cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Japanese EFL Teachers' Perceptions of Communicative, Audiolingual and Yakudoku Activities

In recent years, the learning of English as a Foreign Language in Japanese high schools has become the focus of new educational policies applied at the national level. One of these is The Course of Study issue by the Ministry of Education, in which teachers are, for the first time in a long series of curriculum guidelines, adjured to develop students' "positive attitudes towards communicating in English." Another is the JET program, which has put thousands of native English speaking assistant language teachers (ALTs) into Japanese secondary classrooms for the purpose of team teaching with Japanese teachers. Data resulting from a survey project of 876 Japanese high school English teachers was used to provide empirical evidence of teachers' levels of approval of communicative, audiolingual and traditional (yakudoku) activities. Teachers were also asked to rate the strengths of a variety of influences on their instruction, including university entrance exams, and pre- and in-service teacher education programs. Teachers' perceptions of both activities and instructional influences were examined in light of teachers' length of career, type of school (private versus public, academic versus vocational), and level of contact with an ALT. The data revealed the complexities of imposing broad, national educational policies on a diverse group of teachers, and in an educational culture which likely precludes teachers' use of communicative activities.
Puberty decreases insulin sensitivity.

Puberty is commonly associated with an increase in insulin requirement in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. To investigate whether this pubertal increase in insulin requirement is confined to diabetic subjects, we examined insulin responses during oral glucose tolerance testing with glucose loads per unit weight (1.75 g/kg) or unit surface area (55 g/m 2 ), and insulin sensitivity via euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in prepubertal and pubertal children without diabetes. Irrespective of glucose dose, glucose tolerance testing elicited a threefoid greater insulin response, but equivalent euglycemia, in pubertal versus prepubertal children (P
EVIDENCE FOR A UNIVERSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAGNETIZATION AND CHANGES IN THE LOCAL STRUCTURE

X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) measurements of the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) sample La0.79Ca0.21MnO3 at high fields indicate a decrease in the width parameter of the pair distribution function, σ, as the applied magnetic field is increased for T near Tc. The change in σ2 from the disordered polaron state varies approximately exponentially with magnetization irrespective of whether the sample magnetization was achieved through a change in temperature or the application of an external magnetic field. This suggests a more universal relationship between local structure and the sample magnetization than was previously indicated.
Stark effect on the electron spin transition in zero magnetic field for polar molecules

Abstract The difference in the dipole moment of the zero-field (zf) levels of the lowest triplet state has been determined for a number of aromatic carbonyl molecules from the observed first order Stark effect on the optically detected electron spin transitions. The magnitude of the difference has been found to have a correlation with the energy gap between 3nπ* and 3ππ* states, suggesting that the observed difference in the dipole moment results from anisotropic spin—orbit (s.o.) coupling in the triplet manifold. Qualitative agreement between the results and the simple theory of s.o. coupling is obtained. A new method is proposed to determine the dipole moment, μ2, of the higher triplet state which is coupled to T1 via s.o. coupling from the microwave spectra obtained by using the different phosphorescence Stark components for detection. The values of μ2 for duraldehyde, p-chlorobenzaldehyde and benzaldehyde are determined in this manner.
Polarization orthogonalization properties of optical systems

We investigate the conditions under which an optical system (or device) may transform polarization states at its input into orthogonal states at its output. We find that such polarization orthogonalization is possible if the Jones matrix of the optical system satisfies a specific inequality. One, two, or an infinite number of input polarization states may be orthogonalized. In the latter case, the locus of input states is a circle in the complex plane (and on the Poincare sphere) of polarization. Several examples are given for illustration.
Wisconsinan Pre-Pleniglacial Biotic Change in Southeastern New Mexico

Abstract Interpretation of a 1.5-m mid- to late- Wisconsinan stratigraphic sequence containing fossil vertebrates from the Animal Fair Site in Dry Cave, Eddy County, New Mexico, suggests a progression of habitats, all cooler and moister than today. Mid-Wisconsinan semiarid, moderately warm grasslands or grassy woodlands initially were replaced by cooler, more mesic, grassy woodlands; these were followed by cool, relatively dense sagebrush-grassland-woodland with elements from mixed-coniferous forest. A minor reversal of trend toward earlier, warmer conditions appears at the top of the section. Species collected from each level were basically harmonious until climatic deterioration, documented by invasion of new biotic elements at the end of the mid-Wisconsinan, permitted incursion of taxa associated with more boreal areas; these replaced most of the local fauna but failed to dislodge several taxa with southern affinities.
Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Hemophagocytic Disorders in Canine Bone Marrow

Background — Hemophagocytic macrophages in canine bone marrow are observed in malignant histiocytosis as well as benign hemophagocytic histiocytosis. Cytomorphologic evaluation alone may be inadequate to consistently differentiate between benign and malignant forms of hemophagocytic disorders. Objective — The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of flow cytometry and immunophenotyping to differentiate between benign and malignant types of hemophagocytic disorders in dogs. Methods — Blood smears and bone marrow differential cell counts were evaluated for 10 dogs with hemophagocytic disorders. Bone marrow samples were labeled with monoclonal antibodies to CD18, MCH class-II, Thy-1, CD14, CD3, and CD21. Using flow cytometry, forward-angle versus side-angle light scatter plots were analyzed and immunophenotypes were determined. Results — Scatter plots from 3 dogs with a necropsy diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis revealed 2 atypical cell clusters. One cluster contained cells of similar size or larger than immature myeloid cells and metamyelocytes. Cells in the other cluster were highly granular, with granularity similar to or greater than that of metamyelocytes. In bone marrow from dogs with malignant histiocytosis that was labeled with anti-CD14 antibody, macrophages represented 29–48% of nucleated cells. Seven dogs had a clinical or histopathologic diagnosis of benign hemophagocytic syndrome. Three of the dogs had normal cell distribution in scatter plots. Two dogs had 2 abnormal cell clusters: 1 within the immature myeloid and metamyelocyte gates and the other with granularity similar to or greater than that of metamyelocytes. The remaining 2 dogs had an atypical cell population, mostly within the immature myeloid gate. For dogs with benign hemophagocytic syndromes, 6–17% of cells in the bone marrow were CD14 positive. Conclusions — The cellular distribution in scatter plots and the total number of macrophages in bone marrow may be useful in differentiating malignant histiocytosis from benign hemophagocytic syndromes in dogs.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanical Properties of Red Mud-Based Geopolymers

A pilot study investigates the potential of reusing red mud, an abundant industrial waste produced from alumina refining by the Bayer process, by geopolymerization reactions with another solid waste, fly ash, and sodium silicate. Parameters involved in the synthesis, including red mud to fly ash ratio (values of 80/20, 50/50, and 20/80), presence of sand filler, curing duration (up to 28 days), and sodium silicate solution to solid mixture (consisting of red mud and fly ash) ratio, were examined to understand the extent and degree of geopolymerization. Unconfined compression testing was employed to assess the influence of these synthesis parameters on the mechanical properties of the end products, red mud-based geopolymers. The composition and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, which confirm the geopolymerization reactions. The mechanical properties, including strength, stiffness, and failure strain, were analyzed against the chemical com...
Sesquiterpene lactones: A survey of 21 United States taxa from the genus Vernonia (Compositae)

Abstract The distribution of four new sesquiterpene lactones in 21 North American taxa of the genus Vernonia and the preliminary chemical characterization of three of the new compounds are reported.
Use of Dy3+ as a free-radical relaxing agent in biological tissues

Incubation of muscle or DMBA-induced tumors of rats in Dy3+ greatly decreases the spin-lattice relaxation time of the intrinsic free radicals. This permits use of higher microwave power and improves the overall signal-to-noise ratio. No changes in free-radical lineshape were seen. The free radical in the tissues studied appears to reside in a hydrophylic region which is normally not directly accessible to externally added ions. When the usual barriers are disrupted, the lanthanides approach the tissue free radicals as closely as they approach model free radicals in solution. It is argued that Dy3+ is particularly suitable as a relaxation agent because of its special magnetic, chemical, and biological properties. Information on free-radical-lanthanide distances is obtained by comparison with theory and also by comparison with model systems.
Comparative Prey Suitability ofOstrinia nubilalisEggs andAcyrthosiphon pisumforColeomegilla maculata

Abstract The effects ofOstrinia nubilalis(Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs andAcyrthosiphon pisum(Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), when provided as single prey species and in combination, on life history characteristics ofColeomegilla maculataDeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae and adults were quantified. Preimaginal development was not influenced by the larval prey regime; development at 26 ± 1°C was completed in approximately 13.5 days onO. nubilaliseggs,A. pisum,orA. pisumalternated daily withO. nubilaliseggs. The resulting adults weighed 13.0, 10.7, and 12.5 mg when reared onO. nubilaliseggs,A. pisum,andA. pisumalternated daily withO. nubilaliseggs, respectively. Eighteen percent of the individuals died when reared onA. pisum,28% died when reared onO. nubilaliseggs, and 22% died when fedA. pisumalternated daily withO. nubilaliseggs. Seven adult diet combinations, based on diet regimes of larvae and adults, did not cause significant differences in preoviposition period, interoviposition period, and the number of days on which eggs were laid. Total fecundity was influenced both by larval and adult diet. The diet that resulted in highly fecund females wasA. pisumalternated daily withO. nubilaliseggs for larvae andO. nubilaliseggs for adults. FemaleC. maculatafedO. nubilaliseggs had the highest intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate.
Frontiers in immunology and immune tolerance: new perspectives

molecules, constitutively expressed on all nucleated cells, attenuate TLR-triggered production of inflammatory cytokines and type I interferon from macrophages by interacting with tyrosine kinase Fps/Fes which subsequently activates phosphatase SHP-2 to inhibit TLR signaling. MHC I/ Fps/SHP-2 pathways may be involved in the maintenances of macrophage quiescent and in the fine tune of TLR-triggered immune responses during infections, adding new knowledge in the field of TLR signaling network and innate immunity. ValerieQuesniaux,ProfessorandDirector of Institute of Molecular and Experimental Immunology and Neurogenetics at the French Center of National Research Science (CNRS), then presented updates to the role of MyD88 and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) pathways in host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. It has been known that mycobacteria produce a large variety of agonists for TLRs such as TLR2 and TLR4, but gene disruption inTLR2,TLR4,andTLR9onlyslightlyimpairs the long-term control of MTB infection, with little effect on acute infection. However, MyD88, the common adapter involved in TLRs, IL-1, and IL-18 receptor signal, is essential for the control of acute MTB infection. It is likely that this control occurs at the level of innate response since adaptive response is spared in the absence of MyD88. Dr Quesniaux then addressed the role of IL-1 and IL-18 receptor pathways in th e MyD88-dependent control of acute MTB infection. She demonstrated that the absenceofanIL-1Rsignalleadstoadramatic defect in early control of MTB infection similar to that seen in the absence of MyD88 ,w hile IL-18R is dispensable. She suggests that both IL-1 and MyD88 greatly
Factors Influencing the Food Choices and Eating Habits of Restaurant Chefs in Northern New Jersey: A Pilot Study

This study was conducted to understand the factors influencing the food habits of restaurant chefs in northern New Jersey. Data was collected from participants (N = 12) using dietary recalls, and semi-structured interviews based on the socio-ecological model. Dietary recall analysis revealed multiple nutritional intake hazards including skipping meals, and substitution of foods rich in fats and sugar for fruits and vegetables, and increased consumption of alcohol. Qualitative data analysis revealed that their food habits were influenced by a repertoire of individual, organizational, and interpersonal factors. The relevance of these findings to nutrition intervention programs for this population is discussed.
Midaortic syndrome and hypertension in childhood

Abstract Midaortic syndrome is a form of fibromuscular hyperplasia that involves the abdominal aorta including the renal and visceral branches. Symptomatology depends on the degree and location of vessel narrowing. This report updates the authors' experience and details 17 operative cases, the largest reported series. Seventeen of the 45 patients who have been operated on for severe renovascular hypertension have had this syndrome. Ages have ranged from 5 months to 15 years (average, 9.7 years). Signs and symptoms have included various manifestations of malignant hypertension, congestive heart failure, oliguric renal failure, and claudication. Intestinal angina has not been noted despite celiac and/or superior mesenteric arterial involvement. Although balloon angioplasty was performed in two patients, lasting results were not achieved. One primary nephrectomy was performed. The other 16 patients had vascular reconstructions including aortoaortic bypass grafting (n = 12), with bilateral renal artery bypasses (n = 9) or unilateral renal bypass (n = 3) or bilateral renal bypass alone (n = 4). The majority had associated visceral artery narrowing, but excellent collaterals have been present so no visceral reconstructions have been required. All renal artery bypasses have been with reinforced saphenous vein. Results: In the average follow-up period of 48 months, 12 of the 17 patients have been cured of hypertension, and the other five have improved. Claudication, congestive failure, and renal failure have been alleviated. Thus far, reinforcement of the saphenous vein grafts has prevented aneurysmal degeneration and graft loss. Conclusion: These results indicate that aggressive single-stage reconstruction is the best approach for these children.
Factors affecting injectivity decline

Reservoir pressure support for a large portion of a giant field is maintained by peripheral seawater injection. The temperature of the injected seawater is significantly lower than the reservoir temperature and also lower than the previously injected water obtained from aquifers. Therefore, a decline in injectivity is expected as a result of higher water viscosity due to lower injection water temperature. This paper presents actual data collected from power water injection wells in two areas of the field, both before and after the start of seawater injection. This data has shown a significant decline in injectivity after conversion to seawater in only one area. The quality of the injected water and other related factors will be reviewed to determine the reasons for this behavior that apparently contradicts what was expected. The paper also discusses the actual effects that cold seawater injection has on pressure falloff behavior.
A method for separating shock wave motion and turbulence in LDV measurements

Two-component laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements were made in a planar, two-dimensional flow containing an unsteady oblique shock wave formed by the convergence of two supersonic streams past a thick plate. High-speed wall pressure measurements locate the shock wave and, consequently, allow separation of the effects of shock wave motion from the turbulence fluctuations in the LDV measurements of the shock-separated free shear layer. In the current flow isolating the large-scale changes in the position of the shock from the turbulence primarily reduces the experimental scatter rather than significantly changing the shapes or magnitudes of the turbulent stress profiles. Changes in the direction of shock motion do not significantly affect the mean velocity, but do affect the turbulent stresses.
Engineering NLR immune receptors for broad-spectrum disease resistance

Two recent reports by Maekawa et al. and Narusaka et al. demonstrated the transfer of a nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) family of immune receptors into evolutionarily diverged plants without causing adverse fitness consequences. The applications of NLRs in engineering durable and broad-spectrum resistance in plants are highlighted here.
Use of a virtual environment to investigate planning of unconstrained reach actions after stroke: A feasibility study

Planning of reach actions can be inferred through examination of the scaling of kinematic features and through a deterministic statistical model that delineates a premovement plan and early compensatory adjustments. The influence of stroke-induced hemiparesis on these motor planning features is currently unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a 3-dimensional (3-D) virtual environment (VE) to investigate the planning of unconstrained reach actions in individuals post-stroke. Two non-disabled adults and one individual post-stroke reached to 9 targets displayed in 3 directions (straight, right 45deg, left 45deg) and 3 extents (8 cm, 16 cm, 24 cm) for a total of 108 trials with each arm. Reach trajectories were analyzed, kinematics variables extracted, and a statistical model applied to infer motor planning. All participants were able to complete the VR task although changes were required to ease accuracy requirements for the participant with stroke. In the non-disabled participants, movement time averaged < 500 msec and mean endpoint error increased based on target extent. The participant with stroke had similar movement times (485 plusmn 98 msec) when reaching with the right/ipsilesional UE but longer movement times (761 plusmn 202 msec) when reaching with the left/contralateral UE. Endpoint errors increased based on target extent in both arms in the participant with stroke but errors were overall larger when reaching with the left/contralateral UE. All participants scaled peak velocity to target distance although absolute values differed based on the arm used and the presence of stroke-induced hemiparesis. Scaling of peak acceleration was less consistent across participants. Overall, over 80% of movement distance could be explained by peak velocity and target distance in the non-disabled participants when trials were collapsed across direction. When reaching with the right/ipsilesional UE, the participant with stroke demonstrated an increased reliance on the premovement plan and decreased use of early compensatory adjustments. A similar trend was seen with the left/contralesional UE. Our results suggest that it is feasible to use an immersive VE to investigate the planning of 3-D reach actions in non-disabled adults and an individual with stroke-induced hemiparesis. Future work will develop a calibration system to determine system errors, compare performance in the VE with an analogous real-word task, and extend data collection to a larger group of individuals post-stroke.
Modeling the Mechanical Response of an Aluminum Alloy Automotive Rim

Abstract This paper presents and discuss the use of the finite element technique for analyzing stress and displacement distributions in an aluminum alloy automotive rim–tire combination unit subject to the conjoint influence of inflation pressure and radial load. The commonly used considerations in wheel design are elucidated. A viable and time-efficient technique for finite element modeling of a wheel (rim–tire unit), subjected to loading, is presented. The extrinsic influence of inflation pressure of the radial tire on wheel performance is discussed.
The use of acute normovolemic hemodilution in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion during cardiac surgery and during the post-operative period is of great importance. Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is one of the options for blood salvage. We have prospectively analyzed 310 consecutive patients (pts) after different open heart procedures, operated on during April–May, 2000. ANH was possible in 226 pts (73%) with hemoglobin level over 125 g/l and hematocrit over 36%. Of those, one unit of blood was withdrawn in 128 pts (70%), while two to five units of blood were taken in 68 pts (30%). Total number of autologous blood units taken was 296, for the average of 1.31 units/pt. Predictors of increased intra- and post-operative blood loss were hematocrit (Hct) <39% (76% vs. 24%, p<0.001), age over 65 (p=0.028), female sex (p=0.006), CPB duration over 90 min (63% vs. 37%; p<0.001) and preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35% (63% vs. 37%; p<0.001). All pts with the above-mentioned characteristics were in need for allogeneic blood transfusion. During their hospital stay, 142 pts did not get allogeneic blood (142/310, 46%), and all were in the ANH group (142/226, 62%).
Hot Water Pretreatment of Boreal Aspen Woodchips in a Pilot Scale Digester

Hot water extraction of aspen woodchips was treated at about 160 °C for 2 h with a liquor-to-solid ratio of 4.76:1 in a 1.84 m3 batch reactor with external liquor circulation. Both five-carbon and six-carbon sugars are obtained in the extraction liquor. Xylose and xylooligomers are the main five-carbon sugar in the hot water extract, which reached a maximum concentration of 0.016 mol/L, and 0.018 mol/L, respectively. Minor monosaccharides including galactose, mannose, rhamnose, glucose, and arabinose are also obtained during the hot water extraction. Rhamnose is the main six-carbon sugar in the extraction liquor, which has a maximum concentration of 0.0042 mol/L. The variations of acetyl groups and formic acid are investigated due to their catalytic effect on the extraction reactions. Zeroth-order kinetics models are found to be adequate in describing the dissolved solids, acids, xylose, and xylooligomers.
Optimization of transparent laminates for specific energy dissipation under low velocity impact using genetic algorithm

We employ a genetic algorithm to maximize the energy dissipated per unit areal density in laminates composed of layers of poly-methyl-metha-acrylate (PMMA), adhesive and polycarbonate (PC) impacted at low velocity by a rigid hemi-spherical nosed cylinder. Sources of energy dissipation considered are plastic deformations of the PC and the PMMA, cracking of the PMMA, viscous deformations of the adhesive, and the energy used to deform failed elements that are deleted from the analysis domain. Some of the challenging issues are appropriate constitutive relations for the three materials, failure criteria, and numerical techniques to accurately analyze finite deformations of different constituents. We model the PC and the PMMA as thermo-elasto-visco-plastic materials with constitutive relations proposed by Mulliken and Boyce and modified by Varghese and Batra, the adhesive as a visco-elastic material, and use the commercial finite element software LS-DYNA in which these material models have been implemented as user defined subroutines. This software is coupled with a genetic algorithm to optimize the layup of the PC, the PMMA and the adhesive layers of the same thickness under the constraints that the top and the bottom layers are not adhesive, the PC and the PMMA layers must have an adhesive layer between them, and the total number of layers is fixed.
Perceptual notion of scale for halftone representations: nonlinear diffusion

It has been shown that incorporating a model of human visual system in the form of filtering halftone errors by the eye's Modulation Transfer Function improves the quality of generated halftones. However, in addition to the effect induced by the blurring of the eye, the human visual system constructs abstract, multi-scale representations of the images it perceives in the form of a coarse-fine representation where the coarser levels are augmented by increasingly finer levels of detail. Such abstract representations can be quite different from coarser representation generated by a linear Gaussian convolution filter which blurs the image while removing small features. In this paper we employ a nonlinear system of partial differential equations to construct a perceptually meaningful scale-space of coarse to fine representations of an image and require that the multi-scale structure of a halftone to approximate that of the original image. This is implemented via a scale-based error metric and optimization by simulate annealing. The improvements are demonstrated on a few images.
The often poor clinical outcome of infected total knee arthroplasty.

The clinical outcomes of various options of treatment in 26 infected total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) with successful eradication and no recurrence of infection for at least 2 years were compared. There were 20 women and 6 men with an average age of 67.7 years. The average follow-up time was 48 months (range, 24-83 months). The evaluation parameters included pain score, knee score, functional score, and radiograph of the knee. The TKAs with acute infection showed significantly better outcome and clinical results when compared with noninfected TKAs. The clinical outcome of chronic infection was less favorable. Arthrodesis achieved better pain relief, whereas reimplantation TKA showed better function. No significant difference in knee scores was observed, however, between reimplantation TKA and arthrodesis. Approximately 50% of reimplantation TKAs had mild-to-moderate knee pain.
The randomized linear control policy method and some bounds for the adaptive multiple model problem

Using admissibility in the analysis of the multiple model, finite horizon, discrete time LQG problem, a family of lower and upper bounds of the minimum expected cost is obtained. Some of the earlier works are also shown to be related through admissibility and bounds. The well-known OLFO control is generalized to a closed-loop, Optimum Feedback Linear Policy (OFLP) control. Then, a new method of approximating the optimal solution is developed, called the Randomized Linear Control Policy (RLCP) method. Here, the learning nature of the controller about the true but unknown model is embedded in the computations of the expected cost by enlarging the class of control policies, from deterministic to stochastic. The randomized controls for the future stages are used to obtain the deterministic control for the current stage. Because of the linearity of the control policies in RLCP, it is possible to obtain analytically an approximate value of the expected cost as a function of control, for each fixed RLCP. This analytically computed cost is also bounded below and above by some appropriate bounds.
False positive non-synonymous polymorphisms of G-protein coupled receptor genes

Polymorphisms of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) genes are associated with disease risk and modification, and the response to receptor-directed therapy. Genomic sequencing (∼1700 automated runs) from as many as 120 chromosomes from 60 multiethnic individuals was performed to confirm non-synonymous coding polymorphisms reported in the dbSNP database from 25 randomly selected GPCR genes. These polymorphisms were in regions of the receptors responsible for structural integrity, ligand binding, G-protein coupling and phosphoregulation. However, most of these putative polymorphisms could not be confirmed (false positive rate of 68%). Based on these results, we suggest that the variability of the superfamily is not well defined, and we caution against exclusive reliance on databases for selection of candidate GPCR polymorphisms for disease association and pharmacogenetic studies.
Dynamic changes in the elastic modulus of lagomorph nasal septal cartilage during Nd:YAG (λ = 1.32 μm) laser irradiation

The elastic modulus of rabbit nasal septal cartilage was measured during Nd:YAG laser (λ=1.32 μm, 10 seconds, 21.22 W/cm 2 ) radiation. Cyclical force versus displacement curves were generated in cantilevered specimens (9.5 mm x 3.0 mm x 1.0 mm) using a calibrated thin beam load cell and a single axis motorized micropositioner (velocity = 0.3 mm/sec). The laser and a thermopile were positioned above the secured specimen. Samples were irradiated three times with 30 second cooling intervals between each sequential laser exposure. Surface temperature reached a maximum of 65°C. Measurements were recorded before, during, and after each laser irradiation, and then following complete rehydration in normal saline (NS) for 1 hour at 25°C. Following each laser exposure, the sample was sprayed with normal saline delivered via an atomizer to prevent desiccation. Elastic modulus was calculated using a model assuming linear elastic behavior. The modulus in native tissue was 6.08 ± 0.17 Mpa, and this decreased during and after each successive laser exposure (5.41 ± 0.39 Mpa, 4.94 ± 0.46), (5.05 + 0.104 Mpa, 4.17 ± 0.46 Mpa), (4.23 ± 0.53, 3.71 ± 0.60 Mpa), for the first, second, and third laser exposures, respectively. Following rehydration for one hour in normal saline, the modulus returned to near-baseline values (5.33 ± 0.40 Mpa). The results suggest that molecular changes that occur in the cartilage tissue matrix during laser cartilage reshaping are not accompanied by irreversible changes in the matrix molecules.
Incompatibility and host range of pGD10 from Capnocytophaga ochraceus, formerly Bacteroides ochraceus.

Abstract The R plasmid pGD10, originally isolated from Capnocytophaga ochraceus (formerly designated Bacteroides ochraceus ) belongs to the FII incompatibility group in Escherichia coli . pGD10 is very closely related to other FII plasmids as shown by restriction endonuclease analysis. pGD10 could be transferred to other Enterobacteriaceae but not to Pseudomonas or Bacteroides fragilis . Thus the host range of pGD10 is also similar to other FII plasmids.
Effects of a rapidly receding ice edge on the abundance, age structure and feeding of three dominant calanoid copepods in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Open-water, marginal-ice and in-ice zones were sampled in the Weddell Sea during November and December, 1993 in an effort to examine the influence of the early spring bloom on the diet and population structure of the three biomass dominant copepods: Metridia gerlachei, Calanus propinquus, and Calanoides acutus. The abundance of all three species in the upper 200 m was highest at stations in the open water, but individually, each species displayed a unique trend. M. gerlachei, which showed the least variability, was significantly more abundant in open water than in the marginal-ice zone. The abundance of Calanus propinquus was higher in open water than in the marginal-ice zone or in the ice. Calanoides acutus displayed the highest variability, with significant differences between all three ice-cover zones. Diet analysis revealed no significant differences in the number of food items within each ice-cover zone and diatoms were the most numerous item identified in the guts of all three species. However, M. gerlachei and Calanus propinquus also contained metazoan material, while Calanoides acutus did not. There were dramatic differences in the age composition of the species between the zones. Early copepodite stages of all three species predominated at the ice edge and in open water. Numbers of M. gerlachei adult females were roughly equivalent in all three zones while Calanoides acutus and Calanus propinquus adult females composed a higher fraction of the total population within the ice. These results compare well with life-history data compiled by other authors and reinforce the importance of the ice edge to bloom-dependent Antarctic zooplankton.
Manganese porphyrins as redox-coupled peroxynitrite reductases

Superoxide (O2•-) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) have been implicated in many pathophysiological conditions. To develop novel catalysts that have both ONOO- decomposition and O2•- dismutase activity, and to understand the mechanisms of these processes, we have explored the reactivity of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4‘-pyridyl)porphinatomanganese(III) [Mn(III)TMPyP] toward ONOO- and O2•-. The reaction of Mn(III)TMPyP with ONOO- to generate an oxomanganese(IV) porphyrin species [(oxoMn(IV)] is fast, but Mn(III)TMPyP is not catalytic for ONOO- decomposition because of the slow reduction of oxoMn(IV) back to the Mn(III) oxidation state. However, biological antioxidants such as ascorbate, glutathione, and Trolox rapidly turn over the catalytic cycle by reducing oxoMn(IV). Thus, Mn(III)TMPyP becomes an efficient peroxynitrite reductase when coupled with ascorbate, glutathione, and Trolox (kc≈ 2 × 106 M-1 s-1), though the direct reactions of ONOO- with these biological antioxidants are slow (88 M-1 s-1, 5.8 × 102 M-1...
The Short-Term Effects of a Computer-Based Pregnancy, STD, and HIV Prevention Program

A computer- and Internet-based intervention was designed to influence several variables related to the prevention of pregnancy, STDs, and HIV in rural adolescents. Three-hundred and thirty-eight tenth-graders enrolled in two rural public high schools participated in this field experiment. Results indicate that students in the experimental school had greater knowledge, greater condom negotiation efficacy, greater situational efficacy, and more favorable attitudes toward waiting to have sex than students in the control school. In tandem, the results suggest that computer-based programs may be a cost-effective and easily replicable means of providing teens with basic information and skills necessary to prevent pregnancy, STDs, and HIV.
Homogeneity in Eudoxus's theory of proportion

Another case is the theorem about proportion, that you can take the terms alternately; this theorem used to be proved separately for numbers, for lines, for solids, and for times, though it admitted of proof by one demonstration. But because there was no name comprehending all these things as one I mean numbers, lengths, times, and solids, which differ in species from one another they were treated separately. Now, however, the proposition is proved universally; for the property did not belong to the subjects qua lines or qua numbers, but qua having a particular character which they are assumed to possess universally. (Aristotle, Posterior Analytics A.5.74al7-25.)
Evidentiary rationales for the Choosing Wisely Top 5 lists

Aiming to reduce wasteful medical care, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative asks leading physician specialty societies to create a “Top 5” list of medical services that provide no overall benefit to patients in most situations.1,2 As of August 2013, 25 participating specialty societies had produced 1 or more Top 5 lists containing a total of 135 services. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role that evidence on benefits, risks, and costs plays in selecting a service for the Top 5 lists. As Choosing Wisely continues to grow, clarity on the evidentiary justifications for the lists will be crucial for the overall credibility of the campaign.
Controlled Modulation of Conductance in Silicon Devices by Molecular Monolayers

We have controllably modulated the drain current (I(D)) and threshold voltage (V(T)) in pseudo metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) by grafting a monolayer of molecules atop oxide-free H-passivated silicon surfaces. An electronically controlled series of molecules, from strong pi-electron donors to strong pi-electron acceptors, was covalently attached onto the channel region of the transistors. The device conductance was thus systematically tuned in accordance with the electron-donating ability of the grafted molecules, which is attributed to the charge transfer between the device channel and the molecules. This surface grafting protocol might serve as a useful method for controlling electronic characteristics in small silicon devices at future technology nodes.
Conceptualizing large-scale information access efforts: the case for historical context

Large-scale digitization initiatives (LSDIs) like Google Book Search and the Open Content Alliance have extraordinary potential to reshape the social world. However, the scholarly community currently lacks adequate conceptualizations to describe these phenomena and assess what they might portend. This paper examines the current state of the literature on LSDIs, finding hundreds of related articles and documents -- only a fraction of which add to the conceptualization process. It then describes one way forward in developing a holistic concept of LSDIs upon which to ground further study: by placing them in historical context, as efforts to democratize access to information.
Angioplasty in total coronary artery occlusion

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was attempted without streptokinase in 24 patients with total coronary artery occlusion but without acute transmural myocardial infarction. The maximal duration of occlusion was estimated to be 1 week or less in 10 patients, more than 1 to 4 weeks in 6, more than 4 to 12 weeks in 3 and more than 12 weeks in 5. Dilation of the occluded artery was attempted in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 17 patients, in the right coronary artery in 4 and in the circumflex coronary artery in 3. Angioplasty was successful in 13 patients (54%): left anterior descending coronary artery in 59%, right coronary artery in 50% and circumflex coronary artery in 33%. In patients with successful dilation, there was a mean decrease in coronary artery stenosis from 100 to 23%. In the 19 patients whose occlusion was estimated to be of 12 weeks' duration or less, angioplasty was successful in 68%. In the five patients whose occlusion was estimated to be of more than 12 weeks' duration, dilation was not successful in any (p = 0.006). It is concluded that in selected patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease and recent coronary artery occlusion without associated acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty alone may be effective in restoring patency.
Guest Editors' Introduction: Social Computing in the Blogosphere

The widespread phenomenon of blogging demonstrates the power of citizen journalism and anytime information sharing. People can exchange personal experiences, voice opinions, offer suggestions, and form groups with genuine social activities. Blogs also act as conduits, propagating data at an unprecedented pace that has led to a gigantic and dynamic open source data archive as well as a unique opportunity for various research activities studying influence, trust, reputation, privacy, search, spam, and group interaction. An important challenge lies in modeling and mining this vast pool of data. Social computing is an emerging interdisciplinary field and offers unique opportunities for developing novel algorithms and tools, such as text and content mining, and graph and link mining. An associated challenge is data collection and objective evaluation: How can we effectively collect data and share it for research and benchmark building? The blogosphere's distinctive nature offers an unprecedented platform for academics, researchers, and industrial practitioners of disparate disciplines to explore and collaborate. The blogosphere offers new challenges that require collaborative research from different disciplines — social sciences, computer science, psychology, cultural anthropology, and mathematics, to name a few. This special issue represents a solid step to advance the emerging field.
Absence of uterokinetic effects of prostaglandin F2α on oxytocin-reactive uterus in the mare

Abstract In most cyclic females, prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) triggers a uterine motility response resembling that of oxytocin (OT). To determine if PGF 2α is a uterokinetic substance in the cycling mare, uterine motility was measured by intrauterine balloon technique in 12 conscious, normally cyclic mares. After 60 min of saline infusion, continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion with OT (1 i.u./min) was followed by PGF 2α (200 μg/min) for 60 min each. The experiment was repeated 3 wk later except with PGF 2α preceeding OT. A second group of mares was administered OT (60 i.u.) either i.v., intramuscularly (i.m.), or intrauterinely (i.u.). Plasma samples were studied for progesterone concentration. Control uterine motility for the first group of mares was (mean ± SEM) 545.83 ± 45.10 mm 2 . Significant (P 2 ) regardless if PGF 2α preceded OT infusion or vice-versa. No significant difference (P>0.05) was seen in motility after PGF 2α (423.33 ± 31.12 mm 2 ) infusion. The uterokinetic effect of OT was greatest when OT was administered i.v. (1696.50 ± 195.46 mm 2 ) followed by i.m. (819.82 ± 39.96 mm 2 ), and it was least effective when administered i.u. (607.83 ± 21.56 mm 2 ) as compared to control uterine motility (279.78 ± 22.33 mm 2 ). Skin electrical resistance values rose from 0 to 2000 ohms with PGF 2α infusion (but not with OT), indicating that PGF 2α was bioactive. It was concluded that PGF 2α was not a uterokinetic substance in the cyclic mare.
Quantitative Analysis of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in Atmosphere Samples and Biological Tissues

Abstract A quantitative method for the analysis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), collected in atmospheric samples or extracted from biological tissues, is described. PVP is a component in many aerosol hair sprays. A 0.4M citric acid solution is used to collect or extract the PVP. The color is developed by using a potassium iodide reagent, and the intensity of the color is read on a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 432 mμ. The low limit of detection for this method has been established at 0.5 μg of PVP per milliliter of final solution.
A Single Amino Acid Change in the Newcastle Disease Virus Fusion Protein Alters the Requirement for HN Protein in Fusion

The role of a leucine heptad repeat motif between amino acids 268 and 289 in the structure and function of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) F protein was explored by introducing single point mutations into the F gene cDNA. The mutations affected either folding of the protein or the fusion activity of the protein. Two mutations, L275A and L282A, likely interfered with folding of the molecule since these proteins were not proteolytically cleaved, were minimally expressed at the cell surface, and formed aggregates. L268A mutant protein was cleaved and expressed at the cell surface although the protein migrated slightly slower than wild type on polyacrylamide gels, suggesting an alteration in conformation or processing. L268A protein was fusion inactive in the presence or absence of HN protein expression. Mutant L289A protein was expressed at the cell surface and proteolytically cleaved at better than wild-type levels. Most importantly, this protein mediated syncytium formation in the absence of HN protein expression although HN protein enhanced fusion activity. These results show that a single amino acid change in the F(1) portion of the NDV F protein can alter the stringent requirement for HN protein expression in syncytium formation.
Structure of staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 at various pH levels.

The three-dimensional structure of staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 (SEC2), a toxin as well as a superantigen, has been determined at various pH levels from two different crystal forms, tetragonal (pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5) and monoclinic (pH 8.0) at 100 and 293 K, respectively, by the molecular-replacement method. Tetragonal crystals belong to space group P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 42.68, c = 289.15 A (at pH 5.0), and monoclinic crystals to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 43.3, b = 70.6, c = 42.2 A, β = 90.3°. SEC2 contains a zinc-binding motif, D+HExxH, and accordingly a Zn atom has been identified. The coordination of the zinc ion suggests that it may be catalytic zinc rather than structural, but there is so far no biological evidence that it possesses catalytic activity. However, superantigen staphylococcal exfoliative toxins A and B have been shown to have enzymatic activity after their fold was identified to be similar to that of serine protease. The structure and its conformation are similar to the previously reported structures of SEC2. Though it was expected that the zinc ion may be leached out, as the histidines coordinating the zinc ion are expected to be protonated below pH 6.0, zinc is present at all pH values. The coordination distances to zinc increase with decreasing pH, with the distances being the least at pH 8.0. The results of automated model building using the ARP/wARP program for different data sets collected at various pH values are discussed.
Self-reported experience of bullying of students who stutter: relations with life satisfaction, life orientation, and self-esteem

Self-reported self-esteem, life orientation, satisfaction with life, and bullying were examined in relation to victimization experiences among 54 students who stuttered and 54 students who did not stutter. Those who stuttered reported greater, i.e., clinically significant, victimization (44.4%) than students who did not stutter (9.2%). Significant differences were found between means for self-esteem and life orientation, with students who stuttered reporting lower self-esteem and less optimistic life orientation than those who did not stutter. In both groups of students, high victimization scores had statistically significant negative correlations with optimistic life orientation, high self-esteem, and high satisfaction with life scores. Given the increased likelihood of students who stuttered being bullied, the negative relation of adjustment variables and bullying, and the potentially negative long-term effects of bullying, increased vigilance and early intervention are discussed.
A data path synthesis method for self-testable designs

A high level synthesis for testability method is presented whose objective is to generate self-testable RTL designs from data flow behavioral descriptions. The approach is formulated as an allocation problem based on an underlying structural testability model and its connection rules. Two allocation techniques have been developed to solve this problem: one based on an efficient heuristic algorithm that generates cost-effective designs, the other based on an integer linear program formulation that generates optimal designs. The allocation algorithms have been implemented and several benchmark examples are presented.