cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass : effect on the incidence of persistent postoperative neurological dysfunction following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 250 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) from January 1994 through January 1996 to determine the incidence of persistent postoperative neurological dysfunction after CABG and to compare normothermic and moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Normothermic CPB was used in 128 patients (36°–37°C) and hypothermic CPB (27°–28°C) in 122 patients. Postoperative neurological dysfunction included focal motor deficits, delayed recovery of consciousness (>24h) after surgery, and seizures within 1 week postoperatively. Persistent neurological dysfunction was diagnosed if complete resolution had not occurred within 10 days of surgery. The incidence of persistent postoperative neurological dysfunction was 4.1% in the hypothermic CPB group and 2.3% in the normothermic CPB group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P=NS). These results suggest that normothermic CPB did not increase the incidence of persistent postoperative neurological dysfunction compared to hypothermic CPB.
Two types of charge carriers in the high-Tc cuprates

Abstract It is shown that the charge carriers in the high- T c cuprates are either spinless polarons or anomalous carriers of charge and spin. The physical properties of the cuprates are thus understood, and transitions between pair states of the two types of carriers provide the pairing mechanism.
INFECTION OF HUMAN MONONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES WITH RESPIRATORY VIRUSES

The interactions between respiratory viruses and mononuclear leukocytes in the natural course of infections with these agents is not completely understood. We have attempted to look at these cells directly for evidence of production of new antigen and/or infectious progeny. Peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) separated into adherent (M) and non-adherent (Ly) populations were infected with purified respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or parainfluenza type 3 (PI3) at a MOI of 0.5-0.6. Since M's have been reported to become more macrophage-like over time in tissue culture, experiments were done infecting the M's 1, 2, 4 and 7 d after harvest. Cells were washed after 2 hrs of viral adsorption and every 24 hrs for the duration of these experiments. Antigen production was measured in supernatants by ELISA and in cells by indirect fluorescence (IF); infectious progeny were assayed on Hep-2 monolayers. With both viruses new antigen and infectious virus production were detected in M by 48 hrs and in Ly fractions by 96 hrs after infection. The youngest M's (day 1) were poor producers of new virus although the most striking syncytia formation with PI3 occurred in these cells. RSV caused no definite syncytia but did lead to cell rounding by 96 hrs in the M's; this was most marked in the cells infected 7 d after harvest. For both viruses 10-20% of M's were positive by IF in contrast to only 2-3% of Ly's. Further investigation of this model may be helpful in elucidating aspects of the pathophysiology of infection with these agents.
Mean EEG Coherence in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (I4-1.007)

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated resting-state EEG in infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to determine whether coherence patterns differ in infants later diagnosed with ASD. BACKGROUND: ASD has been hypothesized to be a disorder of neural connectivity. EEG coherence, the consistency of the phase relationship between rhythms at two different electrodes, is one way of assessing connectivity. DESIGN/METHODS: We collected EEG from children at high risk for ASD (by virtue of having an older sibling with ASD), and low risk controls (who have a typically developing older sibling), at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of age while they were seated on their mother’s lap, watching bubbles. The diagnosis of autism was based on the ADOS administered by a certified examiner at 24 or 36 months of age, and confirmed by expert clinical impression. Mean coherence across all possible electrode pairs was calculated in each frequency band for each EEG obtained. RESULTS: Preliminary analyses demonstrate a peak in mean coherence (particularly in the delta and theta bands) at 24 months in high risk children who develop ASD, but at 12 months in the non-ASD children from both high and low risk groups. High risk children, regardless of ASD outcome, also show a corresponding peak in mean coherence in the beta and gamma bands that is not seen in low risk children. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of mean resting EEG coherence differs both by outcome (ASD positive versus negative) and by risk status. This suggests that EEG-based measures of connectivity may ultimately prove useful in identifying infants who will later be diagnosed with ASD. Study Supported by: American Brain Foundation Clinical Research Training Fellowship and NIMH Disclosure: Dr. Levin has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dr. Shi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Levin has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dr. Nelson has received research support from Autism Speaks, the Department of Defense, the Simons Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
Electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers grafted onto gold electrodes using click chemistry.

Abstract We have developed a three-step method to graft molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) thin films onto Au electrodes. In the first step, propargyl acrylate is clicked onto an azidoundecanethiol (N 3 (CH 2 ) 11 SH)/decanethiol mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Then, by applying UV light (365 nm) in the presence of N , N ′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MAAM) and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the radical initiator, polymerization was carried out directly on the electrode surface in the presence of an electroactive template molecule, hydroquinone (HQ). Detection of HQ using the clicked-on MIP sensor was studied using chronoamperometry and its behavior was compared to that of a sensor prepared by drop-coating MIPs onto Au. The detection limit of the clicked-on MIP sensor for HQ was found to be 1.21 ± 0.56 μM, about four times lower than what was observed using the coated-on MIP sensor. In addition, the sensitivity of the clicked-on MIP sensor was found to be approximately three times greater than the coated-on MIP sensor. Apparent diffusion coefficients determined using chronoamperometry suggest that the improved performance is likely due to the favorable mass transfer characteristics of the clicked-on MIP sensing membrane.
On Johnson's log-derivative algorithm for a single equation

Abstract Johnson's log-derivative method is presented as a propagator for the log-derivative itself; this propagator is derived in a simple way from the Riccati equation and it is given in a more efficient form. Two numerical examples are given.
Theses and dissertations in documents

Thirty-seven investigations undertaken since 1970 in the field of government documents have been reported thus far in this column. Although the editor has sought out citations through extensive literature searches and correspondence, this total does not claim to be comprehensive since the listing of investigations here is not obligatory. With this caveat, the following information is presented in the hope that it will be of interest and service to readers and researchers. An examination of these studies by level of government reveals, not surprisingly, that more than half the work 65% to be exact is concerned with federal documents. Another 19% deals with foreign documents, including Great Britain. Investigation at the state level is less than half that of foreign 8%. The U.N. accounts for 5% and municipal, 3%. In addition, the research methodology has been categorized by following Gail Schlachter and Dennis Thomison’s scheme (see Librury Science Dissertations, 1925-1972. Littleton, Colo.: Libraries Unliited, 1974, p. 257). In 78% of the cases it was possible to discern the methodology; the research in progress is also included. Nearly half (4Solo) of the research employed a form of survey methodology. Arranged in descending order of frequency, the remaining methods are: historical analysis 28%, citation and content analysis 14%, and experimental design 10%. Apparently no theoretical or operations research has been done. In the future, these brief statistics may be revised as more citations appear in this column. The editor would appreciate being advised, at the above address, of proposed and completed research in the field of documents. Citations of completed research should be accompanied by an abstract emphasizing the problem, methodology, and results.
Robot-assisted bladder neck reconstruction, bladder neck sling, and appendicovesicostomy in children: description of technique and initial results.

Purpose To describe robot-assisted complex reconstruction of the lower urinary tract in children with neurogenic bladder and sphincteric incompetence. Patients and methods Four sequential patients with spinal dysraphism, neurogenic bladder, and sphincteric incompetence based on urodynamic parameters had persistent urinary incontinence on maximal anticholinergic therapy and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). They underwent robot-assisted Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy along with Leadbetter/Mitchell bladder neck reconstruction and bladder neck sling. All patients received cystography 3 weeks postoperatively. Patient demographics, medical history, perioperative parameters, and urinary continence status were collected prospectively. Results Mean predicted bladder capacity was 353 mL (range 210-450 mL) while actual preoperative bladder capacity was 216 mL(range 180-275 mL). Preoperatively, one-patient demonstrated uninhibited bladder contractions; none had trabeculated bladders. Mean detrusor leak point pressure was 29 cm H(2)0. Three of four (75%) cases were completed robotically; one necessitated conversion to open and Monti channel creation because of a marginal appendix. Mean operative time (hours:minutes) was 7:45 (range 5:56-12:18). Mean length of stay and blood loss were 85.7 hours and 117.8 mL, respectively. Postoperatively, all patients were completely dry on CIC and anticholinergics. None of the bladders demonstrated trabeculation on follow-up cystography. Unilateral de novo grade II vesicoureteral reflux developed in two patients, and anticholinergics were dose escalated. Conclusion Our initial series of robot-assisted appendicovesicostomy with bladder neck reconstruction and sling placement expands the scope of complex robotic reconstruction in children. The preliminary data demonstrate the procedure to be feasible and safe. Comparison with traditional "open" series of the same procedure is necessary.
Hemolysis of blood in intravenous tubing caused by heat.

of vitamin K-dependent procoagulants are decreased, but the immunologically determined antigen concentration of these factors is unchanged. Consequently, the disparity between coagulant activity and antigen level (i.e., a low coagulant/ant igen ratio) indicates probable vitamin K deficiency. The abnormalities are usually corrected within a few hours after a parenterally administered dose of the vitamin. 9 In our patients, the antigen level of factor II did not change significantly during the study, which suggests an equal production of the protein precursor of factor II. Five to 7 days after a single parenteral dose of vitamin KI, evidence of vitamin K deficiency could be observed in preterm infants but not in term infants during T P N combined with antibiotic therapy. In other words, vitamin K deficiency developed earlier in preterm infants than in full-term infants, if the vitamin K sources were blocked. The mechanism of the earlier vitamin K deficiency in preterm infants is not known. Perhaps immaturi ty of the enzymes of the vitamin K cycle causes this phenomenon. Our observations indicate that preterm infants are endangered by vitamin K deficiency and need more frequent vitamin K prophylaxis than full-term infants require. R E F E R E N C E S 1. Corrigan JJ. The vitamin K dependent proteins. Adv Pediatr 1981;28:57. 2. Frick PG, Riedler G, Br6gly H. Dose response and minimal daily requirement for vitamin K in man. J Appl Physiol 1967;33:387. 3. Sann L, Leclercq M, Guillaumont M, Trouyez R, Bethenod M, Bonrgeay-Causse M. Serum vitamin Kj concentrations after oral administration of vitamin K~ in low birth weight infants. J PEDlATR 1985;107:608. 4. Shirahata A, Najiri T, Takarapi T, Horinchi T, Yamada K. Normotest screening and prophylactic oral administration for idiopathic vitamin K deficiency in infancy. Acta Haematol Jpn 1982;45:203. 5. Dubowitz L, Dubowitz V, Goldberg C. Clinical assessment of gestational age in the newborn infant. J PEDIATR 1970;77:1. 6. Merskey L, Kleiner GH, Johnson AJ. Quantitative estimation of split products of fibrinogen in human serum: relation to diagnosis and treatment. Blood 1966;28:1. 7. Breen FA, Tullis JI. Ethanol gelation: a rapid screening test for intravascular coagulation. Ann Intern Med 1968; 69:1197. 8. Mancini G, Carbonara AO, Hereman JF. Immunochemical quantitation of antigens by single radial immunodiffusion. Int J Immunochem 1965;2:235. 9. Lanne PA, Hathaway WE. Vitamin K in infancy. J PEDIATR 1985;106:351.
Platelet antibody in prolonged remission of childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Evaluations were performed in 20 patients with childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who remained in remission longer than 12 months. The mean duration of follow-up from diagnosis was 39 months (range 17 to 87 months). Eleven patients (four girls) in group 1 had an acute course of ITP, defined as platelet count >150×10 9 /L within 6 months of diagnosis. Nine patients (five girls) in group 2 had a chronic course, defined as platelet count 9 /L for ≥1 year or requiring splenectomy in an attempt to control hemorrhagic symptoms. Mean age at diagnosis and duration of follow-up were similar for both groups. Platelet count and serum (indirect) platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) levels were normal in all 20 patients at follow-up. Both direct and indirect PAIgG levels were measured using a 125 I-monoclonal anti-IgG antiglobulin assay. All had normal direct PAIgG levels, except for one patient in group 1 who had a borderline elevated value of 1209 molecules per platelet. These data suggest that the prevalence of elevated platelet antibodies is low during sustained remission without medication in patients with a history of childhood ITP. These data may be relevant for pregnant women with a history of childhood ITP, with regard to the risk of delivering an infant with thrombocytopenia secondary to transplacental passage of maternal platelet antibody.
NIF optical specifications: the importance of the RMS gradient

The performance of the National Ignition Facility (NIF), especially in terms of laser focusability, will be determined by several key factors. One of these key factors is the optical specification of the thousands of large aperture optics that will comprise the 192 beamlines. We have previously reported on the importance of the specification of the power spectral density (PSD) on NIF performance. Recently, we have been studying the importance of long spatial wavelength phase errors on focusability. We have concluded that the preferred metric for determining the impact of these long spatial wavelength phase errors is the rms phase gradient. In this paper, we outline the overall approach to NIF optical specifications, detail the impact of the rms phase gradient on NIF focusability, discuss its trade-off with the PSD in determining the spot size, and review measurements of optics similar to those to be manufactured for NIF.
Classification of Ground‐Water Systems of the United States

Classification of ground-water systems provides a useful basis for the transfer of hydrologic knowledge from one site to another and for enhancing the public's understanding of ground water. The five features of ground-water systems useful in classification are (1) components of the system, (2) nature of the water-bearing openings, (3) composition of the rock matrix, (4) storage and transmission characteristics, and (5) recharge and discharge conditions. Using these features, the United States can be divided conveniently into 14 regions.
Effects of ambient odors on slot-machine usage in a las vegas casino

Studies have shown that ambient aromas impact on consumers' behavior. To further investigate such effects, for one weekend, two slot-machine areas in a Las Vegas casino were odorized, each with a different aroma. A third slot-machine area served as an unodorized control. The amounts of money gambled in slot machines located in the three areas were measured and compared for the weekend of the odorization and for the weekends before and after as well, to control for extraneous variables. Our data show that the amount of money gambled in the slot machines surrounding Odorant No. 1 during the experimental weekend was greater than the amount gambled in the same area during the weekends before and after the experiment by an average of 45.11% (p = < 0.0001). Further, the amount of the increase appeared greater on Saturday when the concentration of odorant was higher: mean increase on Saturday was 53.42% (p = < 0.0001) versus mean increase on Sunday of 33.66% (p = < 0.003). The amounts of money gambled in the slot machines surrounding Odorant No. 2 and in the control area did not change significantly compared to the previous weekend and the weekend following the experiment. The likely mechanism of action of the effective odorant and the implications of these results are discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Paramecium Phagosome Membrane: From Oral Region to Cytoproct and Back Again1

Ten years of research on digestive vacuoles (phagosomes) of Paramecium caudatum have revealed sequential changes both within the vacuole lumen as well as within the surrounding membrane. Four vacuole stages can be recognized by a combination of thin section and freeze-fracture ultrastructural features. Three sets of vesicles (discoidal vesicles, acidosomes, and lysosomes) fuse with the vacuole, each at a predetermined stage, to bring about these membrane and physiological changes. At various times membrane is removed as vesicles from the vacuole surface, which has the effect of regulating vacuole size. Membrane recycling, membrane replacement, and specific membrane to membrane recognition all appear to be operating during the digestive cycle. Details of these events are summarized in this address and a number of unanswered questions suggest areas for future research.
SN2 DNA-alkylating agent-induced phosphorylation of p53 and activation of p21 gene expression

p53 is an important player in the cellular response to genotoxic stress whose functions are regulated by phosphorylation of a number of serine and threonine residues. Phosphorylation of p53 influences its DNA-binding and gene regulation activities. This study examines p53 phosphorylation in HCT-116 (MMR-deficient) and HCT-116+ch3 (MMR-proficient) human colon cancer cells treated with a S(N)2 DNA-alkylating agent, methylmethane sulfonate (MMS). MMS induces phosphorylation of p53 on Ser15 and Ser392 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. MMS-induced p53 phosphorylation is independent of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) activity. Nuclear extracts from MMS-treated HCT-116 cells had higher p21WAF1/Cip1 (p21) promoter DNA-binding activity in vitro opposed to untreated cells. After MMS treatment, the activation of the cloned p21 promoter in a transient transfection assay and endogenous p21 mRNA levels in HCT-116(p53+/+) versus HCT-116(p53-/-) cells increased, which correlates with an increased levels of phospho-p53(Ser15) and phospho-p53(Ser392). These results suggest that SN2 DNA-alkylating agent-induced phosphorylation of p53 on Ser15 and Ser392 increases its DNA-binding properties to cause an increased expression of p21 that may play a role in cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of HCT-116 cells.
Double Bragg grating tunable filter

A novel concept for a very efficient tunable filter for the optical and near infrared is proposed. The filter consists of two parallel volume phase holographic Bragg gratings used in a dispersion-recombination configuration. The passband profile is determined by the first order grating efficiency curve which changes in wavelength according to the angle of incidence. The filter can be continuously tuned over ranges of wavelengths larger than 600 nm by adjusting the tilt of the gratings, while bandwidth can be selected between 0.1 and 200 nm. The conceptual design is presented, along with predicted performances. Potentially useful instruments for large volume surveys and targeted observations are explored, along with application in areas other than astronomy.
Induction of Phenolic Glycosides by Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Leaves in Relation to Extrafloral Nectaries and Epidermal Leaf Mining

We studied the effect of epidermal leaf mining on the leaf chemistry of quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, during an outbreak of the aspen leaf miner, Phyllocnistis populiella, in the boreal forest of interior Alaska. Phyllocnistis populiella feeds on the epidermal cells of P. tremuloides leaves. Eleven days after the onset of leaf mining, concentrations of the phenolic glycosides tremulacin and salicortin were significantly higher in aspen leaves that had received natural levels of leaf mining than in leaves sprayed with insecticide to reduce mining damage. In a second experiment, we examined the time course of induction in more detail. The levels of foliar phenolic glycosides in naturally mined ramets increased relative to the levels in insecticide-treated ramets on the ninth day following the onset of leaf mining. Induction occurred while some leaf miner larvae were still feeding and when leaves had sustained mining over 5% of the leaf surface. Leaves with extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) had significantly higher constitutive and induced levels of phenolic glycosides than leaves lacking EFNs, but there was no difference in the ability of leaves with and without EFNs to induce phenolic glycosides in response to mining. Previous work showed that the extent of leaf mining damage was negatively related to the total foliar phenolic glycoside concentration, suggesting that phenolic glycosides deter or reduce mining damage. The results presented here demonstrate that induction of phenolic glycosides can be triggered by relatively small amounts of mining damage confined to the epidermal tissue, and that these changes in leaf chemistry occur while a subset of leaf miners are still feeding within the leaf.
Some pharmacokinetic aspects of the lipophilic terfenadine and zwitterionic fexofenadine in humans.

Fexofenadine, an active metabolite of the second-generation histamine H1 receptor antagonist (antihistamine) terfenadine, does not have the disadvantage of QT prolongation. In addition, unlike first-generation antihistamines, it is associated with few CNS adverse effects. Chemically, fexofenadine has a zwitterionic structure that makes it an interesting molecule for use as an oral drug. Fexofenadine has negligible hepatic metabolism in humans, and is recovered mainly in the faeces in an unchanged form after oral administration. The absolute oral bioavailability of fexofenadine in humans is not known because of a lack of studies of intravenous administration of this agent. Its apparent elimination halflife (t1/2) ranges from 3 to 17 hours and is highly dependent on study design, i.e. the length of blood sampling. This large discrepancy might be associated with a ‘flipflop’ phenomenon caused by slow absorption of the zwitterionic molecule. This review summarises the available literature related to the absorption, elimination and excretion of fexofenadine and terfenadine. Based on these data, the volume of distribution, t1/2 and oral bioavailability of fexofenadine in humans are estimated. Understanding these pharmacokinetic aspects of this drug might be very useful for medicinal chemists utilising fexofenadine/terfenadine as an example for designing zwitterionic compounds to combat cardiotoxicity and other issues related to basic and lipophilic molecules.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Barriers for the Retardation of Pollutant Migration

Currently, one of the most popular methods of containing contaminated ground water is through use of subsurface impermeable barriers. These barriers can take one of three forms: slurry walls, grout curtains, or steel sheet piles. Successful operation of these barrier systems is dependent upon three basic criteria. First, the barrier must be truly impermeable and remain so over time even upon exposure to the contaminated ground water. Second, there must exist an underlying impermeable formation, at a reasonable depth, to which the barrier can be connected. Third, an adequate connection between the barrier and the underlying formation must be assured. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the movement of contaminated ground water under or through an imperfect barrier. The first phase of the analysis consists of the development of an analytical solution for the flow of ground water under a barrier and a simple numerical integration technique for developing concentration breakthrough curves. This simple solution algorithm was applied to the cases of variable recharge rates and lengths, variable depths of penetration of the barrier, and anisotropic soils. The second phase of the analysis involves applying a numerical solute transport model to analyze the performance of a barrier with and without the effects of hydrodynamic dispersion, and in the presence of a layered soil, and finally the performance of a fully penetrating but partially permeable barrier.
Trapping and transporting aerosols with a single optical bottle beam generated by moiré techniques.

We demonstrate optical trapping and manipulation of aerosols with an optical bottle beam generated by the moire techniques. We observe stable trapping and back-and-forth transportation of a variety of absorbing carbon particles suspended in air, ranging from clusters of nanosized buckminsterfullerene C60 to micrometer-sized carbon powders.
Sustained Complete Remission in a Patient with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor

Abstract Background. Yolk sac tumors of the ovary are generally very responsive to chemotherapy; however, they are difficult to manage in the setting of platinum resistance where treatment options are limited and outcomes are poorer. Case. We present a 39-year-old woman who had a platinum-resistant yolk sac ovarian tumor. She achieved complete remission on an innovative regimen of docetaxel, gemcitabine, and thalidomide. Conclusion. The combination of docetaxel, gemcitabine, and thalidomide might be an active regimen for platinum-resistant ovarian nondysgerminomas and further investigation of this combination is warranted.
Premature Twins with Esophageal Atresia and Tracheo‐esophageal Fistula

Summary To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of esophageal atresia occurring in both members of a pair of twins. These twins appear to be genetically identical because of their general appearance, sex, identical anomaly, and identical serologic genotypes. Genetic predisposition for esophageal atresia in twins would seem to be possible from this study. Heretofore, it has been thought that esophageal atresia in one of identical twins has been a developmental defect rather than a genetically transmitted one. Staged therapy for the premature infant with esophageal atresia increases the chance of survival of these infants.
PPBP [4-Phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) Piperidine] Decreases Brain Injury After Transient Focal Ischemia in Rats

Background and Purpose We tested the hypothesis that intravenous administration of the potent σ-receptor ligand 4-phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine (PPBP) during transient focal ischemia would decrease postischemic brain infarction volume in rats. Methods Rats underwent intravascular focal ischemia for 2 hours followed by 22 hours of reperfusion. Halothane anesthesia was used only during initiation and cessation of ischemia. Rats received saline (n=10) or 1 μmol/kg per hour PPBP (n=10) by continuous intravenous infusion starting 1 hour after the initiation of ischemia and continuing through 22 hours of reperfusion. Results There was no difference between groups in blood pressure, arterial blood gas values, and body temperature. Triphenyltetrazolium-determined infarction volume of ipsilateral cerebral cortex (saline, 39±6%; PPBP, 21±7% of ipsilateral hemisphere; mean±SEM) and striatum (saline, 68±6%; PPBP, 33±8% of ipsilateral striatum) was smaller in rats treated with PPBP than in rats treated with sali...
Leveraging Advances in Remote Virtualization to Improve Online Instruction of Information Assurance

Advances in virtualization are making it possible to facilitate the learning of students at a distance. Instructors can teach complex skills with even greater ease than had been afforded in traditional classrooms. Virtualization provides opportunities for dealing with heterogeneous groups, facilitating instructional design possibilities for a diverse audience, and enhancing student - teacher interactions. It also provides opportunities for modeling, addressing the students' zone of proximal development, and includes possibilities for collaborative learning.
Asia in Japan's Embrace: The Political Economy of Japan

To really understand how Japanese developmentalism is weaving together the economies of Asia, we must first know how the system works at home. This is a heavily tilled but thinly harvested field. Some neoclassical economists argue that Japan operates just like any other capitalist economy, and thus can be analyzed adequately with the standard tools of neoclassical theory. A few even go so far as to suggest that Japan is closer to the neoclassical model – with more competition and less government intervention – than the United States or other industrial economies. There is little need for us to spend time on such a preposterous claim. We must, though, take seriously those neoclassical economists who recognize that Japan has used a distinctive set of institutions to promote economic development, but who nonetheless insist that it began dismantling those institutions in the prolonged, post-bubble recession of the early 1990s. Bergsten and Noland, for example, foresee a coming convergence between the capitalist systems of the world's two economic superpowers, Japan and the United States. Japanese business … will in this view ease off at least a bit as employees and suppliers demand better treatment, and as the imperative of globalization induces Japanese firms to harmonize their practices with the rest of the world. Globalization of financial markets will meanwhile weaken the financial keiretsu and equalize the cost of capital across countries. … […]
The Structure of Plant Gene Promoters

Plant promoters for genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II have been studied for more than a decade. Although far behind mechanistic studies dealing with yeast and animal promoter structure and function, much has been learned about cis-regulatory elements for environmental, developmental and stimulus-induced plant promoters and about plant transcription factors that specifically bind to cis-acting elements. Plant promoter cis-acting elements are routinely defined by testing promoters and promoter fragments fused to reporter genes in transient assays (i.e., transfection of plant protoplasts or particle bombardment of plant cells or tissues) or in stably transformed plants. In many cases, promoters, promoter fragments, or multimerized minimal cis-elements are tested in heterologous plants that provide good sources for protoplasts or are easily transformable. While there has been some criticism waged at the reliability of employing heterologous systems in promoter analyses, it can be argued that functionally important cis-acting elements should display a high degree of conservation among plants that respond to identical inducers or to developmental programs.
Design and analysis of spatial encoding circuits for peak power reduction in on-chip buses

We propose various low-latency spatial encoder circuits based on bus-invert coding for reducing peak energy and current in on-chip buses with minimum penalty on total latency. The encoders are implemented in dual-rail domino logic with interfaces for static inputs and static buses. A spatial and temporally encoded dynamic bus technique is also proposed for higher performance targets. Comparisons to standard on-chip buses of various lengths with optimal repeater configurations at the 130-nm node show the energy-delay and peak current-delay design space in which the different encoder circuits are beneficial. A 9-mm spatially encoded static bus exhibits peak energy gains beyond that achievable through repeater optimization for a single-cycle operation at 1 GHz, with delay and energy overhead of the encoding included. For throughput-constrained buses, the spatially encoded static bus can provide up to 31% reduction in peak energy, while the spatially and temporally encoded dynamic bus yields peak current reductions of more than 50% for all bus lengths. The encoder circuits show good scaling properties since the performance penalty from encoding decreases with scaled interconnects.
Ring-opening reactions of 5-(aryl)thianthrenium bromides with aryl thiolates

A series of 5-(aryl)thianthrenium bromides (6a–e) with aryl (Ar) groups phenyl (a), p-tolyl (b), p-anisyl (c), p-chlorophenyl (d) and p-bromophenyl (e) was prepared by reaction of thianthrene 5-oxide with the appropriate Grignard reagent ArMgBr. Reactions of 6a–e with aryl thiolates (Ar′SNa, Ar′ = phenyl, p-tolyl and p-chlorophenyl, 7a–c) were carried out in MeCN at room temperature. Products from 6a–c were a small amount of arene [benzene (8a) and toluene (8b)], and substantial amounts of ArSAr′ (9), thianthrene (Th) and a trisulfide, namely a 2-(ArS)-2′-(Ar′S)-diphenyl sulfide (10). Products from reactions of 6d,e were smaller amounts of 9 and 10 but substantial amounts of 1,4-di(Ar′S)benzene (11) and a tetrasulfide (12a–c). The reactions that lead to products 9–12 are attributed to ligand coupling (LC) pathways in sulfuranes formed by attack of Ar′S− at the sulfonium S atom of 6. In the formation of 11 and 12 the halogen atom (Cl, Br) is first displaced from 6d,e by Ar′S−, giving a new thianthrenium ion (14) from which sulfurane formation (15) follows. Products 10 and 12 result from opening of the thianthrenium ring of sulfuranes 13 and 15 through LC. Products were assayed with a combination of GC and isolation with TLC, and were identified with a combination of GC (authentic compounds), x-ray crystallography (10a), elemental analyses and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The reactions of 6 are compared with earlier reactions of 5-(alkoxy)-and 5-(alkyl)thianthrenium salts (1 and 2). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diffusion-Controlled Electron Transfer Processes and Power-Law Statistics of Fluorescence Intermittency of Nanoparticles

A mechanism involving diffusion-controlled electron transfer processes in Debye and non-Debye dielectric media is proposed to elucidate the power-law distribution for the lifetime of a blinking quantum dot. This model leads to two complementary regimes of power law with a sum of the exponents equal to 2, and to a specific value for the exponent in terms of a distribution of the diffusion correlation times. It also links the exponential bending tail with energetic and kinetic parameters.
Phospholipase C-γ inhibition prevents EGF protection of intestinal cytoskeleton and barrier against oxidants

Loss of intestinal barrier integrity is associated with oxidative inflammatory GI disorders including inflammatory bowel disease. Using monolayers of human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells, we recently reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) protects barrier integrity against oxidants by stabilizing the microtubule cytoskeleton, but the mechanism downstream of the EGF receptor (EGFR) is not established. We hypothesized that phospholipase C (PLC)-γ is required. Caco-2 monolayers were exposed to oxidant (H2O2) with or without pretreatment with EGF or specific inhibitors of EGFR tyrosine kinase (AG-1478, tyrphostin 25) or of PLC (L-108, U-73122). Other Caco-2 cells were stably transfected with a dominant negative fragment for PLC-γ (PLCz) to inhibit PLC-γ activation. Doses of EGF that enhanced PLC activity also protected monolayers against oxidant-induced tubulin disassembly, disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and barrier leakiness as assessed by radioimmunoassay, quantitative Western blots,...
Work in progress - remote experimentation lab for students with learning disabilities

Recent advances in developing remote experimentation labs allow meeting the challenges of making them usable for learning disabled student, who experience difficulties in following the instructions to perform remote experiments. Many times, a confusion caused by the delays between initiating an action in the laboratory and the execution of that action and, as a result, the student does not know if he/she has done the experiment in the correct way. In this paper we address the problems faced by learning disabled individuals by adding new features in Automated Internet Measurement Lab (AIM-lab) at RPI including audio-visual instructions and feeds, voice/video conferencing, and text chat with fellow students. With the added new features in AIM-Lab, learning disabled students will benefit from performing the real-time experiments in a remote setting and therefore their learning process will be more effective than in traditional limited time lab sessions.
The Activation Gate of a Voltage-Gated K+ Channel Can Be Trapped in the Open State by an Intersubunit Metal Bridge

Voltage-activated K+ channels are integral membrane proteins containing a potassium-selective transmembrane pore gated by changes in the membrane potential. This activation gating (opening) occurs in milliseconds and involves a gate at the cytoplasmic side of the pore. We found that substituting cysteine at a particular position in the last transmembrane region (S6) of the homotetrameric Shaker K+ channel creates metal binding sites at which Cd2+ ions can bind with high affinity. The bound Cd2+ ions form a bridge between the introduced cysteine in one channel subunit and a native histidine in another subunit, and the bridge traps the gate in the open state. These results suggest that gating involves a rearrangement of the intersubunit contacts at the intracellular end of S6. The recently solved structure of a bacterial K+ channel shows that the S6 homologs cross in a bundle, leaving an aperture at the bundle crossing. In the context of this structure, the metal ions form a bridge between a cysteine above the bundle crossing and a histidine below the bundle crossing in a neighboring subunit. Our results suggest that gating occurs at the bundle crossing, possibly through a change in the conformation of the bundle itself.
Improved enzymic assay for serum formate with colorimetric endpoint.

The fluorometric assay for formate in serum was modified by pretreating samples with acetonitrile (1:1) precipitation; substituting p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) for resazurin; and by combining the cofactor (NAD), coupled enzyme (diaphorase), and secondary substrate (INT) into one reagent. Formate is oxidized by formate dehydrogenase producing NADH which reduces INT via diaphorase to a visible red-colored endpoint that can be measured on a spectrophotometer at 500 rim. Previous problems with fluorometric endpoint methods are eliminated when using this modified procedure: calibration is linear rather than nonlinear; blanking is rarely needed due to the acetonitrile sample preparation; dynamic range is expanded up to 10-fold; a simple spectrometer rather than a fluorometer is used; and the number of steps is reduced. The method is demonstrated to be linear, specific, sensitive, precise, and accurate.
Pristine-state structure of lithium-ion-battery cathode material Li1.2Mn0.4Co0.4O2 derived from NMR bond pathway analysis

Layered lithium ion battery cathode materials have been extensively investigated, of which layered–layered composites xLi2MnO3·(1 − x)LiMO2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) are of particular interest, owing to their high energy density. Before the structural transformations that occur in these materials with cycling can be understood, the structure of the pristine material must be established. In this work, NMR spectra are measured for the model layered–layered system xLi2MnO3·(1 − x)LiCoO2 and Bond-Pathway-model analysis is applied to elucidate the atomic arrangement and domain structure of this material in its pristine state, before electrochemical cycling. The simplest structural element of an Li2MnO3 domain consists of a stripe of composition LiMn2 parallel to a crystallographic axis in a metal layer of the composite. A simple model of the composite structure may be constructed by a superposition of such stripes in an LiCoO2 background. We show that such a model can account for most of the features of the observed NMR spectra.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)

Abstract Surface soil moisture plays an important role in the dynamics of land–atmosphere interactions and many current and upcoming models and satellite sensors. In situ data will be required to provide calibration and validation datasets. Therefore, there is a need for sensor networks at a variety of scales that provide near-real-time soil moisture and temperature data combined with other climate information for use in natural resource planning, drought assessment, water resource management, and resource inventory. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)–Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)–National Water and Climate Center has established a continental-scale network to address this need, called the Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN). This ever-growing network has more than 116 stations located in 39 states, most of which have been installed since 1999. The stations are remotely located and collect hourly atmospheric, soil moisture, and soil temperature data that are available to the public...
A Role for Kit Receptor Signaling in Leydig Cell Steroidogenesis

Kit and its ligand, Kitl, function in hematopoiesis, melanogenesis, and gametogenesis. In the testis, Kitl is expressed by Sertoli cells and Kit is expressed by spermatogonia and Leydig cells. Kit functions are mediated by receptor autophosphorylation and subsequent association with signaling molecules, including phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase. We previously characterized the reproductive consequences of blocking Kit-mediated PI 3-kinase activation in KitY(719F)/Kit(Y719F) knockin mutant male mice. Only gametogenesis was affected in these mice, and males are sterile because of a block in spermatogenesis during the spermatogonial stages. In the present study, we investigated effects of the Kit(Y719F) mutation on Leydig cell development and steroidogenic function. Although the seminiferous tubules in testes of mutant animals are depleted of germ cells, the testes contain normal numbers of Leydig cells and the Leydig cells in these animals appear to have undergone normal differentiation. Evaluation of steroidogenesis in mutant animals indicates that testosterone levels are not significantly reduced in the periphery but that LH levels are increased 5-fold, implying an impairment of steroidogenesis in the mutant animals. Therefore, a role for Kit signaling in steroidogenesis in Leydig cells was sought in vitro. Purified Leydig cells from C57Bl6/J male mice were incubated with Kitl, and testosterone production was measured. Kitl-stimulated testosterone production was 2-fold higher than that in untreated controls. The Kitl-mediated testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells is PI 3-kinase dependent. In vitro, Leydig cells from mutant mice were steroidogenically more competent in response to LH than were normal Leydig cells. In contrast, Kitl-mediated testosterone production in these cells was comparable to that in normal cells. Because LH levels in mutant males are elevated and LH is known to stimulate testosterone biosynthesis, we proposed a model in which serum testosterone levels are controlled by elevated LH secretion. Leydig cells of mutant males, unable to respond effectively to Kitl stimulation, initially produce lower levels of testosterone, reducing testosterone negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The consequent secretion of additional LH, under this hypothesis, causes a restoration of normal levels of serum testosterone. Kitl, acting via PI 3-kinase, is a paracrine regulator of Leydig cell steroidogenic function in vivo.
Balancing Access to Participation in Research and Protection from Risks: Applying the Principle of Justice

The problem for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of balancing access to participation in research with protection of research subjects has always been a difficult one. IRBs, charged with applying the "Common Rule," as well as the Belmont Principles, in their review of clinical research, are given little guidance on approaching this problem. This article argues that the third Belmont Principle, the Justice Principle, may provide a useful framework for considering this balance. The changing research environment is discussed in an historical context, and the Justice Principle is considered both in the context of individual rights, as well as the potential benefit to classes of people. The author further suggests that application of the Justice Principle be driven by findings derived from an analysis of the first 2 principles. This feedback model will enable a more formal application of the Justice Principle and less ambiguous, more transparent, decisions regarding the equitable selection of subjects. The author calls for more systematic attention to the Justice Principle by IRBs, and proposes a model that includes incorporating the deliberation of the other Belmont Principles into the Justice Principle.
Lek behavior as a model for multi-robot systems

Lek behavior is a biological mechanism used by male birds to attract mates by forming a group. This project explores the use of a biological behavior found in many species of birds to form leks to guide the creation of groups of robots. The lek behavior provides a sound basis for multi-robot formation because it demonstrates a group of individual entities forming up around a scarce resource. This behavior can be useful to robots in many situations, with an example scenario the case in which robots were dropped via parachute into an area and then needed to form meaningful task-oriented groups.
Comparison of Sebia Capillarys Capillary Electrophoresis With the Primus High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography in the Evaluation of Hemoglobinopathies

The Sebia Capillarys (capillary zone electrophoresis [CE]) and the Primus Resolution high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to prospectively evaluate 297 samples for hemoglobinopathies. Hemoglobin (Hb) A levels were similar on both techniques (mean, 96.2% and SD, 5.7% by CE; mean, 96.8% and SD, 5.5% by HPLC), but HbA2 levels were higher by CE (mean, 2.8%; SD, 0.8%) than by HPLC (mean, 2.3%; SD, 0.8%). HbS had higher values by CE (mean, 40.6%; SD, 18.9%) than by HPLC (mean, 38.4%; SD, 18.9%). In cases with Hg S, HbA2 levels were greater by HPLC (mean, 4.0%; SD, 1.0%) than by CE (mean, 3.1%; SD, 0.8%). HbA2 was occasionally not separated sufficiently from HbC for measurement by CE, but did separate from HbE by CE. Both methods identified HbS, HbC, HbE, HbS, and HbC together, HbA2&prime, HbD-Los Angeles, HbF variant, HbG-Philadelphia, HbS-G Philadelphia, and Hb Lepore.