cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Content Analysis of Conceptually Based Physical Education in Southeastern United States Universities and Colleges

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to explore PE in higher education through the offering of traditional activity- and skills-based physical education (ASPE) and conceptually based physical education (CPE) courses and to conduct an exploratory content analysis on the CPE available to students in randomized colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States. Method: A randomized sample of 56 institutions was screened to determine if PE and CPE courses were offered and/or required, followed by a closer examination of the CPE courses. Results: Preliminary research indicated that 73% of the institutions required PE as a general education requirement, 77% offered CPE, and 46% included CPE in the general education requirements. Further research suggested that upon comparison to national health- and PE-related standards and recommendations, many course content analysis criteria dependent variables including course components, description and objectives, curriculum, and evaluation scored 50% or higher, which indicated shared characteristics among all of the CPE courses. Conclusions: PE and CPE are important components of higher education, with the majority of the institutions in this sample including PE in their general education requirements. In addition, most of these institutions offered CPE, with nearly half stipulating a CPE requirement. More specifically, this sample of CPE courses shared many commonalities. Programming combining health education concepts in the classroom and regular PA and exercise in a laboratory setting may encourage students to have active, healthy lifestyles during the semester of enrollment that can be continued later in life.
10-GHz regeneratively mode-locked fiber optical parametric oscillator with timing jitter suppression

We demonstrate a fiber-optical parametric oscillator (FOPO) for generating 10GHz-rate nearly-transform-limited soliton pulses. By regeneratively mode-locking the FOPO with its ultra-low-jitter pump source, a three-fold reduction (from 0.71ps to 0.23ps) of the signal's timing jitter is observed.
The urban public university in the United States: An analysis of change, 1977–1987

Two surveys of urban public universities, conducted in 1978 and 1987, provide a rich database for analyzing and explaining change in these institutions over a ten-year period. This report continues an analysis of trends and conditions begun in 1987. Data from a sample of urban institutions are compared to those for higher education in general; similarities and differences are noted. Particular attention is given to two dimensions of institutional development: access and graduate education. Local demographic data and economic conditions are examined as possible contributors to change or stability over the ten-year period. Findings have implications for institutional planning, particularly as it occurs in urban environments.
Hydrogen Migrations in Alkylcycloalkyl Radicals: Implications for Chain‐Branching Reactions in Fuels

A thorough understanding of the oxidation chemistry of cycloalkanes is integral to the development of alternative fuels and improving current fuel performance. An important class of reactions essential to this chemistry is the hydrogen migration; however, they have largely been omitted from the literature for cycloalkanes. The present work investigates all of the hydrogen migration reactions available to methylcyclopentane, ethylcyclopentane, methylcyclohexane, and ethylcyclohexane. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters have been studied by a combination of computational methods and compared to their corresponding n-alkyl and methylalkyl counterparts to determine the effect that the cycloalkane ring has on these reactions. In particular, although the alkylcycloalkyl activation energies for the dominant 1,4, 1,5, and 1,6 H-migration are higher than in n-alkyl and methylalkyl radicals, because several of the rotors needed to form the transition state are locked into place as part of the cycloalkane ring, the A-factors are higher for the alkylcycloalkyl reactions, making the rates closer to the noncyclic systems, at higher temperatures. The results presented here suggest that the relative importance of each H-migration pathway differs from the trends predicted by either the n-alkyl or methylalkyl radical systems. Of particular interest is the observation that since the barrier height of the 1,4 H-migration is only 3-5 kcal mol(-1) higher than the 1,5 H-migration in the methyl and ethylcycloalkyl radicals, compared to a difference of roughly 7 kcal mol(-1) in similar reactions for both the n-alkyl and methylalkyl radicals, the 1,4 H-migrations in alkylcycloalkyl radicals will be more important in the overall mechanism than would be predicted based on the n-alkyl and methylalkyl radicals. These results have important combustion model implications, particularly for fuels with high cycloalkane content.
Parametric estimation study of interstrand conductance in multi-strand superconducting cables☆

Interstrand conductance is a key parameter to understand the current distribution and stability events in multi-strand superconducting cables. In this paper, a new approach employing the parameter estimation method from system identification theory is applied to estimate the interstrand conductance from existing current distribution model based on experimental data of voltage differences at cable ends. Based on transient voltage measurements at cable ends this method estimates interstrand conductance conveniently and accurately under different conditions (temperature, cable length, cable compaction, etc.). The details of interstrand conductance between all combinations of sub-cables at different cabling stages were obtained. The influence of mechanical load on interstrand conductance was also studied. The experimental data sheds new light on how the mechanics of cable compaction and movement under simulated Lorentz load affects the electrical parameters, namely the interstrand conductance. The data are useful input for cable stability simulations and AC loss estimation, and the experimental method can be used to better characterize cables prior to magnet winding.
A Bayesian Model for Fecundability and Sterility

Abstract There is increasing evidence that exposure to environmental toxins during key stages of development can disrupt the human reproductive system. Such effects have proven difficult to study due to the many behavioral and biological factors involved in human reproduction. We analyze data from a North Carolina fertility study to assess the effect of prenatal, childhood, and current cigarette smoking exposure on fecundability and sterility. We use a mixture model that adjusts for timing and frequency of intercourse and allows both fecundability and sterility to depend on multiple covariates. We account for dependency among menstrual cycles within individual couples using a mixture density for a latent cycle viability variable. The mixture consists of a normal distribution describing heterogeneity among fecund couples with a point mass at 0 for sterile couples. The resulting distribution is more biologically plausible than the standard beta density. A Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme is used for Bayesian...
A piecewise constant method for Frobenius–Perron operators via delta function approximations

Abstract Let S : [ 0 , 1 ] → [ 0 , 1 ] be a nonsingular transformation such that the corresponding Frobenius–Perron operator P S : L 1 ( 0 , 1 ) → L 1 ( 0 , 1 ) has a stationary density f ∗ . We develop a piecewise constant method for the numerical computation of f ∗ , based on the approximation of Dirac’s delta function via pulse functions. We show that the numerical scheme out of this new approach is exactly the classic Ulam’s method. Numerical results are given for several one dimensional test mappings.
Easi: An Electronic Assistant for Scientific Investigation

Although many automated tools support the productivity of professionals (engineers, managers, architects, secretaries, etc.), none specifically address the needs of the scientific researcher. The scientist's needs are complex and the primary activities are cognitive rather than physical. The individual scientist collects and manipulates large data sets, integrates, synthesizes, generates, and records information. The means to access and manipulate information are a critical determinant of the performance of the system as a whole. One hindrance in this process is the scientist's computer environment, which has changed little in the last two decades. Extensive time and effort is demanded from the scientist to learn to use the computer system. This paper describes how chemists' activities and interactions with information were abstracted into a common paradigm that meets the critical requirement of facilitating information access and retrieval. This paradigm was embodied in EASI, a working prototype that increased the productivity of the individual scientific researcher. 4 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Discrimination and imitation of facial expression by neonates

Human neonates (average age, 36 hours) discriminated three facial expressions (happy, sad, and surprised) posed by a live model as evidenced by diminished visual fixation on each face over trials and renewed fixations to the presentation of a different face. The expressions posed by the model, unseeen by the observer, were guessed at greater than chance accuracy simply by observing the face of the neonate, whose facial movements in the brow, eyes, and mouth regions provided evidence for imitation of the facial expressions.
Late Woodland-Emergent Mississippian Occupation and Plant Use at the AE Harmon Site (11MS136)

AbstractThe 2002 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville field school was conducted at the AE Harmon site (11MS136), located on the bluff above the American Bottom in Edwardsville, Illinois. Artifacts recovered from the plow zone indicate that the site was occupied from the Archaic through Mississippian periods. Sub-plow zone excavations revealed a prehistoric house structure and six pit features. The style of the structure, as well as artifacts recovered from the structure and several associated pits, indicate occupation during the Late Woodland and Emergent Mississippian periods. Prehistoric activities at the site included manufacture, use, and maintenance of lithic artifacts, as well as ceramic manufacture. Subsistence remains show that native cultigens, maize, nuts, wild plants, fish, and venison were consumed. The sample of plant remains reported here adds to the Late Woodland-Emergent Mississippian paleoethnobotanical database for the American Bottom, most notably for the Late Woodland Sponemann p...
Generalized Eigensolution to Piecewise Continuous Distributed-Parameter Models of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Using the Transfer Matrix Method

Many multi-beam energy harvesters appearing in the literature require custom analytical or finite-element models to compute their eigensolutions and piezoelectric coupling effects. This paper discusses the use of the transfer matrix method to derive analytical solutions to beam structures with point-wise discontinuities or with lumped inertias between members or at the tip. In this method, transfer matrices are developed for the beam’s states (deflection, slope, shear force, and bending moment) analogously to the state transition matrix of a linear system. Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is used to derive transfer matrices for the uniform beam segments, and point transfer matrices are derived to handle discontinuities in the structure. The transfer matrix method is shown to be advantageous for analyzing complex structures because the size of the transfer matrix does not grow with increasing number of components in the structure. Furthermore, the same formulation can be used for a wide range of geometries, including arbitrary combinations of beam segments — single- or multi-layered — and lumped inertias. The eigensolution of the transfer matrix is shown to produce the natural frequencies and mode shapes for these structures. Subsequently, the electromechanical coupling effects are incorporated and the base excitation problem is considered. The electromechanical equations of motion are decoupled by mode and shown to be a generalization of existing analytical models. Parametric case studies are provided for beam structures with varying piezoelectric layer coverage.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Message passing approach for general epidemic models

In most models of the spread of disease over contact networks it is assumed that the probabilities per unit time of disease transmission and recovery from disease are constant, implying exponential distributions of the time intervals for transmission and recovery. Time intervals for real diseases, however, have distributions that in most cases are far from exponential, which leads to disagreements, both qualitative and quantitative, with the models. In this paper, we study a generalized version of the susceptible-infected-recovered model of epidemic disease that allows for arbitrary distributions of transmission and recovery times. Standard differential equation approaches cannot be used for this generalized model, but we show that the problem can be reformulated as a time-dependent message passing calculation on the appropriate contact network. The calculation is exact on trees (i.e., loopless networks) or locally treelike networks (such as random graphs) in the large system size limit. On non-tree-like networks we show that the calculation gives a rigorous bound on the size of disease outbreaks. We demonstrate the method with applications to two specific models and the results compare favorably with numerical simulations.
Density limits in toroidal plasmas

In addition to the operational limits imposed by MHD stability on plasma current and pressure, an independent limit on plasma density is observed in confined toroidal plasmas. This review attempts to summarize recent work on the phenomenology and physics of the density limit. Perhaps the most surprising result is that all of the toroidal confinement devices considered operate in similar ranges of (suitably normalized) densities. The empirical scalings derived independently for tokamaks and reversed-field pinches are essentially identical, while stellarators appear to operate at somewhat higher densities with a different scaling. Dedicated density limit experiments have not been carried out for spheromaks and field-reversed configurations, however, `optimized' discharges in these devices are also well characterized by the same empirical law. In tokamaks, where the most extensive studies have been conducted, there is strong evidence linking the limit to physics near the plasma boundary: thus, it is possible to extend the operational range for line-averaged density by operating with peaked density profiles. Additional particles in the plasma core apparently have no effect on density limit physics. While there is no widely accepted, first principles model for the density limit, research in this area has focussed on mechanisms which lead to strong edge cooling. Theoretical work has concentrated on the consequences of increased impurity radiation which may dominate power balance at high densities and low temperatures. These theories are not entirely satisfactory as they require assumptions about edge transport and make predictions for power and impurity scaling that may not be consistent with experimental results. A separate thread of research looks for the cause in collisionality enhanced turbulent transport. While there is experimental and theoretical support for this approach, understanding of the underlying mechanisms is only at a rudimentary stage and no predictive capability is yet available.
II. Application of high performance liquid chromatography to the preparation of encephalitogenic myelin basic protein

Abstract Two preparations of myelin basic protein (MBP) were derived from an acid extraction of chloroform-methanol defatted bovine spinal cord. The first was purified by ion-exchange chromatography using guanidine-HCl; the second, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a triethylamine eluant. Both methods of preparation yield MBP which is identical on acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and which has identical encephalitogenic potency. Because of the greater time-efficiency of the HPLC system with no deleterious side effects due to buffer contamination, this latter method can be recommended for MBP purification.
Litter decomposition contrasts in second- and old-growth Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Litterfall and its subsequent decomposition are important feedback mechanisms in the intrasystem cycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems. The amount of litterfall and the rate of decomposition are expected to vary with stand age and climate. Over a 2-year period, decomposition of five litter types were measured in two second-growth forest stands and one old-growth stand in the Cascade Mountains of southern Washington state, USA. Both second-growth stands were dominated by Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.,) Franco] but one had a significant proportion of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), a nitrogen (N) fixer. The old-growth stand was dominated by Douglas-fir and western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.]. All stands had a relatively shallow layer of forest floor mass. The five litter types were placed in each stand to evaluate decomposition patterns. Despite significant differences in stand age, microclimate and mean residence times for carbon (C) and N, the rates of litter mass loss varied only slightly between sites. The relative order of species litter mass loss was: vine maple ≫ salal = western hemlock > Douglas-fir (from the youngest stand) > Douglas-fir (from the N rich stand with red alder). The initial litter lignin concentration, not lignin:N, was the primary determinant of decomposition rates, although the initial N concentration was the predictor for mass loss after 2 years in the N rich Douglas-fir-alder stand. All litter types showed immobilization of N for nearly 2 years. Data for Douglas-fir litter suggest that higher levels of N may retard decomposition of tissues with greater amounts of lignified material. The retention of N by the litter appeared influenced by the nutrient capital of the stands as well as the forest floor C:N ratio. Decomposition was minimal during the cold winter months, but displayed a definitive peak period during early Fall with wet weather, warm soils, and fungal activity. Thus, long-term climatic change effects on forest floor C storage may depend more on changes in seasonality of precipitation changes than just temperature changes.
Palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic adrenal metastases

To evaluate the role of palliative radiotherapy for adrenal metastases, a retrospective review was performed on 16 patients treated between 1972 and 1988 for palliation of symptomatic adrenal metastases. The median patient age was 56 years. In 15 cases lung cancer was the primary site (7 adenocarcinomas, 3 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 large cell carcinomas, and 2 small cell carcinomas) and in 1 case there was an unknown primary (squamous cell carcinoma). Ten of 16 patients were treated with 3000 cGy to opposed anterior and posterior fields (300-cGy fractions [four patients] and 250-cGy fractions [six patients]). The remaining six patients were treated with a variety of techniques, with total doses ranging from 2925 cGy to 4500 cGy. The patients were analyzed for response at their first follow-up visit (2 to 4 weeks after treatment). The overall response rate was 75% (12 of 16 patients). Six patients (38%) had complete pain relief without medication that lasted until death. Two patients had marked pain relief, but still required analgesics. Four patients had marked or moderate pain relief that did not continue through follow-up. Four patients had minimal to no response. All patients were observed until death, with a median survival time after irradiation of 3 months (range, 0.5 to 11 months). Although the prognosis for patients with adrenal metastases is poor, radiotherapy to symptomatic adrenal metastases can be administered with a high probability of achieving effective palliation.
Measurement of the effect of moderate dissipation on macroscopic quantum tunneling

The escape rate \ensuremath{\Gamma}(T) from the zero voltage state has been measured for a current-biased Josephson tunnel junction shunted with a normal metal resistor. Values of \ensuremath{\Gamma}(T) measured at the lowest temperature of the experiment, 18 mK, and extrapolated to T=0 are in excellent agreement with the predictions for macroscopic quantum tunneling that include a reduction by a factor of about 300 for the effect of dissipation. Above the crossover temperature, the enhancement of \ensuremath{\Gamma}(T) over the rate for thermal activation is in good agreement with predicted quantum corrections.
Efficiently and Effectively Evaluating Public Service Announcements: Additional Evidence for the Utility of Perceived Effectiveness

Recent research has made significant progress identifying measures of the perceived effectiveness (PE) of persuasive messages and providing evidence of a causal link from PE to actual effectiveness (AE). This article provides additional evidence of the utility of PE through unique analysis and consideration of another dimension of PE important to understanding the PE–AE association. Current smokers (N=1,139) watched four randomly selected antismoking Public Service Announcements (PSAs). PE scores aggregated by message were used instead of individual PE scores to create a summed total, minimizing the likelihood that PE perceptions are consequences of an individual's intention to quit, supporting instead the PE → AE order. Linear regression analyses provide evidence of PE's positive and significant influence on smoking-cessation-related behavioral intentions.
Variety in Competency-based education: A program comparison

This article compares two baccalaureate level programs that sought to make their educational outcomes explicit within Competency-based education (CBE). Different formats were used by the two programs to accomplish the particular aims. The CBE programs in social work, the learning contracts involved, and assessment techniques are described. The differences in the two programs, one program from the University of Montana and the other from the University of Georgia, are explained and analyzed. Variety in the conceptualization and structure for CBE programs in social work is seen as an important and vital element in the programs complemented by careful description, analysis and empirical evaluation.
Modular planning/control architecture for the semiautonomous control of telerobots in a hazardous environment

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has demonstrated, evaluated, and deployed a telerobotic approach for the remote retrieval of hazardous and radioactive wastes from underground storage tanks. The telerobotic system, built by Spar Aerospace Ltd., is capable of dislodging and removing sludge and gravel- like wastes without endangering the human operators through contact with the environment. Working in partnership with Washington University, ORNL has implemented an Event based planner/function based sharing control (FBSC) as an integral part of their overall telerobotic architecture. These aspects of the system enable the seamless union of the human operator and an autonomous controller in such a way to emphasize safety without any loss of performance. The cooperation between ORNL, Spar, and Washington University requires an open and modular control software architecture to enable the parallel development of various components of the system. ControlShell has been used as the underlying software architecture to help meet these criteria of generality and modularity.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transcriptional Profiling of the Bladder in Urogenital Schistosomiasis Reveals Pathways of Inflammatory Fibrosis and Urothelial Compromise

Urogenital schistosomiasis, chronic infection by Schistosoma haematobium, affects 112 million people worldwide. S. haematobium worm oviposition in the bladder wall leads to granulomatous inflammation, fibrosis, and egg expulsion into the urine. Despite the global impact of urogenital schistosomiasis, basic understanding of the associated pathologic mechanisms has been incomplete due to the lack of suitable animal models. We leveraged our recently developed mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis to perform the first-ever profiling of the early molecular events that occur in the bladder in response to the introduction of S. haematobium eggs. Microarray analysis of bladders revealed rapid, differential transcription of large numbers of genes, peaking three weeks post-egg administration. Many differentially transcribed genes were related to the canonical Type 2 anti-schistosomal immune response, as reflected by the development of egg-based bladder granulomata. Numerous collagen and metalloproteinase genes were differentially transcribed over time, revealing complex remodeling and fibrosis of the bladder that was confirmed by Masson's Trichrome staining. Multiple genes implicated in carcinogenesis pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor-, oncogene-, and mammary tumor-related genes, were differentially transcribed in egg-injected bladders. Surprisingly, junctional adhesion molecule, claudin and uroplakin genes, key components for maintaining the urothelial barrier, were globally suppressed after bladder exposure to eggs. This occurred in the setting of urothelial hyperplasia and egg shedding in urine. Thus, S. haematobium egg expulsion is associated with intricate modulation of the urothelial barrier on the cellular and molecular level. Taken together, our findings have important implications for understanding host-parasite interactions and carcinogenesis in urogenital schistosomiasis, and may provide clues for novel therapeutic strategies.
Some uniqueness conditions for the symmetric steady state of a catalyst particle with surface resistances

Abstract Sufficient conditions for the uniqueness of the symmetric temperature and concentration profiles in a porous catalyst slab are obtained, for the case in which there are non-negligible heat and mass transfer resistances at the boundaries. The general results are used to obtain explicit uniqueness criteria for a single irreversible reaction.
Assessments during shell exchanges by the hermit crabClibanarius vittatus: the complete negotiator

Abstract The behaviour of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus was studied as it investigated shells prior to and during shell exchange interactions. Crabs behaved in a manner predicted by the negotiations model of resource exchange, that is, shells were primarily exchanged between crabs when both crabs benefited in shell fit from the exchange. During initial investigation of shells, crabs in poorly fitting shells selected shells that (1) were similar to the preferred shell size of the investigating crab and (2) that did not fit their current occupant well. In addition, the greater the shell deficit (deviation from that crab's preferred shell size) of the other crab, the more likely it was investigated by a crab in a poorly fitting shell. Considering three factors (initiator's preferred shell size, current shell deficit of the non-initiator and magnitude of gain possible for the non-initiator) explained 86% (multiple r =0.93) of the variance in shells rapped by initiating crabs. In those interactions that proceeded to rapping behaviour, the magnitude of gain in shell fit that the non-initiating crab would experience if a shell exchange occurred helped explain which shells were selected for rapping. The relative size of the two crabs was only important in the assessment and decisions process once rapping began, and the number of raps was inversely proportional to the relative size difference of the crabs.
Conformational studies of the manganese transport regulator (MntR) from Bacillus subtilis using deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

The manganese transport regulator (MntR) of Bacillus subtilis is a metalloregulatory protein responsible for regulation of genes involved in manganese uptake by this organism. MntR belongs to the iron-responsive DtxR family, but is allosterically regulated by manganese and cadmium ions. Having previously characterized the metal binding affinities of this protein as well as the DNA-binding activation profiles for the relevant metal ions, we have focused the current study on investigating the structural changes of MntR in solution upon binding divalent transition metal ions. Deuterium exchange mass spectrometry was utilized to investigate the deuterium exchange dynamics between apo-MntR, Co2+-MntR, Cd2+-MntR, and Mn2+-MntR. Comparing the rates of deuteration of each metal-bound form of MntR reveals that the N-terminal DNA-binding motif is more mobile in solution than the C-terminal dimerization domain. Furthermore, significant protection from deuterium exchange is observed in the helices that contribute metal-chelating amino acids to form the metal binding site of MntR. In contrast, the bulk of the DNA-binding winged helix–turn–helix motif shows no difference in deuterium exchange upon metal binding. Mapping of the deuteration patterns onto the crystal structures of MntR yields insight into how metal binding affects the protein structure and complements earlier studies on the mechanism of MntR. Metal binding acts to rigidify MntR, thereby limiting the mobility of the protein and reducing the entropic cost of DNA binding.
A cholinesterase from bean roots and its inhibition by plant growth retardants

Une nouvelle cholinesterase des racines des haricots a ete isolee et partiellement purifiee. L'affinite de la cholinesterase des haricots pour l'acetylcholine est comparable a celle de l'acetylcholinesterase animale, mais elle differe de cette derniere par sa reaction aux inhibiteurs et par d'autres proprietes. Une correlation positive entre l'inhibition de la production des racines des haricots par plusieurs retardants de la croissance vegetale et leurs effets, inhibitoires sur la cholinesterase a ete etablie dans cette etude.
Haematological, serum electrolyte and blood gas effects of small volume hypertonic saline in experimentally induced haemorrhagic shock

Summary The effects of treatment with small volume hypertonic (2400 mOsm/litre) and isotonic (300 mOsm/litre) saline on serum electrolyte and biochemical concentrations, haemograms and blood gases were evaluated in 12 horses using a haemorrhagic shock model. Intravascular catheters were placed surgically for sample collection prior to anaesthesia. Controlled haemorrhage was initiated and continued until mean systemic pressure reached 50 to 60 mmHg. Hypertonic or isotonic saline (2 litres) was administered by intravenous infusion and data collected for 2 h. Following haemorrhage, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, blood glucose concentrations and erythrocyte numbers increased whereas plasma total protein and albumin concentrations decreased. Infusion of hypertonic saline resulted in a further decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations. Glucose concentrations and other haematological variables were unaffected. Isotonic saline administration did not affect electrolyte, total protein or albumin concentrations. Concentrations of sodium and chloride were unaffected by hypotension but increased significantly following hypertonic saline treatment, exceeding normal values during the immediate post treatment period. Serum osmolality increased concurrently. No significant changes in arterial and venous blood gas values were observed with haemorrhage or isotonic saline treatment. A transient decrease in arterial and venous blood pH and a sustained decrease in venous bicarbonate and base excess concentrations occurred following hypertonic saline administration. No significant increases in any serum biochemical concentrations occurred during hypotension or following infusion of either isotonic or hypertonic saline. These results demonstrate that small volume hypertonic saline can be administered safely to horses without producing extreme changes in electrolyte concentrations, blood gases or haematological parameters.
Acoustic properties of Neogene carbonates and siliciclastics from the subsurface of the Florida Keys: implications for seismic reflectivity

Abstract Results of measurements of compressional-wave velocity and shear-wave velocity have been compared with other rock properties, XRD and thin-section analyses for over fifty minicores from two cores drilled through sedimentary rocks on Stock Island and Long Key (Florida Keys). The comparisons indicate that sonic velocity in siliciclastics and carbonates is mainly controlled by three factors: (1) porosity and primary pore type, (2) quartz content and (3) dolomite content. In the case of two Pliocene prograding formations, the combination of depositional fabric and diagenetic alterations produced patterns and values of almost identical impedance for fine-grained carbonates and siliciclastics. Consequently, seismic sections can not be used to distinguish between the prograding quartz sands and the prograding fine-grained carbonates. Compressional and shear-wave velocities in the limestones are strongly controlled by total porosity and the primary pore type. Generally, high-porosity rocks have lower velocities than low-porosity rocks, but pore types can significantly influence velocities. Overall, an increasing percentage of dolomite in carbonate rocks results in an increase in velocity. Some dolomitic fabrics deviate from this trend. Fabric preserving, mimetic dolomites yield the highest velocities, whereas samples that are of purely sucrosic dolomites produce lower velocities, which, however, are still higher in average than non- or only partly dolomitized samples. Quartz sandstones and quartz-bearing limestones have generally low and uniform velocities. The low velocities of the sandstones containing > 80% quartz is a result of their primary interparticle porosity. Due to the low diagenetic potential of quartz grains, a high quartz content inhibits major diagenetic alterations, which would result in cementation and higher velocities. Synthetic seismograms and nearby seismic sections reveal two major seismic facies as a result of the observed velocity distribution: (1) carbonates of the Stock Island Formation and siliciclastics of the Long Key Formation are both characterized by low seismic reflectivity or even seismic transparency. This seismic facies is caused by a very similar, uniform, vertical distribution of low velocities with almost identical impedance values in the two formations. Thus, the transition or an interfingering between the time-equivalent siliciclastic Long Key Formation and the carbonate Stock Island Formation might not be detectable on a seismic section. (2) The over- and underlying shallow-marine carbonates, in contrast, have higher velocities with a wider range of velocities resulting in a succession of high-amplitude reflections.
Using Writing and Reading in Geometry

ABSTRACT When students take their first upper division mathematics course after an introduction to proof course, they are often overwhelmed by the prospect of writing in a mathematics course. In mathematics, unlike other disciplines, students are very seldom asked to respond via writing to a reading assignment, to write an essay about a topic they have always used their intuition to explain, or to fully research a mathematics topic and report on it to their peers. This paper will highlight the ways in which writing, reading, and group work can be used to develop skills in geometry in one semester.
Degradable PEGylated protein conjugates utilizing RAFT polymerization

Abstract Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–protein therapeutics exhibit enhanced pharmacokinetics, but have drawbacks including decreased protein activities and polymer accumulation in the body. Therefore a major aim for second-generation polymer therapeutics is to introduce degradability into the backbone. Herein we describe the synthesis of poly(poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)) (pPEGMA) degradable polymers with protein-reactive end-groups via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and the subsequent covalent attachment to lysozyme through a reducible disulfide linkage. RAFT copolymerization of cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) monomer 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (BMDO) with PEGMA yielded two polymers with number-average molecular weight (Mn) (GPC) of 10.9 and 20.9 kDa and molecular weight dispersities (Đ) of 1.34 and 1.71, respectively. Hydrolytic degradation of the polymers was analyzed by 1H NMR and GPC under basic and acidic conditions. The reversible covalent attachment of these polymers to lysozyme, as well as the hydrolytic and reductive cleavage of the polymer from the protein, was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Following reductive cleavage of the polymer, an increase in activity was observed for both conjugates, with the released protein having full activity. This represents a method to prepare PEGylated proteins, where the polymer is readily cleaved from the protein and the main chain of the polymer is degradable.
Redox Chemistry in Candidate Glasses for Nuclear Waste Immobilization

An electrochemical series of redox couples, originally developed for Savannah River Laboratory glass frit 131 (SRL-131) as a reference composition, has been extended to two other alkali borosilicate compositions that are candidate glasses for nuclear waste immobilization. Because no dramatic differences were ascertained in the redox chemistry of selected multivalent elements in SRL-131 vs that in Savannah River Laboratory glass frit 165 (SRL-165) and in West Valley glass frit 205 (WV-205), the comprehensive electrochemical series can readily be applied to a range of nuclear waste glass compositions. In order to alleviate potential problems with foaming and precipitation of insolubles during the processing of the nuclear waste in these glass melts, the [Fe2+]/[Fe3+] ratio of the melt should be between 0.1 and 0.5.
Revisiting the Mexican Informality Continuum in the United States A Rejoinder to Cobb, King, and Rodriguez (2009)

In this rejoinder, I respond to the recent RRPE paper by Cobb, King, and Rodriguez (2009) concerning Mexican immigrant economic informality in the United States. Specifically I assess the discussion of economic informality of Mexican immigrants. I end with a call for further research into this phenomenon that employs millions in the U.S. informal economy.JEL classification: F22, J15, J61, O17
Mutations in the DNA-binding domain of the transcription factor Bright act as dominant negative proteins and interfere with immunoglobulin transactivation.

Bright, for B cell regulator of immunoglobulin heavy chain transcription, binds A+T-rich sequences in the intronic enhancer regions of the murine heavy chain locus and 5′-flanking sequences of some variable heavy chain promoters. Most resting B cells do not express Bright; however, it is induced after stimulation with antigen or polyclonal mitogens. Bright activation results in up-regulation of μ transcription; however, it is not clear whether Bright function is critical for normal B cell development. To begin to address Bright function during B cell development, seven mutated forms of Bright were produced. Five of the seven mutants revealed little or no DNA binding activity. Furthermore, because Bright binds DNA as a dimer, two of the mutants formed complexes with wild type Bright and acted in a dominant negative fashion. Dominant negative Bright prevented the up-regulation of μ transcription in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with wild type Bright. These data identify regions within Bright that are required for the DNA binding activity of Bright and for its function as a transcription factor.
Saccadic and manual reaction times to stimuli initiated by eye or finger movements

Three variables that might influence oculomotor and finger movement reaction times to visual stimuli were combined factorially: the response used to produce each stimulus, the response used to report the target stimulus, and the delay between the stimulus-producing response and the stimulus onset. Stimulus onset delay and the type of stimulus-producing response affected reaction time significantly, but the response used to report the stimulus did not. The stimulus onset delay affected both manual and oculomotor reaction times in a manner similar to that of the warning stimulus in conventional reaction time experiments. Thus, the greater facilitation of oculomotor latency that has been observed in previous visual search experiments cannot be attributed to reaction time warning-stimulus effects.
The adsorption and reactions of NO2 on the Ag(111) surface: I. XPS/UPS and annealing studies between 90 and 300 K

The adsorption and reaction of NO2 on Ag(111) has been investigated at 90 and at 300 K. Reaction and desorption on annealing from 90 to 300 K have also been monitored. At 300 K the reaction is entirely dissociative, leading to a state characterized as NO(ads) + O(ads), where the species strongly interact, and where partial desorption of the NO(ads) products has occurred. At 90 K. the initial adsorption is also dissociative, leading to the same products, but without any desorption. This state saturates at low coverage (about one atomic monolayer). Further adsorption results in condensed multilayers of N2O4. Annealing to 300 K causes N2O4 desorption, plus complex dissociation and association reactions in the 125–140 K range. The reaction product is NO3(ads). Further heating between 140 and 300 K results in a slow desorption of all species now present over the whole temperature range. By 300 K the only species not completely desorbed is NO3(ads). In comparison, heating a low coverage N2O4 initial situation results in simple desorption, leaving only the already formed NO(ads) + O(ads) state with no evidence for formation of NO3(ads). This different annealing behavior for the two coverages emphasizes the fact that in this system inter-molecular reactions are as important as reactions between adsorbate and substrate.
Use of Ar–He mixed gas plasmas for furnace atomisation plasma ionisation mass spectrometry (FAPIMS)

The effect of Ar–He mixed gas plasmas on analyte signal intensities generated in a furnace atomization plasma ionization mass spectrometry (FAPIMS) source is presented. Analyte is introduced as a volatile headspace gas effluent (I2(g) and Hg(g)) and in discrete liquid sample volumes (Fe, Rb, Pd, In, Cs, Yb, Pt, Pb and Bi). The presence of as little as 2–10% (v/v) Ar increases the signal intensity of analytes having first ionization potentials greater than 6 eV by up to 10-fold. This may be attributed to the formation of more energetic plasmas whose electron density, ionization temperature and gas kinetic temperatures increase with Ar content. Consistent with this, elements with the highest ionization potentials showed the greatest enhancements. Analytes with ionization potentials of less than 6 eV, which are already presumed 100% ionized, are unaffected. Further increases in Ar content (50–100% v/v) can lead to plasma instability and accelerated erosion of graphite surfaces within the source. Most of the analytes studied showed slight improvements in the limits of detection for plasmas containing ≈5% v/v Ar; the increased signal intensity was accompanied by little or no increase in the background signal. Although Ar can significantly affect conditions within the source, the composition of the Ar–He mixture can also influence the transmission of analyte into the free jet expansion and to the MS detector. The appearance and intensity of Ar-based spectral interferences, such as ArC+, ArO+ and Ar2+, increase with Ar content and source temperature, degrading the determination of species such as 52Cr+, 56Fe+ and 80Se+. The amount of Ar required to generate significant signal enhancements is small (<10% v/v) and therefore does not significantly ease the pumping requirements on the interface.
Improving the use of principal component analysis to reduce physiological noise and motion artifacts to increase the sensitivity of task-based fMRI

Background Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) time series are subject to corruption by many noise sources, especially physiological noise and motion. Researchers have developed many methods to reduce physiological noise, including RETROICOR, which retroactively removes cardiac and respiratory waveforms collected during the scan, and CompCor, which applies principal components analysis (PCA) to remove physiological noise components without any physiological monitoring during the scan.
Synaptic density of caudate-putamen and visual cortex following exposure to ethanol in utero.

Abstract Pregnant Long-Evans rats were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol (30% of total calories) during days 3–19 of gestation. Controls were given ad libitum access to liquid diet lacking ethanol, or pair-fed isocaloric amounts based on consumption by the animals in the ethanol group. Brain development of female offspring was evaluated by analysis of electron micrographs of caudate-putamen and visual cortex. Numbers of presynaptic terminals and synaptic junctions (synaptic density) per unit area were compared for 14- and 28-day-old offspring of dams from the three treatment groups. Synaptic density of the caudate-putamen and visual cortex was not affected by ethanol at 14 or 28 days. Although exposure to ethanol during a period comparable to the first two trimesters of human development with minimal or no undernutrition did not affect numerical density of synapses in visual cortex or caudateputamen, synaptogenesis of caudate-putamen was altered in offspring of pair-fed animals.
Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory with Optimized Effective Potential and Self-Interaction Correction: Application to the Study of Coherent Control of Multiple High-Order Harmonic Generation of He Atoms in Mixed Laser Fields

We present a time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) with optimized effective potential (OEP) and self-interaction correction (SIC) for nonperturbative treatment of multiphoton and nonlinear optical processes of many-electron systems in intense laser fields. The resulting TDOEP/KLI-SIC equations are structurally similar to the time-dependent Hartree-Fock equations but include the many-body effects through an orbital-independent single-particle local time-dependent exchange-correlation (xc) potential. The method is applied to the all-electron study of the coherent control of multiple high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of He atoms in two-color mixed laser fields. A generalized pseudospectral time propagation method is introduced for efficient and accurate solution of the TDOEP/KLI-SIC equations in three spatial dimensions. It is found that the mixing of a strong second-harmonic (527 nm) field with a weak fundamental (1053 nm) field can lead to the production of both odd and even harmonics simultaneously with relatively high yield. Further, the relative efficiency of the HHG production can be controlled by varying the relative polarization of the two laser beams. The theoretical predictions are in accord with recent experimental observations. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.