cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Bacteriophage Peptide Display to Tailor Pharmacokinetics of Biological Nanoparticles

Clinical use of most radiolabeled targeting agents has been limited because of the uptake and retention in kidney and/or liver. We hypothesized that bacteriophage (phage) display could be exploited to select for peptide sequences with fast clearance and low kidney uptake with the added ability to redirect phage clearance away from the reticuloendothelial system towards the kidney possessing rapid kidney clearance. In vivo phage display was performed to identify peptides displayed on phage that were excreted rapidly into the urine of mice. A novel in vitro assay using kidney cells, developed to predict in vivo kidney retention, and in vivo pharmacokinetic analyses were performed to characterize selected peptides/phage clones. Forty-three renal clearance clones (RCC) were identified. In vivo mixing experiments and in vitro kidney cell assays identified RCC1-02 as the lead compound. In vivo analysis of fluorescently labeled phage clones demonstrated the ability of RCC1-02 peptide to redirect the biodistribution of the large phage particle towards excretion via the kidney. Pharmacokinetic analysis of [111In]-radiolabeled peptides revealed that kidney retention of the control ErBB-2-avid peptide, [111In]DOTA-KCCYSL, at 2-h postinjection was 5.7 ± 0.7 %ID/g. In comparison, [111In]DOTA-RCC1-02 had kidney retention values of 1.66 ± 0.43 %ID/g, respectively. In vivo phage display can identify phage and corresponding peptides that rapidly clear the renal system. In the future, these peptides may be used to impart favorable pharmacokinetics onto a wide range of radioimaging or therapeutic macromolecules.
Remaking the Universe

The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-Century Physics. By Robert P. Crease and Charles C. Mann. Macmillan, New York: 1986. Pp. 480. 25.
Comparison of Cell Wall Polysaccharide Hydrolysis by a Dilute Acid/Enzymatic Saccharification Process and Rumen Microorganisms

Evaluation of biomass crops for breeding or pricing purposes requires an assay that predicts performance in the bioenergy conversion process. Cell wall polysaccharide hydrolysis was compared for a dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment at 121°C followed with cellulase hydrolysis for 72 h conversion assay (CONV) with in vitro rumen microflora incubation for 72 h (RUMEN) for a set of maize (Zea mays L.) stover samples with a wide range in cell wall composition. Residual polysaccharides from the assays were analyzed for sugar components and extent of hydrolysis calculated. Cell wall polysaccharide hydrolysis was different for all sugar components between the CONV and RUMEN assays. The CONV assay hydrolyzed xylose-, arabinose-, galactose-, and uronic acid-containing polysaccharides to a greater degree than did the RUMEN assay, whereas the RUMEN assay was more effective at hydrolyzing glucose- and mannose-containing polysaccharides. Greater hydrolysis of hemicelluloses and pectins by CONV can be attributed to the acid hydrolysis mechanism of the CONV assay for noncellulosic polysaccharides, whereas the RUMEN assay was dependent on enzymatic hydrolysis. While CONV and RUMEN hydrolysis were correlated for most polysaccharide components, the greatest correlation was only r = 0.70 for glucose-containing polysaccharides. Linear correlations and multiple regressions indicated that polysaccharide hydrolysis by the RUMEN assay was negatively associated with lignin concentration and ferulate ether cross linking as expected. Corresponding correlations and regressions for CONV were less consistent and occasionally positive. Use of rumen microbial hydrolysis to characterize biomass performance in a conversion process may have some limited usefulness for genetic evaluations, but such assays would be unreliable for biomass pricing.
Laser immunotherapy and the tumor-immune system interaction: a mathematical model and analysis

Laser immunotherapy (LIT) is a cancer treatment with promising results in animal models and some `no other option' patients. The therapy elicits an immune response that targets the primary tumor and, perhaps more importantly, otherwise untreatable metastases. We develop and analyze a mathematical model that includes key elements of the host immune response set in motion by LIT. We use Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) to EFFICIENTLY sample model parameters from a high-dimensional parameter space and get a broad sense of model dynamics. Depending on a variety of tumor, therapy, and immune parameters, a variety of patient outcomes ranging from tumor clearance to patient death are possible.
Development and evaluation of a decision-based simulation for assessment of team skills.

Background There is a need to train and evaluate a wide variety of nontechnical surgical skills. The goal of this project was to develop and evaluate a decision-based simulation to assess team skills. Methods The decision-based exercise used our previously validated Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia simulator and a newly developed team evaluation survey. Five teams of 3 surgical residents ( N = 15) were tasked with repairing a 10 × 10-cm right upper quadrant hernia. During the simulation, independent observers ( N = 6) completed a 6-item survey assessing: (1) work quality; (2) communication; and (3) team effectiveness. After the simulation, team members self-rated their performance by using the same survey. Results Survey reliability revealed a Cronbach's alpha of r = .811. Significant differences were found when we compared team members' (T) and observers' (O) ratings for communication (T = 4.33/5.00 vs O = 3.00/5.00, P P Conclusion The team evaluation survey had good reliability and correlated with task performance on the simulator. Our current and previous work provides strong evidence that nontechnical and team related skills can be assessed without simulating a crisis situation.
Some new perspectives on two dimensional antiferromagnetism

Abstract I review some of the new ideas about 2D antiferromagnetism spurned by recent interest in possible connections between oxide superconductivity and antiferromagnetism. These developments provide us with an alternative perspective on quantum magnets, replacing the notion of classical rotors with a picture of magnets as spin superfluids. I discuss the relationship with classical spin wave theory and explain some of the new ideas that emerge from this new point-of-view.
Proclaiming Trade Policy “Delegated Unilateral Powers” and the Limits on Presidential Unilateral Enactment of Trade Policy

This article examines presidential proclamations on trade policy, a category of presidential unilateral power that we call delegated unilateral power that is used frequently in creating or modifying trade policy, between the period 1974 and 2006 and tests the boundaries of the explanations predicted by the unilateral powers literature. We also find that the use of proclamations on trade policy is independent of the partisan balance in Congress. The use of proclamations modifying policies was the only tactic that comported with predicted actions from the unilateral presidency. Therefore, contrary to the expectations of the unilateral presidency, presidents are not unrestrained political agents on trade policy, and although presidents have the capacity to do so, they rarely use political factors as a pretext to enact unilateral policy on trade. Ultimately, unilateral powers are not all created equal, as some allow for considerable presidential authority and some are more limited.
Effects of early perturbation of the renin–angiotensin system on cardiovascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Rationale The goal of this study was to analyze cardiovascular (CV) remodeling in early, short-term CAP treated SHR and their offspring. Methods We treated SHR with Captopril (CAP, 100 mg/kg) from in utero to 1 month of age (OCAP). Some of these rats were mated at 3–4 months of age and we used their offspring (2nd G). Controls were untreated SHR, normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHR maintained on CAP (SCAP). At 12–14 months of age, rats were cannulated for mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) measurements. An image analysis system was used to quantitate changes in cardiac and vascular (wall-to-lumen ratios, w/l) morphology and fibrosis. Results Early, short-term CAP treatment prevented the full expression of hypertension in treated rats and their offspring. MAPs were: SHR (180 ± 2.2 mm Hg); WKY 125 ± 3 mm Hg); SCAP 112 ± 2.5mm Hg; OCAP 138 ± 2.3 mm Hg; and 2nd G (145 ± 2.0 mm Hg). There were significant decreases in heart weight/body weight ratios, large and small vessel morphology, and interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in CAP-treated animals and their offspring in comparison to untreated SHR. Conclusions The CV protective properties of early, short-term CAP treatment were not solely due to a reduction in MAP. Although MAP was higher in OCAP and 2nd G, CV structure resembled that found in WKY and SCAP. The effects of our early treatment appear to be due to chronic blockade of the renin–angiotensin system and its effects on growth of CV tissues and the development of fibrosis.
A Visual Basic program for principal components transformation of digital images

Abstract Principal components transformation of multispectral and hyperspectral digital imagery is useful for: (1) reducing the number of useful bands, a distinct advantage when using hyperspectral imagery; (2) obtaining image bands that are orthogonal (statistically independent); (3) improving supervised and unsupervised classification; and (4) image compression. A Visual Basic program is presented for principal components transformation of digital images using principal components analysis or correspondence analysis. Principal components analysis is well known for this application. Correspondence analysis is only recently applied for such transformation. The program can import raw digital images, with or without header records; or, the program can accept Windows bitmap (BMP) files. After transformation, output, transformed images can be exported in raw or BMP format. The program can be used as a simple file format conversion program (raw to BMP or BMP to raw) without performing principal components transformation. An application demonstrates the use of the program.
NMDA receptor-antagonistic properties of hyperforin, a constituent of St. John's Wort.

Extracts of the medicinal plant St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) are widely used for the treatment of affective disorders. Hyperforin, a constituent of St. John’s wort, is known to modulate the release and re-uptake of various neurotransmitters, an action that likely underlies its antidepressive activity. We now report that hyperforin also has N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonistic effects. Hyperforin (10 μM) was found to inhibit the NMDA-induced calcium influx into cortical neurons. In rat hippocampal slices, hyperforin inhibited the NMDA-receptor-mediated release of choline from phospholipids. Hyperforin also antagonized the increase of water content in freshly isolated hippocampal slices, and it counteracted, at 3 and 10 μM, the increase of water content induced by NMDA. Hyperforin was inactive, however, in two in vivo models of brain edema formation, middle cerebral artery occlusion and water intoxication in mice. In conclusion, hyperforin has NMDA-receptor-antagonistic and potential neuroprotective effects in vitro. This effect may contribute to the therapeutic effectiveness of St. John’s wort extracts in some situations, for example, for relapse prevention in alcoholism.
Radiation-induced TNFα cross signaling-dependent nuclear import of NFκB favors metastasis in neuroblastoma

Ascertaining function-specific orchestration of NFκB in response to radiation may reveal a molecular blue-print that dictates induced relapse and metastasis of the neuroblastoma. We recently demonstrated that sustained activation of NFκB caused by ionizing radiation (IR)-initiated TNFα-NFκB feedback signaling leads to radioresistance and recurrence of neuroblastoma. We investigated whether muting IR-triggered or TNFα-dependent second-signaling feedback-dependent NFκB nuclear import results in limiting IR-altered invasion and metastasis. Neuroblastoma cells were exposed to 2 Gy and incubated for 1 h or 24 h. The cells were then treated with an NFκB-targeting peptide blocker, SN50. Upon confirming the blockade in DNA-binding activity, transcription driven transactivation of NFκB and secretion of soluble TNFα, transcriptional alterations of 93 tumor invasion/metastasis genes were assessed by using QPCR profiling and then were selectively validated at the protein level. Exposure to 2 Gy induced 63, 42 and 71 genes in surviving SH-SY5Y, IMR-32 and SK-N-MC cells, respectively. Blocking post-translational nuclear import of NFκB comprehensively inhibited both initial activation of genes (62/63, 34/42 and 65/71) triggered by IR and also TNFα-mediated second signaling-dependent sustained (59/63, 32/42 and 71/71) activation of tumor invasion and metastasis signaling molecules. Furthermore, alterations in the proteins MMP9, MMP2, PYK-2, SPA-1, Dnmt3b, Ask-1, CTGF, MMP10, MTA-2, NF-2, E-Cadherin, TIMP-2 and ADAMTS1 and the results of our scratch-wound assay validate the role of post-translational NFκB in IR-regulated invasion/metastasis. These data demonstrate that IR-induced second-phase (post-translational) NFκB activation mediates TNFα-dependent second signaling and further implies that IR induced NFκB in cells that survive after treatment regulates tumor invasion/metastasis signaling.
BK channels mediate cholinergic inhibition of high frequency cochlear hair cells.

Background Outer hair cells are the specialized sensory cells that empower the mammalian hearing organ, the cochlea, with its remarkable sensitivity and frequency selectivity. Sound-evoked receptor potentials in outer hair cells are shaped by both voltage-gated K(+) channels that control the membrane potential and also ligand-gated K(+) channels involved in the cholinergic efferent modulation of the membrane potential. The objectives of this study were to investigate the tonotopic contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in mature outer hair cells from the rat cochlea. Methodology/principal Findings In this work we used patch clamp electrophysiology and immunofluorescence in tonotopically defined segments of the rat cochlea to determine the contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in outer hair cells. Although voltage and ligand-gated currents have been investigated previously in hair cells from the rat cochlea, little is known about their tonotopic distribution or potential contribution to efferent inhibition. We found that apical (low frequency) outer hair cells had no BK channel immunoreactivity and little or no BK current. In marked contrast, basal (high frequency) outer hair cells had abundant BK channel immunoreactivity and BK currents contributed significantly to both voltage-gated and ACh-evoked K(+) currents. Conclusions/significance Our findings suggest that basal (high frequency) outer hair cells may employ an alternative mechanism of efferent inhibition mediated by BK channels instead of SK2 channels. Thus, efferent synapses may use different mechanisms of action both developmentally and tonotopically to support high frequency audition. High frequency audition has required various functional specializations of the mammalian cochlea, and as shown in our work, may include the utilization of BK channels at efferent synapses. This mechanism of efferent inhibition may be related to the unique acetylcholine receptors that have evolved in mammalian hair cells compared to those of other vertebrates.
Strategic orientations, incentive plan adoptions, and firm performance: evidence from electric utility firms

This study examines the performance implications of the fit between strategic orientations and incentive plan characteristics. Research hypotheses are based on a framework that draws upon managerial discretion and agency theories to identify the links between firm strategy, managerial motivation and control, managerial risk-bearing, and incentive plan characteristics. A pooled cross-sectional, time series research design is used to test hypotheses in a sample of 50 electric utility firms. Consistent with theory, results indicate that annual bonus plans that use cash incentives and accounting measures of performance lead to better performance among firms with Defender strategic orientations. In contrast, firms with Prospector strategic orientations realize performance benefits when they adopt stock-based incentive plans and use market measures to evaluate managerial performance. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Software hardening: a research agenda

This paper lays out the research agenda of the Thorn project, a collaboration between IBM Research and Purdue University with the goal of exploring how to incrementally transition rapid prototypes into robust programs. The project is in its early stages and we have more questions than answers.Out of 518 enterprises, 11% reported using server scripting languages, which was higher than C/C++.---The Forrester Wave: Dynamic Programming LanguagesAny doubt that a Perl-based application would be robust enough to handle a large, mission-critical, financial-batch system has been dispelled by Pluto's performance with the Swedish national pension since its launch in the fall of 2000. More than 5 million customers take part... accounts exceed 6 billion dollars.---Perl Runs Sweden's Pension System
Effect of Lattice Energy Mismatch on the Relative Mass Peak Intensities of Mixed Alkali Halide Nanocrystals

The relative mass peak intensity distribution of the [M14-nAnI13]+ mixed alkali halide nanocrystals containing a “magic” number of 14 metal cations (M and A) and 13 iodide anions is examined. These...
Activation of the nuclear transcription factor κB (NFκB) and differential gene expression in U87 glioma cells after exposure to the cytoprotector amifostine

Abstract Purpose: Amifostine has been approved as a therapy to decrease the incidence of moderate-to-severe xerostomia in patients undergoing postoperative radiation treatment for head-and-neck cancer. As a reducing agent capable of participating in intracellular reductive/oxidative processes, it has the potential to affect redox-sensitive transcription factors and gene expression. Amifostine's active free thiol WR-1065 was investigated to determine its effect on nuclear transcription factor κB (NFκB) activation and subsequent gene expression in U87 glioma cells. Methods and Materials: The human glioma cell line U87 was grown to confluency and then exposed to WR-1065 at a concentration of 40 μM for times ranging from 30 min to 24 h. Changes in cell cycle were monitored by flow cytometry. The effect of WR-1065 on NFκB activation was determined by a gel shift assay. Changes in gene expression as a function of time of exposure to WR-1065 were determined by Northern blot and the Atlas Human cDNA Expression Array (Clontech, Palo Alto, CA). Changes in gene expression using the Atlas Array were verified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with gene-specific primers. Results: Exposure of U87 cells to 40 μM WR-1065 resulted in a marked activation of NFκB between 30 min and 1 h after treatment. Expression of MnSOD , an NFκB-responsive gene, was enhanced by over 2-fold after 16 h of treatment and remained elevated at 24 h. During this period of time, no changes in cell cycle distribution were observed. To assess changes in the expression levels of NFκB-responsive genes as a function of WR-1065 exposure, cDNA arrays containing 49 genes identified as having DNA-binding motifs for NFκB were used. Only five genes were found to be significantly affected at 1, 4, and/or 16 h of treatment. GST-3 and c-myc were repressed up to 2- and 4-fold, respectively. The expression levels of IL-2Ra , RANTES , and c-myb , in contrast, were enhanced up to 14-, 3-, and 2-fold, respectively. The remaining genes having NFκB-responsive elements in their promoter regions were either not expressed (20 genes) or were not affected (24 genes) by exposure to WR-1065. Conclusions: The redox-sensitive transcription factor NFκB can be activated in U87 glioma cells by the active thiol form of the cytoprotector amifostine. Activation of NFκB by the antioxidant WR-1065 is accompanied by a reduced expression of the oncogene c-myc and an enhanced expression of the antioxidant gene MnSOD , a gene whose expression in tumor cells is relatively low, but when overexpressed has been correlated with a suppression of the malignant phenotype. Activation of NFκB by WR-1065, however, results in selective rather than global changes in the expression of genes containing NFκB-responsive elements.
Better than Raw: A Guide to Measuring Organizational Performance with Adjusted Performance Measures

Like oysters on the half shell, some things are better when they're raw. In evaluating the performance of organizations and providing guidance for improving performance, however, raw performance measures, such as test scores or success rates, are often inferior to performance measures adjusted for client and environmental characteristics, or adjusted performance measures (APMs). Using examples from a variety of public services and data on public schools in Georgia, we compare the performance data generated by raw scores and by APMs. We conclude with guidance for constructing and using adjusted performance measures.
Faces from the web: automatic selection and composition of media for casual screen consumption and printed artwork

Web image search engines facilitate the production of image sets in which faces appear. Many people enjoy producing and sharing media collections of this type and generating new images or video experiences. Skilled practitioners produce visually appealing artifacts from such collections but few users have the time or creative ability to do so. The problem is to automatically create an image or ambient experience which sustains interest. A full solution requires agreements with copyright holders and input from graphics designers. We address the underlying technical problems of extraction and composition. We describe an automatic system that identifies regions containing human faces in each image of an image set resulting from a web search. The face regions are composed into dynamically synthesized multilayer graphical backgrounds. The aesthetic aspects of the composition are controlled by active templates. These aspects include face size and positioning but also face identity and number of faces in a group. The output structure is multi layer supporting both the generation of static images and video consisting of transitions between the compositions.
Isolation and characterization of a monomeric metallapyridine complex: Models for pyridine hydrodenitrogenation intermediates

Abstract We report the preparation of a stable metallapyridine complex of tantalum prepared in the coarse of model studies of hydrodenitrogenation reactions. Monomeric Ta(=NC t Bu=CHC t Bu=CH ︹ )(OAr) 2 ( THF ) ( 5 ⋅ THF ) is isolated upon thermolyzing the η2(N,C)-pyridine complex [η2(N,C)-2,4,6-NC5tBu3H2]Ta(OAr)2Me (2) in THF, while the metallapyridine dimer [ Ta( μ − NC t Bu=CH − − C t Bu=CH ︹ )(OAr) 2 ] 2 (6) is isolated when this reaction is carried out in benzene. Complete NMR characterization of 5 · THF is described, along with its conversion into 6.
Low-temperature, low-frequency dielectric response of the pinned charge-density wave in K0.3MoO3

The dielectric response of ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.3}$${\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$ is investigated at low temperatures (10T40 K) and low frequencies (110 kHz). We observe a low-frequency mode that remains well defined at a frequency of 1 Hz (at 33 K). The peak value of the dielectric function ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{1}$(\ensuremath{\omega}) associated with this mode grows monotonically as T decreases. We compare our measurements with a recent model of Littlewood that identifies the low-frequency mode with the longitudinal response of the pinned charge-density wave.
Quantifying the supply-side benefits from forward contracting in wholesale electricity markets

SUMMARY The assumption of expected profit-maximizing bidding behavior in a multi-unit, multi-period auction with step-function supply curves is used to estimate cost functions for electricity generation units and derive tests of expected profit-maximizing behavior. Applying these techniques to data from the National Electricity Market in Australia reveals statistically significant evidence of output-dependent marginal costs within and across half-hours of the day, but no evidence against the hypothesis of expected profit-maximizing behavior. These cost function estimates quantify the economic significance of output-varying costs and how forward financial contract obligations impact the amount of these costs the generation unit owner incurs. This supplier’s existing obligations imply average daily production costs that are 8% lower than the profit-maximizing pattern of output with no forward contract obligations. Copyright  2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monomer Control for Error Tolerance in DNA Self-Assembly

This paper proposes the control of monomer concentration as a novel improvement of the kinetic Tile Assembly Model (kTAM) to reduce the error rate in DNA self-assembly. Tolerance to errors in this process is very important for manufacturing scaffolds for highly dense ICs; the proposed technique significantly decreases error rates (i.e. it increases error tolerance) by controlling the concentration of the monomers (tiles) for a specific pattern to be assembled. By profiling, this feature is shown to be applicable to different tile sets. A stochastic analysis based on a new state model is presented. The analysis is extended to the cases of single, double and triple bondings. The kinetic trap model is modified to account for the different monomer concentrations. Different scenarios (such as dynamic and adaptive) for monomer control are proposed: in the dynamic (adaptive) control case, the concentration of each tile is assessed based on the current (average) demand during growth as found by profiling the pattern. Significant error rate reductions are found by evaluating the proposed schemes compared to a scheme with constant concentration. One of the significant advantages of the proposed schemes is that it doesn't entail an overhead such as increase in size and a slow growth, while still achieving a significant reduction in error rate. Simulation results are provided.
Pole approximation in potential scattering

Abstract A simple approximation for calculating S-wave scattering in potential theory at certain discrete energies E(α) = (θα, Hθα), with θα(r) a suitable function vanishing as r → ∞, is proposed. It corresponds to replacing the right hand branchcut in the scattering amplitude due to unitarity by a simple pole at E = E(α) and places scattering on the same footing as the bound state problem. Numerical results for the attractive exponential and Yukawa potential are given.
Genetic architecture of adiposity in the cross of LG/J and SM/J inbred mice.

The genetic basis of variation in obesity in human populations is thought to be owing to many genes of relatively small effect and their interactions. The LG/J by SM/J intercross of mouse inbred strains provides an excellent model system in which to investigate multigenic obesity. We previously mapped a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting adult body weight in this cross. We map body composition traits, adiposity, and skeletal size, in a replicate F2 intercross of the same two strains containing 510 individuals. Using interval-mapping methods, we located eight QTLs affecting adiposity (Adip1–8). Two of these adiposity loci also affected tail length (Adip4 and Adip6) along with seven additional tail length QTLs (Skl1–7). A further four QTLs (Wt1–4) affect adult weight but not body composition. These QTLs have relatively small effects, typically about 0.2–0.4 standard deviation units, and account for between 3% and 10% of the variance in individual characters. All QTLs participated in epistatic interactions with other QTLs. Most of these interactions were due to additive-by-additive epistasis, which can nullify the apparent effects of single loci in our population. Adip8 interacts with all the other adiposity QTLs and seems to play a central role in the genetic system affecting obesity in this cross. Only two adiposity QTLs, Adip4 and Adip6, also affect tail length, indicating largely separate genetic control of variation in adiposity and skeletal size. Body size and obesity QTLs in the same locations as those discovered here are commonly found in mapping experiments with other mouse strains.
Plasma polymerization of trifluoromethyl substituted aromatic compounds

Obtention de films contenus adherents et insolubles dans les solvants usuels. Le groupe trifluoromethyl se retrouve sous forme trifluoromethyl et difluoromethylene dans le polymere
Discovering the Leader Within You Developing Leadership Opportunities Within Every Nursing Role

Every day, nurses make powerful impressions on their colleagues and the women and infants for whom they provide care. Leadership is about the type of impression nurses can make in their role as a health care professional and as part of a team. Overcoming the predictable responses of “I'm not a leader,”“I could never be a leader,” or “I'm not even interested in being a leader” to any mention of leadership requires an exploration of the barriers that contribute to these sentiments. Without exploration, leadership remains elusive and perceived as someone else's role.
ARC MEASUREMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF A COAXIAL PULSED PLASMA THRUSTER

Preliminary experimental results are presented fir plasma properties in the exhaust of a 9 J coaxial, pulsed plasma thruster with side-fed Teflon propellant. Magnetic dBg/dt probes provide maps of axial current density and enclosed current for the 6.7 kA peak, 2.8 |is-long pulse. A quadruple electrostatic probe measures Te and ne in the nearfield plume. Thruster heating measurements due to heat losses to the electrodes and insulators show heat loss efficiencies of 53% for a two-bar and 80% for a four-bar configuration. Thrust stand measurements indicate a specific thrust of 28 - 35 ^N-s/J at Isp's of 320 and 570 s.
The biology of cortical granules

An egg-that took weeks to months to make in the adult-can be extraordinarily transformed within minutes during its fertilization. This review will focus on the molecular biology of the specialized secretory vesicles of fertilization, the cortical granules. We will discuss their role in the fertilization process, their contents, how they are made, and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their secretion at fertilization. This population of secretory vesicles has inherent interest for our understanding of the fertilization process. In addition, they have import because they enhance our understanding of the basic processes of secretory vesicle construction and regulation, since oocytes across species utilize this vesicle type. Here, we examine diverse animals in a comparative approach to help us understand how these vesicles function throughout phylogeny and to establish conserved themes of function.
Throughput-capacity and bit-per-joule performance of IEEE 802.11 based wireless mesh networks

Energy consumption is of utmost importance in wireless mesh networks where nodes are battery operated and have limited power resources. In this paper, we develop an analytical model to estimate the throughput-capacity of a wireless mesh network and use this model to study the network's bit-per-joule performance. We assume that each node uses an IEEE 802.11 based software controlled radio whose modulation/coding scheme and rate can be dynamically selected. A topology synthesis algorithm is used to elect nodes to act as access points as well as backbone nodes (BNs). The latter form a mesh backbone network infrastructure. We present an algorithm that is used to analytically calculate an approximation of the throughput capacity performance of the network. We use this algorithm to examine the performance efficiency of the network, expressed in terms of the throughput rate per unit energy consumed under the joint setting of nodal transmit power and data rate levels. Our results show that when traffic is uniformly distributed across the area of operations, increasing the nodal transmit power levels, as well as the data rates, tend often to enhance the bit-per-joule performance of the system. We also examine the impact of the selection of the transmit data rate and power levels used in conducting the topology synthesis of the backbone network.
New general nonlinear representations for system operators

A representation for nonlinear system operators is proposed by considering a nonlinear dynamic system as a continuous time-dependent functional for causal signals. The representation is based on a Gaussian-type kernel functional and is suitable for some special purposes such as nonlinear system identification, pattern recognition, nonlinear estimation, and signal processing. It is proved that the basis of such a representation is a generalized Haar system, and under certain very weak conditions on the coefficients of the resultant system, it is shown that the reconstructed nonlinear system converges to a continuous time-dependent functional which prepresents a true system, as the number of input-output data-points tends to infinity. An existence and uniqueness result on the best uniform approximation of such finite-dimensional representations to a given system is established. >
On the functional dependence of the dispersion vector for scalar transport in porous media

Abstract Computer experiments for diffusion and dispersion in a capillary tube have been used to learn something of the functional dependence of the dispersion vector, 〈ψ〉, and the dispersion coefficient, K . At short times we find the latter to be function of time and strongly dependent on the concentration gradient.
Disparities and trends in indoor exposure to secondhand smoke among U.S. adolescents: 2000-2009.

Introduction Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure causes disease and death among nonsmokers. With a plethora of smoke-free legislation implemented and a steady decrease in cigarette consumption noted over the past decade in the U.S., this study assessed trends in indoor SHS exposure among U.S. adolescents in grades 6–12 during 2000–2009. Methods Data were obtained from the 2000–2009 National Youth Tobacco Survey – a national survey of U.S. middle and high school students. SHS exposure within an indoor area within the past seven days was self-reported. Trends in indoor SHS exposure during 2000–2009 were assessed overall and by socio-demographic characteristics, using the Wald's test in a binary logistic regression. Within-group comparisons were performed using chi-squared statistics (p<0.05). Results The proportion of U.S. middle and high school students who were exposed to indoor SHS declined from 65.5% in 2000 to 40.5% in 2009 (p<0.05 for linear trend). Significant declines were also observed across all population subgroups. Between 2000 and 2009, prevalence of indoor SHS exposure declined significantly among both middle (58.5% to 34.3%) and high school (71.5% to 45.4%) students. Prevalence of indoor SHS exposure was significantly higher among girls (44.0% in 2009) compared to boys (37.2% in 2009) during each survey year. Similarly, prevalence of indoor SHS exposure during 2000–2009 was highest among non-Hispanic whites (44.2% in 2009) and lowest among non-Hispanic Asians (30.2% in 2009). During each survey year, prevalence was highest among the oldest age group (≥18 years) and lowest among the youngest (9–11 years). Also, prevalence was significantly higher among current cigarette smokers (83.8% in 2009) compared to nonsmokers (34.0% in 2009). Conclusion Significant declines in indoor SHS exposure among U.S. middle and high school students occurred during 2000–2009. While the results are encouraging, additional efforts are needed to further reduce youth indoor SHS exposure.
Harvester Ants and Fire in a Desert Grassland: Ecological Responses of Pogonomyrmex rugosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Experimental Wildfires in Central New Mexico

In this study, we measured rough harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex rugosus Emery, foraging activity, numbers and types of food items collected by foragers, ant foraging efficiency, and maximum foraging distances in a desert grassland site in central New Mexico before and after an experimental fire. We found that the ants exhibited no significant changes in any variable following the fire, with the exception of an increased number of insects being collected following the burn. Apparently, sufficient seed reserves remained after the fires to support ant foraging activity, and other insects killed in the fires were collected opportunistically by the ants. One year after the fire, all experimental ant colonies were alive and functioning normally. It appears that harvester ants are well-adapted behaviorally to cope with wildfires in the desert grassland of New Mexico.
Describing Expert Practice in Physical Therapy

In this article, the authors demonstrate how grounded theory may be used to develop models for understanding clinical practice. Through a series of research studies involving novice, experienced, and expert physical therapy practitioners, conceptual frameworks were continually revised based on data obtained from returning to the field and relevant literature available at the time. As concepts and relationships moved to larger themes, a theoretical framework for expertise in clinical practice was proposed. Current work on verifying the theoretical framework continues. Grounded theory is an excellent research approach to bound and help guide a multistage research program involving multiple researchers working in multiple settings.
Shape Instabilities in Composites Resulting from Laminate Anisotropy

Experimental results show that mid-plane symmetric composite laminates of semi-cylindrical, curved geometry warp during manufacture and continue to change shape with changing temperature throughout their service life. A mathematical model is presented which predicts the observed shape change and yields results which compare closely with the experimentally obtained values. Further, a method of modifying the lami nate stacking sequence to counter the environmentally induced shape instability is sug gested and a predictive model, based on classical laminated plate theory, is developed. Measured instabilities of optimized laminates indicate that the proposed technique does modify the shape stability of test laminates as predicted. Thus, this technique allows the design and manufacture of curved composite laminates which are shape stable over a wide temperature range.
Native recolonization following control of invasive Ruellia simplex in a cypress floodplain forest

Question What factors constrain establishment of native plant species after removal of a dominant invasive plant species? Specifically, we tested whether missing soil seed banks, elevated soil nutrients and invasion by other non-native species explained the lack of recovery of native species. Location Bald-cypress-dominated (Taxodium distichum) floodplain forest. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Alachua County, FL, US. Methods We assayed the plant composition of the soil seed bank to a depth of 5 cm and analysed soil nutrient levels in a floodplain forest invaded by Ruellia simplex. We measured percentage cover of vegetation 1 yr after herbicide application to control R. simplex. Results Many native species (largely perennials) and very few R. simplex emerged from the seed bank assay. Herbicide application reduced cover of R. simplex, but 1 yr post-herbicide vegetation cover lacked native perennials, and instead was largely comprised of novel invaders and early successional (annual) natives. Across locations, levels of some soil nutrients (P, Mg) and pH were higher in R. simplex-invaded plots than in uninvaded plots. Similarly, R. simplex-invaded plots were significantly correlated with soil K and Ca levels at some locations but not others. Conclusion It seems most probable that watershed-level factors, including soil nutrients and pH, as well as changes in hydrology are interacting with site-level factors, such as remnant invasive non- Ruellia simplex plant propagules and vegetative propagules of R. simplex to constrain long-term native plant community establishment. Propagule limitation from the soil seed bank is not likely a barrier to native plant recolonization in floodplain forests after removal of invasive R. simplex, as diversity and density of native species emerged from the soil seed bank was high and density of R. simplex in the soil seed bank was extremely low. It does seem likely that soil properties are influencing the plant community. A critical next step will be identification of native species tolerant of altered soil and water conditions if restoration efforts are to succeed. However, further research on all spatial levels is needed to effectively restore degraded floodplain forests, especially at the broader watershed level.
Ink normalization and beautification

Handwriting recognition is difficult because of the high variability of handwriting and because of segmentation errors. We propose an approach that reduces this variability without requiring letter segmentation. We build an ink extrema classifier which labels local minima of ink as {bottom, baseline, other} and maxima as {midline, top, other}. Despite the high variability of ink, the classifier is 86% accurate (with 0% rejection). We use the classifier information to normalize the ink. This is done by applying a "rubber sheet" warping followed by a "rubber rod" warping. Both warpings are computed using conjugate gradient methods. We display the normalization results on a few examples. This paper illustrates the pitfalls of ink normalization and "beautification ", when solved independently of letter recognition.
Ultrastructure in Palmatolepis sp. and Polygnathus sp

Examination of epon-mounted single specimens of Palmatolepis sp. and Polygnathus sp. by transmission electron microscopy shows the bulk of these conodonts to be composed of subparallel crystallites oriented parallel to the long axis of the conodont. A series of nodes along the blade axis is formed of concentrically oriented crystallites enclosing unoriented material tentatively identified as “white matter.” Additional features include “scarps” possibly related to lamination and zones of disoriented crystallites in Palmatolepis sp. and a crude layering of subparallel and massive crystallites in Polygnathus sp. In addition, the pattern of pitting, breaks, “canals,” and crystallite shapes differs in the two genera.
GaAs HBT's for high-speed digital integrated circuit applications

GaAs HBT technology has emerged as one of the most important developments for digital circuits operating at clock frequencies of 100 MHz and higher. High-speed frequency dividers operating as high as 34.8 GHz and VLSI circuits as complex as 32-b CPU's operating at 200-MHz clock rate have been demonstrated. This paper reviews the role of GaAs HBT technologies for high-speed digital IC applications. The requirements for high-speed IC's and the characteristics of various HBT device structures and logic families are discussed. A summary of published results of the ultrahigh-speed circuits and the status of several high-speed VLSI circuits are presented to provide a guide for future developments. >
Reduced Lung Cell Proliferation Following Short-Term Exposure to Ultrafine Soot and Iron Particles in Neonatal Rats: Key to Impaired Lung Growth?

Particulate matter (PM) has been associated with a variety of negative health outcomes in children involving the respiratory system and early development. However, the precise mechanisms to explain how exposure to airborne particles may cause adverse effects in children are unknown. To study their influence on early postnatal development, a simple, laminar diffusion flame was used to generate an aerosol of soot and iron particles in the size range of 10 to 50 nm. Exposure of 10-day-old rat pups to soot and iron particles was for 6 h/day for 3 days. The lungs were examined following a single injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) 2 h prior to necropsy. Neonatal rats exposed to these particles demonstrated no effect on the rate of cell proliferation within terminal bronchioles or the general lung parenchyma. In contrast, within those regions arising immediately beyond the terminal bronchioles (defined as the proximal alveolar region), the rate of cell proliferation was significantly reduced compared with filtered air controls. These findings strongly suggest exposure to airborne particles during early neonatal life has significant direct effects on lung growth by altering cell division within critical sites of the respiratory tract during periods of rapid postnatal development. Such effects may result in altered growth in the respiratory system that may be associated with lifelong consequences.
Sex Differences in Affective Responses to Homoerotic Stimuli: Evidence for an Unconscious Bias Among Heterosexual Men, but not Heterosexual Women

Antigay bias is a well-documented social problem among heterosexual men, though heterosexual women display a lesser tendency toward this bias. Startle eye blink has been established as a valid measure of the affective component of antigay bias in heterosexual men. In the current study, a sample of 91 heterosexual women and 87 heterosexual men were exposed to a variety of sexual photographic stimuli accompanied by startle probes. Heterosexual men who expressed more bias against gay men using a social distance measure (i.e., discomfort with being in close quarters with a gay man) displayed a startle response consistent with greater negative affect (e.g., fear and disgust) toward gay male stimuli, while those with less self-reported antigay bias did not display a physiological bias against gay men, and none of these men showed a relationship between bias against lesbians and physiological responses while viewing lesbian images. There were no such physiological manifestations of antigay bias in heterosexual women while viewing lesbian or gay male images, even among those who self-reported such bias. It appears that heterosexual women do not tend to have the same affective response toward homosexuals that some heterosexual men experience.
DAMAS Processing for a Phased Array Study in the NASA Langley Jet Noise Laboratory

A jet noise measurement study was conducted using a phased microphone array system for a range of jet nozzle configurations and flow conditions. The test effort included convergent and convergent/divergent single flow nozzles, as well as conventional and chevron dual-flow core and fan configurations. Cold jets were tested with and without wind tunnel co-flow, whereas, hot jets were tested only with co-flow. The intent of the measurement effort was to allow evaluation of new phased array technologies for their ability to separate and quantify distributions of jet noise sources. In the present paper, the array post-processing method focused upon is DAMAS (Deconvolution Approach for the Mapping of Acoustic Sources) for the quantitative determination of spatial distributions of noise sources. Jet noise is highly complex with stationary and convecting noise sources, convecting flows that are the sources themselves, and shock-related and screech noise for supersonic flow. The analysis presented in this paper addresses some processing details with DAMAS, for the array positioned at 90ϒ (normal) to the jet. The paper demonstrates the applicability of DAMAS and how it indicates when strong coherence is present. Also, a new approach to calibrating the array focus and position is introduced and demonstrated.