cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein Kinase A and Protein Kinase C Modulators Have Reciprocal Effects on Mesenchymal Condensation during Skin Appendage Morphogenesis

The molecular signaling of secondary induction is a fundamental process in organogenesis during embryonic development. To study the signal transduction pathways involved, we used developing chicken skin as a model and focused on the roles of intracellular signaling during feather morphogenesis. Protein kinase C (PKC) immunoreactivity increases in the whole layer of forming dermis around H and H stage 30. This is followed by a gradual and highly localized decrease of PKC expression immediately beneath each forming feather germ. In contrast, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is ubiquitously expressed in both epithelium and mesenchyme. From stage 29 on, phosphorylated CREB (P-CREB), reflecting the activity of protein kinase A (PKA), begins to be seen in placode but not in interplacode epithelia. P-CREB is also expressed in bud mesenchyme transiently between stages 33 and 36, but not in the interbud mesenchyme. The presence and activity of PKC, PKA, and P-CREB in developing chicken skin are further characterized by immunoblot, kinase activity, and gel shift assays. To explore their physiological significance, embryonic chicken dorsal skin explants were treated with different modulators in medium or in beads for localized effects. The results showed that PKA activators and PKC inhibitors can expand a feather bud domain by enhancing dermal condensation, while PKC activators and PKA inhibitors can expand interbud domains. Neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is involved in dermal condensation. We observed that activation of PKA causes diffused expression of N-CAM in mesenchyme while activation of PKC causes the disappearance of N-CAM in precondensed mesenchymal regions. A model of how the well-concerted PKA and PKC signaling may be involved in the formation and size regulation of dermal condensation is presented.
MAP kinase pathways.

MAP kinases help to mediate diverse processes ranging from transcription of protooncogenes to programmed cell death. More than a dozen mammalian MAP kinase family members have been discovered and include, among others, the well studied ERKs and several stress-sensitive enzymes. MAP kinases lie within protein kinase cascades. Each cascade consists of no fewer than three enzymes that are activated in series. Cascades convey information to effectors, coordinates incoming information from other signaling pathways, amplify signals, and allow for a variety of response patterns. Subcellular localization of enzymes in the cascades is an important aspect of their mechanisms of action and contributes to cell-type and ligand-specific responses. Recent findings on these properties of MAP kinase cascades are the major focus of this review.
Reduction of serum complement in rabbits after injection of endotoxin.

Injection into rabbits of a consistently lethal dose of endotoxin regularly produced a rapid and sustained fall of complement levels and lowered the titers of antibody to endotoxin. Doses of endotoxin below the LD50 lowered complement levels sporadically but not the titers of antibody to endotoxin. The possibility is discussed that complement may be involved in the mechanisms responsible for the lethal action of endotoxin.
The transformation of chromium in a laminar premixed hydrogen-air flame

The transformation of chromium was studied numerically and experimentally in a simple laminar premixed hydrogen-air flame. Chromium was added to the flame as a vapor of chromium hexacarbonyl that provided a source of zero-oxidation-state pure elemental chromium through its rapid pyrolysis. The flame was operated over a range of equivalence ratios. The metal aerosol and vapors that were created in the flame were sampled at different heights with a dilution sampling probe. Aerosol was collected on a filter and vapors in a liquid nitrogen trap. Analysis of the samples showed an initial increase in the amount of hexavalent chromium with increasing distance from the burner, followed by a drop to about 5% far from the burner. The modeling of detailed chromium kinetics showed a similar behavior. The observations highlighted the importance of finite-rate kinetics in controlling the ultimate state of the metal oxide. Aerosol samples were analyzed with an electrical mobility analyzer and condensation nuclei counter. Mean diameters were of the order of 40 nm. The numerical model of the chromium aerosol showed qualitatively good agreement between measured and predicted aerosol size distributions.
Enhancement of the inotropic action of glucagon by small concentration of angiotensin.

Under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia and bilateral vagotomy, studies were carried out in 2 groups of 3 dogs and another group of 4 and 7. Group 1 (4 dogs): Continuous i. v. infusion of angiotensin (5ng/Kg/10ml/min) produced no effects on LV contractility (LV dp/dt, maximum aortic flow velocity), LV stroke volume, heart rate or mean systemic BP. Group 2 (7 dogs): This concentration of angiotensin produced a greater increase in LVdp/dt following i. v. glucagon than those produced by glucagon alone. This potentiation with angiotensin, however, did not occur using epinephrine or isoproterenol, doses of which were chosen to provide a similar increase in LVdp/dt. Augmentation by angiotensin of chronotropic effects of these 3 drugs was not observed. Group 3 (3 dogs): Modification by angiotensin of inotropic effect of glucagon could be reproducible in propranolol pretreated dogs, and in 6 papillary muscle preparations (Group 4-3 dogs). The results suggest that small concentration of angiotensin (probably physiological level) may act on the cardiac contraction by indirect fashion.
Rates of dissociative attachment of electrons to excited H2 and D2

Calculations are reported of the contributions of the lowest 2Σ+u and 2Σ+g resonant states to the rates of dissociative attachment of electrons to H2 and D2. For all electron temperatures, the rate is significantly enhanced by vibrational and rotational excitation of the initial molecule. Typically, for an electron temperature of 1.5 eV, the attachment rates for various (v, J) levels are, in cm3 sec−1, 5.4×10−15 for (0,0), 7.2×10−11 for (0,20), and 7.8×10−9 for (8,0), for H2; and 4.5×10−17 for (0,0), 1.4×10−14 for (0,20), and 6.0×10−9 for (11,0), for D2.
Evaluation of photographic enhancements of Landsat imagery

The photographic processing of color Landsat imagery was evaluated to determine the optimal enhancement techniques. Twenty-six images were examined to explore the effects of gamma values upon image interpretation in a subarctic environment. Gamma values were varied on the images of bands 4 through 7 prior to the creation of the color composites. This yielded color-composited images with various color balances. These images were evaluated in terms of visible geological features (drainage, lineaments, landforms, etc.) and landcover features (exposed rock and ground, coniferous forest, etc.). The results indicate that the most informative images are created by using gamma values of 2.0 for band 4, 1.0 for band 5, and 2.0 for band 6 or 7. Other photographic enhancements tend to enhance some features at the expense of others.
Blunt Axillary Artery Injury in Children — Case Reports

The authors report 2 cases of acute axillary artery thrombosis in children with blunt trauma. The incidence and etiology of this injury are discussed, par ticularly as they relate to injury of the great vessels in blunt chest trauma. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are outlined for this uncommon but po tentially disabling condition.
Beyond performance excellence: research insights from Baldrige recipient feedback

Collectively, the Malcolm Baldrige Award recipients, through a consortium in which many of them participate, have wrestled with the question of how to further improve and achieve higher levels of performance. Through a process of using qualitative text coding to extract, organise, summarise, and interpret vital information from the ‘opportunities for improvement’ provided to award recipients in Baldrige feedback reports, we have uncovered some significant insights about a sample of Baldrige recipients – insights we believe are fundamental to many contemporary organisations. In this article, we focus on understanding these key challenges and opportunities, and the lessons we can learn from them to help organisations accelerate the process of improving performance, no matter what their level of maturity.
An Algorithm for the Interpretation of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests

We have developed and are using an algorithm for the interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise tests that are performed in our Pulmonary Diagnostic Service Department. As its decision points, this algorithm uses routinely obtained measurements from the results of these exercise tests, such as VO2, VCO2, VE, SaO2, HR, and AT. Using the algorithm results in an objective determination of limitation to exercise and allows for the differentiation between pulmonary and cardiac or circulatory limitation. This straightforward technique for arriving at an interpretation of these tests has resulted in a more consistent approach to interpretation and an excellent teaching guide for physicians and technicians.
A generalized model of the flow distribution in channel networks of planar fuel cells

A computational model is developed to describe the fluid flow in the small channel network systems that are typical of planar fuel cells. The model solves mass and momentum equations to predict pressure drop and flow uniformity within individual channels. By formulating the problem in dimensionless variables, the solutions are generalized in terms of two nondimensional groups. The results are presented in graphical form, facilitating their application without the need to solve the model for any particular application.
T-cell activation and cytokine production via a bispecific single-chain antibody fragment targeted to blood-stage malaria parasites.

A novel bispecific single-chain antibody fragment (biscFv) has been constructed to address the possibility of a new approach to malaria therapeutic drug development. The biscFv consists of 2 different single-chain antibody fragments linked by a flexible peptide linker (Gly4-Ser)3. Of the 2 scFv fragments, one is directed against a conserved epitope of the 19-kDa C-terminal fragment of the major surface protein of human malignant malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and the other is directed against the CD3 antigen of human T cells. The biscFv expressed by a recombinant baculovirus retained the antigen-binding properties of the corresponding univalent single-chain antibody fragments and formed a bridge between P falciparum and T cells. In cooperation with T cells, the biscFv specifically induced not only interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor α, but also a significant increase of merozoite phagocytosis and growth inhibition of P falciparum in vitro. Thus, the biscFv possesses highly selective malaria-targeting properties and stimulates T cells to induce cytokines, presumably resulting in activation of macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells, and parasite killing in vivo.
The submillimeter spectrum of AlD (X 1Σ

The J = 2 ← 1 and 3 ← 2 rotational transitions of AlD (X 1Σ+) near 393 and 590 GHz have been measured using submillimeter direct absorption spectroscopy. AlD was created in an AC discharge of Al(CH3)3 and D2 in the presence of argon. This work is the first direct measurement of the J = 3 ← 2 transition of AlD. Each transition was found to be split into multiple hyperfine components due to the 27Al nuclear spin of I = 5/2, some of which are blended together. The data for AlD were fit with an effective Hamiltonian and rotational, electric quadrupole, and nuclear spin-rotation constants were determined for the molecule. The accuracy of these constants has been improved by a factor of 2-3, compared to previous studies. From these data, predictions for the J = 1 → 0 and 4 → 3 transitions of AlD have also been made. Photospheric AlH has been observed via its A 1Π-X 1Σ+ electronic transition, suggesting that this species may be present in circumstellar gas surrounding late-type stars, where four aluminum-bearing molecules have already been detected. High deuterium enrichment has been observed in hydride species in molecular clouds, making AlD a feasible candidate for searches in these objects as well.
RNAi-Mediated Gene silencing in Zebrafish Triggered by Convergent Transcription

RNAi based strategies to induce gene silencing are commonly employed in numerous model organisms but have not been extensively used in zebrafish. We found that introduction of transgenes containing convergent transcription units in zebrafish embryos induced stable transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) in cis and trans for reporter (mCherry) and endogenous (One-Eyed Pinhead (OEP) and miR-27a/b) genes. Convergent transcription enabled detection of both sense and antisense transcripts and silencing was suppressed upon Dicer knockdown, indicating processing of double stranded RNA. By ChIP analyses, increased silencing was accompanied by enrichment of the heterochromatin mark H3K9me3 in the two convergently arranged promoters and in the intervening reading frame. Our work demonstrates that convergent transcription can induce gene silencing in zebrafish providing another tool to create specific temporal and spatial control of gene expression.
Ventilation-perfusion matching in chronic heart failure

Abstract Background: The exercise limitation of patients with chronic heart failure is associated with an increased ventilatory response during exercise. This is thought to be due, at least in part, to excessive dead space ventilation. Methods: To assess ventilation perfusion matching, 20 patients with chronic heart failure and eight controls with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction underwent symptom limited treadmill exercise with arterial blood sampling. Metabolic gas exchange was determined by expired gas analysis. Fractional dead space ventilation and the alveolar arterial oxygen difference were derived. Results: There was a fall in fractional dead space ventilation (0.43 to 0.28; P P = 0.002). There was a rise in alveolar arterial difference in all patients (1.59 to 2.55 kPa; P = 0.006) with no difference between patients and controls. Arterial carbon dioxide tension fell during exercise (4.89 to 4.63 kPa; P Conclusions: The fall in arterial carbon dioxide was the same in both patients and controls. The modest increase in alveolar-arterial oxygen difference tension was the same in both groups, which, coupled with the stable arterial oxygen tension makes it unlikely that a primary change in ventilation-perfusion matching is the cause of increased ventilatory response to exercise in chronic heart failure.
Using supportive coevolution to evolve self-configuring crossover

Creating an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) which is capable of automatically configuring itself and dynamically controlling its parameters is a challenging problem. However, solving this problem can reduce the amount of manual configuration required to implement an EA, allow the EA to be more adaptable, and produce better results on a range of problems without requiring problem specific tuning. Using Supportive Coevolution (SuCo) to evolve Self-Configuring Crossover (SCX) combines the automatic configuration technique of multiple populations from SuCo with the dynamic crossover operator creation and evolution of SCX. This paper reports an empirical comparison and analysis of several different combinations of mutation and crossover techniques including SuCo and SCX. The Rosenbrock, Rastrigin, and Offset Rastrigin benchmark problems were selected for testing purposes. The benefits and drawbacks of self-adaptation and evolution of SCX are also discussed. SuCo of mutation step sizes and SCX operators produced results that were at least as good as previous work, and some experiments produced results that were significantly better.
Genetic estimates of dispersal ability in the leucaena psyllid predator Curinus coeruleus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): implications for biological control

The leucaena psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford, can devastate plantings of Leucaena leucocephala (Leguminosae), an economically important tree species in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, India, Africa, and elsewhere. The predatory beetle, Curinus coeruleus Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), has been introduced into many of these areas from Hawaii for biological control of the psyllid. In this study, collections of C. coeruleus were made from 11 populations on four islands in the Hawaiian archipelago to determine population structure and estimate levels of gene flow. Over all populations, a measure of population subdivision, θ was 0.095, and the estimate of Nem, the average migration rate, was 2.4. θ values for the individual islands were 0.02, 0.12, 0.24 and 0.05 for Kauai, Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu, respectively. Estimated levels of gene flow between populations were not correlated with geographic distance, therefore isolation by distance does not appear to be an important process structuring C. coeruleus populations. Gene flow estimates can be used to characterize dispersal capabilities in insects or other organisms released for biological control. In this case, the inferior dispersal ability of C. coeruleus likely limits its rapid widespread establishment during release programmes.
Office Technology and Socio-Economic Change 1870-1955

The fact that office work (word processing, data processing, telecommunications, and information management) is in a period of major change has been widely commented upon. This paper describes a previous period of such change between 1870 and 1929, which was followed by a period of relative stability in the nature and technology of office work prior to the coming of the computer. The central theme of the paper is the complex interaction between advances in information technology and the social and economic environment in which they occur; thus, attention is paid to marginal and unsuccessful inventions as well as to successful ones.
Analysis of locking behavior in three real database systems

Concurrency control is essential to the correct functioning of a database due to the need for correct, reproducible results. For this reason, and because concurrency control is a well-formulated problem, there has developed an enormous body of literature studying the performance of concurrency control algorithms. Most of this literature uses either analytic modeling or random number-driven simulation, and explicitly or implicitly makes certain assumptions about the behavior of transactions and the patterns by which they set and unset locks. Because of the difficulty of collecting suitable measurements, there have been only a few studies which use trace-driven simulation, and still less study directed toward the characterization of concurrency control behavior of real workloads. In this paper, we present a study of three database workloads, all taken from IBM DB2 relational database systems running commercial applications in a production environment. This study considers topics such as frequency of locking and unlocking, deadlock and blocking, duration of locks, types of locks, correlations between applications of lock types, two-phase versus non-two-phase locking, when locks are held and released, etc. In each case, we evaluate the behavior of the workload relative to the assumptions commonly made in the research literature and discuss the extent to which those assumptions may or may not lead to erroneous conclusions.
Measuring substrate-independent modulus of thin films

Substrate influence is a common problem when using instrumented indentation (also known as nano-indentation) to evaluate the elastic modulus of thin films. Many have proposed models to be able to extract the film modulus (Ef) from the measured substrate-affected modulus, assuming that the film thickness (t) and substrate modulus (Es) are known. Existing analytic models work well if the film is more compliant than the substrate. However, no analytic model accurately predicts response when the modulus of the film is more than double the modulus of the substrate. In this work, a new analytic model is proposed. This new model is shown by finite-element analysis to be able to accurately predict composite response over the domain 0.1 < Ef/Es < 10. Finally, the new model is used to analyze experimental data for compliant films on stiff substrates and stiff films on compliant substrates.
Treatment of Female Urethral Carcinoma in Medically Inoperable Patients Using External Beam Irradiation and High Dose Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy

AbstractPurpose: We developed and present our experience with high dose rate brachytherapy for treatment of carcinoma of the urethra in medically inoperable women.Materials and Methods: Since 1991, 4 women with localized urethral cancer, medically unable to undergo resection or interstitial implantation, were treated with external beam and high dose rate intracavitary implantation rather than external beam irradiation alone. The fractionated implants were delivered with a high dose rate remote afterloader using a shielded vaginal applicator and modified urethral catheter. The urethral catheter was inserted through the lumen of a 20F Foley tube to improve depth dose. Homogeneous dose distribution was achieved and customized to the individual patient.Results: All high dose rate brachytherapy treatments were given at the clinic without use of sedation or anesthesia. Treatment was well tolerated, and all patients maintained voluntary urinary function and local control at 12 to 55 months after therapy. Chronic...
Experiences During a Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

The objective of this article is to encourage schools to participate in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) and to ease their entry by providing information about the event and describing the experiences of both the student participants and the educators. This article focuses mainly on the recent experience of a University of North Texas student team at the Southwest Regional CCDC 2008 hosted by Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. It describes the entire process of participating in the CCDC, including announcements, team formation, task assignments, preparations, and actual team experience during the competition and provides suggestions on strategies for future competitions.
Identification, cloning, and R-loop mapping of the polyhedrin gene from the multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Orgyia pseudotsugata.

Abstract Polyadenylated RNA was isolated from Orgyia pseudotsugata larvae 8–10 days postinfection with the multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus. This RNA was centrifuged through a sucrose gradient and fractions enriched for polyhedrin mRNA were identified by in vitro translation. Complementary DNA made to this RNA hybridized predominantly to a 5-kb fragment of XhoI-digested viral DNA. This fragment was cloned into the plasmid pACYC177 and mapped with restriction endonucleases. A SalI subclone with a 2.5-kb insert derived from the cloned XhoI fragment was found to select by hybridization only polyhedrin mRNA as determined by the size of the in vitro translation product and its precipitation by anti-polyhedrin antibodies. The orientation of the polyhedrin gene and the region of the insert encoding the N terminus of the polyhedrin protein were determined by DNA sequencing. R-Loop mapping indicated polyhedrin mRNA is 980 ± 75 bases long and contains about 250 nucleotides not represented in the final protein. The polyhedrin gene had no observable intervening sequences.
Managerial competencies and the managerial performance appraisal process

Uses survey research to investigate two general questions concerning managerial competencies and performance appraisal: whether a set of managerial competencies currently being used by organizations to describe successful managers can be identified; and whether organizations are appraising these same competencies as part of their managerial performance appraisal processes. The six competencies most often identified as critical to managerial success appear to be proper choices, given the discussion of the attributes needed for a competency to be effective. The results also show, however, that many of these same organizations are not appraising these competencies in their managerial‐performance appraisal processes. Concludes that failure to appraise the competencies reduces the effectiveness of the competencies and the managerial performance appraisal programs.
Widths of 11 B levels below 9.0 MeV

The widths of nine energy levels in $^{11}\mathrm{B}$ at 2.125, 4.445, 5.021, 6.743, 6.793, 7.286, 7.978, 8.559, and 8.920 MeV were determined by carrying out self-absorption and photon scattering measurements. The temperature variation of the scattering cross section was measured at $T=298$ K and $T=730$ K to study in some detail the effective temperature ${T}_{e}$ of $^{11}\mathrm{B}$ in ${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$C, BN, and elemental B. The influence of ${T}_{e}$ on the deduced values of the radiative widths of $^{11}\mathrm{B}$ is discussed.
Isoform-specific Dominant Negative Effects of LQT2 Mutations in hERGa and hERGuso Variants

Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2). Two C-terminal variants of hERG (hERGa and hERGuso) have been identified in the heart. hERGa represents the full-length hERG protein and hERGuso is a truncated form that lacks most of the C-terminal region. More than 70% of LQT2 mutations are located in both hERGa and hERGuso variants. Previous studies, however, have focused primarily on the effect of LQT2 mutations in the hERGa isoform. In the present study, we compared the dominant negative effects of two LQT2 mutations A561V and G628S in the hERGa and hERGuso isoforms. When coexpressed with wild-type (WT) hERGa, hERGa-A561V interrupted the trafficking of WT hERGa to the plasma membrane, while hERGa-G628S functionally suppressed WT hERGa channel current. When hERGuso-A561V was coexpressed with WT hERGa, fully glycosylated WT hERGa protein was observed, indicating that the trafficking of WT hERGa channels to the plasma membrane is not interrupted by hERGuso-A561V. We also found that hERGuso-G628S failed to cause a dominant negative suppression of WT hERGa channel current. In co-immunoprecipiation experiments, the association of HA-tagged WT hERGa and Flag-tagged hERGa-A561V was readily observed, while the association of HA-tagged WT hERGa and Flag-tagged hERGuso-A561V was observed only after overexposure. These results suggest that the dominant negative effects of A561V and G628S are lost in the context of the hERGuso isoform. The lack of dominant negative suppression of WT hERGa trafficking and function observed in hERGuso LQT2 mutants suggests minimal association and co-assembly of hERGa and hERGuso.
Continuous-time Hammerstein nonlinear modeling applied to distillation

Nonlinear dynamic predictive models are essential for opti-mal operation and control of many processes. This work pre-sents the predictive modeling of a simulated high purity distil-lation column using a continuous-time block-orientedmodeling methodology developed by Rollins et al. (1998). Theproposedmethodologyisbasedonaclosed-formexactsolutionto Hammerstein structure and, hence, referred to as the Ham-mersteinBlock-orientedExactSolutionTechniqueor H-BEST.The Hammerstein structure consists of a nonlinear static gainfunction that feeds a linear dynamic function. Thus, inputvector
Fröhlich's nonthermal excitations in biological systems

Abstract It has been suggested that the nonthermal excitations proposed by Frohlich to occur in biological systems are manifestations of Bose condensation. It is shown that asymptotic solutions of the Frohlich rate equation can still exist in a regime in which the characterization as Bose condensation fails.
Homeless People who are Animal Caretakers: A Comparative Study:

Data from a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) were used to compare homeless people who report caring for animals with homeless people who do not report caring for animals, based on demographic variables and stated reasons for homelessness. Among homeless clients (N = 4,100; M age = 39 yr., SD 13.2), 5.5% reported animal caretaking; demographic differences between caretaking and not caretaking homeless clients and life factors related to homelessness were most often associated with animal caretaking. 41% of participants (n = 1,664) were female, and 59% (n = 2,436) were male. Findings suggest that first-time homeless, Euro-American women who were homeless due to domestic violence were the most likely to say they were caring for animals. The use of such an information system could aid in identifying this subpopulation and coordinating services for animal care.
Our Favorite Summer Soup: Gazpacho

Kitchen chemistry is the theme of this year’s National Chemistry Week (November 5–11, 2000). This brief article discusses garlic and gazpacho and includes a recipe for this cold Spanish tomato soup.
A novel wave function factorization simplifying the matrix representation of the Schrödinger equation

In quantum scattering theory, coordinate systems with nontrivial Jacobians may arise and cause difficulty in the reduction of close coupled equations to the desired, simple, obviously Hermitian form {−I (d2/dx2)+W (x)}f=0 with W =W° . We consider x to be the translational coordinate, orthogonal to the surface coordinates, and the Schrodinger equation is represented in a basis of surface functions. We introduce a novel wave function factorization which permits reduction to the above form if the basis is (locally) independent of x for arbitrary Jacobian and general weight function for the surface functions. This factorization is compared with the more common factorization where all coordinates are treated equally. Applications to wave function matching and the calculation of surface integrals are mentioned. Several three‐dimensional, orthogonal coordinate systems provide examples simplified by the novel factorization.
The emission spectrum of C2N2

Abstract Cyanogen absorption, excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra have been measured in the 220 nm region. The radiative lifetime is 1.34 μs under collisionless conditions. The fluorescence spectrum following excitation of the 4 0 1 band consists of four simple progressions. No CN radical fragments were detected following absorption at 220 nm. This clearly demonstrates the bound nature of the lowest vibrational levels of the A 1 Σ u − electronic state. The emission could be used for remote detection of cyanogen in astronomical systems.
Multiple retention deficits following one-trial appetitive training.

Retention performance in independent groups of rats was examined at various intervals following one-trial appetitive maze training in which water reinforcement was available in the goal box. A control procedure minimized deprivation differences between the various groups. Results of this first experiment indicated multiple retention deficits similar to those previously found only for avoidance behaviors. Retention was significantly better in the 12 hr, 24 hr, and 36 hr groups than in the 6 hr, 18 hr, and 30 hr groups. Performance by the 0.25 hr and 1 hr groups was intermediate. A second experiment was designed to determine whether non-reinforced behavior in the same apparatus would also fluctuate periodically. The performance of rats in this experiment did not parallel the rhythmic pattern of the rats in Expt I. These periodic performance fluctuations in Expt I are explained in terms of “state-dependent” retrieval based upon some internal biological rhythmic process, in which footshock induced factors apparently play a minimal role.
Photoemission and tunneling study of epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ films cleaned using an atomic oxygen beam

Abstract In situ ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy has been performed YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO) epitaxial films cleaned using an atomic oxygen beam. Tunneling characteristics has been studied on Pb/Ag/Au/a-axis YBCO Josephson junctions. The treatment, which involves thermal annealing in an atomic oxygen beam, yields well-ordered surfaces with high electron density of states at Fermi level and results in junctions with low contact resistances and high critical current densities.
Studying Symptoms: Sampling and Measurement Issues

Physical symptoms account for more than half of all outpatient visits, but the specific causes and treatments of many common symptoms are frequently not well established. Because clinical research has primarily targeted specific diseases, symptoms-based research is still an emerging field of scientific inquiry, and optimal methods are still being developed. This paper considers eight important issues in sampling and measurement. First, recognition of the exceptionally high base rates of many symptoms is an essential primary step in selecting appropriate case-patients and controls. Second, the type of population studied (community, primary care clinic, subspecialty clinic, or symptom clinic) can greatly influence the severity and other characteristics of the symptom being evaluated. Third, symptom detection relies on three types of symptoms: documented, elicited, and volunteered. Fourth, temporal factors include recency of onset, episodicity, and duration. Fifth, severity can be assessed with single- or multiple-item symptom-specific scales as well as evaluation of generic functional status and health-related quality-of- life measures. Sixth, recognition of a symptom's cause can be strengthened by explicit criteria, uniform assessment protocols, and multiple raters. Seventh, comorbidity that should be assessed includes medical disorders, psychiatric disorders, and other symptoms. And eighth, since death and serious illness are uncommon, alternative outcomes that might be measured include symptom alleviation, health-related quality of life, patient and provider satisfaction, and health care costs.
Early afterdepolarizations in cardiac myocytes: mechanism and rate dependence.

A model of the cardiac ventricular action potential that accounts for dynamic changes in ionic concentrations was used to study the mechanism, characteristics, and rate dependence of early after depolarizations (EADs). A simulation approach to the study of the effects of pharmacological agents on cellular processes was introduced. The simulation results are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations and help resolve contradictory conclusions in the literature regarding the mechanism of EADs. Our results demonstrate that: 1) the L-type calcium current, ICa, is necessary as a depolarizing charge carrier during an EAD; 2) recovery and reactivation of ICa is the mechanism of EAD formation, independent of the intervention used to induce the EADs (cesium, Bay K 8644, or isoproterenol were used in our simulations, following similar published experimental protocols); 3) high [Ca2+]i is not required for EADs to develop and calcium release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum does not occur during the EAD; 4) although the primary mechanism of EAD formation is recovery of ICa, other plateau currents can modulate EAD formation by affecting the balance of currents during a conditional phase before the EAD take-off; and 5) EADs are present at drive cycle lengths longer than 1000 ms. Because of the very long activation time constant of the delayed rectifier potassium current, IK, the activation gate of IK does not deactivate completely between consecutive stimuli at fast rates (drive cycle length
Optimum Arrangement of Rectangular Fins on Horizontal Surfaces for Free-Convection Heat Transfer

Experimental average heat-transfer coefficients for free-convection cooling of arrays of isothermal fins on horizontal surfaces over a wider range of spacings than previously available are reported. A simplified correlation is presented and a previously available correlation is questioned. An optimum arrangement for maximum heat transfer and a preliminary design method are suggested, including weight considerations.
Inspiring Instructional Change in Elementary School Science: The Relationship Between Enhanced Self-efficacy and Teacher Practices

This longitudinal study examined the extent to which teachers’ participation in a 3-year professional development program enhanced their self-efficacy and prompted changes in science instruction in the early elementary grades. The study used a mixed-methods design, and included 39 teachers who taught in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade classrooms in rural school districts. Data sources, administered pre-program and at the end of each year, included a self-efficacy assessment and teacher survey. Interviews and classroom observations provided corroborating data about teachers’ beliefs and science instruction. Results showed significant increases in teachers’ overall self-efficacy in teaching science, personal efficacy, and outcome expectancy efficacy during the 3 years. Gains in self-efficacy were correlated with changes in reported instructional practices, particularly student participation activities. However, changes in self-efficacy tended not to be correlated with changes in instructional time. Contextual factors beyond teachers’ direct control, such as curricular and testing requirements in mathematics and language arts influenced time allotted to science instruction.
Supramolecular fluoride and chloride anions

Abstract The Cambridge Structural Database has been searched for supramolecular anions of the form HnXn + 1− where X is fluorine (n = 1 to 6) and chlorine (n = 1 to 5); no credible evidence was found for comparable bromine or iodine species. Several structural isomers have been identified, and an experimental measure has been developed which seems to distinguish between two-centre and three-centre bonded species. There are also examples of suprafluoride and suprachloride anions as ligands in organometallic complexes. Most of these anions have not been previously described.
Analysis of a high-temperature superconductor quantum flux parametron operating at 77 K

A Quantum Flux Parametron (QFP) circuit designed for implementation with high-temperature superconductors is analyzed with thermal noise at 77 K. Experimental considerations are discussed and design parameters given for fabrication of the device using a YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ thin film on a SrTiO/sub 3/ bicrystal substrate. An application of the high T/sub c/ QFP for the detection of single flux quantum pulses is also described.
Animal model evaluations for Mexican Holsteins.

Genetic evaluations for milk yield of Holsteins in Mexico were computed from lactation and pedigree information from Holstein de Mexico. The US animal model system for national evaluations was adapted for Mexico. The primary change was in defining unknown-parent groups. Paths of unknown parents of bulls and sires of cows were combined and separate unknown-parent groups defined for parents of US, Canadian, and Mexican registration. Records with fewer than 305 d were expanded around management group mean; a lower limit of 50% of management group mean was imposed on these records. Based on 123,397 lactation records by 50,538 cows, evaluations were computed for 68,020 cows (including those without lactation records) and 4573 bulls. Estimate of breeding value improvement in 1986 from a quadratic curve was 87 kg milk. Animal model estimates of breeding value by birth year were similar to Modified Contemporary Comparison estimates. Correlations with previous evaluations were .90 for bulls and .85 for cows. Differences resulted from added data as well as changes in evaluation method. Cows born in 1985 with US sires had predicted breeding values for milk 380 kg higher than those with Canadian sires and 336 kg higher than those with Mexican sires. Equations were developed to convert milk PTA between Mexico and the US. No sire by country interaction was found; correlations of US and Mexican PTA were .90 (expected) and .91 (actual).
Nonresident Father Involvement, Social Class, and Adolescent Weight:

Body weight issues disproportionately affect children with nonresident fathers. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the authors investigate the relationship between nonresident father involvement and adolescent weight, specifically adolescents' risk of being underweight, overweight, and obese. The results show that nonresident father involvement is associated with adolescent weight and that the effect varies according to social class, fathers' obesity, and the gender of the child. Among both males and females, greater involvement with fathers increases their risk of obesity. Among females, the effect of father involvement on obesity is even greater if her father is obese. Among males, greater father involvement is also associated with lower risk of underweight. The effect of father involvement on adolescent obesity also varies by social class: Involvement with a more highly educated nonresident father is associated with a lower risk of obesity. Child support payments are ...
A Comparison of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Power Electronics Cooling Options

This study quantifies the heat dissipation potential of three inverter package configurations over a range of control factors. These factors include coolant temperature, number of sides available for cooling, effective heat transfer coefficient, maximum semiconductor junction temperature, and interface material thermal resistance. Heat dissipation potentials are examined in contrast to a research goal to use 105degC coolant and dissipate 200 W/cm2 heat across the insulated gate bipolar transistor and diode silicon area. Advanced double-sided cooling configurations with aggressive heat transfer coefficients show the possibility of meeting these targets for a 125degC maximum junction temperature, but further investigation is needed. Even with maximum tolerable junction temperatures of 200degC, effective heat transfer coefficients of 5,000 to 10,000 W/m2-K will be needed for coolant temperatures of 105degC or higher.
Competency-Based Sustainability Specialization at Michigan State University

In 2010 Michigan State University launched an undergraduate academic specialization (minor) in sustainability. Two distinct components mark this unique program: 1.) competency-based curriculum, and 2.) portfolio evidence and assessment. The pro gram requires that students achieve wholeness and balance in terms of synthetic and integrative learning among the following eight competency areas, each denoted by a classification scheme: personal devel opment, critical thinking, civic engagement, systems thinking, social equity, economic vitality, ecological integrity, and aesthetic understanding. Students must complete an introductory course, 11 elective credits, a practicum, and a portfolio capstone. The program illustrates how to embed accountability through the fostering and tracking of student learning outcomes (the learning paradigm) instead of using other metrics such as student enrollment, credit hours, and mere participation (instructional paradigm). Accordingly, the program represents calls for higher education institutions to embrace the learning paradigm approach.
A laboratory investigation of a physical rnechanisim for the extended infrared absorption ('red shift') in wheat

Laboratory spectral measurements, on the components of both greenhouse and field grown winter wheat, were performed to identify the component and its appropriate response which gave rise to the extended infrared absorption or 'red shift' reported by Collins. Results of this study indicated that inherent intraplant adaxial (upper) leaf reflectances were of sufficient variability to suggest that an admixture of mechanisms may have utility on identifying the booting and head emergence stages in the life cycle of wheat. The physical mechanism for the shift was found to be relatively independent of the inherent variability in leaf spectra, and to be dependent upon the difference in the mode of deposition of cuticle upon the abaxial (lower) surface relative to that of the adaxial (upper) surface, the position of the flag leaf, and thus the surface exposed to the incident light during heading and after emergence of the head.
Changing the students' role from passive listeners to active participants

A study was initiated to assess alternative teaching strategies that make learning more active and interactive and that allow students to discover things on their own with some guidance. This initial study was designed to be exploratory in nature, making it possible as well as methods for assessment. The results are encouraging and do indicate that the activity-based instruction is more effective than the traditional lecture mode. >
Is "rescue" therapy ethical in randomized controlled trials?

the study drug, leading to increased sample size and thereby placing more children at risk (18 “excess” placebo-arm deaths occur in our hypothetical example). Analysis of a trial incorporating rescue therapy cannot definitively assess overall efficacy of the agent, or distinguish beneficial or harmful treatment effects related to timing of drug use. Conclusions: Although a rescue therapy component in a randomized trial may be perceived as ethically desirable, inconsistency of rescue therapy with full equipoise may itself raise significant ethical concerns. Increased sample sizes expose more children to the risks of study participation, including death. Researchers should be aware that clinical trials designed with rescue therapy cannot definitively determine the beneficial or harmful effects of a treatment per se, and can only assess the effects of delayed vs. immediate provision of the treatment. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2009; 10:431– 438)
Hypothesis-Driven Experimental Research Is Necessary for Natural Resource Management

Effective management of natural resources must be grounded in a solid scientific understanding of the ecosystem and its responses to natural and human-induced stress. Such an understanding does not arise easily from observational data and models that are not substantiated by experimental data. Cause-and-effect relationships are more easily documented when observations and/or models are supplemented by hypothesis-driven experimental research. In this paper the authors present three examples from south Florida where hypothesis-driven experimental research has been combined with observational data collection to address specific resource management questions. These include research to determine: (1) the cause of cattail expansion in the Everglades; (2) a threshold phosphorus concentration for the Everglades; and (3) optimal salinity criteria for Florida estuaries. In each case, the results have led to a better understanding of ecosystem function and more sound guidance for resource managers than was possible without the hypothesis-drive experimental research. Resource managers need to recognize the merits of this holistic approach to environmental science and management if they are to have success in reversing detrimental human impacts on natural ecosystems.
A micromachined silicon electron tunneling sensor

An electron tunneling sensor that takes advantage of the extreme position sensitivity of electron tunneling and the unique properties of micromachined silicon is presented. Anisotropic etchants, such as EDP, are used to create micrometer- and millimeter-scale structures such as single-crystal silicon springs, electrodes, and tunneling tips, which are then incorporated in the sensor. The electrostatic force between a pair of planar electrodes is used to control the separation between the tunneling tip and the surface. The thermal drift, hysteresis, and creep of conventional piezoelectric actuators is thereby avoided. Because the structure is composed entirely of silicon, the usual problems associated with differential thermal expansion in piezoelectric-based tunnel devices are greatly reduced. >