cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Minorities Experience Larger Lasting Benefits From Small Classes

Recent research from randomized experiments on class size points to positive effects of small classes that persist for several years, but the evidence about the social distribution of effects is less clear. Some scholars have contended that the immediate effects of small classes are larger for minorities and for disadvantaged persons (e.g., J. D. Finn & C. M. Achilles, 1990). Those claims have led to policies of class size reduction specifically to reduce inequality in educational outcomes. The authors used data from a 5-year follow-up to Project STAR to investigate whether differential effects of small classes on achievement for minority students persist. A repeated measures analysis suggested that there was a statistically significant, positive differential lasting benefit of 4 years for minorities enrolled in small classes in reading, and a negative differential lasting benefit for girls enrolled in small classes in mathematics over 5 years following the experiment. Thus, it appears that the lasting be...
Evolution of plague virulence

consistent with its much greater virulence relative to Y. pseudotuberculosis and with its inability to grow invasively in mammalian cell cultures. Wolf-Watz and colleagues have shown previously that virulence plasm ids pYV019 and pIB 1, carried by Y. pestis and by Y. pseudotuberculosis, respectively, have a high degree of homology.. Both carry the yopA gene, although only Y. pseudotuberculosis expresses the corresponding Yopl protein'. In the work reported in this issue, Rosqvist et al. have sequenced the yopA genes from Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis and find only WHAT was the ancestral form of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?' How did HIV become so virulent? We do not yet know the answers to these questions, but on page 522 of this issue', Rosqvist, Skurnik and Wolf-Watz present an interesting hypothesis for the genetic basis of the evolution of virulence in a former scourge, the bubonic plague. They hypothesize that less virulent strains of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, were harboured by nonhuman hosts, rats and fleas, during endemic phases. Single point mutations could have given rise to hypervirulent strains, T -~I t
Inositol Hexaphosphate Inhibits Growth and Induces G1 Arrest and Apoptotic Death of Androgen-Dependent Human Prostate Carcinoma LNCaP Cells

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most common invasive malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US male population. One approach to control this malignancy is its preventive intervention by dietary agents. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a dietary constituent, has shown promising efficacy against various cancers; however, limited studies have been performed with IP6 against PCA. Here, we investigated the growth-inhibitory effect and associated mechanisms of IP6 in androgen-dependent human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. IP6 treatment of cells resulted in a strong growth inhibition and an increase in G1 cell population. In mechanistic studies, IP6 resulted in an increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27 levels, together with a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and cyclin D1 protein levels. An increase in CDKI levels by IP6 also led to a concomitant increase in their interactions with CDK2 and CDK4, together with a strong decrease in the kinase activity of both CDKs. Downstream in CDKI-CDK-cyclin cascade, consistent with its inhibitory effect on CDK kinase activity, IP6 treatment of cells increased hypophosphorylated levels of retinoblastoma (Rb) with a decrease in Rb phosphorylation at serine 780, 807, and 811 sites, and caused a moderate to strong decrease in the levels of transcription factors E2F1, E2F4, and E2F5. In other studies, IP6 caused a dose- and a time-dependent apoptotic death of LNCaP cells, and a decrease in Bcl2 levels, causing a strong increase in Bax versus Bcl2 ratio, as well as an inhibition of constitutively active AKT phosphorylation. Taken together, these molecular alterations provide an insight into IP6-caused growth inhibition, G1 arrest, and apoptotic death of human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Because early clinical PCA growth is an androgen-dependent response, the results of the present study employing androgen-dependent LNCaP cells suggest that IP6 has promise and potential to be effective against PCA.
Variable foraging and cleaning behavior by juvenile leatherjackets, Oligoplites saurus (Carangidae)

The behavior of the leatherjack, Oligoplites saurus, was studied in the field. Four behavioral patterns were identified: (1) cleaning behavior on the redfin needlefish, Strongylura notata, (2) intraspecific schooling, (3) interspecific schooling with the rough and tidewater silversides, Membras martinica and Menidia peninsulae, pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, and menhaden, Brevoortia sp., (4) swimming along in a “leafmimic” position or next to floating algae or debris. Fishes exhibiting any of these behaviors fed primarily on plankton. Schooling leatherjackets also fed on scales of Strongylurus notata, Brevoortia sp., Menidia peninsulae and Lagodon rhomboides. These observations are supported by stomach content analyses. It is suggested that scale-feeding may be a preadaptation for cleaning behavior among leatherjackets.
Esophageal perforation: A complication of nasogastric tube placement

Esophageal perforation is a well-established complication of nasogastric intubation. This complication is rare but can result in a fatal outcome with inappropriate management. 1,2 The most important factor is the time period between perforation and initiation of therapy. 3,4 The management of esophageal perforation with regard to surgical and nonsurgical approaches is not standardized. Successful management at present requires an individualized approach. 2 We describe a case of esophageal perforation secondary to nasogastric intubation. This case illustrates an example of delayed diagnosis with subsequent individualized management and a good outcome. A review of the current literature on the management of esophageal perforation is also presented.
Grade III Liver Laceration in a Female Volleyball Player.

A 20-year-old female collegiate volleyball athlete (body mass, 74.8 kg; height, 177.8 cm), with no previous history of abdominal injury, dove for a ball during a match and was struck in the anterolateral abdominal region by a teammate’s knee. She experienced a solar plexus spasm, shortness of breath, and nausea. On-site evaluation revealed sharp pain in the right upper quadrant and epigastric area, pallor, continued nausea, and excessive sweating. Upon arrival to the emergency department, an abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan with intravenous contrast showed a small amount of fluid along the posteromedial surface of the liver indicating a subcapsular hematoma. A trace amount of free fluid in the right paracolic gutter and pelvis was also noted, suggesting a hemoperitoneum. The athlete was diagnosed with a grade III laceration (> 3 cm parenchymal depth) on the right lobe of the liver. She was hemodynamically stable and vital sign values were normal ~2.5 hours postinjury (blood pressure, 118/76 mm Hg; heart rate, 68 beats per minute; respiratory rate, 16 breaths per minute; tympanic temperature, 36.3°C). The athlete was admitted into the intensive care unit for observation, and the attending physician decided on a conservative, nonoperative approach to treatment. Forty-eight hours postinjury, a second abdominal/pelvic CT scan was ordered and revealed no increased bleeding or extensive damage to the liver. Two days later, after being discharged from the hospital, she was prohibited from practicing until a third abdominal/pelvic CT scan was performed and showed no residual injury to the liver (5 weeks postinjury). The athlete returned to play 6 weeks postinjury without complications; however, she continued performing rehabilitation focusing on cardiorespiratory endurance.
An analytic model for the study of the impact of mirror segmentation on AO performance and application to a 30-m segmented telescope

Primary mirrors of the next generation of extremely large telescopes will be highly segmented. Since these telescopes will be equipped with adaptive optics (AO), it is very important to examine in details what are the consequences of different segmentation schemes on the delivered image quality after AO correction. We do so using our analytical AO simulation code PAOLA {Performance of Adaptive Optics for Large (or Little) Apertures}, upgraded to include AO correction of the primary mirror static aberrations. This study allows us to derive requirements on the geometry of the primary mirror, and the maximum acceptable segments positioning and figuring errors knowing that part of their amplitude will be corrected by the AO system offset. The first important issue is the influence of the segments size and gap width. These parameters have indeed a strong impact on the structure of the wings of the diffraction limited point spread function (PSF), but on the other hand, with the smooth AO residual halo superimposed onto it, the relative importance of the wing structures is decreased. To assess these effects, we consider the case of an AO system working in a near infrared classical mode on a 30-m segmented telescope and examine how the encircled energy radius and image contrast evolve with segment size and gap width. The second important issue is the effect of residual segment positioning & figuring errors after active optics and AO correction. Using appropriate metrics, we characterise the maximum acceptable segment positioning & figuring errors residuals in a classical AO mode, for one of the pupils studied in the first part of our work.
Difference's in Tachistoscopic Recognition Between Abstract and Concrete Words as a Function of Visual Half-Field and Frequency

This experiment demonstrated that the greater right visual half-field (VHF) superiority for abstract words than for concrete words reported in two previous studies generalized to an independent, larger sample of abstract and concrete nouns. In addition, degree of concreteness was found to be positively related to overall recognition, with high concrete words averaging 38% correct, moderate concrete words averaging 30% correct, and abstract words averaging 20% correct. Analyses of ratio scores indicated that high frequency abstract words showed a significantly larger right VHF asymmetry than high frequency moderately concrete words or high frequency high concrete words. Groups of abstract, moderately concrete and high concrete words were also matched on right VHF recognition, to evaluate whether differences in VHF asymmetry were secondary to the differences in overall recognition. A significant interaction between VHF and word class was found, again indicating larger right VHF superiority for the abstract words. The data are consistent with previous suggestions that some left VHF concrete words are recongized by the right hemisphere.
Experimental Study on Durability of Foundation Concrete of Transmission Lines in Golmud Area

Transmission lines pass through various types of regions in China and some of that are corrosive. The foundation concrete of transmission lines in corrosive environments had shown serious deterioration, which usually caused by concrete deterioration, rebar corrosion, degradation of bond strength between rebar and concrete due to various corrosive effects. There are salt lake areas in west China where some power transmission channels pass through. Field tests are carried out in Golmud area to research the durability of foundation concrete of transmission lines. And test results show that the concrete strength in the air is higher than underground and the carbonation depth of the foundation concrete decreases with the increase of concrete compressive strength.
Regulation of neuronal growth cone filopodia by nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to play an important role during neuronal development. Since many of its effects occur during the time of growth cone pathfinding and target interaction, we here test the hypothesis that part of NO's effects might be exerted at the growth cone. We found that low concentrations of the NO-donors DEA/NO, SIN-1, and SNP caused a rapid and transient elongation of filopodia as well as a reduction in filopodial number. These effects resulted from distinct changes in filopodial extension and retraction rates. Our novel findings suggest that NO could play a physiological role by temporarily changing a growth cone's morphology and switching its behavior from a close-range to a long-range exploratory mode. We subsequently dissected the pathway by which NO acted on growth cones. The effect of NO donors on filopodial length could be blocked by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), indicating that NO acted via sGC. Supporting this idea, injection of cyclic GMP (cGMP) mimicked the effect of NO donors on growth cone filopodia. Moreover, application of NO-donors as well as injection of cGMP elicited a rapid and transient rise in intracellular calcium in growth cones, indicating that NO acted via cGMP to elevate calcium. This calcium rise, as well as the morphological effects of SIN-1 on filopodia, were blocked by preventing calcium entry. Given the role of filopodia in axonal guidance, our new data suggest that NO could function at the neuronal growth cone as an intracellular and/or intercellular signaling molecule by affecting steering decisions during neuronal pathfinding. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 39: 168–185, 1999
Isolation and characterization of hemolymph phenoloxidase from Heliothis virescens larvae

1. 1. Phenoloxidase was isolated from hemolymph of Heliothis virescens larvae and had a molecular weight of approximately 250 kDa. 2. 2. The optimal pH of phenoloxidase activity was 9.0. 3. 3. The optimal temperature for phenoloxidase activity was 45°C. 4. 4. The enzyme kinetics of phenoloxidase had a Km of 2.25 and Vmax of 0.235 Δ A/min/mg. 5. 5. The enzymatic activity of phenoloxidase was not affected by calcium or EGTA, but the activity was inhibited by both EDTA and SDS.
Parallel FDTD Simulation of Light Scattering by Three-Dimensional B Cells at Different Phases of Cell Cycle

Light scattering from three-dimensional B cells with different proliferative statuses has been simulated using a parallel FDTD method with the three-dimensional cell structure constructed from a set of two-dimensional confocal microscopic images.
Differential Effects on Visual and Spatial Recognition Memory of a Novel Hormone Therapy Regimen of Estrogen Alone or Combined with Progesterone in Older Surgically Menopausal Monkeys

Building upon our initial studies in young adult surgically menopausal monkeys, this study examined the effects of a novel schedule of administration of estradiol therapy alone, or in combination with progesterone, on visual and spatial recognition memory in older monkeys. Monkeys were preoperatively trained on a delayed matching-to-sample task and a delayed response task. At the time of ovariectomy, monkeys began their hormonal treatments and were cognitively assessed at 2, 12 and 24 weeks following treatment initiation. A schedule of hormone administration was used that closely modeled the normal fluctuations of hormones during the course of a normal primate menstrual cycle. Monkeys receiving placebo had lower levels of accuracy than monkeys receiving estrogen therapies on the delayed matching-to-sample task that were not apparent until 12 weeks following initiation of therapy and were no longer detected at the 24-week assessment. There was no effect of hormone therapy on accuracy in the delayed response task at any of the postoperative assessments. In both tasks, monkeys treated with estrogen plus progesterone had longer choice response latencies, especially on trials in which they made errors; however these effects did not influence accuracy measures in these animals. Our findings indicate that visual recognition ability may be more sensitive than spatial recognition memory to this novel hormone therapy regimen, that treatment with estradiol plus progesterone was equivalent to that of estradiol alone, and that neither therapy had significant negative impact on memory profiles.
The equivalent separation(s) for the self-impedance of thin strips

The concept and computation of the equivalent separation and separations, which are useful in the evaluation of the self-impedance of an electrically thin strip of current, are described. The self-impedance involves the evaluation of an integral with a singular integrand. Using the concepts of equivalent filament separation and separations, it is shown that the self-impedance of the thin strip is equivalent to the mutual impedance between two or three parallel filaments, respectively. This avoids numerical integration near a singularity.
Meniere's disease: A 30‐Year epidemiologic and clinical study in rochester, mn, 1951‐1980.

One hundred eighty cases of Meniere's disease were identified in the Rochester, MN population during the 30-year period, 1951 through 1980. The annual age-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 population was 15.3; the preponderance for females (16.3) over males (13.3) was not statistically significant. There was no change in annual incidence rate from 1951 through 1970, and a slight decrease in the period, 1971 through 1980. The prevalence rate on January 1, 1980, was 218.2 per 100,000 population. Clinical aspects of Meniere's disease noted during the course of this study are reported.
High performance polymer/BaTiO3 nanocomposites based on surface-modified metal oxide nanoparticles using functional phosphonic acids for electronic applications

Polymer/ceramic nanocomposites provide a means of combining the high permittivities (e r ) of metal oxide nanoparticles with the solution-processability and high dielectric strength of polymeric hosts. Simple mixing of nanoparticles and polymers generally results in poor quality nanocomposites due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles and poor miscibility of nanoparticles with host materials. We have shown that surface modification of metal oxide nanoparticles with phosphonic acid-based ligands affords robust surface modification and improves the processiblity and the quality of the resulting nanocomposites. We report on the use of phosphonic-acid modified barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) nanoparticles in dielectric nanocomposites and their applications to high-energy-density capacitors and solution-processable high permittivity gate insulators in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Surface modification of BT nanoparticles enabled the formation of high quality nanocomposite thin films with ferroelectric polymer hosts such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), P(VDF-HFP), with large volume fractions (up to 50 vol. %), which are potentially useful materials for electrical energy storage. Similarly, the use of phosphonic acid-modified BT nanoparticles in cross-linked poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVP) allowed to form gate insulators for OFETs. High quality nanocomposite thin films at high nanoparticle volume fractions (up to 37 vol. %) with a large capacitance density (∼50 nF/cm2) and a low leakage current (10−8 A/cm2) were obtained. Pentacene-based p-type OFETs using these nanocomposites showed a large on/off current ratio (Ion/off 104 ∼ 106). We will also present the results from a recent experimental and theoretical study where the BT nanoparticle volume fraction was systematically varied in P(VDF-HFP) host, e r = 11, to find the optimum permittivity and dielectric strength, which provided a guideline for the optimization of the volume fraction for achieving maximum energy density.
Effects of calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions on the rate of softening and dissolution of tooth enamel

Abstract Calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions were tested singly, and combined, for their effect on softening and dissolution of tooth enamel at the following concentrations in mM/1:calcium, 3.0; phosphate, 1.8; fluoride, 0.05. Their effects were evaluated by three procedures: (1) change of hardness of enamel surfaces exposed to synthetic bacterial plaques supplied with culture media, (2) change of hardness of enamel surfaces exposed to acetate buffer adjusted to levels of acidity similar to those developed in (1), and (3) calcium loss from powdered enamel exposed to an acetate buffer similar to that used in (2). With bacterial plaques, only combinations of ions containing fluoride protected the enamel surfaces from softening. For the softening of enamel surfaces by buffers, protection was offered only by the combination of calcium with the phosphate, calcium with fluoride, and calcium with phosphate and fluoride. With powdered enamel, all combinations gave some protection. The differences between the three systems and the synergistic action of fluoride with the calcium and phosphate ions are discussed.
Random vibration of hysteretic systems under bi-directional ground motions

A random vibration method is developed for the response analysis of hysteretic structural systems under stochastic two-dimensional earthquake excitations. The biaxial hysteretic restoring force is modelled by coupled non-linear differential equations; the response statistics are obtained using the equivalent linearization technique. The validity of the proposed model is appraised using available biaxial loading tests of reinforced concrete columns. A parametric study was performed to examine the significance of the effects of biaxial interaction under earthquake excitations. A practical method to evaluate the extreme response statistics is also presented.
Development of a Technique for Separating Raman Scattering Signals from Background Emission with Single-Shot Measurement Potential

Raman scattering is a powerful technique for quantitatively probing high temperature and high speed flows. However, this technique has typically been limited to clean hydrogen flames because of the broadband fluorescence interference which occurs in hydrocarbon flames. Fluorescence can also interfere with the Raman signal in clean hydrogen flames when broadband UV lasers are used as the scattering source. A solution to this problem has been demonstrated. The solution to the fluorescence interference lies in the fact that the vibrational Q-branch Raman signal is highly polarized for 90 deg. signal collection and the fluorescence background is essentially unpolarized. Two basic schemes are available for separating the Raman from the background. One scheme involves using a polarized laser and collecting a signal with both horizontal and vertical laser polarizations separately. The signal with the vertical polarization will contain both the Raman and the fluorescence while the signal with the horizontal polarization will contain only the fluorescence. The second scheme involves polarization discrimination on the collection side of the optical setup. For vertical laser polarization, the scattered Q-branch Raman signal will be vertically polarized; hence the two polarizations can be collected separately and the difference between the two is the Raman signal. This approach has been used for the work found herein and has the advantage of allowing the data to be collected from the same laser shot(s). This makes it possible to collect quantitative Raman data with single shot resolution in conditions where interference cannot otherwise be eliminated.
Attaching Metal‐Capped sp Carbon Chains to Metal Clusters: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Rhenium/Triosmium Complexes of Formula [(η5‐C5Me5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CC)nOs3(CO)y(X)z]m+, Including Carbon Geometries More Distorted than Planar Tetracoordinate

A variety of fascinating C2, C3, C4, and C6Re/Os3complexes can be obtained, starting from thermal reactions of alkynyl complexes [(η5-C5Me5)Re(NO)(PPh3){(C≡C)nH}] and [Os3(CO)10(NCCH3)2], or the C3OMe complex [(η5-C5Me5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(C≡CC(OMe)=Os3(CO)11] alone. Two examples of such complexes are shown; the one on the right features a carbon with a geometry even more distorted than “planar tetracoordinate”.
Creating a portable MP3 player three-band graphic equalizer and amplifier for a circuits laboratory final project

At George Fox University, all engineering students are required to take the sophomore level circuits course. In an effort to more effectively engage the students in the course, a new final project was designed to leverage the interest in music and audio that is shared by undergraduate students. This paper details the design and implementation of a battery powered, three-band graphic equalizer and amplifier for a portable MP3 player or IPOD and the associated labs and project that accompany it. There are three circuit design elements of the final project, the first teaching students how to use comparators to create a graphic display, the second detailing active filters, and the final lab describing peak rectifiers and the mixer that ties everything together. As a final project experience, each student is given a kit containing a PCB, a speaker, an on/off switch, a battery- holder, and every electronic component required to construct the final system. Students are also required to write a major lab report detailing the operation of the final project. After providing the experience one time, student engagement was noticeably higher, the results of the final project being significantly beyond the expectations of the course instructors.
Sissel tolaas, SmellScape KCK/KCMO

(2013). Sissel tolaas, SmellScape KCK/KCMO. The Senses and Society: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 245-250.
Infrared properties of polyethylene terephthalate films

Abstract The infrared radiation properties of polyethylene terephthalate films are calculated from the optical constants. Hemispherical total transmittance and emittance are given as functions of thickness. The difference between these properties and those of glass will significantly affect the thermal conductance of windows or solar collector covers.
Substrate specificity in enzymatically mediated trans acetylation reactions of calicheamicinone intermediates

Abstract Enzymatically mediated acetylation of racemic 5 leads to enantiomerically homogeneous precursors of calicheamicinone and ent -calicheamicinone.
Alcohol-induced blackout as a criminal defense or mitigating factor: an evidence-based review and admissibility as scientific evidence

Alcohol-related amnesia--alcohol blackout--is a common claim of criminal defendants. The generally held belief is that during an alcohol blackout, other cognitive functioning is severely impaired or absent. The presentation of alcohol blackout as scientific evidence in court requires that the science meets legal reliability standards (Frye, FRE702/Daubert). To determine whether "alcohol blackout" meets these standards, an evidence-based analysis of published scientific studies was conducted. A total of 26 empirical studies were identified including nine in which an alcohol blackout was induced and directly observed. No objective or scientific method to verify the presence of an alcoholic blackout while it is occurring or to confirm its presence retrospectively was identified. Only short-term memory is impaired and other cognitive functions--planning, attention, and social skills--are not impaired. Alcoholic blackouts would not appear to meet standards for scientific evidence and should not be admissible.
Frequency map variations in squirrel monkey primary auditory cortex.

Objective: The goal of this work is to understand the neural basis for cortical representation of hearing in highly vocal primates to gain insights into the substrates for communication. Variation patterns in frequency representation among animals are incorporated into an explanatory model to reconcile heterogeneous observations. Study Design: Prospective. Methods: Thirty-four squirrel monkeys underwent microelectrode mapping experiments in primary auditory cortex (AI) using tone pip stimuli. Characteristic frequency (CF) was extracted from the excitatory frequency receptive field. Frequency maps were reconstructed using Voronoi-Dirichlet tessellation. The spatial locations (rostral vs. caudal) of highest CF isofrequency contours (minimum length 1 mm) and highest CF neuronal clusters on the temporal gyral surface were analyzed. Results: Isofrequency contours at least 1 mm long with CFs greater than 2.9 kHz (75% cases) are accessible on the temporal gyrus. Variability of the highest CF isofrequency contours accessible on the temporal gyrus has an interquartile range from 2.9 to 5.1 (mean 4.3) kHz. The highest CF isofrequency contours are located mainly in rostral AI, whereas the highest CF neuronal clusters flanking fully expressed isofrequency contours are equally distributed in rostral and caudal locations. Conclusions: Squirrel monkey AI frequency map variations are sizeable across animals and small within single animals (interhemispheric comparison). AI frequency map variations, modeled as translations and rotations relative to the lateral sulcus, are independent transfers. Caution must be exercised when interpreting nominal frequency map changes that are attributed to hearing loss and auditory learning effects.
Spatially quantitative seafloor habitat mapping: example from the northern South Carolina inner continental shelf

Abstract Naturally occurring hard bottom areas provide the geological substrate that can support diverse assemblages of sessile benthic organisms, which in turn, attract many reef-dwelling fish species. Alternatively, defining the location and extent of bottom sand bodies is relevant for potential nourishment projects as well as to ensure that transient sediment does not affect reef habitats, particularly in sediment-starved continental margins. Furthermore, defining sediment transport pathways documents the effects these mobile bedforms have on proximal reef habitats. Thematic mapping of these substrates is therefore crucial in safeguarding critical habitats and offshore resources of coastal nations. This study presents the results of a spatially quantitative mapping approach based on classification of sidescan-sonar imagery. By using bottom video for image-to-ground control, digital image textural features for pattern recognition, and an artificial neural network for rapid, quantitative, multivariable decision-making, this approach resulted in recognition rates of hard bottom as high as 87%. The recognition of sand bottom was less successful (31%). This approach was applied to a large (686 km2), high-quality, 2-m resolution sidescan-sonar mosaic of the northern South Carolina inner continental shelf. Results of this analysis indicate that both surficial sand and hard bottoms of variable extent are present over the study area. In total, 59% of the imaged area was covered by hard bottom, while 41% was covered by sand. Qualitative spatial correlation between bottom type and bathymetry appears possible from comparison of our interpretive map and available bathymetry. Hard bottom areas tend to be located on flat, low-lying areas, and sandy bottoms tend to reside on areas of positive relief. Published bio-erosion rates were used to calculate the potential sediment input from the mapped hard bottom areas rendering sediment volumes that may be as high as 0.8 million m3/yr for this portion of the South Carolina coast.
Trisomy in humans: incidence, origin and etiology

Molecular studies conducted over the past year have demonstrated the importance of aberrant genetic recombination in the etiology of several human trisomies, and have begun to shed light on the basis of the association between advancing maternal age and trisomy. Preliminary studies of gametes using fluorescence in situ hybridization indicate that this will be a useful approach in the analysis of human non-disjunction.
Absorptivity of Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Solution

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were solubilized by attaching functional groups to the nanotube-bound carboxylic acids in the esterification and various amidation reactions. The solubility made it possible to not only characterize the functionalized SWNT samples in solution but also quantitatively measure the UV/vis/NIR absorption spectra of the samples. The nanotube contents in the soluble samples were determined in terms of NMR signal integrations in reference to internal standards and through thermal gravimetric analyses. The absorptivity results thus obtained are similar for SWNTs in the different functionalized samples. For the near-infrared absorption band corresponding to the first pair of van Hove singularities in the electronic density of states for semiconducting SWNTs, the peak absorptivity is 0.5−2.2 (mg/mL)-1 cm-1. The absorption properties of SWNTs are apparently insensitive to changes in the sample environment, such as the functionalization with significantly different groups. The ef...
Amphetamine acts within the medial basal forebrain to initiate and maintain alert waking.

Abstract Amphetamine-like stimulants exert well-known arousal-enhancing actions. Surprisingly, little is known concerning the neuroanatomical substrates through which these drugs enhance arousal. Previous work implicates a number of basal forebrain structures in the regulation of behavioral state. The current studies examined the effects of amphetamine infusions made directly within basal forebrain sites on behavioral, electroencephalographic, and electromyographic indices of arousal in anesthetized and unanesthetized rat. In the anesthetized rat, amphetamine elicited prolonged epochs of bilateral electroencephalographic activation when infused unilaterally (3.75 μg/150 nl) into an extended region of the medial basal forebrain, demarcated anteriorally by the anterior portion of the medial septal area (which includes posterior accumbens shell) and posteriorally by the posterior aspect of the preoptic area of the hypothalamus. In the unanesthetized (undisturbed, resting) rat, amphetamine infusions into this region elicited prolonged epochs of alert waking, which at the lowest dose (3.75 μg), qualitatively resembled normal waking. Infusions placed lateral (including within the substantia innominata), anterior (including within the core subregion of the nucleus accumbens), posterior, or dorsal to these structures, as well as directly within the lateral ventricles did not alter electroencephalographic or behavioral measures. These results indicate that a region of the medial basal forebrain, extending from the anterior medial septum/accumbens shell to the posterior preoptic area, is a site within which amphetamine-like stimulants act to enhance behavioral and electroencephalographic measures of arousal.
1525 GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER) TO THE PROXIMAL ESOPHAGUS IN NEONATES WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

1525 GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER) TO THE PROXIMAL ESOPHAGUS IN NEONATES WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA
Linear dynamics of tensegrity structures

The linearized equations of motion for tensegrity structures around arbitrary equilibrium configurations are derived. For certain tensegrity structures which yield particular equilibrium configurations of practical interest, the linearized models of their dynamics around these configurations are presented. Evidence which indicates that these equilibria are stable is given and some stiffness and dynamic properties of these structures are investigated.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Low temperature phase equilibria in the Fe-Ni and Fe-Ni-P systems: application to the thermal history of metallic phases in meteorites

Abstract The solubility limits of the α (kamacite) and γ (taenite) phases in the Fe-Ni and Fe-Ni-P phase diagrams have been measured at low temperatures, 700-300°C. The predicted α α + γ retrograde solubility below 500°C was demonstrated experimentally for the first time in the Fe-Ni system. The minimum solubility of Ni in γ at the γ α +γ boundary increases with decreasing temperature to as much as 54 wt% at 300°C. The addition of P increases the maximum solubility of Ni in α by as much as 1.6 wt% and decreases the minimum solubility of Ni in γ by as much as 7 wt% at 300°C. The solubility limits of kamacite and taenite were also obtained from heat-treated samples of the Grant and Cape York iron meteorites. The data indicate that in iron meteorites minor and trace elements other than P do not significantly shift the Ni solubility limits of the Fe-Ni and Fe-Ni-P phase diagrams. The measured phase diagrams can be used to explain the Agrell effect and the differences in maximum Ni content of taenite among irons and chondrites. The formation of plessite and the influence of the measured solubility limits on the cooling rate simulation method are also considered.
A probabilistic theory of the strength of short-fibre composites with variable fibre length and orientation

This paper adopts a probabilistic approach to examine the effects of fibre length and orientation distribution on the strength of short fibre composites. A general theory has been formulated in terms of fibre length and orientation distribution function as well as the composite geometrical and physical properties. The final result is presented in the form of a modified “rule of mixtures”. The result has been applied to discuss several special cases of fibre arrangements. They are (a) unidirectional short fibre composites with uniform fibre length, (b) unidirectional short fibre composites with fibre length distribution, (c) random short fibre composites with uniform fibre length and (d) partially-aligned short fibre composites with uniform fibre length. Comparisons of the present results with previous work are also discussed.
The Newcastle Anxiety Depression Diagnostic Index in relationship to the effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.

Abstract The Newcastle Anxiety Depression Diagnostic Index (NADDI) was applied to 151 patients who received a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drug. The pretreatment presence of a physical stressor and absence of agoraphobia were associated with superior MAOI effects. In women nine of the 13 NADDI items were associated with superior response to the MAOI drugs: these items comprised the absence of childhood anxiety, agoraphobia, compulsive symptoms, early awaking, and retardation, and the presence of dependent traits, neuroticism, physical stress, and panic attacks. In men the absence of suicidal tendencies and retardation, and the presence of dependent traits and panic attacks were associated with superior TCA effects. A within-treatment analysis indicated that depressed men responded better to MAOI than did anxious men.
MITIGATION OF THE SOMNOLENCE OF INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCEMIA BY A VASOPRESSIN V1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST IN THE RHESUS MONKEY

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia causes somnolence in rhesus monkeys, a phenomenon usually considered an aspecific consequence of neuroglycopenia. Previous observations from our laboratory have raised the possibility that arginine vasopressin (AVP) may also play a role in this decrease in wakefulness. In the present study we tested this hypothesis by inducing hypoglycemia (∼40 mg/dl) in ovariectomized rhesus monkeys by intravenous administration of insulin in the presence of continuous intracerebroventricular infusions of the V1 receptor antagonist [deamino-Pen1,O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]-vasopressin (180 μg/60 μl per h) or of its vehicle alone (artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 60 μl/h). Wakefulness was assessed by a scoring system by observers blinded to the experimental protocol. The AVP antagonist significantly attenuated the decrease in wakefulness observed in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia (p<.03) without increasing blood glucose levels. These and previous findings suggest that the somnolence induced by a moderate degree of hypoglycemia may not entirely be the direct consequence of neuroglycopenia and that AVP may, directly or indirectly, be involved.
IcRn product in c-axis Josephson junctions involving high-temperature superconductors.

The Josephson coupling between a conventional and a high-temperature superconductor is investigated theoretically for the case in which the high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductor with its c axis perpendicular to the junction has a layer with a significantly depleted order parameter. If that layer is in contact with the junction barrier, it is demonstrated that the product of the junction resistance ${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{n}}$ and the critical current ${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{c}}$ can be substantially reduced from the standard Ambegaokar-Baratoff value. The result is discussed in connection with recent experiments aimed at exploring the symmetry of the order parameter in high-temperature superconductors.
A design advisor for sheet metal fabrication

Using data gathered over many years, people working in sheet metal fabrication have compiled lists of errors that are frequently made by designers in the field. These errors (or violations) are common to the design of sheet metal components used in a wide variety of products from computer chassis to automobiles. This paper outlines the efforts to use this information to aid in the development of a rule-based design advisor for sheet metal fabrication. The design advisor is a module of Promod-S, a concurrently engineered, application-orientated product modeler that is being developed by researchers at the Automation and Robotics Laboratory of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The paper presents algorithms for both the identification and correction of design violations. The correction approach includes methods for updating an entire part after a feature has been modified.
Effect of Strychnine upon the Electrical Activity of an Isolated Nerve Cell

The effect of strychnine upon the electrical activity recorded from the axon and the soma of an isolated nerve cell (the nonadapting stretch receptor cell of the crayfish) was studied. Protracted exposure of the soma of the cell to strychnine prolongs the duration of the intracellulary recorded action potential, as has been described in other excitable tissues treated with quaternary ammonium ions. During the plateau in the falling phase of the soma spike, the axon is usually firing repetitively. The stimulation of the inhibitory fiber produces a premature termination of the prolonged spike.
Purification and differential expression of enolase from maize

Enolase was purified from maze (Zea mays L. inbred B73)seeds to a 55 and 56 kDa protein doublet based upon sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purification included ammonium sulfate-precipitation, gel filtration, Mono Q, and Phenyl Superose chromatography. Two-dimensional gels further resolved the 56 kDa protein into three isoselectric forms. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the purified proteins, were found to bind specifically to both the 55 and 56 kDa proteins during purification. Theses antibodies did not recognized a 56 kDa protein when the strain was complemented with maize enolase (pZM245). Maize enolase antibodies recognized a extracts indicated that the 55 kDa form of enolase was more abundant in roots. Enolase protein levels remained unchanged in maize roots after 24 h of anaerobiosis, even though the specific activity of enolase increased to twice its initial levels. A plastid form of enolase in maize could not be found as either enolase activity or protein (with immunoblots).
Bullies, Gangs, Drugs, and School: Understanding the Overlap and the Role of Ethnicity and Urbanicity

Recent media attention has increased interest in behavioral, mental health, and academic correlates of involvement in bullying. Yet, there has not been much interest in investigating the co-occurrence of other health-risk behaviors, such as gang membership, weapon carrying, and substance use. The potential influence of contextual factors, such as youth ethnicity, urbanicity, and school characteristics, also has been overlooked in previous research. The current study examined different subtypes of involvement in bullying-as primarily a victim, as primarily a bully, as both a victim and bully, and no involvement-and the association with significant health-risk behaviors, including engaging in violence and substance use, as well as academic problems. The analyses use self-report data from 16,302 adolescents (50.3 % female, 62.2 % Caucasian, 37.8 % African American) enrolled in 52 high schools. A series of three-level HLM analyses revealed that bullies and bully/victims were generally at greatest of risk of being involved in violence, engaging in multiple types of substance use, and having academic problems. These findings extend prior research by emphasizing a potential link between involvement in bullying and multiple health-risk behaviors, particularly among urban and African American high school youth.
See One, Do One, Be Competent in One? Resident Rotations Broaden the Perceived Scope of General Surgery

Purpose To compare the scope of general surgery as perceived by general surgery program directors (PDs) nationally and our residents (RES), and to assess the effect of clinical rotation assignments on resident perception. Methods A background questionnaire and survey document drawn from the Resident Operative Report submitted by finishing residents to the American Board of Surgery (ABS) was sent to our general surgery residents. Respondents categorized 309 items as procedures with which a finishing resident should be competent (A), familiar (B), or neither (C). Data from an identical survey of PDs were obtained from the ABS. Procedures were assigned to Groups 1-4 based on resident rotations. PD responses were considered the reference data set. RES answers outside the range of 0.5x to 1.5x, where x = PD% for each item, were labeled as different. Differences were categorized as residents having a “narrower” perception of general surgery if RES %A less than 0.5x and %C greater than 1.5x and “broader” if RES %A greater than 1.5x and %C less than 0.5x. Chi-square testing was also performed as a “cross-check” analysis. Results After eliminating consensus items, 60 Group 1 items, 103 in Group 2, 19 in Group 3, and 16 in Group 4 remained. When linked to resident rotations, RES took a broader view of general surgery scope for 27/163 items and a narrower view for only 1 item (0.6%). Without related rotation experience, RES viewed 0/19 procedures more broadly than PD and categorized 7/19 items more narrowly. When items overlapped 2 surgical specialties, RES assigned no items as broader or narrower. Chi-square testing produced similar results. Conclusion Our residents perceived the scope of general surgery more broadly than did a national sample of PDs for content areas in which residents completed rotations. A broader view of general surgery could influence resident decision making about postresidency fellowships.
Plasminogen activator synthesis accompanying chemical carcinogen-induced in vitro transformation of Syrian hamster and guinea-pig fetal cells.

The production of the extracellular protease, plas-minogen activator, in relationship to growth in semi-solid medium and tumorigenicity has been studied in Syrian hamster embryo and strain 2 guinea-pig embryo cell culture models of chemical carcinogenesis. Whereas normal hamster and guinea-pig embryo cells had negligible levels of plasminogen activator, neoplastically transformed cells derived from cultures exposed to chemical carcinogens had high levels of plasminogen activator and grew as progressively enlarging colonies in soft agar. The development of plasminogen activator secretion in relation to neoplastic transformation was further studied in the guinea-pig cells where the latent period between carcinogen exposure and neoplastic transformation ranged from 4 months to more than one year. The production of plasminogen activator in this system also exhibited a long latent period, and acquisition of extracellular plasminogen activator correlated temporally with growth in agar and tumorigenicity. Plasminogen activator and growth in semi-solid agar in concert are useful markers for identification of neoplastic cells transformed in culture following exposure to a chemical carcinogen.