cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promoting Intercultural Learning through Synchronous Video Exchange: A Talk Abroad Case Study.

The current study explores utilizing the ACTFL cultural framework to structure synchronous video-based speaking activities and subsequent class discussions. The study includes 39 students in two sections of an intermediate-level college Spanish course who engaged in five 30-minute conversations with native speakers of Spanish via Talk Abroad during one semester. Quantitative and qualitative data from the semester suggest students' oral proficiency and critical cultural awareness improved. A comparison of survey data indicates that student-reported satisfaction and learning via Talk Abroad was comparable to that of virtual exchanges coordinated by professors during previous semesters. These findings suggest third-party providers can provide students a similar level of learning and engagement for less of an investment in time, technology, and institutional resources than has been reported in previous studies.
Line-of-Sight optical diagnostic for measuring combustion products using species’ natural emissions

Abstract A new line-of-sight optical diagnostic technique was developed for measuring species’ concentrations using broadband (band-pass) filtered natural emission of species (FNES). The unresolved problem in measuring a species’ concentration via FNES is the overlap of different species at certain emission wavelengths, which makes the measurement of a single species problematic. A solution is proposed in this work and applied to measure the time-resolved concentrations of water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during autoignition of an n-heptane mixture. The experiments were performed in a rapid compression machine (RCM) at a gas pressure, gas temperature and equivalence ratio of 23.6 bar, 693 K and 0.455, respectively. A high-speed infrared camera with three filters at wavelength ranges of 4.069 to 4.445 μm, 4.545 to 4.785 μm, and 5.2 to 5.4 μm were used to measure the filtered species’ emissions.
Computer-Controlled Virtual Humans in Patient-Facing Systems: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Virtual humans (VH) are computer-generated characters that appear humanlike and simulate face-to-face conversations using verbal and nonverbal cues. Unlike formless conversational agents, like smart speakers or chatbots, VH bring together the capabilities of both a conversational agent and an interactive avatar (computer-represented digital characters). Although their use in patient-facing systems has garnered substantial interest, it is unknown to what extent VH are effective in health applications. Objective: The purpose of this review was to examine the effectiveness of VH in patient-facing systems. The design and implementation characteristics of these systems were also examined. Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles with relevant key terms. Studies were included in the systematic review if they designed or evaluated VH in patient-facing systems. Of the included studies, studies that used a randomized controlled trial to evaluate VH were included in the meta-analysis; they were then summarized using the PICOTS framework (population, intervention, comparison group, outcomes, time frame, setting). Summary effect sizes, using random-effects models, were calculated, and the risk of bias was assessed. Results: Among the 8,125 unique records identified, 53 articles describing 33 unique systems, were qualitatively, systematically reviewed. Two distinct design categories emerged — simple VH and VH augmented with health sensors and trackers. Of the 53 articles, 16 (26 studies) with 44 primary and 22 secondary outcomes were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of the 44 primary outcome measures revealed a significant difference between intervention and control conditions, favoring the VH intervention (SMD = .166, 95% CI .039-.292, P=.012), but with evidence of some heterogeneity, I2=49.3%. There were more cross-sectional (k=15) than longitudinal studies (k=11). The intervention was delivered using a personal computer in most studies (k=18), followed by a tablet (k=4), mobile kiosk (k=2), head-mounted display (k=1), and a desktop computer in a community center (k=1). Conclusions: We offer evidence for the efficacy of VH in patient-facing systems. Considering that studies included different population and outcome types, more focused analysis is needed in the future. Future studies also need to identify what features of virtual human interventions contribute toward their effectiveness.
Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphism rs2149356 and risk of gout in a Spanish cohort.

Gout is the most common arthritis and it is associated to urate monosodium crystals deposits in articulations, kidney and soft tissue. The urate monosodium crystals deposit initiates an inflammator...
Space and Violence in WWII Italian Captivity in Africa: Becoming a POW between Mount Kenya and the Equator Line

This article examines the history of the Fascist soldiers in Italian East Africa who were captured by the British Army in 1940–1941 and kept in Kenya as POWs and co-operators of war. It investigate...
Navigating the regulations of regulatory paperwork

Regulatory veterinary medicine includes activities many consider routine practice duties. Activities also focus toward identification and prevention of disease, foreign or domestic, and the examination of imported/exported animals, animal products, or plant consignments. This discussion is limited to the more usual activities within clinical practice. Several topics are examined; however, the list is not exhaustive.
Characterization of Kazachstania slooffiae, a Proposed Commensal in the Porcine Gut

Kazachstania slooffiae is a fungus commonly isolated from the gastrointestinal tract and feces of post-weaning pigs. Studies have implicated its ability to positively alter piglet gut health through potential symbioses with beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Prevotella, in providing amino acids as an energy source for microbial and piglet growth, and it has been found to be positively correlated with short-chain fatty acids in the piglet gut. However, basic mycological information remains limited, hampering in vitro studies. In this study, we characterized the growth parameters, biofilm formation ability, susceptibility to antimicrobials, and genetic relatedness of K. slooffiae to other fungal isolates. Optimal fungal growth conditions were determined, no antifungal resistance was found against multiple classes of antifungal drugs (azoles, echinocandins, polyenes, or pyrimidine analogues), and dimorphic growth was observed. K. slooffiae produced biofilms that became more complex in the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus supernatant, suggesting positive interactions with this bacterium in the gut, while Enterococcus faecalis supernatant decreased density, suggesting an antagonistic interaction. This study characterizes the in vitro growth conditions that are optimal for further studies of K. slooffiae, which is an important step in defining the role and interactions of K. slooffiae in the porcine gut environment.
Introducing Issue 64(8), the Mini Special Issue on COVID-19 and Older Adults.

Dear Readers,I am pleased to share with you this “Mini” special issue featuring three additional COVID-19 articles and a book review. This issue is smaller than usual to keep within the journal’s a...
"Punching above their weight" The sources of competitive advantage for emerging market multinationals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the sources of competitive strength of emerging market multinationals (EMMs). Since most lack firm-specific assets such as internalized knowledge or globally recognized brands, especially in their early international growth, and emanate from less-developed nations, the success of EMMs has to be explained by identifying factors in their home nations and international scope which make these firms internationally competitive. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive review of the extant literature and company cases identified several sources of competitive advantage for emerging market firms. Since conclusive evidence is still unavailable, many of these factors are proposed as hypotheses for future empirical research. Where needed, contrary viewpoints are also discussed and cited. Findings – This paper identifies several possible location-specific assets of emerging market companies including the mindset of top management of EMMs (such as ...
A Dalkon Shield imbedded in a myoma: Case report of an unusual displacement of an intrauterine contraceptive device

A case report is presented of a 26 year old patient whose intrauterine wall was apparently eroded by a dalkon shield which imbedded in a leiomyoma. Diagnosis was by sonography since an x-ray of the abdomen did not reveal the IUD. This particular shield may not have been more radio opaque than bone--thus hampering radiographic discovery. It is recommended that manufacturers 1) standardize the degree of opacity of their devices and 2) request a 15 degree oblique tilt if the device cannot be seen in the anteroposterior film. B-mode scanning sonography is preferred because it does not expose the patient to unnecessary radiation and it can tell exact uterine localization.
Cellular Basis of Pepsinogen Secretion

The sections in this article are: 1 General Considerations 1.1 Basic Model for Pepsinogen Secretion 1.2 Experimental Models for Studying Pepsinogen Secretion 1.3 Assay of Pepsinogen 2 Properties of Pepsinogen 2.1 Biochemistry 2.2 Distribution 3 Secretion of Pepsinogen 3.1 Stimulation of Secretion 3.2 Intracellular Mediators 3.3 Secretory Mechanism 4 Summary
A high throughput and reliable thermal compression bonding process for advanced interconnections

In this study, a liquid phase contact thermal compression bonding (LPC TCB) process was investigated for fine-pitch copper pillar with solder cap flip chip packages. It offers a high throughput and reliable interconnection with a controllable solder height. A series of LPC TCB experiments using both Chip-on-substrate (CoS) and Chip-on-chip (CoC) packages were performed. The bonding profiles clearly indicate that a high throughput, UPH (units per hour) of 1.2k, could be achieved compared with UPH of ∼600 for a conventional TCB-flux process. The results on cross section examination, interfacial microstructure, shear strength and failure mode demonstrated that excellent wetting and robust solder joint could be achieved using LPC TCB process. With a bond head (BH) cooling step, a precise solder height could be obtained based on a pre-determined bonding level, while without a BH cooling step, the solder height remained at a constant value regardless the bonding level. The restoring force from the surface tension was calculated to explain this phenomenon. Finite element analysis (FEA) was also carried out to predict the joint fatigue life for the packages bonded with different solder thickness values.
Providing semantics for the WEB using fuzzy set methods

We discuss the emerging applications of fuzzy logic and related technologies within the semantic web. Using fuzzy sets, we are able to provide an underlying semantics for linguistic concepts. We show how this framework allows for the representation of the types of imprecision characteristic of human conceptualization. We introduce some of the basic operations available for the representation and subsequent manipulation of knowledge. We illustrate the application of soft matching and searching technologies that exploit the underlying semantics provided by using fuzzy sets. We look at question-answering systems and point out how they differ from other information seeking applications, such as search engines, by requiring a deduction capability, an ability to answer questions by a synthesis of information residing in different parts of its knowledge base. This capability requires appropriate representation of various types of human knowledge, rules for locally manipulating this knowledge and framework for providing a global plan for appropriately mobilizing the information in the knowledge base to address the question posed. In this talk we suggest tools to provide these capabilities. We describe how the fuzzy set based theory of approximate reasoning can aid in the process of representing knowledge. We discuss how protoforms can be used to aid in deduction and local manipulation of knowledge. The concept of a knowledge tree is introduced to provide a global framework for mobilizing the knowledge in response to a query.
How Business Is Done in the Developing World: Deals versus Rules

What happens in the developing world when stringent regulations characterizing the investment climate meet weak government willingness or capability to enforce those regulations? How is business actually done? The Doing Business project surveys experts concerning the legally required time and costs of regulatory compliance for various aspects of private enterprise�starting a firm, dealing with construction permits, trading across borders, paying taxes, getting credit, enforcing contracts, and so on�around the world. The World Bank's firm-level Enterprise Surveys around the world ask managers at a wide array of firms about their business, including questions about how long it took to go through various processes like obtaining an operating license or a construction permit, or bringing in imports. This paper compares the results of three broadly comparable indicators from the Doing Business and Enterprise Surveys. Overall, we find that the estimate of legally required time for firms to complete a certain legal and regulatory process provided by the Doing Business survey does not summarize even modestly well the experience of firms as reported by the Enterprise Surveys. When strict de jure regulation and high rates of taxation meet weak governmental capabilities for implementation and enforcement, we argue that researchers and policymakers should stop thinking about regulations as creating "rules" to be followed, but rather as creating a space in which "deals" of various kinds are possible.
Detection of H-2 antigens on mouse spermatozoa by the cytotoxicity test.

HISTOCOMPATIBILITY antigens of the type H-2 are found on most cells of the mouse, but there are conflicting reports concerning their expression on spermatozoa. Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique, Barth and Russell1 found no H-2 antigen on spermatozoa. Using the techniques of immunogenicity, antibody absorption, and indirect immunofluorescence, Vojtiskova et al.2 concluded that H-2 antigens were probably detectable on spermatozoa by all three procedures. As these authors point out, however, it is difficult to exclude entirely the possibility that contaminating cells were responsible for the positive findings with the first two techniques.
Replacing Ca by Cd in the tetragonal superconducting series BaCaxCd1−xLaCu3Oy, 0≤x≤1

Abstract The superconducting compound BaCaLaCu 3 O y , T c ∼80 K, can accommodate the gradual replacement of Ca by Cd and systematically have its transition temperature lowered. Previous experiments showed that when either Zn or Cd was used to replace one of the alkaline earths in a copper oxide superconductor, superconductivity was rapidly destroyed. The relation between the transition temperature and the mole fraction of calcium present is found to be nearly linear. In addition, the relationship between the transition temperature and the height of the unit cell is also linear.
Future faculty development seminar in ethics, social impact and alternative teaching strategies (seminar session)

This seminar/workshop on ethics and the social impact in computer science, supported by studies of the applicability of alternative teaching and learning strategies, is targeted towards doctoral candidates in computer science whose life-goal is to teach in a university or college setting. Based on the concept of “ethics across the curriculum” the seminar/workshop will prepare future faculty to incorporate ethical and social impact concerns in their technical courses. At the same time they will be exposed to modern teaching and learning techniques that will assist them in making a good start in their teaching careers.
Hot Air Sterilization of Dairy Utensils

Summary 1.The destructive effect of hot air on various types of bacteria is shown. 2.A temperature necessary for effective sterilization of utensils has been determined which seems to make the process of hot air sterilization practical for dairy farms or plants where utensils can be held. 3.The temperature of hot air necessary to cause sterilization in from four to six minutes has been determined. 4.No definite facts have been presented to show the value of hot air sterilization from a practical standpoint. The results merely point out some of the fundamental facts upon which rest the commercialization of the process. This is an engineering and economic problem.
Exams, districts, and intergenerational mobility: Evidence from South Korea

Abstract This paper examines how student assignment rules impact intergenerational mobility. High school admission had traditionally been exam based in South Korea. However, between 1974 and 1980 the central government shifted several cities to a school district based admission system. I estimate the impact of this reform on the intergenerational income elasticity. Results indicate that the reform increased the intergenerational income elasticity from 0.15 to 0.31. Furthermore, I find that district assignment increases the impact of parental income on migration to reform cities. The probability of migration associated with a 10% increase in parental income increased by 1.7 percentage points after the reform. In sum, I find that the shift from a merit to a location based student assignment rule decreases intergenerational mobility and promotes selective migration by higher income households.
Instructions and reinforcement in modification of a case of astasia-abasia.

The effects of instructions, social reinforcement, and sex of the therapist administering reinforcement contingencies were examined in an analysis of one case of astasia-abasia. Instructions alone appeared to result in some improvement in the patient's ability to walk, but a combination of instructions and contingent verbal praise (social reinforcement) yielded the most dramatic effects. The sex of the therapist administering contingencies did not seem relevant.
Vitamin C distribution and retention in the mouse brain.

Vitamin C (VC) is a crucial antioxidant in the brain. To assess whether different brain regions vary in their sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by VC depletion, we used the gulonolactone oxidase (gulo) knockout mouse. This mouse, like humans, cannot synthesize VC and thus its tissue VC levels can be varied by dietary VC intake. Gulo knockout mice were fed drinking water containing standard (0.33 g/L), low (0.033 g/L) or zero (0 g/L) VC supplementation levels. After 4 weeks, mice were sacrificed and different brain regions removed for assay of VC and malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Compared to age-matched wild-type controls, the cerebellum, olfactory bulbs and frontal cortex had the highest VC content, whereas the pons and spinal chord had the lowest. However, in mice that did not receive VC, area differences were no longer significant as all values trended towards zero. Malondialdehyde increased in the cortex as VC supplementation was decreased. The same changes were not observed in the cerebellum or pons, suggesting that cortex is more susceptible to oxidative damage from low VC. These results suggest enhanced susceptibility of the cortex to oxidative stress induced by low VC compared to other brain regions.
POSSIBLE V-CRK-INDUCED TRANSFORMATION THROUGH ACTIVATION OF SRC KINASES

p47gag-crk (v-Crk) encoded by avian sarcoma virus CT10, causes an elevation of tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins. The lack of a protein-tyrosine kinase domain in v-Crk suggests its co-operation with cellular protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We have shown that suppression of a certain fraction of c-Src activity by Csk may require the binding of Csk to tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin. In this study, we detected co-immunoprecipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin with v-Crk in CT10-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF), and demonstrated that v-Crk binding to paxillin can inhibit Csk binding to paxillin. A phosphotyrosine peptide, which can inhibit v-Crk binding to paxillin, did not inhibit Csk binding to paxillin, suggesting that v-Crk and Csk bind to different tyrosine-phosphorylated sites in paxillin. We also found that the kinase activity of the endogenous c-Src in CEF is elevated severalfold after CT10-transformation. We therefore suggest that the competitive binding of overexpressed v-Crk affects an efficient interaction of Csk with tyrosine-phosphorylated paxillin in CT10-transformed CEF. This would result in a failure in the suppression of the kinase activities of a population of c-Src and other Src family protein-tyrosine kinases as well, and these kinases may then contribute to the phosphorylation of cellular proteins in CT10-transformed CEF.
Occurrence of pelagic stingray Pteroplatytrygon violacea (Bonaparte, 1832) in the North Sea

A mature male pelagic stingray Pteroplatytrygon violacea (99 cm total length, 33·5 cm disc length and 42 cm disc width; 2·5 kg) was caught by commercial Nephrops trawl in the North Sea (at c. 54o49′ N; 0o57′ W) on 14 November 2005. Records of P. violacea in the north-east Atlantic are reviewed, with only two vagrant specimens known from the North Sea, representing the most northerly records of this species in the Atlantic Ocean.
QUANTITATIVE STUDIES ON THE MIXED LYMPHOCYTE INTERACTION IN RATS : I. CONDITIONS AND PARAMETERS OF RESPONSE

Some of the conditions and parameters of the proliferative response in the mixed lymphocyte interaction have been studied with the use of culture inocula consisting of lymphoid cells from various immunogenetically diverse, isogenic strains of rats. Procedures are described by which consistent culture responses can be obtained which are measurable in terms of incorporation of radioactive thymidine into a trichloroacetic acid precipitable cell fraction. Results of experiments with this "mixed lymphocyte interaction" show that (a) Incorporation of thymidine into the mixed cultures is detectable only during and after the 4th day of incubation. Use of culture inocula derived from the thoracic duct or partially purified suspensions of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood provides further evidence that it is the small lymphocyte which synthesizes DNA in these cultures. The addition of peritoneal exudate cells, presumably containing some macrophages, to the mixed lymphocyte cultures does not alter the kinetics of the response. (b) Proliferative responses occur in mixed cultures of cells only when the donors differ by alleles at the important Ag-B histocompatibility locus. (c) Proliferative reactivity in mixed cultures of lymphocytes from parental and hybrid donors is unidirectional. With the use of chromosomally marked cells from donors of different sexes, it was established that only parental lymphocytes are dividing in mixed cultures of parental and hybrid cells. The results of these experiments strongly support the premise that the proliferative response in mixed cultures of lymphocytes represents a de novo immunologic reaction on the cellular level against histocompatibility antigens.
Ultraviolet Light May Contribute to Geographic and Racial Blood Pressure Differences

Mean systolic and diastolic pressures and the prevalence of hypertension vary throughout the world. Published data suggest a linear rise in blood pressure at increasing distances from the equator. Similarly, blood pressure is higher in winter than summer. Blood pressure also is affected by variations in skin pigmentation. Altered calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone status is associated with hypertension and may vary with latitude and season. Since changes in UV light affect vitamin D and parathyroid hormone status and UV light intensity are influenced by seasonal change and latitude, these disparate observations suggest an association between blood pressure and ultraviolet light. This discussion presents the hypothesis that reduced epidermal vitamin D3 photosynthesis associated with high skin melanin content and/or decreased UV light intensity at distances from the equator, alone or when coupled with decreased dietary calcium and vitamin D, may be associated with reduced vitamin D stores and increased parathyroid hormone secretion. These changes may stimulate growth of vascular smooth muscle and enhance its contractility by affecting intracellular calcium, adrenergic responsiveness, and/or endothelial function. Thus, UV light intensity and efficiency of epidermal vitamin D3 photosynthesis may contribute to geographic and racial variability in blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension.
32.1: Foam Glass Barrier™- A New PDP Barrier Rib Technology

A new, high throughput, low cost process for the manufacture of PDP barrier ribs — Foam Glass Barrier™ — is described. The new barrier rib is a vitreous glass containing a uniform distribution of small, closed bubbles which chemically etches at high rates anisotropically, has high strength and does not outgas.
Technologies on the Horizon: Teachers Respond to the Horizon Report

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ beliefs regarding the integration of technologies from the 2011 K-12 edition of the Horizon Report into their local, public school contexts. Teachers read the Horizon Report and then participated in an asynchronous, threaded discussion focusing on technologies they would like to see integrated into their classrooms and technologies they do not see possible in the near term. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the discussion. Findings include the teachers’ desire to see mobile technologies integrated into their classrooms, and their belief that there are significant barriers to game-based learning.
MAINTAINING ENGAGEMENT IN LONG-TERM INTERVENTIONS WITH RELATIONAL AGENTS

We discuss issues in designing virtual humans for applications that require long-term voluntary use and the problem of maintaining engagement with users over time. Concepts and theories related to engagement from a variety of disciplines are reviewed. We describe a platform for conducting studies into long-term interactions between humans and virtual agents and present the results of two longitudinal, randomized, controlled experiments in which the effect of manipulations of agent behavior on user engagement was assessed.
Rethinking the roles of mentor and mentee in the context of student suicide

Student suicides and attempted suicides are on the rise globally, and the numbers continue to climb steeply in most Westernized countries. School personnel remain untrained and uninformed in the area of suicide; few teachers or administrators can accurately identify the characteristics of suicidal behavior and fewer still have any knowledge of appropriate ways to deal with deeply troubled students. This article uses a powerful and tragic story of a student’s suicide as a catalyst for rethinking the structure and goals of mentoring relationships. A new approach, pairing novice teachers whose pre‐service education curriculum included specific training in recognizing and addressing the emotional needs of students with mentors experienced in real‐world classroom dynamics and the effects of school culture on children could improve the school experience for many students and potentially reduce the number of suicides or attempted suicides.
Intensity of CNS treatment for pediatric cancer: prediction of social outcomes in survivors.

Purpose To evaluate the association of central nervous system (CNS) treatment intensity and the social functioning of children who have completed treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors outside the CNS. Furthermore, we expected that these associations would be moderated by child age at diagnosis and gender. Method Peer, teacher, and self-report data were obtained for 82 cancer survivors (age 9–17 years) using classroom rating and nomination procedures that are widely used in research on social development. Information regarding cranial radiation therapy (CRT), intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC), and systemic methotrexate were obtained from medical records and used to create a composite index of CNS treatment intensity. Results Higher scores on the index of CNS treatment intensity were associated with poorer peer acceptance, fewer friendships, greater social sensitivity-isolation, and diminished leadership-popularity based on peer-report. These associations were stronger for boys and children who were younger (<10 years old) at diagnosis. In contrast, CNS treatment intensity was only predictive of teacher-perceptions of aggressive–disruptive behavior and it was unrelated to social self-perceptions. Conclusion These results suggest that children who receive CRT and ITC are at risk for problematic peer relations, particularly if they are male or younger at diagnosis. Given the stability of poor peer relationships and documented linkages between peer problems and subsequent academic and psychiatric difficulties, clinical services should address these issues. Research is needed to identify mechanisms that account for these outcomes and provide direction for prevention and treatment efforts. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:716–722. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic Analysis of a Unique Bacteriocin, Smb, Produced by Streptococcus mutans GS5

A dipeptide lantibiotic, named Smb, in Streptococcus mutans GS5 was characterized by molecular genetic approaches. The Smb biosynthesis gene locus is encoded by a 9.5-kb region of chromosomal DNA and consists of seven genes in the order smbM1, -T, -F, -M2, -G, -A, -B. This operon is not present in some other strains of S. mutans, including strain UA159. The genes encoding Smb were identified as smbA and smbB. Inactivation of smbM1, smbA, or smbB attenuated the inhibition of the growth of the indicator strain RP66, confirming an essential role for these genes in Smb expression. Mature Smb likely consists of the 30-amino-acid SmbA together with the 32-amino-acid SmbB. SmbA exhibited similarity with the mature lantibiotic lacticinA2 from Lactococcus lactis, while SmbB was similar to the mersacidin-like peptides from Bacillus halodurans and L. lactis. We also demonstrated that Smb expression is induced by the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) and that a com box-like sequence is located in the smb promoter region. These results suggest that Smb belongs to the class I bacteriocin family, and its expression is dependent on CSP-induced quorum sensing.
Properties of contractile protein from bovine carotid artery.

A contractile protein was isolated from the cow carotid artery by extracting with a medium containing 0.6 M KCL. The Enzymatic activity of the artery contractile protein resulted in the splitting of the terminal phosphate of ATP.1 The divalent metals Ca and Mg activated the enzyme with Ca showing the more pronounced activation. In addition to the studies on the ATP-ase activity other properties were investigated, such as viscosity, solubility in KCL solutions, ATP-induced synersis and sensitivity to relaxing factor. The properties of the contractile protein were those of actomyosin. The protein resembles uterine actomyosin with respect to its low ATP-ase activity and its viscosity values of Zη and ATP sensitivity.
Teachable mo[bil]ment: capitalizing on teachable moments with mobile technology in zoos

Researchers and practitioners have studied how technology can support visitors' learning in science centers, but few have considered technology specifically designed for science center docents; the staff that explains and interprets exhibits to visitors. We present a qualitative, exploratory study at a zoo where we designed and evaluated technological supports for docents running an immersive, embodied-interaction. Our study focused on the affordances of portable tablets and large fixed displays, as well as on a comparison of two approaches to docent notification (an orchestration approach vs. a just-in-time approach). Making use of docent interviews, video observations, and feedback from zoo educators, we recommend the use of a hybrid approach. Our main contribution is the identification of advantages and disadvantages of display options and notification approaches leading to a list of design considerations for technology that assists docents in delivering information to visitor audiences.
Effects of selective adenosine A1 and A2a agonists on amphetamine-induced locomotion and c-Fos in striatum and nucleus accumbens

Low to moderate doses of amphetamine produce locomotion which is dependent on release of dopamine in the anteromedial striatum and nucleus accumbens. The effects of selective adenosine A1 and A2a receptor agonists on locomotion and c-Fos induction following a moderate dose of amphetamine was assessed in rats. Pretreatment with the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) or the adenosine A2a receptor agonist 2-[(2-aminoethylamino)carbonylethylphenylethylamino]-5'-N- ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (APEC) inhibited locomotion following an injection of amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg). This dose of amphetamine induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in an antero-dorsomedial distribution in the caudate-putamen and uniformly in the core and shell of the nucleus accumbens. Pretreatment with the adenosine A2a receptor agonist APEC, but not the adenosine A1 receptor agonist CHA, attenuated c-Fos induction in caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens by amphetamine. These findings indicate that amphetamine-induced behavior is subject to modulation by adenosine receptors through mechanisms which are both related to and independent of c-Fos induction.
Magnetic properties of Ni1−x−yCoxFey films deposited by polyol electroless process

Abstract Electroless deposition using a nonaqueous, polyol process is carried out to produce nickel-rich Ni0.5Co0.5−xFex and cobalt-rich Co0.5Ni0.5−xFex (x=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) ternary alloy films, and investigate the effect of incorporating iron on the morphology and magnetic properties of these two series of films. The plating solution used to deposit these films is prepared by mixing proportional volumes of equimolar metal salts suspended in ethylene glycol. Plating was performed by refluxing the nonaqueous solution at a temperature of 194 °C. The deposited films were characterized by electron microscopy, optical interferometry and X-ray diffraction. In the case of cobalt-rich films (Co0.5Ni0.5−xFex, x=0.0–0.5), a transition in the crystal structure from lower symmetric orthogonal to higher symmetric tetragonal or cubic structures was observed with increasing iron content. There was no such change for the nickel-rich films (Ni0.5Co0.5−xFex, x=0–0.5). The addition of iron was found to increase the surface roughness of both series of films. The magnetic measurements showed excellent soft-magnetic characteristics for as synthesized Co0.5Fe0.1Ni0.4 film with Ms, Hc, Ms⊥ and Hc⊥ values of 725.2 emu/cm3, 28 Oe, 205 emu/g and 176.5 Oe, respectively. The incorporation of iron was found to enhance the soft-magnetic characteristics of the otherwise weak magnetic Ni0.5Co0.5 film.
Succinoxidase activity in reticular neurons of hyperactive rats.

The succinoxidase activity of single neurons from the reticular formation was measured with the Cartesian diver technique. The average activity of nerve cell bodies from the nucleus gigantocellularis or pontis caudalis from control rats was 4.5 μl O2×10−4 per hour at 37°C. After rats had received β-β-iminodipropionitrile, the succinoxidase activity of the same type neuron increased to an average of 8.0 μl O2×10−4. It was suggested that this increase was of etiological significance for the symptoms of hyperactivity which developed later. Also when β-β-iminodipropionitrile had been added to the reticular neurons from normal rats in vitro, the succinoxidase activity increased to 8.4 μl O2×10−4 per hour.
Where is Toxicology Headed in the Future

Herbert Remmer was a pioneer in the study of the phenomenon of enzyme induction. He was also a leading figure, if not the foremost, in the development of the discipline of toxicology in Germany during his tenure as Professor of Toxicology at the University of Tubingen. Included here are some brief thoughts about where toxicology came from, where it is today, and what the future is. Toxicology is at a crossroads today, at an interface between basic science and applied projects. From its past as a descriptive discipline, it has incorporated a medley of concepts and technology from basic science. The usefulness of many approaches is now being evaluated. The hope is that toxicology will be able to be much more predictive in the future; a great need exists in the pharmaceutical industry. The shape of academic toxicology is also changing.
Real-time acquisition and tracking of sniper bullets using multi-sensor multi-frequency radar techniques

Real-time acquisition and tracking of sniper bullet trajectory is important in various military operations. While the majority of the existing work on gunshot is based on acoustic sensors, such technologies cannot provide timely response because sound propagates much slower than a bullet does. In this paper, we propose the use of an array processing framework that uses multi-frequency continuous-wave (CW) radio frequency (RF) signals to enable robust real-time tracking of the direction as well as the range of a bullet for accurate trajectory tracking. The proposed technique will effectively lead to the reduction of injuries and casualties as well as fast response in military operations as a result of providing individual soldiers with the sub-time-of-flight tracking capability for rapidly determining the location of threats.
Characterization of sinoatrial parasympathetic innervation in humans.

Sinoatrial Parasympathetic Innervation. Introduction: The response to sinoatrial parasympathetic nerve stimulation (shortened atrial refractoriness) was used to determine the atrial distribution of these nerve fibers in humans. We hypothesized that, in humans, parasympathetic nerves that innervate the sinoatrial node also innervate the right atrium and that the greatest density of innervation is near the sinoatrial nodal fat pad. Methods and Results: Temporary epicardial wire electrodes were sutured in pairs in the sinoatrial nodal fat pad, high right atrium, and right ventricle by direct visualization during coronary artery bypass surgery in nine patients. Appropriate electrode placement was confirmed by electrically stimulating the fat pad in the operating room to prolong sinus cycle length by 50%. Experiments were performed in the electrophysiology laboratory 1 to 5 days after surgery. Programmed atrial stimulation was performed via an endocardial electrode catheter advanced to the right atrium. The catheter tip electrode was moved in 1-cm concentric zones around the epicardial wires by fluoroscopic guidance. Atrial refractoriness was determined in the presence and absence of sinoatrial parasympathetic nerve stimulation at each cutheter site. In 8 of 9 patients, parasympathetic nerve stimulation reproducibly prolonged sinus cycle length by 50%. There was no effect on AV nodal conduction (no prolongation of PR interval) and no change in AV nodal refractoriness. Atrial effective refractory periods reproducibly shortened in response to parasympathetic nerve stimulation in 1-cm zones up to 3 cm surrounding the fat pad, by a mean (± SEM) of 26.6 ± 4.3 msec (zone 1), 11.4 ± 1.8 msec (zone 2), and 10.0 ± 2.5 msec (zone 3), respectively (P = 0.0001). At distances > 3 cm from the fat pad, the effective refractory period did not shorten. Conclusion: Stimulation of parasympathetic nerves that innervate the sinoatrial node shortened atrial refractoriness in humans.
Seasonal shifts in population structure of Vibrio vulnificus in an estuarine environment as revealed by partial 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing

The partial sequence (600 bp) containing the most variable region of Vibrio vulnificus 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was determined for 208 randomly selected V. vulnificus strains isolated from Galveston Bay, TX, USA between June 2000 and June 2001. A comparative analysis of the determined partial 16S rDNA sequences revealed the existence of two different partial 16S rDNA sequences (type A and type B, 1.3% base substitutions) among the 208 V. vulnificus isolates. A higher proportion of 16S rDNA type A strains was isolated in June and July while a considerably higher proportion of type B strains was isolated in September. In addition, after no V. vulnificus strains were detected during the winter months (December–February), only type A strains were isolated during the following months (March–May). The results suggest that the relative abundance of type A and type B V. vulnificus strains in Galveston Bay varies with the season and that the differences between the two 16S rDNA types may affect the viability of these organisms in the natural environment.
Cyclic Voltammetric Studies on Synthetic Electroless Copper Plating Baths

Cyclic voltammetric measurements were recorded on various synthetic electroless copper plating baths. The shapes of the current potential curves were observed as various components of the bath were added to an alkaline Cu‐EDTA solution. Peak potentials, Ep, were measured to identify the various species undergoing oxidation or reduction.
Outcomes and Radiation Exposure of Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath and Ultralow Pretest Probability: A Multicenter Study

Study objective Excessive radiation exposure remains a concern for patients with symptoms suggesting acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism but must be judged in the perspective of pretest probability and outcomes. We quantify and qualify the pretest probability, outcomes, and radiation exposure of adults with both chest pain and dyspnea. Methods This was a prospective, 4-center, outcomes study. Patients were adults with dyspnea and chest pain, nondiagnostic ECGs, and no obvious diagnosis. Pretest probability for both acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism was assessed with a validated method; ultralow risk was defined as pretest probability less than 2.5% for both acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. Patients were followed for diagnosis and total medical radiation exposure for 90 days. Results Eight hundred forty patients had complete data; 23 (3%) had acute coronary syndrome and 15 (2%) had pulmonary embolism. The cohort received an average of 4.9 mSv radiation to the chest, 48% from computed tomography pulmonary angiography. The pretest probability estimates for acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism were less than 2.5% in 227 patients (27%), of whom 0 of 277 (0%; 95% confidence interval 0% to 1.7%) had acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolism and 7 of 227 (3%) had any significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis. The estimated chest radiation exposure per patient in this ultralow-risk group was 3.5 mSv, including 26 (3%) with greater than 5 mSv radiation to the chest and no significant cardiopulmonary diagnosis. Conclusion One quarter of patients with chest pain and dyspnea had ultralow risk and no acute coronary syndrome or pulmonary embolism but were exposed to an average of 3.5 mSv radiation to the chest. These data can be used in a clinical guideline to reduce radiation exposure.
Observational study of changes in epidural pressure and elastance during epidural blood patch in obstetric patients

Background During an epidural blood patch, we inject blood until the patient describes mild back pressure, often leading to injection of more than 20 mL of blood. We undertook this study to measure the epidural pressures generated during an epidural blood patch and to identify the impact of volume on epidural elastance in obstetric patients.
Hydrogel Composites Containing Carbon Nanobrushes as Tissue Scaffolds

The objective of this work is to examine the feasibility of electrically conductive hydrogel composites as scaffolds in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration, and to understand the properties of the composites as a growth matrix for clinically relevant cell lines. The composite is comprised of carbon nanobrushes embedded in a biocompatible poloxamer gel. This work assesses the ability of such composite gels to support the growth of fibroblasts and myocytes and eventually serve as a matrix to stimulate wound closure. In such a model, fibroblasts and myocytes are seeded on the hydrogel and bathed in culture medium. The experimental model assesses the ability of fibroblasts and myocytes to grow into and adhere to the gel. The work demonstrates that carbon nanobrushes can be dispersed within poloxamer gels, and that fibroblasts and myocytes can proliferate within homogenously dispersed carbon nanobrush-containing poloxamer gels. This work also examines the effects of carbon nanobrush content on the rheological properties of the poloxamer gel matrix and shows an improvement in several areas in the presence of carbon nanobrushes. Future work will examine the effects of design parameters such as carbon nanobrush content and matrix structure on wound healing, as well as the growth of tendons and other cell lines within the hydrogel composites. This work has relevance for tissue and cellular engineering and tissue regeneration in clinical medicine.
The production and perception of syllable structure.

Much research on speech over the years has focused on uncovering examples of the nonlinear relationship between acoustics and perception (e.g., so-called “categorical perception”) and between artic...
Actinidine from the defensive secretions of dolichoderine ants

The alkaloid actinidine has been identified as an anal gland product of two species of dolichoderine ants in the genusConomyrma. The biosynthetic implications of this finding are discussed.
The ABC transporter ATR1 is necessary for efflux of the toxin cercosporin in the fungus Cercospora nicotianae

The Cercospora nicotianae mutant deficient for the CRG1 transcription factor has marked reductions in both resistance and biosynthesis of the toxin cercosporin. We cloned and sequenced full-length copies of two genes, ATR1 and CnCFP, previously identified from a subtractive library between the wild type (WT) and a crg1 mutant. ATR1 is an ABC transporter gene and has an open reading frame (ORF) of 4368bp with one intron. CnCFP encodes a MFS transporter with homology to Cercospora kikuchii CFP, previously implicated in cercosporin export, and has an ORF of 1975bp with three introns. Disruption of ATR1 indicated atr1-null mutants had dramatic reductions in cercosporin production (25% and 20% of WT levels) in solid and liquid cultures, respectively. The ATR1 disruptants also showed moderately higher sensitivity to cercosporin. Constitutive expression of ATR1 in the crg1 mutant restored cercosporin biosynthesis and moderately increased resistance. In contrast, CnCFP overexpression in the mutant did not restore toxin production, however, it moderately enhanced toxin resistance. The results together indicate ATR1 acts as a cercosporin efflux pump in this fungus and plays a partial role in resistance.
Accurate valence band width of diamond

An accurate width is determined for the valence band of diamond by imaging photoelectron momentum distributions for a variety of initial- and final-state energies. The experimental result of 23.0{plus_minus}0.2 eV{sup 2} agrees well with first-principles quasiparticle calculations (23.0 and 22.88 eV) and significantly exceeds the local-density-functional width, 21.5{plus_minus}0.2 eV{sup 2}. This difference quantifies effects of creating an excited hole state (with associated many-body effects) in a band measurement vs studying ground-state properties treated by local-density-functional calculations. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}