cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low Molecular Weight Organic Base from the Dinoflagellate Amphidinium carteri

IN the course of an investigation into the nature of the soluble carbohydrate materials released by phytoplankton into their culture medium1, we found that media from cultures of Amphidinium carteri, a dinoflagellate, showed a distinctly blue reaction with N-ethyl carbazole, rather than the usual purple-red colour. The material causing the blue reaction could be removed by dialysis, which also removed the fishy odour characteristic of old cultures of this organism. The dialysate displayed the usual carbohydrate colour reaction.
Contrasting responses of Organic Transistors to Nerve Gas and Explosive Simulant Vapors

We describe chemically sensitive organic transistors in which the semiconductor film consists of a base layer of a high mobility p- or n-channel molecular solid, and an overlayer contains analogous compounds terminated with hydroxy functional groups. Such devices respond to dimethyl methylphosphonate at concentrations on the order of 100 ppb and on time scales <1 minute. Semiconductor cores include diphenylbithiophene and naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide, with OH end groups in some cases. End groups include both alkyl and phenolic OH. Devices are as thin as four monolayers. Sensitivity is highly gate dependent, and means of ensuring the gate setting for maximum response are proposed. Contrasting response to dinitrotoluene, a component of nitroaromatic explosive vapors, is reported. Finally, the influence of the channel versus near-contact regions on the vapor-induced changes in resistance is evaluated.
Defining Score Scales in Relation to Measurement Error

Scale scores for educational tests can be made more interpretable by incorporating score precision information at the time the score scale is established. Methods for incorporating this information are examined that are applicable to testing situations with number-correct scoring. Both linear and nonlinear methods are described. These methods can be used to construct score scales that discourage the overinterpretation of small differences in scores. The application of the nonlinear methods also results in scale scores that have nearly equal error variability along the score scale and that possess the property that adding a specified number of points to and subtracting the same number of points from any examinee's scale score produces an approximate two-sided confidence interval with a specified coverage. These nonlinear methods use an arcsine transformation to stabilize measurement error variance for transformed scores. The methods are compared through the use of illustrative examples. The effect of rounding on measurement error variability is also considered and illustrated using stanines. The range and number of distinct points on a score scale influence the interpretability of the scores reported to examinees. The use of too many points leads test users to inappropriately attach significance to score differences that are small in comparison to measurement error. This problem may be especially evident when scores scales have substantially more values than there are raw scores in a test. The use of too few points, however, leads to a loss of useful information. As suggested by Flanagan (1951, p. 746), these problems are addressable by incorporating score precision information when the score scale is established. For example, the score scales of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) and the cognitive tests of The American College Testing Program (ACT) Assessment were originally designed using integer scale scores with the property that an approximate 50% confidence interval could be constructed by adding one point to and subtracting one point from an examinee's scale score (ACT, 1960; ITED, 1958). Similarly, Truman L. Kelley suggested that score scales be developed with the property that an approximate 68% confidence interval can be constructed by adding and subtracting three points from an examinee's scale score (W. H. Angoff, personal communication, February 17, 1987). The intent of these kinds of scaling processes is to aid users in the proper interpretation of test scores. This is done by choosing what is considered to be an optimal number of score points given the standard error of
Should Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Ever Be Discontinued

Solid organ transplant recipients are at risk for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), but the risk of PCP beyond 1 year is poorly defined. We identified 25 cases of PCP in 1,299 patients undergoing solid organ transplantation between 1987 and 1996 at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (4.8 cases per 1,000 person transplant-years [PTY]). Ten (36%) of 28 PCP cases (transplantation was performed before 1987 in three cases) occurred ≥1 year after transplantation, and no patient developed PCP while receiving prophylaxis for PCP. The incidence of PCP during the first year following transplantation was eight times higher than that during subsequent years. The highest rate occurred among lung transplant recipients (22 cases per 1,000 PTY), for whom the incidence did not decline beyond the first year of transplantation. We conclude that the incidence of PCP is highest during the first year after transplantation and differs by type of solid organ transplant. Extending the duration of PCP prophylaxis beyond 1 year may be warranted for lung transplant recipients.
Cross-layer location verification enhancement in vehicular networks

Location, fundamental information, plays a critical role in many applications and network routings in Vehicular Adhoc NETworks (VANETs). Therefore, it is of importance to validate the location information. We propose a cross-layer design to achieve location validation. We assume vehicles are installed with radar, GPS and transceiver. On physical layer, radar detection can validate GPS coordinates. On network layer, an agreement of a location can be achieved. On application layer, location information as a set of measurements can be filtered and refined by using a proposed data fusion method. We also present results of simulations and evaluate the location validation methods.
Ecophysiological responses to simulated canopy gaps of two tree species of contrasting shade tolerance in elevated CO2

1. One-year-old seedlings of shade tolerant Acer rubrum and intolerant Betula papyrifera were grown in ambient and twice ambient (elevated) CO2, and in full sun and 80% shade for 90 days. The shaded seedlings received 30-min sun patches twice during the course of the day. Gas exchange and tissue–water relations were measured at midday in the sun plants and following 20 min of exposure to full sun in the shade plants to determine the effect of elevated CO2 on constraints to sun-patch utilization in these species. 2. Elevated CO2 had the largest stimulation of photosynthesis in B. papyrifera sun plants and A. rubrum shade plants. 3. Higher photosynthesis per unit leaf area in sun plants than in shade plants of B. papyrifera was largely owing to differences in leaf morphology. Acer rubrum exhibited sun/shade differences in photosynthesis per unit leaf mass consistent with biochemical acclimation to shade. 4.Betula papyrifera exhibited CO2 responses that would facilitate tolerance to leaf water deficits in large sun patches, including osmotic adjustment and higher transpiration and stomatal conductance at a given leaf-water potential, whereas A. rubrum exhibited large increases in photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency. 5. Results suggest that species of contrasting successional ranks respond differently to elevated CO2, in ways that are consistent with the habitats in which they typically occur.
New age determinations of central Colorado Plateau laccoliths, Utah: Recognizing disturbed K-Ar systematics and re-evaluating tectonomagmatic relationships

Published K-Ar ages of laccoliths of the Henry and La Sal Mountains range from 23 to 56 Ma, with a bimodal distribution in the Eocene and late Oligocene epochs. Eocene ages require a period of magmatism during the Laramide Orogeny, a time of little or no igneous activity in the western United States at these latitudes. On the basis of 40 Ar/ 39 Ar and fission-track ages, we conclude that intrusive activity occurred during middle to late Oligocene and early Miocene time (31-20 Ma) in the Henry, La Sal, and Abajo Mountains. These results imply a genetic link to magmatism in the Reno-Marysvale and San Juan volcanic fields, which lie to the west and east of the Colorado Plateau, respectively. We interpret the small volume of the laccoliths, relative to the surrounding volcanic fields, to reflect differences in crustal composition and tectonic history of the plateau and adjacent areas. Eocene K-Ar ages result from excess 40 Ar or contamination by xenocrysts. Excess argon is manifested by trapped argon with 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratios greater than atmosphere (295.5), resulting in total-gas or apparent K-Ar ages that are too old. Laser-fusion experiments and microprobe data show that some samples with Eocene or older total-gas ages and uncorrelated inverse correlation plots are affected by radiogenic argon residing in incompletely outgassed hornblende xenocrysts. All such samples contain middle- to late-Oligocene magmatic hornblende crystals as revealed by laser-fusion experiments. Xenocrysts may be derived from amphibolite xenoliths common in these rocks. Mixing calculations indicate that only 1%-4% contamination may be required to increase K-Ar ages by 10-15 Ma for xenocrysts outgassed as much as 75%. The 40 Ar/ 39 Ar method is capable of identifying small degrees of magmatic contamination by older K-bearing phases.
Morphology of retino-geniculate axons in the cat.

Abstract When horseradish peroxidase is injected into the optic tract, retino-geniculate axons and their terminals become filled throughout their length and resemble axons impregnated by the Golgi methods. In the optic tract, labeled axons and collateral branches ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 μm in diameter can be traced to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Larger diameter axons branch frequently and terminate in laminae A, Al, C and in the medial interlaminar nucleus. These axons have terminal swellings that range from small (1–2μm) and spherical to large (7–l0μm) and crenulated. The swellings may be arranged in clusters, in chains connected by fine axons, or singly at the ends of axons. Fine diameter axons project to laminae Cl and C2, and intermingle with larger fibers in C and in the medial interlaminar nucleus. These fine axons branch infrequently and usually give rise to single terminals or chains of swellings, but rarely bear clusters of terminals. The distribution of these groups of axons suggests that they may correspond to classes of retino-geniculate axons that have been characterized elect rophysiologically. The larger diameter axons show the same distribution as X- and Y-cell axons, while the finer axons appear to correspond to W-cell axons. Within each of these structural groups, however, individual axons display remarkable diversity in their overall patterns of branching as well as in the types and arrangements of their terminals.
Quantitation of cytoskeletal fibers in fluorescence images: Stress fiber disassembly accompanies dephosphorylation of the regulatory light chains of myosin II

Stress fibers in serum-deprived fibroblasts provide an excellent system for studying the assembly dynamics of the actin-based cytoskeleton. Previous studies suggested that fibers containing actin and myosin II are restructured via two alternative pathways: coupled solation-contraction and disassembly without contraction. The former process appears to be regulated by Ca++, but regulation of the latter process has not been extensively explored. To assess the possible role of protein phosphorylation, we examined the dynamic behavior of stress fibers in cells treated with inhibitors of protein kinases. Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts were microinjected with fluorescent analogs of actin and myosin II and fiber dynamics monitored using light-microscope imaging. Staurosporine and KT5926 caused reversible dispersal of stress fibers without contraction, along with dephosphorylation of the regulatory light chain of myosin II, LC20. In order to make direct comparisons between the dose responses of these biochemical and morphological effects, fiber disruption was quantitated using two independent measures: total edge strength in fluorescent images of actin and myosin II, and fiber length determined by automated object-identification. Loss of stress fibers was shown to parallel LC20 dephosphorylation. Quantitation of cytoskeletal organization provides a framework for testing relationships between structural events and potential biochemical regulatory signals.
Restraint and irrational cognitions.

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that restrained eaters tend to hold rigid, absolute, ‘irrational’ beliefs. It also examined the relations of the two subscales of the Revised Restraint Scale (RRS), Concern with Dieting (CD) and Weight Fluctuation (WF), with irrational beliefs. Female college students completed the RRS, the Rational Beliefs Inventory (RBI), which measures (ir)rationality, and the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire (CBQ) which assesses depressive distortions. The RRS (P = 0.013) and CD (P
Turbidite systems; Part I, Sequence and seismic stratigraphy

With the increased emphasis on deepwater exploration and development globally, considerable work has been done to understand turbidite systems. These are defined as sediments initially deposited in deep water, and which may now occur in the deeper parts of sedimentary basins (sometimes in great water depths). These deposits have been studied in terms of the lithofacies distribution, reservoir architecture, 2-D and 3-D seismic appearance, and their production capabilities. There are considerable stratigraphic variabilities in turbidite systems that affect reservoir performance and development plans. The petroleum industry’s increased understanding of these variabilities and their effects has occurred through the integration of a number of disciplines: 2-D and 3-D seismic, wireline logs, biostratigraphy, cores, petrophysics and rock properties, reservoir simulation, and outcrop studies for building semiquantitative reservoir models.
Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source. 1. Ionization of compounds in the gas phase.

A novel chemical ionization source for organic mass spectrometry is introduced. This new source uses a glow discharge in the flowing afterglow mode for the generation of excited species and ions. T...
Predicting full-field dynamic strain on a three-bladed wind turbine using three dimensional point tracking and expansion techniques

As part of a project to predict the full-field dynamic strain in rotating structures (e.g. wind turbines and helicopter blades), an experimental measurement was performed on a wind turbine attached to a 500-lb steel block and excited using a mechanical shaker. In this paper, the dynamic displacement of several optical targets mounted to a turbine placed in a semi-built-in configuration was measured by using three-dimensional point tracking. Using an expansion algorithm in conjunction with a finite element model of the blades, the measured displacements were expanded to all finite element degrees of freedom. The calculated displacements were applied to the finite element model to extract dynamic strain on the surface as well as within the interior points of the structure. To validate the technique for dynamic strain prediction, the physical strain at eight locations on the blades was measured during excitation using strain-gages. The expansion was performed by using both structural modes of an individual cantilevered blade and using modes of the entire structure (three-bladed wind turbine and the fixture) and the predicted strain was compared to the physical strain-gage measurements. The results demonstrate the ability of the technique to predict full-field dynamic strain from limited sets of measurements and can be used as a condition based monitoring tool to help provide damage prognosis of structures during operation.
High throughput imaging of blood smears using white light diffraction phase microscopy

While automated blood cell counters have made great progress in detecting abnormalities in blood, the lack of specificity for a particular disease, limited information on single cell morphology and intrinsic uncertainly due to high throughput in these instruments often necessitates detailed inspection in the form of a peripheral blood smear. Such tests are relatively time consuming and frequently rely on medical professionals tally counting specific cell types. These assays rely on the contrast generated by chemical stains, with the signal intensity strongly related to staining and preparation techniques, frustrating machine learning algorithms that require consistent quantities to denote the features in question. Instead we opt to use quantitative phase imaging, understanding that the resulting image is entirely due to the structure (intrinsic contrast) rather than the complex interplay of stain and sample. We present here our first steps to automate peripheral blood smear scanning, in particular a method to generate the quantitative phase image of an entire blood smear at high throughput using white light diffraction phase microscopy (wDPM), a single shot and common path interferometric imaging technique.
Impact Stress Field Simulation on Solenoid Valve during the Impulsive Load

The stress field simulation is carried on to the solenoid valve product during the impulsive load using the ANSYS software in this article, and the stress calculation and fatigue strength assessment to the key dangerous section of valve are done. The result indicates that the dangerous section is proved to satisfy the strength requirement during the impulsive load, and the theory basis has been provided for the further structure optimization design and the performance improvement of solenoid valve.
Assisting comprehension of animation programs through interactive code visualization

Visual languages have been widely used to help people create animation programs. However, current programming environments lack features supporting efficient code exploration and program comprehension, particularly for understanding relationships among parts of animation programs. In this paper, we present novel interactive visualizations aimed at helping people to understand animation programs. We conducted an empirical study to evaluate the impact of these visualizations on programmer comprehension of the code, showing that our approach enabled programmers to comprehend more information with less effort and in less time. This result is potentially significant because it demonstrates an approach for helping users to explore and understand animation code. We anticipate that this approach could be applied in a wide variety of animation programming tools, which could ease common animation programming tasks that require understanding code.
High-Altitude Tubers

I congratulate Science 's staff and contributors on the special issue on Plant Biotechnology (16 July). I also wish to point out a minor but significant mislabeling of a picture related to the plant biotech feature. On page [370][1], the picture titled “ Spuds of the Andes . Yellow potatoes in
Comparison of average radial expansion velocity from impacted liquid filled cylinders

Abstract In this paper, the average radial expansion velocity of an impacted fluid filled cylindrical target is investigated. Theoretical and numerical predictions of the radial expansion velocity are compared to the experimentally measured radial expansion velocity. The primary objective of this work is to assess the ability of these theoretical and numerical techniques to predict the radial expansion velocity. A secondary objective of this work is to quantify the effect of changes in dimensional scale on the radial expansion velocity and to construct a simple physics based model which incorporates these scaling effects. Two-dimensional numerical hydrocode simulations accurately predict the measured ejection velocity for tests with low projectile–target misalignment. However, three-dimensional numerical calculations, which account for this misalignment, accurately predict all experimental tests. A theoretical formulation, based on a simple conservation of energy principle, yields a zero-dimensional model which accurately predicts the two-dimensional hydrocode simulations. Thus for experimental simulations which have low projectile–target misalignment, the simple theoretical model developed here accurately predicts the average radial expansion velocity. A dimensional analysis of this theoretical formulation yields a scaling relationship which accurately predicts the effect of dimensional scale between two different experimental test series.
Altered traffic to the lysosome in an ex vivo lacrimal acinar cell model for chronic muscarinic receptor stimulation

Abstract Evidence suggests that lacrimal and salivary epithelial cells constitutively expose potentially pathogenic autoantigens, but that active regulatory networks normally suppress pathological autoimmune responses Mircheff, 2003 , Mircheff et al., 2004 . Events that potentially disrupt the regulatory networks include increased exposure of constitutive autoantigens and induced exposure of previously cryptic autoantigen epitopes. Chronic muscarinic receptor (MAChR) stimulation in an ex vivo rabbit lacrimal acinar cell model induces functional and biochemical alterations reminiscent of the functional quiescence associated with Sjogren's syndrome [Qian, L., Wang, Y., Xie, J., Rose, C.M., Yang, T., Nakamura, T., Sandberg, M., Zeng, H., Schechter, J.E., Chow, R.H., Hamm-Alvarez, S.F., Mircheff, A.K., 2003. Biochemical changes contributing to functional quiescence in lacrimal gland acinar cells after chronic ex vivo exposure to a muscarinic agonist. Scand. J. Immunol. 58, 550–565] . Chronic MAChR stimulation also elicits changes in the compartmental distribution of β-hexosaminidase, a product that normally is dually targeted into the lysosomal pathway and the regulated apical secretory pathway. Here, we use subcellular fractionation analyses to further explore the nature of the stimulation-induced traffic changes and to identify effectors that might mediate this change. Overnight stimulation of primary cultured rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells with 10 μ m carbachol (CCh) significantly decreased the abundance of mature cathepsin B in the pre-lysosome and lysosome; decreased the abundance of preprocathepsin B in fractions containing the TGN and late endosome; increased the abundance of procathepsin B in fractions containing the basal-lateral membrane; and increased the accumulation of endocytosed [125I]-EGF in the recycling endosome. Alterations in distribution or abundance of traffic effectors included: increased abundances of rab5A and rab6 in the TGN; decreased overall abundance of γ-adaptin; remarkably increased relative abundance of membrane phase-associated actin; redistribution of cytoplasmic dynein from biosynthetic and proximal endocytic compartments to the lysosome; and redistribution of p150Glued from the lysosome to biosynthetic or proximal endocytic compartments. We conclude that chronic MAChR stimulation blocks traffic from the early endosome and the TGN to the lysosome, causing lysosomal proteins to reflux to the TGN, endosomes, and basal-lateral membrane. These traffic alterations may be mediated through action on one or more of the effectors noted.
Effects of sulfonate anions on the self-assembly of brain tubulin.

Summary Sulfonate buffers and aliphatic sulfonate salts influence the formation of microtubules in vitro in a manner that is not explained on the basis of ionic strength. Their presence stimulates assembly at higher pH values causing a broadening of the pH optimum curve. Assembly can occur in very high concentrations of sulfonate salts, at ionic strengths which inhibit assembly in the absence of these compounds. The effectiveness of the aliphatic sulfonate compounds is altered as the chain length is increased. Dimethylsulfoxide has an additional effect and influences the structure of the polymerized product.
Studies on the energy metabolism of opossum Didelphis virginiana erythrocytes--III. Metabolic depletion with 2-deoxyglucose markedly accelerates methemoglobin reduction in opossum but not in human erythrocytes.

Abstract 1. 1. Glucose-depleted, nitrite-treated erythrocytes reduce ferriheme in vitro in an environment 100 mM to 2-deoxy- d -glucose at a rate of 2.4μM/ml cells/hr (opossum) and 0.37 μM/ml cells/hr (human). 2. 2. During the process of methemoglobin reduction the breakdown of adenine ribonucleotides is more rapid in opossum (0.9μM/g hg/hr) than in human (0.36μM/g hg/hr) erythrocytes. 3. 3. Radiolabelled ribose from [U-14C] ATP is catabolized exclusively to [14C] lactate in opossum, and to [14C] pyruvate and [14C] lactate in human red cells.
Anticoagulation practices during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: survey results

To ascertain current anticoagulation management during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a telephone survey was undertaken of all active ECMO (n = 81, 100% response rate) centres in the USA. Hospital policies regarding federal regulations governing laboratory tests [Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) 1988] were determined along with specific patient anticoagulation strategies and use of specific activated coagulation time (ACT) equipment. More than 90% of the respondents use the Hemochron device (International Technidyne Corp, Edison, NJ, USA) while the remaining centres use the Hemotec device (Medtronic Hemotec, Inc, Englewood, CO, USA). Quality control (QC) testing is performed by most centres, but there is no consensus regarding frequency of testing nor methods for dealing with abnormal results. Nearly one-half of the centres use beef lung-derived heparin and the other half use porcine intestinal-derived heparin. One-half of the programmes had a minimum heparin dose despite the ACT value, but the range varied significantly. Four out of five respondents reported that heparin dosages were dictated strictly by ACT results, and 63% will temporarily stop heparin administration for high ACT results, bleeding and/or surgery. Approximately one-third of the centres perform proficiency testing of the equipment in compliance with CLIA 1988. In conclusion, there appears to be no consensus regarding commitment to a QC programme among active ECMO centres.
Neurobiology of the sleep-wake cycle: sleep architecture, circadian regulation, and regulatory feedback.

This mini-review article presents the remarkable progress that has been made in the past decade in our understanding of the neural circuitry underlying the regulation of sleep-wake states and circa...
Reflections on the “Intensive” Course* in Foreign Language

I am reminded of this as I contemplate the so-called intensive method of foreign language instruction which is stirring up so much dust these days; for its essence, as I see it, is the child of the "direct method" of yesteryear. Teachers of my generation will have vivid memories of the direct method enthusiasm which swept across the country from about 1910 on, and of which the tangible evidence is still to be seen in such books as Max Walter's German Lessons (1911) or Carl A. Krause's The Direct Method in Modern Languages (1916). The advocates of the direct method did not live and preach in vain. They were correct in their insistence on the principle that speech means speaking, and hence that the "grammar-translation method," as they called the usual procedure of the Latin class, was bound to be one-sided and inadequate. They also drove home the sound contention that people learn to speak by having practice in speaking, and their pupils spoke French and German more fluently and correctly, probably, than any American youths had ever done before.
TGF-β1 differentially regulates IL-2 expression and [3H]-thymidine incorporation in CD3ε mAb- and CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes and thymocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) is a critical bifunctional regulator of inflammatory responses. Evidence strongly suggests that these regulatory consequences are, at least in part, a result of profound pleiotropic effects on T lymphocyte effector function. The mechanisms underlying the contradictory biological effects of TGF-beta(1) remain ambiguous. The objective of the present studies was to test the hypothesis that the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) and the TGF-beta receptor regulate the effect of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Toward this end, we have quantified the concentration- and time-dependent effect of TGF-beta(1) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) protein secretion as an index of T lymphocyte activation and [3H]-thymidine incorporation as an index of cell proliferation in primary splenocytes and thymocytes. Our results suggest that TGF-beta(1) stimulates IL-2 production at low concentrations (0.1-1 pg/ml) and conversely inhibits IL-2 production at high concentrations (1-10 ng/ml) in CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody (mAb)+/-CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes. Additionally, concentrations of TGF-beta(1) that stimulate IL-2 production in CD3epsilon mAb+CD28 mAb-activated splenocytes concominantly inhibit splenocyte proliferation under similar conditions. Furthermore, we provide evidence suggesting that the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocytes are dependent upon the temporal relationship between activation of the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. A time-dependent loss of a stimulatory effect and a concomitant gain of an inhibitory response by TGF-beta(1) on IL-2 production in response to CD3epsilon and CD28 mAbs is observed when TGF-beta(1) is added following T lymphocyte activation. In summary, these data unequivocally demonstrate that the orchestration of paradoxical effects of TGF-beta(1) on T-lymphocyte function is dependent upon the concentration of TGF-beta(1) and the temporal relationship between activation of signaling through the TCR and the TGF-beta receptor. Future mechanistic studies addressing the putative role that these factors play in modulating the effects of TGF-beta(1) on T lymphocyte activity will undoubtedly provide valuable insight towards the pharmacological intervention of inflammatory responses.
A spin model for cholesteric liquid crystals

Abstract A spin model for cholestric liquid crystals is presented. The free energy is obtained in the mean field and from that the director correlation functions. It is found that one of the correlation functions diverges as ( k 3 2 + bk ⊥ 4 ) −1 where k 3 is the component of the wave-number parallel to the pitch axis, x ⊥ the component perpendicular to the pitch axis and b is a constant. This divergence persists to all orders in the small parameter q 0 a where a is a molecular length and q 0 is 2π over the pitch. This divergence implies that the cholesteric state is unstable with respect to fluctuations.
10 μm minority-carrier diffusion lengths in Si wires synthesized by Cu-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth

The effective electron minority-carrier diffusion length, L_(n,eff), for 2.0 µm diameter Si wires that were synthesized by Cu-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid growth was measured by scanning photocurrent microscopy. In dark, ambient conditions, L_(n,eff) was limited by surface recombination to a value of ≤ 0.7 µm. However, a value of L_(n,eff) = 10.5±1 µm was measured under broad-area illumination in low-level injection. The relatively long minority-carrier diffusion length observed under illumination is consistent with an increased surface passivation resulting from filling of the surface states of the Si wires by photogenerated carriers. These relatively large L_(n,eff) values have important implications for the design of high-efficiency, radial-junction photovoltaic cells from arrays of Si wires synthesized by metal-catalyzed growth processes.
Multiband formulation for the electronic structure of nonsimple disordered metals and its application to expanded mercury

Abstract Explicit expressions for the one electron Green's function of a multi-band disordered metal are evaluated within a tight binding, selfconsistent single-site framework. For spherically symmetric atomic potentials, the degeneracies of eigen states for an isolated atom are not lifted in the mean density of states of the disordered metal, despite band mixing, in which the separate symmetry characteristics of the bands are lost. Numerical applications to dilute liquid mercury are presented.
Solving Problems in Technical Communication

Overall, the chapters in "Solving Problems in Technical Communication" provide an accessible introduction to major topics in the theory and practice of technical communication. The texts' focus on the context of communicators makes the book appropriate for technical communication majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Instructors of technical communication, including those who teach nonmajors, will find the discussion questions and literature overviews particularly useful. The editors of the book (Johndan Johnson-Eilola and Stuart A. Selber)state that the book is intended for "students who are learning about the field of technical communication" or professionals "interested in keeping up with new developments in the field." As members of the second cohort, the reviewers agree with that choice of audience wholeheartedly. As teachers of technical communication in an engineering college, they agree that the text is appropriate for students, but we would restrict the audience further, to students who plan to become technical communicators.
Guniting of the lining of steel-teeming ladles at the Krivorozhstal' Factory

The No. 2 converter shop and the open-hearth shop at the Krivorozhstal' Factory have adopted guniting of the linings of the 150-ton and 330-ton steel-teeming ladles. The Krasnogorov Refractory Factory has begun the manufacture of chamotte-clay guniting powders. The mean life of the lining of a 330-ton ladle has been enhanced by 3–4 meltings as a result of guniting, that of a 150-ton ladle by 5–6 meltings. The consumption of ladle brick in No. 2 converter shop has been reduced from 6.85 to 4.60 kg/ton of steel, and in the open-hearth shop from 5.65 to 4.5 kg/ton of steel. The adoption of guniting saved 200,000 rubles in 1976.
Thallium activation of the (Na+--K+)-activated ATPase of rabbit kidney.

Abstract Tl + has been found to replace K + in activation of the (Na + -K + )-sensitive ATPase of rabbit kidney. In comparison to the other known substitutes for K + in activating this ATPase, Tl + is unique in that it has an affinity approx. 10 times greater than K + for the K + activating site.
Behavioral problems and severity of tics

This study examined the incidence of behavioral symptoms in youngsters with tic disorders. A total of 186 patients were studied using the Child Behavior Checklist and a Motor/Vocal Tic Severity Scale. The relationship between tic severity and the frequency of behavioral symptoms was found to be not simply linear, but influenced by the presence of patients without significant behavioral problems in spite of severe tics (resilient patients) and patients with very negative adjustment although their tic disorder was mild (vulnerable patients). Behavioral problems were not related to age. Patients who were receiving medication showed behavioral problems of different severity from those who were not receiving such agents; this result emphasizes the need for future studies to consider carefully the effects of medication.
Measurements of the nonresonant third-order susceptibilities of gases using coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy

We report on measurements of the nonresonant third-order susceptibilities of the gases water vapor, n-butane, and propane. The susceptibilities were obtained from scanned coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) spectra of binary gas mixtures containing N2 and each species of interest. The resonant susceptibility of N2, which served as a calibration standard for the measurements, was calculated using a modified exponential-gap model. Raman transition linewidths for the model were based on separate measurements by inverse Raman spectroscopy. We separately measured the nonresonant contributions from distant Raman transitions, predominantly C–H stretch modes. For parallel-polarized CARS configurations, the total effective nonresonant susceptibilities for propane, n-butane, and water vapor, respectively, were found to be 11.5 ± 1.4, 14.4 ± 1.8, and 2.2 ± 0.3 times that of N2 [using 8.5 × 10−18 (cm3/erg)/amagat].
Comparison of outcomes for children with cervical spine injury based on destination hospital from scene of injury

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cervical spine injury is rare. As a result, evidence-based guidance for prehospital triage of children with suspected cervical spine injuries is limited. The effects of transport time and secondary transfer for specialty care have not previously been examined in the subset of children with cervical spine injuries. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to determine if prehospital destination choice affects outcomes for children with cervical spine injuries. The secondary objectives were to describe prehospital and local hospital interventions for children ultimately transferred to pediatric trauma centers for definitive care of cervical spine injuries. METHODS: The authors searched the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) cervical spine injury data set for children transported by emergency medical services (EMS) from scene of injury. Neurologic outcomes in children with cervical spine injuries transported directly to pediatric trauma centers were compared with those transported to local hospitals and later transferred to pediatric trauma centers, adjusting for injury severity, indicated by altered mental status, focal neurologic deficits, and substantial comorbid injuries. In addition, transport times and interventions provided in the prehospital, local hospital, and pediatric trauma center settings were compared. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. RESULTS: The PECARN cervical spine injury cohort contains 364 patients transported from scene of injury by EMS. A total of 321 met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 180 were transported directly to pediatric trauma centers, and 141 were transported to local hospitals and later transferred. After adjustments for injury severity, odds of a normal outcome versus death or persistent neurologic deficit were higher for patients transported directly to pediatric trauma centers (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03 to 3.47). EMS transport times to first hospital did not differ and did not affect outcomes. Prehospital analgesia was very infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Initial destination from scene (pediatric trauma center vs. local hospital) appears to be associated with neurologic outcome of children with cervical spine injuries. Markers of injury severity (altered mental status and focal neurologic findings) are important predictors of poor outcome in children with cervical spine injuries and should remain the primary guide for prehospital triage to designated trauma centers. Language: en
Controversies in skin resurfacing: the role of erbium.

Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has been a valuable procedure for facial skin rejuvenation since the early 1990s, largely replacing medium and deep chemical peels and dermabrasion. The introduction of the erbium:YAG laser for resurfacing has caused confusion about its role. Because of its ability to resurface very superficially it has been limited by many laser surgeons to treating only superficial rhytides and sun damage. However, it is the equal of CO 2 in improving deep rhytides but with quicker healing and fewer side-effects.
Introgression of agronomic characters from exotic cowpea germplasm into blackeye bean

Abstract Genetic diversity of blackeye bean germplasm ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) adapted to irrigated environments is limited. Introgression of exotic germplasm may be necessary for future improvement of agronomic characteristics, but methods for its efficient utilization are not well established. The present study investigated how different sources of exotic germplasm and different proportions of exotic and adapted germplasm affect trait means, genetic variability, and frequency of agronomically acceptable lines. Twenty-eight random lines from each of two adapted-x-exotic crosses were evaluated at each of three levels of introgression (F 2:4 , BC 1 F 3 , and BC 2 F 2 ). These six combinations and the adapted recurrent parent were grown in a replicated experiment at Davis, CA, and evaluated for seed yield, seed size, harvest index, and days to first flower. The recurrent parent was ‘California Blackeye No. 5’. The exotic donor parents (Bush 2 and Bush 5) were of tropical African origin. Seed yields of F 2:4 , BC 1 F 3 , and BC 2 F 2 populations were 68%, 85%, and 88%, repectively, of the recurrent parent mean for the Bush 2 population; and 68%, 71%, and 82%, respectively, of the recurrent parent mean for the Bush 5 population. BC 2 F 2 populations derived from Bush 2 and Bush 5 retained 67% and 54% of the genetic variability for seed yield exhibited by their respective F 2:4 populations. Genetic variance estimates for most traits were comparable between populations derived from either Bush 2 or Bush 5. Means and range of expression for seed yield were greater for the populations derived from Bush 2. Backcross populations generally had greater genetic variance than would be expected if only additive gene action is assumed and dominance of factors in the exotic lines could partially explain this result. Only the BC 2 F 2 populations had any lines with acceptable expression of both seed yield and seed size. Backcross populations were judged to be a superior source of breeding lines with immediate usefulness compared to their single-cross counterparts.
Critical insights into cardiovascular disease from basic research on the oxidation of phospholipids: the γ-hydroxyalkenal phospholipid hypothesis

Basic research, exploring the hypothesis that γ-hydroxyalkenal phospholipids are generated in vivo through oxidative cleavage of polyunsaturated phospholipids, is delivering a bonanza of molecular mechanistic insights into cardiovascular disease. Rather than targeting a specific pathology, these studies were predicated on the presumption that a fundamental understanding of lipid oxidation is likely to provide critical insights into disease processes. This investigational approach, from the chemistry of biomolecules to disease phenotype, that complements the more common opposite paradigm, is proving remarkably productive.
A Novel Self-Aligned Microcoil Formation for Magnetic Actuator Applications

A novel self-aligned lithographic technique has been developed to overcome difficulties in forming a high resolution, high aspect-ratio electroforming in polymer molds. This technique is capable of building a micro coil device with high-density, high aspect-ratio features, which is useful for magnetic actuator applications. The relatively straightforward technique has excellent potential for scaling to batch manufacturing.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Dwelling on T Cell Fate Decisions

Defining determinants of T cell fate is central to understanding adaptive immunity and the design of effective vaccines. Tubo et al. demonstrate that intrinsic properties of T cell receptor signaling dictate whether CD4 T cells adopt predominantly type 1 helper or follicular helper T cell phenotypes in response to bacterial or viral infection.
An infrared study of the association of benzoic acid and of deuterobenzoic acid in carbon tetrachloride solution

Abstract Measurements of the areas of the i.r. absorptions of the monomer and dimer carbonyl bands of benzoic acid and deuterobenzoic acid (C6H5COOD) in CCl4 solution were made over a concentration range of 1 × 10−4−5 × 10−4M and at temperatures of 25, 40 and 55°C. From the relative concentrations of monomer and dimer, the association constant for the reaction 2 monomer ⇌ dimer was calculated. Plots of log K vs. 1/T gave ΔH = −5.3 kcal mole −1 per monomer unit for benzoic acid and −7.9 kcal mole −1 for deuterobenzoic acid. The values for ΔS were −9.4 and −17.7 e.u. respectively.
Spontaneous breaking of symmetry and phase transition in the upper layers of the sun

“Tamm could not believe his ears, since this problem belongs to a rather special branch of higher mathematics.” (G. Gamow “My World Line”). The Statistically-thermodynamic mechanism of self-organiz...
Cholinergic Control over Attention in Rats Prone to Attribute Incentive Salience to Reward Cues

Some rats [sign-trackers (STs)] are especially prone to attribute incentive salience to reward cues, relative to others [goal-trackers (GTs)]. Thus, reward cues are more likely to promote maladaptive reward-seeking behavior in STs than GTs. Here, we asked whether STs and GTs differ on another trait that can contribute to poor restraint over behavior evoked by reward cues. We report that, relative to GTs, STs have poor control over attentional performance, due in part to insufficient cholinergic stimulation of cortical circuitry. We found that, relative to GTs, STs showed poor performance on a sustained attention task (SAT). Furthermore, their performance fluctuated rapidly between periods of good to near-chance performance. This finding was reproduced using a separate cohort of rats. As demonstrated earlier, performance on the SAT was associated with increases in extracellular levels of cortical acetylcholine (ACh); however, SAT performance-associated increases in ACh levels were significantly attenuated in STs relative to GTs. Consistent with the view that the modulatory effects of ACh involve stimulation of α4β2* nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs), systemic administration of the partial nAChR agonist ABT-089 improved SAT performance in STs and abolished the difference between SAT-associated ACh levels in STs and GTs. Neither the nonselective nAChR agonist nicotine nor the psychostimulant amphetamine improved SAT performance. These findings suggest that individuals who have a propensity to attribute high-incentive salience to reward cues also exhibit relatively poor attentional control. A combination of these traits may render individuals especially vulnerable to disorders, such as obesity and addiction.
Implementation of a projection-on-constraints algorithm for beam intensity redistribution

Multi-Conjugate Adaptive-Optical (MCAO) systems have been proposed as a means of compensating both intensity and phase aberrations in a beam propagating through strong-scintillation environments. Progress made on implementing a MCAO system at the Starfire Optical Range (SOR), Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, is discussed. In previous work, it was shown that the First-stage Intensity Redistribution Experiment (FIRE) controlled and compensated wavefront intensity for static cases. As a secondary step toward controlling a two deformable mirror (DM) system, the FIRE experimental layout is used to examine another aspect of an MCAO system faster control of wavefront intensity. The FIRE experimental layout employs two wavefront sensors (WFS) and a single DM. One WFS is placed conjugate to the DM while the second WFS is located at a distance which produces a desired Fresnel number for the propagation between theWFSs. A modified Gerchberg- Saxton (GS) algorithm that propagates between image planes is employed for determining DM commands. The forward and back propagation portion of each GS iteration are computed in software. Using the GS solution, a control loop is closed on a WFS reconstructor in order to maintain beam shape in moving optical turbulence. The forward propagation phase pattern produced by the GS algorithm is tailored, via constraints, so that beam propagation along the path between the two WFSs produces a desired intensity profile and minimizes phase aberrations at the second WFS. In the next phase of MCAO development, a second DM will be added conjugate to the second WFS in order to correct the remaining phase aberrations.