cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central Cholinesterase Inhibition Enhances Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission

Central cholinergic overstimulation results in prolonged seizures of status epilepticus in humans and experimental animals. Cellular mechanisms of underlying seizures caused by cholinergic stimulation remain uncertain, but enhanced glutamatergic transmission is a potential mechanism. Paraoxon, an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor, enhanced glutamatergic transmission on hippocampal granule cells synapses by increasing the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in a concentration-dependent fashion. The amplitude of mEPSCs was not increased, which suggested the possibility of enhanced action potential-dependent release. Analysis of EPSCs evoked by minimal stimulation revealed reduced failures and increased amplitude of evoked responses. The ratio of amplitudes of EPSCs evoked by paired stimuli was also altered. The effect of paraoxon on glutamatergic transmission was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine and partially mimicked by carbachol. The nicotinic receptor antagonist α -bungarotoxin did not block the effects of paraoxon; however, nicotine enhanced glutamatergic transmission. These studies suggested that cholinergic overstimulation enhances glutamatergic transmission by enhancing neurotransmitter release from presynaptic terminals.
Political and Civic Participation Among Disadvantaged Urban Mothers: The Role of Neighborhood Poverty*

Objective. This article explores the relationship between neighborhood economic conditions and mothers' political and civic participation, examining whether this relationship is conditioned on mothers' individual characteristics. Methods. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study, it tests specifically whether neighborhood poverty influences mothers' voting and voluntary behavior differently depending on their income, education, race/ethnicity, and relationship status. Results. The results suggest that the relationship between neighborhood poverty and voting behavior depends on mothers' education level and relationship status, whereas the relationship between neighborhood poverty and mothers' volunteer work varies by race and relationship status. Conclusions. The results are in accordance with what some qualitative research has long suggested: that the relationship between neighborhood conditions and individual outcomes varies from person to person and group to group. Future research on “neighborhood effects” should continue to move beyond homogeneous explanations for how neighborhoods influence behavior and instead seek to determine the specific conditions under which neighborhoods exert influence on individual outcomes.
Automatic Term Class Construction Using Relevance--A Summary of Work in Automatic Pseudoclassification.

Abstract Term classifications and thesauri can be used for many purposes in automatic information retrieval. Normally a thesaurus is generated manually by subject experts: alternatively, the associations between the terms can be obtained automatically by using the occurrence characteristics of the terms across the documents of a collection. A third possibility consists in taking into account user relevance assessments of certain documents with respect to certain queries in order to build term classes designed to retrieve the relevant documents and simultaneously to reject the nonrelevant documents. This last strategy, known as pseudoclassification, produces a user-dependent term classification. A number of pseudoclassification studies are summarized in the present report, and conclusions are reached concerning the effectiveness and feasibility of constructing term classifications based on human relevance assessments.
Muon-capture rate in 6Li and the PCAC hypothesis☆

Abstract The partial muon-capture rate in 6 Li is calculated using the latest inelastic electron scattering with special emphasis on the use of PCAC. The calculated rate with the Gell-Mann-Levy version of PCAC is in excellent agreement with experiment.
Heparin and the Blood Coagulation Mechanism.

SummaryHeparin added to whole blood in vitro or administered by vein prolonged the coagulation time of whole blood and plasma. The coagulation time was prolonged and maintained by single large dose of heparin followed by a smaller continuous dose. The mechanism appeared to be independent of the presence and type of disease. Heparin produces agglutination and disintegration leucocytes and bone marrow pulp in vitro.
Diseases of maize in the wet lowland tropics and the collapse of the Classic Maya civilization

The Classic Maya civilization was centered in lowlands of the Peten in northern Guatemala, and collapsed mysteriously in the ninth century AD. Abandoned were rich agricultural lands carved without metal tools out of a tropical rain forest, lands that had been farmed with increasing intensity for six to sixteen centuries. The Maya evidently resettled in highlands to the south or in less productive dry lowlands to the north. No reoccupation occurred of the Peten farms, homes or ceremonial centers until their discovery in the past two centuries. Sustained crop failure of maize (Zen mavs L.) due to an epidemic of the planthopper-borne virus, maize mosaic virus (MMV), is proposed as a primary contributing cause of the collapse. Major diseases and pests of maize in the tropics are assessed for their relative significance in and near the Peten vs. the highlands, and the viruses are highlighted. Maize mosaic virus is a devastating virus disease transmitted by the corn planthopper,Peregrinus maidis, an insect restricted to tropic lowlands. Maize and teosinte are its only definitively known hosts. Thus the disease has been serious only where maize is grown more-or-less continuously through the year in wet or irrigated tropics (e.g., Caribbean Islands, Venezuela, Hawaii, Tanzania, Australia). It is reported here for southern Mexico and the Peten of Guatemala. Resistance in maize occurs only in one known form, the gene Mv. that confers a high level resistance but not immunity. Resistance data are presented for 63 of the 67 races of maize thought to have evolved in the Northern Hemisphere. The Mv gene is shown to occur in all seven of the races of maize evolved in the Caribbean, but in none of the primitive Mexican or Central American races. It is proposed that maize mosaic virus originated in northern South America at or about the time maize was brought into the Caribbean by the Arawak around the time of Christ. The sympatric origin or selection in maize of the Mv resistance mutant in this region is assumed to have led to its incorporation in all seven Caribbean maize races. It is conjectured that viruliferous leafhoppers were blown from the Caribbean into the Peten around the eighth century allowing the disease to become epidemic in susceptible maize races such as Nal-Tel and Tepecintle, grown by the Peten Maya. Sustained failure of maize production due to MMV would have characterized areas of intensive maize cultivation, particularly where it was year-round. The disease would have been less severe in areas with a long dry season, as to the north of Yucatan and it would not have occurred in the highland areas to the south and west, areas to which surviving Maya presumably migrated.
Targeted germ line disruptions reveal general and species-specific roles for paralog group 1 hox genes in zebrafish.

The developing vertebrate hindbrain is transiently segmented into rhombomeres by a process requiring Hox activity. Hox genes control specification of rhombomere fates, as well as the stereotypic differentiation of rhombomere-specific neuronal populations. Accordingly, germ line disruption of the paralog group 1 (PG1) Hox genes Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 causes defects in hindbrain segmentation and neuron formation in mice. However, antisense-mediated interference with zebrafish hoxb1a and hoxb1b (analogous to murine Hoxb1 and Hoxa1, respectively) produces phenotypes that are qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from those observed in the mouse. This suggests that PG1 Hox genes may have species-specific functions, or that anti-sense mediated interference may not completely inactivate Hox function in zebrafish. Using zinc finger and TALEN technologies, we disrupted hoxb1a and hoxb1b in the zebrafish germ line to establish mutant lines for each gene. We find that zebrafish hoxb1a germ line mutants have a more severe phenotype than reported for Hoxb1a antisense treatment. This phenotype is similar to that observed in Hoxb1 knock out mice, suggesting that Hoxb1/hoxb1a have the same function in both species. Zebrafish hoxb1b germ line mutants also have a more severe phenotype than reported for hoxb1b antisense treatment (e.g. in the effect on Mauthner neuron differentiation), but this phenotype differs from that observed in Hoxa1 knock out mice (e.g. in the specification of rhombomere 5 (r5) and r6), suggesting that Hoxa1/hoxb1b have species-specific activities. We also demonstrate that Hoxb1b regulates nucleosome organization at the hoxb1a promoter and that retinoic acid acts independently of hoxb1b to activate hoxb1a expression. We generated several novel germ line mutants for zebrafish hoxb1a and hoxb1b. Our analyses indicate that Hoxb1 and hoxb1a have comparable functions in zebrafish and mouse, suggesting a conserved function for these genes. In contrast, while Hoxa1 and hoxb1b share functions in the formation of r3 and r4, they differ with regards to r5 and r6, where Hoxa1 appears to control formation of r5, but not r6, in the mouse, whereas hoxb1b regulates formation of r6, but not r5, in zebrafish. Lastly, our data reveal independent regulation of hoxb1a expression by retinoic acid and Hoxb1b in zebrafish.
Limits on the Accuracy of Stoichiometry Determined by Rutherford Backscattering Using Computer Peak Fitting.

Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) using MeV ions is capable of routinely measuring absolute atomic areal densities to an accuracy of about 3% and relative areal densities to a fraction of 1% if the elastic scattering peaks from different elements do not overlap. The accuracy of areal density measurements can be seriously reduced in cases where the sample thickness is large enough to cause overlapping peaks. We report here an investigation of the use of standard computer fitting techniques to analyze overlapping peaks in elastic scattering spectra and its effect on the accuracy of the final results of an RBS analysis.
Preliminary study of AWE method for FEM analysis of scattering problems

The method of asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) is applied to the finite-element analysis of electromagnetic scattering problems. The finite-element mesh is terminated using a perfectly matched layer (PML), an absorbing boundary condition (ABC), or their combination. It is shown that the finite-element method (FEM) in conjunction with AWE can predict the radar cross section (RCS) over a frequency band whose bandwidth is highly dependent on the size of the scatterer. For a given order of AWE, the bandwidth decreases when the size of the scatterer increases. A simple binary search algorithm is described to apply AWE at multiple frequency points to generate an accurate solution over a specified frequency band. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the performance of AWE in the RCS calculation by the FEM. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 17: 7–12, 1998.
Novel Nanostructural Biomaterial Composites

Hydrogen-free diamondlike carbon (DLC), with hardness values close to that of diamond, possess many desirable biocompatible properties for a variety of biomedical applications. The DLC coatings can be applied to joints prostheses, heart valves, and other medical devices. Unfortunately, hydrogen-free DLC coatings have a large compressive stresses which result in poor adhesion and wear characteristics. In this paper, we present results on silver doping of DLC to alleviate internal stresses as well as create DLC-Ag nanocomposites where Ag is in the form of nanoparticles. The Ag nanoparticles are expected to impart antimicrobial properties by providing sources of electrons. In the second part of the paper, we have created DLC and nanotube composites where nanotubes grow normal to the surface. This novel architecture not only alleviates internal stresses, but DLC + Nanotube composites have enhanced hardness and unique antimicrobial properties. Finally, we discuss novel multilayer DLC and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite where HA and DLC films are deposited sequentially at room temperature. The HA films with composites close to that of bone is considered very desirable for biocompatibility and integration with base structures. We discuss novel processing, characterization, hardness and bioeompatible properties of all these composites in detail.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Structure of Ti films deposited on MgO(001) substrates

Abstract The growth and structure of Ti thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation at 273 K in a vacuum of about 10 −7 Pa on MgO(001) have been studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. It is found that a thin layer, whose thickness is up to about 4 nm, is fcc (or tetragonal) structure. When the thickness increases to more than about 6 nm, the structure gradually changes to an hcp structure with two different orientations: one is (00.1) hcpTi //(001) fccTi //(001) MgO , and the other is (03.5) hcpTi //(001) fccTi . The electron diffraction patterns from 60 nm thick Ti film also show reflection spots at {110} points on fcc Ti reciprocal plane, which show metastable γ-hydride precipitation takes place in the layer. The orientation relationships and growth mechanism of the epitaxial Ti films on MgO(001) are discussed using molecular dynamics simulations performed by Hara et al. for MBE growth of a Lennard-Jones system.
Densities of Stratospheric Micrometeorites

We have measured the densities of roughly 150 5- to 15-microns interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) harvested in the stratosphere. Care was taken to minimize selection bias in the sample population. Masses were determined using an absolute X-ray analysis technique with a transmission electron microscope, and volumes were found using scanning electron microscope imagery. Unmelted chondritic particles have densities ranging between 0.3 and 6.2 g/cu cm, averaging 2.0 g/cu cm. The low medium densities indicates appreciable porosity, suggesting primitive, uncompacted parent bodies for these particles. Porosities greater than 70% are rare. IDPs with densities above 3.5 g/cu cm usually contain large sulfide grains. We find no evidence of bimodality in the unmelted particle density distribution. Chondritic spherules (melted particles) have densities near 3.4 g/cu cm, consistent with previous results for stony spheurles culled from deep-sea sediments.
Studies in histochemistry. LII. Quantitative determination of coenzyme A in microgram amounts of tissue by a microbiological technique

Abstract A procedure for the determination of coenzyme A in microgram quantities of tissue has been developed by an adaptation of the method of Novelli and Schmetz. Assay conditions suitable for measurement on the micro scale have been elaborated. An analysis of the range and reliability of the method has been presented. A micro adaptation of the method of Moat and Delwiche for the determination of coenzyme A without hydrolysis has been developed and examined; its usefulness for assay of pure samples has been discussed.
Selection and use of clinical rating instruments in child psychiatric nursing.

TOPIC. The selection of appropriate clinical rating instruments and integration of their findings in child psychiatric nursing practice may not be clear. PURPOSE. To offer guidance concerning the selection and application of clinical rating instruments SOURCES. A review of recent literature of commonly used parent and teacher checklists, clinician-rated instruments, structured diagnostic interviews, and child self-reports. CONCLUSION. Clinical rating scales have an important place in clinical practice and research in child and adolescent psychiatric settings. Selecting an appropriate instrument depends on the purpose, developmental level of the child, and expertise of the clinician—and requires careful consideration.
Brown Plus 50 Counter-Storytelling: A Critical Race Theory Analysis of the “Majoritarian Achievement Gap” Story

This essay provides a Critical Race Theory (CRT) analysis of current discussions of the “achievement gap” as the latest incarnation of the “white intellectual superiority/African American intellectual inferiority” notion that is a mainstay of “majoritarian storytelling” in U.S. culture. A critical race counter-story chronicles both the historical development and maintenance of the “achievement gap,” along with efforts of African Americans to secure access to education. The process by which the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision was subverted as a historical intervener in systemic access to equity in educational opportunity for African Americans is discussed. This essay concludes with principles to promote successful academic achievement of African American children.
Quantitative Determination of the Major Components of Casein Mixtures by Column Chromatography on DEAE-Cellulose

Abstract Quantitative determination of the α s -, β -, and κ -casein content of casein samples has been achieved by column chromatography of alkylated samples on DEAE-cellulose in the presence of urea. Resolution of the caseins is not complete, but is reproducible within 2 or 3%, and the estimated accuracy of the method is ±5%. In contrast to methods based on determinations of sialic acid content and of turbidity, the chromatographic method is applicable to casein mixtures of widely varying composition, and is not affected by varying amounts of carbohydrate per molecule of κ -casein or by the presence of minor components such as γ -casein and temperature-sensitive caseins.
An Adaptive Kernel-based Bayesian Inference technique for failure classification

This paper outlines an Adaptive Kernel-based Bayesian Inference regression/classification technique that can be applied to a broad range of problems due to the scalable nature of the approach. 12 In addition, the framework is built such that little manual adjustment of the classifier is needed when applying it to new problems thereby ensuring that the classifier can be readily applied to problems without time consuming customization. To test the performance of the framework it was applied to two very different classification problems; namely, a bearing health classification problem and a sonar image classification problem. The performance of the approach is very promising; however, further tests must be performed on larger data collections to truly gauge the overall scalability and performance.
A factorization on the semi-infinite interval. II: Applications to stable regulator problems

Abstract A factorization approach to the synthesis of feedback control laws for stable regulator problems is developed. New feedback representations are obtained for hereditary problems with and without control delay. Also new derivations of representations of the optimal gain for regulator problems in Hilbert space are presented.
Explicit high-order finite-difference analysis of rotationally symmetric shells

The system of equations for the analysis of rotationally symmetric shells subjected to time-dependent loadings and boundary conditions has been formulated with the transverse, meridional, and circumferential displacements as the dependent variables in the field equations. Inertia forces are considered in each of the three coordinate directions of the shell. The solution for each Fourier harmonic is obtained by employing ordinary finite-difference representations of the time derivatives and high-order finite-difference representations for the meridional coordinate derivatives. The complete system of equations is solved implicitly for the first "time increment, while an explicit solution for variables within the boundary edges of the shell, together with separate implicit solutions at each boundary, is utilized for the second and succeeding time increments. To aid in the choice of a time increment, the equations for the three lower frequencies of vibration of the shell for each Fourier component of response have been derived by the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The developed equations have been programmed in FORTRAN IV language to provide solutions for general shell geometries and loadings by electronic computer. Solutions obtained with the program for typical shells and loadings have been found to be stable and in agreement for a wide range of practical values of both spatial and time increments. Solutions for a typical shell and loading together with comparison of the stability requirements with the stability requirements for other formulations and finite-difference representations have been included.
Correctly identifying the macrosomic fetus: Improving ultrasonography- based prediction

Abstract Objective: Our goal was to improve the accuracy of estimating fetal weights among macrosomic fetuses with the traditional measurements of abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference. Study Design: We used 4831 cases without anomalies from an ultrasonography laboratory database with an estimated fetal weight obtained a maximum of 14 days before delivery. Abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference were each regressed on birth weight to obtain estimated fetal weight by abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference, respectively. We compared the individual variation for estimated fetal weight by abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference by calculating a within-subject standard deviation to quantify the level of disparity. We adjusted the estimated fetal weight to the date of delivery and for dependencies on maternal diabetes mellitus, weight, and height. We then weighted cases with birth weight >4500 g and diabetic cases with birth weight >4000 g 20-fold (weighted estimated fetal weight) for the purpose of creating a favorable bias for classifying these cases. The equation of Hadlock et al, with abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference, was applied as a benchmark estimated fetal weight. Results: Of the 4831 newborns, 308 (6.4%) had a birth weight >4000 g, and 56 (1.2%) had a birth weight >4500 g. There were 154 pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus; 26 (16.9%) of the resulting infants weighed >4000 g, and 5 (3.2%) weighed >4500 g. At 95% specificity, the weighted estimated fetal weight had a sensitivity of 85.7% at a cut point of 3912 g, compared with a sensitivity of 71.4% at 3604 g by use of the estimated fetal weight of Hadlock et al. Conclusions: We were able to improve the accuracy of identifying the macrosomic fetus compared to reliance on the equation by Hadlock et al. A fetus was found to be at significantly increased risk for birth weight >4000 g when the estimated fetal weight based on abdominal circumference is larger than that based on either head circumference or femur length or when there is a large within-subject variance in estimated fetal weight based on abdominal circumference, femur length, and head circumference. We also found that there were significantly different groups of patients whose estimated fetal weights require different equations for better estimates. Even given ultrasonographic measurements, taking into account maternal height, weight, and presence of diabetes mellitus can improve macrosomia detection. Although these findings remain to be optimized and validated, the approach used here appears to yield better predictions than the current "one function fits all" approach. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1489-95.)
Factors affecting the adoption and intensity of use of improved forages in North East Highlands of Ethiopia.

Analysis of crop-livestock integration aims at understanding the existing interactions between crops and livestock and assessing their potential for improvement in smallholders' farming systems. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting the probability of adoption and intensity of use of improved forage technologies in mixed farming systems in two districts of south Wollo zone, in Ethiopia. A double hurdle model was employed using data collected from randomly selected 252 farmers between July 2009 and November 2009. The study revealed low utilization of improved forage seed which covered only 1.3% of total cultivated land in Ethiopia. The results of the study provided empirical evidence of a positive impact of extension and credit service in enhancing the probability of adoption of improved forage technologies. The intensity of use of improved forage in the study area was influenced by labour available, size of livestock ownership and farm size. Physical characteristics like distance from farmers’ home to all weather roads, markets and input supply played a critical role in the adoption of improved forage technologies. Therefore, the results of the study suggest that the adoption of improved forage should be enhanced by raising farm household asset formation, and providing extension and credit services.
Energy model of CMOS gates using a piecewise linear model

We extend our previous work [1] on delay estimation with a piecewise linear model and propose efficient formulae for power estimation including short-circuit power, dynamic power, and leakage power. Our piecewise linear model is a modified switched-resistor model considering transistor saturation current with a linearized BSIM3 capacitance model, which allows to compute energy and output slopes for static CMOS logic gates. Accuracy of the energy formulae are within 10% of SPICE in the worst case for complex static CMOS gates using CMOS 0.5um and 180nm technologies. The proposed energy formulas are computationally efficient, scalable, and suitable for fast power conscious CAD tools for large CMOS circuit simulations.
Regulation of the Msx2 homeobox gene during mouse embryogenesis: A transgene with 439 bp of 5′ flanking sequence is expressed exclusively in the apical ectodermal ridge of the developing limb

Msx2, a member of the highly conserved and widely distributed msh homeobox gene family, is expressed in a variety of sites in the vertebrate embryo, including craniofacial structures, heart, limb buds and otic and optic vesicles. In many of these sites, its expression is regulated by tissue interactions. Here we address the cis-trans regulatory interactions that direct Msx2 expression to specific regions of the embryo and enable it to respond to tissue interactions. We created a series of Msx2-lacZ fusion constructs with varying amounts of Msx2 genomic sequences. These were introduced into mouse embryos and their expression monitored by staining for beta-galactosidase activity. A construct bearing 5.2 kb of 5' flanking sequence, the intron, both exons and 3 kb of 3' flanking sequence was expressed in a pattern that closely resembled that of the endogenous Msx2 gene. In the E12.5 embryo, sites of expression included craniofacial mesenchyme, portions of the neural ectoderm, mesoderm in the distal limb bud and the overlying apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Removal of intronic and 3' UTR sequences slightly altered the pattern of Msx2 expression in the neural ectoderm of the E12 embryo. Deletion of 5' flanking sequences to -0.5 kb eliminated Msx2 expression in all sites except the AER. The proximal Msx2 promoter, including sequences required for the AER-specific expression of the -0.5 lacZ transgene, is highly conserved between mouse and human, one stretch exhibiting 100% identity over 72 bp. This conservation suggests that the AER element is under remarkably tight evolutionary constraint.
Critical Race Theory and Racialized Law: an Application of an African American Full Professor’s Federal Case Involving Race Discrimination at a Predominately White University

Using Bonilla-Silva’s sociological theory of racism and critical race theory, this article reports how racism within the legal system manifested itself against an African American full professor who sued a predominately White university for racial discrimination. First, this article provides background on racism in the law, discussing the Dred Scott case and Plessy v. Ferguson—two historical race cases. Moreover, this article discusses how the legal system in the past instructed juries to take race into account in deciding interracial cases. Then, it presents the current legal standard to decide race discrimination cases and how a White federal judge, who is a law school graduate of the White university being sued, ignored the standard and all the African American’s evidence to produce a favorable outcome for the White university. Moreover, a White federal magistrate, who also got her law degree from the White university and teaches at the law school part time, assisted the federal judge by not ruling on a key motion to access the dean’s computers, permitting the federal judge to rule this computer issue moot. In conclusion, support is provided for both Bonilla-Silva theory and critical race theory.
Transmission of a Trypanosoma sp. to cattle by the tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum.

Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum engorged nymphs and flat adults were collected from two areas in northern Sudan. Various developing stages of Trypanosoma theileri-like flagellates were observed in the engorged nymphs, freshly moulted adults and mature adults partially engorged on rabbits. When these ticks were applied to two calves, one calf became infected with the trypanosome. The parasites were observed for one day in the enlarged lymph node nearest to the tick-feeding site 5 days after the tick application. Subsequently the trypanosomes were re-isolated in vitro from the infected calf. Inoculation of a ground-up tick supernatant suspension from the infected batch of ticks containing 104 trypanosomes into a calf did not produce a patent infection.
Synthesis and characterization of pH responsive D-glucosamine based molecular gelators

Small molecular gelators are a class of compounds with potential applications for soft biomaterials. Low molecular weight hydrogelators are especially useful for exploring biomedical applications. Previously, we found that 4,6-O-benzylidene acetal protected D-glucose and D-glucosamine are well-suited as building blocks for the construction of low molecular weight gelators. To better understand the scope of D-glucosamine derivatives as gelators, we synthesized and screened a novel class of N-acetylglucosamine derivatives with a p-methoxybenzylidene acetal protective group. This modification did not exert a negative influence on the gelation. On the contrary, it actually enhanced the gelation tendency for many derivatives. The introduction of the additional methoxy group on the phenyl ring led to low molecular weight gelators with a higher pH responsiveness. The resulting gels were stable at neutral pH values but degraded in an acidic environment. The release profiles of naproxen from the pH responsive gels were also analyzed under acidic and neutral conditions. Our findings are useful for the design of novel triggered release self-assembling systems and can provide an insight into the influence of the the structure on gelation.
Management of electric vehicle charging to mitigate renewable generation intermittency and distribution network congestion

We consider the management of electric vehicle (EV) loads within a market-based Electric Power System Control Area. EV load management achieves cost savings in both (i) EV battery charging and (ii) the provision of additional regulation service required by wind farm expansion. More specifically, we develop a decision support method for an EV Load Aggregator or Energy Service Company (ESCo) that controls the battery charging for a fleet of EVs. A hierarchical decision making methodology is proposed for hedging in the day-ahead market and for playing the real-time market in a manner that yields regulation service revenues and allows for negotiated discounts on the use of distribution network payments. Amongst several potential solutions that are available, we employ a rolling horizon look-ahead stochastic dynamic programming algorithm and report some typical computational experience.
Diesel Engine Combustion of Biomass Pyrolysis Oils

To investigate their ignition delay and combustion behavior, experiments with two biomass pyrolysis oils and No. 2 diesel fuel were performed in a direct injection diesel engine. It was found that while the indicated thermal efficiency of both pyrolysis oils equaled that of the diesel fuel, they exhibited excessive ignition delays and required a moderate degree of combustion air preheating to ignite reliably. Despite the longer ignition delays associated with the pyrolysis oils, the cylinder pressure rise rates were significantly less than with No. 2 diesel fuel. Experimental ignition delay and heat release rates were interpreted using a phenomenological spray combustion model. Using a three parameter fit for vaporization, ignition, and combustion rate, the model showed that the longer ignition delays of the bio-oils result from slow chemistry relative to diesel fuel. The model also showed that the heat release profiles of the bio-oils are consistent with slow combustion chemistry and rapid mixing relativ...
Epstein-Barr Virus Shed in Saliva Is High in B-Cell-Tropic Glycoprotein gp42

Epstein-Barr virus is an orally transmitted human herpesvirus that infects epithelial cells and establishes latency in memory B lymphocytes. Movement of virus between the two cell types is facilitated by changes in amounts of an envelope glycoprotein, gp42, which are effected by interaction of gp42 with HLA class II in a B cell. Here we used the differential ability of virus to bind to CD21-positive B cells and CD21-negative epithelial cells, which is also influenced by levels of gp42, to determine that the majority of virus shed in saliva is derived from an HLA class II-negative cell.
The Selection of Trainees, Trainers, Facilities, and Meeting Times for In‐Service Training for Teachers

If in-service training is to improve instruction, then careful planning must be done. The approach taken in assigning responsibility for the training, selection of trainees and trainers, provision of adequate facilities, and establishment of meeting times can have a tremendous influence on the success of the training.
Platform dependence of inference on gene-wise and gene-set involvement in human lung development

Background: With the recent development of microarray technologies, the comparability of gene expression data obtained from different platforms poses an important problem. We evaluated two widely used platforms, Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 and the Illumina HumanRef-8 v2 Expression Bead Chips, for comparability in a biological system in which changes may be subtle, namely fetal lung tissue as a function of gestational age. Results: We performed the comparison via sequence-based probe matching between the two platforms. "Significance grouping" was defined as a measure of comparability. Using both expression correlation and significance grouping as measures of comparability, we demonstrated that despite overall cross-platform differences at the single gene level, increased correlation between the two platforms was found in genes with higher expression level, higher probe overlap, and lower p-value. We also demonstrated that biological function as determined via KEGG pathways or GO categories is more consistent across platforms than single gene analysis. Conclusion: We conclude that while the comparability of the platforms at the single gene level may be increased by increasing sample size, they are highly comparable ontologically even for subtle differences in a relatively small sample size. Biologically relevant inference should therefore be reproducible across laboratories using different platforms.
Personalization of Reading Passages Improves Vocabulary Acquisition

The REAP tutoring system provides individualized and adaptive English as a Second Language vocabulary practice. REAP can automatically personalize instruction by providing practice readings about topics that match interests as well as domain-based, cognitive objectives. While most previous research on motivation in intelligent tutoring environments has focused on increasing extrinsic motivation, this study focused on increasing personal interest. Students were randomly split into control and treatment groups. The control-condition tutor chose texts to maximize domain-based goals such as the density of practice opportunities for target words. The treatment-condition tutor also preferred texts that matched personal interests. The results show positive effects of personalization, and also demonstrate the importance of negotiating between motivational and domain-based goals.
Life stressors and coping style are associated with immune measures in HIV-1 infection--a preliminary report.

Objective:Life stressors and coping style have been associated with alterations in cellular immunity similar to those seen in HIV-1 infection. The interval between infection with HIV-1 and the development of AIDS is lengthy and highly variable. This pilot study investigated whether life stressors and coping style may account for a portion of this variation.Method:A sample of eleven asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive homosexual male volunteers responding to a local advertisement was assessed on life stressors, coping style and cellular phenotypic and functional immune measures—T4 “helper” cell/T8 “suppressor” cell ratio, T4 cell count, total lymphocyte count, and natural killer cell cytotoxicity.Results:Significant associations were observed for both major life stressor impact over the previous year and passive coping style use with the total lymphocyte count; higher life stressor impact and passive coping style use were associated with lower total lymphocyte counts. Similarly, a trend in the same direction w...
Polysomnography and Self-reported Sleep, Pain, Fatigue, and Anxiety in Children with Active and Inactive Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

and anxiety between children with active and inactive juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and examine relations among sleep, symptoms, and anxiety. Methods Two consecutive nights of PSG, self-reported sleep, and symptoms were obtained in 70 children 6–11 years of age with active (n ¼ 35) or inactive (n ¼ 35) JRA. Results On the second (study) night, PSG and self-reported sleep variables were not different, but pain and fatigue were significantly higher (both p <.02) in children with active compared to inactive disease. In a stepwise regression, age, medications, disease status, anxiety, evening pain, total sleep time, and arousals explained 36% of the variance in fatigue and age, disease status, and evening pain were significant (all p <.04) predictors of fatigue. All children showed longer sleep latency and reduced sleep efficiency on the first night in the laboratory. Conclusions Sleep was not altered in children with active JRA, however, the ‘‘first night effect’’ suggests that valid laboratory sleep assessments require an adaptation night.
Case Study of GIS Data Integration And Visualization in Marine Tectonics: The Cascadia Subduction Zone

A raster/vector geographic information system (GIS) has been developed at the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University to support investigations of the active tectonics and earthquake potential of the Cascadia subduction zone. The Cascadia marine GIS uses Erdas Imagine as its core display and database software. Supporting software includes specialized processing packages for multibeam bathymetric data, deep‐towed side‐scan sonar data, file conversion, and 3D stereo visualization. The GIS is used in all phases of the Cascadia project, including assessment of target sites for submersible and side‐scan fieldwork, submersible and towfish navigation, and visualization and interpretation. The GIS, along with its supporting components, is used in interpretation of geologic structure, a highly interpretive and largely visual process. The integration of geologic, geophysical, and morphologic data has led to the determination of slip rates of offshore faults, an estimate of the potenti...
Sleepy Stack Reduction of Leakage Power

Leakage power consumption of current CMOS technology is already a great challenge. ITRS projects that leakage power consumption may come to dominate total chip power consumption as the technology feature size shrinks. We propose a novel leakage reduction technique, named “sleepy stack,” which can be applied to general logic design. Our sleepy stack approach retains exact logic state – making it better than traditional sleep and zigzag techniques – while saving leakage power consumption. Unlike the stack approach (which saves state), the sleepy stack approach can work well with dual-V th technologies, reducing leakage by several orders of magnitude over the stack approach in single-V th technology. Unfortunately, the sleepy stack approach does have a area penalty (roughly 50~120%) as compared to stack technology; nonetheless, the sleepy stack approach occupies a niche where state-saving and extra low leakage is desired at a (potentially small) cost in terms of increased delay and area.
Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy for the Treatment of Fixed Sagittal Imbalance

BACKGROUND: Fixed sagittal imbalance (a syndrome in which the patient is only able to stand with the weight-bearing line in front of the sacrum) has many etiologies. The most commonly reported technique for correction is the Smith-Petersen osteotomy. Few reports on pedicle subtraction procedures (resection of the posterior elements, pedicles, and vertebral body through a posterior approach) are available in the peer-reviewed literature. We are aware of no report involving a substantial number of patients with coexistent scoliosis who underwent pedicle/vertebral body subtraction for the treatment of fixed sagittal imbalance. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients in whom sagittal imbalance was treated with lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy at one institution were analyzed. Radiographic analysis included assessment ofthoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, lordosis through the pedicle subtraction osteotomy site, and the C7 sagittal plumb line. Outcomes analysis was performed with use of a before-and-after pain scale, items from the Oswestry questionnaire, and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) questionnaire after a minimum duration of follow-up of two years. Complications and radiographic findings were also analyzed for the entire group. RESULTS: Overall, the average increase in lordosis was 34.1° and the average improvement in the sagittal plumb line was 13.5 cm. One patient had development of a lumbar pseudarthrosis through the area of pedicle subtraction osteotomy, and six patients had development of a thoracic pseudarthrosis. Two patients had development of increased kyphosis at L5/S1, caudad to the fusion, resulting in some loss of sagittal correction. There were significant improvements in the overall Oswestry score (p < 0.0001) and the pain-scale score (p = 0.0002). Most patients reported improvement in terms of pain and self-image as well as overall satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy is a useful procedure for patients with fixed sagittal imbalance. A worse clinical result is associated with increasing patient comorbidities, pseudarthrosis in the thoracic spine, and subsequent breakdown caudad to the fusion.
Managerial Risk Taking in Diversified Firms: An Evolutionary Perspective

The degree of risk taking by lower level division managers is expected to vary depending upon the extent and type of diversification. Limited diversification, when coupled with M-form adoption and decentralization, induces managerial risk taking. Notwithstanding, the control system elaborations e.g., strategic business unit [SBU] structures to facilitate information processing as firms increase diversification, extensively diversified firms reach limits such that control loss reduces managerial risk taking. Ultimately, this control loss may result in poor relative performance thereby triggering a threat of takeover. The threat of takeover creates incentives for restructuring and more focused diversification. Firms that reduce their diversified scope through restructuring may induce managerial risk taking. Thus, diversified firms experience periods that induce and other periods that reduce division manager risk taking depending on diversification and associated control system attributes.
Electromyographic activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle in exercising horses

Summary Reasons for performing study: There is a need to understand the process which leads to failure of recruitment of the stylopharyngeus muscle in clinical cases of nasopharygeal collapse. We therefore studied the timing and intensity of stylopharyngeus muscle activity during exercise in horses. Objective: To measure the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle in exercising horses and correlate it with the breathing pattern. Methods: Five horses were equipped with a bipolar fine wire electrode placed on the stylopharyngeus muscle and a pharyngeal catheter. The horses exercised on a treadmill at speeds corresponding to 50 (HRmax50), 75 and 100% of maximum heart rate, and EMG activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle and upper airway pressures were recorded. The EMG activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle was then correlated to the breathing pattern and the activity quantified and reported as a percentage of the baseline activity measured at HRmax50. Results: There was ongoing activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle throughout the breathing cycle; however, activity increased towards the end of expiration and peaked early during inspiration. Tonic activity was present during expiration. Peak, mean electrical and tonic EMG activity increased significantly (P<0.05) with exercise intensity. Conclusion: The stylopharyngeus muscle has inspiratory-related activity and tonic activity that increases with speed. Potential relevance: The stylopharyngeus muscle is one of a group of upper airway muscles that function to support and maintain the patency of the nasopharynx during inspiration. Failure of recruitment of the stylopharyngeus muscle during exercise is a potential explanation for clinical cases of dorsal pharyngeal collapse, but further work investigating the activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle in horses affected by this disease is needed.
The Intersection of Redistricting, Race, and Participation

The drawing of congressional district lines can significantly reduce political participation in U.S. House elections, according to recent work. But such studies have failed to explain which citizens’ voting rates are most susceptible to the dislocating effects of redistricting and whether the findings are generalizable to a variety of political contexts. Building on this nascent literatureandworkonblackpoliticalparticipation,weshowthatredistricting’snegativeeffectsonparticipation—measured by voter roll-off in U.S. House elections—are generally strongest among African Americans, but that black voters can be mobilized when they are redrawn into a black representative’s congressional district. Our findings, based on data from 11 postredistricting elections in five states from 1992 through 2006, both expand the empirical scope of previous work and suggest that redistricting plays a previously hidden role in affecting black participation in congressional contests.