cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fieldwork is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see … and other reflections: 3ie annual Howard White inaugural lecture

In 2014 an annual lecture series was established in honour of Howard White, the first executive director of the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). Each year, a 3ie selection committee invites a distinguished international development professional to deliver a lecture on a topic related to 3ie’s mission. This paper is a transcription of the first lecture in that series, on conducting fieldwork with eyes wide open and getting research used. Topics include going deep on context, using mixed methods, learning the lessons of history, being memorable and how to make a difference.
Se-(8-azidoadenosyl)[75Se]selenomethionine as a photoaffinity label for S-adenosylmethionine binding proteins.

Abstract A method is described for the synthesis and purification of the photoaffinity label Se -(8-azidoadenosyl)[ 75 Se]selenomethionine. This photoaffinity label can be used to specifically and covalently label the S -adenosylmethionine binding site of proteins that use this cofactor, as exemplified by labeling of thioether methyltransferase. By utilizing the γ-emitting isotope of selenium, Se -(8-azidoadenosyl)[ 75 Se]selenomethionine eliminates the need for the impregnation of acrylamide gels with fluorographic enhancers and dilution of liquid samples into scintillation cocktails, as is required with the commonly used methyl - 3 H-labeled and 35 S-labeled S -(8-azidoadenosyl)methionine.
Nutrients and the “dead zone”: the link between nutrient ratios and dissolved oxygen in the northern Gulf of Mexico

The “dead zone”, an area with reduced concentrations of dissolved oxygen, forms every year off the mouth of the Mississippi River in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Some marine animals are stressed or killed by the hypoxic conditions, with negative consequences for this large and economically important marine fishery. In the past, the dead zone has been linked to nitrogen (N) input from the Mississippi River, but recent analyses suggest that phosphorus (P) also plays a role. It has therefore been proposed that controlling both the N and P entering the Gulf may be required to minimize hypoxia. However, the use of elemental ratios (stoichiometric analysis) of dissolved inorganic nutrients to reach this conclusion is scientifically tenuous. Stoichiometric analyses of total N and P and the results of several nutrient enrichment growth bioassays also suggest the importance of both N and P, but offer less evidence for a P effect, providing a stronger scientific basis for management.
Auger electron spectroscopy investigation of SO2/Zr(0 0 0 1)

Abstract The adsorption of SO 2 on Zr(0 0 0 1) at 150 K has been investigated under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) reveals saturation of both sulfur and oxygen signals at exposures of about 1 Langmuir (L). Changes in the overlapping Zr(MNV) + S(LMM) feature as well as in the Zr(MNN) feature are discussed. In particular, the Zr(MNN) feature changes with both exposure and annealing history, complicating the identification of sulfur using Auger peak-to-peak height ratios. We propose that SO 2 dissociates on Zr(0 0 0 1) under these conditions, since no thermal desorption of sulfur dioxide is detected for exposures up to 5 L. However, the desorption of small quantities of 34 and 32 amu species near 250 K is observed by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) measurements. Integrated desorption peak areas of these species saturate near 1 L, consistent with the saturation behavior observed by AES. Electron bombardment (500 eV) reduces H 2 S desorption presumably by removing surface hydrogen via electron stimulated mechanisms, but has no effect on Auger spectra.
Temperature relations of photosynthetic response in populations of Verbascum thapsus L.

Seedlings representative of Verbascum thapsus L. populations from thermally diverse habitats were grown under uniform, controlled conditions. The plants were used to obtain temperature response curves for net photosynthesis over a range of 15–40°C. In general, all experimental plants exhibited similar rates of net photosynthesis at 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. Plants representative of cool habitat populations (high-latidude and high-altitude) had greatest rates of net photosynthesis at the lower temperatures and much lower rates at 40°C. Plants representative of warm habitat populations (low-latitude and low-altitude) exhibited rates of net photosynthesis at 40°C which were nearly twice those of plants representative of cool habitat populations. Carbon dioxide transfer resistances are discussed with reference to plant control of photosynthesis at different temperatures. Patterns of photosynthesis and resistance response among plants representative of different habitats suggest ecotypic variation has occurred only to a very limited extent. Therefore, the patterns exhibited by experimental plants suggest that Verbascum thapsus' success in a number of diverse sites is related to the ability of all members of the species to photosynthesize over a broad range of temperatures.
Reassessing the impact of smoking on preeclampsia/eclampsia: are there age and racial differences?

Objective To investigate the association between cigarette use during pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia/eclampsia (PIH) by maternal race/ethnicity and age. Methods This retrospective cohort study was based on the U.S. 2010 natality data. Our study sample included U.S. women who delivered singleton pregnancies between 20 and 44 weeks of gestation without major fetal anomalies in 2010 (n = 3,113,164). Multivariate logistic regression models were fit to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results We observed that the association between maternal smoking and PIH varied by maternal race/ethnicity and age. Compared with non-smokers, reduced odds of PIH among pregnant smokers was only evident for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic American Indian women aged less than 35 years. Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander women who smoked during pregnancy had increased odds of PIH regardless of maternal age. Non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black women 35 years or older who smoked during pregnancy also had increased odds of PIH. Conclusion Our study findings suggest important differences by maternal race/ethnicity and age in the association between cigarette use during pregnancy and PIH. More research is needed to establish the biologic and social mechanisms that might explain the variations with maternal age and race/ethnicity that were observed in our study.
Power-conserving centralized organization of ad hoc wireless networks

This paper presents a physical layer-based framework for the organization of ad hoc wireless networks. The focus is quasi-static environments, such as multimedia classrooms, and situations characterized by real-time services and high traffic loads. In these cases, centralized control and a star-connected topology may be preferable due to its simplicity and high efficiency. Using a link loss matrix, an approach is developed for selection of a network leader that takes into consideration link losses and transmitter powers. Both minimax and minisum criteria are established, and a number of conditions are established for determining uplink, downlink, Bayesian and universal leaders. A QoS-based iterative algorithm for determination of link transmit powers is also proposed, a special case of which provides the link loss matrix for leader selection. The algorithm also provides the information required to determine a set of candidate leaders, whose members can assume leadership without interruption or degradation of network operation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Impact of Occupation on Responses to Positive and Negative Framing

Abstract Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy around negative advertising. In this paper we examine the impact of negative as compared to positive frames for people in different occupations. For the product category of video cameras, using an experimental design, we found that occupation does indeed moderate the impact of positive and negative frames. While there is no difference in their effect for professionals, positive frames are more effective for social workers and blue collar workers. Here we focused not only on responses to the ads, but also to the brand and on purchase intent. The implications for marketing strategy are discussed.
Topography and axon arbor architecture in the visual callosal pathway: effects of deafferentation and blockade of TV-methyl-D-aspartate receptors

Visual callosal fibers link cortical loci in opposite hemispheres that represent the same visual field but whose locations are not mirror-symmetric with respect to the brain midline. Presence of the eyes from postnatal day 4 (P4) to P6 is required for this map to be specified. We tested the hypothesis that specification of the callosal map requires the activation of A'-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Our results show that blockade of NMDARs with MK-801 during this critical period did not induce obvious abnormalities in callosal connectivity patterns, suggesting that retinal influences do not operate through NMDAR-mediated processes to specify normal callosal topography. In contrast, we found that interfering with NMDAR function either through MK801-induced blockade of NMDARs starting at P6 or neonatal enucleation significantly increases the length of axon branches and total length of arbors, without major effects on the number of branch tips. Our results further suggest that NMDARs act by altering the initial elaboration of arbors rather than by inhibiting a later-occurring remodeling process. Since the callosal map is present by P6, just as axonal branches of simple architecture grow into gray matter, we suggest that regulation of arbor development by NMDAR-mediated processes is important for maintaining the precision of this map.
Strictureplasty for Obstructive Crohn's Disease: The Mayo Experience

Background Strictureplasty for obstructive Crohn's disease of the small bowel continues to gain favor throughout the world. Although the potential advantages of preserving intestinal length are obvious, the optimal clinical setting for performing strictureplasty remains to be determined. Patients Of 244 patients who underwent abdominal exploration for complications of Crohn's disease between Jan. 1, 1985, and Jan. 1, 1991, at the Mayo Clinic, 35 had a total of 71 strictureplasties. Concomitant resection of bowel with active disease was performed in 67% of the procedures. Results In this series, no perioperative deaths occurred, and no anastomotic leaks, enteric fistulas, or intra-abdominal abscesses were noted during a 3-year follow-up. The overall perioperative complication rate was 14%. Postoperatively, 33 of the 35 patients were able to resume enteral nutrition and discontinue medical treatments. The symptomatic recurrence rate at 3 years was 20%; six patients have required reoperation. Conclusion These findings support the use of strictureplasty for isolated, quiescent, stenotic bowel lesions associated with Crohn's disease.
Acid-catalyzed disproportionation of oxoiron(IV) porphyrins to give oxoiron(IV) porphyrin radical cations.

Abstract Disproportionation of oxoiron(IV) porphyrin (Compound II) to oxoiron(IV) porphyrin radical cation (Compound I) was studied in three P450 model systems with different electronic structures. Direct conversion of Compound II to Compound I has been observed for 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin (TDCPP) in acid-catalyzed reactions in a mixed solvent of acetonitrile and water (1:1, v/v) containing excess m-CPBA oxidant, with a second-order rate constant of (1.3 ± 0.2) × 102 M− 1 s− 1. The acid-catalyzed disproportionation heavily depends on the electron demand of the substituted aryl groups on the porphyrin macrocycle. The disproportionation equilibrium constants show drastic change for the three porphyrin systems.
Epigenetic control of PRV-1 expression on neutrophils.

Objective Polycythemia rubra vera–1 (PRV-1) is a GPI-linked protein that is expressed on a subgroup of neutrophils. The number of PRV-1–expressing neutrophils increases in pregnancy and sepsis, or after administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Expression of the PRV-1 gene is also increased in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). We investigated whether DNA methylation of the PRV-1 gene has a role in regulation of transcription and expression of the PRV-1 protein. Methods We compared the level of methylation of the PRV-1 gene and expression of the PRV-1 mRNA in normal neutrophils expressing PRV-1 to those that are PRV-1–negative. We also studied PRV-1 methylation and mRNA expression in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative disorders and in an in vitro model of DNA demethylation. Results We found that methylation of CpG dinucleotides close to initiation codon of the PRV-1 gene was inversely related to expression of PRV-1 in normal neutrophils. Furthermore, overexpression of the PRV-1 gene in PV and ET is associated with a decrease in methylation of this gene. Among patients with PV and ET, methylation of the PRV-1 gene is also inversely correlated with the presence of the JAK2 V617F somatic mutation. In an in vitro model, exposure of KG1 and KG1a cells to a DNA demethylating agent caused a decrease in methylation of the PRV-1 gene and increased its mRNA level. Conclusion DNA methylation regulates PRV-1 expression under physiologic and pathologic conditions.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE CAROTENOIDS OF SOME NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CANTHARELLUS

Color and carotenoid content are important characters both for identification of species and as indicators of taxonomic relationships within the chanterelles. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to compare pigment profiles of carotenoid pigments extracted from basidiocarps of Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus cibarius var. amethysteus, Cantharellus lateritius, and Cantharellus tabernensis. β-carotene was the main carotenoid detected in all four species.
Indices of memory recovery following electroconvulsive shock.

Abstract In two experiments recovery of memory for a one-trial passive avoidance task was demonstrated following ECS when a retention ratio was used as an index of retention but not when latency measures were used. In a third experiment, both measures reflected recovery when habituation was controlled and ECS occurred within 10 sec of learning. Habituation attenuated the effect of ECS on retention. These experiments indicate that recovery of memory from ECS does occur when assessed by behavioral indices other than latency and that the effects of ECS are probably on the retrieval rather than the storage or consolidation process.
Developing the NASA Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge

Systems engineers across NASA needed a single place to go to find various assets to support them in their work, and to help ensure that their missions are successful. These assets ranged from templates and resources to various requirements and processes, as well as points of contact, etc. Hence, there was a need for a central NASA Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) to store and provide access to systems engineering resources of all types. The types of assets that are available in the NASA SEBoK fall into two broad categories, namely assets appropriate for a typical systems engineering body of knowledge (i.e., concepts, terms and activities that make up the SE professional domain), and assets for a typical Systems Engineering Asset Library (i.e., work aids, tools and methods to support system development). The recently developed NASA SEBoK has begun to capture the sum of knowledge within the profession of systems engineering at NASA. As an aid to the NASA SE Community, the NASA SEBoK has four ways to search for and view its assets, namely Type View (default), Life-Cycle View, Process View and Role View. This paper describes the approach to designing and developing the NASA SEBoK. It also summarizes the various types of assets and views, and discusses the processes for dispositioning assets, assigning metadata and populating the NASA SEBoK.
Smoking of Phencyclidine: Disposition in Man and Stability to Pyrolytic Conditions

Abstract Two human volunteers who smoked parsley cigarettes to which 0.1 mg of tritium-labeled phencyclidine (PCP) hydrochloride had been added received ca. 59% of the applied dose, of which ca. 56% was excreted in the urine within 72 hr. PCP in smoke appeared to be absorbed well. Unchanged PCP and conjugated metabolites were found in plasma and urine. 1-Phenylcyclohexene and its metabolites were also present but did not interfere with analysis of PCP. PCP hydrochloride was extensively degraded (≥93%) at 300–800°C in a quartz pyrolysis tube, but was much less degraded under simulated smoking conditions on parsley cigarettes. Major products of pyrolysis were 1-phenylcyclohexene and piperidine hydrochloride.
An artificial intelligence based method for scheduling crop management actions

Abstract Development of the prototype version of the CALEX program, an integrated expert decision support system for crop management, indicated that a major weakness of the expert system format was in formulating a schedule of guidelines for management actions. Problems encountered included organizing and integrating knowledge bases for several different types of action (e.g. pest management, irrigation, fertilization, etc.), dealing with the influence that these actions have on each other, and the automated synthesis of the actual guidelines. To solve these problems a scheduling system was developed for the CALEX program based on the concept of the multi-agent planner as developed in artificial intelligence research. This planner was implemented in an object-oriented programming style in the CALEX program. The present paper describes this scheduling and guideline development system.
Insulin and glucose modulate protein kinase C activity in rat adipocytes

In the presence of 1 mM glucose, insulin (10 ng/ml) increases both catalytic and receptor-binding properties of adipocyte cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC). Preincubation of adipocytes with 10 mM glucose raises basal PKC catalytic activity and prevents further stimulation of this enzyme by insulin. The effect of hyperglycemia is likely to be mediated by direct conversion of glucose into diacylglycerol. Thus, an incorporation of 14C-glucose into diacylglycerol is enhanced 10-fold in the presence of 10 mM glucose. These observations indicate that, in normal adipocytes, both insulin and glucose activate PKC; hyperglycemia eliminates the ability of insulin to stimulate this enzyme, thereby interfering with insulin action.
USING STABLE ISOTOPES TO MONITOR ANTHROPOGENIC NITROGEN INPUTS TO ESTUARIES

Use of stable nitrogen isotope ratios is one method that has been proposed to indicate anthropogenic nutrient enrichment in estuarine systems. However, the role of stable isotopes as a tool in long-term ecosystem monitoring has not been fully developed. Resident producer and consumer species were collected from marshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora and subject to a range of anthropogenic impacts in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and in Great South Bay and Jamaica Bay, New York. Tissue isotope ratios of Spartina alterniflora, Ulva lactuca, Fundulus heteroclitus, and Geukensia demissa were analyzed in order to determine which organisms are the most sensitive indicators of changes in anthropogenic nitrogen source and loading. Power analysis was used to determine the sample sizes necessary to detect change in nutrient source using the species sampled. Relationships between the δ15N values of the species sampled and watershed population density and residential development were evaluated. Population density was a better indicator of anthropogenic nitrogen impact than residential development, since most anthropogenic nitrogen in the study marshes was derived from wastewater. Consumer species demonstrated lower within-site variability than producer species and would therefore require smaller sample sizes to detect changes in nitrogen source and loading.
Spaces of violence, desire, and queer (un)belonging: Dionne Brand's urban diasporas

An immigrant from Trinidad to Canada, Dionne Brand has explored gender, sexuality, and migration from myriad perspectives, in film, essays, poetry, and fiction. This essay focuses on two recent texts by Brand, the book-length poem thirsty (2002) and her third novel, What We All Long For (2005), both set in Toronto. Desire, loss, and longing rooted in migration and its concomitant traumas structure the narratives; each text also offers a meditation on the role of aesthetics in addressing contemporary urban experience. Brand's work asserts the positive potential of spaces of queer (un)belonging, spaces the undo belonging while not leading to the destructive erasure of not-belonging. ‘Queer diaspora’ might seem an impossibility, given that there is no queer homeland, no single site from which queerness has been dispersed. Yet, queer (un)belonging as analysed here in Brand's writing seeks to revision the world, using Toronto as the specific location of remaking. Queer (un)belonging can accommodate multiple id...
Chromatographic isolation of the original constituents of natural waxes. The composition of ouricuri wax

A chromatographic method was developed which separated a known mixture of alleged wax constituents into four groups,viz., dotriacontane, octadecyl stearate and stearone, octadecanol, and stearic acid on especially prepared alumina. This adsorbent, when prepared fresh, did not give a satisfactory separation of spermaceti wax. On re-use after regeneration by exhaustive washing with methanol and water, spermaceti wax was resolved into esters (95.4%), alcohols (2.6%), and acids (1.2%). A resolution of ourieuri wax into four major classes (nine fractions) was obtained on alumina (M. Woelm, aniontrophie, pII4) of lesser adsorptive activity than the two previous preparations. Two of the latter fractions were further resolved on silica gel. There isa priori evidence that the constitutents of natural plant waxes do not conform rigidly to the pattern of mixtures of simple normal esters. An estimated composition of ouricuri wax (in per cent) is hydrocarbons 1.3, simple esters 23.5, hydroxy-mono-esters 22.4, hydroxy-di-esters 17.2, hydroxy-aeidie-poly-esters 5.4, free acids 8.7, free alcohols 3.0, resins 14.8, moisture 1.4, and ash 0.4.
Responses of juvenile terrestrial salamanders to introduced (Lithobius forficatus) and native centipedes (Scolopocryptops sexspinosus)

When introduced species invade ecosystems, alterations in community structure can emerge from the competitive and predatory interactions that occur between introduced and native guild members. Because a number of recent studies have shown that large predatory invertebrates can both compete with and prey on small vertebrates and because introductions of non-native species may play a role in amphibian declines, the effects of introduced centipedes Lithobius forficatus and native centipedes Scolopocryptops sexspinosus on juveniles of the red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus were examined. In laboratory arenas, juvenile salamanders exhibited submissive behaviour in response to the odours of both species of centipede. There were no significant differences in salamander response to the two centipede odour treatments, but compared to controls, juveniles of P. cinereus spent significantly more time in escape and in a flattened submissive posture when presented with native centipede odours. Despite significant size differences between centipedes and juvenile salamanders, no predation of salamanders by either species of centipede occurred in any pairings. Juveniles exhibited more chemosensory behaviour towards native centipedes and towards their odours and exhibited marked reductions in aggressive posturing when centipedes were present. Field and laboratory data suggest that juveniles of P. cinereus and centipedes were negatively associated. In laboratory trials, the native centipede excluded juvenile salamanders from cover objects and we found fewer instances of co-occurrence in the field than expected. These studies are the first to examine the behavioural interactions between juveniles of P. cinereus and invertebrate predators, one introduced and one native, of eastern deciduous forest-floor food webs.
Composition and inheritance of flavanones in citrus fruit

Early work on the chemosystematics of citrus is briefly reviewed. A short summary of the confusion existing in citrus taxonomy is given with special reference to the source of nomenclatural errors which have appeared in the chemical literature. A tabulation is given of literature citations, through 1966, of flavanone compounds reported to occur in various Citrus species. A thin-layer chromatographic survey was made of 41 citrus varieties representing 18 recognized species of citrus. In addition, 49 hybrids of 18 different crosses were also surveyed. An analysis of the data has shown that a qualitative and quantitative consistency of flavanone composition, with minor variations, is characteristic of individual Citrus species and crosses. Rules governing the inheritance of citrus flavanones were deduced from the composition of known hybrids. These rules, coupled with compositional data, were used to evaluate the probable relationships of various citrus varieties and species. The use and limitations of flavanone composition in citrus taxonomy and breeding are discussed briefly.
BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF SCRIPPSIELLA TROCHOIDEA (DINOPHYCEAE) RESTING CYSTS1

The composition and metabolic activity of cysts of the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea (Stein) Loeblich were examined during dormancy, quiescence, and germination. On a per cell basis, newly formed cysts contained an order of magnitude more carbohydrate but significantly less protein and chlorophyll a than did exponentially growing vegetative cells. Loss of lipid and carbohydrate from cysts during the initial dormancy period reflected a respiration rate estimated to be 10% of the respiratory activity in vegetative cells. Among older, quiescent cysts the calculated respiration rate decreased further to approximately 1.5% of the vegetative rate and appeared to proceed largely at the expense of carbohydrate reserves. These estimated rates of respiration were in good agreement with direct measurements of cyst oxygen consumption. The transfer of quiescent cysts to conditions permissive for germination resulted in a rapid increase in respiration rate, as evidenced by carbohydrate loss and O2 consumption. The increased respiratory activity was followed by an increase in protein content and, later, by an increase in chlorophyll a content and photosynthetic capacity. Just prior to germination the P/R ratio became greater than 1, and the estimated chlorophyll-specific photosynthetic activity reached 75% of the rate in vegetative cells. Complete restoration of photosynthetic and respiratory capacity apparently was not achieved until after excystment. These data confirm the common assumption that dinoflagellate cysts represent true “resting” cells, containing extensive energy reserves and displaying greatly reduced metabolic activity.
Growth and Survival of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Fry Fed Diets with 36 or 45% Total Protein and All Plant or Animal Protein Sources

The basic nutrient requirements for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, are well known, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that catfish fry grow faster and have better survival when fed an animal protein diet. However, the ability to grow channel catfish as small as 11 g on all plant diets and a lack of published data showing the superiority of fish or animal proteins compared to nutritionally equivalent plant proteins for catfish fry indicates that it may be possible to raise channel catfish fry on diets with only plant protein sources. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to compare the effects of 36 and 45% animal protein diets and 36 and 45% all plant protein diets on catfish fry growth and survival. Experimental diets were formulated to contain: 36% all plant protein (primarily from soybean meal); 36% animal and plant protein (≥45% of crude protein as fish meal); 45% all plant protein (primarily from soy protein concentrate and soybean meal); and 45% animal and plant protein (≥60% of crude protein as fish meal). The catfish were fed at a rate of 20% of body weight daily for 28 d using 24-h automated feeders. Mean ending weights and lengths of catfish fry were not significantly different (P > 0.05) for any treatment. Mean mortality was also not significantly different (P > 0.05) among diets. Regression analysis of growth rate and analysis of variance of final weights revealed that there was no significant difference in growth rate for any of the four diets. These results indicate that growth is not limited in channel catfish fry fed all plant protein diets, and that there is no apparent advantage to the inclusion of animal protein in diets for channel catfish fry.
Aeronomical application of a germanium near-infrared (NIR) detector

The wavelength region surrounding 1.0 micrometers has traditionally been a difficult one to observe. GaAs and silicon both have very low quantum efficiency in the NIR, while some improvements can be made by pre-flashing and oxygen soaking a silicon CCD. Greater improvement can be realized by using a material other then silicon as a substrate. Recently, detector technology has improved to the point where NIR observations can be made almost routinely. Scientifically, the NIR region is ideal for the study of molecular line and band emission, as well as low energy atomic transitions. A collaboration between Boston University and the Aerospace Corporation has resulted in a germanium based detector used in conjunction with an infrared optimized Fabry-Perot spectrometer. Gold plated mirrors were installed and the appropriate transmissive optics are used in the Fabry-Perot to optimize the NIR transmission. The detector is a germanium PIN diode coated with a layer of silicon-nitride. Current produced by the detector is measured by using a capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CITA). An A/D converter samples the amplified capacitor voltage and outputs a 12 bit word that is then passed on to the controlling computer system. The detector, amplifier, and associated electronics are mounted inside a standard IR dewar and operated at 77 degree(s)K. We have operated this detector and spectrometer system at Millstone Hill for about 6 months. Acceptable noise characteristics, a NEP of 10-17 watts, and a QE of 90% at 1.2 micrometers , have been achieved with an amplifier gain of 200. The system is currently configured for observations of thermospheric helium, and has made the first measurement of the He 10,830 angstrom nightglow emission isolated from OH contamination. In an effort to both increase the sensitivity of our Fabry-Perot in the visible and to adapt it for planetary astronomy we have entered into a collaboration with CIDTEC. A charge injection detector or CID has some unique capabilities that distinguish it from a CCD and we are evaluating it as a detector for the Hadinger fringe pattern produced by a Fabry-Perot. The CID allows non- destructive readout and random access of individual pixels within the entire frame, this allows for both `electronic masking' of bright objects and allows each fringe to be observed without having to readout a large number of dark pixels.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative study of three Plumbago L. species (Plumbaginaceae) by microscopy, UPLC-UV and HPTLC

This paper presents a comparative study of anatomy of leaves, stems and roots of three species of Plumbago, namely P. auriculata Lam., P. indica L. and P. zeylanica L. by light microscopy. The paper also provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the naphthoquinone, plumbagin-a major constituent present in these species-using UPLC-UV. Microscopic examinations revealed the presence of distinctive differences in the anatomical features of the leaf, stem and root of the three species, and these can thus be used for identification and authentication of these species. UPLC-UV analysis showed the highest concentration of plumbagin in the roots of P. zeylanica (1.62% w/w) followed by the roots of P. indica (0.97% w/w) and then P. auriculata (0.33-0.53% w/w). In contrast, plumbagin was not detected in the stems and leaves of P. indica and in the leaves of P. auriculata, whereas very low concentrations (<0.02% w/w) of plumbagin were detected in the stems and leaves of P. zeylanica and in the stems of P. auriculata. HPTLC fingerprints of the leaf and root of the three species exhibited distinguishable profiles, while those of the stems were undifferentiated.
Widespread occurrence of a specific protein in vertebrate tissues and regulation by cyclic AMP of its endogenous phosphorylation and dephosphorylation

A protein whose endogenous phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are affected by cAMP has been found in the soluble and particulate fractions of all vertebrate tissues studied. This phosphoprotein, which contained a substantial proportion of the radioactive phosphate observed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, was estimated to have an apparent molecular weight of 49,000. In the presence of Zn++, cAMP inhibited the endogenous phosphorylation of this protein (protein 49) in the cytosol and microsomal fractions. In the presence of Mg++, cAMP stimulated the phosphorylation of protein 49 in the cytosol fractions, but had only slight effects in the microsomal fractions. The dephosphorylation of protein 49 by an endogenous protein phosphatase was markedly stimulated by cAMP in the cytosol and microsomal fractions of all tissues studied. The binding of 8-azido-cAMP (a photoaffinity analog of cAMP, which reacts specifically with cAMP-binding sites) to subcellular fractions was also studied. This binding was principally to a protein of molecular weight 49,000. These and other data suggest that a cAMP-binding protein with a molecular weight of 49,000 capable of undergoing cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, occurs in a variety of tissues.
An experimental assessment of the effects of reading software products on reading test scores

Responding to a Congressional mandate in the No Child Left Behind Act, the effectiveness of nine reading instructional software applications was investigated using an experimental design and a large sample of American schools, teachers, and students. The software packages were selected based on evidence of effectiveness from previous research. Five software applications were for first‐grade students and four were for fourth‐grade students. Standardized tests were administered in the fall and spring of the 2004–2005 school year, classrooms were observed, and school records data were collected. The findings indicated that instructional activities were altered by the presence of software, but test scores were not statistically significantly higher in classrooms in which the software applications were used. For a subset of teachers and schools, an additional year of follow‐up was conducted to examine whether effectiveness was moderated by a year of teacher experience. The results were mixed, with measured eff...
Ethnicity and education in China and Vietnam: discursive formations of inequality

This article aims to understand how ethnicity is discursively framed in national policies in China and Vietnam and argues that policy discourses affect how the ‘problem’ of ethnicity and educational inequalities is framed and how these inequalities can be addressed. The analysis shows how both Marxist and market-economy governing rationalities frame ethnic minority groups as lower status than the majority group and in need of either socially evolving to the communist ideal or assimilating into the global economic market, respectively. Using Fraser’s multi-dimensional approach to analyse discursive formations of inequality, we show how these policy discourses produce a non-ethnic economic citizen with socialist tendencies that negates cultural or social recognition and political representation. We conclude that researchers and policymakers need to consider how ethnicity is discursively framed to understand and address inequalities.
Exploring the proton pump and exit pathway for pumped protons in cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus.

The heme-copper oxygen reductases are redox-driven proton pumps. In the current work, the effects of mutations in a proposed exit pathway for pumped protons are examined in the ba3-type oxygen reductase from Thermus thermophilus, leading from the propionates of heme a3 to the interface between subunits I and II. Recent studies have proposed important roles for His376 and Asp372, both of which are hydrogen-bonded to propionate-A of heme a3, and for Glu126II (subunit II), which is hydrogen-bonded to His376. Based on the current results, His376, Glu126II, and Asp372 are not essential for either oxidase activity or proton pumping. In addition, Tyr133, which is hydrogen-bonded to propionate-D of heme a3, was also shown not to be essential for function. However, two mutations of the residues hydrogen-bonded to propionate-A, Asp372Ile and His376Asn, retain high electron transfer activity and normal spectral features but, in different preparations, either do not pump protons or exhibit substantially diminished proton pumping. It is concluded that either propionate-A of heme a3 or possibly the cluster of groups centered about the conserved water molecule that hydrogen-bonds to both propionates-A and -D of heme a3 is a good candidate to be the proton loading site.
Spectral and spatial variability of solar irradiance in the North Atlantic

A model to predict the monthly solar irradiance incident at the ocean surface has been developed at seven wavelengths across the visible spectrum (390, 440, 490, 540, 590, 640, and 690 nm). The model incorporates specific monthly climatological databases of aerosols, ozone, and percent cloud cover derived from satellite observation for the North Atlantic from May 1979. The variations in the spectral irradiance fields in the North Atlantic are shown to be highly spatially variable in small scales (< 100 km) in addition to being spectrally different. The irradiance distribution is dependent on the spectral characteristics of the transmittance parameters, and also on the small scale variability of the climatological data. The model indicates that the Rayleigh and aerosol transmittance has a pronounced affect on the spectral irradiance while the magnitude of the irradiance is controlled primarily by percent cloud cover and aerosol transmittance. The general trend in the North Atlantic indicated that the spectral irradiance intensity is similar to the solar spectrum (peaking at 490 - 540) and diminishing in the shorter and longer wavelengths.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reactions and structures of water on clean and oxygen covered Pt(111) and Fe(100)

Abstract An atom superposition and election delocalization (ASED) technique applied to water adsorption on a small cluster model of Pt(111) shows weak and reversible chemisorption and facile and reversible hydrogen transfer to preadsorbed oxygen atoms as observed by Fisher, Sexton and Gland in EELS and UPS studies. Our theory predicts much stronger adsorption of water to Fe(100) with low barriers to dehydrogenation, in agreement with high temperature LEED-Auger results of Dwyer, Simmons, and Wei and wide temperature range XPS studies of Akimov. We predict a low barrier to transfer of hydrogen from water to adsorbed oxygen atoms, forming hydroxyl groups on the iron surface, and a fairly low barrier to the reverse reaction. On both metals we find hydroxyl groups are strongly held. Our calculations produce a trend toward greater negativity on going from adsorbed water to hydroxyl groups, and to hydroxyl dissociation products on these surfaces. We present reaction mechanisms, transition state geometries, and analysis in terms of molecular orbital theory and the total energy. It is found that the platinum is generally less reactive than iron toward water and hydroxyl species because platinum orbitals are less diffuse and the platinum s-d band lies lower, closer to adsorbate energy levels such that adsorbate-platinum antibonding orbitals are filled.
Turning wrong into right: the 2013 lung allocation controversy.

Agreeing with a U.S. senator that an Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network policy discriminates against children, a District Court judge in Philadelphia issued a 10-day restraining order, w...
Facilitating Basic Vocabulary Acquisition with Milieu Teaching Procedures

The generalized effects of milieu language intervention procedures on the acquisition and use of common nouns and action verbs was investigated using a multiple baseline design across subjects. The...
Immunologic targeting: how to channel a minimal response for maximal outcome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Drugs that target extracellular molecules and intracellular pathways remain an area of active research in prostate cancer. Although preclinical data suggest that new drugs can modulate or slow prostate tumor proliferation, responses in man, such as disease stabilization or regression, are not as dramatic as those seen in preclinical models. Other approaches, including carbohydrate and cellular product vaccines, cytokines, and monoclonal antibodies either alone or with radiopharmaceuticals, are being used to seek and destroy cancer cells. Although robust in-vitro antibody responses can be generated against a specific immunogen in many vaccines, immunologists would agree that immune responses are suboptimal, as defined by a lack of impact on tumor growth, and insufficient to impact on disease progression. RECENT FINDINGS Although a preferred result, approaches that maximize the cellular arm of immune responses are limited by technology to detect these responses and by agents that can enhance their activity. DNA vaccines that target prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific membrane antigen, and drugs that can block inhibitory molecules on T cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, are currently under study. SUMMARY This article will review state-of-the-art mechanisms by which immunity may be enhanced to elicit antitumor responses against selectively expressed cell surface molecules and to maximize antitumor responses.
Body Ideals in Young Samoan Men: A Comparison with Men in North America and Europe

Recent studies have suggested the young American and European men would prefer a far more muscular body than they actually possess. We assessed whether Samoan men, living in a non-Western culture on remote islands in the South Pacific, would exhibit a similar disparity between body reality and body ideal. We measured the height, weight, and estimated body fat of 28 young Samoan men. We then presented them with 100 male images, representing 10 levels of body fat and 10 levels of muscularity. We asked them to choose the images best representing (1) their own body, (2) the body of an average Samoan man of their age, (3) the body that they ideally would like to have, and (4) the body that they thought women liked best. The Samoan men accurately perceived their own bodies and the bodies of average men in their culture, but they chose an ideal body and a “women’s preferred” body three to five kilograms leaner and eight to 11 kilograms more muscular than themselves— a pattern strikingly similar to that previously found in American and European men. The body image disparities of young Samoan men closely resemble those found in North America and Western Europe. It is not clear whether these disparities represent a sociobiological phenomenon common to men everywhere, or whether they may be attributable to unrealistic Western media images of ideal male bodies that have penetrated even remote islands of the South Pacific. To test these hypotheses, future investigations should seek men in cultural settings even more insulated from the West.
Effects of denervation and simple disuse on rates of oxidation and on activities of four mitochondrial enzymes in type I muscle.

: To differentiate the effect of muscle contractile activity from that of motor nerve on oxidative processes in type I muscle, oxidative processes were studied in muscle after immobilization and after denervation. The two processes led to similar atrophy of muscle weight and of the mean diameter of muscle fibers. Disuse of soleus muscle (type I) did not affect rates of oxidation of 14C-labeled substrates although these were reduced by disuse of the vastus lateralis (type II). Disuse of the soleus did not affect activities of several mitochondrial enzymes assayed by histochemical or biochemical methods. However, denervation of the soleus did lead to a fall in metabolic rates and enzyme activities. The activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase fell more than did the activities of succinic dehydrogenase, lipoamide dehydrogenase, or cytochrome–c oxidase in both homogenates and in mitochondrial fractions. These results suggest nerve may regulate mitochondrial enzymes in type I muscle. The mechanism appears to be different from that which regulates oxidative processes in type II muscle.
A postglacial pollen and nonsiliceous algae record from Gegoka Lake, Lake County, Minnesota

As part of a multidisciplinary investigation of the Misiano archaeological site, pollen and nonsiliceous algae were recovered from a 262 cm core from Gegoka Lake, Lake County, Minnesota. The palynomorph assemblage from Gegoka Lake records changes in local and regional vegetational and lake productivity over the past 10 000 years. Pollen spectra indicate that vegetation progressed from a shrub parkland/open conifer forest, to a spruce-pine forest, to a mixed conifer-hardwood forest. Pinus banksiana/resinosa is replaced by Pinus strobus about 7000 years ago. A small rise in Gramineae in the upper 17.5 cm of the core is attributed to the expansion of wild rice (Zizania aquatica) in Gegoka Lake. Four cycles of nutrient enrichment are indicated by the Pediastrum and Scenedesmus maxima in the nonsiliceous algae record. Oscillations in the nonsiliceous algae abundance probably result from changing environmental and/or limnologic conditions. The decline in nonsiliceous algae in the upper 57.5 cm of the core suggests that there has been an apparent shift to more nutrient poor conditions in Gegoka Lake in the recent past.
Surface irregularity induced-tunneling behavior of the formosan subterranean termite.

Abstract Subterranean termites forage from place to place by tunneling through soil. In order to examine termite-tunneling responses to external factors, we designed a square arena that contains five introduction chambers connected with narrow paths, which was filled with sand. Triangle-shaped indentation with width W and height H was provided as surface irregularity on the sand facing the introduction chambers by using templates. After termites were introduced into the chambers, we measured elapsed time, τ , for a tunnel to reach the point at 3 mm away from the apex of the irregularity. We found that for W = 0 mm (the absence of irregularity), termites ( Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) did not tunnel for ∼7 h, whereas, for W = 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm, they exhibited the tunneling behavior within 20 min. The result indicated that the presence of surface irregularity is essential to induce termite tunneling. In addition, we found that W was correlated with τ , whereas H did not influence τ . This was briefly discussed in the context of individual movement behavior.