cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Real World: A Factor That Engineering Faculty Consider in Making Decisions About Teaching

This paper describes a critical decision method (CDM) study for investigating the phenomenon of teaching-related decision-making in engineering education. We interviewed 33 engineering faculty using this method and asked them to identify two memorable, recent teaching-related decisions: one pre-active (planning) decision and one interactive (in-class) decision. Faculty described the situation, the process of making the decision, the factors that they took into account, and their level of satisfaction with the outcomes of their teaching-related decision. In this paper, we focus on one specific factor that emerged across the majority of the interviews: the real world. We present ways in which faculty referred to the real world, and more specifically preparing students for professional practice, when making decisions about their teaching. Three themes provided insight regarding the participants’ beliefs about this concept; that the real world is hands-on, defineable in terms of professional standards, and that addressing it explicitly in teaching involves trade-offs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Interaction of a polycrystalline silicon/SiO2/silicon substrate under thermal/electrical fields

Electric current induced breakdown phenomenon of silicon dioxide film was studied by annealing the sandwich samples of polycrystalline Si/SiO2 /Si substrate at 700 °C under electric currents. Cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed two interesting results: (1) the aggregation of voids into large holes at the interface of polycrystalline Si/SiO2 , and (2) the nucleation and growth of crystalline Si in the silicon dioxide layer. The crystalline Si was either of single crystalline or polycrystalline forms, depending on the nucleating interfaces. Local melting as a result of Joule heating was observed. The breakdown of the oxide is mainly attributed to the loss of oxide integrity as a result of heterogeneous Joule heating. The nucleation and growth of crystalline Si in the amorphous oxide layer suggest the direct decomposition of SiO2 during the oxide breakdown process.
Tilosomes in roots of orchidaceae morphology and systematic occurrence

Tilosomes, also called "fibrous bodies" or "rod bodies" in older literature, are lignified excrescences from the walls of cells of the innermost velamen cell layer adjacent to thin-walled passage cells of the exodermis in roots of many epiphytic orchids. Seven broad morphological types are recognized: spongy, lamellate, discoid, webbed, meshed, baculate, and plaited. Some types characterize specific genera or subtribes of Orchidaceae. Of the 350 species in 175 genera included in a survey of the family, tilosomes occur in 95 species and 39 genera and are concentrated in tribe Polystachyeae and subtribes Sobraliinae, Coelogyninae, Laeliinae, Pleurothallidinae, Bulbophyllinae, Lycastinae, and Maxillariinae. With the exception of the pantropical genera Bulbophyllum and Polystachya and the Paleotropical subtribe Coelogyninae, tilosomes are almost exclusively Neotropical phenomena.
Cell population changes during acinus formation in the postnatal rat submandibular gland

The postnatal differentiation of acini in the submandibular glands of 2–42 day old rats given 3H-thymidine was studied by using radioautographs prepared from Epon-embedded, PAS and iron hematoxylin stained sections. The changes in morphology, population size and proliferative activity of various cell types in the gland were analyzed. At two days of age, rudimentary secretory units, designated as terminal tubules, were located at the end of the duct system and consisted of three cell types: (1) terminal tubule cells (30.7%) with darkly-stained granules, (2) proacinar cells (23.6%) with large, lightly-stained granules, and (3) acinar cells (1.6%) with PAS-positive granules. The proacinar cells, which underwent mitosis, disappeared within the first two weeks of life. The terminal tubule cells increased in number between 2 and 14 days of age, but became less numerous thereafter and disappeared by six weeks. Concomitantly, the number of acinar cells increased linearly with age and at a much greater rate than that of intercalated duct cells. Yet the rate of proliferation of acinar cells was comparable to that of intercalated duct cells. The overall proliferative activity in the gland decreased with age, and was inversely correlated with the relative frequency of acinar cells in the gland. On the basis of above data, it is postulated that, during the formation of acini from terminal tubules, acinar cells have a dual origin: they arise from proacinar cells during the first one to two weeks and from terminal tubule cells between two and six weeks of age.
The L1‐CAM, Neuroglian, functions in glial cells for Drosophila antennal lobe development

Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the roles of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and projection neurons (PNs) in Drosophila antennal lobe (AL) development, the roles of glia have remained largely mysterious. Here, we show that during Drosophila metamorphosis, a population of midline glial cells in the brain undergoes extensive cellular remodeling and is closely associated with the collateral branches of ORN axons. These glial cells are required for ORN axons to project across the midline and establish the contralateral wiring in the ALs. We find that Neuroglian (Nrg), the Drosophila homolog of the vertebrate cell adhesion molecule, L1, is expressed and functions in the midline glial cells to regulate their proper development. Loss of Nrg causes the disruption in glial morphology and the agenesis of the antennal commissural tract. Our genetic analysis further demonstrates that the functions of Nrg in the midline glia require its ankyrin-binding motif. We propose that Nrg is an important regulator of glial morphogenesis and axon guidance in AL development. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Evolution of stress-regulated gene expression in duplicate genes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Due to the selection pressure imposed by highly variable environmental conditions, stress sensing and regulatory response mechanisms in plants are expected to evolve rapidly. One potential source of innovation in plant stress response mechanisms is gene duplication. In this study, we examined the evolution of stress-regulated gene expression among duplicated genes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Key to this analysis was reconstructing the putative ancestral stress regulation pattern. By comparing the expression patterns of duplicated genes with the patterns of their ancestors, duplicated genes likely lost and gained stress responses at a rapid rate initially, but the rate is close to zero when the synonymous substitution rate (a proxy for time) is >∼0.8. When considering duplicated gene pairs, we found that partitioning of putative ancestral stress responses occurred more frequently compared to cases of parallel retention and loss. Furthermore, the pattern of stress response partitioning was extremely asymmetric. An analysis of putative cis-acting DNA regulatory elements in the promoters of the duplicated stress-regulated genes indicated that the asymmetric partitioning of ancestral stress responses are likely due, at least in part, to differential loss of DNA regulatory elements; the duplicated genes losing most of their stress responses were those that had lost more of the putative cis-acting elements. Finally, duplicate genes that lost most or all of the ancestral responses are more likely to have gained responses to other stresses. Therefore, the retention of duplicates that inherit few or no functions seems to be coupled to neofunctionalization. Taken together, our findings provide new insight into the patterns of evolutionary changes in gene stress responses after duplication and lay the foundation for testing the adaptive significance of stress regulatory changes under highly variable biotic and abiotic environments.
Probing the structure of gas-phase metallic clusters via ligation energetics: sequential addition of C2H4 to Agm+ (m=3-7).

A new method that utilizes ligation to probe geometries of clusters in the gas-phase has been developed. This technique bases structural assignments on thermodynamic quantities obtained for sequential ligand additions to a bare cluster. The information is obtained from temperature-dependent equilibrium data. This method is also sensitive to changes in bare cluster conformations that occur as a result of ligand addition, and the results can be fine-tuned by choosing ligands that appropriately adjust cluster−ligand binding energies.
Variability response functions for stochastic plate bending problems

In this paper, the weighted integral method and the concept of variability response function are successfully extended to plate bending problems where the elastic modulus of the structure is considered to be a two-dimensional, homogeneous stochastic field, overcoming earlier computational problems associated with the large number of terms in the expression for the variability response function. The concept of the variability response function is used to compute spectral-distribution-free upper bounds of the response variability. Such bounds are of paramount importance for the majority of real-life problems where only first and second moments of the stochastic material properties can be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Under the assumption of a prespecified power spectral density function of the stochastic field describing the elastic modulus, it is also possible to compute the response variability (in terms of second moments of response quantities) and the reliability (in terms of the safety index) of the stochastic plate. The use of a variability response function based on the local averaging method reduces the computational effort associated with the weighted integral method, with only a small loss of accuracy in most cases. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate all of the above capabilities. One of the conclusions is that the coefficient of variation of certain response quantities can become larger than the coefficient of variation of the elastic modulus (the input quantity).
Interaction of methotrexate with lipotropic factors in rat liver.

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX), a drug used in cancer chemotherapy and in the treatment of psoriasis, is known to impair DNA and RNA synthesis by antagonizing folate metabolism. A major side-effect of this drug is the formation of a fatty liver and eventual cirrhosis of the liver. Since levels of certain lipotropic substances in the liver are also synthesized de novo by way of folate-dependent 1-carbon metabolism, this study was conducted to determine if the side-effects of MTX may be a consequence of interference with 1-carbon metabolism in the liver. This study investigated the effect of MTX on hepatic and serum lipidd content when various lipotropes were administered to rats fed a diet deficient in methionine, choline and vitamin B 12 . Results demonstrate that MTX can potentiate a choline-deficient fatty liver and block the lipotropic effect of vitamin B 12 . They also show that methionine and choline, products of 1-carbon metabolism beyond folate involvement, overcame the detrimental effects of MTX. This suggests that MTX interferes with hepatic methyl group genesis and hence blocks the de novo synthesis of methionine and choline.
Dietary supplementation with t-butylhydroquinone reduces cardiac hypertrophy and anemia associated with copper deficiency in rats

Abstract The effect of dietary supplementation with the antioxidant, t-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), on some of the cardiovascular consequences of copper deficiency was investigated. Rats were fed copper-deficient (CuD) diet containing 0.3 μg Cu/g of diet that were either nonsupplemented or supplemented with TBHQ (supplied in the dietary safflower oil at a concentration of 0.02%). Control rats were fed copper adequate (CuA) diet containing >5.0 μg Cu/g (CuA) that also were either nonsupplemented or supplemented with TBHQ. After five weeks, rats consuming CuD diet supplemented with TBHQ exihibited plasma copper concentrations, ceruloplasmin activities, and liver and heart copper concentrations that were significantly (P
Effects of the combination of tripelennamine and pentazocine at the behavioral and molecular levels.

Abstract The purpose of the present experiments was to determine if the antihistamine tripelennamine potentiates the morphine-like effects of the narcotic-antagonist analgesic pentazocine at the behavioral level or the molecular level or both. At the behavioral level, the effects of pentazocine were determined alone and in combination with tripelennamine in rats trained to discriminate between saline and either morphine or the psychotomimetic narcotic derivative SKF 10,047. The interaction between pentazocine and tripelennamine were also evaluated in the guinea-pig ileum preparation and in the [ 3 H]-naloxone opiate receptor binding assay. Tripelennamine significantly enhanced the morphine-like discriminative stimulus effects of pentazocine and markedly reduced the SKF 10,047-like stimulus effects of pentazocine. Naloxone antagonized the morphine-like effects of pentazocine plus tripelennamine. Pentazocine significantly constricted pupils in the rat, an effect which was addictive with the mydriatic effects of tripelennamine. Inhibition of the twitch-height of the electrically stimulated guinea-pig ileum by pentazocine was not affected by tripelennamine. Further, tripelennamine did not modify the K e for naloxone in antagonizing pentazocine. Inhibition of specific [ 3 H]-naloxone binding by pentazocine was also not affected by tripelennamine. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the potentiation of the morphine-like effects of pentazocine by tripelennamine which was observed behaviorally was not due to molecular interactions at the morphine receptor. At least a part of this interaction may be attributable to tripelennamine decreasing the psychotomimetic actions of pentazocine.
Helical peanut-shaped poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) ribbons generated by electrospinning

Abstract This paper describes the preparation and understanding of helical peanut-shaped ribbons of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) by a magnetic field-assisted electrospinning method. The relative humidity is found to significantly influence the morphology of PVP fibers. The morphology changed from straight rods to helical ribbons as relative humidity decreased. The percentage of helical ribbons increased dramatically as well. At the same time, the cross-section of electrospun fibers changed from circle, to ellipse, and to peanut shape. Formation of helical ribbons is attributed to the synergistic interaction of bending instability and rigidity of the polymers during the electrospinning process. These fibers had different mechanical properties and the helical ribbons were shown to have the largest ultimate elongation.
The solar neutrino capture cross section for 81Br

Abstract The solar neutrino capture rate for the reaction 81 Br + ν e → 81 Kr + e − is calculated for the standard solar and weak interaction models. The results show that the capture cross section is dominated by the lowest Gamow-Teller transition to the metastable 1 2 − (0.190 MeV ) state in 81 Kr. As the inverse electron capture rate for this transition has been measured recently, one can then argue that the cross section is well determined experimentally. Thus uncertainties in nuclear physics should not be an obstacle to the recently proposed 81 Br radiochemical measurement of the 7 Be solar neutrino flux.
Technostress: Surviving a database crash

We have all had experience with the stress caused by an increase in library technology—CD‐ROMs with different user interfaces, online catalogs with different command structures than our CD‐ROMs, and still different protocols for accessing remote databases. Yet, can you imagine the stress that can result from a crash of a local bibliographic and circulation database? I can—because it happened to me.
Glucocorticoid regulation of protein processing and compartmentalization

Glucocorticoids appear to regulate the post-translational processing and compartmentalization of certain proteins in cultured rat hepatoma (HTC) cells. We have found that maturation of murine mammary tumour virus (MTV) proteins in infected HTC cells is hormone-dependent. Thus, MTV gene products may represent versatile and sensitive probes for examining cellular regulation of protein maturation.
On the Relationship of Object Agreement and Accusative Case: Evidence from Amharic

This article shows that accusative case and object agreement are not closely related in Amharic, a language in which both are morphologically overt. This suggests that it is wrong to generalize Chomsky’s claim that agreement and case are both manifestations of the same Agree relation from subjects to objects across the board. I show that object agreements in Amharic are the true manifestations of Agree (not pronominal clitics), whereas accusative case is assigned independently, to the lower of two nominals in the same domain. The relationship between case and agreement can thus vary parametrically.
William E. Bradley and His Contributions to Urology

Purpose: We review the myriad contributions to urological science by neurologist and engineer, William E. Bradley.Materials and Methods: Remembrances and personal interviews were collated for this article.Results: Doctor Bradley was a pioneer in neurourology. He described a neurophysiological paradigm for micturition, devised urodynamic and electrophysiological techniques, and contributed to the development of genitourinary prosthetic devices.Conclusions: Doctor Bradley made notable and groundbreaking contributions to urology, many of which are still in use today.
Tobacco smoke suppresses T cells but not antigen-presenting cells in the lung-associated lymph nodes

Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke in mice preferentially inhibited the antigen-specific T-cell proliferative response of lung-associated lymph nodes compared to anatomically distant lymph nodes. Cell mixing experiments demonstrated that the defect in smoked mice resulted from an abnormality in T-lymphocyte function. In contrast, the activity of antigen-presenting cells was similar in smoked and sham-smoked control animals. These results suggest that T-cell function in lung-associated lymphoid tissue may be inhibited in smokers, leading to a localized predisposition to respiratory tract infections.
Lattice parameter measurement in single crystalline LiCoO2 particles by convergent beam electron diffraction

Abstract Convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) is a powerful method for the measurement of lattice parameters in small specimen volumes, such as single crystalline particles or different regions of one particle. In this article we investigate the suitability of the CBED method for measurements in LiCoO2 and correlate small changes in c-lattice parameters to variations in Li content. We find that higher order Laue zone (HOLZ) lines at the [001] zone axis are well suited to monitor the c-lattice parameter and demonstrate that the best achievable accuracy is about 0.003 A. Comparison between HOLZ line patterns of as-received LiCoO2 particles to HOLZ line patterns obtained of delithiated particles illustrates the effect of decreasing Li content on HOLZ line positions and provides insight into inhomogeneities in the delithiated sample.
Engendering Transitional Justice: Reflections on the Case of Peru

This article probes the conceptual and methodological challenges of engendering transitional justice mechanisms, drawing referentially upon several years of research on Peruvian transitional justice initiatives. Most women affected by the internal armed conflict in Peru (1980-2000) were Quechua-speaking campesinas, or peasants, who have been commonly reduced to a single story of victimhood. The article asks whether it is possible for state and civil society actors to design and implement transitional justice mechanisms without reifying race, class and gender inequalities through this type of limited representation. To venture an answer in the affirmative would demand a significant broadening of the transitional justice mandate in ways that test the limits of the liberal framework.
Approaches to environmental exposure assessment in children.

An improved understanding of the contribution made by environmental exposures to disease burden in children is essential, given current increasing rates of childhood illnesses such asthma and cancer. Children must be routinely included in environmental research. Exposure assessment, both external (e.g., air, water) and internal dose (e.g., biomarkers), is an integral component of such research. Biomarker measurement has some advantages that are unique in children. These include assessment of potentially increased absorption because of behaviors that differ from adults (i.e., hand-to-mouth activity); metabolite measurement, which can help identify age-related susceptibility differences; and improved assessment of dermal exposure, an important exposure route in children. Environmental exposure assessment in children will require adaption of techniques that are currently applied in adult studies as well as development of tools and validation of strategies that are unique for children. Designs that focus on parent-child study units provide adult comparison data and allow the parent to assist with more complex study designs. Use of equipment that is sized appropriately for children, such as small air pumps and badge monitors, is also important. When biomarkers are used, biologic specimens that can be obtained noninvasively are preferable. Although the current need is primarily for small focused studies to address specific questions and optimize research tools, the future will require establishment of large prospective cohorts. Urban children are an important study cohort because of relatively high morbidity observed in the urban environment. Finally, examples of completed or possible future studies utilizing these techniques are discussed for specific exposures such as benzene, environmental tobacco smoke, aflatoxin, volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The effects of sloped surfaces on locomotion: Backward walking as a perturbation

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine lower extremity kinetics and muscle activity during backward slope walking to clarify the relationship between joint moments and powers and muscle activity patterns observed in forward slope walking. Nine healthy volunteers walked backward on an instrumented ramp at three grades (−39% (−21°), 0% (level), +39% (+21°)). EMG activity was recorded from major lower extremity muscles. Joint kinetics were obtained from kinematic and force platform data. The knee joint moment and power generation increased significantly during upslope walking; hip joint moment and power absorption increased significantly during downslope walking. When compared to data from forward slope walking, these backward walking data suggest that power requirements of a task dictate the muscle activity pattern needed to accomplish that movement. During downslope walking tasks, power absorption increased and changes in muscle activity patterns were directly related to the changes in the joint moment patterns. In contrast, during upslope walking tasks, power generation increased and changes in the muscle activity were related to the changes in the joint moments only at the ‘primary’ joint; at adjacent joints the changes in muscle activity were unrelated to the joint moment pattern. The ‘paradoxical’ changes in the muscle activity at the adjacent joints are possibly related to the activation of biarticular muscles required by the increased power generation at the primary joint. In total, these data suggest that changing power requirements at a joint impact the control of muscle activity at that and adjacent joints.
Preparing for the 1999 WTO Agriculture Round: Implications for Agricultural Economics Research: Discussion

Even though the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) came to a close after more than eight years of negotiations in 1994, international trade negotiations continue to occur with bilateral and regional agreements. Thus, this subject continues to be a topic of great importance, especially in light of the recent low commodity prices. In fact, the next round of global trade talks is scheduled to begin in November 1999 in Seattle. Many people believe that agriculture is one area where the next World Trade
Why Is Health Literacy Related to Health? An Exploration Among U.S. National Assessment of Adult Literacy Participants 40 Years of Age and Older

Health literacy has emerged as an important factor related to health in older persons. The reason for the link between health literacy and health outcomes is not clear. Possible explanations include common relations among income, education, access to health care, health-promotion behaviors, frequency of reading, and perceptual impairments. In this study we investigate the relation of health literacy to self-reported health status and explore the impact of these explanatory variables on this relation in persons aged 40 years and older who participated in the 2003 U.S. National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL). Using regression models, we evaluated the impact of potential explanatory variables on the relation of health literacy to self-reported health status. Regression models confirmed previously-observed relations of health literacy, age, income, and education to health. The inclusion of income and education significantly decreased the relation of health literacy to health. While other variables, such ...
APA 2002 ethics, amphibology, and the release of psychological test records: a counterperspective to Erard.

APA ethics have sought to uphold the practice of psychology and protect its invaluable contribution to psychological assessment, namely the development and validation of tests and other psychometric measures. Faced with formidable challenges from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations, the 2002 revision of the American Psychological Association (APA) ethical standards abandoned its protective stance. It makes previously protected material (i.e., answers, notes about testing, other forms of raw data, scoring, and test items included on protocols with answers) almost completely accessible to clients and others. Without any professional protections, the worldwide dissemination of these materials via the Internet is virtually assured. In this article, I examine the confused language of Ethical Standard 9.04 (a) with its permissive language and concatenated use of the or conjunction. I evaluate the release of test materials in light of nonmaleficence as both an aspi...
Cancer testis antigen and immunotherapy

The identification of cancer testis (CT) antigens has been an important advance in determining potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Multiple previous studies have shown that CT antigen vaccines, using both peptides and dendritic cell vaccines, can elicit clinical and immunologic responses in several different tumors. This review details the expression of melanoma antigen family A, 1 (MAGE-A1), melanoma antigen family A, 3 (MAGE-A3), and New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1) in various malignancies, and presents our current understanding of CT antigen based immunotherapy.
Opportunities for Live Cell FT-Infrared Imaging: Macromolecule Identification with 2D and 3D Localization

Infrared (IR) spectromicroscopy, or chemical imaging, is an evolving technique that is poised to make significant contributions in the fields of biology and medicine. Recent developments in sources, detectors, measurement techniques and speciman holders have now made diffraction-limited Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging of cellular chemistry in living cells a reality. The availability of bright, broadband IR sources and large area, pixelated detectors facilitate live cell imaging, which requires rapid measurements using non-destructive probes. In this work, we review advances in the field of FTIR spectromicroscopy that have contributed to live-cell two and three-dimensional IR imaging, and discuss several key examples that highlight the utility of this technique for studying the structure and chemistry of living cells.
Now you see me, now you don't: my political fight against the invisibility/erasure of Black women in intersectionality research

As I write this essay, about the meaning of politics, I find myself captivated by the 2012 Olympic Games. My viewing of these games, to the chagrin of my family, is not divorced from my theoretical...
In vivo metabolic studies of the trans-(R,R) isomer of radioiodinated IQNP: a new ligand with high affinity for the M1 muscarinic-cholinergic receptor.

E-(R,R)-IQNP is a new ligand analogue of IQNB, which has high affinity for the cholinergic-muscarinic receptor. Earlier studies have demonstrated high cerebral uptake of activity with selective localization in M1 receptor subtype areas of the brain. In this paper we describe the results of metabolic studies of E-(R,R)-IQNP directed at determining the metabolic fate of this ligand and the identification of the radioactive species observed in the brain and heart tissue. Tissue Folch extracts demonstrated that the lipid-soluble extracts from brain contained 87.0%±1.65% of the activity up to 24 h. In the heart, 61.9%±7.50% of the activity was extracted in the lipid-soluble extract after 30 min, decreasing to 51.4%± 0.65% by 4 h. In contrast, data from other tissues studied demonstrated large amounts of either aqueous soluble activity or activity which was not extracted from the tissue pellet material; analysis of lipid organic extracts revealed the following results: liver (4 h), 7.43%± 0.96%; serum (4 h), 3.73%±0.87%; urine (24 h), 9.4%; feces (24 h), 16.5%. Thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of lipid-soluble brain extracts indicated that only unmetabolized E-(R,R)-IQNP was detected (99.4%± 1.25%). Activity which was extracted into the organic phase from heart tissue was also determined by TLC and HPLC analysis to contain large amounts of unmetabolized ligand after 4 h (88.5%± 0.57%). In addition, however, low levels of two additional radioactive components were detected which increased with time. TLC analysis of the plasma lipid extracts indicated only a small amount of unmetabolized E-(R,R)-IQNP. In comparison, the liver, feces, and urine lipid extracts contained only metabolites. These initial studies clearly indicate that radioactivity present in the brain after intravenous administration of radioiodinated E-(R,R)-IQNP represents only the unmetabolized ligand and that this new ligand shows promise for single-photon emission tomographic imaging of muscarinic receptors in humans.
[13C]Methionine breath test to assess intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

Oxidation of L[1-13C]methionine ([13C]-Met) in liver mitochondria can be quantified by measuring exhaled 13CO2. We hypothesized that 13CO2 recovery after i.v. administered [13C]-Met would provide a noninvasive measure of liver function in pediatric intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, 27 patients underwent L[1-13C]-Met breath tests ([13C]-MBTs), five of whom underwent repeat testing after clinical changes in liver function. Sterile, pyrogen-free [13C]-Met was given i.v. Six breath samples collected during 120 min were analyzed for 13CO2 enrichment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) scores were recorded, and total carbon dioxide (CO2) production was measured by indirect calorimetry. Twenty-seven patients (median age = 5.3 mo) underwent a total of 34 [13C]-MBTs without adverse events. Fourteen patients had documented liver biopsies (five with cirrhosis and nine with cholestasis or fibrosis). The [13C]-MBT differentiated patients with and without cirrhosis (medians 210 and 350, respectively, p = 0.04). Serial [13C]-MBTs in five patients reflected changing PELD scores. i.v. administering the stable isotope [13C]-Met with serial breath sampling provides a useful, safe, and potentially clinically relevant evaluation of hepatic function in pediatric IFALD. The [13C]-MBT may also help quantify progression or improvement of IFALD.
Playback Theatre: Inciting Dialogue and Building Community through Personal Story

The Playback Theatre method is humble: trained performers act out life stories volunteered by audience members. Playback Theatre's goal is to illuminate social problems and resolve them. Like Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, Playback Theatre strives to give voice and visibility to those overlooked and ignored.
Outcomes with stroke and lateropulsion: a case-matched controlled study.

Background and Objective . Lateropulsion after stroke has not been tracked using a case-matched controlled study and a standardized lateropulsion scale. Matched pairs of patients with stroke, with ...
Complexities of electing diverse committees

Electing a committee introduces constraints beyond excellence, such as ensuring a balance of gender, tenure, talent, and other characteristics. The difficulties are captured by an actual example where every voter desired gender diversity on a committee and voted accordingly, but only men were elected. After developing the properties of certain methods that avoid these problems, other needs in this area are described.
Certainty equivalence M-MRAC for systems with unmatched uncertainties

The paper presents a certainty equivalence state feedback indirect adaptive control design method for the systems of any relative degree with unmatched uncertainties. The approach is based on the parameter identification (estimation) model, which is completely separated from the control design and is capable of producing parameter estimates as fast as the computing power allows without generating high frequency oscillations. It is shown that the system's input and output tracking errors can be systematically decreased by the proper choice of the design parameters.
A Brouwer fixed-point mapping approach to communicating Markov decision processes

Abstract The solvability of the functional equations of communicating Markov decision processes is demonstrated by an elementary application of the Brouwer fixed-point mapping theorem. The technical assumptions include finite state space and finite or compact action spaces.
Targeted Grazing: Applying the Research to the Land

T he discipline of range science is in part based on the observation that vegetation on rangelands changes in response to livestock grazing. 1 For much of the history of range science, livestock grazing was considered to affect range plants and ecological condition negatively. Thus range plants were classified as increasers, decreasers, or invaders as a function of their response to grazing . 2 The concept that grazing can be used to restore degraded rangelands is relatively new. 3 It requires a paradigm shift for most people from grazing animals reaping the benefits of the land to the land reaping the benefits of the grazing animals. Using livestock to accomplish vegetation management goals is referred to as targeted grazing. Targeted grazing is defined as the application of a particular kind of grazing animal at a specified season, duration, and intensity to accomplish specific vegetation management goals . 4 It is the last half of this definition that differentiates targeted grazing from traditional grazing. The focus is on the vegetation and the subsequent outcomes and changes in composition or structure, rather than the performance of the grazing animal. Where the potential for targeted grazing to create positive change on the landscape has been clearly demonstrated through research and the experiences of practitioners, it still struggles to gain recognition as a viable vegetation manage- ment option. The recently published handbook Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement 5 was organized and written largely by range scientists to provide the scientific basis for targeted grazing. However, it did not provide much information on the practical and daily management decisions required by contract graziers and land managers. While the scientific basis for targeted grazing provides the foundation for under- standing and improving this technology, as with all grazing management it is the daily operations and decisions that determine its success. The diversity of situations to which this tool can be applied necessitates the exchange of real-life experiences to promote learning among practitioners and to inform land managers of the successful programs and potential pitfalls to avoid.... DOI: 10.2458/azu_rangelands_v34i1_forest
Duality structure of inclusive diffraction dissociation

The duality structure of diffraction dissociation is studied in a triple-Regge (TR) analysis of the diffractive process $\mathrm{pp}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{pX}$. A scheme (normal scheme) is proposed which is quite different from the scheme previously suggested by many people (abnormal scheme). Diffractive resonance production is dual to the ${P}_{t}{P}_{t}{P}_{0}$ (Pomeron exchange) term in the abnormal scheme, whereas it is dual to the ${P}_{t}{P}_{t}{R}_{0}$ (ordinary Reggeon exchange) term in our normal scheme. From a careful TR analysis performed with much more data, we conclude that the data favor our normal scheme at least for $0.1\ensuremath{\lesssim}|t|\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.5$ ${(\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$. Here $t$ is the mass squared of the external Pomeron (${P}_{t}$).
Radiative and transport properties of ions in strongly coupled plasmas.

A simple model is proposed for the dynamical effects of a strongly coupled plasma on the center-of-mass and internal coordinates of an ion. The ion is coupled to the plasma through monopole and dipole interactions. The radiative and transport properties of the ion are intimately related since both are governed by the electric microfield at the ion. A unified description of both types of properties is obtained by a formulation focused on the dynamics of the electric microfield. The velocity autocorrelation function, self-structure factor, and electric field correlation function are all in good agreement with computer simulation results, even for strongly coupled plasmas. The effects of perturbing ion motion on Lyman-\ensuremath{\alpha} and Lyman-\ensuremath{\beta} spectral line profiles are calculated. Again, good agreement with computer-simulation results is obtained.
Chemical weathering and climate — a global experiment: A review

How has the Earth maintained a habitable environment while its closest neighbors, Venus and Mars, are currently too hot or too cold? This fortunate state has been attributed to a negative feedback hypothesis that has stood unchallenged for years. In this model, any increase in atmospheric CO2 production is balanced by increased CO2 uptake by silicate weathering under greenhouse conditions. A decrease in atmospheric CO2, then, is balanced by decreased silicate weathering rates under the colder climate. A global experiment utilizing published geochemical data from large rivers at different latitudes helps us test the climate dependence of weathering, central to this hypothesis. When rivers draining granitic shields and basaltic provinces are compared, there is no systematic latitudinal variation (temperature dependence) in the rates of chemical weathering. At global scale the physical mechanisms superimpose a threshold effect on the underlying climate-dependence of silicate weathering. On tropical cratons, the buildup of lateritic regolith suppresses weathering. In the arctic/ subarctic, frost action efficiently removes the regolith and generates physical exposure of silicate rocks to the weathering agents (water, CO2), thereby accelerating reaction. Available field observations do not support the currently standard Clausius-Clapeyron-Arrhenius model.
A kinetic study of ethylene oxidation in a well-stirred reactor

Experimental results for the oxidation of ethylene in a well-stirred reactor are examined, and the results are analyzed using a numerical model with a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism. Temperatures studied range from 1003 K to 1253 K, at atmospheric pressure and fuel/air equivalence ratio 0.36 to 0.48. The major reactions consuming ethylene are H-atom abstraction by OH radicals and O atoms, and the computed results provide confirmation for the rate determined very recently by Tully for the reaction C2H4+OH=C2H3+H2O k1=2.00×1013exp(−5955/RT), which is lower than rate expressions used previously in the literature by a factor of about 10 over the temperature range studied. Comparisons between computed and experimental results show good agreement at temperatures up to about 1200 K. However, at higher temperatures computed rates of ethylene conversion are much higher than those measured. In the range 1200–1250 K the model predicts effectively complete consumption of the fuel within the given residence time, while the experiments indicate incomplete consumption. These trends, observed previously for n-pentane oxidation in the same well-stirred reactor, are discussed in terms of turbulent mixing and the effects of fluctuations on the rate of fuel consumption in the reactor.
Whitman's Bel Canto Spider

Proposes that Whitman's interest in bel canto opera singing suggests an answer to the riddle of why Whitman describes a "noiseless" spider in one of his more lyrical poems.
Attenuation of incoherent infrared radiation in hollow sapphire and silica waveguides

The attenuation of incoherent infrared radiation for wavelengths from 6 to 20 μm was investigated for hollow sapphire and silica waveguides suitable for applications in spectroscopy and thermometry. A low-attenuation region was exhibited between 9.6 and 17.2 μm for hollow sapphire fibers and between 7.25 and 9.5 μm for hollow silica fibers as a result of the cladding index of refraction dipping below that of the air core (n ≈ 1). Losses have been characterized as a function of fiber diameter, launch conditions, and waveguide bend radius for cladding regions of both n > 1 and n < 1. In addition, the remote infrared sensing capability of the hollow waveguides was demonstrated by the detection of CO2 in N2 by utilizing hollow sapphire fibers capped with ZnSe windows.
Anabolic effect of prostaglandins

Prostaglandins, particularly PGE2, have been shown to stimulate bone formation in a number of circumstances. Endogenous prostaglandins may be important in heterotopic ossification and fracture healing. The major source of prostaglandins in bone is the inducible form of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inhibition of COX-2 may impair bone formation. Recent studies using selective agonists for the prostaglandin EP2 and EP4 receptors, which stimulate cAMP in bone cells, have suggested that these might be used clinically to accelerate bone formation, particularly when used locally.
Isolation and characterization of biologically active murine interleukin-6 produced in Escherichia coli

Abstract Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multi-functional cytokine produced and secreted by several different cell types, including those of the immune system. A cDNA coding for the mature murine IL-6 (mIL-6), which extends from amino acid (aa) 25 through 211, was cloned into a prokaryotic vector and then expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant mIL-6 (remIL-6) was isolated from bacterial inclusion bodies by solubilization in 4 M guanidine hydrochloride followed by gel-filtration chromatography. The protein was refolded to an active conformation by dialysis against 25 mM Na · acetate pH 5.5. A final step of purification and concentration on a cation exchange resin yielded pure and biologically active remIL-6. The purified preparation had the expected aa composition, as confirmed by aa analysis and pI of 7.0–7.1. The biological activity of the recombinant protein was measured in two systems ; a proliferation assay employing 7TD1 cells, and a fibrinogen biosynthesis assay employing primary rat hepatocytes. Both assay systems demonstrated that the remIL-6 was active in the range of 108 units/mg, which is similar to that estimated for native cytokine. Antibodies raised in rabbits against remIL-6 neutralized the biological activity of both recombinant and native IL-6.
Immunohistochemical detection of human papillomavirus capsid proteins L1 and L2 in squamous intraepithelial lesions: potential utility in diagnosis and management

While cervical cancer screening relies on cervical cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection, the histologic diagnosis, and specifically lesion grade, is the main parameter that drives clinical management of screen-positive women. Morphologically diagnosed squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL/CIN) regress spontaneously in more than half of the cases, but identifying those likely to persist and progress is not currently possible based upon morphology. Lack of major capsid protein L1 expression has been suggested as a feature in progressive lesions, whereas expression of the minor capsid protein L2 has not been extensively evaluated. The goal of this study is to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of L1 and L2 in SILs in correlation with lesion grade. A total of 150 cervical specimens with SILs were selected based on HPV 16 or HPV 18 detection by Q-PCR. These included 89 low-grade SILs (LSIL/CIN 1) and 123 high-grade SILs (75 HSIL/CIN 2 and 48 HSIL/CIN 3). More than one lesion/grade was identified in 53 specimens. The presence and grade of SIL was determined by a panel of pathologists. Capsid protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry using MAB 837 for L1 and RG-1 for L2. Lesions of different grades in the same specimen were scored separately. Expression of capsid proteins was detected in 34/89 (40%) LSIL/CIN 1, 5/75 (6%) HSIL/CIN 2 and none of 48 HSIL/CIN 3. L1 and L2 were co-expressed in the same area of the lesion in 22 cases. In addition, L1 alone was expressed in 6 lesions and L2 alone in 11 lesions. Among the cases with multiple lesion grades in the same specimen, none with HSIL/CIN 3 expressed capsid proteins in any portion/grade of the lesion. HPV capsid proteins are expressed almost exclusively in LSIL/CIN 1 and rarely in HSIL/CIN 2. Additional studies are warranted to examine lack of L1 and L2 expression in LSIL/CIN 1 as a predictor of persistence or progression to HSIL/CIN 3, the precursor of cervical cancer.
Technical considerations in aortocoronary bypass grafting.

Abstract Since the inception of aortocoronary bypass surgery, many technical advances have been rapidly achieved. Early experience was limited to reversed saphenous vein grafting of single vessel coronary artery disease. Multiple grafts to several vessels soon became commonplace and sequential grafting techniques were developed. Expanded use of the internal mammary artery resulted after analysis of superior patency rates achieved with this conduit. Use of alternative conduits such as upper extremity veins, allogenic veins, synthetic graft material (polytetraflnorethylene), radial artery, splenic artery, and gastroepiploic artery have been explored. Apart from the gastroepiploic vessel, none of these alternative conduits have been suitable. A grat deal of effort has been directed at the mechanisms of saphenous vein occlusion including technical considerations, early thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia and graft atherosclerosis. Platelet inhibition and lipid reduction have shown promise in improving patency rates. Further work in these areas should lead to even better results.