cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conjunctival Commensal Isolation and Identification in Mice.

The ocular surface was once considered immune privileged and abiotic, but recently it appears that there is a small, but persistent commensal presence. Identification and monitoring of bacterial species at the ocular mucosa have been challenging due to their low abundance and limited availability of appropriate methodology for commensal growth and identification. There are two standard approaches: culture based or DNA sequencing methods. The first method is problematic due to the limited recoverable bacteria and the second approach identifies both live and dead bacteria leading to an aberrant representation of the ocular space. We developed a robust and sensitive method for bacterial isolation by building upon standard microbiological culturing techniques. This is a swab-based technique, utilizing an “in-lab” made thin swab that targets the lower conjunctiva, followed by an amplification step for aerobic and facultative anaerobic genera. This protocol has allowed us to isolate and identify conjunctival species such as Corynebacterium spp., Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., etc. The approach is suitable to define commensal diversity in mice under different disease conditions.
Somatic intronic TP53 c.375+5G mutations are a recurrent but under-recognized mode of TP53 inactivation.

TP53 is one of the most ubiquitously altered genes in human cancer. The biological impact of rare variants, particularly those located within noncoding regions, remains poorly understood. From interrogation of clinical massively parallel sequencing data from over 55,000 tumors, which included 23,330 tumors with known TP53 mutations, TP53 intron 4 nucleotide substitutions at position c.375+5G were identified in 45 tumors (0.2% of TP53-mutated cancers), comprising cancers of different organ sites. Loss-of-heterozygosity or a second-hit somatic TP53 mutation was observed in 34 of 40 (85%) informative cases. RT-PCR analysis showed the c.375+5G>T variant to be associated with aberrantly spliced TP53 mRNA transcripts with concomitant loss of the normal transcript. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 was performed on a representative subset of tumors with TP53 c.375+5G variants (n = 14), all of which showed loss of protein expression (100%; n = 13 complete loss, n = 1 subclonal loss). Our data are consistent with classification of TP53 c.375+5G variants as deleterious intronic mutations that interfere with proper mRNA splicing, ultimately resulting in loss of expression of functional p53 protein. The clinical scenario of a tumor with loss of p53 immunohistochemical staining, yet lacking a detectable TP53 exonic mutation, should therefore prompt consideration of splice-altering intronic variants.
Romans and the Apologetic Tradition: The Purpose, Genre and Audience of Paul's Letter

Of all the letters in the Pauline corpus, the Letter to the Romans has attracted the greatest degree of scholarly attention. Yet surprisingly scant consideration has been given to the question of its literary genre. Taking up the comparatively brief suggestions of previous scholars, Dr Guerra argues that the Letter belongs to the protreptic genre - the class of writing in antiquity which urges the adoption of a particular way of life (or a deeper commitment to it), setting out its advantages, replying to objections, and demonstrating its superiority. Working through each chapter of the Letter in turn, he indicates how Paul provides a critique of non-Christian ways of life (both Jewish and Gentile) and affirms the superiority of the Christian Gospel. It becomes apparent that the Pauline apologetics of Romans stand between the hellenistic Jewish tradition and the later Greek Christian apologists, and may have influenced the latter.
Background Checking (Generic)

Background checking in the broadest sense gathers any and all existing information about job applicants from electronic and human sources (e.g., creditors, prior employers, court records, and neighbors). Keywords: background; verification; biographical information
Homotopical complexity and good spaces

This paper is an exploration of two ideas in the study of closed classes: the A-complexity of a space X and the notion of good spaces (spaces A for which C(A) = C(A)). A variety of formulae for the computation of complexity are given, along with some calculations. Good spaces are characterized in terms of the functors CW A and P A . The main result is a countable upper bound for ΣA-complexity when A is a good space.
Student Description of Variation while Working with Weather Data.

SUMMARY Variation is a key concept in the study of statistics and its understanding is a crucial aspect of most statistically related tasks. This study aimed to extend and apply a hierarchy for describing students’ understanding of variation that was developed in a sampling context to the context of a natural event in which variation occurs. Students aged 13 to 17 engaged in an inference task that necessitated the description of both rainfall and temperature data. The SOLO Taxonomy was used as a framework for analyzing student responses. Two cycles of Unistructural-MultistructuralRelational levels, one for qualitative descriptions and the other for quantitative descriptions, were identified in responses. Implications of the extended hierarchy for describing understanding of variation for research, teaching and assessment are outlined.
A Study of Gender Differences in Autobiographical Memory: Broken Down by Age and Sex

Data from 40 older adults who produced autobiographical memories to word cues and to the request to list five important memories, and data from 60 older adults who answered factual multiple-choice questions for events spread across their lives, were analyzed for gender differences. In spite of considerable statistical power, there were no gender differences in the distribution of autobiographical memories over the lifespan, in the distribution of important memories, in various ratings provided to these memories, or in the distribution of knowledge for events. The only gender difference found was that men performed better on factual questions about current events and baseball. Thus, counter to what might be expected from Darwinian theory and some behavioral data, gender differences were minimal.
Di‐n‐butyldivinyltin

Di-n-butyldivinyltin product: di-n-butyldivinyltin Keywords: Grignard and related reactions; metalation reactions, tin; tetrahydrofuran; vinylmagnesium bromide, preparation of; condenser, dry ice-acetone
The High-Energy Component of the ISM—Cosmic-Ray Phenomena

Salient properties of cosmic rays and their interactions with the other interstellar components are summarized. It is concentrated on observational constraints, both from direct detections of the energetic particles near the earth and from indirect detections by low-frequency radio-continuum and high-energy γ-ray observations, with the emphasis on recent γ-ray results. In addition, γ-ray constraints on the molecular hydrogen content of the Galaxy are described. The role of cosmic rays among the magnetic-field, gaseous, and stellar components in a possible large-scale hydrostatic equilibrium of the Galaxy is discussed.
The bounded Bayesian

The ideal Bayesian agent reasons from a global probability model, but real agents are restricted to simplified models which they know to be adequate only in restricted circumstances. Very little formal theory has been developed to help fallibly rational agents manage the process of constructing and revising small world models. The goal of this paper is to present a theoretical framework for analyzing model management approaches. For a probability forecasting problem, a search process over small world models is analyzed as an approximation to a larger-world model which the agent cannot explicitly enumerate or compute. Conditions are given under which the sequence of small-world models converges to the larger-world probabilities.
What's Wrong with Those Duration Measures? Nothing... and Everything

The purpose of this paper is to explain some misunderstood aspects of structuring duration-neutral bond trades. In particular, we demonstrate that the widely held notion that nominal and effective durations for bonds without embedded options are equal is mistaken by a large enough amount to be of consequence in some applications. While the paper emphasizes duration-neutral bond trades, it is also about yield curve shifts. We demonstrate that the relationship between par and spot curves, and their shifts, leads to different nominal and effective durations for bonds without embedded options. Because Bloomberg is one of the most widely used tools in fixed income investments, we will couch a substantial fraction of the discussion in terms of Bloomberg screens. We consider a sample trade that demonstrates how large the difference in position weighting can be when choosing between nominal and effective duration. In addition, we demonstrate that the only consistent measure of duration, one that aggregates correctly, when yield curves are not flat is effective duration.
The Archives of the Academie des Sciences

Copyrighted 1978 by the Society for French Historical Studies. Current publisher is Duke University Press. The Archives of the Academie des Sciences in Paris grew out of the loose collection of manuscripts and letters which served the scientific needs of its members and the record-keeping function of the secretary. When Jean Richer asked the secretary of the Academie for the return of a treatise at the meeting of 18 January 1676, the members voted to keep the original and return a copy to Richer.
Differences in preductal and postductal arterial blood gas measurements in infants with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Objective To determine whether right-to-left shunting across the ductus arteriosus (DA) in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in differences between preductal and postductal arterial blood gas (ABG) measurements. Design Demographics, baseline echocardiographic parameters and differences in simultaneous right upper extremity (preductal) and umbilical artery (postductal) ABG samples were determined in newborns with PH and CDH. Setting Newborn intensive care unit at Children9s Hospital Colorado. Patients 30 newborns with CDH and systemic or suprasystemic PH. Interventions Simultaneous preductal and postductal ABGs were compared in 30 newborns with PH and CDH, and ventilator settings and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) were adjusted based on preductal ABG samples. Differences in respiratory support before and after obtaining preductal ABG samples were compared. Results All patients had severe PH by echocardiogram with right-to-left DA shunting. However, only two newborns (6.6%) had right-to-left shunting across the foramen ovale. When compared with postductal ABG samples, preductal arterial pH was 7.35±0.02 vs 7.30±0.02, PaCO 2 40.8±1.9 vs 48.3±1.9, PaO 2 99.3±7.8 vs 46±3, oxygen saturation 95.6±1.2 vs 85.2±1.7 and oxygenation index 14.1±2.3 vs 30.1±5.1 (p 2 . Conclusions Right-to-left DA shunting decreases postductal PaO 2 , oxygen saturation and pH, and increases PaCO 2 . Targeting preductal ABG measurements may allow for a more physiological approach to ventilator management, and potentially reduce lung injury.
Winner Determination Algorithms for Electronic Auctions: A Framework Design

During the past few years, auctions have become popular in conducting trade negotiations on the Internet. The design of new auctions and other negotiation protocols has become an important topic for both, industry and academia. Traditional auction mechanisms allow price-only negotiations for which the winner determination is a computationally simple task. However, the need for new auction mechanisms that allow complex bids such as bundle bids and multi-attribute bids has been raised in many situations. The winner determination in these auctions is a computationally hard problem. The computational complexity has been a significant hurdle for the widespread use of these advanced auction models. In this paper, we will outline the auction design space and classify resource allocation algorithms along multiple dimensions. Then, we will explain the design of an object framework providing an API to different types of winner determination algorithms. This framework enables application programmers to specify buyer preferences, allocation rules and supplier offerings in a declarative manner, and solve the allocation problems without having to re-implement the computationally complex algorithms.
Iterated local optimization for minimum energy broadcast

In our prior work, we presented a highly effective local search based heuristic algorithm called the largest expanding sweep search (LESS) to solve the minimum energy broadcast (MEB) problem over wireless ad hoc or sensor networks. In this paper, the performance is further strengthened by using iterated local optimization (ILO) techniques at the cost of additional computational complexity. To the best of our knowledge, this implementation constitutes currently the best performing algorithm among the known heuristics for MEB. We support this claim through extensive simulation study, comparing with globally optimal solutions obtained by an integer programming (IP) solver. For small network size up to 20 nodes, which is imposed by practical limitation of the IP solver, the ILO based algorithm produces globally optimal solutions with very high frequency (70%), and average performance is within 1.12% of the optimal solution.
Modified Pulsed MOS Capacitor for Characterization of Ultraclean Thin ${\rm p}/{\rm p}^{+}$ Silicon Epitaxial Layers

We develop a modified pulsed MOS technique for measuring generation lifetime in ultraclean and thin p/p+ epitaxial layers, which can be used to detect metallic impurities with densities as low as 1010cm-3. The widely used classic version is shown to be unable to effectively detect such low impurity densities because of the domination of surface generation; whereas, recombination lifetime measurement techniques have serious limitations for layers that have smaller thicknesses than the minority carrier diffusion length.
Taking Children Seriously: What's so Important about Assent?

(2003). Taking Children Seriously: What's so Important about Assent? The American Journal of Bioethics: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 25-26.
Sex differences in the adrenal catecholamine response to hypoglycemia in rats

Abstract We studied the influence of sex on the adrenal catecholamine response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Eight male and seven female adult rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital, and a microdialysis probe was placed in the left adrenal. Dialyzed epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography during a control period and for 1 hour after insulin administration. The blood glucose level was measured every 15 minutes. The same protocol was applied to 23 adult females at various stages of the estrus cycle. The patttern of blood glucose changes during insulin-induced hypoglycemia was similar in both sexes, but males exhibited a significantly greater increase in epinephrine than females (261% v 52%, P
Effect of ouabain on sindbis virus replication in ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-resistant Aedes albopictus cells (Singh).

Abstract The effects of ouabain on Sindbis virus replication in cloned sublines of ouabain-sensitive (B 1 C 4 ) and -resistant (Oua 5 ) Aedes albopictus cells have been studied. The addition of ouabain (0.1 m M ) to B 1 C 4 cells 1 hr after infection reduced the yield of infectious virus 500-fold. The same concentration had no effect on the yield from Oua.5 cells. Analysis of [ 3 H]-uridine-labeled RNA by gel electrophoresis showed that ouabain markedly inhibited Sindbis virus-specific RNA synthesis in B 1 C 4 cells but only partially inhibited host RNA synthesis. In Oua 5 cells, ouabain had little effect on either host or viral RNA synthesis. A close correlation was observed between the inhibition of host protein synthesis by ouabain and the inhibition of virus replication.
A Chemically Stratified Lake in Alaska

A meromictic (chemically stratified) lake occupies a thawed depression in a pingo in interior Alaska, near Circle City. Increased salt concentration and anaerobic conditions characterize the zone extending from a maximum depth of 3 to 8.8 meters. The concentration of strontium and lithium is unusually high for lake water.
Entanglement effects in polyethylene melts: 13C NMR relaxation experiments

13C NMR T1, NOE, and T1ρ were measured for two entangled polyethylene melts (M = 16K and 37K) at 5 and 75 MHz 13C Larmor frequencies from the melting point up to 530 K. Two models for entanglement dynamics are tested against the experimental data. This comparison shows that entanglements not only stretch out those relaxation times longer than the entanglement time τe but also have a spatial effect in restricting the motion of entangled points on the time scale of τe. For polyethylene, the amplitude of residual orientation on the time scale of τe is lower than the theoretical prediction for a Gaussian chain of the entanglement length with both ends fixed. The opposite conclusion was drawn from recent double quantum NMR experiments on polybutadiene. The magnetization decay curve for the T1ρ experiment is nonexponential, indicating that the loss of orientation on long time scales depends on position along the chain backbone.
Error estimates for single step fully discrete approximations for nonlinear second order hyperbolic equations

Abstract Optimal order rates of convergence are proved for fully discrete approximations for nonlinear second order hyperbolic equations which are based on a finite element approximation in the space variables and a single step method in the time variable. The r.h.s. of the differential equation can depend on u , u 1 or ∇ u and the coefficients can depend on u . This paper generalizes the work of Bales where the r.h.s. and coefficients were allowed to depend on u .
MICROWAVE‐VACUUM DRYING OF CRANBERRIES: PART I. ENERGY USE AND EFFICIENCY

Microwave-vacuum drying was investigated as a potential method for drying cranberries. Cranberries were pretreated with either 30°B or 60°B high fructose corn syrup solution for 24 h. They were dried using a laboratory-scale microwave-vacuum oven operating either in continuous or pulsed mode until the final moisture content reached 15% (wet basis). In the continuous mode, two levels of microwave power (250, 500 W) and absolute pressure (5.33, 10.67 kPa) were applied. In the pulsed mode, microwave power of 250 W and two levels of pressure (5.33, 10.67 kPa) were used with two levels of power-on time (30, 60s) and three levels of power-off time (60, 90, 150s). Pulsed application of microwave energy was more efficient than continuous application. In both cases, drying efficiency improved when lower pressure (5.33 kPa) was applied. Shorter power-on time and longer power-off time provided more favorable drying efficiency in pulsed mode. Power-on time of 30 s and power-off time of 150 s was the most suitable setting for maximum drying efficiency.
Determination of intracellular pH by 31P magnetic resonance.

Observation of the ^(31)P signal from various intracellular phosphates can provide a convenient, nondestructive technique for determining intracellular conditions such as pH. This procedure has been explored with particular reference to the erythrocyte. Both the chemical shift of intracellular inorganic phosphate relative to that of serum phosphate and the positions of, and more especially the difference between, the chemical shifts of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate have been used to monitor intracellular pH of erythrocytes whose hemoglobin has been liganded with carbon monoxide.
Measuring the Two‐Phase Capillary Pressure‐Saturation Curves of Soil Samples Saturated with Nonpolar Liquids

The simulation of multiphase fluid flow in the subsurface of soil requires that the pressure-saturation (P-S) relations of the porous medium be known for all fluid pairs. The objective of this study was 1) to develop a technique for routinely measuring the pressure-saturation (PS) curves of undisturbed soil samples saturated with NAPL 2) to build a database using the measured P-S curves and the physical, chemical properties of the soils; and 3) to establish the dependence of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPL) retention on the other soil properties. The soils in this investigation were taken from 35 horizons of 12 soil profiles in Hungary. Undisturbed soil samples were collected from each horizon with a core sampler. The P-S curves with NAPL were determined by using a modified pressure cell apparatus, which was designed and constructed by our laboratory. Statistical analysis was performed involving selected soil parameters and the measured NAPL retention data. By the application of the linear regression equations, the NAPL retention curves can be calculated directly from the mechanical fractions, bulk density, and humus content values of the soil in question. The comparison of estimated and measured NAPL retention data demonstrates the improvement gained by using the regression approach instead of the Leverett type scaling method. The scaling method significantly underestimates the NAPL retention. The accuracy of this new estimation method (after extending the database) can be useful for modeling NAPL fate and migration or mapping the organic contaminant sensitivity of the soils.
Comparison of tilted slit and tilted edge superresolution modulation transfer function techniques

With staring infrared sensors becoming more predominant, an increasing number of system Modulation Transfer Functions (MTFs) are being extracted from undersampled imagery. Contamination of the MTF measurement caused by aliasing must be avoided by using a superresolution technique. We compare differences in the utility of two of these techniques: the tilted edge technique, which is commonly used, and the tilted slit technique, which is not. While the tilted edge MTF measurement is taken for granted, the use of the tilted slit is both innovative and instructive. The differences between the two techniques are examined to determine their ability to successfully extract the MTF from an undersampled image without noise, with white noise, with fixed pattern noise, and with various angles of tilt. Ease of implementation is also considered. All things considered, the tilted edge technique is more easily accomplished and gives superior results. The tilted slit technique, however, gives valuable insight into the nature of aliasing in the real world. It is shown to be an excellent tool by which the difficult concept of aliasing may be easily illustrated.
ASSOCIATION AND MULTIVARIATE EXTREME VALUE DISTRIBUTIONS

summary Multivariate extreme value random vectors are associated, which is a result of Marshall and Olkin (1983). In fact this positive dependence result holds more generally for max-infinitely divisible random vectors as well as for spectrally positive infinitely divisible distributions. The association is obtained from the association of the Poisson process and the fact that association is preserved under non-decreasing transformations.
An iterative method for non-stationary response analysis of non-linear random systems

Abstract A method for calculating the non-stationary response of non-linear systems subjected to random excitations is formulated. The time-dependent equivalent linear system is considered and an iterative procedure for evaluating the non-stationary mean-square responses is developed. Several examples are presented and applicability of the technique is illustrated.
Searching for nodules: what features attract attention and influence detection?

Abstract Rationale and objectives. The goal of the study was to determine whether there are certain physical features of pulmonary nodules that attract visual attention and contribute to increased recognition and detection by observers. Materials and methods. A series of posteroanterior chest images with solitary pulmonary nodules were searched by six radiologists as their eye-position was recorded. The signal-to-noise ratio, size, conspicuity, location, and calcification status were measured for each nodule. Dwell parameters were correlated with nodule features and related to detection rates. Results. Only nodule size (F = 5.08, P = .0254) and conspicuity (F = 4.625, P = .0329) influenced total dwell time on nodules, with larger, more conspicuous nodules receiving less visual attention than smaller, less conspicuous nodules. All nodule features examined influenced overall detection performance (P Conclusion. Individual nodule features do not attract attention as measured by “first hit” fixation data, but certain features do tend to hold attention once the nodule has been fixated. The combination of all features influences whether or not it is detected.
Computer assessment of observer performance by receiver operating characteristic curve and information theory.

Abstract The accuracy of diagnostic tests is assessed with an APL computer program to analyze and display sensitivity and specificity data using receiver operating characteristic curves and information theory.
Hardware-Based Simulation of a Fuel Cell Turbine Hybrid Response to Imposed Fuel Cell Load Transients

Electrical load transients imposed on the cell stack of a solid oxide fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid power system are studied using the Hybrid Performance (HyPer) project. The hardware simulation facility is located at the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). A computational fuel cell model capable of operating in real time is integrated with operating gas turbine hardware. The thermal output of a modeled 350 kW solid oxide fuel cell stack is replicated in the facility by a natural gas fired burner in a direct fired hybrid configuration. Pressure vessels are used to represent a fuel cell stack's cathode flow and post combustion volume and flow impedance. This hardware is used to simulate the fuel cell stack and is incorporated with a modified turbine, compressor, and 120 kW generator on a single shaft. For this study, a simulation was started with a simulated current demand of 307 A on the fuel cell at approximately 0.75 V and an actual 45 kW electrical load on the gas turbine. An open loop response, allowing the turbine rotational speed to respond to thermal transients, was successfully evaluated for a 5% current reduction on the fuel cell followed by a 5%more » current increase. The impact of the fuel cell load change on system process variables is presented. The test results demonstrate the capabilities of the hardware-in-the-loop simulation approach in evaluating hybrid fuel cell turbine dynamics and performance.« less
Coherence masking protection in brief noise complexes: Effects of temporal patterns

Three experiments examined listeners' thresholds for classifying the pitch of a target signal in a masking noise when it was presented alone as compared to when it was presented with a "cosignal." The target signal was a narrow band of noise centered on either 375 or 625 Hz and the masker was noise low-pass filtered at 1000 Hz. The cosignal provided no information about the pitch of the target signal but could potentially combine with it to form an auditory object; it was spectrally well separated from the target signal, consisting of a band of noise ranging from 2200 to 2900 Hz. Experiment 1 showed that identification thresholds were lower when the target signal was paired with the cosignal than when it was presented alone if the onsets and offsets of the target signal and cosignal were temporally synchronous. This is an instance of "coherence masking protection," a phenomenon that has previously been established in the perception of vowels [P.C. Gordon, Percept. Psychophys, 59, 232-242 (1997)]. The effect disappears when the cosignal leads and lags the target signal by short durations, a finding that also matches that observed previously with vowels. The finding that temporal relations between the components of a stimulus have similar effects on the perception of nonspeech noise complexes and speech sounds suggests that speech perception makes use of general auditory mechanisms for perceptual integration of this sort. Experiments 2 and 3 examine further the role of temporal relations between the onsets and offsets of the target signal and the cosignal in producing coherence masking protection. The results show that either onset synchrony or offset synchrony is sufficient to produce the effect when the cosignal is of greater duration than the target signal, but that only onset synchrony produces the effect when the target signal has greater duration than the cosignal. This pattern indicates that the target signal and cosignal do not contribute equally to the formation of auditory objects.
Assignment of Seasonal Factor Categories to Urban Coverage Count Stations Using a Fuzzy Decision Tree

Seasonal factor is an important parameter for converting coverage counts to annual average daily traffic (AADT). There have been many studies on establishing seasonal factor (SF) categories, but there is a limited understanding of how to assign SF groups to short-term count sites. In the current practice, established factor groups are typically assigned based on function class, the physical proximity of short count sites to a permanent traffic count site, and other engineering judgment. There is no sound theoretical basis or rules to guide the seasonal factor assignment process, which results in inaccurate AADT estimates for coverage count sites. This paper describes a data-driven procedure for assigning a seasonal factor category to a given portable count site by taking into consideration the similarities between the characteristics of permanent count sites in the seasonal factor group and the portable count site. A fuzzy decision tree was constructed based on the known SF groupings of permanent count sites and their land use attributes. The decision tree was then applied to determine the SF category for a given portable count site in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties in Florida.
Parkinson's disease: a review

Parkinson's Disease is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting older American adults and is predicted to increase in prevalence as the United States population ages. Resulting from a pathophysiologic loss or degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and the development of neuronal Lewy Bodies, idiopathic Parkinson's Disease is associated with risk factors including aging, family history, pesticide exposure and environmental chemicals (e.g., synthetic heroin use). Its ultimate cause(s) is (are) unknown. Characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms, PD patients classically display rest tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and stooping posture. PD can also be associated with neurobehavioral disorders (depression, anxiety), cognitive impairment (dementia), and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., orthostasis and hyperhidrosis). Recent decades have witnessed a proliferation of medical pharmacologic therapies and innovative surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, definitive disease-modifying therapy is still lacking. Experimental therapies are being developed and tested with limited results. Knowledge of strategies to promote optimal quality of life for PD patients is of paramount importance for caregivers, health providers and patients themselves.
Multiphoton Fluorescence Quenching of Conjugated Polymers for TNT Detection

The use of conjugated organic compounds in fluorescence sensing applications has been demonstrated to provide an impressive method to detect energetic nitro-aromatic compounds. The amplified fluorescence quenching in conjugated polymers was used for trace detection of nitro-aromatics. This method, under one-photon excitation, possesses certain limitations such as the use of harmful ultra-violet radiation and relatively high background noise from light scattering. A novel approach that utilizes the additional benefits of nonlinear optical methods involves multiphoton excited fluorescence. This technique employs infrared excitation which is essential for eye-safety applications and allows for deeper penetration through the atmosphere, with relatively low background noise. We herein report, two conjugated polymers which show good multiphoton absorption properties. This is combined with the excellent sensitivity of the multiphoton excited fluorescence to the presence of tri-nitro toluene (TNT). The multiphoto...
Assessing Effective Teaching.

Abstract Effective teaching is defined as either that which (a) causes students to learn and grow, or (b) is accepted by teachers and other educational professionals. Both definitions yield lists of teaching behaviors that can be assessed by trained classroom observers using performance‐based evaluation. Such observation systems are not necessarily either valid or reliable measures of effective teaching, due to problems of both specification of behaviors and quality of observations. To a certain extent, both types of problems can be lessened using student judges. An alternative approach is to have teachers construct portfolios, but this also raises issues of validity and reliability. If the purpose of assessment is not to force accountability on teachers, but to help them improve, a self‐improvement system using the Tuckman Teacher Feedback Form is described and recommended.
EFFECTS OF MENTAL PRACTICE AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ON PERFORMANCE OF DART THROWING

This study examined the effects of perceived locus of control and mental practice on dart throwing. The participants were high school students selected on the basis of their scores on the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale. Of 130 students tested, the 40% with the most extreme internal and external scores were selected and pretested for dart-throwing accuracy. They were then randomly assigned to either a mental practice or no-practice control group. Following four days of mental practice for that group, all participants were again tested for accuracy. Mental practice produced a significant improvement in accuracy but almost exclusively for participants with an internal locus of control.
Frictional Additivity of Lateral Diffusion on Supported Bilayers: Influence of Linker Length in Synaptotagmin 7 C2A-C2B Tandem Domains

The synaptotagmin (Syt) family of proteins contains tandem C2 domains, C2A and C2B, which bind membranes in the presence of Ca2+. The precise mechanism by which Syt participates in membrane fusion events is not completely understood, and the role of interactions between C2A and C2B in membrane binding and fusion is unclear. To test whether the two domains interact with each other on a planar lipid bilayer, diffusion constants of fluorescent-tagged C2A, C2B, and tandem C2AB domains from Syt7 were determined using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with single-particle tracking. As expected, the tandem domain diffuses significantly more slowly than the single domains. However, the diffusion constant of the C2AB tandem is significantly faster than predicted by simple summation of the individual domains' frictional coefficients. This result suggests that either (a) the short interdomain linker holds the two domains in close proximity to each other in the plane of the bilayer, at a separation distance shorter than the free draining limit, and/or (b) the two domains directly interact with each other when membrane-bound. In order to distinguish between these two possibilities, several mutant versions of the tandem domain with extended C2A-C2B linker regions were purified. Preliminary results indicate these mutants continue to diffuse similarly to the native C2AB tandem and faster than predicted based on frictional additivity, even at linker distances expected to exceed the free draining limit. These results suggest that C2A and C2B interact with each other when bound to a membrane in a manner that is independent of C2A−C2B linker length. Current experiments in this ongoing project probe the nature of the C2A-C2B interaction and may provide insight into the membrane fusion activity of this protein.
Molecular basis of the effect of potassium on heterologously expressed pacemaker (HCN) channels.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels modulate the firing rates of neuronal and cardiac pacemaker cells. HCN channels resemble voltage-gated K+ channels structurally, but much less is known about their structure-function correlation. Although modulation of K+ channel gating by external K+ is a well-known phenomenon, such a link has not been established for HCN channels. Here we examined the effects of external permeant (K+, Na+ and Li+) and non-permeant (NMG+) ions on HCN1 and HCN2 gating. Substituting 64 of 96 mm external K+ with Na+, Li+ or NMG+ positively shifted steady-state activation (∼13 mV), and preferentially slowed activation of HCN1. Mutating the pore variant C-terminal to the GYG motif in HCN1, A352, to the analogous conserved Asp in K+ channels or Arg in HCN2 produced a significant hyperpolarizing activation shift (by 5–15 mV), slowed gating kinetics (up to 6-fold), and abolished or attenuated gating responses to external K+. Whereas Na+, Li+ and NMG+ substitutions produced depolarizing activation shifts of HCN2 similar to those of HCN1, deactivation but not activation of HCN2 was exclusively decelerated. We conclude that gating and permeation of HCN channels are coupled, and that modulation of this ‘pore-to-gate’ coupling by external K+ is isoform-specific.
The effects of nitrous oxide on the secretory activity of pro-opiomelanocortin peptides from basal hypothalamic cells attached to cytodex beads in a superfusion in vitro system.

Dispersed cells from adult rat basal hypothalami, attached to Cytodex-3 microcarrier beads, were placed in a column and superfused with aerated high glucose media or media enriched with variable concentrations of nitrous oxide with oxygen. β-Endorphin and α-MSH content was measured in the effluent collected during superfusion and demonstrated a near constant baseline release. Nitrous oxide, 60% (P < 0.025) and 80% (P < 0.02), caused significant increases in release of β-endorphin. Potassium chloride (50 mM) caused a significant increase in release (P < 0.007) of β-endorphin whereas saline and 30% nitrous oxide did not. Neither nitrous oxide-enriched media nor potassium chloride had any statistically significant effect on α-MSH release. The increase in β-endorphin secretory activity during exposure to nitrous oxide demonstrates that nitrous oxide may have a stimulatory effect on central pro-opiomelanocortin neurons.
Influence of environmental factors on biotic responses to nutrient enrichment in agricultural streams

Maret, Terry R., Christopher P. Konrad, and Andrew W. Tranmer, 2010. Influence of Environmental Factors on Biotic Responses to Nutrient Enrichment in Agricultural Streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(3):498-513. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00430.x Abstract: The influence of environmental factors on biotic responses to nutrients was examined in three diverse agricultural regions of the United States. Seventy wadeable sites were selected along an agricultural land use gradient while minimizing natural variation within each region. Nutrients, habitat, algae, macroinvertebrates, and macrophyte cover were sampled during a single summer low-flow period in 2006 or 2007. Continuous stream stage and water temperature were collected at each site for 30 days prior to sampling. Wide ranges of concentrations were found for total nitrogen (TN) (0.07-9.61 mg/l) and total phosphorus (TP) (<0.004-0.361 mg/l), but biotic responses including periphytic and sestonic chlorophyll a (RCHL and SCHL, respectively), and percent of stream bed with aquatic macrophyte (AQM) growth were not strongly related to concentrations of TN or TP. Pearson’s coefficient of determination (R2) for nutrients and biotic measures across all sites ranged from 0.08 to 0.32 and generally were not higher within each region. The biotic measures (RCHL, SCHL, and AQM) were combined in an index to evaluate eutrophic status across sites that could have different biotic responses to nutrient enrichment. Stepwise multiple regression identified TN, percent canopy, median riffle depth, and daily percent change in stage as significant factors for the eutrophic index (R2 = 0.50, p < 0.001). A TN threshold of 0.48 mg/l was identified where eutrophic index scores became less responsive to increasing TN concentrations, for all sites. Multiple plant growth indicators should be used when evaluating eutrophication, especially when streams contain an abundance of macrophytes.
Some mathematics of recombination: evolution of complexity and genotypic modification in somatic cells - a possible model for aging and cancer effects.

Abstract A plausible discrete time model is proposed, in an effort to explain genotypic modification via genetic recombination. The model is used in an effort to explain the evolution of macromolecular complexity. By macromolecular complexity we mean the evolution of a more complex form of a given protein or enzyme from its less-complex ancestors. The model is also used to draw some conclusions concerning the utility of recombination events in aging and carcinogenesis.
Fulfilment of Koch's postulates and preliminary host range results for Septoria lepidii, a fungal pathogen for potential biological control of hoary cress (Lepidium spp.)

Koch's postulates were fulfilled on five geographical accessions of Lepidium draba and preliminary host range tests were conducted with Septoria lepidii Desm. on 42 Brassicaceae species. Host range results showed the fungus specific to Lepidium spp. This fungus is potentially an important biological control agent for weedy species of Lepidium.
Important Factors in the Size Reduction of Polymer-Stabilized Drug Particle Suspensions Using High-Pressure Homogenization

In recent years, high-pressure homogenization has been used with increasing frequency to reduce the size of pharmaceutical suspensions to the micron, submicron, and nano scales with the goal of increasing the dissolution rate of the drug, and consequently, the in vivo bioavailability. As particle suspensions become smaller in size, increased concentrations of surfactants and stabilizers are required to prevent particle agglomeration. Recently, relatively high concentrations of biocompatible polymers have been used to stabilize suspensions by imparting surface-active steric stability as well as kinetic stability through an increase in suspension viscosity and/or a transition to non-Newtonian rheological properties. While the benefits of stable suspensions are known, little is known about the effect of the high polymer concentration on the actual breakup of the particles in suspension. In this work, designed experiments were used to identify the key parameters that govern the final particle size of a drug suspension following homogenization. In particular, drug loading, operating pressure, and polymer concentration were all found to be statistically significant factors in determining the resulting size of particles in suspension. In addition, it was found that an optimal polymer concentration of 2% (w/w) was required to adequately stabilize the particle suspension while simultaneously avoiding a decrease in homogenizer performance. Concentrations higher than 2% (w/w) resulted in size reduction limitations due to the increased viscosity (>10 cP) and the transition to non-Newtonian behavior.
Aberrant CD2 expression in precursor‐B acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood

Aberrant CD2 expression in childhood precursor-B ALL is rare and has recently been reported with an incidence of 3.6% in a study by Cantu-Rajnoldi et al. [Haematologica 77:384, 1992]. There was no association of the CD2 co-expression with other known prognostic factors. Our study represents the second one in the literature. Out of 60 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemias, analyzed morphologically and by flow cytometric immunophenotyping, 49 were of precursor B origin. Of these 49 cases, CD2 co-expression was detected in 2, yielding an incidence of 4.1%. The complete immunophenotypic profiles of these two cases were as follows, respectively: (1) CD19+, CD20−, CD24+, CD10+, slg−, CD2+, CD3−, CD5−, CD7−, CD13−, CD33−, CD34+, Tdt+; and (2) CD19+, CD20−, CD24+, CD10+, slg−, CD2+, CD3−, CD5−, CD7−, CD13+, CD33−, CD34+, Tdt+. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal male chromosome pattern in case 1 and an abnormal female chromosome pattern [4 cells: 46, XX, del (6q) (q21 q23) and 9 cells: 46, XX, del (11q) (q14 q23)] in case 2. Both patients were in continuous complete remission at last follow-up. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The structure of income inequality in Puerto Rico

Abstract The Kuznets hypothesis predicts that the level of income inequality will rise, then fall during the course of economic development. However, empirical studies have found that for many countries inequality levels off after a certain stage of development and remains at this level for a long period of time. In this paper, one possible reason for the formation of such an ‘inequality plateau’ is suggested. Puerto Rico is used for our case study. Employing an augmented input-output model, we find that the 1963 Puerto Rican economy had reached such an inequality plateau, with a very narrow range of inequality levels permitted by its economic structure. We then investigate the relation between the inequality band and the degree of sectoral interdependence. We find that under certain assumptions one can show a direct correspondence between the two, with the equality range narrowing as the linkages increase. Once an economic system has reached a certain degree of sophistication in its linkage structure its inequality level may become immobile. The implication of this is that after a point the natural course of development will not result in further reduction in inequality. At this stage, the government might have to intervene directly in income determination to reduce inequality.
Surface fermi level of III–V compound semiconductor-dielectric interfaces

Abstract Measurements made on (100)-oriented MIS structures of binary and ternary alloys of the semiconducting III–V compounds, with (primarily) synthetic dielectric layers, show that the equilibrium surface Fermi level and its maximum displacement within the semiconductor bandgap agree (to within the error of measurement) with Fermi level pinning observed on oxidized ( 110)-oriented cleaved surfaces of the respective compounds and agree, as well with their experimentally determined surface barrier heights of metallurgically non-reactive metal/semiconductor interfaces. Theoretically calculated donor and acceptor levels associated with lattice defects at (110) surfaces presumed responsible for Fermi level pinning in III–V compounds are compared to those observed, by means of MIS measurements, at dielectric/semiconductor interfaces. The results provide support for the surface defect model of Fermi level pinning.
Common complaints in the first 30 days of life

Visits to the emergency department (ED) by neonates and their parents can cause anxiety for parents and the ED staff. Many of the presenting complaints are unique to the neonatal population, and an understanding of both common problems and true medical emergencies is paramount. This article discusses the complaints the EDs have seen more frequently as a result of earlier newborn discharges from hospitals.
The impact of motivating factors on implementation of ISO 9001:2000 registration process

Focuses on a study about major innovation in the ISO 9000:2000 registration process. Shows that the application of the behavioural science field is an excellent strategy for businesses to use to help improve investment return on ISO 9001:2000. Reckons that, in order to maximise benefits from implementing ISO 9001:2000, companies should approach the process using an organizational behaviour strategy, to ensure motivation involving the workforce.