cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the computation of semiconductor device current characteristics by finite difference methods

An analysis is presented of the error in numerical approximations to a system of elliptic equations describing the steady-state distribution of mobile carriers in a semiconductor device. Although this system has been extensively studied by finite difference methods, the accuracy of the numerical methods employed has not been previously established. Computation schemes are presented for which suitable error estimates are obtained, without assuming an unreasonably small mesh size. In addition, for the one-dimensional problem, the effect of the inexact solution of the discrete equations is estimated.
Serratia marcescens bacteremias in an intensive care unit: Contaminated heparinized saline solution as a reservoir

During a 12-day period, nine patients developed bacteremia with gentamicin-resistant Serratia marcescens in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). These bacteremias differed from previous Serratia infections in the SICU in that they occurred in patients without earlier colonization of the organism at other sites. All cases occurred in one area of the SICU. The clinical syndrome suggested direct intravenous (IV) inoculation. Environmental cultures revealed gentamicin-resistant Serratia in pooled handwashings, on the surface of a patient IV bag, and in a bag of heparinized saline solution used for opening blocked IV tubes. All environmental and eight of nine patient isolates were serotype 0 indeterminate: Hl. The organisms were capable of growth in the heparinized saline solution (10/U ml). Within 6 days, colony counts exceeded 10 6 organisms/ml. Organisms did not grow in a concentrated heparin solution (500 U/ml); however, they were able to survive for a minimum of 3 days. Heparinized saline solution may have acted as a vehicle in this outbreak.
GRE Requirements and Student Perceptions of Fictitious Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs

The influence of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirements on undergraduate students' perceptions of a fictitious clinical psychology graduate program was examined. The more rigorous a program's GRE requirement, the more highly students were expected to rate the program on quality, reputation, challenge of curriculum, attractiveness, and their willingness to apply. 140 undergraduate participants read and rated one of three possible program descriptions that differed only with regard to the stated GRE requirements. Although the effects were small, participants rated the program requiring a minimum combined GRE score of 1,200 (verbal and quantitative) as higher in quality and as having a more challenging curriculum compared to the program that required the GRE but with no minimum score. Although preliminary, these findings are consistent with previous research demonstrating that graduate school applicants use GRE requirements in their evaluation of graduate programs.
DNA-binding proteins related to the dosage of specific yeast chromosomes.

Abstract A comparison has been made of the in vitro DNA-binding proteins of specific aneuploid and isogenic euploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by DNA-cellulose chromatography. We have been able to detect changes in the level of a small fraction of the yeast DNA-binding proteins which can be related to the dosage of specific yeast chromosomes. At least four proteins show a dosage related to the cellular level of chromosome I and at least one protein shows a dosage related to the level of chromosome VI.
Intraocular lens power calculation after previous myopic laser vision correction based on corneal power measured by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose To use Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure corneal power and calculate intraocular lens (IOL) power in cataract surgeries after laser vision correction. Setting Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, and Cullen Eye Institute, Houston, Texas, USA. Design Prospective comparative case series. Methods Patients with previous myopic laser vision correction who had monofocal IOL implantation were enrolled. A Fourier-domain OCT system was used to measure corneal power and pachymetry. Axial length and anterior chamber depth were measured with partial coherence biometry. An OCT-based IOL formula was developed, and the mean absolution error (MAE) of postoperative refraction was compared with that for the Haigis-L formula. At Doheny, corneal power was also measured using the clinical history method, the contact lens overrefraction method, and slit-scanning tomography total optical power. Results Sixteen eyes of 16 patients were enrolled at the 2 sites. Previous laser vision correction ranged from −9.81 to −0.88 diopter (D). The MAE was 0.50 D for OCT-based IOL calculation and 0.76 D for the Haigis-L formula ( P =.14). In the 6 eyes enrolled at Doheny, the MAE of OCT-based IOL calculation was 0.60 D. In comparison, the contact lens overrefraction (MAE = 1.46 D, P P P >.05). Conclusion The predictive accuracy of OCT-based IOL power calculation was equal to or better than current standards in post-laser vision correction eyes. Financial Disclosures Drs. Tang, Li, and Huang receive grant support from Optovue Inc., Fremont, California, USA. Dr. Huang received patent royalty, stock options, travel support, and speaker honorarium from Optovue, Inc., and receives patent royalty from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology related to optical coherence tomography technology licensed to Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. Dr. Wang received research support from Ziemer USA, Inc., Alton, Illinois, USA. Dr. Koch is a consultant to Alcon Surgical, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
A project approach to structure and correctness in Pitt's second computer science course

The introduction of software methodological issues, including correctness and structure, into the undergraduate curriculum is aided by the availability of software projects which are not overwhelming, but nonetheless, are sufficiently complex to warrant a disciplined approach.A project covering a “commercial” application is described here. The use and instantiation of abstract program schemas to a variety of contexts is illustrated, as is a sequence of incremental additions which preserve correctness at each stage.Fuller details and a more formal description of this project, as well as of a project implementing a propositional logic theorem prover, are found in [1]. As a first step in appreciating the general applicability of these software methodological issues, students should realize that these methodologies were used in fundamental ways in developing both projects.
Coordination of Insulation

The general scheme of coordination is discussed. Average circuit insulation used in 1930 is shown. The relation that switching surges and arcing ground overvoltages bear on coordination is discussed giving the number and magnitude of such waves found in service. Levels of insulation in and around the station for outdoor and indoor apparatus are suggested. It is pointed out why a point gap offers the most reliable method of establishing the level for impulse testing of transformers. Also, reasons are given why bushings as made at present should not be used as the sole level for impulse testing. It is shown that on account of the similarity of the volt-time curves for insulations and sphere gaps for short impulse waves, the use of a sphere gap in parallel with a rod gap will give an added protection against direct strokes on or near the apparatus terminals. Also, various proposed schemes are shown to give protection to the transformer and against outages for both fast and slow waves. For potential and current transformers having voltage ratings differing from standard it is suggested that the coordination gaps be selected from the curve of gaps vs. rated circuit voltages. It is shown how an air gap of standardized construction can be used to advantage in expressing the impulse flashover of insulators and bushings. Curves are given showing the gap spacings that are the equivalent in flashover to suspension and pedestal insulators for the ?/5, 1/10 and 1 ?/40 positive and negative waves.
The role of thoracoscopy in pediatric surgical practice.

Abstract Originally described in the early 20th century, the technique of thoracoscopy was first applied to children in the mid 1970s. Since that time, the technique has become adopted widely by pediatric surgeons and is currently considered to be the optimum technique for management of many intrathoracic disorders in children. In most pediatric surgical practices, the most common indications for thoracoscopy include pleural debridement for empyema, mediastinal lymph node biopsy, and pulmonary parenchymal biopsy for inflammatory infiltrates or nodules. With proper adherence to patient selection and preoperative imaging as well as appropriate anesthetic techniques, this procedure has proven to be extremely accurate in achieving a diagnosis and very successful in treating most patients. Postoperative recovery is rapid, and complications of the procedure have been relatively infrequent. As pediatric surgeons gain more experience with this technique and as better instrumentation becomes available, thoracoscopy surely will be used for an increasing number of complex intrathoracic disorders. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
USE OF HIGH FIDELITY OPERATING ROOM SIMULATION TO ASSESS AND TEACH COMMUNICATION, TEAMWORK AND LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS: INITIAL EXPERIENCE

Purpose: Structured opportunities for learning communication, teamwork and laparoscopic principles are limited for urology residents. We evaluated and taught teamwork, communication and laparoscopic skills to urology residents in a simulated operating room.Materials and Methods: Scenarios related to laparoscopy (insufflator failure, carbon dioxide embolism) were developed using mannequins, urology residents and nurses. These scenarios were developed based on Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies and performed in a simulation center. Between the pretest scenario (insufflation failure) and the posttest scenario (carbon dioxide embolism) instruction was given on teamwork, communication and laparoscopic skills. A total of 19 urology residents participated in the training that involved participation in at least 2 scenarios. Performance was evaluated using validated teamwork instruments, questionnaires and videotape analysis.Results: Significant improvement was noted on validate...
Metallo-β-lactamase: structure and mechanism

This past year has produced determinations of X-ray crystal structures for three metallo-beta-lactamases and the elucidation of the catalytic mechanisms for a monozinc and a dizinc enzyme. These advances shed light on how such a diverse group of enzymes are evolving to inactivate so efficiently a broad spectrum of beta-lactam antibiotics.
Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography with decorrelated channels

We describe a Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) system with de-correlated horizontal and vertical channels. Construction of PS-OCT depth-resolved images is achieved with a scanning bulk Michelson interferometer and a broadband TiAl 2 O 3 femtosecond laser source. We de-correlate and delay horizontal and vertical channels using a birefringent crystal in the source path and calcite prism pairs in the sample and reference paths. Cross-correlation and phase changes between horizontal and vertical channels are measured at different reference-sample optical delays in correlated and de-correlated PS-OCT. PS-OCT with de-correlated (DPS-OCT) channels can broaden applications to include de-correlated Doppler imaging of blood flow and imaging the retinal nerve fiber layer with delayed channels. We achieve a differential delay of 0-400 microns between vertical and horizontal channels by translating the calcite prisms. DPS-OCT system design and experimental measurements are presented and discussed.
Direct-Search-Based Automatic Minimization of Weldlines in Injection-Molded Parts

Abstract This article deals with an automated design methodology for minimization of weldlines by optimizing the part and mold design. Weldlines are quantitatively evaluated based on their length and location and the melt front movement with the aid of commercial injection-molding simulation software which provides an integrated analysis. A combined implementation of the Complex method and injection-molding simulation was developed to reduce and relocate the weldline or to improve the weldline strength. Two parts, Gillette's deodorant base and Cavallero's capacitor can, were chosen for the weldline minimization. Reduction and relocation of weldlines for the deodorant base prevented the cracking problem in the original design. For the capacitor can, the original 15.5-mm weldline was minimized to zero and the burnt mark due to air trap was eliminated by optimizing the gate location. The results of simulation based on the automated design methodology agree well with the experimental findings.
Abstract 1972: LIN28 gene targets are key mediators of breast cancer disease processes

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA LIN28 is an evolutionally conserved RNA-binding protein with critical functions in developmental timing, pluripotency and reprogramming. At the molecular level, most studies indicate that LIN28 modulates gene networks and biological processes by negatively regulating miRNA biogenesis and post-transcriptionally regulating mRNA translation. In addition, increasing evidence suggests that LIN28 is an oncogene, promoting cell growth in various cancers, including breast cancer; however the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are not known. To provide mechanistic insights into how LIN28 modulates the gene networks that control breast cancer disease processes, we integrate next generation technologies, biochemical approaches and computational analysis to identify LIN28 mRNA targets. Our results demonstrated that endogenous LIN28 binds 843 mRNAs, ∼3.5% of the total human reference genome in breast cancer cells. Gene ontology analyses reveal that the genes targeted by LIN28 are enriched in those that control cell metabolism. Furthermore, using proteomics analysis, we identify heteronuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), a protein with multiple roles in mRNA metabolism, as a LIN28 interacting partner. Importantly, hnRNP A1 is overexpressed and linked to increased cell proliferation and transformation in a wide variety of cancers, including breast cancer. Moreover, and consistent with the observation that majority of mRNAs bound by LIN28 are involved in metabolism, hnRNP A1 is known to regulate the expression of key enzymes that control metabolism in cancer cells. In-depth analysis of the transcriptomes of LIN28 and hNRNPA1 siRNA-treated cells reveal that these two proteins cooperate to regulate alternative splicing and the steady state mRNA expression of genes implicated in various aspects of breast cancer biology. Most notably, depleting LIN28 results in differential isoform expression of the ENAH gene, which is linked to breast cancer metastasis. In summary, by integrating genomic, biochemical and computational approaches, we identify a broad network of LIN28 targets that modulate cancer cell metabolism, cancer cell invasiveness and the immune response, processes that are hallmarks of breast cancer. Citation Format: Harriet K. Kinyamu, Jun Yang, Brian Bennett, Sara Grimm, Pierre Bushel, Trevor Archer. LIN28 gene targets are key mediators of breast cancer disease processes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1972. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1972
Government Funding and Nonprofit Organizations

In this article, the author tests whether there is a simultaneous relationship between the number of nonprofits and government funding of nonprofit activity and whether the fundraising efforts of n...
Reoperations After Repair of Partial and Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect

The most common cause of reoperation following repair of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) is left atrioventricular valve regurgitation. However, reoperation for subaortic obstruction is required in some, especially after initial repair of partial AVSD. Etiology of reoperation and late outcome were evaluated. Between 1962 and 2007, 146 patients (59 male) underwent reoperation at the authors' institution after prior repair of partial (n = 96) and complete (n = 50) AVSD. Median age at reoperation after repair of partial AVSD was 26 years (range, 10 months to 71 years) and 4.5 years (range, 53 days to 38 years) after repair of complete AVSD. The 3 most common indications for reoperation included left atrioventricular (AV) valve regurgitation in 105 patients, subaortic stenosis in 29, and right AV valve regurgitation in 21. The most common procedures performed included left AV valve repair in 59 (40%) patients, left AV valve replacement in 56 (38%), subaortic fibrous resection/myectomy in 24 (16%), and right AV valve surgery in 19 (13%). Freedom from subsequent reoperation at 10 years was 48% after initial repair of complete AVSD and 84% after initial repair of partial AVSD. During late follow-up, 10-year actuarial survival was 91% and 77% after initial repair of complete and partial AVSD, respectively. The most common indication for reoperation after initial repair of partial or complete AVSD is left AV valve pathology; left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was more common in partial AVSD. Although freedom from subsequent reoperations is higher after initial repair of partial AVSD, these patients have reduced long-term survival when compared with complete AVSD.
David E. Fastovsky and David B. Weishampel: The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs

(1998). David E. Fastovsky and David B. Weishampel: The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 242-242.
Estimation of Most Probable Number Salmonella Populations on Commercial North Carolina Turkey Farms

Abstract Salmonellae are one of the primary causes of human gastroenteritis in the United States. Although there are many foods that may be contaminated with Salmonella, poultry products are one of the major vehicles for transmitting this organism to humans. However, the national incidence of poultry product contamination with Salmonella has declined since adoption of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety program. Further reductions in carcass contamination may require other approaches such as the adoption of on-farm pathogen reduction strategies. In this study Salmonella prevalence and populations from fresh excreta and litter composite samples taken from 12 commercial turkey farms were enumerated using the most probable number (MPN) method and compared as a function of farm, season (summer and winter), and bird age (3 vs. 19 wk). Moreover, litter pH, temperature, moisture content, water activity, and ammonia levels were monitored. All farms were Salmonella positive for at least one season, and populations ranged from 5.3 log MPN/g. Of the 48 separate fecal and litter composite samples analyzed, 70 and 79% were Salmonella-positive, respectively. Although the MPN enumeration method is much more labor intensive and costly than the prevalence method, it yields estimates of Salmonella populations instead of merely indications of presence or absence of the organism. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that the MPN method is significantly more sensitive compared with the prevalence procedure (for fecal samples). This study also demonstrated that Salmonella can be present at high populations during turkey production and that their populations and prevalence were significantly impacted by flock age (litter) and season by farm interactions (fecal). Furthermore, litter Salmonella populations appear to be associated with the interrelated parameters of litter pH, ammonia and moisture content.
Influence of synthetic conjugates of cholic acid on cholesteremia in rats.

The effects on serum and liver cholesterol levels in rats of two naturally occurring conjugates of cholic acid ( taurocholic and glycocholic acids ) and four syn thetic conjugates (glutamocholic, aspartocholic, cysteocholic and cysteinocholic acids) (0.5% diet), in combination with cholesterol (0.5% of diet) were investigated. Hy drolysis of these conjugates by cholylglycine hydrolase (EC 3.5) was also measured. Cholesterol alone did not cause cholesteremia but when fed with cholic acid or any of its conjugates, except aspartocholate, the animals had significantly higher serumâ€"liver cholesterol pools (15 to 70%). The aspartocholic acid-fed group had serum and liver cholesterol levels significantly lower than the cholic acid:cholesterol-fed animals but similar to control animals. When the degree of hydrolysis of each of the conjugates by cholyiglycine hydrolase was measured, all conjugates were hydrolyzed to a similar extent (77 to 87%) except aspartocholic (36%) and cysteinocholic acids (42%). Apparently there is a relationship between the ability of a cholic acid conjugate to pro duce elevated serum and/or liver cholesterol levels in rats and the degree to which it is hydrolyzed by the intestinal microfiora. J. Nutr. 104: 1185â€"1188, 1974.
A comparison of the inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase and human neutrophil elastase by alpha-crystallin.

Bovine lens α-crystallin inhibited both porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE), but not in the same manner. PPE was immediately inhibited with a stoichiometry of 10 moles of PPE inhibited per mole of α-crystallin. The inhibition was markedly decreased by the addition of even low levels of salts. The inhibition was transient, as PPE activity returned to normal with a t1/2 of 30 min even in low salt. HNE required a short preincubation to show maximum inhibition with a stoichiometry of approximately one mole of HNE inhibited per mole of α-crystallin. The inhibition of HNE was only slightly decreased by the addition of 0.1 M salt, and HNE activity returned slowly exhibiting a t1/2 of 30 hrs under these conditions. The inhibition of each enzyme by α-crystallin was evaluated by Dixon plots giving Ki values of 1.5 nM for PPE and 0.25 nM for HNE.DFP-trypsin was able to compete with PPE for binding to α-crystallin and cause the release of PPE already bound to α crystallin. The inhibi...
Attentional shifts in categorization learning: Perseveration but not learned irrelevance

Once a categorization task has been mastered, if features that once were relevant become irrelevant and features that once were irrelevant become relevant, a decrement in performance-a shift cost-is typically observed. This shift cost may reflect the involvement of two distinguishable factors: the inability to release attention from a previously relevant feature (i.e., attentional perseveration) and/or the inability to re-engage attention to a previously irrelevant feature (i.e., learned irrelevance). Here, we examined the nature of this shift cost in pigeons. We gave four groups of pigeons a categorization task in which we monitored their choice accuracy; at the same time, we tracked the location of their pecks to the relevant and irrelevant attributes of the stimuli to determine to which attributes the birds were attending during the course of learning. After identical training in Phase 1, the roles of the relevant/irrelevant features were changed in Phase 2, so that one group could show only learned irrelevance, a second group could show only attentional perseverance, a third group could show both, and a fourth control group could show neither of these effects. Results disclosed evidence of attentional perseverance, but no evidence of learned irrelevance, either in accuracy or in relevant feature tracking. In addition, we determined that pigeons' allocation of attention to the relevant features followed rather than preceded an increase in choice accuracy. Overall, our findings are best explained by theories which propose that attention is learned and deployed to those features that prove to be reliable predictors of the correct categorization response (e.g., George and Pearce, 2012; Kruschke, 2001; Mackintosh, 1975).
A rat Sertoli cell factor similar to basic fibroblast growth factor increases c-fos messenger ribonucleic acid in cultured Sertoli cells.

We have shown that the cultured Sertoli cell from the immature rat contains a fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-like factor. It behaves as a cationic peptide, is a potent competence factor for BALB/c3T3 mouse embryo fibroblasts, and displays high affinity for heparin. Both bovine basic FGF and Sertoli cell FGFlike factor rapidly increase c-fos mRNA in cultured Sertoli cells. FSH, serum, and phorbol esters individually stimulate c-fos in cultured Sertoli cells whereas platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-l have little affect. However, unlike FSH, basic FGF does not stimulate an increase in cAMP and unlike either serum or phorbol esters, basic FGF does not stimulate phosphoinositol turnover or intracellular calcium changes. When Sertoli cell protein kinase C activity is suppressed by preexposure to phorbol ester, basic FGF continues to be a potent stimulator of c-fos, indicating that the calcium/phospholipid pathway is not involved in FGF induction. Basic FGF ...
Systematic Review of Positive Youth Development Programs for Adolescents With Chronic Illness

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework has been successfully used to support at-risk youth. However, its effectiveness in fostering positive outcomes for adolescents with chronic illness has not been established. We performed a systematic review of PYD-consistent programs for adolescents with chronic illness. METHODS: Data sources included PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO. Guided by an analytic framework, we searched for studies of PYD-consistent programs serving adolescents and young adults aged 13 through 24 with chronic illness. References were screened iteratively with increasing depth until a focused cohort was obtained and reviewed in full. The authors separately reviewed the studies using structured analysis forms. Relevant study details were abstracted during the review process. RESULTS: Fifteen studies describing 14 programs were included in the analysis. Three comprehensive programs included all 3 core components of a PYD program, including opportunities for youth leadership, skill building, and sustained connections between youth and adults. Four programs were primarily mentoring programs, and 7 others focused on youth leadership. Programs served youth with a variety of chronic illnesses. The quality and type of evaluation varied considerably, with most reporting psychosocial outcomes but only a few including medical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The PYD-consistent programs identified in this review can serve as models for the development of youth development programs for adolescents with chronic illness. Additional study is needed to evaluate such programs rigorously with respect to both psychosocial and health-related outcomes. PYD-consistent programs have the potential to reach youth with chronic illness and promote positive adult outcomes broadly.
LEAN REMANUFACTURING: A CELLULAR CASE STUDY

This paper documents the basic manufacturing philosophies and methodologies utilized for the design and implementation of a Lean Manufacturing remanufacture cell. Remanufacture deals with overhauling or reworking products that have been in service and need modification in order to continue to be serviceable. This remanufacturing cell implementation is the first cell of an eighteen-cell manufacturing and remanufacturing system. A systematic detailed case study is utilized as a Lean Production example and proves the flexibility of Lean Manufacturing to be adaptive while being cost effective in the remanufacture arena. This study provides key insights into a concept and strategy for implementing Lean Production thinking — cellular manufacturing. Most factories need significant assistance in understanding how to make Lean Production work; this paper provides many insights into both the theory and application of cellular manufacturing/assembly systems for remanufacture.
The effects of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in public libraries and its implications for research: A statistical, policy, and legal analysis

In upholding the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the U.S. Supreme Court has forced public libraries to face difficult issues about filtering Internet content. The implementation of filters creates a range of practical issues for libraries and also raises myriad research issues related to the effects of CIPA on public library services and on access to Internet-based information in public libraries. Using a multimethod, iterative research strategy, this article explores selected areas related to filtering that may affect the provision of Internet content and services in public libraries. This study presents preliminary data about the impact of CIPA on public libraries and offers a perspective of what research is necessary to provide a better understanding of the impacts of CIPA and to determine what research would need to be conducted for potential future legal challenges to the application of CIPA in public libraries.
Gas Purge in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Gas purge intended to minimize residual water in the membrane, porous electrodes, and gas diffusion layers is critical for successful start-up of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell PEFC from subfreezing temperatures. A basic understanding of the physical phenomena involved in gas purge, required to establish effective and energy-saving purge protocols, is necessary. In this work, we present a physical model describing water removal from a PEFC during gas purge. Various stages of gas diffusion layer GDL and membrane drying are characterized, and the variations along the flow direction are considered and emphasized. The predicted GDL drying time constant is compared to the tomographic experiments with good agreement. The effect of purge conditions on purge effectiveness is elucidated. It is found that low relative humidity of purge gas, high gas flow rate, and high cell temperature favor effective purge.
Boron and silicon: effects on growth, plasma lipids, urinary cyclic AMP and bone and brain mineral composition of male rats

Because boron resembles silicon in its chemical properties, an experiment was performed to determine if excessive dietary boron would affect the response to silicon deprivation and, conversely, if silicon would influence the effects of an excessive intake of boron. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to groups of six or 12 in a two-by-two factorially arranged experiment. Supplemented to a ground corn/casein diet containing 1.2 μg silicon and 3 μg boron per gram were silicon as sodium metasilicate at 0 or 50 μg/g and boron as orthoboric acid at 0 or 500 μg/g diet. At nine weeks, animals fed high dietary boron had significantly decreased final body weights, liver-weight-to-body-weight ratios, urinary cAMP concentrations, plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, glycine, valine, leucine, and lysine concentrations and skull copper, sodium, and manganese concentrations. High dietary boron also significantly increased brain-weight-to-body-weight ratios, magnesium concentrations of femur, brain, and plasma, zinc concentration of femur, and iron concentration of skull. The bone mineral findings suggest that excess dietary boron exerts subtle effects on bone composition. Dietary silicon affected blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and the concentrations of plasma threonine and aspartic acid in animals fed excess boron. Depression of the testes-weight-to-body-weight ratio of animals fed 500 μg boron per gram diet was most marked in animals not fed silicon. Although excessive dietary boron did not markedly enhance the response of rats to silicon deprivation, dietary silicon affected their response to high dietary boron. Thus, dietary silicon apparently can influence boron toxicity.
Photoswitchable Dendrimer Nanoconjugates as Fluorescent Probes for Super-Resolution Microscopy

We demonstrate photoswitchable dendrimer nanoconjugates as a new class of imaging probes for general fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy. Fluorescence-based imaging techniques currently rely on a limited set of fluorescent probes, including fluorescent proteins, organic dyes and quantum dots. Recent advances in super-resolution imaging techniques such as photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) have broken the diffraction barrier for optical imaging, thereby enabling observation of biological processes at nanometer-scale resolution. However, the performance of these super-resolution imaging techniques is intimately related to the photophysical properties of the “standard set” of current fluorescent probes, including photoswitchable fluorescent proteins and organic dyes. Overall, there is a strong need for development of new bright and photoswitchable fluorescent probes to enable biological imaging with enhanced spatiotemporal resolution.In this work, we developed photoswitchable dendrimer nanoconjugates (PDNs) as a new class of probes for fluorescence microscopy, which enables high-resolution fluorescence imaging. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were engineered to contain multiple cyanine dyes, and the photophysical properties were characterized by single molecule fluorescence microscopy using total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF-M). We observe that collective interactions in the multichromophoric nanoprobe system result in extended photobleaching lifetimes, enhanced brightness and improved localization precision compared to single organic dyes. In this way, we engineered PDNs as enhanced fluorescent probes for super-resolution imaging. PDNs are bright, photostable and nanometer-sized macromolecular probes that can be synthesized to contain a variety of surface chemical functionalities for biological labeling and imaging. Based on these advantages, PDN probes hold strong promise to find pervasive applications as a new class of probes for fluorescence microscopy.
Contributions of Individual Differences and Contextual Variables to Reading Achievement of English Language Learners: An Empirical Investigation Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling.

This nonexperimental study explored the relationships among individual differences, contextual variables, and reading achievement of English language learners (ELLs) in one large urban school district in the United States. The sample comprised 840 students in Grades 3–8 and 10 nested within 37 schools. Hierarchical linear modeling results indicate that English proficiency, metacognitive strategies, native language literacy, and school-quality indicators—four variables potentially under the control of the educational system—positively contributed to student reading achievement. The final model explained 36% of the within-school and 79% of the between-school variance in reading achievement. Controlling for other variables, ELLs with disadvantaged educational backgrounds appeared to perform on par with their more educationally advantaged counterparts. These results suggest that schools may play a greater role in supporting ELLs with disadvantaged educational backgrounds.
INFLUENCE OF TREASURY BILL FUTURES TRADING ON THE PRIMARY SALE OF THE DELIVERABLE TREASURY BILL

This paper investigates the impact of the presence of Treasury bill (T-bill) futures market contracts on the primary auction price of deliverable T-bills. Of the 52 weekly three- and six-month T-bill auctions, only four are deliverable against the T-bill futures market contract. This unique ability to deliver may command a premium price in the primary market. The results of this study support this hypothesis with regard to the six-month auction but are inconclusive with regard to the three-month auction. Furthermore, there is some evidence that the 1983 rule change making the one-year T-bill a deliverable instrument reduced the size of the premium in the six-month bill auction.
Differential Distribution of Intracellular Glutamate Receptors in Dendrites

Glutamate receptors are synthesized in the cell body and transported in intracellular compartments to the target synapse. The objective of the present study was to analyze the intracellular pool of glutamate receptors and determine whether the intracellular pool was related to the synaptic distribution of the receptors. As a model system, we chose the fusiform cell of the dorsal cochlear nucleus for which we have previously demonstrated that receptors are selectively targeted to synapses on apical and basal dendrites. A combination of retrograde tracing and postembedding immunogold labeling was used to quantify intracellular receptors in segments of apical and basal dendrites. Immunolabeling for GluR4 and mGluR1alpha is present at synapses on basal dendrites but not on apical dendrites, whereas immunolabeling for GluR2/3 is present at both populations of synapses. In the analysis of intracellular pools, we find that GluR2/3 is equally distributed in apical and basal dendrites, whereas GluR4 and mGluR1alpha are more concentrated in basal dendrites than in apical dendrites. These findings indicate that the distribution of intracellular receptors is related to that of synaptic receptors and suggest that a mechanism exists in neurons to target proteins to dendritic domains soon after synthesis. We found no evidence for the existence of a pool of intracellular receptors, which could represent a receptor reserve, near the postsynaptic density. Receptors were often found in clusters associated with tubulovesicular membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, identified with immunoglobulin binding protein (BIP) or calnexin, suggesting that this organelle is involved in receptor transport in dendrites.
Electrical Cochlear Stimulation in the Deaf Cat: Comparisons Between Psychophysical and Central Auditory Neuronal Thresholds

Cochlear prostheses for electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve (“electrical hearing”) can provide auditory capacity for profoundly deaf adults and children, including in many cases a restored...
Identifying Suitable Sites for Florida Panther Reintroduction

Abstract A major objective of the 1995 Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) Recovery Plan is the establishment of 2 additional panther populations within the historic range. Our goal was to identify prospective sites for Florida panther reintroduction within the historic range based on quantitative landscape assessments. First, we delineated 86 panther home ranges using telemetry data collected from 1981 to 2001 in south Florida to develop a Mahalanobis distance (D2) habitat model, using 4 anthropogenic variables and 3 landscape variables mapped at a 500-m resolution. From that analysis, we identified 9 potential reintroduction sites of sufficient size to support a panther population. We then developed a similar D2 model at a higher spatial resolution to quantify the area of favorable panther habitat at each site. To address potential for the population to expand, we calculated the amount of favorable habitat adjacent to each prospective reintroduction site within a range of dispersal distances of female...
Homelessness and the Ethics of Information Access

Many public libraries have rules against strong body odor, bringing large amounts of luggage into the library, sleeping, and bathing in restrooms. These rules disproportionately affect library patrons who are experiencing homelessness. This article reviews recent literature that considers legal and social justice perspectives on homelessness and libraries, as well as the policies of four urban public library systems. Although these rules may be legal and are widely used, people without homes have no other access to information and thus have an even stronger need for the resources of public libraries than other members of the general public. The author concludes that blocking their access conflicts with the mission of public libraries to provide information to all.
The Regulation of Cutaneous Gas Exchange

Although physiological studies usually focus on the human or mammalian lung to understand respiratory gas exchange, the laws of physics suggest that any permeable membrane can serve as a gas exchange organ and the phenomenology of natural history suggests that practically every suitable structure has done so in the past. Thus, the integument, limbs, head, pharynx, tail, gut, and even the cloaca have been specialized as gas exchange organs; air lungs, water lungs, external and internal gills, tracheae, and book lungs have evolved as organs primarily dedicated to gas exchange; the jelly coat, chorioallantois, eggshell, and placenta function similarly in a developmental sense; and medical technology has exploited the peritoneal membrane and developed the extracorporeal membrane oxygenator. The broad perspective occasioned by this diversity transforms the analysis of respiratory gas exchange from a case-by-case study of particular taxa into a general study in biological design, constraint and regulation: What are the general rules governing the function of gas exchange organs? Along what axes has the evolutionary diversification of gas exchange organs been permitted or constrained? (Indeed, the development of general models of gas exchange and its diversity has been a premier accomplishment of Johannes Piiper and his colleagues.) According to this perspective, each particular gas exchange organ, including the human lung and metazoan integument inter alia, constitutes a test of the robustness of hypothesized general patterns and predictions.
Variability in Cobb angle measurements in children with congenital scoliosis

The variability in measurement of angles in congenital scoliosis is not known, but it is postulated that it is larger than that in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis due to skeletal immaturity, incomplete ossification, and anomalous development of the end-vertebrae. To determine this variability, we selected 54 radiographs of adequate quality showing 67 scoliotic curves from children with congenital scoliosis. The end-vertebrae were preselected. Each curve was measured by the Cobb method on two separate occasions by six different observers, using the same goniometer and marker. The intraobserver variability was +/- 9.6 degrees and the interobserver variability +/- 11.8 degrees. If 'significant progression' is to be used as a criterion for surgical fusion in congenital scoliosis, there should be at least a 23 degrees increase, the entire range of the interobserver variability, in the curvature to ensure that the perceived increase is not due to variability in measurement.
New collections: new marketplace relationships

The workshop, New Collections: New Marketplace Relationships, was held on Monday, August 17, 1998 at the 64th IFLA General Conference. Five speakers, who represented different consortia from Australia, Europe, and the United States, described their experiences in managing the transformation in collection development activities caused by the purchase of electronic resources in research libraries. The five consortia (CIC, UKB, GBV, VIVA, and CAUL), with varying governance and traditions, have followed different strategies in negotiating consortial licenses for electronic resources. The high costs of these new resources have encouraged increased cooperation and may lead to formal international cooperation to foster global access.
Stoichiometric self-assembly of shape-persistent 2D complexes: a facile route to a symmetric supramacromolecular spoked wheel.

An approach to multicomponent coordination-driven self-assembly of the first terpyridine-based, shape-persistent, giant two-dimensional D6h supramacromolecular spoked wheel is reported. Mixing core T6, rim T3, and ZnII or CdII ions in a stoichiometric ratio (1:6:12) permitted the selective generation of a highly symmetric spoked wheel in 94% isolated yield via geometric and thermodynamic control. The products were characterized by a combination of traveling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and NMR techniques together with TEM imaging, which agreed with computational simulations.
Review on the study of polymer soil amendments

We reviewed here the classification and mechanism of polymer soil amendments, the roles of the amendments in improving soil fertility, reducing soil and water losses, ameliorating dry land soil, and the remediation of saline-alkaline and contaminated soils as well.
Primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum: a case of complete remission of bulky peritoneal disease after chemotherapy

Peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma is a rare tumor that involves the surface of the pelvic and/or abdominal peritoneum. Long-term survival among patients with this tumor has been rare. Most patients with this cancer have been treated with debulking surgery and postoperative chemotherapy. A case of incompletely resected peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma with a complete response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy is reported. Subsequent laparotomy revealed no residual tumor. This case suggests that primary chemotherapy may be successful in treating unresectable primary papillary serous tumors of the peritoneum.
Insights into Nucleosome Organization in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells through Chemical Mapping

Nucleosome organization influences gene activity by controlling DNA accessibility to transcription machinery. Here, we develop a chemical biology approach to determine mammalian nucleosome positions genome-wide. We uncovered surprising features of nucleosome organization in mouse embryonic stem cells. In contrast to the prevailing model, we observe that for nearly all mouse genes, a class of fragile nucleosomes occupies previously designated nucleosome-depleted regions around transcription start sites and transcription termination sites. We show that nucleosomes occupy DNA targets for a subset of DNA-binding proteins, including CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and pluripotency factors. Furthermore, we provide evidence that promoter-proximal nucleosomes, with the +1 nucleosome in particular, contribute to the pausing of RNA polymerase II. Lastly, we find a characteristic preference for nucleosomes at exon-intron junctions. Taken together, we establish an accurate method for defining the nucleosome landscape and provide a valuable resource for studying nucleosome-mediated gene regulation in mammalian cells.
Method for Estimating Statewide Transit Needs and Investment Priorities for Rural and Small Urban Areas

This study demonstrated a method for identifying statewide transit needs and gaps, prioritizing investment needs for statewide transit planning, collecting better data for the demand-response transit level of service, estimating costs of needed improvements, and projecting service needs based on projected population growth. The method was applied to the state of North Dakota and is transferable to any state, especially those with a large number of rural demand-response transit agencies that are not located within metropolitan planning areas. Currently, data in the National Transit Database are insufficient for analyzing the level of service for rural transit agencies because the database lacks information on geographic service area and span of service. A survey conducted for this study filled this data need by collecting detailed information regarding each agency’s service area and the number of days and hours of service being provided. These data combined with population and demographic data are useful f...