cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of standards-based grading at the middle school level

The purpose of this study was to learn about the experiences of teachers as they transition from traditional grading practices to standards-based reporting (SBR). In order to achieve this overall objective, the following research questions framed this qualitative study: 1) What understandings related to practices do middle school teachers have as they transition from traditional grading practices to standards-based reporting? 2) What kinds of supports do teachers need as they transition from traditional grading practices to standards-based reporting? 3) Is there a change in teachers’ clarity regarding what their students know, understand, and do as they transition from traditional grading practices to standards-based reporting? Twelve teachers from a Midwestern suburban middle school were interviewed individually and in focus groups to provide insight into the research questions. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and analyzed. Six themes emerged from the data. First, in a SBR grading scheme, a grade truly represents what a student knows, understands, and is able to do. Second, SBR helps teachers achieve clarity in what their individual students know, understand, and are able to do. Third, active engagement, trust, and support from administration is valued and needed by educators transitioning to SBR. Fourth, resources such as time, professional literature, collaborating with peers, aligning rubrics with the curriculum, observing others implementing SBR, and adopting a reporting tool that is SBRfriendly are essential components of support. Fifth, formative assessment, flexible grouping, and differentiation are instructional practices that naturally lead to SBR. Sixth, opportunities
The Fair Housing Act at Forty: Predatory Lending and the City as Plaintiff

The availability of credit, to individual borrowers and to communities, is an integral factor shaping the geography of housing opportunity. Cities are shaped by the housing and borrowing choices of their residents and the attendant mobility -- or lack of mobility -- of families. When lenders deny credit to neighborhoods or borrowers because of race, communities suffer. And when lenders flood these same neighborhoods with subprime or predatory loan products, the communities suffer once again. The economic gains of individuals and of communities in cities over the last several decades are threatened by massive property devaluations, loss of equity, and foreclosures. These losses threaten the ability of families to move to better neighborhoods, the continued sustainability of marginal urban communities, and the general social and economic health of cities burdened by foreclosures, declining revenues, and increased demands for local services.Predatory lending litigation under the Fair Housing Act attacks this new threat faced by individuals, communities, and cities. This litigation also deploys a new weapon: the city as plaintiff. Cities taking proactive steps to address the effects of race and credit on the geography of the city is a promising evolution. Cities have frequently been the target of fair housing lawsuits but also the site for locally based community development efforts. The failures of housing and development policies over the years to effectively grapple with the urban institutional structures created by decades of racial segregation and animus are, in part, a political failure. But the continuing difficulty in reconciling the pernicious structural effects of racial discrimination and segregation with individual and community wealthbuilding strategies also reflects the complexity of the problem. The city as fair-lending plaintiff offers a hope of reconciliation between race and wealth creation.
Market Failure In African Agricultural Marketing Systems: An Econometric Testing And Analysis Of Market Efficiency

The last few years have seen substantial revivals of interest in the determinants of economic growth in Africa, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper provides an econometric model that help to examine the impact of market share, interest rate and non-economic factors such as external shocks, structural adjustment policies on the GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa. Economic development data covering the period of 1970 to 2004 was used in estimation with ordinary least square (OLS). The results indicate that market share is the crucial element for low GDP in this region of the world and that high interest rate lowers the GDP and therefore impedes market growth. The econometric analysis showed the failure of interest rate to rise with the GDP has been the result of changes in fundamental determinants.
The male gender bias in autism may be due to preferential depletions of oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin receptors positive neurons exposed to certain fragrances during fetal development (LB502)

The male gender bias in autism may be due to preferential depletions of oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin receptors positive neurons exposed to certain fragrances during fetal development Leanna Se...
Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Health in the Korean American Community

In 2010, there were 1.7 million Korean Americans in the United States (U.S. Census, 2010). As a racial/ethnic group in the U.S, they face disparities in health care access and health status. Korean Americans continue to have the highest uninsured rates, limiting their access to care. This chapter will provide a brief overview of Korean immigration history to the U.S., then provide an overview of the latest research on current health issues and concerns facing the Korean American community today.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae cyclin Clb2p is targeted to multiple subcellular locations by cis- and trans-acting determinants

The cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28p associates with the cyclin Clb2p to induce mitosis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Several cell cycle regulatory proteins have been shown to require specific nuclear transport events to exert their regulatory functions. Therefore, we investigated the subcellular localization of wild-type Clb2p and several mutant versions of the protein using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion constructs. Wild-type Clb2p is primarily nuclear at all points of the cell. A point mutation in a potential leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) enhances the nuclear localization of the protein, and delta-yrb2 cells exhibit an apparent Clb2p nuclear export defect. Clb2p contains a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS), and its nuclear localization requires the alpha and beta importins (Srp1p and Kap95p), as well as the yeast Ran GTPase and its regulators. Deletion of the Clb2p NLS causes increased cytoplasmic localization of the protein, as well as accumulation at the bud neck. These data indicate that Clb2p exists in multiple places in the yeast cell, possibly allowing Cdc28p to locally phosphorylate substrates at distinct subcellular sites.
Exploring Teacher Beliefs and Use of Acceleration, Ability Grouping, and Formative Assessment

Few academic interventions for gifted students have generated more empirical support than acceleration and ability grouping, and formative assessment is advocated as a tool that educators can use t...
Evaluating Adhesion Properties and Moisture Damage Susceptibility of Warm-Mix Asphalts: Bitumen Bond Strength and Dynamic Modulus Ratio Tests

Through development and evaluation of the warm-mix asphalt (WMA) mixture design process, increased moisture susceptibility has been cited as one of the potential critical failure modes for WMA. Reduced production temperatures can affect the drying of the aggregate before mixing, the development of adhesion at the asphalt-aggregate interface, and binder stiffness. The objective of this research is to identify the significance of these factors and to define their relative contribution to mixture resistance to moisture damage. To evaluate the contribution of asphalt binder-aggregate adhesion, the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test was implemented on dry and moisture-conditioned samples. The effect of production temperature was simulated by heating aggregate substrates to hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and WMA temperatures before applying the asphalt binder. Furthermore, the effect of reduced binder stiffness resulting from lower production temperatures was considered through establishing two controls for mixture perfor...
The Effect of Hearing Loss on the Perception of Infant- and Adult-Directed Speech

Purpose Infant-directed speech (IDS) facilitates language learning in infants with normal hearing, compared to adult-directed speech (ADS). It is well established that infants with normal hearing p...
Review of The Case for Bureaucracy: A Public Administration Polemic

Goodsell's book examines government bureaucracy from the perspective that public service institutions in the United States are essential, unduly criticized, and probably the most efficient in the w...
Stress- and age-related serum glucose changes in Spontaneously Hypertensive and Sprague-Dawley rats

The serum glucose levels of 90-day-old and 1-year-old male Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were examined in two experiments. Half of each strain and age group were exposed to 51-min daily sessions of unpredictable, uncontrollable grid shocks during a 30-day period prior to sampling via decapitation. The other half remained undisturbed in their cages. Dietary intake was equated across all groups within each strain. Stress-induced increases were observed in both age groups, in both strains (ps < .05). The SHRs showed an age × stress interaction with old, stressed animals having the highest levels (ps < .05). Both younger SD groups had higher levels than corresponding older SD groups (ps < .05).
Neutron Diffraction Study of Temperature-Dependent Properties of Palladium Containing Absorbed Hydrogen

Neutron diffraction techniques have been employed to study the hydrogen-atom configuration in a single-phase sample of beta-PdH at several selected temperatures. The suggested low-temperature ($T\ensuremath{\ll}55\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K) structure of this compound is one which conforms to the space group $R\overline{3}m$, which differs from the high temperature ($T\ensuremath{\gg}55\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K) structure [$\mathrm{Fm}3m$]. The low-temperature structure is formed by a partial migration of hydrogen atoms from octahedral to nearby tetrahedral crystallographic sites in the face-centered cubic palladium lattice. Approximate values of the root-mean-square vibrational amplitude of the hydrogen atoms have been determined to be 0.25 \AA{} ($T=293\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K) and 0.17 \AA{} ($T=4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$K). The anomalous behavior observed in measurements of the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity and heat capacity of this compound is explained by the transfer of the hydrogen atoms between the lattice sites.
Imaging evaluation of breast-feeding and bottle-feeding systems.

Objective :To compare infant sucking and swallowing patterns during feeding with a new artificial nipple and during breast-feeding. Methods : Fifteen healthy, term infants were fed successfully for 1 week with use of the new tricut nipple ; then each infant's oral cavity was examined during feeding by using real-time ultrasonography. Measurements of nipple length and compression were made, together with observations concerning the integrity of the seal formed by the infant's mouth around the nipple. These data were compared with similar data from previous studies of 16 breast-fed infants. Results : Although no artificial feeding system exactly simulates breast-feeding, the new tricut nipple was sucked in a manner similar to the way the human nipple is sucked and delivered milk posteriorly to the foramen cecum region of the tongue, just as the breast does. Conclusion : Although further studies are necessary to evaluate other characteristics of the new tricut nipple, the measurements from this investigation are useful additions to the ultrasound data these investigators have accumulated on various artificial feeding systems. These data may also prove helpful in determining the most appropriate nipples for infants with various feeding disorders.
Adrenergic stimulation of hepatocyte growth factor expression.

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a potent mitogen, is released into plasma at increased levels following injury to certain tissues, including the liver. Early increases in plasma HGF are not due to a release from the injured liver, but rather from distal organs, particularly the lung. We have investigated the ability of norepinephrine (NE), which rises rapidly in plasma after liver resection, to trigger elevated production of HGF in MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Levels of HGF released to culture media and of HGF mRNA increased when cultures were exposed to NE, or to other adrenergic agonists. While stimulation of either beta- or alpha 1 -adrenergic receptors increased HGF expression, responses to NE appear to be mediated primarily via beta receptors. Since NE has already been shown to act as a comitogen with HGF, our findings suggest that adrenergic hormones may act both to induce production of HGF at distal sites, and to enhance the response to HGF at target tissues.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Valvular Stenosis: The Gold Standard for the Next Millennium?

Over the past decade, utilization of cardiac catheterization for preoperative hemodynamic assessment of patients with mitral and aortic stenosis has steadily decreased. The reason for this trend is the use of echocardiography, which is emerging as a gold standard for clinical characterization of valvular lesions. Since cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure that is associated with a significant percentage of complications, echocardiographic evaluation of patients with valvular stenosis is safer and more cost-effective. In the next millennium, echocardiography will probably completely replace the use of catheterization for hemodynamic assessment of the severity of mitral and aortic stenosis.
Failure of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis ΔRD1 ΔpanCD double deletion mutant in a neonatal calf aerosol M. bovis challenge model: Comparisons to responses elicited by M. bovis bacille Calmette Guerin

An attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis RD1 knockout and pantothenate auxotroph (mc(2)6030) vaccine administered at 2 weeks of age failed to protect calves from low dose, aerosol M. bovis challenge at 2.5 months of age. In contrast, M. bovis bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG)-vaccinates had reduced tuberculosis-associated pathology as compared to non- and mc(2)6030-vaccinates. Mycobacterial colonization was not impacted by vaccination. Positive prognostic indicators associated with reduced pathology in the BCG-vaccinated group were decreased antigen induced IFN-gamma, iNOS, IL-4, and MIP1-alpha responses, increased antigen induced FoxP3 expression, and a diminished activation phenotype (i.e., downward arrow CD25+ and CD44+ cells and upward arrow CD62L+ cells) in mycobacterial-stimulated mononuclear cell cultures. The calf sensitization and challenge model provides an informative screen for candidate tuberculosis vaccines before their evaluation in costly non-human, primates.
Abnormal Responses to Monetary Outcomes in Cortex, but not in the Basal Ganglia, in Schizophrenia

Psychosis has been associated with aberrant brain activity concurrent with both the anticipation and integration of monetary outcomes. The extent to which abnormal reward-related neural signals can be observed in chronic, medicated patients with schizophrenia (SZ), however, is not clear. In an fMRI study involving 17 chronic outpatients with SZ and 17 matched controls, we used a monetary incentive delay (MID) task, in which different-colored shapes predicted gains, losses, or neutral outcomes. Subjects needed to respond to a target within a time window in order to receive the indicated gain or avoid the indicated loss. Group differences in blood-oxygen-level-dependent responses to cues and outcomes were assessed through voxel-wise whole-brain analyses and regions-of-interest analyses in the neostriatum and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Significant group by outcome valence interactions were observed in the medial and lateral PFC, lateral temporal cortex, and amygdalae, such that controls, but not patients, showed greater activation for gains, relative to losses. In the striatum, neural activity was modulated by outcome magnitude in both groups. Additionally, we found that ratings of negative symptoms in patients correlated with sensitivity to obtained losses in medial PFC, obtained gains in lateral PFC, and anticipated gains in left ventral striatum. Sensitivity to obtained gains in lateral PFC also correlated with positive symptom scores in patients. Our findings of systematic relationships between clinical symptoms and neural responses to stimuli associated with rewards and punishments offer promise that reward-related neural responses may provide sensitive probes of the effectiveness of treatments for negative symptoms.
Physiologic evaluation of ischemia using cardiac CT: Current status of CT myocardial perfusion and CT fractional flow reserve

Cardiac CT, specifically coronary CT angiography (CTA), is an established technology which detects anatomically significant coronary artery disease with a high sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with invasive coronary angiography. However, the limited ability of CTA to determine the physiologic significance of intermediate coronary stenoses remains a shortcoming compared with other noninvasive methods such as single-photon emission CT, stress echocardiography, and stress cardiac magnetic resonance. Two methods have been investigated recently: (1) myocardial CT perfusion and (2) fractional flow reserve (FFR) computed from CT (FFRCT). Improving diagnostic accuracy by combining the anatomic aspects of coronary CTA with a physiologic assessment via CT perfusion or FFRCT may reduce the need for additional testing to evaluate for ischemia, reduce downstream costs and risks associated with an invasive procedure, and lead to improved patient outcomes. Given a rapidly expanding body of research in this field, this comparative review summarizes the present literature while contrasting the benefits, limitations, and future directions in myocardial CT perfusion and FFRCT imaging.
A co-ligand complex anchors Plasmodium falciparum merozoites to the erythrocyte invasion receptor band 3.

In Plasmodium falciparum malaria, erythrocyte invasion by circulating merozoites may occur via two distinct pathways involving either a sialic acid-dependent or -independent mechanism. Earlier, we identified two nonglycosylated exofacial regions of erythrocyte band 3 termed 5ABC and 6A as an important host receptor in the sialic acid-independent invasion pathway. 5ABC, a major segment of this receptor, interacts with the 42-kDa processing product of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP142) through its 19-kDa C-terminal domain. Here, we show that two regions of merozoite surface protein 9 (MSP9), also known as acidic basic repeat antigen, interact directly with 5ABC during erythrocyte invasion by P. falciparum. Native MSP9 as well as recombinant polypeptides derived from two regions of MSP9 (MSP9/Δ1 and MSP9/Δ2) interacted with both 5ABC and intact erythrocytes. Soluble 5ABC added to the assay mixture drastically diminished the binding of MSP9 to erythrocytes. Recombinant MSP9/Δ1 and MSP9/Δ2 present in the culture medium blocked P. falciparum reinvasion into erythrocytes in vitro. Native MSP9 and MSP142, the two ligands binding to the 5ABC receptor, existed as a stable complex. Our results establish a novel concept wherein the merozoite exploits a specific complex of co-ligands on its surface to target a single erythrocyte receptor during invasion. This new paradigm poses a new challenge in the development of a vaccine for blood stage malaria.
OH airglow fluctuations at 1.65 and 2.15 μ

Analyses of fluctuations in airglow intensity at two wavelengths during the past two years are presented. At 1.65 μ the r.m.s. spatial fluctuation along almucantars ranges from 19–0.9 per cent at 1.65 μ, and from 12 to 0.6 per cent at 2.15 μ; at both wavelengths it increases with decreasing elevation angle and with increasing scan length. The 1.65 μ spatial fluctuations are approximately twice as large as those at 2.15 μ. The r.m.s. temporal fluctuation at a given point averages 10 per cent during the course of the night at both wavelengths. Temporal fluctuations occur on time scales of min to hr. From night to night the average airglow intensity varies by ±32 per cent at 1.65 μ and ±16 per cent at 2.15 μ. The measurements of absolute zenithal intensity during this study resulted in values of (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10−8 W/cm2 ster μ at 1.65 μ and (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10−8 W/cm2 ster μ at 2.15 μ.
Cytosolic Calcium and Insulin Resistance

The presence of insulin resistance in many patients with hypertension has become a well-recognized phenomenon. However, the mechanism of this association remains enigmatic. We have hypothesized that abnormal cellular calcium handling, particularly elevations in cytosolic free calcium concentrations, may represent a common intracellular abnormality (a missing link) that is responsible for the frequent co-existence of insulin resistance and hypertension. We have shown recently that sustained elevations of cytosolic free calcium in insulin target cells, such as are observed in patients with obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in some patients with hypertension, may lead to the development of insulin resistance. Although the mechanisms that lead to such increases are not yet well understood, they appear to include an enhanced influx of calcium via calcium channels. We found that the presence of the calcium antagonist nitrendipine in the incubation medium prevented increases in cytosolic free calcium concentration and ameliorated the insulin resistance induced by various mechanisms. To further evaluate the existence of an association between elevated levels of cytosolic calcium and diminished cellular sensitivity to insulin in patients with essential hypertension, we studied insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro in isolated adipocytes from older hypertensive, nondiabetic subjects. Obese hypertensive individuals demonstrated marked hyperinsulinemia and significantly reduced submaximally stimulated adipocyte 2-deoxyglucose uptake. One month of therapy with nitrendipine (10 mg twice daily) reduced blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, reduced plasma insulin to control values in obese hypertensive individuals, and restored adipocyte 2-deoxyglucose uptake at submaximally effective insulin concentrations to control values in both obese hypertensive subjects and those of normal weight. The mechanism whereby high levels of cytosolic calcium interfere with the action of insulin appears to involve the postreceptor stages of insulin action. In particular, high levels of cytosolic calcium inhibit phosphoserine phosphatase activity, thus preventing normal dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase and insulin regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT-4) in response to insulin. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.
Strategic Noise Traders and Liquidity Pressure with a Physically Deliverable Futures Contract

Abstract Do physically deliverable futures contracts induce liquidity pressure in the underlying spot market? The answer is believed to be no since the asset is delivered sometimes after the expiration of the contract so that the futures trader's payoff does not clearly depend on the price of the underlying stock at expiration. We construct a rational expectations equilibrium model in which a strategic uninformed trader induces liquidity pressure in the underlying spot market at the expiration of a physically deliverable futures contract. Liquidity pressure is the result of a pure informational advantage: if it is known that futures traders hedge their position in the spot market then a strategic trader with no information about the fundamental value of the underlying has an incentive to create noise in the futures market in order to gain information on the composition of the spot order flow at future auctions. We show that informed traders benefit from this form of strategic noise and that the efficiency of the prices remains unaffected.
Kinematic Constraints on Glacier Contributions to 21st-Century Sea-Level Rise

On the basis of climate modeling and analogies with past conditions, the potential for multimeter increases in sea level by the end of the 21st century has been proposed. We consider glaciological conditions required for large sea-level rise to occur by 2100 and conclude that increases in excess of 2 meters are physically untenable. We find that a total sea-level rise of about 2 meters by 2100 could occur under physically possible glaciological conditions but only if all variables are quickly accelerated to extremely high limits. More plausible but still accelerated conditions lead to total sea-level rise by 2100 of about 0.8 meter. These roughly constrained scenarios provide a "most likely" starting point for refinements in sea-level forecasts that include ice flow dynamics.
Buckling Of Thin Film Thermoelectrics

This work investigates buckling behavior of thin film thermoelectrics subjected to a temperature gradient. Both a single-layer thermoelectric film and multilayered structures are studied. The multilayered structure consists of a p-type and n-type thermocouple separated by an insulating layer with or without additional supporting membrane layers. The temperatures, and thermoelectrically induced stresses and membrane forces are first presented. The elastic stability theories of homogeneous plates and laminated composites are subsequently used to determine the temperature differential between the hot and cold junctions that causes buckling of the thin film structures. The numerical results show that a single-layer thermoelectric film could buckle at a temperature differential of around 10 K for large length-to-thickness ratios. The multilayered thermoelectric thin film structures exhibit significantly higher buckling temperature differentials due to reduced overall length-to-thickness ratios.
The Accuracy, Consistency, and Speed of Five Equations of State for Stellar Hydrodynamics

We compare the thermodynamic properties and execution speed of five independent equations of state. A wide range of temperatures, densities, and compositions are considered—conditions appropriate for modeling the collapse of a cloud of hydrogen gas (or an exploding supernova) to the outer layers of a neutron star. The pressures and specific thermal energies calculated by each equation-of-state routine are reasonably accurate (typically 0.1% error or less) and agree remarkably well with each other, despite the different approaches and approximations used in each routine. The derivatives of the pressure and specific thermal energies with respect to the temperature and density generally show less accuracy (typically 1% error or less) and more disagreement with one another. Thermodynamic consistency, as measured by deviations from the appropriate Maxwell relations, shows that the Timmes equation of state and the Nadyozhin equation of state achieve thermodynamic consistency to a high degree of precision. The execution speed of the five equation-of-state routines—evaluated across several different machine architectures, compiler options, and modes of operation—differ dramatically. The Arnett equation of state is the fastest of the five routines, with the Nadyozhin equation of state close behind.
Overlapping Consensus or Marketplace of Religions? Rawls and Smith

In this paper, I examine the claim that Rawls’s overlapping consensus is too narrow to allow most mainstream religions’ participation in political discourse. I do so by asking whether religious exclusion is a consequence of belief or action, using conversion as a paradigm case. After concluding that this objection to Rawls is, in fact, defensible, and that the overlapping consensus excludes both religious belief and action, I examine an alternative approach to managing religious pluralism as presented by Adam Smith. I show that Smith’s so-called “marketplace of religions” assumes and encourages religious conversion. I then offer objections to Smith’s approach from Rawls’s point of view, concluding that, while Rawls cannot adequately respond to the Smithian challenge, in the end the two positions are complimentary.
Computer simulation of impact-induced particle breakage

Abstract The breakage induced in single circular particles that impact on solid plates has been studied using a two-dimensional simulation of solid fracture. The simulation allows the computer ‘experimenter’ to vary independently material properties such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and work of fracture, flexibility that is unavailable in direct experimentation. Where comparison is possible, the simulation appears to mimic experimental results accurately. This study shows that the size distributions are, as would be expected, most strongly dependent on the collisional energy. Of secondary importance is the ratio of the impact velocity to the sound speed within the solid material. Finally, the size distributions show little effect of Poisson's ratio.
Inhibitory effects of desmethylimipramine on the action of thyroxine on cardiac beta-receptors and myocardial phosphorylase.

The influence of chronic administration of desmethylimipramine (DMI) on the actions of thyroxine (T4) on rat heart was studied. Administration od DMI (10 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) for 7 days did not alter the cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor density or the affinity for (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol (3H-DHA) but diminished the activation of myocardial phosphorylase produced by isoproterenol. Chronic injections of T4 (500 microgram/rat) for 5 days caused an increase in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and potentiated the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol on cardiac phosphorylase alpha activity. When DMI was administered concomitantly with T4, there was no increase in the density of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors and the T4-induced potentiation of the activation of heart phosphorylase by isoproterenol was abolished. However, simultaneous treatment of the rats with DMI and TR4 did not diminish the positive chronotropic effect of T4. It was concluded that DMI, while not affecting the population of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors by itself, prevents the increase in these receptors produced by T4 and obviates the T4-induced potentiation of phosphorylase activation by isoproterenol. That the tachycardia caused by T4 persists in hearts in which DMI has impeded the increase in myocardial beta-receptors suggests that the increase in heart rate is not dependent on cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor density.
Interobserver Agreement on First-Stage Conversation Analytic Transcription

This investigation assesses interobserver agreement on conversation analytic (CA) transcription. Four professional CA transcribers spent a maximum of 3 hours transcribing 2.5 minutes of a previously unknown, naturally occurring, mundane telephone call. Researchers unitized transcripts into words, sounds, silences, inbreaths, outbreaths, and laugh tokens, and then coded each of 1,827 units on as many as 15 transcription dimensions. Agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa for nominal level data: Speaker designation, unit sequencing, semantics, orthography, cutoff, and plosiveness reached the level of “substantial” agreement (90% or greater accuracy). Pitch, overlap, doubt, and smile voice reached the level of “moderate” agreement (80‐89% accuracy), while pace, sound stretch, underline/amplitude, and intonation fell below acceptability except when examined post hoc as presence versus absence of the feature. Silence lengths, examined as ratio-level data, were reliable at the “acceptable” level (alpha > .70) among those using a counting method (as opposed to stopwatch or other mechanical means). We make recommendations for transcription training.
Some basic elements of continuous selection models.

Abstract We present a general framework for the discussion of continuous population genetic models of monoecious diploid populations that incorporate one or more of age structure, mortality selection, mating structure, and fertility of matings. Within this framework, we then develop the specific models recently presented by Charlesworth (1970 , Models 1 and 2) and Nagylaki and Crow (1974) and establish conditions under which the Malthusian parameters of these papers are equivalent.
Continuous extrusion of reacting polyurethane foam

This paper explores the concept of continuously extruding reacting polyurethane foams. The control of the process is hampered by the fact that the state of the conversion of the extrudate is not directly observable. We present the general concept, describe an experimental apparatus, present a mathematical model of the process, and report on some initial experimentation. In the experimental work, low density (0.5 g/cc) polyurethane foam was extruded in a cylindrical cross section at a rate of 250 g/min. Maximum run time was thirty minutes. In all cases, the experiment had to be stopped due to problems in the process. Problems requiring further investigation were identified: channelling of uncured liquid foam around the solid cured foam, poor skin quality due to adhesion of the foam to the wall, and the general lack of observability of the conversion field.
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Regulates Stress Responses and MicroRNA Activity in the Cytoplasm

Poly(ADP-ribose) is a major regulatory macromolecule in the nucleus, where it regulates transcription, chromosome structure, and DNA damage repair. Functions in the interphase cytoplasm are less understood. Here, we identify a requirement for poly(ADP-ribose) in the assembly of cytoplasmic stress granules, which accumulate RNA-binding proteins that regulate the translation and stability of mRNAs upon stress. We show that poly(ADP-ribose), six specific poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and two poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase isoforms are stress granule components. A subset of stress granule proteins, including microRNA-binding Argonaute family members Ago1-4, are modified by poly(ADP-ribose), and such modification increases upon stress, a condition when both microRNA-mediated translational repression and microRNA-directed mRNA cleavage are relieved. Similar relief of repression is also observed upon overexpression of specific poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases or, conversely, upon knockdown of glycohydrolase. We conclude that poly(ADP-ribose) is a key regulator of posttranscriptional gene expression in the cytoplasm.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of silicon phthalocyanines with axial siloxy ligands bearing alkylamine termini.

Eleven silicon phthalocyanines which can be grouped into two homologous series [SiPc[OSi(CH3)2(CH2)nN(CH3)2]2, n = 1−6 (series 1), and SiPc[OSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N((CH2)nH)2]2, n = 1−6 (series 2)] as well as an analogous phthalocyanine, SiPc[OSi(CH3)2(CH2)3NH2]2, were synthesized. The ground state absorption spectra, the triplet state dynamics, and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 10 of these phthalocyanines were measured. All compounds displayed similar ground state absorption spectral properties in dimethylformamide solution with single Q band maxima at 668 ± 2 nm and B band maxima at 352 ± 1 nm. Photoexcitation of all compounds in the B bands generated the optical absorptions of the triplet states which decayed with lifetimes in the hundreds of microseconds region. Oxygen quenching bimolecular rate constants near 2 × 109 M-1 s-1 were measured, indicating that energy transfer to oxygen was exergonic. Singlet oxygen quantum yields, ΦΔ, were measured, and those phthalocyanines in which the axial ligands are term...
Nursing students' personal experiences involving alcohol problems.

This article discusses the views and beliefs of nursing students toward people who abuse alcohol. An original study published in a separate article [ Archives of Psychiatric Nursing , (2003); (4) 17 : 156–164.] examined this relationship with both a quantitative and a qualitative design. Three open-ended questions allowed for further qualitative exploration about relationships with others who have alcohol problems and beliefs about recovery. The chronic nature of alcoholism was clearly identified by students who described it as a lifelong process. Most students (79%) expressed belief that recovery was possible whether they had personal experience with people who have alcohol problems or not. The level of optimism was surprisingly high in this sample of nursing students, especially because many had had a personal experience with someone who abused alcohol. Students come to the educational setting with a clear and accurate view of the lifelong commitment that may be needed to recover from alcohol addiction, but they also come with an overly optimistic view of recovery. How this optimism impacts future care is unknown. If nursing students hold an unrealistically positive view of recovery, they may be ill prepared to handle the disappointments associated with treatment such as relapse, interpersonal conflict, health deterioration, or other related sequelae.
Benzene Radical Ion in Equilibrium with Solvated Electrons

Radical anions of benzene (C6H6) and its monofluoro and -methyl derivatives are found to exist in equilibrium with solvated electrons in THF solution. At 298 K C6H6•- is less stable than the solvated electron with Keq= 0.22 M-1, but at lower temperatures C6H6•- is favored, Keq reaching 65 M-1 at 218 K. The energetics (ΔH° = −26 kJ/mol; ΔS° = −101 J/deg mol) are remarkable because the same reaction is endoergic by 1.17 eV in the gas phase. For fluorobenzene, Keq =1.7 × 102 M-1 at 298 K and is also strongly temperature-dependent with a similar, large negative entropy change (ΔH° = −49 kJ/mol; ΔS° = −121 J/deg mol). The energetics can be understood by taking into account a substantial (∼1 eV) electronic energy of the solvated electron. The large apparent “entropy changes” may include changes that are not entropic, but arise instead from temperature and density dependent enthalpy changes. The optical absorption spectrum of C6H6•- is similar to that reported at 77 K. As would be expected for an ion of small si...
Measurement of hemoglobin in long-term fixed erythroid cells: application development for cell science experiments in microgravity

Studying the effects of microgravity on cell differentiation will enhance our understanding of fundamental biology and is indispensable for a sustained space program. Rauscher murine erythroleukemic cells were chosen as a model system to study erythroid cell differentiation aboard the International Space Station because these cells undergo differentiation in response to the natural inducer, erythropoietin, as well as various chemical inducers. We have now developed a method to quantify hemoglobin in Rauscher cells after weeks of fixation and storage required for such space biology experiments. By exploiting the pseudoperoxidase activity of hemoglobin and by using reagents that yield a soluble chromophore that freely passes out of fixed cells, we developed a highly specific and sensitive assay applicable to cells fixed as long as 4 months.
An old dog with yet another trick: an automated, wet- or dry-deposition Tauber trap

Automated pollen traps, with the ability to open and close on a timer, are of great benefit in collecting modern pollen rain samples at high frequency in remote or difficult to access study sites. This short communication introduces and discusses the design of a new, automated, wet- or dry-deposition Tauber-style pollen trap. This trap improves upon existing designs by internalizing all moving parts and utilizing more durable materials. Test results show that these improvements not only increase the versatility of the trap, by allowing for collection via wet- or dry-deposition, but greatly reduce the likelihood of damage or failure from strong winds or rime/snow accumulation.
The SHAPES strategy: an NMR-based approach for lead generation in drug discovery

Abstract Background: Recently, it has been shown that nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may be used to identify ligands that bind to low molecular weight protein drug targets. Recognizing the utility of NMR as a very sensitive method for detecting binding, we have focused on developing alternative approaches that are applicable to larger molecular weight drug targets and do not require isotopic labeling. Results: A new method for lead generation (SHAPES) is described that uses NMR to detect binding of a limited but diverse library of small molecules to a potential drug target. The compound scaffolds are derived from shapes most commonly found in known therapeutic agents. NMR detection of low (μM-mM) affinity binding is achieved using either differential line broadening or transferred NOE (nuclear Overhauser effect) NMR techniques. Conclusions: The SHAPES method for lead generation by NMR is useful for identifying potential lead classes of drugs early in a drug design program, and is easily integrated with other discovery tools such as virtual screening, high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry.
Normative Data for Ninety-Three Elderly Persons on the Schenkenberg Line Bisection Test

Data are presented for 93 non-brain damaged elderly Wisconsin residents on a test of unilateral neglect. This line bisection test, reported by Schenkenberg and colleagues (1980) to discriminate, among patients with and without neglect, can, with the normative information reported here, be used to identify presence of, and severity of, unilateral neglect in the brain damaged elderly patient. Any apparent neglect should, however, be confirmed by other evaluation procedures.
Functional osteology of the avian wrist and the evolution of flapping flight

The avian wrist is extraordinarily adapted for flight. Its intricate osteology is constructed to perform four very different, but extremely important, flight-related functions. (1) Throughout the downstroke, the cuneiform transmits force from the carpometacarpus to the ulna and prevents the manus from hyperpronating. (2) While gliding or maneuvering, the scapholunar interlocks with the carpometacarpus and prevents the manus from supinating. By employing both carpal bones simultaneously birds can lock the manus into place during flight. (3) Throughout the downstroke-upstroke transition, the articular ridge on the distal extremity of the ulna, in conjuction with the cuneiform, guides the manus from the plane of the wing toward the body. (4) During take-off or landing, the upstroke of some heavy birds exhibits a pronounced flick of the manus. The backward component of this flick is produced by reversing the wrist mechanism that enables the manus to rotate toward the body during the early upstroke. The upward component of the flick is generated by mechanical interplay between the ventral ramus of the cuneiform, the ventral ridge of the carpometacarpus, and the ulnocarpo-metacarpal ligament. Without the highly specialized osteology of the wrist it is doubtful that birds would be able to carry out successfully the wing motions associated with flapping flight. Yet in Archaeopteryx, the wrist displays a very different morphology that lacks all the key features found in the modern avian wrist. Therefore, Archaeopteryx was probably incapable of executing the kinematics of modern avian powered flight.
Release of Tolmetin from Carbomw Gel Systems

AbstractGel-formulations containing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, tolmetin, were prepared using three different carbomers namely, Carbopol™ 934, 940 and 941. Effects of cosolvent composition, carbomer type, carbomer concentration and drug concentration on drug release from the gels were analyzed by factorial design. Gels with high aqueous content yielded significantly higher tolmetin release rates than gels with lower aqueous content. Although no significant differences in drug release characteristics were observed between the three carbomer gels, there was a trend in the release profiles; fastest drug release was observed from Carbopol™ 941 gels and the slowest drug release was observed from Carbopol™ 940 gels. Increasing the carbomer concentration from 1% w/w to 2% w/w had no significant effect on drug release from gel formulations prepared with all the three different types of carbomers. However, increasing the tolmetin concentration in the gels from 1% w/w to 4% w/w resulted in a dramatic inc...
Central nervous dysfunction in uremia.

Abstract The mechanisms of central nervous system dysfunction in uremia are multifactorial and only partially characterized. Studies using sealed presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes) for in vitro ion transport and metabolism of neurotransmitter in chronic renal failure (CRF) neuronal cell culture and in vivo brain structure microdialysis generated significant new information. An increase in total calcium content of the cerebral cortex accompanied by increased levels of cytosolic calcium ([Ca 2+ ]i) in synaptosomes are common findings in rats with CRF. Mechanisms leading to the increase in [Ca 2+ ]i include increased calcium uptake mediated by parathyroid hormone and decreased activity of Na + ,K + -adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca 2+ -ATPase of synaptosomes in CRF rats. Moreover, these synaptosomes respond inappropriately to depolarization, which can impair neurotransmitter metabolism. Brain γ-aminobutyric acid content, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine release uptake and degradation are affected by uremia. These may lead to certain somatic, behavioral, and motor dysfunctions in uremia. Many derangements of the central nervous system in uremia appear to be mediated by secondary hyperparathyroidism of CRF because parathyroidectomy of animals with CRF prevented the increase in basal levels of [Ca 2+ ]i and derangements in neurotransmitter metabolism. The role of other neurotoxins, such as guanidinosuccinic acid, are also reviewed. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Effect of amplification of dhfr and lac Z genes on growth and beta-galactosidase expression in suspension cultures of recombinant CHO cells.

Studies were conducted to characterize the effect of gene amplification and foreign gene expression on recombinant CHO cell growth. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with an expression vector containing the gene for dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and the gene for human β-interferon (β-IFN) or thelac Z gene which codes for β-galactosidase (β-gal). The recombinant genes in these CHO cells were amplified stepwise by growth in 0, 10−7, and 10−6 M methotrexate (MTX), and the β-gal expressing cells were adapted to suspension culture. Flow cytometric methods (FCM) were used to measure the distribution of amplifieddhfr gene content and foreign β-gal gene expression in the cell populations. A biochemical assay for β-gal was also used. Beta-gal expression was found to increase with increasing gene amplification. The growth rate of recombinant CHO cells at 10−7 M MTX was found to be 20% lower than that of recombinant CHO cells in MTX-free medium, and the cell growth rate at 10−6 M MTX was 20% lower than that of recombinant CHO cells at 10−7 M MTX. There was no effect of 10−5 M MTX on the growth of CHO-DG44 (dhfr-) cells. The reduction of growth rate in recombinant CHO cells is therefore thought to be mainly due to the effect ofdhfr and foreign gene amplification and increased β-galactosidase expression.