cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mesh-reinforced thin film composite membranes for forward osmosis applications: The structure–performance relationship

Abstract In this study, thin and durable thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes were prepared on mesh-reinforced polysulfone (PSF) supports for forward osmosis (FO) applications. To understand the influence of mesh-incorporation on the formation of support structures and the final FO performance, mesh-embedded PSF supports were prepared via the phase inversion process from various PSF casting solutions in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) solvent (9–18 wt%) by using a polyester (PE) mesh as a mechanical reinforcing material. A crosslinked aromatic polyamide layer was then fabricated on top of each support to form a TFC membrane. For the mesh-embedded PSF supports prepared with relatively low concentration casting solutions (9 and 12 wt%), the PE mesh was oriented towards the bottom of the PSF supports, creating additional macroscopic pores around the mesh lines on the backside surface. However, the PE mesh was moved towards the center of PSF supports when higher viscosity solutions (15 and 18 wt%) were used for the support preparation, and consequently the macroscopic pores near the mesh lines were isolated within the support layers without exposing to the bottom surface. The PE-mesh also adversely affected the formation of a finger-like morphology for higher concentration casting solutions (≥12 wt%), forming a sponge-like morphology in the lower half of the support layers. A desirable support structure with a well-developed finger-like morphology and macroscopic open-pores on the bottom surface was achieved from the mesh-embedded PSF support prepared with 9 wt% casting solution (PSF9). The corresponding TFC membrane (TFC/PSF9) thus exhibited the lowest structural parameter (S=314±29 µm) among the tested samples and presented outstanding FO performance, almost 2.5 times higher water flux (49 LMH) with lower reverse salt flux (7.0 GMH) compared to a commercial CTA membrane in PRO mode evaluation.
Lack of set theory relevant prerequisite knowledge

Many students struggle with college mathematics topics due to a lack of mastery of prerequisite knowledge. Set theory language is one such prerequisite for linear algebra courses. Many students’ mi...
Group Selection and Group Adaptation During a Major Evolutionary Transition: Insights from the Evolution of Multicellularity in the Volvocine Algae

Adaptations can occur at different hierarchical levels (e.g., cells and multicellular organisms), but it can be difficult to identify the level(s) of adaptation in specific cases. A major problem is that selection at a lower level can filter up, creating the illusion of selection at a higher level. We use optimality modeling of the volvocine algae to explore the emergence of genuine group (i.e., colony-level) adaptations. We find that it is helpful to develop an explicit model for what group fitness would be in the absence of group-level relationships between traits and group fitness. We call this “counterfactual fitness,” because in many actual cases of interest there are group-level relationships. Once counterfactual fitness is modeled, the difference between effects that filter up and genuine group selection is explicit and so, therefore, is the distinction between apparent and genuine group adaptations. We call the latter group-specific adaptations. Recognizing group-specific adaptations is important because only group-specific adaptations would cause the lower-level units (cells in this case) to be maladapted if they were to leave the group and enter a global cell-level population. Thus, as group-specific adaptations evolve, they create selective pressure for increased cohesiveness and individuality of groups. This article suggests that group-specific adaptations could be present in the simplest, earliest branching colonial volvocine species, which do not have distinct specialized cells. The article also makes predictions about the kind of empirical evidence needed to support or refute the hypothesis that a particular trait is a group-level adaptation.
The large-small bank dichotomy in the federal funds market

Abstract Despite the central importance of the federal fund market, little research has been undertaken on the micro-decision making of individual market participants and their interactions. This paper demonstrates that there are asymmetries of information between federal funds' lenders and borrowers that can only be resolved through frequent and continuous trading. Smaller banks are constrained in their ability to borrow federal funds due to their size and location. It is shown that information asymmetries and resulting adverse selection problems may be resolved through the use of implicit multi-period contracts.
Copper(II) complexes of 2-(pyrrolidinomethyl)- and 2-(3-pyrrolinomethyl)pyridine N-oxides

This title pyridine N-oxides have been prepared and their copper(II) complexes isolated as perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate and nitrate salts. The ligands coordinatevia both the pyridine N-oxide oxygen and the amine nitrogen to give bis(ligand) complexes for the perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate salts. The nitrate solids have [CuL(NO3)2] stoichiometry with monodentate nitrato-ligands. The spectral properties of these complexes are compared to those of N-alkyl-and N,N-dialkyl2-picolinamine N-oxides as well as other 2-substituted pyridine N-oxides.
Deoxycelluloses and related structures

The syntheses of various deoxycelluloses and related structures (cellulosenes and anhydrocelluloses) from the mid-1920s to the present are critically reviewed. General synthetic strategies to prepare deoxycelluloses include nucleophilic displacement of good leaving groups. Distinctions are made between reaction of cellulosics under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions. Recent advances in the preparation of halodeoxycelluloses have led to high degree of substitution fluorodeoxycelluloses and bromodeoxycelluloses. Applications for the deoxycelluloses are numerous and characterized by biological, chemical or physical end uses.
Towards a Structurally Based Constitutive Model of Urinary Bladder Wall Tissue Remodeling After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is accompanied by urologic complications, characterized by two phases (early areflexic phase and late hyperreflexic phase), where the routine function of the urinary bladder of storing urine and voiding becomes compromised. In addition to functional deficiencies, these pathologies are often accompanied by changes in bladder wall tissue morphology and mechanical properties. Our experimental studies have revealed that the bladder wall can undergo rapid remodeling post-SCI (figs.1,2) and exhibits complex biomechanical responses (fig.2B) [1,2,3,4]. These remodeling events will result in profound changes in bladder wall biomechanical behavior (fig.2) and ultimately organ function. The specific alterations in mechanical behavior and functional properties of bladder wall tissue and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A multi-phase structural constitutive model of the bladder wall is clearly needed to understand how changes in various tissue components produce observed changes in bladder function.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Welcome to Lubricants, a New Open Access Journal for Interdisciplinary Research in the Field of Tribology

Welcome to Lubricants, a new open access journal for researchers and practitioners working in the field of tribology. The journal will publish peer-reviewed research papers, reviews, letters and communications, as well as papers on research ideas and proposals. The concept of open access is exciting because it allows free access of all publications to anyone, resulting in the widest dissemination possible for the authors publishing in the journal. In addition, publication is rapid, and full use can be made of color figures which are published at no additional cost to the authors. The contents of the journal will nonetheless be archival and articles can therefore have a long-term impact. [...]
Concentration and hydroxylation of free phenylalanine in adrenal glands.

Abstract The adrenal glands of man, beef, spider monkey, rabbit, guinea pig, and sheep contain large amounts of free phenylalanine. Beef-adrenal medulla is capable of hydroxylating phenylalanine by a mechanism suggestive of the chemical system of Udenfriend . The significance of these findings to aromatic hydroxylation products found in normal urine and those isolated from the urine of individuals afflicted with phenylpyruvic oligophrenia is discussed.
Investigations of the performance of grooved electrodes thermionic converters at collector temperatures up to 1023 K

The performances of grooved emitter (GE), grooved collector (GC) and grooved electrodes (GEL) thermionic converters are investigated, and the results are compared with those of an identical converter with smooth electrodes (SEL), which is tested at the same conditions. These converters, with planar polycrystalline molybdenum electrodes and a 0.5 mm inter-electrode gap, are tested at emitter temperatures, TE=1473–1673 K, collector temperatures, TC=773–1023 K and Cs pressures, PCs=10–500 Pa. The grooved electrodes have concentric macro-grooves 0.5 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep and 1.0 mm apart. Measured and calculated performance parameters include ignition voltage, VIG, barrier index, VB, electric power density, PD, and conversion efficiency, η, as functions of the cesium pressure and electrodes temperatures. VIG of the GC converter is smaller than that of the SEL converter by up to ∼0.9 V for PCs=20–100 Pa. VB for the SEL converter is always lowest, except at TE=1673 K and TC=1023 K, indicating that grooved electrode(s) are effective in reducing VB only at high electrodes temperatures. The GE converter has the lowest PD and η, followed by the GEL converter, GC converter and, finally, the SEL converter, except for TE=1473 K and TC=773 K and for TE=1673 K and TC=1023 K. PD and η for the SEL converter at the optimum TC (873 K) are 3.74 We/cm2 and 17.0%, respectively, and they decrease to 1.61 We/cm2 and 10.4%, respectively, as TC increases by 150 to 1023 K. The corresponding PD and η for the GC converter decrease from 2.56 We/cm2 and 14.7% at TC=873 K to 2.38 We/cm2 and 14.3%, respectively, at TC=1023 K. Those for the GE converter decrease from 2.18 We/cm2 and 12.9% at TC=873 K to 1.56 We/cm2 and 11.0%, respectively, at TC=1023 K. For the GEL converter, PD and η decrease from 1.86 We/cm2 and 11.2% at TC=873 K to 1.44 We/cm2 and 9.7%, respectively, at TC=1023 K. At TE=1673 K and TC=1023 K, the converter with a GC has the lowest VB and operates at the highest PD (2.38 We/cm2) and η (14.3%).
The role of alcohol on platelets, thymus and cognitive performance among HIV-infected subjects: Are they related?

Our objective was to evaluate whether thrombocytopenia and small thymus volume, which may be associated with hazardous alcohol consumption, are predictors of cognitive performance after highly-active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). To achieve this goal 165 people living with HIV starting HAART underwent thymus magnetic resonance imaging, cognitive (HIV Dementia Score [HDS] and the California Verbal Learning Test [CVLT]), immune and laboratory assessments at baseline and after 6 months of HAART. At baseline, hazardous alcohol consumption was significantly correlated with both thymus size (r = −0.44, p = 0.003) and thrombocytopenia (r = 0.28, p = 0.001). Of interest, thrombocytopenic patients were characterized by a smaller thymus size. Individuals with and without cognitive impairment differed in alcohol consumption, platelet counts and thymus size, suggesting that they may be risk factors for neurological abnormalities. In fact, after HAART hazardous alcohol use associations with thrombocytopenia were r...
A validation study of 3 grading systems to evaluate small-bowel cleansing for wireless capsule endoscopy: a quantitative index, a qualitative evaluation, and an overall adequacy assessment.

Background Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a powerful tool for evaluating the small bowel. Assessment of small-bowel cleansing for CE is an essential quality measure. Objective Our purpose was to validate 3 new scales that grade small-bowel cleansing for CE. Design Prospective, randomized, single-center study. Setting Tertiary university hospital. Intervention Five experienced capsule endoscopists read 40 CEs twice, separated by 1 month, to grade small-bowel cleansing on 3 scales—quantitative index (QI; 0-10), qualitative evaluation (QE; poor, fair, good, excellent), and overall adequacy assessment (OAA; inadequate, adequate). The QI and QE evaluated both the entire and distal small bowel. Investigators received no prior training in these scales. Main Outcome Measurements Intraclass correlation coefficients to assess intraobserver (test-retest) and interobserver reliability. Patients Forty patients who underwent 1 CE between June 2005 and May 2006 and who satisfied entry criteria. Results Intraobserver reliability was moderate to substantial for the QI (0.60-0.66), moderate for the OAA (0.56), and fair to moderate for the QE (0.37-0.47). Interobserver scores were lower: QI and OAA moderate (0.47-0.52, 0.41, respectively) and slight to fair for the QE (0.20-0.24). QI scores for the entire and distal small bowel were highly correlated for each reader (0.57-0.87), and distal small-bowel scores were lower by 1.3 points, indicating poorer cleansing ( P = .001). A dichotomized QE of excellent/good versus fair/poor had moderate to substantial intraobserver and interobserver reliability (0.58-0.66, 0.41-0.49, respectively). There was a strong and highly significant association among all 3 scales ( P Conclusion We have described and validated 3 scales for grading small-bowel cleansing for CE. An evaluation of small-bowel cleansing should be routinely incorporated into the CE report.
Maximal intersecting families and affine regular polygons in PG (2, q )

Abstract A family of mutually intersecting k-sets is called a k-clique. A k-clique is maximal if it is not contained in any larger k-clique. Using a classification result of Wettl we give a new upper bound for m(k), the minimum number of members of a maximal k-clique, proving m(k) ⩽ k 2 2 + 5k + o(k) whenever k − 1 is a rime power. The proof is based on finite geometric results which are thought to be of independent interest.
Stabilization of a Fibronectin Type III Domain by the Removal of Unfavorable Electrostatic Interactions on the Protein Surface

It is generally considered that electrostatic interactions on the protein surface, such as ion pairs, contribute little to protein stability, although they may play important roles in conformational specificity. We found that the tenth fibronectin type III domain of human fibronectin (FNfn10) is more stable at acidic pH than neutral pH, with an apparent midpoint of transition near pH 4. Determination of pKa's for all the side chain carboxyl groups of Asp and Glu residues revealed that Asp 23 and Glu 9 have an upshifted pKa. These residues and Asp 7 form a negatively charged patch on the surface of FNfn10, with Asp 7 centrally located between Asp 23 and Glu 9, suggesting repulsive electrostatic interactions among these residues at neutral pH. Mutant proteins, D7N and D7K, in which Asp 7 was replaced with Asn and Lys, respectively, exhibited a modest but significant increase in stability at neutral pH, compared to the wild type, and they no longer showed pH dependence of stability. The pKa's of Asp 23 and G...
Activation of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors by L-aspartate in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the rat.

Abstract The receptors mediating the responses of neurons in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to focal application of L-aspartate were studied in coronal slices by whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology. Neurons in the SCN showed inward currents in response to both L-aspartate and L-glutamate. Responses to L-aspartate were only partially blocked by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-AP5) and by 10 mM Mg ++ at resting membrane potentials, suggesting an action upon non-NMDA glutamate receptors The remaining currents were blocked by the quinoxalines CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione), DNQX (6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione), and NBQX (2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline1), indicating an action of L-aspartate upon non-NMDA receptors. We conclude that cells in the SCN are among the relatively few types in which an action of L-aspartate upon non-NMDA receptors has been demonstrated.
Intrinsic properties of hysteresis loops of superconductors

Abstract Properties of certain hysteresis loops that appear to be common to all superconductors are described.
International investment and immiserizing growth

Abstract A country with significant foreign investment can be immiserized by growth of its labor force because this increases the payments that have to be made to foreign investors. We show that this occurs when the elasticity of supply of foreign capital and the elasticity of substitution between labor and capital in the host country are low. We relate this phenomenon to Bhagwati's general analysis of immiserizing growth and identify several new sources of immiserization that can arise from the interaction of the Bhagwati/Johnson mechanisms and international investment.
Hydraulic Efficiency of Grate and Curb Inlets for Urban Storm Drainage

AbstractA curb inlet and two combination inlets (with a grate and curb opening) used for storm-water drainage were tested under varying road conditions, and equations were developed for their application. The need for this study arose from a general uncertainty in matching the inlets tested to previously published methods. This uncertainty relates to sizing inlets and in determining the flow captured. A one-third Froude-scale model of a two-lane road section was designed and built for testing. A total of 120 tests were performed for longitudinal street slopes from 0.5 to 4%, cross slopes from 1 to 2%, gutter prototype flow depths from 0.1 to 0.15 m, and prototype inlet lengths from 1 to 4.6 m. Collected test data on inlet efficiency were compared to previously published methods for the inlets and were found to deviate by as much as 45% and an average of 13% at typical design depths of 0.1–0.15 m. Existing methods for the curb inlet were modified, and empirical design equations were developed for the combi...
Somatosensory System: Organizational Hierarchy from Single Units in Monkey Area 5

The receptive fields of single cells in area 5 of monkey parietal cortex were studied by extracellular recording. Cells were driven primarily by gentle manipulation of multiple joints residing on one or more limbs. Both excitatory and inhibitory convergence were demonstrated. It is postulated that the multijoint receptive fields of area 5 are the result of convergence from single-joint cells of the primary receiving area. An analogy is drawn between the modification of information in the visual and somatosensory systems.
Substitutability of fractionated beef tallow for other fats and oils in the food and confectionery industries: An economic evaluation

The United States is the most important beef tallow producer in the world, supplying ca. 5.5 billion pounds annually. Approximately half of this beef tallow is exported at relatively low prices when compared to other fats and oils. Only ca. 10% of the total is used in domestic edible products. On the other hand, cocoa butter, coconut oil, palm oil, and palmkernel oil are imported oils whose demand for use in food and confectionery products has been increasing over the past few years. The first of these is the most expensive fat in the world. Beef tallow contains specific triglycerides which are also contained in these imported fats and oils. Through modern technology, beef tallow has been fractionated into products which are compatible with or superior to the imported fats and oils. It is visualized that products from fractionated beef tallow can be used as substitutes and extenders to cocoa butter, palm oil, and other fats and oils in the food and confectionery industries. The economic evaluation in this paper, analyzed through time series data and multiple regression techniques, established the past relationships between per capita consumption of confectionery food fat, beef tallow, cocoa butter, adjusted per capita disposable income, and adjusted costs of confectionery, beef tallow, and cocoa butter from 1956 to 1973. The substitutability of fats and oils was evaluated and the potential uses of fractionated beef tallow investigated.
Statistical analysis of self-organization

The choice of the specific form of the neighborhood function and the learning rate in the Kohonen model of the self-organizing map has been empirical, since the model is very difficult to analyze. We present a new statistically motivated approach to determine the contribution of each data presentation during training on the final position of the units of the trained map. Experimental results show that applying the commonly used learning rates to the finite training set results in unit locations overly influenced by the later presentations (i.e., last 20% of training samples). Better learning rate schedules and neighborhood functions are then determined which allow more uniform contributions of the training data on the unit locations. These improved rates are shown to be a suitable generalization of the standard rates given by stochastic approximation theory for a self-organizing map of units.
Molecular dynamics studies of combined carbon/electrolyte/lithium-metal oxide interfaces

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations are performed on three-dimensional unit cells with periodic boundary conditions for a combined system representing anode-electrolyte-cathode materials. Evaluations of structural changes in bulk phases and at liquid-solid interfaces, as well as lithium-ion diffusion coefficients in each phase are performed. Calculated solid-phase diffusion coefficients of lithium ions in carbons are in the range 10−14 to 10−13 m2 s−1. The presence of curved regions in the modeled amorphous carbon slows the diffusion of lithium ions and allows a higher lithium storage capacity than in graphite. In the lithium-metal oxide system, the lithium ionic diffusion coefficients are in the order of 10−12 to 10−11 m2 s−1. A spatial variation is found in the diffusion of lithium ions within the modeled cathode phase.
Technical modifications of the latissimus dorsi pedicled flap to increase versatility and viability.

Objective: Describe the elevation and insetting of the pedicled latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. Review history of this flap's evolution and personal series of 68 consecutive cases since 1984. Study Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary, referral, academic center. Methods: Retrospective review of 68 consecutive patient records in which the pedicled latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap was used to reconstruct head and neck defects. Overall flap survival and postoperative complications were used as outcome measures. Results: Thirty-one women and 37 men underwent reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi pedicled flap between 1984 to 1998. The mean age was 61 years. Sixty-three cases followed postoncologic ablation and 5 cases addressed traumatic tissue loss. Forty-three patients had prior radiotherapy and 26 patients had undergone prior reconstructive surgery. The overall flap survival rate was 67/68 (98.5%), with one case of complete flap necrosis. Six cases of partial flap necrosis occurred. There were 8 other minor complications including fistula, wound dehiscence, hematoma and cerebrospinal fluid accumulation. Fifty-six donor sites were closed primarily resulting in 2 dehiscences and 17 seromatas. Three of 12 skin grafts to the donor sites were compromised. Conclusion: The excellent flap survival rate (98.5%) is the result of proper patient selection and adherence to three technical fundamentals: skin paddle design, pedicle dissection, and pedicle stabilization. The minimal donor site morbidity also demonstrated in this series supports the continued use of the latissimus dorsi pedicled flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects.
Constant Power Acceleration Profiles for Electric Vehicles

Constant power acceleration has been shown to extend the range of electric vehicles. However, this type of acceleration generally requires accelerations above a vehicles maximum attainable acceleration when the vehicle is at low velocities. A practical approach is to accelerate at the maximum until a velocity is reached such that constant power acceleration from that point onward does not require accelerations larger than the maximum available. To implement this approach it is necessary to know the time at which to begin constant power acceleration and the constant power to use. This paper formulates and solves this problem.
Implementing a consultation-liaison service in a psychiatrically underserved area

Most multidisciplinary consultation-liaison services are developed in settings where there are both psychiatric residents and an adequate psychiatric liaison faculty. In this paper, the authors report some of the obstacles and attempts at overcoming them in the implementation of such services in an underserved area in which there is a scarcity of both residents in training and psychiatric liaison faculty. The process of collaboration between a primary-care-oriented medical school and a community general hospital is described, and roles of program participants are defined. Special attention is paid to funding problems.
Studies in the processes of aging: electroencephalographic findings in 400 elderly subjects

Abstract 1. 1. Electroencephalograms were obtained on 400 subjects over the age of 60 as part of a project dealing with aging of the central nervous system. 2. 2. One hundred senile patients, without evidence of gross focal neurological disease revealed that 22 per cent had normal records with a preponderance of diffuse and mixed abnormalities. 3. 3. In 145 volunteers from the community without neurological disease, a high percentage of focal disturbances were found, and a gradient of decreasing EEG abnormality of all types was noted with higher socio-economic levels. Focal disturbances alone did not seem to cause psychological impairment. 4. 4. Psychological test data correlate diffuse and mixed EEG abnormalities with the greatest degree of psychological deterioration. 5. 5. Forty-five psychiatric patients with no evidence of brain damage revealed patterns of electroencephalographic abnormalities similar to the community group volunteers, 60 per cent of their records being normal. Diffuse fast wave disturbances were relatively more frequent among the abnormalities seen. 6. 6. Ninety-four neurological cases showed the expected low incidence in normal records and a heavy preponderance of focal disturbances. 7. 7. A gradient of decreasing normal records was noted in progressively older decades. Diffuse dysrhythmias which followed this trend were due to slow wave disturbances. The incidence of focal records did not appear to change in succeeding decades, but a definite increase in the proportion of severe foci was noted in progressively older decades. 8. 8. Diffuse fast wave disturbances were not frequent, and showed a tendency to decrease in older patients, as did the proportion of severe fast disturbances. No fast wave abnormalities were seen in patients over the age of 79. 9. 9. The high incidence of foci in this series could not alone be correlated with psychological test evidence of deterioration. When foci were associated with diffuse abnormalities, however, organic deterioration was definitely noted. Primarily left temporal foci were often clinically silent. The suggestion was made that hippocampal degenerations or beginning generalized vascular disease might be the cause. 10. 10. It was suggested that temporal foci could be more easily elicited using the vertex as a reference electrode, as well as keeping the ears “untied” and ungrounded. Also important was the use of the low-lying anterior temporal lead.
Sensory nerves and urinary bladder function: effects of diabetes, capsaicin and acrylamide treatment.

Abstract 1. 1. A comparison was made of the proposed neurotoxic effects of acrylamide, capsaicin, and diabetes on rat urinary bladder pressure responses elicited by infusion of buffer into the organ (distension). 2. 2. Treatment with capsaicin or acrylamide completely abolished the bladder pressure responses. 3. 3. After 4 weeks of diuresis equivalent to that of the diabetic model, the pressure response was markedly diminished compared to control. This response was greatly increased following l -DOPA, which augments the micturition reflex. 4. 4. After 4 weeks of streptozoticin-induced diabetes, the pressure response was slightly diminished compared to control and most closely resembled the response from the diuretic group treated with l -DOPA.
An invasive plant alters pollinator-mediated phenotypic selection on a native congener

UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF STUDY Recent studies suggest that invasive plants compete reproductively with native plants by reducing the quantity or quality of pollinator visits. Although these studies have revealed ecological consequences of pollinator-mediated competition between invasive and native plants, the evolutionary outcomes of these interactions remain largely unexplored.• METHODS We studied the ecological and evolutionary impact of pollinator-mediated competition with an invasive jewelweed, Impatiens glandulifera, on a co-occurring native congener, I. capensis. Using a pollinator choice experiment, a hand pollination experiment, and a selection analysis, we addressed the following questions: (1) Do native pollinators show preference for the invasive or native jewelweed, and do they move between the two species? (2) Does invasive jewelweed pollen inhibit seed production in the native plant? (3) Does the invasive jewelweed alter phenotypic selection on the native plant's floral traits?• KEY RESULTS The pollinator choice experiment showed that pollinators strongly preferred the invasive jewelweed. The hand pollination experiment demonstrated that invasive pollen inhibited seed production in the native plant. The selection analysis showed that the presence of the invasive jewelweed altered phenotypic selection on corolla height in the native plant.• CONCLUSIONS Invasive plants have the potential to alter phenotypic selection on floral traits in native plant populations. If native plants can evolve in response to this altered selection pressure, the evolution of floral traits may play an important role in permitting long-term coexistence of native and invasive plants.
Cross-reacting Xenoantibodies to the Heavy Chain of H-2 and HLA-A, B Antigens: Serologic and Immunochemical Characterization

H-2 cross-reactive antibodies present in HLA xenoantisera were purified by absorption on and elution from murine cells. Antibodies isolated from one of these antisera, 78-E48, were found to mediate complement-dependent lysis of both human and murine lymphoid cells but not of Daudi cells or of human lymphoid cells coated with Fab2 fragments from a cow anti-human beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2 m) antiserum. In indirect immunoprecipitation analyses 78-E48 reacted only with proteins of approximately 45,000 and 12,000 MW present in NP-40 extracts of both human and murine lymphoid cells. Sequential precipitation experiments with rabbit anti-human beta 2 m and allo-anti-H-2Kk, Iak sera established that these proteins were in fact H-2 and HLA-A,B antigens. It was also found that 78-E48 reacted only with the heavy chain of HLA-A,b and H-2 antigens, since this eluate was unreactive with beta 2 m in a radioimmunoassay, and its capacity to immunoprecipitate the 45,000 and 12,000 MW proteins from human cell extracts was unaffected by prior reaction with purified human beta 2 m. These data show for the first time that H-2 and HLA-A,B antigens share properties that probably depend upon their teritary structure.
The revised learning indicators scale

The measurement of learning, particularly cognitive learning, has been problematic in instructional communication research. In an effort to address some of the methodological problems, Frymier, Shulman, and Houser (1996) developed a learning indicators scale. Several of the items in this scale involved communication behaviors. In this study it was hypothesized that students with a predisposition to avoid communication would score low on such a scale because of their avoidance of communication, confounding the learning indicators scale with communication apprehension. The learning indicators scale was revised to eliminate the communication based items. The revised scale was uncorrelated with communication apprehension as predicted, and positively correlated with learner empowerment, nonverbal immediacy, affective learning, state motivation, and grades.
Is it dichotomy or tension: I am a scientist. No, wait! I am a teacher!

This study explores through a naturalistic inquiry the tensions between a science professor’s two enacted identities. More specifically, this study looks at how a biology professor’s identity-in-practice shifts and evolves over time through collaborations with a science education professor. These shifts were marked by an emphasis on teaching, rather than solely a focus on science. Data were collected through formal interviews and notes taken during planning sessions that took place between the biology professor and the science educator. Findings reveal that although the biology professor is able to reconcile both his science and teacher identity, structural elements of his workplace do not encourage him to enact his teacher identity. Recommendations for college science teaching are discussed.
Effects of insulin resistance on skeletal muscle growth and exercise capacity in type 2 diabetic mouse models.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an accelerated muscle loss during aging, decreased muscle function, and increased disability. To better understand the mechanisms causing this muscle det...
The skeletal and cardiac α-action genes are coexpressed in early embryonic striated muscle

Abstract The relative steady-state abundance of cardiac and skeletal α-actin mRNAs at different stages of embryonic skeletal and cardiac (striated) muscle development was determined by a reverse transcriptase extension assay employing an single oligonucleotide primer complementary to a perfectly conserved region near the 5′ end of both mRNAs. Both mRNAs were found to be present at every stage of embryonic striated muscle development tested, including the earliest assayable stages of limb muscle and cardiac muscle development. At early stages of skeletal muscle development the two mRNAs are present at similar levels while at later stages the abundance of the skeletal α-actin mRNA far exceeds that of the cardiac α-actin mRNA. Both mRNAs are also present at similar levels throughout embryonic cardiac muscle development while in adult cardiac muscle the cardiac α-actin mRNA predominates over the skeletal α-actin mRNA. These results for early embryonic striated muscle, in combination with previous results with late embryonic and adult striated muscle, indicate that both genes are coexpressed throughout striated muscle ontogeny. These two genes may not, therefore, be regulated under unique tissue-specific regulatory programs but each may have acquired regulatory elements which confer important quantitative differences in their level of expression in mature striated muscle cells.
An improved approach to solution of the faculty assignment problem

Abstract We analyze the problem of assigning faculty members to teach various courses in an accounting department. Often difficulties arise due to conflicting choices of course preference, scheduling preference in terms of time, etc. Based on selected evaluation information, we employ a rather different zero-one integer programming model to solve the assignment problem. This approach has the advantage of utilizing readily available evaluation or outcome assessment data to take into consideration the learning curve phenomenon, various competing needs and institutional constraints at very little cost. It can be easily implemented for the public institutions to which outcome assessment measures are administered on a regular basis.
The interface between ice and silicate surfaces

Abstract Evidence is developed from observations on the behavior of frozen montmorillonite-water systems and other related observations that indicates the existence of an essentially liquid-like, unfrozen, interfacial layer of water separating ice from the silicate surface. The thickness of the interface is shown to vary greatly with temperature; between 0°C. and about −5°C. the thickness ranges from more than 15 A to about 6 A, but below −5°C. down to liquid nitrogen temperatures the thickness varies only from about 6 A to 3 A. At low temperatures it appears that the mobility of the interfacial water is very much diminished and it may assume properties approaching those of a solid. The question of the presence of anomalous phases of ice is examined, and it is concluded that although the possibility must still be allowed, except for the formation of cubic ice by condensation from the vapor at −80°C. or lower, there is at present no proof of the existence of anomalous ice in frozen silicate-water systems. A phase diagram showing the relationships that exist between the interfacial water, water vapor, and ice is presented. In addition to illustrating the vapor pressure and freezing point depressions, it illustrates in a qualitative way the probable increased effect of pressure on the melting point of the ice present over that of a pure water system. Arguments justifying this point are given together with a discussion of the uncertainties in this conclusion.
Novel reinforcement learning approach for difficult control problems

We review work conducted over the past several years and aimed at developing reinforcement learning architectures for solving difficult control problems and based on and inspired by associative control process (ACP) networks. We briefly review ACP networks able to reproduce many classical instrumental conditioning test results observed in animal research and to engage in real-time, closed-loop, goal-seeking interactions with their environment. Chronologically, our contributions include the ideally interfaced ACP network which is endowed with hierarchical, attention, and failure recognition interface mechanisms which greatly enhanced the capabilities of the original ACP network. When solving the cart-pole problem, it achieves 100 percent reliability and a reduction in training time similar to that of Baird and Klopf's modified ACP network and additionally an order of magnitude reduction in number of failures experienced for successful training. Next we introduced the command and control center/internal drive (Cid) architecture for artificial neural learning systems. It consists of a hierarchy of command and control centers governing motor selection networks. Internal drives, similar hunger, thirst, or reproduction in biological systems, are formed within the controller to facilitate learning. Efficiency, reliability, and adjustability of this architecture were demonstrated on the benchmark cart-pole control problem. A comparison with other artificial learning systems indicates that it learns over 100 times faster than Barto, et al's adaptive search element/adaptive critic element, experiencing less failures by more than an order of magnitude while capable of being fine-tuned by the user, on- line, for improved performance without additional training. Finally we present work in progress on a 'peaks and valleys' scheme which moves away from the one-dimensional learning mechanism currently found in Cid and shows promises in solving even more difficult learning control problems such as the truck backer-upper.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of Ultrasound and Skinfold Measurements to Assess Subcutaneous Fat Thickness at Specific Sites During Pregnancy

Abstract Eleven healthy women, age 28.7 ± 4.9 and body mass indices between 18.2 and 37.3kg/m 2 , carrying singletons were measured at 20 ± 1 and 30 ± 1 week gestation. Tricep, bicep, mid-thigh, subscapular and suprailiac sites were measured in triplicate on the left side of the body using Lange skinfold calipers (Cambridge Scientific Industries, Cambridge, MD). Mid-arm, abdomen, hip and mid-thigh circumferences were measured using a non-strechable tape. Sonogrpahic measurements of fat thickness were performed using either a 3.5 or 5 MHZ probe. Mid-thigh fat thickness increased by 2.4mm, from 30.3mm at 20 weeks to 32.7mm at 30 weeks (8.0% increase) when measured by skinfold calipers. The mid-thigh fat thickness rose from 7.9mm to 9.8mm from 20 to 30 weeks, a 1.9mm or 23.8% increase when measured by ultrasound. The suprailiac fat thickness increased by 1.8mm using both methods of measurement (7.5% increase by skinfold calipers and 17.7% increase using ultrasound). Slight decreases in fat thickness were detected at the subscapular site (0.9mm using skinfold calipers, 0.3mm using ultrasound). No appreciable changes were detected in fat thickness at the tricep and bicep sites using either method. Using the SPSSPC+ statistical software version 4.1 (Chicago, IL) t-test, there was no significant difference between the two methods in estimating the change of fat thickness during this interval in singleton gestation.
Mechanism of aminobisphosphonate action: characterization of alendronate inhibition of the isoprenoid pathway.

Alendronate (ALN), an aminobisphosphonate compound used for the treatment of osteoporosis and other disorders of bone resorption, has been suggested to act by inhibition of the formation of GGPP. In the present study we used an S(10) homogenate fraction of rat liver to show that ALN causes a dose-dependent inhibition of [(3)H]MVA incorporation into sterols and a concomitant increase in incorporation of radiolabel into IPP and DMAPP. We further show that ALN is a potent inhibitor of cytosolic trans-prenyltransferase (FPP synthase). The inhibition is competitive with respect to allylic pyrophosphate substrates, but not IPP, suggesting that ALN acts as an allylic pyrophosphate analog and binds to the free enzyme. The K(i) is in the 0.5 microM range.
Continuous high-yield production of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on 2D and 3D substrates.

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) have certain advantages over bulk CNT powders and randomly oriented CNT mats for applications in flexible electronic devices, filtration membranes, biosensors and multifunctional aerospace materials. Here, a machine and a process to synthesize VACNTs in a continuous manner are presented showing uniform growth on 2D and 3D substrates, including alumina fibers, silicon wafer pieces, and stainless steel foils. Aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) are synthesized at substrate feed rates of up to 6.8 cm/min, and the CNTs reach up to 60 μm in length depending on residence time in the reactor. In addition to the aligned morphology indicative of high yield growth, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the CNTs are of comparable quality to CNTs grown via a similar batch process. A significant reduction in time, reaction products, gases, and energy is demonstrated relative to batch processing, paving the way for industrial production ...
Orthodontic and surgical procedures for correction of severe oral and facial malformation: report of case

Treatment for a young man who suffered from severe oral and facial malformation consisted of a five-part orthodontic and surgical plan. The patient’s improved self-esteem reflected the improvement in occlusal function and facial symmetry.
Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Laramie anorthosite complex, Wyoming

Abstract A geochemical investigation of the Laramie anorthosite complex determined that monsonite associated with the complex are characterized by positive Eu anomalies and display a regular variation in composition with distance from the monzonite/county rock contact. Anorthositic rocks have major and trace element abundance typical of similar complexes. The internal variations in the monzonite were produced by in situ fractionation and contamination. The data indicate that anorthosite and monzonite cannot be comagmatic. It is proposed that the anorthosite and monzonite of the complex evolved from two distinct magmas, and that two stages of anatectic melting contributed to the evolution of the monzonite. An initial stage of partial melting was induced by intrusion of a gabbroic anorthosite magma into the lower crust; a second partial melting event occurred after emplacement where heat from the intrusions melted country rocks resulting in extensive contamination ofthe monzonite.
Identification of a monoclonal antibody from Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse) cytomegalovirus (PCMV) which binds to a protein with homology to the human CMV matrix protein HCMV pp71

In this study we identified and characterized a monoclonal antibody against the matrix protein of a cytomegalovirus isolated from the common deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) (PCMV). The monoclonal antibody was isolated using previously described technology which could be applied to the production of monoclonal antibodies against zoonotic disease. The antibody was found to react with a protein homologous to the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) matrix protein (pp71), the product of the UL82 open reading frame (ORF). mAbs were generated from heterologous fusion of spleen cells from PCMV-positive mice and Balb/C P3X63-Ag8.653 myeloma cells. Using this approach, four monoclonal antibodies: B8C4, C12E8, G6A2 and P4E5 were generated. Antibody G6A2 reacted strongly with PCMV-infected cells as well as purified virions on ELISA and immunofluorescence. Western blot analysis, using sucrose gradient-purified virions, demonstrated that this mAb reacted specifically to a single protein with an apparent molecular weight of 71 kDa. The protein band was excised from the gel, purified and subjected to trypsin digestion followed by mass spectrometry. The protein sequences obtained were found to have identity to HCMV UL82 gene product. Sequence analysis indicated that it is the putative HCMV pp71 protein homolog of PCMV. G6A2 mAb did not cross-react with either human or murine recombinant pp71 proteins expressed in mammalian cells.
Studies of the MHC-linked “CT” alloantigenic systems in rats

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) populations from Lewis rats were generated by combined immunization in vivo and restimulation in vitro with lymphoid cells from Fischer 344 donors. This strain combination is phenotypically identical at the MHC (Ag-B) by serologic, MLC, and GVH criteria, and thus, it is to be expected that CTL raised in this combination would show MHC restricted cytolysis against the existing minor alloantigenic differences. Previous studies demonstrated instead that CTL are effective against target cells from a variety of strains, regardless ofMHC haplotype, and that these cytotoxic T cell defined target antigens (“CT antigens”) are controlled by genes which map with the MHC. The present studies show that the CT antigens defined by LαF CTL are unlike gene products expected for eitherSD-like orLD-like region genes, and it is therefore concluded that they mark a novel subregion of the rat MHC or are specified by a locus (loci) linked to, but outside MHC.
High-Energy Proton-Proton Scattering and Nucleon Structure: The Scalar Interaction in O ( 4 , 2 )

A formula is derived from the simple scalar interaction in the relativistic $O(4,2)$ model of the baryons that accounts for the high-energy proton-proton scattering at fixed angle over a cross-section range of eight decades, with a single over-all constant as the parameter. The theory also explains why there is an apparent relation between the nucleon-nucleon scattering and the electromagnetic form factors. Further implications and developments of the theory are discussed.