cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anemia in Thyroid Diseases

Thyroid hormones generally stimulate erythropoiesis. These agents also increase erythrocyte 2,3-DPG concentrations, which serve to enhance the delivery of oxygen to tissues. In the absence of thyroid hormones, anemia frequently develops and may be normocytic, hypochromic-microcytic, or macrocytic. Anemia is an uncommon finding in hyperthyroidism but when present may be morphologically similar to that observed in hypothyroidism. Pernicious anemia has been strongly associated with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis. Complete correction of anemia often requires restoration of thyroid function as well as specific hematinic therapy. Continued attention to hematologic status is essential in the management of patients with thyroid diseases.
Interview with Virginia Richardson.

Virginia Richardson, professor and former chair of Educational Studies at the University of Michigan, has recently been recognized for her contributions to teacher education with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). She has previously served as Vice President of Division K for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and is the editor of the fourth edition of theHandbook of Research on Teaching. During her recent residency as a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, she has been contributing to the Initiative on the Doctorate and the Delta Teacher Education Project. I was Professor Richardson’s advisee at the University of Michigan and interviewed her in December 2003 for the premiere issue of The New Educator. I asked her for her frank opinions on the impact of teacher education on constructivist approaches to teaching, the critical gaps in research on teaching, especially with regard to t...
Micromechanical modeling of damage in uniaxially loaded unidirectional fiberreinforced composite laminae

Abstract A micromechanical composite model is used to study damage in a uniaxially loaded unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite thin lamina. The matrix and fiber materials are assumed to be elastic with the fibers aligned. An overall damage variable is introduced based on the concept of effective stress. The local damage effects are modeled through two additional separate damage variables which represent matrix and fiber damage. A local-overall relation for the damage variables is derived. Stress and strain concentration factors are derived for the damaged composite. Damage evolution is also considered using both local and overall analyses based on an extremum principle.
Public vs. elite opinion on correctional reform: Implications for social policy

Abstract Demands for changes and reform in our correctional system have a long history. Currently many of those active in determining policy are advocating a shift away from the use of imprisonment to greater local supervision. However, many of these “elites” perceive the public as unreceptive and thereby an obstacle to change. This study focuses on an analysis of public opinion in the state of Washington and a comparison of those attitudes with the attitudes of elites (decision makers) in the state. Further, the study describes elite perceptions of public opinion and the implications of those perceptions for social policy. The public is found to be far less punitively oriented than elites expected and far more receptive to the reforms advocated.
Pelvic surgeons be aware: Ogilvie’s syndrome (a case report)

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) is a rare complication of surgery. Delayed recognition and treatment can lead to severe complications. Herein we describe two cases of Ogilvie's syndrome in patients following pelvic reconstructive surgery. Recognition of signs and symptoms of this rare postoperative complication is important for surgeons of the female pelvis to identify to avoid potentially serious sequela.
Electron microscopic observations of muscle dedifferentiation in regenerating amblystoma limbs

Regenerating limbs of Amblystoma punctatum larvae were fixed in osmic acid, sectioned, and studied with the electron microscope. The present report describes the changes which occur in the syncytial muscle fibers of the stump as they transform into undifferentiated, mononucleate blastema cells during the 2–6-day period after amputation. Only the nucleated cell units derived from the dissociating muscle fiber complete the process of dedifferentiation. Anucleate fragments apparently are lysed. Nuclei become rounded in shape, the chromatin more diffusely granular, and nucleoli more prominent. The nucleocytoplasmic ratio is increased by loss of cytoplasm by fragmentation during dedifferentiation. Both the intracellular and extracellular products of cell differentiation are lost during dedifferentiation. Myofibrils fragment along the A and I bands and then disintegrate. The Z substance behaves as a distinct extrafilamentous component during disorganization of the myofibril, and its behavior is compatible with the concept that it is an adhesive material serving normally to bind sarcomeres together. Individual myofibrils, undetected heretofore, persist in the cytoplasm of some of the mononucleate cells for a short period after their separation from the muscle fiber. Thus there remains no doubt that mononucleate cells in the vicinity of intact stump muscle do arise from multinucleate muscle fibers. By the time the transformation to blastema cell is completed, all the myofibrils have disappeared from the cytoplasm. The new plasma membranes separating muscle fragments appear to be formed by fusion of small vesicles which are probably derived largely from the endoplasmic reticulum. The endoplasmic reticulum, which is highly developed in differentiated muscle, breaks up into small vesicles in dedifferentiating muscle. The Golgi apparatus also becomes unorganized in appearance, whereas the mitochondria show relatively little change. One of the most striking changes in the cytoplasm is its acquisition of numerous free ribonucleoprotein granules, a feature characteristic of undifferentiated cells in general. These features together with the nuclear changes described above indicate that the dedifferentiating muscle cell is probably beginning active cytoplasmic protein synthesis. They dispel the idea that the muscle might be degenerating. The end result of the process of muscle dedifferentiation is an undifferentiated-appearing cell which cannot be distinguished from the blastema cells derived from cartilage and other tissues of the stump. By virtue of its acquisition of such embryonic features as free cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules and prominent nucleoli, as well as loss of differentiated structure, the dedifferentiated blastema cell seems to be remarkably well equipped for the ensuing rapid proliferation of a large cellular mass capable of redifferentiation into a complete limb.
Pilot study of intraoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background. Intraoperative manipulation of the tumor during cancer surgery has long been recognized as a source of metastasis and contamination of the surgical wound during tumor removal. We explored the use of intraoperative chemotherapy to minimize the risk of tumor cell implantation and metastasis during head and neck cancer surgery and conducted a dose escalating intraoperative chemotherapy clinical trial designed to assess the feasibility of this approach and associated toxicities in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods. Fourteen patients were treated with 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 administered intravenously over an 8-hour period during the surgery with simultaneous cisplatin. The cisplatin dose was escalated and toxicity observed. Cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 was chosen as the maximum tolerated dose level. Results. One patient experienced a grade 3 nephrotoxicity, 1 patient a grade 1 neuropathy, and 5 patients grade 2 nausea (36%). There were no grade 4 toxicities. Conclusion. Intraoperative chemotherapy is feasible, and the combination of cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 and 5-fluorouracil at 1000 mg/m2 can be administered during surgery without significant toxicity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007.
Somatostatin-induced histamine secretion in mase cells. Characterization of the effect

Abstract Somatostatin, in concentrations up to 100 ng/ml, had no effect on mast cell secretion induced either by compound 48/80 or by the ionophore A23187. In higher concentration somatostatin induced mast cell secretion. Light and electron microscopic observations showed that the secretory response was identical with that induced by 48/80 and involved extrusion of secretory granules by exocytosis. As with 48/80, this response to somatostatin was inhibited by treating the mast cells with EDTA or EGTA or by exposing them briefly to A23187 in calcium-free media, all of which procedures seemingly deplete cellular calcium stores. Reintroduction of calcium (but not magnesium), restored secretory responsiveness. Somatostatin-induced secretion further resembled that induced by 48/80 or A23187 in its intensity, rapid time course, and dependence on albumin. Pretreatment of mast cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 8-bromo cyclic AMP substantially reduced the secretory responses to both somatostatin and 48/80 but had little effect on the response to A23187. Somatostatin, like 48/80, lowered intracellular cyclic AMP levels in a time and dose-dependent fashion. Finally, as earlier found for 48/80, somatostatin attached to Sepharose columns retarded the passage of mast cells and elicited histamine release indicating an action at the cell surface. The stimulant action of somatostatin is thus very similar to that of the classic mast-cell secretagogue compound 48/80
Coupled space-marching method for the Navier-Stokes equations for subsonic flows

An implicit space-marching finite-difference procedure is described for solving the compressible form of the steady, two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in body-fitted curvilinear coordinates. The coupled system of equations is solved for the primitive variables of velocity and pressure by making multiple sweeps of the space-marching procedure. A new pressure correction method has been developed that significantly accelerates convergence of the iterative process. The scheme is used to compute incompressible flows by taking the low Mach number limit of the compressible formulation. Computed results are compared with other numerical predictions for low Reynolds number channel inlet flow, flow over a rearward-facing step in a channel, and external flow over a cylinder. NUMBER of different methods have been developed to solve the Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables for steady, subsonic flows. Many of these algorithms are described in Anderson et al. 1 The present methods are not entirely adequate for all problems, and advanced techniques continue to be developed. New procedures and recent im- provements to existing methods are briefly reviewed in the following paragraphs. The most frequently used primitive variable algorithms for incompressible flows solve the momentum equations for the velocity components in an uncoupled (segregated) manner, holding pressure fixed. Although different in detail, the segre- gated solution schemes (e.g., Refs. 2-4) use the continuity equation indirectly in the formulation of a separate Poisson equation that is solved for the pressure. Since the velocity components and pressure are computed from different algo- rithms, rather than in a coupled manner, convergence is slowed. Furthermore, the solution of the elliptic Poisson equa- tion consumes a large part of the total computaion time for each global iteration. Van Doormaal et al.5 recently have eval- uated improved algorithms for solving the pressure Poisson equation, and Rhie4 has applied a multigrid method to acceler- ate the solution of the momentum equations and the pressure equation. Several strategies have been advanced for solving the cou- pled momentum and continuity equations for the primitive variables, including the pressure. The schemes all share the advantage that a separate procedure for imposing the continu- ity constraint and determining the pressure is not required. The choice of variables and the algebraic approach used to solve the system of nonlinear equations distinguish the direct, time- marching, and space-marching algorithms. Vanka and Leaf6 and recently Patankar et al. 7 have com- pared solutions for two-dimensional flows obtained by direct and segregated methods. A large sparse matrix solver is used to invert a system of equations spanning the entire flow domain.
The basic linker of macroH2A stabilizes DNA at the entry/exit site of the nucleosome

MacroH2A is a histone H2A variant that is typically found in heterochromatic regions of the genome. A positively charged linker that connects the histone-fold with the macro-domain was suggested to have DNA-binding properties, and has been shown to promote oligomerization of chromatin fibers. Here we examine the influence of this basic linker on DNA of mononucleosomes. We find that the macro-linker reduces accessibility to extranucleosomal DNA, and appears to increase compaction of the nucleosome. These properties arise from interactions between the H1-like basic linker region and DNA around the entry/exit site, which increases protection of nucleosomal DNA from exonuclease III digestion by ∼10 bp. By stabilizing the wrapping of DNA around the histone core, this basic linker of macroH2A may alter the distribution of nucleosome-associated factors, and potentially contribute to the more compacted nature of heterochromatin.
High-Q resonators on double-layer SOI platform

We report microresonators with the highest Q on a double-layer SOI material platform developed using wafer bonding. We also demonstrate 2 μm radius resonators with Q's>20k which are the most compact resonators on such platforms.
Behavioral effects of intracerebroventricularly administered neurohypophyseal hormone analogs in mice.

Abstract The neurohypophyseal hormones oxyutocin and vasopressin evoke characteristic behavioral changes after intracerebroventricular injection in mice. These include the induction of excessive grooming and scratching in aronment and of escape behavior in stressful situations. The structure-activity relations of 33 neurohypophyseal hormones and hormone analogs in the induction of these behavioral changes were examined. The results demonstrate that these effects generally parallel the vasoconstrictory effects of the peptides. It is suggested that the behavioral effects are mediated by a receptor that is closely related biochemically to the vasopressin receptors in blood vessels. They are not related to the long-term effects of neurohypophyseal hormones on learned behavior. A competitive antagonist of the short-term behavioral effects of these peptides is described. This analog also antagonizes some of the hormonal effect of vasopressin and related peptides.
Preparation and properties of (SN) X

The chain compound (SN)x is the first example of a superconducting polymer. In this paper we review the chemistry, structure, and physical properties of (SN)x and describe how the electrical properties of this novel material depend upon the crystal growth technique. The thermal properties of S2N2 and (SN)x are discussed with particular reference to the crystal growth process. The fibrous nature of the polymer is described and evidence is presented showing that interchain coupling plays a significant role in determining the physical properties of this material. Finally we summarize our attempts to prepare analogous polymeric metals.
Analysis of axial deformation response during reverse shear

The response of a polycrystalline metal undergoing torsional shearing deformation is examined in detail using a strain-rate dependent model of the deformation of polycrystals. Several boundary value problems are solved to determine the roles of anisotropic elasticity and boundary constraints on the stresses and strains that develop along the torsion axis during forward and reverse shearing deformation. An initially random orientation distribution of 300 grains is assumed, and boundary conditions are chosen to represent a thin-walled tube with fixed, free and intermediate stiffness end constraints. A constant quasi-static shear strain rate of γ = 0.00775 s−1 is imposed to prestrain the polycrystal to a maximum shear strain γ = 1.6. At this point the sign of the shear strain rale is reversed and deformation is continued until the shear strain is reduced to essentially zero. For calculations in which some degree of axial constraint is imposed, the axial stress increases monotonically in compression during forward shearing. During reverse shearing, the axial stress response depends sensitively upon the degree of axial constraint, the textural anisotropy induced during forward shearing of the polycrystal. and the elastic anisotropy of the constituent grains. The model predictions demonstrate the role of anisotropic elasticity and the importance of minor strain components when modeling elastic plastic transients in textured polycrystals. Finally, the model predictions are compared with the results of experiments on short, thin-walled tubes of 304L stainless steel. Satisfactory agreement between a number of predicted and measured features of the response was obtained.
The Implementation of Target Costing in the United States: Theory Versus Practice

SUMMARY Target costing has been touted as a process that can significantly improve new product development results in the accounting, engineering, operations management, and purchasing literature. The target costing process considers the voice of the customer, incorporates earlier supplier involvement and concurrent engineering, utilizes cross-functional teams, and focuses on creating a good or service that is both desirable and affordable to the customer and profitable to the producing organization. Unlike previous studies, which have focused on Japanese firms, or used single case studies, this paper uses the findings from case studies of 11 organizations actively engaged in the target costing process. This paper explores how the target costing process is used in practice in the United States, comparing it with the popular theoretical model of target costing. It helps shed light on to target costing practices of U.S. and other Western firms, and highlights the often overlooked role of the purchasing function in successful target costing efforts.
Responsiveness of cultured septal and hippocampal neurons to ethanol and neurotrophic substances.

Dissociated septal and hippocampal neurons from E18 fetal rats were cultured with varying concentrations of ethanol (0.6–2.4 g/dl) and in cultures containing ethanol plus nerve growth factor (NGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). These substances have been shown to provide neurotrophic support for these populations and to afford neuroprotection against certain toxic substances or conditions applied to some neuronal populations. Both the septal and hippocampal neurons responded to ethanol in a dosedependent manner. Survival of septal neurons was generally unaffected by initial ethanol concentrations of 0.6 and 1.2 g/dl but was considerably impaired by higher concentrations (1.8 and 2.4 g/dl), while neurite outgrowth was compromised by all ethanol concentrations except the lowest one applied. The hippocampal neurons survived ethanol concentrations up to 2.4 g/dl, although process extension was decreased in concentrations of 1.2 g/dl and higher. NGF or bFGF in the culture medium (in cultures without ethanol) did not affect neuronal survival or process outgrowth in either population, probably owing to the relatively high plating densities of the cultures. NGF did tend to have a moderate ameliorative effect on the ethanol neurotoxicity in the septal cultures, however, and was slightly effective in this regard in hippocampal cultures at intermediate ethanol concentrations (1.8 g/dl). High concentrations of ethanol (2.4 g/dl) reduced the proportion of cholinergic cells in the septal preparations by approximately 50%. This neuronal loss could be reversed by inclusion of high concentrations of NGF in the culture medium (100 ng/ml) but not by a lower concentration (20 ng/ml). bFGF provided some protection against ethanol cytotoxicity with respect to both populations. The implications of these results for studies of fetal alcohol effects are discussed, as well as their relation to prior reports of trophic factor neuroprotection. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Immobilization of enzymes on aldehydic matrices by reductive alkylation.

Abstract We report here a convenient and inexpensive method of attaching enzymes to solid supports which contain diols. Dextran coated porous glass, Sepharose and glass coated with a glyceryl silane were oxidized with NaIO4. Trypsin, carboxypeptidase A, and carboxypeptidase B were bound to the oxidized supports by treatment with NaBH4. The pH dependence of the coupling reaction and loss of lysine in bound trypsin indicate that the immobilization occurs via reductive alkylation. The bound enzymes display good catalytic activity against synthetic substrates and proteins.
Electrohydrodynamic tip streaming and emission of charged drops from liquid cones

When a liquid is subject to a sufficiently strong electric field, it can be induced to emit thin fluid jets from conical tip structures that form at its surface. Such behaviour has both fundamental and practical implications, from raindrops in thunderclouds to pendant drops in electrospray mass spectrometry. But the large difference in length scales between these microscopic/nanoscopic jets and the macroscopic drops and films from which they emerge has made it difficult to model the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) processes that govern such phenomena. Here, we report simulations and experiments that enable a comprehensive picture of the mechanisms of cone formation, jet emission and break-up that occur during EHD tip streaming from a liquid film of finite conductivity. Simulations show that EHD tip streaming does not occur if the liquid is perfectly conducting or perfectly insulating, and enable us to develop a scaling law to predict the size of the drops produced from jet break-up.
A new method for estimating isotopic ratios from pulse-counting mass spectrometric data

Abstract An alternative method is proposed for improving isotopic ratio estimates. This method gives a mathematical model of pulse-count data and uses iterative reweighted Poisson regression to estimate model parameters for calculation of the isotopic ratios. This computer-oriented approach provides theoretically better methods than conventional techniques to establish error limits and to identify outliers.
Quasitriangular subalgebras of semifinite von Neumann algebras are closed

Arveson has shown in [ 1 ] that if A is a nest algebra of operators acting on a separable Hilbert space H with nest of order type the extended natural numbers and if K(H) is the ideal of compact operators on H, then the quasitriangular algebra A + K(H) is norm closed. In [6] Fall, Arveson, and Muhly extended Arveson’s result proving that in B(H), general quasitriangular algebras (i.e., compact perturbations of nest algebras) are always norm closed. A key step in their proof, and a result of independent interest, first obtained by Erdos in [S], is the a-weak density of A n K(H) in A. From this fact they deduced that quasitriangular algebras were norm closed by using an argument depending on the duality K(H)** = B(H). Every semifinite von Neumann algebra M has an ideal of compact operators that behaves like K(H), namely the norm-closed two-sided ideal K generated by the finite projections of the algebra. It is a natural question,
Phylogenetic Inference for Binary Data on Dendograms Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo

Abstract Using a stochastic model for the evolution of discrete characters among a group of organisms, we derive a Markov chain that simulates a Bayesian posterior distribution on the space of dendograms. A transformation of the tree into a canonical cophenetic matrix form, with distinct entries along its superdiagonal, suggests a simple proposal distribution for selecting candidate trees “close” to the current tree in the chain. We apply the consequent Metropolis algorithm to published restriction site data on nine species of plants. The Markov chain mixes well from random starting trees, generating reproducible estimates and confidence sets for the path of evolution.
Chirality, self-duality, and supergravity counterterms☆

Abstract The restrictions imposed by chirality invariance on higher-loop counterterms in supergravity are obtained. It is shown that their dependence on gravitational curvature and on spin- 3 2 field strength is such that they vanish when these quantities are self-or anti-self-dual. Implications regarding quantum corrections in the instanton sector are discussed.
Improving the management of the blood supply through the use of Haemonetics' MCS-8150 automated double red cell collection devices.

Collecting additional red blood cell (RBC) units using the Haemonetics’ MCS-8150 double red blood cell (DRBC) capability can improve operational efficiencies, reduce the risk of blood shortages, and influence the type-distribution of RBC inventories. Portable, durable, and reliable, the MCS-8150 is suitable for both in-center and mobile collection situations. Donor acceptance is high and many report an enhanced donation experience making these DRBC donors more likely to donate again. The use of the MCS-8150 is a major contributor to our blood center’s collection growth, allowing us to transform from a major importer of RBC units to a self-sufficient exporter.
Fretting failure of electroplated gold contacts

Abstract Fretting tests were carried out with a sphere-on-flat geometry to investigate the failure mechanisms of electroplated gold contacts. Brass balls and plates electroplated with nickel and gold were used as contact specimens, and all fretting tests were conducted at amplitudes larger than the minimum amplitude necessary for gross slip. The friction force and the electrical contact resistance were continuously recorded during the fretting tests. Lubricated fretting tests were also conducted with mineral oil as a lubricant. Based on scanning electron microscopic and Auger electron spectroscopic observations, three stages could be distinguished. In stage I, the gold coating on both contact surfaces was pushed out along the fretting direction and nickel appeared on the ball contact surface. In stage II, cracks were initiated and propagated due to the tensile stress at the edge of the contact and the shear stress at the layer interface. Eventually wear particles were removed from the nickel-brass interface, and the brass substrate was exposed. In stage III, thin plates of oxide-covered brass were detached from the ball contact surface due to fretting wear. Accumulation of oxidized wear particles at the contact spots resulted in a sharp increase in the contact resistance. The friction coefficient was initially low but quickly reached a high steady state value in the unlubricated tests. The high friction force was responsible for the interfacial failure of the nickel-brass interface.
Structure and charge transport of polyiodide networks for electrolytically in-situ formed batteries

Abstract Electrolytically formed batteries (EFBs) form their positive and negative electrode in-situ upon the application of potential. During the cathode development in a LiI based EFB, the oxidized iodide ions formed during polarization coordinate with a polymer additive such as poly (vinyl-pyrrolidone) to form an electronically and ionically conductive polyiodide composite. A comprehensive study of the electronic and ion transport of these composites is presented here relative to polyiodide structure for various compositions of anhydrous and hydrated LiI–I 2 vs. PVP.
Using the interactive financial planning system (IFPS) for stochastic simulation

In recent years, many financial planning languages have been developed that contain capabilities for fixed-time interval simula tion. These languages differ from ordinary programming lan guages and from existing simulation languages in that they are much more English-like, produce spread sheet output, and have built-in WHAT IF and other capabilities for sensitivity analysis. These languages are simple, easy to learn, and easy to use to com municate with other professionals and with managers.This paper describes the capabilities of one of these languages, the Interactive Financial Planning System (IFPS), for simulation. These capabilities include, among others, the means for gener ating probability distributions and scenarios, providing statistical outputs as a function of time, and graphical presentation of out put distributions. Typical models written in this language are used for illustration.
Modernization and Medicinal Plant Knowledge in a Caribbean Horticultural Village

Herbal medicine is the first response to illness in rural Dominica. Every adult knows several "bush" medicines, and knowledge varies from person to person. Anthropological convention suggests that modernization generally weakens traditional knowledge. We examine the effects of commercial occupation, consumerism, education, parenthood, age, and gender on the number of medicinal plants freelisted by individuals. All six predictors are associated with bush medical knowledge in bivariate analyses. Contrary to predictions, commercial occupation and consumerism are positively associated with herbal knowledge. Gender, age, occupation, and education are significant predictors in multivariate analysis. Women tend to recall more plants than do men. Education is negatively associated with plants listed; age positively associates with number of species listed. There are significant interactions among commercial occupation, education, age, and parenthood, suggesting that modernization has complex effects on knowledge of traditional medicine in Dominica.
Dipeptide binding to the extended active site of the Streptomyces R61 D-alanyl-D-alanine-peptidase: the path to a specific substrate.

Bacterial cell walls are cross-linked in the final step of biosynthesis by specific d-alanyl-d-alanine(dd)-peptidases/transpeptidases. The natural substrates of these enzymes should therefore be segments of peptidoglycan, but high specificity for such structures has yet to be demonstrated. The binding of dipeptides to the extended substrate binding site of the Streptomyces R61 dd-peptidase has been studied by means of a fluorescent β-lactam probe. It was found that dipeptides of structure Gly-l-Xaa have affinity for a subsite adjacent to the β-lactam binding site. Hydrophobic peptides such as Gly-l-Met and Gly-l-aminocaprylic acid had the greatest affinity for this site, with dissociation constants in each case of 0.19 mM. A combination of this motif with the C-terminal d-alanyl-d-alanine moiety required of a dd-peptidase substrate yielded a new substrate, glycyl-l-α-amino-e-pimelyl-d-alanyl-d-alanine. Steady-state kinetic measurements established this compound as the most specific peptide substrate yet d...
Resonator configuration for the suppression of relaxation oscillations in a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

A resonator configuration which couples out the Gaussian TEM00 mode was demonstrated to suppress low-frequency relaxation oscillations in the output from a long-pulse Nd:YAG laser. Experimental measurements of the spatial and temporal beam quality, the spectral bandwidth, and the depth of amplitude modulation were made for this and several other Nd:YAG laser resonator designs. The result of these measurements indicates that this resonator configuration can be used to generate a high-quality (TEM00) long-pulse laser output which is nearly free from relaxation oscillations.
Effects of vehicle station-keeping and end-effector disturbance compensation on neutral-buoyancy teleoperation

Experiments were conducted with a neutral-buoyancy robot to test whether vehicle station keeping and end effector disturbance compensation significantly affect human teleoperation performance. The vehicle used for experiments, called the Submersible for Telerobotic Astronautical Research (STAR) is a free-flying underwater telerobot equipped with a three degree of freedom arm, a stereo pan/tilt camera platform, and a vision-based navigation system. Using visual feedback from a fixed onboard camera, test subject performed a Fitts- type tapping task with the arm while the vision navigator and control system held the vehicle steady relative to a visual reference target. This paper describes the testbed vehicle, experiments, data analysis, and conclusions.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Estimation of the physical wood properties of Pinus taeda L. radial strips using least squares support vector machines

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy offers a rapid method for estimating many important wood properties, including air-dry density, microfibril angle (MFA) and SilviScan estimated stiffness (EL(SS)). Wood property calibrations may be improved by using non-linear calibration methods. In this study, we compare calibrations developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression and least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) regression, a relatively new technique for modelling multivariate, non-linear systems. LS-SVM regression provided the strongest calibration statistics for all wood properties. For an equivalent number of latent variables, the predictive performance of the MFA LS-SVM calibrations were superior to those of the corresponding PLS calibration, while predictive results for air-dry density and EL(SS) were similar for both calibration methods.
Dramatic Interpretations: Performative Responses of Young Children to Picturebook Read-Alouds

In this qualitative study, the author explores how young readers build literary understanding through performative responses in picturebook read-alouds. Performative responses allow children to create and express meaning in ways that go beyond talk and that engage their creativity and imagination. They include a variety of modalities, such as gesture, mime, vocal intonation, characterization, and dramatization. Certain children show a propensity for responding in individual or characteristic ways. By focusing on the performative responses of one second-grade reader, the author defines the characteristics of performative responses and how children build literary understanding through them. Performative responses helped this young, struggling reader to immerse herself in the story world, create the mood of the story, show an understanding of the unfolding narrative, deepen her understanding of characters, and involve her classmates in a rich, and sometimes raucous, exploration of stories through spontaneous dramatizations. The author argues that performative responses open up an imaginative world to children, allow children to contribute actively to the construction of meaning, give children agency in creating their own curriculum, and allow for a collaborative environment that builds on the strengths of the students in the group.
Finite element analysis of cylindrical indentation for determining plastic properties of materials in small volumes

The cylindrical indentation is analysed, using the finite element method, for determining the plastic properties of elastic–plastic materials and the effect of strain hardening. The results are compared with those obtained from spherical indentation, the commonly used technique for measuring plastic properties of materials in small volumes. The analysis shows that the deformation under a cylindrical indenter quickly reaches a fully plastic state and that the size (diameter) of the plastic zone remains constant during further indentation. The indentation load is proportional to the indentation depth at large indentation depth, from which the indentation pressure Pm at the onset of yielding can be readily extrapolated. The analysis of cylindrical indentation suggests that it does not need parameters such as impression radius (a) and contact stiffness (S) for determining the plastic behaviour of materials. Thus, the cylindrical indentation can suppress the uncertainties in measuring material properties.
Book review. Near infrared technology in the agricultural and food industries, 2nd edition

Footnote from Tony Davies On behalf of Tom and myself, I would like to say how much we enjoyed our visit to Australia and the ANISG conference. It was very simulating to teach such a large group and the conference itself has a sort of “Chambersburg” air about it, except that the Australians invented this style many years before IDRC! I was presented with my favourite picture of William Herschel and an Australian view of the world. This is a world map with south at the top and Australia near the middle! It is very refreshing to have the opportunity to look at familiar things from a different perspective and that is what this conference did for me. So, “Thank you Oz’s for the invitation and the hospitality (not forgetting the kangaroos!)”.
Hydropedology and pedotransfer functions

The emerging interdisciplinary research field of hydropedology attracts a substantial attention because of its promise to bridging pedology and hydrology. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) emerged as relationships between soil hydraulic parameters and the easier measurable properties usually available from soil survey. One hypothetical explanation of current PTF shortcomings is that PTF inputs do not describe the structure of pore space per se and, therefore, do not represent relationships between structure and function of soil pore space. A possible direction for improvement is to look for PTF predictors that are better related to the structure of water-bearing pathways, in particular using the pedological soil structure description. The objective of this work was to develop and discuss an example of pedotransfer function relating soil structure and soil hydrologic parameters. We used the subset of 2149 samples from the US National Soil Characterization database that had values of water contents at - 33 kPa and bulk densities on clods, structure characterized with grade, size and shape, textural class determined in the field and from lab textural analysis. Classification and regression trees were used to group soil samples according to their water contents at - 33 kPa. The clay class was the best grouping parameter in all but loamy sand textural classes. The structural parameters served as important grouping variables to define groups of soil samples with distinctly different average water retention for the groups. Defining and quantifying soil structure at various scales, including pedon, hillslope and watershed scales, may contribute for the development scale-relevant PTFs at those scales.
Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Magnesium–Hydroxyapatite (Mg–HA) Composite Thin Films

Magnesium (Mg)–hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, abbreviated as HA) composite films have been grown on Mg plates using a pulsed laser deposition technique. Mechanical property measurements and analysis have indicated that hardness and Young's modulus of nMg–(100–n)HA composite coatings increase with Mg content in the coatings and reach a maximum at a 70Mg–30HA composition. n and 100–n in the nMg–(100–n)HA represent the relative number of laser pulses impinging on Mg and HA targets, respectively. Direct current potentiodynamic polarization studies have shown that the corrosion of Mg plate (control) decreases with an increase in the HA ratio in the composite films. For example, the corrosion current density of Mg plate reduces by ∼350 times after coating the Mg plate with 10Mg–90HA composite film. The reduction in corrosion current density of Mg plates was also accompanied by a positive shift in the corrosion potential (∼6%) due to this coating. The mechanism behind the reduction in corrosion behavior of Mg plates due to nMg–(100–n)HA composite coatings has been understood by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Effects of tip-induced material reorganization in dynamic force spectroscopy.

Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) has become a well-established method for characterizing bond strength, yet may also be useful for examining more complex phenomena such as dynamic processes or multiple reaction pathways. Here, we analyze the case where contact between an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip and the sample induces sample reorganization during testing. Surface contact often causes molecular rearrangement in soft materials, which could also result in an altered reaction energy landscape. We model this situation by allowing the energy barrier position and magnitude to be time-dependent functions with a characteristic time scale $\ensuremath{\tau}$. We find dynamic energy barriers result in two linear regimes with a dramatic transition near $t=\ensuremath{\tau}$ in the DFS analysis. The sharp transition region is a hallmark of a moving energy barrier and indicates the time scale of reorganization. These results illustrate that DFS may be useful to monitor dynamic transitions and also highlight the importance of extending the loading rate range used in DFS studies.
Development of a supplement composition database for the SURE Study.

The Supplement Reporting (SURE) study is one of the first to systematically examine the accuracy of collection of dietary supplement use data for population-based studies of diet. In 2005–2007, the SURE study collected data from 444 participants in Hawaii and Los Angeles. Several methods of collecting data were compared, including an inventory of supplements, a recall, a daily diary, and a one-page supplement frequency questionnaire. Considerable effort was put into developing an extensive supplement composition database. To quantify intakes, we extended the existing supplement composition table (SCT) used at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. The original SCT contained default codes for multivitamin/multimineral products to be used when insufficient detail was available to assign an existing code. However, the default concept needed to be expanded for the SURE study to include additional multivitamin/multimineral default codes, as well as single nutrients and other components. Approximately 1800 new codes were created, including 211 new default codes. Roughly 130 nutrients and 870 other components were included in the SCT at the conclusion of the study. To accurately quantify intakes from supplements, it is crucial to maintain a comprehensive supplement composition database. Future improvements to our SCT include incorporation of analytic values from the US Department of Agriculture to replace composition data taken from supplement labels.
A rapid liquid chromatography determination of free formaldehyde in cod

A rapid method for the determination of free formaldehyde in cod is described. It uses a simple water extraction of formaldehyde which is then derivatised with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to form a sensitive and specific chromophore for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detection. Although this formaldehyde derivative has been widely used in past tissue analysis, this paper describes an improved derivatisation procedure. The formation of the DNPH formaldehyde derivative has been shortened to 2 min and a stabilising buffer has been added to the derivative to increase its stability. The average recovery of free formaldehyde in spiked cod was 63% with an RSD of 15% over the range of 25-200 mg kg(-1) (n = 48). The HPLC procedure described here was also compared to a commercial qualitative procedure - a swab test for the determination of free formaldehyde in fish. Several positive samples were compared by both methods.
Multiphoton Microscopic (MPM) Endoscopy Imaging within Lung Tissue for Medical Diagnostics

Elusive lung cancer diagnostics have motivated evolution of in situ benign spectroscopic nano-imaging by newly evolved multiphoton microscopic (MPM) endoscopy offering internal tissue diagnostics.
Selection of tobacco budworm for resistance to a genetically engineered Pseudomonas fluorescens containing the δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki

Abstract A diet incorporation technique was employed to study the selection response of Heliothis virescens to a genetically engineered strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens . The Pseudomonas expresses a 130-kDa endotoxin protein of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain HD-1. Selection was maintained for 14 generations. By generation 3, differences in susceptibility between selected and control lines were significant at 3-fold. Resistance increased to 24-fold by generation 7, and fluctuated between 13 and 20× thereafter. The selected strain was also approximately 4-fold less susceptible to purified HD-1 endotoxin and Dipel. Injection of larvae with engineered or nonengineered Pseudomonas did not result in a significant difference in survival between the two lines, indicating response to bacterial septicemia is a minor part of the resistance mechanism. An unchallenged selected line (F13) maintained its initial level of resistance over two generations, providing evidence for the stability of the trait. The implications of these findings on the development of pest management strategies are discussed.
Nerve-mediated action of forskolin on guinea pig ileal mucosa

The effects of forskolin on myenteric neuronal activity and mucosal function were examined in guinea pig ileum. Forskolin increased the excitability of myenteric neurons, and increased mucosal chloride secretion by stimulating enteric neurons as well as by acting directly on enterocytes.
Is a gift authorship really a grift authorship

A senior resident wrote an innovative paper comparing several different endovascular techniques. Working closely with his faculty mentor, he designed the study, got permission from the Institutional Review Board, collected the data, and wrote the paper. A faculty mentor supervised the study, allowing his patients to be included, and made design suggestions. A departmental statistician analyzed the data. Now that the paper is ready for submission, the mentor suggests that he, the statistician, another widely published senior faculty member, and especially the chair, be included as co-authors. The reasoning is that the resident will benefit from the good will of the senior faculty member and chair and likely will be incorporated on the included faculty's bylines as well. He was told: "It is a widely accepted practice and will certainly thicken your CV." The resident should: A.Cite as authors only himself and the faculty member who served as his mentor. B.Include as authors his mentor, the surgeon who operated on the study patients, and the statistician. C.Include his mentor, the surgeon who operated on the study patients, the widely published senior faculty member, and the chair. D.List only himself as the paper's author. E.Include as authors his mentor, the statistician, and the senior Faculty member.
Theoretical infrared spectra of SN 1987A

A simple model for the ejecta of SN 1987A is used to show that the expected fluxes in infared fine structure lines from nickel, cobalt, iron, argon, sulfur, silicon, and neon are likely to be detectable for several years following the supernova explosion. Energy sources due to radioactive decay and a central pulsar are considered separately. Most of the mass of heavy elements resides in the inner, pure metal shells of the ejecta, so that the infrared lines will probe the temperature, ejecta masses, and dynamics of this region and not the overlying, hydrogen-rich envelope.
Integrating Theatre Arts Techniques into Your Curriculum

Many teachers—despite their passion, perseverance, and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure student success—find themselves at a crossroad when it comes to meeting the demands of administr...