cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conserved patterns of bending in satellite and nucleosome positioning DNA

Intrinsic DNA curvature has previously been implicated in the condensation of satellite DNA in chromatin. In this article, electrophoretic methods and computer programs for predicting DNA structure from nucleotide sequence were used to determine if curvature is a conserved feature of satellite DNA. The results revealed that satellite sequences display wide variation in magnitude of intrinsic bending. Less than half of the satellites examined were strongly bent when compared with control DNA. However, a conserved pattern of bending was seen in all 57 satellite sequences that were studied. The pattern consisted of repeating units of two 50-60-base pair bending elements which were separated by a 20-30-base pair region of low curvature. This pattern resembles qualitatively the bending of DNA in the nucleosome where the helix is folded approximately two turns around the histone octomer with the turns interrupted by a less bent segment in the center of the particle. The distance between successive pairs of bending elements was also similar to the average spacing of nucleosomes in chromatin. Thus, the conserved structures could play some role in the positioning of nucleosomes along satellite chromatin. In order to strengthen the correlation between DNA structure and nucleosome positioning, sequences were examined which have been shown to position nucleosomes at single major sites. This analysis revealed a conserved pattern of DNA structure resembling the two peak units seen in satellites. In addition, the nucleotide sequence patterns responsible for the conserved patterns of bending were similar in both satellite and nucleosome positioning DNA. Likewise, nucleotide sequence patterns that are thought to direct the rotational orientation of DNA in the nucleosome were similar in both sequence sets. These results are considered in terms of a general model for the role of DNA bending and nucleotide sequence in the control of nucleosome positioning and chromatin condensation in eukaryotes.
Terman, Lewis M. (1877–1956)

Lewis M. Terman (1877–1956) was a pioneer of intelligence testing in the United States. While a professor at Stanford University, he developed the Stanford Revision of the Binet–Simon Scales (known simply as the Stanford-Binet), a measure of intelligence that became the standard against which other intelligence tests were measured for decades. He continued to play a central role in promoting psychological testing throughout his lifetime. In 1921, he began a longitudinal study of intellectually gifted young people that ultimately followed them through their lifetimes. The data collected on them are still being mined for insights on development. Terman also made significant contributions to the study of marital happiness. His leadership helped his department at Stanford grow into one of the most powerful and respected psychology departments in the country. In 1922, he served as president of the American Psychological Association. Keywords: intelligence quotient (IQ); testing in psychology; giftedness; marital happiness; masculinity/femininity
Modeling of Nonlinear Constitutive Relations of Woven Ceramic Composites

The linear and nonlinear tensile behavior of SiC/SiC composites is examined. This analysis is based on the observed stress-strain behavior and damage evolution from a series of loading and unloading tensile tests. Stress distribution of the composite with transverse cracks in the transverse yarns is examined, and the nonlinearity of the composite stress-strain relation due to the presence of transverse cracks is predicted by application of a maximum failure strain criterion for the transverse yarn.
IGHD II: A Novel GH-1 Gene Mutation (GH-L76P) Severely Affects GH Folding, Stability, and Secretion.

Context: The autosomal dominant form of GH deficiency (IGHD II) is characterized by markedly reduced GH secretion combined with low concentrations of IGF-1 leading to short stature. Objective: Structure-function analysis of a missense mutation in the GH-1 gene converting codon 76 from leucine (L) to proline (P) yielding a mutant GH-L76P peptide. Design, Settings, and Patients: Heterozygosity for GH-L76P/wt-GH was identified in a nonconsanguineous Spanish family. The index patients, two siblings, a boy and a girl, were referred for assessment of their short stature (−3.2 and −3.8 SD). Their grandmother, father, and aunt were also carrying the same mutation and showed severe short stature; therefore, IGHD II was diagnosed. Interventions and Results: AtT-20 cells coexpressing both wt-GH and GH-L76P showed a reduced GH secretion (P < .001) after forskolin stimulation when compared with the cells expressing only wt-GH. In silico mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations presented alterations of correct fo...
A Spatial Dependence Approach to Retrieving Industrial Complexes from Digital Images

This article reports preliminary results of using a spatial dependence approach to retrieving industrial building complexes from digital aerial photographs. Because image retrieval was originally developed outside geography, this paper first discusses the principle of image retrieval in the context of geographic studies, the basic types of geographic features for retrieval, and the spatially dependent nature of geographic features. Based on these discussions, the spatial dependence approach is presented for the intended retrieval. Semivariogram is used to represent the spatial dependence of geographic features and for the subsequent retrieval of these features. Results show the effectiveness of this approach and warrant further investigations.
Heat-treatment effect on impact properties of reduced-activation steels☆

Abstract The effect of heat treatment on the impact behavior of eight experimental heats of reduced-activation ferritic steels was investigated. Steels with 2 1 4 , 5, 9, and 12 wt% Cr and containing tungsten, vanadium, and tantalum were examined. Impact properties of steels with 2 1 4 wt% Cr depended on microstructure, which was affected by cooling rate after austenitization. By heat-treating the 2 1 4 wt% Cr steels to change the microstructure from a bainitic structure containing ferrite to one without ferrite, the ductile-brittle transition temperatures were reduced substantially. The cooling rate had essentially no effect on the high-chromium martensitic steels.
The E = MC2 project: Environment = maintaining cleanliness, a multidisciplinary approach to establish a routine cleaning schedule for medical equipment

ISSUE: During environmental rounds, the infection control coordinator noticed many pieces of medical equipment with stains and visibly dried dust and dirt. Equipment included wheelchairs, stretchers, commodes, buckets, lifts, scales, IV poles, carts, stands, tables, and stools. The issue was presented to the environment of care committee (EOC), and a multidisciplinary team was assigned to address the problem. The team had administrative and financial support to complete the project. PROJECT: The E = MC2 project (environment = maintaining cleanliness) was instituted as a multidisciplinary team approach involving nursing, clinical engineering, environmental services, radiology, operating room, laboratories, dietary, transport, endoscopy, cath lab, ambulatory care, and central sterile service. First, all departments with medical equipment were requested to submit a list of the equipment and the method of cleaning each item, how often it was done, what germicide/disinfectant was used, and who was assigned to clean it. Companies were contacted who performed sonic scrub of medical equipment and bids were placed for the contract to clean over 1500 pieces of equipment. RESULTS: During a 2-week period of time, over 1500 pieces of medical equipment were brought to the loading dock for high-pressure cleaning or ultrasonic submersion of devices, preventive maintenance and lubrication of devices, minor painting where required, cleaning of wheels, and removal of tape and labels. Service was done in the evenings and on weekends and cost approximately $20,000. No equipment was damaged or lost in the process, and a semi-annual cleaning schedule was developed to continue to clean the equipment. CONCLUSION: A process to clean medical equipment on a routine basis is an important part of the environment of care program. Infection control is an important member of the EOC team and should assure that medical equipment gets cleaned. This multidisciplinary approach made the process more organized and involved staff participation. The most important factor was the support of administration. The project resulted in staff expressing their appreciation after the cleaning was done. Routine cleaning schedules were implemented and a semi-annual process established to have the equipment cleaned by a contracted vendor. Information on cleaning schedules, vendors, budget and the implementation process will be presented.
Truncated selection procedures for the most probable event and the least probable event

This paper proposes two sequential procedures for selecting respectively the multinomial cell with the largest cell probability and the multinomial cell with the smallest cell probability. The stopping rule for both procedures uses truncation of the procedure studied by Ramey and Alam (1979, Biometrika, 66, 171–173). A property of the least favorable configuration of the proposed procedures is proved, which partially solves a conjecture given in Ramey and Alam (1979). The proposed procedures are compared with other procedures which have been considered in the literature and are found to be better in certain respects.
Microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer system for psychophysiological research.

Steady state exercise is widely used for psychophysiological studies in which a constant heart rate at a predetermined level is desired. We have developed a microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer system that can be used for administering steady state exercise. Fourteen healthy male subjects, with a wide range of fitness levels (measured by VO2max) were exercised to either a fixed workload (130 watts) or a predetermined heart rate level (servo-heart rate) of 122 bpm (i.e., 65% of maximum calculated heart rate for the sample). Servo-heart rate was implemented using a feedback loop that automatically adjusted workload to compensate for immediate variations in heart rate, resulting in a more consistent heart rate. Heart rate varied from the predetermined value by 17 bpm during fixed workload but only 3 bpm during servo-heart rate (p less than .05). Therefore, by using the microcomputer servo-controlled bicycle ergometer, heart rate was maintained at a predetermined level regardless of the subject's fitness level. VO2max and workload during servo-heart rate were significantly correlated (r = .85, p less than .05). Therefore, the workload necessary to maintain heart rate at a constant level may provide an approximate index of aerobic fitness level.
COMPARISON OF MONADIC AND SIMULTANEOUS SAMPLE PRESENTATION MODES IN A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF MILK CHOCOLATE

Monadic (one sample served at a time, and all attributes rated for that sample) and simultaneous multiple (4 samples served together, and attributes rated one at a time across samples) presentation and evaluation procedures were compared in terms of descriptive profile generated, panel performance (ability to discriminate, reproducibility, concept alignment) and session duration, in a descriptive analysis of 9 milk chocolate samples by a panel of 18 trained judges. The sensory profiles obtained with the two presentation modes were very similar (as assessed by spider web and principal component plots). Time-wise, the simultaneous presentation procedure took significantly longer to complete (p<0.001). Judges discriminated slightly better and were more reproducible with the simultaneous presentation mode, but quality of concept alignment did not differ between the two procedures. We conclude each method has its advantages and limitations, and choice of presentation procedure should be based on the type of descriptive analysis carried out and the time frame available.
Conformational changes required for H(+)/Cl(-) exchange mediated by a CLC transporter

CLC-type exchangers mediate transmembrane Cl(-) transport. Mutations altering their gating properties cause numerous genetic disorders. However, their transport mechanism remains poorly understood. In conventional models, two gates alternatively expose substrates to the intra- or extracellular solutions. A glutamate was identified as the only gate in the CLCs, suggesting that CLCs function by a nonconventional mechanism. Here we show that transport in CLC-ec1, a prokaryotic homolog, is inhibited by cross-links constraining movement of helix O far from the transport pathway. Cross-linked CLC-ec1 adopts a wild-type-like structure, indicating stabilization of a native conformation. Movements of helix O are transduced to the ion pathway via a direct contact between its C terminus and a tyrosine that is a constitutive element of the second gate of CLC transporters. Therefore, the CLC exchangers have two gates that are coupled through conformational rearrangements outside the ion pathway.
How Child Protective Services Investigators Decide to Substantiate Mothers for Failure-to-Protect in Sexual Abuse Cases

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine how Child Protective Services (CPS) investigators decide to substantiate mothers for failure-to-protect from sexual abuse. A case-comparison study was used to compare 31 mothers who were and 62 mothers who were not substantiated for failure-to-protect by CPS. The multivariate analysis showed that mothers who did not consistently believe the sexual abuse occurred and who did not consistently act protectively were more likely to be substantiated. In addition, if they knew about the abuse from more than one source were less supportive of the children; and had a substance abuse problem, a mental health problem or were being battered, then they were more likely to be substantiated. Investigators appear to apply criteria consistently to substantiate mothers.
Anti-EGFR Therapy: Mechanism and Advances in Clinical Efficacy in Breast Cancer

This review will focus on recent advances in the application of antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) for the treatment of breast cancer. The choice of EGFR, a member of the ErbB tyrosine kinase receptor family, stems from evidence pinpointing its role in various anti-EGFR therapies. Therefore, an increase in our understanding of EGFR mechanism and signaling might reveal novel targets amenable to intervention in the clinic. This knowledge base might also improve existing medical treatment options and identify research gaps in the design of new therapeutic agents. While the approved use of drugs like the dual kinase inhibitor Lapatinib represents significant advances in the clinical management of breast cancer, confirmatory studies must be considered to foster the use of anti-EGFR therapies including safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy.
Alterations of fast-reacting sulfhydryl groups of rat brain microsomes by ethanol.

Abstract Brain microsomes isolated from rats chronically imbibing 10% ethanol contained 12–16% more 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) fast-reacting sulfhydryl (SH) groups than microsomes from control animals. (3H)N-ethylmaleimide was also shown to react with more SH groups in the microsomes of ethanol imbibing rats than the controls. No changes were found in the total SH groups or in the disc gel electrophoresis protein banding profiles between the two fractions. However, the acute exposure of microsomes from ethanol-naive animals to ethanol resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in DTNB-reactive SH groups. These findings were interpreted as arising from time-dependdent conformational changes in the membrane due to the presence of ethanol or compensatory response to such changes.
Lymphatic endothelial cell inclusion bodies

Paracrystalline, compact tubular, and myeloid inclusion bodies were observed in endothelial cells from canine renal, mesenteric, and thoracic duct lymphatics. Paracrystalline inclusions were membrane bound and were composed of filaments organized into closely packed hexagons (18 nm across). Compact tubular inclusions were confined to cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear envelope, and their component elements (24 nm in diameter) were more loosely aligned than in the paracrystalline type. Myeloid bodies had a limiting membrane and were composed of membranous whorls (10 nm thick) which were stacked frequently into lamellae. Paracrystalline and myeloid inclusion bodies showed acid phosphatase activity which suggested some lysosomal association but the functional role of compact tubular inclusions was not elucidated.
ANALYSIS OF A SIMPLE AVOIDANCE SITUATION. II. A MODEL.

A mathematical model has been constructed to describe experimental data recorded in a study of a simple avoidance situation. The theoretical description makes use of the concept of the effective number of shocks. The model explains the existence of oscillations encountered in previous experiments.
Qualification of a null lens using image-based phase retrieval

In measuring the figure error of an aspheric optic using a null lens, the wavefront contribution from the null lens must be independently and accurately characterized in order to isolate the optical performance of the aspheric optic alone. Various techniques can be used to characterize such a null lens, including interferometry, profilometry and image-based methods. Only image-based methods, such as phase retrieval, can measure the null-lens wavefront in situ - in single-pass, and at the same conjugates and in the same alignment state in which the null lens will ultimately be used - with no additional optical components. Due to the intended purpose of a Dull lens (e.g., to null a large aspheric wavefront with a near-equal-but-opposite spherical wavefront), characterizing a null-lens wavefront presents several challenges to image-based phase retrieval: Large wavefront slopes and high-dynamic-range data decrease the capture range of phase-retrieval algorithms, increase the requirements on the fidelity of the forward model of the optical system, and make it difficult to extract diagnostic information (e.g., the system F/#) from the image data. In this paper, we present a study of these effects on phase-retrieval algorithms in the context of a null lens used in component development for the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) mission. Approaches for mitigation are also discussed.
Corruption in China’s economic reform: a review of recent observations and explanations

Corruption is a universal phenomenon of public institutions. It is markedly more pervasive in developing and transitional societies. China, with rapid economic growth for two decades, has been deeply troubled by the problem of official corruption at all levels in the public sector. The paper reviews the literature in the last 15 years which examines Chinese corruption from either a theoretical or empirical approach, by qualitative or quantitative methods in observation. Based on more than 30 studies with a focus on the related topic, the review covers issues of Chinese corruption data and statistics, theoretical explanations and China’s strategies of fighting corruption as well as critique.
INNOVATIONS IN TEACHING RACE AND CLASS INEQUALITY: BITTERSWEET CANDY AND THE VANISHING DOLLAR

Instructors teaching students about social inequality, especially sexism and ra cism, often face some degree of student resistance (Haddad and Lieberman 2002; Pence, et. al. 1999; Baker and Copp 1997; Moore 1997; Eder and McCluskey 1996; Ladson-Billings 1996; Davis 1992; James 1991). Opposition is particularly strong when students are from a white, middle to upper class background. As Haddad and Lieberman (2002) remark, "Students from privileged backgrounds lack personal ex perience with structures of domination" (p. 33), leading them to dismiss messages that challenge their perception of social equality through merit. As delineated by numerous sociologists, simulation and experiential exercises are particularly useful for challenging students' taken for granted assumptions, helping them to gain a better understanding of structural inequality and how life chances can be re stricted (Abelev, Vincent, and Haney 2008; Dundes and Harlow 2005; Coghlan and Huggins 2004; Jessup 2001; Obach 2000; Bell and Bradburn 1996; Groves, Warren, and Witschger 1996; Eells 1987). For ex ample, the game Star Power is an expensive and lengthy, but popular and effective simu lation for teaching about power and inequal ity (Dundes and Harlow 2005), and varia tions on the game of Monopoly have also been shown to successfully engage students
Surface Segregation in Diblock Copolymers and Polymer Blend Thin Films

The surface segregation of diblock copolymers and polymer blend thin films has been studied using a molecular theory. It was found that chains composed of short flexible segments always segregate to the surfaces. For flexible-stiff diblocks the flexible block segregates to the surface in most cases, while in polymer blends the stiffer segment is the one that prefers the walls. It is found that the segregation behavior in polymeric systems cannot be described only by the statistical length of the polymer, but a more detailed description of the type of segments is needed.
Treatment of bacterial meningitis

Major epidemiological changes have altered the empiric therapy of patients with bacterial meningitis, a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. We offer recommendations for empiric management decisions and specific antibiotic choices for patients with bacterial meningitis.
Optimization of wind turbine placement using a viral based optimization algorithm

In the present research, a new viral based optimization algorithm is used to find the optimal solution to wind turbine placement problems considering constant wind speed and unidirectional uniform wind. In this study, a MATLAB based program is developed to search the optimal number and position of wind turbines in large wind farms with the objective of minimizing the total cost per unit of power produced from the wind park. The results obtained by the proposed algorithm are compared with results from previous studies.
Identification of regional fundamental economic structure (FES) of Chilean economy: A field of influence approach☆

Abstract This study contributes to the understanding of the regional structure of the Chilean economy utilizing the fundamental economic structure (FES) approach. The regional FES construct implies that selected characteristics of an economy will vary predictably with economic size, as measured by regional: domestic product, population, total value added, and total sector output. The overarching problem addressed in this research is if identifiable patterns of relations among regional macro aggregates and economic transactions can be revealed via regional input-output tables. Jensen, West and Hewings discuss the tiered, partitioned, and temporal approaches to the identification of FES using regional input–output table and spatial economic data. This research addresses the following four research questions: (1) Does a regional FES exist for the Chilean economy? (2) What proportions of the cells are predictable? (3) Can stability patterns in the intermediate transaction table be identified for Chilean regional economy? (4) Which economic transactions are most important across regional economies in Chile? Four regression models: linear-linear, linear-logarithmic, linear-inverse, and linear-logarithmic of inverse are run to identify the largest proportion of predictable FES cells for the Chilean regional economy. The regional input–output tables (1996) for the 13 regions compiled by the National Institute of Statistics of Chile provide data for the analysis. A FES analysis shows 75% cells are predictable, 34% are stable, and 25% are important for Chilean regional economies. Further, 7% of the total fundamental economic activities are predictable, stable and important simultaneously. These strong FES based economic activities consist of chemicals, rubber, petroleum, and plastics as well as public services among several other fundamental industries.
Reality Check: A teacher educator returns home

This collaborative self-study, told through email excerpts and reflections, explores a teacher educator's return to high school teaching. In this study, we juxtapose our voices and alternate between past and present to develop insights that reveal how going back can lead to moving forward with respect to educating prospective teachers. While the story is Lisa's, we work together to use self-study as a research approach methodologically aimed at improving practice. As a teacher educator, Lisa's experience of being a first-year teacher with her former students was one of the most powerful experiences of her professional life. Being a new teacher for a second time forced her to face novice-teacher issues as a participant rather than as an observer or researcher. At times Lisa had no choice but to put aside her doctoral training. When she subsequently returned to teacher education, she did so with renewed passion and enriched understanding of the challenges facing new teachers.
Studies of Variation in Initial Quality of Chicken Eggs 1. Physical Measurements of Albumen and Yolks

Abstract BECAUSE a large proportion of market eggs are bought and sold on a grade basis, it is pertinent to know the factors affecting quality in eggs. Much has been accomplished toward this end in the area of maintaining interior quality once the egg is laid. Somewhat less has been achieved regarding the variation in initial interior quality first demonstrated by such investigators as Sharp (1934), Van Wagenen and Wilgus (1935), and Heiman and Carver (1936). It is generally agreed that the broken-out quality of an egg is associated with the proportionate amount and viscosity of the thick white. Several studies have indicated that initial interior quality of eggs is to some extent subject to genetic control (Holst and Almquist, 1931; Knox and Godfrey, 1934, 1938; Lorenz et al., 1934; and Munro, 1938). Lorenz and Taylor (1940) and Knox and Godfrey (1940) through selection and breeding programs were able to develop …
Politics and social change in Latin America : the distinct tradition

Wiarda provides a new edition of a pioneering exploration of Latin American political culture, the authoritarian tradition, and the recent transitions to democracy and the special meaning of that term in the Latin American context.
Melatonin as a Chronobiotic: Treatment of Circadian Desynchrony in Night Workers and the Blind

Although the causes are different, totally blind people (without light perception) and night shift workers have in common recurrent bouts of insomnia and wake-time sleepiness that occur when their preferred (or mandated) sleep and wake times are out of synchrony with their endogenous circadian rhythms. In this article, the patterns of circadian desynchrony in these two populations are briefly reviewed with special emphasis on longitudinal studies in individual subjects that used the timing of melatonin secretion as a circadian marker. In totally blind people, the most commonly observed pattern is a free-running rhythm with a stable non-24-h circadian period (24.2-24.5 h), although some subjectively blind people are normally entrained, perhaps by residually intact retinoypothalamic photic pathways. Experiments at the cellular and behavioral levels have shown that melatonin can produce time dependent circadian phase shifts. With this in mind, melatonin has been administered to blind people in an attempt to entrain abnormal circadian rhythms, and substantial phase shifts have been accomplished; however, it remains to be demonstrated unequivocally that normal long-term entrainment can be produced. In untreated night shift workers, the degree and direction of phase shifting in response to an inverted sleep-wake schedule appears to be quite variable. When given at the optimal circadian time, melatonin treatment appears to facilitate phase shifting in the desired direction. Melatonin given prior to a night worker's daytime sleep also may attenuate interference from the circadian alerting process. Because melatonin has both phase-shifting and sleep-promoting actions, night shift workers, who number in the millions, may be the most likely group to benefit from treatment.
Three Pulse Photon Echo Peak Shift Study of the B800 Band of the LH2 Complex of Rps. acidophila at Room Temperature: A Coupled Master Equation and Nonlinear Optical Response Function Approach

Three pulse photon echo peak shift (3PEPS) data were obtained for the B800 band of Rps. acidophila (strain 10050) at room temperature. The peak shift decays on two time scales: a sub 100 fs decay ...
This Niche Is a Maze; An Amazing Niche

The cellular identity of niche cells that regulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation has been debated for several years. Two recent studies in Nature (Ding and Morrison, 2013; Greenbaum et al., 2013) have shed light into the bone marrow stromal subsets making CXCL12, a chemokine critical for HSC maintenance.
Wear properties of articular cartilage in vitro

Abstract The wear of articular cartilage (human patellar and canine humeral head) was studied in vitro with a rotating steel abrader. With saline lubrication at 37°C, the cartilage was more resistant to abrasion than neoprene rubber (Shore durometer 50), oak and balsa wood, but less than a series of plastics (nylon, high and low density polyethylenes, polycarbonate and polytetrafluoroethylene). Synovial fluid had a distinct wear-protecting effect; this was eliminated by digestion of the mucin with trypsin but not by testicular hyaluronidase. The viscosity of the synovial fluid therefore did not account for its protective effect. Fibrillated cartilage was abraded more readily than intact tissue, but age otherwise had no effect. It is concluded that surface friction as well as intrinsic properties of the cartilage (strength and stiffness) are major determinants of its wear properties.
Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol: a platform for renewable fuels and chemicals

To ensure the long-term viability of biorefineries, it is essential to go beyond the carbohydrate-based platform and develop complementing technologies capable of producing fuels and chemicals from a wide array of available materials. Glycerol, a readily available and inexpensive compound, is generated during biodiesel, oleochemical, and bioethanol production processes, making its conversion into value-added products of great interest. The high degree of reduction of carbon atoms in glycerol confers the ability to produce fuels and reduced chemicals at higher yields when compared to the use of carbohydrates. This review focuses on current engineering efforts as well as the challenges involved in the utilization of glycerol as a carbon source for the production of fuels and chemicals.
Science Curriculum Effects in High School: A Quantitative Synthesis.

To assess the impact of the innovative precollege science curricula of the past twenty years on learning, a search was conducted using the computer-assisted Bibliographic Retrieval System (BRS), the ERIC Annual Summaries of Research in Science Education, and Dissertation Abstracts International. A total of 151 effect sizes were obtained from 33 studies representing 19,149 junior and senior high school students in the United States, Great Britain, and Israel. Study-weighted analysis yielded an overall mean effect size of 0.31 significantly favorable to the innovative curricula [t(25) = 2.183, p < 0.05] on all outcomes. Student performance in innovative curricula averaged in the 62nd percentile relative to the control norm. Tabulation of signed comparisons indicated that sixty-four out of eighty-one unweighted outcomes were favorable to the innovative curricula. Separate analyses for test content bias, methodological rigor, type of learning, and student characteristics showed no significant differences across these categories.
Interphase boundary structures associated with the β to ζm massive transformation in a Ag-26 at.% Al alloy

Abstract Interphase boundary structures associated with the b.c.c. β to h.c.p. ζm massive transformation in Ag-26 at.% Al alloy have been investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Misfit-compensating ledges with Burgers vectors of the c or (c + a) type were observed on Burgers or near-Burgers related interfaces and of the (c + a) type on Potter or near-Potter related interfaces. The experimentally observed structures are in good agreement with those modeled by means of an extended O-lattice approach. Misfit-compensating ledges were also found to be closely spaced on some irrationally orientated interfaces. High-resolution TEM revealed the detailed structure of misfit-compensating ledges at a β:ζm boundary across which the orientation relationship deviated slightly from that of Burgers. Overall, the experimental results show that β:ζm interfaces are partially coherent, as was predicted for massive transformations in general 25 years ago.
The sentential divide in language and cognition: On Pragmatics of Word Order Flexibility and related issues

Some linguists have argued that sentences should not be studied in isolation. They argue, rather, that the structure of sentences is largely the result of constraints imposed upon them by the discourses they are embedded in. I want to argue that this approach is misguided and that sentence-level syntax and discourse structure constitute distinct domains of study, at least in part because grammar is underdetermined by function. Moreover, I argue that discourse and sentence structures illustrate two types of cognition, dynamic vs. static, and thai these necessarily involve different theoretical constructs for their explanation. That is, they constitute distinct epistemological domains. An important conclu-sion of this study is that principles of sentence grammar cannot be discovered by studies of discourse, but only by careful, theory-guided examination of individual sentences. Because it draws on multiple cognitive domains, discourse itself is inherently resistant to analysis by any single theoretical framework or discipline. Sentence grammar, on the other hand, is amenable to study by a single discipline, i.e., linguistics. These ideas are explored partially here via a review of the book Pragmatics of Word Order Flexibility. It is argued that the studies in this collection have little light to shed on syntactic studies, other than the fact that discourse can exploit independently available syntactic structures.
Renormalization-group analysis of the discrete quasiperiodic Schrödinger equation

Recently developed scaling concepts in the theory of quasiperiodic dynamical systems are used to develop an exact renormalization group applicable to the discrete, quasiperiodic Schr\"odinger equation. To illustrate the power of the method, we calculate the universal scaling properties of the states and eigenvalue spectrum at and below the localization transition for an energy which corresponds to an integrated density of states of $\frac{1}{2}$. The modulating potential has a frequency $\frac{1}{2}(\sqrt{5}\ensuremath{-}1)$ relative to the underlying lattice for the example we work out in greatest detail.
MAJOR ECOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN THE EVOLUTION OF COLUBROID SNAKES.

For most groups of organisms there is little hope of determining much of their phylogenetic history directly from the fossil record. However, phyletic analysis of taxonomic characteristics can afford probabilistic schemes of morphological changes within groups. Coupling measures of divergence from such morphological studies with ecological and geographic knowledge of extant taxa or with fragmentary paleontological materials can produce coherent evolutionary pictures. Even for taxa used as an out-group or baseline reference, the patterns of character data arranged on a phyletic scale (primitivederived) may yield considerable insights into evolutionary processes and history when correlated with ecological and geographic materials. The advanced or colubroid snakes, poorly known from the fossil record, are used here to exemplify this approach. In an attempt to understand the evolutionary development of the venomous solenoglyphous snakes, we made a survey of characteristics of the Colubroidea, the diverse and complex group to which they belong. The Colubroidea includes the families Colubridae ("harmless" snakes), Elapidae (cobras, coral snakes, etc.), Hydrophiidae (sea-snakes), and Viperidae (vipers and pit-vipers). Twenty-four integumentary and 26 skull characters from a sample of 508 species of extant advanced snakes were analyzed phyletically (Marx and Rabb, 1972). For many of the scutellation features, data were available in the literature on an additional 500 species. Our methodology and rationale for the analysis of characters and the taxonomic sample employed are recorded elsewhere (Marx and Rabb, 1970; 1972). Basically we attempted to determine the primitive and derived states for each character, using relative frequencies of occurrences in the "ancestral" or out-group as the primary basis for decisions (see also p. 74). The Colubridae (sensu lato) was used as the out-group. The characters varied widely in their taxonomic distributions, and for some, the phyletic information content is very low. Nevertheless, a sufficient number of the characters are substantial ones that allow useful overall characterization of segments of the sample in respect to morphology, ecology and zoogeography. On the basis of this analysis, this paper focuses on primitive and derived members of the Colubroidea and, more particularly, of the Colubridae.
Temperature effect on low threshold voltage ion-implanted GaAs MESFETs

The temperature dependence of the characteristics of ion-implanted GaAs MESFETs has been studied. The observed effects are mainly due to the p-n-junction-loke interface between the channel active layer and the semi-insulatning substrate. Good agreement between theoretical calculations and the experimental results is obtained.
Pragmatism, Principles, and Protection

In the target article, Brendel and Miller (2008) attempt to bring pragmatic insights to bear on research ethics through the approach called freestanding pragmatism that John Arras (2001) brought sq...
NON-SPECIFIC MESANGIAL STAINING WITH ANTIBODIES AGAINST CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A NEPHROPATHY

The glomerular staining of a commercial polyclonal antiserum against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and of a mixture of 13 monoclonal anti-CMV antibodies in twelve patients with immunoglobulin-A (IgA) nephropathy was examined. The polyclonal antiserum stained the mesangium in all patients. The CMV staining coincided only partially with that of IgA in five patients and the staining distributions were discordant in six. The monoclonal antibodies stained mesangium in only one patient. Serum levels of IgA and IgG anti-CMV antibodies did not differ between patients and controls. In western blot analysis, the polyclonal antiserum reacted with three proteins in uninfected human fibroblasts. Absorption of the antiserum with uninfected fibroblasts reduced the reactivity on western blot analysis and eliminated glomerular staining in five of six renal biopsy samples. It is concluded that the previously reported binding of anti-CMV antibodies to glomeruli from patients with IgA nephropathy may be the result of contaminating antibodies to human antigens.
Comparative analgesic, Behavioral, and Dependence Properties of Morphine and O-(4-Methoxylphenylcarbamoyl)-3-diethylaminopropiophenone Oxime Hydrochloride

The analgesic activity of O-(4-methoxylphenylcarbamoyl)-3-diethylaminopropiophenone oxime hydrochloride was investigated in Swiss-Webster mice using an electroshock technique in which the pain threshold was the minimum voltage producing tonic extension of the hindlimbs in response to an electroshock delivered to the feet. The analgesic potency of O-(4-methoxylphenylcarbamoyl)-3-diethylamino-propiophenone oxime hydrochloride was equal to, or greater than, that of morphine. Neither nalorphine nor withdrawal produced visible behavioral effects in rats treated with O-(4-methoxylphenylcarbamoyl)-3-diethylaminopropiophenone oxime hydrochloride for 21 days, suggesting that the physical dependency liability of the compound may be less than that of morphine.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced Degradation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway ROLE OF THE TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVATON AND DNA BINDING OF AhR

Abstract Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent agonist of AhR, induces a marked reduction in steady state AhR. To analyze the mechanism of regulation of ligand-activated AhR, we examined the biochemical pathway and function of the down-regulation of the receptor by TCDD. Pulse-chase experiments reveal that TCDD shortens the half-life (t ) of AhR from 28 to 3 h in mouse hepatoma cells. Inhibitors of the 26 S proteasome, lactacystin and MG132, block the TCDD-induced turnover of AhR. The TCDD-induced degradation of AhR involves ubiquitination of the AhR protein, because (a) TCDD induces formation of high molecular weight, ubiquitinated AhR and (b) degradation of AhR is inhibited in ts20 cells, which bear a temperature-sensitive mutation in the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, at a nonpermissive temperature. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation of AhR increases the amount of the nuclear AhR·Arnt complex and “superinduces” the expression of endogenous CYP1A1 gene by TCDD, indicating that the proteasomal degradation of AhR serves as a mechanism for controlling the activity of the activated receptor. We also show that deletion of the transcription activation domain of AhR abolishes the degradation, whereas a mutation in the DNA-binding region of AhR or Arnt reduces the degradation; these data implicate the transcription activation domain and DNA binding in AhR degradation. Our findings provide new insights into the regulation of TCDD-activated AhR through ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation.
Bubble coalescence and break‐up in air‐sparged bubble columns

A Phenomenological model is proposed for the rates of bubble coalescence and bubble break-up in turbulent gas-liquid dispersions. Bubble coalescence is modeled by considering bubble collisions due to turbulence, buoyancy, and laminar shear, and by analysis of the coalescence efficiency of collisions. Bubble break-up is analyzed in terms of bubble interactions with turbulent eddies. A method for the measurement of coalescence and break-up events in turbulent systems is described and used to test the validity of the proposed model. The measurement technique relies on the mixing of tracer gases within bubbles upon coalescence, in conjunction with Monte-Carlo simulations of coalescence events. Both distilled water and salt solutions are examined. Favorable agreement is found between the model and the individual coalescence and breakage rates, as well as with data obtained for the average bubble size and bubble size distribution.
Substance P and opioid interaction on stimulated and non-stimulated guinea pig ileum.

Abstract In the past, substance P (SP) has been suggested to be both an opiate agonist and an antagonist. It therefore seemed appropriate to examine potential interactions of SP and opioids on guinea pig ileum. On non-stimulated ileal strips SP caused a dose responsive increase in contraction. Pretreatment of the tissue with morphine (3, 30, 300, 3000 nM), enkephalin (1.42, 14.2, 142, 1420 nM), naloxone (5 nM), or atropine (0.144 μM) did not significantly alter the spasmogenic effect of SP. On stimulated guinea pig ileum, whereas morphine and enkephalin inhibited the electrically induced twitch, SP administration resulted in contraction of the tissue. Additionally, neither strongly effective nor sub-threshold doses of SP antagonized the effects of the narcotics. These data are discussed in terms of separate receptors mediating the effects of the opiates and SP on guinea pig ileum.
Velocity ratios for rocks with oriented microcracks

THE velocity of sound in 55 gneisses from the Alps has been determined by Johnson and Wenk1 in ambient conditions. Because of their foliated fabric, these rocks show a strong anisotropy in physical properties chiefly on account of preferentially oriented microcracks at the boundaries of mineral grains. Johnson and Wenk's determinations were made along the principal fabric directions, assuming orthorhombic symmetry; following their notation, the c direction is perpendicular to the foliation and therefore to the oriented microcracks, and the a and b directions lie within the plane of foliation. Along each direction of wave propagation, there are two shear velocities, corresponding to the two mutually perpendicular directions of polarisation parallel to the principal axes.
Educational Wisdom of African Oral Literature: African Proverbs as Vehicles for Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in Social Studies Education

Preparing children to function effectively as global citizens in today's complex and ethnically polarized nations and the world, will require students who think critically about the knowledge of the histories, experiences, and the cultural practices of other parts of the world. This paper offers African cultural heritage through proverbs as a frame for developing critical thinking skills among American students in the United States.
Relaxation oscillations in NbO2 thin film switching devices

Abstract R.f. oscillations were observed in the current-controlled negative resistance (CCNR) regions of polycrystalline NbO2 switching devices. Stable reproducible oscillations were produced up to the frequency of about 6 × 105 Hz, and the oscillations could be sustained over a long period of time. The observed dependences of their frequency and amplitude on the bias voltage were analyzed and are explained using an equivalent circuit model for the CCNR devices. The observed oscillations were voltage tunable.
Toward practical authorization-dependent user obligation systems

Many authorization system models include some notion of obligation. Little attention has been given to user obligations that depend on and affect authorizations. However, to be usable, the system must ensure users have the authorizations they need when their obligations must be performed. Prior work in this area introduced accountability properties that ensure failure to fulfill obligations is not due to lack of required authorizations. That work presented inconclusive and purely theoretical results concerning the feasibility of maintaining accountability in practice. The results of the current paper include algorithms and performance analysis that support the thesis that maintaining accountability in a reference monitor is reasonable in many applications.