cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscular activity patterns in 1-legged vs. 2-legged pedaling.

Abstract Background One-legged pedaling is of interest to elite cyclists and clinicians. However, muscular usage in 1-legged vs. 2-legged pedaling is not fully understood. Thus, the study was aimed to examine changes in leg muscle activation patterns between 2-legged and 1-legged pedaling. Methods Fifteen healthy young recreational cyclists performed both 1-legged and 2-legged pedaling trials at about 30 Watt per leg. Surface electromyography electrodes were placed on 10 major muscles of the left leg. Linear envelope electromyography data were integrated to quantify muscle activities for each crank cycle quadrant to evaluate muscle activation changes. Results Overall, the prescribed constant power requirements led to reduced downstroke crank torque and extension-related muscle activities (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and soleus) in 1-legged pedaling. Flexion-related muscle activities (biceps femoris long head, semitendinosus, lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, tensor fasciae latae, and tibialis anterior) in the upstroke phase increased to compensate for the absence of contralateral leg crank torque. During the upstroke, simultaneous increases were seen in the hamstrings and uni-articular knee extensors, and in the ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors. At the top of the crank cycle, greater hip flexor activity stabilized the pelvis. Conclusion The observed changes in muscle activities are due to a variety of changes in mechanical aspects of the pedaling motion when pedaling with only 1 leg, including altered crank torque patterns without the contralateral leg, reduced pelvis stability, and increased knee and ankle stiffness during the upstroke.
Cultivating Instructor’s Reflection: Leveraging Partnerships and Team Efforts

This case study documented the critical reflective practice of an instructor in a higher education context related to teaching and learning approaches. In particular, the reflections unveiled ways ...
Examining Social Determinants of Health, Stigma, and COVID-19 Disparities

There is growing attention to disparities in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) in racial/ethnic communities. The conditions leading to these disparities may be a function of social determinants of health and stigma linked to the disease. It is important to examine how these factors may be implicated in COVID-19 onset, treatment, and outcomes. A brief overview of these issues allows for a cursory examination of the role of social determinants of health and stigma in COVID-19. Consideration is given to how understanding COVID-19 in the context of social determinants and stigma may be included in interventions to mitigate its transmission within vulnerable populations.
Updating the Secondary Transition Research Base: Evidence- and Research-Based Practices in Functional Skills:

Transition education should be grounded in quality research. To do so, educators need information on which practices are effective for teaching students with disabilities transition-related skills....
Genomic diversity of class I integrons from antimicrobial resistant strains of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from livestock, poultry and humans

Introduction Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a serious issue prevalent in various agriculture-related foodborne pathogens including Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) Typhimurium. Class I integrons have been detected in Salmonella spp. strains isolated from food producing animals and humans and likely play a critical role in transmitting antimicrobial resistance within and between livestock and human populations. Objective The main objective of our study was to characterize class I integron presence to identify possible integron diversity among and between antimicrobial resistant Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from various host species, including humans, cattle, swine, and poultry. Methods An association between integron presence with multidrug resistance was evaluated. One hundred and eighty-three S. Typhimurium isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Class I integrons were detected and sequenced. Similarity of AMR patterns between host species was also studied within each integron type. Results One hundred seventy-four (95.1%) of 183 S.Typhimurium isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial and 82 (44.8%) were resistant to 5 or more antimicrobials. The majority of isolates resistant to at least one antimicrobial was from humans (45.9%), followed by swine (19.1%) and then bovine (16.9%) isolates; poultry showed the lowest number (13.1%) of resistant isolates. Our study has demonstrated high occurrence of class I integrons in S. Typhimurium across different host species. Only one integron size was detected in poultry isolates. There was a significant association between integron presence of any size and specific multidrug resistance pattern among the isolates from human, bovine and swine. Conclusions Our study has demonstrated a high occurrence of class I integrons of different sizes in Salmonella Typhimurium across various host species and their association with multidrug resistance. This demonstration indicates that multidrug resistant Salmonella Typhimurium is of significant public health occurrence and reflects on the importance of judicious use of antimicrobials among livestock and poultry.
First-Time Mom’s Breastfeeding Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide from First Latch to Weaning: by Chrisie Rosenthal. Rockridge Press, 2020, 188 pp., $14.99/$9.99 (paperback/ebook), ISBN 9781647399504

First time mothers are often overwhelmed with information and not sure where to start. They are not only looking for health information for themselves but for their new child. Rosenthal, an Interna...
COBRE on Opioid and Overdose: A Collaborative Research-Based Center Addressing the Crises in Rhode Island and Beyond

Overdose deaths across the country have spiked since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is crucial now, more than ever, to address the continuing and worsening, complex and dynamic opioid and overdose epidemics. In 2018, The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) on Opioids and Overdose, based at Rhode Island Hospital, launched with three major goals: 1) establish a center of scientific excellence on opioids and overdose; 2) train the next generation of scientists to become independent investigators and address the opioid and overdose crises; and 3) contribute to the scientific progress and solutions to combat these epidemics. To date, we have made substantial progress. While the opioid and overdose crises continue to evolve, the COBRE on Opioid and Overdose and its team of investigators are well poised to address the daunting task of understanding and meaningfully addressing these deadly epidemics, with the ultimate goal of saving lives.
Partial Purification and Characterization of an Aspartate Racemase from Streptococcus faecalis

Abstract An aspartate racemase has been purified approximately 60-fold from the supernatant fraction of Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 9790), a gram-positive organism whose peptidoglycan is cross-linked by d-isoasparagine residues. This partially purified preparation racemizes l-alanine about half as rapidly as it racemizes l-aspartate. With l-glutamate as substrate, it exhibits no racemase activity. In the presence of dithiothreitol, the aspartate racemase is remarkably thermostable at pH 6 and pH 8 to 9, but it is thermolabile at pH 7.5. Other properties of the enzyme are described.
Sample Size and Power

In this chapter, in addition to the formal method of computing the sample size and power, we will discuss ways to compute sample size and power based on normal approximation through a simplified and conservative approach. As pointed out previously in assessing agreement, the traditional null and alternative hypotheses should be reversed. The conventional rejection region is now the region of declaring agreement, and is usually one-sided. Asymptotic power and sample size calculations will proceed by this principle.
Adaptive Identification of a Flexible Structure by a New Multichannel Lattice Filter

A new multichannel lattice filter is used to identify a multichannel ARMA model for a large flexible truss from experimental data. The numerical results demonstrate the fast convergence of the adaptive lattice filter, and illustrate the importance of using multiple measurement channels simultaneously in identifying flexible structures with repeated or nearly repeated frequencies.
DNA polymerase from rat liver chromosomal proteins. Alteration of template specificity and alkaline deoxyribonuclease activity.

Under standard assay conditions, the replicative DNA polymerase partially purified from rat liver non-histone chromosomal proteins exhibited a marked preference for native DNA over heat-denatured DNA as the template. However, work reported in the present paper demonstrates that this template preference could be reversed by changing the enzyme to template ratio in the assay system. This change in template preference was observed when either the concentration of DNA polymerase or of DNA was varied. Furthermore, it is shown that this alteration in template specificity is not the direct result of the action of an alkaline endonuclease present in the DNA polymerase preparation.
Neutralization-Reionization of alkenylammonium cations: An experimental and ab initio study of intramolecular N-H … C=C interactions in cations and hypervalent ammonium radicals

A series of isomeric hexenylammonium and hexenyldimethylammonium cations were neutralized by collisional electron transfer in the gas phase in an attempt to generate hypervalent ammonium radicals. The radicals dissociated completely on the 4.8–5.4 µs time scale. Radicals in which the hexene double bond was in the 3-, 4-, and 5-positions dissociated by competitive N-H and N=C bond cleavages. Allylic 2-hexen-1-ylammonium and 2-hexen-1-yldimethylammonium radicals underwent predominant cleavages of allylic N-C bonds. Deuterium labeling experiments revealed no intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the hypervalent ammonium group to the hexene double bond. Ab initio and density functional theory calculations showed that alkenylammonium and alkenylmethyloxonium ions preferred hydrogen bonded structures in the gas phase. The stabilization through intramolecular H bonding in 3-buten-1-ylammonium and 3-buten-1-yl methyloxonium ions was calculated by B3LYP/6-311G(2d,p) at 26 and 18 kJ mol−1, respectively. No intramolecular hydrogen bonding was found for the allylammonium ion. The hypervalent 3-buten-1-yl-methyloxonium radical was calculated to be unbound and predicted to dissociate exothermically by O-H bond cleavage. This dissociation may provide kinetic energy for the hydrogen atom to overcome a small energy barrier for exothermic addition to the double bond. The 3-butten-1-ylammonium and allylammonium radicals were found to be bound and preferred gauche conformations without intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Vertical neutralization of alkenylammonium ions was accompanied by small Franck-Condon effects. The failure to detect stable or metastable hypervalent alkenylammonium radicals was ascribed to the low activation barriers to exothermic dissociations by N-H and N-C bond cleavages.
The systematics of right whales (Mysticeti: Balaenidae)

Balaenidae (right whales) are large, critically endangered baleen whales represented by four living species. The evolutionary relationships of balaenids are poorly known, with the number of genera, relationships to fossil taxa, and position within Mysticeti in contention. This study employs a comprehensive set of morphological characters to address aspects of balaenid phylogeny. A sister-group relationship between neobalaenids and balaenids is strongly supported, although this conflicts with molecular evidence, which may be an artifact of long-branch attraction (LBA). Monophyly of Balaenidae is supported, and three major clades are recognized: (1) extinct genus Balaenula, (2) extant and extinct species of the genus Eubalaena, and (3) extant and extinct species of the genus Balaena plus the extinct taxon, Balaenella. The relationships of these clades to one another, as well as to the early Miocene stem balaenid, Morenocetus parvus, remain unresolved. Pliocene taxa, Balaenula astensis and Balaenula balaenopsis, form a clade that is the sister group to the Japanese Pliocene Balaenula sp. Eubalaena glacialis and Pliocene Eubalaena belgica, are in an unresolved polytomy with a clade including E. japonica and E. australis. Extant and fossil species of Balaena form a monophyletic group that is sister group to the Dutch Pliocene Balaenella, although phylogenetic relationships within Balaena remain unresolved.
Computational modelling of 3D turning: Influence of edge micro-geometry on forces, stresses, friction and tool wear in PcBN tooling

Abstract In this paper, computational modelling of 3D turning process in the presence of variable design cutting tool inserts is studied. Turning of alloy steel, AISI 4340, which utilized in high strength mechanical components for automotive and aerospace industry steel with uniform and variable edge design Polycrystalline cubic Boron Nitride (PcBN) inserts is performed. In the experiments chip geometry, forces and tool wear are measured. 3D computational modelling is utilized to predict chip formation, forces, stresses, temperatures and tool wear on uniform and variable edge design tools. Influence of variable edge tooling on resultant pressure-dependent friction has been investigated by utilizing 3D process simulations. Predicted forces are compared with experiments until pressure-dependent shear friction factor is solved. In general, a lower friction concentration is found for variable edge tooling. The temperature and stress distributions and tool wear contours reveal the advantages of variable edge micro-geometry design.
Radiation‐induced polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene and 1,2,3,4,5‐pentafluorostyrene at high pressure

Tetrafluoroethylene (A) and 1,2,3,4,5-pentafluorostyrene (B) were irradiated at 15/sup 0/C at autogenous pressure by use of 30 to 92 mole percent A and at 5000 atm by use of 42 to 99.9 mole percent A. The high-pressure results indicate that the reactivity ratio r/sub A/ for monomer addition to A-ended radicals is 0.005; the other reactivity ratio r/sub B/ appears to vary from 15 to 60 generally increasing with the A content of the charge. At autogenous pressure r/sub A/ is small, but a precise determination is not possible because of the very low polymerization rate when the A content of the charge is high. However, if r/sub A/ is less than 0.01, then values of r/sub B/ vary from 15 to 50, again generally increasing with the A content of the charge. Mixtures of A and B exhibit positive deviations from Raoult's Law. Activity coefficients were measured at autogeneous pressure and used in an attempt to correct r/sub B/ for the nonideality of solution. The range of r/sub B/ was reduced only slightly to 8 to 27, and charges with high A contents now generally gave low values of r/sub B/; consequently, this approach was not regarded as amore » success. Another attempt was made to account for the apparent variation in r/sub B/ by ascribing influence to the penultimate units of the radicals. Improved agreement between theoretical and observed compositions resulted, but significant discrepancies remained unexplained. Rate data agreed well with those calculated from a theoretical copolymer rate equation using values of r/sub A/ and r/sub B/ of 0.0045 and 40, respectively. The equation predicts an almost proportional decrease in rate with increasing proportions of A in the charge from 0 to 99 mole percent A.« less
The removal of chlorine from Illinois coal by high temperature leaching

Abstract This paper describes our current research into the removal of chlorine from Illinois coal in an economical and environmentally acceptable manner using a high temperature leaching technique. The process variables studied are: water temperature, coal particle size, chemical additive and coal type. The experimental data indicate that the chlorine removal efficiency is increased by higher temperatures (up to 93.3°C) and is increased with smaller particle sizes (minus 100 mesh). Furthermore, the time required for the leaching process to reach equilibrium is dependent upon the amount of soluble chlorine in coal. By adding 1.5% CaO (based on coal), a considerable improvement in chlorine removal is observed. Based on the determination of coal characteristics before and after leaching, it was found that a sufficient amount of chlorine can be removed from coal to meet the design criterion of chlorine for Illinois Number 6 coal, which is set at a level of 0.2%. The quality of coal is actually improved after leaching due to a reduction in ash content.
Yield calculations for a facility for short-lived nuclear beams

Abstract Yields for a broad range of radioactive nuclei produced by spallation reactions, neutron-induced fission, in-flight projectile fragmentation and in-flight fission have been calculated for beams of stable nuclei at energies of 100– 1000 MeV /u . Calculations of cross-sections and yields, attenuation effects due to absorption, production from secondary reactions, and transport efficiencies for mass selection are discussed. Rare isotope yields as functions of bombarding energies for both reaccelerated and directly produced fast-fragmentation beams are presented. This information provides a foundation for a cost-effective design of a next generation rare isotope accelerator.
A reactor and kinetic model for liquefaction of lignite in an upflow tubular reactor part I: Model development

A two phase dispersion flow model with first and second order kinetics is developed for the Upflow Tubular Reactor located at the University of North Dakota's Energy Research Center. This reactor is part of the process development unit that has been used in the development of the CO-STEAM process for the liquefaction of lignite. The kinetic model relates the consumption and production of hydrogen, water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, insoluble organic matter, non distillables-THF solubles, distillables, and C1–C4 gases. The mineral matter is treated as the lumped compound, ash. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide production is small and is included in the gas production. The rates of the reactions are assumed to be of the same order of magnitude as the rates of mass transfer.
No association between HIV and intimate partner violence among women in 10 developing countries.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been reported to be a determinant of womens risk for HIV. We examined the relationship between womens self-reported experiences of IPV in their most recent relationship and their laboratory-confirmed HIV serostatus in ten low- to middle-income countries. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Data for the study came from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Dominican Republic Haiti India Kenya Liberia Malawi Mali Rwanda Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each survey population was a cross-sectional sample of women aged 15-49 years. Information on IPV was obtained by a face-to-face interview with the mother with an 81.1% response rate; information on HIV serostatus was obtained from blood samples with an 85.3% response rate. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were considered as potentially confounding covariates. Logistic regression models accounting for multi-stage survey design were estimated individually for each country and as a pooled total with country fixed effects (n = 60114). Country-specific adjusted odds ratios (OR) for physical or sexual IPV compared to neither ranged from 0.45 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.90] in Haiti to 1.35 [95% CI: 0.95-1.90] in India; the pooled association was 1.03 [95% CI: 0.94-1.13]. Country-specific adjusted ORs for physical and sexual IPV compared to no sexual IPV ranged from 0.41 [95% CI: 0.12-1.36] in Haiti to 1.41 [95% CI: 0.26-7.77] in Mali; the pooled association was 1.05 [95% CI: 0.90-1.22]. CONCLUSIONS: IPV and HIV were not found to be consistently associated amongst ever-married women in national population samples in these lower income countries suggesting that IPV is not consistently associated with HIV prevalence worldwide. More research is needed to understand the circumstances in which IPV and HIV are and are not associated with one another.
Management of cloacal exstrophy

This case study demonstrates our experience in the very complex management of cloacal exstrophy. It exemplifies the aggressive therapy by a dedicated multidisciplinary health team and the excellent postoperative results.
The effects of consumer perceptions of the salesperson, product and dealer on purchase intentions

Abstract This study examines effects of consumer attitudes toward a salesperson, a product, and a retailer on purchase intentions for a major purchase. A structural equations model is tested that allows a comparison of the size of effects attributable to these three attitudinal sources. The results suggest a significant direct influence of attitude toward the product on purchase intentions whereas the effect of attitude toward the salesperson is mediated by attitude toward the retailer. These findings suggest that from a retailer’s perspective, appropriate salesperson behavior can be a critical success factor since consumer attitudes toward the product appear to work independently. Other results and implications are also discussed.
Vibrational spectrum of I−(H2O)

Abstract The infrared spectrum of the ionic cluster I−(H2O) was recorded from 3170 to 3800 cm−1 by vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. A strong multiplet observed at 3415 cm−1 and a narrow band at 3710 cm−1 were assigned as a hydrogen-bonded OH stretch and free OH stretch respectively, indicating that H2O forms a single hydrogen bond with the iodide anion. Ab initio vibrational frequencies and intensities were computed at the second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) level for the minimum energy configuration, a nearly linear hydrogen-bonded isomer, and for a low-lying saddlepoint, a symmetric C2v bridged isomer. The spectrum predicted for the hydrogen-bonded isomer agreed well with experiment.
Prediction of autoignition in a lifted methane/air flame using an unsteady flamelet/progress variable model

An unsteady flamelet/progress variable (UFPV) model has been developed for the prediction of autoignition in turbulent lifted flames. The model is a consistent extension to the steady flamelet/progress variable (SFPV) approach, and employs an unsteady flamelet formulation to describe the transient evolution of all thermochemical quantities during the flame ignition process. In this UFPV model, all thermochemical quantities are parameterized by mixture fraction, reaction progress parameter, and stoichiometric scalar dissipation rate, eliminating the explicit dependence on a flamelet time scale. An a priori study is performed to analyze critical modeling assumptions that are associated with the population of the flamelet state space. For application to LES, the UFPV model is combined with a presumed PDF closure to account for subgrid contributions of mixture fraction and reaction progress variable. The model was applied in LES of a lifted methane/air flame. Additional calculations were performed to quantify the interaction between turbulence and chemistry a posteriori. Simulation results obtained from these calculations are compared with experimental data. Compared to the SFPV results, the unsteady flamelet/progress variable model captures the autoignition process, and good agreement with measurements is obtained for mixture fraction, temperature, and species mass fractions. From the analysis of scatter data and mixture fraction-conditional results it is shown that the turbulence/chemistry interaction delays the ignition process towards lower values of scalar dissipation rate, and a significantly larger region in the flamelet state space is occupied during the ignition process.
Prenatal glucocorticoids improve pulmonary morphometrics in fetal sheep with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Purpose: Prenatal glucocorticoids reverse pulmonary immaturity in rodents with pharmacologically induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The authors applied quantitative stereologic morphometric techniques to test whether these effects could be reproduced in large animals (sheep) with surgically created CDH. Methods: Diaphragmatic hernias were created surgically in fetal lambs at gestational day 80. The fetuses were treated with intravenous cortisol (n = 6) or normal saline control (n = 5) from days 133 to 135. Lungs distended at 15 cm pressure from each group were harvested at day 136, processed histologically, and studied by brightfield microscopy at 400× using a 42-point equidistant counting grid. Ten morphometric parameters (Mean ± SEM) were measured by point-counting 60 fields/lung, and analysis of variance was performed. Results: The CDH-cortisol-treated lungs showed striking significant maturational improvements when compared with lungs of CDH-normal saline controls by seven of ten morphometric parameters. Conclusions: (1) Prenatal glucocorticoids accelerate lung maturity in fetal lambs with CDH by seven quantitative morphometric parameters. (2) The observation that prenatal glucocorticoid therapy improves measures of maturity for both CDH rodent and sheep models encourages proceeding with a Phase I human clinical trial in ultrasound-confirmed CDH.
Evidence for the presence of PNMT-containing cell bodies in the hypothalamus

Abstract The presence of intrinsic neurons in the hypothalamus containing the enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), was investigated by selective destruction of the local cell bodies with kainic acid (KA), a potent excitotoxin. The unilateral stereotaxic injection of 2 μg of KA into the lateral hypothalamus produced a 30–35% decrease in the hypothalamic PNMT activity in the lesioned side compared with the contralateral uninjected side. The difference was statistically significant for up to 4 days after the lesion. The unilateral lesion did not have a unilateral effect on epinephrine or norepinephrine content as there was a significant reduction on both sides (50% for epinephrine and 30% for norepinephrine compared with saline injected). These data suggest the presence of intrinsic cell bodies in the lateral hypothalamus, containing the epinephrine-forming enzyme but lacking epinephrine storage sites. Our results support the previous hypothesis of the dissociation between epinephrine present in the hypothalamus and hypothalamic PNMT activity.
How much sequence information is needed for the regulation of amino-terminal acetylation of eukaryotic proteins?

Abstract A computer program, Pattern Learn, can distinguish between acetylated and non-acetylated proteins by comparing the first 40 residues for their statistical assignment as secondary-structure formers (+), breakers (−) or neutrals (0). The major distinguishing features between acetylated and non-acetylated proteins appear in the sequences ranges 1–10, 16–24 and 30–40, but the precise nature of the distinguishing features is not known.
Thermoresponsive gelatin/monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide) hydrogels: formulation, characterization, and antibacterial drug delivery.

The primary objective of this study was to prepare novel thermoresponsive binary component hydrogels composed of gelatin and monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(d,l-lactide) (MPEG–PDLLA) diblock copolymer and to obtain optimal formulations capable of forming gels upon a narrow temperature range between body temperature and room temperature. MPEG–PDLLA diblock copolymers with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) feature were synthesized by using a ring-opening polymerization method. The starting weight ratio of MPEG/DLLA was varied to obtain a series of copolymers with a wide range of molecular weight and hydrophilicity. The copolymers were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis. MPEG (2K)–PDLLA (1:4) was chosen to construct hydrogels with gelatin. To obtain optimal thermoresponsive formulation, various hydrogels were formulated and quantified in terms of sol–gel phase transition kinetics and rheological properties. Selected hydrogels were studied as drug carrier for gentamicin sulfate. Gelatin/MPEG–PDLLA hydrogels underwent gelation in less than 15 min when 30 wt.% MPEG (2K)–PDLLA (1:4) was mixed with 10, 50, or 100 mg/mL gelatin. Hydrogels showed rapid gelation when 100 mg/mL gelatin was mixed with 15, 20, or 25 wt.% MPEG–PDLLA as temperature fell from 37°C to room temperature. The viscosity of hydrogels depended on the frequency applied in the rheological tests, the environment temperature, and the concentration of both polymer components. The time needed for 50% gentamicin sulfate release was 5 days or longer at room temperature, and the release lasted up to 40 days. 1H NMR confirmed that MPEG–PDLLA hydrolyzed under in vitro situations. The incorporation of a second polymer component MPEG–PDLLA into the gelatin hydrogel could modify the thermal characteristic of gelatin and the resulting binary component hydrogels obtained different thermal characteristics from the individual polymer components. Formulation of gelatin/MPEG–PDLLA hydrogels could be varied for obtaining such gels that can undergo gelation promptly upon a narrow temperature change.
Elaboration structure and list length effects on verbal elaboration phenomena.

Abstract The effects of elaboration structure (Sentence, Semantic paragraph, Syntactic paragraph) and list length (8, 12, 16 pairs) on paired-associate learning were investigated in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Seventy-five educable retardates were tested on acquisition (S-R) and reversal (R-S) tasks. Significant acquisition differences were found in the 8-pair list, where Semantic paragraph Ss performed better than Sentence Ss. In the longer lists, all structures were equally effective in facilitating acquisition (mean first trial correct = 60%), as well as reversal (mean correct = 95%). Sentence form (declarative, imperative, interrogative) was controlled in each elaboration structure. Analyses indicated that significantly fewer acquisition errors were made on pairs presented in declarative and imperative, as opposed to interrogative, elaborations. Tests of recall for the elaborations revealed that Ss in all conditions generally recalled them as declarative sentences. Further observations at 24 pairs confirmed the 12- and 16-pair findings.
Morphology and morphogenesis of cerebral ring hemorrhages in anemic monkeys.

Cerebral ring hemorrhages were observed in four species of monkeys with various forms of anemia. The lesions resembled those described in humans with a variety of diseases, including pernicious anemia. The pale centers of most lesions were surrounded by rings of crythrocytes. Also observed were petechiae, pale foci without hemorrhage, and glial nodules. Ultrastructural study revealed that the pale cores were foci of degenerating neurites associated with infiltration of fibrin into the finest interstitial spaces. Leakage of fibrinogen and erythrocytes apparently occurred from capillary sized vessels. A few of these were thrombosed, some were normal and some had only small fibrin thrombi in apparent apposition to damaged endothelial tight junctions. These findings suggest that a primary effect of anemia and other insults associated with ring hemorrhages is damage to tight junctions. Consequent fibrinous exudation clogs the interstitium and results in neuritic degeneration.
Ribonuclease Activity in the Developing Seeds of Normal and Opaque-2 Maize

During development, the ribonuclease activity of maize endo sperm homozygous for the opaque-2 gene increased earlier and, after a longer period of exponential increase, was much higher finally than in normal endosperm. The maximum difference was about sixfold and occurred 22 to 25 days after pollination. Heterozygotes on day 23 did not show a comparable in crease in endosperm activity. No differ ence in the activity ratio (pH 6.0: pH 5.2) was found between normal and opaque-2 endosperm, indicating that the increase in activity in opaque-2 was due solely to an increase in ribo nuclease A. The ribonuclease activity of opaque-2 embryos increased more rapidly than that of normal embryos, but the final activity was the same in each case.
Some simple mode-I SIF expressions of finite-width strip with a center crack derived by using an approximate weight function

Abstract A simple weight function for a finite-width strip with a center crack is proposed based on an approximate crack opening displacement function. Then mode-I stress intensity factor expressions for this crack configuration under various loading conditions are derived. These expressions are either much simpler than solutions in the literature or necessary supplement to fill in the vacancy. The errors of the derived expressions are believed to be only a few percent, as verified by comparison with available existing solutions.
Optical Absorption Spectra and Polarizabilities of Silicon Carbide Nanotubes: A First Principles Study

We have calculated the optical absorption spectra and polarizabilities of silicon carbide nanotubes by using the density functional theory within the local density approximation. Most of the examined single-walled silicon carbide nanotubes (SWSiCNTs) exhibit the first strong absorption peak around 3 eV, while the ultrathin (5, 0) SWSiCNT exhibits the first three strong peaks in the 1.5−4.0 eV region. The screened polarizabilities of SWSiCNTs are contributed by the localized valence electrons and can be described by a classical dielectric cylindrical shell model, compared with the delocalized π-electrons and the semimetallic shell model of carbon nanotubes. The longitudinal screened polarizabilities of SWSiCNTs are apparently larger than the transverse ones by a factor of 3.5−8.1, suggesting the possibility of their aligned synthesis in electric fields. In multiwalled silicon carbide nanotubes, the inner tube is partially shielded by the outer tube for light polarized perpendicular to the tube axis, compar...
Extending the golden hour of hemorrhagic shock tolerance with oxygen plus hypothermia in awake rats. An exploratory study.

Abstract In a previous study of volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock (HS) in awake rats, without fluid resuscitation, either breathing of 100% oxygen or moderate hypothermia while breathing air, increased survival time . We hypothesized that combining oxygen and hypothermia can maximally extend the ‘golden hour' of HS from which resuscitation can be successful in terms of survival rate . Rats were prepared under light general anesthesia, breathing spontaneously via face mask, and then awakened for 2 h. Then, 3.25 ml arterial blood/100 g were withdrawn over 20 min. At the end of HS of 30, 60, 90 or 180 min duration, the shed blood was reinfused. Breathing was spontaneous. Survival endpoint was 24 h or earlier death. HS of 30 or 60 min was used for preliminary experiments; HS of 90 or 180 min for 35 definitive experiments. Control groups A-1 and B-1 had normothermia (rectal temperature 37.5°C) and were breathing air. Treatment groups A-2 and B-2 had total body surface cooling during HS to rectal temperature 32°C and were breathing 100% O 2 . Arterial pressure during HS was higher in the hypothermia–O 2 groups. With HS of 90 min, in the normothermia–air group A-1 ( n =10), none of the 10 rats survived to 3 h; while in the hypothermia–O 2 group A-2 ( n =5), all rats survived to 24 h ( P n =10), three of 10 rats survived to 3 h and 24 h (hypotension during HS in these three survivors was less severe than in the non-survivors); and in the hypothermia–O 2 group B-2 ( n =10) all 10 rats survived to 24 h ( P plus 100% oxygen inhalation during volume-controlled HS in awake rats mitigates hypotension and increases the chance of survival. It enables survival even after 3 h of moderate HS.
“An Affirmation of the Abilities of Woman”: Women's Contributions to the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education

Women attained leadership roles within the American Physical Education Association much earlier than in organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Physiological Society. Women also were members of the American Academy of Physical Education before its official founding in 1930. Archival records and responses by current members suggest that, for most part, they believe that their experiences have been positive. Since 1941, 18 women have been elected AAKPE president. Between 1951, when the publishing of papers/responses at annual meetings began, and 1979, contributions by women ranged from about 33-44%. Since 1980, the percentage has declined as has the number of women elected to Academy membership. This paper presents a brief history of women within the AAKPE and suggests possible reasons for the recent decline.
Broadening the boundaries of the Expanding Circle: English in Uzbekistan

: The sociopolitical and economic changes that have taken place in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Central Asia since the downfall of the Soviet Union have greatly expanded the number of English users in Uzbekistan. In view of the increasing role of English in different domains, this paper aims to illustrate the role and functions of English with regard to its users and uses in this formerly Soviet country. The study used Kachru's (1985) framework of functional allocation of English within the sociocultural context of Uzbekistan as a framework to examine the instrumental, interpersonal and imaginative functions of English in this country. The findings of the study show that, while English has not achieved deep social penetration in Uzbekistan, its roles and functions in educational and social domains have been increasing rapidly due to the favorable attitudes of Uzbek people toward English and the unique role of English in the international arena.
Increased Apoptosis in Chorionic Trophoblasts of Human Fetal Membranes with Labor at Term

Objective: To determine the association of apoptosis in the layers of human fetal membranes distal to rupture site with labor at term. Study Design: Fetal membranes were collected from elective cesarean sections (n = 8) and spontaneous vaginal deliveries (n = 8) at term. The extent of apoptosis within fetal membrane layers was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy-UTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and western blots for pro-apoptotic active caspase-3 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Results: Apoptotic index in chorionic trophoblasts of membranes distal to rupture site obtained after vaginal delivery was 3-fold higher than those obtained from elective cesarean (11.57% ± 4.98% and 4.05% ± 2.4% respectively; p = 0.012). The choriodecidua layers after vaginal deliveries had higher expression of the pro-apoptotic active caspase-3 and less expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 than those obtained from elective cesarean sections. Conclusions: Labor at term is associated with increased apoptosis in chorionic trophoblast cells of human fetal membranes distal to rupture site.
Human novelty-seeking personality traits and dopamine D4 receptor polymorphisms: a twin and genetic association study.

Although it is well-established that genetic variation is important in causing individual differences in many human personality traits or based on family, twin, and adoption studies, the first reports that specific genetic polymorphisms might influence a normal dimension of personality were only recently published. Specifically, two studies have described significant associations between a dopamine D4 receptor (D4DR) exon III 48-base pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism and the personality traits of novelty-seeking and positive emotional experience [Benjamin et al. (1996): Nat Genet 12:81–84; Ebstein et al. (1996): Nat Genet 12:78–80]. The present study was undertaken to attempt to replicate these important and heuristic initial findings. Personality questionnaires measuring novelty-seeking and positive emotional experience were administered to 306 male and female young adult twins (monozygotic 92 pairs, dizygotic 61 pairs) from the general population, 281 of whom were genotyped for D4DR exon I and III polymorphisms. No significant associations were observed between novelty-seeking or positive emotional experience and these D4DR polymorphisms. This failure to replicate the initial reports seems unlikely to represent measurement or genetic differences across studies, although environmental differences may be possible. Adequate statistical power in the present study suggests that these results are unlikely to be statistical “false negatives” and instead may reduce confidence in the generality of the initial positive findings. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 81:44–48, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Klippel-Feil Sequence and Sleep-disordered Breathing in Two Children

We report two children with severe sleep-disordered breathing associated with Klippel-Feil sequence. In both patients, minor vertebral anomalies were associated with a major hindbrain anomaly. In one child, the Klippel-Feil sequence had been diagnosed previously, but the hindbrain anomaly was not recognized. Two years later, this child developed fatal obstructive sleep apnea. In the other child, neither the Klippel-Feil sequence nor hindbrain anomaly had been identified before the child's presentation with sleep-disordered breathing characterized by bradypnea and stridor. Because many of the complications of hindbrain anomalies may be amenable to neurosurgical treatment, we recommend that patients with Klippel-Feil sequence be followed for the development of sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep complaints need prompt evaluation with polysomnography, whereas neurologic signs require imaging with attention to the cervicomedullary junction. Unsuspected CNS disorders must be considered in children who present with stridor or serious respiratory disturbances during sleep.
The Missing Religious Factor in Imagined Communities

Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities has redrawn understanding of the loci and agents of modern nationalism. Whereas standard interpretations had privileged the movements of modernity of Western nation-states, Anderson’s analysis gave priority to the role of peripheral elites in “imagining the nation” beyond the boundaries of the everyday world. What Anderson leaves out altogether in his seminal study is the bearing of the religious factor in various peripheral settings in such regions as sub-Sahara Africa and East Asia. This article, extending Max Weber’s notion of charismatic leadership, proposes that in concrete cases of “colonial situations” in Africa and in two East Asian countries of weak states, religio-political figures arose seeking a new social order that had mass appeal. Their successes and failures should be seen as integral comparative aspects of nationalism and modernity
Introduction of Differential Calculus into the Elementary Statistics Curriculum: Can Computers Help?

A computer-assisted instructional program for presentation of elementary concepts of differential calculus is discussed. The program could be of interest to instructors teaching elementary and intermediate statistics and measurement courses.
The interacting-particle algorithm with dynamic heating and cooling

We consider an interacting-particle algorithm which is population-based like genetic algorithms and also has a temperature parameter analogous to simulated annealing. The temperature parameter of the interacting-particle algorithm has to cool down to zero in order to achieve convergence towards global optima. The way this temperature parameter is tuned affects the performance of the search process and we implement a meta-control methodology that adapts the temperature to the observed state of the samplings. The main idea is to solve an optimal control problem where the heating/cooling rate of the temperature parameter is the control variable. The criterion of the optimal control problem consists of user defined performance measures for the probability density function of the particles' locations including expected objective function value of the particles and the spread of the particles' locations. Our numerical results indicate that with this control methodology the temperature fluctuates (both heating and cooling) during the progress of the algorithm to meet our performance measures. In addition our numerical comparison of the meta-control methodology with classical cooling schedules demonstrate the benefits in employing the meta-control methodology.
Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis: A case report and review of the literature

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection of the renal parenchyma. It most commonly is unilateral, is found almost exclusively in diabetics, is associated with gas-forming coliform bacteria, and is characterized by the presence of gas within the renal parenchyma. Early aggressive therapy (combined medical and surgical) is the hallmark of successful treatment. A high index of suspicion coupled with radiographic imaging is essential to make a timely diagnosis and guide therapeutic intervention. Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is an even more rare phenomena, with only 14 reported cases in the English literature and is associated with a high patient mortality. We herein present an additional case and review the literature as it pertains to bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis. Appropriate care requires aggressive combined medical and surgical therapy in an attempt to preserve renal function without increased mortality.
Storytelling Dramas as a Community Building Activity in an Early Childhood Classroom

Healthy social-emotional development is promoted by building a safe, secure and respectful environment in an early childhood setting with positive and consistent relationships among adults, children, and their peers. This study explored storytelling dramas as an opportunity to build community within the context of one early childhood classroom. The study was a qualitative, interpretive analysis of 20 videotaped storytelling drama sessions containing approximately 100 stories told by children in one preschool classroom over a 6-month period. Videotapes of the 20 storytelling sessions were analyzed for patterns and themes that may represent community building within the context of one preschool classroom. Qualitative methods were used to identify themes that emerged from the videotaped data. Triangulation across investigators, time, and methods enhanced trustworthiness of interpretations. Results showed that the storytelling drama activity provided opportunities to promote community building through four emerging themes: (1) individual roles, (2) group membership, (3) inclusion, and (4) relationship building. Storytelling dramas provide teachers with an easy to implement teaching strategy that builds community and aligns with current early childhood education quality standards and child development theory.
The structural sensitivity of electron energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES)

Abstract Calculations are reported using the multiple scattering, Green function method for the transmission electron energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) of inner shell excitations. These reveal a high degree of sensitivity to the local crystallographic environment. A plot of the reciprocal of the ejected crystal electron wavevector for a particular feature in the ELNES against nearest-neighbor distance is found to be linear over a small range. This suggests a method for the quantitative measurement of local strain using ELNES obtained with a subnanometer electron probe. An experimental K-edge spectrum from beryllium is used to demonstrate the removal of plasmon multiple inelastic scattering artifact from ELNES by the method of logarithmic deconvolution, without adjustable parameters.