cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spin Crossover during β-Hydride Elimination in High-Spin Iron(II)– and Cobalt(II)–Alkyl Complexes

It is surprising that rapid β-hydride elimination (βHE) can take place in some high-spin iron(II)– and cobalt(II)–alkyl complexes despite the absence of empty d orbitals. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) is used to analyze the pathways for βHE in alkyl complexes of iron(II) and cobalt(II) supported by β-diketiminate that undergo βHE, and in tris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) iron(II)–alkyl complexes that are resistant to βHE. Each reaction pathway includes spin crossover to a transition state with a lower spin and a vacant d orbital; importantly, only the spin crossover accelerated pathway matches experimental rates. The lower spin transition state has a square-planar geometry that is ideal for depopulating one in-plane d orbital that can accept the electrons from the β-hydrogen. The energy of the square-planar transition state is increased by steric bulk around the metal center and by increases in the coordination number at iron, explaining the resistance to βHE in TpFeR. Migratory insertion, the m...
The Value of Institutional Research in the Assessment of Institutional Effectiveness.

A survey of 167 institutions engaged in the regional reaccreditation process between 1987 and 1992 revealed that the presence of institutional research activities was positively related to the institution carrying out a systematic assessment of institutional effectiveness. Institutional research activity was more predictive of assessment efforts than was the type of governance (public or private), the level of degree offered, or enrollment size. An alarmingly low proportion of institutions had begun to define “outcomes” at the time of the survey—a first step in the development of assessment procedures. Even fewer had identified ways of measuring outcomes. Budgets and staff expertise were felt to be adequate for current responsibilities but insufficient to assume responsibility for assessing institutional effectiveness. Institutional research activity is urgently needed in order to support the data collection efforts required by institutional assessment mandates. Whether these activities are conducted by institutional researchers or are dispersed across the campus, they provide the underpinnings for assessment.
Disparity in the Availability of Injectable Epinephrine in a Large, Diverse US School District

Background Food allergies affect 2.5% of the US population. Results of studies show that minorities have the highest prevalence of food allergies. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has an urban, socioeconomically diverse population and the role of ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) with availability of epinephrine has not been explored in this population. Objective This study sought to understand the association of SES and the presence of epinephrine in urban schools. Methods A 6-item questionnaire about food allergy characteristics was sent by e-mail to one nurse per elementary school in the HISD to identify the number, characteristics and treatment of food allergic reactions, and the presence of epinephrine injectors. The reactions and presence of injectors were assessed for the previous school year. Schools were categorized by socioeconomic variables as "low" or "non-low" based on National School Lunch Program student participation. Poisson, logistic, and linear regression analyses were used for group comparisons. Results One or more children with food allergies were reported in 97% of responding schools, but only 43% of schools reported having epinephrine injectors. A larger number of injectors in schools were associated with students of higher SES ( r 2 = 0.701; P P Conclusion In the HISD, epinephrine injectors were more likely to be found in non-low SES schools versus low SES schools. Because minority students are disproportionately highly represented in low SES schools, there appears to be a disparity in the availability of injectable epinephrine for minority students in HISD schools.
Coastal lava flows from Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes, Kona, Hawaii

A major carbonate reef which drowned 13 ka is now submerged 150 m below sea level on the west coast of the island of Hawaii. A 25-km span of this reef was investigated using the submersibleMakali'i. The reef occurs on the flanks of two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Hualalai, and the lavas from both volcanoes both underlie and overlie the submerged reef. Most of the basaltic lava flows that crossed the reef did so when the water was much shallower, and when they had to flow a shorter distance from shoreline to reef face. Lava flows on top of the reef have protected it from erosion and solution and now occur at seaward-projecting salients on the reef face. These relations suggest that the reef has retreated shoreward as much as 50 m since it formed. A 7-km-wide “shadow zone” occurs where no Hualalai lava flows cross the reef south of Kailua. These lava flows were probably diverted around a large summit cone complex. A similar “shadow zone” on the flank of Mauna Loa volcano in the Kealakekua Bay region is downslope from the present Mauna Loa caldera, which ponds Mauna Loa lava and prevents it from reaching the coastline. South of the Mauna Loa “shadow zone” the - 150 m reef has been totally covered and obscured by Mauna Loa lava. The boundary between Hualalai and Mauna Loa lava on land occurs over a 6-km-wide zone, whereas flows crossing the - 150 m reef show a sharper boundary offshore from the north side of the subaerial transition zone. This indicates that since the formation of the reef, Hualalai lava has migrated south, mantling Mauna Loa lava. More recently, Mauna Loa lava is again encroaching north on Hualalai lava.
Effects of tetrahydroisoquinolines on dopa decarboxylase and pyridoxal kinase

The mechanism of the nullification of the therapeutic effects of levodopa by pyridoxine in parkinsonian patients is not known and is still a subject of much speculation. Among other suggestions, it has been proposed that pyridoxine and levodopa may form tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in vivo, which may in turn inhibit dopa decarboxylase or act as a false transmitter. This possibility was tested by synthesizing six tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and by studying their effects on dopa decarboxylase in brain homogenates. These compounds in concentrations of 50 mM did not inhibit dopa decarboxylase or pyridoxal kinase, which synthesizes pyridoxal phosphate.
The influence of incentive-aroused ambivalence on overjustification effects in attitude change

Abstract Rewarding people to advocate a position with which they already agree can undermine their attitudinal positivity. This research tests a novel explanation of this example of the overjustification phenomenon. The hypothesis holds that the provision of an unnecessary incentive gives rise to an ambivalent response: the positive reaction to the reinforcement is accompanied by a sense of uneasiness, or apprehension, regarding the legitimacy of the induced behaviors. Attitude change is expected only in circumstances that confirm the apprehension. Results consistent with this expectation were discovered. In Study 1, respondents asked to play the role of a subject in an overjustification experiment reported greater levels of ambivalence regarding their (role-played) proattitudinal action as a function of payment. Contrary to alternative interpretations of the phenomenon, no incentive-related differences were found in subjects' ratings of the reprehensibility of the requested action, or in their beliefs that future activities of the type requested be undertaken only for payment. In Study 2, subjects paid to read a proattitudinal speech were found subsequently to be less in favor of their original positions only if they also had been given a counterattitudinal communication. The presence or absence of the countercommunication had no influence on the attitudes of unpaid respondents. Subjects for whom the payment was made to appear incidental to the experiment did not demonstrate the usual overjustification effect. These results supported the incentive-aroused ambivalence hypothesis. Psychological mechanisms that might underlie the effect were discussed.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON WEIGHTING VALUES IN CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF AREAL DATA

ABSTRACT The magnitudes of simple regression and correlation parameters may be merely a function of the sizes and numbers of areal units into which a study area is divided. The areal weighting of data, a suggested solution to this problem, is effective only: 1) when the values for areal units which are aggregated are equal and 2) when any changes in summary values are strictly proportional. In a stochastic approach to the problem differences in parameters for the same study which is differently subdivided are hypothesized as chance occurrences. Four sets of examples are presented. When each of four study areas are changed by dividing them into different numbers and sizes of areal units, the resulting differences in regression and correlation parameters are merely chance occurrences.
Mapping structural differences between 30S ribosomal subunit assembly intermediates

Under appropriate conditions, functional Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunits assemble in vitro from purified components. However, at low temperatures, assembly stalls, producing an intermediate (RI) that sediments at 21S and is composed of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and a subset of ribosomal proteins (r-proteins). Incubation of RI at elevated temperatures produces a particle, RI*, of similar composition but different sedimentation coefficient (26S). Once formed, RI* rapidly associates with the remaining r-proteins to produce mature 30S subunits. To understand the nature of this transition from RI to RI*, changes in the reactivity of 16S rRNA between these two states were monitored by chemical modification and primer extension analysis. Evaluation of this data using structural and biochemical information reveals that many changes are r-protein–dependent and some are clustered in functional regions, suggesting that this transition is an important step in functional 30S subunit formation.
Preference and resistance to change in concurrent variable-interval schedules.

Pigeons were trained on a multiple schedule in which separate concurrent schedules were presented in the two components of the schedule. During one component, concurrent variable-interval 40-sec variableinterval 80-sec schedules operated. In the second component, concurrent variable-interval 40-sec variableinterval 20-sec schedules operated. After stable baseline performance was obtained in both components, extinction probe choice tests were presented to assess preference between the variable-interval 40-sec schedules from the two components. The variable-interval 40-sec schedule paired with the variableinterval 80-sec schedule was preferred over the variable-interval 40-sec schedule paired with the variableinterval 20-sec schedule. The subjects were also exposed to several resistance-to-change manipulations: (1) prefeeding prior to the experimental session, (2) a free-food schedule added to timeout periods separating components, and (3) extinction. The results indicated that preference and resistance to change do not necessarily covary.
Visual attention based detection of signs of anthropogenic activities in satellite imagery

With increasing deployment of satellite imaging systems, only a small fraction of collected data can be subject to expert scrutiny. We present and evaluate a two-tier approach to broad area search for signs of anthropogenic activities in highresolution commercial satellite imagery. The method filters image information using semantically oriented interest points by combining Harris corner detection and spatial pyramid matching. The idea is that anthropogenic structures, such as rooftop outlines, fence corners, road junctions, are locally arranged in specific angular relations to each other. They are often oriented at approximately right angles to each other (which is known as rectilinearity relation). Detecting rectilinear structures provides an opportunity to highlight regions most likely to contain anthropogenic activity. This is followed by supervised classification of regions surrounding the detected corner points as anthropogenic vs. natural scenes. We consider, in particular, a search for signs of anthropogenic activities in uncluttered areas.
Whitehead and Marcuse The Great Refusal, Universals and Rational Critical Theories

Essential elements of Marcuse’s Critical Theory can be better understood and appreciated when their Whiteheadian origins are examined. Marcuse’s recourse to Whitehead’s philosophy in both Eros and Civilization and One Dimensional Man has escaped explicit and sustained attention and this essay addresses this lacuna. The primary theme of the essay therefore consists of a careful examination of the instances of terminological and textual intersection grouped around three headings: the great refusal, universals and reason. A secondary objective that focuses the investigation concerns ‘provisional realism’. The phrase ‘provisional realism’ was used by Whitehead infrequently. I adopt it here to suggest the shared metaphysical concerns of Critical Theory and Whitehead’s philosophy. The great refusal is an appeal to a provisional realism implicating universals functioning as the intersection of actuality with possibility. This in turn facilitates the expansion and intensification of human reason as an agency in h...
Morphological Adaptations of the Ear in the Rodent Family Heteromyidae

Middle and inner ear structure and auditory sensitivity have been studied in all five genera of the rodent family Heteromyidae. In the most xericc genera ( Dipodomys and Microdipodops ) the middle ears are greatly inflated the tympano-ossicular system very efficient the organ of Corti extremely modified and low-frequency sensitivity extremely acute. In the most mesic genera ( Heteromys and Liomys ) the middle and inner ears show few modifications and the low frequency sensitivity is rather poor. Perognathus is intermediate in habitat structure, and low frequency sensitivity. Experimental data demonstrate that the low frequency sensitivity in Dipodomys is adaptive in predator avoidance.
HAND ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY: COMPARISON TO STANDARD LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY

AbstractPurpose: We report our initial experience with hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, and compare it to our results of standard laparoscopic nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: The results of 21 hand assisted and standard laparoscopic nephrectomies (15 simple and 4 radical nephrectomies, and 2 nephroureterectomies) were reviewed. Hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed with a hand placed intra-abdominally using the Pneumo Sleeve,* *Dexterity, Inc., Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. in addition to standard laparoscopic instruments manipulated through laparoscopic ports. Standard laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed using laparoscopic instruments alone. Perioperative data were recorded and questionnaires, including visual analog pain scales, were administered prospectively to 17 of 21 cases.Results: The average operative time for 13 hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies was 240 minutes, which was significantly less than the 325-minute average for 8 standard laparoscopic nephrectomies (p = 0...
Transcription factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract Approximately a third of patients with diabetes develop diabetic kidney disease, and diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in most developed countries. Hyperglycaemia is known to activate genes that ultimately lead to extracellular matrix accumulation, the hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. Several transcription factors have been implicated in glucose-mediated expression of genes involved in diabetic nephropathy. This review focuses on the transcription factors upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2 (USF1 and 2), activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), and stimulating protein 1 (Sp1). In response to high glucose, several of these transcription factors regulate the gene encoding the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta, as well as genes for a range of other proteins implicated in inflammation and extracellular matrix turnover, including thrombospondin 1, the chemokine CCL2, osteopontin, fibronectin, decorin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and aldose reductase. Identifying the molecular mechanisms by which diabetic nephropathy occurs has important clinical implications as therapies can then be tailored to target those at risk. Strategies to specifically target transcription factor activation and function may be employed to halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Automatic Semantic Processing of Unattended Words.

In a two-choice reaction time experiment, subjects identified single words as belonging to one of four semantic categories. Each target word had flanking words placed above and below it which belonged to the same or a different category as the target. Response latencies were elevated when the category of the flanking words was assigned to a response different than the target category, replicating the pattern reported by Eriksen and Eriksen (1974) in a letter identification task. It is concluded that semantic information of the flanking words is processed automatically. The data also suggest that some interference may occur at an earlier categorization stage independent of response assignment.
Liberal Reformism and Declining Capital Formation in Hungary: The Developing Capitalist Sector Is Its Only Frontier But This Threatens the Party Dictatorship

. Of countries noted for having an Eastern type of economic system, Hungary is commonly touted for the successful, market-type reforms applied to the management of its economy. The commonly held notion that these reforms have been successful is challenged. It is argued that the reforms have never been implemented as was intended, and this has consequently resulted in macro and microeconomic planning policy to be administered in a varying fashion; also that the new direction in planning policy is seeking to implement fundamental changes regarding the formation and growth of private eriteprise a response to the problems facing Hungary's State-owned sector. This development is noted to be causing profound changes in Hungary's economy, while also having a disequilibrating effect on the composition of classes in Hungarian society.
Association of Susceptibility to Certain Hematopoietic Malignancies with the Presence of la Allo(determinants Distinct from the DR Series; Utility of Monoclonal Antibody Reagents

The Ia antigen allospecificities of individuals with either B type chronic lymphocytic leukemia or hairy cell leukemia resembled one another and differed significantly from those of a control population. In contrast, the Ia alloantigens of individuals with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were distinctly different from those of the leukemic group but differed little from the control group. A monoclonal antibody, IVD12, directed to an MB3-like determinant reacted with the greatest proportion of the leukemic individuals and yielded the highest positive relative risk. A lower degree of positive association was found with the presence of the MT2 determinant. In contrast, the low observed frequency of the MT1/MB1 determinant among leukemic individuals was associated with the most significant negative relative risk. The relative risk associated with the presence of DR5 was positive, while among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia the relative risk associated with DR2 was negative. Among patients with Hodgkin's Disease the relative risk associated with the presence of DR5 was significantly increased.
Photoluminescence spectra of thin films containing CdSe/ZnS quantum dots irradiated by 532-nm laser radiation and gamma-rays

Abstract We have investigated temporal behavior of the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of thin films containing CdSe/ZnS quantum dots irradiated by 532 nm laser radiation and gamma-rays. Under ∼100 W/cm2 laser radiation, the PL intensity (IPL) increases with irradiation time upto about 500 s and thereafter declines linearly. The wavelength of the PL emission (λpeak) exhibits a blue-shift with exposure time. Upon simultaneous irradiation by 100 W/cm2 532-nm laser, as well as 0.57 and 1.06 MeV gamma-rays, the temporal behaviors of both IPL and λpeak are significantly different; IPL increases to a saturation level, and the magnitude of the blue-shift in λpeak is reduced. We discuss possible mechanisms underlying these results.
Phosphoinositide 3 kinase signalling may affect multiple steps during herpes simplex virus type-1 entry

Early interactions of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) with cells lead to cytoskeletal changes facilitating filopodia formation and membrane fusion. Here, we demonstrate that phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) signalling may affect multiple steps during HSV-1 entry. An inhibitor of PI3K (LY294002) blocked HSV-1 entry and the blockage was cell-type- and gD receptor-independent. Entry inhibition was also observed with primary cultures of the human corneal fibroblasts and unrelated β- and γ-herpesviruses. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that LY294002 negatively affected HSV-1-induced filopodia formation. Similar effects of the inhibitor were seen on HSV-1 glycoprotein-induced cell-to-cell fusion. Cells expressing HSV-1 glycoproteins (gB, gD, gH and gL) showed significantly less fusion with target cells in the presence of the inhibitor. Expression of a dominant-negative PI3K mutant negatively affected both entry and fusion. We also show that inhibition of PI3K signalling also affected RhoA activation required for HSV-1 entry into certain cell types.
Synthesis of a neo-confused porphyrin and an unusual dihydroporphyrin derivative

MacDonald “2 + 2” condensation of a 1,2′-dipyrrylmethane dialdehyde with a 2,2′-dipyrrylmethane afforded a neo-confused porphyrin in 55% yield. In addition, a novel dihydroporphyrin with two appended pyrrolic units was isolated and structurally characterized.
Glycosphingolipid functions: insights from engineered mouse models

Glycosphingolipids are remarkable for their structural complexity and their distinctive patterns that mark different tissues and stages of development. The physiological functions of glycosphingolipids are likely to be profound and are only beginning to emerge. Much of this new information is due to the study of mutant mice lacking specific sets of glycosphingolipids, the topic of this review.
Functional Role of Zinc in Poly(A) Synthesis Catalyzed by Nuclear Poly(A) Polymerase

The functional role of transition metals in poly(A) synthesis was elucidated by investigating the effect of the metal chelator O-Phenanthroline on purified nuclear poly(A) polymerase. This chelator inhibited the enzyme activity in a manner competitive with respect to the polynucleotide primer concentration. O-Phenanthroline was a non-competitive inhibitor with regard to ATP concentration and an ‘uncompetitive’ inhibitor with regard to dithiothreitol levels. The metal content of the purified enzyme preparations from rat liver and Morris hepatoma 3924A was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Of the transition metals measured, only zinc was present in detectable quantities, at levels less than 1 mol/mol of enzyme. Hepatoma enzyme contained 2-3 times as much zinc as the corresponding liver enzyme. Hepatoma poly(A) polymerase was also radioactively labelled in vivo by injection of tumor-bearing animals with 65Zn. Dialysis experiments with highly purified radiolabelled poly(A) polymerase showed that the enzyme · zinc complex was labile and that a reduction in 65Zn content correlated with a loss in enzyme activity. These data indicate that (a) poly(A) polymerase is a zinc-containing protein, (b) this metal plays a role in the interaction between enzyme and its polynucleotide primer, (c) relative to hepatoma poly(A) polymerase, the liver enzyme forms a less stable complex with zinc, and (d) the loss of zinc from poly(A) polymerase upon extensive purification may explain its low zinc content relative to that reported for other proteins.
Creating Success for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Teachers Implementing District-Based Support Teams

This case study is intended for use in an educational leadership class to facilitate conversation on providing effective instructional practices to students on the autism spectrum. In particular, this case study demonstrates how a school district incorporated a research-based model into their system to provide support to teachers of students with autism spectrum disorders. The case provides opportunity to discuss challenges faced by leadership in special education and to analyze the interactions between and within various organizations through various theoretical lenses (i.e., knowledge-based theory, open systems theory).
The ecology, status, and conservation of two non-alluvial wetland communities in the South Atlantic and eastern Gulf Coastal plain, USA

Abstract The existence and integrity of the majority of southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf coastal plain non-alluvial wetlands (and the plant and animal species dependent on these communities) are critically threatened. Federal efforts and public interest have concentrated on the protection of coastal wetlands and riverine bottomlands, but many other coastal plain wetland communities are declining rapidly. Among these threatened natural communities are non-alluvial systems such as pond cypress Taxodium ascendens savannas, karst ponds, coastal plain small depression ponds, longleaf pine Pinus palustris savannas, and pocosins. We estimate that more than a third of the rare plant species in the Southeast occur in these wetland communities. The threats to these isolated wetland communities are numerous, from local site specific threats including drainage and development to threats to the regional hydrology. In this paper we present an overview of the non-alluvial wetlands in the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf coastal plain and focus on two of the most threatened non-alluvial wetland communities in the region, pond cypress savannas and karst ponds.
Some Reliability/Efficiency Aspects of Low Input Voltage Inversion/Conversion from Radioisotopic Thermoelectric Generator Power Sources

The transistor component failure possibilities due to voltage and power stress conditions existent in low input voltage inverters when energized by a radioisotopic thermoelectric generator source (RTG) have been investigated in depth. Circuitwise, it is shown that a properly designed current feedback driven inverter is inherently failsafe with respect to output overload when supplied from a power limited source. An RTG no-load overvoltage protection technique recently developed and described herein offers low dissipation external to the RTG source output power terminals. This is important for satellite or spacecraft applications, because it enables a reduction of radiator requirements needed for heat rejection.
Mobile enablement of business process management suites

Mobile capabilities are expected to fundamentally change the way enterprises operate. However, enterprises encounter technical challenges in mobile enablement of their existing software products. Among the challenges are user experience optimized for mobile, security, management of mobile applications. In this paper we describe technical challenges and solutions in mobile enablement of Business Process Management products, and, in particular, integration of Business Process Management Suites with Mobile Enterprise Application Platforms.
Clinical challenges of ocular anti-microbial therapy

Purpose To discuss the different clinical challenges in ocular anti-microbial therapy as they pertain to bacteria, fungi, viruses, and acanthamoeba. Methods An overview of how the different infections often seen and how available medications might be utilized. Results With the large number of medications available to ophthalmologists these days, deciding what medication to use can be complicated. The initial choice of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones has raised questions about bacterial resistance. This may highlight the importance of cultures in cases where infections are not responding as expected. Recognition of certain infections, such as early acanthamoeba, which can look similar to herpetic keratitis, may be difficult. The use of newer diagnostic tests, such as PCR, may be helpful to ensure appropriate treatment is started in a timely fashion. This may also be helpful in targeting treatment in fungal infections. The use of long term wear contact lenses, such as with a keratoprosthesis, has raised questions as to whether antibiotics are efficiently reaching the corneal surface and treating biofilms that form on contact lenses. Understanding what flora is present in cases of long term contact use may allow clinicians to better prevent infections. There have also been many clinicians who have advocated the treatment of viral conjunctivitis to help reduce the number of lost work and school hours. There is still debate as to the efficacy of these treatments and how it might impact the continually growing cost of health care. Conclusion Newer testing modalities and understanding what long term use of ocular anti-microbials does on the ocular surface will improve our treatment of ocular infections and hopefully prevent them too.
Learning dynamic arm motions for postural recovery

The biomechanics community has recently made progress toward understanding the role of rapid arm movements in human stability recovery. However, comparatively little work has been done exploring this type of control in humanoid robots. We provide a summary of recent insights into the functional contributions of arm recovery motions in humans and experimentally demonstrate advantages of this behavior on a dynamically stable mobile manipulator. Using Bayesian optimization, the robot efficiently discovers policies that reduce total energy expenditure and recovery footprint, and increase ability to stabilize after large impacts.
Orientation discrimination as a function of stimulus eccentricity and size: Nasal/temporal retinal asymmetry

Orientation discrimination threshold is a monotonically increasing function of retinal eccentricity. Increasing stimulus length extends the range of eccentricities over which fine orientation discriminations can be made. Orientation discrimination thresholds at all eccentricities are determined by the size of the cortical image of the stimulus. Thresholds obtained using either nasal or temporal hemiretina are similar up to the blind spot, beyond which the temporal retina yields increasingly higher thresholds. The results are consistent with a recent theoretical study which predicts that orientation discrimination threshold is determined by the number of cortical cells activated by the discrimination target.
The Lamb Shift—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The study of the emission and absorption of radiation is the royal road that led Planck to quantum mechanics and Einstein to the concept of the photon. The experiment of Rohlsberger et al. ( 1 ) reported on page 1248 of this issue is another step along the way toward explaining changes in the spontaneous light emission from ensembles of emitters. These effects allow us to probe aspects of quantum electrodynamics (QED) in relatively low-energy nuclear experiments.
Reverberation mapping of active nuclei

Abstract Reverberation mapping of active nuclei allows us to probe the geometry and kinematics of the broadline region (BLR) by examination of the detailed response of broad emission lines to continuum variations. The fundamental concepts and assumptions are explained, with particular attention to the possibility of anisotropic continuum emission. The current state of the field is summarized, and prospects for the future are outlined.
Adrenalectomy and the adaptive liver response in mirex-treated rats

Abstract Mirex, an organochlorine compound, was administered as a single oral dose (100 mg/kg body wt) to both intact and adrenalectomized juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both mirex-treated intact and adrenalectomized animals (dosed 24 hr postsurgery) exhibited significant increases in liver weight to body weight ratios compared to controls. However, the liver weight to body weight ratios in mirex-treated intact animals were significantly greater than those observed in mirextreated adrenalectomized animals. Significant increases were observed in liver weight to body weight ratios in adrenalectomized animals treated with mirex 4 days after surgery. However, the 96-hr mortality in mirex-treated adrenalectomized animals increased from 20% (mirex dose given 1 day postadrenalectomy) to 56% (mirex dose given 4 days postadrenalectomy). Mirex treatment of intact and adrenalectomized animals had no significant effect upon either serum or hepatic activities of glutamic oxalacetic transminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, or protein concentrations. Bromsulfophthalein clearance also was not affected by mirex treatment in adrenalectomized animals. Serum glucose concentrations were significantly decreased in both intact and adrenalectomized animals by mirex treatment. Daily corticosterone supplements to adrenalectomized animals restored liver hypertrophy and serum glucose concentrations to levels observed in mirex-treated intact animals. These results suggest that mirex-induced liver enlargement may be mediated by corticosterone.
Respiratory inhibition of isolated rat liver mitochondria by eugenol.

Abstract Eugenol inhibited mitochondrial respiration dose-dependently in vitro and uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation from electron transfer. This phenol derivative appeared to compete at higher concentrations with the known uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4-dinitrophenol. Isoeugenol was less active than eugenol, and homovanillic acid was the least active of the three compounds. The effect of eugenol on mitochondrial respiration was different according to the site of entry of electrons from substrates. Eugenol inhibited respiration at a lower concentration with glutamate rather than succinate as substrate. The suggestion was made that the effect of eugenol on a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-linked substrate was one of electron chain inhibition, but beyond Co-enzyme Q, both NAD-linked and flavin-linked substrates uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation. The results suggest that at the mitochondrial level all three agents can mediate cell injury by acting as potent uncouplers of the respiratory assembly.
Irrelevant alternatives and Frankfurt counterfactuals

In rejecting the Principle of AlternatePossibilities (PAP), Harry Frankfurt makes useof a special sort of counterfactual of thefollowing form: ``he wouldn't have doneotherwise even if he could have''. Recently,other philosophers (e.g., Susan Hurley (1999,2003) and Michael Zimmerman (2002)) haveappealed to a special class of counterfactualsof this same general form in defending thecompatibility of determinism andresponsibility. In particular, they claim thatit can be true of agents that even if they aredetermined, and so cannot do otherwise, theywouldn't have done otherwise even if they couldhave. Using as a central case an argument ofSusan Hurley's, I point out that thecounterfactuals in question are both``interlegal'' and ``indeterministic'', and I raisedoubts about whether this special class ofcounterfactuals have clear truth conditions. Finally I suggest that acknowledging thesepoints leads to an appreciation of the realstrength of Frankfurt-style examples.
A semi-automated method for purification of milligram quantities of proteins on the QIAcube

A growing number of studies require the purification of multiple proteins simultaneously and the development of simple economical high-throughput purification methods is essential. We have tested the purification of two related proteins in a variety of conditions to benchmark the semi-automated affinity chromatography method for the QIAcube that we have developed. We find that this new QIAcube method can successfully purify milligram quantities of proteins with minimal user involvement and performs as well as methods based on gravity. The method could easily be adapted to other chromatography resins and should prove to be a versatile method for optimizing protein expression or purification conditions for multiple proteins while obtaining sufficient amounts for subsequent biochemical analyses.
Nonhydraulic signalling of soil drying in mycorrhizal maize

Our objectives were to (1) verify that nonhydraulic signalling of soil drying can reduce leaf growth of maize, (2) determine if a mycorrhizal influence on such signalling can occur independently of a mycorrhizal effect on leaf phosphorus concentration, plant size or soil drying rate, and (3) determine if leaf phosphorus concentration can affect response to the signalling process. Maize (Zea mays L. ‘Pioneer 3147’) seedlings were grown in a glasshouse with root systems split between two pots. The 2 x 3 x 2 experimental design included two levels of mycorrhizal colonization (presence or absence of Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith), three levels of phosphorus fertilization within each mycorrhizal treatment and two levels of water (both pots watered or one pot watered, one pot allowed to dry). Fully watered mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal control plants had similar total leaf lengths throughout the experiment, and similar final shoot dry weights, root dry weights and leaf length/root dry weight ratios. Leaf growth of mycorrhizal plants was not affected by partial soil drying, but final plant leaf length and shoot dry weight were reduced in half-dried nonmycorrhizal plants. At low P fertilization, effects of nonhydraulic signalling were not evident. At medium and high P fertilization, final total plant leaf length of nonmycorrhizal plants was reduced by 9% and 10%, respectively. These growth reductions preceded restriction of stomatal conductance by 7 d. This and the fact that leaf water potentials were unaffected by partial soil drying suggested that leaf growth reductions were nonhydraulically induced. Stomatal conductance of plants given low phosphorus was less influenced by nonhydraulic signalling of soil drying than plants given higher phosphorus. Soil drying was not affected by mycorrhizal colonization, and reductions in leaf growth were not related to soil drying rate (characterized by time required for soil matric potential to drop below control levels and by time roots were exposed to soil matric potential below typical leaf water potential). We conclude that mycorrhizal symbiosis acted independently of phosphorus nutrition, plant size or soil drying rate in eliminating leaf growth response to nonhydraulic root-to-shoot communication of soil drying.
The architecture and biological performance of drug-loaded LbL nanoparticles

Abstract Layer-by-Layer (LbL) nanoparticles are an emerging class of therapeutic carriers that afford precise control over key design parameters that facilitate improved drug and carrier pharmacokinetics, and enhanced molecular-targeting capabilities. This paper advances the development of these systems by establishing them as drug carriers, with the means to control drug release in a systemic environment and retard particle clearance from circulation, promoting improved biodistribution of the drug-containing system. Using dual-fluorescent tracking in vivo, this work establishes a robust means of screening libraries of LbL systems generated, affording simultaneous resolution over persistence and biodistribution of both the drug and carrier following systemic administration of a single particle formulation. Employing a PLGA drug-containing core as a substrate for LbL deposition, a range of coated systems were fabricated to investigate the abilities of these films to stabilize drug for delivery as well as to improve the pharmacokinetics of both the drug and carrier. Significant reductions in liver accumulation were observed for different formulations of the layered architectures within the first 30 min of systemic circulation. LbL architectures diminished liver localization of the surrogate drug, cardiogreen, by 10–25% ID/g relative to native PLGA nanoparticles and modulated carrier accumulation in the liver >50% ID/g. Further, enhanced persistence of the drug was observed with the coated systems, significantly increasing the drug half-life from 2 to 3 min for free drug and 1.87 h for the uncoated core to 4.17 h and 4.54 h for the coated systems. These systems provide an exciting, modular platform that improves the pharmacokinetic properties of the therapeutic, reduces bolus release of drug from nanoparticles, and enhances the safety and circulation half-life of the drug in vivo, proving them to be highly clinically-relevant and a promising approach for future development of molecularly-targeted and combination therapeutics.
Characteristics of reverse tolerancë to amphetamine-induced locomotor stimulation in mice

Abstract The characteristics of chronically administered amphetamine on the locomotor and anticonvulsant effects were studied in adult CF-1 mice. The influence of dose of the drug and interdose interval on the development of “reverse tolerance” to the locomotor stimulation was investigated, in addition to the selectivity of the response and the persistence of the change in pharmacodynamics. Once-daily treatment with 6 mg/kg amphetamine for 4 weeks resulted in a 2–3 fold increase in locomotor activity. The increase in responsiveness, however, was limited to the first period of 2 weeks and there was no subsequent change in pharmacodynamics during the last 2 weeks of treatment. After 36 days of withdrawal, the response had not returned to that of control, illustrating the persistence of the effect. The results of varying the interdose interval indicated that “reverse tolerance” occurred even when the interval was as long as 14 days. These results represent additional evidence of the persistence of the phenomenon. Selectivity of the changes in the CNS was illustrated by the cross-reactivity with a motor-stimulant dose of cocaine but not with that of morphine. Selectivity was also demonstrated by the failure of “reverse tolerance” to develop to the anticonvulsant effects of amphetamine, which also appear to be mediated dopaminergically.
DAILY HASSLES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF DUAL‐EARNER AND NONDUAL‐EARNER WOMEN

Comparisons were made of dual-earner and nondual-earner women's stress and coping strategies. A questionnaire was developed from the Hassles Scale (Kanner, Coyne, Schaefer, & Lazarus, 1981) and the Ways of Coping Checklist (Folkman & Lazarus, 1980). Dual-earner women reported significantly more hassles than nondual-earner women. However, there were no significant differences on intensity level of these hassles. Several between- and within-group differences on coping strategies were found. Both groups tended to use more problem-focused coping strategies than emotion-focused coping strategies and, contrary to expectations, both groups expressed overall satisfaction with their coping strategies.
Doing the Scut Work of Infant Care: Does Religiousness Encourage Father Involvement?

Considerable debate exists regarding whether religiousness promotes or impedes greater father involvement in parenting. Our study addresses this issue using a Midwestern longitudinal data set that tracks the transition to first parenthood for 169 married couples. We focus on performance of the “messier” tasks of infant care. We find little evidence that religiousness enhances father involvement in this domain. Biblically conservative couples exhibit a greater gender gap in child care than others, with mothers more involved than fathers. The gender gap is also greater the more fathers work outside the home, the greater mothers' knowledge of infant development, and the less adaptable the infant. Average daily child care is lower the greater spouses' work hours, but higher with difficult pregnancies or fussy babies.
Effect of Urea-Saline Diuresis on Renal Clearance of Calcium, Magnesium, and Inorganic Phosphate in Man.∗:

SummaryUrea saline diuresis in 5 normal humans induced a linear increase in the clearance of calcium and magnesium and had no effect on the clearance of inorganic phosphate. The relationship among all 3 variables (clearances of calcium and magnesium and excretion rate of sodium) could be expressed by a first order equation. The data presented are in accord with previous reports on the effect of osmotic diuresis on divalent ion excretion in dogs.
Institutions and the turn-of-the-year effect: Evidence from actual institutional trades

Abstract Using a large proprietary database of institutional trades, we investigate whether institutional investors drive the turn-of-the-year (TOY) effect. Institutions that engage in window dressing, tax-loss selling, or risk shifting will contribute to the TOY effect by selling small, poorly performing stocks at the end of December and/or buying those same stocks at the beginning of January. We find abnormal pension fund selling in small stocks with poor past performance during the final trading days in December, providing some support for the window dressing hypothesis. However, we find little evidence that institutional tax-loss selling or risk-shifting trading strategies contribute to TOY returns. Furthermore, stocks with no institutional trading around the year-end exhibit considerably stronger TOY return patterns than stocks in which institutions trade. Taken together, our results suggest that institutions play a limited role in driving the TOY effect.
Shift invariance of the occupation time of the Brownian bridge process

In this note the distribution for the occupation time of a one-dimensional Brownian bridge process on any Lebesgue measurable set between the initial and final states of the bridge is shown to be invariant under translation and reflection, so long as the translation or reflection also lies between the initial and final states of the bridge. The proof employs only the strong Markov property and elementary symmetry properties of the Brownian bridge process.
An efficient liner cooling scheme for advanced small gas turbine combustors

A joint Army/NASA program was conducted to design, fabricate, and test an advanced, small gas turbine, reverse-flow combustor utilizing a compliant metal/ceramic (CMC) wall cooling concept. The objectives of this effort were to develop a design method (basic design data base and analysis) for the CMC cooling technique and then demonstrate its application to an advanced cycle, small, reverse-flow combustor with 3000 F burner outlet temperature. The CMC concept offers significant improvements in wall cooling effectiveness resulting in a large reduction in cooling air requirements. Therefore, more air is available for control of burner outlet temperature pattern in addition to the benefits of improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower smoke levels. The program was divided into four tasks. Task 1 defined component materials and localized design of the composite wall structure in conjunction with development of basic design models for the analysis of flow and heat transfer through the wall. Task 2 included implementation of the selected materials and validated design models during combustor preliminary design. Detail design of the selected combustor concept and its refinement with 3D aerothermal analysis were completed in Task 3. Task 4 covered detail drawings, process development and fabrication, and a series of burner rig tests. The purpose of this paper is to provide details of the investigation into the fundamental flow and heat transfer characteristics of the CMC wall structure as well as implementation of the fundamental analysis method for full-scale combustor design.