cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progress Monitoring with Objective Measures of Writing Performance for Students with Mild Disabilities

To adequately monitor progress in writing, a test must show stability and demonstrate a performance profile over time that parallels those of accepted criterion measures. This study investigated the technical adequacy of seven objective indexes of writing quality in monitoring the progress of 36 middle school (Grades 6–8) students with mild disabilities over a 6-month period. The stability of each index was assessed. Holistic ratings of the same writing samples and the Test of Written Language served as validation criteria. Three indexes were moderately correlated with holistic ratings, but were not sufficiently stable over time. Direct, objective writing assessment must he used with caution for progress monitoring, given our present lack of precision in measuring the complex task of writing.
Fullerenes: Metal Complexes

This article reviews recent developments regarding the binding of metal centers to the outer surface of fullerenes and to the construction of nanoscale materials utilizing externally bound metal complexes. Developments in the coordination of single metal centers and metal clusters are discussed with particular emphasis placed on crystallographic characterization of the resulting assemblies. Electrochemical work on redox-active films prepared by reduction of fullerenes and metal complexes is reviewed. The formation of metal containing heterofullerenes—cages of carbon atoms and metal atoms—is examined. Finally, the formation of new crystalline phases by cocrystallization of fullerenes and various metal complexes is examined. Keywords: fullerene; heterofullerene; metal cluster; metal complex; coordination; crystallography; redox-active; electrochemistry; cocrystallization
BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON STAPHYLOCOAGULASE AND AN ALLIED PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY

Inniss, William E. (Michigan State University, East Lansing) and Charles L. SanClemente. Biochemical studies on staphylocoagulase and an allied phosphatase activity. J. Bacteriol. 83: 941–947. 1962.—The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether the reported correlation between the coagulase and phosphatase activity of the staphylococci was functional. Staphylococcus aureus , phage-propagating strain 70, grown in brain heart infusion was the source of the purified coagulase. The concomitant phosphatase activity, measured spectrophotometrically at 400 mμ using p -nitrophenylphosphate as substrate, showed a parallel decrease during thermal inactivation at 37 and 56 C. Anion-exchange chromatography and electrophoresis using starch, starch gel, and paper as stabilizing media failed to separate the two activities. Since iodoacetate, ethylenediamine-tetraacetate, fluoride, azide, and p -chloromercuribenzoate always exerted different degrees of inactivation, apparently the same mechanism was not involved. This supposition was supported by subsequent saturation of the phosphatase with excess substrate (100-fold K s value) and the demonstration that under this condition coagulase was not inhibited. During this purification process, comparable increases in specific activity occurred for both coagulase and phosphatase, indicating the presence of a common protein carrier.
Model of Multiscale Transport in Carbon Foams

A number of carbon foam products are being developed for use as insulation, heat spreaders, and compact heat exchanger cores. Such foams have voids that are typically of the order 100 microns, and pore walls are about 10 microns. Within the walls of the pores, the graphene planes are arranged anisotropically so that the thermal transport is highly dependent on the orientation of the bulk foam. This results in bulk conductivities that range from 1 W/mK to 200 W/mK. The bulk properties of such a porous medium are difficult to determine analytically, particularly for the case of high concentration of non-spherical pores, or when the porous material is anisotropic or non-homogeneous. A finite element analysis has been developed to calculate the bulk thermal conductivity of carbon foams containing micropores of different shapes. The effective thermal conductivity is then evaluated by comparing the results of the analytical and numerical models.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Application of a detailed dimensional solid oxide fuel cell model in integrated gasification fuel cell system design and analysis

Integrated gasification fuel cell (IGFC) systems that combine coal gasification and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are promising for highly efficient and environmentally sensitive utilization of coal for power production. Most IGFC system analysis efforts performed to-date have employed non-dimensional SOFC models, which predict SOFC performance based upon global mass and energy balances that do not resolve important intrinsic constraints of SOFC operation, such as the limits of internal temperatures and species concentrations. In this work, a detailed dimensional planar SOFC model is applied in IGFC system analysis to investigate these constraints and their implications and effects on the system performance. The analysis results further confirm the need for employing a dimensional SOFC model in IGFC system design. To maintain the SOFC internal temperature within a safe operating range, the required cooling air flow rate is much larger than that predicted by the non-dimensional SOFC model, which results in a larger air compressor design and operating power that significantly reduces the system efficiency. Options to mitigate the challenges introduced by considering the intrinsic constraints of SOFC operation in the analyses and improve IGFC design and operation have also been investigated. Novel design concepts that include staged SOFC stacks and cascading air flow can achieve a system efficiency that is close to that of the baseline analyses, which did not consider the intrinsic SOFC limitations.
A comparison of structured modeling and GAMS

In recent years a number of integrated modeling systems have been developed which combine modeling languages with database capabilities to greatly increase the productivity of linear programming, nonlinear programming, and simultaneous equation model builders (Palmer, 1984, Meeraus, 1983, Geoffrion, 1986). Among these systems is GAMS which was developed at the World Bank by Alexander Meeraus. Alongside the development of these systems Arthur Geoffrion has created a general framework for model development which he calls ‘Structured Modeling’.
Supporting Early Writing in Dual Language Head Start Classrooms

The following research-to-practice summary addresses the findings from the original intervention study and provides specific guidance for early childhood practitioners. These recommendations respond to a current and growing concern on how to implement developmental, cultural, and linguistically appropriate curricula, namely, recommendations focus on describing effective teaching practices that promote school readiness in classrooms with children who are dual language learners. In addition, the summary describes how the curriculum was implemented, using an explicit instructional design that embedded early writing and print knowledge in a developmental sequence to support learning new concepts and ideas. Additional suggestions on culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning practices are provided.
Kv3.4 subunits enhance the repolarizing efficiency of Kv3.1 channels in fast-spiking neurons.

Neurons with the capacity to discharge at high rates—'fast-spiking' (FS) neurons—are critical participants in central motor and sensory circuits. It is widely accepted that K+ channels with Kv3.1 or Kv3.2 subunits underlie fast, delayed-rectifier (DR) currents that endow neurons with this FS ability. Expression of these subunits in heterologous systems, however, yields channels that open at more depolarized potentials than do native Kv3 family channels, suggesting that they differ. One possibility is that native channels incorporate a subunit that modifies gating. Molecular, electrophysiological and pharmacological studies reported here suggest that a splice variant of the Kv3.4 subunit coassembles with Kv3.1 subunits in rat brain FS neurons. Coassembly enhances the spike repolarizing efficiency of the channels, thereby reducing spike duration and enabling higher repetitive spike rates. These results suggest that manipulation of K3.4 subunit expression could be a useful means of controlling the dynamic range of FS neurons.
Marine Organisms as Indicators

The term “indicator organism” can have a variety of meanings. In its narrowest and perhaps most often used sense, an indicator organism is a single species whose abundance, physiological state, or reproductive success gives the investigator information about the environmental conditions to which it has been exposed. The indicator concept has been employed traditionally by regulatory agencies to assess the consequence of anthropogenic activity, using the indicator species as a surrogate for the ecosystem as a whole. The concept of a single-indicator species useful for such purposes is, however, as one of the editors points out, “illusory as the search for alchemist's gold,” and if the reader expects that this volume contains only a review of the use of indicator organisms in pollution monitoring, he or she will be greatly surprised. The editors have instead chosen a broad definition of indicator organisms and applications. The result is that the “indicator organism” may not be an organism at all (e.g., the paper by G. S. Kleppel on pigments as trophodynamic indicators), and the environmental information conveyed, such as climatic changes or the presence of mesoscale oceanic features, is most often unrelated to man's activities.
Impaired antigen presentation to CD4+ T-cells by HIV-infected monocytes is related to down-modulation of CD4 expression on helper T-cells: Possible involvement of HIV-induced cellular factors

Defective antigen presentation by HIV-infected monocytes is related to severe immune dysfunction in patients with AIDS, although the mechanism by which this process occurs is not well defined. Here we report that reduced capacity by HIV-infected monocytes to stimulate or present antigen to CD4+ T-cells was mediated by cellular factors associated with the plasma membranes of HIV-infected monocytes. In contrast, soluble factors secreted by HIV-infected monocytes had little or no effect on T-cell stimulation. Reduced T-cell stimulation by HIV-infected monocytes was related to down-modulation of CD4 expression on helper T-cells and was not affected by the inclusion of anti-HIV-gp120 Ab, indicating the involvement of soluble or cell-associated viral envelope protein to be less likely. Exposure of CD4+ T-cells, that had been in co-culture with HIV-infected monocytes, to uninfected monocytes partially restored impaired T-cell stimulation. Thus, for the first time we report that altered capacity of HIV-infected monocytes to stimulate and present antigen to CD4+ T-cells is related to down-modulation of CD4 expression on T-cells, and appears to occur via membrane-associated cellular factors on HIV-infected monocytes.
Structural microheterogeneity of a tryptophan residue required for efficient biological electron transfer between putidaredoxin and cytochrome P-450cam.

The carboxy-terminal tryptophan of putidaredoxin, the Fe2S2.Cys4 iron-sulfur physiological redox partner of cytochrome P-450cam, is essential for maximal biological activity [Davies, M. D., Qin, L., Beck, J. L., Suslick, K. S., Koga, H., Horiuchi, T., & Sligar, S. G. (1990) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112, 7396-7398]. This single tryptophan-containing protein thus represents an excellent system for studying the solution dynamics of a residue directly implicated in an electron-transfer pathway. Steady-state and time-resolved measurements of the tryptophan fluorescence have been conducted across the emission spectrum as a function of redox state to probe potential structural changes which might be candidates for structural gating phenomena. The steady-state emission spectrum (lambda max = 358 nm) and anisotropy (alpha = 0.04) suggest that Trp-106 is very solvent-exposed and rotating partially free of global protein constraints. The time-resolved fluorescence kinetics for both oxidized and reduced putidaredoxin are fit best with three discrete components of approximately 5, 2, and 0.3 ns. The lifetime components were assigned to physical species with iodide ion quenching experiments, where differential quenching of the longer components was observed (k tau = 2 = 5.9 X 10(8) M-1 s-1, k tau = 5 = 1.3 X 10(8) M-1 s-1). These findings suggest that the multiexponential fluorescence decay results from ground-state conformational microheterogeneity and thus demonstrate that the essential tryptophan exists in at least two distinguishable conformations. Small differences in the relative proportions of the components between redox states were observed but not cleanly resolved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chestnut: a GPU programming language for non-experts

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are powerful devices capable of rapid parallel computation. GPU programming, however, can be quite difficult, limiting its use to experienced programmers and keeping it out of reach of a large number of potential users. We present Chestnut, a domain-specific GPU parallel programming language for parallel multidimensional grid applications. Chestnut is designed to greatly simplify the process of programming on the GPU, making GPU computing accessible to computational scientists who have little or no parallel programming experience, as well as a useful and powerful language for more experienced programmers. In addition, Chestnut has an optional GUI programming interface that makes GPU computing accessible to even novice programmers.Chestnut is intuitive and easy to use, while still powerful in the types of parallelism it can express. The language provides a single simple parallel construct that allows a Chestnut programmer to "think sequentially" in expressing her Chestnut program; the programmer is freed from having to think about parallelization, data layout, GPU to CPU memory transfers, and synchronization. We demonstrate Chestnut's programmability with example solutions to a variety of parallel applications. Performance results from our prototype implementation of Chestnut show that Chestnut applications perform almost as well as hand-written CUDA code for a set of several parallel applications. In addition, Chestnut code is much simpler and much smaller than handwritten CUDA code.
Predator foraging behavior and patterns of avian nest success: What can we learn from an agent-based model?

Abstract Mammalian predator foraging behavior is an important, but understudied determinant of avian nest success. Predator behavior may also affect the nest-site selection decisions of females: when predators respond strongly to prey density (e.g. through area-restricted search), the optimal strategy may be for birds to disperse their nests widely across the landscape. Conversely, clustered nests may benefit from dilution effects in the presence of incidental nest predators. In dabbling ducks, nest distributions range from clustered to dispersed and there is conflicting evidence about whether clustering enhances or reduces nest success, although presumably this depends on predator behavior. Here, I present results from an agent-based model designed to answer two qualitative questions: are clustered nests more or less successful than dispersed nests, and how does that relative benefit vary depending on predator behavior? I modeled three types of waterfowl nest predators (to emulate the foraging behavior of skunks and foxes) that differ in their degree of spatial memory and their capacity for area-restricted search, foraging on different distributions of nests. As hypothesized, well-dispersed nests survived better with fox-like predators that performed area-restricted searches. On the other hand, clustered nests survived better when incidental skunk-like predators were present, but survival was dramatically reduced in the presence of foxes; thus, small changes in the predator community (e.g. introduction of foxes) without commensurate changes in nest clustering could have important effects on waterfowl populations. On simulated landscapes containing both clustered and dispersed nests and a mixed predator community, average nest success for clustered versus randomly placed nests was the same across possible predator mixes, but the variance in success for clustered nests was much higher; this suggests that there may be risk-reward tradeoffs when nesting near conspecifics. That said, the degree to which ducks can actually assess and respond to the presence of conspecifics is largely unknown, and it is believed that nest sites are selected based on habitat. Results from this model, combined with empirical data suggest that commonly used management strategies that promote nest clustering, such as restoration of small parcels of habitat, can actually create ecological traps for nesting ducks, driven by predator behavior.
Momentum, Temperature, and Doping Dependence of Photoemission Lineshape and Implications for the Nature of the Pairing Potential in High-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} Superconducting Materials

The anomalous momentum and temperature dependence of the spectral lineshape in data from underdoped Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 8+{delta}} (Bi2212) indicates that the quasiparticles are strongly coupled to collective excitations centered near {bold Q}=({pi},{pi}). The doping dependence of the spectral lineshape and its correlation with the size of the superconducting gap indicate these collective excitations are related to the pairing interaction in high-T{sub c} superconductors, in analogy with phonon induced structures in tunneling spectra of low T{sub c} materials. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
RADIOCARBON DATING BY THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETRY

Work is presented that tests the possibility of performing radiocarbon dating measurements by using the thermoluminescence induced in sensitive phosphors, using existing thermoluminescence equipment. It is concluded that, for such a technique to be viable, a more specifically designed, and more elaborate, system will be necessary. Some comparative results on certain TLD phosphors are also given.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MOLYBDENUM SINGLE CRYSTALS FOR IRRADIATION EXPERIMENTS.

Abstract Highly perfect molybdenum single crystals were prepared by repeated zone refining and subsequent annealing. Crystalline perfection was characterized by X-ray diffraction topography, integrated diffracted intensity, precision lattice parameter, X-ray profile, and electron microscopy. These measurements were repeated after exposure to high energy neutrons, and were supplemented by precision measurements of dimensional changes. The observed changes in these properties are explained in terms of irradiation-induced point defects. During a 40°C irradiation, interstitial defects migrate and form stable clusters which grow in size with increasing exposure. Vacancies are less mobile, and persist as isolated defects or very small clusters.
A prospective study of induced abortion and breast cancer in African-American women

Objective: There continues to be controversy about whether induced abortion influences the risk of breast cancer. Because case–control studies of this relation are subject to recall bias, there is a need for prospective data. Further, there has been little study of abortion and breast cancer in African-American women. We assessed the relation of abortion to risk of breast cancer in a prospective follow-up study of African-American women. Methods: Black Women's Health Study participants have been followed by mailed questionnaires every two years since enrollment in 1995. Participants reported 348 incident breast cancers during 205,983 person-years of follow-up. Women who had an induced abortion were compared with women who had never had one, with nulliparous and parous women analyzed separately. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) with two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from Cox regression models that controlled for age, age at first birth, number of births, history of spontaneous abortion, and other factors. Results: Among nulliparous women, the IRR for any induced abortion relative to none was 0.9 (95% CI = 0.5–1.4), and among parous women, the comparable IRR was 1.1 (95% CI = 0.8–1.4). Risk did not vary by number of abortions, age at first abortion, age at diagnosis or a family history of breast cancer in either nulliparous or parous women. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that induced abortion does not increase breast cancer risk in African-American women.
On the existence of a complex of glycolytic enzymes

It has been suggested in the literature that the glycolytic enzymes are organized into a multi-enzymic complex. We have evaluated this hypothesis for the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group of glycolytic enzymes of muscle using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, gel filtration, and ultrafiltration. Attempts were made to avoid dilution and changes in pH. The ratio of activities of the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group of enzymes was similar to that found in several other tissues that has led to their designation as a constant proportion group of enzymes. However, no evidence was obtained that they exist as a multi-enzymic complex in chicken breast muscle. As the pH of the press juice is raised to 7.0 and the temperature to 25°C, association occurs between some components in the muscle press juice as evidenced by a blocking of the pores of an ultrafiltration membrane. This association, however, does not involve the enzymes of the phosphotriose-glycerate phosphate group.
Removability theorems for Sobolev functions and quasiconformal maps

We establish several conditions, sufficient for a set to be (quasi)conformally removable, a property important in holomorphic dynamics. This is accomplished by proving removability theorems for Sobolev spaces inR n . The resulting conditions are close to optimal.
Electron thermalisation in a pulsed e-beam high pressure mass spectrometer

Abstract A pulsed e-beam high pressure mass spectrometer (HPMS) is shown to be well-suited to the measurement of electron thermalisation and thermal electron capture (EC) processes. By measurement of the intensity of the negative ions observed as a function of time after the e-beam pulse, it is possible to verify that EC reactions, alone, are responsible for the formation of the negative ions. It is also demonstrated that most of the electrons within the ion source can be brought into thermal equilibrium with the buffer gas prior to their attachment to an EC-active compound. Of five different buffer gases studied, methane and hydrogen are shown to be particularly effective in thermalising electrons. Additional experiments indicate that less control of electron energy and/or EC processes is achieved with use of the continuous e-beam mode of the HPMS. However, good agreement was obtained between the continuous and pulsed modes of the HPMS when hydrogen was used as the buffer gas.
The analysis of burgers vectors of dislocations in coherent twin boundaries and other coincident site boundaries

Abstract The Burgers vectors of dislocations forming a network in a coherent twin boundary (CTB) in an austenitie stainless steel were determined by transmission electron microscopy. An extension of Barry and Mahajan's (1971) method of diffraction contrast analysis, wherein lattice planes that are continuous across the CTB are oriented for two-beam diffracting conditions, was used to show that the Burgers vectors are of the type ±a/6〈112〉. It is also shown that dislocation contrast can be very weak, or absent entirely, when only one of the two crystals on either side of the CTB is diffracting strongly and g·b ≠ 0. Finally, it is demonstrated that the extended method of diffraction contrast analysis can be applied to the determination of Burgers vectors of grain boundary dislocations in coincident-site boundaries other than CTBs.
The EM Approach to the Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes Model via the Estimation of the Latent Variable

Abstract This article considers both likelihood and Bayesian estimation procedures for a model with multiple indicators and multiple causes of a single unobservable latent variable. The model is complicated by its reduced form, which displays a mixture of econometric and psychometric themes. We avoid this complexity via the estimation of the unobservable latent variable through direct use of the original structural form. This approach not only provides maximum likelihood estimates that are equivalent to those derived from the reduced form, but it also permits a feasible Bayesian approach, which would be technically complex to execute otherwise.
NEO‐CONFUCIANISM, SAGEHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS DIMENSION

The figure of the sage (sheng/sheng jen)a has occupied a position of paramount importance in the Confucian tradition. Such sages in classical Confucianism were culture heroes and kings, each a paradigm of virtue and model for emulation. There is a sense, however, in which these sages were remote and distant; most were far removed in time. The virtues of such sages also seem strangely removed from the capabilities of the vast majority of persons. Mencius can express the optimistic stance that anyone is capable of becoming a Yaob or Shunc,1 but it seems far more accurate to describe this as an ideal rather than a practical goal of cultivation and learning.
Integration in Early Childhood Programs in Three Countries

Abstract Programs which integrate young children with special needs in the year before compulsory school were studied in three countries using grounded theory. The core variable which emerged through constant comparative analysis was the role of the assistant teacher. Across all programs, the assistant assumed a primary caregiver relationship with the child with special needs, engaged in teaming with other teachers, and interacted in mutually supportive ways with parents. The differences in roles revealed the complex multidimensional‐ity of the assistant role and raised questions for further study in each country as well as across countries.
Secretion of α-amylase by Rumex virus tumors in vitro. Properties and assay☆

The existence of an extracellular α-amylase, which is secreted by virus tumors from the roots of Rumex acetosa grown in vitro, has been demonstrated and the properties of the enzyme have been studied. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first enzyme demonstrated to be secreted from intact cells of higher plants. An assay for the quantitative determination of this enzyme is presented. This assay is based on the spectrophotometric determination of the decrease in color of the starch-iodine complex due to the activity of the amylase on the starch substrate. Among the factors discussed which affect the density of the starch-iodine complex are iodine concentration, temperature, and ionic strength. The optimum pH for activity of this enzyme is 4.6, both in acetate and citrate-phosphate buffers. At pH 4.6 in 0.02 M acetate buffer, the Q10 for the hydrolysis of starch by the enzyme is 1.6 in the range of 20–40 °C. The activation energy in this range calculated by the Arrhenius equation is 8000 cal./ mole. This α-amylase is protected by calcium and is sensitive to low pH values as are the cereal α-amylases. The energy of activation for the heat denaturation of the enzyme is 43,000 cal./mole, as calculated by the Arrhenius equation.
Photoreflectance and electrical characterization of Si-implanted GaAs

Si-implanted semi-insulating GaAs was studied by the photoreflectance (PR) technique and electrical analysis. Different energies and doses were used for Si implantation in two groups of samples. Subsequently, different rapid thermal annealing (RTA) conditions were utilized for one group of samples to optimize the damage removal and impurity activation. A significant annealing temperature dependence of the electrical activation and damage removal was observed. The 120 keV Si implantation introduced two impurity-like transitions in the PR spectra at photon energies about 40 meV and 100 meV from the band-edge. The 180 keV implantation introduced two impurity-like signals with energies about 50 meV and 65 meV from the band-edge which could be removed by RTA. Particularly, the 950‡ C, 10s RTA can totally remove the 65 meV signal caused by the 180 keV implantation. Samples exhibiting good PR signal also produced diodes from which electrical data was superior to the other cases.
Brand choice and deep price discounts

Whenever price is presented in a discount format it can perform an informative role in brand choice. This article postulates the occurrence of an “attribution” process to account for the possibility that a very deep price discount produces a decrease in the desirability of the discounted brand under choice conditions involving unfamiliar brands and/or discount store (as opposed to department store). Hypotheses derived from the theoretical analysis are tested in a laboratory experiment. The results of the study support the proposition that the desirability of a discounted unfamiliar brand does not continue to increase as the size of the price discount increases. Predictions concerning the effects of store type and size of price discount were not confirmed. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the implications for marketing management.
The potentially poor response to outpatient diabetes care in urban African-Americans.

OBJECTIVE — HbA lc levels can be reduced in populations of diabetic patients, but some individuals may exhibit little improvement. To search for reasons underlying differences in HbA lc outcome, we analyzed patients managed in an outpatient diabetes clinic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — African-Americans with type 2 diabetes were categorized as responders, intermediate responders or poor responders according to their HbA lc level after 1 year of care. Logistical regression was used to determine baseline characteristics that distinguished poor responders from responders. Therapeutic strategies were examined for each of the response categories. RESULTS — The 447 patients had a mean age and disease duration of 58 and 5 years, respectively, and BMI of 32 kg/m 2 . Overall, the mean HbA lc level fell from 9.6 to 8.1% after 12 months. Mean HbA lc levels improved from 8.8 to 6.2% in responders, and from 9.5 to 7.9% in intermediate responders. In poor responders, the average HbA lc level was 10.8% on presentation and 10.9% at 1 year. The odds of being a poor responder were significantly increased with longer disease duration, higher initial HbA lc level, and greater BMI. Although doses of oral agents and insulin were significantly higher among poor responders at most visits, the acceleration of insulin therapy did not occur until late in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS — Clinical diabetes programs need to devise methods to identify patients who are at risk for persistent hyperglycemia. Whereas patient characteristics explain some heterogeneity of HbA lc outcome (and may aid in earlier identification of patients who potentially may not respond to conventional treatment), insufficient intensification of therapy may also be a component underlying the failure to achieve glycemic goals.
The efficiency of pollen transfer and rates of embryo initiation in Cryptantha (Boraginaceae)

The efficiency of pollination and rates of embryo initiation were compared in two species of Cryptantha (Boraginaceae) which differ greatly in their patterns of seed (nutlet) production. Cryptantha flava normally matures only one of the four ovules per ovary while C. flavoculata often matures all four. The general floral morphology and composition of insect floral visitors were found to be nearly identical in the two species, but C. flavoculata produces twice as much pollen per flower as C. flava. Despite this difference, the amount of pollen deposited on stigmas by pollinators is similar. This may be due to the larger stigmatic surface area in C. flava. In both species, the abortion of fertilized ovules, rather than insufficient amounts of pollen, appears to be the primary factor regulating the number of seeds per flower. The pollination ecology of these species is discussed in relation to current theories regarding the allocation of resources to the production of pollen and seeds.
Using Synthetically Modified Proteins to Make New Materials

The uniquely diverse structures and functions of proteins offer many exciting opportunities for creating new materials with advanced properties. Exploiting these capabilities requires a set of versatile chemical reactions that can attach nonnatural groups to specific locations on protein surfaces. Over the years, we and others have developed a series of new techniques for protein bioconjugation, with a particular emphasis on achieving high site selectivity and yield. Using these reactions, we have been able to prepare a number of new materials with functions that depend on both the natural and the synthetic components. In this Account, we discuss our progress in protein bioconjugation over the past decade, focusing on three distinct projects.We first consider our work to harness sunlight artificially by mimicking features of the photosynthetic apparatus, with its beautifully integrated system of chromophores, electron transfer groups, and catalytic centers. Central to these photosystems are light-harvesti...
Roads, codes, and spatiotemporal queries

We present a novel coding-based technique for answering spatial and spatiotemporal queries on objects moving along a system of curves on the plane such as many road networks. We handle join, range, intercept, and other spatial and spatiotemporal queries under these assumptions, with distances being measured along the trajectories. Most work to date has studied the significantly simpler case of objects moving in straight lines on the plane. Our work is an advance toward solving the problem in its more general form.Central to our approach is an efficient coding technique, based on hypercube embedding, for assigning labels to nodes in the network. The Hamming distance between codes corresponds to the physical distance between nodes, so that we can determine shortest distances in the network extremely quickly. The coding method also efficiently captures many properties of the network relevant to spatial and spatiotemporal queries. Our approach also yields a very effective spatial hashing method for this domain. Our analytical results demonstrate that our methods are space- and time-efficient.We have studied the performance of our method for large planar graphs designed to represent road networks. Experiments show that our methods are efficient and practical.
Role of nitric oxide in angiotensin IV-induced increases in cerebral blood flow

The present study investigated the effects of three newly synthesized AngIV analogs (Lysine1-AngIV, Norleucine1-AngIV, and Norleucinal) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats utilizing laser-Doppler flowmetry. The results indicate that internal carotid infusions of AngIV, Norleucine1-AngIV, Norleucinal, and Lysine1-AngIV increased CBF above baseline by 25, 32, 33 and 44%, respectively, without changing systemic arterial blood pressure. In a second experiment separate groups of rats were pretreated with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or saline, followed by AngIV or Norleucinal for the purpose of evaluating the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of these compounds is linked to the release of NO. Pretreatment with saline followed by AngIV and Norleucinal increased CBF by 29 and 39%, respectively, while pretreatment with L-NAME blocked the vasodilatory effects of AngIV and Norleucinal, suggesting that the increment in blood flow induced by these compounds is dependent upon the synthesis and release of NO from vascular endothelial cells.
Review Article: Anterior Cervical Epidural Abscess With Pneumococcus in an Infant:

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare infection in childhood. We report the first documented case of pneumococcal epidural abscess in an infant and review the literature regarding this entity. In children, the signs and symptoms of spinal epidural abscess may not be as helpful as those in older patients. Furthermore, the offending organism may not be the usual Staphylococcus seen in adults. Infants may recover neurologic function even after prolonged cord compression; however, a high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis in a timely fashion. (J Child Neurol 1987;2:25-29).
Determinants of presidential position taking in Congress, 1949–1995

Abstract In this paper we seek to explain the activity presidential position taking on roll call votes in the House. Position taking may help presidents pursue their policy agendas, but time and available resources constrain their ability to take positions. Even though position taking is a discretionary presidential action, it occurs in the legislative arena and, thus, presidents must consider elements in both institutions as well as outside conditions when making this decision. Accordingly, we posit a multiple perspectives approach to explain the number of presidential positions on votes in the House. Our multivariate two-stage least squares regression reveals that variables from all three environments (executive, legislative and exogenous) within our multiple perspectives approach are necessary to adequately explain presidential position taking overall and when divided according to domestic and foreign policy positions.
Boundary-Layer Flows with Large Injection and Heat Transfer

The effect of large mass injection on the compressible, similar laminar boundary with favorable pressure gradient has been examined. It is found that for high rates of injection, the boundary layer may be divided into two regions: 1) an inner region adjacent to the surface where the viscosity plays a minor role, 2) the viscous layer where the transition occurs from the inner layer to the inviscid flow outside the boundary layer. Matched asymptotic expansions appropriate for large injection rates have'been constructed for each layer and a uniformly valid solution has been obtained. In the case of the insulated wall, it turns out that the viscous outer layer contributes only small corrections to properties of the boundary layer. In the case of the highly cooled wall, on the other hand, the boundary layer is dominated by the viscous mixing between the inviscid outer flow and the high-density, low-speed gas adjacent to the wall. Simple expressions for heat-transfer rates, skin friction, and approximations for integral properties of the boundary layer have been derived, which are useful in future application in nonsimilar boundary-layer calculations.
Increasing the Biological Activity of Weak Acid Herbicides by Increasing and Decreasing the pH of the Spray Mixture

The pH of the spray mixture controls the solubility and ionic state of weak acid herbicides and thus influences their uptake and biological activity. When the pH of the spray water is below the pKa of the herbicide, increasing pH can increase solubility and improve activity when herbicide solubility limits uptake. However, raising the pH above the pKa makes the weak acid anionic and thus may make it more difficult to penetrate into the lipophilic cuticle and the negatively charged membrane and cell wall. Decreasing the pH below the pKa converts the weak acid into a neutral or unionized form and thus makes it easier to penetrate these lipophilic and negatively charged barriers. pH also influences other herbicide properties including chemical stability, volatility, and chemical compatibility. Thus, manufacturers need to balance a number of properties when they adjust the pH of their adjuvant and herbicide formulations. These studies show significant differences in the biological activity of several herbicides when the pH is increased and decreased with a range of surfactant types. These results support the concept that the physicochemical properties of the herbicide and adjuvant should be matched for optimum activity.
Mercury: Sources, Measurements, Cycles, and Effects. Short Course Series Volume 34, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2005. M.B. Parsons and J.B. Percival, Editors. Pp 297. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2E 1B1. ISBN 0-921294-34-4. 2005. Price US$40.

This volume is the product of the Mineralogical Association of Canada’s short course on Mercury Sources, Measurements, Cycles, and Effects, which was held May 14–15, 2005. The goal of this short course, as stated by the volume editors, is to communicate recent advancements in the knowledge of geologic and anthropogenic sources of mercury, sampling, and analytical techniques, current understanding of cycling and transformation of mercury from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and effects of mercury on ecosystems and impacts on human health. In addition, one of the strengths of this volume is that most chapters not only highlight current knowledge, but also make an effort to elucidate gaps in such where more research effort needs to be focused. The papers in this volume serve as excellent reviews that provide numerous references for the reader interested in more detailed coverage of specific topics. The volume begins with a historical overview, compiled by the editors, of the 3,500 years of human experience with mercury. Included in this paper are historical accounts of mercury use in pigments, medicine, poison, amalgamation, industry, and, most notably, precursors to modern chemistry, as well as the development of instruments critical to the evolution of science and technology as we now know it. The historical overview is followed by two papers …
Re)establishing the Normal

In the dominant American discourse, alternative practices of consuming ethical foods are often positioned against cheap, highly processed, freely traded, and poor-quality industrially produced foods. This article discusses the different forms and meanings of “alternative” food practices and asks whether consuming organically and locally produced, or fairly traded, foods are the only “alternative” food practices that can claim moral authority and assert one’s ethical adherence. By examining the discourses and practices of everyday food provisioning among resource-constrained consumers in postsocialist Bulgaria and postindustrial Detroit, the article explores the meanings of “good” food, and suggests that “alternatives” do not always translate as foods that are exceptionally moral and pure owing to intrinsic superior values. These comparative case studies complicate a familiar, stereotypical dichotomy between a morally compromised global industrialized food system and an ethical alternative to the status quo that presumes moral purity. The meanings of “good” foods vary in different social and economic contexts, and “alternative” foods therefore can be those that have the power, or promise, to (re)establish a sense of “normal” provisioning opportunities. Recognizing these different forms and meanings of “alternatives” will allow us to envision future food production and consumption practices in more nuanced ways so that an industrialized food system and “alternative” food systems are not cast in mutually exclusive terms.
Loss to follow-up and bias assessment among a cohort of Thai men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand:

Minimising loss to follow-up is essential to obtain unbiased results. This study aimed to assess factors associated with loss to follow-up and effects on biasing exposure-outcome associations in a cohort of men who have sex with men in Bangkok. We enrolled sexually-active Thai men who have sex with men, at least 18 years old, in a study with four-monthly follow-up visits. At each visit, men answered HIV risk behaviour questions using audio computer-assisted self-interview. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with loss to follow-up and bias between exposures and prevalent HIV infection were estimated using adjusted relative odds ratios. From 2006 to 2010, we enrolled 1744 men who have sex with men; as of April, 2014, 1256 (72%) had completed at least the month-36 visit; loss to follow-up was 9.6%. Factors independently associated with loss to follow-up were age (18-21 years), education (primary level or less, secondary or vocational education), living outside Bangkok and vicinity, sexual orientation (bisexual, heterosexual), previous HIV testing, HIV infection, and behaviour in the past 4 months (recreational drug use, reporting group sex). An effect of loss to follow-up on factors of prevalent HIV infection was found by sexual orientation (transgender) and unprotected anal intercourse (receptive/insertive). These findings highlight the need to strengthen post-HIV test counselling. Directed counselling for HIV care should be given to young men who have sex with men and recreational drug users.
Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Utilizes Host Cell Nuclear Import Machinery To Enter the Nucleus

Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have garnered much promise in gene therapy applications. However, widespread clinical use has been limited by transduction efficiency. Previous studies suggested that the majority of rAAV accumulates in the perinuclear region of cells, presumably unable to traffic into the nucleus. rAAV nuclear translocation remains ill-defined; therefore, we performed microscopy, genetic, and biochemical analyses in vitro in order to understand this mechanism. Lectin blockade of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) resulted in inhibition of nuclear rAAV2. Visualization of fluorescently labeled particles revealed that rAAV2 localized to importin-β-dense regions of cells in late trafficking steps. Additionally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of importin-β partially inhibited rAAV2 nuclear translocation and inhibited transduction by 50 to 70%. Furthermore, coimmunopreciptation (co-IP) analysis revealed that capsid proteins from rAAV2 could interact with importin-β and that this interaction was sensitive to the small GTPase Ran. More importantly, mutations to key basic regions in the rAAV2 capsid severely inhibited interactions with importin-β. We tested several other serotypes and found that the extent of importin-β interaction varied, suggesting that different serotypes may utilize alternative import proteins for nuclear translocation. Co-IP and siRNA analyses were used to investigate the role of other karyopherins, and the results suggested that rAAV2 may utilize multiple import proteins for nuclear entry. Taken together, our results suggest that rAAV2 interacts with importin-β alone or in complex with other karyopherins and enters the nucleus via the NPC. These results may lend insight into the design of novel AAV vectors that have an enhanced nuclear entry capability and transduction potential. IMPORTANCE Use of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors for gene therapy applications is limited by relatively low transduction efficiency, in part due to cellular barriers that hinder successful subcellular trafficking to the nucleus, where uncoating and subsequent gene expression occur. Nuclear translocation of rAAV has been regarded as a limiting step for successful transduction but it remains ill-defined. We explored potential nuclear entry mechanisms for rAAV2 and found that rAAV2 can utilize the classical nuclear import pathway, involving the nuclear pore complex, the small GTPase Ran, and cellular karyopherins. These results could lend insight into the rational design of novel rAAV vectors that can more efficiently translocate to the nucleus, which may lead to more efficient transduction.