cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Attempt to Modify the Musical Preferences of Preschool Children

DLESPITE ALMOST UNANIMOUS agreement among educators as to the importance of music in the preschool education program there remains a paucity of evaluative studies. It is widely believed that music when used effectively is capable of providing a number of functional contributions to the general development of the preschool child. Among such contributions have been listed an enhancement of capacity for self-expression (4) (9), promotion of the ability to listen intelligently (1) (2), general facilitation of social development (8) (10), and introduction to cultural traditions and changes (5). It is interesting to note that the one common thread which links most opinion on the values of music in the preschool setting deals with the modus operandi, i.e., not the instrument, but the importance of a variety of musical experiences. Heffernan and Todd (4) are representative in their statement that one of the major purposes, or functions, of all music in preschool programs is to help the children to come into broader contact with different types of music. One reason for requiring variety in exposure is suggested in the observation by Taubman (10) that children must build a frame of reference so that the various music types can be related to their own lives and to their surrounding environment. Intrinsic to this line of reasoning is the matter of individual taste for music. Krone and Miller (6) have noted that children enjoy some types of music immediately, whereas other types of music must be heard many times in order to be appreciated. It has also been noted (1) that musical taste is determined in large part by familiar music, and that the usual method of becoming familiar with music is to hear it over and over. Garretson (2) has advised that the child's standards of taste may often be dependent upon limited musical experience and therefore the teacher should seldom accept the standards of what a group of children or an individual child initially likes best. A review of the literature suggests that appreciation for a variety of music is paramount if music is to contribute maximally to the develop-
A statistical framework for accurate taxonomic assignment of metagenomic sequencing reads.

The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has greatly promoted the field of metagenomics which studies genetic material recovered directly from an environment. Characterization of genomic composition of a metagenomic sample is essential for understanding the structure of the microbial community. Multiple genomes contained in a metagenomic sample can be identified and quantitated through homology searches of sequence reads with known sequences catalogued in reference databases. Traditionally, reads with multiple genomic hits are assigned to non-specific or high ranks of the taxonomy tree, thereby impacting on accurate estimates of relative abundance of multiple genomes present in a sample. Instead of assigning reads one by one to the taxonomy tree as many existing methods do, we propose a statistical framework to model the identified candidate genomes to which sequence reads have hits. After obtaining the estimated proportion of reads generated by each genome, sequence reads are assigned to the candidate genomes and the taxonomy tree based on the estimated probability by taking into account both sequence alignment scores and estimated genome abundance. The proposed method is comprehensively tested on both simulated datasets and two real datasets. It assigns reads to the low taxonomic ranks very accurately. Our statistical approach of taxonomic assignment of metagenomic reads, TAMER, is implemented in R and available at http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/ ˜ hji403/MetaR.htm.
A Note on Exact Moment Computation for Normal Lead Times in the Two-Supplier Case

In the stochastic lead time inventory model with two suppliers and different normal lead times, the mean and variance of the lead-time demand distribution are traditionally computed using numerical integration. Tables are made available to help practitioners determine the minimum size of replenishments when orders to the suppliers are placed at the same time. This paper presents closed-form solutions to evaluate the required quantities of interest and tries to correct some mistakes in the existing tables. The expressions given here may also provide insight into the choice of sole versus dual suppliers.
INDUCED RADIATION SENSITIVITY WITH FOUR RADIATION PROTECTIVE CHEMICALS

L'action protectrice de la glycine, de l'acide pyruvique, du phenol, et de la soude hydrosulfite contre les dommages causes a l'Escherichia coli par l'irradiation aux rayons X ou bien aux rayons ultraviolets a ete confirmee. Toutefois, il a ete constate que ces corps chimiques rendent les cellules deStaphylococcus aureus et deNocardia corallina plus sensibles a l'action de ces deux radiations.
Defect Detection in Ceramic Armor Using Phased Array Ultrasound

Monolithic ceramic tile is used as part of ceramic-composite armor. Rejection of individual tile that contain potential threat-defeat-reducing ―defects‖ must be accomplished in a fast and cost-effective manner. Water-immersion phased-array ultrasound using 10 MHz 128-element transducers sequenced at 32-elements has been demonstrated to quickly scan and detect 25-50 um known inclusion-type defects in individual 25 mm thick SiC tile. Further, use of similar phasedarray transducers and similar transducer-element activation sequences, has shown detection of intentional internal defects in tests of 40 cm square by 50 mm thick, multi-layered composite ceramic-armor specimens. Large changes in acoustic velocities of the various layered materials causes focusing issues of the ultrasonic wave. The use of various digital signal processing methods can be used to overcome some of these issues. The results show that use of phased array ultrasound can reliably be used for defect detection in either monolithic or composite ceramic-armor. The technology and various results are presented.
A Study of Attitudinal Change Through Lecture-Discussion Workshops:

The fifty-city project Rearing Children of Good Will, sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews and known in Milwaukee as Project Understanding, seeks to change parental attitudes and value systems believed to generate prejudice in children. Project Understanding's instructional methods include lectures, question-and-answer periods, small discussion groups, and a field trip. Although overall findings indicated no major trends or directions and random results were subject to interpretation, results do concur with other research indicating that education, income, age, and religion influence the probability of attitudinal change. This knowledge and evidence concerning methodological successes will influence future project planning, but many more answers to the problem of attitudinal change and appropriate methodologies are needed.
Interactions between forskolin, GS, and divalent cations on ciliary process adenylyl cyclase and intraocular pressure in the rabbit eye.

Abstract The major adenylyl cyclase activity (AC) of rabbit ocular ciliary processes was investigated by dose-response analysis with respect to interactions of its regulators [the stimulatory G-protein (αs) and forskolin] under both saturating and suboptimal divalent cation (M2+) conditions. αs was generated directly with fluoroaluminate or via receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide or isoproterenol. Forskolin and αs when liganded simultaneously to AC at suboptimal M2+, potentiated maximal enzyme activity (approximately twice the sum of the separate activities), while the responses were additive (no potentiation) under saturating M2+ conditions. The results demonstrate that the three ligands (forskolin, M2+ and αs) mutually interact in a cooperative manner as follows: (1) The apparent kact of forskolin for AC was decreased by 1·7-1·9 log units when αs was liganded to AC. (2) Conversely, with forskolin liganded to AC the apparent kact of αs for AC also decreased by a factor of at least 3-4. (3) The nature of the divalent cation M2+ had no effect on the kact of αs for AC alone and for the AC:FSK complex, and also did not affect the apparent kact of forskolin for AC alone, or for the AC:αs complex. The nature of M2+ (Mg2+ or Mn2+) affected only the maximal catalytic rate (Emax). (4) Potentiation of adenylyl cyclase by αs + FSK was demonstrable in vivo by the increased ocular pressure response of the rabbit eye when a low topical dose of isoproterenol (125 ng per eye) and a subthreshold dose of forskolin (100 μg per eye) were given in combination.
The Logic of Strategy and the Upkeep of Extended Deterrence

Just as the tacit premise of US economic policies of recent years is the transcendental immunity of American prosperity to all forms of public and private profligacy, the tacit premise of West European security policies is the certainty of peace.
Extended Chemical CrossLinking of a Thermoplastic Polyimide: Macroscopic and Microscopic Property Development

Polyimides are well established as gas separation membranes due to their intrinsically low free volume and correspondingly high H 2 selectivity relative to other gases such as CO 2 . Prior studies have established that H 2 /CO 2 selectivity can be improved by crosslinking polyimides with diamines differing in spacer length. In this work, we follow the evolution of macroscopic and microscopic properties of a commercial polyimide over long crosslinking times (t x ) with 1,3-diaminopropane. According to spectroscopic analysis, the crosslinking reaction saturates after ≈24 h, whereas tensile, nanoindentation and stress relaxation tests reveal that the material stiffens, and possesses a long relaxation time that increases with increasing t x . Although differential scanning calorimetry shows that the glass transition temperature decreases systematically with increasing t x , permeation studies indicate that the permeabilities of H 2 and CO 2 decrease, while the H 2 /CO 2 selectivity increases markedly, with increasing t x . At long t x , the polyimide becomes impermeable to CO 2 , suggesting that it could be used as a barrier material.
Effect of fabrication parameters on the thermophysical properties of sintered wicks for heat pipe applications

Abstract Porous wicks for use in a loop heat pipe were sintered from copper and Monel powder. These wicks are characterized in terms of their porosity, liquid permeability, capillary pressure and thermal conductivity. The effect of fabrication parameters (particle size and sintering conditions) on these properties is studied. The experimentally measured values of permeability and capillary pressure were compared with correlations available in the literature. The Kozeny–Carman correlation was found to overpredict the experimental values of permeability; while the modified Young–Laplace equation was found to predict within 5% of the measured capillary pressure. Additionally, a model for predicting the thermal conductivity of sintered wicks is developed. First, the ‘two-sphere model’ is used to relate the sintering conditions to the size of the connection (the ‘neck’) between two particles. Then, a finite element simulation is used to determine the thermal resistance of the bonded particles as a function of the neck between them. This thermal resistance is integrated in a random 3D resistor network as a means to model the multiple connections between spheres in a wick and to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of the wick. Results of the model are compared with experimental measurements of thermal conductivity of sintered copper wicks. Agreement between the model and the experimental measurements is good (within 15%) for sintering temperatures below 550 °C, and within 26% for sintering temperatures up to 950 °C. Finally, a generalized thermal conductivity chart is presented, which can be used to estimate the sintering temperature and time required to achieve the desired thermal conductivity.
Photography, Teenie Harris, and the Migration of Catholic Images

The digital revolution has provided easy access to photographic archives, enabling students and scholars to utilize new forms of visual evidence. Analyzing the 80,000 pictures contained in the online archive of Pittsburgh photojournalist Teenie Harris (1908–98) reveals that African Americans utilized Catholic devotional arts in both their homes and churches. Most likely these individuals were not Catholic but found that Catholic imagery spoke to their spiritual needs for an embodied Christianity that was powerful enough to heal, bring luck, and ward off evil. Photographic archives constitute valuable historical sources that can provide important insights into how religion is lived.
Decay of hexokinase during reticulocyte maturation: is oxidative damage a signal for destruction?

Proteolysis of hexokinase in cell-free systems prepared from rabbit reticulocytes has been shown previously to be ATP-dependent and apparently mediated by the ubiquitin system (Magnani et al. J. Biol.Chem.261, 8327-8333). We have investigated this phenomenon, but found no substantial loss of hexokinase in cell-free systems prepared from fresh lysates. Storage of lysates at -20 degrees C or addition of a free radical generating system was required to demonstrate rapid ATP-dependent decay. It appears that initial oxidative damage to hexokinase does not abolish its activity but allows it to be recognized by an ATP-dependent proteolytic system. The relevance of this mechanism to in vivo degradation of hexokinase is discussed.
Off-shell N=2 supersymmetry for the massive scalar multiplet

Abstract We give a formulation of the N=2 supersymmetric massive scalar multiplet for which the N=2 supersymmetry algebra closes off shell. The action is given in terms of the fields of the N=2 tensor multiplet. These fields have the unexpected property of vanishing central charge: they correspond to neutral bilinears in the usual physical fields.
Understanding the Molecular Mechanism of Synergistic Inhibition in the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Polymerase via a Computational Investigation of Protein Dynamics

A major challenge of treating HCV infection is the emergence of resistance to current treatment regimens. An approach to reducing the rate of drug resistance is to increase the inhibitory effects of allosteric inhibitors by using them in combination to target the HCV polymerase (NS5B). Although recent biochemical studies show the use of multiple allosteric inhibitors has a synergistic inhibitory effect on the HCV polymerase, the mechanism by which this synergistic inhibition occurs still has not been clearly elucidated. To garner insight into the mechanism of synergistic inhibition of NS5B, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the enzyme simultaneously bound to two allosteric ligands. In concert with covariance and principal component analyses, the data from MD simulations allow us to compare specific structural and dynamic properties of the free and ligand-bound protein. Understanding the molecular mechanism that mediate synergistic inhibition in NS5B may allow us to optimize the inhibitory activity of these compounds against the enzyme. In addition, these studies can provide fundamental insights into how ligand binding regulates protein function. Such information has direct applications in the areas of drug discovery, regulation of metabolic pathways and other signal transduction processes.
Adsorption and reaction of nitric oxide with atomic oxygen covered Au(111)

Molecular beam scattering techniques were employed to investigate the adsorption/reaction of NO with an atomic oxygen covered Au(111) surface to form nitrogen dioxide, NO2. Results suggest that at temperatures above Ts ≈ 200 K, the NO2 production is limited by NO surface lifetime on O/Au(111); at temperatures below Ts ≈ 200 K NO2 production is limited by both a reduction in the NO2 reaction rate and NO2 desorption limitations. Collision induced desorption (CID) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) spectra provide evidence that suggests nitric oxide may react with chemisorbed oxygen atoms at temperatures as low as Ts ≈ 85 K. A simple kinetic model was employed to estimate the activation energy (Er ≈ 0.21 ± 0.02 eV) of this reaction on the Au(111) surface with an atomic oxygen coverage of θo ≈ 0.95 ML. These results illustrate that while bulk gold surfaces are generally considered to be catalytically inert, the presence of chemisorbed atomic oxygen significantly increases the adsorption/reactive prop...
Development and characterization of a new polyclonal antibody specifically against tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 4 in human breast cancer.

Abstract Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may regulate extracellular matrix turnover and cellular functions by modulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and cell proliferation and apoptosis. To investigate the locations and functions of TIMP-4 in human breast cancer, a highly specific polyclonal anti-TIMP-4 peptide antibody (pAb-T4-S61) was developed. The potency and specificity of the purified IgG were characterized by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, and immunohistochemistry. The optimal IgG concentration range was 0.1–10 μg/ml. pAb-T4-S61 did not cross-react with TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 and should not react with TIMP-3 according to the sequence analysis. Parental MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells were TIMP-4 negative and a TIMP-4 transfected clone, TIMP-4-435-12, produced TIMP-4. Membrane type-1 MMP was detected although TIMP-2 was not found in these cells. Interestingly, the TIMP-4 protein was detected by immunohistochemical staining in infiltrating breast carcinoma cells in tumor tissues. Thus, pAb-T4-S61 is a useful tool to investigate expression patterns and functions of TIMP-4 in cancers.
Chinese Cosmology and Recent Studies in Confucian Ethics: A Review Essay

Scholars of early Chinese philosophy frequently point to the non transcendent, organismic conception of the cosmos in early China as the source of China's unique perspective and distinctive values. One would expect recent works in Confucian ethics to capitalize on this idea. Reviewing recent works in Confucian ethics by P. J. Ivanhoe, David Nivison, R. P. Peerenboom, Henry Rosemont, and Tu Wei-Ming, the author analyzes these new studies in termsof the extent to which their representation of Confucian ethics reflects and is consistent with the view that in early China the cosmos was conceived to be organismic, nontranscendent, and nondualistic.
Physically disabled students and achievement orientation: Self-concept, curriculum track, and career aspirations☆

Abstract Little research has been done on the vocational mobility of physically disabled students (Overs, R. In J. S. Picou and R. E. Campbell (Eds.), Career behavior of special groups. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill, pp. 177–198). A subset of data from a larger investigation on the achievement processes of youth was analyzed in two phases to describe disabled and nondisabled tenth-grade students on certain sociodemographic variables, high school curriculum track assignment, self-concept dimensions, and educational and occupational aspirations. Additionally, a process model specifying the presence or absence of physical handicaps as an ascribed status was analyzed using path analysis. Results suggest that students who report themselves as being physically disabled are not from specific social origins or differentially allocated to curriculum tracks; more importantly, they do not hold different physical or social self-conceptions or career aspirations. The multivariate analysis shows that disabled status is a significant antecedent only to academic self-concept, having a moderate, positive effect. This finding was interpreted as being a possible “overcompensation” in one particular field when there is a weakness in another. The lack of expected differences in other variables is also discussed.
RNA Libraries and RNA Recognitiona

Random RNA libraries, consisting of > 10(13) unique sequences, contain molecules capable of specifically binding small molecule and protein ligands by noncovalent interaction. Successive steps of affinity purification and amplification allow the propagation and eventual isolation of specific binding molecules, called aptamers. Although protein- and small-molecule-binding aptamers have been characterized previously, selection of RNA aptamers capable of binding nucleic acids has previously yielded only molecules capable of Watson-Crick base pairing to the nucleic acid ligand used for selection. On the other hand, it is known from studies on catalytic and other RNAs that both inter- and intramolecular RNA-RNA interaction can occur by non-Watson-Crick means. We have therefore incorporated a strategy to obviate the possibility of Watson-Crick interaction into a selection scheme for the isolation of RNA-recognizing aptamers. The aptamers so isolated do not show extensive Watson-Crick complementarity with the RNA ligand used for the selection, thereby validating the selection strategy. Curiously, all of the aptamers characterized contain several oligo-G stretches bounded by U residues. This sequence motif, which occurs as DNA in telomeres (chromosome ends) may therefore be a general RNA-RNA interaction motif. An additional sequence motif is apparently superimposed on this background structure.
Renormalization method for inhomogeneity correction of MR images

A correction method for inhomogeneity of magnetic resonance (MR) images was developed based on renormalization transformation. It is a post-processing algorithm on images. Unlike previous post-processing methods, which need to determine either a filter size or a free adjustable parameter for different applications, this presented method is fully automated. Tests on physical phantom data, patients' brain and neck MR images were presented.
African American Males in Dance, Music, Theater, and Film

The history of African American males in the entertainment industry begins with the African background and extends through the transatlantic slave trade and to the various aspects of the black presence in the Americas. African American males have contributed enormously to the American cultural wealth in dance, music, theater, and film. Minstrelsy, the cakewalk, the Charleston, the lindy hop, the twist, the break dance, rap, jazz, blues, spirituals, soul-these and many others have enriched the American cultural experience at various stages of American history. African American male performers, directors, producers, musicians, playwrights, dancers, choreographers, and filmmakers, working individually or as a group, have made an indelible mark both on the American stage and in the American collective memory. These entertainers, especially those who began their profession at a time of social inequality, prejudice, and the ever present threat of physical violence, laid the foundation for African Americans of a...
What was the Dust Bowl? Assessing contemporary popular knowledge

This article reports on an assessment of contemporary popular knowledge and perceptions of the American Dust Bowl of the 1930s. In a region prone to recurrent drought and evolving resource issues such as the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, it follows that knowledge of the Dust Bowl can contribute to understanding and dealing with contemporary and future challenges to the human–environment dynamic of the region. An age-stratified sample of residents from 93 Great Plains counties provided their understandings of the three Dust Bowl concepts (era, event, and region) via questionnaire. When compared with the academic record on the subject, significant variation between respondent age groups was identified. Successively, older generations of the historic Dust Bowl region maintain higher degrees of knowledge than their younger counterparts, regarding this exceptional chapter of American environmental history. This record of knowledge erosion not only speaks to the necessity of enhancing Dust Bowl educational resources, but can be utilized to underscore the salience of studying and documenting adaptive strategies to drought on the American Great Plains.
Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of immunodeficiency disorders

ADDs can occur as primary genetic disorders or may develop secondary to various other conditions, including infections, trauma, malnutrition, and protein-losing states. Although antibiotics are the first-line therapy for acute infection, using them prophylactically can select for resistant organisms. IM ISG and fresh frozen plasma were the principal agents for antibody-replacement therapy until the advent of IVIG 2 decades ago. IVIG is now the definitive product for antibody-replacement therapy. Although IVIG has a long history of safety regarding the infectious pathogens, the identification of more than 100 patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis apparently acquired from a single product prompted additional modifications, improving the safety profile of IVIG. Despite the excellent safety record of IVIG, the unexpected occurrence of hepatitis in some recipients served as a reminder that IVIG is a biologic product derived from human plasma. Newer products are being developed that may supplement polyvalent IVIG including humanized MAbs and hyperimmune IVIG preparations to address specific clinical requirements.
Increasing Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Throughput by Mass Tagging: A Sample-Multiplexed High-Throughput Assay for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3

BACKGROUND: The limits of chromatographic speed and mechanical frontend capabilities have been reached for many high-volume liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) tests, curtailing the maximal achievable sample throughput. To overcome these boundaries, we developed and validated a derivatization-based sample-multiplex LC-MS/MS assay for detection of 25-hydroxyvitamins D2 and D3 [25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3], which increased sample throughput 5-fold. METHODS: After separate derivatization with 1 of 5 different triazoline-diones (TADs), 5 calibrators, controls, or patient specimens were combined and injected together into an LC-MS/MS. On the basis of mass differences between TADs, the MS/MS quantified analyte and stable isotope internal standards for 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 for each respective multiplexed sample within the injection. Limits of detection and quantification, spiked recovery, linearity, imprecision, and patient results were determined and compared against our standard LC-MS/MS assay. RESULTS: TAD multiplexing increased throughput on an LC-quadruplexed LC-MS/MS system from 60 samples/h to 300 samples/h. Limits of detection and quantification were 4.9 nmol/L [2 μg/L, 25(OH)D2], 2.2 nmol/L [0.9 μg/L, 25(OH)D3], and 10 nmol/L [4 μg/L, 25(OH)D2], 5 nmol/L [2 μg/L, 25(OH)D3], respectively. The assay was linear to 250 nmol/L (100 μg/L). Interassay CVs across the reportable range were 3.7%–15.2%. Spiked recoveries were 94%–119%. The method comparison with the standard LC-MS/MS method showed slopes of 0.96 and 0.97 (Deming regression) for 25(OH)D2 (n = 1733) and 25(OH)D3 (n = 7614) ( R 2=0.96 and 0.97), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplexing samples by differential mass tagging in LC-MS/MS measurement of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 allows for reliable quantification, with throughput increased over standard methods by the multiplexing factor.
ANALYSIS OF A NEW FORMALISM IN PERTURBATION THEORY.

Abstract : A large number of problems of mathematical physics may be reduced to the solution of the equation u = f + lambda T (u), where T is a linear transformation. A recent proposal to treat such problems by means of continued fractions is reduced to a more tractable method involving series, and demonstrates the convergence of the resulting series over a larger domain than the classical Neumann series.
Computer-aided design of porous artifacts

Abstract Heterogeneous structures represent an important new frontier for 21st century engineering. Human tissues, composites, ‘smart’ and multi-material objects are all physically manifest in the world as three-dimensional (3D) objects with varying surface, internal and volumetric properties and geometries. For instance, a tissue engineered structure, such as bone scaffold for guided tissue regeneration, can be described as a heterogeneous structure consisting of 3D extra-cellular matrices (made from biodegradable material) and seeded donor cells and/or growth factors. The design and fabrication of such heterogeneous structures requires new techniques for solid models to represent 3D heterogeneous objects with complex material properties. This paper presents a representation of model density and porosity based on stochastic geometry. While density has been previously studied in the solid modeling literature, porosity is a relatively new problem. Modeling porosity of bio-materials is critical for developing replacement bone tissues. The paper uses this representation to develop an approach to modeling of porous, heterogeneous materials and provides experimental data to validate the approach. The authors believe that their approach introduces ideas from the stochastic geometry literature to a new set of engineering problems. It is hoped that this paper stimulates researchers to find new opportunities that extend these ideas to be more broadly applicable for other computational geometry, graphics and computer-aided design problems.
Bendamustine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Bendamustine (Treanda(®); Pharmachemie BV, The Netherlands for Cephalon, Inc., PA, USA) is a unique cytotoxic agent with both alkylating and antimetabolite properties. A growing body of evidence demonstrates its efficacy in a number of hematologic malignancies, and as such, it has been US FDA approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has not responded to, or progressed within 6 months of, a rituximab-based regimen. Bendamustine has efficacy both as a single agent as well as in combination with other chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics. Here, we will discuss in the detail the molecular properties, clinical efficacy and safety profile of bendamustine.
Characterization of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Strains Based on Acid Resistance Phenotypes

Acid resistance is perceived to be an important property of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli strains, enabling the organisms to survive passage through the acidic environment of the stomach so that they may colonize the mammalian gastrointestinal tract and cause disease. Accordingly, the organism has developed at least three genetically and physiologically distinct acid resistance systems which provide different levels of protection. The glutamate-dependent acid resistance (GDAR) system utilizes extracellular glutamate to protect cells during extreme acid challenges and is believed to provide the highest protection from stomach acidity. In this study, the GDAR system of 82 pathogenic E. coli isolates from 34 countries and 23 states within the United States was examined. Twenty-nine isolates were found to be defective in inducing GDAR under aerobic growth conditions, while five other isolates were defective in GDAR under aerobic, as well as fermentative, growth conditions. We introduced rpoS on a low-copy-number plasmid into 26 isolates and were able to restore GDAR in 20 acid-sensitive isolates under aerobic growth conditions. Four isolates were found to be defective in the newly discovered LuxR-like regulator GadE (formerly YhiE). Defects in other isolates could be due to a mutation(s) in a gene(s) with an as yet undefined role in acid resistance since GadE and/or RpoS could not restore acid resistance. These results show that in addition to mutant alleles of rpoS, mutations in gadE exist in natural populations of pathogenic E. coli. Such mutations most likely alter the infectivity of individual isolates and may play a significant role in determining the infective dose of enterohemorrhagic E. coli.
Hanging in the Balance The Role of Self-Construal Abstractness in Navigating Self-Relevant Uncertainty

People inevitably face moments of uncertainty as they await feedback regarding self-relevant life outcomes, but they react to this uncertainty with varying amounts of anxiety. Self-construal abstractness (SCA) may be one key predictor of anxiety in the face of uncertain outcomes. SCA refers to a broad self-concept based on generalizations rather than a detailed, low-level self-concept that is based on specific behaviors or events. The current studies examined SCA and anxiety over self-relevant uncertainty. Studies 1 and 2 measured naturally occurring levels of SCA and found that reflecting on an abstract self-construal buffered people from anxiety when upcoming evaluative feedback was highly self-relevant (Study 1) and immediate (Study 2). Study 3 revealed that SCA is equally effective as a buffer against anxiety when manipulated with a subtle prime. The potential for SCA to serve as the target for anxiety-reduction interventions in uncertain situations is discussed.
Near-Minimum-Energy Routing in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Routing is an essential operation in wireless sensor networks. Most existing routing protocols are designed for homogeneous sensor networks. Recent studies [5],[11] show that a homogeneous sensor network has a poor fundamental performance limit. To achieve better performance, we adopt a Heterogeneous Sensor Network (HSN) model. In this paper, we present an efficient NEar-optiMal rOuting (NEMO) protocol for HSNs. We evaluate the performance of NEMO through extensive simulation experiments. Our results show that NEMO can find near-optimal routes in an HSN and has very small overhead.
A single-step extraction for screening whole blood for basic drugs by capillary GC/NPD

Basic drugs were routinely extracted from whole blood under alkaline conditions into n-butyl acetate. An aliquot of the n-butyl acetate was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector and a wide-bore cross-linked 50% phenylmethyl silicone capillary column. Absolute and relative retention times were recorded for more than 100 extracted drug standards. Recovery from whole blood was determined for some of the more frequently encountered drugs. This one-step extraction proved to be reliable for general screening and has been used routinely in forensic and clinical toxicological analyses.
Relational Processes in Career Transition: Extending Theory, Research, and Practice

A growing body of work in relational theory and career decision making explores how relational processes, not just people’s relationships but more broadly their connections to self, others, and society, inform career development and counseling. This article presents the results of a qualitative research study of midlife women in career transition that contributes to building an empirical foundation for relational perspectives in career development. Feminist relational psychology, specifically relational cultural theory, frames the study, focusing attention on gender and culture in the context of relational influences. It extends the current research by focusing on career transition for midcareer, midlife women. Findings presented here illustrate the ways participants’ connections across a range of relationships enhanced and supported the process of career change and how their disconnections hindered, and sometimes halted, their movement through the transition. Implications for research and practice are of...
Theory of the optical properties of a DNA-modified gold nanoparticle system

We describe a simple model for the melting and optical properties of a DNA/gold nanoparticle aggregate. The aggregate is modeled as a cluster of gold nanoparticles on a periodic lattice connected by DNA bonds, and the extinction coefficient is computed using the discrete dipole approximation. The optical properties at fixed wavelength change dramatically at the melting transition, which is found to be higher and narrower in temperature for larger particles, and much sharper than that of an isolated DNA link. All these features are in agreement with available experiments.
Comparisons of arthropod assemblages on an invasive and native trees: abundance, diversity and damage

The success of exotic plants may be due to lower herbivore loads than those on native plants (Enemies Release Hypothesis). Predictions of this hypothesis include lower herbivore abundances, diversity, and damage on introduced plant species compared to native ones. Greater density or diversity of predators and parasitoids on exotic versus native plants may also reduce regulation of exotic plants by herbivores. To test these predictions, we measured arthropod abundance, arthropod diversity, and foliar damage on invasive Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) and three native tree species: silver maple (Acer saccharinum), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Arthropod samples were collected with canopy sweep nets from six 20 year old monoculture plots of each species at a southeast Texas site. A total of 2,700 individuals and 285 species of arthropods were caught. Overall, the species richness and abundance of arthropods on tallow tree were similar to the natives. But, ordination (NMS) showed community composition differed on tallow tree compared to all three native trees. It supported an arthropod community that had relatively lower herbivore abundance but relatively more predator species compared to the native species examined. Leaves were collected to determine damage. Tallow tree experienced less mining damage than native trees. The results of this study supported the Enemies Release Hypothesis predictions that tallow tree would have low herbivore loads which may contribute to its invasive success. Moreover, a shift in the arthropod community to fewer herbivores without a reduction in predators may further limit regulation of this exotic species by herbivores in its introduced range.
New mechanism for the dissolution of sparingly soluble minerals

A requirement for the determination of the solubility of minerals is to ensure that equilibrium has been reached. Recent constant composition dissolution studies of sparingly soluble calcium phosphates have revealed an interesting and unusual behavior in that the rates decreased, eventually resulting in effective reaction suppression, even though the solu- tions remained undersaturated. Traditional theories of dissolution assume a volume diffu- sion-controlled mechanism with reaction continuing until true equilibrium has been reached. The new results for sparingly soluble salts point to the importance not only of particle size on the dissolution rate but also the participation of critical phenomena. Although the crystal size decreases during dissolution, when the reaction is controlled by poly-pitting (the forma- tion and growth of pits), the edge free energy increases at the very first stage of reaction owing to the creation of pits and dissolution steps. The constant composition experimental results demonstrate the development of surface roughness as the dissolution steps are formed, implying an increase of the total edge length during the reaction. This is an exactly analo- gous mechanism to that of crystal growth, in which the formation of embryos of critical size plays a key role in the overall mechanism. In contrast to crystal growth, dissolution is a process of size reduction, and, when the particle size is sufficiently reduced, critical phe- nomena become important so that the influence of size must be taken into consideration. It is interesting to recognize that these critical phenomena are readily apparent for sparingly soluble minerals for which the critical conditions are attained much more readily. The results point to the importance of understanding the detailed mechanism of dissolution when attempts are made to measure, experimentally, the solubilities of sparingly soluble minerals.
Lattice diffusion kinetics in undoped and impurity-doped sapphire (α-Al2O3): a dislocation loop annealing study

The shrinkage rates of small prismatic dislocation loops in thin foils of sapphire (α-Al2O3) have been determined using transmission electron microscopy; between observations the thin foils were annealed ex situ in the temperature range 1200° < T < 1500°C. The shrinkage rates of individual loops were used to determine the diffusivity of the rate-controlling species, assumed to be oxygen. The loop annealing results agree well with an extrapolation of oxygen self-diffusion data for undoped crystals obtained by conventional tracer techniques in the temperature range 1400° < T < 1900°C. The oxygen diffusion rate was slower in 600-ppm-Ti-doped and faster in 250-ppm-Mg-doped crystals compared to undoped sapphire, consistent at first sight with a “classical” picture of diffusion via oxygen vacancies in α-Al2O3. However, consideration of the experimental activation energies in terms of the concentration of free point defects suggests that substantial modification of the classical picture may be necessary.
The possible role of thermal feedback in the eruption of siliceous magmas

Abstract Using values of viscosity and its temperature dependence, density, heat capacity and thermal conductivity appropriate to rhyolitic liquids an analysis of the macroscopic heat balances of these liquids flowing under constant stress has been carried out. The analysis shows that for shear couples and shear stresses expected in the flow of silicic lava on the earth's surface thermal feedback may occur after time periods ranging from a few seconds to several days and may cause rapid increases in temperature. For silicic magmas flowing in a dike or circular conduit under a constant pressure gradient these thermal instabilities may occur after a few days to several weeks for dike half thicknesses or conduit radii ranging from a few centimeters to a few meters. For silicic lava flows this phenomenon may be important in producing commonly observed flow structures such as pumiceous banding and color banding. Local temperature increases would have the effect of reducing local water solubility, increasing diffusion rates, and increasing nucleation and growth rates of vapor bubbles, thus causing highly vesicular bands that parallel the shear planes. Temperature increases could also cause increases in f O 2 within a fluid layer resulting in oxidation and red color banding. For silicic lavas flowing in dikes or conduits, the possible thermal instabilities are accompanied by instabilities in volume rate of flow which may contribute to rapid vesiculation of upward-moving magma and result in explosive volcanism.
Size-dependent trait-mediated indirect interactions among sea urchin herbivores

Despite their importance in community interactions, nonlethal indirect effects of predators are not well understood in many marine food webs. In this study, I found that within a guild of herbivorous sea urchins, small urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis and small Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) altered grazing rates in the presence of the predatory sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and were highly preferred by the predator. In contrast, large urchins (adult S. franciscanus) did not significantly alter grazing in the presence of cues from the sea star and, when immobile, were less frequently attacked by the predator. However, the sea star’s preference (active predator choice) was obscured by sea urchin mobility, that is, small S. franciscanus was only most preferred when unable to escape. These results suggest that by identifying the relative threat of predation facing guild members and the degree to which individuals transmit trait-mediated indirect interactions, these indirect effects may be predictably incorporated in community interactions. Key words: predator avoidance behavior, prey size selection, Pycnopodia helianthoides, S. franciscanus, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. [Behav Ecol]
Using program slicing in software maintenance

Program slicing is applied to the software maintenance problem by extending the notion of a program slice (that originally required both a variable and line number) to a decomposition slice, one that captures all computation on a given variable, i.e., is independent of line numbers. Using the lattice of single variable decomposition slices ordered by set inclusion, it is shown how a slice-based decomposition for programs can be formed. One can then delineate the effects of a proposed change by isolating those effects in a single component of the decomposition. This gives maintainers a straightforward technique for determining those statements and variables which may be modified in a component and those which may not. Using the decomposition, a set of principles to prohibit changes which will interfere with unmodified components is provided. These semantically consistent changes can then be merged back into the original program in linear time. >
Amygdaloid hypersexuality in male cats re-examined.

Abstract It is widely believed that amygdaloid lesions induce hypersexuality in certain mammals including humans. However, the evidence is so confused as to obscure the real nature of the purported changes. Twelve sexually experienced male cats were given two series of quantitative tests, the conventional sex test and a new selection test in which the animals were presented sequentially with a small stuffed toy panda, moving toy, tranquilized rabbit, tranquilized male and estrous female. Lesions in 8 experimental males were largely confined to the basolateral nuclei and periamygdaloid cortex. In the standard test and in the response to the female in the selection tests, the only significant postoperative change in the major measurements of sexual behavior was a decline in initial mount latency. However, in the selection tests, the major change was an increased tendency to mount less appropriate objects. There was no evidence of hypersexuality, in the sense of a higher level of sexual performance. This change was not interpreted as the disruption of an amygdaloid mechanism directly regulating sexual behavior, but rather as interference with a system which normally modulates approach and withdrawal behavior in response to stimuli that are salient with respect to an existing behavioral setting and set.
A portable rod-and-frame apparatus.

A portable rod-and-frame test is described. Scores on the portable apparatus correlated .89 (n = 163) with scores obtained on Witkin's original rod-and-frame test.
Enthalpy of formation of the cubic fluorite phase in the ceria–zirconia system

The enthalpy of formation of cubic ceria–zirconia solid solutions (c-Ce(1−x)ZrxO2, 0.05 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.75) at 25 °C with respect to monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2) and cubic ceria (c-CeO2) has been measured by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. In contrast to fluorite solid solutions containing trivalent oxides (e.g., yttria–zirconia), mixing in c-Ce1−xZrxO2 shows moderate positive deviation from ideality. Evaluating the data within the framework of a regular solution model, the interaction parameter, Ω, is +51.0 ± 8.0 kJ/mol. The introduction of undersized Zr into CeO2 severely distorts and destabilizes the oxygen sublattice. Destabilization of c-Ce1−xZrxO2 may be relieved by reduction or clustering. A stable ordered compound in the CeO2–ZrO2 system is thermodynamically unlikely.
A Review of the Genus Hylamorpha Arrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini: Brachysternina)

The southern Neotropical genus Hylamorpha (Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Anoplognathini: Brachysternina) is comprehensively reviewed. Hylamorpha elegans (Burmeister) is now the only species in the genus with H. cylindrica Arrow entered into new synonymy. Hylamorpha elegans var. australis Philippi is recognized as an unavailable name. Hylamorpha elegans is established as the type species for the genus, and a neotype for H. elegans is designated. Nomenclatural history, descriptions, illustrations, and commentary are included.
Platelet-activating factor receptors in lamb lungs are downregulated immediately after birth.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with diverse biological functions mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor. We determined PAF receptor binding in lung membranes of four groups of...