cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rostral-caudal concentration gradients of histamine metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid.

The metabolites of histamine,tele-methylhistamine (t-MH) andtele-methylimidazoleacetic acid (t-MIAA), have a large concentration gradient between cisternal and lumbar CSF in the rhesus monkey. The possibility of a t-MH and/or t-MIAA gradient in man was studied in sequential samples of CSF withdrawn from the lumbar space from a healthy male. The mean levels of t-MH and t-MIAA in the 14–16 ml segment of CSF from 6 male volunteers was also measured.pros-Methylimidazoleacetic acid (p-MIAA), an endogenous isomer of t-MIAA that is not derived from histamine, was also measured. Levels of t-MH, t-MIAA and p-MIAA were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. With increasing volumes of CSF removed, t-MH and t-MIAA levels increased linearly (p 0.6) in serially removed CSF; the individual levels in CSF from the volunteers on unrestricted diets varied widely, suggestive of a dietary influence on p-MIAA levels in the CNS. The concentration gradient of histamine metabolites in CSF confirms the rostral-caudal gradient observed in monkey and argues against plasma or spinal cord as major sources of these metabolites. The significant gradients for t-MH and t-MIAA, but not p-MIAA, suggest that the rostral-caudal gradient of histamine metabolites reflect histamine metabolism at rostral sites, presumably the brain.
Aluminum agglomeration reduction in a composite propellant using tailored Al/PTFE particles

Abstract In solid propellants, aluminum is widely used to improve performance, yet theoretical specific impulse is still not achieved largely because of two-phase flow losses. Losses could be reduced if aluminum particles quickly ignited, more gaseous products were produced and if upon combustion, aluminum particle breakup occurred. To explore this, tailored, fuel-rich, mechanically activated composite particles (aluminum/polytetrafluoroethylene, Al/PTFE 90/10 and 70/30 wt.%) are considered as replacements for reference aluminum powders (spherical, flake, or nanoscale) in a composite solid propellant. The effects on burning rate, pressure dependence, and aluminum ignition, combustion, and agglomeration are quantified. Using microscopic imaging, it is observed that tailored particles promptly ignite at the burning surface and appear to breakup into smaller particles, which can increase the heat feedback to the burning surface. Replacement of spherical aluminum with Al/PTFE 90/10 wt.% does not significantly affect propellant burning rate. However, Al/PTFE 70/30 wt.% increases the pressure exponent from 0.36 to 0.58, which results in a 50% increase in propellant burning rate at 13.8 MPa. This increased pressure sensitivity is consistent with more kinetically controlled combustion that occurs from smaller burning metal particles near the surface. Combustion products were quench collected using a new, liquid-free technique at 2.1 and 6.9 MPa and were measured. Both Al/PTFE 90/10 and 70/30 wt.% composite particles reduce the coarse product fraction and diameter. The most significant reduction occurs from 70/30 wt.% particle use, where average coarse product diameter is 25 μm, which is smaller than the original, average particle size and is also smaller than the 76 μm products collected from reference spherical aluminized propellant. This is a 66% decrease in agglomerate diameter or a 96% decrease in volume compared to agglomerates formed from reference spherical aluminum. Smaller diameter condensed phase products and more gaseous products will likely decrease two-phase flow loss and reduce slag accumulation.
First Report of Rhizoctonia spp. Causing a Root Rot of the Invasive Rangeland Weed Lepidium draba in North America.

The exotic, invasive perennial rangeland weed Lepidium draba spreads rapidly and reduces native species diversity. The extensive root system of L. draba constitutes 76% of its biomass (4). Thus, searches have been done for biocontrol agents that target root tissue or that may interact with a weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, that causes galls in the crown area of L. draba. An association of Rhizoctonia spp. with root tissue of plants galled by the weevil has been documented in Europe (3). The possible presence of soilborne pathogens similar to those found in the native range has been the subject of L. draba surveys in the United States. One such survey in 2008 detected a few plants with reddened and chlorotic foliage in a stand near Shepherd, MT. Such symptoms typically indicate the occurrence of soilborne diseases on L. draba in the native range of the weed (2). The site had shown a gradual increase in the range of detectable pathogens beginning with foliar pathogens in 1997. In 2010, at the Shepherd site...
Spreading of nanofluids on solids

Suspensions of nanometre-sized particles (nanofluids) are used in a variety of technological contexts. For example, their spreading and adhesion behaviour on solid surfaces can yield materials with desirable structural and optical properties1. Similarly, the spreading behaviour of nanofluids containing surfactant micelles has implications for soil remediation, oily soil removal, lubrication and enhanced oil recovery. But the well-established concepts of spreading and adhesion of simple liquids do not apply to nanofluids2,3,4,5,6,7. Theoretical investigations have suggested that a solid-like ordering of suspended spheres will occur in the confined three-phase contact region at the edge of the spreading fluid, becoming more disordered and fluid-like towards the bulk phase8,9. Calculations have also suggested that the pressure arising from such colloidal ordering in the confined region will enhance the spreading behaviour of nanofluids10,11. Here we use video microscopy to demonstrate both the two-dimensional crystal-like ordering of charged nanometre-sized polystyrene spheres in water, and the enhanced spreading dynamics of a micellar fluid, at the three-phase contact region. Our findings suggest a new mechanism for oily soil removal—detergency.
Berkner Travel Fellowship Winner Attends 2013 Meeting of the Americas

Attending an AGU meeting can be a formative experience for any student or early-career scientist, but attending the 2013 Meeting of the Americas was career- and life-changing for at least one young Berkner Travel Fellowship recipient.
Correlation of Qa-1 determinants defined by antisera and by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activated in H-2 identical, Qa-1 disparate mixed leukocyte cultures recognize H-2-nonrestricted target antigens indistinguishable by strain or tissue distribution from serologically defined Qa-1 antigens. Cloned Qa-l-specific CTL define determinants encoded by four Qa-1 genotypes; we used anti-Qa-1 sera in antibody blocking experiments to determine if these determinants reside on molecules recognized by Qa-1-specific antibodies. Antisera containing Qa-1.1-specific and TL-specific antibodies blocked recognition of two CTL-defined determinants associated with Qa-1 a . Although both Qa-1 and TL molecules are expressed on activated T cells from appropriate strains, our studies indicated that the CTL recognized Qa-1, not TL. In addition, anti-Qa-1.2 serum inhibited CTL recognition of Qa-1b- and Qa-1c-encoded determinants. Qa-1 d target cells are unique in that they express determinants recognized by anti-Qa-1a CTL and by anti-Qa-1b CTL. Killing of Qa-1 d targets by anti-Qa-1a CTL was not inhibited by anti-Qa-1.1 serum, but was partially inhibited by anti-Qa-1.2 serum. Cytotoxicity of Qa-1 d cells by one anti-Qa-1b CTL clone was inhibited by both anti-Qa-1.2 and anti-Qa-1.1 sera, indicating close association of both serological determinants with the determinants recognized by the CTL. Thus, all of the CTL-defined Qa-1 determinants resided on molecules recognized by Qa-1-specific antibodies, but anti-Qa-1a CTL and Qa-1.1-specific antibodies did not have identical specificities.
Intercomparison of Meteorological Measurement Systems by Data-Adaptive Complementary Filtering

Abstract The paper presents a technique for designing a self-optimizing filter to combine noisy measurements of the same physical quantity as measured by different instruments into a single time-series representative of the measured quantity (signal). The procedure minimizes the output power (sum of the squared amplitudes) of a filter that is run over the data, subject to a set of constraints on filter coefficients to characterize signal information. Practical applications of such a data-adaptive weighting algorithm are also illustrated.
The Estrogenic and Uterine-Stimulating Activity of Asclepias Tuberosa. A Preliminary Investigation

The fluidextract of Asclepias tuberosa was found to contain substances estrogenic to castrate rats. A method for separating these substances is proposed. The fluidextract was also found to exert an appreciable oxytocic-like action upon the uteri of several species of laboratory animals both in vitro and in vivo. The literature on Asclepias tuberosa is reviewed.
Air pollutant averaging times: Notes on a statistical model

Abstract The logarithmic standard deviation of time-averaged air pollutant concentrations has been shown by CAMP data to decrease as an inverse power B of the averaging time. If the correlation coefficient between the logarithm of the concentrations at distant times decreases as an inverse 2B power of the time difference, such behavior would be expected. This heavy-tailed correlation function suggests the existence of some possibly small, but highly persistent components of pollutant concentration. One possibility is that the observed process was not detrended. In order to test this hypothesis, it will be useful to calculate the average logarithm of the concentration instead of the logarithm of the average concentrations.
Effect of diagenesis on trace element partitioning in shales

Abstract In order to investigate the partitioning of trace elements in mineral phases of black shales and diagenetic remobilization of trace elements within these phases, we isolated major black shale components (sulfide, carbonate, silicate and organic) and analyzed the isolated fractions as well as corresponding whole rock for their trace element composition by DRC ICP-MS. This study focused on black shales of different grades of thermal maturity from the Ordovician Utica Shale Magnafacies of Quebec (USM) (immature: Tmax 20–50 °C, Ro 140 °C, Ro > 1). Analysis of the isolated rock fractions revealed that the carbonate fraction preserves a sea water-like rare earth elements (REE) abundance pattern with enrichment of the heavy rare earth elements (HREE–Dy–Lu) relative to light rare earth (LREE–La–Sm). The sulfide and organic fractions show a slight enrichment in the LREE. Mass balance calculations showed that the organic fraction contains up to about 20% of total trace element content of the whole rock with the sulfide and carbonate fractions each containing less than 10%. The partitioning and fractionation of trace elements between different phases may have important implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions and provenance studies. Our data suggest that the whole rock signature may be less representative of source area or depositional environment but rather reflects the diagenetic history. This is especially the case in organic rich sediments such as black shales where the organic fraction hosts up to 20% of the trace element content of the whole rock.
Successful treatment of late-onset infection due to resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in an extremely low birth weight infant using ciprofloxacin.

Successful Treatment of Late-Onset Infection due to Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant Using Ciprofloxacin
Intracellular calcium, DNase activity and myocyte apoptosis in aging Fischer 344 rats.

Abstract Myocyte apoptosis increases with age in Fischer 344 rats, but the multiple molecular events implicated in this phenomenon remain to be identified. Several defects involving Ca2+homeostasis, pH, and the expression of p53 and genes of the Bcl-2 protein family may contribute to the activation of myocyte death. Therefore, changes in intracellular pH, cytosolic Ca2+, DNase I and DNase II were measured in myocytes isolated by enzymatic digestion from rats of different ages. Moreover, the expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax in these cells was determined. Measurements of intracellular pH by BCECF fluorescence at 3, 12 and 24 months showed that this parameter did not change with age: 3 months, 7.20±0.05; 12 months, 7.21±0.07; 24 months, 7.18±0.09. In contrast, diastolic Ca2+determined by the Fura 2-AM method increased progressively from 99.8±1.9 n m at 3 months to 136.3±9.6 n m at 24 months (P
Synthesis, characterization, and organic chemistry of an edge-bridged half-open titanocene

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of an edge-bridged half-open titanocene, Ti(C5H5)(6,6-dmch)(PMe3) (dmch=dimethylcyclohexadienyl) is described. In this complex one observes significantly shorter TiC bonds to the dmch ligand as compared to the C5H5 ligand. The dmch ligand also behaves as a nucleophile toward ketones, yielding a variety of products with unusual regio- and stereochemistries.
Pseudosteady state approximation for fluid‐solid reaction and for extraction in cylindrical geometry

Calcul des erreurs obtenues lorsque l'on utilise cette approximation pour les particules de forme cylindrique. Comparaison avec les resultats de Bischoff pour les spheres et les plaques
An exploration of college persistence for students enrolled in web-enhanced courses: A multivariate analytic approach

Much of what is known regarding student withdrawal from college is specific to students in a traditional classroom setting. A major issue is whether those same factors play themselves out in much the same manner in courses where technology plays a significant role in the delivery of instruction such as in distance learning programs where technology is particularly important. Research in this area is needed to better understand the influence of technology on student achievement and persistence rates within the context of student retention models. The current study examined the academic and social engagement of students in Web-enhanced courses in distance education programs and the collective impact of cognitive, non-cognitive, and technology-related variables on student performance and withdrawal decisions.
Surface segregation in bimetallic nanoclusters: Geometric and thermodynamic effects

Nanocluster morphology (size, crystallographic faces, surface defects), coupled to thermodynamic driving forces, influence surface segregation phenomena. These geometric and thermodynamic effects are studied at several temperatures and overall compositions for Cu–Ni, Ag–Cu, and Ag–Rh. The bond order metal simulation model [Zhu, L.; DePristo, A. E. J Catal 1997, 167, 400] is used in Monte Carlo simulations to describe interatomic interactions. Nanoclusters from 110 to 729 atoms are arranged on stacks of layers corresponding to face-centered cubic crystals. The exposed surfaces are (111), (110), and (331) faces, and the overall composition of the clusters defined in terms of the segregating atoms ranges from 5 to 95%. The effect of surface steps on surface segregation is also investigated. It is found that as overall concentration increases, the effect of surface defects on segregation phenomena becomes more pronounced. The increase in the number of low coordination sites due to the presence of surface steps modifies the layer-by-layer composition profile, causing surface and inner sites in the proximity of the step to become occupied by the segregating atoms. The population on other surfaces becomes depleted, resulting in a lowered total surface segregation. These effects are more noticeable not only at high overall composition but also at high temperatures, especially for the less segregating system, Ag–Cu. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001
Nuclear wave functions from particle transfer data.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses nuclear wave functions from particle transfer data. Some of the most detailed information about the particle structure is based on the analysis of particle transfer reactions with distorted wave Born Approximation calculations. The chapter also discusses the application to low energy nuclear physics for the calculation of spectroscopic factors, and an extension to high energy to determine high momentum components of nuclear wave functions. At low energy, the poles are sufficiently close to the physical region to try to separate the poles from all of the cuts and to determine the residues of the poles. The entire procedure of extracting nuclear wave functions directly from the data is feasible only if there are specific effects in the data that reflect the particle transfer mechanism. For the elastic scattering, the phenomenon is peaking in the angular distribution at large angles. For this reason, angular distribution is considered as a function of center of mass. At high energy, the momentum transfer at the vertices in the exchange processes becomes quite large. This means that the asymptotic part of the wave function plays a less important role compared to the short distance part. In standard nuclear treatments, the Born Approximation corresponding to a pole diagram involves high Fourier components of the wave function.
Use of hydrogel as a sticking agent and carrier for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Natrosol®, a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer, was used as a sticking agent for direct inoculation of spores of Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann on roots of bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flugge). After 16 wk in aeroponic culture, roots were 67, 68, 55, 54, and 41% colonized with the VAM fungus at distances 0–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, and 15–18 cm below the crown, respectively. Natrosol was also tested as an inoculum carrier for VAM fungi in soil. Colonized roots or spores of up to four VAM fungi were mixed with Natrosol and injected next to sweet potato ( Ipomoea batata (L.) Lam. cv. White Star) shoot cuttings. Natrosol increased the number of penetration points at 4 wk when the inocula were spores, but had no effect when the inocula were colonized roots. Natrosol had no effect on spore germination nor on root colonization at 14 wk, but increased both the proportion of root length with root hairs and total root length.
Pulmonary delivery of beclomethasone liposome aerosol in volunteers. Tolerance and safety.

Study objective To test the tolerance and safety of single doses of beclomethasone dipropionate (Bec)-dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) liposome aerosol in volunteers. Design Single-dose inhalations of liposome preparations of Bec-DLPC and DLPC alone were administered for 15 min from a jet nebulizer (Puritan-Bennett, modified twin jet; mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1.6 μm) under close clinical and laboratory surveillance. Two dose levels (0.5 mg Bec/12.5 mg DLPC per milliliter, and 1.0 mg Bee and 25 mg DLPC per milliliter in the reservoirs, respectively) were administered. The Bee doses were selected to approximate the dosages of this glucocorticoid used with metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). First, four volunteers were exposed to an initial low dose; the mean (±SD) inhaled doses were 0.56±0.07 mg of Bee and/or 14.0±1.8 mg of DLPC. Subsequently, a second group of six volunteers was exposed to a higher dose; the mean (±SD) inhaled doses were 1.29±0.14 mg of Bee and/or 34.6±6.8 mg of DLPC. Setting Outpatient and inpatient. Patients Normal male (n=6) and female (n=4) adult volunteers. Interventions Inhalation of Bec-DLPC and DLPC liposome aerosols in a single-dose tolerance study involving 10 normal volunteers. Measurements and results Spirometry, clinical observations, clinical chemistry, and hematology were monitored. No adverse clinical or laboratory events were observed. Conclusions Bec-DLPC liposome aqueous aerosol was well tolerated in doses equivalent to those currently administered by MDIs and dry powder inhalers for treatment of asthma.
Anomalies, Unitarity and Renormalization

In these remarks, I wish to indicate how the renormalizability of a gauge theory with γ5 couplings to fermions can impose additional dynamical constraints to those already well known in connection with the triangle anomaly. Here, I can only outline how I differ from previous workers; for more details, see Refs. 1,2.
On the formation of Fe-Ni metal in Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites

The Fe-Ni metal within chondrites has been postulated to have originated either through condensation or as a byproduct of chondrule formation. To test these hypotheses, we studied metal in three Renazzo-like carbonaceous (CR2) chondrites from three petrographic settings: inside chondrules, on chondrule rims, and in the matrix. Abundances of Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, and P were determined in situ by electron microprobe, and those of Os, Ir, Pt, and Au were measured by a newly developed ion microprobe technique. The refractory platinum group elements Os, Ir, and Pt behave coherently in CR2 metal. They are either all enriched, all depleted, or unfractionated with respect to Fe and cosmic ratios. Metal with approximately CI Os/Fe, Ir/Fe, and Pt/Fe occur primarily in chondrule interiors. All metal grains have essentially CI values of Ni/Fe and Co/Fe. Almost all metal grains have lower-than-CI ratios of the volatile elements, Au and P. We also estimated the bulk compositions via analyses of phases and modal recombination of a subset of the chondrules whose metal we analyzed. The bulk compositions of chondrules are generally unfractionated relative to CI chondrites for elements more refractory than ∼Cr but are depleted in more volatile elements. Abundances of siderophile elements correlate strongly with the metal abundance in the chondrules, which implies that siderophile depletions are due to expulsion of metal from the chondrule melts. The metal most likely originated during melting via reduction of oxides by C that was part of the chondrule precursor. During chondrule heating, molten metal efficiently extracted siderophile elements from the silicate melt. Rim metal consists of two types. One is like metal in chondrule interiors and was in the process of being expelled when the chondrules were quenched. The other shows systematic depletions in Os, Ir, and Pt relative to Fe and higher concentrations of Au and P than interior metal. This metal is attributed to recondensation from a vapor depleted in refractory siderophiles, a vapor most likely derived via evaporation from chondrules. Large, isolated matrix metal grains comprise the same two groups as rim grains and have the same origins. Bulk chondrule compositions and siderophile abundance patterns in metal indicate that the precursors of CR2 chondrules had CI-like abundances of refractory and moderately volatile elements but was likely depleted in the more volatile elements.
Solvent solubility parameter and flour moisture effects on lipid extractability

Lipids were extracted with a series of solvent systems whose solubility parameter (δ) values ranged from 7.27 to 12.92 (hexane and its aqueous azeotrope, benzene, acetone and its azeotrope and 2-propanol and its azeotrope) from a flour with 1.2%, 7.2% or 13.8% moisture content (MC). The extracted total lipids (TL) were fractionated into nonpolar lipids (NL) and polar lipids (PL) by silicic acid column chromatography. NL and PL were further subfractionated by thin layer chromatography (TLC). PL were separated into glycolipids (GL) and phospholipids (PhL). TL, NL and PL extractabilities were affected by both flour MC and by the nature and composition of extractants: the overall solvent effects were substantially more pronounced than the flour MC effects. Free fatty acid and digalactosyldiglyceride (DGDG) extractabilities increased for all extractants, in general, as flour MC increased. Significant linear relations between the δ values of extractants and the average amounts of TL, PL, GL and PhL from flours with 3 MC were found. The high correlation (r=0.981) between δ and extractability of TL was primarily caused by PL; extractabilities of monoglycerides (among NL) and all classes of GL and PhL were significantly (at the 0.01 level) linearly related to the δ values at all 3 flour MC levels. The present study indicated no selective binding between flour proteins and a specific PL class. Among PL, DGDG showed a clear-cut breaking point in irreversible restoration of breadmaking characteristics. Thus, the present study confirms the significant role of PL to breadmaking, resulting primarily from the contribution of DGDG.
Ocular vergence-induced accommodation and its relation to dark focus.

Two experiments were conducted in an attempt to develop an open-loop technique for assessing the influence of ocular vergence on accommodation changes. Past research had shown that a small point of light (1.2 mm in diameter) induces relatively small changes in monocular accommodation at viewing distances greater than 50 cm. However, Experiment 1 (using seven male and six female undergraduates as subjects) demonstrated that, even with a smaller light spot (.29 mm), subjects could accommodate to the stimulus at distances closer than 50 cm. It was only with a very impoverished target (.08 mm diameter), as used in Experiment 2 (in which five male and five female undergraduates served as subjects), that it was possible to present a stimulus that could induce ocular vergence without being a direct stimulus in itself for accommodation. It was also shown that ocular vergence can drive accommodation and that ocular vergence can vary systematically under conditions in which illumination is greatly reduced. In addition, both experiments showed significant relationships among dark focus and both monocular and binocular accommodation.
Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Manganese Phosphate in Male Sprague–Dawley Rats Following Subacute (14-Day) Exposure

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is used as a gasoline octane enhancer. Manganese phosphate is the primary respirable (PM2.5) MMT-combustion product emitted from the automobile tailpipe. The goal of this study was to determine the exposure–response relationship for inhaled manganese phosphate in adult male CD rats. Rats were exposed 6-h/day for either 5 days/week (10 exposures) or 7 days/week (14 exposures) to manganese phosphate at 0, 0.03, 0.3, or 3 mg Mn/m3 (MMAD ≅ 1.5 μm). The following tissues collected at the end of the 2-week exposure: plasma, erythrocytes, olfactory bulb, striatum, cerebellum, lung, liver, femur, and skeletal muscle (n = 6 rats/exposure group) were analyzed for manganese content by neutron activation analysis. Intravenous 54MnCl2 tracer studies were also conducted following the 14th exposure (n = 6 rats/concentration), and whole-body gamma spectrometry was performed immediately after injection and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after 54MnCl2 administration. Increased manganese concentrations were observed in olfactory bulb, lung, femur, and skeletal muscle following exposure to 3 mg Mn/m3 (10 or 14 exposures). Increased manganese concentrations were also observed in olfactory bulb, striatum, and lung following exposure to 0.3 mg Mn/m3 (14 exposures only). Red blood cell and plasma manganese concentrations were increased only in rats exposed to 3 mg Mn/m3 (10 exposures). Rats exposed to 3 mg Mn/m3 also had an increased whole-body manganese clearance rate when compared to air-exposed control animals. Our results suggest that the rat olfactory bulb may accumulate more manganese than other brain regions following inhalation exposure.
Hydroxyproline stabilizes the triple helix of chick tendon collagen.

Abstract The thermal stability of unhydroxylated procollagen relative to hydroxylated procollagen was investigated using pepsin digestion at various temperatures in the interval 15° to 35° as an enzymatic probe of conformation. The results demonstrate that the unhydroxylated molecules thermally denature between 20° and 25°, while the hydroxylated molecules are stable at least to 35°. This finding suggests that the presence of hydroxyproline in the molecule contributes significantly to the thermal stability of collagen. The results also suggest that triple strand formation may be required for normal secretion.
Depressive Symptoms in Adults With Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disability and Their Relation to Maternal Well‐Being

Little is known about the impact on the family of caring for an individual with both intellectual disability and a mental-health problem. We examined the relationship between depressive symptoms in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability and concurrent maternal well-being as measured by depression, pessimism, subjective burden, and the mother’s perception of the quality of the relationship with her son or daughter. We also examined the extent to which the adult’s depressive symptoms predicted later maternal well-being after controlling for behavior problems and identified covariates. Seventy-one interviews were conducted with mothers regarding their own well-being and their children’s behavior problems as part of a larger longitudinal study of mothers more than 55 years old caring for a coresiding adult son or daughter with intellectual disability. The adult with mild to moderate intellectual disability was interviewed about his or her depressive symptoms. The depressive symptoms of the adult with intellectual disability were correlated with concurrent maternal depression, and were predictive of future maternal depression, pessimism, and subjective burden. They also predict some measures of maternal well-being, and do so beyond what is predicted by behavior problems. These findings suggest that raising an adult child with a dual diagnosis may be more stressful than raising an adult child with intellectual disability only.
A Possible Origin for the Social and Communicative Deficits of Autism

It is hypothesized that some autism is due to onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms during a critical period of infant socialization. It is argued that disruption of social gaze in infancy has the potential to undermine development of social interaction, meaningful language, and higher order cognitive abilities. Studies of infant–caregiver interaction and infant face preference are discussed to support the claim that attention to faces in early life plays a vital role in communicative development. Studies of social gaze behavior, face recognition, and identification of facial expression by persons with autism are reviewed as suggestive evidence pointing to a deficiency in early experience of faces. The core social and communicative deficits of autism may stem from disruption of infant social gaze. In contrast, the other core feature of autism, obsessive interests and repetitive activities, may be a direct manifestation of the underlying neuropsychiatric disorder.
A laser technique for precise measurements

Many of the applications originally suggested for lasers have not proved practicable. The use of lasers for measuring distance very accurately has been extremely successful. This article outlines some of the difficulties of using lasers for distance measurement and how they can be overcome
Durability choice and optimal design lifetime for complex engineering systems

This paper addresses the durability choice problem of complex engineering systems, as seen from the customer's perspective and in the face of network externalities and obsolescence effects. Economists have investigated the impact of market structure on manufacturers’ durability choice (under monopolistic or competitive market conditions); this paper departs from the literature on the subject by addressing the durability choice problem from the customer's perspective, and an ‘optimal’ durability is sought that maximises the Net Present Value of an asset for the customer (as opposed to maximising the profits of the manufacturer). First, the various qualitative implications for reducing or extending a system's durability are discussed. Second, analytical results for the optimal durability are derived under steady-state and deterministic assumptions. Trends and functional dependence of the optimal durability on various parameters are identified and discussed. Third, the durability choice problem is explored w...
Sidestepping maternal antibody: a lesson from measles virus vaccination.

A fundamental unresolved issue in vaccinology is the inhibition of vaccination against infectious diseases of humans and animals by maternal antibodies. To understand this issue, we may turn to the measles virus (MV) vaccine for which the interaction with maternal antibodies has been most thoroughly documented. During their first year of life, children are protected by neutralizing maternal antibodies against MV infection. Over time, these antibody titers wane and eventually do not protect against wild-type virus infection (for review [1]). However, even these low nonprotective antibody titers inhibit the generation of neutralizing antibodies by B cells, although a MV-specific T-cell response is induced [2]. In MV infection, CD8 T cells help to clear virusinfected cells but do not protect against infection [3]. CD4 T cells have no role in protecting or clearing virus from the respiratory tract [4]. Owing to the inhibition of antibody generation after immunization in the presence of maternal antibodies, only seronegative children can be successfully immunized (reviewed in [5]). Since no current measles vaccine formulation is effective in the presence of maternal antibodies, two approaches have been used clinically to address the problem: the use of a high titer measles vaccine, and determining the earliest time point possible for successful vaccination. The high titer vaccine (>10 pfu) had a 10–50-fold higher viral titer than the standard vaccine and induced some level of protection after immunization in the presence of maternal antibodies [6,7]. However, the use of this vaccine was associated with increased mortality [8–10], attributed to immune suppression by the vaccine, and its use was discontinued. In a second approach, children were immunized at different times after birth (in the face of declining maternal antibodies). These studies have demonstrated that low levels of maternal antibody correlates best with vaccination success and the complete disappearance of antibody at the age of 12 months appears to be optimal for immunization [2,11–13]. In agreement with these findings, immunization is suggested to be scheduled at the age of 12 months. However, given the fact that many children in Africa and parts of Asia are exposed to infection prior to 12 months of age, immunization is not able to close this window of susceptibility.
Reaction filters. Charged-particle multiplicity and linear momentum transfer

Abstract The relation between charged-particle multiplicity and linear momentum transfer to heavy reaction residues has been investigated with a 4π charged-particle detector for the reactions 36Ar+238U at E A =35 MeV and 14N+238U at E A =50 MeV . The multiplicity of charged particles at backward angles (θ > 35°) incrreases linear momentum transfer while the multiplicity of charged particles in the forward direction is almost independent of the linear momentum transfer.
Ensuring Our Voices Are Heard: A Primer for Communicating With Legislators

Now, perhaps more than ever, communicating with our legislators is essential to safeguarding the education profession and promoting the well-being of the children and families with whom we work. Ye...
Use and limitations of electron flood gun control of surface potential during XPS: two non-homogeneous sample types

The ability of charge compensation methods to control surface potential is examined for two types of non-homogenous samples: a small conducting dot on an insulating substrate and an insulating thin film on a conductive substrate. Results demonstrate that two newer types of charge compensation systems have improved performance in relation to some previous flood gun systems, while reaffirming the concept that a primary objective of charge compensation is to find conditions for which the surface potential of the specimen is as uniform as possible. However, experiments involving both flood gun use and specimen grounding demonstrate that peak broadening and shifting can occur when two (or more) potentials are present in the region of analysis. Finally, the ability of interface charge to shift specimen potentials and measured binding energies demonstrates fundamental limitations to the absolute accuracy of binding energy measurements, but also remind us that charging phenomena can be used to obtain important information about the sample. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dorchester Lead-Safe Yard project: a pilot program to demonstrate low-cost, on-site techniques to reduce exposure to lead-contaminated soil.

Despite a general reduction in blood lead levels in children after lead was banned in gasoline and paint, lead poisoning remains an important health problem in many older urban areas. One factor that increases risk in these places is the high levels of lead in certain residential areas. A major intervention study found that reducing lead levels in urban soils results in a reduction in exposed children’s blood lead levels. Removing lead from inner-city soils or reducing exposures to lead-contaminated soils typically is expensive, technologically challenging, or beyond the ability of low-income households to undertake. This project, in conjunction with residents and community-based institutions, developed a series of in situ, low-cost, low-technology measures that worked to reduce the exposure to lead-contaminated soils in one Boston, Massachusetts, neighborhood. The project demonstrated several important results. Government, universities, residents, and community based organizations can work together effectively to reduce exposures to lead in soil. Lead-contaminated soil can be mitigated at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods in ways that increase the ability of residents, community health centers, and others to have a positive impact on their neighborhoods. A lead-safe yard program can be replicated and institutionalized by municipal home de-leading programs and other community organizations.
A Self‐Immolative Reporter For β‐Galactosidase Sensing

A dual fluorogenic and chromogenic probe, Gal-2SBPO, has been developed based on a synthesized water-soluble dye, 9-di-3-sulfonyl-propylaminobenzo[a]phenoxazonium perchloride (2SPBO, lambda(ex/em)=630/670 nm). beta-D-Galactopyranoside, the substrate of beta-galactosidase, was conjugated to 2SBPO through a para-substituted benzyloxycarbonyl group and a glycine residue, which serve as a self-immolative spacer and as a molecular blocker to mask the optical signal of 2SBPO, respectively. Gal-2SBPO was soluble and stable under physiological conditions. Enzymatic cleavage of the beta-D-galactopyranoside triggered a series of spontaneous reactions that resulted in a release of optically active 2SBPO. The beta-galactosidase activity was assayed by monitoring the absorbance at 630 nm and fluorescence at 670 nm.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Polymicrogyria by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Monochorionic Cotwin Death

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being used increasingly for confirmation and further characterization of brain abnormalities detected on routine prenatal sonography. It offers improved contrast resolution and direct visualization of both sides of the developing brain and is not susceptible to the limitations of sonography such as fetal position and amniotic fluid volume. With fetal MRI, more sensitive imaging of the cortical and sulcal development 1 - 7 of the fetus can be obtained. Although most brain abnormalities occurring in cases of complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies are characterized by localized or diffuse areas of parenchymal destruction, cortical abnormalities have also been described postnatally or on fetal autopsy. 8 - 2 1 We report a case in which fetal MRI showed not only encephalomalacia but also associated polymicrogyria in a survivor of a monochorionic intrauterine cotwin death.
Using Statistical Pattern Recognition Techniques to Control Variable Conductance Diffusion

We present an approach for controlling relaxation parameters in variable conductance diffusion. This approach incorporates a Bayesian classifier to perform a partial labeling of an image, followed by a diffusion step. Conductance values between pixels are controlled by statistical measurements made of the partial classification. Several iterations follow, interleaving partial labeling with diffusion steps until a convergence or stopping criterion is met. The method is suitable for performing diffusion within multi-valued images. It consistently controls relaxation parameters, even in the presence of noise. The method is presented along with results on phantom and MR images.
The Changing Nonlinear Relationship between Income and Terrorism.

This article reinvestigates the relationship between real per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and terrorism. We devise a terrorism Lorenz curve to show that domestic and transnational terrorist attacks are each more concentrated in middle-income countries, thereby suggesting a nonlinear income–terrorism relationship. Moreover, this point of concentration shifted to lower income countries after the rising influence of the religious fundamentalist and nationalist/separatist terrorists in the early 1990s. For transnational terrorist attacks, this shift characterized not only the attack venue but also the perpetrators’ nationality. The article then uses nonlinear smooth transition regressions to establish the relationship between real per capita GDP and terrorism for eight alternative terrorism samples, accounting for venue, perpetrators’ nationality, terrorism type, and the period. Our nonlinear estimates are shown to be favored over estimates using linear or quadratic income determinants of terrorism. These nonlinear estimates are robust to additional controls.
Nonviral Skin Gene Therapy

Nonviral skin gene therapy is an effective method to directly deliver and transiently express genes in the skin. Several different nonviral delivery methods have been successfully used and are analyzed here for their efficiency and efficacy in achieving specific therapeutic applications. For one important and frequently used application of nonviral skin gene therapy, genetic immunization, the types of resulting immune responses (Th1 versus Th2) will depend on which delivery method is used. In addition, we discuss the contributions of DNA as an immunostimulatory adjuvant in genetic immunization and how activation of skin dendritic cells and induction of IL-12 expression are mechanistically important in this process. Nonviral skin gene therapy has also been successfully used to enhance tumor regression in animal models, frequently by inducing a specific immune response against the tumor. In the future, nonviral skin gene therapy may be successfully used for the treatment of additional skin diseases if genes can be selectively delivered and expressed in specific skin cells, and if increased level and duration of gene expression can be achieved.
Visual programming in the interface construction

The Interface Construction Set (InterCONS) is a visual language and environment. It consists of a data-flow language, an editor for building and testing data-flow programs and making presentation views of the programs, libraries for holding completed programs, and a presentation system for interacting with finished programs and sequences of programs. The author describes the data-flow language and its primitives for arithmetic, logic, interactive control, path control, visual output, and program control. The execution model is also described. InterCONS is useful for experimenting with interactive controls and building models of interactive applications. >
Fluidic conduits for highly efficient purification of target species in EWOD-driven droplet microfluidics

Due to the lack of continuous flows that would wash unwanted specifies and impurities off from a target location, droplet microfluidics commonly employs a long serial dilution process to purify target species. In this work, we achieve high-purity separation for the case of electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) based droplet microfluidics by introducing a “fluidic conduit” between a sample droplet and a buffer droplet. The long and slender fluidic path minimizes the diffusion and fluidic mixing between the two droplets (thus eliminating non-specific transport) but provides a conduit between them for actively transported particles (thus allowing the specific transport). The conduit is purely fluidic, stabilized chemically (e.g. using surfactants) and controlled by EWOD. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by eliminating ∼97% non-magnetic beads in just one purification step, while maintaining high collection efficiency (>99%) of magnetic beads.
Measuring the economic value of urban parks: A caution

Abstract Alternative techniques for measuring the benefits of urban parks are examined. We conclude that the practical problems in valuing urban parks may preclude the use of any single method of measurement. The results also suggest that the property‐value approach may underestimate park benefits substantially, yet values obtained from alternative approaches cannot be arbitrarily combined without double counting of benefits.