cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No more cutting class ? reducing teacher absence and providing incentives for performance

Expanding and improving basic education in developing countries requires, at a minimum, teachers who are present in the classroom and motivated to teach, but this essential input is often missing. This paper describes the findings of a series of recent World Bank and other studies on teacher absence and incentives for performance. Surprise school visits reveal that teachers are absent at high rates in countries such as India, Indonesia, Uganda, Ecuador, and Zambia, reducing the quality of schooling for children, especially in rural, remote, and poor areas. More broadly, poor teacher management and low levels of teacher accountability afflict many developing-country education systems. The paper presents evidence on these shortcomings, but also on the types of incentives, management, and support structures that can improve motivation and performance and reduce avoidable absenteeism. It concludes with policy options for developing countries to explore as they work to meet Education for All goals and improve quality.
Coordination structure of the ferric heme iron in engineered distal histidine myoglobin mutants

Recombinant human myoglobin mutants with the distal His residue (E7, His64) replaced by Leu, Val, or Gln residues were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis and expression in Escherichia coli. Electronic and coordination structures of the ferric heme iron in the recombinant myoglobin proteins were examined by optical absorption, EPR, 1H NMR, magnetic circular dichroism, and x-ray spectroscopy. Mutations, His-->Val and His-->Leu, remove the heme-bound water molecule resulting in a five-coordinate heme iron at neutral pH, while the heme-bound water molecule appears to be retained in the engineered myoglobin with His-->Gln substitution as in the wild-type protein. The distal Val and distal Leu ferric myoglobin mutants at neutral pH exhibited EPR spectra with g perpendicular values smaller than 6, which could be interpreted as an admixture of intermediate (S = 3/2) and high (S = 5/2) spin states. At alkaline pH, the distal Gln mutant is in the same so-called "hydroxy low spin" form as the wild-type protein, while the distal Leu and distal Val mutants are in high spin states. The ligand binding properties of these recombinant myoglobin proteins were studied by measurements of azide equilibrium and cyanide binding. The distal Leu and distal Val mutants exhibited diminished azide affinity and extremely slow cyanide binding, while the distal Gln mutant showed azide affinity and cyanide association rate constants similar to those of the wild-type protein.
6 Postcranial and Locomotor Adaptations of Hominoids

Extant apes are adapted to various forms of below-branch forelimb-dominated arboreal locomotion and share morphologies associated with the shared aspects of their locomotor behaviors. With the expanding record of Miocene hominoid fossils, paleoanthropologists are coming to realize that although some shared characters may indeed be homologous, at least some almost certainly represent homoplasies. The apparently more primitive body plan of Sivapithecus than seen in Asian and African great apes indicates that at least some homoplasy has C.V. Ward (*) Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA e-mail: wardcv@missouri.edu # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015 W. Henke, I. Tattersall (eds.), Handbook of Paleoanthropology, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-39979-4_34 1363 occurred within these clades. Furthermore, the expanding fossil record may be indicating a greater diversity of positional behaviors within the Hominoidea than previously appreciated; for example, Pierolapithecus has been argued to indicate the evolution of suspensory locomotion in combination with arboreal quadrupedalism, and Nacholapithecus is unique with its enlarged forelimb but otherwise primitive body plan. These new fossils reveal that variation is prevalent and critical to appreciate for reconstructing hominoid evolutionary history. Furthermore, it seems increasingly likely that many postcranial and locomotor specializations of great apes may have evolved from ancestors that were more generalized than are living hominoids. This realization is critical for interpreting the ancestral morphology from which hominins were derived.
Masters of Their Own Destiny: Children's Identities, Parents' Assimilation Demands and State Intervention

Parents’ assimilation demands compromise children’s healthy identity development and attachments with parents. For LGBT youth in particular, rejection from families heightens their vulnerability to negative health, legal and economic outcomes, yet leaves them under-protected by the legal system. So far, children who have experienced family mistreatment in the form of heteronormative assimilation demands on their sexual orientation or gender identity have been unable to mobilize courts to understand why assimilation demands are harmful and how to protect children from such mistreatment. Thus assimilation demands that undermine children’s identities and are harmful to their wellbeing should be recognized as an additional exception to parental rights. Rather than suggesting assimilation demands are a form of emotional abuse, this Article recommends a new framework – family in need of services – that could empower children to seek state intervention that would help families support LGBT youth and facilitate family cohesion.
Evolving an experience base for software process research

Since 1996 the USC Center for Software Engineering has been accumulating a large amount of software process experience through many real-client project software engineering practices. Through the application of the Experience Factory approach, we have collected and evolved this experience into an experience base (eBASE) which has been leveraged successfully for empirically based software process research. Through eBASE we have realized tangible benefits in automating, organizational learning, and strategic advantages for software engineering research. We share our rationale for creating and evolving eBASE, give examples of how the eBASE has been used in recent process research, discuss current limitations and challenges with eBASE, and what we hope to do achieve in the future with it.
Limitations of existing antipsychotic therapies

The clinical profiles of atypical and conventional antipsychotics can be understood in terms of their different pharmacological profiles. All of the currently available effective therapies for treatment of schizophrenia affect dopaminergic transmission. The conventional antipsychotics are antagonists of D2 receptors. Although effective for reduction of positive symptoms of schizophrenia, these agents have minimal effect on negative symptoms and may exacerbate them. In addition, nonselective dopamine blockade with these agents causes a variety of adverse effects, particularly extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia, prolactin elevation and related side-effects. The newer, atypical agents also have D2 antagonistic properties, but are associated with significantly lower risk of EPS and tardive dyskinesia, and are more effective for reduction of negative symptoms than conventional antipsychotics. The exact pharmacologic basis for atypicality is a subject of debate, but involves activities at other receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, different binding kinetics to D2 receptors, or the combination of the two. The atypical agents are, however, only partially effective in treating negative and cognitive symptoms; furthermore, they are associated with weight gain and metabolic changes, sedation, effects on cardiac conduction, etc. that may ultimately have serious medical consequences as a result of increased risk for cardiovascular events and diabetes. from International Society on Brain and Behaviour: 1st International Congress on Brain and Behaviour Hyatt Regency Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece, 20–23 November, 2003
Did very massive stars preenrich and reionize the universe

Recent studies of heavy r-process elements in low-[Fe/H] halo stars have suggested that an initial population of metal-free very massive stars (VMSs) may be required to provide early Fe enrichment without coproducing heavy r nuclei. We find similar abundance trends in α-elements (which should be copiously produced by VMSs) but not in other elements such as carbon (which should not), in agreement with this hypothesis. We then combine the corresponding level of prompt initial enrichment with models of VMS nucleosynthetic yields and spectra to estimate the corresponding ionizing fluxes. The result suggests that there may have been enough VMS activity to reionize the universe. The unusually hard spectrum of VMSs would imply a different reionization history from canonical models. He II could have been reionized at high redshift only to recombine as a subsequent generation of stars formed with a "normal" initial mass function.
Calculation of a gallbladder ejection fraction: advantage of continuous sincalide infusion over the three-minute infusion method

The purpose of this study was to investigate alternative methods of infusing sincalide for calculation of a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) during cholescintigraphy (5 mCi 99mTc-mebrofenin). After gallbladder filling, three methods of infusion were compared in 23 normal volunteers: (1) 0.02 microgram/kg as a 3-min infusion, (2) 0.02 microgram/kg as a 30-min infusion, and (3) 0.01 microgram/kg as a 30-min infusion (14 subjects), all performed on separate days. With the 3-min infusion, the emptying pattern was usually exponential and completed in 15 min. The mean (GBEF) was 52% +/- 26% at 20 min and 56% +/- 27% at 30 min (range 0%-100%). GBEFs were less than 35% in six subjects and 35%-38% in four. Side effects were noted by 11/23 subjects. With the slow infusions, emptying was linear; no side effects were noted. With 0.02 microgram/kg, the mean GBEF was 50% +/- 27% at 20 min and 70% +/- 22% at 30 min (range 26%-95%). Similar results were seen with 0.01 microgram/kg, but the data were more limited. The 30-min infusion had a higher normalcy rate than the 3-min method (91% versus 74%). Females had significantly lower GBEFs than males (p less than 0.05%). We conclude that the slow infusion method is preferable; it is more physiological, results in more complete emptying, has no side effects, has less normal variability, and should improve the specificity of this test. The lower mean female GBEF may have pathophysiological significance.
Biochemical characterization of the Drosophila dpp protein, a member of the transforming growth factor beta family of growth factors.

Abstract The decapentaplegic (dpp) gene of Drosophila melanogaster is required for pattern formation in the embryo and for viability of the epithelial cells in the imaginal disks. The dpp protein product predicted from the DNA sequence is similar to members of a family of growth factors that includes transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). We have produced polyclonal antibodies to a recombinant dpp protein made in bacteria and used a metallothionein promoter to express a dpp cDNA in Drosophila S2 cells. Similar to other proteins in the TGF-beta family, the dpp protein produced by the Drosophila cells was proteolytically cleaved, and both portions of the protein were secreted from the cells. The amino-terminal 47-kilodalton (kDa) peptide was found in the medium and in the proteins adhering to the plastic petri dish. The carboxy-terminal peptide, the region with sequence similarity to the active ligand portion of TGF-beta, was found extracellularly as a 30-kDa homodimer. Most of the 30-kDa homodimer was in the S2 cell protein adsorbed onto the surface of the plastic dish. The dpp protein could be released into solution by increased salt concentration and nonionic detergent. Under these conditions, the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal portions of dpp were not associated in a stable complex.
Software-firmware design for 8088/8086 microprocessor based systems utilizing XT/AT compatible personal computers

Two approaches to software-firmware design techniques for generating read-only memory code for 8088/8086 microprocessor-based systems are presented. All the code-generation activities discussed can be centered around any XT/AT-type compatible personal computer. The first approach is to develop software exclusively in assembly language. The second approach is to develop software using the C language, utilizing the 'Turbo C' compiler. This approach places all the powers of the C language in the hands of the software developer. The developer can perform in-line assembly code if and when needed. In-line assembly code provides tight control over the hardware and additionally provides speed where execution time is at a premium in certain segments of the software. The benefits of this approach result from the software designer having all the power, convenience, and ease of the C language mixed with the precise control of assembly language. This converts the personal computer into a software development system that can generate ready-to-burn standard Intel Hex code for any EPROM. >
Survivable WDM mesh networks. II. Restoration

This investigation considers optical networks which employ wavelength cross-connects that enable the establishment of wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) channels, between node-pairs. In such and other networks, the failure of a network element may cause the failure of several optical channels, thereby leading to large data losses. Ramamurthy and Mukherjee formulated integer linear programs to determine the capacity requirements for different protection schemes for a static traffic demand. In this paper, we formulate a model of protection switching times for the different protection schemes, and propose distributed control protocols for path and link restoration, assuming a fully distributed control network. Based on our assumptions, we find that when the cross connect configuration time is low (/spl les/10 /spl mu/s), the protection schemes in increasing order of average protection-switching times are as follows: (a) shared-link, (b) dedicated-path, and (c) shared-path. When the cross-connect configuration time is high (/spl ges/500 /spl mu/s), the protection schemes in increasing order of average protection-switching times are as follows: (a) dedicated-path, (c) shared-link, and (d) shared-path. Numerical results obtained by simulating the distributed restoration protocols indicate that, for a representative network topology, path restoration has a better restoration efficiency than link restoration, and link restoration has a better restoration time compared to path restoration.
The Disappearance of the Social in American Social Psychology: The Social and the Psychological

In the last chapter it was suggested that, despite their apparent differences, Durkheim and Weber were in basic agreement on the nature of social psychological phenomena: both grasped the social dimensions of human psychology and behavior as conceived by early American psychologists. If this is correct, it demonstrates the irrelevance of the holist versus individualist debate with respect to the delineation of the social dimensions of cognition, emotion, and behavior. It does not, however, demonstrate the irrelevance of this debate (or the conceptual distortions produced by it) to our understanding of the historical neglect of the social in American social psychology. The significant role played by the historical association of a social conception of human psychology and behavior with supraindividual theories of the “social mind” or “group mind” is documented in Chapter 5. However, the aim of the discussion thus far has not been to demonstrate that early American social psychologists were especially influenced by Durkheim (or by Weber or Simmel). Although some no doubt were, others were influenced by European theorists such as Gustav Le Bon (1895/1896) and Gabriel Tarde (1890/1903). The significant role played by the work of such crowd theorists in shaping the later asocial tradition of American social psychology is documented in Chapter 7. The main aim of the discussion so far has simply been to establish that a good many early American social psychologists shared the same conception of social forms of human psychology and behavior as Durkheim and Weber, irrespective of Durkheim's avowed commitment to holism and Weber's to individualism.
Local Anesthetics Inhibit the G Protein-Mediated Modulation of K+ and Ca++ Currents in Anterior Pituitary Cells

The effects of local anesthetics (LAs) on G protein-mediated responses of voltage-dependent K+ (I(K)) and Ca++ currents in rat anterior pituitary tumor (GH3) cells were analyzed by using a whole-cell voltage clamp. Extracellular lidocaine inhibited I(K) with an IC50 of 1.9 mM, comparable to 2.6 mM for I(Ba) but 10 times higher than the IC50 for I(Na) (0.17 mM). Low concentrations of lidocaine (30-100 microM), which had no direct effect on basal I(K), attenuated both the stimulatory and inhibitory modulation of K+ channels by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Both modulations had an IC50 approximately 40 microM independent of [TRH]. Intracellular QX314 (100 microM), a quaternary, charged form of lidocaine, also significantly attenuated the TRH effects; however, external QX314 and the neutral LA benzocaine (100 microM) did not. Lidocaine (</=100 microM) inhibited the TRH-induced increase in [Ca++] but failed to block either the GTP-gamma-S-induced increase in I(K), the activation of I(K) by directly elevated [Ca++] (ca. 3 x 10(-7) M), or the phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate-induced inhibition of Ca++-activated I(K). Agonist binding assays revealed that none of the these LAs affected TRH receptor binding. Similar to its effect on TRH modulation of I(K), lidocaine (100 microM) attenuated the inhibition of Ca++ channels in GH3 cells by somatostatin (1 microM). These results suggest that lidocaine's action occurs between agonist binding and G protein activation. Such inhibition of G protein pathways may be an important component of the general action of LAs acting at spinal sites, or for i.v. therapeutics or during cardiotoxic episodes.
Plasma Turbulence Imaging via Beam Emission Spectroscopy in the Core of the DIII-D Tokamak

Beam Emission Spectroscopy (BES), a high-sensitivity, good spatial resolution imaging diagnostic system, has been deployed and recently upgraded and expanded at the DIII-D tokamak to better understand density fluctuations arising from plasma turbulence. The currently deployed system images density fluctuations over an approximately 5 × 7c m region at theplasma mid-plane (radially scannable over 0.2 < r/a ≤ 1) with a 5 × 6 (radial × poloidal) grid of rectangular detection channels, with one microsecond time resolution. BES observes collisionally-induced, Doppler-shifted D α fluorescence ( λ = 652-655 nm) of injected deuterium neutral beam atoms. The diagnostic wavenumber sensitivity is approximately k⊥ < 2. 5c m −1 ,a llowing measurement of longwavelength (k⊥ρI < 1) density fluctuations. The recent upgrade in cludes expanded fiber optics bundles, customdesigned high-transmission, sharp-edge interference filters, ultra fast collection optics, and enlarged photodiode detectors that together provide nearly an order of magnitude increase in sensitivity relative to an earlier generation BES system. The high sensitivity allows visualization of turbulence at normalized density fluctuation amplitudes of ¯ n/n < 1%, typical of fluctuation levels in the core region. The imaging array allows for sampling over 2-3 turbulent eddy scale lengths, which captures the essential dynamics of eddy evolution, interaction and shearing.
Moving Beyond Main Effects: A Data Analytic Strategy for Testing Complex Theories of Clinical Phenomena

The goal of this study was to advance a data analytic strategy for testing sophisticated models of clinical phenomena. We illustrate this method by testing a prominent and highly specific cognitive model of depression (Abramson et al., 1989). Specifically, we used multilevel modeling (MLM) to test the entire sequence featured in the hopelessness theory. The study used a daily diary design with a sample of undergraduates (n = 210). To our knowledge, this is the first study to use multilevel modeling with multiple waves of data to test a model with two mediators and a moderator. Results of analyses provided strong support for the MLM strategy and offer a concrete example for how to test complex theories of clinical phenomena.
Three dimensional top down metrology: A viable alternative to AFM or cross section?

Automated critical dimension (CD) metrology has long been known to have certain limitations. As a top down imaging technique, retrograde profiles, resist thickness loss and other process issues are difficult to detect with the standard production CD SEMs used throughout the industry. Tilting capability has recently added much needed degrees of freedom to CD SEMs, potentially opening the door to three dimensional metrology. Various methodologies can be used to interpret tilt image information. This paper investigates one particular technique used to extract three dimensional information. Using cross section and/or atomic force microscopy (AFM), one can evaluate the potential benefits and validity of CD SEM tilt capability. Sidewall angle, film thickness and possibly other parameters could possibly become standard calculations the top down CD SEM could perform on a routine basis. Data is reported comparing 3D information generated from top down CD SEM to AFM. Potentially, a couple of different approaches to evaluating 3D information will be compared. Lastly, recommendations for future applications will be discussed.
The possible role of amazonian psychoactive plants in the chemotherapy of parasitic worms — a hypothesis

Abstract Data from the pharmacological and ethnobotanical literature are presented to support the hypothesis that tropical hallucinogenic plants (which contain indole or isoquinoline alkaloids) were selected by Amazonian people for their antiparasitic properties and were probably incorporated into religious ceremonies.
Developing evidence-based treatments for the management of pediatric heart failure

Abstract An evidence base for determining optimal treatment of pediatric heart failure is lacking. Newer methodologies that may be useful to improve this deficiency are described in this review.
US position on Listeria monocytogenes in foods

Abstract Public health and regulatory agencies in the USA have established a zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes in cooked, ready-to-eat food. This policy is science-based: the organism causes human illness, can grow at refrigeration temperatures and the infectious dose is unknown. The US response to listeriosis has included emphasis on Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point systems for processing, recommendations for sanitation and other measures for retail handling, and consumer education targeted to populations at highest risk for listeriosis.
Lattice calculation of composite dark matter form factors

Composite dark matter candidates, which can arise from new strongly-coupled sectors, are well-motivated and phenomenologically interesting, particularly in the context of asymmetric generation of the relic density. In this work, we employ lattice calculations to study the electromagnetic form factors of electroweak-neutral dark-matter baryons for a three-color, QCD-like theory with ${N}_{f}=2$ and 6 degenerate fermions in the fundamental representation. We calculate the (connected) charge radius and anomalous magnetic moment, both of which can play a significant role for direct detection of composite dark matter. We find minimal ${N}_{f}$ dependence in these quantities. We generate mass-dependent cross sections for dark matter-nucleon interactions and use them in conjunction with experimental results from XENON100, excluding dark matter candidates of this type with masses below 10 TeV.
Strategic Framing of Racial-Nationalism in North America and Europe: An Analysis of a Burgeoning Transnational Network

Following the deadly Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, far-right racialist leaders responded rapidly to changes in the political environment, disavowing militia and Patriot violence and exploiting increased public concerns about immigration and the growth of nonwhite populations. Evidence suggests that Patriot movement demobilization may have actually helped to swell the ranks of racial-nationalists. As attention to political violence shifted to international terrorism in the aftermath of September 11, racial-nationalist movement actors again moved quickly to seize the opportunity. The strategic framing of the crisis by racial-nationalist leaders revealed the existence of a transnational network of allies promoting a two-pronged message, 1) a virulent anti-Semitic assault on pro-Israel U.S. foreign policy and 2) a broadside on immigration and multiculturalism. The lineaments of these transnational networks are analyzed in an effort to explain a “trajectory of contention” regarding this emergent movement. Pos...
Cultural Studies and Cultural Text Analysis

In his article, "Cultural Studies and Cultural Text Analysis," Urpo Kovala discusses the role of textual analysis in cultural studies. He begins with a sketch of different conceptions of textual analysis within cultural studies by pointing to differences in the concepts of text and context themselves. Next, Kovala explores the reasons for including textual analysis as a category and method in cultural studies and in humanities and social sciences scholarship generally. Finally, Kovala sketches briefly a model for the cultural analysis of text where his main point is that the argument about the incompatibility of cultural studies and textual analysis is untenable today. Instead, what is needed now is a heterological, multi-level, and perspectival notion of both text and context. Urpo Kovala, "Cultural Studies and Cultural Text Analysis" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 4.4 (2002):
MO-C-17A-09: Deformation Image Registration Using a Spatial-Context Regularization Filter

Purpose: Intensity-based deformable registration with spatial-invariant regularization will generally fail when distinct motion exists across the interface of different type of tissues. The purpose of this work was to develop a new regularization scheme for deformable registration that is adaptive to motion discontinuities along different types of tissue. Methods: Our approach was built upon a multi-resolution Demons-type framework, and used the prior knowledge defined in the image context as an additional constraint to regularize deformation vector fields, which leads to a spatialcontext vector smoothing filter. This filter is spatial-variant and anisotropic, and can be reduced to the product of a Gaussian function of spatial locations and an additional Gaussian function of image intensity difference. This additional regularization favors the motion vectors within the same tissue type, but penalized the motions vectors from different tissues. Five lung patient cases from a benchmark data set, each with 300 landmark pairs delineated by a physician, were adopted for the validation of our algorithm. Our approach was also compared against a state-of-the-art implementation of dual-force Demons algorithm. We also included one difficult lung case with large sliding motion and one head-neck cases with large motion in air cavity into our validatio Results: For five lung cases, the mean and standard deviation of the landmark displacements were 1.3±0.8(mm) using our approach, but this number went up to 2.3±2.9(mm) using Demons algorithm. Particularly for a case with largest initial displacement of 15± 9(mm), our approach reduced the mean displacement to 1.3±1.1(mm), but Demons can only achieve 3.6±5.9(mm). We also found that, for the two difficult cases in which the original intensity-based registration failed the registration accuracy was drastically improved using the proposed algorithm. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the effectiveness of an algorithm using adaptive regularization in addressing large distinct motion across different types of tissue. This work is partially supported by the CPRIT (Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas) grant RP110732
Involvement of superoxide in the interaction of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with mitochondrial membranes.

Abstract 2,3-Dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (CNQ) was shown to inhibit beef heart mitochondrial respiration at separate and distinct sites in Complexes I and II of the respiratory chain. The I 50 values were 18 and 9 nmol/mg protein for the succinoxidase and NADH-oxidase enzyme systems, respectively. The interaction of CNQ with rat liver mitochondria causes a respiratory burst which is comprised of cyanide-sensitive and -insensitive components. The cyanide-sensitive portion of the CNQ respiratory burst was identified as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. The cyanide-insensitive portion was shown to involve the generation of O 2 − , H 2 O 2 , and result in subsequent lipid peroxidation. The source of reducing equivalents for the CNQ-mediated generation of O 2 − and H 2 O 2 was shown to be respiratory substrate. Furthermore, CNQ promoted dose-dependent large-amplitude swelling of mitochondria that was osmotic in nature, cation nonspecific, non-energy linked, and oxygen dependent. The inclusion of cysteine in the suspension buffer prevented the CNQ-induced mitochondrial swelling. The role of O 2 − , H 2 O 2 , and peroxidation in the mitochondrial swelling induced by CNQ was discussed.
Photoaffinity labeling of the receptor site for α-scorpion toxins on purified and reconstituted sodium channels by a new toxin derivative

1. A methyl-4-azidobenzimidyl (MAB) derivative of theα-scorpion toxin fromLeiurus quinquestriatus (LqTx) specifically labels only theα subunit of the rat brain sodium channel in synaptosomes or in purified and reconstituted sodium-channel preparations. 2. Unlike previous photoreactive toxin derivatives, binding and photolabeling by MAB-LqTx are allosterically modulated by tetrodotoxin and batrachotoxin, as observed for native LqTx binding to sodium channels in synaptosomes. 3. Proteolytic cleavage of theα subunit photolabeled with MAB-LqTx shows that the label is located within a 60 to 70-kDa protease-resistant core structure in domain I of the sodium-channelα subunit. 4. MAB-LqTx will be valuable in further defining the structure-activity relationships at theα-scorpion toxin receptor site.
Stress change and its implication for the reduction of primary creep in gamma-TiAl

Current research on {gamma}-TiAl is primarily focused on improving its room-temperature ductility, toughness and high-temperature creep resistance. For engineering applications such as turbine engine components, creep properties are of primary concern. The creep properties, and particularly the steady state creep, of TiAl-based alloys have been studied extensively. However, the results showed that the stress exponent, n, of steady state creep varied from 1--7, depending upon the applied stress (or strain rate). The reported creep mechanisms, deduced primarily from the measured stress exponent, are therefore different. The objective of the present study is to use stress reduction techniques to characterize the creep transient behavior of TiAl, and thus to shed light on the creep mechanisms. In addition, the significance of the experimental results from stress reduction to primary creep will also be addressed.
FTIR Study of Temperature and pH Effects on Amino Acid Side-Chains

Analysis of protein amide I IR bands can be complicated by absorption of side-chain groups. Side-chain IR spectra have been previously studied at acidic (pH ∼2.3) and neutral (pH ∼7) conditions, which take account of the protonated and deprotonated states of the carboxylic groups, but only at room temperature. It is expected that in thermal denaturation experiments these side-chain absorptions will change in both frequency and intensity with respect to temperature. This will additionally convolute the Amide I spectra unless corrected for. In order to attain these corrections an equilibrium study of temperature effects on amino acid side-chain absorptions has been conducted at both pH's for the amino acids glutamine, glutamic acid, asparagine, aspartic acid, and arginine. Experiments were carried out in a 1mM deuterated phosphate buffer. Deuterated amino acids were dissolved (1mg Amino Acid/60μL Buffer) in the buffer and scanned using a Bruker Tensor 27 FTIR. Samples were heated via a software controlled water bath from 0C to 87C, with scans taken every 3C. The collected temperature and pH dependent side-chain absorptions were normalized, to published room temperature data, and fit to pseudo-Voigt functions. It was found that both frequency and intensity exhibit linear changes with respect to temperature, though direction and magnitude varied between amino acids. These known shifts can thus be accounted for in the Amide I spectra analysis of proteins.
Dendroecology in young stands: Case studies from jack pine in northern lower Michigan

Eight jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands in northern lower Michigan were sampled to evaluate the potential of dendroecological methods for studying stand dynamics with young trees. At each stand, a minimum of 20 dominant and codominant trees were cored, and at two stands additional recruitment data were collected. The cores were all cross-dated and measured. The raw ring widths were used to identify growth suppressions and releases within the individual chronologies. Standardized master chronologies were developed, and the residual master chronology from each stand was correlated with temperature and precipitation to identify significant dendroclimatic relationships that may reduce the ecological signal in the tree-ring record. There were no important dendroclimatic relationships at any of the eight stands; therefore, the tree-ring record was largely a reflection of stand development. At all stands, suppression periods were more common than release events because all of the stands were composed of open-grown jack pine that had initial high rates of growth. The jack pine plantations had synchronous canopy closure (as evidenced by suppression), but the naturally regenerated stands had asynchronous canopy closure. Thus, the master chronologies were useful for identifying common stand-level growth patterns within plantations, but the individual tree chronologies were more useful within the naturally regenerated stands. One of the limitations of calculating suppression events in young trees was that the first and last 10 years of the chronology were excluded because of the equations used to calculate suppression events; therefore, any changes in growth pattern during these periods had to be visually identified. By combining quantitatively determined suppression events with recruitment data and visual interpretation of the chronologies, reconstruction of stand development events, canopy closure, thinning treatments and subsequent canopy re-closure, and changes in species composition associated with stand development were all identified within the tree-ring record. Thus, there is great potential for dendroecological studies in young trees to improve our understanding of the early stages of stand development.
A Sample And Hold Technique For Serial To Parallel Digital Optical Data Conversion

A sample and hold technique is described by utilizing a newly observed cross modulation effect. In the modulation effect a light beam from a LED source is transmitted through a semi insulating GaAs sample. When an optical pulse hits the sample in the presence of a voltage pulse an enhanced absorption of LED light is observed after the optical pulse. The absorption is held by the duration of the voltage pulse. This effect can be utilized in spatial light modulators for serial to parallel data conversion and in many other applications involving electrically addressable memory.
EVOLUTION IN THE GENUS CUCURBITA

For the study of evolution the genus Cucurbita offers several unique advantages: (a) Cucurbita is a comparatively small closed system composed of about two dozen species concentrated in a relatively small land mass. Because of their conspicuous vines and fruits, it is unlikely that more than one-half dozen species are yet to be discovered, although a few new species might be expected from Baja California, the west coast of Mexico opposite the peninsula of Baja California, and in southern Mexico and Central America. These are areas that have not yet been thoroughly explored by botanists. (b) All species have 20 pairs of chromosomes. For this reason species differentiation must be largely genic or cytoplasmic, rather than dependent upon gross chromosomal rearrangements. (c) There are both wild and cultivated species in the genus. This situation presents an opportunity to compare the evolution of closely related species under cultivation contrasted with the evolution of species in nature. (d) From archaeological remains it is possible to trace man's association with these plants backward in time for a maximum of 10,000 years.
Effect of nanowhisker-modified zeolites on mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl acetate) composites with pure-silica MFI

The effect of nanoscale surface morphology of pure-silica MFI zeolite on the interfacial, mechanical, and thermal properties of pure-silica MFI zeolite/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) composites was investigated under different annealing conditions. Mg(OH)2 inorganic whisker- or asperity-like nanostructures were achieved on MFI nano- and micro-particle surfaces via Grignard or solvothermal treatment. The creation of nano-roughness on the MFI surface promoted compatibility between the zeolite and the polymer matrix, resulting in void-free interfaces. PVAc composites containing surface-modified particles showed increased tensile strength and elongation at break as compared with composites containing unmodified zeolite. Surface modification of the microparticles exhibited interfacial and mechanical enhancement over a wider range of annealing temperatures than nanoparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that surface treatment of MFI resulted in broader glass transitions compared to composites containing unmodified MFI. This is explained by improved interfacial adhesion and associated slower chain relaxation dynamics. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction demonstrated that enhanced adhesive interactions between the PVAc and the MFI surface are associated with surface-induced orientation of the MFI particles within the polymer matrix. The optimal surface morphology, associated with the most enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of composites, was produced with the solvothermal method.
Doppler Echocardiographic Detection of a Ruptured Acquired Aneurysm of the Sinus of Valsalva: Clinical-Morphologic Correlations

Two-dimensional, pulsed Doppler echocardiographic and pathologic features of an unusual form of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva are presented. The presence of an aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva protruding into the left atrium complicating acute aortic valvular endocarditis was detected by two-dimensional echocardiography. Rupture of the aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva into the left atrial cavity was suggested by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The size and location of the site of the rupture precluded recognition by two-dimensional echocardiography or contrast angiography. This report illustrates the unique value of pulsed Doppler echocardiography to define the location and direction of intracardiac flow patterns in evaluating patients with an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva and suspected rupture.
Modeling off-resonant nonlinear-optical cascading in mesoscopic thin films and guest-host molecular systems

A model for off-resonant microscopic cascading of (hyper)polarizabilities is developed using a self-consistent field approach to study mesoscopic systems of nonlinear polarizable atoms and molecules. We find enhancements in the higher-order susceptibilities resulting from geometrical and boundary orientation effects. We include an example of the dependence on excitation beam cross sectional structure and a simplified derivation of the microscopic cascading of the nonlinear-optical response in guest-host systems.
CLASS II COMPOSITE RESIN RESTORATIONS WITH GINGIVAL MARGINS IN DENTIN

The rising demand for esthetic restorations has considerably increased the number of direct composite restorations being placed in private practices. While composite resin is often selected primarily for its esthetic qualities, another significant advantage of direct composite restorations is the ability to perform conservative cavity preparations. The traditional configuration used for amalgam restorations is no longer mandatory; thus, more sound tooth structure can be preserved. The technique of composite placement is complex when compared to amalgam placement. The use of adhesive systems prior to placement of composite restorations requires not only excellent isolation to avoid contamination, but also precise manipulation of the adhesive system. While stable bonds to enamel are routinely obtained, the heterogeneous composition and intricate morphology of dentin makes this substrate more challenging to restore. In addition, the cavity configuration (C-factor) and inherent polymerization shrinkage of composite resin play an important role in the durability of the composite–dentin interface. Class II preparations often have gingival margins in root surfaces because of the location of the caries lesion. Clinicians are then faced with a preparation that is challenging to isolate, has a relatively high C-factor, and relies on optimal bonding to dentin to secure long-lasting marginal integrity. Various restorative techniques, such as incremental placement or the use of an intermediate layer (flowable composite or resin-modified glass ionomer cements—open sandwich technique), have been some of the methods proposed to increase the longevity of composite restorations, especially those with margins in dentin. This review evaluates some of the published research on Class II composite resin restorations with margins in the dentin/cementum.
Spawning of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in captivity

Abstract Red snapper ( Lutjanus campechanus ) spawned in captivity when held at temperatures and photoperiods which approximated normal conditions in the Texas Gulf of Mexico region. Multiple spawns were observed in May and June, 1978.
The application of frequency and time domain kurtosis to the assessment of hazardous noise exposures

Five computer-synthesized broadband noises, each having the same average spectrum and the same unweighted Leq of 100 dB SPL but very different temporal structures, were used to produce hearing loss in chinchillas. Despite the same exposure energies and spectra, each noise exposure produced a different magnitude and frequency distribution of hearing loss and sensory cell loss. The results indicate that the statistical properties of a signal are important in the determination of hearing loss. When the audiometric and histological results are compared to a metric based upon kurtosis measured in the time and the frequency domain for each exposure, there is a clear indication that these statistical metrics are good predictors of the relative magnitude and frequency distribution of the acoustic trauma.
Cs(2)CO(3)-promoted efficient carbonate and carbamate synthesis on solid phase

[reaction: see text] Mild and efficient preparation of alkyl carbonates and carbamates on solid supports is described herein. Alcohols or amines were coupled with Merrifield's resin through a CO(2) linker in the presence of cesium carbonate and tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI).
The response of patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy to programmed electrical stimulation

Abstract A prospective study was undertaken to assess the response of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy to programmed electrical stimulation (PES). Fifteen patients undergoing evaluation of congestive heart failure were studied. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography as well as endomyocardial biopsy to exclude known causes of heart fallure. No patient had a history of syncope or sustained ventricular arrhythmias. All patients were found to have severe left ventricular dysfunction (mean ejection fraction 17%), as well as nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on ambulatory monitoring or exercise testing. A protocol using up to two premature stimuli and burst pacing, from two right ventricular sites, induced up to four repetitive ventricular responses but failed to induce a sustained ventricular arrhythmia in any patient. Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, advanced ventricular arrhythmias, and depressed left ventricular function respond differently than do patients with coronary artery disease, advanced ventricular arrhythmias, and depressed left ventricular function, to PES. PES appears to have limited value in the evaluation of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and nonsustained ventricular arrhythmias.
Magnetoresistance of small Kondo systems.

Results for the low-temperature magnetoresistance of thin Au films containing \ensuremath{\sim}30 ppm Fe are reported. As expected, we observe contributions from both the classical magnetoresistance and the local magnetic moments (i.e., the Fe). The local-moment magnetoresistance is a strong function of film thickness, and is suppressed as the thickness is reduced. This finding is compared with previous results for the Kondo effect in small systems, and with recent theoretical predictions. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Devaluation, Loss, and Rage: A Postscript to Urban African American Youth with Substance Abuse

This article explores and discusses the sociocultural dynamics underpinning urban African American youths' use and misuse of substances and its connection to the invisible wounds of race-related trauma. A racially-sensitive framework is discussed as an intervention approach designed to address the special needs of urban Africa American adolescents maligned by, and suffering from, the complex interplay of substance misuse and rage.
Behavior of the Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient When Two Heterogeneous Subgroups Are Pooled1

An equation was derived to determine the relationship between the pooled within-subgroup correlation coefficient, rw, and the correlation coefficient obtained from the total group data, rt. It was, thus, possible to assess the amount of distortion introduced by pooling heterogeneous subgroups. As a basis for deciding whether to pool two subgroups in order to calculate rt, a two-stage procedure was recommended: (1) comparison of the two within-subgroup r's; and (2) comparison of rt and rw. On the basis of results for the second stage test, distortion in rt was shown to be a function of the pattern of subgroup mean differences, total group sample size, and the magnitude of rw. Implications were discussed.