cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synaptic vesicle exocytosis Molecular mechanisms and clinical implications

Chemical synapses are the main mechanism of communication in the nervous system. At the presynaptic terminal, neurotransmitters are packaged into synaptic vesicles (SVs); when an action potential opens presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, the neurotransmitters are released by Ca2+-triggered exocytosis into the synaptic cleft to activate postsynaptic receptors. SV exocytosis is restricted to the small section of the presynaptic plasma membrane called the active zone, which contains clustered Cav2 (P/Q- and N-type) voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. BoNT= : botulinum neurotoxin; CaM= : calmodulin; CSP= : cysteine-string protein; Munc-13= : mammalian uncoordinated–13; NSF= : N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor; RIM= : Rab-3 interacting molecules; RIM-BP= : RIM binding protein; SNAP= : soluble NSF-attachment protein; SNARE= : SNAp-REceptor; SV= : synaptic vesicle; SV2= : synaptic vesicle glycoprotein–2; synprint= : synaptic protein interaction; TeNT= : tetanus neurotoxin
PROSPER community–university partnership delivery system effects on substance misuse through 6 1/2 years past baseline from a cluster randomized controlled intervention trial

Abstract Objective To examine the effects of a delivery system for evidence-based preventive interventions through 12th grade, 6.5 years past baseline. Method A cohort sequential design included 28 public school districts randomly assigned to the partnership delivery system or usual-programming conditions. At baseline, 11,960 students participated. Partnerships supported community teams that implemented a family-focused intervention in 6th grade and a school-based intervention in 7th grade. Outcome measures included lifetime, current misuse, and frequencies of misuse, for a range of substances. Intent-to-treat, multilevel analyses of covariance of point-in-time misuse and analyses of growth in misuse were conducted. Results Results showed significantly lower substance misuse in the intervention group at one or both time points for most outcomes, with relative reduction rates of up to 31.4%. There was significantly slower growth in misuse in the intervention group for 8 of the 10 outcomes. In addition, risk moderation results indicated that there were significantly greater intervention benefits for higher- versus lower-risk youth, for the misuse of 6 of the 10 substances at 11th grade, illicit substances at 12th grade, and growth in the misuse of illicit substances. Conclusion Partnership-based delivery systems for brief universal interventions have potential for public health impact by reducing substance misuse among youth, particularly higher-risk youth.
Fealty and loyalty: Informal authority structures in Soviet Asia

(1991). Fealty and loyalty: Informal authority structures in Soviet Asia. Soviet Studies: Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 613-628.
Properties of functions in an auxiliary spline space

This note examines functions in an auxiliary spline space related to geometrically continuous splines. Previous work [3, 4] required results about the existence and number of zeros of certain functions in this space, as well as results on how to combine these functions. This note provides improved versions of these results.
Calibration of ophthalmic applicators at NIST: A revised approach

A revised approach to the problem of measuring a surface-absorbed dose from beta-particle-emitting ophthalmic applicators is presented. The technique chosen employs an extrapolation chamber equipped with a 4-mm-diam collecting electrode to make current measurements at air gaps from 0.08 to 0.20 mm at 0.02-mm intervals. These data yield a linear relationship between current and air gap, the slope of which is used to determine average surface-absorbed-dose rate over the central area of the source. For additional information about the distribution of the activity over the source surface, autoradiographs using calibrated radiochromic dye films are analyzed to map the dose-rate profile across the surface of the applicator. Experiments varying several parameters of the extrapolation chamber measurement, including collecting electrode area, voltage gradient, range of air gaps used, and entrance foil material, are described. Also treated are calibrations of, and a description of the use of, radiochromic dye films for source profiling. Experiments for determining correction factors for the extrapolation chamber measurements are described, and an assessment of the uncertainties associated with these measurements is given.
Dynamics of the Capillary Rise in Nanocylinders

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the dynamics of fluid flow into empty cylindrical pores with diameters between 1.5 and 5 nm. Model system parameters are chosen to represent x...
Modeling the effects of hole distribution in perforated aluminum sheets II: minimum strength failure paths

A method to predict the failure path and mechanical response of metal sheets with randomly distributed holes under uniaxial tension has been developed. The method considers all possible failure paths and estimates the load required to break the perforated sheet along these paths. The predicted ultimate strength of the sheet is obtained by finding the failure path with the lowest possible load. The results from the model are compared to tensile experiments on a set of perforated aluminum sheets with different hole patterns. We found that the model, though relatively simple, could capture the effects that hole distribution had on the ultimate strength of the sheet. The ideas presented here could be extended to model the effect of reinforcement distribution in particle-reinforced composite materials.
Imaging molecular shapes with molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions from core hole ionization

We demonstrate, for a class of molecules containing a single heavy atom, the striking result that molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions resulting from core-level ionization can be used to obtain three-dimensional images of the target molecule at low photoelectron energies. We demonstrate this finding with the results of theoretical calculations on methane, ammonia and water.
Finite Posets in Uspec R[X]

Abstract We characterize those finite posets which can be embedded in Uspec R [ X ] for R a Noetherian ring and X an indeterminate. Here, Uspec R [ X ] refers to the partially ordered set of prime ideals p in R [ X ] for which p ≠ ( p ∩ R ) R [ X ].
Irregular sampling, Toeplitz matrices, and the approximation of entire functions of exponential type

In many Applications one seeks to recover an entire function of exponential type from its non-uniformly spaced samples. Whereas the mathematical theory usually addresses the question of when such a function in L 2 (R) can be recovered, numerical methods operate with a finite-dimensional model. The numerical reconstruction or approximation of the original function amounts to the solution of a large linear system. We show that the solutions of a particularly efficient discrete model in which the data are fit by trigonometric polynomials converge to the solution of the original infinite-dimensional reconstruction problem. This legitimatizes the numerical computations and explains why the algorithms employed produce reasonable results. The main mathematical result is a new type of approximation theorem for entire functions of exponential type from a finite number of values. From another point of view our approach provides a new method for proving sampling theorems.
A continuous spectrophotometric assay for phosphorylase kinase.

Abstract A continuous spectrophotometric assay for the determination of the initial rate of the phosphorylase kinase catalyzed reaction at pH 7.0 is presented. The assay incorporates two coupling enzyme systems: (a) recombinant rabbit skeletal muscle type 1 protein phosphatase catalytic subunit which dephosphorylates the phosphorylase a product of the phosphorylase kinase reaction, and (b) the system of Webb (Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci. USA 89, 4884-4887, 1992), which uses purine nucleoside phosphorylase and its chromophoric substrate, 7-methyl-6-thioguanosine, for the quantitation of the resultant inorganic phosphate. The effects of reaction components on the enzyme activities were studied. The system was standardized and validated. The continuous coupled enzyme system was used for the kinetic analysis of nonactivated phosphorylase kinase at pH 7.0. Km and kcat values of 15.36 ± 0.2 μM (phosphorylase b monomer) and 21 ± 1.12 s−1, respectively, were determined.
An electrically driven terahertz metamaterial diffractive modulator with more than 20 dB of dynamic range

We design and experimentally demonstrate a switchable diffraction grating for terahertz modulation based on planar active metamaterials, where a Schottky gate structure is implemented to tune the metamaterial resonances in real-time via the application of an external voltage bias. The diffraction grating is formed by grouping the active split-ring resonators into an array of independent columns with alternate columns biased. We observe off-axis diffraction over a wide frequency band in contrast to the narrow-band resonances, which permits operation of the device as a relatively high-speed, wide-bandwidth, high-contrast modulator, with more than 20 dB of dynamic range.
Mitochondrial correlation as a biophotonic marker for detecting cancer in a single cell

Currently, pathologists rely on labor-intensive microscopic examination of tumor cells using century-old staining methods that can give false readings. Emerging BioMicroNanotechnologies have the potential to provide accurate, realtime, high throughput screening of tumor cells without invasive chemical reagents. These techniques are critical to advancing early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Using our award-winning Hyperspectral Inceptor to rapidly assess the properties of cells flown through a micro/nano semiconductor device, we discovered a method to rapidly assess the health of a single mammalian cell. The key discovery was the elucidation of biophotonic differences in normal and cancer cells by using intracellular mitochondria as biomarkers for disease. This technique holds promise for detecting cancer at a very early stage and could nearly eliminate delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Reevaluation of Ascorbate in Cancer Treatment: Emerging Evidence, Open Minds and Serendipity

Some clinicians and alternative therapy practitioners advocate megadose intravenous and oral ascorbate treatment of cancer. Randomized control studies using oral ascorbate showed no benefit. Recent data show that intravenous but not oral administration of ascorbate can produce millimolar plasma concentrations, which are toxic to many cancer cell lines. We propose that ascorbate treatment of cancer should be reexamined by rigorous scientific scrutiny in the light of new evidence.
Models for normal fracture deformation under compressive loading

Abstract A new semi-empirical model that can be used to predict fracture deformation behavior under normal compressive loading is presented. The development of a simple exponential model is presented first after which a modified and more general exponential model, with an additional degree of freedom in the model parameters, is obtained. The simple and the modified exponential models are then compared to available fracture closure models, namely the empirical Barton–Bandis hyperbolic model, and a power-law model based on Hertzian contact theory, to determine how good they fit the results of fracture closure experiments under monotonically increasing normal compressive loading. A new parameter called the half-closure stress, σ 1/2 , is introduced and is used, in addition to the maximum fracture closure, Δ v m , in the model fitting procedures for the Barton–Bandis and the simple exponential model. The half-closure stress is shown to be related to the initial normal stiffness, K ni , used in the original Barton–Bandis model. An additional parameter, n, is used in fitting the modified exponential model to the experimental data. Of the models presented herein, the modified exponential model was found to provide the best fit to the experimental data, for the same values of σ 1/2 and Δ v m , over the entire range of compressive stresses. The power-law model based on Hertzian contact theory was found to be unsuitable for predicting normal fracture deformation behavior.
Dissociation of weak acids during Gran plot free acidity titrations

A comparison of weak and free acid concentrations measured by base titration and hydrogen ionactivities determined by direct pH measurement is described for several of our data sets for raincollected above and below a forest canopy in the eastern United States. These data illustrate theinfluence of weak acid dissociation during titration and the possible effect of activity coefficientson calculated free acid concentrations. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1984.tb00240.x
Survey of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Plant Performance Estimates

The idea of a combined cycle power plant integrated with a coal gasification process has attracted broad interest in recent years. This interest is based on unique attributes of this concept which include potentially low pollutant emissions, low heat rate and competitive economics as compared to conventional steam plants with stack gas scrubbing. Results from a survey of technical literature containing performance and economic predictions have been compiled for comparison and evaluation of this new technique. These performance and economic results indicate good promise for near-term commercialization of an integrated gasification combined cycle power plant using current gas turbine firing temperatures. Also, these data show that advancements in turbine firing temperature are expected to provide sufficiently favorable economics for the concept to penetrate the market now held by conventional steam power plants.Copyright © 1980 by ASME
Ultra large scale static rams

Using a patented defect avoidance technique, high yield production of high density SRAM devices (ULSI SRAMs) can be achieved one process generation ahead of the rest of the industry. Production wafer yields as high as 100% and long-term average yields above 80% are reported on Inova's monolithic, 1.2μ, 320 square mm, one megabit SRAM demonstrating a practical method of achieving wafer scale integration. A yield model is presented and used to determine the optimized architecture and redundancy scheme for Inova's four megabit SRAM and to predict yield as a function of defect density. Achievement of a working 8M-bit experimental device using a 1.2μ process is also reported.
Numerical Study of Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Receptivity with Freestream Hotspot Perturbations

This paper presents a numerical-simulation study of transient flow over a blunt compression cone under the effect of freestream hotspot perturbations. This study is motivated by concurrent wind-tunnel laser-spot experiments carried out at Purdue University. The flow conditions used in the simulation are based on the experimental conditions. The simulation is performed using a high-order shock-fitting finite-difference scheme. The simulation results show that the hotspot is able to excite second-mode instability, where the instability growth is found to be dominant in the boundary layer. The receptivity mechanism is investigated by comparing the simulated results with linear-stability theory. Fast acoustic waves generated by hotspot–shock interaction excite the boundary-layer disturbances. Also, the synchronization of mode F and mode S leads to the dominance of boundary-layer disturbances by the growing second mode.
Proximate composition and fatty acid and cholesterol content of squid, Loligo pealei and Illex illecebrosus

The wide range of cholesterol values given in the literature for Loligo pealei and Illex illecebrosus is confusing to people who are designing low cholesterol diets for health purposes. These species were analyzed for proximate composition, fatty acid content, and cholesterol content in order to provide information to consumers and health care professionals. A sampling of both species of squid over a 2-yr period revealed that cholesterol values ranged from about 110 mg up to 450 mg/100g raw tissue with no apparent correlation with season or location of catch. The wide range of values, therefore, seems to reflect natural occurences. Omega-3 fatty acids make up over 50% of the total fatty acids, but these squid, because they are low in fat (about 1.5%), contribute only about 0.5g of these fatty acids per 100g in the diet.
Chronically ill institutionalized children: Psychosocial effects of prolonged hospitalization of the terminally sick child

Abstract Recent advances in medical diagnosis and therapy of certain childhood diseases have changed their patterns from acute short-term illnesses to chronic terminal. Psychosocial management of these patients, their families, and even the health-care professionals has not kept pace with its medical counterpart. The subject of terminal illness and death continues to receive only scant attention in medical education. This paper examines the impact of chronic hospitalization on the child, family and hospital staff, and offers some suggestions for improvement of the psychosocial management.
Readiness to respond in a target detection task : pre- and post-stimulus event-related potentials in normal subjects

Brain potentials were recorded from 12 normal subjects engaged in an auditory target detection task (target stimulus probability of 0.2, stimulus rate of 1 every 2 sec) when instructions were (1) to press a response button with the thumb of the dominant hand to each target or (2) to keep a mental count of each target. A pre-stimulus slow negative potential was identified before every stimulus except non-targets immediately after targets. The amplitude of the pre-stimulus negativity was significantly affected by task instructions and was up to 4 times larger during the button press than the mental count condition. In contrast, the amplitudes and latencies of the event-related components (N100, P200, N200 and P300), when slow potentials were removed by filtering, were not different as a function of press or count instructions. The immediately preceding stimulus sequence affected both the amplitude and onset latency of the pre-stimulus negativity; both measures increased as the number of preceding non-targets increased. The amplitude of the pre-stimulus negative shift to targets also increased significantly as RT speed decreased. The major portion of the pre-stimulus negative potential is considered a readiness potential (RP) reflecting preparations to make a motor response. The amplitude of the RP during the target detection task did not significantly lateralize in contrast to the RP accompanying self-paced movements.
The Cultivation of the Exoerythrocytic Forms of Plasmodium Gallinaceum in Tissue Culture

Received for publication December 13, 1951. This work, which was carried out at the University of Tennessee between 1947 and 1949, was made possible through cooperation of the Tennessee Valley Authority through financial assistance provided under contractual agreement, and through a contract with the Office of Naval Research, Microbiology Branch, Number N8onr75700. * Present address: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D. C. has been thoroughly reviewed by Porter (1948) and by Lewert (1950) and will not be summarized here.
Spin-torque switchable perpendicular magnetic junctions for solid-state memory

PMA spin-torque switchable junctions have been demonstrated with lower switching current and faster switching speed compared to IMA devices. They are promising for further technology exploration in solid-state memory applications.
Beryllium-7 and lead-210 in aerosol and snow in the dye 3 gas, aerosol and snow sampling program

Abstract Concentrations of cosmogenic 7Be and the radon daughter 210Pb were determined in surface-level aerosols and fresh and aging snow throughout DGASP. The distinct sources, yet common association with submicron aerosols, of these atmospheric radionuclides makes them valuable tracers of the transport, depositional and post-depositional processes leading to incorporation of submicron aerosols (and associated species) into the Greenland Ice Sheet. The aerosol concentrations of atmospheric radionuclides tended to covary on the 1–7 day time scale of individual samples (r = 0.57, n = 114, p = 0.001) and were also highly correlated when averaged by month (r = 0.80, p = 0.002). The year-long time series of both 7Be and 210Pb showed concentration peaks in spring (April) and fall (September–October) and minima in summer (July) and winter (November–February). This finding is in stark contrast to results from other arctic sites, where both radionuclides, but particularly 210Pb, show pronounced concentration peaks in the winter. This indicates that the air masses over the Greenland Ice Sheet may be distinct from the air in the polar basin, or boundary layer processes strongly bias surface-level aerosol characteristics over the ice sheet, or, likely, some combination of these factors are operating. The concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in fresh snow at Dye 3 show wide variability between snow fall events. The lack of any obvious correlation between concentrations in aerosol and fresh snow support the contention that surface-level air at this site is often not reflecting air aloft. Aging snow studies did not reveal consistent trends in concentration, suggesting important heterogeneity in the initial concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in surface snow over small spatial scales. Poor agreement between the 210Pb profile in a 2 m snowpit sampled at the end of the project and the observed deposition of 210Pb through the year indicate the potential importance of post-depositional processes in modifying the atmospheric “signals” preserved in the snowpack.
Native and Nonnative Student Writers

We assert that schools and textbook publishers ineffectively emphasize gram mar. To see if traditional instruction in grammar prepares students for busi ness communication classes and the corporate world, we investigated specific writing skills of both native and nonnative business students. Although most students passed objective grammar and punctuation tests—the two groups showed no statistical differences—some cannot write. High schools, the study found, pass these students. The university also passes writing-deficient stu dents on to employers who must train them. We searched for reasonable solu tions to reduce the number of graduates who lack English skills for the workplace.
Single-layer polypropylene colorectal anastomosis experience with 100 cases

The technique of single-layer continuous polypropylene colorectal anastomosis is described. The authors' experience with their initial 100 cases is analyzed in detail. No clinical leaks or anastomotic strictures were noted in a two-year follow-up period. The technique is safe, easily learned, rapidly performed, and it does not add significantly to the cost of medical care. The authors' total experience with this anastomosis now exceeds 350 cases.
Performance of the similarity hypothesis relative to existing models of risky choice

Experimental studies have discovered behavior that is inconsistent with the expected utility model (EU) of risky choice (von Neumann and Morgenstern, 1953). The two approaches to address these paradoxes are tested: generalized expected utility models (GEU) and models incorporating decision-making limits or costs through question similarity. Tests are carried out over risky pairs related to well-known examples from Kahneman and Tversky's (1979) influential work. Statistical analysis reveals that GEU models of choice are significantly violated for choice patterns consistent with the similarity hypothesis. Additional tests point to shortcomings in the similarity approach that are consistent with fanning out behavior.
THE ANOMERIC SPECIFICITY OF YEAST GALACTOKINASE.

Abstract In order to investigate the specificity of yeast galactokinase toward the α- and β-anomers of galactose, a chromatographic system has been developed for separating and identifying α- and β-galactose-1-phosphates. The purified enzyme was incubated with β-galactose, and the phosphorylated product was isolated and identified as α-Gal-1-P. Optical rotation studies show no mutarotase activity in the enzyme preparation; however, other components of the incubation mixture are shown to accelerate the mutarotation of β-galactose. Thus, while it cannot be stated conclusively that β-galactose cannot be phosphorylated by this enzyme, the absence of any β-Gal-1-P in the product confirms that α-galactose is the preferred substrate, and that the previously observed reaction of purified galactokinase with β-galactose probably consists of nonenzymic mutarotation, followed by phosphorylation of the resulting α-galactose.
A preliminary report on a novel electrospray technique for nanoparticle based biomedical implants coating: Precision electrospraying

The compatibility and biological efficacy of biomedical implants can be enhanced by coating their surface with appropriate agents. For predictable functioning of implants in situ, it is often desirable to obtain an extremely uniform coating thickness without effects on component dimensions or functions. Conventional coating techniques require rigorous processing conditions and often have limited adhesion and composition properties. In the present study, the authors report a novel precision electrospraying technique that allows both degradable and nondegradable coatings to be placed. Thin metallic slabs, springs, and biodegradable sintered microsphere scaffolds were coated with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) using this technique. The effects of process parameters such as coating material concentration and applied voltage were studied using PLAGA and poly(ethylene glycol) coatings. Morphologies of coated surfaces were qualitatively characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative observations suggested that the coatings were composed of particles of various size/shape and agglomerates with different porous architectures. PLAGA coatings of uniform thickness were observed on all surfaces. Spherical nanoparticle poly(ethylene glycol) coatings (462-930 nm) were observed at all concentrations studied. This study found that the precision electrospraying technique is elegant, rapid, and reproducible with precise control over coating thickness (mum to mm) and is a useful alternative method for surface modification of biomedical implants.
Kinetic and pharmacologic characterization of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptive sites from mammalian brain.

Sodium-dependent (+Na) and sodium-independent (—Na) receptive sites for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been characterized using synaptic plasma membranes from bovine and rat brain. Synaptic plasma membranes were prepared from either rat cerebellar cortex or calf cerebral cortex by discontinuous sucrose gradient flotation centrifugation of crude mitochondrial pellets, and assayed using equilibrium ligand binding assays to obtain the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) and the thermodynamic constant (KD). Values for KD from equilibrium studies were subsequently confirmed by kinetic analyses of association and dissociation reactions. The KD for +Na GABA binding (5.0 ± 0.2 μM) corresponds to the apparent Michaelis constant for neuronal GABA transport (3.8 ± 0.1 μM)22, while the KD for —Na binding (0.17 ± 0.04 μM) agrees with that determined by Enna and Synder7 for the putative postsynaptic receptor. Maximal binding activities of about 5 and 55 pmole/mg protein were obtained for —Na and +Na binding respectively. The pharmacologic specificities of the two sites were determined using competition binding studies. Nipecotic acid and diaminobutyric acid inhibit both synaptosomal GABA uptake (Ki ≈ 25 μM and 120 μM respectively) and +Na binding of GABA to synaptic plasma membrane (IC50 ≈ 40 μM and 350 μM respectively) but do not inhibit —Na binding. Bicuculline inhibits —Na [3H]GABA binding at low concentrations (IC50 ≈ 15 μM), while affecting the uptake and +Na binding of [3H]GABA only at high concentrations (IC50 ≈ 520 μM and 300 μM respectively). β-Alanine inhibits the —Na binding site (IC50 ≈ 100 μM), but is ineffective at the +Na binding site and does not interfere with synaptosomal uptake of GABA. Finally, chlorpromazine and N-ethylmaleimide inhibit the +Na binding, albeit at high concentrations (IC50 ≈ 600 μM and 5mM respectively) but are ineffective at the —Na binding site. From these results the —Na binding site is tentatively identified as a postsynaptic receptor and the +Na binding site is identified as the neuronal uptake receptive site.
Misdiagnosis of urinary incontinence in nursing home women: Prevalence and a proposed solution

Because of the high prevalence of detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) in incontinent institutionalized women, we postulated that: 1) single-channel cystometry, the most commonly used diagnostic test, would be inadequate when used alone but that 2) its accuracy could be greatly enhanced by combining it with a previously-performed stress test. To test the hypothesis, we used blinded comparison of a clinical stress test and single-channel cystometry with multichannel videourodynamic evaluation (criterion standard), a strategy designed a priori. Subjects were 97 incontinent women who were considered representative of incontinent nursing home women nationally. With cystometry alone, 9 of 37 women with DHIC (24%) were misdiagnosed as stress-incontinent vs. 1 of 25 with DH (P = .03). In each case, misdiagnosis was due to failure to recognize low-pressure involuntary bladder contractions. Combining cystometry with the stress test improved diagnostic accuracy markedly. Of the 77% of women in whom the results of both tests were congruent, all were correctly classified. When results of the two tests were discordant, neither was superior. Significantly, no woman with stress incontinence was missed by the two-test strategy, nor was anyone with detrusor hyperactivity misclassified. We conclude that in institutionalized elderly women, DHIC commonly mimics other types of urinary tract dysfunction. Thus, single-channel cystometry alone is an inadequate diagnostic test in this population. However, a strategy that combines cystometry with a clinical stress test can correctly classify the majority of such women and identify those in whom the diagnosis is less secure. Use of this simple strategy would facilitate correct diagnosis and initial treatment of most institutionalized women without referral, and also enrich the referred population with those most likely to benefit. Such an approach could significantly improve the approach to this costly and morbid condition. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Shell-model structure of 35Cl-35Ar☆

Abstract Energy levels, E2 and M1 observables, and spectroscopic factors are calculated for 35Cl-35Ar, and compared with experimental data. The theoretical results are obtained by computations in a full (0s)4(0p)12(1s, 0d)A−16 shell-model vector space. Two alternative “realistic” interactions are used.
Effect of viscosity on the vortex structure of a flow around a cylinder and the drag of the cylinder with and without a disk in front of it

Large-scale vortex structures appearing in a flow around a cylinder with and without a disk for Reynolds numbers from 40 to 2500 are studied numerically and experimentally.
Dissection of androgen receptor-promoter interactions: Steroid receptors partition their interaction energetics in parallel with their phylogenetic divergence

Steroid receptors comprise a homologous family of ligand-activated transcription factors. The members include androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and progesterone receptor (PR). Phylogenetic studies demonstrate that AR, GR, MR, and PR are most closely related, falling into subgroup 3C. ER is more distantly related, falling into subgroup 3A. To determine the quantitative basis by which receptors generate their unique transcriptional responses, we are systematically dissecting the promoter-binding energetics of all receptors under a single "standard state" condition. Here, we examine the self-assembly and promoter-binding energetics of full-length AR and a mutant associated with prostate cancer, T877A. We first demonstrate that both proteins exist only as monomers, showing no evidence of dimerization. Although this result contradicts the traditional understanding that steroid receptors dimerize in the absence of DNA, it is fully consistent with our previous work demonstrating that GR and two PR isoforms either do not dimerize or dimerize only weakly. Moreover, both AR proteins exhibit substantial cooperativity between binding sites, again as seen for GR and PR. In sharp contrast, the more distantly related ER-α dimerizes so strongly that energetics can only be measured indirectly, yet cooperativity is negligible. Thus, homologous receptors partition their promoter-binding energetics quite differently. Moreover, since receptors most closely related by phylogeny partition their energetics similarly, such partitioning appears to be evolutionarily conserved. We speculate that such differences in energetics, coupled with different promoter architectures, serve as the basis for generating receptor-specific promoter occupancy and thus function.
Synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol by chloroplasts from leaves of Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach).

Abstract Purified chloroplasts from leaves of Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach) incorporated glycerol 3-phosphate into diacylglycerol, monoacylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and lysophosphatidic acid. The omission of ATP or CTP, CoA or illumination decreased the incorporation markedly. The fraction of incorporated glycerol 3-phosphate found in phosphatidylglycerol was greatly reduced by the omission of bicarbonate, acetate, and ATP, or in darkness, low-osmolarity medium, or high magnesium ion concentration (10 m M ). Incorporation of glycerol 3-phosphate into lipid and specifically into phosphatidylglycerol was optimal at a Mg 2+ CTP ratio of 1, whereas the optimal ratio for Mg 2+ ATP was closer to 2. The Mg 2+ CTP gave lower total incorporation but a higher fraction of incorporation in phosphatidylglycerol. Triton X-100 inhibited incorporation of glycerol 3-phosphate into lipid, especially into phosphatidylglycerol.
The effects of different incubation temperatures on the acetaldehyde content and viable bacteria counts of bio-yogurt made from ewe's milk

Yogurt and bio-yogurt were manufactured from ewe s milk using a starter culture and a probiotic culture. Incubation was carried out at 3 7 °C and 42 °C until pH 4.6 was reached and the yogurts were stored at 4 +1°C for 14 days. Analysis after 1, 7 and 14 days showed that incubation temperature and storage time significantly influenced overall properties of the samples. During the storage, whey separation andpH decreased, but titratable acidity, lactic acid and volatile fatty acid contents increased. Viable bacterial counts in all bio-yogurts were above 10 7 cfu g -1 at the end of storage.
Packaging and sensing platform using opto-electronic zinc oxide nano-heterostructure integration

In this work we report the sensing behavior of zinc oxide/pyrenebutyric acid nano-heterostructure and subsequent packaging of the sensor. High quality zinc oxide nanowires were synthesized and appropriately characterized. Surface of zinc oxide nanowires were engineered with optically active pyrenebutyric acid. Time dependent fluorescence quenching of the nano-heterostructure was utilized as a means to establish sensing behavior in presence of p-nitrophenol analyte. Furthermore, electrical characterization of pristine and surface-engineered zinc oxide nanowire chip is also reported. Based on these findings it was determined that the synthesized nano-heterostructure was capable of sensitive detection of p-nitrophenol vapor under ambient conditions. However, successful operation and reliable data is critically dependent on the analog sensor circuit design and subsequent packaging. Herein, we demonstrate a packaging strategy for integrating the sensing chip into a complete platform. Challenges with system integration are highlighted and a possible packaging approach for high sensitivity detection is outlined.
Effects on wettability by surfactant accumulation/depletion in bulk polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

Abstract Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is an appealing silicone elastomer as a base material for microfluidic biomedical applications. Its ability to easily cross-link as well as its favorable physical and chemical properties has enabled a large number of micro- and nano-cast applications. However, PDMS’ hydrophobic surface can be problematic. Two methods presented here address the wettability of PDMS by accumulating or depleting surfactant in PDMS. The surfactant in the cross-linked PDMS matrix is released and activated upon contacting with an aqueous solution and assists the solution wetting of PDMS. Wettability was enhanced as a function of surfactant concentration. With the addition of 3% Triton TX-100 (a nonionic surfactant), the contact angle of deionized water on PDMS decreased up to 40° in 90 s, compared with a decrease of only 3° on unmodified PDMS. Dynamic measurements of contact angle and contact line radii showed wettability change due to the transfer of surfactant to the interface of the aqueous solution/PDMS. The stability of the modified PDMS was quantified by contact angle measurements over a 30-day duration. Immersing the modified PDMS in water for long time periods before the measurement depletes the surfactant; the resulting wettability becomes a function of immersion duration. The surface wettability can also be controlled with a function of immersion duration even after the PDMS is cured.
The EZ Trainer: Validation of a Portable and Inexpensive Simulator for Training Basic Laparoscopic Skills

Purpose: We assessed the face and content validity of a new portable laparoscopic trainer, the EZ Trainer.Materials and Methods: The portable, affordable EZ trainer system was conceived, designed and commissioned by academic surgeons from the departments of urology at our 2 institutions with the express purpose of advancing laparoscopic surgical training. A total of 42 participants, including general surgeons, obstetricians/gynecologists, urologists and industry representatives, assessed the face and the content validity of the trainer using a standard questionnaire. Participants were stratified into high (greater than 30 laparoscopic cases per year) and low (less than 30 cases per year) volume laparoscopists.Results: Of the participants 96% rated the trainer as a realistic laparoscopic training format. Of high volume laparoscopists 81.5% rated the trainer as comfortable to use, 92.6% found that the trainer was a realistic practice format, 70.4% would purchase the trainer for personal use and 85.2% would ...
Effects of Tetragonal Distortion in Thin Epitaxic Films on Electron Channeling Patterns in Scanning Electron Microscopy

The elastic strain state in a 25 nm (In,Ga)As epitaxic film deposited on a (001) GaAs substrate includes a Poisson expansion perpendicular to the interface. This creates a tetragonally distorted lattice in the film which shifts high-order Laue-zone (HOLZ) lines in electron channeling patterns (ECP) from the film compared to ECP's from pure GaAs. The line shifts are predictable, thereby allowing measurement of elastic strains parallel and perpendicular to the film/ substrate interface independently. The technique appears to have an accuracy close to 0.2%.
Functional Communication Training Without Extinction Using Concurrent Schedules of Differing Magnitudes of Reinforcement in Classrooms

This study investigated the effects of functional communication training (FCT) implemented with concurrent schedules of differing magnitudes of reinforcement in lieu of extinction to reduce inappro...
Fate and efficacy of sulprofos against certain insects associated with cotton.

Topical applications of sulprofos were ca. equally toxic to 3rd-stage larvae from organophosphorus insecticide susceptible (S) and resistant (R) strains (LD50 0.34 and 0.38 μg/insect, respectively) of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), and to larvae of S strain (LD50 0.24) of the bollworm, H. zea (Boddie). The chemical was highly toxic (LD50 0.13) to adult lady beetles, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, but relatively inactive (LD50 2.4) against the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman. Studies with topically applied 14C-labeled sulprofos suggested that these differences in toxicity were related to the rates at which the chemical was absorbed by the insects. In the greenhouse, foliar applications of sulprofos On potted cotton plants were generally more effective against 3rd-stage (S) tobacco budworm larvae than against adult boll weevils. Field tests of sulprofos (0.56, 1.12 kg/ha) against natural populations of Heliothis spp. in cotton demonstrated that control was ca. equivalent to that obtained with the synthetic pyrethroids permethrin (0.11, 0.22 kg/ha) and fenvalerate (0.11 kg/ha) or a standard insecticide mixture of toxaphene, methyl parathion, and chlordimeform (0.86 + 1.68 + 0.14 kg/ha).
Current Challenges for K-12 Dance Education and Development: Perspectives from Higher Education

From an administrative perspective, this article investigates equity issues in dance education, and current challenges and opportunities for leadership in postsecondary dance programs involved in teacher education and certification. Although dance education is varied in content and environment, much is shared in terms of common goals for gender equity, curricular equity, status of dance education, and diversity in the field. The author urges dance educators and administrators to actively emphasize and act on commonly shared goals, rather than focusing on differences that have historically served to separate the field. The article provides recommendations and strategies for advocacy and development focused on enduring values of dance education rooted in art making, creativity, experimentation, and the importance of artistic expression in education.
Interrelationships Among Measures of Environmental Activity, Emotionality, and Knowledge

The purpose of the study was to administer and to validate further three of four scales from Maloney, Ward, and Braucht's revised or short-form ecology inventory. Unlike earlier findings, knowledge about ecology, the environment, and pollution was found to be predictive of actual behavior related to improving the environment— an outcome leading to new and different implications for environmental education and for planned attempts to modify conservation-related human behaviors.
Pontine μ-opioid receptors mediate bradypnea caused by intravenous remifentanil infusions at clinically relevant concentrations in dogs.

Life-threatening side effects such as profound bradypnea or apnea and variable upper airway obstruction limit the use of opioids for analgesia. It is yet unclear which sites containing μ-opioid rec...
Model based experimental performance analysis of a microscale LiBr―H2O steam-driven double-effect absorption Chiller

Abstract This work presents a comprehensive chiller model based on the scientific fundamentals and engineering principles adapted to the design of a chiller and to the analysis of extensive, detailed test data. The chiller studied is a 16 kW (4.6 refrigerant tons) LiBr–H2O double-effect absorption chiller, which has been installed and tested in a Micro Building Cooling Heating and Power (BCHP) system at Carnegie Mellon University. The developed steady-state computational performance model for the chiller has been refined by measured data from absorption chiller tests under various conditions, and used to analyze chiller performance and to improve the chiller design.
Chapter 1 Chemical shift calculations

Abstract The chemical shift of nuclei in molecules and solids is determined by the interaction of the nuclear magnetic moment with the orbital currents of electrons induced by the applied magnetic field. Exactly soluble systems exist, but in most cases perturbational or variational methods must be employed. Of these, the perturbed Hartree—Fock method yields the best results but is presently limited to small molecules, except in the case of proton shieldings due to pi-electron ring currents. The average energy denominator approximation associated with expansion of the perturbed wave function in a complete set is of particular interest because of its relative simplicity. This approximation is examined in detail and some justification of its use is given. Calculations which have been performed for atoms, diatomic and non-aromatic polyatomic molecules, aromatic molecules, and solids are summarized. Electric field effects are of considerable importance in the chemical shifts of protons. Empirical rules and correlations are briefly discussed.
Polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone) with pendant perfluorosulfonic acid

Poly(arylene ether sulfone)-based ionomers with sulfonate groups of varying acidity (perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate and alkyl sulfonate) were synthesized via borylation of aromatic C–H bonds and Suzuki coupling with sulfonated phenyl bromides. Properties of the ionomers, such as thermal stability, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, morphology and proton conductivity, were analyzed with respect to the effect of the sulfonate group. Superacidic fluoroalkyl sulfonated ionomers displayed much higher conductivity at low relative humidity than less acidic aryl and alkyl sulfonated ionomers in spite of their lower ion exchange capacities. The water uptake of the membranes correlated with their IEC, regardless of the acid group identity. The membranes with fluoroalkyl and alkyl sulfonate groups had similar hydration numbers as a function of RH, but the hydration number of the aromatic sulfonate sample was greater than the other polymers. Ionic domain structure analysis by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that all of the aromatic ionomers in this study had a small, disorganized phase structure. These results demonstrate that the primary influence on the proton conductivity of these randomly sulfonated copolymers is the acid strength while the nanoscale domain structure plays a secondary role in the low RH proton transport.
Spectral evaluation of ultrasonic flaw echoes using Wigner distribution

The performance of the Wigner distribution (WD) is evaluated using several simulated ultrasonic signals. In particular, the WD is used for detecting flaw echoes and characterizing dispersive signals backscattered from inhomogeneous materials. These signals were also characterized using short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and results indicate that STFT outperforms WD. It is concluded that the overall performance of WD is appealing, especially in the case of dispersive signals (i.e. raised cosine chirp) and modulated Gaussian functions, which all yield accurate estimations of the frequency content. However, the WD of the ultrasonic grain signal fails to reveal satisfactory results due to the cross terms, and the detection of flaws is not a trivial task. >
Short-range NLOS ultraviolet communication testbed and measurements

Atmospheric scattering of ultraviolet light is examined as a mechanism for short-range, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) communication between nodes in energy-constrained distributed sensor networks. A test bed for evaluating NLOS UV communication hardware and modulation schemes is described, and the bit error rate measured in the test bed is used to validate a numerical performance model. Design tradeoffs for a baseband UV transceiver are discussed and performance estimates obtained from the validated numerical model are presented.