cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nature of science and instructional practice: Making the unnatural natural

The purpose of this study was to delineate the factors that mediate the translation of preservice teachers' conceptions of the nature of science (NOS) into instructional planning and classroom practice. Fourteen preservice secondary science teachers participated in the study. Prior to their student teaching, participants responded to an open-ended questionnaire designed to assess their conceptions of the NOS. Analysis of the questionnaires was postponed until after the completion of student teaching to avoid biasing the collection and/or analysis of other data sources. Throughout student teaching, participants' daily lesson plans, classroom videotapes, and portfolios, and supervisors' weekly clinical observation notes were collated. These data were searched for explicit references to the NOS. Following student teaching, participants were individually interviewed to validate their responses to the open-ended questionnaire and to identify the factors or constraints that mediate the translation of their conceptions of the NOS into their classroom teaching. Participants were found to possess adequate understandings of several important aspects of the NOS including the empirical and tentative nature of science, the distinction between observation and inference, and the role of subjectivity and creativity in science. Many claimed to have taught the NOS through science-based activities. However, data analyses revealed that explicit references to the NOS were rare in their planning and instruction. Participants articulated several factors for this lack of attention to the NOS. These included viewing the NOS as less significant than other instructional outcomes, preoccupation with classroom management and routine chores, discomfort with their own understandings of the NOS, the lack of resources and experience for teaching the NOS, cooperating teachers' imposed restraints, and the lack of planning time. In addition to these volunteered constraints, the data revealed others related to an intricate interaction between participants' perspectives on the NOS, pedagogy, and instructional outcomes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed82:417–436, 1998.
Frequent allelic imbalances at 8p and 11q22 in oral and oropharyngeal epithelial dysplastic lesions.

Allelic imbalance is characteristic of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and contributes to the tumorigenesis of this disease. Our previous studies suggest that chromosome regions 8p and 11q22.2∼q22.3 are frequent sites of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in head and neck SCC. Here, we explored the allelic imbalance pattern of these regions in 27 cases of oral epithelial dysplastic lesions. A previously reported frequent LOH (9p21) in head and neck dysplasia was also examined. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) technology was utilized to harvest homogenous cell populations from archived clinical tissues and thus greatly enhancing the sensitivity, accuracy and reliability of genetic assessment. The allelic imbalance (LOH and microsatellite instability) on 8p, 11q22.2∼q22.3, and 9p21 were observed at one or more loci in 66.7%, 63.0%, and 63.0% of cases, respectively. Our results demonstrate that 8p, 11q22.2∼q22.3, and 9p21 are frequent allelic imbalance regions in oral premalignant dysplasia and suggest the presence of tumor suppressor genes in these regions.
Optical and optomechanical design of the WIYN High Resolution Infrared Camera

The WIYN High Resolution Infrared Camera (WHIRC) is being developed for use on the WIYN 3.5 m telescope at Kitt Peak. It will mount on a Nasmyth port behind the recently commissioned WIYN Tip-Tilt Module (WTTM). WTTM is expected to routinely deliver 0.25" FWHM images in the near infrared (0.8-2.5 μm), with occasional periods of 0.12" diffraction-limited performance in the K band. WHIRC will take advantage of this superb imaging capability, offering a plate scale of 0.09" per pixel and a 3'x3' field-of-view (FOV) with the planned 2K 2 detector. Stringent moment loading requirements at the WTTM interface necessitate a compact, low mass design, which has been achieved using an all-refractive optical path. Tight centering tolerances on the lenses call for precision cryogenic lens assemblies. In this paper we present details of the optical and optomechanical designs, and engineering analyses completed to date.
Membrane processes for carbon capture from coal-fired power plant flue gas: A modeling and cost study

Abstract Favorable economics of electricity generation will be crucial to the successful implementation of post-combustion carbon capture. Hence, the US DOE has set a goal of
Telecommuting in the 21st Century: Benefits, Issues, and a Leadership Model Which Will Work:

Executive Summary This article looks at the evolution of telework in the United States as well as the benefits and potential problems associated with this growing phenomenon. One of these issues, e...
Mechanisms of cytokine-induced behavioral changes: Psychoneuroimmunology at the translational interface

Work in our laboratory has focused on the mechanisms by which cytokines can influence the brain and behavior in humans and non-human primates. Using administration of interferon (IFN)-alpha as a tool to unravel these mechanisms, we have expanded upon findings from the basic science literature implicating cytokine-induced changes in monoamine metabolism as a primary pathway to depression. More specifically, a role for serotonin metabolism has been supported by the clinical efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in blocking the development of IFN-alpha-induced depression, and the capacity of IFN-alpha to activate metabolic enzymes (indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase) and cytokine signaling pathways (p38 mitogen activated protein kinase) that can influence the synthesis and reuptake of serotonin. Our data also support a role for dopamine depletion as reflected by IFN-alpha-induced changes in behavior (psychomotor slowing and fatigue) and regional brain activity, which implicate the involvement of the basal ganglia, as well as the association of IFN-alpha-induced depressive-like behavior in rhesus monkeys with decreased cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid. Neuroimaging data in IFN-alpha-treated patients also suggest that activation of neural circuits (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) associated with anxiety and alarm may contribute to cytokine-induced behavioral changes. Taken together, these effects of cytokines on the brain and behavior appear to subserve competing evolutionary survival priorities that promote reduced activity to allow healing, and hypervigilance to protect against future attack. Depending on the relative balance between these behavioral accoutrements of an activated innate immune response, clinical presentations may be distinct and warrant individualized therapeutic approaches.
The effect of training on consumption time and preference

Two experiments were carried out to examine the influence and limits of training on rats’ preference. In the first experiment, rats’ preference for barpress food versus freely available food was alternated between the two choices via interspersed training. The second experiment demonstrated that the preference could not be alternated indefinitely but eventually remained constant, with a strong free-food preference. Consumption rates during training sessions with barpressing and with free food showed that the number of pellets an animal consumed perminute increased with training. Both choice alternatives yielded similar learning curves. Free food demonstrated a slight initial advantage over and reached a higher asymptote than did the barpress. Preference during training could be predicted on the basis of which alternative was more efficient at that time.
Generation of workpiece orientations for machining using a rule-based system

Abstract This paper deals with the automatic generation of workpiece orientations on a machine for machining operations. A system capable of this has a wide spectrum of applications in many areas of manufacturing planning and is essential to the development of dynamic process planning systems. However, such a system requires the ability to reason about geometrical and spatial relationships, a topic of great difficulty for automatic reasoning. A study of the problem characteristics is made and its results are implemented in a rule-based system. This system, when given a workpiece along with operation instructions and machine specifications is capable of generating a good orientation for the workpiece. The functioning of the system is demonstrated by an example.
Investigating the Nucleation and Growth of Electrodeposited Pt on Polycrystalline Diamond Electrodes

The nucleation and growth of electrochemically formed Pt adlayers on highly boron-doped, polycrystalline diamond thin-film electrodes were investigated using chronoamperometry. The experimental i - t curves measured at different fixed potentials were analyzed and compared to theoretical curves for the two limiting cases of three-dimensional nucleation and growth, as described by Scharifker and Hills [Electrochim. Acta, 28, 879 (1983)]: instantaneous and progressive. Metal phase formation at short times proceeded via a more instantaneous nucleation mechanism at lower overpotentials (η < -700 mV) on both microcrystalline and ultrananocrystalline diamonds. However, there was a transition on both diamond types to a progressive mechanism at higher overpotentials. Based on the results, apparently, there exists a relatively constant nucleation site density on these conducting polycrystalline films at lower overpotentials, with new nucleation sites developing over time at higher overpotentials. We suppose that the initial nucleation is strongly related to heterogeneities in the density of electronic states (DOS) across a film brought about by variations in the local boron and hydrogen content more so than variations in the physicochemical properties. The shift to a more progressive nucleation and growth mechanism is consistent with an increased DOS at more negative overpotentials. Some comparison measurements are reported for glassy carbon and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.
Multiple cell type-specific proteins differentially regulate target sequence recognition by the α retinoic acid receptor

Abstract Retinoic acid receptors appear to exert profound effects on vertebrate development by regulating the transcription of distinct sets of target genes within different cell types. Several lines of evidence are presented for the existence of multiple, cell type-specific nuclear proteins that function to differentialty increase the binding affinity of the α retinoic acid receptor for a variety of response elements. These proteins, which we refer to as retinoic acid receptor coregulators, interact with the retinoic acid receptor via a common dimerization interface that overlaps with its ligand binding domain. These observations raise the intriguing possibility that coregulator proteins serve to restrict and/or direct the effects of retinoic acid receptors on patterns of gene expression during development.
The fossil record and macroevolutionary history of North American ungulate ungulate mammals: standardizing variation in intensity and geography of sampling

The record of the taxonomic evolution of North American ungulates is critical to our understanding of mammalian evolution and environmental change throughout the Cenozoic. The distribution of sampling in the ungulate fossil record over time and geographic space and the degree to which this biases the observed patterns of taxonomic evolution is poorly understood. To address these issues, I placed fossil collections and occurrences drawn from the Paleobiology Database into 2-Myr time intervals between 55 and 1 Ma. I determined the variation in numbers of fossil collections and occurrences, using three metrics to measure geographic variation: first, the area of the convex hull containing all collections in an interval, to determine the areal coverage of sampling; second, the mean pairwise geographic distance among collections as a measurement of the dispersion of collections within that area; and third, the interval-to-interval migration of the geographic centroid of all collections, to calculate changes in the geographic location of sampling. Each of these showed considerable variation over the Cenozoic, and both the area of the convex hull (ACH) encompassing all collections in an interval, and mean pairwise distance (MPWD) among them showed increasing trends over time.To minimize the effect of variation in numbers of fossil samples over time, I used standard sample-standardization procedures. To minimize the effect of geographic variation in sampling over time, I standardized the area of sampling among intervals. I also employed both standardizations sequentially. Each standardization procedure had surprisingly little effect on observed patterns of taxonomic richness and rates. This indicates that, for North American ungulates, neither variation in number nor geographic distribution of fossil samples exerts an overwhelming influence on perceived macroevolutionary patterns. These results confirm the ungulate fossil record as a critical and faithful record for our understanding of Cenozoic environmental change and the mammalian evolutionary response.
Scopolamine effects dependent upon pretreatment level of emotionality in the rat.

Abstract Rats were classified low or high emotional (E) depending upon the initiation of consummatory behavior in an open field. High E included those that failed to begin drinking before the fifth training day. By the last day of training, drinking time did not differ for Low and High E; except for a slight, but nonsignificant, depression in activity, High E animals had become behaviorally indistinguishable from Low E. When both groups were confronted with a cat, differences in emotionality reemerged. High E rats showed significantly more behavioral suppression — more freezing and less ambulation. Moreover, pretreatment differences in emotionality resulted in radically different drug effects. For Low E animals, scopolamine (Sco) reduced fear responses: Sco animals showed significantly more approach into the area near the cat and significantly more drinking near the cat than controls. For High E animals, there was no significant difference on either measure between Sco and control. These data indicate that pretreatment level of emotionality is an important predictor for drug effects and that differences in emotionality can be masked but not eliminated by training.
Ethnic Patterns of Urbanization in Peninsular Malaysia, 1947-1970

Notwithstanding the popular nostalgia for the good life in small towns and rural villages, there is a sound rational base for the secular drift from country to town during the last century throughout the world, in countries large and small, rich and poor. In almost every situation, it is clear that those in urban areas have greater access to educational institutions, are exposed to more diverse employment opportunities, and receive higher incomes than rural residents. These differences in economic opportunities and rewards are generally apparent to all. And so inherent in the process of urbanization and the consequent widening of rural-urban disparities is the potential for increased tension with the prevailing distribution system. Rural people, traditionally distrustful of cities, often interpret the growing socioeconomic gap as exploitative in character and pressure political and economic institutions for redress. Yet, most urbanites do not feel advantaged as they compare their plight to more successful urban residents, not to the disadvantaged rural population. In spite of these tensions rural-urban divisions only rarely become the dominant political groupings in a society. Rural to urban migration provides an individual alternative to collective political organization, and governments are often successful in using symbolic politics to allay rural discontent. Yet when rural-urban inequities reinforce other societal divisions such as ethnic groups, the potential for public protest and governmental initiatives is heightened. Such is the case in the plural society of Peninsular Malaysia where the largely rural Malay community is disadvantaged relative to the more urbanized Chinese and Indian minorities. And since the political base of the government is heavily dependent upon rural Malay support, recent public policies are intended to minimize socioeconomic disparities across ethnic communities. One strategy is to increase the proportional representation of Malays in towns and cities. In this paper we review the empirical trends in ethnic patterns of urbanization from 1947 to 1970, prior to advent of explicit public policies to eliminate ethnic inequalities in residence and in socioeconomic rewards.' These trends are interpreted in light of the intent of current government policies.
Accurate gene synthesis with tag-directed retrieval of sequence-verified DNA molecules

We present dial-out PCR, a highly parallel method for retrieving accurate DNA molecules for gene synthesis. A complex library of DNA molecules is modified with unique flanking tags before massively parallel sequencing. Tag-directed primers then enable the retrieval of molecules with desired sequences by PCR. Dial-out PCR enables multiplex in vitro clone screening and is a compelling alternative to in vivo cloning and Sanger sequencing for accurate gene synthesis.
Preparing Practitioners for the Professoriate

ABSTRACT All doctoral programs in social work in the United States were surveyed as to their ways, if any, of preparing their students for teaching and the faculty role. Forty five out of a possible 51 replied. Although there was no agreement as to the way to do this, all but four programs made some planned effort to help their students acquire some knowledge and/or expertise in the areas of teaching, curriculum, learning theories or some combination of these. Almost all were elective for the student.
Localization and expression of transformed DNA sequences within heat shock puffs of Drosophila melanogaster

In situ hybridization at high resolution with biotin-labeled DNA was used to locate specific transcriptional units within the chromosomal puffs of normal heat shock loci and of new heat shock loci generated by transformation. This method resolves copies of thehsp70 gene that are separated by 40 kb within the 87C heat shock locus. In the case of two new puff loci generated by transformation, the heat-activated transcript is encoded by sequences that reside entirely within the puff domain and the activated promoter is positioned asymmetrically within the puff. However, an adjacent promoter and its transcriptional unit which do not appear to be induced by heat shock are also within the puff. These results support the idea that a chromosomal puff is a structure that facilitates or results from vigorous transcription, but that the structural change alone is insufficient to induce transcription.
Steps toward cosmopolitanism in the study of media technologies

Most scholarship on media technologies can be organized along two main dimensions of inquiry: the production or consumption of these technologies, and their content or material dimensions. This map of the field of inquiry would produce four specific research areas: the production of content, the consumption of content, the production of materiality, and the consumption of materiality. Despite their respective contributions, these silos have also resulted in important scholarly limitations. Thus, in this paper, we consider the intellectual opportunities that arise from reevaluating these traditions through the lens of cosmopolitanism, which promotes the crossing of scholarly territories in the study of media technologies in order to rethink assumptions and taken-for-granted processes. We propose some steps toward cosmopolitanism in the study of media technologies by elaborating on the theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, and design implications of conducting research at the intersection of these four ...
Promising role of plant hormones in translocation of lead in Sesbania drummondii shoots.

Abstract Lead (Pb) accumulation in Sesbania drummondii shoots was enhanced by 654 and 415% in the presence of 100 μM IAA and 100 μM NAA, respectively, compared to control plants (Pb alone). However, when IAA or NAA was added along with EDTA, Pb accumulation further increased in shoots by 1349% and 1252%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that Pb particles in both leaf and stem of Pb + EDTA + IAA and Pb + EDTA + NAA treated plants were concentrated in the region of vascular bundles. In root tissue, Pb particles were present between epidermis to stele region. Plant growth in both treatments (Pb + 100 μM IAA and Pb + 100 μM NAA) was comparable to control plants; however, it was significantly inhibited in the treatments containing Pb + EDTA and EDTA at concentrations of 10 μM of IAA or NAA. Moreover, the photosynthetic efficiency and strength of the treated plants were not affected in the presence of IAA or NAA and EDTA.
An effect of target orientation on representational momentum

The effects of the target orientation on displacement in memory for the location of a moving rectangular or square target were measured. The orientation of a target relative to its path of motion was varied; the effects of target orientation on forward displacement were observed for the rectangular target and not for the square target. The data were consistent with the hypotheses that the effects of target orientation (a) can be observed in targets that do not have a clearly defined direction of pointing or prototypical orientation relative to their direction of motion, and (b) can influence the forward displacement when the spatial coordinates of the contours of the target are not invariant across changes in target orientation relative to the direction of motion.
Radiation oncology fourth-year medical student clerkships: a targeted needs assessment.

Fourth-year medical students (MS4s) participate in clerkships to familiarize themselves with the field of radiation oncology and to evaluate and audition for residency programs. However, MS4s’ perceptions of their radiation oncology clerkship experiences have never been formally evaluated. This study aimed to characterize the MS4 perception of the radiation oncology clerkship experience from the current nationwide pool of applicants.
Predictors of Moral Reasoning: Components of Executive Functioning and Aspects of Religiosity

The aim of the current study was to determine whether components of executive functioning and two diverging aspects of religiosity (scriptural literalism and quest) are significant predictors of postconventional moral reasoning. An additional goal of the study was to determine whether components of executive functioning moderate the relationship between religiosity and postconventional moral reasoning. Postconventional moral reasoning was assessed using the Defining Issues Test, Version 2 (DIT2), which is primarily based on Lawrence Kohlberg's model. Results indicated that components of executive functioning, along with quest, were significant predictors of postconventional moral reasoning and were significantly correlated with each other. In addition, analyses demonstrated that the relationship between quest and postconventional moral reasoning was moderated by performance on the Comprehension subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd ed. (WAIS-III), a measure assessing social awareness and general reasoning.
Recent results from BRAHMS in the context of longitudinal dynamics at RHIC

The BRAHMS Collaboration has measured identified charged hadron production as a function of rapidity for Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at energies of s NN = 200 and 62.4 GeV at RHIC. Selected recent results are presented with emphasis on longitudinal dynamics of particle production. The rapidity dependence of particle production imposes stringent additional constraints on theoretical models describing dynamics of hadronic/partonic matter created by high-energy heavy-ion collisions.
An Operator-Interactive, Computer-Controlled System For High Fidelity Digitization And Analysis Of Biomedical Images

High-fidelity digitization, communication, and display equipment and the development of computer programs to manipulate and analyze the high volumes of biomedical image data generated by video roentgenographic and closed-circuit television systems have become vitally necessary in order to fully exploit the potentialities of multiplanar roentgenographic and conventional video techniques. Although a great deal of information has been gained in the past by both simple and sophisticated analyses of these data(Ref. 1,2,3,4,5),additional objective and time economical measurements, determinations and estimates are required to extend understanding of the physiological and biological phenomena studied and to provide the insight necessary to properly resolve some of the problems concerned.
Preparation and characterization of [99TcO] apcitide: a technetium labeled peptide.

[99mTcO] apcitide (99mTcO(P246)), the technetium complex of the 13 amino acid, apcitide, cyclo-(d-Tyr-Apc-Gly-Asp-Cys)-Gly-Gly-Cys(Acm)-Gly-Cys(Acm)-Gly-Gly-Cys-NH2, where Apc is l-[S-(3-aminopropy...
Dimorphism and Size Distribution in Velella and Physalia

WOODCOCK1 attributed right- and left-handedness in Physalia, the Portuguese man-of-war, to a selective advantage in avoiding entrapment in windrows of Sargassum weed and floating debris. This selective advantage was presumed to be due to differences in sailing patterns through convection cells in the surface water of the northern and southern hemispheres. The absence of Sargassum from the South Atlantic and the paucity of debris in the barren, blue waters in which Physalia is characteristically found would seem to invalidate this hypothesis. On the other hand Woodcock's arguments concerning food concentration by the convection cells and sailing patterns are more convincing. Woodcock2 continued to favour the hypothesis that there are significant differences in abundance of the two forms between the northern and southern hemispheres. Other authors3,4 have commented on this problem; however, none has pointed out that the more extensive literature on Velella, long known to be dimorphic5, shows no statistically reliable difference between the abundance of the two forms in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Oxygen plasma resistant phenylphosphine oxide-containing poly(arylene ether)s

Abstract Phenylphosphine oxide-containing poly(arylene ether)s were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of a new phenylphosphine oxide-containing bisphenol with activated aromatic difluorides in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in N , N ′-dimethylacetamide at 155°C or in sulfolane at 200°C. The phenylphosphine oxide-containing bisphenol was prepared in two steps from bis(4-fluorophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide and 4-methoxyphenol. The polymers exhibited inherent viscosities of 0.57–0.75 dl g −1 and glass transition temperatures of 177–213°C. Thermogravimetric analyses showed 5% weight loss in the ranges of 447–471°C in air and 480–512°C in nitrogen. Unoriented thin films exhibited tensile strengths, moduli and break elongations at 23°C of 8.1–11.1 ksi, 275–370 ksi and 42–109%, respectively. Limiting oxygen indices of 0.30–0.33 were calculated based on polymer char residues at 850°C in nitrogen. Phenylphosphine oxide-containing poly(arylene ether)s exhibited excellent resistance to an oxygen plasma environment with weight loss rates of one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of Kapton ® HN. The chemistry, and physical and mechanical properties of these polymers, as well as their oxygen plasma resistance, are discussed.
Energy source perceptions and policy support: Image associations, emotional evaluations, and cognitive beliefs

This paper represents the most in-depth effort conducted to date to assess affective, emotional and cognitive perceptions of coal, natural gas, nuclear, and wind energy and the relationship between these perceptions and support for the energy sources. U.S. residents, recruited from a consumer panel, completed surveys assessing image associations, emotional reactions, and cognitive beliefs about energy sources and support for increased reliance on energy sources and local siting of energy facilities. The content of images produced by participants when evaluating energy sources revealed several interesting findings. Additionally, analysis of the image evaluations, emotions, and beliefs about each energy source showed that coal and nuclear energy were viewed most negatively, with natural gas in the middle, and wind viewed most positively. Importantly, these affective, emotional, and cognitive perceptions explained significant amounts of variance in support for each of the energy sources. Implications for future researchers and policy makers are discussed.
Construction of multi-dimensional isotropic kernels for nonlocal elasticity based on phonon dispersion data

Abstract Kernels for non-local elasticity are in general obtained from phonon dispersion relations. However, non-local elastic kernels are in the form of three-dimensional (3D) functions, whereas the dispersion relations are always in the form of one-dimensional (1D) frequency versus wave number curves corresponding to a particular wave direction. In this paper, an approach to build 2D and 3D kernels from 1D phonon dispersion data is presented. Our particular focus is on isotropic media where we show that kernels can be obtained using Fourier–Bessel transform, yielding axisymmetric kernel profiles in reciprocal and real spaces. These kernel functions are designed to satisfy the necessary requirements for stable wave propagation, uniformity of nonlocal stress and stress regularization. The proposed concept is demonstrated by developing some physically meaningful 2D and 3D kernels that will find useful applications in nonlocal mechanics. Relative merits of the kernels obtained via proposed methods are explored by fitting 1D kernels to dispersion data for Argon and using the kernel to understand the size effect in non local energy as seen from molecular simulations. A comparison of proposed kernels is made based on their predictions of stress field around a crack tip singularity.
STUDIES OF MALE SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. IV. SERUM LIPIDS AND FIVE-YEAR SURVIVAL.

This study examined life expectancy and serum lipids in 120 men with atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Five-year survival from onset of infarction was 79 per cent. No relationship could be demonstrated between survival and the level of the total serum cholesterol, Std. Sf 0-12, 12-20, 20-100, and 100-400 lipoproteins. Survival for patients with an infarct less than 6 months before entry into the study was shorter, despite serum lipid levels the same as the remainder of the group. Although the age of onset of coronary disease is influenced by serum lipid levels, survival subsequent to infarction is not. This paradox suggests that serum lipids affect rate of atherogenesis in the long preclinical stage but in the short clinical stage other factors determine survival.
The challenge of p53 as prognostic and predictive factor in gliomas

In recent years, increasing interest in genetic abnormalities and biologic factors such as the tumour suppressor gene p53 as possible predictive and prognostic factor in gliomas has emerged. Inactivation of p53 can result in resistance to apoptosis, one of the mechanisms thought to explain the failure to respond to DNA-damaging agents. Thus, inactivation of p53 might be associated with a worse prognosis. Considering the inconsistent results of several recent studies, it has remained controversial whether p53 actually can be related to response to treatment and patients' prognosis. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was performed, which included 28 publications. Techniques for assessing the inactivation of p53 varied widely. Overall, approximately 50% or more of astrocytoma specimens evaluated by immunohistochemistry stained positively for p53, regardless of histologic grade. Eight studies were restricted to comparably treated patients within a single histologic group. In most instances, non-restrictive inclusion criteria and use of statistical methods, which were not sufficient to correct the possible bias, make it difficult to reach unequivocal conclusions. However, it appears that the prognostic information of p53 is at best marginal, especially when compared to established parameters such as grading, age, etc. Its predictive value, which most likely is rather limited too, can hardly be judged without prospective studies also evaluating other biological factors as well as end-points other than time to radiological progression.
Discrimination learning and behavioral contrast as a function of component duration

Following 10 sessions of keypeck training on a VI 120-sec reinforcement schedule, 24 pigeons were placed into one of three groups for subsequent discrimination training on a multiple VI-EXT schedule. The discriminative stimuli (two hues) alternated every 10 sec (10-sec group) or every 3 min (3-min group) during each 30-min session. The third group received one 15-min exposure of S+ and one 15-min exposure of S-per session (15-min group). Discrimination performance of these groups was best for the 10-sec group and worst for the 15-min group. The 10-sec group demonstrated higher S+ rates, while the 15-min group had the highest S− response rates.
Bi- or multi-modal distribution of ion-implanted bismuth in fused silica

Abstract Near-surface regions of high-purity optical-grade fused silica discs (Corning 7940) were modified by implantation with bismuth ions at 160 and 320 keV to nominal doses ranging from 1 to 9 × 1016 Bi/cm2. Substrate temperatures during implantation were −197, 25 and 600°C with a dose rate of ∼ 3 μA/cm2. Samples implanted with a nominal dose of 6 × 1016 Bi/cm2 were subsequently annealed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1000°C in oxidizing and inert atmospheres. The distribution of bismuth ions in fused silica was investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The distribution of the implanted species was strongly dependent on the annealing atmosphere, substrate temperature and implantation energy. In general, there was a driving force toward the surface at lower annealing temperatures (between 500 and 700°C) and away from the surface at higher temperatures (T > 700°C) in an oxygen atmosphere. However, there was a driving force only toward the surface in an argon atmosphere. At an annealing temperature of 600°C for 60 min in an oxygen atmosphere, a bi- or multi-modal distribution of bismuth ions in the samples implanted at 160 keV was observed.
Oil and Gas Developments in West Virginia in 1957

The total number of wells drilled in West Virginia in 1957 reported to January 30, 1958, was 832, an increase of 23, or 2.8%. Permits to drill or deepen totaled 899, an increase of 107, or 13.5%. Abandoned during the year were 92 gas wells and 157 oil wells, or a total of 249 wells. These abandonments are all wells drilled before permits were required (May, 1929). No information on exact number of abandonments of wells drilled since May, 1929, is available as these wells are abandoned under original drilling permit numbers. Wells completed were: gas, 504; oil, 63; oil and gas, 74; storage, water-injection, brine, and pressure wells, 46; dry holes, 145; total, 832. Compared with 1956, gas wells decreased 15, or 2.9%; oil wells increased 5, or 8.6%; oil and gas wells increa ed 9, or 14.3%; storage and other wells increased 10, or 27.7%; dry holes increased 12, or 9%. Depth of wells completed ranged from 281 to 7,391 ft., compared with 110 to 8,030 ft. in 1956. Total footage drilled (2,237,427) increased 37,324 ft., or 1.7% over 1956 (2,200,103 ft.). The average depth of wells (2,689 ft) decreased 31 ft. from the 1956 average (2,720 ft.), or 0.11%. The total initial daily open flow of the gas wells was 581,965 MCF, a decrease of 40,581 MCF, or 6.6% under the 1956 total (622,546 MCF). The size of the gas wells ranged from 5 to 34,500 MCF, compared with 11 to 25,000 MCF in 1956. The total daily initial oil was 3,589 bbls., an increase of 1156½ bbls. over 1956 (2432½ bbls.), or 47%. The size of the oil wells ranged from 0½ bbl. to 340 bbls. daily compared with ½ bbl. to 300 bbls. in 1956. The number of wells drilling or unreported if completed at the end of the year was 320, 37 more than in 1956, an increase of 13%. Letters were sent to 212 operators regarding 450 wells not reported. Replies were received from 138 operators (65.1%) regarding 324 wells (72%), leaving 74 operators (34.9%) unheard from regarding 126 wells (28%). The average size of gas wells was 1,076 MCF, compared with 1,132 MCF in 1956, a decrease of 66 MCF, or 5.8%. The average size of the oil wells was 32.6 bbls., compared with 27 bbls. in 1956, an increase of 5.6 bbls., or 20.7%. Preliminary estimates of production for 1957: gas, 189,000,000 MCF, compared with 210,000,000 MCF for 1956, or 21,000,000 MCF, a decrease of 10%; oil 2,225,000 bbls., an increase of 25,000 bbls. over the 1956 estimate (2,200,000 bbls.), or 1.14%. The estimated number of producing wells at the end of 1957: gas, 14,979; oil, 12,716. The table of operations gives statistics by counties.
Vancomycin Elimination During High-Flux Hemodialysis: Kinetic Model and Comparison of Four Membranes

Vancomycin clearance was measured in five patients during dialysis with cuprophane (CU), polysulfone (PS), cellulose triacetate (CT), and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) dialyzers. Vancomycin was significantly cleared during routine high-flux (HF) hemodialysis (HD) with the latter three membranes, but not by CU. Postdialytic rebound of serum vancomycin concentrations was noted following HF dialysis, necessitating use of a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Measurement of serum vancomycin concentration immediately postdialysis significantly overestimates intradialytic removal, possibly resulting in inappropriate dose adjustment. Vancomycin infusion during HF HD results in significant drug removal during its administration to the patient, complicating the calculation of an adequate dose.
Effects of changing alley color on the successive negative contrast effect

In Phase 1, four groups of rats received either large or small food reward in a black or white straight alley. In Phase 2 all rats received small food reward in the white alley. Rats that had received large reward in Phase 1 ran more slowly in Phase 2 to small reward than did rats that received small reward in both phases (successive negative contrast effect, or NCE). There was a temporary decrement in running speed for both groups that experienced a change in alley color, but the size of the NCE was not reduced by the change in alley color. It was suggested that the NCE can be used to measure the strength of connection between a particular cue and reward expectancies in instrumental learning situations. Within this context, the present results suggest that, under the conditions employed in this experiment, alley color was not strongly associated with reward expectancies.
Insurgency in amber: ethnic opposition groups in Myanmar

Multiple ethnic insurgencies have existed in Myanmar since independence. The military junta's response has been extremely brutal at the tactical level, but has shown some political astuteness at the strategic level, with a series of ceasefires with most of the ethnic groups. Despite these ceasefires – most of which have resulted in the continued existence of quasi-independent armed groups – other ethnic movements have continued their armed operations. The overall strategic picture is one of stalemate, with the ethnic movements continuing to exist, but with few realistic prospects of expanding their operations.
Special classes of positive and completely positive maps

Abstract Characterizations are given for the positive and completely positive maps on n × n complex matrices that leave invariant the diagonal entries or the k th elementary symmetric function of the diagonal entries, 1 k ⩽ n . In addition, it is shown that such a positive map is always decomposable if n ⩽ 3, and this fails to hold if n > 3. The real case is also considered.
Surveying secure processors

Secure computing is gaining importance as computing capability is increasingly becoming distributed and information is available everywhere. Prevention of piracy and digital rights management have become very important and information security is now mandatory rather than an additional feature. Various software schemes have been proposed to provide certain levels of copyright and intellectual property protection but are not completely safe from determined hackers. This has resulted in the need for information security at the hardware level, where secure processors assume importance. Keeping in view these new trends in computing, we review a few representative secure processor designs that are currently in industry and academia. The goal is to present the advantages and pitfalls of various secure processor designs and suggest possible enhancements to the existing secure processor architectures.
Dysprosody and the Foreign Accent Syndrome

Abstract Purpose: The sudden emergence of a foreign accent in an individual's native language has been described in the literature for over 60 years. In one of the most famous cases, the terms pros...
Assessing Cold-Snap and Mortality Events in South Florida Coastal Ecosystems: Development of a Biological Cold Stress Index Using Satellite SST and Weather Pattern Forcing

Water temperature is considered both a controlling and lethal factor in coastal ecosystems, influencing behavioral and physiological responses in marine organisms. Abrupt weather events such as severe cold front passages and accompanied changes in weather conditions have led to sharp decreases in water temperatures, metabolic stress, and incidences of mortality in marine organisms. In this paper, we assess the weather-related factors associated with physical and biological response in South Florida systems through historical sea surface temperature (SST) from satellites and the use of a synoptic climatology spanning over 30 years. We utilize previous categorizations of sea-level pressure and newly developed categorizations of 850-mb temperature reanalysis data to define circulation and temperature patterns across the southeastern US and adjacent Gulf of Mexico. Systematic connections are seen between particular circulation and temperature patterns characteristic of enhanced north-to-south circulation and cold air outbreaks, SST, and turtle strandings data over the Florida Panhandle region for the period 2006–2013. Identified weather forcing variables associated with sharp SST decreases and turtle stuns are presented and assist in the formulation of a moving cold-stress index for South Florida coastal ecosystems. Results demonstrate the potential of using synoptic climatological analysis and derived indices for tracking and modeling changes in SST and other indicators related to biological health.
Enhancement of Seedling Emergence in Sweet Corn by Marker-Assisted Backcrossing of Beneficial QTL

Seedling emergence is an important trait that can limit commercialization of sweet corn hybrids. This study was designed to test what effect beneficial QTL alleles that enhance seedling emergence exert when introgressed, using marker-assisted backcrossing, into sweet corn commercial germplasm. Three RFLP marker alleles linked to QTL that enhanced seedling emergence were identified in an F(2:3) sweet corn mapping population. A recombinant inbred line (RIL, F(8)) derived from this population was used as a donor parent to backcross the marker-QTL alleles into three elite commercial sweet corn inbreds. Plants in the three segregating BC(2) populations were crossed to the non-recurrent commercial inbreds to produce three BC(2)F(1) populations with families either segregating or lacking the marker donor allele(s). These three populations were evaluated for seedling emergence under field conditions in two successive years. Across the three populations, BC(2)F(1) families segregating for the donor QTL allele linked to the marker umc139 (on chromosome 2), bnl9.08 (on chromosome 8), or php200689 (on chromosome 1) displayed 40.8, 30.2, and 28.2% increases in seedling emergence, respectively, over the unmodified F(1)s. The introgressed QTL alleles were observed to enhance seedling emergence in the BC(2)F(1) generation as was observed in the original F(2:3) mapping population. Marker-QTL associated effects were reproducible across generations and populations indicating that QTL identified in one population can exert similar effects in different genetic backgrounds. Results suggest that using DNA marker technology can help to identify and introgress beneficial QTL alleles, shortening the time and resources required to develop improved germplasm.
Genetic vaccination: the advantages of going naked.

Manipulating the immune system with DNA vaccines shows promise for protecting against pathogens and suppressing autoimmune disease (pages 888–905).
Abnormal pap smears as a screening question in young adolescent girls

Background Although adolescent girls are relatively reliable in their report of other STD, their reliability of report and understanding of HPV infections and cervical dysplasia are much lower. This study sought to address the issue of self-reports regarding Pap smears and STD history among young adolescent girls. Methods Adolescent girls were recruited from an adolescent clinic. 71 reported consensual sexual experience, of whom 68 had usable data. They received a questionnaire regarding sexual history and demographics, and a chart review for past history. These girls had a mean age of 14.8 (± 0.9), mean age of menarche 11.4 (± 1.2), and were 76% African-American, 24% Caucasian. Subjects were asked, “Have you ever had an abnormal Pap smear?” Their responses were compared to documented history, analyzing younger (age ≤ 15 years) to older (age ≥ 15) separately, and using warts and/or dysplasia as one outcome, and warts, dysplasia, and/or another STD as another outcome. Results sensitiv’y specifc’y predict value 17% 84% 20% 40% 95% 40% > 15 yrs, warts or dysplasia 88% 74% 50% > 15 yrs, warts/dyspl or STD 56% 76% 71% Conclusions Inquiring about a history of an abnormal Pap smear among younger adolescents has a poor sensitivity in screening for HPV infections; this is less so in screening for a history of any STD. Care providers must recognize the difficulty patients have in understanding this abstract concept.