cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Determinants of the Interaction Between HCN2 and its Accessory Subunit TRIP8b

Considerable evidence has shown that ion channels operate as part of large macromolecular complexes composed of channels, cytoskeletal proteins, scaffolding proteins, signaling molecules, and a litany of other molecules. The proteins that make up these complexes can influence trafficking, localization, and biophysical properties of the channel. Until recently, little was known about which proteins associate with and modulate hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. New studies have uncovered a cytosolic protein called Trip8b, which may contribute to the dendritic localization of HCN channels in many neurons. TRIP8b interacts with the carboxy terminus (C-terminus) of HCN channels at two sites and regulates the expression level and cyclic nucleotide dependence of the channel. Here we examine the molecular determinants of Trip8b binding to HCN2 channels using a combination of electrophysiology, single molecule fluorescence, and X-ray crystallography. We first determined the stoichiometry of the interaction using the single molecule bleaching method. We counted bleaching steps of EGFPs expressed as fusions with Trip8b in oocytes co-expressing HCN2 and found that Trip8b and HCN2 form a 4:4 complex in intact channels. Using isolated fragments of HCN2, we find that Trip8b and the C-terminus of HCN2 form a stable 2:1 Trip8b:HCN2 interaction and that removal of the downstream binding site on HCN2 does not alter this complex in solution. Combined with the single molecule fluorescence data, we believe this suggests a model wherebyTrip8b interacts with HCN2 in the cleft between two adjacent C-termini making multiple contacts with the each cyclic nucleotide binding domain on neighboring HCN2 molecules. To begin to understand the detailed molecular mechanism of the interaction between Trip8b and HCN2, we used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of Trip8b in complex with a peptide of the last seven amino acids of HCN2.
The proton affinity of nitrogen dioxide

Abstract The bracketing method has been used to dermine a value of 140±2 kcal mol−1 for the proton affinity of NO2. Consistent with the ionic structures, HONO+ and HNO+, NO2 does and NO does not fit a correlation curve of O(1s) core-binding energy vs. proton affinity. Neither of the free radicals, NO and NO2, fits a correlation curve of ionization energy vs. proton affinity for other oxygenated compounds.
Topological theory of reptation

Abstract Based on an earlier discovery of the connection between Dirac's fermions and semiflexible polymers a new topological theory of reptation is proposed. This theory replaces the concept of tube, which was used to account implicitly for the presence of topological constraints, by the concept of Bose-Fermi transmutation recently proposed by Polyakov. The above transmutation is of explicit topological nature. It allows one to explain naturally the observed viscoelastic behavior of concentrated solutions of fully flexible polymers. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with available experimental data.
Toxicity and biodegradability screening of nonionic surfactants using sediment-derived methanogenic consortia

The objective of this study was to screen and select biologically-compatible surfactants for subsequent use in enhancing the bioavailability and reductive dechlorination of sorbed-phase chlorinated organic contaminants. Sixteen surfactants commonly used in surfactant-enhanced bioavailability experiments were examined: polyoxyethylene (POE) alcohols (Brij 30/35, Witconol SN-70/90/120), POE sorbitan fatty acid esters (Tween 20/21/40/60/61/65/80/81/85), the octylphenol ethoxylate Triton X-100, and the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate. Two hexachlorobenzene-dechlorinating, mixed enrichment cultures -- one glucose-fed and the other lactate-fed -- were developed at 22°C using anaerobic media and contaminated estuarine sediment as inoculum. Serum bottle methanogenesis assays using these two cultures were performed at a surfactant concentration of 200 mg/L. Tween surfactants were found to be the least inhibitory and also partially degradable. Some Tween surfactants accelerated the rates of methanogenesis for the lactate-fed culture, but no enhancement was observed for the glucose-fed culture. Cultures amended with Tween 20, 21, and 80 had the slowest methane production, while those amended with Tween 40, 60, and 85 had the fastest methane production. All non-Tween surfactants inhibited methanogenesis. The results of this study indicate that the biological compatibility of nonionic surfactants, even those from the same homologous series, appear to be system-specific and can vary significantly.
Using a Response-to-Intervention Approach in Preschool to Promote Literacy

A response-to-intervention model (RTI) has been identified as a promising way to identify and intervene early with children who are experiencing learning difficulties. The general RTI approach also holds promise of preventing learning difficulties with preschoolers. This article examines the potential benefits of implementing a RTI model in preschool settings as well as the feasibility of implementation with respect to current preschool assessment technologies, teacher preparation, and program philosophical orientations. Although the research supporting the efficacy of systematic early literacy interventions in reducing pervasive reading problems is convincing, it is concluded that current preschool programs have not embraced these findings into everyday practice. Implications for school psychologists serving young children are addressed.
Practical verification for requirements model of Hatley/Pirbhai

Five years have passed since translated version of a popular book on Real Time Structured Analysis method was published in Japan. Japanese readers of it have been discussing its practical usage actively. Its research work is however hardly ever presented abroad. We will show here recent Japanese research work on it.
Black/White Differences in Job Shift Behavior: A Dynamic Analysis*

This study investigates one mechanism through which black/white differences in returns to resources occur through time—job shifts. The results show that whites change jobs more often than blacks, move upward more often than blacks, and compete for higher levels of rewards more often than blacks. Whites are more likely to move within firms and across firms than blacks. However, the results show that whites do not always receive greater returns to resources as determinants of job shifts. Whites do receive greater returns to education in interfirm shifts in prestige than blacks. However, blacks receive equal or greater returns to education and firm-specific resources in intrafirm shifts in prestige and wage than whites.
Uniform Strong Consistent Estimation of an Ifra Distribution Function

Let F?n be an estimator of an IFRA survival function F? and let A be such that 0 < F?(A) < 1. The main result constructs an IFRA estimator by splicing the smallest increasing failure rate on the average majorant and greatest increasing failure rate on the average minorant of the restrictions of F?n to the intervals 0, A] and A, ∞), respectively. The resulting et??mator F?n has the property that supx |F?n ? F?| ? k supx |F?n ? F? where k ? 2, and k = 2 if and only if A is the median of F. As a consequence, if F?n represents the empirical survival function, or the Kaplan-Meier estimator, the estimator F?n inherits the strong and uniform convergence properties, as well as the optimal rates of convergence of the empirical survival function and Kaplan-Meier estimator respectively. Simulations show a substantial improvement in mean-squared error when comparing F?n to those IFRA estimators available in the literature. Under suitable conditions, asymptotic confidence intervals for F?(t0) are also provided.
Stories of family caregiving: Case studies in moral reasoning

Family relationships are complex, interdependent, multifactorial, cultural, and sociopolitical. In instances of family caregiving, the dynamics of these relationships influence the well-being of all members. This paper will address one dynamic of family relationships, moral reasoning, as set forth in the theories of Carol Gilligan. Gilligan's theories about two patterns of reasoning, based on the ethics of justice and care, will be examined within “stories” from fiction and interviews with family caregivers. This examination will raise issues about Gilligan's theories as well as about the literary works themselves and will suggest new ways for health professionals to work with family caregivers.
Feynman–Vernon model of a moving thermal environment

Abstract The formulation of the Feynman–Vernon model of linear dissipative systems, taking into account space and time invariance properties of a thermal environment, is reviewed. In this formulation the classical limit is consistently recovered and no infinite quantities appear at any step of the calculations. The model easily lends itself to be generalized to other types of environments. The case of a thermal environment moving with a time-dependent velocity with respect to the laboratory frame is studied. The corresponding classical Langevin equation and the influence functional of the quantum path integral formulation are derived.
Interaction of acidic isoferritins with human promyelocytic HL60 cells

We have used undifferentiated human promyelocytic HL60 cells to study the binding of radioiodinated human ferritin in vitro. Specific binding of human heart ferritin could be demonstrated at 37 degrees C, whereas no binding of liver ferritin could be found. The uptake of labelled heart ferritin was abolished by incubation at 4 degrees C, by prior treatment of the HL60 cells with pronase and by the addition of human plasma to the medium. On the other hand, the addition of excess unlabelled human liver or rat liver ferritin had no effect on the uptake of labelled human heart ferritin. Dissociation studies showed that about 55% of the bound heart ferritin radioactivity could be released by incubation with medium alone and at least 90% with excess unlabelled heart ferritin. Over 70% of the dissociated ferritin could be precipitated with polyclonal anti-ferritin serum or trichloroacetic acid. More than two-thirds of the radioactivity which could not be released after washing in medium alone was recovered in the soluble intracellular fraction following cell lysis. Almost all of the soluble radioactivity could be precipitated with the polyclonal antiserum, indicating that very little lysosomal degradation of internalized heart ferritin had occurred. The present studies demonstrate a protein-mediated binding mechanism for acidic isoferritins on HL60 cells. These observations agree with published evidence that ferritin is often associated with cell membranes and are consistent with a possible role for the protein in the regulation of haematopoiesis or in iron transfer.
Pharmacological correlates of ecs induced disruption of a passive avoidance task in mice.

These experiments examined the effects of various drugs (reserpine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, l -dopa, physostigmine, atropine, amino-oxyacetic acid, and thiosemicarbazide), known to alter different putative neurotransmitter systems, on ECS disruption of the performance of a passive avoidance task. Reserpine, physostigmine, and AOAA decreased the effectiveness of ECS while 5-HTP and l -dopa increased the effectiveness of ECS. The data are interpreted as a drug induced alteration of memory consolidation processes and/or a drug-ECS interaction.
Impurity-induced virtual bound states in d-wave superconductors.

It is shown that a single, strongly scattering impurity produces a bound or a virtual-bound quasiparticle state inside the gap in a d-wave superconductor. The explicit form of the bound-state wave function is found to decay exponentially with angle-dependent range. These states provide a natural explanation of the second Cu NMR rate arising from the sites close to Zn impurities in the cuprates. Finally, for finite density of impurities in a d-wave superconductor, we re-examine the growth of these states into an impurity band, and discuss the Mott criterion for the metal-insulator transition in this band.
A Coupling-Regeneration Scheme for Diagnosing Convergence in Markov Chain Monte Carlo Algorithms

Abstract Here I propose a convergence diagnostic for Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms based on couplings of a Markov chain with an auxiliary chain that is periodically restarted from a fixed parameter value. The diagnostic provides a mechanism for estimating the specific constants governing the rate of convergence of geometrically and uniformly ergodic chains, and provides a lower bound on the effective sample size of a MCMC run. It also provides a simple procedure for obtaining what is, with high probability, an independent sample from the stationary distribution.
Antigenic structure of AMP-deaminase: isozyme specificity of antibodies directed against purified erythrocyte enzyme.

AMP-deaminase is an allosteric enzyme that exists in several molecular forms [l-3]. Characterization of the antigenic structure of this enzyme is of interest because specific antibodies are useful probes for detecting developmental differences in isozyme distribution [4]. Interest in this protein as an antigen also arises from the observation that immunization of rabbits with skeletal muscle AMP-deaminase elicits production of circulating auto-antibody [S]. In an earlier report we compared the effect of rabbit antibody directed against homogeneous avian breast muscle AMP-deaminase on the enzymatic activity in relatively crude preparations from brain and erythrocytes [ 11. We have now purified erythrocyte AMP-deaminase -7000.fold and have carried out a reciprocal study of the interaction between rabbit antibody directed against highly-purified erythrocyte AMP-deaminase and purified isozymes from breast muscle and erythrocytes. The degree to which these isozymes share similar sequence and/or conformational antigenic determinants is not known. However, it is now clear that these isozymes are very similar with respect to the molecular weights of the native enzymes (i.e., 276 000), that each enzyme is a tetramer of subunits of identical size (i.e., 69 000; [6]), and that their amino acid compositions are similar, but not identical (Kruckeberg, S. L. and 0. P. C., unpublished observations). Antibodies obtained from rabbits following
Effects of Injection Moulding Parameters on Dimensional Accuracy of POM/MWCNT Micro Parts

Nowadays, the study of polymer nanocomposites is an active area of materials development because nanofillers and in particular Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) can significantly improve or adjust the properties of the materials into which they were incorporated such as optical, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. MWCNTs have been adopted in quite a number of applications, but advancements in their properties are needed for spreading their potential. Moreover their behaviour and filling properties in micro injection moulding process have still to be studied.Therefore, in this work, experimental and statistical studies were performed to analyze the parameters effect on replicating capability of micro parts manufactured in POM/MWCNT by micro injection moulding process. Two compounds with different filler fraction (3 and 6 wt%) were tested and processed with different conditions and their operating range have been pointed out and compared with that of pristine POM (PolyOxyMethilene).The results show that the filler content has the effect to change slightly the operative range of the micro injection process parameters and to increase the replicating capability. The most effective parameters on replicating capability of micro ribs, evaluated by a dimensional index, are the mould temperature for the POM/MWCNT 3% and injection velocity for the 6% filler fraction.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
On noninertia wave versus diffusion wave in flood routing

This note intends to address a misnomer in flood routing. The noninertia wave, which ignores both local and convective inertia terms in the momentum equation, is a simplification to the full dynamic wave. While the diffusion wave refers more generally to the wave whose induced disturbance in flow is analogous to the diffusion of particles or heat. For the purpose of clarification, these waves are mathematically formulated and physically interpreted. It is demonstrated that the diffusion wave can be mathematically formulated from different levels of shallow water wave approximations with the assumption that the celerity and coefficient of hydraulic diffusivity are step-wise constants. Both the linear and nonlinear perspectives of waves are discussed. The noninertia wave is demonstrated to be one of the special cases of the diffusion wave.
International financial networks with intermediation: Modeling, analysis, and computations

In this paper, we develop a framework for the modeling, analysis, and computation of solutions to international financial networks with intermediation. We consider three tiers of decision-makers consisting of: source agents in different countries, financial intermediaries, and consumers associated with the demand markets for different products in distinct currencies and countries. We model the behavior of the decision-makers, derive the equilibrium conditions, and establish the variational inequality formulation. We then utilize the variational inequality formulation to obtain qualitative properties of the equilibrium financial flow and price pattern as well as to propose an algorithm along with convergence results. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate both the model and the computational procedure. This research extends the recent results surrounding the modeling of financial networks with intermediation to the international dimension.
In-plume thermodynamics of the MALDI generation of fluorofullerene anions.

The mechanism of formation of fluorofullerene (FF) negative ions derived from the compounds C 6 0 F 1 8 , C 6 0 F 3 6 , and C 6 0 F 4 8 was studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometry (MS). A combined experimental/theoretical approach provides compelling evidence of nondissociative, thermodynamically controlled electron transfer from matrix-derived negative ions to the FF analyte as the main secondary-ionization process. Consistent with this thermochemical model, analyte parent molecular ion yield and degree of fragmentation for a particular MALDI experiment was found to depend on the nature of the matrix material (the five matrices investigated were sulfur, trans-2-[3-{4-tert-butylphenyl}-2-methyl-2-propenylidene]malononitrile, 9-nitroanthracene, 2,6-bis((furan-2-yl)methylene)cyclohexanone, and 2,6-bis((thiophen-2-yl)methylene)cyclohexanone). For mixtures of C 6 0 F n compounds with different n values and therefore different electron affinitites, unwanted electron-transfer reactions, which can lead to the suppression of C 6 0 F n - ions with low n values, were successfully blocked for the first time by judicious choice of the matrix. Therefore, reliable qualitative MS analysis of FF mixtures with wide ranges of composition is now possible.
Position of Neocortical Neurons Transfected at Different Gestational Ages with shRNA Targeted against Candidate Dyslexia Susceptibility Genes

Developmental dyslexia is a language learning disorder that affects approximately 4–10% of the population. A number of candidate dyslexia susceptibility genes have been identified, including DCDC2 and KIAA0319 on Chromosome (Chr) 6p22.2 and DYX1C1 on Chr 15q21. Embryonic knockdown of the function of homologs of these genes in rat neocortical projection cell progenitors by in utero electroporation of plasmids encoding small hairpin RNA (shRNA) revealed that all three genes disrupted neuronal migration to the neocortex. Specifically, this disruption would result in heterotopia formation (Dyx1c1 and Kiaa0319) and/or overmigration past their expected laminar location (Dyx1c1 and Dcdc2). In these experiments, neurons normally destined for the upper neocortical laminae were transfected on embryonic day (E) 15.5, and we designed experiments to test whether these migration phenotypes were the result of targeting a specific type of projection neuron. We transfected litters with Dcdc2 shRNA, Dyx1c1 shRNA, Kiaa0319 shRNA, or fluorescent protein (as a control) at each of three gestational ages (E14.5, E15.5, or E16.5). Pups were allowed to come to term, and their brains were examined at 3 weeks of age for the position of transfected cells. We found that age of transfection did not affect the percentage of unmigrated neurons—transfection with Kiaa0319 shRNA resulted in heterotopia formation at all three ages. Overmigration of neurons transfected with Dcdc2 shRNA, while present following transfections at the later ages, did not occur following E14.5 transfections. These results are considered in light of the known functions of each of these candidate dyslexia susceptibility genes.
Independent Sets of DNA Oligonucleotides for Nanotechnology Applications

Independent sets of DNA oligonucleotides, which only bind with their Watson-Crick complements, have potential use in self-assembly of nanostructures, since they minimize errors and inefficiency from unwanted binding. A software tool implemented a thermodynamic model for DNA duplex formation and was used to generate large independent sets of DNA oligonucleotides. The principle of the approach was experimentally verified on a sample set of oligonucleotides.
Enhanced Bioavailable Contaminant Stripping (EBCS): metal bioavailability for evaluation of phytoextraction success

Phytoextraction may be applied at field scale when the removal of bioavailable metals is the specific target of the technology. Residual metals in soil can be considered substantially inert or to be evaluated by site specific risk analysis.
A comparison between 1D and 1.5D arrays for the formation of Spatially Modulated Ultrasound Radiation Force beams

Spatially Modulated Ultrasound Radiation Force (SMURF) imaging is an Elastography technique based on estimating the shear modulus of an elastic material [1]. SMURF determines shear modulus through measurement of the frequency of shear waves of known wavelength propagating in a medium of unknown modulus. Shear modulus is then computed using the relationship G= (λf)2ρ. The spatial frequency k of the force variation is equal to the desired spatial frequency of the shear wave, that is, k=2π/λ. Because acoustic radiation force used to create the shear waves is proportional to intensity, generation of this spatially varying force is a matter of determining how to generate an equivalently varying ultrasound intensity field. Presented in this study is the Focal Fraunhofer method, which is one of the techniques that can be used to create the desired beam intensity pattern within a region of interest. To create a push that results in discernible displacements while minimizing tissue heating in the near field, we investigate the use of both a linear and a multi-row 1.5D array. A 1.5D array allows for more aggressive focusing in the elevation direction and thus a greater intensity in the region of interest. The efficacy of both configurations is analyzed based on the ability to generate beams of the desired well-defined spatial wavelength at various focal depths, the ability to localize the pushing beam to the region of interest and the ability to maximize the depth-of-field.
Efficient Execution on GPUs of Field-Based Vehicular Mobility Models

Large-scale scenarios of vehicular traffic simulation problems are characterized by complex queuing effects, control mechanisms and other interactions of the traffic on the control and vice versa. While small-sized scenarios are relatively easy to explore and analyze, larger scenarios need specialized treatment for efficient execution. The simulation challenges of speed and scale become pronounced when network sizes are very large (millions of road intersections) and/or vehicular traffic load is immense (several million simultaneously active vehicles). Commonly used execution approaches roughly correspond to the two extremes of the simulation spectrum. Aggregate models correspond to one extreme, typically employed to achieve coarse results at a relatively high simulation speed. Micro-simulation represents the other extreme, employed for finer granularity at the expense of greatly decreased simulation speed. Hybrid methods are emerging as via media that provide medium level modeling granularity while still affording fast execution. In some of our active projects in real-time data- driven simulations, we are developing one such hybrid method. Two novel aspects of our hybrid method are: (1) formulation of a field-based model of vehicular traffic movement in a large road network (2) fast execution of the field-based hybrid model on data-parallel platforms of general-purpose graphics processing units (GPUs).
Commentary: Taking culture seriously in health research

World Health Organization. The World Health Report 1999: Making a Difference. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1999. 38 Keyes CLM. The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life. J Health Soc Res 2002;43:207–22. 39 Bunker SJ, Colquhoun DM, Esler, MD et al. ‘Stress’ and coronary heart disease: psychosocial risk factors. National Heart Foundation of Australia position statement update. Med J Aust 2003;178:272–76. 40 Berkman LF, Glass T. Social integration, social network, social support, and health. In: Berkman LF, Kawachi I (eds). Social Epidemiology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 137–73. 41 Eckersley R. Losing the battle of the bulge: causes and consequences of increasing obesity. Med J Aust 2001;174:590–92. 42 Levy BR, Slade MD, Kunkel SR, Kasl SV. Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. J Pers Soc Psychol 2002;83:261–70. 43 Halpern DS. Morals, social trust and inequality: can values explain crime? Brit J Criminol 2001;41:236–51. 44 Eckersley R, Dear K. Cultural correlates of youth suicide. Soc Sci Med 2002;55:1891–904. 45 Whitely E, Gunnell D, Dorling D, Davey Smith G. Ecological study of social fragmentation, poverty, and suicide. BMJ 1999;319:1034–37. 46 Dawson M. The Consumer Trap: Big Business Marketing in American Life. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2003. 47 Zimbardo P. What messages are behind today’s cults? APA Monitor, 1997;28(5). 48 Zimbardo P. Mind control: psychological reality or mindless rhetoric? APA Monitor on Psychology 2002;33(10):5. 49 Bauman Z. Life in Fragments: Essays in Postmodern Morality. Oxford: Blackwell, 1995. 50 Beck U, Beck-Gernsheim E. Individualization. London: Sage, 2002.
Analysis and Evaluation Methods Associated with the Application of Compliant Thermal Interface Materials in Multi-chip Electronic Board Assemblies

Increased demands on large scale server system packaging density have driven the need for new, more challenging electronic component cooling solutions. One such application required the development of a large form-factor printed circuit board assembly with multiple power transformer devices to be cooled via a common heat spreader. Thermally coupling the multiplicity of devices to the heat spreader was completed using a compliant thermal interface material. Given the mechanical tolerance range, the strain rate dependency of the interface material and the mechanical load limitations of the electronic devices, finite element analysis and empirical evaluation techniques were applied to ensure the anticipated interface gaps were established and that the initial and residual mechanical loading effects were understood. A characterization of the thermal interface material’s mechanical properties was completed for analysis input. Coupling this input with the geometric and stiffness properties of the assembly’s structural elements provided predictions of both the initial as well as the residual mechanical assembly loads. Once completed, experiments using pressure sensitive film and piezoresistive film load cells were completed to correlate with the acquired analytical predictions.
A 60 million dollar statistical issue arising in the interpretation and calculation of a measure of relative disparity: Zuni Public School District 89 v. U.S. Department of Education

In 1994, the U.S. Congress rewrote the statute providing educational funds to towns and cities of the nation where the federal government owns substantial amounts of land, which cannot be taxed locally. Usually, this impact aid goes to the local school districts; however, if a state has a program for subsidizing education in all areas so that the ‘per-pupil’ expenditures are approximately equal throughout the state, then the state receives a large share of the federal funds. The previous statute authorized the Department of Education (DOE) to establish a formula for determining whether a state’s educational funding was ‘equalized’. The new law specifies its own formula. Both formulas place an upper limit on a percentile-based measure of disparity calculated from the data on average per-pupil expenditures in the local educational areas of the state. While the formulas are similar, they describe the percentiles to be used in the calculation differently. In 1996, when the DOE published its regulations for administering the new law, it interpreted the new formula for assessing whether the educational funding in a state was ‘equal’ to mean the identical calculation it had previously issued. In 1999, the state of New Mexico claimed that its school funding system met the criterion for ‘equalization’, so it deserved 75% of the federal impact funds allocated to all impacted school districts in the state. Two local districts filed suit claiming that the state’s funding did not meet the new statute’s criterion for being equalized, so the entire federal payment should go to the affected school districts. This article describes the calculation most statisticians would make after reading the new law. It will be seen that none of the calculations presented by the parties is technically correct. Furthermore, one of the assertions made by the DOE and accepted by the majority in a split appellate opinion is not mathematically correct. An en banc opinion of all 12 circuit judges split on the interpretation of the statute and the U.S. Supreme Court has accepted the case for review. The last section suggests that alternative disparity measures based on the data on expenditures in schools rather than districts would give a more accurate indication of the disparity in school funding in a state. Under either interpretation of the current law, a disparity in educational funding that courts previously have found to support a claim of racial segregation or discrimination can satisfy the criteria for equal educational funding.
The effects of rectification and Global Positioning System errors on satellite image-based estimates of forest area

Satellite image-based maps of forest attributes are of considerable interest and are used for multiple purposes such as international reporting by countries that have no national forest inventory and small area estimation for all countries. Construction of the maps typically entails, in part, rectifying the satellite images to a geographic coordinate system, observing ground plots whose coordinates are obtained from Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers that are calibrated to the same geographic coordinate system, and then matching ground plots to image pixels containing the centers of the ground plots. Errors in rectification and GPS coordinates cause observations of ground attributes to be associated with spectral values of incorrect pixels which, in turn, introduces classification errors into the resulting maps. The most important finding of the study is that for common magnitudes of rectification and GPS errors, as many as half the ground plots may be assigned to incorrect pixels. The effects on areal estimates obtained by aggregating class predictions for individual pixels are deviation of the estimates from their true values, erroneous confidence intervals, and incorrect inferences. Results are reported in detail for both probability-based (design-based) and model-based approaches to inference for proportion forest area using maps constructed from Landsat imagery, forest inventory plot observations and a logistic regression model.
Multisets and Clustering XML Documents

We propose a novel and efficient solution to the problem of clustering XML documents based on their structure. We use operations on multisets of paths of document trees to define certain metrics on multisets. These metrics are used for clustering real and synthesized XML documents to produce high-quality clusterings.
Reasons for Choice of Referral Physician Among Primary Care and Specialist Physicians

BACKGROUND Specialty referral patterns can affect health care costs as well as clinical outcomes. For a given clinical problem, referring physicians usually have a choice of several physicians to whom they can refer. Once the decision to refer is made, the choice of individual physician may have important downstream effects.
How Much Does “How Much” Matter? Assessing the Relationship Between Children’s Lifetime Exposure to Violence and Trauma Symptoms, Behavior Problems, and Parenting Stress

The study explores whether and how lifetime violence exposure is related to a set of negative symptoms: child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, child trauma symptoms, and parenting stress. Using a large sample of violence-exposed children recruited to participate in intervention research, the study employs different methods of measuring that exposure. These include total frequency of all lifetime exposure, total frequency of lifetime exposure by broad category (i.e., assault, maltreatment, sexual abuse, and witnessing violence), and polyvictimization defined as exposure to multiple violence categories. The results indicate that only polyvictimization, constructed as a dichotomous variable indicating two or more categories of lifetime exposure, emerged as a consistent predictor of negative symptoms. The total lifetime frequency of all violence exposure was not associated with negative symptoms, after controlling for the influence of polyvictimization. Likewise, in the presence of a dichoto...
Caregiving Styles: A Cognitive and Behavioral Typology Associated With Dementia Family Caregiving

Purpose: An increasing number of elderly individuals are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD), many of whom receive daily caregiving from spouse or adult child. Caregiving is a “cultural activity,” and as such it is strongly influenced by sociocultural beliefs about caregiving and how it should be enacted. Understanding this thinking–action process has important implications for future research and service. Reasoned action theory provides empirical evidence that attitudes and beliefs, as they are influenced by the social environment, predict intentions to act. In turn, behavioral intentions can reliably predict behaviors. This grounded theory study describes a typology of caregiving styles relevant to family members of an individual with ADRD, where caregiving style is defined as a culturally based pattern in thinking and action. The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between caregiver intentions and care strategies. Methods: Study participants included 97 individuals residing in the Washington, DC, area, who provide daily care for a family member with ADRD. Narrative data were collected from each caregiver during three 1-hr interview sessions. A subset of 30 caregiver–care recipient (CR) dyads was videotaped during typical interactions. Results: Four caregiving styles were identified (facilitating, balancing, advocating, and directing), which differ primarily in the intended focus of care and preferred interactions with the CR. Implications: The results provide a foundation for future studies of the relationships between sociocultural context, caregiving styles and strategies, and ensuing outcomes for caregiver–CR dyads.
Assessment of foveal cone photoreceptors in Stargardt's macular dystrophy using a small dot detection task.

We measured frequency-of-seeing curves for tiny (1.125 and 3.375 min arc) stimuli flashed briefly at absolute threshold to estimate the density of fovea1 cones in normals and in subjects with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy. Fovea1 absolute thresholds for Stargardt’s were elevated 1.5 log units over normal. Analysis using Poisson counting statistics indicated that the quanta1 absorption to stimulate individual cones was normal for Stargardt’s but that effective optical density of individual cones was reduced by > 1 log. Numerical density of fovea1 cones was reduced 1 log unit for Stargardt’s patients with acuities of 20/30-20/100.
Too Latino and Not Latino Enough: The Role of Ethnicity-Related Stressors on Latino College Students’ Life Satisfaction

The relationship between demographics (generation status, age, gender, education level) and ethnicity-related stressors, namely, perceived discrimination, stereotype confirmation concern, and own-g...
Review of The Watershed Project Management Guide by Thomas E. Davenport

The author has written this book for watershed practitioners and those who support them. The book is not a theoretical book on watershed management but a practical one. It promotes the wise use of available resources to aid in the environmental improvement of the watersheds we live in. A major barrier to successful restoration and management of our nation’s watersheds is the lack of knowledge about watershed procedures. This book is intended to give science and social information that can aid efforts to protect and restore community watersheds. The author views watershed management largely as a process of working with people to solve their problems. The book outlines a four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Practical examples are used to illustrate the benefits and problems of watershed management and the process. The book has 12 chapters that fulfill the following purposes: 1. To describe the four-step process for developing a specific watershed management plan. 2. To help identify, describe, and define water resources problems and issues. 3. To provide tools, approaches, and information that can be used in watershed management plan development and implementation. 4. To highlight how to implement a watershed management plan and evaluate its effectiveness. The first chapter introduces watershed management and why it is important and the four phases of the watershed management process. Chapter 2 briefly describes the watershed management processes of assessment and problem identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Chapter 3 describes different aspects of a watershed that include the hydrologic cycle, geomophologic processes, and the major sources of contaminants. Chapter 4 discusses the need for developing partnerships for watershed management projects and the organization and structure and operation of partnerships. The author concludes that the no-one-size-fits all organization model works for all watershed partnerships. The right type of organization depends upon many factors. Chapter 5 discusses the assessment and problem identification phase of watershed management. In the assessment stage, the author discusses the need to define the watershed and identify problems and data gaps. Inventory of all the available data is the key to identifying data gaps, the author points out. The author discusses three-tier analysis as one method that can be used to help in problem identification. The first tier identifies all the natu-
Diagnostic spinal anaesthesia in chronic spinal cord injury pain

Summary In a double blind study, 21 patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) pain underwent placement of a lumbar subarachnoid catheter and injection of placebo and lidocaine. The effects on pain intensity, distribution, altered sensations and sensory level of anaesthesia were monitored. Four patients responded briefly to placebo, while 13 demonstrated a mean reduction of pain intensity of 37·8 ± 37% for a mean duration of 123·1 ±9S'3 minutes in response to lidocaine. The pain response to subarachnoid lidocaine differed significantly (p < 0'01) from placebo. Spinal anaesthesia was also associated with changes in pain distribution and altered sensation. A spinal anaesthetic­ induced sensory level could not be achieved cephalad to the sensory level of neurological injury in 5 patients who presented with spinal canal obstruction. This study has demonstrated that response to diagnostic spinal anaesthesia in chronic SCI pain is complex, requiring individual interpretation in each patient and consideration of the following factors; symptomatology, etiology, pain perception, spinal canal anatomy,
Age and Body Size Influence Male Sperm Capacity of the Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Understanding mosquito mating biology is essential for studies of mosquito behavior, gene flow, population structure, and genetic control. In the current study, we examine the effect of age and body size on spermatozoa number in two laboratory strains of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.), Thailand and Rockefeller (ROCK), and in wild-collected mosquitoes from Thailand. Body size was a major predictor of total spermatozoa number, with significantly greater sperm numbers in large (2.27-mm wing length) versus small males (1.85-mm wing length) within the same age group. Total sperm capacity also varied by male age. Spermatozoa numbers in virgin Ae. aegypti males increased significantly up to 10 d after emergence and then leveled off until 20 d. Significant variations in sperm number were detected among Ae. aegypti strains, with wild-collected mosquitoes having the greatest total number of sperm. Our study provides the first evidence of spermatogenesis in adult mosquitoes and indicates high rates of spermatogenesis in male mosquitoes up to 10 d of age (3.3 degree-days). Our results emphasize the potential role of body size and age on the mating capacity of this important vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses.
Intellectual Property Protection and Patterns of Trade

The paper provides a simple theoretical model for understanding how the difference in the level of intellectual property rights protection determines trade patterns. In particular, I examine how countries ?levels of patent rights protection affect exports in industries with different degrees of reliance on innovation. In contrast to most models of institutional comparative advantage, which predict that countries with superior institutions specialize in industries that are very dependent on institutions, I show that higher patent rights protection does not necessarily lead to specialization in industries that rely heavily on innovation. There may exist a threshold beyond which occurs a reversal of specialization patterns, a consequence of monopoly power inherent in intellectual property rights protection. I then use the model?s implications to assess empirically whether such predicted patterns hold in cross-country trade data and fi?nd evidence for general patterns of specialization as well as a reversal of such patterns among countries with high levels of patent rights protection.
Histories of Special Education Stories From Our Past, Insights for Our Future

ABSTRACTThe history of special education is a collection of the memories and stories that serve as a foundation for the field. Historical research sometimes reveals previously overlooked insights. It is also an opportunity for understanding aspects of people and events that have previously been overlooked. Historical research may also help to bring a new or different focus to contemporary issues and challenges in the field of special education. Most important, however, historical scholarship is a commitment to seeking the “truest” story among the facts that have been recorded and transmitted in the discipline.
Caribbean damselfish with varying territory quality: correlated behaviors but not a syndrome

The behavioral syndrome hypothesis suggests that individual animals within a population behave differently due to specific behavioral types, and these should be consistent across behaviors or in different contexts. In contrast, for animals that live within an environment in which territory quality can change over time, natural selection should have favored behavioral flexibility and modulation of the cost of defense in relation to territory quality. This would require assessment of the territory followed by displays of appropriate types and intensities of behavior. We examined the territorial behavior of male beaugregory damselfish (Stegastes leucostictus) by enhancing territory quality using artificial breeding sites and comparing their behavior to males on lower quality natural sites. When male fish were defending high-quality artificial territories, they had higher levels of aggression toward male conspecifics and courtship toward females than when on low-quality natural territories. We also found that aggression and courtship behaviors were correlated on natural sites but not on artificial sites. Behaviors were not correlated within individuals when males switched from natural to artificial territories or from artificial to natural territories. These results indicate that males assess their current territories and adjust behaviors accordingly and that courtship and aggressive behaviors are not linked within a permanent behavioral syndrome. Key words: adaptive plasticity, beaugregory damselfish, behavioral syndromes, Stegastes leucostictus, territory quality. [Behav Ecol]
Elucidation of an Alternate Isoleucine Biosynthesis Pathway in Geobacter sulfurreducens

The central metabolic model for Geobacter sulfurreducens included a single pathway for the biosynthesis of isoleucine that was analogous to that of Escherichia coli, in which the isoleucine precursor 2-oxobutanoate is generated from threonine. 13C labeling studies performed in G. sulfurreducens indicated that this pathway accounted for a minor fraction of isoleucine biosynthesis and that the majority of isoleucine was instead derived from acetyl-coenzyme A and pyruvate, possibly via the citramalate pathway. Genes encoding citramalate synthase (GSU1798), which catalyzes the first dedicated step in the citramalate pathway, and threonine ammonia-lyase (GSU0486), which catalyzes the conversion of threonine to 2-oxobutanoate, were identified and knocked out. Mutants lacking both of these enzymes were auxotrophs for isoleucine, whereas single mutants were capable of growth in the absence of isoleucine. Biochemical characterization of the single mutants revealed deficiencies in citramalate synthase and threonine ammonia-lyase activity. Thus, in G. sulfurreducens, 2-oxobutanoate can be synthesized either from citramalate or threonine, with the former being the main pathway for isoleucine biosynthesis. The citramalate synthase of G. sulfurreducens constitutes the first characterized member of a phylogenetically distinct clade of citramalate synthases, which contains representatives from a wide variety of microorganisms.
FUNDAMENTALS OF PARAMETRIC INTERACTION AND PHASE CONJUGATION

Parametric interactions are excited by reactive (imaginary) interaction energy. When the scattering involves backward traveling-waves, the interaction will exhibit phase conjugation characteristics. There are significant differences between forward and backward phase conjugation processes.