cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR URBAN PRINCIPALS IN UNDERPERFORMING SCHOOLS

Principals in America’s lowest performing urban schools face many challenges, including public scrutiny as a consequence of being identified as such by state and federal legislation. These special ...
Aniline and methanol toxicity after shoe dye ingestion

Abstract A 39-year-old woman intentionally ingested Amberes™ shoe dye containing both methanol and aniline. She subsequently developed life-threatening methanol poisoning, methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, and sulfhemoglobinemia. Treatment involved methylene blue infusion, emergent hemodialysis, fomepizole therapy, and blood products. Multiple toxicities can occur after ingestion of shoe dyes.
Partial nucleotide sequence of a bovine major histocompatibility class II DRβ-like gene

A genomic clone containing a bovine DR beta-like gene, BoDR beta II, was isolated from a bovine genomic library and characterized by restriction enzyme mapping and nucleotide sequencing of exon regions. Alignment of this sequence with the human DR beta cDNA sequence allowed identification of exon/intron boundaries. The clone contains a 13.3-kilobase (kb) insert, and includes 1.3 kb 5' of the beta 1 exon and 6.7 kb 3' of the transmembrane (TM) exon. Open reading frames were present in the BoDR beta exons sequenced. Nucleotide identities of the bovine beta 1, beta 2 and TM exons with the corresponding human DR beta exons were 73, 91 and 83%, respectively. Nucleotide identities of these exons with those of a previously described bovine DR beta-like pseudogene, BoDR beta I, were 69, 95 and 81%, respectively. Although a limited amount of sequence data was obtained for the intron regions, a 71% identity was found within a 514-nucleotide region immediately 3' to the beta 2 exons in BoDR beta I and BoDR beta II. A series of GT residues followed by a longer series of GA residues began about 35 nucleotides 3' of the beta 1 exon in both BoDR beta I and BoDR beta II.
Transliteration of Proper Names in Cross-Lingual Information Retrieval

We address the problem of transliterating English names using Chinese orthography in support of cross-lingual speech and text processing applications. We demonstrate the application of statistical machine translation techniques to "translate" the phonemic representation of an English name, obtained by using an automatic text-to-speech system, to a sequence of initials and finals, commonly used sub-word units of pronunciation for Chinese. We then use another statistical translation model to map the initial/final sequence to Chinese characters. We also present an evaluation of this module in retrieval of Mandarin spoken documents from the TDT corpus using English text queries.
Scaling time-integrated in situ cosmogenic nuclide production rates using a continuous geomagnetic model

Abstract Spatial and temporal variations in Earth's magnetic field affect the corresponding time-integrated distribution of in situ cosmogenic nuclide (CN) production rates. These effects can be quantified by the effective vertical cutoff rigidity ( R C ), a measure of the energy required for primary cosmic rays to penetrate the geomagnetic field and interact with the atmosphere at a given location. Recent CN production rate scaling models are based on atmospheric cosmic-ray measurements parameterized using R C estimates derived from detailed modern geomagnetic field representations which include both dipole and non-dipole field contributions. However, published methods for quantifying time-integrated geomagnetic effects on CN production rate scaling rely on various geocentric dipolar approximations to R C driven by separate records of paleomagnetic pole position and paleointensity. Therefore, applying dipolar paleomagnetic records spanning millennial time scales (which explicitly ignore past non-dipole effects) to scaling models derived using modern geomagnetic field representations may lead to systematic errors in any calculated results. A recently published continuous geomagnetic model covering the last 7 kyr (CALS7K.2) [M. Korte and C.G. Constable, Continuous geomagnetic field models for the past 7 millennia: 2. CALS7K, 2005. Geochem., Geophys., Geosyst. 6 Q02H16, doi:10.1029/2004GC000801.] may allow reduction of such errors by bridging the gap between detailed modern geomagnetic and simplified paleomagnetic models. We have developed a new model framework describing temporal and spatial variation in R C for 0–7 ka and earlier, based on CALS7K.2, which explicitly accounts for non-dipole field effects while attempting to mitigate systematic scaling biases. Scaling factors derived using the new R C framework predict significant longitudinal variability in time-integrated CN production, while predictions using dipolar geomagnetic approximations do not. One can test these predictions using in situ cosmogenic 14 C (in situ 14 C) in quartz. Due to its short half-life (5.73 kyr), 14 C attains secular equilibrium between production and decay after approximately 25 kyr of exposure, at which point its measured concentration is only a function of its integrated average production rate. Initial in situ 14 C results from samples at secular equilibrium from 38°N and 3.5 km in Tibet and eastern California are consistent with the longitudinal variability predicted by the new framework.
Configurations of the lowest 4− state in 208Pb☆

Abstract From an analysis of the angular distribution of the reaction 208 Pb(p, p′) 208 Pb (3.469 MeV) measured on top of the g 9 2 analog resonance in 209 Bi, we have obtained a wave function for the −4 (3.469 MeV) state in 208 Pb. |4〉 2 = + (0.96 ± 0.02| ( p 1 2 −1 g 9 2 )4〉 − (0.26 ± 0.03) | ( p 3 2 −1 g 9 2 )4〉 + (0.07 ∓ 0.16) | ( f 5 2 −1 g 9 2 )4〉 .
Regulation of manganese superoxide dismutase: IL-1 and TNF induction in pulmonary artery and microvascular endothelial cells

IL-1 and TNF are important mediators in the inflammatory response, and have been associated with endothelial cell damage in the lung. TNF and IL-1 cell-mediated injury has been proposed to occur through an increase in intracellular oxygen free radical production. However, these cytokines have also been shown to protect the lung from hyperoxia-mediated oxidant injury. In this paper we evaluated the response of the antioxidant enzymes, MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD to IL-1, TNF, and LPS in both rat pulmonary artery and microvascular endothelial cells. These mediators produced an increase in MnSOD but not Cu/ZnSOD expression in both rat pulmonary endothelial cells. An additive effect was observed with co-treatment by the cytokines with LPS. The MnSOD mRNA induction is dependent upon a transcriptional event, but did not require de novo protein synthesis.
Adolescent developmental change in topography of EEG amplitude.

EEGs were recorded from 32 channels in 30 normal males, ages 16–22. Delta activity decreased throughout this age range. This decrease was greatest in the left frontal and temporal regions; no occipital lead showed this pattern. Relative EEG amplitude analysis, based on normalized maps, revealed decreases with age across alpha, delta, and theta bands with beta staying the same or increasing. These changes were greatest in the left temporal and left frontal regions. Taken together, these findings suggest that these cortical areas are maturing in the second decade of life. Both delta and theta showed significantly greater decreases with age in the left parietal region than in the right.
The effects of atacticity, comonomer content, and configurational defects on the equilibrium melting temperature of monoclinic isotactic polypropylene

A series of isotactic polypropylenes were investigated to account for total defect content using xylene fractionation and carbon-13 NMR experimental methods. The defects of interest were percent atactic content, copolymer content, and configurational defects. Experimental equilibrium melting temperatures were obtained for each material using the Gibbs-Thomson equation and extrapolation to infinite crystal thickness or the Hoffman-Weeks analysis. The experimental equilibrium melting temperature was then compared with the theoretical equilibrium melting temperature predicted by Flory's melting point depression model. Flory's model was found to fit the experimental data using an equilibrium melting temperature of 186°C when configurational defects are ignored. However, to account for all defects, the equilibrium melting temperature for 100% isotactic polypropylene must be increased from 186 to 192°C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 229–236, 2001
Effectiveness-NTU Relationship for a Counterflow Heat Exchanger Subjected to an External Heat Transfer

This paper presents the analytical solution for the effectiveness of a counterflow heat exchanger subjected to a uniformly distributed, external heat flux. The solution is verified against conventional e-NTU relations in the limit of zero external heat flux. This situation is of interest in applications such as cryogenic and process engineering, and the analytical solution provides a convenient method for treating differential elements of a heat exchanger in a numerical model.
Allogeneic transplantation across major HLA barriers

Only one-fourth of patients with fatal haematological disorders and malignancies will have an HLA-matched sibling donor to create access to potentially curative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Advances in medical management, preparation of the graft and prevention of transplant-related complications, particularly rejection and GVHD, now make it possible to use alternative donors who are not genetically HLA-histocompatible with the patient. Some patients identify unrelated donor options using adult volunteers or cord blood units. All patients have immediate access to one or more genetically half-matched (haplo-identical), HLA partially-mismatched related donors. Using safer non-cytotoxic therapies to ablate the patient's immune system, graft preparation to decrease T-lymphocyte and/or increase CD 34+ cell doses, and post-transplant GVHD and infection prophylaxis, rates >95% for engraftment and <25% for grade II-IV GVHD can be achieved. Thus, disease-free survival rates are comparable to other alternative donors with all outcomes adversely influenced by advanced disease status, poor medical performance and older age.
THE RUSSIAN CORONATION: RITE AND REPRESENTATION

(2004). THE RUSSIAN CORONATION: RITE AND REPRESENTATION. The Court Historian: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 15-31.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Filling Pressure in Atrial Fibrillation

Diastolic dysfunction has been linked to 2 epidemics: atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure. The presence and severity of diastolic dysfunction are associated with an increased risk for first AF and first heart failure in patients with sinus rhythm. Furthermore, the risk for heart failure is markedly increased once AF develops. The evaluation of diastolic function once AF has developed remains a clinical challenge. The conventional use of Doppler echocardiography for the assessment and grading of diastolic dysfunction relies heavily on evaluating the relation of ventricular and atrial flow characteristics. The mechanical impairment of the left atrium and the variable cycle lengths in AF render the evaluation of diastolic function difficult. A few Doppler echocardiographic methods have been proved clinically useful for the estimation of diastolic left ventricular filling pressures in AF, but these appear to be underutilized. Several innovative methods are emerging that promise to provide greater precision in diastolic function assessment, but their clinical utility in AF remains to be established. In conclusion, this review provides an up-to-date discussion of the evaluation of diastolic function assessment in AF and how it may be important in the clinical management of patients with AF.
Immortal time bias and the use of IVC filters.

We commend the RIETE (Computerized Registry of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism) group for attempting to analyze the benefits of use of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter after acute pulmonary embolism (PE) using their large prospectively collected registry [(1)][1]. Their propensity-matched
Influence of Cation Sequestering and pH on Quiescent Thermal Association of β-Lactoglobulin AB from Fresh Cheddar Whey: An Insight into Gelation Mechanism

Freshly fractionated β-lactoglobulin AB (β-Lg) from Cheddar whey was dispersed at pH 3.5, 7, and 9 buffers containing 20 mM EDTA, and circulated at 25°C through a closed loop containing a 200 nm pore size membrane, to remove traces of dust and large aggregates, and an water jacketed cuvette placed within a Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) device for real-time data acquisition. Filtered samples were step-wise heated from 25°C to 90°C with continuous data acquisition to study dynamic changes in mean aggregate diameter (MAD). Data were analyzed by cumulant method for apparent MAD and CONTIN for size distribution. Initial MAD (IMAD) of about 200 nm, reflecting the pore size of the filter used, was observed for all experiments prior to heating. Mid-range aggregate, Agg3 (100–599 nm), was ubiquitous in all distributions and Agg1 (monomer-dimer) was only seen at pH 7 and 25°C. Increased temperatures gave rise to larger aggregates (>micron) (Agg4 and 5) with concomitant disappearance of Agg3. The greatest increase in MAD was at pH 3.5 and the lowest was at pH 9. Pre-gelation (−4 s−1 for pH 3.5, 7.0, and 9.0, respectively, giving MADs that were 3.5, 2.2 and 0.8 fold compared to IMAD. Above 70°C (apparent gelation range), relative aggregate enlargement was greatest at pH 3.5 being 55, 21, and 4.2 fold of IMAD, respectively, for pH 3.5, 7, and 9 at 90°C. An apparent gel formed at pH 3.5 and a turbid gel/coagulum formed at pH 7 and none at pH 9. It is conceivable that increased association at pre-gelation temperatures is required for gelation. A mechanism has been postulated.
Evidence for the generation of suppressor cells by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract The majority of murine skin tumor induced with ultraviolet (uv) light are unique in that they are of sufficient antigenicity to be consistently rejected when transplanted into normal syngeneic animals. However, the exposure of normal syngeneic mice to subcarcinogenic levels of uv prior to tumor transfer results in the progressive growth of transplanted uv-tumors. We report that normal mice can also be rendered tumor susceptible by the adoptive transfer of lymphoid cells from either tumor bearing or short term uv exposed donors. Further, the adoptive transfer of tumor susceptibility can be abolished by the pretreatment of cell suspensions from uv exposed donors with anti-theta and complement. These results suggest that uv irradiation may generate the development of T lymphocytes with suppressor activity.
Preparation and electron microscopy of intermediate phases in the interval Ce7O12Ce11O20

Crystals of CeO2, grown from a flux of sodium tetraborate, were reduced in dry hydrogen to compositions in the interval CeO1.714CeO1.818. Selected compositions were studied using a high-resolution electron microscope. The phase CeO1.714(Ce7O12) was confirmed to have the same unit cell as does Pr7O12 and Tb7O12. CeO1.818(Ce11O20) was found to be isostructural with Tb11O20. Two new phases in the interval were established unequivocally. One of them, probably Ce19O34, is triclinic with a = 6.627, b = 11.478, c = 10.123, α = 100.9, β = 90.0, and γ = 95.5, has not previously been observed in any rare earth oxide system. Another, Ce62O112, appears to be isomorphous with Tb62O112. The two intermediate phases previously reported in this interval, Ce9O16 and Ce10O18, were not observed, nor was Ce12O22. Diffraction evidence also points to three additional phases in the interval not previously seen.
Recognition sequences of repressor and polymerase in the operators of bacteriophage lambda.

Abstract Nucleotide sequences in two wild-type and six mutant operators in the DNA of phage λ are compared. Strikingly similar 17 base pair units are found which we identify as the repressor binding sites. Each operator contains multiple repressor binding sites separated by A-T rich spacers. Elements of 2 fold rotational symmetry are present in each of the sites. Superimposed on each operator is an E. coli RNA polymerase recognition site (promoter). Similarities in the sequences of the two λ promoters, a lac promoter, and an E. coli RNA polymerase recognition site in SV40 DNA are noted.
Effect of basic (FGF-2) and acidic (FGF-1) fibroblast growth factors on early haemopoietic cell development

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) are mitogens for a variety of cell types. Many reports suggest that haemopoietic cells are among these. Nevertheless, when we examined the effect of recombinant human FGF-1 or 2 on normal human marrow cell proliferation in vitro, only minimal stimulatory activity could be detected. In this regard, the addition of either growth factor to cultures of ancillary cell depleted marrow mononuclear cells (MNC), or to highly enriched CD34+ MNC, failed to enhance haemopoietic colony number and induced only a slight increase in colony size. Perturbation of FGF receptor (FGF-R) expression on CD34+ MNC with antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) was also without apparent effect on cell growth. Neither could we demonstrate any effect of FGF-1 or 2 on survival of early progenitor cells in serum-free culture. To explain these findings, we examined progenitor cells for expression of the FGF-R at the mRNA and protein level using RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Primitive CD34+/KIT+ MNC had no detectable FGF-R (FGF-R1, 2, 3 or 4) mRNA or protein expression. In fact, direct immunofluorescence labelling of MNC for CD34 antigen and FGF-R1 demonstrated that expression of these markers was mutually exclusive in the populations examined. FGF-R1 expression was detected on subpopulations of MNC and on cells derived from day-6 CFU-GM and BFU-E colonies. Accordingly, FGF-R1 is either absent, or present at very low levels, on primitive haemopoietic cells. This fact, combined with our in vitro culture data, suggest that receptors are unlikely to play a significant role in the development of these early cells. Nevertheless, the development of mature cells may be influenced by the FGFs since the FGF-Rs are expressed on more mature cells.
State functions and bond graph dynamic models for rotary, multi-winding electrical machines

Abstract The mathematical modeling and computer simulation of the dynamics of systems containing alternators, synchronous or induction motors or other polyphase machines is aided by the description of multi-winding rotary devices based on energy and coenergy state functions. The basic theory is reviewed including the formula for electromagnetic torque based on energy and coenergy state functions. The electrically linear—but geometrically nonlinear— case is then studied. As an example, an ideal, smooth rotor, two-axis, four-winding machine is discussed. Bond graph IC-storage field models are developed and the use of the d-q transformation as embodied in a modulated transformer structure is illustrated. This transformation removes the rotor angular dependence from the inductance matrix. However, the angle dependence remains in the transformation from the real coil variables to the d-q variables and in the multi-port transformer laws. The bond graph models of the basic transduction can be augmented to account for electrical and mechanical losses and other dynamic effects in the creation of a system model. Other multi-port transformers can be used to convert polyphase systems to the two-axis machine models described in the paper.
Exploring Relationships Between Transnationalism and Housing and Health Risks of Rural Latino Immigrant Families

Interviews with 78 rural low-income Latino immigrant mothers in three states (CA, OR, and IA) explored relationships between transnationalism and health and housing risks. Transnational activity based on language spoken at home, nature, and frequency of contact with family and friends in, and the extent and frequency of travel to the country of origin, was conceptualized as a continuum from high to low. Low transnational families lived in the United States twice as long and were more knowledgeable about community resources than high transnational families. Modest relationships between transnationalism and housing and health risks were identified. Thus, health and housing risk indicators may be present in low-income, rural Latino immigrant families regardless of their degree of transnationalism. Future studies are needed to further explore these relationships.
Linking anthropological analysis and epidemiological evidence: formulating a narrative of HIV transmission in Acholiland of northern Uganda.

For twenty years, a region of northern Uganda known as Acholiland has been heavily affected by war, leading to the formation of internally displaced people’s camps, rape, transactional sex and child abductions.While it is clear that the war has had onerous consequences for the health of the Acholi people, the specific impact of the war on HIV transmission remains unclear, as the epidemiological evidence presents an ambiguous picture of HIV prevalence patterns. Other than a few non-governmental organization reports, very little qualitative data exists about the impact of HIV on the Acholi population. Attempting to formulate a clearer narrative of HIV transmission in Acholiland, this paper jointly analyses the historical and political context of the Acholi people and the war, the epidemiologic evidence of HIV prevalence patterns, and the ethnographic perspectives of Acholi healthcare workers and patients living with HIV/AIDS. Juxtaposing these sources of information allows for the emergence of a rich understanding of HIV in Acholiland. It is argued that three specific forms of violence ‐ physical, symbolic and structural ‐ create vulnerability to HIV infection in Acholiland, although to variable degrees dependent on location.The ethnographic evidence presented regarding HIV’s impact on Acholiland suggests that an incorporation of historical, political, cultural and social factors must form the backbone of efforts both to understand HIV transmission and design strategies for curbing the epidemic in war settings.
Detection of dementia of the Alzheimer type in a population-based sample: neuropsychological test performance

The ability to detect dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) in a community-dwelling sample of elderly individuals on the basis of neuropsychological test performance was examined. Three hundred sixty community-dwelling individuals were identified by neurological examination as having probable or possible Alzheimer's disease, being at risk for Alzheimer's disease, or having no cognitive impairment. A logistic model comprised of tests of verbal and nonverbal memory, mental flexibility, and confrontation naming correctly classified 82% of DAT subjects and 98% of normal elderly subjects. The logistic model classified 77% of subjects who were diagnosed as at risk for Alzheimer's disease as being cognitively normal. A cross-validation with a clinically based sample of subjects correctly classified 89% of DAT patients and 100% of normal control subjects. The results suggest that psychometric discrimination of dementia may be less accurate in community-dwelling populations than in clinically based samples.
Do Older Adults Anticipate Relocating? The Relationship Between Housing Relocation Expectations and Falls

The relationship between the occurrence of falls and the expectations older adults have about making future residential moves is examined in this research. Data from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are used to analyze self-reported probabilities of moving among a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 and older. The results show that falls were predictive of anticipation of housing relocation as indicated by more than 50% reported probability of moving within the next 2 years. The results suggest that consideration of housing relocation is greater among older adults who experience tangible events indicative of a trajectory of deteriorating health.
Utilizing instantaneous driving direction for enhancing lane-marking detection

Our earlier lane-marking detection method identified lane-markings appearing on an input image based on the intensity contrast between lane-markings pixels and their neighboring pixels. This detection results in outputs with nearly-zero false negatives, but with many false positives. To filter out these false positives in a principled way, we utilize the driving direction of a roadway. We do this because longitudinal lane-markings delineate the driving direction of a road and the orientations of any true, longitudinal lane-markings appearing on input images should be aligned with this direction. To approximate the driving direction of a road, we detect the vanishing point on a horizon line and draw a line to link the image coordinates of the detected vanishing point to those of the center of the image bottom. We then filter out any lane-marking blobs if their orientations are not aligned with that of the approximated driving direction. Through testing with streets and inter-city highway images, the proposed method demonstrates its effectiveness.
MEMS-enabled reconfigurable VCO and RF filter

RF building block circuits that can reconfigure from one frequency to another are of interest in multifunction radios. Reconfigurable MEMS capacitors are integrated with on-chip inductors and transistors to design reconfigurable VCO and filter circuits. Electrothermal actuation of the MEMS capacitor leads to >400 MHz change in operating frequency.
Structural Equation Modeling for High School Principals' Data-Driven Decision Making: An Analysis of Information Use Environments:

Background: Accountability demands are increasingly pushing school leaders to explore more data and do more sophisticated analyses. Data-driven decision making (DDDM) has become an emerging field of practice for school leadership and a central focus of education policy and practice. Purpose: This study examined principals’ DDDM practices and identified the factors influencing DDDM using the theoretical frame of information use environments. Participants: Participants were 183 public high school principals in a Midwestern state. Research Design: The research design was cross-sectional survey research. Data Collection and Analysis: Survey instruments were developed and administered to principals. Structural equation modeling was conducted to determine what factors significantly affect principals’ DDDM practices in different leadership dimensions. Findings: Principals used data more frequently in instructional and organization operational leadership than in the leadership dimensions of school vision and collaborative partnerships. Different contextual factors affected data use in different leadership dimensions. Human-related factors such as perceptions of data quality and data analysis skills seemed to have direct effects on data use in addressing administrative problems in instruction and organizational operation, in which data were used frequently. Organization-related factors such as school district requirement and accessibility of data tended to have more direct influence on data use in the leadership dimensions of school vision and collaborative partnerships, where data were used less often. Conclusions: This study supports the proposition that as information behavior, DDDM is situational, multidimensional, and dynamic. Results provide insights into practice, research, and theoretical foundation for the emerging topic of DDDM.
Hemothorax Due to Rupture of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation: An Interventional Emergency

Spontaneous hemothorax as a result of a ruptured pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a life-threatening event and requires immediate interventional therapy. We present two patients who survived following emergent embolization. Definitive thoracentesis was delayed until embolization was performed. The tamponade provided by the hemothorax may have prevented exsanguination, suggesting to us that drainage of blood from the pleural space should be delayed until the PAVM has been treated. Hemorrhage from a PAVM may be the first manifestation of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Genetic testing and screening for other family members should be considered.
Irreversibility in Economics

Three independent literatures have contributed to the understanding of irreversibility in economics. The first focuses on the future opportunities forgone by investments with irreversible consequences. The second considers irreversibility (and hysteresis) in the context of the dynamics of systems characterized by multiple equilibria. The third, with roots in complex systems theory, focuses on entrainment—a phenomenon recognized in economics as lock-in or lock-out. This paper disentangles the different strands in the economic analysis of irreversibility in order to identify the core ideas involved and to connect them to arguments in the parallel literatures on sustainability and uncertainty.
On the Jump of Buckling Capacity of Beams via Piezoelectric Layers

The paper presents research on the effect of a follower tensile force on the buckling capacity of beam structures subjected to non-follower compression. The potential of the research is for the application of smart materials on the buckling enhancement of beams, since the follower force is always and properly modelled at the interaction between the smart materials and the substrate. The buckling capacities of beams with different boundary conditions are obtained analytically. The phenomenon of a jump in buckling capacity for beams with one end fixed and the other end restrained by a translational spring is found. This observation indicates that by properly applying a follower force through the use of smart materials, the buckling capacities of a beam can be enhanced dramatically. The voltage, needed for the jump in the buckling capacity, applied to a pair of piezoelectric layers is hence studied and properly made. It is hoped that this work will enable designers to capitalise on the effectiveness of piezo...
RTN TRH causes prolonged respiratory stimulation

Cream, Carlos L., Aihua Li, and Eugene E. Nattie. RTN TRH causes prolonged respiratory stimulation. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(3): 792–799, 1997.—We injected thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 10 nl; 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 10 mM), its inactive free acid form (TRHOH; 1 mM), or a metabolite with low TRH-receptor binding affinity, histidine-proline diketopiperazine (cHP; 1 mM), into the retrotrapezoid nucleus of anesthetized rats. Injection location was verified by anatomic analysis. Lower doses (0.25–0.5 mM) significantly increased both the product of integrated phrenic amplitude and frequency ( ∫ Phr ⋅ f) and f for 20–30 min compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid control injections. Higher doses (1.0–10 mM) produced greater and long-lasting stimulation of ∫ Phr ⋅ f, ∫ Phr, and f and of blood pressure. This stimulation reached values 150% of baseline and durations of 270 min after a single injection. TRHOH (1 mM ) or cHP (1 mM) had no effect on ∫ Phr but increased f, as did 1 mM TRH. We conclude that TRH has a very powerful stimulatory effect in the retrotrapezoid nucleus region on ∫ Phr ⋅ f, with the ∫ Phr response seemingly specific for TRH receptors. Similar responses of f to TRHOH and cHP suggest it may be nonspecific.
Reply: Complexity in Camalexin Biosynthesis

In [Su et al. (2011)][1], we reported that accumulation of multiple glutathione S -transferases (GSTs), elevation of GST activity, and consumption of GSH coincides with camalexin production; GSTF6 overexpression increased and GSTF6 knockout reduced camalexin production; Arabidopsis thaliana GSTF6
Simulation Study of the Reliability and Robustness of the Statistical Methods for Detecting Positive Selection at Single Amino Acid Sites

Inferring positive selection at single amino acid sites is of biological and medical importance. Parsimony-based and likelihood-based methods have been developed for this purpose, but the reliabilities of these methods are not well understood. Because the evolutionary models assumed in these methods are only rough approximations to reality, it is desirable that the methods are not very sensitive to violation of the assumptions made. In this study we show by computer simulation that the likelihood-based method is sensitive to violation of the assumptions and produces many false-positive results under certain conditions, whereas the parsimony-based method tends to be conservative. These observations, together with those from previous studies, suggest that the positively selected sites inferred by the parsimony-based method are more reliable than those inferred by the likelihood-based method.
Passive sampling provides evidence for Newark Bay as a source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans to the New York/New Jersey, USA, atmosphere.

Freely dissolved and gas phase polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in the water column and atmosphere at five locations within Newark Bay (New Jersey, USA) from May 2008 to August 2009 with polyethylene (PE) passive samplers. Mono- to octa-CDDs and mono- to hepta-CDFs were detected in bottom and surface waters at ≤20 pg/L with no clear gradient between sampling locations, suggesting freely dissolved PCDD/Fs are well mixed in Newark Bay. The most concentrated, freely dissolved gas phase congener was 2,7/2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,7/2,8-DiCDD), likely originating from photochemical conversion of triclosan in Newark Bay. Air–surface water gradients strongly favored net volatilization of PCDD/PCDFs from Newark Bay. Water-to-air fluxes of 2,7/2,8-DiCDD and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), the most concentrated and the most toxic PCDD/PCDFs, respectively, were approximately 60 ng/m2 per month and 14 to 51 pg/m2 per month. Significant decreases in freely dissolved 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations with increasing freshwater near the Passaic River and conservative behavior during the summer of 2009 suggested Passaic sediments as a likely source of 2,3,7,8-TCDD to Newark Bay. Mass balance calculations implied that almost 50% of freely dissolved 2,3,7,8-TCDD delivered to Newark Bay from the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers was lost to volatilization in the summer of 2009. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:253–261. © 2011 SETAC
Aspermatogenesis in a paralyzed opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

Alterations of spermatogenesis have been correlated with loss of innervation to the testis and scrotum in several species (Setchell, 1978). While paralysis in the captive opossum has been reported (Fritz, 1971); the present report details aspermatogenesis in an opossum, Didelphis virginiana, with progressive paralysis of the hindquarters. 2 male opossums were obtained as pouch young and raised in laboratory animal facilities. One animal developed a progressive paralysis of the hindquarters 9 months after capture. X-ray examination of this animal revealed possible compression and soft-tissue swelling in the lower lumbar and sacral region of the vertebral column (Fig. 1).
Effects of a Saturated Fat and High Cholesterol Diet on Memory and Hippocampal Morphology in the Middle-Aged Rat

Diets rich in cholesterol and/or saturated fats have been shown to be detrimental to cognitive performance. Therefore, we fed a cholesterol (2%) and saturated fat (hydrogenated coconut oil, Sat Fat 10%) diet to 16-month old rats for 8 weeks to explore the effects on the working memory performance of middle-aged rats. Lipid profiles revealed elevated plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL for the Sat-Fat group as compared to an iso-caloric control diet (12% soybean oil). Weight gain and food consumption were similar in both groups. Sat-Fat treated rats committed more working memory errors in the water radial arm maze, especially at higher memory loads. Cholesterol, amyloid-β peptide of 40 (Aβ40) or 42 (Aβ42) residues, and nerve growth factor in cortical regions was unaffected, but hippocampal Map-2 staining was reduced in rats fed a Sat-Fat diet, indicating a loss of dendritic integrity. Map-2 reduction correlated with memory errors. Microglial activation, indicating inflammation and/or gliosis, was also observed in the hippocampus of Sat-Fat fed rats. These data suggest that saturated fat, hydrogenated fat and cholesterol can profoundly impair memory and hippocampal morphology.
Interpersonal Expectancy Effects: A 30-Year Perspective:

In the mid 1950s, the results of my doctoral dissertation were nearly ruined; it appeared that I might have treated my experimental subjects in such a way as to lead them to respond in accordance with my experimental hypothesis, or expectancy.' Al! of this was quite unwitting, of course, but it did raise a sobering question about the possibility of interpersonal expectancy effects in the psychological laboratory. If it was my unintentional interpersonal expectancy effect or my "unconscious experimenter bias" that had led to the puzzling and disconcerting results of my dissertation, then presumably my students and I could produce the phenomenon in our own laboratory, and with several experimenters rather than just one.
Problems for the Future? Drug use among vulnerable groups of young people

The papers in this journal (issue 5.3) reect the general desire of policy makers and of prevention practitioners to identify children at high risk for drug abuse, with the intention of encouraging interventions to prevent not only drug abuse but also other behaviors and health conditions that are highly associated with drug abuse. As drug abusers are seen as competing for scarce societal resources, prevention is more often mentioned as a cost-effective approach to this problem. The most important aspects of the epidemiology of drug abuse and the prevention of escalating use and onset of other problems are summarized in these six papers. These aspects include: (I) identity of children at risk (Lloyd), (2) the prevalence of drug use found among youth being provided with social and welfare services (Newburn, Powis et al. and Ward) and among homeless youth (Klee & Reid), and (3) preliminary principles for preventive interventions (Newburn, Powis et al., Ward, Klee & Reid and Gilvarry). These papers also point to the lack of concrete information available for this population group due to methodological problems in accessing its members for study to collect information needed to develop effective prevention programs for them. Lloyd's summary article on risk factors associated with drug abuse presents a critical introduction to the categories of factors that he accumulated from the literature. He makes several important points. First, many of the factors found in the literature are based on cross-sectional analyses of data from surveys and in most instances sound case-control methods were not employed. Second, most of these analyses use drug use, most often marijuana or cannabis use, as an outcome. Longitudinal studies by researchers such as Denise Kandel (1980),
The Dynamic Range Tester: a patented, dual-channel, precision signal-to-noise ratio generator

The Dynamic Range Tester (DRT) is a patented, prototype system designed at the Army Research Laboratory. This useful tool emulates field conditions in the laboratory in order to characterize signal processing hardware with repeatability and reliability. It is a multi-purpose, test instrument that simultaneously generates two highly isolated, wideband, "real-world" signals. The DRT contains precision attenuators that allow the user to independently vary the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of each generated signal. This prototype system operates from 30 to 400 MHz, and the patented design is extendible to all frequency ranges to produce useful instrumentation for telecommunications, telemetry, biomedical instrumentation, or other applications. The DRT can be used to determine dynamic range of a radio frequency (RF) system, as well as processing gain and frequency resolution of an acousto-optic (AO) system. It can be used for testing and demonstration purposes, to evaluate a system's tolerance to noisy inputs. It can be used to conduct bandwidth and interference testing and to determine two-tone dynamic range on a dual-input device. In the DRT, the phase of the signals is not controlled. However, the basic DRT design could be amended to include controls for varying the phase of the generated signals, if such a system were needed.
Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.

Objectives/Hypothesis Approximately 8 million people in the United States report some degree of dysphagia annually; as the population continues to age, this will become a greater problem. A comprehensibly performed and interpreted fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing provides invaluable information for the evaluation and management of individuals with dysphagia or aspiration, or both. Study Design Review. Methods The state-of-the-art technique, interpretation, predictive value, and safety of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was reviewed.
Structural insights from 15N relaxation data for an anisotropic collagen peptide

The degree of H bonding is thought to play an important role in defining collagen recognition sites or regions that contain disease-causing collagen mutations. For collagen model peptides, structure determination by standard NMR approaches is limited because of their rodlike anisotropic shape and repeating sequence. We demonstrate that 15N relaxation NMR experiments and their dependence on rotational diffusion anisotropy can be used to obtain novel structural information about the orientation of the N−H bonds relative to the protein backbone in these rodlike systems. 15N relaxation measurements on a triple-helical peptide that models a collagen sequence just C-terminal to the unique collagenase cleavage site indicated that the angle between the N−H bond vector and the diffusion tensor of the Gly residues needed to be readjusted. After the Gly amide protons were placed out of the C′−N−Cα plane, the hydrogen-bond angles and distances were recalculated and shown to be closer to 180° and shorter, respectively...
Nonlinear simulations of elastic fingering in a Hele-Shaw cell

This work is motivated by the recent experiments of two reacting fluids in a Hele-Shaw cell (Podgorski etźal., 2007) and associated linear stability analysis of a curvature weakening model (He etźal., 2012). Unlike the classical Hele-Shaw problem posed for moving interfaces with surface tension, the curvature weakening model is concerned with a newly-produced gel-like phase that stiffens the interface, thus the interface is modeled as an elastic membrane with curvature dependent rigidity that reflects geometrically induced breaking of intermolecular bonds. Here we are interested in exploring the long-time interface dynamics in the nonlinear regime. We perform simulations using a spectrally accurate boundary integral method, together with a rescaling scheme to dramatically speed up the intrinsically slow evolution of the interface. We find curvature weakening inhibits tip-splitting and promotes side-branching morphology. At long times, numerical results reveal that there exist nonlinear, stable, self-similarly evolving morphologies.
Rotary wing flight test methods used for the evaluation of night vision devices

A number of rotary wing flight tests have been conducted by the Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate in cooperation with NASA which involved the use of night vision devices and simulated devices. The test set up and data analysis have been taken from two perspectives. Some of the flight tests were structured to look at aircraft handling qualities when the pilot's image quality was reduced from normal daylight levels. In this case, aircraft flight path information was given to the pilot as one input into the Handling Qualities Ratings. Other flight tests were structured to look at pilot and workload directly. In this second case, aircraft position was accurately measured and used as pilot performance data. This paper provides an overview of the test methods used, lessons learned, and recommendations for future tam of night vision devices.
On Separating Church and Lab

Robert Rosenthal has made highly original and important contributions in a number of different areas of psychology, including conditions for and effects of experimenter bias, the effects of expectancies on children's performance, the principles of nonverbal communication, and the evaluation of the importance and statistical reliability of empirical effects. He is certainly one of the most distinguished graduates of my own department (though before my time!). And he is an old friend, going back to our co-teaching of the introductory proseminar in social psychology at Harvard University in 1967, and reinforced by a year spent together as fellows at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. However, there is room for disagreement among friends, and this commentary presents a case in point. In his recent article on science and ethics, Rosenthal (1994) made a number of important points, picking up on themes he has developed through a long and illustrious career. He expressed proper concern about theoryconfirming actions such as selective dropping of data or subject or variable selection. He noted that extreme ''snooping" or "massaging" of data can yield distorted p values. And he reiterated one of his favorite and most important themesthat small effects can be important if they are reliable, and that standard significance tests may underestimate that reliability. He emphasized the value of meta-analyses as methods for determining the reliability of effects. Indeed, one of his most consistent and most important contributions has been to force our attention away from evaluating results in single, isolated studies, and toward evaluating the pattern of findings over a long series of researches on the same hypothesis. On this latter point, one could argue that even he perhaps did not go far enough in this article. He argued that it is important to report all data, whether or not they support the original hypothesis. But built into the original conceptualization of research questions are biases in favor of "positive results," nonobvious findings, and novel findings, and these biases may yield quite misleading generalizations about human behavior. How far would Kahneman and Tversky have gotten if they had devoted their careers to showing that individuals normally make rational choices in simplified laboratory decision-making situations? Having said all this, I would like to take quite strenuous objection to Rosenthal' s views in some other particulars. He concluded his article saying, "A central theme has been that the ethical quality of our research is not independent of the scientific quality of our research" (p. 133). I think that in taking this position, Rosenthal, so clearh aded and farsighted in so many ways, made a serious e ror. I think it is not only wrong but also dangerous to apply "ethical" judgments to so many different areas of our work, for four reasons.
Syncytial communication in descending vasa recta includes myoendothelial coupling

Using dual cell patch-clamp recording, we examined pericyte, endothelial, and myoendothelial cell-to-cell communication in descending vasa recta. Graded current injections into pericytes or endothe...