cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Training metacognition in the classroom: the influence of incentives and feedback on exam predictions

In two semester-long studies, we examined whether college students could improve their ability to accurately predict their own exam performance across multiple exams. We tested whether providing concrete feedback and incentives (i.e., extra credit) for accuracy would improve predictions by improving students’ metacognition, or awareness of their own knowledge. Students’ predictions were almost always higher than the grade they earned and this was particularly true for low-performing students. Experiment 1 demonstrated that providing incentives but minimal feedback failed to show improvement in students’ metacognition or performance. However, Experiment 2 showed that when feedback was made more concrete, metacognition improved for low performing students although exam scores did not improve across exams, suggesting that feedback and incentives influenced metacognitive monitoring but not control.
ACID PRECIPITATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Acid precipitation as part of a general phenomenon of atmospheric deposition is discussed. The direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation on vegetation are examined, along with spatial and temporal changes in the chemistry of precipitation in North America and the effects of acid precipitation on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The development of a National Atmospheric Deposition Program is outlined. The program is designed to determine spatial and temporal trends in the amount, chemical form, and geographic distribution of atmospheric deposition and its effects on vegetation, soils, and aquatic ecosystems.
Characterization and chromosomal localization of PTP-NP-2, a new isoform of protein tyrosine phosphatase-like receptor, expressed on synaptic boutons.

Abstract Recently, there have been several reports describing the cloning and characterization of the novel family of protein tyrosine phosphatase-like receptor molecules (known as IA-2 and PTP-NP/PTP-IAR/IA-2β/phogrin), which may act as autoantigens in diabetes. Here, we report the molecular characterization and chromosomal localization of a new isoform of this family in brain termed PTP-NP-2 (for PTP-NP tyrosine phosphatase isoform), and its function in rat primary hippocampal neurons. PTP-NP-2 has 48% identity to IA-2. The principal difference between PTP-NP-2 and PTP-NP is a 17-amino-acid insert near the N-terminus of PTP-NP that is absent in PTP-NP-2. Genomic DNA analysis indicates that the 17-amino-acid insert is coded by a separate exon, suggesting that both IA-2β and PTP-NP-2 are isoforms arising by alternate splicing of the same gene. Reverse transcriptase-PCR revealed that both isoforms are present in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. PTP-NP-2 mRNA expression is highly restricted, with a 5.5-kb specific transcript in human fetal and adult brain and 5.5 and 3.8 kb in human adult pancreas. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and U87-MG glioblastoma cells showed specific transcripts of 5.5 and 3.8 kb, respectively, indicating the existence of several isoforms of this molecule in the nervous system. The human gene encoding PTP-NP-2 was assigned to human chromosome 7q22-qter using Southern blot analysis of genomic DNAs from rodent/human somatic hybrid cell lines. Confocal microscopy analyses of rat primary hippocampal neurons revealed that PTP-NP-2 is abundantly expressed on synaptic boutons in primary neurons. Wild-type PTP-NP-2 showed no measurable tyrosine phosphatase activity using an in-vitro pNPP assay. Examination of the PTP-NP-2 catalytic consensus sequence revealed that this sequence differed from the typical tyrosine phosphatase-domain consensus sequence by an alanine to aspartate change (amino acid 930). Mutation of aspartate 930 to alanine produced a catalytically active enzyme, suggesting that native PTP-NP and its isoform PTP-NP-2 are catalytically inactive receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase homologues. Taken together, these results indicate that the tyrosine phosphatase PTP-NP-2 is a new isoform of PTP-NP tyrosine phosphatase, is expressed on synaptic boutons and may participate in the regulation of synaptic bouton endocytosis.
Organ Donation for Children: The Road Ahead

* Abbreviations: UNOS — : United Network for Organ Sharing OPTN — : Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network DCDD — : Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death Over the past decade, significant policy changes have been made to the national organ allocation system, which is managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) under federal contract by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Some of these changes may have contributed directly to the decreased pediatric waitlist mortality noted in this month’s article entitled “Pediatric Organ Donation and Transplantation,” an OPTN database review by Workman et al.1 To find new ways to further decrease pediatric waitlist mortality, the authors examined the use of pediatric Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death (DCDD) donors and found that most organs procured from these donors are used in adults. Although the authors seem disappointed to discover that pediatric DCDD organs are not being used for pediatric transplant recipients, they do acknowledge that any use of organs in adult recipients is good for pediatric patients in that it decreases the competition for the remaining organs. There has been a long-standing commitment by UNOS/OPTN to protect the welfare of children. We would … Address correspondence to Craig W. Lillehei, MD, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Fegan 3, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: craig.lillehei{at}childrens.harvard.edu
Who is responsible for rehabilitating the poor? The case for church-based financial services for the poor

This article is a qualitative study, the first part of an ongoing empirical study on the role of churches in providing financial access to the poor. It begins with the question of whether Christian Churches should be involved in providing financial services for the poor. Drawing on the teachings of the Bible, Catholic Social Teachings (CSTs), it concludes that providing such a service is consistent with Christian principles. It then uses the theory of people's psychological sense of a community, the Bible, CST and the extant literature to develop a number of propositions that could form a framework for church-based micro-finance institutions (MFIs).
Ignoring evidence of circumcision benefits.

The American public remains resolute in its support of newborn circumcision despite negative recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).1 The great majority of males in the United States are circumcised: prevalence of circumcision is 80% to 85%2 as measured by published values from Georgia, Texas, California, Colorado, Alaska, Wisconsin, and Missouri.3–9 Circumcision prevalence not only is high but seems to be increasing.10 Between 1988 and 2000, the US newborn circumcision rate increased by 12.8%, an increase that has been attributed to “an increased recognition of the potential medical benefits of circumcision” by the general public.10(p978) The increase in circumcisions is most apparent in mid-America states with the fewest immigrants,6,10,11 because most immigrants, particularly Hispanics, are not circumcised. The 80% to 85% US circumcision rate observed in practice contrasts with the 55% to 65% rate reported in statistics collected from birth centers across the nation.6,10 The explanation for this difference is that the published results of national statistical surveys represent only coded diagnoses obtained from birth centers; the reported figures do not include males who are circumcised at a later date for religious, medical, or personal reasons or who received newborn circumcision that was not coded.5,7 The original position of the AAP was established with an erroneous … Address correspondence to Edgar J. Schoen, MD, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 280 W MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611. E-mail: edgar.schoen{at}kp.org
Static and dynamic analyses of tensegrity structures. Part 1. Nonlinear equations of motion

Abstract In order to present basic equations for static and dynamic analyses of a class of truss structures called tensegrity structures, large-deformation kinematics and kinetics were presented in both Eulerian and Lagrangian formulations. The two sets of equations of motion yield the same values even if different stress and strain measures were employed for their computation. The Eulerian formulation was implemented in an updated Lagrangian finite element code using Newton’s method with consistently linearized equations of motion. By utilizing the linearized Lagrangian equations of motion at pre-stressed initial configurations, harmonic modal analyses of a three-bar tensegrity module and a six-stage tensegrity beam were conducted. In the second part of the paper, linearized equations were utilized to investigate the equilibrium configurations of basic tensegrity modules and the stiffness of pre-stressed tensegirty structures.
Comparison between coated vs. uncoated suture middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat as assessed by perfusion/diffusion weighted imaging

Abstract Differences among models in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental treatment studies. Using diffusion and perfusion imaging, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats after permanent MCAO (pMCAO) with different types of sutures. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to pMCAO produced with either 4-0 silicone coated ( n = 8), or 3-0 uncoated monofilaments ( n = 8). Serial determination of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were performed up to 3 h after pMCAO. Lesion volumes were calculated by using previously validated thresholds and correlated with infarct volume corrected for edema defined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h after MCAO. The ADC/CBF-defined mismatch volume in the 4-0 coated suture model was present significantly longer (up to 120 min) compared to the uncoated 3-0 suture model (30 min). The TTC-derived infarct volume was significantly larger in the coated model (290.3 ± 32.8 mm 3 ) relative to the uncoated model (252.3 ± 34.6 mm 3 ). This study demonstrates that the type of suture may significantly influence the spatiotemporal evolution of the ADC/CBF-mismatch as well as the final infarct volume. These inter-model variations must be taken into account when assessing new therapeutic approaches on ischemic lesion evolution in the rat MCAO model.
College Students' Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Risks Regarding Intentional Sun Exposure: A 17-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract Background: Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, accounts for over one million cases per year. Risk can be mediated by limiting UV radiation exposure, yet efforts to increase adoption of protective measures have met with limited success. Purpose: This study compares the results of surveys conducted in 1990 and 2007 assessing the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of college students regarding intentional sun exposure. Methods: The 44-item ‘Sun and Skin Inventory’ was administered to students enrolled in personal health classes during the fall semesters in 1990 and 2007. Results: Mean knowledge scores were no different in 2007 than 1990 and knowledge scores were not related to sunbathing frequency in either survey. Risk perception was negatively related to sunbathing frequency and students reporting greater perceived risk had more positive attitudes toward protective behaviors. Overall, sunbathing behavior was unchanged over 17 years, but students did report more frequent suns...
Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization for the synthesis of conjugated block copolymers containing regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)

The synthesis of various conjugated block copolymers of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) by Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization is described.
Spontaneous iliac arteriovenous fistula

The formation of an iliac arteriovenous fistula caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic iliac artery aneurysm is unusual. We describe a case and review the previously reported 18 cases of spontaneous iliac arteriovenous fistula. The presence of a palpable abdominal mass associated with a thrill or bruit and unilateral leg symptoms of venous engorgement or arterial insufficiency, with or without acute onset of congestive heart failure, should result in a high index of suspicion of this entity. Prompt recognition and surgical closure of the iliac fistula are most important in successful management.
INTESTINAL ANTIBODY FUNCTION: Role in control of antigen absorption in the small intestine

Secretory immunoglobulins may decrease bacterial proliferation in the gut and prevent uptake of ingested food antigens. Using a rat model, we have shown that protein antigens [horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)] are taken up from the small intestine by pinocytosis and that immunization (oral>>parenteral) prevents absorption. To investigate the specific mechanism whereby immunization interferes with absorption, gut sacs from rats shown to have local antibodies (HRP or BSA) after repeated intraperitoneal injections were incubated with the corresponding radiolabelled antigen for intervals up to 3 hrs. In comparison to controls, gut sacs from immunized rats showed: a) rapid binding of labelled antigen to antibody on the intestinal cellular surface, b) enhanced (10X) breakdown of specific antigen, c) no breakdown of unrelated antigens, and d) decreased binding of antigen to intestinal cell membrane. These data suggest the following mechanism for intestinal antibody control of antigen absorption. Initial exposure of gut sacs to antigen leads to rapid association with antibodies on the mucosal surface which results in decreased pinocytosis of antigens by intestinal cells. Antigen-antibody complexes immobilized on the surface of the gut are then degraded by local proteases. The site of degradation is at the level of the glycocalyx or the cell surface membrane.
Chemisorption of nitric oxide on platinized titania

Abstract The chemisorption of NO on platinized TiO 2 was studied at 300 K by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and uptake methods. Two absorption bands at about 1760 and 1700 cm −1 , which have been assigned as NO adsorbed on Pt open sites and on close-packed sites, respectively, were found to vary in intensity with reduction and O 2 pretreatment. Nitric oxide uptake is also diminished on reduced, SMSI, Pt TiO 2 . To explain the interaction between Pt and adsorbate, an extended “electronic ligand effect” concept is applied. Both electron transfer from the support to the metal particles and an induced morphology change of the Pt are proposed to interpret the variations of the observed NO absorption bands.
Food cravings, food intake, and weight status in a community-based sample.

Abstract The aims of this study were to 1) determine the relationships between BMI and the frequency of food cravings for different categories of foods, 2) examine the associations between cravings for different types of foods and self-reported, habitual intake of these foods, and 3) assess how these relationships differ by BMI. Six hundred and forty-six participants (55.7% female; 66.4% White; mean age 29.5 ± 9.1 years; mean BMI 27.3 ± 5.5 kg/m2) completed a comprehensive assessment battery including the Food Craving Inventory (FCI) and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). There was a significant positive relationship between BMI and food cravings. There were significant positive associations of cravings for sweets, high fats, carbohydrates/starches, and fast-food fats on respective intake of these types of foods; however, there were no significant interactions between food cravings and BMI on the respective type of food intake. This study indicates significant positive relationships between specific categories of food cravings and habitual intake of those foods.
Characterization of Al-1 wt% Y thin films for VLSI interconnects

Abstract The microstructure of an integrated circuit interconnect material significantly affects the reliability of the device. Narrow lines with near bamboo structure exhibit an increased mean time to failure (MTF) and a concomitant increase in the dispersion ( σ ). A critical stress concentration site forms at the boundary between a single crystal segment and a polycrystalline segment of the line which leads to early failure. Simulation results for a 1000 μ m long aluminum line (a rigidly confined line with blocked ends is assumed) show that, if the grains are uniform in size and small relative to the line width, a missing metal defect located at the center does not produce a stress concentration site. This paper reports on properties of Al-1 wt% Y films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. The addition of yttrium reduces both the mean grain size (299 nm) of aluminum films and the standard deviation of the grain sizes (89 nm). As-deposited films consist of α -aluminum supersaturated with yttrium and Al 4 Y phase. After annealing at 450°C for 30 min, β -Al 3 Y is precipitated, grain growth is not significant and the electrical resistance drops from 6.05 to 2.95 μ Ωcm.
Simplified procedure for classical controller design for linear closed-loop system with transport delay

For the servo designer who occasionally encounters transport delays in the linear stationary control loop, this note presents an easy-to-apply design guide that permits him to continue to equalize his control system with Bode plots and simple design equations. The results are generally very good.
Trace metals in wild rice sold in the United States

Abstract North American wild rice ( Zizania aquatica L. and Z. palustris L.) grows in moderately soft and acidic freshwater wetlands. With the increasing pollution of such a habitat, there is some concern that the trace metal contents of the rice crop have become unduly elevated. This study finds moderately elevated levels of lead (0.5–11.5 μg/100 g dry wt.), cadmium (1.0–10.2 μg/100 g dry wt.) and arsenic (0.6–14.2 μg/100 g dry wt.) in 26 brands of wild rice sold in the United States. The high concentrations of iron (2.0–9.7 mg/100 g dry wt.), copper (0.2–1.3 mg/100 g dry wt.) and zinc (0.1–0.4 mg/100 g dry wt.) suggest that wild rice may be a good dietary source of these essential elements.
59Co solid-state NMR as a new probe for elucidating metal binding in polynucleotides.

Although magnesium fulfills several essential biochemical roles, direct studies on this ion are complicated by its unfavorable spectroscopic characteristics. This contribution explores the possibil...
Role of inter- and intramolecular bonding on impact sensitivity.

A picture of impact sensitivity based on the bond bundles of the electron charge density is developed, allowing the role of both inter- and intramolecular bonding interactions to be investigated. Impact sensitive materials were found to have a convergent intramolecular bond bundle with a low electron count that serves as a trigger linkage, while insensitive materials do not. The shape and electron count of the intramolecular bond bundles was found to change between the gas phase and solid state due to the formation of intermolecular bond bundles. In the case of polynitrobenzenes, this change was subtle and did not affect the trigger linkages. However, the intermolecular bond bundles in crystalline RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) change from C–N trigger linkages in the gas phase to N–N trigger linkages in the solid state. This observation offers a theoretical justification of the experimentally observed differences in the decomposition behavior of gas phase and crystalline RDX.
Efficient oncogene silencing and metastasis inhibition via systemic delivery of siRNA.

The selective delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to metastatic tumors remains a challenging task. We have developed a nanoparticle (NP) formulation composed of siRNA, a carrier DNA, a polycationic peptide, and cationic liposomes. The NP was obtained by a self-assembling process, followed by surface modification with a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated ligand, anisamide. The NP was PEGylated and a ligand was presented to target sigma receptor–expressing murine melanoma cells, B16F10. The lung metastasis model was established by intravenous (IV) injection of the B16F10 cells into C57BL/6 mice. A mixture of siRNA against MDM2, c-myc, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) co-formulated in the targeted NP caused simultaneous silencing of each of the oncogenes in the metastatic nodules. Two consecutive IV injections of siRNA in the targeted NP significantly reduced the lung metastasis (∼70–80%) at a relatively low dose (0.45 mg/kg), whereas free siRNA and the nontargeted NP showed little effect. This targeted NP formulation significantly prolonged the mean survival time of the animals by 30% as compared to the untreated controls. At the therapeutic dose, the targeted NP showed little local and systemic immunotoxicity and did not decrease the body weight or damage the major organs.
Transgressing the ventricular wall during subthalamic deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson disease increases the risk of adverse neurological sequelae.

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment for the motor manifestations of advanced medically refractory Parkinson disease. Because of the medial location of the target, surgical trajectories to the STN may violate the ipsilateral lateral ventricle. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether violating the ventricle during STN DBS surgery is associated with postoperative confusion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all STN implantation procedures for Parkinson disease performed by 1 surgeon between January 2005 and September 2008 was performed. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all cases, and each scan was reviewed for evidence of ventricular wall violation. All charts were reviewed for postoperative confusion and/or increased length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 145 leads were implanted in 81 patients over 102 admissions. Forty-three patients underwent contemporaneous bilateral lead implantation; 23 underwent unilateral implantation; and 18 underwent staged bilateral implantation. The cases of 8 patients were complicated by postoperative confusion and increased length of stay. Sixteen magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated evidence of ventricular wall violation including all 8 patients with postoperative confusion. The relative risk of having postoperative confusion after traversing the ventricle is 87 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Violating the ventricular system during STN DBS surgery correlated significantly with postoperative altered mental status and subsequent increased length of hospital stay. This finding may explain why cognitive complications are observed more frequently in Parkinson disease patients undergoing DBS at the STN compared with the internal globus pallidus.
Wealth of Immigrant and Native‐Born Americans

This study hypothesizes nativity differences in the process of wealth accumulation with regards to accumulation rates, dissaving rates, the role of human capital, saving intention for children, and structural barriers to wealth accumulation. Based on an analysis of the 1992 and 1993 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Particiation (SIPP), it reports four major findings. First, levels of net worth, life cycle patterns, and wealth components are primarily stratified by national origin and race-ethnicity rather than by nativity. Second, when immigrants' adult years in the United States are taken into account, the life cycle pattern of wealth of the post-1965 immigrants catches up with that of natives within 22 years of arrival and then overtakes natives. Third, the process of wealth accumulation is similar for immigrants and natives in all but two respects-for immigrants, education is discounted and adult years in the United States matter. Lastly, spatial segregation has a uniform negative effect on wealth for both immigrants and natives.
A partial order generalization of Alexander's subbase theorem

Alexander's Subbase Theorem is generalized for partially ordered sets. Our generalization is nontrivial inasmuch as Alexander's Theorem pertains to the partially ordered set (T, ∪) whereT is the set of all the open sets of a topological space and thus $$(\overline T ,\underline C )$$ is a complete partially ordered set which is also join infinite distributive, whereas here our generalization pertains to any partially ordered set with a maximum 1 and which satisfies the rather weak «distributivity» condition given by (1) below.
Lumping or splitting? “ophthalmoplegia‐plus” or kearns‐sayre syndrome?

Five new cases and 30 others from the literature were characterized by the clinical triad of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, atypical pigmentary degeneration of the retina, and heart block. The syndrome is sporadic, not hereditary, and begins by the age of 20 years. In many cases there is other evidence of widespread neurological disorder, implicating specific areas: cerebellum; auditory and vestibular systems; skeletal muscle; and, less often, intellectual function or corticospinal tracts. Short stature and delayed sexual maturation are also frequent. The CSF protein content is almost always greater than 100 mg/dl. Spongioform encephalopathy was found in 4 postmortem examinations. In all cases so examined, muscle mitochondria were abnormal. The constancy of these manifestations suggests that the disorder is a true entity, not an artificial subclass of the large group of disorders associated with ophthalmoplegia. Several characteristics suggest that the disorder of neuronal and muscle metabolism is induced by persistent viral infection. The sequence of manifestations may vary, and cardiopathy in particular may be delayed for many years. Patients with ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary degeneration of the retina, and abnormal CSF protein content are likely to develp the full syndrome. This was illustrated by observation of 2 previously reported cases and 1 new one. Because the cardiopathy may be fatal, a pacemaker should be used if indications are appropriate.
Alkaloid and predation patterns in colorado lupine populations

Colorado populations of herbaceous perennial lupines show three distinct patterns of amounts, kinds, and individual variability of inflorescence alkaloids. These patterns, interpreted as alternative chemical defense strategies, can be related to the susceptibility of populations to attack by larvae of a small flower-feeding lycaenid butterfly, Glaucopsyche lygdamus.
Alkali-induced effects on metal substrates and coadsorbed molecules

We present results of ab initio electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory which show in detail several effects of alkali adsorption on metal substrates and on molecules coadsorbed on the substrate. First, calculations of the isoelectronic reactivity index demonstrate a dramatic enhancement of the electronic polarizability of the metal substrate extending it several angstroms into the vacuum. This phenomenon is traceable to an unusual feature induced in the surface potential on alkali adsorption. The effect appears to be general and helps explain the observed substantial decrease in the vibrational frequency of molecules such as CO and O2 when co-adsorbed with alkalis on metal surfaces. Next, for the oxidation of CO on Pd(111), we illustrate the changes in the reaction pathway and activation energy barriers induced in the presence of coadsorbed K.
THE BRAUER GROUP OF DEL PEZZO SURFACES

Let S1 be a Del Pezzo surface of degree 1 over a number field k. We establish a criterion for the existence of a nontrivial element of order 5 in the Brauer group of S1 in terms of certain Galois-stable configurations of exceptional divisors on this surface.
Managing personal medical knowledge: agent-based knowledge acquisition

Information that is available on the World Wide Web (WWW) is already more vast than can be comprehensibly studied by individuals and is increasing at a staggering pace. Health consumerism is fuelled by knowledgeable patients. A key to health consumerism is locating reliable health information on the WWW. Unfortunately, much health information on the web is of suspect quality. Differences between individual and clinician information seeking requirements are discussed. An agent-based health Information Retrieval (IR) system is developed using validated existing technology. The agent system satisfies the health information requirements for individuals. A simulation of the system indicates a significant reduction in information overload and also high perceived reliability of information.
Characterization of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on rat pinealocytes.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors in rat pineal membranes were characterized using p-[125I]iodoclonidine, a highly selective, high specific activity ligand. Binding was rapid (association constant rate = 0.0462 nM/min-1) and reversible after the addition of phentolamine (apparent dissociation rate constant = 0.04 min-1). Saturation experiments indicate the presence of a single class of noncooperative binding sites, with an equilibrium binding constant (Kd) of 1.1 +/- 0.3 nM and a binding capacity (Bmax) of 69 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein. Analysis of the relative potency of selected adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists in competition studies with p-[125I]iodoclonidine indicates that the ligand is binding to a member of the family of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors that has a high affinity for oxymetazoline, phentolamine, and (-)norepinephrine and a low affinity for prazosin, similar to the recently described alpha 2-adrenergic receptor present in the bovine pineal gland, classified as belonging to the newly described...
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large adrenal masses: pushing the envelope.

Abstract Purpose: To determine the role of laparoscopy for large adrenal tumors in terms of outcomes, pathology, operative time, and morbidity. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 24 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed to record the size of the lesions, surgical techniques used, operative times, estimated blood loss, duration of hospital stay, need for blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery, and complications. The laparoscopic adrenalectomy patients were divided into two groups based on tumor size: <8 cm (n = 16, group 1) and ≥8 cm (n = 8, group 2). Results: Mean tumor size was 5.6 cm for group 1 and 12.1 cm for group 2. Mean operative times were 143.12 and 188.75 minutes for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean estimated blood loss was 89.69 mL for group 1 and 334.38 mL for group 2. Operative time and blood loss were significantly higher in group 2. Pathologic examination revealed eight adrenal cortical adenomas, five myolipomas, four pheochromocytomas, four c...
Effect of Daily Rinsing with Stannous Fluoride on Plaque and Gingivitis: Final Report

Two groups of children, ages 12 to 15, rinsed daily for 28 mo with aqueous fluoride solutions, one group using 0.05% sodium fluoride (NaF) and the other group using 0.1% stannous fluoride (SnF2). The SnF2 group had less plaque accumulation after four mo, but no difference was apparent at 16 and 28 mo. Gingivitis was less severe in the SnF2 group throughout the study, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. The 0.1% SnF2 solution, used daily as a mouthrinse, inhibits plaque formation, although this inhibitory effect is not apparent after 16 mo of rinsing.
Structural Analysis of a Mutation in Canine Parvovirus Which Controls Antigenicity and Host Range

Abstract A single mutation in canine parvovirus (CPV) of VP2 residue 300 from alanine to aspartic acid causes a loss of canine host range and alters the antigenic properties of the virus. The three-dimensional structure of this mutant has been solved to 3.25 A resolution. Crystals of full particles were triclinic, with cell dimensions of a = 267.6, b = 268.5, c = 274.3 A, α = 61.9, β = 62.6, and γ = 60.2°. The native structure of CPV was used as an initial model. Phases were improved by real-space electron density averaging. In spite of the relative low percentage of observed reflections (32.5% of the data between 15.0 and 3.25 A resolution), the presence of 60-fold noncrystallographic redundancy allowed the averaging procedure to converge smoothly. The mutant aspartic acid at residue 300 forms a salt bridge with Arg81 in an icosahedrally threefold-related subunit, inducing local changes within the antigenic site B on the CPV surface. In addition, the loop between residues 359 and 374 adopts a conformation similar to that displayed by feline panleukopenia virus. The ability of the Ala300 → Asp mutant to evade antibody binding can be associated with the change of charge distribution and structure in the antigenic binding site. The variation in host range behavior may be due to the increased stability as a result of formation of the salt bridge between adjacent subunits.
Representations under ring extensions: Latimer-MacDuffee and Taussky correspondences

C. G. Latimer and C. C. MacDuffee defined in [8] a bijective correspondence between similarity classes of nonsingular rational integral n x n matrices having a common separable characteristic polynomialf(x) and the classes of faithful ideals in the ring Z[x]/f(x) Z[x], Z the ring of rational integers. Several authors have used this simple duality with the ideas indigenous to one theory to obtain valuable consequences in the other (see [14] and [15] f or a survey), thereby motivating further analysis of the correspondence (as in [ 1, 2, 4, 17 and 181). Nevertheless, the theory has generally been catagorized as a subset of module theory of orders in semisimple algebras following Zassenhaus’s proof of Jordan’s theorem on the finiteness of such similarity classes (see [ 7, 14 and 21 I). The purpose of this note is to replace the semisimple assumption present in these previous studies with the weaker condition that the modules considered become trivial under a suitable extension of the base ring. The ease in which matrix and ideal theory are transferable under the Latimer-MacDuffee duality prompted our adherence to their approach, when possible, in this development over arbitrary commutative rings. We review prior matrix/ideal correspondences in Section 2 preliminary to the general framework in Section 3. There an n x II matrix class is replaced by the isomorphism class of a rank n projective R module M which is also a faithful module over a rank n projective R algebra A. The ideal theory is obtained by extending the base ring R of scalars to a commutative ring S for which M becomes trivial (S @ll MN S OR A as S OR A modules), and M is then identified with a fractional A ideal in S OR A. In the classical case, S is the field of quotients of a domain R. Theorem 1 reduces to the Latimer-MacDuffee duality in the latter case. Theorem 2 shows that the theory is equally adaptable to any commutative rank IZ projective R algebra A which is isomorphic to its dual over a suitable extension of R. As an application, we show that a nonderogatory matrix is similar to the companion matrix of its
PREMATURE OVIPOSITION FOLLOWING OPERATIVE INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAIN OF THE CHICKEN.

Following the accidental discovery that electrical stimulation of the hen's preoptic brain induced premature (Ct) oviposition of the terminal egg of a 2-egg sequence, an analysis was made of relationships between times of stimulation and times and frequency of premature (Ct) lay, and, during the period of maximal response to stimulation thus determined, tests were made of the specificity of stimulus and brain region. Preoptic stimulation at 4–25 hr before Ct oviposition induced premature lay. The incidence of response increased fairly regularly from 25 hr (16%) to 7 hr (100%). Tests during the period of maximal response to stimulation showed that the response was not dependent on the passage of current or position of the electrodes, but was dependent only on operative interference with the cerebrum. Pentobarbital anesthesia, administered before the operation, did not block the response to stimulation. Seventy per cent of premature oviposition following preoptic stimulation over a period of 21 hr, and 92% ...
Octanoate: An assay for oxidative deterioration in oils and fats

The assay of octanoate, a predicted residue remaining bound to glycerol after the thermal decomposition of oxidised oils and fats, has been used to follow the autoxidation of sunflower and linseed oil triglycerides. Alkali catalysed transmethylation gave methyl octanoate which was determined by gas chromatography using methyl nonanoate as added internal standard. The autoxidation of the oils was also followed by peroxide value. For both oils linear relationships were found between the peroxide value and the amount of octanoate produced after thermal decomposition of the oil samples under vacuum. Thus the assay of octanoate is a useful measure of oxidative deterioration under conditions where the first formed peroxides have been destroyed, (e.g. the refining and deodorisation of oxidised crude oils or the deterioration of frying fats during use). Oils freshly extracted from seed had very low octanoate values. The assay is not applicable however to ‘laurate’ oils or to butterfat which have high levels of endogenous octanoate.
Counseling for 5p- and neural tube defects.

I found the article about the case of 5pand a neural tube defect interesting (Begleiter and Rogers, 1994). The authors' discussion of the family's continued refusal of amniocentesis after detection of additional abnormalities by ultrasound left me with a number of questions. I could have benefitted from more information about why the authors believed the family's grieving was interfering with the decision making. What made the counselor dissatisfied with his/her interactions with the family? I would also have liked more information about the ways amniocentesis was offered. How was the amniocentesis option addressed each time? Was the family told that without amniocentesis there may not be an opportunity to study the baby's chromosomes? Were they told that the presence of a chromosome abnormality might be useful information in managing the pregnancy, the delivery, and the newborn? Did different counselors offer the family amniocentesis at the different times? I think a description of what the counselor did when he/she thought that the family's decision-making was impaired would have been educational. Did the counselor discuss the matter with co-workers and colleagues? If so, with whom? What strategies were tried with the family? Did the counselor try explaining the matter in different ways? Did other counselors on staff make the explanation? Did the counselor explore the family's religious beliefs and feelings about abortion? I would have liked more information about why the counselor believed the family made a bad decision as opposed to one with which he/she did not agree. The case raises good questions about when we cross the line from non-directiveness to directiveness in our counseling. When are we educating our patients and when are we trying to persuade them? In what situations might it be appropriate to be directive with patients? The decision-making of our patients may indeed be hindered by grieving, but many people have had to make important decisions when they were emo-
Residual smoothing and peak/plateau behavior in Krylov subspace methods

Abstract Recent results on residual smoothing are reviewed, and it is observed that certain of these are equivalent to results obtained by different means that relate “peaks” and “plateaus” in residual norm sequences produced by certain pairs of Krylov subspace methods.
The Influence of Spring and Summer New England Meteorologic Conditions on the Respiratory Status of Patients With Chronic Lung Disease

To determine whether meteorologic conditions affect the respiratory status of individuals with chronic lung disease, we asked 14 patients who had completed outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation to record the following information daily during the spring and summer of 1991: (1) dyspnea on arising (morning dyspnea); (2) dyspnea throughout the day (daytime dyspnea); (3) peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR); (4) mood; and (5) the presence of lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). The effect of local meteorologic conditions and LRI frequency on morning and daytime dyspnea, PEFR, and mood were analyzed for spring and summer seasons using a linear regression technique that controlled for first-order autocorrelation. The LRI frequency and the preceding day's respiratory status were the most significant predictors of either season's daily variation in respiratory status. During spring, the only meteorologic condition associated with respiratory status was precipitation: rainfall was directly related to increased morning and daytime dyspnea. Meteorologic conditions were not related to changes in PEFR or mood. During summer, the combination of higher temperature, rise in barometric pressure, and increased LRI frequency best predicted increased morning dyspnea, while the combination of higher temperature and rise in barometric pressure best predicted reduced PEFR. Meteorologic conditions were not related to changes in daytime dyspnea or mood. Precipitation in spring and a combination of high temperature and rise in barometric pressure in summer best predicted deterioration in the respiratory status of this group of patients with chronic lung disease.
The classroom as laboratory: An exploration of teacher research

The field of education, including gifted education, suffers from a communication breakdown between classroom‐based practitioners and university‐based researchers. Research results often do not make it to the classroom where they can improve practice. This article reviews the literature regarding teacher‐performed research and argues that equipping teachers to perform their own research either individually or in collaboration with university researchers is one way to enrich teachers’ knowledge and improve classroom practice.
High-accuracy calculation of the blackbody radiation shift in the 133Cs primary frequency standard.

The blackbody radiation (BBR) shift is an important systematic correction for the atomic frequency standards realizing the SI unit of time. Presently, there is controversy over the value of the BBR shift for the primary $^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ standard. At room temperatures, the values from various groups differ at the $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ level, while modern clocks are aiming at ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ accuracies. We carry out high-precision relativistic many-body calculations of the BBR shift. For the BBR coefficient $\ensuremath{\beta}$ at $T=300\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$, we obtain $\ensuremath{\beta}=\ensuremath{-}(1.710\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$, implying $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ fractional uncertainty. While in accord with the most accurate measurement, our 0.35% accurate value is in a substantial (10%) disagreement with recent semiempirical calculations. We identify an oversight in those calculations.
Nonequilibrium processes and primordial nucleosynthesis

For approximately two decades, it has been accepted that anisotropic cosmologies should produce a helium abundance above that of the standard model. In the last year, several investigators have argued that proper inclusion of nonequilibrium processes involving electron neutrinos actually reverse this conclusion and that primordial nucleosynthesis in anisotropic cosmologies in fact produces much less helium than the standard model. We show that this suggestion is incorrect and that nonequilibrium processes tend to raise helium.
Exercise responses in pulmonary stenosis

Abstract Many children with pulmonary stenosis have a limited response to exercise. The limitation is related to the severity of the stenosis and it improves after relief of the obstruction. The exercise limitation appears to be more marked in adult patients than in children. Work performance is limited by an inability to increase stroke index during exercise. Even though exercise heart rates are normal in these patients, the resulting cardiac index during exercise is often less than expected, and total work, maximal work, or endurance times are reduced. Studies of exercise during cardiac catheterization have shown a similar limitation in the capacity to increase stroke index and an abnormal increase in right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. This combination of exercise abnormalities might be the result of reduced right ventricular contractility, but it may reflect, as well, a reduced ventricular compliance from right ventricular hypertrophy because the changes revert toward normal after relief of the stenosis. Among children with pulmonary stenosis, exercise testing has provided insight about the altered hemodynamics of this cardiac defect. Testing has also been useful to clinicians for quantifying the magnitude of functional limits and the changes with treatment of their patients.
Self-assembling of ethylene-methacrylic acid ionomers in aqueous solutions and as swollen membranes from ESR spectra of amphiphilic spin probes. 2. Dynamics in aggregates and correlation with thermal transitions

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy based on nitroxide spin probes was applied to the study of self-assembling in poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomers in aqueous solutions and in the corresponding membranes swollen by water. The probes selected for study were based on the stearic acid backbone, differed in their hydrophobicity and in the position of the nitroxide group with respect to the head group, and are known to intercalate in the chain aggregates and to report on the hydration level at various depths from the ionomer−solvent surface. The dynamic properties of the aggregates were deduced from ESR spectra measured in the temperature range 120−360 K for the solutions and 120−410 K for the swollen and dry membranes and from thermal transitions measured by DSC. ESR results for the solutions indicate that a clear aggregate−solvent interface exists even at 360 K; inside the aggregate, however, the local mobility is fast on the time scale of the ESR experiment, and the correlation times of the...