cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pattern of Recurrence of Trachomatous Trichiasis After Surgery: Surgical technique as an explanation

Objective To evaluate the pattern of recurrence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) after bilamellar tarsal rotation surgery for trachoma. Design Observational cohort. Participants Three hundred eighty-four participants having at least 1 eye that had undergone a single TT surgery a minimum of 18 months before June 2001. The 630 study eyes were divided equally between left (311) and right (319) eyes. Methods Patients living in Central Tanzania were identified from surgical lists. Participants were screened for recurrence of TT, including evidence of epilation, after surgery. Main Outcome Measures Detailed information on the location of recurrence was collected, including number of lashes touching the globe and location of trichiatic lashes (nasal, central, or temporal). Results One hundred seventy-six eyes had evidence of TT recurrence (28%), including 23 eyes having recently undergone epilation. In eyes without epilation, left eyes had a higher rate of recurrence than right eyes (32% vs. 25%; P = 0.05). Among eyes with recurrence originating from 1 location, recurrence was highest centrally (40%). Right eyes had nasal recurrence more often than temporal recurrence (33% vs. 20%). Left eyes had temporal recurrence more often than nasal recurrence (41% vs. 24%). Conclusions Recurrence of TT after surgery is more common in the left eye and on the left side of the eyelid. The surgical procedure is more difficult to perform on the right side of the eyelid by a right-handed surgeon. This difficulty may lead to an unintentional change in surgical technique on the right, which may result in lower recurrence on that side.
Percutaneous microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with a gas-cooled system: initial clinical results with 107 tumors.

Abstract Purpose To retrospectively review the results of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment with a high-power, gas-cooled, multiantenna-capable microwave device. Materials and Methods A total of 107 HCCs in 75 patients (65 men) with a mean age of 61 years (range, 44–82 y) were treated via percutaneous approach. Combination microwave ablation and transarterial chemoembolization was performed for 22 tumors in 19 patients with tumors larger than 4 cm (n = 10), tumors larger than 3 cm with ill-defined margins (n = 7), or lesions not identified with ultrasonography (n = 5). Mean tumor size was 2.1 cm (range, 0.5–4.2 cm), with median follow-up of 14 months, for ablation alone; compared with 3.7 cm (range, 1.0–7.0 cm) and 12 months, respectively, for combination therapy. All procedures were performed with a single microwave system (Certus 140) with one to three 17-gauge antennas. Results Mean ablation time was 5.3 minutes (range, 1–11.5 min). All treatments were considered technically successful in a single session. Primary technique effectiveness rates were 91.6% (98 of 107) overall, 93.7% (89 of 95) for tumors 4 cm or smaller, and 75.0% (nine of 12) for tumors larger than 4 cm; and 91.8% (78 of 85) for ablation alone and 90.9% (20 of 22) for combination therapy. There was no major complication or procedure-related mortality. The overall survival rate was 76.0% at a median 14-month clinical follow-up, with most deaths related to end-stage liver disease (n = 11) or multifocal HCC (n = 5). Conclusions Treating HCC with a gas-cooled, multiantenna-capable microwave ablation device is safe, with promising treatment effectiveness.
Methodologic issues in intervention research-health care

To better understand the methodological challenges faced by intervention research in health care, workshops reviewed two intervention studies to reduce back injuries among nursing home staff and two studies on the use of precautions to prevent occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens. These studies adapted rigorous designs to real-world settings and made good use of multiple measures to detect effects and communicate this information to policy makers. The studies grappled with issues about implementation integrity and would benefit from better theory of administrative practices associated with a safety-conscious work environment. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The crystal and molecular structure of 9‐(p‐lodophenyl)‐9‐azatetracyclo[5.3.1.02,6 .08,10] undec‐4‐ene

The crystal and molecular structure of 9-(p-iodophenyl)-9-azatetracyclo[5.3.1.02,6 .08,10]-undec-4-ene (C16H16IN) has been determined by single crystal x-ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallizes in space group P21, (no. 4) with unit cell constants: a = 11.269 (1), b = 7.607 (1), c = 16.714 (1) A, β = 104.73 (1)°. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by block-diagonal least-squares to a final R-value of 0.054 for the 1546 independently measured, statistically significant reflections. The aziridine ring is fused to the norbornyl rather than to the five-membered ring as previously assumed. The nitrogen to phenyl-carbon distance is 1.406 A and indicates a significant amount of double bond character.
New ternary oxides of Re, Os, Ir and Pt with cubic crystal structures

Abstract A body-centered cubic structure related to the cubic KSbO 3 strcture has been found for phases with compositions close to Ba 0.5 IrO 3 , Sr 0.5 IrO 3 , Ba 0.5 OsO 3 , Sr 0.5 OsO 3 , and Sr 0.5 ReO 3 . A primitive cubic structure also related to the cubic KSbO 3 structure has been found for phases with compositions close to NaOsO 3 , BiPtO 3.5 , and BiOsO 3.5 . The ternary oxides Cd 2 Ir 2 O 7 , Ca 2 Ir 2 O 7 , and Ca 1.7 Os 2 O 7 have been prepared with the cubic pyrochlore structure. All iridium phases contain Ir 5+ and are the first oxide examples of iridium in an oxidation state higher than four.
Patterns of retinal terminations and laminar organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus of primates.

Autoradiographic tracing procedures have been used to study the organization of retinogeniculate axons in seven primates, i.e., four species of New World monkeys, one species of Old World monkeys and two species of prosimians. These data suggest that the basic primated pattern of geniculate lamination consists of two parvocellular layers, two magnocellular layers, and two poorly developed and highly variable superficial (S) layers which are ventrally lacoted. Ocular input to each member of each of the three pairs differs. In the macaque, the squirrel, and the saki monkey, the parvocellular layers subdivide and interdigitate into four leaflets so as to give the appearance of four parvocellular “layers”. These leaflets are much less extensive in the owl and marmoset monkeys. In some individual macaque monkeys, there is further splitting of the parvocellular leaflets into subleaflets, giving the appearance of six parvocellular “layers”. The prosimians (galago and slow loris) have two additional layers that are not found in pithecoid primates, and only one superficial layer is apparent. The two additional layers are termed “koniocellular” since they consist of very small cells. Finally, New and Old World monkeys have both ipsilateral and contralateral retinal input to the interlaminar zones. We conclude that the basic pattern of lateral geniculate organization is six layers, but not the traditional six. Prosimians have evolved two additional layers, the koniocellular layers, and have possibly lost one superficial layer. Both New World and Old World monkeys have elaborated the parvocellular layers by forming leaflets to varying extents. With the possible exception of the single S layer in prosimians, layers form pairs that are similar in cell types, but different in ocular input.
Ray length in sanitary ventilation by bactericidal irradiation of air

Elementary physical factors governing the bactericidal irradiation of air 1 were formulated in the first part of this study on sanitary ventilation by radiant disinfection. The formulations have been applied to surgical air asepsis, ~ ward isolation by corridor barriers, 3 cubicle isolation by light curtains, 4 prevention of cross infection in nurseries, a and the environmental control of the epidemic spread of contagion among school children. 6 Bacteriological and epidemiological data can now be correlated with physical factors. 7
Strongly-driven coarsening of height-selected Pb islands on Si(1 1 1)

Abstract A theoretical model is proposed to describe the rapid coarsening observed for Pb islands on a Si(1 1 1) surface where classical kinetics breaks down. In this system, quantum size effects produce mesa-like Pb islands with chemical potentials depending strongly on their heights, in addition to the usual dependence on the step curvature. Furthermore, a dense wetting layer enables fast mass transport between islands. Incorporating these features, our theoretical model predicts evolution of the island height distribution in good agreement with experiments.
HIPAA and research: how have the first two years gone?

Purpose To assess the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on research in ophthalmology. Design A personal perspective with a review of relevant publications. Methods Review of experience at a single institution as it transitioned to enforcing HIPAA guidelines. Results HIPAA has been costly to institutions and will continue to be so. At Johns Hopkins alone, nearly 26,000 employees have had to take HIPAA compliance training and pass examinations with an overall estimated cost of nearly $2 million in the first year. At the same time, complying with HIPAA regulations has increased institutional awareness of privacy issues. Conclusions HIPAA has added a layer of regulation to research that has increased the burden of researchers but is unlikely to prevent most research from taking place. Although there are clear benefits to the heightened awareness of the implications of research on study subjects’ privacy, the costs of implementing HIPAA have been very high, and further refinements are likely necessary.
Parameterized description of NMR signal reception systems part I: Impedance of transmission line and probe

The impedance-matched condition and its relation to the reflection coefficient are discussed. Some important properties of transmission lines for impedance-matching are considered. Resonance tank circuits in NMR probes are discussed with analogies to microwave cavity resonances. By analyzing reflection coefficients in terms of Q factors, the impedance-matched condition is re-derived in a manner that highlights practical considerations for high-frequency applications.
Effects of intravenous infusion of catecholamines on rat plasma luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations.

Catecholamines were infused through an atrial cannula in unanesthetized rats on the afternoon of proestrus and blood was withdrawn through a second cannula for radioimmunoassay of LH and prolactin. Infusion of epinephrine, but not of norepinephrine or dopamine, blocked spontaneous pituitary LH release and ovulation. Ultimately, this effect appears to be exerted on the brain and not on the pituitary or through changes in pituitary blood flow. Pituitary LH release in response to exogenous LHRH, when administered in an amount that simulated the proestrous LH surge in phenobarital-treated rats, was unaltered by epinephrine infusion. In addition, epinephrine infusion did not alter the timing of the rise in plasma prolactin. Infusion of dopamine blocked the spontaneous rise in plasma prolactin and depressed basal prolactin levels. After the end of infusion, plasma prolactin rose rapidly. Infusion of norepinephrine or epinephrine partially suppressed the prolactin rise but only after 2 h of infusion. The results...
Mono-ortho- and non-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls in human milk from Mohawk and control women: Effects of maternal factors and previous lactation

Fifty-four individual human milk samples from 50 mothers (20 Mohawks and 30 controls) were analyzed for four non-ortho- and eight mono-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Mean total coplanar PCBs concentrations were 49 ng/g and 55 ng/g lipid for Mohawk and control women, respectively. A statistical evaluation of all analytical data reveals no significant difference of total coplanar PCB level between Mohawk and control women. The level of these contaminants is influenced by the age of the mother, number of breastfed children, and length of nursing period. Older women, primiparae, and cigarette smokers had higher levels of coplanar PCBs. In general, women had higher levels of coplanar PCBs in the first lactation and in the earlier samples of a given lactation, while levels declined both with duration of breast-feeding and with number of children nursed. The contribution of individual non-ortho- and mono-ortho-substituted PCB congeners to the total calculated toxic equivalent values (sigma TEQ) was assessed for the breast milk samples. The levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in human milk of pooled specimens from Los Angeles, California and Binghamton, New York, widely separate cities in the United States (Schecter et al. 1989), were presented for reference purpose. The main contributions to the sigma TEQ were PCB congeners #118 (25.8 pg/g lipid), #126 (25 pg/g lipid), #105 (10.8 pg/g lipid), and #156 (7.4 pg/g lipid). Collectively, these compounds accounted for 70% of the sigma TEQ values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Asymptotic crack-tip fields in anisotropic power law material under antiplane shear

A hodograph transformation in conjunction with an appropriate affine transformation are both used to investigate the strain and stress fields near the crack tip in an anisotropic power law material under antiplane shear. Stress and strain exponents as well as angular distributions for the asymptotic stress and strain fields are obtained analytically. All the stress strain exponents are independent of material anisotropy, and the effect of material anisotropy on the asymptotic stress and strain field is discussed including higher order terms.
Role Of Delocalized π Electrons In Nonlinear Optical And Electrical Conductivity Properties Of Polymers

For several years, delocalized 'if-electron polymers have attracted considerable scientific interest because of electrical conductivity properties which could be associated with solitonic, polaronic, and bipolaronic species. More recently, the observation of third order susceptibilities, x(3), in the range 10-9 to 10-11 esu has generated interest in these materials for nonlinear optical applications. Electrical conductivity and nonlinear optical properties depend upon electronic characteristics such as "time-independent" and "time-dependent" electron delocalization, upon intra- and intermolecular charge transfer, and upon electron-phonon coupling. We have utilized advanced electron paramagnetic resonance techniques to characterize such electronic properties for the linear polyene polyacetylene and for a number of heteroararatic ladder polymers. The results of these measurements are used to make predictions of nonlinear optical activity.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cognitive enhancement in Korsakoff's psychosis by clonidine: a comparison with L-dopa and ephedrine

Each of three catecholamine agonsit medications (clonidine, l-dopa, and ephedrine) and placebo were administered for 2-week trials to a group of amnesics with Korsakoff's psychosis following a double-blind, counterbalanced design. During the last 3 days of each treatment, patients were given a battery of neuropsychological tests to determine the effects of the drugs on memory and related cognitive processes. Only clonidine had a significant effect on measures of anterograde amnesia, and this response was restricted to the same psychometric measures that improved with clonidine in an earlier study (McEntee and Mair 1980). Each of the medications affected performance on some measures of attention. None of the treatments had any effect on measures of retrograde amnesia or digit-symbol substitution. There appears to be a significant negative correlation between the mnestic effects of clonidine and the concentration of the primary noradrenergic metabolite in lumbar CSF (as measured prior to the initial drug trial).
Expanding Reliability Generalization Methods with KR-21 Estimates an RG Study of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory

A reliability generalization (RG) study was conducted on the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) to (a) examine the variability of reliability estimates across studies and (b) identify study characteristics that may predict this variability. Typical RG methodology was extended by estimating internal consistency reliability with KR-21 in cases when authors did not report reliability for their obtained scores. Accordingly, the present study investigated the psychometric properties of the CSEI and serves as a model to extend typical RG methods in some cases when examining dichotomously scored instruments.
A refined model of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor binding pocket. Experimental analysis and energy minimization of the complex between TRH and TRH receptor.

Seven transmembrane (TM) spanning, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) appear to bind large glycoprotein hormones predominantly within their extracellular domains, small nonpeptidic ligands within the TM helical bundle, and peptide ligands within the extracellular domains and TM bundle. The tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, pyroGlu-His-ProNH2) may bind entirely within the TM bundle of the TRH receptor (TRH-R). We have previously demonstrated direct binding contacts between the pyroGlu of TRH and two residues in TM helix 3 (TM-3) of TRH-R and proposed a model of the binding pocket of TRH-R [Perlman, J. H., Laakkonen, L., Osman, R., & Gershengorn, M. C. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 23383−23386]. Here, we provide evidence for two additional direct interactions between TRH and TRH-R. One interaction is between the aromatic ring of Tyr 282 of TM-6 and His of TRH. This is based on a large increase in the half-maximally effective concentration (EC50) of TRH for stimulation of inositol phosphate format...
Ionization Cross Sections of Gaseous Atoms and Molecules for High-Energy Electrons and Positrons

Ionization cross sections of forty gases have been measured for electrons of kinetic energies 0.1-2.7 MeV. The measurements are absolute and extensive precautions have been taken to minimize systematic and accidental errors. The energy dependence of the measured cross sections is accurately described by the Bethe asymptotic formula involving two parameters that represent important atomic properties. Comparisons have been made between ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ and between C${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ and C${\mathrm{D}}_{4}$; the observed differences are of the order of 1% and too small to be resolved with certainty. A close comparison has been made between positrons and electrons in Ar at 0.67 and 1.1 MeV; the cross sections are observed to be equal within a probable error of 0.5%.
Far-field recorded frequency-following responses: Evidence for the locus of brainstem sources

Two experiments were performed to determine the brainstem origins of the scalp recorded auditory frequency-following response (FFR). The first was a study of FFR onset latency in which responses observed by direct recording from depth electrodes in brainstem auditory nuclei were compared with those obtained from the scalp. The mean onset latency of scalp recorded FFR (5.8 msec) closely approximated the 5.4 msec mean latency of response recorded from within the inferior colliculus (IC). In a second experiment, cooling of the IC greatly reduced or eliminated FFR both within this nucleus and at the scalp. FFR at the medial superior olive was unaffected during cooling. It was concluded that at moderate intensities of stimulation the primary source of scalp recorded FFR is the IC.
Affiliation and Entry in First-Price Auctions with Heterogeneous Bidders: An Analysis of Merger Effects

Abstract We study the effects of mergers in timber sale auctions in Oregon. We propose an entry and bidding model within the affiliated private value (APV) framework and with heterogeneous bidders,...
Amino acid substitutions in the sixth transmembrane domain of P-glycoprotein alter multidrug resistance.

Abstract Eukaryotic cells can display resistance to a wide range of natural-product chemotheraputic agents by the expression of P-glycoprotein (pgp), a putative plasma membrane transporter that is thought to mediate the efflux of these agents from cells. We have identified, in cells selected for multidrug resistance with actinomycin D, a mutant form of pgp that contains two amino acid substitutions within the putative sixth transmembrane domain. In transfection experiments, this altered pgp confers a cross-resistance phenotype that is altered significantly from that conferred by the normal protein, displaying maximal resistance to actinomycin D. These results strongly implicate the sixth transmembrane domain in the mechanism of pgp drug recognition and efflux. Moreover, they indicate a close functional homology between pgp and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator in which the sixth transmembrane domain has also been shown to influence substrate specificity.
A leucine-rich repeat variant with a novel repetitive protein structural motif

The structure of the leucine-rich repeat variant protein reveals a novel fold consisting of alternating α- and 3_(10)-helices arranged in a right-handed superhelix that follows an N-terminal 4Fe:4S cluster-containing domain.
The isoprostanes: Unique bioactive products of lipid peroxidation

The discovery of IsoPs as products of non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation has opened up new areas of investigation regarding the role of free radicals in human physiology and pathophysiology. The quantification of IsoPs as markers of oxidative stress status appears to be an important advance in our ability to explore the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of human disease. A drawback related to this, however, has been lack of more facile and less expensive methods than mass spectrometry for the measurement of IsoPs. On the other hand, the recent introduction of immunoassay methods for measurement of IsoPs may alleviate this problem, provided they are specific and reliable. If this is the case, immunoassay methodology will most likely lead to an expansion of the use of measurements of IsoPs to assess oxidative stress status in vivo. Another need in the field of free radical medicine is information regarding the clinical pharmacology of antioxidant agents. Because of the evidence implicating free radicals in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases, large clinical trials are planned or underway to assess whether antioxidants can either prevent the development or ameliorate the pathology of certain human disorders. However, data regarding the most effective doses and combination of antioxidant agents to use in these clinical trials is lacking. As mentioned previously, administration of antioxidants suppresses the formation of IsoPs, even in normal individuals. Thus, measurement of IsoPs may provide a valuable approach to defining the clinical pharmacology of antioxidants. In addition to being markers of oxidative stress, at least two IsoPs possess potent biological activity. The availability of additional IsoPs in synthetic form should broaden our knowledge concerning the role of these molecules as mediators of oxidant stress. Moreover, information regarding the nature of the receptor(s) that mediate the biological actions of IsoPs will be of considerable importance to the development of specific antagonists or agonists of the biological actions of IsoPs. Despite the fact that considerable information has been obtained since the initial report of the discovery of IsoPs, much remains to be understood about these molecules. With continued research in this area, we believe that much new information will emerge that will open up additional important new areas for future investigation.
Hashing strategies for the Cray XMT

Two of the most commonly used hashing strategies—linear probing and hashing with chaining—are adapted for efficient execution on a Cray XMT. These strategies are designed to minimize memory contention. Datasets that follow a power law distribution cause significant performance challenges to shared memory parallel hashing implementations. Experimental results show good scalability up to 128 processors on two power law datasets with different data types: integer and string. These implementations can be used in a wide range of applications.
A new 2′-hydroxyl protecting group for the automated synthesis of oligoribonucleotides

We have developed a new type of 2'-hydroxyl protecting group for the automated machine synthesis of RNA oligomers: a 2-hydroxyisophthalate formaldehyde acetal (HIFA). The unique feature of this protecting group is that, as the bis ester, it is relatively stable to the acidic conditions that are used for repeated removal of dimethoxytrityl groups during chain elongation, but the final deprotection step in alkali, which cleaves the chain from the support and removes the base and phosphate protecting groups, converts it to the bis carboxylate and this can be removed relatively rapidly by treatment with mild acid. Conversion of the bis ester to the bis carboxylic acid increases the rate of acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the acetal by 42-fold at pH 1, and, possibly, by 1320-fold at pH 3. The bis ester is 112 times more stable than the 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxypiperidin-4-yl group (Fpmp) towards hydrolysis at pH 1, while the bis acid is only 2.35 times more stable than Fpmp at pH 3. In synthesis of the dimers UpU and UpG, with a coupling time of 5 min, the dimethoxytrityl cation assay indicated coupling yields of > 98%.
A hierarchical decomposition for large-scale optimal control problems with parallel processing structure

Abstract This paper presents a new method in solving long horizon optimal control problems. The original problem is decomposed along the time axis to form many smaller subproblems, and a high level problem is created that uses initial and terminal states of subproblems as coordination parameters. In such a scheme, the high level problem is a parameter optimization problem. Subproblems are optimal control problems having shorter time horizon, and are completely decoupled so that they can be solved in parallel. It is shown that the two-level problem has the same global optimum as the original one. Moreover, the high level problem is a convex programming problem if the original problem has a convex cost function and linear system dynamics. A parallel, two-level optimization algorithm is then presented, where the the high level problem is solved by Newton's method, and low level subproblems are solved by the Differential Dynamic Programming technique. Numerical testings on two examples are given to illustrate the idea, and to demonstrate the potential of the new method in solving long horizon problems under a parallel processing environment.
For What Do We Cheer? Nietzsche, Moral Stands, and Social Movement Research

This article explores moral stances in social movement research. The article first identifies three moral orientations (and their corresponding world views) that have become common since the end of the Cold War. The second section uses Friedrich Nietzsche's praise and criticism of three types of “useful history” to clarify the benefits and costs of each moral orientation. The article closes with thoughts about the relevance of Nietzsche's notion of “free spirits” to morally inspired scholarship about movements.
‘It’s better than blaming a dead young man’: Creating mythical archetypes in local coverage of the Mississippi River drownings

This study provides a glimpse at myth within newswork created at the local level during a time of death. Through an analysis of news coverage of the drownings of 10 young men in Wisconsin over 13 years, we examine how myth and narrative are used not just for larger, national or global moments, but within the local newspaper, in news stories that may be influenced by the needs of the local community.
Potential applicants' expectation-confirmation and intentions

Website engagement, content, and feedback influence website usability.Website usability influences website perceived usefulness and satisfaction.Website usability influences expectation confirmation of company after website use.Expectation confirmation influences website perceived usefulness and satisfaction.Website usefulness and satisfaction influence behavioral intentions to the company. Companies dedicate a substantial amount of financial resources and efforts toward recruiting potential employees. A company's website plays an important role in this process, but little is known about how job-seekers' experiences on the website affects their attitudes and intentions toward the company. This research examines the extent to which job-seekers' expectations about the company are confirmed or disconfirmed by their experiences with the website and the degree that these expectations affect their intentions. The presented theoretical model is based on the expectation confirmation model adapted to include website usability and its determinants. Data to empirical test the model were collected by administering a survey to university students and WebTurk contract workers. The sample consisted of 199 usable responses. The empirical analysis used structural equations modeling. The fit of the measured theoretical model to the data was also good and all the paths in the measurement and structural models were statistically significant. The structural model shows that expectation-confirmation influences respondents' intentions, indirectly, through satisfaction with the website and perceived usefulness of the site. Furthermore, engagement, website content and interactivity influence website usability while website usability influences expectation confirmation and perceived usefulness. Implications and conclusions based on these findings were also provided.
Room for talk: Peer support for getting into english in an ESL kindergarten

Abstract Early childhood classrooms characterized by a predominance of second language learners from a wide mix of language backgrounds have emerged in unprecedented numbers on the American urban scene, lending urgency to the question: What happens when such diverse language learners are increasingly each others' only available peer resource for language learning in the classroom? This article highlights peer support for “getting into English” in one such setting—an ESL kindergarten where the children came from eight different language backgrounds and the teacher was the only native English speaker. Over 6 months of participant observation using qualitative, sociolinguistic methodology, the researcher documented the range of contexts in which case study children came to use English, and the efforts they and their teacher made to understand each other and be understood. In informal contexts for peer talk, children of like and different backgrounds served as resources for each other's use of English. They helped each other begin to use English among a broadening network of peers, for an expanding variety of purposes, and—at least to some extent—with more precision. Moreover, they pushed each other to elaborate and clarify their English. A model of peer collaboration is explored to take into account how children's evolving social relationships served as an impetus for talk in English. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
In-vitro validation of cytokine neutralizing antibodies by testing with ovine mononuclear splenocytes.

Cytokines have gained increasing attention as therapeutic targets in inflammation-related disorders and inflammatory conditions have been investigated in sheep. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the ovine pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 could be used to study the effects of blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines in sheep. Ovine-specific IL-1β and IL-6 proteins and mAbs specific for these molecules were produced and the ability of the mAbs to neutralize the proteins was tested in cultures of ovine splenic mononuclear cells. Expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κβ and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 was evaluated by western blotting and densitometric quantification. Treatment with purified IL-1β and IL-6 proteins increased NF-κβ (P < 0.001) and STAT-3 (P < 0.01) expression, respectively, in cell culture. Treatment with these proteins that were pre-incubated with IL-1β and IL-6 mAbs attenuated (P < 0.01) these effects. These results confirm the bioactivity of ovine IL-1β and IL-6 proteins and the neutralizing capacity of anti-ovine-IL-1β and -IL-6 mAbs in vitro. These mAbs could be used to investigate anti-inflammatory strategies for attenuation of the effects of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in sheep.
Charge Alterations of E22 Enhance the Pathogenic Properties of the Amyloid β‐Protein

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) due to amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) is a key pathological feature of patients with Alzheimer's disease and hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis, Dutch-type (HCHWA-D). The CAA in these disorders is characterized by deposition of Abeta in the smooth muscle cells within the cerebral vessel wall. Recently, a new mutation in Abeta, E22K, was identified in several Italian families that, like HCHWA-D, is associated with CAA and hemorrhagic stroke. These two similar disorders, stemming from amino acid substitutions at position 22 of Abeta, implicate the importance of this site in the pathology of HCHWA. Previously we showed that HCHWA-D Abeta(1-40) containing the E22Q substitution induces robust pathologic responses in cultured human cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells (HCSM cells), including highly elevated levels of cell-associated Abeta precursor (AbetaPP) and cell death. In the present study, a series of E22 mutant Abeta(1-40) peptides were synthesized, and their pathogenic properties toward cultured HCSM cells were evaluated. Quantitative fluorescence analyses showed that mutant Abeta(1-40) peptides either containing a loss of charge (E22Q and E22A) or a change of charge (E22K) bind to the surface of HCSM cells and form amyloid fibrils. Similarly, this same group of E22 mutant Abeta(1-40) peptides caused enhanced pathologic responses in HCSM cells. In contrast, wild-type E22 or the charge-preserving E22D Abeta(1-40) peptides were devoid of any of these pathogenic properties. These data suggest that a change or loss of charge at position 22 of Abeta enhances the pathogenic effects of the peptide toward HCSM cells and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the phenotypically related HCHWA disorders.
Unintended Pregnancy and Prenatal Behaviors Among Urban, Black Women in Baltimore, Maryland: The Baltimore Preterm Birth Study

Purpose We explored associations between intendedness of pregnancy with maternal prenatal behaviors, including smoking, use of alcohol, use of illicit drugs, and late initiation of prenatal care. Methods Pregnant black women ages 18 years or older (N = 913) were enrolled in the study at their first visit to prenatal clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, at which time data were obtained from the women about intendedness of pregnancy. Data on behavioral risks were abstracted from clinical records. Logistic regression was used to adjust analyses for maternal demographic characteristics. Results Women with unwanted pregnancies were significantly more likely than women with wanted or mistimed pregnancies, or who were unsure about intendedness, to smoke (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2–3.3), use alcohol (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–3.9), and use illicit drugs (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0–2.9) during pregnancy, and to initiate prenatal care in the third trimester (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 3.5–9.4). Conclusions Unwanted pregnancy is associated with prenatal behaviors that increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. The facilitation of wanted pregnancies and reduction of harmful maternal behaviors may result in improved pregnancy outcomes in the United States.
The Urban Church: A Healing Community for the Older Person

ABSTRACT Significant relationships between social networks and the well-being of older persons living in cities have been reported. This paper focuses on an attempt to strengthen the social networks of at-risk older persons through linking them with church-based volunteers who provide a wide range of support services. It is argued that the success of these linkages are explained by the costs and rewards involved in the relationship, or exchange, the volunteer's perception of the distribution of resources, and the social distance separating the two. Implications for social policy and church-based ministry with older persons are discussed.
Three heat shock proteins are essential for rotifer thermotolerance

Abstract Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important molecules in the stress response of organisms from prokaryotes to mammals, and thus may be useful biomarkers for environmental stress. Here we characterize the functional roles of genes belonging to four distinct families of HSPs ( hsp40 , hsp60 , hsp70 , and hsp90 ) in the monogonont rotifer Brachionus manjavacas . Because B. manjavacas inhabits ponds of varying thermal regimes, including ephemeral ponds that may experience temperature fluctuations, HSP-mediated thermotolerance likely is important to its survival and adaptation. Using interference RNA (RNAi), we provide the first conclusive evidence that HSPs are required for rotifer survival following heat stress. Effective RNAi-mediated suppression of all hsp genes except hsp90 was verified via quantitative PCR. Hsp40 , hsp60 , and hsp70 are required for rotifer thermotolerance ( P hsp90 is essential. Quantitative PCR further revealed immediate up-regulation of hsp40 mRNA following heat stress. Additionally, we demonstrated expression of hsp40 mRNA in multiple tissues using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Our characterization of mRNA expression and functional roles for four distinct hsp genes provides a baseline for molecular-level comparisons of the stress response of rotifers with other taxonomic groups, and the technique for in-depth studies of the role of specific genes in rotifer stress responses. Considering the potential for ambient temperatures to impact species survival, competitive interactions, and body size of individuals, thermotolerance may be an important influence on zooplankton community structure.
On the classical and semiclassical limits in collision theory

Abstract The classical scattering observable is obtained by exp(iΔ) where Δ is the interaction. Elements of the scattering matrix in the semiclassical limit are then defined, using the correspondence procedure, as the Fourier components of the classical scattering observable. This procedure is equivalent to carrying out the exponential approximation to the lowest order in h . A soluble model of vibrational excitation is considered as an example.
Training for the African mind

Abstract This article reviews the relevancy of four key Western adult learning principles and their suitability for the African context. For the purpose of this study, the following key precepts are examined: (a) adults learn best when they actively participate in the learning process (the basis for experiential activities in adult learning settings); (b) adults are independent learners, (indeed, andragogues believe that adults are independent learners and should be made responsible for their learning, while “teachers” serve as “facilitators”); (c) feedback is an essential tool in guiding both facilitator and learners toward their learning objectives, thereby, optimizing learning; and (d) finally, the appropriateness and effects of using Western languages such as English or French in training situations in sub-Saharan Africa.
The intelligent design of evolution

Mol Syst Biol. 2: 2006.0020 The debate between intelligent design and evolution in education may still rage in school boards and classrooms, but intelligent design is making headway in the laboratory. In this case, though, the designer turned out to be just some clever scientist. A recent paper in Nature (Yoshikuni et al , 2006) presented the iterative evolution of highly specific catalysts from a promiscuous wild‐type enzyme via what the authors refer to as designed divergent evolution. The paper investigated whether catalytic functionality could be rationally engineered into a protein, without recourse to the high‐throughput screening techniques necessary for directed evolution. Yoshikuni et al (2006) started with a terpene synthase enzyme, γ‐humulene synthase, that is promiscuous not in its substrate specificity but in its product selectivity—it catalyzes the formation of 52 different sesquiterpene products from one single substrate, farnesyl diphosphate. (Sesquiterpenes naturally occur in a variety of plants, and their derivatives are used in applications ranging from chemical feedstocks to antifungal compounds.) The predominant product for the wild‐type enzyme is γ‐humulene, but Yoshikuni et al designed seven mutant variants with improved selectivities for eight of the products. How did they do it? Using prior knowledge of the active sites in the terpene synthase family and the crystal structure of another terpene synthase, the authors identified a set of 19 candidate ‘plasticity’ residues in γ‐humulene synthase that lie along the contour of the active site. …
Discrepancies in therapist and client ratings of global improvement following cognitive behavioral therapy for social phobia and their differential relations with symptom improvement at post-treatment and 12-month follow-up.

AbstractObjective: This study aimed to examine discrepancies in client and therapist ratings of global improvement and their relations to symptom improvement at post-treatment and 12-month follow-up. Method: Participants (N = 59) with social phobia received eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Participants and therapists rated improvement following each session. Participants also rated improvement at follow-up. Participants completed symptom severity self-reports at post-treatment and follow-up. Results: Clients consistently rated themselves as more improved than therapists. Relative to client ratings, therapist post-treatment ratings of improvement were related to more indices of symptom change at both timepoints. Conclusions: Results suggest that therapist ratings have good predictive utility of client-reported change in symptoms.
Geographic patterns of introgressive hybridization between native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) and introduced rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in the South Fork of the Snake River watershed, Idaho

Throughout its native range, the Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri, is declining dramatically in both abundance and distribution as a result of introgression with introduced rainbow trout (RBT), O. mykiss. We sampled over 1,200 trout from the South Fork of the Snake River (SFSR) watershed, in southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming, and measured the extent of introgression of RBT genes into native gene pools of YCT using seven species-specific, co-dominant nuclear genetic markers. We also used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype differences between the two parental trout species to determine the directionality of the hybridization. We found low levels of RBT introgression (only 7% of sampled individuals had one or more RBT alleles) into YCT gene pools, with the majority of hybrids (78%) occurring in mainstem localities of the SFSR and in lower elevation reaches of certain tributaries. Hybridization was bidirectional with respect to mtDNA haplotype, but the majority of hybrids (75%) had YCT maternal haplotypes, indicative of the greater proportion (90%) of YCT-genotypes in the SFSR watershed. The primary factor influencing the geographic distribution of RBT introgressed individuals was fluvial distance from localities of stocking origin. To a lesser extent, elevation, also influenced the distribution of hybrid genotypes, with several entire tributaries and all upper elevation reaches within tributaries harboring only YCT-genotypes. Important management implications of the study suggest targeting particular tributaries and upper reaches within tributaries for YCT protection and exclusion of RBT hybrid colonization.
Multi-phase damage confinement in database systems for intrusion tolerance

Abstract: Preventive measures sometimes fail to defect malicious attacks. With cyber attacks on data-intensive applications becoming an ever more serious threat, intrusion tolerant database systems are a significant concern. Intrusion detectors are a key component of an intrusion tolerant database system. However, a relatively long detection latency is usually unavoidable for detection accuracy, especially in anomaly detection, and it can cause ineffective - to some degree at least - damage confinement. In a busy database ineffective confinement can make the database too damaged to be useful. In this paper, we present an innovative multi-phase damage confinement approach to solve this problem. In contract to a traditional one-phase confinement approach our approach has one confining phase to quickly confine the damage, and one or more later on unconfining phases to unconfine the objects that are mistakenly confined during the first phase. Our approach can ensure no damage spreading after the detection time, although some availability can be temporarily lost. Our approach can be easily extended to support flexible control of damage spreading and multiple confinement policies. Our approach is practical, effective, efficient, and to a large extent assessment independent.
A growth-rate composition formula for the growth of E. coli on co-utilized carbon substrates

When bacteria are cultured in medium with multiple carbon substrates, they frequently consume these substrates simultaneously. Building on recent advances in the understanding of metabolic coordination exhibited by Escherichia coli cells through cAMP-Crp signaling, we show that this signaling system responds to the total carbon-uptake flux when substrates are co-utilized and derive a mathematical formula that accurately predicts the resulting growth rate, based only on the growth rates on individual substrates.
Red and white muscle fibre activity in swimming skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (L.)

To test the hypothesis that white muscle fibre portions of the myotomes are used at sustainable swimming speeds, skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, were forced to swim against various current velocities in a water tunnel while electrical activity of the red and white muscle fibres was simultaneously recorded. Eight fish were tested, five fish graded white muscle fibres into activity at swimming speeds above their minimum hydrostatic equilibrium speed, but well below the estimated maximum sustainable swimming speed of skipjack tuna. Three other fish showed white muscle fibre activity at minimum swimming speeds, a possibly abnormal condition.