cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of parasite proteins in a membrane preparation enriched for the surface membrane of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium knowlesi

A subcellular fraction enriched in erythrocyte membranes has been isolated from rhesus monkey erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium knowlesi. Infected cells were lysed by centrifugation through a zone of hypotonic buffer and membranes isolated by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation in the same tube. The purified membrane fraction was shown to include the erythrocyte surface membrane by several methods: electron microscopy, identification of Coomassie Blue stained erythrocyte membrane proteins, identification of band 3 with a monoclonal antibody, and identification of radioiodinated cell surface proteins. The resulting ghosts were shown to be specifically reactive with monkey sera against the variant surface antigens of P. knowlesi by indirect immunofluorescence and membrane agglutination. No reactivity was seen with a monoclonal antibody (13C11) against the intracellular schizont surface. A number of metabolically labelled parasite proteins were enriched in this membrane function, including peptides of 277, 208, 173, 153, 134, 109, 80, 60 and 48 kDa and the variant surface antigens of variable molecular mass (180–207 kDa). These proteins were distinct from the major parasite proteins of total infected erythrocytes and isolated merozoites. The major glucosamine labelled glycoprotein of the internal schizont (230 kDa) was not found in this fraction. Moreover, no fragment of this parasite glycoprotein was found in this membrane fraction, indicating that no part of this molecule is transported to the erythrocyte surface. In contrast, the variant antigen of P. knowlesi, known to be on the erythrocyte surface, could be readily identified as peptides unique to specific cloned parasite lines. We propose that the other nine parasite proteins found within this membrane fraction represent a starting point for the identification of other parasite proteins transported to the surface membrane of the infected erythrocyte.
Production of antibodies in transgenic plants

Complementary DNAs derived from a mouse hybridoma messenger RNA were used to transform tobacco leaf segments followed by regeneration of mature plants. Plants expressing single gamma or kappa immunoglobulin chains were crossed to yield progeny in which both chains were expressed simultaneously. A functional antibody accumulated to 1.3% of total leaf protein in plants expressing full-length cDNAs containing leader sequences. Specific binding of the antigen recognized by these antibodies was similar to the hybridoma-derived antibody. Transformants having gamma- or kappa-chain cDNAs without leader sequences gave poor expression of the proteins. The increased abundance of both gamma- and kappa-chains in transformants expressing assembled gamma-kappa complexes was not reflected in increased mRNA levels. The results demonstrate that production of immunoglobulins and assembly of functional antibodies occurs very efficiently in tobacco. Assembly of subunits by sexual cross might be a generally applicable method for expression of heterologous multimers in plants.
Mechanism Of Cell Surface Activation Of 72-kDa Type IV Collagenase ISOLATION OF THE ACTIVATED FORM OF THE MEMBRANE METALLOPROTEASE

Matrix metalloproteases are secreted by mammalian cells as zymogens and, upon activation, initiate tissue remodeling by proteolytic degradation of collagens and proteoglycans. Activation of the secreted proenzymes and interaction with their specific inhibitors determine the net enzymatic activity in the extracellular space. We have previously demonstrated that 72T4Cl can be activated by a plasma membrane-dependent mechanism specific for this enzyme. Here, we report purification of the membrane activator of 72T4Cl, which is a new metalloprotease identical to a recently cloned membrane-type matrix metalloprotease (MT-MMP). We demonstrate that activated MT-MMP acts as a cell surface tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 2 (TIMP-2) receptor with Kd = 2.54 × 10−9M. The activator•TlMP-2 complex in turn acts as a receptor for 72T4Cl (Kd = 0.56 × 10−9M), binding to the carboxyl-end domain of the enzyme. Activation of 72T4Cl on the cell membrane provides a basic mechanism for spatially regulated extracellular proteolysis and presents a new target for prognosis and treatment of metastatic disease. The activator, purified as a tri-molecular complex of MT-MMP•TIMP2•carboxyl-end domain of 72T4Cl, is itself an activated form of MT-MMP, posing the following question: what is the mechanism of the activator's activation?
Theoretical study of the isostructural transformation in ice VIII

We present a first-principles study of the structural and vibrational properties of D2O-ice VIII. We do not confirm the existence of the structural discontinuity that was proposed on the basis of a neutron diffraction study and of a first principles calculation, although we reproduce well other physical properties, including the nonlinear behavior of phonon frequencies below 3 GPa. This study brings about the necessity of further experiments to investigate the structure of ice VIII at high pressure. The relationship between phonon frequencies and structural parameters is clarified in detail.
Molecular abnormalities in myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes

Abstract Analysis of chromosome translocations in human myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes has identified a number of genes involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Most of the genes identified to date can be grouped into one of three major classes—transcription factors, tyrosine kineses or nuclear pore proteins. Recent insights into the molecular basis of these leukemias is presented using selected examples from these groups.
Let‐7 and miR‐125 cooperate to prime progenitors for astrogliogenesis

The molecular basis of astrocyte differentiation and maturation is poorly understood. As microRNAs have important roles in cell fate transitions, we set out to study their function during the glial progenitor cell (GPC) to astrocyte transition. Inducible deletion of all canonical microRNAs in GPCs in vitro led to a block in the differentiation to astrocytes. In an unbiased screen, the reintroduction of let-7 and miR-125 families of microRNAs rescued differentiation. Let-7 and miR-125 shared many targets and functioned in parallel to JAK-STAT signaling, a known regulator of astrogliogenesis. While individual knockdown of shared targets did not rescue the differentiation phenotype in microRNA-deficient GPCs, overexpression of these targets in wild-type GPCs blocked differentiation. This finding supports the idea that microRNAs simultaneously suppress multiple mRNAs that inhibit differentiation. MicroRNA-regulated transcripts exhibited concordant changes during in vivo differentiation and were enriched for a gene set upregulated in glioblastomas, consistent with validity of using the in vitro model to study in vivo events. These findings provide insight into the microRNAs and the genes they regulate in this important cell fate transition.
The Use of Visual and Chemosensory Evoked Potentials in Environmental and Occupational Health

The application of visual (VEP) and chemosensory evoked potentials (CSEP) in occupational and environmental health is briefly reviewed. VEPs have been used extensively in experimental neurotoxicity and play an increasingly important role in human neurotoxicity testing. The similarity of VEP waveforms in different species renders them useful for cross-species extrapolation. CSEPs, used in conjunction with traditional psychophysical tests and rating scales, offer a promising new approach to the study of indoor air pollution.
Psychopathology in children of alcoholics.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess psychopathology in 125 and 158 children who are offspring of alcoholic and control parents. Method Parents and children were interviewed by means of structured interviews. Parents were interviewed about themselves and about their children. Teacher reports were obtained. A total of 158 young people ages 6 to 18 years were in the study, although some of the analyses use only 125. Results Children of alcoholic parents showed higher rates of oppositional and conduct disorders but not attention deficit disorder. Children of alcoholic parents did not have significantly higher rates of depression, but they may be at risk for anxiety. These children also showed increased incidence of alcohol and other substance use but not abuse or dependence as defined by DSM-III. Few differences were detected with respect to self-esteem and achievement tests among the groups. There were no differences in the rates of psychopathology between offspring of alcoholic versus antisocial parents. Conclusion These data indicate that children of alcoholics exhibit high rates of psychopathology and may be at risk specifically for oppositional and conduct disorders but not for depression. There are few differences between alcoholics and controls with respect to self-esteem and achievement tests.
Identification of Failure Mechanisms and Activation Energies of Opto Devices

Many types of opto electronic devices (couplers and light emitting diodes) are being used in space and military projects. This study reports on optocouplers and light emitting diodes (LED's). A total of 2300 opto devices from five manufacturers was tested. These devices were subjected to rated, step stress, and accelerated tests of thermal cycle, high temperature, vibration and operating life to determine their failure mechanisms and associated activation energies. Previous studies and ALERT's have shown that optocouplers had a high intermittent failure rate in thermal cycle. The manufacturers have devoted considerable effort to their redesign and improved testing to eliminate this problem. This study reveals that this problem has been eliminated with the exception of one manufacturer, and the designs are quite capable of passing 400 cycles from ?55°C to +125°C. The optocouplers did not fail in mechanical tests, such as shock, acceleration and vibration. The predominant failure m-odes were found in operating life at selected temperatures between 25°C and +225°C. Typically these were degraded electrical parameters and open bonds attributed to high temperature exposure. The failed parts were analyzed to identify specific failure mechanisms for study and for the calculation of activation energies. The activation energies were calculated for the functional elements of the devices and ranged from . 42 eV to 1.3 eV.
Anticipation From Biological Motion: The Goalkeeper Problem

People can often anticipate the outcome of another person's actions based on visual information available in the movements of the other person's body. We investigated this problem by studying how goalkeepers anticipate the direction of a penalty kick in soccer. The specific aim was to determine whether the information used to anticipate kick direction is best characterized as local to a particular body segment or distributed across multiple segments. In Experiment 1, we recorded the movements of soccer players as they kicked balls into a net. Using a novel method for analyzing motion capture data, we identified sources of local and distributed information that were reliable indicators of kick direction. In Experiments 2 and 3, subjects were presented with animations of kickers' movements prior to foot-to-ball contact and instructed to judge kick direction. Judgments were consistent with the use of distributed information, with a possible small contribution of local information.
Teichoic acids and related cell-wall glycopolymers in Gram-positive physiology and host interactions

Most Gram-positive bacteria incorporate membrane- or peptidoglycan-attached carbohydrate-based polymers into their cell envelopes. Such cell-wall glycopolymers (CWGs) often have highly variable structures and have crucial roles in protecting, connecting and controlling the major envelope constituents. Further important roles of CWGs in host-cell adhesion, inflammation and immune activation have also been described in recent years. Identifying and harnessing highly conserved or species-specific structural features of CWGs offers excellent opportunities for developing new antibiotics, vaccines and diagnostics for use in the fight against severe infectious diseases, such as sepsis, pneumonia, anthrax and tuberculosis.
Simultaneous, Bilateral Diabetic Ophthalmoplegia *: Report of Two Cases and Discussion of Differential Diagnosis

Two patients presented with simultaneous oculomotor nerve palsies clinically associated with diabetes mellitus. Although unilateral cranial nerve palsies frequently occur in diabetes mellitus, this report is the first documented occurrence of simultaneous, concurrent diabetic (vasculopathic) oculomotor nerve palsies. The differential diagnosis of bilateral ophthalmoplegia is discussed in detail.
Protein-protein interaction at the air-water interface

Abstract A method of measuring the interaction between a protein monofilm and a soluble protein in the subsolution is described. This is measured in terms of monofilm expansion at constant pressure. Soluble proteins will collect at an interface with the formation of a monolayer. At certain higher concentrations, these soluble proteins will invade and expand their own monofilm. This spontaneous protein film expansion occurring in a monofilm on a subsolution of the same protein has been compared with the film expansion observed between dissimilar proteins in the monolayer and in the subsolution. We believe that this comparison of monofilm expansion rates demonstrates the existence of a specific protein-protein interaction and is related to differences in molecular structure. Protein interaction was shown to occur between pork insulin monofilm and alpha globulin reactant at compression pressures between 4.5 dyne-cm. to 16 dyne-cm. (collapse pressure of insulin). The specific expansion observed followed a first-order law. Further, the specific interaction between insulin monofilm and porcine albumin occurred at pH 7.4 and pH 5.1, but not at pH 2.2. Confirmation for this pH dependence was obtained from the pressure-area isotherm studies of equiweight binary mixtures of albumin and insulin.
Distributions of measurement errors for single-axis magnetic field meters during measurements near appliances

Comparisons are made between the average magnetic flux density as it would be measured with a single-axis coil probe and the flux density at the center of the probe, assuming that the probe is oriented to measure the maximum field at that point. Probability distributions of the differences between the two quantities are calculated assuming a dipole magnetic field and are found to be asymmetric. The distributions are used to estimate the uncertainty for maximum magnetic field measurements at distances that are large compared with the dimensions of the field source.
Dynamic equilibrium of heterogeneous and interconvertible multipotent hematopoietic cell subsets

Populations of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors are quite heterogeneous and consist of multiple cell subsets with distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics. Some of these subsets also appear to be interconvertible and oscillate between functionally distinct states. The multipotent hematopoietic cell line EML has emerged as a unique model to study the heterogeneity and interconvertibility of multipotent hematopoietic cells. Here we describe extensive phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of EML cells which stems from the coexistence of multiple cell subsets. Each of these subsets is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous, and displays distinct multilineage differentiation potential, cell cycle profile, proliferation kinetics, and expression pattern of HSC markers and some of the key lineage-associated transcription factors. Analysis of their maintenance revealed that on a population level all EML cell subsets exhibit cell-autonomous interconvertible properties, with the capacity to generate all other subsets and re-establish complete parental EML cell population. Moreover, all EML cell subsets generated during multiple cell generations maintain their distinct phenotypic and functional signatures and interconvertible properties. The model of EML cell line suggests that interconvertible multipotent hematopoietic cell subsets coexist in a homeostatically maintained dynamic equilibrium which is regulated by currently unknown cell-intrinsic mechanisms.
Active semiconductor microresonators for photonic integrated circuits

Whispering gallery mode semiconductor microresonators coupled to waveguides have the potential to serve as basic active elements in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to perform many different functions in the circuit. Microresonators are demonstrated to provide gain, filtering, detection and modulation in PICs using an integration scheme compatible with all functionalities.
Surfactant self-assembly near contact lines: control of advancing surfactant solutions

When a substrate is immersed into a solution of strongly adsorbing surfactant, the contact line advances by jumping forward along the surface. If a drop of the solution is placed on the surface, it autophobes. We have directly observed the surfactant structure ahead of the contact line which causes this behavior. This adsorbed, self-assembled structure exhibits two regions with distinct time evolutions. We can relate the development of these regions and the behavior of the contact line to the evolution of surface energies in the system. Additionally, we can relate the formation of these types of assemblies to the changes in the dendritic spreading behavior observed for a weakly adsorbing surfactant. This study enables us to specify molecular-scale mechanisms governing the wetting and spreading behavior of surfactant solutions.
Mechanism of T7 RNAP Pausing and Termination at the T7 Concatemer Junction: A Local Change in Transcription Bubble Structure Drives a Large Change in Transcription Complex Architecture

The T7RNA polymerase (RNAP) elongation complex (EC) pauses and is destabilized at a unique 8 nucleotide (nt) sequence found at the junction of the head-to-tail concatemers of T7 genomic DNA generated during T7 DNA replication. The paused EC may recruit the T7 DNA processing machinery, which cleaves the concatemerized DNA within this 8 nt concatemer junction (CJ). Pausing of the EC at the CJ involves structural changes in both the RNAP and transcription bubble. However, these structural changes have not been fully defined, nor is it understood how the CJ sequence itself causes the EC to change its structure, to pause, and to become less stable. Here we use solution and RNAP-tethered chemical nucleases to probe the CJ transcript and changes in the EC structure as the polymerase pauses and terminates at the CJ. Together with extensive mutational scanning of regions of the polymerase that are likely to be involved in recognition of the CJ, we are able to develop a description of the events that occur as the EC transcribes through the CJ and subsequently pauses. In this process, a local change in the structure of the transcription bubble drives a large change in the architecture of the EC. This altered EC structure may then serve as the signal that recruits the processing machinery to the CJ.
Capture by stabilized continuum: Classical and quantum aspects

We review here the results of our investigations concerning chaotic atomic scattering in the presence of a laser field. Particular emphasis is put on the existence of classical stable resonance structures, induced by the intense laser field, which are embedded in the field-free continuum. We show that phase space structures in the vicinity of a resonance island play an important role in the chaotic scattering behavior and form the basis for a mechanism to enhance the lifetimes of the collisional partners. Quantum calculations, based on a wave packet propagation method, show that quantum solutions are strongly influenced by the classical phase space structures. More specifically, a wave packet is found to spread differently in the regular and chaotic regions; in the latter case it spreads exponentially with time until saturation occurs, defining the saturation time. We also investigate theħ dependence of the spreading rates in both the regular and chaotic regimes. Calculations with an ensemble of classical trajectories are also presented to further illustrate the smoothing effects of varyingħ.
Targeted, PCR-based gene disruption in cyanobacteria: inactivation of the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase genes in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.

A PCR-based method is described for the efficient construction of targeted gene disruptions and gene fusions in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. In a simple two-step PCR approach, a gene conversion cassette was synthesized targeting the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) synthase genes. Upon transformation, PHA production in Synechocystis under normal as well as high production culture conditions was undetectable. The application of this method to the genetic inactivation of the phaE-C Syn gene cluster demonstrates its potential for genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and the study of functional genomics in Synechocystis.
Trends in Caribbean Paleoproductivity related to the Neogene closure of the Central American Seaway

Abstract This study tests the hypothesis that the late Miocene to early Pliocene constriction and closure of the Central American Seaway (CAS), connecting the tropical Atlantic and East quatorial Pacific (EEP), caused a decrease in productivity in the Caribbean, due to decreased coastal upwelling and an end to the connection with high-productivity tropical Pacific waters. The present study compared paleoceanographic proxies for the interval between 8.3 and 2.5 Ma in 47 samples from south Caribbean ODP Site 999 with published data on EEP DSDP Site 503. Proxies for Site 999 include the relative abundance of benthic foraminiferal species representing bottom current velocity and the flux of organic matter to the sea floor, the ratio of infaunal/epifaunal benthic foraminiferal species and benthic foraminifer accumulation rates (BFARs). In addition, we calculated % resistant planktic foraminifers species and used the previously published % sand fraction and benthic carbon isotope values from Site 999. During early shoaling of the Isthmus (8.3–7.9 Ma) the Caribbean was under mesotrophic conditions, with little ventilation of bottom waters and low current velocity. The pre-closure interval (7.6–4.2 Ma) saw enhanced seasonal input of phytodetritus with even more reduced ventilation, and enhanced dissolution between 6.8 and 4.8 Ma. During the post-closure interval (4.2–2.5 Ma) in the Caribbean, paleoproductivity decreased, current velocity was reduced, and ventilation improved, while the seasonality of phytodetrital input was reduced dramatically, coinciding with the establishment of the Atlantic–Pacific salinity contrast at 4.2 Ma. Our data support the hypothesis that late Miocene constriction of the CAS at 7.9 Ma and its closure at 4.2 Ma caused a gradual decrease in paleoproductivity in the Caribbean, consistent with decreased current velocity and seasonality of the phytodetrital input.
Quality bottleneck transitions in flexible manufacturing systems with batch productions

A Markov chain model to analyze quality in flexible manufacturing systems with batch productions is developed in this article. The cycles when good quality and defective parts are produced are defined as the good and defective states, respectively, and transition probabilities are introduced to characterize the changes between these states. The product quality is presented as a function of these transition probabilities, and the transition that has the largest impact on quality is referred to as the quality bottleneck transition (BN-t). Analytical expressions to quantify the sensitivity of quality with respect to transition probabilities are derived, and indicators to identify the BN-t based on data collected on the factory floor are developed. Through extensive numerical experiments, it is shown that such indicators have a high accuracy in identifying the correct bottlenecks and can be used as an effective tool in quality improvement efforts. Finally, a case study at an automotive paint shop is presented...
In vivo studies on the penetration of dentin by constituents of silicate cement

The purpose of the research was to investigate whether the dentin of the vital tooth was permeated by the constituents of silicate cement. Materials that reduce penetration of the dentin are also discussed.
Wear of nanofilled dental composites at varying filler concentrations.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of nanofiller concentration on the mechanisms of wear of a dental composite. Nanofilled composites were fabricated with a bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate polymer and 40 nm SiO2 filler particles at three filler loads (25, 50, and 65 wt %). The elastic modulus, flexural strength, and hardness of the composites and the unfilled resin were measured. The materials (n = 8) were tested in the modified wear testing device at 50,000, 100,000, and 200,000 cycles with 20N force at 1 Hz. A 33% glycerine lubricant and stainless steel antagonist were used. The worn composite and antagonist surfaces were analyzed with noncontact profilometry and SEM. The volumetric wear data indicated that there are significant differences between filler concentrations and cycles (p < 0.05). A trend was noted that increasing filler content beyond 25% decreased the wear resistance of the composites. Increasing filler content increased hardness and modulus and increased flexural strength up to 50% fill. SEM evaluation of the worn specimens indicated that the resin and 25% filled materials exhibited cracking and failed by fatigue and the 50 and 65% filled materials exhibited microcutting and failed by abrasive wear. Based on the results of this study, composite manufacturers are recommended to use a filler concentration between 25 and 50% when using nanosized filler particles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 424–429, 2015.
A Flux Mapping Method for Central Receiver Systems

A new method is described to determine irradiance distributions on receivers and targets from heliostats or other collectors for concentrating solar power applications. The method uses a CCD camera, and, unlike previous beam characterization systems, it does not require additional sensors, calorimeters, or flux gauges on the receiver or target. In addition, spillage can exist (the beam does not need to be contained within the target). The only additional information required besides the digital images recorded from the CCD camera is the direct normal irradiance and the reflectivity of the receiver. Methods are described to calculate either an average reflectivity or a reflectivity distribution for the receiver using the CCD camera. The novel feature of this new PHLUX method is the use of recorded images of the sun to scale both the magnitude of each pixel value and the subtended angle of each pixel. A test was performed to evaluate the PHLUX method using a heliostat beam on the central receiver tower at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility in Albuquerque, NM. Results showed that the PHLUX method was capable of producing an accurate flux map of the heliostat beam with a relative error in the peak flux of 2%.
Achieving single channel, full duplex wireless communication

This paper discusses the design of a single channel full-duplex wireless transceiver. The design uses a combination of RF and baseband techniques to achieve full-duplexing with minimal effect on link reliability. Experiments on real nodes show the full-duplex prototype achieves median performance that is within 8% of an ideal full-duplexing system. This paper presents Antenna Cancellation, a novel technique for self-interference cancellation. In conjunction with existing RF interference cancellation and digital baseband interference cancellation, antenna cancellation achieves the amount of self-interference cancellation required for full-duplex operation. The paper also discusses potential MAC and network gains with full-duplexing. It suggests ways in which a full-duplex system can solve some important problems with existing wireless systems including hidden terminals, loss of throughput due to congestion, and large end-to-end delays.
Science and Human Experience: Values, Culture, and the Mind

Part I. Science and Society: 1. Science and human experience 2. Does science undermine our values? 3. Can science serve mankind? 4. Modern science and contemporary discomfort: metaphor and reality 5. Faith and science 6. Art and science 7. Fraud in science 8. Why study science? The keys to the cathedral 9. Is evolution a theory? A modest proposal 10. The silence of the second 11. Introduction to Copenhagen 12. The unpaid debt Part II. Thought and Consciousness: 13. Source and limits of human intellect 14. Neural networks 15. Thought and mental experience: the Turing test 16. Mind as machine: will we rubbish human experience? 17. Memory and memories: a physicist's approach to the brain 18. On the problem of consciousness Part III. On the Nature and Limits of Science: 19. What is a good theory? 20. Shall we deconstruct science? 21. Visible and invisible in physical theory 22. Experience and order 23. The language of physics 24. The structure of space 25. Superconductivity and other insoluble problems 26. From gravity to light and consciousness: does science have limits?
Changes in placental ultrasonic appearance

Placental grading has been proposed as a substitute for amniotic fluid analysis for predicting fetal pulmonary maturity. The efficacy of placental grading was prospectively evaluated by grading the placenta at the time of 174 amniocentesis procedures done for determination of fetal pulmonary maturity. Grade III changes in the placenta were a rare finding that occurred in only 7% of the examinations performed. Placental grading proved to be insensitive in that it predicted pulmonary maturity in only 5% of pregnancies in which amniotic fluid analysis predicted a mature fetus. In addition, placental grading falsely predicted fetal pulmonary maturity in 42% of patients in whom Grade III placental changes were found. These findings suggest that the determination of Grade III changes in the placenta occurs too rarely to be of use in predicting fetal pulmonary maturity in the uncomplicated pregnancy. Incorrect prediction of pulmonary maturity by placental grading in the complicated pregnancy makes this test of little value in the management of high-risk pregnancy.
Measuring Determinants of Student Return vs. Dropout/Stopout vs. Transfer: A First-to-Second Year Analysis of New Freshmen.

To reflect academic challenges and enrollment patterns of today’s freshmen, this study measures the impact of high school preparation, first-year academic performance, multi-institution enrollment, and financial aid support on secondyear persistence. Using multi-year cohorts at a public research university, results confirm the importance of including first-year math experience, math intensity of the declared major, simultaneous enrollment at another college/university, and secondyear financial aid offers when measuring freshmen retention. The positive impact of a large-scale, state-funded scholarship program in widening access to college must be balanced against findings that show academic performance and readiness to take on and pass first-year math to be more important than aid in explaining freshmen dropout and transfer-out during both first and second semesters. Middleincome students with greater levels of unmet need face an elevated departure risk, while academically well-prepared freshmen with unmet need are more likely to transfer to other institutions.
Commentary on why national epidemiological estimates of substance abuse by race should not be used to estimate prevalence and need for substance abuse services at community and local levels.

Large-scale epidemiological studies suggest substantially lower prevalence rates of substance abuse disorders in Black Americans than in White Americans. This is counterintuitive since indicators of socioeconomic status, which on an average are lower in Blacks than Whites, are inversely associated with the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Herein, we recommend against the use of race-specific national epidemiological data to estimate prevalence of substance abuse disorders and need for services at community/local levels. This is important so that catchment areas with high proportions of minorities receive equitable levels of substance abuse prevention and treatment resources. We illustrate our recommendation through observations and potential biases (e.g., reporting bias) identified from large-scale epidemiological studies of the prevalence of substance use disorders between Black and White Americans.
Statistical ray optics.

A statistical approach is taken toward the ray optics of optical media with complicated nonspherical and nonplanar surface shapes. As a general rule, the light in such a medium will tend to be randomized in direction and of 2n2(x) times greater intensity than the externally incident light, where n(x) is the local index of refraction. A specific method for doing optical calculations in statistical ray optics will be outlined. These optical enhancement effects can result in a new type of antireflection coating. In addition, these effects can improve the efficiency as well as reduce the cost of solar cells.
William of Ockham, the Subalternate Sciences, and Aristotle's Theory of metabasis

Historians of fourteenth-century science have long recognized the extraordinary work at both Oxford and Paris in which natural philosophy was becoming highly mathematical. The movement to subject natural philosophy to a mathematical analysis and to quantify such qualities as heat, color, and of course speed surely stands as one of the most significant aspects of late medieval science. Yet as Edith Sylla has observed, because qualities and quantities pertain to different categories in Aristotelian theory, one might expect Aristotelian theorists to avoid quantifying qualities. Even more serious still, the very task of quantifying physical qualities exposes a tension in the nature of science that was discussed first by Aristotle in his Posterior Analytics.
Ethnic minority groups in international banking: Greek diaspora bankers of Constantinople and Ottoman state finances, c. 1840–81

This paper analyses the organisational make-up and financial techniques of Greek diaspora banking during its golden era in Constantinople, c. 1840–81. It is argued that this small group of bankers had a flexible style of business organisation, which included informal operations. Well embedded into the network of international high finance, these bankers facilitated the integration of Constantinople into Western European capital markets — during the early days of Western financial presence in the Ottoman Empire — by developing a cunningly ingenious, for the standards of the time and place, method for the internationalisation of the financial instruments of the internal Ottoman public debt.
Book Review: The dotCrime Manifesto: How to Stop Internet Crime

Hallam-Baker, P. (2008). The dotCrime Manifesto: How to Stop Internet Crime. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison-Wesley. 415 + xxix pages, ISBN: 0-321-50358-9, US$29.99. Reviewed by Gary C. Kessler (gary.kessler@champlain.edu) At the beginning of each fall semester, an e-mail routinely circulates around university campuses recounting those technologies that this year's incoming class grew up with and, therefore, for which they have no memory of a time before those technologies existed -- such as a ubiquitously available Internet, GPS satellite technology, CallerID, and karaoke. Most of today's freshmen (in fact, most of today's user community) mistake their familiarity with using a technology as actually understanding how that technology works; not only do most users not really understand the workings, they also don't know the history, background, and evolution of these technologies. Nevertheless, many of our incoming students consider themselves experts. (see PDF for full review)
Telematic Drum Circle

Telematic Drum Circle is an interdisciplinary art project combining telecommunications, robotics, human-computer interaction, and improvisational music. The project explores the rupture of deeper communication in the technology-mediated world and addresses the issue of global harmony by sharing participants' rhythmical spirit produced through the telematic live drum ensemble. It consists of two main components: a set of 16 robotic drums arranged in an installation space and an interactive web site networked with these drums. Each drum is representative of a geo-cultural region. Regardless of age, sex, religion, race, and culture, we all have a universal rhythm: our heartbeats. The drum is an instrument of rhythm, and I believe it can stand in for a person's heart. The heart-to-heart communication expressed on drums cuts through all the differences and blurs the boundaries. By tapping the computer keyboard while at the web site, participants around the world can remotely play the robotic instruments together, while watching a live streaming video of their ensemble broadcast online at www.TelematicDrumCircle.net.
‘NOTES AS A GARLAND’: THE CHRONOLOGY AND NARRATIVE OF BYRD'S GRADUALIA

William Byrd's Gradualia is a collection of polyphonic Mass propers and related pieces, 109 items in all, covering the major feast days of the Roman liturgy as well as a number of votive Masses and miscellanea. Byrd published it in two volumes, the first in 1605 and the second in 1607. The ink was barely dry on Gradualia I when the Gunpowder Plot was revealed, an event which understandably soured the English market for Catholic books. Gradualia II appeared some eighteen months later, with a pointed remark in the dedicatory preface that these pieces had been ‘long since completed by me and given to the press’ ( iamdudum a me peractas, ac Prelo commissas ) – the unspoken complaint being that Byrd was either forced to delay publication in self-defence or held off by a nervous printer.
Sign Vocabulary in Deaf Toddlers Exposed to Sign Language Since Birth

Lexical comprehension and production is directly evaluated for the first time in deaf signing children below the age of 3 years. A Picture Naming Task was administered to 8 deaf signing toddlers (aged 2-3 years) who were exposed to Sign Language since birth. Results were compared with data of hearing speaking controls. In both deaf and hearing children, comprehension was significantly higher than production. The deaf group provided a significantly lower number of correct responses in production than did the hearing controls, whereas in comprehension, the 2 groups did not differ. Difficulty and ease of items in comprehension and production was similar for signing deaf children and hearing speaking children, showing that, despite size differences, semantic development followed similar paths. For signing children, predicates production appears easier than nominals production compared with hearing children acquiring spoken language. Findings take into account differences in input modalities and language structures.
Light Verbs and Noun Verb Agreement in Hunza Burushaski

The paper introduces the concept of Light Verbs and Noun Verb Agreement in Hunza Burushaski from a native speaker’s perspective and as a student of linguist in preparation for a future detailed study on the complex verb predicates and the general interaction of various types of verbs with six noun classes which produces a very complex notion of verbs in Burushaski. Burushaski is linguist isolate spoken in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. This fascinating language has three distinct dialect groups in Hunza, Nagar and Yasin. This paper introduces two new concepts: light verbs and six noun classes in Burushaski which has not been discussed in the previous researches.
Error Analysis for a Galerkin Finite Element Method Applied to a Coupled Nonlinear Degenerate System of Advection-diffusion Equations

We consider a standard Galerkin Method applied to both the pressure equation and the saturation equation of a coupled nonlinear system of degenerate advection-diffusion equations modeling two-phase immiscible flow through porous media. After regularizing the problem and establishing some regularity results, we derive error estimates for a semi-discretized Galerkin Method. A decoupled nonlinear scheme is then proposed for a fully discretized (backward in time) Galerkin Method, and error estimates are derived for that method. We also prove existence and uniqueness for the nonlinear operator intervening in the backward time discretization.
Investigation of the Immunologic Disorder Pathogenesis of Infant with Sepsis

Objective To investigate role of CD14+monocyte HLA-DR expression、Cytokine and CD4+CD25+Foxp3high Tr cells in aberrant immune response of infant with sepsis.Methods 48 infants with sepsis and 26 age-matched healthy infants were studied.CD14+ monocyte HLA-DR expression and the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3high Tr cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Cytokine(IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α and IL-10) were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).Real-time PCR were used to evaluate the mRNA levels of Foxp3、CTLA-4、GITR、IL-10 and IL-6 in CD4-positive cells.Results(1)48 infants were divided into two groups according to HLA-DR expressionor30%:DR-H group and DR-L group.Pediatric critical illness score in DR-H group was higher than that in DR-L group(P0.05).(2)Expression changes of cytokines in serum: concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokine(such as IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α etc) in serum were significantly elevated in DR-H group and DR-L group(P0.05).There is no significant difference of IL-1β and IL-6 found between DR-H and DR-L group,while protein level of TNF-α in DR-H group was detected to be more higher than that in DR-L group(P0.05).Transcription level of IL-6 was significantly up-regulated in DR-H group and DR-L group(P0.05),and the mRNA level of IL-6 in the latter was found to be higher than that in the former.On the other hand,the protein level of ant-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) was significantly raised in DR-H group and DR-L group(P0.05),the mRNA level was significantly raised in DR-L group(P0.05),while mRNA and protein levels of IL-10 in DR-L group were higher than those in DR-H group(P0.05).(3)The proportion of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3high Tr cells in peripheral blood in DR-L group was found to be significantly higher than that in healthy control or DR-H group(P0.05).Transcription levels of four genes associated with CD4+CD25+Foxp3high Tr cells(Foxp3,CTLA-4,GITR and IL-10) in DR-L group were detected to be higher than those in healthy control group and DR-H group(P0.05).Conclusions HLA-DR expression on monocytes cells could be a valuable index to judge the critical level of pediatric illness and serve as an index to predict outcome of infant with sepsis;high expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine was found along with all the phage of sepsis;Aberrant increase levels of IL-10 and CD4+CD25+Foxp3high Tr cells may be contributed to the pathogenic mechanism of immune suppression.
Personal Experience as Evidence in Feminist Scholarship.

(1994). Personal experience as evidence in feminist scholarship. Western Journal of Communication: Vol. 58, The Dialogue of Evidence: A Topic Revisited, pp. 39-43.
PRP Comments for ICF Q1/Q2 FY17 Experiments 3/10/16

The PRP generally endorsed the Program plan during the short time for discussions. We agree that the strategy to develop a hohlraum that is symmetric and has low laser-plasma instabilities and to develop an alternative method for supporting the capsule is the best path forward for making progress in understanding ignition performance. The Program is oriented toward a milestone in 2020 for “determining the efficacy of NIF for ignition and credible physics-scaling to multi-megajoule yields for all ICF approaches.” We are concerned that the time and resources are not sufficient to vet all of the various approaches that are being pursued to make an informed decision by this date. For NIF to meet this goal, a process will be needed to to select the most promising paths forward. We recommend that the Program develop this process for selecting the path forward to optimize resources. We were glad to see that the direct drive program took our comments under consideration. We think that the proposed experiments have the program headed in a better direction. The PRP had only a short time to discuss the detailed experimental proposals. The following are comments on the detailed proposals. We did not have time tomore » discuss them as a group. They represent individual opinions and provided to you as feedback to your proposals.« less
Exact Procedure for Einstein–Johnson’s Sidewall Correction in Open Channel Flow

AbstractThe classic sidewall correction procedure, Vanoni and Brooks’ method, originates from Einstein–Johnson’s work. However, Johnson’s contribution is almost unseen in recent literature because ...
Time course of organ of Corti degeneration after noise exposure.

From our permanent collection of plastic-embedded flat preparations of chinchilla cochleae, 22 controls and 199 ears from noise-exposed animals were used to determine when, postexposure, hair cell (HC) and supporting cell (SC) degeneration were completed. The exposed ears were divided into four groups based on exposure parameters: 0.5- or 4-kHz octave band of noise at moderate (M) or high (H) intensities. Postexposure survival ranged from <1 h to 2.5 y. Ears fixed ≤ 0-12 h postexposure were called 'acute'. For 'chronic' ears, postexposure survival was ≥7 d for groups 0.5M and 4M, ≥ 1 mo for the 4H group and ≥7 mo for the 0.5H group. The time course of inner-ear degeneration after noise exposure was determined from data in the 0.5H and 4H groups because these groups contained ears with intermediate survival times. Outer hair cells (OHCs) began dying during the exposure. OHC loss slowed down beyond 1 mo but was still present. Conversely, much inner hair cell loss was delayed until 1-3 wk postexposure. Outer pillar and inner pillar losses were present at a low level in acute ears but increased exponentially thereafter. These results are the first to demonstrate quantitatively that hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells (SCs) may continue to degenerate for months postexposure. With short postexposure survivals, the remaining SCs often had pathological changes, including: buckled pillar bodies, shifted Deiters' cell (DC) nuclei, detachment of DCs from the basilar membrane and/or splitting of the reticular lamina. These pathological changes appeared to allow endolymph and perilymph to intermix in the fluid spaces of the organ of Corti, damaging additional HCs, SCs and nerve fibers. This mechanism may account for some postexposure degeneration. In ears exposed to moderate noise, some of these SC changes appeared to be reversible. In ears exposed to high-level noise, these changes appeared to indicate impending degeneration.
Afterschool Programs in America: Origins, Growth, Popularity, and Politics

The historical and recent growth of afterschool program (ASPs) in the U.S. is discussed in this article. Particular attention is given to the recent history of social and political influences that have led to growth and current popularity of ASPs. The article begins by reviewing changes in schooling and the labor force that created a supervision gap between the school day of children and work day of parents. This gap contributed to the need for afterschool child care. Next, influences leading to a growing recognition of the significance of school-age childcare for working families and their children, including research on the potential risks of self care and benefits of well-designed ASPs, are described. These discussions are contextualized alongside decades of social and political action and debate over the development of and funding for ASPs in America. Several key factors likely to affect after-school programming in the near future are discussed.