cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tensions and transitions in policy discourse: recontextualizing a decontextualized EE/ESD debate

For many scholars (see Smyth, 1995; Tilbury, 1995; Fien & Tilbury, 2002; Hopkins & McKeown, 2002) the emergence of the discourse of education for sustainable development (ESD) over the past 15 or so years is viewed as a progressive transition in the field, along similar lines to the positive portrayal of prior historical transitions from nature study to conservation education to environmental education (Stevenson, 1987). Two claimed advancements represented by this new discourse are identified by Smyth (1995) as: (1) the replacement of a problem (or negative) orientation associated with environmental education by a contrasting positive orientation of ESD; and (2) a shift from an almost exclusive focus on environmental concerns without attention to social and human development issues (in environmental education), to the inclusion of social and economic development alongside the environmental dimension (in ESD). The conceptual superiority of ESD is continually claimed despite the acknowledgement by many of the same authors of the definitional problems of the term ‘sustainable development’ (SD), principally its fuzziness or ambiguity which has led to multiple, often contradictory interpretations. Given these tensions in the concept that is foundational to ESD, questions then arise as to how such tensions play out in the discourse of ESD, and the extent to which such a policy orientation can provide a helpful framework for thinking about practice and making a transition away from environmental education. In this vignette I first examine Smyth's (1995) and Bonnett's (2002) different positions on the potential for clarifying the ambiguities and contradictions of the concept of sustainable development, before focusing on Smyth's two claims. Central to both this issue of clarifying meanings of sustainable development and Smyth's second claim is the polarization of viewpoints on the human–environment connection which, drawing in part on Bonnett's different philosophical perspective, I argue is limiting. Finally, in looking ahead to address the policy–practice tensions in environmental education and ESD, I argue for contextualizing policy discourses by engaging educators in their co‐construction.
Creating and sustaining economic growth through human resources in the Caribbean

This paper focuses on how the human resource function can be used as a pillar in Caribbean and other regions in creating national and regional economic and social growth. The approach is based on the premise that organisational human resource policies can, if properly configured, provide a direct and economically significant contribution to firm performance. The focus, therefore, lies on improving firm performance as a means of creating national and regional economic and social growth. The example of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is used, highlighting the role that strategic HR can play in the region's economic development. In examining the challenges facing the region, it is easy to determine that the pillar of the economic development strategy rests with the workforce of the respective nations. CARICOM is a region faced with high levels of poverty, illiteracy, lack of expertise and skills, and frequently employees frustrated with systems, policies, and resigned to merely trying to survive. Given these conditions, how can HR strategies systematically create meaningful changes and enable productivity at the individual and organisational levels, and foster national and regional economic growth?
How Teachers Use Peer Interactions to Include Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities in Elementary General Education Classes

This study investigated the way teachers in five elementary classrooms used peer interactions to facilitate the inclusion of a student with moderate or severe disabilities. Four themes describing the strategies used to encourage and shape interactions between students with and without disabilities were identified: new rules about helping, “just another student,” age appropriateness, and “backing off.” The discussion focuses on the complexity of facilitating peer helping roles without encroaching on the social reciprocity found in friendships. The development of inclusion practices based on cooperation and mutual assistance for all students, rather than only for students with identified disabilities, is recommended.
A Behavioral Observation System for Classroom Foreign Language Skill Acquisition Activities

ALTHOUGH the inauspicious history of research on teaching effectiveness can appear intimidating to the prospective researcher, the recent widespread recognition of the need for systematic observation of what actually does happen within the classroom does seem to provide an alternative to the futilitarian approach. While it is the most obvious approach to research on teaching, it is very expensive in terms of time, money, and the skill required of the observers. In the literature one finds many pleas for more systematic observation but fewer reports of research utilizing the technique.? Recently Moskowitz2 has attempted to adapt the Flanders System of Interaction Analysis to the foreign language classroom. The ingenious Flanders system, now being extensively used in research in other academic areas, categorizes classroom verbal behavior into various types of teacher talk and student talk. Teacher talk
Expression of c-fos protein in the nucleus tractus solitarius in response to physiological activation of carotid baroreceptors

This study has utilized unilateral physiological pressure stimulation f a vascularly isolated carotid sinus combined with c-fos immunohistochemistry to locate neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius which are activated by carotid baroreceptors in the anesthetized, vagotomized dog. Carotid baroreceptor stimulation primarily activated neurons in the ipsilateral commissural and medial subnuclei of the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius. In the intermediate and rostral nucleus tractus solitarius, carotid baroreceptor stimulation activated neurons in the dorsal and medial subnuclei. Results from this study also suggested that different subgroups of nucleus tractus solitarius neurons may be activated by baroreceptors with different pressure thresholds. The use of c-fos immunohistochemistry in this study has enabled the definition of populations of dorsal medullary neurons in the carotid baroreflex pathway. The results also suggest a different projection of carotid baroreceptors with different pressure thresholds.
Numerical simulation of the paleohydrology of glacial Lake Oshkosh, eastern Wisconsin, USA

Proglacial lakes, formed during retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet, evolved quickly as outlets became ice-free and the earth deformed through glacial isostatic adjustment. With high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and GIS methods, it is possible to reconstruct the evolution of surface hydrology. When a DEM deforms through time as predicted by our model of viscoelastic earth relaxation, the entire surface hydrologic system with its lakes, outlets, shorelines and rivers also evolves without requiring assumptions of outlet position. The method is applied to proglacial Lake Oshkosh in Wisconsin (13,600 to 12,900 cal yr BP). Comparison of predicted to observed shoreline tilt indicates the ice sheet was about 400 m thick over the Great Lakes region. During ice sheet recession, each of the five outlets are predicted to uplift more than 100 m and then subside approximately 30 m. At its maximum extent, Lake Oshkosh covered 6600 km2 with a volume of 111 km3. Using the Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System model, flow velocities during glacial outburst floods up to 9 m/s and peak discharge of 140,000 m3/s are predicted, which could drain 33.5 km3 of lake water in 10 days and transport boulders up to 3 m in diameter.
Do modern forms of human capital matter in primitive economies? Comparative evidence from Bolivia

Abstract We examine the correlation between modern human capital and income among adult men in four foraging-horticultural societies of Bolivia. Despite their remote location, we find results similar to those found in developed nations. We find that: (a) education correlates with 4.5% higher overall income and with 5.9% higher wages and math skills correlates with 13.5% higher cash income, and (b) the positive correlation between education or math skills and income is higher among households closer to market towns. The high returns to modern human capital even in highly autarkic economies might explain why people in those societies reduce investments in the accumulation of traditional folk knowledge.
Gasdynamics and homogeneous nucleation

Abstract : The fundamentals of gasdynamics of one-dimensional flows with condensation are reviewed paying special attention to concepts from nonequilibrium flows, honogeneous nucleation, droplet growth. Flow systems for experimental research in condensation, namely steady-flow Laval nozzles, Ludwieg tubes, shock tubes and high intensity supersonic molecular beams are discussed. New and previously published experimental results on homogeneous nucleation of eight vapors, obtained using gasdynamic methods, were critically examined and compared on a uniform basis with steady state homogeneous nucleation theory.
The Public, Politics and Ethics of Public Officials: Corporate Scandals of 2002

This article identifies the tradition of the public interest in the USA, argues for the balancing of interests and is critical of the role of regulators in balancing those interests. The author looks at the extent to which government in the USA was perceived to be protecting the public interest in its role as regulator of corporate America. Opinion polls conducted in 2002 indicated that the American public believed that regulators had failed to act in the public's interest. Today, the public is deeply divided along partisan lines about the role of regulators, a partisan division fuelled, in part, by regulators failing to articulate the ethical issues associated with their agencies' responsibility to promote and protect the public interest.
Local electrode current density and flaw decoration of sodium-beta alumina

Abstract Simple decoration methods are described that can qualitatively reveal local electrode current densities and permit decoration of fine, sodium filled cracks in sodium beta″ alumina solid electrolytes.
Dynamics of cylindrical shells with variable curvature

Abstract The transfer matrix method is extended to the analysis of non-circular cylindrical panels. The exact solution for the transfer matrix of a panel with exponential curvature is obtained by solving exactly the variable coefficient differential equations of motion of the shell using a Laplace transform—difference equation technique. The results are compared with respect to accuracy and computer time with various approximate methods of computing the transfer matrix for the same panel. Natural frequencies and mode shapes for typical non-circular panels are computed and compared with a constant curvature panel to show the effects of variable curvature.
Provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act relating to asset forfeiture in transnational cases

Describes how asset forfeiture works in the USA; both civil and criminal forfeiture of property are used to recover property involved in crime that crosses national borders, and each has its advantages. Shows how the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act 2000 (CAFRA) and the PATRIOT Act 2001 deal with transnational crime and recovery, applying them to various possible cases: the criminal proceeds are in the USA but the defendant is abroad, the money is in the USA but the crime was committed abroad, the criminal is in the USA but the property is abroad, the crime was committed in the USA but the criminal and/or the money is abroad, and the USA needs foreign government assistance to restrain property and obtain bank records. Deals with particular issues in the last case, such as bank records, attorneys’ fees, and challenges abroad to the restraint on the merits; lastly, mentions how forfeiture of terrorist assets is now covered. Concludes that the PATRIOT Act and its predecessor, CAFRA, have given US law enforcement new powers to seize and confiscate assets involved in international crime; terrorism is the immediate focus, but all criminal activity crossing frontiers can be combated effectively.
High-speed resonant-cavity avalanche photodiodes with separate absorption and multiplication regions

The performance of conventional photodiodes is limited by an intrinsic tradeoff between quantum efficiency and bandwidth. We have successfully demonstrated that resonant-cavity photodiodes can simultaneously achieve high quantum efficiency and wide bandwidth. The resonant-cavity approach lengthens the effective absorption thickness through multiple reflections between two parallel mirrors. Previously, it has been shown that resonant-cavity, separate-absorption-and-multiplication (SAM) avalanche photodiodes (APDs) exhibit high peak external quantum efficiency (approximately 75%), low dark current and low bias voltage (less than 15 volts). In this paper, we describe the frequency response of resonant-cavity AlGaAs/GaAs/InGaAs SAM APDs. A unity-gain bandwidth of 23 GHz and a high gain-bandwidth product of 130 GHz have been achieved. Also, low multiplication noise characteristics (0.2 less than k less than 0.3) are reported.
The Franz Buschke lecture: late effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy: a new hypothesis.

La base des modifications provoquees par les radiations est liee a l'hypoplasie parenchymateuse cellulaire des cellules souches et aux modifications avec vaisseaux fins et des tissus fibro-conjonctifs. Les effets tardifs de la chimiotherapie resulteraient principalement de la depletion parenchymateuse cellulaire de cellules non en mitoses et en mitoses mais avec une epargne de la microcirculation et du strome des tissus fibroconjonctifs
PHYLOGENETIC STUDIES IN OENOTHERA: FURTHER ANALYSIS OF PLANTS FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

to these are the primary exyem and pith. The periderm forms beneath elongated cracks in the epidermis. After secondary growth commences, transient radially arranged dilation meristems first occur in a poorly developed state in the primary body, and later more highly developed ones occur through previously formed dilation tissues and the phloem rays. They produce wedges of new tissue (dilation tissue) which cause the older rings of tissues to be fragmented, and in the trunk and large limbs the fragments of the primary body are so widely dispersed that they are only occasionally encountered in a given section.
Expression of the lacZ gene from two methanol-regulated promoters in Pichia pastoris

Two DNA fragments containing putative control regions regulating the expression of the alcohol oxidase (AOX) and dihydroxy-acetone synthase (DAS) genes from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris were used in the construction of vectors for the expression of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. These vectors were transformed into P. pastoris host cells and employed in experiments to measure the control mechanisms employed by each promoter in the production of beta-galactosidase fusion products. Results in P. pastoris suggest that the processes used to regulate the expression of these gene fusions involve both repression/derepression and induction mechanisms. Expression of the AOX-lacZ and DAS-lacZ fusions was examined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well. Interestingly, beta-galactosidase was expressed in a regulated manner in the heterologous host.
Patterns of Seizures Observed in Association with Neurofibromatosis 1

Summary: Clinical features of seizures occurring in a neurofibromatosis clinic population were examined in a retrospective study. Twenty-two individuals in a population of 359 persons with neurofibromatos 1 (NF1) had had one or more seizures. Age at first seizure ranged from 4 days to <20 years. Patients were classified into five groups on the basis of medical history, seizure type, and EEG findings. Two patients had seizures in the first 3 months of life: 1 was born prematurely and had perinatal encephalopathy, and the other developed infantile spasms (IS) and had extensive growth of a plexiform neurofibroma. Two males had seizures in association with aqueductal stenosis. Six individuals had one or more generalized seizures with fever, and 3 had primary generalized epilepsy. Nine patients had complex partial seizures (CPS), which varied in clinical manifestations and response to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In none of the individuals with seizures in this study was a structural lesion in the brain visible by neuroimaging. Seizures appear to be relatively uncommon in individuals with NF1, and when they occur have a natural history similar to that of seizures in the general population.
Effects of Cardioactive Peptides on Myocardial cAMP Levels in the Snail Helix aspersa

Abstract Reich, G., K. E. Doble, D. A. Price and M. J. Greenberg. Effects of cardioactive peptides on myocardial cAMP levels in the snail Helix aspersa. Peptides 18 (3) 355–360, 1997.—Several cardioactive peptides from the pulmonate snail Helix aspersa were tested for their effects on myocardial cAMP levels, but only the family of small cardioactive peptides (SCPs) were clearly effective. SCP increased cAMP in a dose dependent manner; the time course was phasic. The structure-activity relations of this effect were examined with a set of 3 synthetic analogs having characteristics, at the carboxyterminal, of both the SCPs and FMRFamide-related peptides. The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin mimicked the mechanical effect of SCPs on the heartbeat. We conclude that the effect of SCPs on the Helix heart may be mediated by cAMP.
Liquid phase deposition of electrochromic thin films

Thin films of titanium, zirconium and nickel oxides were deposited on conductive SnO2:F glass substrates by immersion in aqueous solutions. The films are transparent, conformal, of uniform thickness and appearance, and adhere strongly to the substrates. On electrochemical cycling, TiO2, mixed TiO2-ZrO2, and NiOx films exhibited stable electrochromism with high coloration efficiencies. These nickel oxide films were particularly stable compared with films prepared by other non-vacuum techniques. The method is simple, inexpensive, energy efficient, and readily scalable to larger substrates.
Real-Time Electron Dynamics with Exact-Exchange Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory

The exact exchange potential in time-dependent density-functional theory is defined as an orbital functional through the time-dependent optimized effective potential (TDOEP) method. We numerically solve the TDOEP integral equation for the real-time nonlinear intersubband electron dynamics in a semiconductor quantum well with two occupied subbands. It is found that memory effects become significant in the vicinity of intersubband resonances.
NaCI contamination in pine trees determined by neutron activation techniques

The NaCl content in samples of pine needles was measured to establish the extent of contamination from rock salt which is used for deicing roadways. Neutron activation analysis techniques were used to determine the NaCl content in the samples, and the irradiation neutrons were obtained from a portable252Cf neutron source. The average Na content in samples from the diseased trees was 50 times greater than in the control samples.
Long-term results of corneal graft survival in infants and children with peters anomaly.

Abstract Objective To determine the long-term results of corneal graft survival after penetrating keratoplasty for Peters anomaly and to identify risk factors for graft failure. Design Noncontrolled interventional case series: a single-center retrospective review of a consecutive surgical series. Participants The records of all children 12 years of age or younger who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for Peters anomaly between January 1971 and December 1992 were reviewed. All study eyes had completed a minimum of 3 years of follow-up from the date of first keratoplasty and had undergone most of their corneal surgery at Emory University. Intervention Characteristics of the recipient, the eye, the donor, and the surgical procedure were analyzed for their influence on survival of the first graft. Survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to estimate relative risks and adjusted survival probabilities. Main outcome measure Graft clarity. Results One hundred forty-four penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 72 eyes of 47 patients. The median age at first keratoplasty was 4.4 months. The median follow-up was 11.1 years. Fifty-four percent of eyes received one graft, 18% received two grafts, and 28% received three or more grafts. The overall probability of maintaining a clear first graft was 56% at 6 months, 49% at 12 months, 44% at 3 years, and 35% at 10 years. The probability of second or subsequent grafts surviving for 3 years was less than 10%. Thirty-nine percent of eyes had a clear graft at the time of review; 36% of eyes had a clear first graft. Multivariate analysis identified disease severity, donor cornea size, coexisting central nervous system abnormalities, and quadrants of anterior synechiae as the strongest risk factors for graft failure. Supplemental multivariate analysis, restricted to observable preoperative variables, identified stromal vessels, total limbal opacification, and preoperative glaucoma as independent preoperative predictors of graft failure. Allograft rejection was the most frequently identified cause of graft failure. Major complications after keratoplasty were phthisis, retinal detachment, cataract, and glaucoma. Conclusions The overall long-term probability of maintaining a clear graft after initial penetrating keratoplasty for Peters anomaly is 35% ± 0.06%, with subsequent grafts rarely surviving. Eyes with severe disease, larger donor corneas, coexisting central nervous system abnormalities, and anterior synechiae have significantly poorer outcomes than eyes without these factors. These data should be carefully considered before recommending corneal transplantation for Peters anomaly, particularly after previous graft failure.
Compensated crystal assemblies for type-II entangled photon generation in quantum cluster states

Spontaneous downconversion yields photons for Quantum-Optical-Gate development though their generation is probabilistic. Optimized efficiency requires control over the spectral wavefunction, generally achieved via spectral filtering which sacrifices most downconverted photons. Selecting crystal parameters to address the issue has been demonstrated, but no natural media enable this for 800 nm applications with optimal detection. Synthesizing parameters with super-lattices of known crystals was also analyzed but two-crystal experiments were insufficient to exploit it. Prototype twelve-crystal-assemblies have now been fabricated and the first results are reported here. We review implications for further work and discuss how methods described here enhance efficiency in applications of entangled photons requiring multi-crystal sources, such as cluster states, entanglement swapping, and teleportation.
Verification of software changes with ExpliSAT

We describe an algorithm for efficient formal verification of changes in software built on top of a model-checking procedure that traverses the control flow graph explicitly while representing the data symbolically. The main idea of our algorithm is to guide the control flow graph exploration first to the paths that traverse through the changed nodes in the graph. We implemented this idea on top of the concolic model checker ExpliSAT and the experimental results on real programs show a significant improvement in performance compared to re-verification of the whole program, when the change involves a small fraction of paths on the control flow graph.
Evaluation of predictive factors for multiple pregnancies during gonadotropin/IUI treatment.

Purpose: Our purpose was to analyze factors for their predictability of multiple pregnancies in patients treated with a combination of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Observational limits on the magnetic-monopole structure of protons

We report the results of a search for absorption of 42-cm radiation in neutral galactic hydrogen. One explanation of a positive result would be the existence of a type of anomalous proton whose magnetic moment arises from a distribution of magnetic charge rather than from a distribution of circulating currents. No absorption of 42-cm radiation was seen; this implies an upper limit of 2.3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ for the abundance of this type of anomalous proton relative to protons which radiate at 21 cm. The observed absence of anomalous protons also implies an absence of primordial anomalous protons since they could not have been swept up by heavier elements during cosmic nucleosynthesis. The observation is sensitive only to anomalous protons with exactly the same value for their magnetic moment that conventional ones have.
Imaging of the larynx and hypopharynx

The purpose of this article is to review currently used imaging protocols for the evaluation of pathologic conditions of the larynx and hypopharynx, to describe key anatomic structures in the larynx and hypopharynx that are relevant to tumor spread and to discuss the clinical role of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and PET CT in the pretherapeutic workup and posttherapeutic follow-up of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of this region. A detailed discussion of the characteristic neoplastic submucosal invasion patterns, including extension to the preepiglottic space, paraglottic space and laryngeal cartilages and the implications of imaging for tumor staging and treatment planning is provided. The present article also reviews less common tumors of this region, such as chondrosarcoma, lymphoma, minor salivary gland tumors and lipoma. As the majority of non-neoplastic conditions do not require imaging the role of CT and MRI is discussed in some particular situations, such as to delineate cysts and laryngoceles, abscess formation in inflammatory conditions, to evaluate laryngeal and hypopharyngeal involvement in granulomatous and autoimmune diseases, and to evaluate the extent of laryngeal fractures due to severe blunt trauma.
Pioneer mission support

Activities within the Deep Space Network in support of the Pioneer Project's in-flight spacecraft during the period December 1976 through March 1977 are reported. The amount of tracking coverage provided by the network and a summary of operational testing ot the Mark III Data Subsystems are presented.
Recurrences for 2-colored and 3-colored F-partitions

The goal of this paper is to prove new recurrences involving 2-colored and 3-colored generalized Frobenius partitions of n similar to the classical recurrence for the partition function p(n).
An animated tectonic reconstruction of southwestern North America since 36 Ma

We present tectonic reconstructions and an accompanying animation of deformation across the North America–Pacific plate boundary since 36 Ma. Intraplate deformation of southwestern North America was obtained through synthesis of kinematic data (amount, timing, and direction of displacement) along three main transects through the northern (40°N), central (36°N– 37°N), and southern (34°N) portions of the Basin and Range province. We combined these transects with first-order plate boundary constraints from the San Andreas fault and other areas west of the Basin and Range. Extension and strike-slip deformation in all areas were sequentially restored over 2 m.y. (0–18 Ma) to 6 m.y. (18–36 Ma) time intervals using a script written for the ArcGIS program. Regions where the kinematics are known constrain adjacent areas where the kinematics are not well defined. The process of sequential restoration highlighted misalignments, overlaps, or large gaps in each incremental step, particularly in the areas between data transects, which remain problematic. Hence, the value of the reconstructions lies primarily in highlighting questions that might not otherwise be recognized, and thus they should be viewed more as a tool for investigation than as a final product. The new sequential reconstructions show that compatible slip along the entire northsouth extent of the inland right-lateral shear zone from the Gulf of California to the northern Walker Lane is supported by available data and that the east limit of active shear has migrated westward with respect to North America since ca. 10 Ma. The reconstructions also highlight new problems regarding strain-compatible extension east and west of the Sierra Nevada– Great Valley block and strain-compatible deformation between southern Arizona and the Mexican Basin and Range. Our results show ~235 km of extension oriented ~N78°W in both the northern (50% extension) and central (200% extension) parts of the Basin and Range. Following the initiation of east-west to southwest-northeast extension at 15–25 Ma (depending on longitude), a significant portion of right-lateral shear associated with the growing Pacific– North America transform jumped into the continent at 10–12 Ma, totaling ~100 km oriented N25°W, for an average of ~1 cm/yr since that time.
Information measures in quantum mechanics

Abstract This paper introduces an information operator specifying the rate of change of probability to obtain a modified Schrodinger equation (MSE) which provides automatic state vector collapse under the conditions of “complete measurement” interaction.
Behavioral and brain wave evidence for automatic processing of orthographically regular letter strings.

Evidence for the automatic processing of nonword letter strings was sought in subjects who performed two different perceptual tasks. Twelve subjects detected valid words. Twelve other subjects detected Gestalt patterns that contained no letters. The targets and two types of nonword letter strings were interspersed in a stream of nonletter images. Behavioral data showed significant effects of orthographic regularity of letter strings in the group that detected words, but not in the group that detected Gestalt patterns. Brain-wave responses showed the effect of orthographic regularity in both groups. The responses were significantly larger for regular than for irregular strings. This showed that brain waves can be used to study the operation of reading processes in subjects who are performing a task that does not require reading ability.
Left-right asymmetry in embryonic development: a comprehensive review.

Embryonic morphogenesis occurs along three orthogonal axes. While the patterning of the anterior–posterior and dorsal–ventral axes has been increasingly well characterized, the left–right (LR) axis has only recently begun to be understood at the molecular level. The mechanisms which ensure invariant LR asymmetry of the heart, viscera, and brain represent a thread connecting biomolecular chirality to human cognition, along the way involving fundamental aspects of cell biology, biophysics, and evolutionary biology. An understanding of LR asymmetry is important not only for basic science, but also for the biomedicine of a wide range of birth defects and human genetic syndromes. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding LR patterning in a number of vertebrate and invertebrate species, discusses several poorly understood but important phenomena, and highlights some important open questions about the evolutionary origin and conservation of mechanisms underlying embryonic asymmetry. q 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Epothilone biosynthesis: assembly of the methylthiazolylcarboxy starter unit on the EpoB subunit

Abstract Background: Polyketides (PKs) and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) are therapeutically important natural products biosynthesized by multimodular protein assembly lines, termed the PK synthases (PKSs) and NRP synthetases (NRPSs), via a similar thiotemplate-mediated mechanism. The potential for productive interaction between these two parallel enzymatic systems has recently been demonstrated, with the discovery that PK/NRP hybrid natural products can be of great therapeutic importance. One newly discovered PK/NRP product, epothilone D from Sorangium cellulosum , has shown great potential as an anti-tumor agent. Results: The chain-initiating methylthiazole ring of epothilone has been generated in vitro as an acyl- S -enzyme intermediate, using five domains from two modules of the polymodular epothilone synthetase. The acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain, excised from the EpoA gene, was expressed in Escherichia coli , purified as an apo protein, and then post-translationally primed with acetyl-CoA using the phosphopantetheinyl transferase enzyme Sfp. The four-domain 150-kDa EpoB subunit (cyclization–adenylation–oxidase–peptidyl carrier protein domains: Cy–A–Ox–PCP) was also expressed and purified in soluble form from E. coli . Post-translational modification with Sfp and CoASH introduced the HS-pantP prosthetic group to the apo-PCP, enabling subsequent loading with L-cysteine to generate the Cys- S -PCP acyl enzyme intermediate. When acetyl- S -ACP (EpoA) and cysteinyl- S -EpoB were mixed, the Cy domain of EpoB catalyzed acetyl transfer from EpoA to the amino group of the Cys- S -EpoB, generating a transient N -Ac-Cys- S -EpoB intermediate that is cyclized and dehydrated to the five-membered ring methylthiazolinyl- S -EpoB. Finally, the FMN-containing Ox domain of EpoB oxidized the dihydro heterocyclic thiazolinyl ring to the heteroaromatic oxidation state, the methylthiazolylcarboxy- S -EpoB. When other acyl-CoAs were substituted for acetyl-CoA in the Sfp-based priming of the apo-CP domain, additional alkylthiazolylcarboxy- S -EpoB acyl enzymes were produced. Conclusions: These experiments establish chain transfer across a PKS and NRPS interface. Transfer of the acetyl group from the ACP domain of EpoA to EpoB reconstitutes the start of the epothilone synthetase assembly line, and installs and converts a cysteine group into a methyl-substituted heterocycle during this natural product chain growth.
Technical problems in recognizing and monitoring infant apnea

The need for improvements in current monitor design, judging by equipment marketed in the past five years, is evident in two samples of monitor response generated in the author's laboratory. Great variation is found in the accuracy and specificity of alarms generated in both the respiration and heart rate circuitry of infant monitors currently marketed for clinical use in both the hospital and home. A sample is presented of the range of questions to be answered and problems to be addressed by the clinicians and engineers involved in setting standards in this area. This is pertinent for the preparation of a mandatory standard by the FDA for the design and response of infant apnea monitors. >
Allele-specific genetic interactions between Prp8 and RNA active site residues suggest a function for Prp8 at the catalytic core of the spliceosome

The highly conserved spliceosomal protein Prp8 is known to cross-link the critical sequences at both the 5' (GU) and 3' (YAG) ends of the intron. We have identified prp8 mutants with the remarkable property of suppressing exon ligation defects due to mutations in position 2 of the 5' GU, and all positions of the 3' YAG. The prp8 mutants also suppress mutations in position A51 of the critical ACAGAG motif in U6 snRNA, which has been observed previously to cross-link position 2 of the 5' GU. Other mutations in the 5' splice site, branchpoint, and neighboring residues of the U6 ACAGAG motif are not suppressed. Notably, the suppressed residues are specifically conserved from yeast to man, and from U2- to U12-dependent spliceosomes. We propose that Prp8 participates in a previously unrecognized tertiary interaction between U6 snRNA and both the 5' and 3' ends of the intron. This model suggests a mechanism for positioning the 3' splice site for catalysis, and assigns a fundamental role for Prp8 in pre-mRNA splicing.
Insulin receptor substrate regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS) serve as downstream messengers from activated cell surface receptors to numerous signaling pathway cascades. One of these pathways, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), frequently displays aberrant function in the setting of cancer. IRS proteins are capable of both regulating and activating PI3K, depending on the cell of origin. As such, both prohost and protumor functions have been described for IRS proteins in human cancers. IRS proteins may eventually serve as biomarkers of PI3K activity, and serve a much-needed role as a guide to using targeted pathway therapy. Additionally, IRS-1 could be indirectly targeted in lung cancer, by inhibiting neutrophil elastase, which functions to degrade IRS-1 in lung tumor cells, thereby generating PI3K hyperactivity.
Collisional energy dependence of peptide ion fragmentation

The energy dependence of fragmentation in a collision cell was measured for 2400 protonated peptide ions derived from the digestion of 24 proteins. The collision voltage at which the sum of the fragment ion abundances was equal to the remaining parent ion (V1/2) was the principal measure of fragmentation effectiveness. Each class of peptides was characterized by a linear relation between V1/2 and m/z whose slope depended on the peptide class and, with little adjustment, intersected the origin. Peptide ions where the number of protons is no greater than the number of arginine residues show the greatest slope, V1/2/(m/z)=0.0472 (all slopes in units of V Da−1 e). For peptides where the number of protons is greater than the number of arginines, but not greater than the total number of basic residues, the slope decreases to 0.0414 for singly charged ions, 0.0382 for doubly charged, 0.0346 for triply charged, and 0.0308 for more highly charged ions. With one mobile proton, the slope is about 0.029 for singly and doubly charged ions and slightly lower for more highly charged ions. With two or more mobile protons the slope is 0.0207. By removing m/z dependence, the deviation of V1/2 from a line provides a relative measure of the ease of fragmentation of an ion in each class. This information can guide the selection of optimal conditions for tandem mass spectrometry studies in collision cells for selected peptide ions as well as aid in comparing the reactivity of ions differing in m/z and charge state.
Diffusion of impurities during epitaxy

The diffusion of impurities in both epitaxial layers and the substrate is considered. The differential equations and boundary conditions which describe the problems are derived and solutions are presented for both the idealizations of a semi-infinite substrate and the true thickness of the substrate. Several types of boundary conditions are considered. For the cases of diffusion of impurities with the substrate considered as semi-infinite, the results from digital computation are given in tabular and graphical form. The method of application of the information to the design and production of epitaxial structures is indicated. A comparison is made between the solutions accounting for diffusion during epitaxy and solutions for a rationalized situation in which diffusion is computed by simpler means, and the simpler method is shown to be unsatisfactory for epitaxial calculations.
Site-specific cleavage of basement membrane collagen IV during Drosophila metamorphosis

Breakdown of basement membranes is an important step in the controlled rearrangement of cells during metamorphosis, cell migration, and metastatic spread of tumor cells. One of our two laboratories found a unique collagenous peptide that only appears during metamorphosis of Drosophila melanogaster. The other laboratory previously reported that during 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced eversion of Drosophila imaginal discs a glycoprotein named gp125 arises (Birr et al., 1990). We show that these two peptides are identical and that they are formed from basement membrane collagen IV. Cleavage occurs at an imperfection of this homotrimeric collagen helix between residues 755/756 in the sequence CALDE/IKMPAK. The peptide is the carboxyl fragment, 100,647 M(r), as derived from the amino acid sequence of the collagen alpha 1(IV) chain. The corresponding amino fragment was also recovered from a disulfide-linked aggregate. This specific cleavage supports the concept of highly targeted, controlled breakdown of basement membranes during metamorphosis. Furthermore, these cuts occur at strategic sites of the predicted supramolecular network of collagen IV molecules of Drosophila basement membranes.
Presenting from a Distance/Virtual Sessions

When presenters review the call for presentation proposals from different organizations, they typically have choices about the type of session they prefer to make. These sessions vary, not only in the length of time allocated but also with respect to the purpose. Each type of conference session at each venue has to be understood in order to maximize a prospective presenter’s success at that meeting. This chapter provide guidance in the major types of conference presentations: workshops/professional development, roundtables, posters, papers, symposia/panel discussions, distance/virtual presentations, and keynote addresses or other invited sessions.
UNIVERSAL STATES OF FINITE ANTI-PLANE SHEAR: ERICKSEN'S PROBLEM IN MINIATURE

A solid body which in its undeformed state occupies a cylindrical region is said to undergo a deformation corresponding to anti-plane shear if each particle of the body is displaced parallel to the generators of the cylinder by an amount which is independent of the axial position of the particle. The displacement vector field thus has a nonvanishing component u only in the axial direction, and u is a function of position on a cross-section D of the cylinder. Problems involving such deformations are ordinarily simpler than those in which the displacement vector has a more elaborate character, and for this reason they often serve usefully as pilot problems for the analysis of qualitative effects, especially when nonlinearity is involved. (Examples may be found in [1] and in the references cited in [2].) The present paper is intended to illustrate anti-plane shear in its role as exemplar in the setting of finite elasticity theory and with particular reference to an issue which has come to be called Ericksen' s problem.
Onset of Mechanical Separation in Bellows-Supported Rotary Face Seals

The problem of incipient dynamic mechanical separation in bellows-supported rotary face seals is analyzed assuming the bellows to be represented by a series of distributed springs and dampers supporting a rigid seal carrier. An expression is developed for the distribution of contact forces between the seal and mating rings generated by the coupled effects of shaft pulsation and mating-ring wobble. This expression is used to determine the operating conditions which will produce the onset of separation by applying the criterion that the contact force distribution will go to zero at some point on the seal when separation is imminent. Results are presented in the form of equations and graphs which define the minimum initial compression necessary to maintain continuous contact in terms of system resilience and damping, amplitude of mating-ring wobble and shaft pulsation, and operating frequency.Copyright © 1965 by ASME
Atypical Pituitary Adenomas

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies atypical pituitary adenomas as having “atypical morphologic features suggestive of aggressive behavior such as invasive growth”.
Prevalence of diabetes and its related risk factors among residents in Jianggan district of Hangzhou city

Objective To understand the current prevalence of diabetes mellitus(DM)among the permanent adult residents in Jianggan district of Hangzhou,and to analyze its related influencing factors.Methods Using multiple stage stratified cluster sampling method,885 permanent residents of over the age of 18 were selected,surveyed by Questionaire and given medical examination.Blood samples were also collected to measure the sugar level.Results The overall prevalence of DM was 19.32%.The awareness,treatment and control rates of DM were 70.76%,84.30% and 28.10%.Age,obesity and family history were the risk factors.In general,the prevalence of DM was higher among the elders and lower among those with higher level of education.Conclusions The prevalence of DM is still high in Jianggan district.suggesting the effective measures to control DM in the area are needed.
Coordinating social care and healthcare using semanticweb technologies

Healthcare and Social Care are unique domains in terms of cultural importance, economic magnitude and complexity. On a cultural level, the level of advancement of a society is often measured in terms of protection of the less able. In economic terms, for 2009, total expenditure on healthcare in the United States was 2.6 trillion USD or 17.4% of the GDP1. Total expenditure on social care was 2.98 trillion USD or 19.90% of the GDP2. In terms of US Federal government expenditure, social security, medicare and medicaid amount to 45% of total spending. In terms of complexity, organizations that are involved in providing social and medical care are numerous and span a very wide domain. For example, AHIP, the trade association of health insurers numbers some 1300 members3; the number of hospitals registered with the American Hospital Association is 57244 and the number of homeless shelters surpasses 40005. In addition, medical information is vastly complex: Nuance reports that LinkBase R ©6 contains more than 1 million concepts. Social care depends on information from a very broad domain, ranging from criminal records to housing. Coordinating social care and health care has been identified both as a major pain point and a significant opportunity in modern health and social systems [1]. Several studies have shown that costs can be contained and outcomes improved with a more holistic approach to care [2]. As a simple motivating example, consider an individual quartered in inappropriate housing while suffering from a relatively minor health issue, aggravated by the housing condition. As a result, the given individual frequently resorts to visiting emergency rooms, resulting in significant cost to the healthcare system and a less effective treatment. By itself, the housing situation does not warrant state intervention. Nevertheless, resolving it would dramatically improve the health situation, resulting in a better quality-of-life for the individual and lower costs for the health system.
Medial Hemisphere and Tentorial Ring AVMs

Our experience with deep and obscure AVMs located along the medial hemisphere and those related to the tentorial ring numbers approximately 30.
The Role of the Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Neurotransmitter Systems in the Treatment of Psychological and Physical Symptoms of Depression

Major depressive disorder is a medical condition that includes abnormalities of affect and mood, cognition, and physical functioning. In particular, as many as 76% of patients suffering from depression are found to report somatic symptoms, including various types of pain such as headaches, stomach pain, back pain, and vague, poorly localized pain. Although the pathophysiology of depression is still unknown, there is significant evidence for abnormalities of the norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter systems in depressive disorders. Interestingly, both 5-HT and NE also appear to exert analgesic effects via descending pain pathways and therefore play a modulating role in pain. There are many effective antidepressant treatments available. However, residual symptoms are relatively common, among both partial responders and responders without remission. A recent study from our group has shown that responders who have not achieved remission have significantly more somatic symptoms than remitters following 8 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine. These data may suggest that antidepressants that are particularly effective in the treatment of pain and painful physical symptoms may yield higher remission rates in major depressive disorder.