cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissociative identity disorder: Adaptive deception of self and others.

Dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality) is increasingly diagnosed, often follows childhood trauma, and is characterized by rigidification of phenomena that resemble hypnosis. To interpret dissociated aspects of selfhood as autonomous entities is a useful heuristic; but when taken too literally, it leads to three kinds of anomaly: (1) legal: dissociators remain culpable for misdeeds carried out beyond apparent awareness or control; (2) clinical: legitimization sometimes leads not to relief, but to escalating cycles of regressive dependency; and (3) scientific: the form of dissociated entities varies with how they are defined, in ways that are intrinsically motivated and clinically manipulable. These anomalies yield to an evolutionary perspective that views dissociative identity disorder as an evolved strategy of adaptive deception of self and others; e.g., a beaten subordinate avoids further retribution by "pleading illness." Such a deceit best avoids detection when fully experienced; through its intensity and persistence, it becomes real at a new level. One's basic competencies remain intact, however, and are the source of the anomalies described. They can be clinically accessed and empowered, providing the key to therapeutic change when dissociative processes are problematic. Overall, despite clear impairment in subjective awareness and volition, dissociative-disordered individuals are best held fully accountable for the consequences of their actions.
Diffusive dynamics of nanoparticles in ultra-confined media

Differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) was used to investigate the diffusive dynamics of nanoparticles of diameter 200–400 nm that were strongly confined in a periodic square array of cylindrical nanoposts. The minimum distance between posts was 1.3–5 times the diameter of the nanoparticles. The image structure functions obtained from the DDM analysis were isotropic and could be fit by a stretched exponential function. The relaxation time scaled diffusively across the range of wave vectors studied, and the corresponding scalar diffusivities decreased monotonically with increased confinement. The decrease in diffusivity could be described by models for hindered diffusion that accounted for steric restrictions and hydrodynamic interactions. The stretching exponent decreased linearly as the nanoparticles were increasingly confined by the posts. Together, these results are consistent with a picture in which strongly confined nanoparticles experience a heterogeneous spatial environment arising from hydrodynamics and volume exclusion on time scales comparable to cage escape, leading to multiple relaxation processes and Fickian but non-Gaussian diffusive dynamics.
U.S. Immigrants and the Global Narrative

Changing Identities: Vietnamese Americans, 1975-1995. James M. Freeman. New Immigrant Series. Boston; Allyn and Bacon, 1995. 132 pp. From the Workers' State to the Golden State: Jews from the Former Soviet Union in California. Steven J. Gold. New Immigrant Series. Boston; Allyn and Bacon, 1995. 122 pp. From the Ganges to the Hudson: Indian Immigrants in New York City. Johanna Lessinger. New Immigrant Series. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995. 159 pp. Salvadorans in Suburbia: Symbiosis and Conflict. Sarah J. Mahler. New Immigrant Series. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995.127pp. Visa for. Dream: Dominicans in the United States. Patricia R. Pessar. New Immigrant Series. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995. 98 pp.
Lipopolysaccharide-reactive immunoglobulin E is associated with lower mortality and organ failure in traumatically injured patients.

Antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM have been associated with protection from LPS effects in vivo. We investigated the presence of IgE and anti-LPS in 32 patients that had experienced severe traumatic injury and in 35 healthy volunteers; we also investigated whether IgE anti-LPS was associated with important clinical events. Plasma samples were collected daily from patients in the intensive care unit and on one occasion from volunteers; the samples were assayed for IgE anti-LPS. IgE anti-LPS was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal anti-human IgE as the capture antibody. Detection was accomplished with biotin-labeled LPS (Escherichia coli J5 mutant) followed by streptavidin-peroxidase with 2,29-azino(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)sulfonic acid as the substrate. The assay was demonstrated to be specific for IgE and LPS-biotin by nonreactivity of control sera with high-titer anti-LPS IgG and IgM and by inhibition with unlabeled LPS. IgE anti-LPS was detected in 1 of 35 healthy controls (2.9%) and 25 of 32 traumatically injured patients (78%) (P
We make the road by walking together: New teachers and the collaborative and context-specific appropriation of shared social justice-oriented practices and concepts

Abstract This study examined the work of a collaborative group of six new United States-based social studies teachers from the same social justice-oriented teacher education program (SJOTEP). Shared practices and concepts introduced previously in the SJOTEP were developed and appropriated to their classrooms and schools in consideration of the local context, through the collaborative problem-solving process of the group. It is argued that SJOTEPs and TEPs committed to issues of diversity, democracy, inclusion, and/or equity should be collaboration-based, teach a coherent and consistent social justice-focused curriculum, and provide post-graduation collaborative support and research it.
Interaction of morphogenetic genes of bacteriophage T4.

Abstract Mutational events affecting growth of a bacteriophage T4 strain that was defective in a morphogenetic gene were investigated. The new mutations occurred in other of the morphogenetic genes, indicating interactions between different components of the phage assembly pathways. Bacteriophage T4D amber mutants defective in gene 18 (major structural gene for the tail sheath) or gene 37 (major tail fiber structural gene) were found that were unable to grow on Escherichia coli W3110 suC (containing the weak ochre suppressor, suG ). Revertants could be selected that contained the original amber mutation in gene 18 or 37 and also a mutation at a second site, which permitted growth on W3110 suG . These second-site revertants could be distinguished from true revertants (to wild-type) by their inability to grow on an isogenic strain lacking a nonsense suppressor, W3110 su − . Similarly, for an amber mutant defective in gene 23 (major head membrane structural gene), second-site revertants could be found by selection on E. coli Ymel (ambersuppressing). When separated from their associated amber mutation, many second-site mutations were also amber. With an amber mutant in gene 18, secondary amber mutations were found in genes 5, 6, 7, 26, 27, 29 and 51 (tail baseplate genes); with an original amber mutation in gene 37, secondary amber mutations were found in genes 5, 6, 7, 8, 26, 27 and 29 (baseplate), gene 14 (head), and gene 15 (tail); and with an original amber mutation in gene 23, secondary ambers were found in gene 20 (head) and gene 25 (baseplate). The nonsense suppressor contained in W3110 suC or Ymel probably translates many amber codons with low efficiency. Thus a deficiency of product of a gene containing an amber mutation might result, especially if that gene product were used in several copies per phage particle. In such a case, the probability that any one phage particle would accumulate a complete complement of the deficient gene product should diminish rapidly. The hypothesis is developed that secondary amber mutations similarly lower the level of a second component involved in phage assembly. A balance of assembly processes that is essential for normal phage morphogenesis is thus restored.
Feminist and Multicultural Underpinnings to Supervision: An Overview

As the fields of multicultural and feminist psychology have matured, greater attention has been paid to the education and training of emerging therapists. Studies are focusing on integration of multicultural and feminist theories and perspectives that attend to a broader range of diversity topics and needs. The field is being transformed as we respond in our theory, practice, and training to the values and needs of specific groups and to the intersections of identity. This article provides a brief overview of the underpinnings of feminist and multicultural orientations to supervision as an introduction to the articles on supervision that follow and address the following questions: How do experienced educators and supervisors address issues of gender, culture, ethnicity, oppression, and disability with their supervisees? What are the central issues in their supervision that relate to the client and to the development of the supervisee? What do supervisors actually do?
Acrocentric interconnections and NOR variants in human lymphocytes

Acrocentric interconnections and NOR (nucleolus organizer region) variants are frequently observed in silver-stained metaphase preparations from lymphocytes of phenotypically normal individuals. The types of interconnections and of NOR variants are outlined. It is speculated that the satellite acrocentrics (both normal and variant) are the consequence of breakage and recoiling of these interconnections. Awareness of these two features of the human genome may facilitate understanding of the NOR/nucleolus interaction(s) in such important processes as nucleolus formation and in development and/or diagnosis of disease states (i.e., malignancy).
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling of the effects of oral and intravenous administrations of dofetilide on ventricular repolarization

Objectives To examine the pharmacokinetics and the relation between plasma concentrations of the new potassium channel blocker dofetilide and QTc prolongation on the surface electrocardiogram after oral and intravenous administration. Methods Ten healthy volunteers received a single dose of 0.5 mg dofetilide orally and intravenously (over 30 minutes) in a randomized crossover study. The QTc interval versus dofetilide plasma concentration was analyzed by use of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling techniques. Results Dofetilide absolute bioavailability and systemic clearance were 92% ± 9% and 0.35 ± 0.05 L/hr/kg, respectively. Mean maximum increase in QTc interval duration was 99 msec (27%) and 61 msec (16%) after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. A counterclockwise hysteresis loop between dofetilide plasma concentrations and QTc interval duration was observed after intravenous infusions in all subjects, whereas direct linear relationships were observed after oral administrations in eight of 10 subjects. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling showed the consistency of the effect versus concentration relationships obtained with the two routes of administration. With use of a maximum effect (Emax) model and data obtained after intravenous infusion, mean maximum QTc prolongation (Emax) was 121 ± 57 msec and mean dofetilide plasma concentration associated with half the maximum effect (EC50) was 2.2 ± 0.6 ng/ml. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling was useful in detecting the maximum effect and in describing the plasma concentration versus effect relationship during intravenous infusion of dofetilide but was otherwise not superior to analyses performed with postdistribution data. Conclusion We conclude that dofetilide prolongs QTc interval duration in a concentration-dependent manner in normal volunteers during sinus rhythm and that pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling is useful for examination of maximum QTc prolongation induced by dofetilide. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1995) 57, 533–542; doi:
Relationship of late potentials to the ventricular tachycardia circuit defined by entrainment

Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) depends on the localization of VT circuit. Late potential (LP) recordings in sinus rhythm suggest slow conduction and may help to identify the reentry circuit. Detailed entrainment mapping was performed to identify VT circuits in 15 patients with structural heart disease. LPs were identified during baseline non-VT rhythm and were defined as electrogram signals occurring beyond the end of surface QRS. The QRS–LP interval was measured from onset of QRS to the latest LP component. Entrainment was performed in 21 VTs, of which three entrance, 13 isthmus, 17 exit, and one outer loop sites were identified (n = 34). Bipolar electrograms (n = 133 sites) at and in proximity (<1.5 cm distance) to the VT circuit were analyzed. A higher incidence of LP was recorded near isthmus (89%) compared to entrance (57%) or exit (20%), p < 0.05. The QRS–LP intervals were markedly longer at entrance (218 ± 27 ms) and isthmus (194 ± 40 ms) compared to those recorded at exit (131 ± 29 ms), p < 0.05. Electrograms near the VT circuit isthmus have a higher incidence of LP compared to that of entrance and exit; and the QRS–LP interval is significantly longer near entrance and isthmus compared to exit sites. These findings have important implications in substrate-based ablation strategies targeting LPs.
Nonrandom Distribution of the One-Disulfide Intermediates in the Regeneration of Ribonuclease A†

The one-disulfide intermediates formed during the oxidative refolding of ribonuclease A (RNase A) have been characterized. This information is important for understanding the folding pathways of RNase A. The one-disulfide intermediates were blocked with 2-aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate, fractionated using ion-exchange chromatography, and digested with trypsin and chymotrypsin. The resulting peptide fragments were fractionated using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and identified using mass spectrometry. The relative population of each one-disulfide intermediate was determined from its disulfide bond concentration using a postcolumn disulfide detection system. A total of 24 out of 28 possible one-disulfide intermediates were found to be populated (greater than 0.3%) in the one-disulfide mixture. The population of one-disulfide intermediates displays a nonrandom distribution. All four native disulfide pairings have populations greater than those predicted by loop entropy calculations, suggesting the presence of enthalpic contributions stabilizing these species. The one-disulfide intermediate [65, 72], containing the disulfide bond between cysteines 65 and 72, comprises 40% of the entire one-disulfide population. The interactions that stabilize this intermediate may play an important role in the regeneration pathways of RNase A.
Paleomagnetic results from some southern African kimberlites, and their tectonic significance

Paleomagnetic data are reported from kimberlite occurrences of three distinct age groups: (1) National (one pipe), D = 221°, I = −51°, k = 41, α95 = 7.2°, age ∼1140 m.y., (2) Swartruggens (three fissures), mean D = 293°, I = −46°, k = 22, α95 = 26,9°, age = ∼150 m.y., and (3) six bodies in and adjacent to Lesotho, D = 350°, I = −69°, K = 66, α95 = 8.3° with age spread of ∼90 + 5 m.y. Analysis of these and previously published data suggests that most individual kimberlite bodies give acceptable paleomagnetic (as distinct from virtual geomagnetic) poles. This leads to a revised apparent polar wander curve for Africa in upper Mesozoic time and suggests that the time of kimberlite emplacement does coincide with intervals of rapid plate motion, although this cannot be the primary cause of their intrusion.
Measurements of Balance: Comparison of the Timed "Up and Go" Test and Functional Reach Test with the Berg Balance Scale

Objective: To compare the Timed "Up and Go" and Functional Reach tests to the Berg Balance Scale for concurrent validity in a broad adult population. Design: A prospective study of individuals with balance deficits. Setting: Neurological rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and acute care facilities. Subjects: Twenty subjects: 12 females and eight males, aged 38 to 86 years (μ=68, SD=14.5). Intervention: The order in which the three tests were performed on each subject was randomized and the scores from the three tests were analyzed using correlation coefficients. Main Outcome Measures: Balance and correlations were based on scores from each of the three balance tests performed. Results: There was a significant correlation between the Berg Balance Scale and Timed "Up and Go" test (r=0.47, p=0.04) but no significant correlation between the Berg Balance Scale and the Functional Reach test (r=0.42, p=0.06). Pairing the Timed "Up and Go" and Functional Reach tests however, revealed a significant correlation (R=0.56, p=0.04). Conclusion: This study suggests that the Timed "Up and Go" test alone or a combination of the Timed "Up and Go" and Functional Reach tests can be used as a simple measure of balance comparable to the Berg Balance Scale.
Tapered piezoelectric devices for vibration energy harvesting

The use of cantilevered piezoelectric bimorphs under transversal excitations is an area of research well reported in literature. These devices may be tapered into triangular geometries in order to enhance axial strain over the surfaces of the device for more reliable operation. This study reports the comparison of rectangular and triangular cantilevered bimorphs of equal volume and matching resonance frequency, where it is seen that tapering geometry enhances the electromechanical coupling coefficient, which may not necessarily be the only parameter involved in enhancing power output. This is indicated in the case of a triangular cantilevered device without a proof mass, which with increased coupling is unable to outperform a rectangular device. The addition of a nominal proof mass on a rectangular and triangular device increases not only the electromechanical coupling coefficient, but also increases the damping ratio in the devices. This effect is more pronounced in the case of triangular bimorphs, and a 40% improvement in power output is seen. Therefore, these studies provides insights into the changing parameters with changing shapes, which may provide better optimization parameters for improving piezoelectric energy harvesting from cantilevered devices.
Geometric continuity, shape parameters, and geometric constructions for Catmull-Rom splines

Catmull-Rom splines have local control, can be either approximating or interpolating, and are efficiently computable. Experience with Beta-splines has shown that it is useful to endow a spline with shape parameters, used to modify the shape of the curve or surface independently of the defining control vertices. Thus it is desirable to construct a subclass of the Catmull-Rom splines that has shape parameters.We present such a class, some members of which are interpolating and others approximating. As was done for the Beta-spline, shape parameters are introduced by requiring geometric rather than parametric continuity. Splines in this class are defined by a set of control vertices and a set of shape parameter values. The shape parameters may be applied globally, affecting the entire curve, or they may be modified locally, affecting only a portion of the curve near the corresponding joint. We show that this class results from combining geometrically continuous (Beta-spline) blending functions with a new set of geometrically continuous interpolating functions related to the classical Lagrange curves.We demonstrate the practicality of several members of the class by developing efficient computational algorithms. These algorithms are based on geometric constructions that take as input a control polygon and a set of shape parameter values and produce as output a sequence of Bezier control polygons that exactly describes the original curve. A specific example of shape design using a low-degree member of the class is given.
The structure, meaning and function of yellow-bellied marmot pup screams

The function and structure of alarm signals may vary with the caller's age, and some of this variation may be because young may have to attract the attention of their caregivers. The structure of calls may reveal this function. Yellow-bellied marmot, Marmota flaviventris, pups utter a novel vocalization, an elongated scream, which often contains nonlinear acoustic characteristics, 6% of the time when handled within about a week of emergence from their natal burrow. With a single exception in over 4000 captures, only pups uttered these unique vocalizations. Acoustically, pup screams are more than an order of magnitude longer than pup alarm calls and a majority of the screams have at least one type of nonlinearity. Playback experiments showed that average-length screams elicited higher-level responses than adult alarm calls and that elongated and average-length screams elicited higher-level responses than shortened screams. The acoustic structure of screams makes them especially evocative, and they may function to allow pups to recruit their mothers to help them fend off predators. More generally, an examination of nonlinearities in vocalizations of other species suggests that nonlinearities may be an honest indicator of arousal, and this honesty elicits heightened responses in receivers.
Creating an in-home display: Experimental evidence and guidelines for design

Abstract In-home electricity displays (IHDs) are digital devices that can give near-real-time information about electricity usage in the home. These devices have the potential to provide the kind of personalized feedback necessary to effect behavioral change among residential consumers. However, for consumers to be able to act on the information provided on IHDs, they must first be able to understand it. We present an approach to in-home display design that uses research on customer preferences to determine which features to experimentally examine for customer comprehension. Additionally, we compare these preferences against experimental data to determine whether people have insight into what information best works for an increased understanding of energy saving. Using a computer-based simulated IHD, we find that the types of feedback information that consumers prefer (appliance-specific and dollar-feedback) are not as effective for learning about appliance energy use as the less-preferred aggregated kW h feedback. Moreover, it appears that a simpler more generalized format of information provision has the potential to be more effective than a personalized IHD. We discuss how consumer preferences and experimental tests can jointly be used to inform the design of feedback technologies.
Risk assessment for arsenic in drinking water: Limits to achievable risk levels

The drinking water standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic is currently being re-evaluated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The health risk associated with exposure to arsenic through consumption of drinking water is a primary concern in setting a new arsenic MCL. This paper examines the implications of arsenic chemistry, occurrence, and routes of exposure for risk assessment. In order to illustrate the relative importance of exposure through consumption of food and drinking water, the contribution of dietary intake to human exposure to inorganic arsenic was estimated as 2 μg/d. This estimate is based on a total dietary intake of arsenic of 40 μg/d and a 5% contribution of inorganic arsenic to the total dietary intake. This estimated value for dietary intake of inorganic arsenic (2 μg/d) is comparable to the exposure that would result from consumption of 2 l/d of drinking water containing 1 μg/l inorganic arsenic. At lower concentrations of arsenic in drinking water, daily intake of inorganic arsenic becomes increasingly dominated by the dietary contribution. Evaluation of standards for arsenic in drinking water should include careful consideration of exposure through other routes, particularly food consumption.
Finite elements for determination of crack tip elastic stress intensity factors

A new type of finite element is introduced which embodies the inverse square root singularity of the stress distribution arising near a crack in an elastic medium. Using this element near the crack tip in two typical cracked configurations, stress intensity factors within 5% of accepted values were obtained, with meshes having as few as 250 degrees of freedom.
Stimulation of autochthonous lymphocytes by cells from normal and leukaemic lines.

THE mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) can possibly be regarded as an in vitro form of an in vivo phenomenon reflecting the recognition of “non-self” tumour specific or neo-antigens on the surface of lymphoid cells. A reaction similar to the normal MLR but of greater magnitude occurs when irradiated lymphoid cells from lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) are added to freshly isolated peripheral lymphocytes from allogeneic individuals1,2. The intense stimulation which occurred in every case when irradiated cells from various LCL were added to lymphocytes from a large number of individuals3 suggested the presence of extra surface determinants on the cells, which are not present on normal freshly isolated cells. We have investigated whether freshly isolated lymphoid cells could detect and respond to extra antigenic determinants on the surface of cell lines derived more than 3 months earlier from their own lymphoid cells.
Evidence-based decisions on the use of predator exclosures in shorebird conservation

Conservation practitioners often rely on experience rather than scientific evidence when making management decisions. These experience-based measures can waste limited time and funding if the given conservation practice is ineffective. Unanalyzed conservation strategies may negatively impact the species that is being protected. The use of predator exclosures to increase hatching success in ground-nesting shorebirds has been studied for almost two decades, yet their effectiveness is still debated. In ecosystems where predation pressure is particularly strong, electrified exclosures have been adopted; however, there are no studies on their efficacy or potential negative impacts. We conducted a nest survival analysis for 10 years (1998–2007) of piping plover monitoring data to determine: 1) the effectiveness of predator exclosures and electrified predator exclosures, and 2) conditions associated with nest abandonments at electrified exclosures. We found that predator exclosures significantly increase nest hatching success. Electrified exclosures can also be very effective at increasing hatching success under certain conditions, but at sites with high human disturbance and red fox densities, the proportion of exclosed nests that are abandoned by parental adults becomes sizeable. The direct cause of nest abandonments remains unclear since fox behavior on beaches and the dynamics of foxes and plovers at exclosures have not been studied. Our results suggest that such information is necessary if conservation practitioners can make more informed use of this direct management measure.
CLOZE TESTS OF SECOND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND WHAT THEY MEASURE

Data from a wide variety of sources are cited in support of the cloze technique as a global measure of language proficiency. Cloze tests as measures of readability, reading comprehension, quality of translations, pragmatic expectancies due to textual illustrations, attitudes, and ethno-linguistic background are discussed. In second language applications of the cloze procedure the effects of variations in difficulty, scoring methods, and the language used are considered. Analyses of response types and frequencies are examined. Correlations with external criteria and other theoretical considerations suggest that short term memory constraints are invoked by the cloze procedure. It is argued that such constraints are limitations on competence rather than mere performance. It is claimed that cloze tests tap this underlying competence.
SEXUAL REINFORCEMENT IN THE FEMALE RAT

Sexual reinforcement in the female rat was studied in a preparation that allowed continuous operant responding for access to a male rat leading to intromission. Experiment 1 used a high operant level nose-poke response to test the possible reinforcing effects of some components of access to a male. A simple tone stimulus used as a conditioned reinforcer and two odor stimuli, target male bedding and emulsified preputial gland, were tested. None of these contingent events altered responding above or below operant level. Access to the male, which was always accompanied by intromission, immediately increased response rate when it was made contingent upon the nose-poke response. Performance on fixed-ratio schedules was erratic, and response rate was low in comparison to typical food-reinforced responding. An interresponse-time analysis indicated, however, that some effect of the ratio contingency may have been present. In Experiment 2, several modifications of the procedure were tested with the objective of creating a more tractable preparation for behavior analysis. Response type and the hormone delivery method were changed, and 2 target males were used instead of 1. The latter tripled the average number of reinforcers earned in a single session. Differences between sexual and other reinforcers are discussed in terms of procedural, quantitative, and motivational aspects of the sexual reinforcement procedure.
Influence of ammonia on silver nanoparticle dissolution and toxicity to Nitrosomonas europaea.

Abstract Nitrosomonas europaea, a model ammonia oxidizing bacterium, was sensitive to both ionic silver (Ag+) and 20 nm citrate capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNP toxicity has been previously shown to be primarily due to the dissolution of Ag+. The rate of AgNP dissolution dramatically increased in test medium containing ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) and HEPES buffer compared to test medium containing either deionized water or HEPES buffer alone. The AgNP dissolution rates accelerated with increases in ammonia (NH3) concentrations either through increases in pH or through higher (NH4)2SO4 concentrations. Ammonia likely participated in the oxidation of the AgNP to form Ag ( NH 3 ) 2 + in solution leading to the observed increase in AgNP dissolution rates. AgNP toxicity was enhanced as NH3 concentrations increased. However, Ag+ toxicity was constant at all NH3 concentrations tested. Therefore, it can be concluded that the increased AgNP toxicity was due to increased Ag+ release and not due to a synergistic effect between NH3 and Ag+. The results of this study may provide insights in the fate and toxicity of AgNPs in high NH3 environments including wastewater treatment plants, eutrophic waterways and alkaline environments.
A model of asperity interactions in elastic-plastic contact of rough surfaces

This paper present a micro-contact model incorporating asperity interactions in elastic-plastic contact of rough surfaces. The effect of the asperity interactions on the local deformation behavior of a given micro-contact is first modeled based on the Saint-Venant's Principle and Love's Formula. The local contact interference is related in closed form to the local contact load, the global mean pressure and material parameters. This micro-contact model equation is then integrated into the elastic-plastic contact model developed in Zhao et al. (2000) to allow the asperity interactions and plastic deformation to be considered simultaneously. The effects of the asperity interactions on the mean surface separation, the real area of contact and the redistribution of the contact load among contacting asperities of different heights are studied. The results show that the asperity interactions can significantly affect the mean surface separation and microcontact load redistribution. The results also reveal that the effect of asperity interactions can be largely cancelled out by the effect of asperity plastic deformation.
Dopamine uptake by mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells stably expressing human dopamine transporter is differentially inhibited by anti-idiotypic Ab2β antibodies mimicking the configuration of cocaine

We have successfully constructed a mouse neuronal N1E-115 cell line stably expressing a fully functional human dopamine transporter (hDAT). Previous studies in our laboratory have produced several anti-idiotypic Ab2beta antibodies that mimic the configuration of the cocaine molecule at their antigen-combining site. In the present study, we observed that some anti-idiotypic Ab2beta antibodies inhibited dopamine uptake by the hDAT-transfected line. Each antibody showed a different level of inhibition (between 40% and 90%). These findings suggest that the internal images of these antibodies can be used as analog peptides that may compete with cocaine for its binding site on the transporter but not impair dopamine uptake as much as cocaine does.
Preparation and characterization of nanocomposites of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with molybdenum(VI) oxide (MoO3)

Abstract The preparation and characterization of polymer nanocomposites is an important research area because of the significant changes in materials properties relative to the component phases or to conventional microscale or macroscale composites. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM)/molybdenum(VI) oxide (MoO3) nanocomposites were synthesized using an exfoliation/adsorption method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Generation 0 (G0) and generation 2 (G2) PAMAM forms nanocomposites with MoO3 with either intercalate monolayers or bilayers, with resulting gallery expansions (Δd) of ∼0.5 and ∼0.7–0.8 nm, respectively. G0 only forms monolayers whereas G2 forms mono and bilayers. The spherical PAMAM conformation in aqueous medium changes dramatically to a highly-flattened conformation within the intercalate galleries. Reaction temperature also affects the structure of the obtained G2 PAMAM nanocomposites. Bilayer nanocomposites obtained at 40 and 120 °C show Δd = 1.4 nm and 0.7 nm, respectively. Mixed phases were obtained at 60 °C. The obtained nanocomposite compositions and structures are compared with previously-reported polymer/MoO3 nanocomposites.
Lipid metabolism in kidney and liver tissue from normal and diabetic rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Normal and diabetic rats were fed four different diets: laboratory chow, 5% corn oil, 5% hydrogenated coconut oil and a fat-deficient diet. Diabetic liver slices show decreased O2 utilization. The diabetic kidney tissue responded with increased O2 consumption. [1-14C]acetate labeling of fatty acids was depressed in all the diabetic livers. Diabetic kidney tissue had higher rates of lipogenesis than control kidney tissue. Cholesterol synthesis from acetate was depressed in the diabetic liver except when the diet fed was fat deficient. Diabetes did not influence cholesterol labeling in kidney tissue. 2. 2. Liver from normal and diabetic rats fed hydrogenated coconut oil and fatdeficient diets had increased amounts of monoenoic acids compared to corn-oil-fed animals. Normal liver from animals fed saturated-fat and fat-deficient diets had decreased amounts of stearic and linoleic acid. The diabetic livers had more linoleic acid than normal livers. Kidney tissue from normal animals fed the saturated-fat and fat-deficient diets also had increased amounts of oleic acid and decreased amounts of linoleic acid compared to that from animals fed unsaturated fatty acid. Kidney tissue from diabetic animals had greater amounts of linoleic acid.
What to draw? When to draw?: an essay on parallel program visualization

Parallel programs are difficult to understand and the research community is determined to provide tools to help improve that understanding. As a result, there is intense interest in using visualization to understand the execution of parallel programs. But visualization is like the surgeon’s knife: properly used it will quickly cut to the essentials; improper use brings colorful but disastrous results. The results from a visualization are almost always visually appealing, but I claim that they only occasionally are useful in debugging a program or improving its performance.
Examining world market segmentation and brand positioning strategies

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the conceptual as well as empirical linkages between segmentation bases and brand positioning strategies in the context of discussing practical implications for firms operating in increasingly globalizing markets.Design/methodology/approach – This paper empirically examines an inventory of market segmentation factors in relation to four global strategic positioning decision options.Findings – The two studies reported suggest that a combined use of macro and micro‐bases to segment world markets is significantly linked to the perceived positioning strategies of global top brands, whereas firms seeking more localized positioning strategies use only micro‐bases to segment.Practical implications – The conceptual and empirical findings reported in this paper pave the way for embarking on promising and relevant future research that is needed to substantiate and enrich the academic understanding and managerial practice of segmentation and strategic brand positioning decisions ...
Logistic advantages of four-section helical CT in the abdomen and pelvis

Background: Multisection helical computed tomography (CT) has the potential for providing data sets with better section profiles, more anatomic coverage, and shorter breath-holding periods. Our purpose was to quantitate these advantages in a clinical setting when imaging the abdomen and pelvis.
Ultrahigh Resolution Structures of Nitrophorin 4: Heme Distortion in Ferrous CO and NO Complexes

Nitrophorin 4 (NP4), a nitric oxide (NO)-transport protein from the blood-sucking insect Rhodnius prolixus, uses a ferric (Fe3+) heme to deliver NO to its victims. NO binding to NP4 induces a large conformational change and complete desolvation of the distal pocket. The heme is markedly nonplanar, displaying a ruffling distortion postulated to contribute to stabilization of the ferric iron. Here, we report the ferrous (Fe2+) complexes of NP4 with NO, CO, and H2O formed after chemical reduction of the protein and the characterization of these complexes by absorption spectroscopy, flash photolysis, and ultrahigh-resolution crystallography (resolutions vary from 0.9 to 1.08 A). The absorption spectra, both in solution and in the crystal, are typical for six-coordinated ferrous complexes. Closure and desolvation of the distal pocket occurs upon binding CO or NO to the iron regardless of the heme oxidation state, confirming that the conformational change is driven by distal ligand polarity. The degree of heme ...
Parietalectomy does not affect testicular growth in photoregulating lizards

Abstract 1. 1. The testicular reponse of male anoles maintained at a constant 32°C was similar in both parietalectomized and sham-parietalectomized lizards exposed to either constant light (40 lux intensity) or to photic gradients (40–300 lux). 2. 2. The results support the hypothesis that the acceleration of gonadal growth in parietalectomized lizards noted by others depends on the ability of lizards to self-regulate exposure to thermal, but not photic, stimuli.
Two new species of Halictophagus (Strepsiptera, Halictophagidae) from the Dominican Republic

Halictophagus trigonodontos Cook, n. sp. and Halictophagus dominicus Cook, n. sp. are described from the Dominican Republic. The stout and heavily-sclerotized mandibles of H. trigonodontos are unusual for the genus. The genus Halictophagus and the subfamily Halictophaginae have previously been characterized as having non-sclerotized mandibles. However, H. trigonodontos and H. dominicus have sclerotized mandibles, as do other previously describes Halictophagus species. The subfamily Halictophaginae, including genera Halictophagus and Stenocranophilus , can still be separated from Coriophaginae by not having a head capsule with sulci and sutures as is found in Coriophaginae.
Crystallographic analysis of the phytoagglutinin from Abrus precatorius by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy

Abstract The lectin from the seeds of Abrus precatorius has been crystallized and the crystals subjected to study by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Three closely related crystal forms were obtained, of orthorhombic space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 with a = 138 A , b = 142 A , and c = 173 A , of tetragonal space group P 4 1 2 1 2 with a = b = 136 A , c = 176 A , and a twinned intermediate of the first two. From electron microscopy and two-dimensional spatial filtering of electron micrographs of the crystals, the molecule appears to consist of four similar domains grouped in a roughly planar diamond-shaped arrangement having a local intramolecular dyad axis. The average diameter of the Abrus lectin molecule is 50 to 60 A and the individual domains appear to have a diameter of about 25 A.
Single- and Multi-Constituent Condensation of Fluids and Mixtures with Varying Properties in Micro-Channels

The relative magnitudes of the forces governing the transfer of heat, mass, and momentum during microscale condensation are fundamentally different from those in macroscale geometries, primarily due to the increasing importance of surface tension. A systematic series of experiments on condensation flow regimes, pressure drop, and heat transfer was conducted using innovative visualization and measurement techniques for condensation of synthetic and natural refrigerants and their azeotropic and zeotropic mixtures through micro-channels with a wide range of diameters (0.1 < DH < 5 mm), shapes, and operating conditions. These experiments resulted in flow-regime-based heat transfer and pressure drop models with very good predictive capabilities for such micro-channel geometries.
A simple proof of the mean ergodic theorem for nonlinear contractions in Banach spaces

The following theorem is proven:if E is a uniformly rotund Banach space with a Frechet differentiable norm, C is a bounded nonempty closed convex subset of E, and T: C→C is a contraction, then the iterates {Tnx} are weakly almost-convergent to a fixed-point of T.
State departments of education and behavior modification

Abstract This is an investigation of the views held by senior state department of education administrators responsible for school psychology services relevant to the acceptance or rejection of behavior modification procedures in the states by educators, parents, and school psychologists. Significant results support that there is a relationship between the administrators' preferences and the perceived functioning of school psychologists and that school psychologists are believed to be different from educators and parents in views toward behavior modification.
KenKen: The Wisdom Squared of Puzzling Businesses

This case concerns a U.S. start–up's efforts to license and launch a Japanese puzzle known as KenKen. The case provides a historical review of the puzzle's conceptual emergence and subsequent comme...
Particle aggregation and capture by walls in a particulate aerosol channel flow

A soft-sphere discrete-element method is used to examine particle aggregate formation and particle capture by walls in a laminar channel flow. Adhesive particulates have been identified as a leading cause of failure in many different microfluidic devices, including those currently being developed by different research groups for rapid biological and chemical contaminant sensing, fluid drag reduction, etc. As these microfluidic devices enter into the marketplace and become more extensively used in field conditions, the importance of particle adhesion and clogging will increasingly limit the reliability of such systems. At a larger scale, clogging of vehicle radiators by small adhesive particles is currently a major problem for construction vehicles operating in various environmental conditions and soil types. Cooling system fouling leads to the need for frequent maintenance and machine down time. Dust fouling of equipment is also of concern for potential human occupation on dusty planets, such as Mars. The paper provides a detailed investigation of the fundamental mechanics leading to adhesion of particle aggregates to channel walls, which involves a combination of aggregate capture, aggregate deformation by particle rolling, and shearing of aggregates from the wall. Cases with different adhesion potential, particle sizes, and flow Reynolds number are examined, with both single-size particles and a binary particle mixture.
Kinetic study of silicon carbide deposited from methyltrichlorosilane precursor

The kinetics of silicon carbide (SiC) deposition, in a hot-wall chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor, were modeled by analyzing our own deposition rate data as well as reported results. In contrast to the previous attempts which used only the first order lumped reaction scheme, the present model incorporates both homogeneous gas phase and heterogeneous surface reactions. The SiC deposition process was modeled using the following reactions: (i) gas phase decomposition of methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) molecules into two major intermediates, one containing silicon and the other containing carbon, (ii) adsorption of the intermediates onto the surface sites of the growing film, and (iii) reaction of the adsorbed intermediates to form silicon carbide. The equilibrium constant for the gas phase decomposition process was divided into the forward and backward reaction constants as 2.0 × 1025 exp[(448.2 kJ/mol)/RT] and 1.1 × 1032 exp[(-416.2 kJ/mol)/RT], respectively. Equilibrium constants for the surface adsorption reactions of silicon-carrying and carbon-carrying intermediates are 0.5 × 1011 exp[(-21.6 kJ/mol)/RT] and 7.1 × 109 exp[(-33.1 kJ/mol)/RT], while the rate constant for the surface reaction of the intermediates is 4.6 × 105 exp[(-265.1 kJ/mol)/RT].
Gender Bias in Mothers' Expectations about Infant Crawling

Although boys outshine girls in a range of motor skills, there are no reported gender differences in motor performance during infancy. This study examined gender bias in mothers’ expectations about their infants’ motor development. Mothers of 11-month-old infants estimated their babies’ crawling ability, crawling attempts, and motor decisions in a novel locomotor task— crawling down steep and shallow slopes. Mothers of girls underestimated their performance and mothers of boys overestimated their performance. Mothers’ gender bias had no basis in fact. When we tested the infants in the same slope task moments after mothers’ provided their ratings, girls and boys showed identical levels of motor performance. © 2000 Academic Press
Loss of transmittance in fluoropolymer films due to laser-induced damage at 1053 and 351 nm

Thick fluoropolymer films are being evaluated as a potential `disposable` debris shield to protect high-peak-power laser optics from x-ray and target debris generated in inertial-confinement fusion-ignition experiments, Two obstacles to implementation are optical uniformity and damage threshold. To understand the damage characteristics, transmittance of single 1053- or 351-nm laser pulses has been measured for commercial fluoropolymer films in vacuum. Samples were tested at fluences up to 105 J/cm2 at 1053-nm and 13 J/cm2 at 351-nm. Both the total transmitted energy for a single shot and the temporal energy transmittance profile during the shot were measured as a function of fluence. In addition, the total focusable transmitted energy was recorded for 351 -nm pulses. Results show that transmittance decreases slowly during a single-pulse irradiation, allowing much of the energy to be transmitted at fluences which cause noticeable degradation to the film. The film transmits greater than 90% of the 351-nm energy delivered in a beam with spatial average fluence of 8 J/cm2 with modulation up to 15 J/cm2. For 1053-nm laser light, the films do not begin to exhibit noticeable transmittance loss until average fluences exceed 40 J/cm2.