cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human CD56bright NK Cells Acquire Potent Anti-Leukemia Functionality Following IL-15 Priming

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate anti-tumor responses via cytotoxicity and effector cytokine production. Human NK cells are divided into two subsets based on relative expression of CD56 (CD56bright and CD56dim) that classically participate in distinct functions. Cytotoxic CD56dim NK cells respond to tumor targets without prior stimulation, resulting in target cell death and transient secretion of effector cytokines (e.g. IFN-γ). In contrast, immunoregulatory CD56bright NK cells secrete abundant IFN-γ and other cytokines in response to cytokine receptor stimulation, but respond minimally to tumor target-based triggering. As a result of this dichotomy, translational strategies to enhance NK cell function for cancer immunotherapy have focused exclusively on the CD56dim subset. Based upon studies in mouse NK cells, we hypothesized IL-15 priming would enhance CD56bright anti-tumor functionality. Primary human NK cells from healthy donors were purified (>95% CD56+CD3-), cultured overnight in medium alone (control) or medium with 5 ng/mL rhIL-15 (primed), washed, and assayed for anti-tumor responses. IL-15 priming significantly enhanced multiple CD56bright NK cell functional responses to the prototypical AML target cell line K562 (CD107a+: control 20% vs. primed 59%, p In response to IL-15, we observed selective activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR (4.2 fold increase CD56bright NK cells, 1.2 CD56dim NK cells, p Collectively, these results suggest that CD56bright NK cells play an under-appreciated anti-tumor role in settings of abundant IL-15, such as following lymphodepleting chemotherapy, during preparation for stem cell transplantation, at sites of inflammation, or after exogenous IL-15 administration. Since CD56bright NK cells have different in vivo tissue localization (secondary lymphoid organs), distinct inhibitory, activating, and chemokine receptor expression compared to CD56dim NK cells, and are thought to be the most abundant NK cell subset when considering all human tissues, this study identifies a promising NK cell subset to harness for cancer immunotherapy. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Underidentification and the Problem of Identification

This chapter discusses the problem of identification in modeling. The problem of identification is quite distinct from problems because of the errors of sampling. One would be unable to estimate the structural coefficients in an underidentified equation even if one knew the population variances and covariances. Another perspective on the identification problem is gained in examining the reduced form of the model. One diagnosis of underidentification arises from the study of the model's reduced form: If there are not enough reduced-form coefficients to define solutions for the structural coefficients, at least one of the equations of the model is underidentified. The sufficient condition for identification (the so-called rank condition) is that each equation of a model be distinct from every other equation in the model and from all possible linear combinations of equations in the model. If this condition is satisfied and if H = G, the equation is exactly or just identified; but if H > G, it is overidentified.
Pathways for the response of the eye to injury.

The role of a neural pathway in the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier of the rabbit after two irritating stimuli, topical nitrogen mustard, and paracentesis, was studied. Retrobulbar anesthesia or section of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve decreased the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier, as measured by protein in the aqueous humor, after topical nitrogen mustard. Sensory denervation, accomplished with retrobulbar alcohol, virtually prevented the protein rise in the aqueous humor. Disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier after paracentesis, however, was not affected by retrobulbar anesthesia or alcohol denervation. Therefore, the increased protein in the aqueous humor after an irritative stimulus appears to be mediated by at least two pathways. The response to a stimulus such as nitrogen mustard depends on sensory innervation and is not mediated by prostaglandins to any important degree. The response to paracentesis does not require sensory innervation and appears to be mediated, at least in part, by prostaglandins. Language: en
Estimate µ 1 — µ 2 , Variances Known

We have two populations: Pop I and Pop II. Pop I is normally distributed with unknown mean µ 1 and known variance σ 1 2 .Pop II is also normally distributed with unknown mean µ 2 but known variance σ 2 2 . We wish to construct a fuzzy estimator for µ 1 − µ 2.
Comparison of Fuzzy and Neural Systems for Implementation of Nonlinear Control Surfaces

In this paper, a comparison between different fuzzy and neural systems is presented. Instead of using traditional membership functions, such as triangular, trapezoidal and Gaussian, in fuzzy systems, the monotonic pair-wire or sigmoidal activation function is used for each neuron. Based on the concept of area selection, the neural systems can be designed to implement the identical properties like fuzzy systems have. All parameters of the proposed neural architecture are directly obtained from the specified design and no training process is required. Comparing with traditional neuro-fuzzy systems, the proposed neural architecture is more flexible and simplifies the design process by removing division/normalization units.
REST -based Web Services

Web services are an important development in making data available to clients in a programmatic manner. Rather than displaying results for humans to view on the Web, we can make requests to a Web service in order to get the resulting data directly and then consume it in our applications immediately. An increasingly common architecture for Web services is termed REST and exploits the concept of URLs as resources. We can make general HTTP requests to retrieve, update, modify, and even create resources. The results (and sometimes the inputs) are often formatted as JSON or XML. In this chapter, we look at how we can access REST services from within R, mapping the documentation for the services into requests, converting the results, and developing R functions to provide higher-level interfaces that hide the details of the HTTP and conversion. REST is becoming the dominant mechanism used for Web services which are also becoming very common. REST is not just used for Web services, but is also increasingly used to communicate with regular applications such as NoSQLdatabases and text search engines and we explore these also in this chapter.
Investigating Writing Performance and Institutional Supports Among Teacher Candidates Who Transferred from Community Colleges

To provide a snapshot of the skills of community college students as compared to senior college students, this study investigated writing performance and college experience of initial two-year enrolled (community college transfer students, n = 17) versus initial four-year enrolled students (n = 12) in a teacher preparation program. Results of independent samples t-tests on in-class writing, research paper, and final score were non-significant (p =.28, p = .54, p = .15, respectively) indicating that two-year and four-year start teacher candidates did not differ in their performance on these assignments nor overall in the course. Qualitative data indicated that while both two- and four-year start teacher candidates had a positive writing identity during their first two years of college, the personal support that two-year starts had may be what enabled them to succeed and have a positive writing identity once they transferred to a four-year college. Implications regarding how to coordinate supports for transfer student teacher candidates will be discussed, as this is the very population of diverse students needed as PreK-12 teachers.
AN ADVANCED NODAL DISCRETIZATION FOR THE QUASI-DIFFUSION LOW-ORDER EQUATIONS

The quasi-diffusion method was originally developed as a rapidly-convergent iterative technique for solving transport equations. In this method, the scattering source used in a given transport sweep is obtained from the solution of the quasi-diffusion low-order (QDLO) equations. The paper presents an advanced nodal discretization of the QDLO equations for global reactor core calculations. The advantage of quasi-diffusion is that it is able to capture transport effects at the surface between unlike fuel assemblies (i.e. MOX-UO2) better than the diffusion approximation. We discretize QDLO equations with the advanced nodal methodology described by Palmtag for diffusion. The fast flux expansion consists of polynomial functions, while the thermal flux is expanded in a combination of polynomial and hyperbolic functions. The hyperbolic expansion functions proposed by Palmtag are the analytic solutions of the zero-source diffusion equation for the thermal flux. The specific form of the QDLO equations requires the derivation of new hyperbolic basis functions which are different from those proposed by Palmtag for diffusion. We have developed a discretization of the QDLO equations with node-averaged quantities, solving the 2-D equations using the weighted residual method. These node-averaged data are assumed known from single assembly transport calculations. We have written a code in “Mathematica” that solves k -eigenvalue problems in 2-D Cartesian coordinates. The nodal quasi-diffusion low-order equations are solved numerically for several diffusion test problems, and realistic “transport” problems. The results demonstrate the validity of the method. Two-group nodal diffusion approximations are an integral part of the present generation of reactor analysis simulation tools. They are currently used to calculate full-core eigenvalues (core multiplication factors) and power distributions. An important potential weakness of the current methodology is the inaccuracy of the diffusion approximation at interfaces between significantly different fuel assemblies. Much of the “transport character” of the problem is contained within the transport-generated assembly-averaged cross-section sets; however, while core eigenvalues and assembly average powers may be accurately predicted, pin power reconstruction is often substantially less accurate. This weakness may be overcome by using the quasi-diffusion transport formalism. Here, transport equations are solved to compute “functionals” of the angular flux (Eddington tensors, boundary conditions, etc.) and this data is then used in the solution of low-order diffusion-like equations. One important advantage of this technique is that, if the data used in the low-order
Primary adrenal gland epithelioid sarcoma: A case report and literature review

Epithelioid sarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm with morphologic and immunophenotypic epithelioid differentiation, which rarely arises in solid organs. We report a case of primary epithelioid sarcoma in the adrenal gland of a 31-year-old female. The patient initially presented with nausea and rectal bleeding, and subsequent imaging studies revealed a 4.4 cm left adrenal gland mass and left retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Clinical and radiological studies did not reveal tumor elsewhere in the patient. Histologic features were those of epithelioid sarcoma, proximal type with cohesive clusters of epithelioid tumor cells harboring frequent mitoses, and areas of necrosis. Immunohistochemical stains showed strong, diffuse expression of epithelial markers (pancytokeratin), and CD34 and Fli-1. Partial and focal positive staining of CK7 was also noted. Nuclear expression of SMARCB1 (INI-1) protein was lost. ERG was negative in this case. We believe that this is the second-case report of a primary adrenal gland epithelioid sarcoma. Fli-1 positivity was seen in our case, and ERG was negative as shown in some recent publications regarding epithelioid sarcomas.
The Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program: A 25-Year Retrospective

For 25 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program has supported pediatricians in collaborating within their communities to advance the health of all children. CATCH grants support pediatric residents and pediatricians in planning or implementing community-based child health initiatives. The CATCH program has provided almost 10 million dollars through 842 planning, 585 resident, and 305 implementation grants to >1700 pediatricians. Urban, rural, suburban, and tribal communities in every state as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have benefited from CATCH-funded projects. Collaborations with community partners such as schools, homeless shelters, and mental health centers have led to programs serving children and families, especially those living in poverty and in minority groups. The most recent program data reveal that 87.5% of the projects are operating 2 years after funding. Many CATCH projects have not only sustained themselves but have grown into larger programs with funding from other sources. CATCH has influenced pediatricians' careers by providing important skills, networking opportunities, career legitimacy, mentoring opportunities, and increased engagement with the AAP. More than 350 pediatricians have served the AAP as CATCH facilitators, the network of physicians that provides technical assistance to applicants and reviews grant applications. Responding to changing trends, CATCH leaders have looked at other funding models and recently launched the CATCH-On initiative. CATCH-On creates and provides templates from successful CATCH projects to busy pediatricians who can then implement the project in their communities with minimal funding.
Interparticle Interactions in Dilute Solutions of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles

The application of dilute solutions of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) micelles for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids into disease sites has gained momentum. This Letter reports a detailed charact...
Revisions of Anatomical Descriptions of the Pharyngeal Jaw Apparatus in Moray Eels of the Family Muraenidae (Teleostei: Anguilliformes)

Fishes of the family Muraenidae (moray eels) comprise two subfamilies of highly specialized benthic forms. As first documented and described in two earlier papers, morays have a highly specialized ...
The Importance of Precision in Densitometry

The concept of precision was introduced in Chapter 3. Current bone densitometry technology cannot perfectly reproduce BMD results from test to test, even when there has been no real change in the patients BMD. If there is any additional error introduced by the failure of the technician to perfectly reposition and correctly analyze the results, the precision of the test will be adversely affected even more. This being the case, how can a physician determine if any measured change in BMD is a real, biologic change, and not simply the error that is inherent in the technique, or the error introduced by the technician? The first step is to determine the short-term precision for each type of scan that is performed at the densitometry facility. Short-term precision implies that the precision has been determined using repeat studies performed within the space of a week to no more than a month. In a medium-term precision study, the scans have been acquired over a period of time that spans 1 to 6 months. A long-term precision study implies data acquisition that spans more than 6 months.
Data-Driven Design and Assessment of Dynamic Wireless Charging Systems

Dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles has the potential to alleviate range anxiety. This paper proposes a traffic data-driven design methodology for the charging system, including the power distribution network from the substation to the transmitters. The objective is to evaluate the impact of the design on the distribution system. A high-speed US Interstate corridor is used as a case study. The results reveal that aggregate power demand may fluctuate significantly, which can be detrimental to power system operation.
Solving the puzzle of Enceladus's active south pole

Enceladus is a small moon of Saturn that has active geysers at its south pole. Why this activity is confined to one small region of the surface has been a puzzle for 15 y. Now, in PNAS, Kang and Flierl (1) provide a possible answer: Localization of activity can arise spontaneously via a feedback process in the ice shell. While their model is a highly abstracted version of reality, it may also be applicable elsewhere, including Jupiter’s moon Europa and even our own Moon. The discovery of geysers and excess heat at the south pole of Enceladus was one of the biggest surprises of the Cassini spacecraft mission (2). Because Enceladus is so small, the only plausible source of this energy is tidal heating: Enceladus gets squeezed and stretched by Saturn’s gravity as it follows a slightly elliptical path around Saturn. A fundamental characteristic of tidal heating is that it is symmetrical: Both poles are expected to experience the same degree of heating (3). It was therefore very puzzling that the north pole of Enceladus appears ancient and heavily cratered, while the south pole is geologically young, active, and warm. Further spacecraft investigation revealed that Enceladus consists of an ice shell of variable thickness sitting atop a salty ocean and a low-density rocky core (4). Although the ice shell is only ∼6 km thick at the south pole, it is also notably thinned at the north pole (∼14 km) … [↵][1]1Email: fnimmo{at}ucsc.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
The role of Cytochrome b6f in the control of steady-state photosynthesis: a conceptual and quantitative model

Here, we present a conceptual and quantitative model to describe the role of the Cytochrome $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ complex in controlling steady-state electron transport in $$\hbox {C}_{3}$$ leaves. The model is based on new experimental methods to diagnose the maximum activity of Cyt $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ in vivo, and to identify conditions under which photosynthetic control of Cyt $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ is active or relaxed. With these approaches, we demonstrate that Cyt $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ controls the trade-off between the speed and efficiency of electron transport under limiting light, and functions as a metabolic switch that transfers control to carbon metabolism under saturating light. We also present evidence that the onset of photosynthetic control of Cyt $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ occurs within milliseconds of exposure to saturating light, much more quickly than the induction of non-photochemical quenching. We propose that photosynthetic control is the primary means of photoprotection and functions to manage excitation pressure, whereas non-photochemical quenching functions to manage excitation balance. We use these findings to extend the Farquhar et al. (Planta 149:78–90, 1980) model of $$\hbox {C}_{3}$$ photosynthesis to include a mechanistic description of the electron transport system. This framework relates the light captured by PS I and PS II to the energy and mass fluxes linking the photoacts with Cyt $$\hbox {b}_{6}\hbox {f}$$ , the ATP synthase, and Rubisco. It enables quantitative interpretation of pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometry and gas-exchange measurements, providing a new basis for analyzing how the electron transport system coordinates the supply of Fd, NADPH, and ATP with the dynamic demands of carbon metabolism, how efficient use of light is achieved under limiting light, and how photoprotection is achieved under saturating light. The model is designed to support forward as well as inverse applications. It can either be used in a stand-alone mode at the leaf-level or coupled to other models that resolve finer-scale or coarser-scale phenomena.
Coordinating Conservation Programs in the Albuquerque-Bernalillo Region

This case study documents recent public and nonprofit organizations’ land conservation plans in the Albuquerque–Bernalillo region, including local governments’ open-space programs and conservation easements promoted by land-trust organizations. This intersectoral approach to land conservation allows public and nonprofit organizations to share some of the implementation burdens; however, the cost of a decentralized approach has generated independent actions undertaken by public and nonprofit organizations in the region, despite the need for coordination. In response to these factors, this case offers an integrative analysis of intersectoral approaches to land conservation under a unifying conceptual framework that emphasizes the relationship between community actions and public and nonprofit land-conservation programs.
Instability Criteria in Fluid Dynamics

The following two results are presented concerning linear instability criteria in fluid dynamics. The first result states that an instability in the underlying Euler equation is necessary for the existence of an instability in the Navier-Stokes equations in the limit of high Reynolds number. The second result gives a sufficient condition for instability of the Euler equations in terms of a geometric quantity that can be considered as an analogue of a Lyapunov exponent for fluid motion. The effectiveness of this criterion is illustrated in several examples including the instability of a flow with a hyperbolic stagnation point and a generalized baroclinic instability.
Topoisomerase II cleavage of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA in vivo is replication dependent.

The genome of herpes simplex virus type 1 contains a large number of recognition sites for eucaryotic DNA type II topoisomerase. Topoisomerase II sites were identified by means of the consensus sequence described previously (J.R. Spitzner and M.T. Muller, Nucleic Acids Res. 16:5553-5556, 1988) and then confirmed by sequencing DNA cleavages introduced by purified topoisomerase II. In vivo, host topoisomerase II also introduced double-stranded DNA breaks in the viral genome at sites predicted by the consensus sequence. Host topoisomerase II acted on all immediate-early genes as well as on genes from other temporal classes; however, cleavages were not detected until 4 to 5 h postinfection and were most intense at 10 h postinfection. Topoisomerase II cleavages were not detected when viral DNA replication was prevented with phosphonoacetic acid. These data indicate that, although progeny viral genomes are acted upon by host topoisomerase II, this enzyme either does not act on parental viral genomes before DNA replication or acts on them with such low efficiency that cleavages are beyond our limit of detection. The findings suggest that host topoisomerase II is involved in aspects of viral replication at late times in the infectious cycle.
Predicting magnetospheric dynamics with a coupled Sun-to-Earth model: Challenges and first results

[1] Results from the first Sun-to-Earth coupled numerical model developed at the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling are presented. The model simulates physical processes occurring in space spanning from the corona of the Sun to the Earth's ionosphere, and it represents the first step toward creating a physics-based numerical tool for predicting space weather conditions in the near-Earth environment. Two 6- to 7-d intervals, representing different heliospheric conditions in terms of the three-dimensional configuration of the heliospheric current sheet, are chosen for simulations. These conditions lead to drastically different responses of the simulated magnetosphere-ionosphere system, emphasizing, on the one hand, challenges one encounters in building such forecasting tools, and on the other hand, emphasizing successes that can already be achieved even at this initial stage of Sun-to-Earth modeling.
Mathematical Identification of Brain States Applied to Classification of Drugs

Publisher Summary This chapter explores whether it is possible to extract representative, reliable, and physiologically relevant samples of electrophysiological activity from behavioral experiments. It also describes the method of representation of the essential features of such data in a quantitative form. If this goal is achieved, different states of the central nervous system can be represented in precise terms, which would permit neural processes of particular interest to be identified unequivocally and compared analytically. The chapter explores the mathematical identification with respect to different doses of several drugs. In this context, it discusses several methods, such as selection of recording sites and column analysis. Results, such as behavioral effects of drugs and column factor analysis (raw data) are presented.
Multivariate Discrete Models for Longevity in Twins

We describe multivariate discrete distributions to measure the association of longevity in a cohort of female identical twins born in Denmark 1870–1880. If individuals are matched at random then a stochastically large number of pairs observed both alive at great ages is evidence of a genetic and/or environmental effect for longevity. We extend earlier work (Yu, Waller, Zelterman, Biometrics, 1998) to a multivariate setting and find the simultaneous and conditional distributions of the number of pairs both alive at two or more different ages. We also propose a semiparametric model of the simultaneous distribution of all pairs at all ages.
Phototherapy in full-term infants with hemolytic disease secondary to ABO incompatibility.

Current guidelines for treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn make no differentiation between ABO and Rh incompatibility. A protocol that prolonged the observation period in full-term, ABO-incompatible infants with positive Coombs9 tests who were otherwise healthy was tested. Postponement of treatment made it possible to determine more accurately which infants needed phototherapy. This dramatically decreased the number of infants treated without increasing their risk of requiring exchange transfusion.
Frontiers of scientific visualization

Scientific Visualization of Fluid Flow Visualization of Scroll Waves Visualization of Chemical Gradients in Reaction Patterns Visualization of Biological Information Encoded in DNA Visualizing Droplet Coalescence Phenomena Basic Concept of Computer Plant Simulation Scientific Visualization: A Means of Reconciling Artists and Scientists? Architecture and Applications of the Pixel Machine Brave New Virtual Worlds.
A model for coordination of intelligent machines using Petri nets

A model, called coordination structure, is defined based on the framework for coordination to describe mathematically the information structure and information flow in the coordination level of intelligent machines. A Petri net transducer (PNT), which permits the description of concurrency and conflict, is introduced to model the dispatcher and coordinators with their ability to select the appropriate control actions among the alternatives corresponding to the nondeterministic property of the PNT. Synchronous composition of the PNTs is also defined to describe the synchronous operations of coordinators. The Petri net derived from the coordination structure underlies the precedence relationship of the information processing in the coordination level and provides the concepts and methods in Petri net theory for the analysis of various structure properties of coordination. It is shown that the liveness and boundedness of the entire coordination structure are guaranteed by the liveness and boundedness of the dispatcher and coordinators. Some results on the language properties of the PNT are also presented. >
Hydrogenolytic Cleavage Reactions of Phenylhydrazides

Abstract Although phenylhydrazides have been well known for some time as derivatives of carboxylic acids and esters, not much work has been done on the selective reductive cleavage reactions of the nitrogen-nitrogen single bonds of these compounds.[1],[2] Information about this process would be instrumental in the development of new indirect amidation methods for the facile conversion of acids and esters to the corresponding amides under mild conditions, particularly for those instances where direct methods are not successful.[3] In general, the nitrogen-nitrogen single bond is expected to be subject to cleavage. Hydrazine itself has a bond strength of 70 kcal/mole, and more highly subsittuted hydrazines often have weaker bonds. [4], [10], [11] The preparation of amides from simple acid hydrazides by hydrazides by hydrogenoloysis over Raney nickel in alcoholic solvents has been invesitgated. [5], [6] The raction typically requires supstantial quantities of Raney nickel, on th order of 10 grams of catalyst...
The development of immunoconjugates for targeted cancer therapy

Immunoconjugates are specific, highly effective, minimally toxic anticancer therapies that are beginning to show promise in the clinic. Immunoconjugates consist of three separate components: an antibody that binds to a cancer cell antigen with high specificity, an effector molecule that has a high capacity to kill the cancer cell, and a linker that will ensure the effector does not separate from the antibody during transit and will reliably release the effector to the cancer cell or tumour stroma. The high affinity antibody-antigen interaction allows specific and selective delivery of a range of effectors, including pharmacologic agents, radioisotopes, and toxins, to cancer cells. Some anticancer molecules are not well tolerated when administered systemically owing to unacceptable toxicity to the host. However, this limitation can be overcome through the linking of such cytotoxins to specific antibodies, which mask the toxic effects of the drug until it reaches its target. Conversely, many unconjugated antibodies are highly specific for a cancer target, but have low therapeutic potential and can be repurposed as delivery vehicles for highly potent effectors. In this Review, we summarize the successes and shortcomings of immunoconjugates, and discuss the future potential for the development of these therapies.
Generalized Spectral Magnitude and Phase Retrieval Algorithm for Self-Referenced Multiheterodyne Detection

An algorithm for self-referenced spectral magnitude and phase retrieval of both optical frequency combs from a dual-comb multiheterodyne interferogram is rigorously defined. The algorithm is generalized to allow for the repetition rates of the two combs to be significantly different which allows for a reduction in required RF bandwidth. The validity of the algorithm is confirmed with an experimental demonstration.
Microcrystalline Si:H solar cells fabricated using ECR plasma deposition

The properties of microcrystalline Si:H materials and solar cells fabricated using remote, low pressure ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) plasma deposition are described. p+nn+ junction solar cells were deposited at 275–325°C on stainless steel substrates using mixtures of silane and hydrogen. Microcrystalline layers and solar cells could be produced even for low dilution ratio of hydrogen/silane of 8:1. It was found that once crystallisation started, one could decrease the hydrogen/silane ratio and still obtain microcrystalline Si:H solar cells. The voltage of the solar cells could be improved by tailoring the interface between p+ and n layers. An amorphous interfacial layer improved the voltage. A thin amorphous Si:H layer at the back, between n+ and n layers was used to significantly reduce the shunt resistance. Standard device analyses, including dark I(V) curves and capacitance measured at several frequencies, revealed that device characteristics could be understood in terms of a standard Si diode model. The doping densities in the n layer were found to be in the 1×1015 to 2×1016/cm3 range and could be adjusted by altering the amount of compensatory B doping of the layer. The influence of the addition of He dilution to the mixture was also studied, and it was found that He degraded the crystallinity, though it increased the growth rate and open-circuit voltage.
An efficient geometric build-up algorithm, for protein structure determination with, sparse exact distance data

The paper introduces an efficient algorithm to build up a protein structure from atomic distance data. An updated geometric build-up algorithm (UGB) has been developed recently that controls numerical errors and is efficient in protein structure determination for cases where only sparse exact distance data is available. In this paper, this algorithm is improved and provides a more effective way of determining a protein structure with sparse exact distance data. We will show that the numerical errors produced by the new algorithm are smaller when compared with the errors of the UGB algorithm and that the new algorithm has a significantly smaller runtime than the UGB algorithm.
The effect of phloretin on the potassium conductance in Aplysia giant neurons.

Phloretin perfusedAplysia giant neurons exhibited a rapid and reversible increased potassium conductance. When the cell was voltage-clamped at the resting potential of about −40 mV, the phloretin-induced conductance increase was accompanied by an outward current, which reversed to an inward current below the potassium equilibrium potential of approximately −77 mV. The phloretin effect was not affected by variations in the sodium, chloride, calcium, or magnesium concentrations, but it was sensitive to varied potassium concentrations. The increased potassium conductance persisted at pH=5, when pH≪pK, where according to a dose-response curve, only the un-ionized from of the phloretin molecule could be responsible for the effect. Phloretin increased the membrane potassium conductance as if the neuron were depolarized. The mechanism for this phloretin-induced depolarization may involve an increased surface potential due to an induction of a dipole moment or a selective increase in the number of membrane potassium sites.
Temperature-Dependent Electron Injection from Ru(II) Polypyridyl Compounds with Low Lying Ligand Field States to Titanium Dioxide

The Ru(II) compounds Ru(bpy)2(ina)2(PF6)2, Ru(deeb)2(py)2(PF6)2, Ru(deeb)(bpy)2(PF6)2, and Ru(dcb)(bpy)2(PF6)2, where py is pyridine, bpy is 2,2‘-bipyridine, ina is isonicotinic acid, deeb is 4,4‘-(CO2Et)2-2,2‘-bipyridine, and dcb is 4,4‘-(CO2H)2-2,2‘-bipyridine, have been prepared, characterized, and anchored to colloidal ZrO2 and TiO2 thin films for excited state and interfacial electron-transfer studies. In neat acetonitrile at 22 ± 2 °C, Ru(bpy)2(ina)2(PF6)2 is photochemically unstable and nonemissive with a short excited-state lifetime, τ < 10 ns. When anchored to ZrO2, the lifetime of Ru(bpy)2(ina)2(PF6)2 increases to 60 ns at 22 ± 2 °C and is highly temperature dependent due to the population of a low-lying state(s) that are proposed to be ligand field (LF) state(s). The LF state(s) can be populated directly from hot vibrational excited states and from the thermally equilibrated metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited state. On TiO2 the excited-state behavior of Ru(bpy)2(ina)2(PF6)2 is very similar...
Agra, arboreal beetles of Neotropical forests: mixta group, virgata group, and ohausi group systematics (Carabidae)

. This paper is the fifth in a series designed to cover taxono-mically all species-groups of the lebiine genus Agra, whose cumulative ranges extend from southernmost Texas to northernmost Argentina. The mixta, virgata, feisthameli and ohausi groups constitute Section Feisthameli of the genus, and a key to these groups is provided. The mixta group consists of two species which have a composite range extending from southeastern Brazil to middle Mexico; the virgata group consists of nine species which have a composite range extending from southeastern Brazil to Guatemala; and the ohausi group consists of four species which have a composite range restricted to southeastern Brazil. The speciose feisthameli group is covered in a separate paper. Among the three groups in the present paper, eleven new species are described from the following type localities: perkinsorum (MEXICO, Nayarit, 17.6 km southwest of Compostela), vate (MEXICO, Veracruz, Los Tuxtlas, La Playa Escondida), nola (REPUBLIC OF PANAMA, Panama, Cerro Campana), cadabra (EQUADOR, Pichincha, 47 km south of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Rio Palenque Station), chocha (WEST INDIES, Trinidad, Arima Valley), phainops (FRENCH GUIANA, Pariacabo), imaginis (BRAZIL, Goias, Jatahy), inca (PERU, Madre de Dios, Rio Tambopata Reserve, 30 km (air) southwest of Puerto Maldonado), itatiaya (BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, Parque Nacional Itatiaya), calamitas (BRAZIL, Bahia, Itamaraju), anthrax (BRAZIL, Espirito Santo, Parque Socretama). A dot map illustrates the range of each taxon. Distribution and relationships are discussed in general, but detailed cladistic and biogeographic analysis is deferred until taxonomy of the four groups of Section Feisthameli is completed. Species distribution correspond to Pleistocene refuges suggested by other authors based on other groups and classes of organisms.
The effect of dimensional preference on optional shift behavior and concept attainment of retarded adolescents

Sixty-three moderately retarded adolescents of similar chronological and mental ages participated in an experiment designed to assess the influence of dimensional dominance and preference on two concept learning tasks. After dominance assessment, subjects were randomly assigned to either a preferred or nonpreferred condition and received both an optional shift and concept assessment test. The results indicated a significant difference between color- and form-dominant learners and between subjects assigned to preferred and nonpreferred dimensions. No difference was observed on the concept assessment measure. A significantly greater number of subjects solved the optional shift task intradimensionally. Intradimensional shifts were also learned faster than extradimensional shifts. The data were interpreted in terms of developmental and mediation hypotheses and viewed as consistent with Zeaman and House’s chaining prediction.
Toward Molecular-Scale MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a mainstay of medical diagnostics, allowing nondestructive imaging inside opaque objects with high resolution. There have been many attempts to use MRI to image small objects such as living cells, because the resolution can be well below the optical diffraction limit. However, the detection sensitivity of conventional MRI falls rapidly for smaller feature sizes, making it impossible to resolve features smaller than a few micrometers with this method. Two reports in this issue, by Mamin et al. on page 557 ( 1 ) and Staudacher et al. on page 561 ( 2 ), demonstrate the ability to detect volumes of a few cubic nanometers, comparable to the size of large protein molecules. These independent studies are a crucial step toward molecular-scale magnetic resonance imaging.
Programming for the inexperienced user: Machine independence and free-format input

Two programming techniques which can make the use of computers less troublesome to inexperienced users are described. The first has the object of making programs readily transferable from one machine to another, thereby facilitating transfer of programs between individuals. The second consists of a FORTRAN subroutine, described in detail, which allows numbers to be read by a program without being confined to specific columns on a punched card, thereby greatly simplifying data preparation.
G Protein Coupled Receptor Structure and Activation

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are remarkably versatile signaling molecules. The members of this large family of membrane proteins are activated by a spectrum of structurally diverse ligands, and have been shown to modulate the activity of different signaling pathways in a ligand specific manner. In this manuscript I will review what is known about the structure and mechanism of activation of GPCRs focusing primarily on two model systems, rhodopsin and the β2 adrenoceptor.
Cross-resistance to the biological insecticide abamectin in pyrethroid-resistant house flies

Abstract Cross-resistance to abamectin, a new, potent, and highly promising biological insecticide, was found in two pyrethroid-resistant strains of house fly. One strain was laboratory selected (LPR) and one was field collected (Dairy), having 25-fold and 5.9-fold cross-resistance to abamectin, respectively. Cross-resistance in the LPR strain was polygenic, associated with genes on chromosomes 2 and 3, and could be partially suppressed by the mixed-function oxidase inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. Based on genetic and toxicological data, the mechanisms associated with the pyrethroid-induced cross-resistance to abamectic appear to be MFO-mediated metabolism and decreased cuticular penetration.
H2 Generation by Cycling Dark Adsorption and Successive Photoinduced Desorption of 2-Mercaptopyridine on/from Ag-Core/Pt-Shell Nanoparticles Loaded on TiO2

Generation of H2 with liquid-phase adsorption of a thiol (2-mercaptopyridine, RSH) on transition metal surfaces has been confirmed for the first time. This reaction consists of photoinduced reduction of RS adsorbed on the metal to RSH and its re-adsorption during the subsequent dark process. Nearly perfect overcoating of nanometer-sized Ag particles with Pt by photodeposition (Pt-shell/Ag-core/TiO2) remarkably increases the rate of H2 production, and its reproducibility with cycle time is also much improved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has provided clear evidence for the S−H bond cleavage with adsorption of RSH on Ag and Pt-shell/Ag-core particles loaded on TiO2.
Modal interaction in circular plates

Abstract The dynamic analogue of the von Karman equations in polar form is used to study the symmetric response of a circular plate to a harmonic external excitation. The method of multiple scales is used to determine a set of ordinary differential equations governing the modulation of the phases and amplitudes of oscillation for the case of an internal or autoparametric resonance. The results show that the internal resonance is responsible for coupling of the modes involved and that the excited mode is not necessarily the dominant one. Furthermore, the results show that for a choice of parameters the multi-mode response loses its stability through a Hopf bifurcation, resulting in periodically or chaotically modulated motions of the plate.
Effects of High Freestream Turbulence Levels and Length Scales on Stator Vane Heat Transfer

Gaining a good understanding of how high freestream turbulence augments heat transfer is important for predicting thermal loadings for turbine blades and vanes. This study was aimed at documenting the surface heat transfer and the highly turbulent flowfield around a stator vane. The effects of turbulence levels between 11% and 24% were studied. At the highest turbulence level, two different Reynolds numbers (Reex = 6 × 105 and 1.2 × 106) and two different length scales were also studied. Three-component laser Doppler velocimeter measurements of the velocity fluctuations indicated that downstream of the active grid there was an initial decay of the turbulent kinetic energy which then leveled off at about one leading edge radius upstream of the vane. Inside the vane passage the turbulent kinetic energy increased slightly and then decayed through the passage. The surface heat transfer showed the largest augmentations on the pressure side of the vane with higher augmentations at higher turbulence levels, smaller length scales, and higher Reynolds numbers.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Adolescents and Driving: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of mortality and severe morbidity among adolescents and young adults. All states have changed their drivers' licensure laws to make the process of obtaining a license more protracted and focused on the development of safe driving skills. Health care providers who counsel children and adolescents should actively address safe driving with them, and also involve their parents in this discussion. Additionally, they should also advocate for strict and uniform graduated licensure laws.
Local Linear Regression for Function Learning: An Analysis Based on Sample Discrepancy

Local linear regression models, a kind of nonparametric structures that locally perform a linear estimation of the target function, are analyzed in the context of empirical risk minimization (ERM) for function learning. The analysis is carried out with emphasis on geometric properties of the available data. In particular, the discrepancy of the observation points used both to build the local regression models and compute the empirical risk is considered. This allows to treat indifferently the case in which the samples come from a random external source and the one in which the input space can be freely explored. Both consistency of the ERM procedure and approximating capabilities of the estimator are analyzed, proving conditions to ensure convergence. Since the theoretical analysis shows that the estimation improves as the discrepancy of the observation points becomes smaller, low-discrepancy sequences, a family of sampling methods commonly employed for efficient numerical integration, are also analyzed. Simulation results involving two different examples of function learning are provided.
No Compromise: Couples Dealing with Issues for Which They Do Not See a Compromise

This is a conceptual exploration of what may be involved when a couple cannot resolve an important difference because they do not see a compromise (for example, whether or not to have a child). There may be creative ways of constructing a compromise or defusing the issue, but crucial to the resolution is how the two partners perceive matters, what they gain by being stuck, and the value and meanings to them of various ways of dealing with the impasse. It may be of importance to explore linked or underlying issues, such as cultural or family of origin differences, and resolving an impasse may transform binds associated with the linked or underlying issues. Beyond these issues, the paper explores a number of conceptual issues that might arise in therapy with these couples and indicates some possibly helpful tools for working with the couples.
Foreign Languages in Elementary and Secondary Schools: Results of a National Survey

The Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR), through funding from the U.S. Department of Education, sought to address the issue of the status of foreign language instruction by conducting a national survey of elementary and secondary schools. This article presents the results of questionnaires completed by principals and foreign language teachers at 1,416 elementary schools and 1,349 secondary schools. The respondents represented public and private schools, ranging from nursery school through grade 12, throughout the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The main purpose of the survey was to provide a national picture of foreign language education at the elementary and secondary levels in terms of specific categories, such as public and private schools. The survey questions covered six main areas: background demographics, amount of foreign language instruction, foreign language offerings, foreign language curriculum, teacher qualifications and training, and major problems. The results revealed that more than one-fifth (22 percent) of the responding elementary schools and 87 percent of the responding secondary schools taught foreign languages in the 1986–87 school year.