cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The First Amendment Weaponized: When Guns Become Public Discourse

This Article discusses First Amendment challenges asserted against gun-control measures—inside and outside our courts. It explains at length why existing doctrinal approaches to resolving these challenges fail, providing an alternative account of why the First Amendment should not be construed liberally to protect the open carry of firearms. As guns in public spaces and protests become commonplace, we can expect not only continual First Amendment challenges to gun control measures, but also the growing prevalence of First Amendment claims asserted in the public by advocates and gun owners to justify open carry—and the forging of new constitutional meanings and social norms. This Article maps a doctrinal path that judges should take to reject these challenges while providing a conceptual language for bystanders to reassert and reclaim their rights to public safety and participation from open carriers trying to weaponize the First Amendment. To courts, the Article argues that the practice of open carry is too divorced from the value of democratic self-governance to constitute public discourse deserving of First Amendment coverage. Courts should deny First Amendment coverage to gun carry both because bearing arms in public does not facilitate the formation of public opinion and because doing so preserves the social and legal norms that exclude guns from the public sphere. These norms—encoded in commonplace gun control laws—serve important constitutional values and interests central to the First Amendment. To non-judicial audiences, the Article calls for advocates of gun control to flip the script on these First Amendment claims and forcefully articulate the ways that guns in public spaces threaten the free and equal exercise of constitutional rights to free speech, assembly, and political participation more broadly. These First Amendment challenges illustrate the extent to which pro-gun rights movements transcend the jurisprudential boundaries of the Second Amendment. Evolving popular beliefs about the right to bear arms trickle down into popular beliefs about other, adjacent constitutional rights like the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Once we consider these First Amendment challenges to gun control measures and look beyond their lack of judicial success, we can begin to see how popular beliefs about the right to bear arms are gradually evolving to incorporate First Amendment values. Guns are transformed into public discourse—symbols and forms of political speech.
Error Estimation and Correction Using the Forward CENA Method

The increasing use of heterogeneous and more energy-efficient computing systems has led to a renewed demand for reduced- or mixed-precision floating-point arithmetic. In light of this, we present the forward CENA method as an efficient roundoff error estimator and corrector. Unlike the previously published CENA method, our forward variant can be easily used in parallel high-performance computing applications. Just like the original variant, its error estimation capabilities can point out code regions where reduced or mixed precision still achieves sufficient accuracy, while the error correction capabilities can increase precision over what is natively supported on a given hardware platform, whenever higher accuracy is needed. CENA methods can also be used to increase the reproducibility of parallel sum reductions.
Assessing the Effects of Healthy and Neuropathological Aging on Personality with the Iowa Scales of Personality Change

Personality changes in older adults with brain disease may be confounded by effects of normal aging. In this cross-sectional study, ratings with the Iowa Scales of Personality Change for 62 healthy...
Relative roles of fundamental processes underpinning PEG dynamics in dimictic lakes as revealed by a self-organizing, multi-population plankton model

Abstract The longstanding PEG (Phytoplankton Ecology Group) qualitative/conceptual model describes generalized seasonal phytoplankton dynamics in temperate lakes and suggests important mechanisms driving these processes. In the research presented here, we re-created the conceptual PEG dynamics using a novel mechanistic numerical plankton model. The numerical model incorporates only a handful of interacting factors and biological rules. Key model features include seasonally variable temperature, mixing depth, and light, dynamic zooplankton and phytoplankton populations, and multiple dynamic nutrient concentrations. The model design is unique in that it incorporates a population-rich phytoplankton assemblage where life-history traits of members are based on ecological principles (trade-offs between traits), allowing the assemblage to organize over time based on nutrient competition and grazing. Using 50th year solutions to the model solved with fourth-order Runge-Kutta methods, i.e., a period when the dynamics had reached stable non-equilibrium states, sensitivity analyses were run by individually varying model parameters +/- 50% and comparing the effect on model responses of interest. Simulation analyses revealed the important role light and temperature limitation played both early and late in the year controlling plankton biomass. Trade-offs in phytoplankton life-history characteristics determined the composition of the spring bloom under non-nutrient limiting conditions (fast-growing, edible populations dominated) and the post clear-water phase assemblage under low nutrient conditions (slower-growing, less-edible populations dominated). Grazer characteristics, specifically rate of grazing and spring “emergence”, determined the occurrence of the clear-water phase and influenced the post assemblage composition, where a clear-water phase was absent when the grazing rate was low or spring emergence absent, and the highly inedible populations were lost from the assemblage. Hydraulic flushing also played an important role where diminished inflow led to higher richness, evenness and diversity due to greater overwintering of less-edible taxa, which influenced phytoplankton composition during spring bloom, diminishing secondary productivity. These results increase understanding of the relative roles of fundamental mechanisms structuring natural aquatic ecosystems and reinforce the significance of key biotic and abiotic system components of temperate lakes.
Attenuation of chronic-binge alcohol-induced liver injury by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG culture supernatant via inhibition of intestinal barrier dysfunction (653.12)

Binge drinking after chronic alcohol consumption is one of the important factors contributing to the progression of hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis. Our previous study showed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) culture supernatant (LGGs) ameliorated acute alcohol-induced liver injury. The present study investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of LGGs on chronic-binge alcohol-induced liver injury. Mice were fed Lieber DeCarli diet containing 5% alcohol for 4 weeks, then gavaged single dose of alcohol at 5 g/kg and lasted for 6 hours. Chronic-binge alcohol exposure induced marked increase in hepatic steatosis and injury, which were attenuated by LGGs supplementation. LGGs application prevented chronic-binge alcohol-elevated intestinal permeability and circulating endotoxin level, indicating a beneficial effect of LGGs on intestinal barrier integrity. Further studies demonstrated that the effect of LGGs is through increasing intestinal tight junction proteins and proteins involved in the barr...
The parity problem in the presence of noise, decoding random linear codes, and the subset sum problem

In [2], Blum et al. demonstrated the first sub-exponential algorithm for learning the parity function in the presence of noise. They solved the length-n parity problem in time 2O(n/logn) but it required the availability of 2O(n/logn) labeled examples. As an open problem, they asked whether there exists a 2o(n) algorithm for the length-n parity problem that uses only poly(n) labeled examples. In this work, we provide a positive answer to this question. We show that there is an algorithm that solves the length-n parity problem in time 2O(n/loglogn) using n1+e labeled examples. This result immediately gives us a sub-exponential algorithm for decoding n × n1+e random binary linear codes (i.e. codes where the messages are n bits and the codewords are n1+e bits) in the presence of random noise. We are also able to extend the same techniques to provide a sub-exponential algorithm for dense instances of the random subset sum problem.
Light induces phenylpropanoid metabolism in Arabidopsis roots.

Summary Experiments have shown that many phenylpropanoid genes are highly expressed in light-grown Arabidopsis roots. Studies employing reporter gene constructs have indicated that the expression of these genes is localized not only to the lignifying root vasculature, but also to non-lignifying tissues, such as the root cortex, suggesting that the proteins encoded by these genes may be involved in aspects of phenylpropanoid metabolism other than lignification. Consistent with this hypothesis, roots of etiolated and soil-grown plants contain almost no soluble phenylpropanoids, but exposure to light leads to the accumulation of flavonoids, as well as high levels of coniferin and syringin (coniferyl and sinapyl-4-O-glycosides), compounds not previously reported to be accumulated in Arabidopsis. To elucidate the mechanism by which light induces root secondary metabolism, extracts of mutants defective in light perception and light responses were analyzed for phenylpropanoid content. The results of these assays showed that phytochrome (PHY)B and cryptochrome (CRY)2 are the primary photoreceptors involved in light-dependent phenylpropanoid accumulation, and that the hypocotyl elongated (HY5) transcription factor is also required for this response. The presence of phenylpropanoids in etiolated roots of cop (constitutively photomorphogenic)1, cop9, and det (de-etiolated)1 mutants indicate that the corresponding wild-type genes are required to repress root phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in the absence of light. Biochemical analysis of root cell walls and analysis of phenylpropanoid gene expression suggest that coniferin and syringin accumulation may be the result of both increased biosynthesis and decreased conversion of these compounds into other phenylpropanoid end products. Finally, our data suggest that the accumulation of coniferin, syringin, and flavonoids in Arabidopsis roots is a high-irradiance response (HIR), and suggest that comparative analysis of light- and dark-grown Arabidopsis roots may provide new insights into both phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and light signaling in plants.
Soft IP Integration and Reuse Challenges in Intel Entry Level Network Processor

Often a new product evolves from its predecessors with enhanced performances and added features. To reduce re-development time and effort, IP-based reuse methodology is used. This paper presents the challenges encountered in integrating IPs of multiple sources from two design cases in an Intel-based network processor.
Application of scattered-light photoelasticity to doubly connected tapered torsion bars

This paper reports the use of scattered-light photoelasticity to solve the doubly connected tapered-shaft problem. Some techniques are presented which help realize more fully the potential of scattered-light photoelasticity. These include the use of a continuousemission gas laser as a light source for the polariscope, the use of a photometer arrangement to read fringe spacings, and the use of curve-fitting techniques to analyze the data. Also, some design features for constructing a scattered-light polariscope are presented.
Analytical expressions for the homotropic binding of ligand to protein dimers and trimers

Cooperative binding of a ligand to multiple subsites on a protein is a common theme among enzymes and receptors. The analysis of cooperative binding data (either positive or negative) often relies on the assumption that free ligand concentration, L, can be approximated by the total ligand concentration, LT. When this approximation does not hold, such analyses result in inaccurate estimates of dissociation constants. Presented here are exact analytical expressions for equilibrium concentrations of all enzyme and ligand species (in terms of Kd values and total concentrations of protein and ligand) for homotropic dimeric and trimeric protein–ligand systems. These equations circumvent the need to approximate L and are provided in Excel worksheets suitable for simulation and least-squares fitting. The equations and worksheets are expanded to treat cases where binding signals vary with distinct site occupancy.
Thermal gradient continuous-flow PCR: a guide to design

A numerical study has been conducted to determine which of eight fundamental design parameters have the greatest impact on the performance of a realistic, thermal gradient, continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (CF-PCR) device. The 25-pass CF-PCR device considered in this study is practical, effective, easy to fabricate, and circumvents earlier microfluidic PCR design challenges. But the question remains: which design parameters have the greatest impact on fluid temperatures and are thus the most critical to device success, and which can be more freely specified according to manufacturing or other concerns? Parameters investigated in this study include inlet and outlet location, inlet and outlet length, channel spacing, aspect ratio, substrate thickness, substrate material, and temperature gradient, and many practical variations are considered. It is found that substrate material and thickness have the greatest impact on fluid temperatures and should always be carefully specified: glass, for example, is an acceptable substrate in thicknesses of 2, 3, and 4 mm, but likely not 1 mm, and silicon and hybrid devices (glass + polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS) are also feasible. Other parameters, including fabrication-limited aspect ratio, have negligible impact, and aspect ratios between 0.25 and 4 can be freely specified for manufacturing, cost, or other concerns. Channel spacings between 0.6 and 5 mm are also feasible, and increasing channel spacing significantly increases uniformity in DNA annealing and denaturing temperatures, a desirable feature. Results of this study, which illuminate chip-wide temperature distributions and heat transfer characteristics for 22 total design variations, should assist the thermal gradient CF-PCR designer in making better up-front choices from a range of practical options.
Reuse, recycle … reduce: a greener library with print management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of a print management system to control costs and reduce waste associated with printing practices.Design/methodology/approach – A paper collection study found that 8 percent of pages printed in the library were never claimed. A print management system was implemented requiring print jobs to be manually released by users. Statistics on toner lifespan and number of pages printed before and after the system was implemented were compared.Findings – The print management system reduced the total number of pages printed in a semester by 32 percent from Fall 2009 to Fall 2011 and increased the lifespan of toner cartridges so they would perform more efficiently.Practical implications – Implementing a print management system without charging students a printing fee reduces the amount of wasted paper and the costs associated with purchasing paper and toner for printing services.Originality/value – The paper describes the implementation of a print ...
Concentration-dependence of the nitrate assimilation pathway in maize roots

Abstract The effect of nitrate concentration on uptake and assimilation of nitrate by dark-grown, decapitated maize ( Zec mays L.) seedlings was examined. During the 12-h exposure period, twice as much nitrate was taken up from 20 mM as from 0.05 mM K 15 NO 3 (98.7 atom% 15 N). The higher concentration had little effect on nitrate reduction, but nitrate translocation was more than doubled. Thus, partitioning to translocation accounted for 80% of the increased uptake which occured from 20 mM nitrate. At both concentrations a relatively constant percentage, 22–27%, of the reduced- 15 N was incorporated into protein and other insoluble nitrogenous compounds. Concurrently, translocation of soluble reduced- 15 N increased from less than 10% of the total reduced- 15 N at 4 h to more than 50% at 12 h. Neither the translocation of reduced- 15 N nor its incorporation into protein was affected appreciably by the 400-fold difference in exogenous nitrate concentration. The results may be interpreted in one of two ways. At 0.05 mM, uptake occurred mainly via ‘mechanism 1’ of ion uptake, whereas at 20 mM, ‘mechanism 2’ also contributed: nitrate reduction was predominantly associated with uptake via the former mechanism and nitrate translocation with the latter. Alternatively, it is possible that at the low nitrate concentration uptake occurred primarily via root cells which contained nitrate reductase (NR), whereas at the higher concentration, uptake occurred in addition via cells which were dificient in NR and from which translocation of unreduced nitrate was thus more likely.
Natural freeze-tolerance in hatchling painted turtles?

Abstract Hatchlings of the North American painted turtle (Family Emydidae: Chrysemys picta) typically spend their first winter of life inside a shallow, subterranean hibernaculum (the natal nest) where life-threatening conditions of ice and cold commonly occur. Although a popular opinion holds that neonates exploit a tolerance for freezing to survive the rigors of winter, hatchlings are more likely to withstand exposure to ice and cold by avoiding freezing altogether—and to do so without the benefit of an antifreeze. In the interval between hatching by turtles in late summer and the onset of wintery weather in November or December, the integument of the animals becomes highly resistant to the penetration of ice into body compartments from surrounding soil, and the turtles also purge their bodies of catalysts for the formation of ice. These two adjustments, taken together, enable the animals to supercool to temperatures below those that they routinely experience in nature. However, cardiac function in hatchlings is diminished at subzero temperatures, thereby compromising the delivery of oxygen to peripheral tissues and eliciting an increase in reliance by those tissues on anaerobic metabolism for the provision of ATP. The resulting increase in production of lactic acid may disrupt acid/base balance and lead to death even in animals that remain unfrozen. Although an ability to undergo supercooling may be key to survival by overwintering turtles in northerly populations, a similar capacity to resist inoculation and undergo supercooling characterizes animals from a population near the southern limit of distribution, where winters are relatively benign. Thus, the suite of characters enabling hatchlings to withstand exposure to ice and cold may have been acquired prior to the northward dispersal of the species at the end of the Pleistocene, and the characters may not have originated as adaptations specifically to the challenges of winter.
The local linearization scheme for nonlinear diffusion models with discontinuous coefficients

Abstract The local linearization scheme, defined in Shoji and Ozaki [1997, J. Time Ser. Anal. 18, 485–506] for diffusions with smooth coefficients, is studied under some regularity conditions when the coefficients are not necessarily continuous. It is shown that the local scheme converges weakly to the diffusion itself. These results are applied to continuous-time threshold autoregressive moving-average processes and multi-dimensional continuous-time threshold AR models.
Bacteriological Studies on Experimental Dental Caries in the Rat III. Flora of Advanced Carious Lesions

the groups of micro-organisms commonly found in association with human dental caries. Lactobacilli and acid-producing streptococci were isolated from each animal. Cultures from animals in a group in which the incidence of dental caries was high yielded no forms not found on sound teeth. There were in these animals slight, though not marked, increases in the proportions of lactobacilli and in alpha streptococci, but not in the total acidogenic streptococci. Addition to the diet of fluorides and iodoacetate
THE EFFECT OF RADIATIONS FROM A MERCURY ARC IN QUARTZ ON ENZYMES : I. THE EFFECT OF ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION ON PEPSIN IN SOLUTION.

Amylase in solution is inactivated by the radiations from a mercury arc in quartz, in a manner similar to that previously reported for pepsin. The reaction was followed to a point where more than 88 per cent change had taken place, the course being that of mono-molecular radiochemical change. Apparently, this reaction is due to the influence of ultra-violet radiation alone.
Analytical methods for characterization of explosives-contaminated sites on U.S. Army installations

The U.S. Army manufactures munitions at facilities throughout the United States. Many of these facilities are contaminated with residues of explosives from production, disposal of off- specification, and out-of-data munitions. The first step in remediating these sites is careful characterization. Currently sites are being characterized using a combination of on-site field screening and off-site laboratory analysis. Most of the contamination is associated with TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-tri-nitro-1,3,5-triazine) and their manufacturing impurities and environmental transformation products. Both colorimetric and enzyme immunoassay-based field screening methods have been used successfully for on-site characterization. These methods have similar detection capabilities but differ in their selectivity. Although field screening is very cost-effective, laboratory analysis is still required to fully characterize a site. Laboratory analysis for explosives residues in the United States is generally conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a UV detector. Air-dried soils are extracted with acetonitrile in an ultrasonic bath. Water is analyzed directly if detection limits in the range of 10 - 20 (mu) g/L are acceptable, or preconcentrated using either salting-out solvent extraction with acetonitrile or solid phase extraction.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The theory of twisted transverse-wave couplers

The coupled-mode theory of a class of transverse-wave couplers in which the plane of polarization of the electric field rotates along the length of the coupler is described. The synchronism conditions between the circuit wave and the beam that lead to strong interaction with one or more of the transverse beam waves are given and the case of equal interaction with the two cyclotron waves is discussed in detail. It is observed that any two transverse waves of opposite polarization can be excited equally in a twisted coupler, or that coupling to one of two waves with the same phase velocity but opposite polarizations can be achieved.
Physiological Concentrations of Divalent Magnesium Ion Activate the Serine/Threonine Specific Protein Kinase ERK2†

Extracellular regulated protein kinase 2 (ERK2) is a eukaryotic protein kinase whose activity is regulated by phorbol esters, serum, and growth factors, and displays enhanced activity in several hu...
Parental Influence on Chinese Students' Achievement: A Social Capital Perspective.

This paper examines how social capital formed by effective parental practices within Chinese families influences student achievement. Survey responses from 266 students from Grades 4 to 6 in a suburban elementary school in China were analysed to identify their perceptions of parental practices (support, pressure, help, monitoring and communication) at home. Coleman's concept of social capital serves as a framework to examine specific Chinese parental practices to influence their children's achievement. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that parent-child communication was the most important factor in promoting student learning, whereas high level of parental help was not viewed as a useful resource for increasing achievement. The findings supported Coleman's assertion about the role of social capital in generating human capital for the next generation. This paper offers evidence that social capital is useful in examining parental practices associated with student achievement in China.
Validating a driving simulator using surrogate safety measures.

Abstract Traffic crash statistics and previous research have shown an increased risk of traffic crashes at signalized intersections. How to diagnose safety problems and develop effective countermeasures to reduce crash rate at intersections is a key task for traffic engineers and researchers. This study aims at investigating whether the driving simulator can be used as a valid tool to assess traffic safety at signalized intersections. In support of the research objective, this simulator validity study was conducted from two perspectives, a traffic parameter (speed) and a safety parameter (crash history). A signalized intersection with as many important features (including roadway geometries, traffic control devices, intersection surroundings, and buildings) was replicated into a high-fidelity driving simulator. A driving simulator experiment with eight scenarios at the intersection were conducted to determine if the subjects’ speed behavior and traffic risk patterns in the driving simulator were similar to what were found at the real intersection. The experiment results showed that speed data observed from the field and in the simulator experiment both follow normal distributions and have equal means for each intersection approach, which validated the driving simulator in absolute terms. Furthermore, this study used an innovative approach of using surrogate safety measures from the simulator to contrast with the crash analysis for the field data. The simulator experiment results indicated that compared to the right-turn lane with the low rear-end crash history record (2 crashes), subjects showed a series of more risky behaviors at the right-turn lane with the high rear-end crash history record (16 crashes), including higher deceleration rate (1.80 ± 1.20 m/s2 versus 0.80 ± 0.65 m/s2), higher non-stop right-turn rate on red (81.67% versus 57.63%), higher right-turn speed as stop line (18.38 ± 8.90 km/h versus 14.68 ± 6.04 km/h), shorter following distance (30.19 ± 13.43 m versus 35.58 ± 13.41 m), and higher rear-end probability (9/59 = 0.153 versus 2/60 = 0.033). Therefore, the relative validity of driving simulator was well established for the traffic safety studies at signalized intersections.
Charge renormalization at the large‐D limit for atoms and molecules

By combining Hartree–Fock results for nonrelativistic ground-state energies of atoms and molecules with analytic expressions for the large-dimensional limit of atoms, we obtained a simple systematic renormalization procedure. This procedure is based on the variation of the nuclear charges, {Zi}, and internuclear distances, {Rij}, of the Hartree–Fock Hamiltonian such that the Hartree–Fock energy will be significantly closer to the exact energy. We calculate to first order in δZ the leading contribution to the correlation energy by changing the nuclear charge to some renormalized nuclear charge, Z + δZ. Our goal is to find the parameter δZ in a completely self-consistent and systematic manner, which we accomplish by utilizing the analytically known solutions for both the exact and Hartree–Fock energies for all atoms in the large-D limit. We demonstrate that use of the dimensional renormalization parameter δZ∞. Directly in standard Hartree–Fock calculations for atoms and homonuclear and heteronuclear molecules yields about 2/3 or more of the correlation energy. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Strength and electrical conductivity of deformation-processed Cu-15 Vol Pct Fe alloys produced by powder metallurgy techniques

Powder metallurgical techniques have been employed to prepare the precursor billets in the preparation of Cu-15 vol pct Fe alloys by deformation processing. It has been demonstrated that by (1) using high-purity gas-atomized Cu powders blended with commercial high-purity Fe powders and (2) controlling the time/temperature processing conditions within specific limits, it is possible to produce Cu-Fe deformation-processed alloys with strength/conductivity properties matching those of Cu-Nb, Cu-Ta, and Cu-Cr alloys. These properties are significantly superior to the best commercial alloys.
Transforming growth factor-β effects on morphology of immature rat Leydig cells

Abstract Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) has been shown to regulate steroid production and DNA synthesis in rat Leydig cells. We have investigated the effects of TGFβ on the secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and on the cytoskeleton of immature rat Leydig cells in vitro. TGFβ caused significant morphological changes in Leydig cells, which were accompanied by significant increases in secretion of fibronectin, laminin and collagen IV and rearrangement of actin filaments in TGFβ-treated cells. The cells cultured on plates pre-coated with fibronectin or fibronectin plus laminin and collagen IV, displayed morphological and cytoskeletal changes similar to those induced by TGFβ. Immunofluorescence localization studies revealed significantly higher fibronectin staining in Leydig cells in adult animals and in LH-treated immature animals than those in untreated immature animals. We conclude that TGFβ participates in the morphological differentiation of immature Leydig cells into adult Leydig cells in the rat testis by inducing the expression of ECM proteins.
Safety and outcome after fludarabine-thiotepa-TBI conditioning for allogeneic transplantation: A prospective study of 30 patients with hematologic malignancies

Fludarabine, thiotepa and total body irradiation (TBI) has been used as conditioning in haplo-identical transplantation. We studied this conditioning regimen in adults undergoing matched sibling transplantation and alternative donor transplantation. A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent matched related, haplo-identical related or matched unrelated donor transplantation with fludarabine, thiotepa and TBI conditioning. All but four had advanced hematologic malignancies. For haplo-identical transplant, ATG was added to the regimen. All patients received peripheral blood stem cells; these were T-cell depleted for 2-antigen or 3-antigen mismatched related transplantation. Additional graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus and mini-methotrexate. One recipient of haplo-identical transplant failed to engraft; all other evaluable patients had prompt engraftment. Four patients died of regimen-related toxicity. In all, 14 additional patients died of regimen-related causes including four from failure to thrive with persistent thrombocytopenia and four from delayed pulmonary toxicity. Six patients relapsed. Progression-free survival at 12 months was 47% (90% CI: 25-69%) for recipients of HLA-identical sibling transplants and 30% (90% CI: 14-46%) for all patients. Five of six long-term survivors have extensive chronic GVHD. As a result of the delayed complications and a relatively high recurrence rate, we abandoned this regimen.
Resistance of Transgenic Hybrid Squash ZW-20 Expressing the Coat Protein Genes of Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus and Watermelon Mosaic Virus 2 to Mixed Infections by Both Potyviruses

The resistance of three transgenic yellow crookneck squash lines expressing the zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and/or watermelon mosaic virus 2 (WMV 2) coat protein (CP) genes was investigated under field conditions. Resistance was evaluated under high disease pressure achieved by mechanical inoculations of ZYMV and WMV 2 and natural challenge inoculations by aphid vectors. Assessment of infection rates was based on visual monitoring of symptom development, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), infectivity assays, and analysis of virus occurrence in fruits. Horticultural performance was evaluated by counting the number of mature fruits per plant and estimating their fresh fruit weight The transgenic line ZW-20B expressing both the ZYMV and WMV 2 CP genes showed excellent resistance in that none of the plants developed severe foliar symptoms, although localized chlorotic dots or blotches appeared on some leaves. In contrast, the two transgenic lines expressing only single CP genes, either the ZYMV or WMV 2 CP gene, developed severe symptoms by the end of the trial period, as did the nontransformed control lines. Differences between transgenic squash lines were even more dramatic in fruit quality: All transgenic ZW-20B fruits were symptomless, while all fruits from the two transgenic lines with single CP genes showed symptoms, and thus were unmarketable. ZW-20B is a hybrid of commercial quality, and its high level of resistance to ZYMV and WMV 2 should enable the production of yellow summer squash in areas where both potyviruses are prevalent This transgenic yellow crookneck squash line is especially valuable in light of the difficulties of obtaining similar resistance by conventional breeding strategies.
The role of γ-aminobutyric acid as a mediator of positive dorsal root potentials

Summary (1) A diphasic response consisting of a negative-, followed by a positive-going dorsal root potential (DRP) was evoked in L6 or L7 dorsal rootlets of unanesthetized spinal cats by 10 times group I threshold stimulation of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle nerve. (2) The administration of 2.5 mg/kg bicuculine reversibly abolished, within 30 sec, first the negative and then the positive DRP. The time course for the recovery of the negative DRP was longer than that of the positive DRP. (3) Smaller doses of bicuculline (0.2–1.0 mg/kg) were usually much more effective against the negative than the positive DRP in terms of both magnitude and duration of suppression. (4) A selective action against the negative DRP was also observed, but with less consistency, after picrotoxin (3.0 mg/kg) administration. (5) Semicarbazide (200 mg/kg) induced a gradual diminution and often abolition of both DRPs over the course of 3 h. A selective reduction of the negative DRP occured after 60 min. (6) Suppression of the positive DRP by agents which block the receptor attachment (bicuculline and picrotoxin) and synthesis (semicarbazide) of GABA suggests that GABA is a transmitter in the pathway(s) mediating primary afferent hyperpolarization. (7) The possibility that GABA synapses occur in each of two separate pathways leading to the afferent terminal is discussed. According to this model, the positive DRP represents the GABA-mediated inhibition of a tonic non-GABA-mediated PAD; the negative DRP is conducted through a separate pathway terminating in a GABA-mediated axo-axonic synapse. The differential susceptibility would reflect, according to this model, anatomical or physiological differences between the GABA synapses of the respective pathways.
Photoetching and modification of organic polymer surfaces with vacuum UV radiation

Abstract Commercially available organic polymer films were treated with radiation from 6·7 × 104 Pa He and Ar plasmas that were made to rotate inside a graphite tube by the application of an auxiliary magnetic field. To investigate modification with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photons, the films were covered with LiF, CaF2, fused silica, KBr and crown glass optical filters having different cut-off wavelengths. The weight loss for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was found to be linear with exposure time and dependent upon cut-off wavelength, inert gas, exposure temperature and arc current. Photoetch rates up to 105 nm min−1 were observed for PTFE using unfiltered radiation from a He arc with a current of 7 A and temperatures up to 240°C. Kapton-H® showed nearly linear weight loss, although there was some curvature at longer exposure times. Upilex-S® and -R® showed rapid initial weight loss that increased with decreasing wavelength and then negligible loss with increasing time of exposure. XPS analysis of treated samples revealed defluorination for PTFE and formation of SiO2, probably resulting from photo-oxidation of a Si, O, C-containing additive, on Upilex-S which prevented further photoetching. Receding contact angles of the polymers decreased rapidly with exposure time to minimum saturation values. In agreement with known photoabsorption spectra, modification for PTFE was induced with wavelengths between 160 and 200 nm while λ > 160 nm affected Kapton and Upilex surfaces. Surface roughening was observed with exposure to VUV radiation.
New spray tests for detecting organophosphorus compounds on thin-layer chromatograms

Abstract Organophosphates, organophosphonates, organophosphorus acids, and related thio compounds can be detected on thin-layer chromatoplates by two new spray tests. In one, plates are sprayed with hydriolic acid solution, heated at 250°, and sprayed with ammonium molybdate solution followed by buffered benzidine solution. In the other, plates are sprayed with hydriolic acid solution, heated, sprayed with ammonium persulfate solution, heated again, and sprayed with ammonium molybdate solution followed by buffered benzidine solution. Hydriodic acid cleaves POC bonds, while ammonium persulfate cleaves PC bonds, and the resulting orthophosphate is detected by formation of molybdenum and benzidine blue. All of the organophosphates and organophosphoric acid plus some of the organophosphonic acids gave a positive test after use of the HI reagent but not the ammonium persulfate reagent, while all of the compounds that were tested except phosphonium compound gave positive tests after use of both the HI and ammonium persulfate reagents. The tests can be used to distinguish among orthophosphates, organophosphates, and some organophosphonates. As little as 2 μg of many pesticides and organophosphorus acids can be detected, and the ultimate lower limit of detection of the tests is less than 1 μg.
Examining Arguments Generated by Year 5, 7, and 10 Students in Science Classrooms

A critical component of science is the role of inquiry and argument in moving scientific knowledge forward. However, while students are expected to engage in inquiry activities in science classrooms, there is not always a similar emphasis on the role of argument within the inquiry activities. Building from previous studies on the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH), we were keen to find out if the writing structure used in the SWH approach helped students in Year 5, 7, and 10 to create well constructed arguments. We were also interested in examining which argument components were important for the quality of arguments generated by these students. Two hundred and ninety six writing samples were scored using an analysis framework to evaluate the quality of arguments. Step-wise multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine important argument components. The results of this study suggest that the SWH approach is useful in assisting students to develop reasonable arguments. The critical element determining the quality of the arguments is the relationship between the student’s written claims and his or her evidence.
Love the One You're with: Vertebrate Guts Shape Their Microbiota

Using germ-free animals, Rawls et al. (2006) reveal that the gut of a given host can be colonized by the microbiota of another vertebrate. Remarkably, the recipient host then shapes the composition of the non-native microbiota to more closely resemble that of its native consortium.
Calculation of adsorption free energy for solute-surface interactions using biased replica-exchange molecular dynamics

The adsorption behavior of a biomolecule, such as a peptide or protein, to a functionalized surface is of fundamental importance for a broad range of applications in biotechnology. The adsorption free energy for these types of interactions can be determined from a molecular dynamics simulation using the partitioning between adsorbed and nonadsorbed states, provided that sufficient sampling of both states is obtained. However, if interactions between the solute and the surface are strong, the solute will tend to be trapped near the surface during the simulation, thus preventing the adsorption free energy from being calculated by this method. This situation occurs even when using an advanced sampling algorithm such as replica-exchange molecular dynamics (REMD). In this paper, the authors demonstrate the fundamental basis of this problem using a model system consisting of one sodium ion (Na+) as the solute positioned over a surface functionalized with one negatively charged group (COO-) in explicit water. With this simple system, the authors show that sufficient sampling in the coordinate normal to the surface cannot be obtained by conventional REMD alone. The authors then present a method to overcome this problem through the use of an adaptive windowed-umbrella sampling technique to develop a biased-energy function that is combined with REMD. This approach provides an effective method for the calculation of adsorption free energy for solute-surface interactions.
The critical properties of alkanoic acids using a low residence time flow method

Abstract The critical temperatures and pressures of the alkanoic acids containing up to eight carbon atoms have been measured using a low residence time flow method. Our data have been compared with literature data whenever possible and several inconsistencies in the literature data been resolved by the present work. In particular, our data show that literature methods which require an appreciable residence time are likely to yield poor estimates of the critical properties of alkanoic acids.
Synthesis of 1,2-Epoxyindans

Several substituted 1,2-epoxyindans have been prepared either by dehydrobromination of bromoindanols or by the peracid oxidation of indenes. It was observed that the course of ring opening of the epoxides with piperazine was dependent upon neighboring substituents. Preliminary screening of several of the compounds for antineoplastic activity has not revealed significant activity.
Communicative Demands of Learning Science Through Technological Design: Third Grade Students’ Construction of Solar Energy Devices

Abstract In this study, we examine the communicative demands placed on third grade students through their participation in a solar technology design and construction project. Drawing from sociocultural studies of science in schools and other settings, we used a discourse analytic approach to identify what students in this class needed to understand and express in order to complete this technical design and construction project. Our analysis identified six broad categories of discourse practices constructed by the members of the classroom across the academic activities. Students were required to engage in a variety of discourses as they defined roles with other student members of their small groups, negotiated ways of accomplishing the academic task, presented their ideas and products to multiple audiences, and distributed credit among student group members. Participation in this instructional approach afforded students opportunities to learn science as they participated in cycles of design, presentation, and production of their solar devices. We consider the technological design and construction activities in the context of educational reform through a discussion of the state and national science education standards. Educational implications are drawn focusing on the value of communication in inquiry, the use of ideas-in-progress, the assessment of student knowledge through discourse, and the ways educational discourse processes are situated in cultural practices.
Sexual HIV risk behaviors in a treatment-refractory opioid-dependent sample.

Abstract The propensity to engage in risk behaviors confers an elevated risk of HIV and other infectious disease transmission in opioid-dependent populations. Although drug abuse treatment may decrease drug-related risk behaviors such as needle-sharing, additional intervention may be needed to reduce HIV risk behavior. In this investigation, we assessed sexual HIV risk behaviors in opioid-dependent patients who were engaging in regular drug use despite ongoing counseling and methadone maintenance therapy. Potential risk and protective factors for engaging in sexual HIV risk behavior were examined. Taking into account demographic, psychiatric, substance use, and psychological variables, the only significant predictor of risk behavior was age. Specifically, younger patients were more likely to engage in sexual HIV risk behavior. The implications of these results for reducing sexual HIV risk behavior and for HIV prevention in methadone-maintained, treatment-refractory opioid-dependent patients are discussed.
Correlating transient plasma parameters to electrical measurements in pulsed R.F. discharges

Summary form only given. Electron density and electron temperature transients in pulsed RF discharges have been well characterized by several groups (1-3). These transients result in power coupling mismatch conditions which hamper power delivery accuracy and limit the integration of pulsed power delivery in some state of the art plasma source configurations, in particular those using multiple power supplies. To enable integration of pulsed power delivery in these systems, the electrical response of the plasma during transients is measured and compared to plasma conditions such as electron density, electron temperature, collision frequency, and sheath voltage; all of these contribute to the equivalent electrical impedance of the plasma as part of the RF power delivery circuit.A parallel plate reactor with 150 mm diameter electrodes and a gap of 25 mm is driven by a primary pulsed RF power supply and a supplemental CW low power supply that is used primarily for impedance measurements in the off cycle of the pulse event. Plasma properties including: optical emission, electron temperature, electron density, and sheath voltage are measured as a function of time within a pulsed RF cycle (13.56 MHz with a nominal 1 kHz pulse frequency and 30% duty cycle). A suite of diagnostics including a 0.5 m spectrometer, a RF compensated Langmuir probe, a gated ns resolution imaging system, and an in-line RF metrology tool capable of measuring voltage, current, and phase at 2ns time resolution are used to measure the plasma properties and electrical impedance of the discharge through the pulse cycle. The intent of this work is to correlate the time varying global plasma conditions to electrical impedance measurements and investigate pathways for advanced power matching that will enable extension of pulsed RF technology to a wider class of industrial plasma processes.
Piezoelectric transformer plasma source micro-thruster (PTPS-MT) optimization for nano-scale space propulsion applications

Summary form only given. A piezoelectric transformer plasma source micro-thruster (PTPS-MT) is being developed as an ion thruster for space propulsion applications. The PTPS-MT consists of a rf driven lithium niobate piezoelectric disc operating as a high voltage step-up transformer to ionize and accelerate plasma in a single self-contained package. A 400-1000 V input voltage was applied at the resonant frequency of a 10 mm × 2 mm piezoelectric disc to create a high voltage discharge capable of ionizing a background propellant. Acceleration of the resulting plasma was done through alternating RF fields creating a self-neutralizing system capable of producing thrust on the order of tens of micronewtons. Experiments were performed to determine operating parameters that improve propellant efficiency, operational life expectancy and thruster output. Results for each of these experiments are presented.