cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment Provider Awareness of the Possible Impact of the Internet on the Treatment of Sex Offenders: An Alert to a Problem.

This study evaluated treatment providers' perceptions of the impact of the Internet on the treatment of sex offenders. This study surveyed all of the agencies in South Carolina that provide treatment services for sex offenders. Analysis indicated that (a) most treatment providers were unaware of the potential negative impact of the Internet on their treatment efforts with clients, (b) most treatment providers had no policy restricting their clients' Internet use, (c) the overwhelming majority of treatment providers felt that they were poorly equipped to deal with this issue, and (d) almost all of the treatment providers felt that probation and parole would be of little assistance in helping them monitor their clients' use of the Internet. Implications of the findings for improving treatment services for sex offenders were explored and discussed.
Suppression of polyglucose degradation in Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953 by amino acids

When supplied with a fermentable amino acid (glutamate, lysine or histidine), cells of Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953 formed an intracellular polymer from both glucose and galactose. Under anaerobic conditions the endogenous polymer (polyglucose) was fermented to a mixture of lactic, formic, acetic and butyric acids. Autoradiographic analysis of intracellular metabolites showed that the [14C]-labeled polymer(s) were metabolized via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway. Addition of glutamic acid, lysine or histadine to the anaerobic cell suspension inhibited polymer degradation, but these amino acids did not prevent the dissimilation of polymer by aerobic organisms.
Effects of fuel cell anode recycle on catalytic fuel reforming

The presence of steam in the reactant gas of a catalytic fuel reformer decreases the formation of carbon, minimizing catalyst deactivation. However, the operation of the reformer without supplemental water reduces the size, weight, cost, and overall complexity of the system. The work presented here examines experimentally two options for adding steam to the reformer inlet: (I) recycle of a simulated fuel cell anode exit gas (comprised of mainly CO2, H2O, and N2 and some H2 and CO) and (II) recycle of the reformate from the reformer exit back to the reformer inlet (mainly comprised of H2, CO, and N2 and some H2O and CO2). As expected, anode gas recycle reduced the carbon formation and increased the hydrogen concentration in the reformate. However, reformer recycle was not as effective due principally to the lower water content in the reformate compared to the anode gas. In fact, reformate recycle showed slightly increased carbon formation compared to no recycle. In an attempt to understand the effects of individual gases in these recycle streams (H2, CO, CO2, N2, and H2O), individual gas species were independently introduced to the reformer feed.
On completely normal (0, 1)-matrices and symmetrizability☆

Abstract If S1,…, Sm are subsets of a set S, there exists a partition of S into basic sets AI, defined by Boolean operations on the Si, of which the latter are sums. If S is a finite-measure space, and the Si are measurable, the measures of the AI are uniquely determined by those of all the products of the Si. An n × n(0, 1)-matrixA is called “completely normal” (c.n.) if all its 2n corresponding row and column inner products are identical, and “completely normalizable” in case AQ is c.n. for some permutation matrix Q. It follows that A is c.n. iff its rows are identical with its columns in some order, and is completely normalizable iff Aτ = PAQ for permutation matrices P, Q. An algorithm is given for construction of all c.n. matrices, and examples show there are normal matrices not completely normalizable, and c.n. matrices not symmetrizable. Whether every (n, k, λ) matrix is symmetrizable, or even completely normalizable, is not known. It is shown at least that every finite projective plane based on a commutative Veblen-Wedderburn system has a symmetrizable incidence matrix.
Impaired neonatal survival of pro-opiomelanocortin null mutants.

Abstract Intercrosses of heterozygous pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mice result in homozygous null progeny at lower frequencies than expected. Genotyping offspring at pre-, peri-, and postnatal stages revealed that over half of homozygous null mutants die in the early postnatal stages. To investigate the reasons for this early postnatal lethality, we analyzed in detail different parameters in the initial hours after birth. POMC null mutants born to heterozygous dams presented at birth with corticosterone levels no different from wildtype littermates, were euglycemic, and had normal liver glycogen stores. However, already 30 min after birth corticosterone levels dropped by 80% and were undetectable thereafter, while corticosterone levels in wildtype animals increased during postnatal hours. Circulating adrenaline was almost below detection 1 h after birth. Blood glucose levels fell sharply in all genotypes within 30 min after birth; however, wildtype and heterozygous pups overcame hypoglycemia within an hour, while mutant pups stayed hypoglycemic. The depletion of liver glycogen stores in mutant pups was significantly less efficient compared to their littermates in the hours after birth. POMC null mutant mice born to POMC null mutant dams completely lack corticosterone and die of the expected respiratory dysfunction. In contrast, POMC null mutant mice born to heterozygous dams do not die of respiratory problems, but rather due to hypoglycemia. Our studies confirm an essential involvement of POMC peptides and of adrenal glucocorticoids and catecholamines on glucose homeostasis critical for early postnatal survival.
A matter of gravity

(2003). A Matter of Gravity. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 110, No. 6, pp. 465-481.
Acceleration of quasi-monochromatic electron beams in laser wakefield to 300 Mev and initiation of photonuclear reactions

We observed quasi-monoenergetic electron beams with energy up to 300 MeV from the laser wakefield. The resultant electron beams have been used to perform efficiently gamma-neutron activation of 12C and 63Cu and photo-fission of 238U.
Nanosecond Isomeric Transitions in Gd 155

The half-lives of the excited states at 86.5 and 105.3 keV in ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{155}$ have been determined as ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}(86.5 \mathrm{keV})=6.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ nsec and ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}(105.3 \mathrm{keV})=1.18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ nsec. The results are compared with the theoretical calculations of $E1$ transition rates taking into account the retarding effect of pairing correlations. The importance of taking into account wave-function components admixed by the Coriolis coupling is discussed.
Binding of cyanide to cytochrome c' from Chromatium vinosum.

Abstract Spectroscopic evidence is presented which demonstrates the binding of cyanide to the ferric cytochrome c′ from Chromatium vinosum. The cytochrome was shown to bind one equivalent of cyanide with an equilibrium constant of 2.1·104 at pH 7.0 and 25°C. This finding represents the first observation of the binding of an anionic ligand to the heme iron in a ferric cytochrome c′. These results suggest that the binding site of the ferric Chromatium cytochrome c′ may be significantly more accessible than previously indicated.
Structure of Dehydroergosterol Monohydrate and Interaction with Sterol Carrier Protein-2

Dehydroergosterol [ergosta-5,7,9(11),22-tetraen-3β-ol] is a naturally-occurring, fluorescent sterol utilized extensively to probe membrane cholesterol distribution, cholesterol-protein interactions, and intracellular cholesterol transport both in vitro and in vivo. In aqueous solutions, the low solubility of dehydroergosterol results in the formation of monohydrate crystals similar to cholesterol. Low temperature X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that dehydroergosterol monohydrate crystallizes in the space group P21 with four molecules in the unit cell and monoclinic crystal parameters a = 9.975(1) A, b = 7.4731(9) A, c = 34.054(4) A, and β = 92.970(2)° somewhat similar to ergosterol monohydrate. The molecular arrangement is in a slightly closer packed bilayer structure resembling cholesterol monohydrate. Since dehydroergosterol fluorescence emission undergoes a quantum yield enhancement and red-shift of its maximum wavelength when crystallized, formation or disruption of microcrystals was monitored with high sensitivity using cuvette-based spectroscopy and multi-photon laser scanning imaging microscopy. This manuscript reports on the dynamical effect of sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) interacting between aqueous dispersions of dehydroergosterol monohydrate microcrystal donors and acceptors consisting not only of model membranes but also vesicles derived from plasma membranes isolated by biochemical fractionation and affinity purification from Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Furthermore, this study provides real-time measurements of the effect of increased SCP-2 levels on the rate of disappearance of dehydroergosterol microcrystals in living cells.
Neuronal-glial interactions. A new form of transmission?

Developpement des hypotheses les plus recentes concernant les processus de neurotransmission autres que synoptiques
Evoked Eeg Responses in Several Motor Areas of Brain to Stimulation of Hippocampus and Caudate, Alone and in Combination

In curarized rats, electrical stimulation (6 Hz pulses in 6-sec trains) was delivered either to the dorsal hippocampus (Hip), the caudate nucleus (Caud), or to both. Hip and Caud stimulation evoked activity in the motor cortex and the Hip, and the responses commonly grew larger during the stimulation; to a lesser extent, responses occurred in the brainstem reticulum and cerebellar cortex. Combined Hip and Caud stimulation responses were often greater than the responses to stimulatiin of either Hip or Caud alone, but less than the sum of responses from each single-site stimulation, suggesting occlusive interference because of shared elements in the projection pathways. There were also some instances suggesting mutual facilitation, where the responses to combined stimulation were greater than the sum of the responses to each single-site stimulation. Both kinds of results seem to indicate that the hippocampus, as well as the caudate, has functional connections with motor control areas of the brain and that b...
Optical properties of Nd-doped ceramic yttrium aluminum garnet

The ceramic form of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) was studied to determine its suitability for high power lasers. The high Nd 3+ doping, the large material size, and the variable doping level with position in the sample, all achievable in ceramics as opposed to single crystal, may lead to higher power solid state lasers than those currently available. We have compared the optical properties of ceramic YAG doped with 0-9 at% Nd 3+ to single-crystal, 1 at% Nd:YAG material. Measurements included scattering, thermo-optic behavior, absorption, fluorescence, and laser damage. Measurements of absorption and emission features showed a small but approximately linear increase in line width with increasing Nd3+ concentration. Nd 3+ fluorescence lifetime was rapidly concentration quenched with the 240-μs lifetime for the 1 at% material decreasing to 30 μs for the 9 at% ceramic material. Bulk and surface laser damage thresholds were measured for undoped and 1% Nd-doped ceramic YAG samples using ns-duration laser pulses at 1.064 μm. Both bulk and surface damage threshold values were found to be at least as high as that of single crystals. Measurements of the refractive index and thermo-optic coefficients showed no difference between the single crystal and ceramic materials at 1% Nd 3+ doping levels. The scattering in the ceramic material was less than half that of the single crystal. These results suggest that for most optical characteristics, the ceramic material is equal to and in some cases superior to the single crystal material.
Uptake of alanine, phenylalanine and tyrosine by L1210 cells at 4 degrees C: possible effect of lipid solubility.

L'introduction d'un groupe phenyl facilite grandement le transfert del-alanine tandis que l'hydroxylation du groupe phenyl diminue la facilite de transfert.
The NH(2)-terminal coiled-coil domain and tyrosine 177 play important roles in induction of a myeloproliferative disease in mice by Bcr-Abl.

Bcr-Abl, a fusion protein generated by t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). It has been shown that Bcr-Abl contains multiple functional domains and motifs and can disrupt regulation of many signaling pathways and cellular functions. However, the role of specific domains and motifs of Bcr-Abl or of specific signaling pathways in the complex in vivo pathogenesis of CML is not completely known. We have previously shown that expression of Bcr-Abl in bone marrow cells by retroviral transduction efficiently induces a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) in mice resembling human CML. We have also shown that the Abl kinase activity within Bcr-Abl is essential for Bcr-Abl leukemogenesis, yet activation of the Abl kinase without Bcr sequences is not sufficient to induce MPD in mice. In this study we investigated the role of Bcr sequences within Bcr-Abl in inducing MPD using this murine model for CML. We found that the NH2-terminal coiled-coil (CC) domain was both essential and sufficient, even though not efficient, to activate Abl to induce an MPD in mice. Interestingly, deletion of the Src homology 3 domain complemented the deficiencies of the CC-deleted Bcr-Abl in inducing MPD in mice. We further demonstrated that the Grb2 binding site at Y177 played an important role in efficient induction of MPD. These studies directly demonstrated the important roles of Bcr sequences in induction of MPD by Bcr-Abl.
High-efficiency Si-nanowire photovoltaic devices with optimal tip head design

The theoretical optical response of 2D surface silicon nanowire arrays was studied to create design guidelines for silicon photovoltaic devices with minimal reflection and maximal absorption by the nanowire bodies. The optical response depends on the shape of the tips and effective fill factor of the array in addition to the grating periodicity. The interplay between these factors is interpreted in terms of the graded index matching and the fill factor. Using nanowires with conic-shaped tips of the same height and base diameter, we found the maximal attainable conversion efficiency to be 29% (4% larger than without such head modifications) for 5-µm nanowires, which is better than a virtual-reflection-free silicon layer.
Heparin Inhibits Lung Branching Morphogenesis: Potential Role of Smooth Muscle Cells in Cleft Formation

Lung branching morphogenesis is the process by which the embryonic lung undergoes repetitive branching to form the bronchial tree. This process occurs during the pseudoglandular stage of lung development and requires epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Coinciding with lung branching morphogenesis is the appearance of parabronchial smooth muscle cells (PSMCs) and the accumulation of extracellular matrices (ECMs) around the developing airways. The authors previously reported in preliminary form that heparin prevents the branching of murine lung explants (Roman et al., Am Rev Respir Dis. 1991; 143:A401); this article corroborates those early observations and expands them by demonstrating that heparin results in disruption of PSMC distribution and abnormal organization of ECMs around the developing airways. These changes were associated with inhibition of lung branching morphogenesis in the absence of effects on cell proliferation. The data provide further support for the role of ECMs in lung branching morphogenesis, and points to PSMCs as potential players in this process.
A comparative study of secondary mathematics curricula: Florida, USA and Tamil Nadu, India

A comparative study of current mathematics curricula for grades 6‐12 of Florida (USA) with Tamil Nadu (India) reflects likenesses and differences in the curricula of both states. Likenesses appeared more frequently than were expected; differences were more apparent at the higher levels than at the lower levels. The course outlines/syllabi of each of the grades/standards were analysed in detail and compared for the topics covered in each distinct area. One of the major observations is that mathematics content is treated differently, especially after the eighth grade/standard. In Florida, the subjects are taught in separate units, i.e. algebra, geometry. In Tamil Nadu, the content is taught as strands of knowledge beginning in standard 6 and continuing through standard 12. Further research suggested by this study includes an investigation of the curriculum effectiveness by a survey of selected samples of student population and teachers in both states to determine success rates in the mastery of the mathemat...
Effect of radiologists' variability on the performance of computer classification of malignant and benign clustered microcalcifications in mammograms

In developing a computer technique to classify clustered microcalcifications as malignant or benign, we previously indicated manually the location of all individual calcifications to the computer and found the computer to be more accurate than radiologists. In this study, we investigate whether radiologists can be asked to provide minimal input to the computer and obtain consistent computer classification results. Radiologists were instructed to draw a rectangle that enclosed all calcifications, and indicate the approximate number of the calcifications (either 30). The computer used these two pieces of information to detect the individual calcifications and, subsequently, to classify the calcifications as malignant or benign based on only those calcifications detected by the computer. We showed at the 2002 RSNA conference 18 cases together with standard and magnification view mammograms to 38 self-reported breast-imaging radiologists (12 of whom read all 18 cases). The standard deviation in the location of their rectangles (averaged over all cases) was approximately 3 mm, the standard deviation in the linear dimension of the rectangles was 6 mm, and the standard deviation in the computer-estimated likelihood of malignancy was 17%. These results indicate that radiologists are able to provide consistent input to the computer, which in turn produces reasonably consistent computer classification results.
ALCOHOL AND EXPECTATIONS OF ATTACK

10 intoxicated and 10 nonintoxicated subjects expressed their expectations regarding the level of shock they anticipated receiving from their opponent in a competitive reaction time situation. Prior to receiving any knowledge concerning their opponents' aggressive intent, subjects who consumed alcohol indicated that they expected their opponent to set higher intensities of shock than did the nonintoxicated subjects. This finding supports the hypothesis that alcohol may disturb a person's ability to judge the degree to which he is being threatened.
A NOVEL KCNJ11 MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH CONGENITAL HYPERINSULINISM REDUCES THE INTRINSIC OPEN PROBABILITY OF β-CELL ATP-SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS

The β-cell ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel controls insulin secretion by linking glucose metabolism to membrane excitability. Loss of KATP channel function due to mutations in ABCC8 or KCNJ11, genes that encode the sulfonylurea receptor 1 or the inward rectifier Kir6.2 subunit of the channel, is a major cause of congenital hyperinsulinism. Here, we report identification of a novel KCNJ11 mutation associated with the disease that renders a missense mutation, F55L, in the Kir6.2 protein. Mutant channels reconstituted in COS cells exhibited a wild-type-like surface expression level and normal sensitivity to ATP, MgADP, and diazoxide. However, the intrinsic open probability of the mutant channel was greatly reduced, by ∼10-fold. This low open probability defect could be reversed by application of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates or oleoyl-CoA to the cytoplasmic face of the channel, indicating that reduced channel response to membrane phospholipids and/or long chain acyl-CoAs underlies the low intrinsic open probability in the mutant. Our findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism for loss of KATP channel function and congenital hyperinsulinism and support the importance of phospholipids and/or long chain acyl-CoAs in setting the physiological activity of β-cell KATP channels. The F55L mutation is located in the slide helix of Kir6.2. Several permanent neonatal diabetes-associated mutations found in the same structure have the opposite effect of increasing intrinsic channel open probability. Our results also highlight the critical role of the Kir6.2 slide helix in determining the intrinsic open probability of KATP channels.
Form and content of replacement cost information: The impact upon investment criteria

Abstract The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently required that certain registrants disclose specific current replacement cost information when filing their 10-K's. In the current research, unsophisticated investor surrogates were asked to perform an investment task using historical cost and/or variations of actual current replacement cost data for several companies. It was found that neither the content nor the form of the alternative information sets significantly affected the investor decisions.
Semiclassical multichannel perturbed-stationary-state model for rearrangement atomic collisions.

We present a translationally invariant formulation of the semiclassical perturbed-stationary-state (PSS) method of atomic collisions that satisfies scattering boundary conditions without resorting to the electron translation factor. Our formulation hinges on the fact that correctly dissociating linear combinations of adiabatic electronic states become in the limit proper atomic states. Galilean invariant dynamical couplings are generated by scattering momenta conjugated to reaction coordinates in the Jacobi frames appropriate for describing either the colliding or the parting atomic species. Residual asymptotic couplings exist and constitute a necessary ingredient of our theory. They emerge because an electron in asymptotic capture (charge-exchange) state travels in the Jacobi frame proper for its collision entry state. As such, we do not eliminate the residual couplings by modifying the adiabatic functions with an electron translation factor, but rather harness them to construct asymptotic interaction-picture traveling states suitable for the PSS basis employed. This allows negating the traveling phases from the semiclassically propagated adiabatic amplitudes. The resulting phase-free capture amplitudes reach a definite asymptotic limit. The collision momentum operators in Jacobi coordinates proper for different asymptotic rearrangements are not equivalent. This is always true regardless of the basis employed, since imposing a diagonal internal kinetic energy in one Jacobi frame necessarily implies it is not diagonal in other internal coordinates (which is also the source of residual couplings). We therefore suggest a unique and instantaneous dynamical coupling operator may be constructed as the temporal adiabatic-state weighted average of the scattering momenta associated with the electronic rearrangements spanned by the basis. The proposed multichannel PSS propagator is shown, in forthcoming work, to faithfully reproduce the charge-exchange cross sections in collisions of ${\mathrm{He}}^{2+}$ on H and ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ on ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ up to the energies where ionization becomes important.
A Beneficial Partnership between Hospitals and Colleges of Pharmacy: Development and Discussion of a Joint Cooperative Endeavor Agreement:

A Joint Cooperative Endeavor Agreement is a contract between a college of pharmacy and a hospital. Through this type of agreement, colleges are providing partially or fully funded faculty a teaching and practice site within both community and university hospitals. The purpose of this article is to discuss the benefits for both the colleges of pharmacy and the hospitals that engage in a joint agreement and to provide information for those wishing to establish such an agreement. This article will include details of the terms and conditions of joint agreements from two different state-funded universities. The details provided could be considered when establishing a joint agreement to ensure adequate division of responsibilities between the two entities; however, the agreement may need to be adapted based on specific university and hospital legal counsel.
Identification and quantitation of impurities in methotrexate

The impurities in bulk, commercial, and investigational methotrexate samples were chromatographically separated by gradient elution from a diethylaminoethylcellulose column. Besides the already known impurities in the bulk and commercial samples, two other impurities, 4-amino-N10-methylpteroyl-N-methylglutamine and 2,4-di-amino-N10-methylpteramide, were identified. A new batch of methotrexate, synthesized for the National Cancer Institute for investigational use only, showed a different spectrum of impurities. The purity of all methotrexate samples studied was about 80% calculated on an anhydrous basis.
Peptide maps obtained with tryptic digests of the proteins of some strains of tobacco mosaic virus.

Abstract Proteins were separated from five strains of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) by treatment with acetic acid. The isolated proteins were digested with crystalline trypsin at pH 7.8 and the resultant peptides were separated into fractions, soluble and insoluble, respectively, at pH 4.5. The soluble peptides, comprising from 60 to 76% of the material, depending on the strain, were separated by a combination of paper electrophoresis and paper chromatography. Peptide spots were located by spraying with various indicator reagents. “Maps” thus obtained of the peptides from five strains of TMV showed many features in common and several striking differences.
Oxygen dependence of oestrogen production by human placental microsomes and cultured choriocarcinoma cells

Abstract The oxygen dependence of oestrogen (oestrone and 17β-oestradiol) formation from androstenedione and testosterone was studied in term human placental microsomes and in cultured human choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo line). Incubations were performed under various steady-state oxygen concentrations and the production of oestrone and 17β-oestradiol quantitated by specific radio-immunoassays. The aromatization of C 19 -steriods by both placental microsomes and choriocarcinoma cells was shown to be oxygen dependent over a wide range of O 2 concentrations. The results indicate that placental oxygenation may be a critical factor in determining oestrogen production in vivo . Therefore, impaired oestrogen biosynthesis due to hypoxia could be an important factor in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions.
Measles Virus Infection in a Transgenic Model: Virus-Induced Immunosuppression and Central Nervous System Disease

Measles virus (MV) infects 40 million persons and kills one million per year primarily by suppressing the immune system and afflicting the central nervous system (CNS). The lack of a suitable small animal model has impeded progress of understanding how MV causes disease and the development of novel therapies and improved vaccines. We tested a transgenic mouse line in which expression of the MV receptor CD46 closely mimicked the location and amount of CD46 found in humans. Virus replicated in and was recovered from these animals' immune systems and was associated with suppression of humoral and cellular immune responses. Infectious virus was recovered from the CNS, replicated primarily in neurons, and spread to distal sites presumably by fast axonal transport. Thus, a small animal model is available for analysis of MV pathogenesis.
Asymmetrically Modified Nucleosomes

Summary Mononucleosomes, the basic building blocks of chromatin, contain two copies of each core histone. The associated posttranslational modifications regulate essential chromatin-dependent processes, yet whether each histone copy is identically modified in vivo is unclear. We demonstrate that nucleosomes in embryonic stem cells, fibroblasts, and cancer cells exist in both symmetrically and asymmetrically modified populations for histone H3 lysine 27 di/trimethylation (H3K27me2/3) and H4K20me1. Further, we obtained direct physical evidence for bivalent nucleosomes carrying H3K4me3 or H3K36me3 along with H3K27me3, albeit on opposite H3 tails. Bivalency at target genes was resolved upon differentiation of ES cells. Polycomb repressive complex 2-mediated methylation of H3K27 was inhibited when nucleosomes contain symmetrically, but not asymmetrically, placed H3K4me3 or H3K36me3. These findings uncover a potential mechanism for the incorporation of bivalent features into nucleosomes and demonstrate how asymmetry might set the stage to diversify functional nucleosome states.
Designing quality course management systems that foster intra-professional education

Summary This paper draws on the experiences of the author in designing and implementing quality course management policies and procedures for vocational and higher educational programs, both overseas and in Australia. In particular, the paper focuses on those programs of study that require practicums within the curriculum. Whether these are clinical nursing placements, physiotherapy hands-on practical blocks or teacher training instruction, there are many principles of adult education that can be applied to the design and development of course management systems that foster inter-professional education. It is important that the components of any such system allow for a multi-faceted approach that relates collaborative learning to collaborative practice and supports a team of professionals through the skilled use of group-based learning, interactive assessments and inter-organisational processes and practices. The term ‘course management system' is used here to describe all those policies and procedures that form the framework of any higher education department or faculty that has the overall responsibility for developing curriculum, teaching and learning resources that ensure quality educational outcomes for its students. In these days of multi-skilling, the benefits of inter-professional education may be significant. To guarantee that standards are kept high and learning outcomes are achievable, the management of an educational system must cover many areas of professional practice. It needs to be supported by all stakeholders in the organisation so that there is an environment of understanding, good interpersonal communication, supportive inter-group relations and an atmosphere of professionalism that is pervasive. This paper introduces a third definition to the model and suggests that intra-professional education be added to form a tripartite foundation for quality professional learning outcomes.
Invasive ants alter foraging and parental behaviors of a native bird.

Introduced species can exert outsized impacts on native biota through both direct (predation) and indirect (competition) effects. Ants frequently become established in new areas after being transported by humans across traditional biological or geographical barriers, and a prime example of such establishment is the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Introduced to North America in the 1930s, red imported fire ants are now firmly established throughout the southeastern United States. Although these invasive predators can dramatically impact native arthropods, their effect on vertebrates through resource competition is essentially unknown. Using a paired experimental design, we compared patterns of foraging and rates of provisioning for breeding eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in unmanipulated (control) territories to those in adjacent (treated) territories where fire ants were experimentally reduced. Bluebirds inhabiting treated territories foraged nearer their nests and provisioned offspring more frequently than bluebirds inhabiting control territories with unmanipulated fire ant levels. Additionally, nestlings from treated territories were in better condition than those from control territories, though these differences were largely confined to early development. The elimination of significant differences in body condition toward the end of the nestling period suggests that bluebird parents in control territories were able to make up the food deficit caused by fire ants, potentially by working harder to adequately provision their offspring. The relationship between fire ant abundance and bluebird behavior hints at the complexity of ecological communities and suggests negative effects of invasive species are not limited to taxa with which they have direct contact.
Donor–Acceptor Oligorotaxanes Made to Order

Five donor–acceptor oligorotaxanes made up of dumbbells composed of tetraethylene glycol chains, interspersed with three and five 1,5-dioxynaphthalene units, and terminated by 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy stoppers, have been prepared by the threading of discrete numbers of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) rings, followed by a kinetically controlled stoppering protocol that relies on click chemistry. The well-known copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition between azide functions placed at the ends of the polyether chains and alkyne-bearing stopper precursors was employed during the final kinetically controlled template-directed synthesis of the five oligorotaxanes, which were characterized subsequently by ^1H NMR spectroscopy at low temperature (233 K) in deuterated acetonitrile. The secondary structures, as well as the conformations, of the five oligorotaxanes were unraveled by spectroscopic comparison with the dumbbell and ring components. By focusing attention on the changes in chemical shifts of some key probe protons, obtained from a wide range of low-temperature spectra, a picture emerges of a high degree of folding within the thread protons of the dumbbells of four of the five oligorotaxanes—the fifth oligorotaxane represents a control compound in effect— brought about by a combination of C-H···O and π–π stacking interactions between the p-electron-deficient bipyridinium units in the rings and the π-electron-rich 1,5-dioxynaphthalene units and polyether chains in the dumbbells. The secondary structures of a foldamer-like nature have received further support from a solid-state superstructure of a related [3]pseudorotaxane and density functional calculations performed thereon.
Competitive analysis of online traffic grooming in WDM rings

This paper addresses the problem of traffic grooming in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) rings where connection requests arrive online. Each request specifies a pair of nodes that wish to communicate and also the desired bandwidth of this connection. If the request is to be satisfied, it must be allocated to one or more wavelengths with sufficient remaining capacity. We consider three distinct profit models specifying the profit associated with satisfying a connection request. We give results on offline and online algorithms for each of the three profit models. We use the paradigm of competitive analysis to theoretically analyze the quality of our online algorithms. Finally, experimental results are given to provide insight into the performance of these algorithms in practice.
Radar target recognition using multilayer back propagation neural network (MLBPN)

The authors have attempted to characterise the Doppler modulation aspects of radar echoes from rotating blades (experimental radar targets) using fast Fourier transforms, cepstrum and linear predictive coding. This paper attempts to recognise the experimental radar targets by extracting target features through conventional signal processing techniques and then feeding the feature vectors to a multilayer back propagation neural network. The results point to a major increase in capabilities of future radar systems. >
Mucin Glycoprotein Content of Human Pigment Gallstones

Mucin glycoproteins, a secretory product of the gallbladder, are thought to contribute to the matrix or nucleus of gallstones. Human black pigment stones originate in the gallbladder and have as their major constituent calcium bilirubinate, as well as inorganic salts and small amounts of cholesterol. The object of this study was to estimate the amount of glycoprotein in black pigment stones and to isolate gallbladder mucin from dissolved stones. Black pigment stones containing 18 to 65% calcium bilirubinate were first dissolved in 12.5 mM EDTA/0.1 N NaOH and decolorized, then subjected to glycoprotein assay. The mean glycoprotein content of eight stones was 12.4%. In separate experiments, pigment stones were partially dissolved by brief exposure to EDTA/NaOH to minimize glycoprotein breakdown, and the glycoproteins isolated by gel filtration and ultracentrifugation. Pigment stones contained two glycoprotein fractions on Sepharose 4B; a high molecular weight mucin glycoprotein in the void volume and a lower molecular fraction in the included volume. Mucin was further purified by density gradient ultracentrifugation in cesium chloride. Three separate mucin fractions had an average buoyant density of 1.48 gm per ml which is typical for these glycoproteins. Bile pigment was associated with high molecular weight mucin even after extensive dialysis, gel filtration, and density gradient ultracentrifugation. The identity of mucin was further established by beta-elimination of glycoproteins in alkaline borohydride which yielded galactosaminitol from cleavage of O-glycosidic bonds. Our results indicate that mucin glycoproteins are present in significant concentrations in human black pigment stones and can be purified from stones solubilized in EDTA/NaOH. The association of bile pigment with gallbladder mucin, even after extensive purification, is consistent with the hypothesis that mucin contributes to the matrix of pigment gallstones.
Effect of cardiac output on pulmonary hemodynamics

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is a direct relation between pulmunary arterial input resistance and compliance in seven anesthetized cats. Cardiac output was altered by varying the direction and flow through an arteriovenous fistula with a roller pump. Pulmonary arterial input impedance was calculated from the Fourier analysis of the pressure and flow waveforms. Input resistance, pulmonary arterial compliance and characteristic impedance were estimated from the impedance spectra with a lumped parameter model. We found that pulmonary arterial compliance increased with cardiac output (P<0.002) but characteristic impedance was independent of flow. The observed response has the effect of reducing the hydraulic power lost by the pulmonary vasculature due to wave reflection. In three additional cats we measured the diameter of the main pulmonary artery by sonomicrometry. We found a linear relation between mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary arterial diameter during alterations of cardiac output. This result suggests that the increase of pulmonary arterial compliance with cardiac output is due to geometric factors rather than changes in vascular clastic properties.
The Fungal Genetics Stock Center in the context of a world wide community of ex situ fungal germplasm repositories

Most fungal biology researchers depend on culture collections, or more aptly, ex situ fungal germplasm repositories, either for the materials upon which they work, or as a long-term home for their materials after their projects are finished. These collections are broadly distributed and typically supported by the local government. The large number of collections, notwithstanding, some collections have greater impact than others. This review will discuss the fungal germplasm repositories around the world with special attention paid to the Fungal Genetics Stock Center. To facilitate their activities collections have joined together in networks, both locally and internationally. Additional information on public policy and how it impacts collections will be presented and the impact of collections will be highlighted.
Shared and traded telerobotic visual control

The authors address the problem of integrating the human operator with autonomous robotic visual tracking and servoing modules. A CCD (charge coupled device) camera is mounted on the end-effector of a robot and the task is to servo around a static or moving rigid target. In manual control mode, the human operator, with the help of joystick and a monitor, commands robot motions in order to compensate for tracking errors. In shared control mode, the human operator and the autonomous visual tracking modules command motion along orthogonal sets of degrees of freedom. In autonomous control mode, the autonomous visual tracking modules are in full control of the servoing functions. Finally, in traded control mode, the control can be transferred from the autonomous visual modules to the human operator and vice versa. The authors present an experimental setup where all these different schemes have been tested. Experimental results of all modes of operation are presented and the related issues are discussed. In certain degrees of freedom the autonomous modules perform better than the human operator. On the other hand, the human operator can compensate fast for failures in tracking while the autonomous modules fail. >
Age-of-acquisition effects in reading aloud: Tests of cumulative frequency and frequency trajectory

Several studies have reported that the age at which a word is learned affects skilled reading. This age-of-acquisition effect is potentially important for theories of reading and learning. The effect has been difficult to pin down, however, because the age at which a word is learned is correlated with many other lexical properties. Zevin and Seidenberg (2002) analyzed these phenomena, using connectionist models that distinguished between cumulative frequency (the total number of times a word is experienced) and frequency trajectory (the distribution of these experiences over time). The models prompted a reevaluation of the empirical literature on this topic. The present research tested and confirmed three behavioral predictions derived from these models. First, cumulative frequency has an impact on skilled word naming, more so than standard measures of frequency derived from such norms as those of Kucera and Francis (1967). Second, frequency trajectory affects age of acquisition: The timing of exposure to words affects how rapidly they are learned. However, frequency trajectory does not affect skilled reading aloud, because the consistencies in mapping between spelling and sound eventually wash out the effects of early differences in frequency of exposure. Thus, in skilled performance, the timing of exposure to words is less important than the amount of exposure. The results clarify the conditions under which age-dependent learning effects occur in reading aloud.
Review of Corrosion Modes For Alloy 22 Regarding Lifetime Expectancy of Nuclear Waste Containers

Alloy 22 (UNS N06022) was selected to fabricate the corrosion resistant outer barrier of a two-layer waste package container for nuclear waste at the designated repository site in Yucca Mountain in Nevada (USA). A testing program is underway to characterize and quantify three main modes of corrosion that may occur at the site. Current results show that the containers would perform well under general corrosion, localized corrosion and environmentally assisted cracking (EAC). For example, the general corrosion rate is expected to be below 100 nm/year and the container is predicted to be outside the range of potential for localized corrosion and environmentally assisted cracking.
Identifying Predictors of Satisfaction with Access to Medical Care and Quality of Care

Satisfaction with access to medical care and quality of care were compared using a survey instrument adapted from the Group Health Association of America Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Participants ...
Bifurcation diagrams of coupled Schrödinger equations

Radially symmetric solutions of many important systems of partial differential equations can be reduced to systems of special ordinary differential equations. A numerical solver for initial value problems for such systems is developed based on Matlab, and numerical bifurcation diagrams are obtained according to the behavior of the solutions. Various bifurcation diagrams of coupled Schrodinger equations from nonlinear physics are obtained, which suggests the uniqueness of the ground state solution.
Basin Water Monitoring: Hydrologic Impact or Legal Compliance

: The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (PL 95–87) requires data collection prior to mining which will allow a determination to be made of the probable hydrologic consequences. Modeling strategies exist which allow for such determination, but selection of a specific model form will dictate the length of data record needed. The absence of a sound management strategy by the regulatory authority in‘Maryland does not result in valid data collection and suggests that the agency is concerned more with legal compliance than with integrated resource management.
Sample size selection for improved Nelder-Mead performance

The Nelder-Mead (1965) simplex algorithm has been used for sequential optimization of simulation response functions. The rescaling operations of this algorithm can lead to inappropriate termination at non-optimal points. We have used the probabilistic characterization of this behaviour to develop special rules for determining the number of replications to take for each experimental design point. Computational experiments indicate that the quality of the solution is often improved.
Structure development in biaxially stretched polystyrene film: Part I. Property-orientation correlation

A study of orientation development in polystyrene film by biaxial stretching is described. Stretch ratios up to 7.2 × 7.2 were used. Mechanical properties of polystyrene films were correlated with the level of molecular orientation developed by uniaxial or biaxial stretching. Sensitivity of the mechanical properties to change due to development of orientation varied as follows: Yield strength < Young's modulus < Tensile strength < Elongation to break. Brittle to ductile transition phenomena were observed at certain orientation values in the orientation triangle diagram. The transition occurs when f × f ∼ 0.0025 for biaxially oriented and f ∼ 0.015 in the machine direction for uniaxially oriented films. SEM photomicrographs show that the fracture surfaces of ductile failures exhibit many fibrils while brittle failures exhibit no fibrils.
Reproductive Characteristics of the Turquoise Darter (Etheostoma inscriptum) in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina

Sex ratio, fecundity, gonosomatic indices (GSI), and time of spawning were examined for the Turquoise Darter (Etheostoma inscriptum) from January through June 2009. Approximately 30 specimens per sample were captured and examined in roughly three-week intervals. Additional sex ratio data were collected on 314 specimens from 3 to 13 March 2009. Sex ratio favored females 1.8∶1. Male weight and length were both found to be significantly greater than those of females. Peak GSI for males was the 2 April sample (1.1%), declining considerably by 19 June (0.4%). Peak GSI for females occurred 23 April (12.83%) followed by a decline through May, and continued to decline through June, when spawning appeared to end. Fecundity analysis showed a continuum of ova maturation during the spawning period with annual fecundity estimates ranging from 122 to 235 ova/yr. GSI and fecundity analysis together support that spawning in E. inscriptum initiates near mid April and continues until June in a series of multiple spawns. Th...