cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diels-Alder Reaction between Cyclopentadiene and C60: An Analysis of the Performance of the ONIOM Method for the Study of Chemical Reactivity in Fullerenes and Nanotubes

In this article, we theoretically analyze the Diels-Alder cycloaddition between cyclopentadiene and C60 for which experimental results on energy barriers and reaction energies are known. The comparison of the results obtained with the two-layered ONIOM approach using different partitions for the high- and low-level layers with those obtained employing the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method for the entire system allows us to conclude that the partition including a pyracylene unit of C60 in the description of the high-level layer is enough to get excellent results. Using this partition in the two-layered ONIOM approach, we have computed the energy barriers and reaction energies for this Diels-Alder reaction for different functionals, and we have compared them with experimental data. From this comparison, both the ONIOM2(M06-2X/6-31G(d):SVWN/STO-3G) and the M06-2X/6-31G(d)//ONIOM2(B3LYP/6-31G(d):SVWN/STO-3G) methods are recommended as reliable and computationally affordable approaches to be exploited for the study of the chemical reactivity of [6,6]-bonds in fullerenes and nanotubes.
Satellite and defective RNAs of Cryphonectria hypovirus 3-grand haven 2, a virus species in the family Hypoviridae with a single open reading frame

Cryphonectria parasitica hypovirus 3-Grand Haven 2 (CHV3-GH2) is the most recently characterized member of the Hypoviridae family of viruses associated with hypovirulence of the chestnut blight fungus. Isolates of CHV3-GH2 contain either three or four double-stranded (ds) RNAs that are visible on ethidium bromide-stained agarose or polyacrylamide gels. Only the largest dsRNA appears to be required for virus infectivity, and was characterized previously (C. D. Smart et al., 1999, Virology 265, 66-73). In this study, we report the cloning, sequencing, and analysis of the other three dsRNAs. Sizes of the accessory dsRNAs are 3.6 kb (dsRNA 2), 1.9 kb (dsRNA 3), and 0.9 kb (dsRNA 4), compared to 9.8 kb for the genomic dsRNA segment (dsRNA 1). All three accessory dsRNA species are polyadenylated on the 3'-end of one strand, as is genomic dsRNA. DsRNA 2 represents a defective form of dsRNA 1, with the 5'-terminal 1.4 kb derived from the 5'-end of dsRNA 1 and the 3'-terminal 2.2 kb from the 3'-end of dsRNA 1. A single major open reading frame (ORF) is evident from deduced translations of dsRNA 2. The deduced translation product is a 91-kDa protein that represents a fusion consisting of the entire N-terminal protease and the entire putative helicase domain. DsRNAs 3 and 4 represent satellite RNAs that share very little sequence with dsRNA 1 and 2. DsRNA 4 is 937 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A)(+). The first AUG of the polyadenylated strand of dsRNA 4 occurs eight residues in from the 5'-terminus and would initiate the largest ORF on dsRNA 4, with the coding capacity for a 9.4-kDa protein. Within the deduced ORF and approximately 100 nucleotides from the 5'-end of dsRNA 4 is a 22-base sequence that is identical to sequences found in the nontranslated leaders of dsRNAs 1 and 2. DsRNA 3 accumulation in infected cultures varied, but it was less abundant than dsRNA 4. DsRNA 3 was found to represent a head-to-tail dimer of dsRNA 4 linked by a poly(A)/(U) stretch of 40-70 residues.
Crystalline Colloidal Array of Water Voids in Hydrogels: Direct Evidence for Entropic Trapping of Flexible Polymers

We have developed a unique hydrogel material with a monodisperse face-centered cubic array of spherical water holes. This embedded array of holes Bragg diffracts light due to the refractive index mismatch between the holes and the interstitial gel medium. Through Bragg diffraction and absorption spectral studies, we examined the molecular weight and concentration dependence of the partitioning of linear sodium polystyrene sulfonate macromolecules between regions of different spatial constraints, i.e., the array of aqueous holes, the interstitial gel network, and the reservoir solution. We believe that our results are the first experimental verification of the phenomenon of equilibrium entropic trapping of flexible macromolecules in a polymeric gel matrix. This trapping occurs because the flexible macromolecules maximize their conformational entropy by partitioning from the gel network matrix into the embedded water holes. These mesoscopically multiphase periodic hydrogel materials may be useful for macrom...
Translational Mini‐Review Series on Vaccines for HIV: T lymphocyte trafficking and vaccine‐elicited mucosal immunity

Many pathogens use mucosal surfaces to enter and propagate within the host, making particularly desirable vaccines that target immune responses specifically to mucosal compartments. The majority of mucosal vaccine design strategies to date have been empirical in nature. However, an emerging body of basic immunological knowledge is providing new insights into the regulation of tissue-specific lymphocyte trafficking and differentiation. These insights afford the opportunity for the rational design of vaccines that focus immune responses at mucosal surfaces. Mucosal cellular immunity may prove critical for protection in the context of HIV infection, and thus there has been considerable interest in developing vaccines that target HIV-specific cellular immune responses to the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa. However, the optimal strategies for eliciting mucosal cellular immune responses through vaccination remain to be determined. Here, we review both recent vaccine studies and emerging paradigms from the basic immunological literature that are relevant to the elicitation of potent and protective mucosal cellular immune memory. Increasing the synergy between these avenues of research may afford new opportunities for mucosal vaccine design.
Implementation of a Radioreceptor Assay for Dexmedetomidine

We have implemented a radioreceptor assay for dexmedetomidine, a novel alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist. Receptor-bearing membranes were prepared from rat cerebral cortex and 3H-clonidine, 4 nM, was used as the labeled ligand. Dexmedetomidine displaced 3H-clonidine in a linear fashion over a concentration of 2 x 10(-10) to 2 x 10(-8)M. The detection limit of dexmedetomidine (i.e. 10% of radiolabeled ligand displaced) in this assay was 50 pg.ml-1 which is comparable to that seen with the reference method which utilizes gas chromotography with mass spectrometer (GC/MS) in series (Vuorilehto et al. 1989). Endogenous catecholamines, which can displace the radiolabeled ligand from its binding site, could easily be eliminated with a one-step extraction procedure. A comparison was made with the reference method (GC/MS) in 47 human plasma samples; the correlation coefficient (r2) was 0.61 (P < 0.001). The radioreceptor assay was also successfully applied for determining dexmedetomidine concentration in rabbit samples. These data indicate that the radioreceptor assay can be utilized for characterizing the pharmacokinetics of novel alpha 2 agonists which are now being introduced into the clinical practice of anaesthesia.
An electrostatic beam line for accelerator mass spectroscopy of exotic particles

Abstract An all-electrostatic charged particle spectrometer has been constructed to perform high sensitivity searches for exotic states of matter. This spectrometer consists of an electrostatic beam line capable of mass independent charged particle transport and selection together with time-of-flight, energy loss and total energy detectors. This system has been used in conjunction with the tandem electrostatic accelerator at the Nuclear Structure Research Laboratory of the University of Rochester to search for fractionally charged or anomalously heavy particles.
The Protein Trinity: Structure/Function Relationships That Include Intrinsic Disorder.

INTRODUCTION. The current, dominant view relating protein structure to function can be expressed as amino acid sequence → 3-D structure → function. Currently, more than 200 counter examples in which function depends on nonfolded or incompletely folded regions of protein have been described. Furthermore, reviews on intrinsically disordered proteins are beginning to appear[1,2,3]. In one of these reviews, it is suggested that the existence of proteins with intrinsic protein disorder calls for a re-assessment of the protein structure-function paradigm[3].
Spin symmetry in nonleptonic B decays

Abstract We apply the spin symmetry of the heavy quark effective theory to obtain relations for exclusive nonleptonic B decays with two charmed measons in the final state.
Arachidonic Acid, but Not Sodium Nitroprusside, Stimulates Presynaptic Protein Kinase C and Phosphorylation of GAP‐43 in Rat Hippocampal Slices and Synaptosomes

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphorylation of its presynaptic substrate, the 43-kDa growth-associated protein GAP-43, may contribute to the maintenance of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) by enhancing the probability of neurotransmitter release and/or modifying synaptic morphology. Induction of LTP in rat hippocampal slices by high-frequency stimulation of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses significantly increased the PKC-dependent phosphorylation of GAP-43, as assessed by quantitative immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an epitope that is specifically phosphorylated by PKC. The stimulatory effect of high-frequency stimulation on levels of immunoreactive phosphorylated GAP-43 was not observed when 4-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (50 microM), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, was bath-applied during the high-frequency stimulus. This observation supports the hypothesis that a retrograde messenger is produced postsynaptically following NMDA receptor activation and diffuses to the presynaptic terminal to activate PKC. Two retrograde messenger candidates--arachidonic acid and nitric oxide (sodium nitroprusside was used to generate nitric oxide)--were examined for their effects in hippocampal slices on PKC redistribution from cytosol to membrane as an indirect measure of enzyme activation and PKC-specific GAP-43 phosphorylation. Bath application of arachidonic acid, but not sodium nitroprusside, at concentrations that produce synaptic potentiation (100 microM and 1 mM, respectively) significantly increased translocation of PKC immunoreactivity from cytosol to membrane as well as levels of immunoreactive, phosphorylated GAP-43. The stimulatory effect of arachidonic acid on GAP-43 phosphorylation was also observed in hippocampal synaptosomes. These results indicate that arachidonic acid may contribute to LTP maintenance by activation of presynaptic PKC and phosphorylation of GAP-43 substrate. The data also suggest that nitric oxide does not activate this signal transduction system and, by inference, activates a distinct biochemical pathway.
Development of a quantitative hand grasp and release test for patients with tetraplegia using a hand neuroprosthesis

Abstract We developed a quantitative grasp and release test for assessing a hand neuroprosthesis in C5 and C6 level tetraplegic patients. The objectives were (1) to determine if a patient's hand performance with the neuroprosthesis exceeded a defined, clinically acceptable baseline, (2) to compare performance with and without the neuroprosthesis, (3) to measure the consistency of performance over time, and (4) to compare performance among patients. In the test, patients grasped, moved, and released one of six different objects as many times as possible in five 30-second trials for each object, with and without the neuroprosthesis. Unlike earlier tests, the objects and the task were chosen to span a range of difficulties appropriate for C5 and C6 tetraplegic patients using a hand neuroprosthesis. Data from five patients showed that performance with the neuroprosthesis was above the baselinel performance improved with the neuroprosthesis, although it was not generally consistent across sessions; and the neuroprosthesis helped C5 patients manipulate most objects and helped C6 patients primarily with more difficult objects.
A hybrid preamplifier for cooled lithium ion-drifted semiconductor detectors

Abstract The use of a cooled field-effect transistor as the input stage of a preamplifier for lithium ion-drifted semiconductor detectors is discussed. A resolution of 0.98 keV fwhm Si was measured for zero external capacitance. As an example, the preamplifier was connected to a cooled detector and a pulse-height analyzer spectrum was accumulated of the 6.5 keV X-ray and 14.4 keV gamma ray of Fe 57 .
Uranus satellites - Densities and composition

Homogeneous and core-differentiated silicate/ice models of the Uranian satellites Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon are examined in the light of imaging observations and mass and density determinations obtained during the Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus in January 1986. The data and model predictions are compared in extensive tables and graphs and discussed in detail. The mass fractions of silicates in Oberon and Titania are found to be between 0.42 and 0.65, about the same as the average for the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn but significantly higher than that for the smaller Saturnian satellites or that predicted by current solar-nebula models. It is suggested that the satellites formed by accretion of material from their primary planets' outer envelopes. The observed rock/ice fractions are attributed to solar-nebula CO and solid-organics abundances and to preferential dissolution of H2O in outer-envelope planetesimals.
Overview — Meeting contraceptive needs worldwide: the role of monthly combined contraceptives

This special issue of International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics summarizes the proceedings of a symposium held in Toronto Canada in 1997 on reversible contraception. Several of the presentations draw attention to the potential of new once-a-month injectables that combine a progestogen with estrogen to meet unmet contraceptive needs in both developed and developing countries. Introductory studies in nine countries have indicated this method is safe highly effective convenient highly reversible and well tolerated. Monthly combined injections offer many of the advantages of combined oral contraceptives with the convenience of monthly administration. The new combined injectables eliminate the delayed return to fertility and menstrual changes associated with use of long-acting progestogen-only implants and injectables.
Thermodynamics of the formation of cisbis(dialkylsulfide)-dimethylplatinum(II) complexes from bis(μdialkylsulfide)bisdimethylplatinum(II) and free dialkylsulfide

Abstract Dialkylsulfides react with bis- μ -dialkylsulfidebisdimethylplatinum(II) to form monomeric cis -bis(dialkylsulfide)dimethylplatinum(II). The thermodynamic parameters of these reactions are reported for methyl, ethyl and propyl sulfides. Reactions are spontaneous for the formation of the monomeric compound. Equilibrium constants at 303 K are 2600±300 M −1 (R = Me), 50 ± 10 M −1 (R = Et), and, 130 ± 10 M −1 (R = Pr). Enthalpies are negative for each reaction, indicating that the bridging three center sulfur-platinum bonds of the dimeric compounds are weaker than the two center bonds in the respective monomers. The dimeric compounds owe their existence to the unfavorable entropy of the addition of two moles of dialkylsulfide when the dimers break into two monomeric compounds. For R = Me, Δ H ⊖ is −60 ± 10 kJ mol −1 and Δ S ⊖ is − 120 ± 30 J mol − K −1 for the reaction. Likewise, for R = Et Δ H ⊖ is −40 ± 10 kJ mol −1 and Δ S ⊖ is −90 ± 30 J mol −1 K −1 , and, for R = Pr, Δ H ⊖ is −40 ± 10 kJ mol −1 and Δ S ⊖ is −100 ± 40 J mol −1 K −1 .
On bifurcations in nonlinear consensus networks

The theory of consensus dynamics is widely employed to study various linear behaviors in networked control systems. Moreover, nonlinear phenomena have been observed in animal groups, power networks and in other networked systems. This inspires the development in this paper of two novel approaches to define distributed nonlinear dynamical interactions. The resulting dynamical systems are akin to higher-order nonlinear consensus systems. Over connected undirected graphs, the resulting dynamical systems exhibit various interesting behaviors that we rigorously characterize.
Toward atmospheres without tops: Absorbing upper boundary conditions for numerical models

The appropriate upper boundary condition (UBC) formulation for the dynamical equations used in atmospheric physics is discussed in terms of both theoretical and computational aspects. The previous work on the UBC formulation is reviewed in the context of a linear mid-latitude primitive equation (PE) model. A new technique for constructing the UBC is introduced. The technique depends upon the existence of analytic solutions to simplifications to the equations of motion. These analytic solutions are used to construct the exact radiation UBCs (often used in tidal theory and studies of the upper atmosphere) which are non-local in time and space. Approximate UBCs, which are local in time, are formed through rational approximations to the exact radiation UBCs. The technique is demonstrated to be effective for both Rossby and gravity modes. The UBC is tested for computational problems initially in the linear PE model, and subsequently in a forced, damped nonlinear quasi-geostrophic model.
Reproducibility of nasal peak inspiratory flow among healthy adults: assessment of epidemiologic utility.

Study objective To assess the reproducibility of nasal peak inspiratory flow (PIFn). Participants Twelve healthy nonsmoking volunteers were studied. Methods Repeated measurements of PIFn and oral (PIFm) peak inspiratory flow were performed for 5 consecutive days. Two methods of inhalation were compared. In the residual volume (RV) method, the forced maximal inspiratory maneuver was initiated from the end of a maximal expiration, while in the functional residual capacity (FRC) method, the maneuver was from the end of a tidal breath. Reproducibility was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Time trend for the 5 days was assessed by random effect models adjusting for different baseline for each subject. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of PIFn was 0.89 (lower limit of one-sided 95% confidence interval is 0.80) by the RV method and 0.78 (95% lower limit is 0.63) by the FRC method, suggesting that both methods have good reproducibility. These were similar to the ICCs of PIFm by each method. The FRC method did not show a significant time trend for PIFn. The RV method had a small, but significant, decreasing time trend of a magnitude considered inconsequential for the purpose of epidemiologic study. Conclusion PIFn, measured from either RV or from FRC, showed good reproducibility and can be employed in epidemiologic studies investigating the upper airways' response to air pollutant exposure. Further studies of the relationships between PIFn and signs and symptoms of rhinitis are needed to evaluate the utility of this test for clinical and epidemiologic use.
Controlling Carbon Surface Chemistry by Alloying: Carbon Tolerant Reforming Catalyst

Steam reforming is a process where a hydrocarbon is converted into hydrogen and oxygenated carbon species. Ni is often used as catalyst for the reaction. Long term stability of steam reforming catalysts is governed by their ability to selectively oxidize C atoms while preventing C−C bond formation. In this communication we demonstrate that C atom chemistry over Ni surfaces can be controlled by surface alloying. We show that bimetallic Sn/Ni catalyst is much more carbon-tolerant that monometallic Ni. The main reason for this is that Sn alloying results in dramatically lower rates of C−C bond formation as compared to C-oxidation. The bimetallic catalyst was identified in quantum computational studies of the underlying atomic-scale phenomena that govern C atom surface chemistry. The catalysts were also characterized with various electron- and X-ray-based microscopies and spectroscopies.
Design of an Endoscopic Biopsy Needle

This paper summarizes the design and testing of a biopsy needle to be used through a flexible endoscope. There is a need for a biopsy needle that can be used through the endoscopic channel to perform zero invasive biopsies on the gastrointestinal system and other organs. In this project, a novel biopsy needle is designed, tested, and compared with an Olympus EZShot single use aspiration needle. The new needle was found to have a higher ratio of mass removed versus removal force.
Oxygen transfer characteristics of multiple-phase dispersions simulating water-in-oil xanthan fermentations

A water-in-oil (W/O) cultivation technology has the potential of overcoming the problems related with high broth viscosity in xanthan fermentations. The aqueous broth is dispersed in a continuous oil phase. Consequently, the broth thickening mechanisms are confined within the aqueous droplets without significantly increasing the overall viscosity. To better characterize the mixing and oxygen transfer in the complex multiple-phase (G-O-W) systems involved, the W/O dispersions of xanthan solutions in either n-hexadecane or vegetable oil were examined in this study. The experiments with n-hexadecane indicated that the coefficient for oxygen transfer from gas bubbles to the oil, i.e., (k L a)g/o, was much smaller than that for transfer from the bulk oil phase to the droplet surface, i.e., (k L a)o/w. The oxygen partial pressure at the surface of aqueous droplets, p R , was therefore close to that in the bulk oil phase. The experiments with vegetable oil were conducted under various combinations of operating conditions: agitation speed (N) – 400, 600, and 775 rpm; aeration rate (G/V) – 0.25, 0.5, and 0.875 vvm; aqueous-phase volume fraction (φw) – 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5; and aqueous-phase xanthan concentration (Xn) – 10, 20, and 40 kg/m3. The correlations developed for the power input of agitation (P g, in W), droplet diameter (d p , in μm), and (k L a)g/oHo (in kg mol/m3 s atm) are: where Ho is the Henry's law solubility for oxygen in the oil phase (kg mol/m3 atm) and v s is the superficial gas velocity. The dependencies associated with P g, d p , and N are consistent with those reported in the literature for simpler systems although no previous correlations exist for complex G-L-L systems. The dependencies associated with Xn are intuitively plausible while the responsible mechanisms for the observed dependencies on φw are less clear.
Range detection through the atmosphere using Laguerre-Gaussian beams

For most radar or ladar systems range information is obtained from the time necessary for an electromagnetic pulse to propagate to a target and return to a receiving antenna. In contrast, we investigate a method that replaces temporal encoding of distance with spatial encoding. In particular, we use a self-referencing superposition of Laguerre-Gaussian beams to translate propagation distance into transverse rotation of cross-section of the beam intensity. We review the mathematical foundations of the technique and discuss models for simulating its performance in turbulent atmosphere. In addition, we present a simple technique to extract the rotation angle from a two-dimensional cross-section of the beam. Preliminary results indicate that the technique is robust with respect to propagation in a turbulent atmosphere.
Fine needle aspiration of pleomorphic lipoma of the neck: Report of two cases

Pleomorphic lipoma is a rare lipocytic neoplasm that most commonly occurs in the head and neck region in middle-aged to elderly men. Clinically, it presents as a slow-growing, wellcircumscribed subcutaneous mass. Histopathologically and cytogenetically, it has some features overlapping with other benign and malignant tumors, such as benign spindle cell lipoma, atypical lipomatous tumor, liposarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. However, cure rates are high when pleomorphic lipoma is treated with complete surgical excision with clear margins. Therefore, an accurate preoperative diagnosis is very important for proper treatment. Due to the rarity of this tumor, few cases diagnosed by cytology have been reported in the English literature. Here, we report two cases of pleomorphic lipoma, the diagnoses of which were suggested on fine needle aspiration biopsies and subsequently confirmed by surgical excisions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
RTK Performance in Highway and Racetrack Experiments

: This paper evaluates the performance of real-time kinematic (RTK) algorithms designed for highway environments. The experiments were performed over a number of years in a variety of environments ranging from a racetrack with a completely clear view of the sky to a busy suburban freeway with overpasses, trucks, and other obscurations. A description of a single-epoch RTK algorithm, which performs well in the freeway environment, is given. A number of the experiments used two antennas and two receivers on the vehicle for error detection. This configuration is capable of providing high confidence in correct RTK solutions. Some of the experiments used map-based altitude aiding to improve RTK performance. Possible racetrack and highway applications are discussed.
Intratympanic steroid injection for treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

Objective To conduct a clinical trial of intratympanic steroid injection for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in subjects who failed oral steroid therapy. Study design and setting Open-label methylprednisolone injection clinical trial in a tertiary neurotologic referral center. Twenty subjects (14 males; 6 females) received 4 injections within a 2-week period (4 days apart). Hearing, dizziness, and tinnitus were evaluated before and after treatment. Results There were no serious unexpected adverse events and 2 types of expected adverse events (tympanic membrane perforation, nausea after injection). No increases in dizziness or tinnitus lasting longer than 24 hours were observed after injections. One of 20 (5%) improved to near-normal hearing. In addition, there was statistically significant improvement in 4-frequency pure-tone average and speech discrimination score at 1 month after treatment. Conclusion Four intratympanic injections of methylprednisolone improved pure-tone average or speech discrimination scores for a subset of sudden hearing loss subjects that failed to benefit from oral steroids. Significance A clinical trial of intratympanic injections for idiopathic sudden hearing loss was successfully completed and promising results were found.
Relationship among phenotypic growth traits, yield and weed suppression in spring wheat landraces and modern cultivars

Abstract Economic costs and the potential for unintended environmental effects of herbicides have led to an increasing emphasis by crop breeders on selecting for weed suppression ability (WSA). Genetic variation for traits conducive to crop competitiveness against weeds may be concentrated in historical cultivars and landraces that were selected before the widespread use of crop protection chemicals. We evaluated 63 spring wheat landraces and modern cultivars for 5 potential competition traits, including plant height, leaf area index (LAI), juvenile growth habit (JGH), coleoptile length and 1000 kernel weight (TKW), and for the ability of these cultivars to achieve high yields, suppress weeds and withstand mechanical cultivation. Differences were found among the 63 spring wheat cultivars for grain yield, weed weight and all 5 growth habit traits (P
Association between deciduous dentin sclerosis and calcium hydroxide methylcellulose base material

One hundred and ninety-one deciduous teeth in which a calcium hydroxide methylcellulose base was used beneath the alloy restoration, and 160 deciduous teeth in which no base material was utilized beneath the alloy restoration, were studied. Roentgenographic exami­ nation indicated that 93 of the teeth con­ taining a calcium hydroxide base mate­ rial showed evidence of dentin sclerosis beneath the area of the base material. Only 1 per cent of the deciduous teeth without a calcium hydroxide base mate­ rial showed evidence of sclerosis. Calcium hydroxide methylcellulose base material stimulates the production of sclerotic den­ tin in deciduous teeth.
What (do) learners want (?): a re-examination of the issue of learner preferences regarding the use of ‘native’ speaker norms in English language teaching

The debate over models for language learning and use continues in the field of English language education. Opponents of ‘native’ speaker (NS) norms have put forth proposals suggesting alternative models (e.g. Jenkins’ lingua franca core), while supporters of traditional NS norms have resisted on a number of grounds, including appeals to learners’ preferences. Past research has found learner support for NS norms, and authors have interpreted this as a need for continued use of NS norms. However, the issue warrants further research, in particular longitudinal, qualitative (or mixed-methods) research such as that employed in this study. Such an approach is particularly strong in revealing that participants’ preferences and attitudes are highly complex, ambivalent, and contradictory. In particular, the study uncovered several factors that appear to confound learners’ preferences: (1) the effect of time spent in and exposure to contexts of English use, (2) whether learners feel NS norms represent abstract idea...
582 FEEDING PRACTICE AND NEONATAL JAUNDICE

Although Breast-feeding (BF) predisposes to late onset neonatal jaundice, its relationship to physiologic jaundice is controversial. In 135 consecutive full-term Coombs ⊖ babies, the prevalence of jaundice (serum Bili>10 mg% in the 1st 4 days) was 38.4% in the BF, and 10.3% in the artificially fed (AF) (P 80cc/kg(NS).The milk intake of BF babies on the 4th day of life correlated inversely (r =-.31, P<.05) with the volume of glucose water supplementation in the first three days. Deficient nutrition, possibly encouraged by excess ingestion of glucose water, may play a role in the higher rate of physiologic jaundice seen among breast-fed babies in our study.
Employment and Health Insurance in Long‐Term Liver Transplant Recipients

This study was conducted to examine factors affecting health insurance and employment status in long-term liver transplant (OLT) recipients. All adult primary OLT recipients surviving at least 1 year were surveyed using existing questionnaires. Out of 217 eligible recipients, 186 (86%) responded. The median age of respondents was 55 years with a median survival after OLT of 3.4 years. The majority (98%) of respondents had health insurance coverage. Thirty-four (18%) reported having lost and/or having been denied health insurance since OLT, and 63 (34%) switched health insurance since OLT. Of the 179 that reported employment status, 98 (55%) were employed, including homemakers and students, while 39 (22%) were retired and 42 (24%) unemployed. The majority (76%) of those unemployed cited poor health as the reason for unemployment, followed by 5 (12%) who feared loss of disability or Medicaid benefits. Fourteen reported to have been denied or terminated from employment because of their transplant. In the regression analysis, employment prior to transplantation (odds ratio (OR) = 5.1), age less than 57 (OR = 5.1), physical function score >52.4 (OR = 3.6) and general health score >33.3 (OR = 7.6) were significantly associated with employment. These data may help identify high-risk pre-OLT patients for intervention measures such as work rehabilitation.
Ultrastructural studies of normal and alloxan-treated islet cells of the pancreas of the lizard, Eumeces fasciatus.

Alpha and beta cells can be distinguished by differences in mitochondrial and secretion granule structure. Many mitochondria of alpha cells possess “tubular” or prismatic cristae oriented longitudinally and having triangular profiles in cross-section. The matrix is particulate, with the roughly spherical particles measuring about 100 A in diameter. Evidence is presented indicating that alpha and beta granules are sequestrated in association with Golgi elements. Fully-condensed beta granules, assumed to be insulin, appear homogeneously dense and crystalline. Recurrent profiles of crystalline beta granules suggest that they possess an octahedral configuration. Alpha cell granules also appear homogeneously dense but have round profiles. Many acinar cell nuclei in both normal and alloxan-treated pancreata display masses of moderately dense fibrils oriented roughly parallel to each other. These fibrils are about 200 A across and their terminal portions are rebranched and often appear to be continuous with the finely granular or filamentous component of the nucleoplasm. Not infrequently the fibrils show evidence of periodicity. Alloxan has a specific destructive effect on beta cells. An initial effect seems to be the disruption and coalescence of the bounding membranes of beta granules. Lysosome-like bodies are often seen in beta cell cytoplasm, which ultimately becomes degranulated and necrotic following prolonged administration of large doses of alloxan.
Antiferromagnetism and hot spots in CeIn 3

Enormous mass enhancement at ``hot spots'' on the Fermi surface (FS) of ${\mathrm{CeIn}}_{3}$ has been reported at a strong magnetic field near its antiferromagnetic (AFM) quantum critical point [T. Ebihara et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 246401 (2004)] and ascribed to anomalous spin fluctuations at these spots. The hot spots lie at the positions on FS where in nonmagnetic ${\mathrm{LaIn}}_{3}$ the narrow necks are protruded. In paramagnetic phase, ${\mathrm{CeIn}}_{3}$ has similar spectrum. We show that in the presence of AFM ordering its FS undergoes a topological change at the onset of AFM order that truncates the necks at the hot spots for one of the branches. The applied field leads to the logarithmic divergence of the dHvA effective mass when the electron trajectory passes near or through the neck positions. This effect explains the observed dHvA mass enhancement at the hot spots and leads to interesting predictions concerning the spin dependence of the effective electron mass. The $(T,B)$-phase diagram of ${\mathrm{CeIn}}_{3}$, constructed in terms of the Landau functional, is in agreement with experiment.
3D chromosome rendering from Hi-C data using virtual reality

Most genome browsers display DNA linearly, using single-dimensional depictions that are useful to examine certain epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. However, these representations are insufficient to visualize intrachromosomal interactions and relationships between distal genome features. Relationships between DNA regions may be difficult to decipher or missed entirely if those regions are distant in one dimension but could be spatially proximal when mapped to three-dimensional space. For example, the visualization of enhancers folding over genes is only fully expressed in three-dimensional space. Thus, to accurately understand DNA behavior during gene expression, a means to model chromosomes is essential. Using coordinates generated from Hi-C interaction frequency data, we have created interactive 3D models of whole chromosome structures and its respective domains. We have also rendered information on genomic features such as genes, CTCF binding sites, and enhancers. The goal of this article is to present the procedure, findings, and conclusions of our models and renderings.
Dynamic Power and Energy Capabilities of Commercially-Available Electro-Active Induced-Strain Actuators

A method has been developed to predict the apparent material constants, the input and output power and energy, and the electro-mechanical energy conversion efficiency of electro-active induced-strain actuators under full-stroke, quasi-linear dynamic operation. The effect of the piezo-electric counter electro-motive force on the apparent input admittance is included. The non-symmetric expansion-retraction behavior of the electro-active material under full-stroke dynamic operation is symmetrized using a bias-voltage component and a superposed dynamic voltage amplitude that produce, in the actuator, a static position and a dynamic stroke amplitude, respectively. It is shown that the presence of the bias-voltage operation increases significantly the reactive power amplitude, and a simple formula for estimating this increase is provided. Reaction power values up to three times larger than those for unbiased operation were found.The secant linearization method and vendor data were used to evaluate the full-stro...
Policy Update: The 2011 National Research Council report on biofuels

In October 2011, the US National Academy of Sciences study on the potential economic and environmental effects of US biofuel policies was released [1]. The committee was composed of persons from a ...
Anionic redox activation of butadiene-styrene copolymerization†

A redox-activated emulsion polymerization system has been developed in which benzoyl peroxide, sorbose and ferrous ammonium sulfate constitute the oxidation reduction system. Very rapid rates of reaction were obtained which permitted the use of lower polymerization temperatures. Redox polymers made at 10°C. had higher molecular weights and superior physical properties compared to standard GR-S as well as to polymers prepared in the redox system at higher temperatures.
High field transport in GaN and AlGaN/GaN heterojunctions

Here we report on high field transport in GaN and GaN field effect devices, based on the rigid-ion model of the electron-phonon interaction within the Cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) approach. Using the rigid pseudo-ion method for the hexagonal wurzite structure, the anisotropic deformation potentials are derived from the electronic structure, the atomic pseudopotential, and the full phonon dispersion and eigenvectors for both acoustic and optical modes. Piezoelectric as well as anisotropic polar optical phonon scattering is accounted for as well. In terms of high field transport, the peak velocity is primarily determined by deformation potential scattering described through the rigid pseudo-ion model. The calculated velocity is compared with experimental data from pulsed I-V measurements. We simulate the effects of non-equilibrium hot phonons on the energy relaxation as well, using a detailed balance between emission and absorption during the simulation, and an anharmonic decay of LO phonons to acoustic phonons, as reported previously. Non-equilibrium phonons are shown to result in a significant degradation of the velocity field characteristics for high carrier densities, such as those encountered at the AlGaN/GaN interface due to polarization effects.
A dictionary based approach for gene annotation

This paper describes a fast and fully automated dictionary-based approach to gene annotation and exon prediction. Two dictionaries are constructed, one from the nonredundant protein OWL database and the other from the dbEST database. These dictionaries are used to obtain O(1) time lookups of tuples in the dictionaries (4 tuples for the OWL database and 11 tuples for the dbEST database). These tuples can be used to rapidly find the longest matches at every position in an input sequence to the database sequences. Such matches provide very useful information pertaining to locating common segments between exons, alternative splice sites, and frequency data of long tuples for statistical purposes. These dictionaries also provide the basis for both homology determination, and statistical approaches to exon prediction.
Statistical approximations for recourse constrained stochastic programs

The two stage stochastic program with recourse is known to have numerous applications in financial planning, energy modeling, telecommunications systems etc. Notwithstanding its applicability, the two stage stochastic program is limited in its ability to incorporate a decision maker's attitudes towards risk. In this paper we present an extension via the inclusion of a recourse constraint. This results in a convex integrated chance constraint (ICC), which inherits the convexity properties of two stage programs. However, it also inherits some of the difficulties associated with the evaluation of recourse functions. This motivates our study of conditions that may be applicable to algorithms using statistical approximations of such ICC. We present a set of sufficient conditions that these approximations may satisfy in order to assure convergence. Our conditions are satisfied by a wide range of statistical approximations, and we demonstrate that these approximations can be generated within standard algorithmic procedures.
Techniques for enabling dynamic routing on airborne platforms

The Department of Defense is developing a global information grid (GIG) that will fully interconnect warfighters, policy makers, and support personnel. To provide the end-to-end connectivity envisioned by the GIG, an airborne networking layer is required. Current technologies must be evolved to develop this capability.
The NMR spectra of some partially halogenated ethanes

Abstract The compounds, CH2BrCHClBr, CH2ICHCl2, CH2ClCHClI, CH2BrCHFBr, and CH2ICHFCl, were synthesized by directed addition of bromine or iodine monochloride to vinyl chloride or vinyl fluoride, and their high resolution proton and fluorine NMR spectra were obtained. The spectra of the three spin systems were analyzed by the approach of an ABC calculation and the ABC parts of the four spin ABCX spectra were analyzed by two ABC calculations. Chemical shifts and coupling constants consistent with the observed spectra were assigned and compound structures are proposed. The appearance of two different sets of splittings due to the proton of the CHFY group is explained in terms of differences in effective chemical shifts and not due to different sets of coupling constants.
Origin and Distribution of Potassium Bromate-Induced Testicular and Peritoneal Mesotheliomas in Rats

Tissue sections were examined from a 2-year bioassay of male Fischer 344 rats treated with potassium bromate administered in drinking water. All animals exhibiting peritoneal mesotheliomas also had mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis testis mesorchium (the reverse was not true), and the correlation of these 2 types of mesotheliomas was highly significant (r2 = 0.98). Mapping of the tunica vaginalis tumors at all time points and at all bromate concentrations revealed a pattern of increasing incidence of tumor formation on the mesothelium of the tunica vaginalis testis as a function of proximity to the mesorchial ligament. Thus, the mesorchium appears to be the major mesothelial target site for potassium bromate-mediated carcinogenesis. The frequency of occurrence of mesotheliomas by location was tunica vaginalis testis (25%), mesosplenium (20%), mesentery (10%), mesojejunum/mesocolon (8%), bladder (6.5%), mesogastrium (13%), liver serosa (5%), and kidney, small intestine, and rectum (1% each). A complete...
Low Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Exert a Hormetic Effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis In Vitro

Susceptibilities of 12 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates to acidified sodium nitrite (ASN) were compared. The results demonstrate that 8 of the 12 isolates exhibited enhanced survival levels in 1.5 mM ASN compared to levels in medium alone, suggesting that low concentrations of reactive nitrogen intermediates have a hormetic effect on M. tuberculosis in vitro.
Glycogen in invasive squamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Abstract Variable degrees of glycogen staining were demonstrated in 13 of 21 examples of invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Caution in interpreting the absence or presence of glycogen staining as a highly valid criterion in the diagnosis of cervical carcinoma in smears or tissue sections is advised.
Efficiency of SiC JFET-Based Inverters

The state-of-the-art SiC JFETs are characterized. Three-phase full-bridge inverter power loss models based on experimental data are established and used to estimate inverter efficiency. The impact of load power, temperature, and switching frequency on inverter efficiency is analyzed and demonstrated. The efficiency of the SiC JFET inverters based on present device quality is above 98% with full load current, and more efficient than most conventional Si inverters, especially at high temperature and high frequency.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Apoptosis in Lymphocytes☆

Although the effects of glucocorticoids on lymphocytes have been scrutinized for years, researchers have yet to determine how these hormones induce apoptosis in susceptible cells. Compelling evidence indicates that DNA binding of the GR and subsequent transcriptional regulation of specific genes is required for this process. However, it is not clear whether the activation or repression of responsive genes is essential and more importantly, which of these genes, if any, are responsible for the induction of apoptosis. This review will focus on how glucocorticoid-induced apoptosisin lymphocytes is mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor, including a discussion of GR structure, function, and recent data implicating its role in the apoptotic process.
Exclusion of eleven candidate genes for ocular melanosis in cairn terriers

Background: Ocular melanosis of Cairn terrier dogs is an inherited defect characterized by progressive pigmentation of both eyes which can result in glaucoma and blindness. Pedigree analysis suggests the trait has an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. We selected 11 potential candidate genes and used an exclusion analysis approach to investigate the likelihood that one of the candidate gene loci contained the Cairn terrier-ocular melanosis locus. Results: Two polymorphic loci were identified within or close to each candidate gene. Genotyping of at least 10 ocular melanosis Cairn terriers for each marker showed that there was no single shared allele for either of the two polymorphic markers identified in ASIP, COMT, GPNMB, GSK3B, LYST, MC1R, MITF, SILV, TYR, TYRP1,and TYRP2. This is strong evidence to exclude each locus as the site of the ocular melanosis mutation (probability of a false exclusion calculated for each gene ranged from 1.59 × 10 -4 to 1 × 10 -9 ). Conclusions: None of the 11 potential candidate genes selected are likely to be the gene locus for ocular melanosis in Cairn terriers.
Human appropriation of biogenic silicon – the increasing role of agriculture

Summary Terrestrial plants create roughly 84 Tmol biogenic silicon (BSi) each year. This substantial uptake of dissolved silicon (DSi) by land plants represents an important, yet often overlooked, pathway of Si on the global scale. Agricultural crops account for ~35% of BSi created by land plants globally due to a combination of large biomass and relatively high Si concentrations in the tissue of many crops. In this review, we investigate the global importance of terrestrial BSi fixation by agricultural crops. Using annual data from 1961 to 2012 of the 10 most important crops (ranked by mass produced globally), we quantify how agriculture has altered the amount of BSi created on land. Over this time period, average annual BSi production by the top 10 crops tripled globally, increasing by an additional 39 Gmol Si each year. We refer to this BSi in agricultural crops as human-appropriated biogenic Si (HABSi). Based on projected increases in human populations and land cover change, HABSi is projected to increase by 22–35% by 2050. Human agricultural practices are increasing the size of relatively labile plant BSi pool on land. Considering its bioavailable nature, we suggest that increasing plant BSi on land has the capacity to alter Si availability in downstream receiving waters, although this depends on the fate of harvesting and threshing losses, which varies substantially across the globe. We highlight similarities between the N, P and Si cycles in agricultural settings, such as the often unidirectional flow of Si away from croplands (similar to N) and soil BSi depletion (similar to P). We then address how changing human diets will continue to alter plant BSi cycling in future decades.