cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jump-Starting Collaboration: The ABCD Initiative and the Provision of Child Development Services through Medicaid and Collaborators

Many policy problems require governmental leaders to forge vast networks beyond their own hierarchical institutions. This essay explores the challenges of implementation in a networked institutional setting and incentives to induce coordination between agencies and promote quality implementation. It describes the national evaluation of the Assuring Better Child Health and Development program, a state-based program intended to increase and enhance the delivery of child development services for low-income children through the health care sector, using Medicaid as its primary vehicle. Using qualitative evaluation methods, the authors found that all states implemented programs that addressed their stated goals and made changes in Medicaid policies, regulations, or reimbursement mechanisms. The program catalyzed interagency cooperation and coordination. The authors conclude that even a modest level of external support and technical assistance can stimulate significant programmatic change and interorganizational linkages within public agencies to enhance provision of child development services.
Spinoza, Nagel, and the View From Nowhere

La conception de Spinoza de la liberte n'echappe pas au subjectivisme. En effet, selon l'argument avance par ce dernier, une apprehension de la subjectivite presume une vision objective de l'esprit humain et la necessite de la subjectivite de l'agent moral en tant qu'element du systeme universel causal
Linkages among biodiversity, livelihood, and tourism.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvements, and tourism development using the appreciative inquiry approach as a research tool. The research was conducted in three different buffer-zone communities representing different levels of tourism development around Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The results indicate that tourism helps change local people’s attitudes toward the conservation of biodiversity and reduce people’s dependence on natural resources. Tourism, particularly small-scale and locally owned ecotourism ventures, is also identified as a tool to enhance the livelihoods of people around protected areas. The linkages, however, vary with the level of tourism development. This study also developed a framework to help understand these linkages.
Characterization of Novel Reverse Transcriptase and Other RNA-associated Catalytic Activities by Human DNA Polymerase γ IMPORTANCE IN MITOCHONDRIAL DNA REPLICATION

During mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, DNA/RNA heteroduplex intermediates are formed. To understand how and why ribonucleotides are involved in mtDNA replication, we have studied the novel RNA-associated activities of human mitochondrial DNA polymerase (Pol γ), including reverse transcription, RNA-directed 3′ → 5′ DNA excision, RNA-primed DNA synthesis, and ribonucleotide incorporation. Remarkably, Pol γ catalyzes reverse transcription with a slightly higher efficiency than HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, suggesting that the activity may be physiologically significant, and furthermore, proofreading activity with an RNA template was also observed. RNA-primed DNA synthesis activity is required for initiation of mtDNA replication, and we have found that Pol γ holoenzyme is capable of performing this reaction at a physiologically relevant rate and that the accessory subunit plays an essential role in the initiation steps. Single ribonucleotides have been found scattered in the mtDNA genome, although their role and significance are not yet defined. Our finding that Pol γ also incorporates ribonucleotide triphosphates into a DNA primer offers a plausible enzymatic pathway for the origin of the RNA-containing mtDNA genome.
Histologic findings after argon laser trabeculoplasty in glaucomatous eyes

The purpose of the study was to determine histologic findings after successful laser trabeculoplasty in eyes with glaucoma. Previous studies have examined eyes in which laser did not lower intraocular pressure, or examined only the region of the laser burn itself. Nineteen autopsy eyes from 14 donors with either primary open angle or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma that had undergone laser trabeculoplasty during life were studied. Clinical records were used to determine the effect of laser in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). For comparison, 49 glaucomatous eyes that had not undergone laser, and 55 normal eyes were studied as control eyes. Histologic sections from multiple quadrants of each eye were studied by light microscopy, selecting regions between laser spots when the spots were visible. Meshworks from lasered eyes frequently had regions of an expanded juxtacanalicular region associated with numerous superimposed giant vacuoles partially filling Schlemm's canal. This finding was more common in eyes fixed by posterior chamber perfusion, occurring in 90% (9/10) of lasered eyes, while it was found in only 20% (3/15) of glaucomatous control eyes (p = 0.01) and 33% (14/43) of normal eyes (p = 0.01). The mean decrease in IOP caused by laser was 34% ± 14%, with mean follow-up time before death of 2.7 ± 1.7 years. In eyes fixed by immersion the expanded JCT finding was less common, occurring in 22% (2/9) of lasered eyes, but only 9% (3/34) of glaucomatous control eyes and 8% (1/12) of normal eyes. The mean decrease in IOP in these eyes was 39% ± 10%, with mean follow up of 2.3 ± 1.0 years until death. Downgrowth of Descemet's membrane over the meshwork was observed in portions of two of the 19 lasered eyes. In conclusion, laser trabeculoplasty associated with decreased IOP appears to cause a remodeling of the juxtacanalicular region of the meshwork. This may be a dynamic, flow dependent finding, as it was more common in eyes fixed by perfusion. Downgrowth of Descemet's membrane over the meshwork was uncommon.
Effect of oral propranolol on left ventricular performance in patients with ischemic heart disease. Ear densitographic study during uninterrupted treadmill exercise.

The effect of oral propranolol on left ventricular performance during early upright exercise was evaluated by ear densitography in patients with arteriographic coronary artery disease (CAD). Measurements of systolic time intervals differentiated 10 unmedicated patients with CAD (group 1) and 15 patients with CAD taking propranolol (group 3). The patients in group 3 had less shortening of preejection period at 1 minute and 4 minutes of exercise than group 1 patients (p β -adrenoceptor blockade.
Revision of Argis dentata and related species (Decapoda : Caridea : Crangonidae), with description of a new species from the Okhotsk Sea

ABSTRACT In order to clarify the taxonomic status of Argis dentata and Argis ovifer, materials from various localities were compared. A species restricted to the Japan Sea, which has been referred to as A. dentata, is now assigned to Argis toyamaensis, a species known only by the original description. For 5 specimens from the Okhotsk Sea, including 2 specimens recorded as A. ovifer by Hayashi (1986), a new species, A. ochotensis, is described. The available material and literature indicate that A. dentata ranges geographically from the northern Okhotsk Sea to the northern North Atlantic and that A. ovifer is distributed in the northwestern part of the Okhotsk Sea and the Bering Sea, while A. toyamaensis and the new species are probably endemic to the Japan Sea and the Okhotsk Sea, respectively. Affinities of these 4 species are discussed and a key to species of Argis considered to be valid at present is provided.
Vibrational spectra and force constants for isotopic species of nitrosyl bromide

Abstract From infrared absorption studies in the gaseous phase, the fundamental harmonic vibrational frequencies have been determined for 16 O 14 NBr, 16 O 15 NBr, 18 O 14 NBr, and 18 O 15 NBr. With the aid of centrifugal distortion data from the literature, a unique general quadratic valence force constant solution was obtained. The resulting values are: F NO = 15.25 md/A, F NBr = 1.13 md/A, F α = 1.13 md A/rad 2 , F NO,NBr = 1.47 md/A, F NO, α = 0.11 md/rad, and F NBr, α = 0.10 md/rad. Interaction displacement coordinates were calculated and were used along with the force constants to describe the bonding in ONBr, ONCl, and ONF.
Cytosolic aconitase and ferritin are regulated by iron in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Iron regulatory protein-1 (IRP-1) is a cytosolic RNA-binding protein that is a regulator of iron homeostasis in mammalian cells. IRP-1 binds to RNA structures, known as iron-responsive elements, located in the untranslated regions of specific mRNAs, and it regulates the translation or stability of these mRNAs. Iron regulates IRP-1 activity by converting it from an RNA-binding apoprotein into a [4Fe-4S] cluster protein exhibiting aconitase activity. IRP-1 is widely found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here, we report the biochemical characterization and regulation of an IRP-1 homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans(GEI-22/ACO-1). GEI-22/ACO-1 is expressed in the cytosol of cells of the hypodermis and the intestine. Like mammalian IRP-1/aconitases, GEI-22/ACO-1 exhibits aconitase activity and is post-translationally regulated by iron. Although GEI-22/ACO-1 shares striking resemblance to mammalian IRP-1, it fails to bind RNA. This is consistent with the lack of iron-responsive elements in the C. elegans ferritin genes, ftn-1 and ftn-2. While mammalian ferritin H and L mRNAs are translationally regulated by iron, the amounts of C. elegans ftn-1 and ftn-2 mRNAs are increased by iron and decreased by iron chelation. Excess iron did not significantly alter worm development but did shorten their life span. These studies indicated that iron homeostasis in C. elegans shares some similarities with those of vertebrates.
Restoration of Profiles from Slit-Scan Flow Cytometry

Slit-scan flow cytometry has been used to measure the distribution of fluorescent dye along mammalian chromosomes. In this procedure, the chromosomes are forced to flow lengthwise and one at a time through a thin laser beam. The resulting fluorescence profile is an approximation of the distribution of stain along the chromosome showing a dip at the centromere region. In this paper we describe a procedure, based upon Fourier analysis, to restore high spatial frequency information to the measured chromosome profile so that the centromeric dip can be precisely located. To accomplish this we estimate both the flow velocity and the laser beam profile. The procedure is applied to the restoration of profiles of fluorescent microspheres and Chinese hamster M3-l chromosomes. Validation of the procedure is accomplished by comparing restored chromosome profiles to those obtained through high resolution fluorescence microscopy.
Thermally Stimulated Currents in Sodium Silicate Glasses

Sodium-ion motion in three sodium silicate glasses and a sodium aluminosilicate glass was investigated by the thermally stimulated polarization (TSPC) and depolarization (TSDC) current techniques. The two TSDC peaks found in the sodium silicate glasses were attributed to localized sodium-ion movement around a nonbridging oxygen ion, a type of dipolar orientational polarization, and to a longer-range sodium motion leading to interfacial polarization at the immiscible phase boundaries. The high-temperature background (HTB) current corresponded to the sodium motion for dc conductivity and diffusion. The commonly observed dc absorption current was found to be related to the two TSDC peaks.
Haptic virtual manipulatives for enhancing K-12 special education

The novel idea of haptic virtual manipulatives as learning aids for learning disabled K-12 students will be presented. The need for innovative, specialized tools to enhance learning, especially for students with learning disabilities, is presented as motivation for this work. We discuss virtual manipulatives for math education and the proposition that it would be beneficial to augment these manipulatives with a sense of touch through a haptic interface. The design of haptic virtual manipulatives is discussed as well as suitable haptic interfaces. A discussion of future directions of this research concludes the presentation.
Systematics of multi-seeded eastern hemisphere Juniperus based on leaf essential oils and RAPD DNA fingerprinting

Abstract The composition of the leaf essential oils of 15 taxa of the multi-seeded Juniperus in sect. Sabina from the eastern hemisphere are reported and compared ( J . chinensis , J . davurica , J . excelsa , J . excelsa var. polycarpos , J . foetidissima , J . jarkendensis , J . phoenicea , J . procera , J . sabina , J . sabina var. erectopatens , J . semiglobosa , J . seravschanica , J . talassica , J . thurifera , J . turcomanica ). The volatile leaf oil compositions for these Juniperus species are presented. In addition, DNA fingerprinting revealed similar patterns among these species. Based on these data, J . seravschanica is treated as J. turcomanica B. Fedtsch. var. seravschanica (Kom.) R.P. Adams comb . nov ., and J . talassica is recognized as J . semiglobosa var. talassica (Lipinsky) Silba. These data also support the continued recognition of J . jarkendensis Kom. as a distinct species. Juniperus sabina var. erectopatens (Cheng. and L.L. Fu) Y.F. Yu and L.K. Fu was found to be very distinct in both its terpenoids and RAPDs and is recognized as a distinct species, J . erectopatens (Cheng and L.K. Fu) R.P. Adams stat nov. The correct name for the Balochistan, Pakistan juniper is J . turcomanica var. seravschanica (Kom.) R.P. Adams, not J . excelsa or J . excelsa ssp. polycarpos . In addition, the systematic and evolutionary relationships are discussed.
Investigations in the Far Infrared

An instrument is described for investigations of the reflectivity, transmissivity and emission of various materials over the spectral range 20 to 150\ensuremath{\mu}. The following measurements are reported: Reflectivities of rough surfaces, galena, $\ensuremath{\beta}$-magnesia, zincite, stibinite, corundum, sphalerite, molybdenite and cuprite. Transmissivities of KBr, KI a layer of KCl evaporated on a lacquer film, a thin film of amorphous quartz, liquid C${\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$, and powdered Al and Cu. Emission of liquid and solid NaCl near the melting temperature.
Genetically Altering Aβ Distribution from the Brain to the Vasculature Ameliorates Tau Pathology

The inheritance of the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene is the major genetic risk factor for developing late-onset Alzheimer disease. In transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein (APP), replacing the endogenous mouse apoE gene with the human apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) gene alters the distribution of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits from the brain parenchyma to the vasculature. However, the effects of this distribution on the onset and progression of tau pathology remain to be established. To address this issue, we used a genetic approach to replace the endogenous apoE gene with the human apoE4 allele in the 3xTg-AD mice. We showed that changing Aβ distribution from the parenchyma to the vasculature drastically reduces the tau pathology. The 3xTg-AD mice expressing the human apoE4 gene were virtually depleted of any somatodendritic tau deposits. These data strongly suggest that the somatodendritic tau accumulation is dependent on the parenchyma Aβ deposits.
CONTROLLED CARDIAC REOXYGENATION REDUCES NITRIC OXIDE (NO) PRODUCTION AND OXIDANT INJURY OP HYPOXEMIC INFANT HEARTS

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is used increasingly to correct cyanotic heart defects during early infancy, but myocardial dysfunction is often seen after surgical repair. This study evaluates whether starting CPB at a conventional, hyperoxic pO2 causes an uninattended reoxygcnalion (RcO2) injury. We subjected 2-week-old pigs to ventilator hypoxemia [FIO2 = 0.06 & pO2 = 25 minHg] followed by 5 min of ReO2 on CPB before instituting cardioplegia. CPB was begun in hypoxemic piglets by either abrupt RcO2 at a pO2 of 400 mmHg [standard clinical practice] or by maintaining a pO2 = 25 mmHg on CPB until controlling ReO2 with blood cardioplegic arrest at a pO2 = 400. Myocardial NO production [chemilumincscence measurements of NO2- + NO3- in aortic and coronary sinus blood] and conjugated diene (CD) generation [spectrophotometric A233 measurements of lipid extracts of blood] were assessed during cardioplegic induction. Thirty min after CPB, left ventricular end-systolic clastance [Ees, catheter conductance method] was used to determine cardiac function. CPB and blood cardioplegic arrest caused no functional or biochemical change in normoxic (control) versus hypoxemic hearts. Abrupt RcO2 caused a 10-fold rise in NO and CD production by the heart with subsequent depression of myocardial function (Ecs = 21 ±2% of control). In contrast, controlled cardiac ReO2 reduced NO production by 50%, CD did not rise, and Ecs was 83±8% of normal. We conclude controlled ReO2 when starting CPB to correct cyanotic heart defects may improve myocardial status post-operatively.
Nutritional Knowledge and Food Choices of Students at a Historically Black University

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME : To evaluate and compare the relationship between nutritional knowledge and food choices of students at Langston University. Design : The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional knowledge and food choices of students at Langston University. Research questionnaires were distributed to students enrolled in randomly selected sections of Introduction to Nutrition, Human Physiology, Zoology, and Advanced Composition. Statistical Analyses : The data (N=126, 49 males and 77 females) were analyzed using frequencies and cross tabulations to examine the relationship between the nutritional knowledge and food choices. Results : Most (88%) of the respondents were between the ages of 17 to 26 years, single, and lived alone (51 percent in the residence halls). Although most of them had a good knowledge of nutrition, especially on lipids, their food choices did not reflect that knowledge. Seventy percent chose foods high in simple sugars. About two-fifths used vitamin supplements. Conclusion : This study indicates that a good nutritional knowledge does not necessarily lead to healthy food choices. The study calls for further research on food availability in the cafeteria and influence of cultural backgrounds on food choices.
Heat Maps for Intramolecular Communication in an RNP Enzyme Encoding Glutamine

Summary Allosteric signaling within large ribonucleoproteins modulates both catalytic function and biological specificity, but the spatial extent and quantitative magnitudes of long-distance free-energy couplings have yet to be well characterized. Here, we employ pre-steady-state kinetics to generate a comprehensive mapping of intramolecular communication in the glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase:tRNA Gln complex. Alanine substitution at 29 positions across the protein-RNA interface reveals distinct coupling amplitudes for glutamine binding and aminoacyl-tRNA formation on the enzyme, respectively, implying the existence of multiple signaling pathways. Structural models suggest that long-range signal propagation from the tRNA anticodon is dynamically driven, whereas shorter pathways are mediated by induced-fit rearrangements. Seven protein contacts with the distal tRNA vertical arm each weaken glutamine binding affinity across distances up to 40 A, demonstrating that negative allosteric coupling plays a key role in enforcing the selective RNA-amino acid pairing at the heart of the genetic code.
Fifteen years of community organization for health in Panama: an assessment of current progress and problems.

Abstract Since the late 1970s the WHO and other international agencies have placed much emphasis on strategies of community organization in order to improve preventive health services and facilities in rural areas. Many countries have recently set out to reform their rural health systems by means of a community-based approach. Panama's 15 years of experience in ‘community health’ provide insight into the constraints to program continuity at the national level and to maintenance of participatory mechanisms (health committees) at the village level. This paper focuses on the present status of the Community Health Program and level of activity of the health committees. This study is based on in-depth interviewing of key program participants at three contexts: central ministry, district/regional health institutions and rural communities. It sought to discover how interactions among and within these contexts affected program services and community participation. Inconsistent outcomes are evident. In some areas the Community Health Program thrives and the health committees are active, while in most areas the program functions at a minimal level and most health committees are inactive. Several factors are identified which affect a ‘successful’ or ‘unsuccessful’ program environment. These include: degree of support from medical directors of district and regional health centers, existence of ‘federations of health committees’, the extent of political interference, the presence of a functional ‘technical health team’ and degree of community confidence in health committee officers.
Analysis of BrO measurements from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME), launched on the ESA ERS-2 satellite in April 1995, measures solar back scatter spectra from which atmospheric BrO columns may be derived globally with high precision (slant column uncertainties of ±3×1013 cm−2 or less). Obtaining such precision requires additional characterization of GOME spectra, reference spectra that are well calibrated in wavelength, and a fitting method capable of reproducing measurements to several parts in 104. This paper describes these elements of the data processing and gives examples of BrO distributions in the stratosphere and enhanced tropospheric BrO in the polar springtime.
Wavelength Calibrations in the Infrared. Part V. Use of Computer Programs

The techniques described in previous articles of this series for determining spectral positions in the infrared have been found to be especially suitable for computer programs. The present article describes a procedure which allows rapid processing of observational data obtained with a high-resolution infrared spectrograph.
The Wright-Giemsa stain: Secrets revealed

The colorful story of the development of the Wright-Giemsa stain is retold. Dramas are replayed, secrets are exposed, and laurels are properly returned to scientists long forgotten. The delicately balanced chemical composition of the stain, once enigmatic, is defined. Finally, an attempt is made to unshroud some of the mystery surrounding the staining method; tried-and-true procedures and useful snippets of laboratory lore are provided. Scientific explanations and reliable methods aside, however, the stain continues to possess a certain mystique, seemingly consisting of equal parts technical expertise, art, and magic.
β-Puromycin selection of modified ribosomes for in vitro incorporation of β-amino acids.

Ribosomally mediated protein biosynthesis is limited to α-l-amino acids. A strong bias against β-l-amino acids precludes their incorporation into proteins in vivo and also in vitro in the presence of misacylated β-aminoacyl-tRNAs. Nonetheless, earlier studies provide some evidence that analogues of aminoacyl-tRNAs bearing β-amino acids can be accommodated in the ribosomal A-site. Both functional and X-ray crystallographic data make it clear that the exclusion of β-l-amino acids as participants in protein synthesis is a consequence of the architecture of the ribosomal peptidyltransferase center (PTC). To enable the reorganization of ribosomal PTC architecture through mutagenesis of 23S rRNA, a library of modified ribosomes having modifications in two regions of the 23S rRNA (2057–2063 and 2496–2507 or 2582–2588) was prepared. A dual selection procedure was used to obtain a set of modified ribosomes able to carry out protein synthesis in the presence β-l-amino acids and to provide evidence for the utilizati...
Error Estimates in Some Commonly Used Earthquake Location Programs

Most earthquake location programs provide the user with some estimate of the error in the calculated hypocentral solution. Because the criteria used in estimating these errors differ, a cross-reference guide of error estimates is provided herein for some of the more widely used programs (HYPOELLIPSE, FASTHYPO, HYPO71, and HYPOINVERSE). In all the programs considered, an individual confidence interval is given for the depth error. For the epicentral error, HYPO71 and HYPOINVERSE provide only individual confidence estimates, while the other programs provide epicentral joint confidence regions. The programs differ in the type of statistic used: a x 2 statistic (HYPOELLIPSE), or no explicitly assumed statistic (HYPO71, HYPOINVERSE, FASTHYPO). There are also differences in confidence levels: 83% (HYPOELLIPSE epicentral region), 94% (HYPOELLIPSE depth interval), 39% (FASTHYPO epicentral region assuming a x 2 , value of 1.0), and 68% (FASTHYPO, HYPO71, and HYPOINVERSE depth intervals assuming a x 2 value of 1.0). In almost all cases, confidence intervals and regions can be rescaled to a common reference.
Locomotion analysis of Sprague–Dawley rats before and after injecting 6-OHDA

The hypothesis that changes in measured ground reaction forces and time parameters during locomotion can noninvasively detect Parkinsonism in unilateral 6-OH dopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats is tested. It was found that changes of seven locomotion parameters can be used to construct a logistic regression model with a detection sensitivity and specificity of over 90% as compared to non-lesioned rats. Comparisons between this model and other neurological and neuromuscular disorders are presented.
Context matters: a community-based study of maternal mental health, life stressors, social support, and children's asthma.

OBJECTIVE. Recent national survey data indicate an overall asthma prevalence of 12.2% for children who are younger than 18 years. Previous research in clinical samples of children with asthma suggests that their mothers are at greater risk for symptoms of depression. We describe the relationship between maternal symptoms of depression and having a child with asthma in a community-based sample. METHODS. After a school-based ascertainment of asthma and asthma symptoms in 15 low-income, racially/ethnically diverse public elementary schools, 1149 eligible mothers agreed to participate in a longitudinal study. Mothers either had a child with previously diagnosed asthma or a child with symptoms consistent with possible asthma or were in the randomly selected comparison group in which no child in the household had asthma. During the first interview, mothers responded to questions about their own life stressors, supports and mental health, and their children9s health. RESULTS. In bivariate analyses of a community-based sample of children who share low-income neighborhoods, mothers of children with diagnosed or with possible undiagnosed asthma had more symptoms of depression than did mothers of children who have no asthma. Mothers of children with diagnosed or with possible undiagnosed asthma also experienced more life stressors than did mothers of children without asthma. Using nested linear regression, we estimated a model of maternal symptoms of depression. Most of the variation in Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression score was accounted for by life stressors and social support. There were no independent effects of either asthma status or asthma status–specific child health status on maternal symptoms of depression. CONCLUSION. Children who are under care for chronic conditions such as asthma live and manage their illness outside the clinical setting. Their social context matters, and maternal mental health is related to their children9s physical health. Although having a child with asthma may be “just” another stressor in the mother9s social context, complex treatment plans must be followed despite the many other pressures of neighborhood and family lives.
Subformal warning systems in the species Homo politicus

A political activist needs to pick up early warning signals that “something is happening” which might require his attention. The “something” could be an emergent danger or opportunity. An ideal-typical warning system is postulated to account for what is believed to be the extraordinary infrequency of activists being caught off guard under most “routine” conditions. Such a system would ideally meet four criteria: rapidity, comprehensiveness, validity, and selectivity. The postulated system rests on what Anthony Downs has called “subformal” communications channels among individuals and groups interrelated by principles of specialization and the division of labor.
The effects of titanium precursors on hydriding properties of alanates

An overview is presented of recent advances in the development of new and improved alanates for applications and in the fundamental understanding of how Ti-doping enhances hydrogen absorption. Sample materials were produced using approaches based on direct-synthesis and dry Ti-doping methods. It is desirable to introduce Ti through non-reactive processes to avoid the hydrogen capacity loss that occurs through the formation of inactive byproducts (for example Na–halide from the decomposition of Ti–halides and Na–oxides from the decomposition of Ti–alkoxides). We show, for the first time, that alanates can be Ti-doped using TiH2 or through indirect-doping by pre-reacting TiCl2 with LiH. Both methods result in enhanced kinetics. However, improved rates were achieved only after a prolonged activation period of about a 10 cycles, suggesting that cycling leads to Ti diffusion and substitution into the alanate lattice which provides the mechanism through which Ti-doping enhances kinetics. Thus, the reactive decomposition of Ti–halide and alkoxide precursors in the doping process serves an important but not necessarily required function.
Information processing during phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is an important innate defence mechanism, and there is more to this process than merely engulfing a pathogen. This Review discusses how myeloid cells integrate the various distinct signals that they receive during phagocytosis in order to promote an appropriate immune response to the threat at hand.
Identification and expression of the Na+/H+ exchanger in mammalian cerebrovascular and choroidal tissues: characterization by amiloride-sensitive [3H]MIA binding and RT-PCR analysis.

Abstract We report the initial characterization of [ 3 H ]5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride (MIA) binding to the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and expression of its gene in mammalian cerebrovascular, choroidal and neocortical tissues. [ 3 H ]MIA bound reversibly to particulate fractions of rat, pig and human cerebral microvessels, choroid plexus and cerebral cortex. Scatchard analyses revealed binding to a single amiloride-sensitive site with dissociation constants (Kd) ranging from 20 to 90 nM for the various tissue preparations. The maximal binding capacities (Bmax) were between 2 to 17 pmol/mg protein and were several-fold greater in cerebral microvessels compared to the cerebral cortex. Amiloride, MIA, 5-(N, N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA), 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride (DMA) and 5-(N-methyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (IPA) variably displaced [ 3 H ]MIA binding to the microvessels in the following rank order: MIA>HMA≥IPA>DMA>amiloride. Benzamil, a potent ligand of the Na+/Ca+ transporter was the least sensitive. These binding results were most compatible with the existence of the amiloride-sensitive NHE type 1 in the brain vascular and choroidal tissues. To substantiate this, we utilized reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) techniques to search for NHE-1 mRNA. Using primers corresponding to conserved sequences of the human growth factor-activatable NHE gene, RT–PCR revealed strong expression of NHE-1 mRNA in cerebral microvessels, choroid plexus, pial vessels and vascular smooth muscle cells relative to neocortical tissues from several species including rat, pig, cow, monkey and human subjects. Further confirmation of NHE-1 isoform mRNA expression in the cerebrovascular tissues was obtained by HpaII restriction digestion analysis and by subcloning and sequencing of the PCR amplified products. Our study suggests that mammalian cerebrovascular and choroidal tissues contain high amounts of the ubiquitous amiloride-sensitive [ 3 H ]MIA binding proteins consistent with the expression of NHE type 1 mRNA.
Conservation genetics and genetic mating system of the yellow-shouldered blackbird ( Agelaius xanthomus ), an endangered island endemic

The yellow-shouldered blackbird (Agelaius xanthomus) is a managed endemic species in Puerto Rico that experienced a bottleneck in the 1970s and currently faces high levels of brood parasitism and habitat loss. Little is known about its overall genetic profile and genetic mating system, which potentially shapes effective population size by contributing to variation in reproductive success. Here I used nine microsatellite loci to characterize the population genetics and mating system of a southwestern Puerto Rican population. Although the population showed no evidence of inbreeding, it had significantly lower allelic diversity, effective population size, and expected heterozygosity than both island and continental populations of the related red-winged blackbird (A. phoeniceus). In particular, the low effective population size of the yellow-shouldered blackbird (~71, 18 % of the 2012 census size) raises concerns about its long-term viability. Paternity tests on 30 nests provided the first evidence of genetic polyandry in this species. Of all young, 23 % were extra-pair (sired by a male other than the social father), and 37 % of nests contained extra-pair young, which does not differ from proportions observed in red-winged blackbirds. Extra-pair paternity was not found to contribute significantly to variation in individual reproductive output, suggesting the bottleneck is more likely to have contributed to the current population genetic profile than the species’ mating system. Together, these data suggest that while genetic diversity on the individual level may be intact, the population as a whole remains vulnerable to adverse stochastic events and loss of evolutionary potential.
Black box interpolation. II. The one variable derogatory case

Abstract The one variable black box interpolation problem is solved for the case of a general linear operator on a vector space over a closed field.
The Distribution of Sums of Rounded Percentages

When percentages are computed for counts in several categories or for several positive measurements each taken as a fraction of their sum, the rounded percentages often fail to add to 100 percent. We investigate how frequently this failure occurs and what the distributions of sums of rounded percentages are for (1) an empirical set of data, (2) the multinomial distribution in small samples, (3) spacings between points dropped on an interval—the broken-stick model—; and (4) for simulation for several categories. The several methods produce similar distributions.
Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited.

Abstract OBJECTIVES We sought to determine a generalized equation for predicting maximal heart rate (HRmax) in healthy adults. BACKGROUND The age-predicted HRmaxequation (i.e., 220 − age) is commonly used as a basis for prescribing exercise programs, as a criterion for achieving maximal exertion and as a clinical guide during diagnostic exercise testing. Despite its importance and widespread use, the validity of the HRmaxequation has never been established in a sample that included a sufficient number of older adults. METHODS First, a meta-analytic approach was used to collect group mean HRmaxvalues from 351 studies involving 492 groups and 18,712 subjects. Subsequently, the new equation was cross-validated in a well-controlled, laboratory-based study in which HRmaxwas measured in 514 healthy subjects. RESULTS In the meta-analysis, HRmaxwas strongly related to age (r = −0.90), using the equation of 208 − 0.7 × age. The regression equation obtained in the laboratory-based study (209 − 0.7 × age) was virtually identical to that obtained from the meta-analysis. The regression line was not different between men and women, nor was it influenced by wide variations in habitual physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS 1) A regression equation to predict HRmaxis 208 − 0.7 × age in healthy adults. 2) HRmaxis predicted, to a large extent, by age alone and is independent of gender and habitual physical activity status. Our findings suggest that the currently used equation underestimates HRmaxin older adults. This would have the effect of underestimating the true level of physical stress imposed during exercise testing and the appropriate intensity of prescribed exercise programs.
Factors Influencing the Heat Resistance of a Heat‐Resistant Lipase of Pseudomonas

Pseudomonas spp. MC50 produced an extra-cellular lipase that was extremely heat resistant at 100–150°C when heated in water or emulsions. The D-values ranged from 40 min at 100°C to 84 sec at 150°C. The zD-vallue was 36°C. When heated in water, the lipase exhibited greatest survival at pH 8.5. Below pH 6.5, survival was less than 10% of that at pH 8.5. Survival of lipase heated in emulsions was affected somewhat by the type of oil, corn oil concentration, and type of emulsifier. Type of stabilizer or stabilizer concentration had little effect on lipase survival. Lipase treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was fully heat resistant in water; survival declined when lipase was heated in CaCl2 solutions of 3–120 mM.
Non-linear infrared spectroscopy of the water bending mode: direct experimental evidence of hydration shell reorganization?

The structure and dynamics of liquid water are further studied by investigating the bend vibrational mode of HDO/D2O and pure H2O via two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) and linear absorption. The experimental findings and theoretical calculations support a picture in which the HDO bend is localized and the H2O bend is delocalized. The HDO and H2O bends present a loss of the frequency–frequency correlation in subpicosecond time scale. While the loss of correlation for the H2O bend is likely to be associated with the vibrational dynamics of a delocalized transition, the loss of the correlation in the localized HDO bend appears to arise from the fluctuations/rearrangements of the local environment. Interestingly, analysis of the HDO 2D-IR spectra shows the presence of multiple overlapping inhomogeneous distributions of frequencies that interchange in a few picoseconds. Theoretical calculations allow us to propose an atomistic model of the observed vibrational dynamics in which the different inhomogeneous distributions and their interchange are assigned to water molecules with different hydrogen-bond states undergoing chemical exchange. The frequency shifts as well as the concentration of the water molecules with single and double hydrogen-bonds as donors derived from the theory are in good agreement with our experimental findings.
The psychology portfolio: Promoting writing and critical thinking about psychology

Guided writing assignments can encourage critical thinking in undergraduate psychology classes. Students (N − 96) were surveyed to assess the effectiveness of the method. Results suggested that the...
Intelligent Video for Protecting Crowded Sports Venues

Intelligent video in urban settings can be challenging due the presence of crowds, clutter, poor camera placement and continuously changing light conditions. The surveillance of sports venues is particularly difficult, because thousands of people can enter or exit a venue in short periods of time. This paper presents a case study of successfully monitoring a sports venue using a multi-camera multi-target tracking system. The system performed site-wide tracking throughout a network of calibrated cameras and was able to accurately track thousands of people in real-time under challenging conditions. The extracted tracking information was used to detect a range of real-time events such as crowd formation, left luggage, and loitering. In addition all video,track and event information was indexed and stored to allow operators to perform playback and forensic search. This paper will present an overview of the deployed system and discuss the challenges that were encountered during the deployment.
Modulation of Acetylation: Creating a Pro-survival and Anti-Inflammatory Phenotype in Lethal Hemorrhagic and Septic Shock

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a key role in homeostasis of protein acetylation in histone and nonhistone proteins and in regulating fundamental cellular activities. In this paper we review and discuss intriguing recent developments in the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) to combat some critical conditions in an animal model of hemorrhagic and septic shock. HDACIs have neuroprotective, cardioprotective, renal-protective, and anti-inflammatory properties; survival improvements have been significantly shown in these models. We discuss the targets and mechanisms underlying these effects of HDACIs and comment on the potential new clinical applications for these agents in the future. This paper highlights the emerging roles of HDACIs as acetylation modulators in models of hemorrhagic and septic shock and explains some contradictions encountered in previous studies.
NDMA Formation during Chlorination and Chloramination of Aqueous Diuron Solutions

Formation of the potent carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) during chlorine disinfection of water containing secondary amines is now generally acknowledged. The phenylurea herbicide diuron is one of the most widely used herbicides in California, has been frequently detected in California’s water sources with a transient nature of appearance, and has a structure that suggests it might be an NDMA precursor. This study sought to quantify the potential for NDMA formation from aqueous diuron solutions under varied chlorine and chloramine conditions. NDMA formation was consistently observed even in the absence of added ammonia, which has usually been the source of the nitroso-nitrogen during chloramination of other precursors. It appears that both nitrogen atoms in NDMA are donated by diuron during chlorination in the absence of added ammonia. For a given chlorine and diuron dose, NDMA formation increased in the order OCl− < NH2Cl < NHCl2, a result consistent with previous NDMA formation studies. Significa...
Applications of term identification technology: domain description and content characterisation

The identification and extraction of technical terms is one of the better understood and most robust Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies within the current state of the art of language engineering. In generic information management contexts, terms have been used primarily for procedures seeking to identify a set of phrases that is useful for tasks such as text indexing, computational lexicology, and machine-assisted translation: such tasks make important use of the assumption that terminology is representative of a given domain. This paper discusses an extension of basic terminology identification technology for the application to two higher level semantic tasks: domain description, the specification of the technical domain of a document, and content characterisation, the construction of a compact, coherent and useful representation of the topical content of a text. With these extensions, terminology identification becomes the foundation of an operational environment for document processing and content abstraction.
Enhancement of the teratogenicity of all-trans-retinoic acid by maternal restraint stress in mice as a function of treatment timing.

In CD-1 mice, maternal restraint stress was combined with all-trans-retinoic acid (†RA) given during the restraint period (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) to determine in what manner and to what degree teratogenesis might be affected by treatment timing within the stress period and to determine the optimum timing for stress-enhanced production of fetal defects. Eleven groups were treated on gestation day 9 (copulation plug = day 1): group 1, vehicle (corn oil) control (C); group 2, food/water deprived (FWD); group 3, restraint only (R); group 4, †RA plus food/water deprivation (†RA+FWD); groups 5 and 6, †RA at 0 or 4 hr after 9:00 a.m., i.e., †RA(0) and †RA(4), respectively; and groups 7-11, restraint plus †RA at 0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 hr after 9:00 a.m., (i.e., R+†RA(0), R+†RA(2), R+†RA(4), R+†RA(8), and R+†RA(12), respectively). The †RA dose was 20 mg/kg, PO; mice were restrained in the supine position. FWD mice were deprived for the same 12 hr as the restrained mice. All stated differences were significant (p⩽0.05), based on litter incidences. The incidences of short tails (65%), fused ribs (62%), and fused vertebrae (37%) were elevated in the R+†RA(4) group in comparison with all others, and there appeared to be more exencephalies in R+†RA(2) litters than in any others. The incidence of supernumerary ribs was elevated in the R group in comparison with C and FWD; it was further elevated by †RA at all treatment times. Fetuses from the R+†RA(4) group weighed less than those from all other †RA-exposed groups; the differences were nonsignificant except for the comparison with †RA+FWD. These results show that timing of teratogen exposure relative to maternal stress can significantly influence the magnitude of effects on the offspring and that this influence is not merely due to the changing developmental susceptibility of the conceptus. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HCV cDNA transfection to HepG2 cells

The establishment of an in vitro system for hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation is essential to characterize virus replication, virus persistence and viral pathogenicity. The aim was to establish HCV replication in HepG2 cells by gene transfer of infectious HCV cDNA. First, several gene transfer methods were evaluated that employed cationic liposomes (lipofectin, lipofectamine. DOTAP), DEAE-dextran and replication-deficient adenovirus for transfection to HepG2 cells using a lacZ reporter gene. Highest transfection efficiency (20%) of cultured HepG2 cells was obtained by the combined use of lipofectamine and adenovirus. This method was used for transfection of HepG2 cells with HCV cDNA in a mammalian expression plasmid (pRC/CMV). The success and efficacy of HCV transfection to HepG2 cells was evaluated by testing for the presence of genomic and replicative (negative) strands of HCV RNA by strand-specific reverse transcription (RT) followed by nested PCR. Expression of structural and non-structural proteins of hepatitis C virus was detected using polyclonal antibodies to core, NS3, NS4 and NS5. Positive-strand HCV RNA was detected by RT-PCR for over 6 weeks in the HCV cDNA-transfected HepG2 cells. Presence of HCV replication in these cells was confirmed by detecting HCV negative-strand RNA by strand-specific RT-PCR and was observed to continue for over 4 weeks. HCV proteins (core, NS3, NS4 and NS5) were detected in the cytoplasm of the transfected cells by immunostaining. In summary, these findings suggest that replication and translation of HCV were achieved for a prolonged time in HepG2 cells after transfection with HCV cDNA and may provide an in vitro system for HCV studies.