cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Van der Waals interactions involving proteins

Van der Waals (dispersion) forces contribute to interactions of proteins with other molecules or with surfaces, but because of the structural complexity of protein molecules, the magnitude of these effects is usually estimated based on idealized models of the molecular geometry, e.g., spheres or spheroids. The calculations reported here seek to account for both the geometric irregularity of protein molecules and the material properties of the interacting media. Whereas the latter are found to fall in the generally accepted range, the molecular shape is shown to cause the magnitudes of the interactions to differ significantly from those calculated using idealized models, with important consequences. First, the roughness of the molecular surface leads to much lower average interaction energies for both protein-protein and protein-surface cases relative to calculations in which the protein molecule is approximated as a sphere. These results indicate that a form of steric stabilization may be an important effect in protein solutions. Underlying this behavior is appreciable orientational dependence, one reflection of which is that molecules of complementary shape are found to exhibit very strong attractive dispersion interactions. Although this has been widely discussed previously in the context of molecular recognition processes, the broader implications of these phenomena may also be important at larger molecular separations, e.g., in the dynamics of aggregation, precipitation, and crystal growth.
Individual differences in using epistemic and teleologic strategies for deliberate self-persuasion

Abstract Some theorists have suggested that people can change their own attitudes simply by thinking differently about the attitude object. Maio and Thomas (2007) identified two distinct types of cognitive strategies for such deliberate self-persuasion. Epistemic strategies involve re-conceptualizing the attitude object’s known shortcomings in a more positive light. Teleologic strategies involve altering the accessibility of thoughts about those shortcomings. The present research showed that people can be taught to use these strategies effectively, but that the benefits are moderated by individual differences. Both epistemic and teleologic strategies are more effective for individuals high than low in need for cognition, and teleologic strategies are less effective than epistemic strategies for individuals low than high in self-control. The results show how Maio and Thomas’ (2007) strategies might be applied to important current attitudes, and extend knowledge of two important individual difference constructs.
Utilization and preference for the introduced gastropod Littorina littorea (L.) by the hermit crab Paguruslongicarpus (Say) at guilford, Connecticut

Abstract On the Atlantic coast of North America, Littorina littorea (L.), the European periwinkle, has been introduced in historical times. The shells of this gastropod are an important resource for the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus (Say). In Long Island Sound, collections of empty shells available to P. longicarpus show that while small shells consist mostly of native species, large shells consist mostly of Littorina littorea . In addition to this quantitative shift in shell availability, tests with male Pagurus longicarpus show a qualitative, i.e. independent of shell size, shift in shell preference: small-sized males prefer native shells while large-sized specimens prefer Littorina littorea shells. Further, field collections of Pagurus longicarpus show that shell utilization patterns of males exhibit a similar ontogenetic response. (Females do not attain the large sizes of males and generally do not utilize Littorina littorea shells.) The male shift in shell utilization corresponds to the shift in shell preference and may precede the shift in shell availability. These data suggest that the century-old arrival of L. littorea to Long Island Sound has modified the shell utilization and preference patterns of Pagurus longicarpus .
A Noninvasive Optical Method to Measure Oxygen Tension at the Corneal Epithelium

Corneal redox fluorometry is presented as an alternative method to noninvasively measure the oxygen tension in equilibrium with the tear film. The application of this method to the study of the effects of a contact lens on the tear film oxygen tension is described. The development of a clinical corneal redox fluorometer would permit noninvasive measurements of the effects of contact lens induced corneal hypoxia on corneal physiology. These studies could investigate the effects of corneal hypoxia at the cellular level and result in a new level of understanding of the processes involved.
On the assessment of time-resolved diffraction results.

Data collected during dynamic structure pump–probe crystallography experiments require appropriate indicators of agreement and tools to visualize the electron-density distribution changes. Agreement factors based on the ratio of intensities R with and without the external perturbation are shown to be analogous to the 1 and w 2 factors widely used in standard crystallographic refinements. The η-based factors, normalized by the average relative intensity change, are significantly larger than R-based values. It is shown that the relative intensity change η-based factors are not suitable for comparing different data sets. Fourier photodifference maps allow the visualization of the externally induced structural changes in the crystal, but also can be used during refinement to observe residual peaks not yet accounted for by the model and thus monitor the progress of the refinement. The photodeformation maps are a complementary tool to confirm the validity of the final model. Photodeformation maps with equalized laser-on and laser-off thermal motion are used to highlight the structural changes.
Solar-hybrid system design for the village people of La Llanes, El Salvador

While access to electricity in El Salvador is high, about 92% according to the World Bank, there are still many communities without access to power. Typically these communities are made up of poor, small villages in remote areas. Because they're difficult to access and because the populations are not sizeable, power providers and the government are slow or unwilling to bring power to them. This paper explores the design process for a hybrid solar-diesel power system for a remote village in El Salvador. La Llanes is a small village in Usulutan El Salvador with a population of 60 people living in 19 homes. It's located approximately at 13.5 degrees North and 88.5 degrees West. The design will aim to meet the daily load with solar power most of the time with a battery bank to get through the nighttime hours as well as rainy and cloudy days. A generator will be included in the design to provide backup power during extended periods of low sun. The amount of time the generator is run will be minimized to reduce fuel costs and pollution. To achieve this, the solar system and battery bank will need to be appropriately sized. The completed design yielded a cost of $0.37/kWh over the 20 year life span of the system. Compare this with the cost of running the generator at $0.70/kWh. As solar panel technology advances and becomes more affordable, and as fossil fuels become more scarce and expensive, the best solutions for powering remote locations will include solar power.
Individual Differences in Eyewitness Memory and Confidence Judgments.

Summary The relationships between witness characteristics, event memory, and confidence judgments were investigated. A day after seeing two confederates (Cs) make an announcement, 170 Ss were given an unexpected memory test. They also completed the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) and Rotter Scale. Neither of these test scores was related to memory accuracy, but female Ss were found to be more accurate than male Ss in their memory for the female C (but not for the male or for objects and actions). One significant correlation was obtained between the personality measures and confidence. Field-independents were better able to judge their own accuracy on an item by item basis, but this was true only for male Ss. In general, little support was found for the notion of predicting eyewitness performance on the basis of personality variables.
Crystal growth and concentration change of (Mn,Ni,Zn)-ferrite single crystals by the flame fusion method

Single crystals of (Mn,Ni,Zn)ferrite are grown by the flame fusion method. The chemical analysis of composition reveals that ZnO shows the largest change in concentration among the components, for example, from 26.7 mol% to 17.3 mol% in a crystal of 50 mm in length and 25 mm in diameter. This inhomogeneity is only observed along the growth direction and cannot be detected by analysis at this level of accuracy along the direction perpendicular to the growth direction, except at the periphery to a depth of 1 mm. This inhomogeneity may be explained as a result of the evaporation of Zn from the molten zone during growth. The equation CoC = 1 + KV is derived (C /2b Zn concentration, V = crystal growth rate and Co, K = const). Crystal free from cracks can be grown successfully by using an after-furnace made of SiC heater. A new apparatus to feed the crystal constantly with raw material powder is proposed, and by using this the change in concentration can be reduced to less than 1 mol% throughout the crystal of the above size. These crystals have also been investigated for the Micro-Vicker's hardness.
Mobility of CO on the (110) plane of Tungsten

The measurement of time autocorrelation functions of field emission current fluctuations has been applied to the adsorption of CO on the (110) plane of tungsten. For molecularly adsorbed virgin-CO, no evidence for diffusion was found at any coverage, although a weak, exponentially decaying correlation function, suggesting flip-flop between differing ad-sites, was seen. A hysteresis in the mean square fluctuation could be clearly identified with conversion to β-CO. For the latter state a flip-flop signal was seen for 280 ⩽ T ⩽ 650 K, and for T$650 K a correlation function corresponding to diffusion was found. The activation energy of diffusion was 23 kcal, independent of coverage. This value agrees closely with that found for oxygen diffusion at OW = 0.5. For CO readsorbed on a β-layer (α-CO) neither diffusion nor flip-flop was seen.
High concentration manganese doping of ferroelectric PbTiO3

It is well-known that certain solid solutions of 3d transition elements in ferroelectric materials with perovskite structure reveal interesting magnetoelectric effects. First used in the 1950s, this approach remains valid in the search for new multiferroic materials suitable for device applications. In this work, a solid solution of Mn replacing Ti in PbTiO3 has been prepared using metalorganic precursors. The solubility limit has been found to be 20 mol% and the material remains tetragonally distorted. The ferroelectric transition temperature decreases with Mn concentration and the transition becomes more diffuse, consistent with the behavior of solid solutions. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy confirms the presence of Mn3+ and Mn4+ oxidation states. The material at the solubility limit was found to be ferromagnetic below 50 K.
An Auspiciously "Glocal" Beginning: Preface to the Inaugural Issue of Region

The launching of a new journal is, like that of most bold projects, an exercise in optimism. Never quite sure what to expect “out there,” one hopes never ⴀ૰‐ȁ theless that the environment proves conducive to the success of the mission. In launching Region and devoting its first issue to “The Second Decade of Post ⴀ૰‐ȁCommunism,” the editors have embarked on a scholarly mission in ⴀ૰‐ȁ spired by earlier endeavors, yet departing from them as well. A truly inter ⴀ૰‐ȁ national journal with an editorial board spanning the Eurasian and North American continents, Region seeks to transcend not only national boundaries, but also those boundaries that have all too often separated academic special ⴀ૰‐ȁ ists in global or international relations from professionals with on ⴀ૰‐ȁthe ⴀ૰‐ȁground expertise. It also aims to bring together those primarily interested in current
Global Elemental Maps of the Moon: The Lunar Prospector Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

Lunar Prospector gamma-ray spectrometer spectra along with counting rate maps of thorium, potassium, and iron delineate large compositional variations over the lunar surface. Thorium and potassium are highly concentrated in and around the nearside western maria and less so in the South Pole–Aitken basin. Counting rate maps of iron gamma-rays show a surface iron distribution that is in general agreement with other measurements from Clementine and the Lunar Prospector neutron detectors.
Picking Federal Judges: A Note on Policy and Partisan Selection Agendas:

The importance of lower federal courts in the policymaking process has stimulated extensive research programs focused on the process of selecting the judges of these courts and the factors influencing their decisions. The present study employs judicial decisionmaking in the U.S. Courts of Appeals as a window through which to reexamine the politics of selection to the lower courts. It differs from previous studies of selection in three ways. First, it takes advantage of recent innovations in measurement to go beyond reliance on political party as a measure of the preferences of actors in the selection process. Second, employing these new measures it examines the relative effects of the operation of policy and partisan agendas in the selection process. Third, a more complex model of selection is assessed than in most previous studies-one that expressly examines the role of senators and senatorial preferences in the selection process. The results clearly suggest that the politics of selection differ dramatic...
Coronary reoperation: Results of adding an internal mammary artery graft to a stenotic vein graft

Although it is desirable at coronary reoperation to replace a stenotic vein graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with an internal mammary artery (IMA) graft, previous reports have shown that if the stenotic vein graft is removed, that strategy can be complicated by severe hemodynamic deterioration and increased perioperative mortality. We report the results for 90 patients in whom an IMA was used to graft a completely obstructed LAD with the stenotic vein graft left intact. For 10 patients, reoperation involved only an IMA-LAD graft, and in 80 patients, a second IMA, veins, or both were used to graft other vessels. There were no hospital deaths. One patient had a perioperative myocardial infarction. Follow-up at a mean postoperative interval of 58 months documented 11 late deaths (eight cardiac related) and actuarial 5-year survival of 88%. Twenty-two patients underwent coronary angiography at a mean postoperative interval of 48 months. The IMA-LAD graft was found to be perfectly patent in 20 and obstructed in 2. The strategy of adding an IMA graft to the LAD and leaving a stenotic vein graft intact has been associated with a low risk of perioperative myocardial infarction, the late clinical results are favorable, and repeat angiography indicates that serious competitive flow from the stenotic vein graft is uncommon.
Strain-hardening and interaction effects on the growth of voids in ductile fracture

Abstract The growth and coalescence of voids is a common mechanism of fracture in ductile materials. Analytical work on the problem to date has dealt mainly with isolated voids in perfectly plastic materials, so that strain hardening and interactions between neighboring voids have been neglected. These features of void growth are examined here, but only for a simple geometrical configuration. In particular, the growth of single infinitely long cylindrical voids in bodies of rigid-plastic, strain-hardening material is considered. Bodies with both finite and infinite dimensions normal to the void surface are included in the analysis. The exact relation among the pertinent variables: transverse stress, axial strain, hardening coefficient, void strain and void growth rate is presented. Solution via a bounding technique is given for two general cases. The first case is that of an imposed constant void growth rate and the second case is an imposed constant transverse stress. The results show a decelerating effect of hardening on void growth. Application to the ductile fracture problem of void growth in the neck of a tensile specimen demonstrates the accelerating effect of void growth due to interactions between voids.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus, xerostomia, and salivary flow rates.

Abstract Objective: The Oral Health Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh has completed a cross-sectional epidemiologic study of 406 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 268 control subjects without diabetes that assessed the associations between oral health and diabetes. This report describes the prevalence of dry-mouth symptoms (xerostomia), the prevalence of hyposalivation in this population, and the possible interrelationships between salivary dysfunction and diabetic complications. Study Design: The subjects with diabetes were participants in the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study who were enrolled in an oral health substudy. Control subjects were spouses or best friends of participants or persons recruited from the community through advertisements in local newspapers. Assessments of salivary function included self-reported xerostomia measures and quantification of resting and stimulated whole saliva flow rates. Results: Subjects with diabetes reported symptoms of dry mouth more frequently than did control subjects. Salivary flow rates were also impaired in the subjects with diabetes. Regression models of potential predictor variables were created for the 3 self-reported xerostomia measures and 4 salivary flow rate variables. Of the medical diabetic complications studied (ie, retinopathy, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, nephropathy, and peripheral vascular disease), only neuropathy was found to be associated with xerostomia and decreased salivary flow measures. A report of dry-mouth symptoms was associated with current use of cigarettes, dysgeusia (report of a bad taste), and more frequent snacking behavior. Xerogenic medications and elevated fasting blood glucose concentrations were significantly associated with decreased salivary flow. Resting salivary flow rates less than 0.01 mL/min were associated with a slightly higher prevalence of dental caries. Subjects who reported higher levels of alcohol consumption were less likely to have lower rates of stimulated salivary flow. Conclusions: Subjects with type 1 diabetes who had developed neuropathy more often reported symptoms of dry mouth as well as symptoms of decreased salivary flow rates. Because of the importance of saliva in the maintenance and the preservation of oral health, management of oral diseases in diabetic patients should include a comprehensive evaluation of salivary function. (ORAL Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;92:281-91)
Targeted delivery of anti-CTLA-4 antibody downregulates T cell function in vitro and in vivo.

CTLA-4 is a T cell surface molecule that binds to the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on antigen-presenting cells and downregulates T cell function. Therefore, we wanted to test whether antigen-specific activated T cells could be inhibited through directed CTLA-4 signaling using a bispecific antibody (BiAb) capable of simultaneously binding to CTLA-4 and a tissue-specific antigen. The BiAb was prepared by linking two separate monoclonal antibodies against CTLA-4 and the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). The mouse B cell lymphoma line M12 (H2(d)) was used to induce alloreactive T cells in CBA/J mice (H2(k)); M12 cells stably transfected with the cDNA encoding murine TSHR (mM12) were used to restimulate the alloresponse in vitro. Results of assays for in vitro T cell proliferation, IL-2 production, and cytotoxicity in the presence of BiAb demonstrated that the BiAb could inhibit the T cell alloresponse when stimulated with mM12 cells but not with M12 cells. This effect was dependent on binding of TSHR-bound BiAb to CTLA-4, since the addition of soluble CTLA-4-Ig blocked the inhibitory effect. Injection of mM12 cells, along with the BiAb, not with antibodies against TSHR or CTLA-4 either separately or together, into CBA/J mice (H2(k)) downregulated alloreactive T cell responses. Our study demonstrated that the presence of CTLA-4 signaling molecules on the surface of target cells can protect those cells from immune attack by antigen-specific T cells and suggested that a similar approach could have potential therapeutic value in transplant rejection and tissue-specific autoimmune diseases.
Solubilities and mass transfer coefficients of carbon monoxide in a gas-inducing reactor operating with organic liquids under high pressures and temperatures

Abstract Equilibrium gas solubility(C*) and volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficients(kLa) were measured for carbon monoxide in n-hexane, n-decane and n-tetradecane under various operating conditions in a four-liter gas-inducing agitated autoclave. In the range of operating conditions investigated, C* (in n- hexane) >C* (in n-decane) >C* (in n-tetradecane). The KLa values for CO in all liquids used increased with mixing speed and pressure, but decreased with increasing liquid volume. The data also showed that kLa (in n-tetradecane) >kLa (in n-decane) >kLa (in n-hexane). An empirical correlation to predict kLa values was proposed.
Localization of current dipole within a sphere by magnetic measurements

Abstract The principal objective of this study is the development of computer programs to determine the location and strength of neuraal electric activity within the brain from noninvasive magnetic field measurements at the surface of the head. This report presents theoretical calculations and computer programs derived from the method described by Williamson and Kaufman to determine the depth and strength of a current dipole in a sphere. From the location of the magnetic field radial component extremes, Br maximum and Br minimum, the orientation and location of the current dipole can be determined. The accuracy of the solution is dependent on precise location of the magnetic field extremes as measured from the surface of a sphere, e.g. the head. To validate the program for locating the dipole, theoretical calculations and computer programs related to the total magnetic field vector resulting from a hypothetical current source within a homogeneous sphere were generated. The errors in calculations of the current dipole depth and strength are presented.
The roles of resilience and childhood trauma history: main and moderating effects on postpartum maternal mental health and functioning.

Objective Recently postpartum women participated to investigate main and moderating influences of resilience and childhood history of maltreatment on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), parental sense of mastery, and family functioning.
Upgrading of bio-oil: Effect of light aldehydes on acetic acid removal via esterification

Abstract Since fast pyrolysis derived bio-oils are not a simple hydrocarbon mixture, but rather contain a variety of oxygenated compounds including acids and aldehydes, upgrading is required in order to use bio-oils as transportation fuels. Esterification is one of the attractive routes to convert acids contained in bio-oil to more desirable esters. Although organic acid esterification is a simple reaction, no work has been reported as to whether the presence of other reactive oxygenated compounds such as aldehydes affect the reaction. In this study of bio-oil model compounds, the impact of acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde on acetic acid esterification was investigated on organic–inorganic mesoporous silica functionalized with propylsulfonic acid groups. No impact of these two aldehydes on acetic acid consumption was seen at 100 °C, regardless of the concentration of ethanol used. However, at 70 °C and 50 °C, the conversion of acetic acid was observed to be lowered during the reaction in the presence of the aldehydes. When either of the aldehydes were present, the acetic acid conversion was about 6% and 28% lower than that in its absence at 70 °C and 50 °C, respectively. It appears that the more significant aldehyde impact on acetic acid conversion seen at the lower reaction temperatures was due to the esterification rate being slow relative to the rapid competitive acetalization rate of the aldehydes with ethanol.
Control of blood pressure and heart rate in patients randomized to epidural or general anesthesia for lower extremity vascular surgery

Abstract Study Objective: To examine the degree of success at maintaining patients randomized to epidural or general anesthesia for peripheral vascular surgery within predetermined blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) limits. To investigate associations between such hemodynamic control and intraoperative myocardial ischemia and postoperative major cardiac morbidity. Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial. Setting: University-affiliated hospital. Patients: 100 patients undergoing elective lower extremity revascularization for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia. Blood pressure and HR limits were determined prior to randomization. Hemodynamic monitoring and management of anesthesia was standardized. Myocardial ischemia and major cardiac morbidity were diagnosed by a blinded cardiologist, based on continuous ambulatory ECG monitoring, cardiac enzymes, and 12 lead ECGs. Intraoperative BP and HR data were analyzed by investigators masked to the type of anesthesia given. Measurements and Main Results: A greater percentage of patients randomized to general anesthesia had intraoperative BPs more above their limit (95% vs. 72%, p = 0.002) and/or more rapid changes in HR (75% vs. 48%, p = 0.008) or BP (100% vs. 93%, p = 0.04) than those randomized to epidural anesthesia. Intraoperative ischemia and major cardiac morbidity were similar in the two anesthesia groups. Patients experiencing intraoperative ischemia, regardless of anesthetic type, more frequently had BPs greater than 10% above their upper limit (90% vs. 60%, p = 0.04) and/or more rapid HR changes (90% vs. 58%, p = 0.03) compared with patients without ischemia. These vital sign abnormalities, however, were not necessarily temporally related to the ischemic episodes. Patients experiencing subsequent major cardiac morbidity were not different from other patients with respect to excursions out of BP or HR limits. Conclusions: Prevention of elevated intraoperative BP and/or rapid changes in BP or HR may be more successful with epidural than with general anesthesia. Such vital sign abnormalities may occur more frequently in patients who have had intraoperative ischemia or are at risk for having it later in the procedure.
A Possible Origin of Tektites by Soil Fusion at Impact Sites

It is assumed that tektites are formed on the Earth by the impact of some extra-terrestrial object, presumably by the rapid fusion of rock during the impact. Various works on the composition of tektites are evaluated, and it is demonstrated that a possible parent rock for tektites is terrestrial soil. Soil forms a discrete, geochemically well defined family of rock types which, with some ad hoc modifications, match the family of tektite compositions. Unlike various mixtures of sedimentary or igneous rock types which have been proposed, soil is truly ubiquitous, covering all land surface except high mountains and deserts. (P.C.H.)
Preparation and thermal properties of acrylic polymers with pendant spirobislactone groups

A series of acrylic terpolymers containing varying concentrations of crosslinkable glycidyl, spirobislactone, and hydroxyl pendant groups was prepared by radical chain polymerization. The glass-transition temperatures and weight average molecular weights of the terpolymers span broad ranges and can be independently selected by control of monomer composition. Cross-linking at 210°C was monitored by infrared spectroscopy. The rate and extent of reaction of spirobislactone groups were found to be greater than those for glycidyl groups. The activation energies of the spirobislactone and glycidyl reactions in the range between 160 and 210°C were calculated by Arrhenius treatment of the curing kinetics and found to be 31.0 ± 1.1 kJ mol−1 and 59.1 ± 1.2 kJ mol−1, respectively. The double ring opening reaction of the spirobislactone groups has no effect on the volume of the cross-linked polymers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Making Sense of an Urban District’s Adolescent Literacy Reform:

Weick’s theory of sensemaking is used to analyze findings from a qualitative study of the implementation of a district-initiated adolescent intervention literacy course in two urban secondary schoo...
Effects of ascorbic acid and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on alkaline phosphatase and tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens.

Abstract 1. The effects of graded amounts of dietary ascorbic acid with or without 10 μg/kg dietary 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol on performance, blood and bone variables were measured in broiler chicks. 2. 1,25‐Dihydroxycholecalciferol prevented the tibial dyschondroplasia and rickets caused by feeding a low calcium diet. Gain:food was decreased, but body weight was not affected by feeding 10 μg/kg 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol. Phytate phosphorus retention was increased by dietary 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol. 3. Dietary ascorbic acid did not influence the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia, but did reduce the incidence of rickets at a dietary concentration of 250 mg/kg. Gakv.food was increased when 250 or 500 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet were added along with 10 μg/kg 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol in one of two experiments. 4. Alkaline phosphatase activity and plasma 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol were not affected by the dietary treatments. Plasma 25‐hydroxycholecalcif‐erol concentration was decreased b...
Students' Metacognitive Knowledge about How to Write Informational Texts:

This study examined LD students' metacognitive knowledge about ex- pository writing and the relationship between this knowledge and writing perfor- mance. Thirty students, equally divided among three ability groups (learning disabled, low-achieving, and high-achieving), were interviewed about their metacognitive knowledge about the expository writing process and the role of text organization; subjects also composed two types of expository text (compare / contrast and explana- tion). When performance levels among the three ability groups were compared, the results suggested that learning disabled students were less aware than high-achieving students of modeled writing strategies, steps in the writing process, strategies for presenting expository ideas, and procedures for selecting and integrating informa- tion from multiple sources. Discrepancies between learning disabled and low- achieving writers also emerged in the metacognitive interview in terms of ability to (a) control and regulate the writing process, (b) use organizational strategies or text structures to generate or group ideas, and (c) monitor the quality of texts. When performance on the composition and metacognitive measures was related, the results revealed that the strongest relationship existed between writing performance and the following metacognitive variables: students' awareness of modeled writing strategies, students' knowledge of processes related to monitoring the completeness of text, and students' categorizing abilities. These findings suggest that writing in- struction should focus on both the development of students' metacognitive knowledge of the expository writing process and the organizational strategies for generating, organizing, and monitoring expository prose.
Combined pectoralis flap and gastric pull-up for pharyngeal reconstruction.

Background The gastric transposition flap, “gastric pull-up,” is one of the standard techniques of reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy. Under certain circumstances, this method may provide insufficient tissue for a tension-free closure. In these circumstances, the surgeon could either close under tension, risking the viability of the flap and probable fistula; create a pharyngostome; or recruit additional tissue. In this article, we describe the use of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in combination with the gastric pull-up for reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of three patients who underwent the procedure was performed, and a detailed description of the surgical technique is provided. Results The procedure was performed in three patients, all of whom healed without wound infection or fistula. Conclusions The combination of a pectoralis flap with a gastric transposition is an alternative for cases in which a gastric flap alone is insufficient. With this combination virtually any defect of the upper aerodigestive tract can be successfully closed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck19: 134–136, 1997.
Scoring two-species local alignments to try to statistically separate neutrally evolving from selected DNA segments

We construct several score functions for use in locating unusually conserved regions in a genome-wide search of aligned DNA from two species. We test these functions on regions of the human genome aligned to the mouse genome. These score functions are derived from properties of neutrally evolving sites on the mouse and human genome, and can be adjusted to the local background rate of conservation. The aim of these functions is to try to identify regions of the human genome that are conserved by evolutionary selection, because they have an important function, rather than by chance. We use them to get a very rough estimate of the amount of DNA in the human genome that is under selection.
Economically disadvantaged juvenile offenders tried in adult court are perceived as less able to understand their actions, but more guilty

We investigated the influence of a juvenile defendant's socioeconomic status (SES) on mock jurors’ perceptions of a juvenile tried in adult court. As predicted, participants convicted the low SES j...
Treatment of self-injury by a reinforcement plus interruption procedure

Abstract A minimally intrusive training procedure was evaluated with two severely self-injurious retarded persons. The procedure consisted of brief response-contingent interruptions of self-injury, and differential reinforcement of incompatible functional behaviors (DRI). The program was found to be more effective for both participants than differential reinforcement for non-self-injury (DRO), DRI alone, instructional prompting, and for one subject, more effective than interruption alone. When the training was extended from the classroom setting to the ward situation, self-injury occurred at a near-zero level during follow-up conducted by the ward staff. The reinforcement plus interruption procedure holds promise as a relatively nonaversive and effective method for eliminating self-injury.
The effect of wood species composition on the toxicity of simulated mechanical pulping effluents

A series of simulated mechanical pulping (SMP) effluents, prepared from wood species commonly employed in Canada, were analyzed for wood extractives and tested for acute toxicity to fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and acute/chronic toxicity to Ceriodaphnia affinis. The acute and chronic toxicities of the SMP effluents were found to vary substantially for the studied wood species. According to wood species, the acute lethal toxicity of the SMP effluents to both fathead minnows and Ceriodaphnia was found to follow the order white pine > balsam fir > hemlock > black spruce > aspen. The chronic effects of the various SMP effluents on Ceriodaphnia reproduction followed the order balsam fir > hemlock > white pine ˜ black spruce ˜ aspen. The effluent prepared from balsam fir exhibited the lowest chronic toxicity threshold, affecting Ceriodaphnia reproduction at concentrations as low as 0.005%. The compound primarily responsible for this effect was identified as dehydrojuvabione, a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid ester known to be present in balsam fir. Dehydrojuvabione was found to affect Ceriodaphnia reproduction adversely at concentrations as low as 0.5 μg/L.
FIRESTORM: a collaborative network suite application for rapid sensor data processing and precise decisive responses

This paper discusses the many features and composed technologies in Firestorm™ - a Distributed Collaborative Fires and Effects software. Modern response management systems capitalize on the capabilities of a plethora of sensors and its output for situational awareness. Firestorm utilizes a unique networked lethality approach by integrating unmanned air and ground vehicles to provide target handoff and sharing of data between humans and sensors. The system employs Bayesian networks for track management of sensor data, and distributed auction algorithms for allocating targets and delivering the right effect without information overload to the Warfighter. Firestorm Networked Effects Component provides joint weapon-target pairing, attack guidance, target selection standards, and other fires and effects components. Moreover, the open and modular architecture allows for easy integration with new data sources. Versatility and adaptability of the application enable it to devise and dispense a suitable response to a wide variety of scenarios. Recently, this application was used for detecting and countering a vehicle intruder with the help of radio frequency spotter sensor, command driven cameras, remote weapon system, portable vehicle arresting barrier, and an unmanned aerial vehicle - which confirmed the presence of the intruder, as well as provided lethal/non-lethal response and battle damage assessment. The completed demonstrations have proved Firestorm's™ validity and feasibility to predict, detect, neutralize, and protect key assets and/or area against a variety of possible threats. The sensors and responding assets can be deployed with numerous configurations to cover the various terrain and environmental conditions, and can be integrated to a number of platforms.
A simplex analysis of changes with age in responses to a restricted word-association task

Summary Modifiers were elicited to each of 100 substantives from 100 children in each of the grades 2–6 inclusive. Each modifier was then described by the following indices: frequency of occurrence, diversity of substantives to which it was applied, and partial H, an index combining frequency (or density) and diversity. The substantives were described by the H-index only. The hypothesis that these indices would undergo patterned change over age levels was tested against the simplex model with a least-squares solution. The empirical and theoretical matrices were compared by use of q2 for determining goodness of fit. In each case the hypothesis was supported adequately. The over-all changes over age groups were greatest for conceptual differentiation and least for language usage involving modes of qualifying. The implications of these data for measurement of semantic differentiation were indicated.
Identifying high-quality bariatric surgery centers: hospital volume or risk-adjusted outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Payers and professional organizations are expanding accreditation and "centers of excellence" programs in bariatric surgery. Rather than directly measuring outcomes, most programs rely on procedure volume. We sought to determine whether risk-adjusted outcomes or hospital volume were better at predicting future hospital morbidity with bariatric surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We identified all patients who underwent gastric bypass in the New York State Inpatient database (n = 32,381 patients, n = 105 hospitals). Morbidity was ascertained using a previously validated combination of diagnostic and procedure codes. We first calculated the risk-adjusted morbidity and volume at each hospital during a 2-year period (2003 to 2004). We then ascertained the proportion of hospital-level variation explained by each measure using hierarchical modeling techniques. Finally, we compared the ability of each measure to predict future performance, as assessed with risk-adjusted morbidity, in the next 2 years (2005 to 2006). RESULTS: Risk-adjusted morbidity explained 83% of future hospital-level variation in morbidity compared with only 21% for hospital volume. When comparing the "best" with the "worst" hospital quartiles, risk-adjusted morbidity predicted a more than fourfold difference in future performance (1.7% versus 7.2%; odds ratio [OR]: 4.5; 95% CI, 3.5 to 5.9). Hospital volume predicted only a twofold difference (2.5% versus 4.5%; OR: 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 2.4) from the best to worst quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Risk-adjusted morbidity is much better than hospital volume at predicting future performance with bariatric surgery. Rather than focusing on volume, accreditation and centers of excellence programs should focus more on directly measuring outcomes.
A Comparison of Near-Surface Buoyancy and Baroclinity across Three VORTEX2 Supercell Intercepts

AbstractObservations obtained during the second Verification of the Origin of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2) are analyzed for three supercell intercepts. These intercepts used a fleet of deployable “StickNet” probes, complemented by mobile radars and a mobile mesonet, to map state quantities over the expanse of target storms.Two of the deployments occurred for different stages of a supercell storm near and east of Dumas, Texas, on 18 May 2010. A comparison of the thermodynamic and kinematic characteristics of the storm provides a possible explanation for why one phase was weakly tornadic and the other nontornadic. The weakly tornadic phase features a stronger horizontal virtual temperature gradient antiparallel to the forward-flank reflectivity gradient and perpendicular to the near-surface flow direction, suggesting that air parcels could acquire more significant baroclinic vorticity as they approach the low-level mesocyclone.The strongly tornadic 10 May 2010 case near Seminole, Oklahoma, fea...
Synthesis of (±)- and (+)-perovskone

A biomimetic synthesis of the triterpene (±)-perovskone was achieved featuring a remarkable polycyclization process in which three rings, four bonds, and five stereocenters were created in a single operation in 82% yield. This convergent synthesis required 16 steps, starting from vanillin, and proceeded in 9% overall yield. A second route to prepare optically active quinone 2 took 15 steps in 36% overall yield and featured a palladium-catalyzed reductive allylic transposition to establish the C-5 chirality stereospecifically. Quinone (−)-2 was converted to (+)-perovskone (1) via a polycyclization cascade, which created four rings, five bonds, and six stereocenters in a single operation in 50% yield.
The early evolution of supernova remnants in a homogeneous medium: the effects of electron thermal conduction.

The role of electron thermal conduction in the evolution of supernova remnants may be fully understood only in the context of a two-fluid model, in which electron and ion temperatures are distinguished. During the early stages of supernova remnant evolution, high electron temperatures within the remnant imply that time scales for energy exchange by Coulomb collisions are long. Within the blast wave shock, electron and ion temperatures may be equalized by plasma instabilities, but in the interior of the remnant they may differ substantially. Only electron temperature profiles are fully smoothed by thermal conduction; ion temperatures in the interior of the remnant may remain high.Electron thermal conduction through the blast wave shock itself may be suppressed by magnetic field effects and by plasma instabilities. We suggest that this is required if the remnant is to maintain approximate spherical symmetry while expanding in an ordered magnetic field.We present two-fluid numerical simulations of remnant evolution in a homogeneous medium which illustrate the importance of these effects. Density profiles within the remnant are intermediate in form between those of nonconductive one-fluid simulations and those obtained in the isothermal blast wave similarity solution of Solinger et al. The radius of the remnant differs frommore » that of the Sedov solution by less than a factor of 1.08. We briefly discuss the applicability of theory to observed remnants and discuss some possible tests. We emphasize that the discovery of iron emission lines in young remnants does not necessarily imply that the spectra should be interpreted as bremsstrahlung from a Maxwellianized electron distribution, but may be due instead to a suprathermal electron population.« less
Effect of tibial tuberosity advancement on cranial tibial subluxation in canine cranial cruciate-deficient stifle joints: an in vitro experimental study.

Objective— To evaluate the effect of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on tibiofemoral shear force as reflected by measurement of cranial tibial subluxation (CTS) and patella tendon angle (PTA) in the canine cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle joint. Study Design— In vitro cadaver study. Animals— Canine cadaveric hind limbs (n=10). Methods— CTS and PTA were evaluated from lateral radiographic projections in axially loaded intact CrCL stifle joints, after transection of the CrCL, at a maximally advanced tibial tuberosity position, and at a critical point position. A custom-designed hinge plate allowed alteration of the tibia to tibial tuberosity distance (Ti–TT) under axial load. Digitized radiographic images were used to quantify CTS, PTA, and Ti–TT. Comparisons within groups were made using 1-way repeated measures ANOVA. A post hoc Tukey's HSD test was used to determine post-ANOVA pair-wise comparison within these groups. Significance was set at a value of P<.05. Results— CTS occurred after CrCL transection, which was significantly different from the intact position (P .05) from the reference 90° PTA. Conclusion— We demonstrated that advancement of the tibial tuberosity neutralized cranial tibial thrust, and converted cranial tibial thrust into caudal tibial thrust. Neutralization of tibiofemoral shear forces occurred at a PTA of 90.3±9.0°. Clinical Relevance— TTA can effectively change the magnitude and direction of the tibiofemoral shear force, and thus may be used to prevent craniotibial translation in a CrCL deficient stifle joint.
Expert Nursing Assistant Care Activities

Expert nursing assistants (NAs) described a broad range of care activities providedfor nursing home residents. Datafrom in-depth interviews were analyzed using a naturalistic inquiry approach. Functional care activities addressed activities of daily living. Seven types ofpsychosocial care activities promoted emotional and mental health. NAs also described activities beyond the scope of their training, yet delegated by licensed nurses. Identification of expert NA contributions to resident care, proposed as the highest level of NA care possible, can guide development of educational programs and evaluation instruments. Awareness of delegated activities can direct research regarding their safety and legality.