cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Observational, Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Medical Cannabis Patients over the Course of 12 Months of Treatment: Preliminary Results.

Objective: Cannabis use has increased dramatically across the country; however, few studies have assessed the long-term impact of medical cannabis (MC) use on cognition. Studies examining recreational cannabis users generally report cognitive decrements, particularly in those with adolescent onset. As MC patients differ from recreational consumers in motives for use, product selection, and age of onset, we assessed cognitive and clinical measures in well-characterized MC patients over 1 year. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized MC patients would not show decrements and might instead demonstrate improvements in executive function over time. Method: As part of an ongoing study, MC patients completed a baseline visit prior to initiating MC and evaluations following 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. At each visit, patients completed a neurocognitive battery assessing executive function, verbal learning/memory, and clinical scales assessing mood, anxiety, and sleep. Exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) was also quantified. Results: Relative to baseline, MC patients demonstrated significant improvements on measures of executive function and clinical state over the course of 12 months; verbal learning/memory performance generally remained stable. Improved cognitive performance was not correlated with MC use; however, clinical improvement was associated with higher CBD use. Analyses suggest cognitive improvements were associated with clinical improvement. Conclusions: Study results extend previous pilot findings, indicating that MC patients may exhibit enhanced rather than impaired executive function over time. Future studies should examine distinctions between recreational and MC use to identify potential mechanisms related to cognitive changes and the role of clinical improvement.
Enduring Questions, Innovative Technologies: Educational Theories Interface with AI

This paper aims to tie literature in AI to enduring questions in education about teaching and learning and discern ethical considerations that define those ties. The challenge was to answer the question: how do we merge our learning and leadership theories to technologies and the algorithmic biases that may maintain today's social injustices into our future? The paper first reviews the literature to identify the dialogue on AI by computer scientists in relation to enduring questions in education, learning theories, and ethics. Then we summarize data in the form of vignettes written by experts from the humanities, computer science, and social sciences. Some of the vignettes focused on how educational and technological systems are products of the social system and the ethical implications of such connections. Other writings centered data-driven approaches to incorporating AI technologies in classrooms, with concerns around uneven implementation and differential access. The paper concludes that to dialogue with educators AIED will need to move away from discussions of efficiency as measured by educational assessments and incorporate humanistic and social learning theories that embrace the complexities of human relationships. Developers should seek to work directly with educational leaders to establish optimal teaching strategies for the ethical ‘good’ of the learner, while attending to social justice parameters. Equally critical is the need to create ethical parameters between the AI and the student.
[Determination of chlorate and perchlorate in infant formula by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

Objective To establish a method for determination of perchlorate and chlorate in infant formula by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Methods Chlorate-~(18)O_3 and perchlorate-~(18)O_4 were added to the samples, and the filtrate was collected and analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS by vortex mixing, extraction, centrifugation and filtration. The mobile phase was 20 mmol/L ammonium formate and acetonitrile. The Waters Torus~(TM) DEA(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm)column was used to separate chlorate and perchlorate. The negative spray ionization(ESI-) was used. The multi-response monitoring(MRM) mode was used for monitoring. The internal standard method was used for quantification. Results The linear relationships of chlorate and perchlorate were good in the range of 0.2-200 μg/L and 0.1-100 μg/L(R~2& gt; 0.999), respectively. The detection limits(LOD, S/N=3) of chlorate and perchlorate were 0.35 μg/kg and 0.12 μg/kg, respectively, and the quantitative limits(LOQ, S/N=10) of chlorate and perchlorate were 1.16 μg/kg and 0.40 μg/kg, respectively. At the addition levels of 15.0, 75.0 and 150 μg/kg, the chlorate recovery was 91.9%-102.8% and the relative standard deviation(RSD, n=6) was 2.5%-4.4%. At the addition levels of 7.5, 37.5 and 75.0 μg/kg, the recovery rate of perchlorate was 91.3%-106.3% and the RSD(n=6) was 2.6%-3.9%. CONCLUSTION The method is simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate, and is suitable for simultaneous analysis of perchlorate and chlorate in various complex substrates.
A simple, quantitative assay for the detection of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria

Summary This protocol determines the fraction of a bacterial population that is viable and culturable, viable and non-culturable, or non-viable (dead). Each population is detected by isolating colonies on agar plates, performing direct counts, and staining for live or dead cells. Its application is limited to bacteria that are stainable and when permissible growth conditions are known. The quantitative data extracted allow for the detection of a viable but non-culturable (alive and non-dividing) population from a liquid culture. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Stott et al. (2015) .
Trade Links: New Rules for a New World

The World Trade Organization is undergoing an existential crisis. Trade links the world not only through the flow of international commerce in goods, services, and ideas; but also through its economic, environmental, and social impacts. Trade links are supported by a WTO trading system founded on rules established in the 20th century which do not account for all the modern changes in the global economy. James Bacchus, a founder of the WTO, posits that this global organization can survive and continue to succeed only if the trade links among WTO members are revitalized and reimagined. He explains how to bring the WTO into the twenty-first century, exploring the ways it can be utilized to combat future pandemics and climate change and advance sustainable development, all while continuing to foster free trade. This book is among the first to comprehensively explain the new trade rules needed for our new world.
Detection Efficiencies of Far-Ultraviolet Photon-Counting Detectors

Publisher Summary This chapter quantitatively compares the photon-counting detection efficiencies of several detector approaches suitable for use in the far- and extreme-ultraviolet spectral ranges. Applications of these detectors include second-generation instruments for the Space Telescope, as well as instruments for the proposed far-ultraviolet spectrographic explorer (FUSE). It is supported by NASA's Space Astronomy Ultraviolet Detector Development Program (SAUDDP), with additional support in the charge-coupled device (CCD) detector area by NASA's Planetary Instrument Definition Program (PIDP). In the ultraviolet spectral range below 2000 A, opaque alkali halide photocathodes provide very high photoemissive quantum yields. These provide, typically, a factor of 5 higher quantum efficiency than the more commonly used semitransparent photocathodes; in addition, there is no short-wavelength cutoff imposed by the semitransparent photocathode substrate. Therefore, the investigation is limited to detectors utilizing opaque alkali halide photocathodes. The actual results obtained by various investigators differ widely, with most reporting substantially lower photon-counting detection efficiencies than expected with microchannel plates (MCPs) having photocathodes deposited on their front surfaces. Therefore, a more thorough and quantitative comparison of the two types of MCP detectors was a major aim of the examination in the chapter.
Spatially resolved infrared observations of Saturn. I - Equatorial limb scans at 20 microns

Infrared drift scans of areas near the equator of Saturn are analyzed which were made through narrow-band filters with central wavelengths of 17.8, 19.7, and 22.7 microns. The results are compared with several different models of the atmosphere of Saturn based on the planet's thermal IR emission spectrum. It is found that the model of Tokunaga and Cess (1977) is the best of the published models as a representation of the equatorial atmosphere of Saturn and that a model developed by Gautier et al. (1977) is also quite acceptable in view of the experimental uncertainties.
New Theoretical Approaches for Studying Electron Collisions with Small Molecules

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the use of algebraic variational methods for studying a variety of collision problems. Much of this interest stems from the discovery that spurious singularities, which plagued the traditional methods, can be eliminated when the variational principle is formulated with outgoing-wave boundary conditions.1,2 Another reason for the recent activity is the obvious suitability of these methods to present-day supercomputers. My purpose here is to describe an implementation of the complex Kohn method3, an algebraic variational technique, for studying electron collisions with small molecules, both linear and non-linear. Unlike variational principles based on the integral form of the Schroedinger equation (Lippmann-Schwinger equation), the method only requires Hamiltonian matrix elements. I will also show how the formalism allows one to develop a variational principle for computing first-order properties, such as bound-free dipole transition amplitudes. I will show results for the electron-impact dissociation of hydrogen as a function of initial vibrational quantum number. I will also illustrate the method for polyatomic molecules with results for elastic scattering of electrons by formaldehyde.
Acoustic Correlates of Grammatical Class

The present experiment investigates acoustic correlates of grammatical class in English. Results of previous studies examining the acoustic correlates of stress have established that variations in duration, amplitude and fundamental frequency are cues to lexical stress. The present study investigates whether systematic acoustic differences would also be observed in words which maintain a constant stress pattern across syntactic function. In the present experiment, five speakers were recorded producing 16 grammatically ambiguous lexical items such as answer or design. Stimuli were read either as a noun or a verb. Measurements for each stimulus consisted of a ratio of the first to the second syllable for the three acoustic parameters: duration, amplitude, and fundamental frequency. The data show slight but consistent acoustic differences in speakers' production of syntactically ambiguous words contingent upon their production as a noun or as a verb. Duration and amplitude cues appear to be the most robust c...
Channel Activity of Cardiac Ryanodine Receptors (RyR2) Determines Potency and Efficacy of Flecainide and R-Propafenone against Arrhythmogenic Calcium Waves in Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Flecainide blocks ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) channels in the open state, suppresses arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves and prevents catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) in mice and humans. We hypothesized that differences in RyR2 activity induced by CPVT mutations determines the potency of open-state RyR2 blockers like flecainide (FLEC) and R-propafenone (RPROP) against Ca2+ waves in cardiomyocytes. Using confocal microscopy, we studied Ca2+ sparks and waves in isolated saponin-permeabilized ventricular myocytes from two CPVT mouse models (Casq2-/-, RyR2-R4496C+/-), wild-type (c57bl/6, WT) mice, and WT rabbits (New Zealand white rabbits). Consistent with increased RyR2 activity, Ca2+ spark and wave frequencies were significantly higher in CPVT compared to WT mouse myocytes. We next obtained concentration-response curves of Ca2+ wave inhibition for FLEC, RPROP (another open-state RyR2 blocker), and tetracaine (TET) (a state-independent RyR2 blocker). Both FLEC and RPROP inhibited Ca2+ waves with significantly higher potency (lower IC50) and efficacy in CPVT compared to WT. In contrast, TET had similar potency in all groups studied. Increasing RyR2 activity of permeabilized WT myocytes by exposure to caffeine (150 µM) increased the potency of FLEC and RPROP but not of TET. RPROP and FLEC were also significantly more potent in rabbit ventricular myocytes that intrinsically exhibit higher Ca2+ spark rates than WT mouse ventricular myocytes. In conclusion, RyR2 activity determines the potency of open-state blockers FLEC and RPROP for suppressing arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves in cardiomyocytes, a mechanism likely relevant to antiarrhythmic drug efficacy in CPVT.
Properties and Uses of Photoautotrophic Plant Cell Cultures

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the initiation of photoautotrophic (PA) cultures of various species of higher plants. It discusses the culture initiation methods, medium requirements, and growth and photosynthetic characteristics. The specific uses of PA cultures are also presented. PA cultures utilize photosynthesis to provide energy and carbon for growth, so no sugar or other energy-producing compounds are added to the culture medium. All PA cultures have CO2 compensation concentrations higher than leaves, and this appears to be correlated with much higher dark respiration rates. Most cultures require a relatively long initiation period, except for the N. plumbaginifolia protoplast system, but these cells begin to regenerate plants and do not form a homogeneous cell suspension in liquid medium without sugar. The PA suspension cultures also exhibit the usual advantages of suspension cultures—namely, ease of transfer, direct contact of most cells with the medium, relatively homogeneous cell population, freedom from microorganisms, readily extractable tissue, easily changed medium, and growth in many different vessels, including large fermenters. The PA cultures can be used to study some unique phenomena, such as the reversible change of chloroplasts to amyloplasts and then back to chloroplasts upon growth in the dark with sugar in the medium, followed by growth in the light without sugar, respectively.
The Nationalist Party in Power: Unification of China under Kuomintang Programs

According to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary program of China would be divided into three stages: first, military administration; second, political tutelage; and, third, constitutional government. As the Nationalist Party’s development has been the source of power in Chinese politics, especially during the periods of military administration and political tutelage, a comprehensive analysis of the various phases of the Party is necessary for a clear understanding of modern China. A brief description has already been made of the different organizations of the party at different times: Hsing-chung Hui (Society for the Regeneration of China) in 1894, T’ung-meng Hui (The Alliance) in 1905, the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) in 1912, the Chinese Revolutionary Party (Chung-hua Ko-min Tang) in 1914, and the Nationalist Party of China (Chung-kuo Kuomintang) in 1919.
Sample dimensions effect on prediction of soil water retention curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity

Summary Soil water retention curve (SWRC) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) are key hydraulic properties for unsaturated zone hydrology and groundwater. Not only the SWRC and SHC measurements are time-consuming, but also their results are scale dependent. Although prediction of the SWRC and SHC from available parameters, such as textural data, organic matter, and bulk density have been under investigation for decades, up to now no research has focused on the effect of sample dimensions on the soil hydraulic properties pedotransfer functions development. The main purpose here is investigating sample internal diameter and height (or length) effects on the prediction of the soil water retention curve and the saturated hydraulic conductivity. We, therefore, develop pedotransfer functions using a novel approach called contrast pattern aided regression (CPXR) and consider the sample dimensions as input variables. Two datasets including 210 and 213 soil samples with known sample dimensions were extracted from the UNSODA database to develop and evaluate pedotransfer functions for the SWRC and SHC, respectively. The 10-fold cross-validation method is applied to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed regression-based models. Our results show that including sample dimensions, such as sample internal diameter and height (or length) could substantially improve the accuracy of the SWRC and SHC pedotransfer functions developed using the CPXR method.
An underwater acoustic telemetry modem for eco-sensing

An underwater acoustic telemetry modem is presented for ecological research (eco-sensing) applications. The modem is intended for the physical layer (PHY) in an ad hoc network of "AquaNodes". Each AquaNode will incorporate an acoustic modem, router and host processor with standardized interfaces to oceanographic sensors. The transmitted waveforms use a composite Walsh/m-sequence format in which each bit in an 8-bit long Walsh function is spread by a 7-chip m-sequence. The resulting waveform has a 5 kHz bandwidth for robustness to multipath and achieves a 133 bps data rate. An 11 msec, time-guard band for channel clearing eliminates the need for equalization. The receiver employs a generalized multiple hypothesis test with a matching pursuits (GMHT-MP) inner loop for symbol-by-symbol channel estimation. Symbol-error rate (SER) results demonstrate that the GMHT-MP is superior to the noncoherent RAKE receiver at usable SERs (<10-2) and can accommodate up to 10 msec, multipath spreads with Doppler spreads on the order of 1 Hz
Dynamical Localization of DivL and PleC in the Asymmetric Division Cycle of Caulobacter crescentus: A Theoretical Investigation of Alternative Models.

Cell-fate asymmetry in the predivisional cell of Caulobacter crescentus requires that the regulatory protein DivL localizes to the new pole of the cell where it up-regulates CckA kinase, resulting in a gradient of CtrA~P across the cell. In the preceding stage of the cell cycle (the “stalked” cell), DivL is localized uniformly along the cell membrane and maintained in an inactive form by DivK~P. It is unclear how DivL overcomes inhibition by DivK~P in the predivisional cell simply by changing its location to the new pole. It has been suggested that co-localization of DivL with PleC phosphatase at the new pole is essential to DivL’s activity there. However, there are contrasting views on whether the bifunctional enzyme, PleC, acts as a kinase or phosphatase at the new pole. To explore these ambiguities, we formulated a mathematical model of the spatiotemporal distributions of DivL, PleC and associated proteins (DivJ, DivK, CckA, and CtrA) during the asymmetric division cycle of a Caulobacter cell. By varying localization profiles of DivL and PleC in our model, we show how the physiologically observed spatial distributions of these proteins are essential for the transition from a stalked cell to a predivisional cell. Our simulations suggest that PleC is a kinase in predivisional cells, and that, by sequestering DivK~P, the kinase form of PleC enables DivL to be reactivated at the new pole. Hence, co-localization of PleC kinase and DivL is essential to establishing cellular asymmetry. Our simulations reproduce the experimentally observed spatial distribution and phosphorylation status of CtrA in wild-type and mutant cells. Based on the model, we explore novel combinations of mutant alleles, making predictions that can be tested experimentally.
Prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Purpose. The physiology, risk factors, and prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are discussed. Summary. Factors to consider when determining a patient’s risk for PONV include sex, history of PONV, history of motion sickness, smoking status, duration of anesthesia, use of opioids, and type of surgery. Receptors that, when activated, can cause nausea or vomiting or both include dopamine type 2, serotonin type 3, histamine type 1, and muscarinic cholinergic type 1 receptors. Patients at moderate to high risk for PONV benefit from the administration of a prophylactic antiemetic agent that blocks one or more of these receptors. Effective agents include transdermal scopolamine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, droperidol, ondansetron, dolasetron, granisetron, and dexamethasone. In high-risk patients, combining two or more antiemetics with different mechanisms of action has been shown to be more effective than using a single agent. In addition to administering a prophylactic antiemetic, it is important to reduce the patient’s risk by considering regional anesthesia, considering inducing and maintaining general anesthesia with propofol, ensuring good intravenous hydration, avoiding hypotension, and providing effective analgesia. If PONV occurs in the immediate postoperative period, it is best treated with an antiemetic agent from a pharmacologic class different from that of the prophylactic agent. Conclusion. Prophylactic antiemetic therapy for PONV is effective, but combinations of agents may be necessary for high-risk patients. Nonpharmacologic strategies are also important.
Probing multiple excitons in CdSe nanoparticles by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

We measure the polarizability of electron-hole pairs quantum-confined in CdSe nanoparticles of 2-7 nm in diameter by the optical-pump/THz probe technique. The observed many-body effects are compared to self-consistent theoretical calculations.
Formation of unilamellar liposomes from total polar lipid extracts of methanogens.

Abstract Unilamellar liposomes were formed by controlled detergent dialysis of mixed micelles consisting of acetone-insoluble total polar lipids extracted from various methanogens and the detergent n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The final liposome populations were studied by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Unilamellar liposomes with mean diameters smaller than 100 nm were obtained with lipid extracts of Methanococcus voltae, Methanosarcina mazei, Methanosaeta concilii, and Methanococcus jannaschii (grown at 50 degrees C), whereas larger (greater than 100-nm) unilamellar liposomes were obtained with lipid extracts of M. jannaschii grown at 65 degrees C. These liposomes were shown to be closed intact vesicles capable of retaining entrapped [14C]sucrose for extended periods of time. With the exception of Methanospirillum hungatei liposomes, all size distributions of the different liposome populations were fairly homogeneous.
Application of the adaptive neuronlike network for the identification of nonlinear multidimensional objects

Summary form only given, as follows. An investigation of adaptive control systems using neuronlike networks for the optimization of multitasking control of an unknown object has revealed that identification of the unknown object should precede the main adaptation process. The adaptive neuronlike network (ANN) is used for the simulation of an 'inverted object model'. In the identification procedure a joined block composed of the unknown object and the ANN may be described by a matrix close to the identity matrix. This procedure considerably simplifies the optimization of multitasking control. A novel model of a neuronlike element with nonlinear presynaptic inhibition was introduced. Applying this model and a modified learning process makes it possible to simulate a broad class of nonlinear multidimensional objects. >
Per-Experiment Error Rates: The Hidden Costs of Several Multiple Comparison Procedures

For a number of common multiple comparison procedures controlling Type I error at .05 refers to what Ryan called the experimentwise error rate. This expression represents the chance of making at least one Type I error within a given experiment. This approach ignores, however, the potential detriments of multiple errors within a single experiment, that is, it fails to acknowledge what Ryan referred to as the error rate per experiment. The current study uses a computer simulation to evaluate the differences between experimentwise error rates and error rates per experiment for a variety of multiple comparison procedures. For pairwise comparisons, Newman-Keuls's and Tukey's tests are examined, as is Dunnett's test for comparisons with a control group and Scheffe's test for all possible post hoc comparisons. For planned contrasts, a standard Bonferroni and Shaffer's sequentially rejective Bonferroni are simulated using both a nonorthogonal and an orthogonal set.
The Construction and Reinforcement of Myths of Race and Crime

Much of what we know about crime is myth. Myths are falsehoods that have become accepted as truth because they have been told and retold over time. Many myths of crime revolve around race. This article documents how myths of crime associated with race are created and reinforced through the criminal justice process and the media. The examination begins with the process of lawmaking, demonstrating how American criminal law creates biases against particular groups and benefits others by creating myths about race and crime. The article then analyzes how portrayal of crime in the mass media and activities of law enforcement, courts, and corrections reinforce myths of race and crime. A model of myth creation and reinforcement is presented, and implications of the model for the American criminal justice system and larger society are discussed.
Effects of onion extract on the development of hamster buccal pouch carcinomas as expressed in tumor burden.

Abstract One‐hundred male, young‐adult Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were divided into five equal groups of 20 animals each. Groups 1,2, and 3 were painted three times a week in the left buccal pouches with a 0.5% solution of 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in mineral oil. Group 1 animals also received a 20% onion extract in their drinking water and were also painted in left buccal pouches three times a week with a 50% onion extract in mineral oil. Group 2 animals received the onion extract in their drinking water, but they received only mineral oil in buccal pouches as a control for the painting with onion extract in mineral oil. Group 3 animals received DMBA but no onion extract. Group 4 animals received onion extract but no DMBA, and Group 5 animals were left untreated. Onion extract was found to significantly delay tumor formation in Groups 1 and 2 compared with Group 3 DMBA controls.
The Interrelationship of Research in the Laboratory and the Field to Assess Hydration Status and Determine Mechanisms Involved in Water Regulation During Physical Activity

Changes in skin blood and sweating are the primary mechanisms for heat loss in humans. A hot, humid environment concomitant with dehydration limits the ability to increase skin blood flow for the purpose of transferring heat from the body core to skin surface and evaporate sweat to maintain core temperature within safe limits during exercise. Adequate hydration improves thermoregulation by maintaining blood volume to support skin blood flow and sweating. Humans rely on fluid intake to maintain total body water and blood volume, and have developed complex mechanisms to sense changes in the amount and composition of fluid in the body. This paper addresses the interrelationship of research in the laboratory and the field to assess hydration status involved in body water and temperature regulation during exercise. In the controlled setting of a research laboratory, investigators are able to investigate the contributions of volume and tonicity of fluid in the plasma to body water and temperature regulation during exercise and recovery. For example, laboratory studies have shown that tonicity in a rehydration beverage maintains the thirst mechanism (and stimulates drinking), and contributes to the ongoing stimulation of renal fluid retention hormones, ultimately leading to a more complete rehydration. Research in the field cannot control the environment precisely, but these studies provide a natural, ‘real-life’ setting to study fluid and temperature regulation during exercise. The conditions encountered in the field are closest to the environment during competition, and data collected in the field can have an immediate impact on performance and safety during exercise. There is an important synergy between these two methods of collecting data that support performance and protect athletes from harm during training and improve performance during competition.
Age-dependent accumulation of ubiquitinated 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in myelin lipid rafts.

Changes in brain white matter are prominent features of the aging brain and include glial cell activation, disruption of myelin membranes with resultant reorganization of the molecular components of the node of Ranvier, and loss of myelinated fibers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. In previous studies, overexpression of CNP, a key myelin protein, was implicated in age-related changes in myelin and axons. Here we examine the extent of CNP accumulation in brain white matter and isolated myelin of aged rhesus monkeys and its relationship to CNP degradation and partitioning in myelin. With age, excess CNP is found in myelin and throughout brain white matter accompanied by proteolytic fragments of CNP. These increases occur in the absence of changes in CNP mRNA levels. Using a combination of 2D electrophoresis, immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry analysis, ubiquitinated CNP was demonstrable in the Triton X-100 insoluble lipid raft associated fractions of myelin isolated from rhesus monkeys. Further, using ubiquitin-mediated fluorescence complementation (UbFC), ubiquitinated CNP was visualized by microscopy in both COS-7 and MO3.13 cells and by immunoblot in MO3.13 cells and appears to at least partially localize within lipid rafts. The findings suggest that incomplete degradation of CNP due to failure of the proteasomal system and aberrant degradation by calpain-1 leads to age-related CNP accumulation and proteolysis. In sum, we suspect these phenomena result in age-related dysfunction of CNP in the lipid raft, which may lead to myelin and axonal pathology. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transonic Film Cooling Effectiveness from Shaped Holes on a Simulated Turbine Airfoil

The performance of e lm cooling on a simulated transonic, turbine airfoil is investigated using an experimental apparatus designed especially for this purpose. A symmetric airfoil with the same transonic Mach number distribution on both sides is employed. Mach numbers along the airfoil surface range from 0.4 to 1.24 and match values on the suction surface of airfoils from operating aeroengines. Film cooling holes are located on one side of the airfoil near the passage throat where the freestream Mach number is nominally 1.07. Three different e lm cooling cone gurations are investigated with density ratios of about 1.4 ‐1.6 over a range of blowing ratios, momentum e ux ratios, and pressure ratios. These include single rows of 1 ) cylindrical holes with simple angle orientations, 2) laid-back-fan-shaped holes with simple angle orientations, and 3 ) laid-back-fan-shaped holes with compound angle orientations. New spatially resolved and spatially averaged effectiveness data and discharge coefe cients are provided for these hole geometries with airfoil suction surface geometry, e ow conditions, and boundary-layer development that simulate engine operating conditions. The highest local and spatially averaged e lm cooling effectiveness magnitudes are generally obtained with laid-back-fan-shaped holes oriented with compound angles, followed by laid-back-fan-shaped holes oriented with simple angles, which are then followed by round, cylindrical holes oriented with simple angle orientations.
An inexpensive 28-V timer circuit using solid state and relay devices

An easily constructed 28-V dc timer circuit is described. The circuit is as precise, reliable, and versatile as some commercially available units, but is much less expensive to construct.
Perceived Training Needs of Regular and Special Education Student Teachers in the Area of Mainstreaming

Abstract The present study sought to identify training needs of prospective teachers in the area of mainstreaming, and to determine whether special and regular education student teachers perceive a need for training in a common core of competencies. Subjects were 400 teachers in training who had finished their teaching practicum. Responses to a 53‐item competency questionnaire revealed that both groups indicated a need for additional training in several similar areas, including communication, classroom management, evaluation, and professional knowledge, needs also identified in the literature for practising teachers. Special education student teachers, however, expressed the need for more extensive training in a range of specific skills in these competency clusters. Implications of these Findings for teacher preparation programs are discussed.
Dissociation of subjective web site usability evaluation and performance: effect of user experience

Usability of three web sites was assessed by low and high experience web users. Findings indicate that despite demonstrating increased objective usability, sites may be characterized as having low subjective usability by experienced users. Implications for design are discussed.
Coarse-Grained Molecular Models of Water: A Review.

Coarse-grained (CG) models have proven to be very effective tools in the study of phenomena or systems involving large time- and length-scales. By decreasing the degrees of freedom in the system and using softer interactions than seen in atomistic models, larger time steps can be used and much longer simulation times can be studied. CG simulations are widely used to study systems of biological importance that are beyond the reach of atomistic simulation, necessitating a computationally efficient and accurate CG model for water. In this review, we discuss the methods used for developing CG water models and the relative advantages and disadvantages of the resulting models. In general, CG water models differ with regard to how many waters each CG group or bead represents, whether analytical or tabular potentials have been used to describe the interactions, and how the model incorporates electrostatic interactions. How the models are parameterised, which typically depends on their application, is also discussed.
Hyphal translocation and uptake of sulfur by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of onion

Abstract Translocation of S by external hyphae of Glomus fascieulatus , a vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungus, was demonstrated. When tracers were injected 8 cm from onion roots in soil chambers, both 35 S and 32 P appeared in roots of mycorrhizal plants. Neither radionuclide was present in non-mycorrhizal plants. In a second soil-chamber experiment, mycorrhizal onions took up more 35 S per unit dry weight than non-mycorrhizal controls when 35 S was injected into soil chambers in a region 3–6 cm from roots. Severing of external hyphae between the application area and the roots reduced the concentration of 35 S in tops of mycorrhizal plants but not in roots. Volatile 35 S per unit dry weight collected from all plants in each treatment was highest in the mycorrhizal-hyphae intact treatment, and higher in the mycorrhizal-hyphae severed treatment than the non-mycorrhizal treatment. Movement of 35 S in soil from the area of application to roots was similar for all treatments. Increased uptake of S from soil by VA mycorrhizal plants can result from hyphal translocation of S to infected roots by external mycorrhizal hyphae.
Retroperitoneal radical hysterectomy

A surgical technique is presented which combines both the abdominal and vaginal approaches to radical hysterectomy with significant modifications to allow it to be named "retroperitoneal" radical hysterectomy. Small oblique skin incisions are made 1 cm superior to the inguinal ligament exposing the retroperitoneal structures. The round ligament, uterine artery, ovarian vessels, and cardinal ligament are divided without entering the peritoneal cavity. The remainder of the procedure is completed by a modified Schauta technique. Eight patients with Stage I cancer of the cervix underwent this operation. The expected surgery time should be 3 1/2-4 hr once the surgical team becomes familiar with the procedure, with a blood loss similar to that of the Meigs procedure. Patients tolerated the procedure with minimal discomfort. Total hospital days was limited to 4 days or less in all but the first patient. One patient was discharged on the evening of surgery. No significant complications were reported except some degree of bladder atony that required self-catheterization for a short period of time. We believe that this surgical procedure fulfills the principles of a radical abdominal hysterectomy with less operative time and shorter hospital stay, and employs conventional surgical skills.
Linking non-culturable (qPCR) and culturable enterococci densities with hydrometeorological conditions

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) measurement of enterococci has been proposed as a rapid technique for assessment of beach water quality, but the response of qPCR results to environmental conditions has not been fully explored. Culture-based E. coli and enterococci have been used in empirical predictive models to characterize their responses to environmental conditions and to increase monitoring frequency and efficiency. This approach has been attempted with qPCR results only in few studies. During the summer of 2006, water samples were collected from two southern Lake Michigan beaches and the nearby river outfall (Burns Ditch) and were analyzed for enterococci by culture-based and non-culture-based (i.e., qPCR) methods, as well as culture-based E. coli. Culturable enterococci densities (log CFU/100 ml) for the beaches were significantly correlated with enterococci qPCR cell equivalents (CE) (R = 0.650, P < 0.0001, N = 32). Enterococci CE and CFU densities were highest in Burns Ditch relative to the beach sites; however, only CFUs were significantly higher (P < 0.0001). Culturable enterococci densities at Burns Ditch and the beaches were significantly correlated (R = 0.565, P < 0.0001, N = 32). Culturable E. coli and enterococci densities were significantly correlated (R = 0.682, P < 0.0001, N = 32). Regression analyses suggested that enterococci CFU could be predicted by lake turbidity, Burns Ditch discharge, and wind direction (adjusted R2 = 0.608); enterococci CE was best predicted by Burns Ditch discharge and log-transformed lake turbidity × wave height (adjusted R2 = 0.40). In summary, our results show that analytically, the qPCR method compares well to the non-culture-based method for measuring enterococci densities in beach water and that both these approaches can be predicted by hydrometeorological conditions. Selected predictors and model results highlight the differences between the environmental responses of the two method endpoints and the potentially high variance in qPCR results.
Pedogenesis of a chronosequence in the Sacramento Valley, California, U.S.A., II. Elemental chemistry of silt fractions

Abstract A chronosequence of six soils from alluvium along Honcut Creek in central California has been analyzed to document pedogenic changes in the fine silt (2–20 μm) and coarse silt (20–50 μm) fractions with increasing soil age. The soils range in age from 600 yr to 1.6 million yr and have been formed in a xeric-thermic soil climate. Parent materials are moderately stratified loams, silt loams, and sandy loams derived from basic metavolcanic and granitic rocks. Parent material uniformity was quantified using particle-size distribution of non-clay fractions and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis of silt fractions. Pedogenic changes were quantified using XRF elemental data and a stable index calculation with Zr as the index element. Parent sediments of four of the six profiles fine upward. Parent elemental composition of the silt fractions was less variable than was texture: for example, clay-free silt/sand ratio changes by a factor of 5 down the horizons of the 600-yr-old soil whereas Ca/Zr ratio in fine silt changes by a factor of only 1.1. Comparison of C and deep BC horizons among soils demonstrate that the parent elemental composition was not constant for all chronosequence members. Silicon, K, Ti and Zr become more abundant and Na, Mg, Al, Ca and Fe less abundant in silt fractions of A and B horizons with increasing soil age due to differential weathering rates of primary minerals. All elements decrease in absolute abundance in silt fractions when Zr is used as a stable index element. About 40–50% of the Ti has been lost from the silt fractions of the 1.6-million-yr-old soil and proportional amounts from younger soils, clearly indicating that Ti is mobile in these soils. Magnesium loss can be detected over the effects of stratification in the 10,000-yr-old soil and Mg-bearing minerals are virtually absent from the silt fractions of the upper 1.5 m of soils that are 130–250,000 yr in age. Calcium, Na and Mg are almost completely weathered from the silts in the upper 4 m of the oldest soil, whereas half to more than three-fourths of K is retained. Age trends of element depletion are systematic for those elements and indices that are not influenced by stratification or change in other soil-forming factors. Age trends of depletion are linear when regressed on the log of soil age and have correlation coefficients ( r ) that range from 0.57 to 0.93. A mobility sequence based on the degree of depletion of elements from fine silt of the 130,000- and 250,000-yr-old soils is: Mg ⪢ Na > Ca ≅ Fe > Al > Si > Ti > K > Zr.
Thermodynamic stability studies of the basic copper carbonate mineral, malachite

Abstract Natural malachite is a well defined solid demonstrating reproducible solubility behavior over a wide range of pH. The following equilibrium constants associated with the malachite dissolution equilibrium at 25°C, 1 atm were determined: K sp = a 2 cu 2+ a CO 3 2− K 2 w a 2 H+ = 3.5 ± 0.6 × 10 −34 (infinite dilution) K ∗ sp = [Cu 2+ ] 2 [CO 2− 3 ]K 2 w a 2 H+ = 10. ± 0.2 × 10 −32 (0.72 ionic strength) K′ sp = m 2 Cu 2+ m COsu2− 3 K 2 w a 2 H+ = 1.3 ± 0.1 × 10 −28 (36.9‰ salinity seawater). The temperature dependence of a “mixed” equilibrium constant, Ksp+, of the form: K † sp = [Cu 2+ ] 2 m CO 2− 3 K 2 w a 2 H+ has been measured at I = 0.72, yielding the relationship: log K † sp = (− 9.8 ± 0.03) × 10 4 ( 1 T°K ) + (1.52 ± 0.09) within a 5–25°C temperature range. The effect of pressure on the solubility of malachite in water and seawater was estimated from partial molar volume and compressibility data. For 25 °C at infinite dilution K' sp (1000 bar) K' sp (0) = 240 and in seawater K′ sp (1000) K' sp (0) = 44 . Comparison of stoichiometric and apparent malachite equilibrium constants has been used to estimate the extent of copper(II) ion interaction at the ionic strength of seawater. In dilute carbonate medium (total alkalinity, TA = 2.4 meq/kg H2O, pH 8.3), 2.9% of total dissolved copper exists as the free copper(II) ion and in seawater (S = 36.9%., TA = 2.3 meq/kg H2O, pH = 8.1), [Cu 2+ ] T(Cu) is 3.1%. Total dissolved copper levels of approximately 450–750 nMol/Kg are necessary to attain malachite saturation conditions in the open ocean. Observations of malachite particles suspended in seawater must be explained by precipitation or solid phase substitution reactions from localized environments rather than by direct precipitation from bulk seawater.
Intraspecific variation in sand-diving and predator avoidance behavior of green razorfish,Xyrichtys splendens (Pisces, Labridae): effect on courtship and mating success

Green razorfish are Caribbean wrasses that live in harems on shallow sand or seagrass beds, which offer little cover for predator avoidance (PA). Field observations showed that non-conspecific fishes that intruded were either attacked, ignored, or actively avoided. Food competitors and small piscivores were attacked by male razorfish. Razorfish PA behaviors varied among three habitats with different substratum compositions, suggesting that these fish possess phenotypic plasticity for PA behavior. In a rocky-rubble habitat, razorfish dove into the coarse sand for PA, but most sand dives observed there were to soften a small site for future PA. In a sandbed habitat, they hid among coral branches and dove into the sand when attacked; few maintenance dives were observed as soft sand was widespread. In a seagrass habitat, they hid among blades of grass for PA, and dove into the sand less frequently than at the other sites. Some female razorfish that were transferred among habitats adopted PA behaviors similar to those of females in the new site, while others did not, suggesting that behavioral plasticity is not universal in this species. Razorfish spawned lower in the water column in the presence of natural predators and a predator model, than when these were absent. When the predator model was introduced into a male’s territory during spawning periods, there was a reduction in his courtship rate, but not in the number of spawns he achieved. Predation pressure may reduce males’ long-term fitness by causing decreased courtship rates which can facilitate sex change in harem females.
The Heat of Combustion of Beryllium in Fluorine.

An experimental determination of the energies of combustion in fluorine of polytetrafluoroethylene film and powder and of mixtures of beryllium with polytetrafluoroethylene gives for reaction (1) ΔH25C°=-1022.22 kJ mol-1 (-244.32 kcal mol-1) with an overall precision of 0.96 kJ mol-1 (0.23 kcal mol-1) at the 95 percent confidence limits. The total uncertainty is estimated not to exceed ±3.2 kJ mol-1 (±0.8 kcal mol-1). The measurements on polytetrarluoroethylene give for reaction (2a) and reaction (2b) ΔH25°C°=-10369.7 and -10392.4 Jg-1, respectively. Overall precisions expressed at the 95 percent confidence limits are 3.3 and 6.0 Jg-1, respectively. (1) Be(c)+F2(g)=BeF2( amorphous ) (2a) C2F4(polymer powder)+2F2(g)=2CF4(g) (2b) C2F4(polymer film)+2F2(g)=2CF4(g) Be2C and Be metal were observed in a small carbonaceous residue from the combustion of the beryllium-polytetrafluoroethylene mixtures. Methods of analysis for these substances were developed. Gases resulting from the solution of the solid residues in aqueous KOH were analyzed for H2 and CH4 by differential absorption in molecular sieves at low temperatures.
Sexual Dimorphism in Red-Splashed White Down Color of Chicks

Abstract IT HAS been shown previously (Byerly and Quinn, 1936, and Quinn and Byerly, 1937) that sexual dimorphism existed in the down color of Rhode Island Red chicks observed at Beltsville and elsewhere, most of the non-spotted, non-striped chicks being males and most of the black spotted and striped chicks being females. In the down color of the Red-Splashed White variety, a mutation from the Rhode Island Red (Quinn, 1934, 1935), no striping is evident but some of the chicks carry red, or red and black, head spotting, the others being pure white. Preliminary observations indicated that most of the chicks with black head spots were females. Observations were then made on the down color and sexes of a larger number of Red-Splashed White chicks to determine whether or not a dimorphism similar to that found in Rhode Island Reds could be noted. These observations of Red-Splashed White chicks were made . . .