cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometric learning of the conformational dynamics of molecules using dynamic graph neural networks.

We apply a temporal edge prediction model for weighted dynamic graphs to predict time-dependent changes in molecular structure. Each molecule is represented as a complete graph in which each atom is a vertex and all vertex pairs are connected by an edge weighted by the Euclidean distance between atom pairs. We ingest a sequence of complete molecular graphs into a dynamic graph neural network (GNN) to predict the graph at the next time step. Our dynamic GNN predicts atom-to-atom distances with a mean absolute error of 0.017 A, which is considered ``chemically accurate'' for molecular simulations. We also explored the transferability of a trained network to new molecular systems and found that finetuning with less than 10% of the total trajectory provides a mean absolute error of the same order of magnitude as that when training from scratch on the full molecular trajectory.
Creating A Coefficient of Change in the Built Environment After a Natural Disaster

This study proposes a novel method to assess damages in the built environment using a deep learning workflow to quantify it. Thanks to an automated crawler, aerial images from before and after a natural disaster of 50 epicenters worldwide were obtained from Google Earth, generating a 10,000 aerial image database with a spatial resolution of 2 m per pixel. The study utilizes the algorithm Seg-Net to perform semantic segmentation of the built environment from the satellite images in both instances (prior and post-natural disasters). For image segmentation, Seg-Net is one of the most popular and general CNN architectures. The Seg-Net algorithm used reached an accuracy of 92% in the segmentation. After the segmentation, we compared the disparity between both cases represented as a percentage of change. Such coefficient of change represents the damage numerically an urban environment had to quantify the overall damage in the built environment. Such an index can give the government an estimate of the number of affected households and perhaps the extent of housing damage.
Up Close and Personal: Employee Networks and Job Satisfaction in a Human Service Context

This article investigates the association between workers’ networks of relationships used for advice on job tasks and their job satisfaction. It thus extends the study of personal employment networks from previous efforts that focus primarily on businesses to an examination of a type of human service organization. It situates this examination within a population of nonprofit domestic violence program employees. Prior research suggests that having emotionally close and physically proximate ties is positively related to general job satisfaction and that distant and dispersed ties are related to satisfaction with compensation and opportunity for promotion. The current results instead suggest that close ties are positively related to both types of satisfaction and that networking patterns and payoffs may be contextually shaped.
Toward a Paradigm for Education in Information Science

Glynn Harmon (1976), in his chapter in the Annual Review on “Information Science Education and Training” makes a clear distinction between education and training. Education is seen as not only the acquisition of organized knowledge of the past, but also as the development of critical cognitive abilities, attitudes and other enduring forms of personally and socially valuable behavior (Good, 1973). Training, by contrast, is a series of instructional and learning situations in which goals are clearly determined and their attainment easily demonstrated; skilled mastery is acquired through practice and guided appraisal of learning performance.
Observer design for systems with unknown inputs

Design procedures are proposed for two different classes of observers for systems withunknown inputs. In thefirst approach, the state of the observed system is decomposed into known and unknown components. The unknown component is a projection, not necessarily orthogonal, of the whole state along the subspace in which the available state component resides. Then, a dynamical system to estimate the unknown component is constructed. Combining the output of the dynamical system, which estimates the unknown state component, with the available state information results in an observer that estimates the whole state. It is shown that some previously proposed observer architectures can be obtained using the projection operator approach presented in this paper. The second approach combines sliding modes and the second method of Lyapunov resulting in a nonlinear observer. The nonlinear component of the sliding mode observer forces the observation error into the sliding mode along a manifold in the observation error space. Design algorithms are given for both types of observers.
Nitrile-Supported Coordination Polymers of Cerium(III) Bromide

A series of nitrile-supported coordination polymers of cerium bromide (CeBr3) are reported, including adducts of trimethylacetonitrile, benzonitrile, and glutaronitrile. The identities of the compounds are established on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, and the compounds are further characterized by elemental analysis and photoluminescence. The photoluminescence spectra of the coordination polymers display considerably redshifted emission compared to the characteristic emission of CeBr3 single crystals.
Mechanical Adaptivity in Photoresponsive Liquid Crystal Elastomers, Polymer Networks, and Composites

This article has no abstract. Keywords: azobenzene; carbon nanotube; liquid crystal elastomer; liquid crystal polymer network; photomechanical; shape memory polymer; photomechanical
Biochemical studies on adenovirus multiplication. XVII. Ribosome synthesis in uninfected and infected KB cells.

Abstract Synthesis of 18 S and 28 S ribosomal RNA decreases in KB cells infected with adenovirus type 2 (Ad 2). At late times (18–20 hours) after infection the rate of entry of label into new ribosomes, as determined by analysis of total cellular RNA, polysomes, or free 45 S ribosome subunits is 20% the rate in uninfected cells. The ribosomes made in infected cells enter polysomes and are present in polysomes and free 45 S subunits in the same ratio as newly made ribosomes in uninfected cells. RNA labeled at 19 hours after infection was isolated from the polysome and free 45 S ribosome subunit regions of sucrose gradients and annealed with viral DNA. After a 90-min labeling period, 30% and 10% of the label in the polysome and 45 S subunit fractions hybridizes with Ad 2 DNA. Sucrose gradient analysis and hybridization studies of the RNA labeled 19 hours after infection indicate that ribosomal RNA and viral mRNA continue to enter the ribosome fractions at a constant ratio.
HOW HOMES INFLUENCE SCHOOLS: EARLY PARENTING PREDICTS AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN'S CLASSROOM SOCIAL–EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING

Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort were used to examine the extent to which early parenting predicted African American children's kindergarten social–emotional functioning. Teachers rated children's classroom social–emotional functioning in four areas (i.e., approaches to learning, self-control, interpersonal skills, and externalizing behaviors). Mothers completed self-report questionnaires assessing their home-based parenting practices (i.e., warmth and home learning stimulation). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that mothers who engaged in more frequent home learning stimulation (e.g., shared book reading) had children with more positive teacher ratings of approaches to learning, self-control, interpersonal skills, and fewer externalizing behaviors. Notably, demographic characteristics also contributed to children's social–emotional functioning. Specifically, African American girls from more affluent, two-parent homes with highly educated mothers had the most positive ratings of classroom social–emotional functioning across all four dimensions.
Endogenous endothelin stimulates cardiac sympathetic afferents during ischaemia

Myocardial ischaemia activates cardiac sympathetic afferents leading to chest pain and reflex cardiovascular responses. Previous studies have shown that a brief period of myocardial ischaemia increases endothelin in cardiac venous plasma draining ischaemic myocardium and that exogenous endothelin excites cutaneous group III and IV sensory nerve fibres. The present study tested the hypothesis that endogenous endothelin stimulates cardiac afferents during ischaemia through direct activation of endothelin A receptors (ETARs). Nerve activity of single unit cardiac sympathetic afferents was recorded from the left sympathetic chain or rami communicates (T2–T5) in anaesthetized cats. Single fields of 38 afferents (CV = 0.25–3.86 m s−1) were identified in the left or right ventricle with a stimulating electrode. Five minutes of myocardial ischaemia stimulated all 38 cardiac afferents (8 Aδ, 30 C-fibres) and the responses of these 38 afferents to chemical stimuli were further studied in the following protocols. In the first protocol, injection of endothelin 1 (ET-1, 1, 2 and 4 μg) into the left atrium (LA) stimulated seven ischaemically sensitive cardiac afferents in a dose-dependent manner. Second, BQ-123, a selective ETAR antagonist, abolished the responses of nine afferents to 2 μg of ET-1 injected into the left atrium and attenuated the ischaemia-related increase in activity of eight other afferents by 51%. In contrast, blockade of ETB receptors caused inconsistent responses to exogenous ET-1 as well as to ischaemia. Furthermore, in the absence of ETAR blockade, cardiac afferents responded consistently to repeated administration of ET-1 (n= 7) and to recurrent myocardial ischaemia (n= 7). Finally, using an immunocytochemical staining approach, we observed that ETA receptors were expressed in cardiac sensory neurons in thoracic dorsal root ganglia. Taken together, these data indicate that endogenous endothelin contributes to activation of cardiac afferents during myocardial ischaemia through direct stimulation of ETA receptors likely to be located in the cardiac sensory nervous system.
Macroarray analysis reveals a strain-induced oxidant response in pulmonary epithelial cells.

Mechanical strain initiates a variety of responses in pulmonary epithelial cells. The signaling pathways and molecular alterations leading to these responses remain unclear. To identify novel signal transduction pathways activated by strain, macroarray analysis was performed on strained pulmonary epithelial cells. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) pi, GST mu, and heat shock protein (HSP)-27 were increased by strain. Western blotting verified that increases in cDNA of these redox-related molecules resulted in an increase in protein. Phosphorylation of HSP-27 was increased after strain, further supporting the role of HSP-27 in strain-induced signal transduction. Strain-induced oxidative stress was verified with the oxidant-sensitive dye dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.
Three-dimensional inductance computations with partial element equivalent circuits

Inductance computations represent an important part in the design of hardware packages, especially for high performance computers. Partial element equivalent circuits (PEEC) [1) are used in this paper to investigate two problems, viz., the inductance of ground plane connections and the reduction in inductance due to eddy currents set up in perpendicular crossing wires. The results from the PEEC models are compared, for the first problem, to experimental hardware measurements and, in the second case, to simplified analytical solutions.
Power Circuit Representation for Digital Studies

Detailed studies of multiconductored circuits with distributed constants involving untransposed lines, unbalanced loads, and simultaneous faults require special circuit representation. A general method for deriving circuits to meet these requirements is presented. The circuits can be used on a voltampere-ohm basis or converted to per-unit circuit or sequence network quantities. The method has been used to obtain a numerical solution to power system unbalances caused by untransposed EHV (extra-high-voltage) lines.
A design of and design tools for a novel quantum dot based microprocessor

Despite the seemingly endless upw ards spiral of modern VLSI technology, many experts are predicting a hard w all for CMOS in about a decade. Given this, researc hers con tin ue to look at alternative technologies, one of which is based on quan tumdots, called quan tumcellular automata (QCA). While the first such devices have been fabricated, little is kno wn about how to design complete systems of them. This paper summarizes one of the first such studies, namely an attempt to design a complete, albeit simple, CPU in the technology. T o design a theoretical QCA microprocessor, two things must be accomplished. First a device model of the processor must be constructed (i.e. the schematic itself). Second, methods for sim ulatingand testing QCA designs m ust be developed. This paper summarizes the beginnings of a simple QCA microprocessor (namely, its dataflow) and a QCA design and simulation tool.
Changes in lipid density induce membrane curvature

Highly curved bilayer lipid membranes make up the shell of many intra- and extracellular compartments, including organelles and vesicles. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we show that increasing the density of lipids in the bilayer membrane can induce the membrane to form a curved shape.
The chronic exposure of selected crop species to boron aerosols

Abstract Reports of damage on vegetation around several point sources have indicated boron is a phytotoxic air pollutant. This study compared the effect of chronic foliar aerosol exposures (0, 1.55 or 3.09 μg B/cm2 leaf area, three times per week) on five crop species varying in their leaf-type and sensitivity to boron via root exposure. Foliar absorption of boron was not determined by leaf-type and was fairly uniform across species. Phytotoxicity occurred in species according to the quantity of boron accumulating in their leaves and was correlated to the sensitivity of the species to root boron exposure. In a separate study, chronic foliar aerosol exposures were given to plants grown in hydroponic solutions with a range in boron concentration from deficiency to toxicity. Visual damage identical to that of root boron toxicity was observed on all plants, including those grown at deficient solution levels.
Social support and adolescent cancer survivors: A review of the literature.

With survival rates increasing dramatically in pediatric cancer, concern has increasingly focused on the psychosocial aspects of the cancer experience. Clearly, the experience of a cancer diagnosis and treatment of cancer places high demands on the coping of adolescents. Research has shown social support to be effective in decreasing stress and enhancing coping in adolescents facing such demands. A review and critical analysis of studies of social support in adolescent cancer survivors was conducted. The seventeen studies were mainly descriptive and exploratory in nature with social support examined for a number of outcome variables in eight of the studies. Findings from this review indicate that support from parents (especially the mother) and friends were extremely important and that the adolescents were satisfied with family support. Support from friends was described as less satisfactory. Methodological concerns of the reviewed studies include small samples and a lack of consistency in the instruments used to assess social support. Future studies of social support for adolescent cancer survivors should include larger samples to determine gender, age group, and ethnic differences and to allow the examination of social support theoretical models specific to the developmental and chronic illness situation of these adolescents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of post-CHF swirl flow heat transfer

Abstract A thermodynamic nonequilibrium model has been developed for a two-phase, vapor and liquid-drop, dispersed swirl flow in a vertical tube with a twisted-tape insert. The solution of the nonlinear differential equations proceeds from the critical heat flux location downstream through the post-CHF region. Wall temperature, superheat vapor temperature, heat transfer rates to the phases, and phase velocity distributions are predicted. Results were verified by comparison with experimental data from a heat exchanger application with high pressure (16.0 MPa) boiling water heated by a flowing liquid. The resulting low wall-superheat data used in this study were in the mass flux range of 910–1878 kg m −2 s −1 with tape-twist ratios of 2.51, 5.02 and 7.53 based on 180° of twist. Model predictions are presented for parameters not measured experimentally which lend insight into post-CHF heat transfer under swirl flow conditions.
Soil moisture variability of root zone profiles within SMEX02 remote sensing footprints

Abstract Remote sensing of soil moisture effectively provides soil moisture at a large scale, but does not explain highly heterogeneous soil moisture characteristics within remote sensing footprints. In this study, field scale spatio-temporal variability of root zone soil moisture was analyzed. During the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02), daily soil moisture profiles (i.e., 0–6, 5–11, 15–21, and 25–31 cm) were measured in two fields in Walnut Creek watershed, Ames, Iowa, USA. Theta probe measurements of the volumetric soil moisture profile data were used to analyze statistical moments and time stability and to validate soil moisture predicted by a simple physical model simulation. For all depths, the coefficient of variation of soil moisture is well explained by the mean soil moisture using an exponential relationship. The simple model simulated very similar variability patterns as those observed. As soil depth increases, soil moisture distributions shift from skewed to normal patterns. At the surface depth, the soil moisture during dry down is log-normally distributed, while the soil moisture is normally distributed after rainfall. At all depths below the surface, the normal distribution captures the soil moisture variability for all conditions. Time stability analyses show that spatial patterns of sampling points are preserved for all depths and that time stability of surface measurements is a good indicator of subsurface time stability. The most time stable sampling sites estimate the field average root zone soil moisture value within ±2.1% volumetric soil moisture.
Temperature dependent adsorption of hydrogen cyanide by activated and impregnated carbons

Abstract Equilibrium adsorption—desorption data for HCN on BPL activated carbon and ASC whetlerite carbon are reported for various temperatures. Wo values calculated from the Dubinin-Polyani equation for BPL activated carbon and for ASC whetlerite carbon are 0.42 and 0.35 ml/g respectively at temperatures from 0 to 122°C. The heats of sorption were obtained from the Clausius Clapeyron equation. The heat of sorption approximates to the heat of liquefaction at high surface coverage in both carbons. Significant increases above this are observed at surface coverages below 0.3, in the case of ASC whetlerite, and below 0.05, in the case of BPL activated carbon.
Injury-Induced Neurogenesis Mechanisms and Relevance

Partial recovery from brain injury due to trauma, hypoxia, or stroke, is ubiquitous and occurs largely through unknown mechanisms. It is now well accepted that injury enhances proliferation of quiescent stem and progenitor cells in specialized niches within the brain. However, whether this injury-induced neurogenesis contributes to recovery after brain injury remains controversial. Recent evidence suggests that hippocampal neural stem/precursor cell activation and subsequent neurogenesis are responsible for at least some aspects of spontaneous recovery following brain injury from a variety of causes. However, other aspects of injury-induced neurogenesis, including its contribution to adverse sequelae such as seizures, are still being investigated. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and how it relates to injury and explain how current mouse technology is allowing for better understanding of whether manipulating this natural process might eventually help inform therapy following brain injury.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon transformations in a coastal plain soil treated with animal manures☆

Abstract A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon transformations in a coastal plain soil (Norfolk sandy loam) treated with animal manures. Three types of manure—beef, poultry and swine—were either surface applied or incorporated into the soil. The results indicate that losses of ammonia N through volatilisation were higher in the soil treated with poultry manure than in the soil treated with beef or swine manures. Poultry and swine manure applications resulted in the accumulation of approximately the same amount of nitrate N. Accumulation of nitrate N in the soil treated with beef manure was approximately half that in the soil treated with poultry or swine manure. Application of animal manures to the soil increased soluble organic N, soluble P and soluble organic C. Application of all the manures increased the denitrification potential of the soil. The denitrification potential of the Norfolk soil was higher when treated with beef manure than when treated with poultry or swine manures. Denitrification potential was highest in the treatment where animal manures underwent 30-day decomposition. The nitrate N loss decreased as the manure decomposition periods were increased to 60, 90 and 120 days.
Hypnotic amnesia revisited.

Abstract 60 high and 60 low susceptible Ss were randomly assigned (12 groups of 10 Ss each) to 6 experimental procedures which differed in terms of the type of amnesia suggestions given (i.e., pennissively or authoritatively worded amnesia suggestions) and the kind of motivation accompanying the amnesia suggestions (i.e., hypnotic motivation, waking motivation, and waking nonmotivation). Results show that high susceptible Ss performed more effectively in the direction of the amnesia suggestions, but that these suggestions were not totally effective for any of the 12 groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in response either to pennissively or authoritatively worded amnesia suggestions or to hypnotic or waking procedures, but there were differences in response to task-motivating and non-task-motivating procedures (task-motivated Ss were ostensibly more amnesic).
Concurrency in blackboard systems

A blackboard system in which the experts operate concurrently is described and implemented. The parallel program, which carries out a Penrose tiling of a planar area, provides insight into, and requires resolution of, many of the problems which must be addressed in implementing a more general concurrent blackboard system. A more versatile distributed knowledge system is also proposed. This model is based on a tree of concurrent blackboard systems in which partial solutions to various subproblems are developed at interior nodes and are piped to the root where the overall problem solution is arrived at.
Quantitative Assessment and Forecast for Structurally Deficient Bridge Diagnostics

Diagnostic instrumentation and monitoring of bridges are essential for reliable structural condition assessment and performance evaluation. Particularly, structurally deficient bridges cannot be accurately evaluated by inspection and/or analysis alone. Reliable evaluation is an economic and engineering requirement before any decision-making for preventive action. Although structural health monitoring for bridge diagnostics appears to be accepted, it is not yet a typical field practice. This article assesses quantitatively the future needs for bridge diagnostics of structurally deficient bridges through structural health monitoring. Logistic components of bridge diagnostics are also discussed. The detailed aspects are intended to help, plan, and manage financial resources and implementation practices for bridge evaluation.
Metabolic responses of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) to temperature acclimation. II. Alterations in metabolic carbon sources and distributions of fiber types in locomotory muscle

The effects of temperature acclimation on (1) fiber-type distribution, and (2) alternate metabolic fuels for energy supply within different skeletal muscle fiber types in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were examined. Histochemical analysis demonstrated an increase in the proportional cross sectional area of oxidative red fibers from 9.03% to 15.03% during cold acclimation (25°-5°C). The rate of oxygen consumption was 1.78 times greater in red muscle than white in 25°C acclimated fish. This ratio increased to 2.32 in 5° fish. Oxidation of both 14C-U-glucose and 14C-1-palmitate was significantly greater in red muscle than in white at both acclimation temperatures. A lack of thermal compensation for metabolism of 14C-U-glucose was exhibited by both fiber types. Red muscle showed a dramatic increase in rate of 14C-1-palmitate oxidation after cold acclimation. Activities of glycolytic enzymes confirmed a high glycolytic capacity in white muscle; glycolytic capacities were dependent on acclimation temperature in both fiber types. Only red muscle showed a positive compensation for activities of key enzymes from aerobic metabolism. The results indicate an increasing reliance on aerobic metabolism of fat in the swimming musculature at cold acclimation temperatures. The capacity for sustained swimming under these conditions is conserved by (1) an increase in the relative proportion of red fibers, and (2) an enhanced capacity for energy supply in the red muscle by oxidative metabolism of stored lipid.
Time-varying environment-based machine learning technique for autonomous agent shortest-path planning

Autonomous agent path planning is a main problem in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Reactive execution is often used in order to provide best decision for the agent's reactions. Although this problem is important in the stationary environment, most interesting environments are time varying. This paper is based on our previous work focusing on combining the potential field model with reinforcement learning to solve the stationary path problem. In this work we deal with the case of dynamic environment. In the dynamic environment, the motion of the obstacles provides for different problems and challenges, which our proposed algorithm in this paper encounters and addresses.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Contrast radiography in neoplastic disease of the larynx and pharynx.

T HE USE of roentgenographic techniques plays an important role in neoplastic diseases of the larynx and pharynx. Plain films, tomography, contrast radiography, and tine recording of a barium swallowing are the modalities available. Plain films should always be the initial step of the examination. Contrast radiography, in my opinion, is far superior to tomography for most problems. Cineroentgenography of the barium swallow is the best way to record abnormalities of the postcricoid region and is the only way to study pharyngeal function.
Geographic variation in the yellow-billed cuckoo

Populations of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus, west of the Rocky Mountains have average wing lengths slightly greater than those of eastern North America, but the difference is not sufficient for taxonomic recognition. There is no geographically oriented variation in bill size or color, and the species is best considered monotypic.
The incidence of metropolitan property tax base sharing and rate equalization

Abstract The incidence of metropolitan property tax base sharing and rate equalization is analyzed in a two-jurisdiction model of a metropolitan economy. Analytical results indicate how the effects of this reform proposal can be separated into efficiency gains, redistributions among metropolitan residents, and redistributions among residents and nonresidents of the metropolitan area; the effects of enactment on suburban housing prices are also analyzed. Numerical results suggest that enactment of metropolitan base sharing and rate equalization would result in fairly small efficiency gains even with significant factor reallocations and would be accompanied by sizable income redistributions among city and suburban landowners.
Handedness and cognitive functions in pervasive developmental disorders.

This paper is concerned with what abnormal handedness in Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) reveals about the presence, lateralization, and severity of cerebral dysfunction in this population. From previous work, it was predicted that left-handedness would be elevated in the sample and that mixed-handedness subjects should be more impaired than those with established hand dominance. A battery of cognitive and motor tests were administered to a group of PDD children with autistic symptoms, and performance was compared for the left-handed, right-handed, and mixedpreference children. It was found that left-handers tended to do better than right-handers on all cognitive measures, while the mixed-preference children tended to be the lowest on all cognitive measures. No differences were found on motor measures. An extension of the Satz (1972) model, assuming early brain damage, was developed to explain the superiority of the left-handed children; an alternative explanation assuming anomalous lateralization patterns in the natural left-handers was also suggested.
Numerical modeling and analysis of ECC structures

The objective of this paper is to develop a tool for the numerical analysis of full-scale ECC structures. For this purpose, a macroscopic cyclic constitutive model for engineered cementitious composite (ECC) materials is developed based on the response of the material at the stress–strain level under different loading regimes. Various features specific to ECC material such as the unloading and reloading characteristics, different backbone curves in tension and compression, and residual strains are taken into account in the model development. The input parameters are limited to those that can be obtained from conventional monotonic compression and tension tests, thus facilitating its use with minimum information. The model is first validated at the stress–strain level and then implemented into fiber-based finite element analysis software for structural level simulation. The results from simulation of ECC members under cyclic and static time history loading are compared to experimental data for model validation at the structural level. Finally, a parametric study is conducted at the member level to investigate the effect of ECC tensile strength and ductility on the structural level response metrics: stiffness, strength, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity. It is observed that the structural level response metrics change considerably depending on the material properties. With its sensitivity to the main behavioral features of ECC, its simplicity, and its sufficient accuracy, the model is suited for use in predicting the behavior of ECC structures under monotonic, cyclic, and dynamic loading scenarios.
Sol-gel processing of Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x using alkoxide precursors: Two systems yielding high degrees of thin film orientation and crystal growth

Abstract An alkoxide sol-gel chemistry has been developed to form superconducting Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7− x thin films and bulk powders. The Cu(II) ethoxide synthesis and processing steps used to obtain a homogeneous Y-Ba-Cu sol are specifically outlined. Sols were produced using two different solvent systems: toluene and methoxyethanol/methylethylketone. Both systems promote complexation of insoluble Cu(II) ethoxide with the barium and yttrium precursors allowing the formation of nanometer-sized sols. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to characterize the gel decomposition and oxide formation processes. The toluene system produced gels having a crystallization temperature of 425°C while the methoxyethanol/methylethylketone processed gel crystallized at 500°C. The methoxyethanol/methylethylketone gel had essentially complete organic by-product oxidation by 475°C. Films produced on single-crystal SrTiO 3 (for both systems) showed a high degree of orientation and crystal growth.
Potential new medical therapies for diabetic retinopathy: protein kinase C inhibitors

Abstract PURPOSE: To review the evidence supporting a role for the beta (β) isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and the possible therapeutic benefit of inhibiting this enzyme. DESIGN: Brief literature review of research suggesting the potential use for systemic inhibitors of the β isoform of PKC as a medical therapy to prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Brief consideration is given to previous, primarily clinical, studies dealing with other therapies for this disease. RESULTS: Kinases transfer the terminal, “high energy,” phosphate group of ATP to a site on a target protein, thereby activating the protein, which may be an enzyme, cell membrane receptor, or ion transport channel. The PKC family is a group of such enzymes that require specific activator molecules, including diacylglycerol, whose intracellular concentration is substantially increased during the hyperglycemia of diabetes. Protein kinase Cβ is present at high levels in the retina. Increased activation of this enzyme, perhaps by producing tissue hypoxia, leads to increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a mitogen that increases proliferation of vascular endothelial cells leading to neovascularization and enhances breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, perhaps resulting in macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: By interfering with the above biochemical pathways, PKC inhibitors may retard or prevent the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Because members of the PKC family are found throughout the body, a generalized inhibitor is likely to be toxic. However, an inhibitor specific for PKCβ may act effectively within the retina and have a favorable toxicity profile. Two phase III randomized controlled clinical trials of such an inhibitor are now in progress, attempting to evaluate the efficacy of this approach to preventing the progression, or inducing regression, of “nonclinically significant” diabetic macular edema and of severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Optimization of High Molecular Weight Pullulan Production by Aureobasidium pullulans in Batch Fermentations

Of five strains of Aureobasidium pullulans studied, NRRL Y-2311-1 yielded the highest titer (26.2 g/L) of pullulan and formed the lowest amount of melanin-like pigment. Sucrose was superior to glucose as the carbon and energy source on the basis of yield and titer of pullulan produced. Pullulan titer was higher (26.2 vs 5.1 g/L), biomass concentration was lower (6.9 vs 12.7 g/L), and DO was lower (0 vs 60% of saturation) when the fermenter was agitated by a marine propeller compared to Rushton impellers. Pullulan produced by strain NRRL Y-2311-1 ranged in weight-average molar mass (M(w)) from 486 KDa and number-average molar mass (M(n)) from 220 Da on day 1 of growth to 390 KDa and 690 Da on day 6; M(w) declined by about 35% from day 1 to day 3, the day of maximum pullulan titer. For the other strains, the ranges of molar mass on the day of maximum pullulan titer were 338-614 KDa (M(w)) and 100-6820 Da (M(n)).
Dispersion characteristics and rheology of organoclay nanocomposites based on a segmented main-chain liquid-crystalline polymer having side-chain azopyridine with flexible spacer

Abstract The dispersion characteristics and rheology of organoclay nanocomposites based on a main-chain liquid-crystalline polymer having side-chain azopyridine with flexible spacer (PABP) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and oscillatory shear rheometry. In the preparation of nanocomposites via solution blending under vigorous stirring, two commercial organoclays (Southern Clay Products) were employed: one (Cloisite 30B) treated with a surfactant (MT2EtOH) having hydroxyl groups, and the other (Cloisite 20A) treated with a nonpolar surfactant (2M2HT) having hydrogenated tallow. Also prepared, for comparison, were nanocomposites prepared by mixing PABP with natural clay (montmorillonite, MMT). The following observations were made. (i) PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite has featureless XRD patterns and a very high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates as determined from TEM. (ii) PABP/Cloisite 20A nanocomposite has shown a conspicuous XRD reflection peak and intercalation of Cloisite 20A aggregates as determined from TEM. (iii) PABP/MMT nanocomposite has shown XRD patterns, which are virtually the same as the XRD patterns of neat PABP with a slightly increased gallery distance, and it has very poor dispersion of MMT aggregates in the matrix of PABP. The observed high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates in PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite is attributable to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the pyridyl group of side-chain azopyridine and the hydroxyl groups in the surfactant MT2EtOH residing at the surface of Cloisite 30B. The presence of hydrogen bonds in the PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite was confirmed by in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was observed via polarized optical microscopy that the liquid crystallinity of PABP in the PABP/Cloisite 30B nanocomposites was more or less intact with a very high degree of dispersion of Cloisite 30B aggregates. Oscillatory shear flow measurements of the organoclay nanocomposites prepared support the conclusions drawn from XRD, TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy.
Photobleaching through glass micropipettes: sodium channels without lateral mobility in the sarcolemma of frog skeletal muscle

Abstract Sodium currents were recorded from frog skeletal muscle by using fire-polished micropipettes to electrically isolate and voltage clamp a small patch of sarcolemma. Sodium current amplitude served as an assay for the number of functional sodium channels in the patch. With the pipette as a light guide, these channels were irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light directed through a quartz fiber into the back end of the pipette. The UV light emerging from the pipette tip caused localized destruction of the sodium channels in the patch, reducing sodium current 3- to 5-fold during a 30-90 s irradiation. If sodium channels could diffuse laterally in the membrane, current from the patch should recover with time as fresh channels enter from neighboring areas. No such recovery was observed during observation for 1 hr after irradiation. Our results set an upper limit of 10(-12) cm2/s for the diffusion coefficient--1/1000th that of rhodopsin, a membrane protein in the cell membrane of retinal rods. It is suggested that sodium channels are anchored in the sarcolemma.
Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 inhibition and the metabolic syndrome: considerations for future drug discovery.

Purpose of reviewThe metabolic syndrome has become a leading health concern in developed countries. In the search for strategies to combat this growing problem, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) inhibition has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, recent studies warn of potent
How dead is the GDR new economic system

(1973). How dead is the GDR new economic system? Soviet Studies: Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 276-282.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE AET MODEL FOR DECOMPOSITION IN ARID ENVIRONMENTS

There is considerable interest in the applicability of the model developed by Meentemeyer (1978), which predicts decomposition as a function of actual evapotranspiration (AET) and lignin, to environments other than forests. Whitford et al. (1981b) discussed exceptions to the Meentemeyer AET model in deserts and clearcut forests and concluded that in these environments, biological activity that is relatively independent of AET, such as activity of soil microarthropods and termites, accounts for the deviations (higher rates) from the model. We recently completed a study of decomposition in a semiarid desert-grassland transitional area that provides another independent test of the AET model. Our study was conducted at the site of the proposed nuclear waste isolation pilot plant 40 km east of Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA. Rainfall averages =260 mm/ yr with most precipitation occurring in late summer and autumn, and in late spring. We used litter characteristic of three plant communities: creosotebush, Larrea tridentata, shinnery oak, Quercus harvardii, and a mixture of two grasses: black gramma, Bouteloua eripoda, and burrograss, Scleropogon brevifolia. The creosotebush community is on shallow, sandyloam soils. The shinnery oak community is on deep, sandy, unstable soils which form dunes, and the grass community is on shallow, silty-loam soils. Forty bags of each litter type, containing 10 + 0.2 g of litter per bag, were placed on the soil surface in the plant community from which the litter was collected. Litter bags were 20 x 20 cm fiberglass screen, 1.5-mm mesh size. Ten bags were collected at 1 mo, 3 mo, 6 mo, and 1 yr; mineral soil was separated from the remaining litter, and the litter was dried, weighed, and burned in a muffle furnace to obtain organic matter loss. Lignin content of samples of the original collections was estimated by the Van Soest method (Van Soest 1963). We used rainfall data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration station at Potash Company of America, 30 km northwest of the site, to estimate actual evapotranspiration. The average lignin contents of the litter species were, Q. harvardii: 10.8 + 0.5%; L. tridentata: 9.5 ? 0.7%; and mixed 100
Toward Validation of the Diagnostic-Prescriptive Model.

EDUCATORS and psychologists have long espoused the ideal of tailoring instruction to provide for individual differences in children. In fact, special education was established to relieve the burden of regular classroom teachers who found it difficult to individualize instruction for handicapped children. It was then presumed best for instructional purposes to group certain children into categories, on the assumption that they could learn better when homogeneous teaching methods and materials were used. More recently, psychoeducational evaluation directed toward differential assessment of abilities and specific programing based on the results of that assessment (diagnostic-prescriptive teaching) has become prominent. Although diagnostic-prescriptive teaching has been hailed by Barbara Bateman as "the new scientific pedagogy," Lester Mann has severely criticized this approach, stating that he is "vehemently opposed to present conceptualizations of abilities as processes that can be identified precisely by existing tests for training purposes." In 1972 the senior author reviewed the present state of diagnostic-prescriptive teaching and concluded that there is little empirical support for the diagnostic-prescriptive model-primarily because most research efforts have been inadequately designed to test it? Rather, support for this model has generally come from correlational studies and gain-score research. (The methodo-
Platelet aggregometry can accurately predict failure of externally supported knitted Dacron femoropopliteal bypass grafts.

Abstract Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate whether a method for quantification of platelet aggregability will predict failure of knitted Dacron femoropopliteal bypass grafts. Methods: A numerically derived platelet aggregation (PA) score, based on the aggregation pattern and platelet count, was determined in the 40 patients available for platelet analysis who underwent 53 femoropopliteal bypass grafts with preclotted, 6 mm, externally supported knitted Dacron grafts from 1981 to 1991 (mean follow-up 50 months). The preoperative score was found to remain stable after surgery, enabling the use of postoperative values when preoperative values were not available. The PA score was available in 19 patients (23 grafts) before surgery and 23 patients (30 grafts) after surgery. The following factors were analyzed for predicting graft failure by the Cox proportional hazards regression model: PA score, age, gender, history of smoking, coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, claudication versus limb salvage, site of the distal anastomosis, previous ipsilateral bypass, and state of the runoff as determined by preoperative angiography. Results: Of the studied risk factors, the value of the PA score was the most significant predictor of graft closure ( p Conclusions: These data suggest that the PA score is a potential risk factor for failure of femoropopliteal bypass with externally supported knitted Dacron grafts. (J VASC SURG 1993;18:587-95.)
Intersections of mathematical, cognitive, and aesthetic theories of mind.

New mathematical and cognitive theories of the mind are connected to psychological theories of aesthetics. I briefly summarize recent revolutionary advancements toward understanding the mind, due to new methods of neuroimaging studies of the brain and new mathematical theories modeling the brain–min
Modulation of UVB‐induced and basal cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression by apigenin in mouse keratinocytes: Role of USF transcription factors

Apigenin is a bioflavonoid with chemopreventive activity against UV- or chemically-induced mouse skin tumors. To further explore the mechanism of apigenin's chemopreventive activity, we determined whether apigenin inhibited UVB-mediated induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse and human keratinocytes. Apigenin suppressed the UVB-induced increase in COX-2 protein and mRNA in mouse and human keratinocyte cell lines. UVB radiation of keratinocytes transfected with a mouse COX-2 promoter/luciferase reporter plasmid resulted in a threefold increase in transcription from the promoter, and apigenin inhibited the UV-induced promoter activity at doses of 5–50 µM. Transient transfections with COX-2 promoter deletion constructs and COX-2 promoter constructs containing mutations in specific enhancer elements indicated that the effects of UVB required intact Ebox and ATF/CRE response elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with supershifting antibodies were used to identify USF-1, USF-2, and CREB as proteins binding to the ATF/CRE-Ebox responsive element of the COX-2 promoter. Keratinocytes co-transfected with the COX-2 luciferase reporter and a USF-2 expression vector, alone or in combination with a USF-1 expression vector, exhibited enhanced promoter activity in both UVB-irradiated and nonirradiated cultures. However, COX-2 promoter activity was inhibited in keratinocytes co-transfected with USF-1 alone. Finally, we present data showing that the suppressive effect of apigenin on COX-2 expression could be reversed by co-expression of USF-1 and USF-2. These results suggest that one pathway by which apigenin inhibits COX-2 expression is through modulation of USF transcriptional activity. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.