C between calcite and graphite, Δ(Cc-Gr). is consistently small (2.6–4.8 permil) in 34 assemblages from upper amphibolite- and granulite-facies marbles of the Grenville Province. In 25 samples from the Adirondack Mountains, New York, it decreases regularly with increasing metamorphic temperature. The fractionations are independent of absolute δ13C values of calcite (−2.9 to +5.0). For T = 600–800°C, the Adirondack data are described by Δ(Cc-Gr) = −0.00748T (°C) + 8.68. This good correlation between Δ and T suggests that carbon isotope equilibrium was attained in these high-grade marbles and that the theoretical calculations of this fractionation by Bottinga are approximately 2 permil too large in this temperature range. Because of the relatively high temperature sensitivity suggested by these results and by Bottinga's calculations, and the pressure independence of isotope fractionation, Δ(Cc-Gr) may provide a very good thermometer for high-grade marbles. Comparison of this field calibration for Δ(Cc-Gr) vs temperature with results from other terranes supports the utility of Δ(Cc-Gr) for geothermometry and suggests that graphite is much more sluggish to exchange than calcite, that exchange between calcite and graphite occurs at temperatures as low as 300°C, and that equilibrium may normally be attained only when peak metamorphic temperatures are greater than 500–600°C. Because 13C exchange is an unavoidable metamorphic process at temperatures above 300°C, high values of δ13C(Gr) in moderate- to high-grade carbonate-bearing rocks do not provide a sufficient criterion to infer an abiogenic origin for the graphite.
Cell-type specific modular regulation of derailed in the Drosophila nervous system

The derailed (drl) gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that governs aspects of axon guidance and muscle-epidermal interactions in the Drosophila embryo. To determine the types of neurons that express drl, we have examined a series of drl promoter fusions to axon-targeted reporters. We have identified enhancers that drive reporter expression in four distinct subtypes of embryonic neurons, all of which project axons in the anterior commissure of the developing nervous system. We also identified enhancers driving expression in the drl-expressing muscles and epidermal attachment cells. These enhancers define the classes of neurons projecting in the anterior commissure and can be used to precisely define axon pathfinding errors in drl and other mutants.
Equity or intention: it is the thought that counts

Abstract Economists theorize how and when other-regarding behavior determines experimental outcomes. Two approaches are: (1) explicitly model fairness—intentions matter and (2) use inequity aversion as a proxy for fairness—only the outcome matters. The first approach is consistent with people behaving as though they think, “He was as fair as he could be; do not punish him”. The second approach is consistent with people behaving as though they think, “Despite his best efforts, the outcome was inequitable; punish him”. The results of this experiment are consistent with the fairness-based model, that is, “It is the thought that counts”.
A twin with Cushing's disease.

A 10-year-old twin girl presented elsewhere with weight gain and growth retardation. At age 14 years she was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, and transsphenoidal pituitary tumour resection was attempted without improvement. She presented to the National Institutes of Health at age 15 years with cerebral MRI showing persistent tumour. We confirmed monozygosity with historical photographs (figure 1) and human leucocyte antigen typing. She was premenstrual with height 1st percentile and weight at the 75th percentile. Her healthy twin reached menarche at age 14 years; her height and weight were at the 85th and 50th percentiles. We resected an ACTH-positive pituitary adenoma. All postoperative endocrine tests showed sustained cure. She commenced menses 13 months after surgery, and had rapid growth and weight loss with return of facial features more closely resembling those of her twin sister (figure 2). However, this recovery was incomplete, as was her recovery from decreased bone mineral density and increased body fat indices. These photographs illustrate the profound effects of CD, the remission of some of its features, and the persistence of others despite endocrinological cure. A twin with Cushing’s disease
The role of adjusted birthweight in adverse neonatal outcome

FOR FETAL THROMBOCYTOPENIA? ABIMBOLA AINA-MUMUNEY, CYNTHIA HOLCROFT, LORRAINE MILIO, JESSICA BIENSTOCK, JUDE CRINO, KARIN BLAKEMORE, Johns Hopkins University, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Baltimore, MD OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of streaming from needle insertion sampling sites, non-reassuring fetal heart rate (FHR), and need for immediate cesarean section (C/S) following fetal intrahepatic vein (IHV) sampling versus sampling at the placental cord insertion site or a loop of cord (PUBS). STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive IHV and PUBS procedures, including failed attempts, between 7/87 and 8/03 were compared with respect to incidence of streaming at the sampling site, non-reassuring FHR or, in eligible cases, need for immediate C/S post procedure. Cases with fetal platelet counts < 50K were analyzed separately. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: We identified 202 procedures: 112 intrahepatic, 79 placental cord insertion site, 11 a loop of cord. Presence or absence of streaming was documented in 81 IHV samplings and 72 PUBS samplings. Postprocedure streaming was significantly less common with IHV (1/81 or 1.2%) compared to PUBS (23/72 or 32%), P < 0.0001. There was no difference between IHV and PUBSwith respect to incidence of non-reassuring FHR (5/112 vs 7/90, P = 0.38) or need for immediate C/S (2/94 vs 3/88, P = 0.67). 17 cases of fetal thrombocytopenia were identified, of which 13 were sampled via IHV and 4 by PUBS. Streaming occurred in 0 of 13 of the IHV cases versus 2 of 4 (50%) of the PUBS cases, P = 0.04 (which is slightly higher than the 12%-41% incidence of streaming following PUBS for all indications as reported in the literature). CONCLUSION: IHV has a significantly lower rate of streaming from needle sampling insertion sites as compared to PUBS. Our data suggest that IHV sampling is the procedure of choice in disease states in which fetal thrombocytopenia is suspected.
Phase Separation in Binary Mixtures of Bipolar and Monopolar Lipid Dispersions Revealed by Solid-State 2H NMR Spectroscopy and Small Angle X-ray Scattering

Binary mixtures of C20BAS and POPC membranes have been studied by 2H NMR spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) over a wide range of concentrations and at different temperatures. Experiments tested the possibility of formation of phase-separated lipid domains predicted by the mean field theory [1]. Membranes composed of three specifically deuterated C20BAS derivatives [1,1,20,20-2H4]C20BAS, [2,2,19,19-2H4] C20BAS, and [10,11-2H2] C20BAS with protiated POPC and with membranes containing POPC-d31 and fully protiated bolalipid were used in NMR experiments to obtain structural information for the mixture. The 2H NMR spectra of 10,11-2H2-C20BAS:POPC membrane dispersion reveal that the bolalipid is predominantly in the transmembrane conformation at high bolalipid concentrations. At 50 mole percent C20BAS and lower, components appear in the spectra with smaller quadrupolar couplings, most likely indicating the presence of U-shaped conformers. The proportion of U-shaped bolalipids becomes more prominent as the amount of POPC in the membrane increases. However, the transmembrane component is still the dominant bolalipid conformation in the membrane even at 45 °C and 10 mole percent C20BAS, where it accounts for roughly 50% of the bolalipid population. The large fraction of C20BAS transmembrane conformers regardless of the C20BAS:POPC ratio together with POPC-bolalipid hydrophobic mismatch can be explained by co-existence of bolalipid-rich domains separate from the POPC-rich domains. In SAXS experiments only a single distinct lamellar repeat distance was observed, corresponding roughly to the average of bolalipid-rich and POPC-rich domains. These observations are consistent with the presence of microphase-separated domains in the mixed membrane samples. [1] G.S. Longo et al. (2007) Biophys. J. 93, 2609.
Variable predictors of attitudes toward the legalization of abortion.

This paper updates and expands the study of abortion attitudes originally done by Blake and del Pinal (1980). Since 1978, the last year examined by those authors, the American public's approval of the legalization of abortion initially increased but then dropped to the lowest level ever recorded by the General Social Survey. Religion, as coded by Blake and del Pinal, and education continue to be strong predictors of abortion attitudes as are individual's beliefs about premarital sex, divorce, and euthanasia. A major finding of this study is that the same factors which predict abortion attitudes among persons having polar positions on the subject also predict abortion attitudes among the general population.
Understanding Muslim chaplaincy

This is a really good book for a number of reasons. First, it is groundbreaking, providing an original, multi-layered account of the origins, practice and development of Muslim chaplaincy in the UK...
Observational constraints on hyperons in neutron stars

The possibility that neutron stars may contain substantial hyperon populations has important implications for neutron-star cooling and, through bulk viscosity, the viability of the $r$-modes of accreting neutron stars as sources of persistent gravitational waves. In conjunction with laboratory measurements of hypernuclei, astronomical observations were used by Glendenning and Moszkowski [Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 2414 (1991)] to constrain the properties of hyperonic equations of state within the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. We revisit the problem, incorporating recent measurements of high neutron-star masses and a gravitational redshift. We find that only the stiffest of the relativistic hyperonic equations of state commonly used in the literature is compatible with the redshift. However, it is possible to construct stiffer equations of state within the same framework which produce the observed redshift while satisfying the experimental constraints on hypernuclei, and we do this. The stiffness parameter that most affects the redshift is not the incompressibility but rather the hyperon coupling. Nonrelativistic potential-based equations of state with hyperons are not constrained by the redshift, primarily due to a smaller stellar radius.
Fatty acid synthase and liver triglyceride metabolism: Housekeeper or messenger?

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) catalyzes the de novo synthesis of fatty acids. In the liver, FAS has long been categorized as a housekeeping protein, producing fat for storage of energy when nutrients are present in excess. Most previous studies of FAS regulation have focused on the control of gene expression. However, recent findings suggest that hepatic FAS may also be involved in signaling processes that include activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Moreover, reports of rapid alterations in FAS activity as well as findings of post-translational modifications of the FAS protein support the notion that dynamic events in addition to transcription impact FAS regulation. These results indicate that FAS enzyme activity can impact liver physiology through signaling as well as energy storage and that its regulation may be complex. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Triglyceride Metabolism and Disease.
Lambda exonuclease digestion of CGG trinucleotide repeats

Fragile X syndrome and other trinucleotide diseases are characterized by an elongation of a repeating DNA triplet. The ensemble-averaged lambda exonuclease digestion rate of different substrates, including one with an elongated FMR1 gene containing 120 CGG repeats, was measured using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. By use of magnetic tweezers sequence-dependent digestion rates and pausing was measured for individual lambda exonucleases. Within the triplet repeats a lower average and narrower distribution of rates and a higher frequency of pausing was observed.
Ocular Trauma and Other Catastrophes

Trauma is one of the leading causes of monocular blindness worldwide. Recognizing, evaluating, and managing vision-threatening injuries, such as globe rupture, retrobulbar hemorrhage, intraocular foreign bodies, and hyphemas, are paramount for emergency physicians to reduce the risk of vision loss and other complications. Other emergent ocular complaints, such as acute-angle closure glaucoma, and retinal detachment also require temporizing emergency management that can reduce complications while awaiting definitive specialty care. Understanding these conditions and evidence-based management will enable the emergency physician to provide the most up-to-date standard of care.
Two dogmas of metaethics

The two dogmas at issue are the Humean dogma that “‘is’ statements do not imply ‘ought’ statements” and the Kantian dogma that “‘ought’ statements imply ‘can’” statements. The extant literature concludes these logically contradict each other. On the contrary, it is argued here that while there is no derivable formal contradiction, the juxtaposition of the dogmas manifests a philosophical disagreement over how to understand the logic of prescriptions. This disagreement bears on how to understand current metaethical debate between realists and non-realists about morality in a way not heretofore investigated. The conclusion is that realists have the resources to account for both dogmas, while non-realists, if they strictly adhere to the “is”/“ought” gap, cannot give an adequate account of why “ought” implies “can”.
DRC-1339 avicide fails to protect ripening sunflowers

Abstract From 20 August to 19 September 1993 and 1994, we assessed the effects of treating ripening sunflower fields with DRC-1339-treated rice baits on blackbird (Icterinae) damage to sunflower fields found within ⩽ 3.2 km of blackbird roosts. The number of blackbirds ( x = 18,943 ± 1,888 ) using roosts centered within the treated and untreated test areas were similar (P = 0.432). The number of blackbirds using sunflower fields in the test areas did not vary among days after treatment (P = 0.538) or between treated and untreated areas (P = 0.203, averaging 3203 ± 361). The percentage of sunflower damage did not differ (P = 0.736) between treatments ( x = 2.3 ± 0.6% ). It appears broadcasting DRC-1339-treated rice baits in ripening sunflower fields does not reduce local blackbird populations or sunflower damage.
Comparison of the anticoagulant activity of three polysaccharide sulfates.

Abstract Amylose, amylopectin, and guaran at different molecular weight levels and at different degrees of sulfation are compared with heparin as anticoagulants for human blood. While molecular weight has only a small effect on in vitro anticoagulant action, activity increases with sulfate ester content and is most pronounced in the branched polysaccharide, amylopectin. Even here the activity is low in comparison with heparin, suggesting that at least some N -sulfates are necessary to effect high activity.
DEVELOPMENT OF A DEPRESSION LOCUS OF CONTROL SCALE

A 12-item Depression Locus of Control Scale was given to 117 white high school students. The scale has three subscales, internal (4 items), chance (4 items), and powerful others (4 items). Reliability assessed by test-retest was .55 and Cronbach alphas were for the subscales listed above .63, .73, and .66, respectively. Content validity, criterion-related validity, construct validity, and discriminant validity were examined. Reading level was at the eighth grade. It is recommended that the more specific Depression Locus of Control Scale be used in studies of depression.
Open-path greenhouse gas sensor for UAV applications

We demonstrate an open-path, compact, low power, VCSEL based sensor for measuring trace gas species in the atmosphere. The sensor was tested on a robotic UAV helicopter and demonstrated stable performance throughout its operation.
Exogenous Ceramide-1-phosphate Reduces Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated Cytokine Expression

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a component of the innate immune system that recognizes a diverse group of molecular structures, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. TLR4 signaling ultimately leads to activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and the production of cytokines. Ceramide is a bioactive sphingolipid that has been suggested to regulate TLR4-induced NF-κB signaling, although reports on the role of ceramide in TLR4 activation conflict. We investigated the possibility that ceramide metabolites, such as ceramide-1-phosphate (C-1-P), may explain these discrepancies. We now report that exogenous C-1-P, but not ceramide, reduces NF-κB-mediated gene transcription in HEK 293 cells stably transfected with human TLR4, CD14, and MD-2. We demonstrate that inhibition of NF-κB by exogenous C-1-P is dose-dependent and specific to TLR4 in a reporter assay. We further demonstrate a requirement for both the phosphate moiety and the sphingoid backbone to inhibit LPS-activated NF-κB transcription. Specifically, C-1-P prevents the degradation of IκB, the phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB, and LPS-stimulated MAPK activation. The functional consequence of C-1-P inhibition of NF-κB is a reduction in LPS-mediated cytokine release from HEK 293 TLR4-expressing cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that C-1-P may function as an anti-inflammatory lipid mediator of immune response.
Reactions of Aqueous Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide with Lipids: Chlorine Incorporation

Various lipids were reacted with HO36Cl and 36ClO2 in an aqueous medium, and the extent of incorporation of 36Cl into the lipids was determined. Cl incorporation into lipids treated with HOCl was greater than lipids treated with ClO2. Free fatty acids incorporated more Cl than their corresponding esters. The degree of Cl incorporation was directly correlated with number of double bonds in the lipid. Triglycerides behaved as esters of their component fatty acids. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) studies indicated at least two chlorinated products were formed from the reaction of HO36Cl with oleic acid.
Coulomb displacement energies and the structure of the low-lying negative-parity states in 2s-1d shell nuclei

Abstract Negative-parity states in A = 13–33 nuclei are described as two-component wave functions, one containing a hole in the 1p shell, the other a particle in the 1f–2p shell. The large difference in Coulomb displacement energy (CDE) for both components has been used to determine the relative intensities by fitting the experimental CDE. For the lowest-lying states these intensities are compared to experimental ones derived from spectroscopic factors for pick-up reactions. Strong binding-energy effects seem to play an important role for these states.
Non-FcεR bearing mast cells secrete sufficient interleukin-4 to control Francisella tularensis replication within macrophages.

Mast cells have classically been implicated in the triggering of allergic and anaphylactic reactions. However, recent findings have elucidated the ability of these cells to selectively release a variety of cytokines leading to bacterial clearance through neutrophil and dendritic cell mobilization, and suggest an important role in innate host defenses. Our laboratory has established a primary bone marrow derived mast cell-macrophage co-culture system and found that mast cells mediated a significant inhibition of Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) uptake and replication within macrophages through contact and the secreted product interleukin-4 (IL-4). In this study, we utilized P815 mast cells and J774 macrophages to further investigate whether mast cell activation by non-FceR driven signals could produce IL-4 and control intramacrophage LVS replication. P815 supernatants collected upon activation by the mast cell activating peptide MP7, as well as P815 cells co-cultured with J774 macrophages, exhibited marked inhibition of bacterial uptake and replication, which correlated with the production of IL-4. The inhibition noted in vitro was titratable and preserved at ratios relevant to cellular infiltration events following pulmonary challenge. Collectively, our data suggest that both primary mast cell and P815 mast cell (lacking FceR) secreted IL-4 can control intramacrophage Francisella replication.
The Role of Radiotherapy in Sweden: A landmark study by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care

(1996). The Role of Radiotherapy in Sweden: A landmark study by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care. Acta Oncologica: Vol. 35, No. 8, pp. 965-966.
Solution properties of porcine submaxillary mucin.

Porcine submaxillary mucin (PSM) is a glycoprotein composed of a protein core and frequent, short oligosaccharide side chains. We report static and dynamic light scattering experiments and intrinsic viscosities for PSM in aqueous solvent systems. In 0.1M NaCl solution, the data suggest PSM exists as large, internally branched, highly hydrated, polydisperse aggregates that slowly dissociate to give a stable species of weight-average molecular weight (Mw) 7.4 × 106. In 6M GdnHCl solution, the noncovalent bonds between PSM molecules are broken, giving a highly elongated molecule of Mw = 2.0 × 106. The irreversible nature of this dissociation suggests that the forces that stabilize the native aggregates of PSM in 0.1M NaCl are specific in nature. On reduction of PSM with mercaptoethanol, the polydispersity decreases and Mw also decreases to 9 × 105. A discrete change is observed in the solution properties of PSM in 0.1M NaCl at a concentration of 2mg/mL, manifested by a sudden decrease in the translational diffusion coefficient, an increase in viscosity number, and a decrease in slope of the osmotic compressibility. We tentatively propose that a weak and reversible secondary association process occurs at this concentration, although a purely hydrodynamic interaction cannot be ruled out.
A morphological study on the ultrastructure and assembly of murine leukemia virus using a temperature-sensitive mutant restricted in assembly.

T, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus, was observed to produce large numbers of both normal particles and multiploids, (i.e., virions with more than one ribonucleoprotein component [RNP]) in all stages of assembly at the nonpermissive temperature. In thin sections, budding particles and extracellular immature particles show the general structural components characteristic of other RNA tumor viruses. Examination of the core shell confirms that it consists of polygonal subunits. The double striated tracks seen in negatively stained virions appear to be the edges of these subunits and are not likely to be a “core membrane.” An additional substructure was observed in the core shell which extends from the center of each polygonal subunit to the outer periphery of the RNP. The presence of substructures in the form of rings or short tubular substructures in the RNP is consistent with the hypothesis that the RNP is a hollow sphere formed by supercoiling of a single- or double-stranded helix. Multiploids were also observed in t-infected cells grown at the permissive temperature and in MuLV infected cells. We have demonstrated that the individual RNPs of a multiploid remain discrete entities. The volume of a spherical duplex is about twice that of a normal particle which suggests that it contains two complete genomes. The assembly of both normal particles and multiploids are essentially similar. Multiploids are apparently produced when two or more normal virions assemble in close proximity or assemble in succession at about the same site. The final steps in the assembly of both types of particles are preceded by the resealing of the cellular membrane. The laying down of the remaining section of the viral envelope occurs as a separate event. Elongation of the cytoplasmic strands linking the virions to the cell seems to occur before virion release. The significance of multiploids in mixed infections is discussed.