cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid method for determination of arginase activity in tissue homogenates.

Abstract Arginase activity has been established by measurements of (a) a decrease in arginine concentration (1–4), (b) an increase in ornithine concentration (5), or (c) an increase in urea concentration (6–14). The major drawbacks of many of these methods have been delineated by Righetti et al. (13), who noted that only few of the procedures (3,8,12–14) are useful for measurements of arginase activity in tissue extracts or homogenates. Assays with crude enzyme preparations, other than the method of Gilboe and Williams (3) for arginine, require formation and isolation of a derivative of urea (8), removal of interferences in tissue extracts by precipitation (14), or time consumed in counting radioactive end products of the reaction (12,13). The thiosemicarbazide-diacetyl-monoxime-urea (TDMU) assay (15) obviates these additional steps and, as shown here, has the advantage of being a direct colorimetric procedure applicable to crude enzyme preparations.
Polar functions¿II: completion classes of archimedean f -algebras vs. covers of compact spaces

Abstract There is an inclusion preserving bijection between the class of completion classes of uniformly complete real f -algebras with identity and the partially ordered class of covering classes of compact Hausdorff spaces. In this setting a completion class A is a hull class of uniformly complete f -algebras, with the additional feature that G∈ A if and only if G ∗ ∈ A . Using an idempotent invariant polar function X and the covering function K derived from it, the main theorem of this article states that the covering class associated with the uniformly complete f -algebras having no proper X -splitting extensions is the class of compact spaces X which equal their K -cover.
Xayaburi and the Mekong Critical Point

Despite the correlation between hydropower plant construction and economic growth, Laos’ approach to the Xayaburi issue may backfire. The over-construction of dams on the Mekong River would greatly...
Computational Fluid Dynamics Studies of the Effects of Temperature-Dependent Physical Properties on Fixed-Bed Heat Transfer

The influence of the temperature profile on the fluid flow and heat transfer in a fixed bed of tube to particle ratio of 2.86 was studied by solving the 3D Navier−Stokes and energy equations by means of a commercial finite element code, ANSYS/FLOTRAN. The geometry model, representing a fixed bed, consisted of an arrangement of eight spheres in a tube. The difference in heat-transfer parameters between a wall-cooled and wall-heated reactor was studied, using air as a fluid. The dimensionless wall heat-transfer coefficient, Nuw, and the radial effective conductivity ratio, kr/kf, were evaluated from the calculated temperatures at different locations in the bed by comparing these with the analytical solution of a two-dimensional pseudohomogeneous model, using a nonlinear least-squares analysis. Results were obtained for Reynolds numbers in the range 9−1450. Though for high Re there was no real difference between a wall-cooled or a wall-heated tube, for low Re a significant difference was found. The effect of...
The role of radionuclide imaging in heart failure

The incidence of heart failure (HF) is increasing and it remains the only area in cardiovascular disease wherein hospitalization rates and mortalities have worsened in the past 25 years. This review is provided to assess the role of radionuclide imaging in HF. The focus is on three aspects: the value of nuclear imaging to distinguish ischemic from non-ischemic etiologies; risk stratification of patients with HF with evaluation of candidates for specific treatment strategies; and the role of cardiac neuronal imaging in patients with HF. Distinguishing ischemic from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is important because patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy can potentially have dramatic improvement with revascularization. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has excellent reported sensitivity and negative predictive value in the detection of coronary artery disease in HF patients. SPECT imaging is also useful in establishing treatment strategies in patients with HF, including those with new onset CHF. Cardiac neuronal imaging of mIBG is particularly helpful in risk stratification of patients with HF. The modality can be used to monitor the response to therapy as dysfunctional mIBG uptake may show improvement with pharmacological treatment.
The Practice of Usability: Teaching User Engagement Through Service-Learning

Pedagogical and scholarly discussions of the process of usability tend to focus more on methods than on practices, or specific, tactical performances of and adjustments to these methods. Yet such practices shape students' learning and determine the success of their usability efforts. A teacher research study tracking students' understanding and enactment of usability and user-centered design over the course of a service-learning project illustrates the importance of practice-level struggles—and the thoughtful preparation for and facilitation of these struggles—to the development of students' flexible intelligence (metis) and rhetorical translation skills.
Corrections officers and acquired immune deficiency syndrome: balancing professional distance and personal involvement.

Abstract In this article the dynamic between professional distance and personal involvement is examined. Interviews were performed with New York City Correction Department officers who work with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients on prison hospital wards to determine how they relate to inmates, to inmates who are dying, and to inmates who are dying of AIDS-related illnesses. The article focuses on the degree to which identification with inmates occurs and, as a consequence, how much grief is generated by their deaths. Grief is mediated by: (a) the social organization of prison work; (b) the social construction of AIDS; (c) magic and mythology related to AIDS; (d) corrections officers' occupational ideology; (e) social values; and (f) American attitudes toward death.
Specific interaction of a protein(s) at or near the termini of adenovirus 2 DNA

Abstract When human adenovirus type 2 DNA was extracted from the virions, and the sedimentation profile of the DNA-protein complex in a linear sucrose gradient was analyzed by the nitrocellulose filter binding assay, it was found that 90–95% of adenovirus 2 DNA molecules was tightly associated with the protein(s). The analyses of the binding site of the protein(s) on the DNA by using the restriction endonucleases suggested that the protein(s) interact with the DNA at or near the termini of the viral genome. The stability of the linkage between the DNA and the protein(s) was tested in the presence of various reagents. From the available data, it is suggestive that the protein(s) is linked to the DNA covalently.
How does the periodicity associated with nucleosomal DNA reflect on its intrinsic curvature

Understanding signals that determine the positioning of nucleosomes along the genomic DNA is fundamental to comprehending gene regulation. Sequence dependent structural properties of DNA, like curvature and flexibility are important in DNA-protein interaction and have been shown to play an important role in nucleosome positioning. The preference of nucleosomes for specific sequences delineates the potential of those sequences to be intrinsically curved. Using theoretical models for determining the DNA curvature I have analyzed the 146 base nucleosome core DNA sequences from C. elegans. The analysis reveals a wide distribution of the molecular bend locus over the nucleosome core region. The results obtained using the theoretical model reveal that the nucleosomal DNA sequences have different degrees of curvature over the entire core region. The molecular bend loci associated with these sequences are delocalized and reflects a complex deviation of the DNA axis
1/f noise in a Coulomb glass and in a noninteracting electron glass

We show that 1/f noise is produced in a 3D electron glass by charge fluctuations due to electrons hopping between isolated sites and a percolating network at low temperatures. The low frequency noise spectrum goes as ω-α with α slightly larger than 1. This result together with the temperature dependence of \alpha and the noise amplitude are in good agreement with the recent experiments. These results hold true both for a noninteracting electron glass with a flat density of states and for a Coulomb glass. In the latter case, the density of states has a Coulomb gap that fills in with increasing temperature. For a large Coulomb gap width, this density of states gives a dc conductivity with a hopping exponent of ≈ 0.75 which has been observed in recent experiments. For a small Coulomb gap width, the hopping exponent ≈ 0.5. At low temperatures the noise amplitude of a noninteracting electron glass increases linearly with temperature while the noise amplitude of a Coulomb glass increases quadratically.
Standards of Professional Practice for Design Management

AbstractThis article is the result of continued research at the University of Alabama’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering relating to management issues in engineering failures. The research shows that many failures occur due to well-known technical issues overlooked by management during the design process. Such failures are often termed errors and omissions. This research further indicates that systematic design quality control and quality assurance, careful communication, and post-design inspection are management techniques that could prevent a large number of engineering failures. In an effort to decrease the incidence of management issues, the authors propose to structure a prototypical standard of professional practice for design management. In developing that structure, the authors (1) explored the nature of standards and the similarities that exist in definitions by various professional organizations and (2) reviewed the standard of care and considered why it may not be...
A comparative study of lung proteoglycans from different animals.

Abstract 1. 1. A comparative study of proteoglycans of lung parenchyma from rat, rabbit, cow, and pig is reported. 2. 2. The proteoglycans were extracted from lung parenchyma with 4 m guanidinium chloride, pH 5.8, in the presence of protease inhibitors, and were fractionated by associative as well as dissociative density gradient centrifugation with CsCl. 3. 3. Analysis of proteoglycan fractions showed striking similarity between the lung proteoglycans of four different animal species studied.
Concomitant use of nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers for optimal antianginal therapy

Despite the introduction of new mechanical techniques for revascularization, pharmacologic therapy continues to be the mainstay of antianginal therapy. The conventional antianginal medications, which include nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers, act to correct the imbalance between myocardial supply and demand by increasing coronary blood flow, reducing myocardial oxygen requirements, or both. All three are appropriate for the management of angina caused by a fixed coronary obstruction, but nitrates and calcium channel blockers, which not only reduce demand but also increase supply, are preferred in cases of angina believed to involve a significant increase in vasomotor tone. Because of the different yet complementary mechanisms of action of the three classes of anti-ischemic drugs, use of these agents in combination is a rational approach to the treatment of angina unresponsive to monotherapy. Such combinations have been shown to enhance the therapeutic response achieved with single-agent therapy. In addition, the pharmacologic action of one of the components of the combination regimen may serve to offset side effects typically associated with the other.
Hall Subgroups and π-Separable Groups

Abstract Let G be a finite group and π a set of primes. In this paper, some new criteria for π-separable groups and π-solvable groups in terms of Hall subgroups are proved. The main results are the following: Theorem. G is a π -separable group if and only if (1) G satisfies E π and E π′ ; (2) G satisfies E π ∪ { q } and E π′ ∪ { p } for all p ∈ π, q ∈ π′. Theorem. G is a π -separable group if and only if (1) G satisfies E π and E π′ ; (2) G satisfies E p , q for all p ∈ π and q ∈ π′.
Insight into the deformation behavior of niobium single crystals under uniaxial compression and tension at the nanoscale

Size-dependent deformation behavior of niobium single-crystalline samples 200–900 nm in diameter is investigated by in situ compression and tension testing. Stress–strain curves in compression show discrete plastic flow associated with dislocation escapes at the surface. In tension, plastic flow is more continuous with pronounced strain hardening, and fracture occurs at the low true strain of ~3%. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the same 100 nm nanopillar before and after deformation provides insights into dislocation activity during compression deformation.
Space use by female Greater Prairie‐Chickens in response to wind energy development

Wind energy development is targeted to meet 20% of U.S. energy demand by 2030. In Kansas, optimal sites for wind energy development often overlap with preferred habitats of Greater Prairie- Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), a lek-mating species of prairie grouse with declining populations. Our goal was to use movement data from radio telemetry to investigate patterns and drivers of seasonal space use by female prairie-chickens during pre- and post-construction periods at a wind energy facility in northcentral Kansas. We developed individual and population level resource utilization functions (RUFs) for four time periods: the 6-month breeding and nonbreeding seasons during the pre-construction stage (2007-2008; n ¼ 28 and 14 females), and the same two seasons during a post-construction period (2009- 2011; n ¼ 102 and 37). RUFs relate non-uniform space use within a home range to landscape metrics in a multiple regression framework. We selected ten predictor variables that described land cover, habitat patchiness, anthropogenic disturbance, and social behavior of prairie-chickens. We documented two behavioral responses of females to wind energy development during the breeding season: (1) mean home range size increased approximately two-fold, and (2) space use had a positive relationship with distance to turbine, which indicated female avoidance of wind turbines. A parallel study of demographic rates in our study population found no negative effects of wind energy development on prairie-chicken fecundity or survival, but persistent avoidance of wind energy development could result in the local extirpation of prairie-chicken populations at our study site. Our primary ecological finding was that distance to lek was the strongest predictor of space use during all treatment periods, with relatively high use of areas at short distances from leks in 79% of female home ranges. Thus, lek site surveys should be effective for identifying prairie grouse habitat preferences and monitoring population dynamics when more intensive demographic studies are not feasible. Our study is the first application of resource utilization function techniques to a wildlife population in response to energy development, and our results provide new quantitative insights into the spatial ecology of an upland gamebird of conservation concern.
Trioxys pallidus and Trioxys complanatus as Parasites of Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis nigropunctata and Tinocallis caryaefoliae

The braconid wasps, Trioxys pallidus (Haliday) and Trioxys complanatus Quilis, parasitized the complex of foliar-feeding aphid pests [ Monellia costalis (Fitch), Monelliopsis nigropunctata (Granovsky), and Tinocallis caryaefoliae (Davis)] on pecan when they were confined with the aphids in laboratory cages. However, both parasite species preferred M. costalis and almost completely rejected M. nigropunctata and T. caryaefoliae . In 10 days, populations of T. pallidus increased 258% in the laboratory and 396–570% in field cages when M. costalis was provided as the host. In the same period, populations of T. complanatus held with similar conditions increased 205% in the laboratory and 1430% in field cages. In 1974, ca. 1970 T. pallidus and 890 T. complanatus were released as possible biological control agents of M. costalis . No specimens were collected one year after the releases were made so the parasites are apparently not established.
IS COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY “TOO INSULAR”? A NETWORK ANALYSIS OF JOURNAL CITATIONS

The current study uses social network analysis to explore one aspect of cross-disciplinary connections in community psychology–citations from articles published in community psychology's main journals (i.e., American Journal of Community Psychology and Journal of Community Psychology) to allied disciplines in 2009. Results indicate that although community psychology journals cited a wide range of disciplines, their levels of citation to any individual journal in another discipline never exceeded 10% of their total network citations. Additionally, journals in other disciplines did not exhibit many citations to community psychology journals. Observed homophily measures indicate that community psychology journals have more cross-disciplinary citations than articles published in the flagship journals of clinical psychology, sociology, and public health. However, relative homophily measures suggest that community psychology journals are also far more likely to cite within discipline than expected by chance. Implications and future directions for cross-disciplinary endeavors in community psychology are suggested.
Improvements in the figure of merit for tunable microwave dielectrics using combinatorial approach

Abstract Ferroelectric/dielectric materials are useful for a variety of different applications. Addition of small amounts of different dopants often dramatically improves the materials performance. The conventional approach to exploring new materials is to make and characterize samples of discrete composition one at a time. In an effort to accelerate this process, we fabricate a combinatorial materials chips containing 256 differently doped (Ba, Sr)TiO3 thin films. From this study, we found that tungsten doping in this class of materials greatly reduces the dielectric loss and does not significantly affect the tunability of these materials. As the result, the overall figures of merit of the materials are greatly improved.
Assessing incomplete deprotection of microarray oligonucleotides in situ

En masse analysis of gene structure and function by array technologies will have a lasting and profound effect on biology and medicine. This impact can be compromised by low quality of probes within arrays, which we show can be caused by incomplete removal of chemical protecting groups. To solve this quality control problem, we present a sensitive, specific and facile method to detect these groups in situ on arrays using monoclonal antibodies and existing instrumentation. Screening of microarrays with these monoclonal antibodies should guide the consideration given to data derived from these and should enhance the accuracy of the results obtained.
Modeling Multimedia Displays Using Action Based Temporal Logic

We present a metalanguage, named Alan that can be used to model dynamic multimedia displays, particularly those that display multimedia database query results. Alan is an action language that uses temporal logic to model non-Markovian systems. We show how it can be used for specifying the behavior of fairly complex dynamic multimedia display systems, modeling all graphical user interface elements on the display plus the effects of actions and of the passage of time on media such as video and audio.
ADAM-TS5, ADAM-TS6, and ADAM-TS7, Novel Members of a New Family of Zinc Metalloproteases GENERAL FEATURES AND GENOMIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE ADAM-TS FAMILY ,

We report the primary structure of three novel, putative zinc metalloproteases designated ADAM-TS5, ADAM-TS6, and ADAM-TS7. All have a similar domain organization, comprising a preproregion, a reprolysin-type catalytic domain, a disintegrin-like domain, a thrombospondin type-1 (TS) module, a cysteine-rich domain, a spacer domain without cysteine residues, and a COOH-terminal TS module. These genes are differentially regulated during mouse embryogenesis and in adult tissues, with Adamts5 highly expressed in the peri-implantation period in embryo and trophoblast. These proteins are similar to four other cognate gene products, defining a distinct family of human reprolysin-like metalloproteases, the ADAM-TS family. The other members of the family are ADAM-TS1, an inflammation-induced gene, the procollagen I/II amino-propeptide processing enzyme (PCINP, ADAM-TS2), and proteins predicted by the KIAA0366 and KIAA0688 genes (ADAM-TS3 and ADAM-TS4). Individual ADAM-TS members differ in the number of COOH-terminal TS modules, and some have unique COOH-terminal domains. The ADAM-TS genes are dispersed in human and mouse genomes.
Role of Primary and Secondary Capture for Leukocyte Accumulation In Vivo

Leukocyte accumulation during inflammation depends on the concerted action of selectin and integrin adhesion molecules, which promote capture, rolling, and arrest of these cells on activated endothelium. In addition to interacting with endothelial cells, leukocytes can also adhere to already adherent leukocytes through an L-selectin-dependent mechanism. Initiation of adhesion through this mechanism has been called nucleation and leads to characteristic geometric patterns (ie, clusters and strings) of adherent leukocytes in flow chambers. We have used intravital microscopy of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-treated mouse cremaster muscles to quantitatively investigate the potential role of leukocyte-leukocyte adhesion in initiating and maintaining the leukocyte clusters that are commonly observed in inflamed venules. Our data show that in TNF-alpha-treated venules with diameters between 23 and 108 microm, leukocyte adhesion occurs in clusters that are 19 to 50 microm long and 8 to 44 microm wide. They are almost entirely made up of slow-rolling leukocytes. Of all leukocytes recruited into a cluster (100%), the majority enter the cluster rolling along the endothelium and sharply reduce their velocity in the absence (59%) or presence (15%) of other leukocytes in proximity (one cell diameter). Some of the rolling leukocytes (17%) pass through the cluster without reducing their velocity. Recruitment of leukocytes from the free flow regime into a cluster is a rare event and accounts for only 7 (1.2%) of 476 leukocytes arriving in the cluster. However, of the leukocytes captured from the free flow, 6 initiated contact with a slow-rolling leukocyte rather than making direct contact with the endothelium. Our data show that leukocyte-leukocyte interactions can occur in vivo but are not important for cluster formation. This is confirmed by the observation of normal cluster formation in L-selectin-deficient mice, in which leukocyte-leukocyte interactions under flow are abolished. We conclude that leukocyte-mediated nucleation contributes little to leukocyte recruitment during inflammation in vivo. Cluster formation appears to be dominated by areas of endothelium with a higher expression of E-selectin, because cluster formation is greatly reduced in E-selectin-deficient mice.
Analysis Models for Blind Search in Unstructured Overlays

Flooding and random walk are two basic mechanisms for blind search in unstructured peer-to-peer overlays. Although these mechanisms have been widely studied experimentally and via simulations, they have not been analytically modeled. Time overhead, message overhead, and success rate are often used as metrics for search schemes. This paper shows that node coverage is an important metric to estimate performance metrics such as the message efficiency, success rate, and object recall of a blind search. The paper then presents two simple models to analyze node coverage in random graph overlays. These models are useful to set query parameters, evaluate search efficiency, and to estimate object replication on a statistical basis.
Quantitative genetics approaches to study evolutionary processes in ecotoxicology; a perspective from research on the evolution of resistance

Quantitative genetic approaches are often used to study evolutionary processes in ecotoxicology. This paper focuses on the evolution of resistance to environmental contaminants—an important evolutionary process in ecotoxicology. Three approaches are commonly employed to study the evolution of resistance: (1) Assessing whether a contaminant-exposed population has an increased resistance relative to a control population, using either spatial or temporal comparisons. (2) Estimating a population’s heritability of resistance. (3) Investigating responses in a laboratory selection experiment. All three approaches provide valuable information on the potential for contaminants to affect a population’s evolutionary trajectory via natural selection. However, all three approaches have inherent limitations, including difficulty in separating the various genetic and environmental variance components, responses being dependent on specific population and testing conditions, and inability to fully capture natural conditions in the laboratory. In order to maximize insights into the long-term consequences of adaptation, it is important to not just look at resistance itself, but also at the fitness consequences and at correlated responses in characteristics other than resistance. The rapid development of molecular genetics has yielded alternatives to the “black box” approach of quantitative genetics, but the presence of different limitations and strengths in the two fields means that they should be viewed as complementary rather than exchangeable. Quantitative genetics is benefiting from the incorporation of molecular tools and remains an important field for studying evolutionary toxicology.
The Phosphodiesterase DipA (PA5017) Is Essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Dispersion

Although little is known regarding the mechanism of biofilm dispersion, it is becoming clear that this process coincides with alteration of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) levels. Here, we demonstrate that dispersion by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in response to sudden changes in nutrient concentrations resulted in increased phosphodiesterase activity and reduction of c-di-GMP levels compared to biofilm and planktonic cells. By screening mutants inactivated in genes encoding EAL domains for nutrient-induced dispersion, we identified in addition to the previously reported ΔrbdA mutant a second mutant, the ΔdipA strain (PA5017 [dispersion-induced phosphodiesterase A]), to be dispersion deficient in response to glutamate, nitric oxide, ammonium chloride, and mercury chloride. Using biochemical and in vivo studies, we show that DipA associates with the membrane and exhibits phosphodiesterase activity but no detectable diguanylate cyclase activity. Consistent with these data, a ΔdipA mutant exhibited reduced swarming motility, increased initial attachment, and polysaccharide production but only somewhat increased biofilm formation and c-di-GMP levels. DipA harbors an N-terminal GAF (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, adenylyl cyclases, and FhlA) domain and two EAL motifs within or near the C-terminal EAL domain. Mutational analyses of the two EAL motifs of DipA suggest that both are important for the observed phosphodiesterase activity and dispersion, while the GAF domain modulated DipA function both in vivo and in vitro without being required for phosphodiesterase activity. Dispersion was found to require protein synthesis and resulted in increased dipA expression and reduction of c-di-GMP levels. We propose a role of DipA in enabling dispersion in P. aeruginosa biofilms.
Effects of carbamide peroxides on wear resistance and color change of enamel opposing porcelain

Purpose This study evaluated the effects of a simulated 1- and 2-week night guard bleaching technique using various bleaching gel concentrations on wear resistance and color change of human enamel opposing a feldspathic porcelain substrate. Materials and Methods VMK 68 feldspathic porcelain was formed into 15-mm disks (n = 63) and fired according to manufacturer's recommendations. Enamel cusps were formed and shaped from extracted third molars and treated with 1 of 3 bleaching materials for 7 or 14 days. Specimens were kept at 37°C in 100% humidity. The control group was subjected to identical conditions but with water replacing the bleaching gel between and during bleaching treatments. After simulated bleaching, the enamel cusp specimens were subjected to 3-body wear testing opposite a highly polished porcelain substrate. Enamel wear was evaluated using optical scanning methods, and color was measured with a small-aperture colorimeter. Data were subjected to a one-way repeated- measure analysis of variance and various post hoc statistics. Results Results indicated that the within effect of treatment time (7 or 14 days) did not significantly affect (p= 0.13) the size of the resulting enamel wear facet, whereas the between effect of bleaching concentration was significant (p= 0.01). Statistical analysis of unbleached control groups suggests that between-group differences can be explained by variations in wear rates of the 3 enamel groups, not by the concentration differences in bleaching gels. All bleaching treatments resulted in significant color changes (p= 0.04) compared to the unbleached control, but the bleach concentration did not significantly influence the magnitude of color change (p= 0.81). Conclusions A simulated night guard vital bleaching treatment of 1 or 2 weeks had no significant effect on the wear resistance of human enamel in vitro. The increased bleaching treatment time and concentration did not significantly affect the amount of enamel color change.
Asynchronous Classification of Digital Amplitude-Phase Modulated Signals in Flat-Fading Channels

This paper presents a new asynchronous modulation classifier for digital amplitude-phase modulated signals in flat-fading channels when the channel state is assumed unknown. In the design of this classifier, we propose new estimators for the unknown amplitude, time offset, and noise power that are blind to the modulation scheme of the received signal. It is shown that the proposed classifier performs well compared to the optimal classifier with perfect channel knowledge for an adequate estimation interval.
The effects of covert audio coaching on teaching clerical skills to adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Employment instruction for secondary students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has received very little attention in the professional literature. However, adults with ASD usually have difficulty maintaining employment for a variety of reasons, including problems with performing work tasks. This study used a multiple baseline design across participants to examine the effects of performance feedback on the participants’ ability to independently make photocopies. Feedback was delivered privately through a two-way radio and earbud speaker. The results support the conclusion that the intervention, covert audio coaching, was effective in increasing the participants’ accuracy in making photocopies. Specifically, participants demonstrated mastery of the skill within 4–5 sessions, and their improvements maintained for several weeks following intervention.
Durable and refreshable polymeric N-halamine biocides containing 3-(4'-vinylbenzyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

A novel vinyl-hydantoin monomer, 3-(4′-vinylbenzyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, was synthesized in a good yield and was fully characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H NMR spectra. Its homopolymer and copolymers with several common acrylic and vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate, were readily prepared under mild conditions. The polymers were characterized with FTIR and 1H NMR, and their thermal properties were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry studies. The halogenated products of the corresponding copolymers exhibited potent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial properties were durable and regenerable. The structure–property relationships of the polymers were further discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3348–3355, 2001
Efficiency of drag sampling for estimating population sizes of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs in leaf litter.

Abstract Drag sampling is a commonly used method to obtain relative estimates of the density of questing nymphalIxodes scapularis Say andI. pacificus Cooley & Kohls ticks, which are primary vectors of Lyme disease spirochetes to humans in North America. However, the efficiency of drag sampling in determining absolute population densities of questing nymphs has not been evaluated previously. Therefore, we assessed the efficiency of a single drag-sampling occasion to estimate the total population size of questingI. pacificus nymphs in a leaf-litter habitat in California. Repeated daily removal sampling was carried out in four areas, each covering 300 m2, on 17 occasions over a 23-d period in the spring of 1999. In total, 573I. pacificus nymphs were collected, of which 55 (9.6%) were collected on the initial sampling occasion and 20 (3.5%) on the last occasion. The total population size of questing nymphs, i.e., the intersection with the horizontal axis of a linear regression of daily nymphal catch rates on ...
Structural characteristics for inhibition of [3H] norepinephrine uptake into rat brain synaptic vesicles by beta-carboline, indolealkylamine, phenethylamine and n-alkylamine derivatives.

The abilities of four different classes of monoamines to inhibit uptake of [3H]norepinephrine into rat brain synaptic vesicles were evaluated. Compounds from all four produced competitive inhibition with the following general order of potency: β-carbolines> indolealkylamines> phenalkylamines> n-alkylamines. The minimal structural features required for uptake inhibition consisted of an amino nitrogen separated from a hydrophobic moiety by at least a 2-carbon bridge. The most important substituent group was the 5-hydroxyl group for indolealkylamines, the p-hydroxyl group for the phenalkylamines or the 7-methoxyl group for the β-carbolines. Linear alkylamines produced a dual effect, with competitive inhibition of uptake at low concentrations and detergent-like actions predominating with increasing chain length or with high concentrations. Analysis of the details of structure-activity relationships indicates that the characteristic of the amine transport site of brain catecholamine vesicles differs substantially from that of adrenomedullary vesicles.
Embryo banking among women diagnosed with cancer: a pilot population-based study in New York, Texas, and Illinois

The purpose of the present study is to estimate the proportion of women with cancer who return to use the embryos that they have banked and to compare this proportion to that of women without cancer who bank embryos. This is a cohort study of three groups of women from New York, Texas, and Illinois who used embryo banking in their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycle: two groups with cancer (222 women without an infertility diagnosis and 48 women with an infertility diagnosis) and a control group without cancer (68 women with the infertility diagnosis of male factor only). Women were included only if their first ART cycle reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) occurred between 2004 and 2009. Cancer cases were identified from each State Cancer Registry from 5 years prior to initiation of ART treatment to 6 months post-initiation; mean follow-up after the first ART cycle was 2.0 years. Women with cancer without an infertility diagnosis returned for a subsequent ART cycle at a lower rate (10.8 %) than those with an infertility diagnosis (31.3 %, p = 0.0010) or the control group (85.3 %, p < 0.0001). Among those who returned for a subsequent cycle, women with cancer waited a longer time to return (14.3 months without an infertility diagnosis and 8.3 months with an infertility diagnosis, p = 0.13) compared to the control group (2.8 months, p = 0.0007). The live birth rate among women who did not utilize embryo banking in their second cycle did not differ significantly across the three study groups, ranging from 25.0 and 42.9 % for women with cancer with and without an infertility diagnosis, respectively, to 36.2 % for women in the control group. Women with cancer without an infertility diagnosis are either less likely to return for subsequent treatment or will wait a longer time to return than women with an infertility diagnosis or those that do not have cancer. A longer-term study is necessary to assess whether these women return to use their frozen embryos after cancer treatment or are able to spontaneously conceive and if those subsequent pregnancies are adversely affected by the cancer diagnosis or therapy.
Development of Similar Broth Microdilution Methods to Determine the Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Flavobacterium columnare and F. psychrophilum.

AbstractFlavobacterium columnare and F. psychrophilum are major fish pathogens that cause diseases that may require antimicrobial therapy. Choice of appropriate treatment is dependent upon determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates. Therefore we optimized methods for broth microdilution testing of F. columnare and F. psychrophilum to facilitate standardizing an antimicrobial susceptibility test. We developed adaptations to make reproducible broth inoculums and confirmed the proper incubation time and media composition. We tested the stability of potential quality-control bacteria and compared test results between different operators. Log phase occurred at 48 h for F. columnare and 72–96 h for F. psychrophilum, confirming the test should be incubated at 28°C for approximately 48 h and at 18°C for approximately 96 h, respectively. The most consistent susceptibility results were achieved with plain, 4-g/L, dilute Mueller–Hinton broth supplemented with dilute calcium and magnesium. Supplementing...
PRE-OPERATIVE PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS AND OUTCOMES AMONG PATIENTS RECEIVING LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES

The pulmonary function test (PFT) is a component of evaluation for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Our aim was to assess the effect of pre-operative lung function on outcomes after LVAD placement. We retrospectively studied 153 patients who received HeartMate II devices at our
Nitrogen and Sulfur Requirements in the Leptomitales

(1970). Nitrogen and Sulfur Requirements in the Leptomitales. Mycologia: Vol. 62, No. 6, pp. 1212-1214.
Establishment and verification of dose effect relation curves between T cell receptor gene mutation frequency and ionizing radiation dose

Objective To establish the dose-effect curve between TCR MF and ionizing radiation.Methods Peripheral lymphocytes were collected from 8 healthy adults(4 males and 4 females) and cultured in vitro with 12 well culture plates.They were stimulated by PHA-P and IL-2 after exposed to different doses of irradiation (0.00 -8.00 Gy) and cultured for 7 d.The dose-effect curve was established after measuring TCR MF using flow cytometry.Also,using the same method,we separated and cultured the peripheral lymphocytes collected from 16 radiotherapy cancer patients,whose radiation styles and doses were different,and then measured TCR MF to estimate the whole equivalent dose of radiotherapy patients through the dose-effect curve.Peripheral blood was collected and cultured,chromosome aberration (dicentric and ring) was determined under microscope to estimate irradiation dose.Results The relationship of dose-effect between the TCR MF and ionizing radiation (0.00 -8.00 Gy) was well,the curve of large dose group (2.00 -8.00 Gy),low dose group(0.00 - 1.00 Gy) and 0.00 -8.00 Gy dose group were met with the quadratic polynomial model,the equation was TCR MF =-32.8579 + 20.5436D + 0.6341D2,TCR MF =1.796 + 0.017D + 5.155D2 and TCR MF =- 0.6229 + 6.305D + 0.6919D2,respectively.D was the radiation dose ( Gy ).Using the established curve and the chromosome aberration method to estimate the systemic exposure dosage,the average relative deviation was 16.8％.Conclusion The curve established by the TCR gene mutation analysis technology can be applied to exposure dose eatimation of victims in ionization radiation accidents. Key words: Receptors,antigen,T-Cell ; Radiation,ionizing; Biological dosimeter
Neurofibromatosis of the Bladder in Children

AbstractWe report the unusual occurrence of neurofibromatosis of the bladder in 2 children. The pathologic features and clinical presentation are discussed and the literature is reviewed.
Defeating Authoritarian Leaders in Postcommunist Countries: Electoral Stability and Change in Mixed Regimes

One of the most striking features of the ‘late period’ of the third wave has been the unprecedented growth in the number of regimes that are neither clearly democratic nor conventionally authoritarian. Larry Diamond All of the elections of interest in this book took place in mixed regimes – that is, regimes that combine authoritarian politics with competition for political office. Our nine regimes also share a common past. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine had all been republics nested within federal states during the communist era, and each one of these republics became an independent state in the early 1990s as a consequence of the collapse of communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. At the same time, however, these regimes were also very different from one another. For example, it was common practice in some of these countries but not in others for elections to be rigged; the media were relatively free to operate in some cases, but muzzled in the rest; and one leader had ruled since independence in Croatia, Serbia, and Kyrgyzstan, whereas turnovers in leadership had taken place in the remaining members of the group. The purpose of this chapter is to explore these and other differences among mixed regimes and to generate a series of hypotheses about why opposition parties and candidates might succeed in defeating authoritarian incumbents or their anointed successors.
RECEPTIVE FIELDS AND DENDRITIC TREES

This chapter describes the relationship the dendritic tree of a cat ganglion cell and the response of the cell to a small spot of light within the receptive field. Between receptors and ganglion cells, there is a complex network of interneurons and a distribution of synaptic contacts. The function of the network may be presumed to involve a separation of stimulus classes, such as contrast, oriented boundaries, or movement in a particular direction. The network comes into play in processes such as light and dark adaptation. There is no indication, however, that a bipolar cell, for example, may have a synaptic input to a ganglion cell with a transmitter action depending on the distance of the synapse from the ganglion cell soma. The chapter discusses the dendritic tree of the ganglion cell.
Understanding Vegetative Desiccation Tolerance Using Integrated Functional Genomics Approaches Within a Comparative Evolutionary Framework

Desiccation tolerance (DT) is defined as the equilibration of protoplasmic water potential with that of the surrounding air (generally dry) without loss of viability upon rehydration. Vegetative DT is widespread among mosses and lichens, but is relatively rare in vascular plants (0.15%). Recent studies of selected resurrection species indicate that while resurrection plants might have evolved unique adaptive proteins, enzymes, and antioxidants, the molecular genetic basis of DT lies in the orchestration of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory programs that operate during drying and rehydration. DT requires signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms, aspects of which resemble developmental programs present in orthodox seeds, which result in the accumulation of oligosaccharides, stress adaptive proteins, antioxidants, reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes, as well as alterations in the composition and structure of membrane lipids. Functional genomics studies using transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analyses are just beginning to unravel the system complexity required to orchestrate the metabolic symphony that is DT. The status of current gene discovery efforts is summarized along with major transcriptome technologies available currently to conduct desiccation sensitive versus tolerant species comparisons. These strategies, integrated with large-scale proteomic and metabolomic investigations currently in progress, promise to revolutionize our understanding of the mechanistic basis of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants.
Modified Endonasal Tongue-in-Groove Technique.

Achieving stable and desirable changes in tip rotation (TR) and tip projection (TP) is among the primary goals of modern day rhinoplasty. The tongue-in-groove (TIG) technique is one technique in rhinoplasty used to improve TR and/or TP. Performing TIG endonasally using a permanent suture can be quite cumbersome as the suture needs to be buried under the skin. We describe a variation of TIG technique for endonasal rhinoplasty using a permanent suture buried in small columellar skin incisions. The technique details are described and the postoperative changes in TR and TP are analyzed for the degree of change and longevity. A retrospective review of the preoperative and postoperative photographs of 12 patients treated with the endonasal TIG technique were analyzed for changes in TR and TP. Out of 12 patients, there were seven females (58.3%) and five males (41.7%), with age ranging from 17 to 49 years. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 53 months, with mean follow-up of 12.1 months. All patients were treated by the senior author in a major New York City hospital. Postoperative changes in TR and TP were compared by measuring the nasolabial angle as well as the Goode ratio using a photo editing software. Using a t -test and a p -value criteria of 0.05, the difference between the preoperative and postoperative TR ( p = 0.0069) and TP ( p = 0.026) was found to be statistically significant. None of the study patients developed any complications related to the use of a permanent suture material during the follow-up period. Our modified TIG technique is a quick, reliable, and safe option in the surgical armamentarium to achieve desired changes in TR and/or TP. Level of evidence: 4
Recent performance records for mid-IR quantum cascade lasers

The wall plug efficiency of the mid-infrared quantum cascade laser in room temperature continuous wave operation is brought to 17%. Peak output power from a broad area (400 µm × 3 mm) device gives 120 W output power in pulsed mode operation at room temperature. Using a single-well-injector design, specifically made for low temperature operation, a record wall plug efficiency of 53% is demonstrated at 40 K.
The Colossus of Memnon and phonography

The Colossus of Memnon has been one of the most scrutinised sounding statues in the Western world. A lynchpin of Imperial Roman tourism to Egypt, it was silenced by renovations around 200 CE. Since then, speculation on its sound has drawn upon a fervent mix of ancient metaphysics and modern thought in aesthetics and the sciences. In the process, the Colossus became a potent example of the problematic relationship between sound and sculpture prior to the twentieth century. I argue that imprinting the concept of phonography onto the sonic history of the Colossus mediates this history in several important ways. For one, phonography helps frame the Colossus primarily as a mechanism in which the emanation of sound was its essential attribute. In turn, the materiality of the statue gave its sound a veneer of physical permanence that foreshadowed the mentality of sound preservation associated with the onset of Western modernity.