cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Animal Health Equipment Management

Proper health equipment management requires significant attention to detail. Establishing and following protocols during processing (eg, cleaning and disinfecting equipment at the end of the work day) is required to ensure a safe product that is free of defects and residues. Overall cleanliness of equipment and facilities is important not only from a food safety standpoint but many view these as an overall indicator of attention to detail in the entire production system. Ensuring that needles are changed, implant guns are managed properly, vaccine is handled in an acceptable manner, and that proper chute operation occurs is essential.
Organizing education: schools, school districts, and the study of organizational history

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a rationale for organizational histories of schools and school districts and discuss the findings of selected examples of the genre. Design/methodology/approach – The author presents a vignette of an organizational history, discusses key elements of the methodology, and offers seven ways in which organizational histories address important issues in educational research. Findings – A case is made, using actual examples of research, that organizational histories of schools and school districts can contribute to testing existing theory, developing new theory, describing how educational change occurs, accounting for the sustainability of educational change, explaining organizational continuity over time, understanding school and district responses to persistent social issues, and balancing an over-emphasis on the impact of school and district leaders. Originality/value – The paper draws on the author’s original contributions to organizational history as well a...
Women in Urban Burma: Social issues and political dilemmas

Abstract Successive military governments since 1962 have suppressed foreign influences and resisted Burma's integration into the world economy. Moreover, recent state repression means that citizens have no guarantee of freedom of speech or other civil liberties. Research efforts internally and by international scholars have been stalled since the 1960s. Decades of patriarchical authoritarianism have diminished official respect for Burmese customary laws and the national constitution. These provided a framework of sexual egalitarianism in social and economic affairs that may be unique in the Southeast Asian region. This study examines the social and political factors affecting the current status of Burmese women in urban areas in particular, and it assesses the effects of continued military rule on women's political and economic opportunities. The author's field observations of social and economic conditions in Burma, and her discussions with women in several urban areas provide new perspectives on women's status and raise issues that can be investigated further when travel and scholarship restrictions are relaxed.
Abstract 3583: Reducing GC-bias and improving coverage distribution in Illumina sequencing using the Kapa Biosystems library construction method

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is increasingly used in the laboratory and clinic to identify genomic factors contributing to tumorigenesis, such as somatic mutations, DNA insertions and deletions, transcriptome and epigenetic changes, and chromosomal abnormalities. Because tumor specimen tissues are often quite limited or are from rare and precious samples, it is necessary to prepare sequencing libraries from minimal amounts of DNA. Consequently, limited DNA input necessitates amplification during NGS library preparation. Therefore, it is of great importance to amplify the library in an efficient and uniform manner to achieve reproducible amplification of the library fragments and limit GC content bias. Variable GC-bias among libraries is of particular importance for copy number variant (CNV) detection based on sequence coverage. Here, we compare the TruSeq DNA Sample Preparation Kit (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) and the KAPA Library Preparation Kit (Kapa Biosystems, Wilmington, MA) to determine which technique achieves optimal library coverage. The major difference between the methods is the DNA polymerase used for library enrichment. The Kapa HiFi polymerase was engineered to have higher fidelity and increased DNA affinity relative to the Herculase II Fusion DNA Polymerase (Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA) that we used for library enrichment with the TruSeq kit. Thus, the Kapa HiFi polymerase should more efficiently amplify targets across a larger GC content range and improve sequence coverage uniformity. Relative to TruSeq-prepared libraries, the Kapa-prepared libraries had a larger mean insert size, more uniform coverage distribution, and better coverage of GC-rich regions of the genome. This was observed for DNA extracted from blood, cell lines, and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples. More experiments are underway to determine the effect of the improved recovery of high-GC content DNA fragments on CNV detection. Citation Format: Aaron R. Thorner, Ashwini Sunkavalli, Ling Lin, Robert T. Jones, Laura Schubert, Matthew D. Ducar, Ravali Adusumilli, Deniz Nesli Dolcen, Liuda Ziaugra, Jack Lepine, Laura E. MacConaill, William C. Hahn, Matthew Meyerson, Paul Van Hummelen. Reducing GC-bias and improving coverage distribution in Illumina sequencing using the Kapa Biosystems library construction method. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3583. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3583
The effect of organic matter and the H2O2 organic-matter-removal method on the δD of smectite-rich samples

Abstract The H 2 O 2 organic-matter-removal method (Jackson, 1985) used routinely to remove organic matter from sediments in preparation for δD analyses, was found to alter the δD of the smectite standard, H26, up to −8‰ and of Gulf Coast shale samples up to −13‰. Before the H 2 O 2 treatment, analytical error for the δD analyses was low ranging from ±1‰ to ±3‰. After treatment the error increased ranging from ±4 to ±13‰ for 46% of the treated samples. This decreased reproducibility suggests the deuterium is no longer evenly distributed within the samples, and that the shift in δD may be the result of retention or removal of a hydrogen bearing phase. Total organic carbon (TOC) analyses of the shale samples before and after treatment with H 2 O 2 show that up to 0.80 wt.% TOC remains in the samples even after the samples appear bleached, which according to Jackson (1985) indicates complete removal of the organic matter. An additional 24 h of treatment (two more additions of H 2 O 2 ) or more, depending on the initial TOC content, was necessary beyond bleaching of the samples to achieve a final TOC of 0.10 wt.% or less. The δD values of the untreated Gulf Coast shale samples with 1 wt.% TOC or less, lie within a narrow range, −38 to −32‰, and within this range lack any correlation with TOC, suggesting the presence of the organic matter is not effecting the δD values. A single sample with TOC greater than 1 wt.%, PB2–4762 m with 10 wt.% TOC, has a δD value of −56‰ outside of the range of the low TOC samples. Organic matter isolated from this high TOC sample was added incrementally to four of the other shale samples. δD analyses of these shale-organic matter mixtures show a decrease of 0.23‰ with each mole % increase in hydrogen from organic matter. By using this slope to calculate the δD of PB2–4762 m without the organic matter gives a value of −40‰. This new value is within 2‰ of the range of values for the low TOC shales, −38 to −32‰, and is within the analytical error of the δD analyses.
BirdsEyeView (BEV): graphical overviews of experimental data

Background Analyzing global experimental data can be tedious and time-consuming. Thus, helping biologists see results as quickly and easily as possible can facilitate biological research, and is the purpose of the software we describe.
Evaluation of nicotinic α4β2 receptor antagonists for potential imaging by PET and SPECT

1093 Objectives Abnormalities in nicotinic α4β2 acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain have been reported in several CNS pathophysiologies. Our efforts now are currently underway to develop and evaluate potential antagonists for PET (18F-Nifrolene), SPECT (123I-Niodene) and PET/SPECT (18F/123I-Niofene). Here we report the general radiosyntheses and biological properties of the three antagonists. Methods 18F labeling was carried out at 95oC (for 18F-Nifrolene, using a tosylate displacement) and 120oC (for 18F-Niofene, using a bromide displacement) for 30 mins. For radioiodination, 5-tributyltin-precursors for 123I-niodene and 123I-niofene were used. Iodination methods included the use of either chloramine-T or H2O2/acetic acid as oxidants. Products were purified by HPLC followed by N-BOC deprotection using 60% CH3CN: 0.1% Et3N, 2.5 ml/min. Rat brain slice autoradiographic studies were carried out with the three radiotracers. PET studies in rats were carried out in Inveon PET. Results Nifrolene, Niodene and Niofene displayed high affinity for the α4β2 nAChRs. 18F radiolabeling provided high radiochemical yields of 18F-Nifrolene, while the yields for 18F-Niofene were lower. Compared to chloramine-T, H2O2/acetic acid provided a higher yield of niofene and cleaner iodination method of the tributyltin precursor (ret time: tributyl tin = 10.5 mins; N-BOC-niofene =13 mins) In vitro autoradiography showed a high thalamus (TH)/cerebellum (CB) ratio (approx. 9) for 18F-Nifrolene and a ratio of 4 for 123I-Niodene. In vivo PET in rats showed rapid uptake in the brain and selective localization in receptor regions with TH/CB >4 for 18F-Nifrolene and >2 for 18F-Niofene. Time to reach pseudoequilibrium was longer for 18F-Nifrolene than 18F-Niofene. Conclusions Nifrolene had greater binding ratios than Niodene and Niofene. These findings suggest that Nifrolene may be a superior antagonist for use in PET, while Niodene and Niofene may allow shorter scan times. Additional studies are needed with Niofene in order to assess its value in PET/SPECT imaging as an antagonist. Research Support NIH AG029479 (JM)
Connexin 32 and 43 mutations: Do they play a role in chronic rhinosinusitis?☆☆☆★★★

Abstract Objective Dysfunction of the sinonasal epithelium may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) including recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS). Mutations in connexin 32 and 43 proteins have been associated with a number of human diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of mutations in connexin 32 or connexin 43 genes in CRS and RARS. Methods Prospective case series of 19 patients with CRS and /or RARS. Clinical and demographic factors were noted and buccal swabs were collected for DNA sequencing of connexin 32 and connexin 43 genes. Results One patient was found to have a conservative V193I mutation in the connexin 32 gene. Connexin 43 mutations were found in two patients – a silent R239R mutation and an AAA insertion after the stop codon in the 3′ UTR. None of these mutations are associated with any known diseases or predicted to lead to protein dysfunction. Conclusion Mutations in connexin 32 or 43 genes in patients with CRS, including RARS, appear to be rare. The etiologic role of connexin mutations in chromic rhinosinusitis is suspect, and routine sequencing for connexin mutations in patients with RARS or CRS is not cost effective.
Moderate alcohol consumption and safety of lovastatin and warfarin among men: the post-coronary artery bypass graft trial.

Abstract Purpose Although moderate drinking has been associated with lower mortality among patients with coronary heart disease, its safety among patients taking common cardiac medications is unknown. Subjects and methods We studied 1244 men enrolled in the Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Trial who had undergone previous coronary bypass surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to lovastatin in low (mean 4 mg) or high (mean 76 mg) doses and to low-dose warfarin (mean international normalized ratio [INR] 1.4, goal INR Results During follow-up, 66% of men taking warfarin had an INR of 2.0 or higher, and 7% of men had an ALT of 80 IU/L or higher. Maximum INR ( P = .72) and ALT ( P = .51) levels did not differ across categories of alcohol intake. The risks of an INR of 2.0 or higher were 67%, 66%, 68%, and 61% among non-, light, moderate, and heavier drinkers ( P = .86), respectively. The corresponding risks of an ALT of 80 IU/L or more were 8%, 10%, 9%, and 6% ( P = .70), respectively. Conclusion Moderate drinking did not adversely influence the safety of low-dose warfarin or even high-dose lovastatin among men in this randomized trial, as measured by INR and ALT levels.
Opioid glycopeptide analgesics derived from endogenous enkephalins and endorphins.

Over the past two decades, potent and selective analgesics have been developed from endogenous opioid peptides. Glycosylation provides an important means of modulating interaction with biological membranes, which greatly affects the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the resulting glycopeptide analogues. Furthermore, manipulation of the membrane affinity allows penetration of cellular barriers that block efficient drug distribution, including the blood–brain barrier. Extremely potent and selective opiate agonists have been developed from endogenous peptides, some of which show great promise as drug candidates.
Controlled release of a model protein lysozyme from phase sensitive smart polymer systems

The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of phase sensitive smart polymer-based protein formulations in order to deliver a model protein, lysozyme, in a conformationally stable and biologically active form at a controlled rate over extended period of time. Four different formulations, using d,l-poly(lactide) (d,l-PLA) and a solvent mixture of different ratios of benzyl benzoate (BB) and benzyl alcohol (BA), were prepared. Conformational stability and biological activity of lysozyme were studied by differential scanning calorimeter and enzyme activity assay, respectively. We found a significant (P<0.05) increase in burst and rate of release of incorporated lysozyme from formulations containing greater proportion of BA. In order to increase the conformational stability and biological activity of lysozyme, we incorporated mannitol as stabilizer into formulations. Mannitol increased the conformational and biological activity of lysozyme in comparison to the control formulation prepared without mannitol. In conclusion, phase sensitive smart polymer-based delivery systems were able to deliver a model protein, lysozyme, in a conformationally stable and biologically active form at a controlled rate over extended period of time.
The electronic and electrochemical properties of poly(isothianaphthene)

The physical and electronic properties of poly(isothianaphthene) PITN, are reported, including initial characterization, electrochemical cyclic voltammetry, spectroscopy, and transport properties. PITN has the smallest energy gap of any known conjugated organic polymer, Eg≂1 eV. This novel conjugated polymer exhibits reversible chemical and electrochemical p‐type doping with an associated high contrast color change. After doping, thin films of PITN have very low optical density in the visible portion of the spectrum. Thus, PITN is the first example of a transparent highly conducting polymer (σ∼50 Ω−1 cm−1).
Etiology of Bronze Leaf Disease of Populus

Bronze leaf disease is a potentially destructive disorder of the Populus section of the genus Populus. The causal agent has been reported to be Apioplagiostoma populi (anamorph: Discula sp.). Based on etiological and symptomological studies, field observations of symptom development suggest that the pathogen moves systemically in the host. This was verified by graft experiments where symptoms progressed from the scion into the elongating stem. A bronze-pigmented vascular discoloration was observed in symptomatic leaves and branches. Dieback of affected stems also was common. Spore-trap studies elucidated the timing and necessary weather conditions of A. populi ascospore dispersal in relation to infection and symptom development. Exposure-tree experiments revealed that ascospores of A. populi are the primary inoculum and resulting infection causes distinctive disease symptoms on affected trees. Perithecia of A. populi were observed on overwintered symptomatic leaves, but were not observed on asymptomatic leaves. Acervular conidiomata were observed on symptomatic leaves during August and September. Although A. populi ascospores germinated in vitro, A. populi was not recovered from symptomatic tissue. Isolations from diseased leaves consistently yielded Epicoccum nigrum, but the role of this species is unclear. Inoculations of susceptible plants with E. nigrum conidia failed to reproduce symptoms, but inoculations with ascospores of A. populi produced symptoms typical of bronze leaf disease and Koch's postulates were performed.
Variation of glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase levels during in vitro aging of human fibroblasts: Implications for gene dosage studies

The levels of glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase were monitored in four human fibroblast cell lines, two diploid, one monosomy 21 and one trisomy 21, from early passage number to senescence. In all four lines, enzyme activity increased as the cells aged. Enzyme levels for the diploid versus trisomy 21 cells did not consistently exhibit the expected gene dosage effect.
Speech rate as a measure of imitative performance

Imitative performance was assessed by two different tasks. In the speech-rate phase, 20 males and 20 females repeated numbers after a female model speaking at either one number per 2 sec (2.0-sec group) or one number per 0.5 sec (0.5-sec group). During the content phase, these same Ss said words intermittently with a taped female model who emitted an increasing frequency of animal words across trial blocks. Both phases yielded significant imitation, but a significant correlation between the two measures of modeling failed to emerge.
Neal Miller and the Integration of Psychoanalysis and Behavior Therapy

Abstract Neal Miller's pioneering insights into the possibilities of synthesis between psychoanalytic and learning theory formulations of phenomena of anxiety, defense, psychopathology, and personality dynamics provided a key foundation for later efforts to integrate psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches to therapy. This paper highlights Miller's influence and the continuing legacy of his integrative mindset in the contemporary psychotherapy integration movement.
Fractures and ligament injuries of the ankle.

Abstract A program of prevention, prompt diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the ankle is presented, including methods of demonstration of complete ligament rupture or avulsion. Precise surgical repair of completely torn supporting soft tissues is rarely contra indicated in athletes, and little less than perfect reduction of fractures is acceptable. Sprains, or incomplete ligament tears are best treated immediately by cold, compression, rest and elevation. No way has been found to accelerate the healing of a wound, such as a sprain, but many things can delay the process including novocain, hydrocortisone, manipulation and “running it out.”
Strategies for Controlled Delivery of Growth Factors and Cells for Bone Regeneration

The controlled delivery of growth factors and cells within biomaterial carriers can enhance and accelerate functional bone formation. The carrier system can be designed with pre-programmed release kinetics to deliver bioactive molecules in a localized, spatiotemporal manner most similar to the natural wound healing process. The carrier can also act as an extracellular matrix-mimicking substrate for promoting osteoprogenitor cellular infiltration and proliferation for integrative tissue repair. This review discusses the role of various regenerative factors involved in bone healing and their appropriate combinations with different delivery systems for augmenting bone regeneration. The general requirements of protein, cell and gene therapy are described, with elaboration on how the selection of materials, configurations and processing affects growth factor and cell delivery and regenerative efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo applications for bone tissue engineering.
Simulations of the Rocketdyne free-electron laser with a 4 m wiggler

Abstract Rocketdyne is assembling a high-brightness 78 MeV FEL. After full development the laser will be capable of an average output of greater than 1 kW. Performance calculations using the Rocketdyne FELOPT code are presented for a 1.06 μm system.
Effects of Glucocorticoid Therapy on Urine Protein‐to‐Creatinine Ratios and Renal Morphology in Dogs

Glomerulonephritis has been associated with exogenous glucocorticoid administration and spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism in the dog. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long-term glucocorticoid therapy on urine protein:creatinine ratios (UP/Cs) and renal morphology. Nine young-adult male dogs were determined to be healthy and have normal renal function as assessed by physical examination, CBC, serum biochemistry analysis, Knott's test for Dirofilaria immitis, urinalysis, urine culture, urine protein electrophoresis, endogenous creatinine clearance, 24-hour urinary protein excretion, and UP/C. Prednisone was administered to each dog at a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg PO bid for 42 days. Urinalysis and UP/C were performed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 of treatment. Mean UP/C on day 0 was 0.29 +/- 0.10. Mean UP/C increased progressively to a maximum of 1.27 +/- 1.02 on day 28. Mean UP/C on day 42 decreased slightly (0.92 +/- 0.56) but remained significantly increased above baseline. The most consistent renal light microscopic finding on necropsy examination was generalized hypercellular glomerular tufts, suggestive of mesangial cell proliferation. Four dogs also had occasional adhesions of glomerular tufts to Bowman's capsule, accompanied by thickening of the capsule. Direct immunofluorescence for immunoglobulin deposition was negative in all dogs. Electron microscopy, evaluated in 7 dogs, was characterized by occasional mild segmental thickening of basement membranes, fusion of visceral cell foot processes, and glomerular adhesions. The results of this study indicate that long-term administration of glucocorticoids results in significant proteinuria and glomerular changes in the dog.
Modulation of neutrophil and mononuclear cell adherence to bronchial epithelial cells.

Neutrophils and mononuclear cells have been associated with the lower respiratory tract inflammation observed in both acute and chronic bronchitis. In order to transit into and remain within the airways, neutrophils and mononuclear cells would likely need to adhere to bronchial epithelium. To test this hypothesis, bovine bronchial epithelial cells (BBECs) were isolated and cultured on a round coverslip. After 7 to 10 days, 51Cr-labeled neutrophils and mononuclear cells were evaluated for their capacity to adhere to the BBEC monolayer. Both neutrophils and mononuclear cells readily bound to the BBEC monolayer (10.8 ± 1.2% bound neutrophils; 40.5 ± 2.8% bound mononuclear cells). Stimulation of the neutrophils and mononuclear cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased the adherence (45.8 ± 10.6% bound neutrophils, P < 0.01 compared with unstimulated cells; 58.7 < 6.2% bound mononuclear cells, P < 0.01 compared with unstimulated cells). Importantly, stimulating the BBEC monolayer with PMA, bac...
Childhood Emotional Abuse, Adult Attachment, and Depression as Predictors of Relational Adjustment and Psychological Aggression

This study examined the theoretically expected contributions of early emotional abuse, adult attachment, and depression to several aspects of romantic relationship functioning. College students in dating relationships (N = 285) completed an online survey, including measures of childhood emotional maltreatment, adult attachment style, psychological distress, and romantic relationships. Results indicated that childhood emotional maltreatment directly predicted insecure adult attachment. In the full models, emotional maltreatment contributed to dyadic adjustment, but was not a significant predictor of psychological aggression or victimization. In contrast, depression accounted for the largest proportion of variance in the models for reported psychological aggression and victimization, but was nonsignificant for dyadic adjustment. Adult attachment style emerged as an important predictor of all 3 relationship constructs.
Discrete optimal guidance for high-order missile and maneuvering target

An explicit closed-form formula of a discrete guidance law for a linear time-invariant, acceleration commanded, arbitrary-order missile and a linear, time-invariant arbitrary-order, maneuvering target is derived. The formula is given in terms of the missile and target transfer functions and responses to initial conditions. Examples are explicitly solved for zero-lag and a first-order missile. As an example, it is shown that the discrete proportional navigation ratio is higher than 3 and time varying in contrast to the continuous case. >
New dynamic beam-forming protocol for wireless packet data networks

Multi-beam array antennas are being deployed in wireless cellular networks to implement space division multiple access (SDMA), using various forms of antenna sectorization, as a means to increasing the capacity of these networks. In this paper we propose a dynamic beam-forming strategy which provides superior SDMA performance. Specifically, we propose successive splitting of an original wide angle beam so as to spatially separate a number of initially interfering transmitters. This is shown to result in very drastic reductions in delays and computational loads while incurring no throughput penalties compared to standard random access protocols.
Trading Spaces: Comparing Regional Agreements

The Social Construction of Free Trade: The European Union, NAFTA, and MERCOSUR. By Francesco Duina. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2005. 224 pp., $35.00 (ISBN: 0-691-12353-5). For two decades, economists have commented on the rising number of regional trade agreements in the international system. As of 2004, 155 regional agreements were in force; more than half of these arrangements had been concluded since 1990 (Ruggiero 2004:25). Even the United States, which once championed only global mechanisms for trade (such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the World Trade Organization), now actively leads the way in promoting greater regionalism. However, with few exceptions (notably, Grieco 1997; Mansfield and Milner 1997), the innumerable analyses of this surge in regionalism have lumped all the agreements together, ignoring the opportunity for comparative analysis. This lacuna is the arena into which Franceso Duina deftly steps in The Social Construction of Free Trade . According to Duina, the most fundamental contrast between regional trade agreements is whether they are “minimalist” or “intrusive.” Minimalist agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have few regional laws and are characterized by “gradualism, trial and error, and reaction” (p. 50). In contrast, intrusive regional trade agreements, like the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, encourage officials to write countless regional laws that attempt to cover every imagined contingency. Duina argues that the legal traditions of member states—common law or civil law—explain the observed variation. “Common law is a legislative system that avoids the codification of the world and the promulgation …
The role of etching in bonding to enamel: A comparison of self-etching and etch-and-rinse adhesive systems

Abstract Objective Etch and resin infiltration morphologies were compared for three self-etch adhesive (SEA) systems and eleven model etch-and-rinse (ERA) systems using various phosphoric acid (PA) concentrations with Adper Single Bond Plus (SB) adhesive. Matches for the morphologies were made between each SEA system and one of the PA/SB systems and bond strength measurements were made for all the systems. The hypothesis was that similar morphology would result in similar bond strength assuming micro-mechanical bonding is the mechanism of adhesion. Methods Three specimens were prepared on polished (4000 grit) human enamel for each adhesive system to examine etch and resin infiltration morphology by SEM. For the latter, the adhesive systems were bonded using recommended methods and the enamel was dissolved in acid to reveal the resin. The etch patterns for the SEA systems were determined by rinsing off the material with water and acetone. Polished (4000 grit) human enamel was used with each adhesive system to determine 24-h resin composite to enamel shear bond strengths (SBS). A minimum of 10 specimens were used for each group. Data were analyzed by a one factor ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD post hoc test. Results The SBS to polished enamel for two of the three SEA systems were statistically significantly greater (p Significance Although chemical bonding may be present for some SEA systems it does not provide enough increase in bond strength to compete with the bond produced by ERA systems using phosphoric acid etching of enamel.
Automated Detection of Chemical Vapors by Pattern Recognition Analysis of Passive Multispectral Infrared Remote Sensing Imaging Data

Pattern recognition methods are developed for the automated interpretation of passive multispectral imaging data collected from an airborne platform. Through the use of an infrared line scanner equipped with 14 spectral bandpass filters, passive infrared images are collected of an ammonia plant within a nitrogen fertilizer facility. Piecewise linear discriminant analysis is used to implement an automated algorithm for the detection of scene pixels that correspond to chemical vapor signatures. A separate classifier is used to detect the presence of hot carbon dioxide (CO2) within the images. In the assembly of training and prediction data for the development of both classifiers, the K-means clustering algorithm is used together with knowledge of the site to assign pixels to the plume/nonplume and CO2/non-CO2 categories. The effects of temperature variation within the imaged scene are removed from the data through the use of an algorithm for separating the contributions of temperature and emissivity to the Planck equation. Averaged across four data runs containing a total of 3.5 million pixels, the resulting discriminants are observed to detect approximately 91% of the plume pixels while achieving a false detection rate of less than 0.01%. The corresponding performance criteria for the CO2 classifier are a successful detection of approximately 94% of the pixels with a CO2 signature and a false detection rate of less than 0.7%. The robustness of the CO2 classifier is further enhanced through the adoption of a probability-based classification rule.
Effects of Tween 80 on liver microsomal 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase.

Abstract Enzymatic conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol by liver microsomes was increased by addition of Tween 80. This increase was proportional to Tween 80 concentration, and reached its maximum of 250% of baseline activity after addition of 300 μg/ml of Tween 80. This enhancement was comparable to that achieved by addition of 7.4 mg/ml of cytosol protein. No additive effect was observed with Tween 80 combined with cytosol protein. These data suggest that Tween 80 can substitute for sterol carrier protein 2 in the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol.
Teacher–child interactions and children’s achievement trajectories across kindergarten and first grade.

This study examined the extent to which the quality of teacher-child interactions and children's achievement levels at kindergarten entry were associated with children's achievement trajectories. Rural students (n = 147) were enrolled in a longitudinal study from kindergarten through first grade. Growth trajectories (initial level and slope) were modeled with hierarchical linear modeling for 3 areas of achievement: word reading, phonological awareness, and mathematics. Cross-classified analyses examined the extent to which quality of teacher-child interactions and children's starting level predicted achievement growth rates over 2 years, and they also accounted for the changing nesting structure of the data. Results indicated that achievement at kindergarten entry predicted children's growth for all 3 outcomes. Further, first-grade teachers' strong emotional support related to greater growth in students' phonological awareness. Emotional and instructional support in first grade moderated the relationship between initial achievement and growth in word reading. Kindergarten classroom organization moderated the relationship between initial achievement and growth in mathematics. The implications of schooling for early growth trajectories are discussed.
PIKE/nuclear PI 3-kinase signaling in preventing programmed cell death

PI 3-kinase enhancer (PIKE) is a nuclear GTPase that enhances PI 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment leads to PIKE activation by triggering the nuclear translocation of PLC-gamma1, which acts as a physiological guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for PIKE. PI3K occurs in the nuclei of a broad range of cell types, and various stimuli elicit PI3K nuclear translocation. While cytoplasmic PI3K has been well characterized, little is known about the biological function of nuclear PI3K. Surprisingly, nuclei from 30 min NGF-treated PC12 cells are resistant to DNA fragmentation initiated by the activated cell-free apoptosome, and both PIKE and nuclear PI3K are sufficient and necessary for this effect. Moreover, pretreatment of the control nucleus with PI(3,4,5)P3 alone mimics the anti-apoptotic activity of NGF by selectively preventing apoptosis, for which nuclear Akt is required but not sufficient. Recently, a nuclear PI(3,4,5)P3 receptor, nucleophosmin/B23, has been identified from NGF-treated PC12 nuclear extract. PI(3,4,5)P3/B23 complex mediates the anti-apoptotic effects of NGF by inhibiting DNA fragmentation activity of caspase-activated DNase (CAD). Thus, PI(3,4,5)P3/B23 complex and nuclear Akt effectors might coordinately mediate PIKE/nuclear PI3K signaling in promoting cell survival by NGF.
Comparison of the helium/oxygen/acetylene and air/acetylene flames as atom sources for continuum-source atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract The helium/oxygen/acetylene flame is compared to the more widely used air/acetylene flame for its utility as an atom cell for atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Nearly identical experimental arrangements were used for both flames in order to make the comparison valid. With a continuum source used for excitation, fluorescence detection limits in the helium/oxygen/acetylene flame were between 13 and 60 times better (lower) than those determined for the same eight elements in the air/acetylene flame. The improved detection limits are attributable mainly to the higher temperature, increased thermal conductivity and lower quenching in the helium flame. Fluorescence background spectra were obtained for both flames over the wavelength range 185–650 nm, and showed the helium flame to have slightly smaller background fluctuations, but a much larger background because of the more favorable fluorescence conditions in the flame.
Improved techniques for the induction of mammalian cell hybridization by polyethylene glycol

Modifications in the techniques for the induction of mammalian somatic cell hybridization by polyethylene glycol (PEG) have led to procedures that are rapid, simple, and effective. The basic improvements, for both monolayer and suspension fusions, are a short exposure to PEG and a rapid dilution of PEG following treatment. There is a marked effect of PEG concentration on cell hybridization, and there seem to be inherent differences between cells in terms of the extent of cell fusion induced by PEG.
Functional connectivity during working memory maintenance

Neurophysiological experiments with monkeys have demonstrated that working memory (WM) is associated with persistent neural activity in multiple brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the parietal cortex, and posterior unimodal association areas. WM maintenance is believed to require the coordination of these brain regions, which do not function in isolation but, rather, interact to maintain visual percepts that are no longer present in the environment. However, single-unit physiology studies and traditional univariate analyses of functional brain imaging data cannot evaluate interactions between distant brain regions, and so evidence of regional integration during WM maintenance is largely indirect. In this study, we utilized a recently developed multivariate analysis method that allows us to explore functional connectivity between brain regions during the distinct stages of a delayed face recognition task. To characterize the neural network mediating the on-line maintenance of faces, the fusiform face area (FFA) was defined as a seed and was then used to generate whole-brain correlation maps. A random effects analysis of the correlation data revealed a network of brain regions exhibiting significant correlations with the FFA seed during the WM delay period. This maintenance network included the dorsolateral and ventrolateral PFC, the premotor cortex, the intraparietal sulcus, the caudate nucleus, the thalamus, the hippocampus, and occipitotemporal regions. These findings support the notion that the coordinated functional interaction between nodes of a widely distributed network underlies the active maintenance of a perceptual representation.
Sources in television coverage of automotive strikes

Both business and labor have complained about their image on television, each charging unfair coverage by television journalists. A content analysis of network television news found that more than two‐thirds of all automotive strike stories used a labor source, while fewer than one‐third used a management source. A labor actor was present in almost all stories, while fewer than half of the stories had a management actor. The study speculates that television journalists view a strike as a labor, rather than a management, event. The nature of the event, as well as labor and management actors’ varying propensities to respond to queries by journalists, may partially account for the findings.
Modeling the Gender Difference in Depression: A Commentary on Cambron, Acitelli, and Pettit

In reviewing Cambron, Acitelli, and Pettit’s interpersonal contingent self-esteem model of the gender difference in depression, we applaud their domain-match vulnerability-stress approach as well as their specification of the processes mediating self-esteem and depression. However, we argue that models of the gender difference in depression must address five key points in order to provide compelling and meaningful explanations. Such models should: consider that vulnerability, stress, or vulnerability-stress interactions may vary across domains; articulate the processes by which stress-reactive negative affect develops into depressive symptoms; take a developmental approach; be sensitive to social and political implications; and provide clear hypotheses regarding the mediating and moderating mechanisms implicated in the model. These suggestions apply to all researchers interested in explaining the gender difference in depression.
Mathematical modeling of tumorigenesis: mission possible.

Purpose of review Mathematical modeling of tumorigenesis is a fast-growing area of research. This review describes recent (since July 2003) advances in this area and discusses possible implications for the field of cancer biology in general. Recent findings Broadly speaking, there are three major areas in which theory has contributed the most to cancer research: (1) modeling in the context of epidemiology and other statistical data, (2) mechanistic modeling of avascular and vascular tumor growth, and (3) modeling of cancer initiation and progression as somatic evolution. The first area uses models to fit the existing data, the second approach takes advantage of methods of physics and engineering to describe tumor growth, and the third method looks at cancer progression as a local, Darwinian evolution. Summary The article describes new, interesting ideas put forward in the last year, and suggests that to make the modeling effort more relevant, a better dialogue should be developed between theorists and experimental biologists. The author believes this is possible.
Formation of o-Quinone Methides from η2-Coordinated Phenols and Their Controlled Release from a Transition Metal To Generate Chromans

Phenol or p-cresol is bound to osmium(II) and combined with an aldehyde to generate remarkably stable η2-coordinated o-quinone methide complexes. When these materials are treated with an oxidant (CAN, Cu(II)), the o-quinone methide is liberated and can be trapped with suitable alkenes to generate chromans.
Diversity in fosfomycin resistance proteins

Abstract Certain strains of the soil microorganism Streptomyces produce an antibiotic, fosfomycin [( 1 R , 2 S )-epoxypropylphosphonic acid], which is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens by inhibiting the first committed step in cell-wall biosynthesis. Fosfomycin resistance proteins are metallo-enzymes that are known to inactivate the antibiotic by the addition of nucleophiles such as water, glutathione (GSH), l -cysteine and bacillithiol (BSH) to the oxirane ring of the molecule. Progress in the characterisation of FosB-type fosfomycin resistance proteins found in many Gram-positive organisms has been slow. This paper provides a brief description of the diversity of fosfomycin resistance proteins in general and, more specifically, new data characterising the substrate selectivity, structure, mechanism and metal-ion dependence of FosB enzymes from pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus and Bacillus . These new findings include the high-resolution X-ray diffraction structures of FosB enzymes from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus in various liganded states and kinetic data that suggest that Mn(II) and BSH are the preferred divalent cation and thiol substrate for the reaction, respectively. The discovery of the inhibition of the enzyme by Zn(II) led to the determination of a ternary structure of the FosB·Zn(II)·fosfomycin· l -Cys complex which reveals both substrates present in a pose prior to reaction.
Absence of a metallic phase in random-bond Ising models in two dimensions: Applications to disordered superconductors and paired quantum Hall states

When the two-dimensional random-bond Ising model is represented as a noninteracting fermion problem, it has the same symmetries as an ensemble of random matrices known as class D. A nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model analysis of the latter in two dimensions has previously led to the prediction of a metallic phase, in which the fermion eigenstates at zero energy are extended. In this paper we argue that such behavior cannot occur in the random-bond Ising model, by showing that the Ising spin correlations in the metallic phase violate the bound on such correlations that results from the reality of the Ising couplings. Some types of disorder in spinless or spin-polarized p-wave superconductors and paired fractional quantum Hall states allow a mapping onto an Ising model with real but correlated bonds, and hence a metallic phase is not possible there either. It is further argued that vortex disorder, which is generic in the fractional quantum Hall applications, destroys the ordered or weak-pairing phase, in which non-Abelian statistics is obtained in the pure case.
Inducible deletion of protein kinase Map4k4 in obese mice improves insulin sensitivity in liver and adipose tissues.

Studies in vitro suggest that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (Map4k4) attenuates insulin signaling, but confirmation in vivo is lacking since Map4k4 knockout is lethal during embryogenesis. We thus generated mice with floxed Map4k4 alleles and a tamoxifen-inducible Cre/ERT2 recombinase under the control of the ubiquitin C promoter to induce whole-body Map4k4 deletion after these animals reached maturity. Tamoxifen administration to these mice induced Map4k4 deletion in all tissues examined, causing decreased fasting blood glucose concentrations and enhanced insulin signaling to AKT in adipose tissue and liver but not in skeletal muscle. Surprisingly, however, mice generated with a conditional Map4k4 deletion in adiponectin-positive adipocytes or in albumin-positive hepatocytes displayed no detectable metabolic phenotypes. Instead, mice with Map4k4 deleted in Myf5-positive tissues, including all skeletal muscles tested, were protected from obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Remarkably, these mice also showed increased insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue but not skeletal muscle, similar to the metabolic phenotypes observed in inducible whole-body knockout mice. Taken together, these results indicate that (i) Map4k4 controls a pathway in Myf5-positive cells that suppresses whole-body insulin sensitivity and (ii) Map4k4 is a potential therapeutic target for improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.
Using direct normal irradiance models and utility electrical loading to assess benefit of a concentrating solar power plant

Abstract The objective of this paper was to determine if three different direct normal irradiance (DNI) models were sufficiently accurate to determine if concentrating solar power (CSP) plants could meet the utility electrical load. DNI data were measured at three different laboratories in the United States and compared with DNI calculated by three DNI models. In addition, utility electrical loading data were obtained for all three locations. The DNI models evaluated were: the Direct Insolation Simulation Code (DISC), DIRINT, and DIRINDEX. On an annual solar insolation (e.g. kW h/m2) basis, the accuracy of the DNI models at all three locations was within: 7% (DISC), 5% (DIRINT), and 3% (DIRINDEX). During the three highest electrical loading months at the three locations, the monthly accuracy varied from: 0% to 16% (DISC), 0% to 9% (DIRINT), and 0% to 8% (DIRINDEX). At one location different pyranometers were used to measure GHI, and the most expensive pyranometers did not improve the DNI model monthly accuracy. In lieu of actually measuring DNI, using the DIRINT model was felt to be sufficient for assessing whether to build a CSP plant at one location, but use of either the DIRINT or DIRINDEX models was felt to be marginal for the other two locations due to errors in modeling DNI for utility peak electrical loading days – especially for partly cloudy days.
Minors of the Moore-Penrose inverse

Abstract Let Q k , n = {α = (α 1 ,…, α k ): 1 ⩽ α 1 k ⩽ n } denote the strictly increasing sequences of k elements from 1,..., n . For α, β ∈ Q k , n we denote by A [α, β] the submatrix of A with rows indexed by α, columns by β. The submatrix obtained by deleting the α-rows and β-columns is denoted by A lsqbα′, β′rsqb. For nonsingular A ∈ R n×n the Jacobi identity relates the minors of the inverse A –1 to those of A : det A −1 lsqbβ, αrsqb = (−1) Σ k i =1 α i +Σ k i =1 β i det A lsqbα′, βrsqb det A for any α, β ∈ Q k , n . We generalize the Jacobi identity to matrices A ∈ R m×n r , expressing the minors of the Moore-Penrose inverse A † in terms of the minors of the maximal nonsingular submatrices A IJ of A . In our notation, det A † lsqbβ, αrsqb = 1 vol 2 A ∑ ( I,J )∈ N (α, β) det A IJ ∂ ∂| A αβ | |A IJ | for any α ∈ Q k , m , β ∈ Q k , n , 1 ⩽ k ⩽ r , where vol 2 A denotes the sum of squares of determinants of r × r submatrices of A . We apply our results to questions concerning the nonnegativity of principal minors of the Moore-Penrose inverse.