cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Requirements for and Regulation of Origin Opening of Plasmid P1

Origin opening is essential for the initiation of DNA replication in the theta mode and requires binding of initiator proteins. Using reactivity to KMnO4 in vivo as an assay, we find that, like initiation, origin opening of the Escherichia coli plasmid P1 requires the host initiators DnaA and HU and the plasmid-encoded initiator RepA. The ability to detect opening at the P1ori in vivo allowed us to study this activity at various copy numbers in chimeric replicons. The opening was prevented when the P1ori was cloned in high copy vectors or when excess RepA binding sites (iterons) were provided in trans. However, when RepA supply was also increased, the opening was efficient. A further increase in RepA prevented opening. Replication of an incoming P1 under these conditions correlated with opening. These results demonstrate that initiation is possible even at abnormally high origin concentrations and that oversupply of RepA, relative to iterons, can prevent replication by blocking origin opening. It appears that plasmid overreplication can be prevented either by limiting RepA or by accumulating RepA at a rate higher than that of the origin.
Gastrointestinal hormones and neural interaction within the central nervous system

Bei Ratten wurde die Tatigkeit des ZNS mit Hilfe von in diverse Hirnzonen implantierten Elektroden registriert, wobei die sensorische Reizung im Wachzustand zur Aktivierung der elektrischen Aktivitat benutzt wurde. Injektionen von Cholecystokinin Oktapeptid in Zonen mit Appetitregulation fuhrte zu systematischer Veranderung der durchschnittlichen Reizbeantwortung.
Distribution of Influence, Communication, and Relational Mentoring in the US Superintendency.

We report on how fifty superintendents (chief executive officers of public school systems, each invited by a researcher to participate) from seven states in the US talked in eight focus groups of their perspectives on their influence as leaders, their efforts to communicate with stakeholders, and how they learn from these stakeholders. We maintain that our participants’ revelations suggest that three definitions must be expanded to fit their work. First, influence or authority must be seen not merely as vested in the superintendent; rather, these superintendents described their leadership in terms of working with and through others. Second, organizational communication for these superintendents is more than the district’s leader communicating his or her perceptions and wishes to others; it is more relational, in which a variety of actors communicate their perspectives to one another. Third, this type of inter‐professional leadership leads logically to relational mentoring, where learning does not pass mer...
Fundamentalists and Politics: An Analysis of the Effects of Differing Operational Definitions

Although the past decade has seen a marked increase in research that explores the political beliefs and behaviors of fundamentalist Christians, this research has suffered from a diversity of operational strategies. Early research operationalized fundamentalists by their denominational affiliation, while most later research has focused on doctrinal beliefs. This analysis suggests that the groups identified by these two strategies are different in demographic characteristics, political beliefs, and political behaviors. The fundamentalists identified by the doctrinal definition have higher levels of socioeconomic status, and are less Southern and rural than those identified by the denominational definition. These doctrinal fundamentalists are more conservative on women's issues and economic issues, and are more politically active and Republican. The analysis suggests that attempts to integrate literature that has employed these different operational definitions should be made cautiously.
MJK: A program to calculate observable quantities in electron-atom collisions ✩

Abstract We describe a code which utilizes partial-wave amplitudes to calculate a variety of physical quantities studied in electron–atom scattering. For elastic scattering and excitation of atoms with arbitrary angular momenta in collisions with spin-polarized and unpolarized electrons, the program can calculate angle-integrated and angle-differential cross sections, the spin polarization of scattered electrons, the spin left–right (up–down) asymmetry, generalized STU parameters, and the statistical tensors of the final atomic state, which determine polarization and correlation parameters in radiative and nonradiative decays of these states. In addition, the program transforms partial-wave scattering amplitudes into a representation of projections of the angular momenta in the natural and collision coordinate frames, thereby providing the possibility for a user to conveniently calculate any observable not explicitly included in the code. The program can be used directly as a final module after running the Belfast R-matrix codes in the Breit–Pauli mode.
Response input interface

A circuit for interfacing experimental response signals with logic apparatus that controls experimental events is described. The unit shapes and holds the signal until its presence has been detected by the controlling program.
Assessment of the impact of changes in transit systems using intervention analysis

Abstract Marketing control enables effective and efficient use of marketing resources. This study uses intervention analysis to assess the effectiveness of a transit system change in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The goal of the change was to improve the effectiveness of the transit system, although, “effectiveness” was not formally defined before the change. In this study, four measures of effectiveness were used: total ridership, total operating revenues, the ratio of total operating revenues to total revenue miles, and the ratio of total passenger trips to total revenue miles. Intervention analysis showed that three out of four of these measures had been improved by the transit system change.
Comprehension processes and eye movement patterns in the reading of surprise‐ending stories

This study investigates the pattern of eye movements of skilled adult readers when encountering a surprise ending to a story. Subjects read three surprise‐ending stories while their eye movements were being monitored. As a control condition, some of the stories they read gave the surprise away at the beginning. There was an increase in the number of fixations associated with rereading the surprising lines of the stories when compared to the same lines in the control condition. There was also a small increase in the mean duration of fixations on the surprising lines, but there was no change in mean saccade length. These results suggest that even processing at the discourse level must be considered as an influence on the eye movement control system.
Predation on post-settlement winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus by sand shrimp Crangon septemspinosa in NW Atlantic estuaries

Assessing predation risk is necessary to evaluate the functional significance of estuaries as critical nursery habitats for juvenile fishes. The objective of this study was to quantify rates of sand shrimp Crangon septemspinosa predation on post-settlement winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus in 3 NW Atlantic estuaries: Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island), Niantic River (Connecticut), and Navesink River/Sandy Hook Bay (New Jersey). Sand shrimp were collected from designated study sites in late spring and summer (2001 and 2002), and their stomach contents were analyzed with immunological assays to detect the presence of juvenile winter flounder in the diet. The results indicate that sand shrimp are possible sources of intense predator-induced mortality for newly settled winter flounder. There was a direct relationship between the incidence of winter flounder in shrimp stomachs and the body size and density of shrimp. The importance of sand shrimp as a mortality fac- tor for winter flounder in the Navesink River/Sandy Hook Bay was minimal due to the low abundance of large shrimp (≥30 mm total length). Conversely, in Narragansett Bay and the Niantic River preda- tion rates were high because of the presence of large shrimp during peak winter flounder settlement periods (May to early June), when the flatfish are small in size and vulnerable to predation. Thus, sand shrimp predation rates on winter flounder depend on the relative spatial and temporal overlap between the settlement of flounder to the benthos and the movement patterns of large shrimp that migrate into shallow estuaries to reproduce and feed.
Reflectance spectra from eutrophic Mono Lake, California, measured with the Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer

An AVIRIS image was obtained for Mono Lake, California, on May 26, 1989, a day with excellent visibility. Atmospherically-corrected reflectance spectra derived from the image indicate a spectral signature for chlorophyll a, the dominant photosynthetic pigment in the phytoplankton of the lake. Chlorophyll a concentrations in the lake were about 22 mg/cu m, and the upwelling radiance was low with a peak reflectance at about 570 nm of about 5 percent. Coherent noise appeared in the image as regular variations of 0.1 to 0.2 microwatts/sq cm per str oriented diagonally to the flight line. A simple ratio of two spectral bands removed the conspicuous undulations, but modifications of the shielding within the instrument are needed to improve the signal especially over dark targets such as lakes.
Dynamic vs static bending rigidities for DNA and M13 virus

A recently developed theory for weakly bending rods provides a means to estimate the dynamic bending rigidities of filamentous macromolecules from transient electro-optic and dynamic light scattering experiments. This theory is applied to analyze transient electric dichroisrn data from Prschke''s laboratory and transient electric birefringence data from Eden''s laboratory for DNA restriction fragments with 95 to 250 bp and also to analyze dynamic light scattering data for M13 virus. Surprisingly the dynamic bending rigidity of DNA is about three times the consensus static value inferred from its equilibrium persistence length. This implies that the bending potential of DNA is non-simple and/or biased. In contrast the dynamic and static bending rigidities of M13 virus are nearly identical so its bending potential is simple and unbiased. 1.
Stereospecific assignment of exocyclic methylene protons in panose by 13C-filtered 1D TOCSY

The C-6-methylene protons in the internal glucosyl unit of panose, D-Glc-α(1 6)-D-Glc-α(1 4)-D-Glc(α,β), were stereospecifically assigned. The assignment strategy involved the measurement of the long-range 3J(C-4, H-6R) and 3J(C-4,H-6S) coupling constants for this residue in panose, with natural 13C isotope abundance, using a newly designed 13C-filtered 1D TOCSY experiment.
The Suicide (SPI) and Violence Potential Indices (VPI) from the Personality Assessment Inventory: A Preliminary Exploration of Validity in an Outpatient Psychiatric Sample

Assessing risk of harm to self and others is an important component of psychological assessment, although methods for risk assessment vary considerably. The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is frequently administered to evaluate general psychological functioning, as well as to provide information about suicide and violence risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of the PAI Suicide (SPI) and Violence Potential (VPI) indices in a sample of 158 psychiatric outpatients referred for psychological and neuropsychological assessment within a large northeastern academic medical center between 2007 and 2011. Results generally supported the convergent and divergent validity of both SPI and VPI when evaluating groups with and without a history of suicide and violence risk, and effect sizes were moderate to large even after controlling for other covariates. SPI and VPI scores were also found to vary significantly across different psychiatric groups in ways that would be expected. Finally, we explored the relationship between SPI and VPI, and executive functioning impairment—a neuropsychological variable found to be associated with impulsive self and other-harming behaviors. Consistent with prior research, SPI and VPI were found to be significantly elevated in groups demonstrating executive dysfunction. The implications of these findings and specifically the utility of using SPI and VPI in the assessment of risk are discussed.
In vivo measurement of attenuation

We propose a new technique for the in vivo measurement of attenuation. The method is conceptually simple and can also be easily implemented on a real-time ultrasound unit. The technique is suggested by an analysis of the propagation of a Gaussian pulse in a medium which has frequency-dependent attenuation as well as dispersion (frequency-dependent velocity). If the medium has a loss factor which can be described by H(f) = exp(-eta[f]pX), where f is the frequency and O less than or equal to p less than or equal to 2 (valid for tissues and other objects of interest), then the pulse retains its Gaussian shape, shifting only its centre frequency and bandwidth. This suggests that by measuring the mean frequency of the reflected rf waveform in a window which is moved in depth we can obtain an estimate of the attenuation. Here we describe a particular hardware implementation of this technique which we have completed (based on measurement of zero-crossings) and present some preliminary in vivo measurements.
Temporal and spatial variability of the global water balance

An analysis of simulated global water-balance components (precipitation [P], actual evapotranspiration [AET], runoff [R], and potential evapotranspiration [PET]) for the past century indicates that P has been the primary driver of variability in R. Additionally, since about 2000, there have been increases in P, AET, R, and PET for most of the globe. The increases in R during 2000 through 2009 have occurred despite unprecedented increases in PET. The increases in R are the result of substantial increases in P during the cool Northern Hemisphere months (i.e. October through March) when PET increases were relatively small; the largest PET increases occurred during the warm Northern Hemisphere months (April through September). Additionally, for the 2000 through 2009 period, the latitudinal distribution of P departures appears to co-vary with the mean P departures from 16 climate model projections of the latitudinal response of P to warming, except in the high latitudes. Finally, changes in water-balance variables appear large from the perspective of departures from the long-term means. However, when put into the context of the magnitudes of the raw water balance variable values, there appears to have been little change in any of the water-balance variables over the past century on a global or hemispheric scale.
Effects of polyethyleneimine on cyanobacterium Anabaena flos-aquae during cell flocculation and flotation

For production of cyanobacterial gas vesicles, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used as flocculent to enhance the collection of buoyant Anabaena flos-aquae cells by flotation. During the flocculation-flotation process, PEI was found to cause the cells to release blue pigment(s) (presumably phycocyanin) and probably other cytoplasmic materials. The kinetic profile of the pigment release was followed and compared with that of the culture flotation. The effects of PEI on the cyanobacterial cells were also examined using transmission electron microscopy. Unlike the previous reports for the effects of PEI on Gram-negative bacteria, our observations did not reveal significant morphological changes of the PEI-exposed cells of A. flos-aquae. There were no apparent negative effects on the desired product, gas vesicles, during the PEI-induced flocculation-flotation process for cell collection.
Social interaction and the use of analogy: An analysis of preservice teachers' talk during physics inquiry lessons

Analogies have been argued to be central in the process of establishing conceptual growth, making overt connections and carryover into an intended cognitive domain, and providing a generative venue for developing conceptual understanding inherent in constructivist learning. However, students' specific uses of analogies for constructing arguments are not well understood. Specifically, the results of preservice teachers' knowledge gains are not widely studied. Although we would hope that engaging preservice science teachers in exemplary lessons would assist them in using and generating analogies more expertly, it is not clear whether or how such curricula would affect their learning or teaching. This study presents an existence proof of how preservice science teachers used analogies embedded in their course materials Physics by Inquiry. This fine-grained analysis of small group discourse revealed three distinct roles of analogies including the development of: (a) cognitive process skills, (b) scientific conceptual understanding, and (c) social contexts for problem solving. Results suggest that preservice teachers tend to overgeneralize the analogies inserted by curriculum materials, map irrelevant features of analogies into collaborative problem solving, and generate personal analogies, which counter scientific concept development. Although the authors agree with the importance of collaborative problem solving and the insertion of analogies for preservice teachers' conceptual development, we believe much more needs to be understood before teachers can be expected to construct and sustain effective learning environments that rely on using analogies expertly. Implications for teacher preparation are also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 443–463, 2003
A DEFICIENCY OF LOCAL DENSITY FUNCTIONALS FOR THE CALCULATION OF SELF-CONSISTENT FIELD ATOMIC DATA IN PLASMAS

Abstract In generating the atomic data base used in computing opacities of hot dense plasmas the local density functional approximation (LDA) is often employed. One advantage of the LDA is that the configuration average energy of a large number of ionization states and excited configurations can be computed compactly using a multi-variate Taylor series expansion in occupation numbers. The pitfalls of employing a local density functional and its impact on the quality of the Taylor series approximation are discussed. The consequences of modeling opacities with a LDA are illustrated by comparisons with experiment. A method for obviating the problems inherent in the LDA is presented.
Limited Observation in Mutual Consent Networks

This paper studies mutual consent social networks in which individuals imperfectly monitor others’ network ties and have incomplete information about the benefits of network participation. I introduce the Conjectural Pairwise Stability concept, which generalizes Jackson and Wolinsky’s (1996) Pairwise Stability concept to allow for limited observation, and apply it to a specific mutual consent network formation game. While limited observation generally leads to the existence of less e! cient stable networks, I find that it can also lead to the existence of e! cient stable networks. Moreover, stability restrictions considered in previous work lose their refining power as observation becomes more limited.
Structure and base sequence in the cohesive ends of bacteriophage lambda DNA.

At the ends of molecules of bacteriophage λ DNA, the 5′-terminated strands are 20 nucleotides longer than the 3′-terminated strands. Part of the sequence of bases in the protruding single strands has been determined by the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase-catalyzed addition of nucleotides, lengthening the 3′-terminated strands. In this way 13 residues of dG, 13 of dC, 7 of dA and 7 of dT were incorporated. The equivalence of dG to dC and of dA to dT implies that the protruding single strands have complementary base sequences. The first residue incorporated into the right cohesive end was the same as the 5′-terminal residue on the left end and the first residue incorporated into the left end was the same as the 5′-terminal residue on the right end, showing that the two cohesive ends are the same length. Sequence data is summarized in Figure 7.
Molecular modulation of actomyosin function by cardiac myosin-binding protein C

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C is a key regulator of cardiac contractility and is capable of both activating the thin filament to initiate actomyosin motion generation and governing maximal sliding velocities. While MyBP-C’s C terminus localizes the molecule within the sarcomere, the N terminus appears to confer regulatory function by binding to the myosin motor domain and/or actin. Literature pertaining to how MyBP-C binding to the myosin motor domain and or actin leads to MyBP-C’s dual modulatory roles that can impact actomyosin interactions are discussed.
Trichinella spiralis: vascular recirculation and organ retention of newborn larvae in rats.

Abstract The recirculation of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae was studied in inbred AO rats. Newborn larvae collected after in vitro incubation of adult T. spiralis worms for 2 or 24 hr were injected into rats through the tail vein or hepatic portal vein. Blood samples from the femoral vein, hepatic portal vein, and abdominal aorta were collected at intervals from 1 min to 24 hr after larval injection. Newborn larvae of both ages (24 hr or 2 hr old) persisted in femoral vein blood for ≦ 5 hr after injection, but they could not be detected in portal vein blood by 24 hr after injection. The injection of larvae into a tail vein or the portal vein did not influence the pattern of larval circulation, although there was a 1–5 min delay in newborn larval appearance time after injection into the portal vein. Transcapillary migration through tissue and back to the circulation was evident in the appearance of newborn larvae in the thoracic duct lymph up to 24 (occasionally 48) hr after tail vein injection of newborn larvae. During the course of a natural primary infection, no evidence for trapping of larvae in the mesenteric lymph node could be found despite direct larval migration through this organ. Injected newborn larvae were retained in the lungs, and small numbers could be recovered 24 hr after intravenous injection. We conclude that a proportion of newborn larvae recirculates within the vasculature for several hours; a smaller population extravasates but can reenter the circulatory system via the lymphatics. Furthermore, some newborn larvae are found in organs rich in capillaries up to 24 hr after their entry into the blood.
Enhancing Construction Education: Implementing Habitat for Humanity Projects as Service-Learning for Construction Materials

Service-learning is considered a valuable approach in applying concepts from the higher education classroom in real-world settings, and has become quite common in some disciplines. Engineering educators in the United States are making efforts to incorporate service-learning activities and to study their benefits for student learning and engagement. This article describes the design and results of implementing a Habitat for Humanity service-learning project in an introductory construction materials course. Study results collected from two semesters of service-learning implementation show students respond positively to the hands-on active learning of real-world activities related to the course content. Service-learning activities in particular were not only found to enhance student learning and interpersonal skills, but also increase student awareness of their intended profession and society as a whole. Overall, students reported positive perceptions of the service-learning experience and its contribution t...
The suburban energy balance: Methodological considerations and results for a mid-latitude west coast city under winter and spring conditions

Previous measurements of the urban energy balance primarily have been conducted in summertime. This paper reports the first extended set of winter-spring-time energy balance measurements for a city. The study was conducted in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, from January to June 1987. It included hourly measurements of net all-wave radiation, sensible heat flux and the Bowen ratio. The anthropogenic and storage heat fluxes were modelled. A dynamic source area model was employed to ensure the modelled parameters were consistent spatially with the measured turbulent fluxes. The winter-spring urban energy balances observed in this study are different to those reported for summertime conditions at the same site. The fluxes for the entire period are not symmetrical about solar noon. Hence earlier interpretations possibly should be modified. Apart from this feature the spring season balances are similar to those reported for the summertime in terms of relative importance of individual fluxes. The wintertime energy balance appears to be different to that of spring and summer. The most noticeable feature is the increased importance of the latent heat flux, which on average is the largest output flux in the balance. A secondary, more expected feature, is the increased importance of anthropogenic heat flux as an input in winter.
Identification and quantification of lower gastrointestinal flexible endoscopic microflora

After use in 29 patients undergoing mechanical bowel preparation and cleansing by an acceptable, standardized method, flexible colonoscopes and sigmoidoscopes were cultured for identification and enumeration of bacterial organisms that might be transmitted during subsequent endoscopic procedures. Using a unique, new application, RODAC aerobic and anaerobic cultures of the shaft surface showed no evidence of residual fecal contamination, sparse growth of cutaneous and airborne organisms on some instruments, and no aerobic or anaerobic bacterial growth on others. There were no post-endoscopy infectious complications. Our results would indicate that proper cleaning of the flexible endoscope using an acceptable method does prevent bacterial disease transmission from patient to patient.
PARALLEL ALGORITHMS FOR LINE DETECTION ON A PYRAMID ARCHITECTURE

This paper considers the problem of detecting lines in images using a pyramid architecture. The approach is based on the Hough Transform calculation. A pyramid architecture of size n is a fine-grain architecture with a mesh base of size processors each holding a single pixel of the image. The pyramid operates in an SIMD mode. Two algorithms for computing the Hough Transform are explained. The first algorithm initially uses different angles, θj’s, and its complexity is O(k+log n) with O(m) storage requirement. The second algorithm computes the Hough Transform in a pipeline fashion for each angle θj at a time. This method produces results in O(k * log n) time with O(1) storage, where k is the number of θj angles, m is the number of ρi normal distances from the origin, and n is the number of pixels. A simulation program is also described.
The anemia-induced reversible switch from hemoglobin A to hemoglobin C in caprine ruminants: immunochemical evidence that both hemoglobins are found in the same cell.

Abstract During anemic episodes, goats and certain sheep replace hemoglobin A (HbA = α 2 β 2 A ) with hemoglobin C (HbC = α 2 β 2 C ). Rabbit serum directed against either purified sheep HbA or purified sheep HbC was prepared. Both types were used to test whether the two hemoglobins are found in the same cell during switching by an indirect fluorescent antibody assay. Unabsorbed antisheep HbA cross-reacted extensively with goat HbA but to a lesser extent with goat or sheep HbC. Similarly, unabsorbed antisheep HbC reacted with these antigens in the order: Sheep HbC > goat HbC > sheep HbA > goat HbA. Cross-absorption resulted in sera specific either for sheep and goat HbA or for sheep and goat HbC. The specificities were confirmed by indirect fluorescent antibody staining of sheep and goat erythrocytes containing either at least 99% HbA or at least 99% HbC. Smears of erythrocytes from sheep and goats in the process of switching were reacted with one of the absorbed sera then with fluorescein conjugated antirabbit immunoglobulin G. The sum of the fractions stained both by anti-HbA and by anti-HbC exceeded 100% during the switch. Most strikingly when HbA was replacing HbC, nearly all cells stained for HbC while more than half stained for HbA. Thus, the two hemoglobins are found in the same cell during switching.
Aminopyridazines inhibit β-amyloid-induced glial activation and neuronal damage in vivo

Abstract The critical role of chronic inflammation in disease progression continues to be increasingly appreciated across multiple disease areas, especially in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. We report that late intervention with a recently discovered aminopyridazine suppressor of glial activation, developed to inhibit both oxidative and inflammatory cytokine pathways, attenuates human amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced glial activation in a murine model. Peripheral administration of the aminopyridazine MW01-070C, beginning 3 weeks after the start of intracerebroventricular infusion of human Aβ1-42, decreased the number of activated astrocytes and microglia and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and S100B in the hippocampus. Inhibition of neuroinflammation correlated with a decreased neuron loss, restoration towards control levels of synaptic dysfunction biomarkers in the hippocampus, and diminished amyloid plaque deposition. The results from this in vivo chemical biology approach provide a proof of concept that targeting of key glia inflammatory cytokine pathways can suppress Aβ-induced neuroinflammation in vivo, with resultant attenuation of neuronal damage.
Tests with three formulations of aldicarb for control of the citrus red mite.

Three formulations of 10% aldicarb (as a coke powder, as a granular coke, and as granular corncob grits) were applied, at doses that were 1/4 and 1/2 the manufacturers’ recommended rate, to soil around potted sweet orange seedlings in the greenhouse and under 1-year-old navel oranges in the field, respectively, to suppress Panonychus citri (McGregor). The biossays with the greenhouse seedlings did not show statistically significant difference in mortality of mites for the 3 formulations, and all caused better than 82% mortality for 16 weeks. In the field where the populations of mites were small, the mean suppression by all 3 formulations was 95% for 52 weeks.
Evolution and Wear of Fluoropolymer Transfer Films

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a solid lubricant known for its low friction coefficient and high wear rate. When filled with a low volume percent of alumina particles (5 wt%), its wear rate is decreased over four orders of magnitude. The development of a thin, uniform and well adhered transfer film during sliding is partially responsible for this decrease in wear rate by creating a low shear interface and forming a protective layer between the PTFE/alumina sample and metal countersample. In this work, a “striped” transfer film was generated by sliding up to one million reversals over a gradually decreasing stroke length. Wear and friction experiments were performed on a microtribometer to determine the robustness of the transfer film. Interferometry and profilometry were used to measure the height and wear of the film. Microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of the transfer film over sliding distance.
The ethical challenges of in utero gene therapy.

In the past year, proposals to undertake in utero gene therapy have generated much discussion and debate. Concerns have been voiced that in utero gene therapy perhaps should never be undertaken1. Although there are certainly reasons for caution with respect to the initiation of clinical trials of in utero gene therapy in humans, a persuasive case has not been made that such research is unethical.
Immunosensors for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 — Perspectives for use in the meat processing industry

This review critically evaluates different types of immunosensors proposed for rapid identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The methods are compared with approved USDA-FSIS standard procedures for determination of this pathogen in raw or ready-to-eat meat products. Major advantages and disadvantages for each method are highlighted. Our analysis suggests that application of immunosensors in the meat-processing industry may be limited to identification of uncontaminated samples after conventional selective enrichment in broth. Use for detection appears limited at the present time.
Beyond Doublet Chemotherapy for Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Combination of Targeted Agents with First-Line Chemotherapy

The first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has evolved significantly over the past 5 years. As recently as 15 years ago, best supportive care (BSC) was considered an acceptable option for most patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, based on the concern that toxic effects of systemic chemotherapy overshadowed any potential benefits. The enhanced efficacy of platinum-based doublet chemotherapeutic regimens led to increases in overall patient survival relative to BSC. However, overall survival (OS) appeared to plateau, even with the introduction and refinement of these regimens. The addition of novel targeted agents targeting growth pathways to platinum-based regimens failed to overcome the 7.8- to 10.5-month survival barrier. After many phase III clinical trials, which involved tyrosine kinase inhibitors, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, protein kinase C inhibitors, and retinoids, this survival barrier had yet to be surmounted, although in some cases certain subgroups benefited, suggesting specific molecular correlations. Recently, inhibition of components of the angiogenesis pathway with the addition of bevacizumab to a platinum-based doublet led to statistically significant increases in OS, progression-free survival, and response rate relative to chemotherapy alone. This advance pushed the median survival of selected patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who met the eligibility criteria of the trial over the 12-month mark, thus offering patients and clinicians hope for more incremental advances in the future.
Preservice teacher use of learning and instructional design principles

Although many instructional technologists have suggested that teachers should be trained in using instructional design models, few studies have been conducted to determine if teachers can be successful in acquiring and applying these models. The purpose of this study was to examine preservice teacher success in acquiring and applying principles of learning and instructional design. Preservice teachers enrolled in a professional teacher preparation program were taught the essentials of learning and competency-based instruction and were required to plan a lesson using these concepts. Results indicate that most of the preservice teachers were successful in acquiring and using the principles of learning and instructional design.
Gender Differences in Competition

Negotiating in a highly competitive environment may prove particularly challenging for women.We describe three experimental studies that investigated and documented differences in the competitive behaviors of men and women.The first study examined gender differences in competitive performances. In a setting in which men and women performed at similar levels in single-sex competitions, men were found to outperform women in mixed-sex competitions. The second study focused on the decision of men and women to enter a competition. In a mixed-sex setting in which we found no gender differences in performance, many more men than women chose a compensation scheme in which they had to compete against others. Finally, we report the results of a recent study that examined an institutional intervention that may encourage more women to compete. Specifically, we found that a quota-like affirmative action environment in which women must be equally represented encourages many more women to compete. This response was greater than one would predict based solely on the increase in one’s chances of winning and can be partially explained by the fact that the affirmative action competition was more gender specific.
The Effectiveness of Immersion Disinfection for Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopes

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether highlevel disinfection renders fiberoptic laryngoscopes free of nonviral infectious microorganisms.METHODS: Six flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopes in heavy use were subjected to surveillance cultures at the beginning, middle, and end of the clinical workday after high-level disinfection to determine if microorganisms could be recovered. Control cultures were obtained by direct contamination of the endoscope with saliva. The rate of microorganism recovery from the endoscopes after high-level disinfection was determined and compared with control specimens.RESULTS: Among a total of 48 cultures submitted from in use but disinfected fiberoptic laryngoscopes, 1 positive culture (positive rate, 2.1%) for mold species was recovered. No positive bacterial cultures occurred. Eleven of 11 (100%) control cultures were positive for bacterial species (P < 0.001). The confidence interval for the risk of microorganism contamination of a disinfected laryngoscope ranged from 0.11% t...
Protein-Template-Directed Synthesis across an Acrolein-Derived DNA Adduct by Yeast Rev1 DNA Polymerase

Summary Acrolein is generated as the end product of lipid peroxidation and is also a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Its reaction with the N 2 of guanine leads to a cyclic γ-HOPdG adduct that presents a block to normal replication. We show here that yeast Rev1 incorporates the correct nucleotide C opposite a permanently ring-closed form of γ-HOPdG (PdG) with nearly the same efficiency as opposite an undamaged G. The structural basis of this action lies in the eviction of the PdG adduct from the Rev1 active site, and the pairing of incoming dCTP with a "surrogate" arginine residue. We also show that yeast Polζ can carry out the subsequent extension reaction. Together, our studies reveal how the exocyclic PdG adduct is accommodated in a DNA polymerase active site, and they show that the combined action of Rev1 and Polζ provides for accurate and efficient synthesis through this potentially carcinogenic DNA lesion.
Conservative treatment of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia during pregnancy

Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia during pregnancy presents a therapeutic dilemma for the treating physician. The clinical course of two otherwise healthy pregnant patients with this arrhythmia in whom treatment was withheld is outlined. The indications and guidelines for treatment in relatively asymptomatic patients is discussed.
Lipomas of the spermatic cord and testis: Report of two cases

We present what we believe is only the second case report of the ultrasound findings of a spermatic cord lipoma, and the first case report of ultrasound findings of a paratesticular lipoma. These cases suggest that a hyperechoic intrascrotal extratesticular mass should suggest the diagnosis of lipoma
Subwavelength-resolution photoacoustic microscopy for label-free detection of optical absorption in vivo

Mainstream optical microscopy technologies normally detect fluorescence or scattering, which may require undesirable labeling, but cannot directly sense optical absorption, which provides essential biological functional information. Here we reported in vivo and label-free subwavelength-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (SW-PAM) by using a waterimmersion optical objective with a 1.23 NA. Capable of detecting nonfluorescent endogenous pigments, SW-PAM provides exquisitely high optical-absorption contrast. And, as a result of background-free detection, the sensitivity of SW-PAM to optical absorption reaches 100%. SW-PAM was demonstrated with wide-field optical microscopy by imaging gold nanospheres, ex vivo cells, and in vivo vasculature and melanoma. It was shown that SW-PAM has approached the ultimate diffraction-limited optical resolution-220 nm resolution at 532 nm wavelength. Subcellular organelles, such as melanosomes, can be resolved by SW-PAM. Vasculature and early-stage melanoma were imaged with 21:1 and 34:1 contrasts, respectively, without labeling. For all these applications, SW-PAM has contrasts orders of magnitude higher than wide-field optical microscopy. Therefore, SW-PAM is expected to join the mainstream microscopy technologies.
The velocity of the big obsidian flow, Bend, Oregon

Newberry Crater is about 20 miles southeast of Bend, Oregon. It is a caldera and it has been studied and described by Howel Williams. In this caldera there are three obsidian flows. The most spectacular and interesting of these is the Big Obsidian Flow. This obsidian shows its original flow-features more distinctly, the author believes, than any other obsidian in the United States. It is unweathered and uneroded. It is about a mile long and about 115 feet thick, with an angle of inclination of about 6°. When in motion its specific gravity was not far from 2.5, and, according to the experimental work of A. A. Leontleva, its viscosity was approximately 109 poises.
Surface chemistry: Crystal cuts on the nanoscale

A simple method has been developed to control the shape of nanoscale cuprous oxide crystals. Some shapes turn out to be much better than others as catalysts for a light-activated reaction.
Utilizing digital humanities methods for quantifying Howell's state trials

In this paper we describe the undertaking of a quantitative, historically oriented analysis of the law of England between 1650-1700 as represented in Howell's State Trials. Our goal was to analyze cases over time to support investigation into whether a quantitative analysis of the content of the 1650-1700 State Trials would exhibit an upward trend of religious tolerance.
Angiographic nephrectomy using iodinated contrast agent

Diatrizoate meglumine and sodium (Renografin-76) was perfused in an obstructed renal artery in 13 dogs. Intense and prolonged accumulation of contrast agent ("contrast staining") was achieved in all animals. Repeat injection was frequently necessary to enhance staining. Renin output from the stained kidneys was lower than that from the opposite kidneys. Angiography at 14-18 weeks demonstrated a marked decrease in renal size in all dogs, with complete occlusion of the renal artery in two dogs. No collateral circulation was discerned. Grossly, all experimental kidneys were uniformly shrunken. Histologically, diffuse renal infarction was evident with coagulative necrosis. Contrast staining is an effective method for uniform destruction of renal tissue.
The role of ribosomes in stabilizing bacteriophage T4 deoxynucleotide kinase mRNA in vitro

Abstract In the present investigation, an approach toward defining the role of ribosomes in stabilizing functional messenger RNA in cell-free extracts is described. The data presented show that initiation of protein synthesis is necessary for maximal functional stability of bacteriophage T4 deoxynucleotide kinase mRNA in vitro and suggest that much of the stability is attained by interaction of the deoxynucleotide kinase mRNA initiation site with a 30S ribosomal subunit. Data is also presented which suggest that any of several E . coli ribonucleases could serve as a messenger ribonuclease in vivo .
Communicative gestures in aphasia

Abstract Gestural communications of 10 mild and moderate aphasics and five controls were examined in two conditions: Face-to-face informal dyadic conversation and restricted visual access between speaker and listener. Gestural production was significantly reduced with restriction of visual access, supporting the posited communicative function of the hand and arm gestures investigated in this study. No differences were found between aphasic and control subjects in the rate of gestural communication in the natural condition of face-to-face interaction. Moderate aphasics, however, were found to produce proportionally fewer of the complex semantic modifying and relational communicative gestures and more nonspecific, nonconsensually shared, unclear gestures. Gestural complexity was significantly negatively correlated with measures of linguistic impairment for the aphasics. The relationship between the frequency and complexity of communicative gestures and concurrent verbalizations was also examined. The findings of this study provide confirmation for the view that (1) there is an identifiable class of gestures utilized by aphasics for communication, (2) aphasics are impaired in their gestural communicative competence in natural conditions of communication, and (3) the quality of aphasics' gestural communications parallels changes in their verbal communication patterns.
Parallel regulation of extracellular ATP and inorganic pyrophosphate: Roles of growth factors, transduction modulators, and ANK

Objective. Extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (ePPi) is a key regulator of pathologic mineralization in articular cartilage. Articular chondrocytes generate ePPi by the transportation of intracellular PPi (iPPi) through transport mechanisms such as ANK or by the degradation of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) by ectoenzymes. Although numerous modulators of ePPi have been characterized, little is known about eATP elaboration in cartilage. We sought to determine (1) whether eATP is coordinately regulated with ePPi and (2) whether ANK transports ATP. Methods. Primary articular chondrocytes were treated with factors known to modulate ePPi levels including growth factors (TGFβ1 and IGF-1), anion channel inhibitors, and chemicals that alter adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase C activities. Additional chondrocyte monolayers were infected with adenovirus containing functional (Ad-ANK) or mutated (Ad-ANK mutant) ANK sequences. eATP levels were measured with a bioluminescent assay. Results. TGFβ1 enha...
Associations between maternal fever and influenza and congenital heart defects.

Objective To examine associations between maternal reports of prenatal fever or influenza and congenital heart defects (CHDs), and to evaluate whether those associations varied with antipyretic use. Study design We analyzed case infants with CHD (n = 2361) and control infants without CHD (n = 3435) from the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study (1981-1989). Participating mothers were asked whether they experienced a “fever of 101°F or higher,” had “influenza (flu),” or used an antipyretic agent (ie, acetaminophen, salicylate, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) during the period extending from 3 months before pregnancy through the end of the third month of pregnancy. We used logistic regression to compute ORs and 95% CIs while controlling for potential confounders. Results There were significant associations between fever and influenza and specific CHDs, namely right-sided obstructive defects (fever: OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.27 to 3.27; influenza: OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.62) and atrioventricular septal defects in infants with Down syndrome (fever: OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.38; influenza: OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.63). Maternal antipyretic use in the setting of fever or influenza tended to decrease these associations. Conclusions Prenatal maternal fever or influenza may be associated with right-sided obstructive lesions in all infants and with atrioventricular septal defects in infants with Down syndrome. The use of antipyretics might attenuate such associations.
Effect of Nembutal upon Serum Cholesterol of Dogs.

ConclusionsNembutal in amounts sufficient to produce deep narcosis lasting several hours in dogs is without significant effect upon the level of the total serum cholesterol.