cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mitochondrial acyl carrier protein (ACP) coordinates mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis with iron sulfur cluster biogenesis.

Like animals and plants, yeast cells contain structures called mitochondria. These structures are commonly referred to as the powerhouses of the cell because they provide much of the energy that cells need to survive. All mitochondria contain a protein called acyl carrier protein (ACP), which cells need in order to live. The ACP protein has a number of known roles including manufacturing the molecules that make up certain fats and helping to organise other proteins that are important for energy production. However, neither of these roles explain why yeast cells require ACP because the other proteins required for these processes are not required for survival. Mitochondria are also the sites where iron and sulfur atoms are joined together to make the iron sulfur clusters that many proteins need in order to carry out their roles. Van Vranken, Jeong et al. now show that the ACP protein associates with a molecular machine that makes iron sulfur clusters in the mitochondria of budding yeast cells. The experiments show that this interaction is needed to produce iron sulfur clusters, and without it the other proteins involved in the process are not able to work together. Since iron sulfur clusters are essential for life, this could explain why cells cannot survive without ACP. Van Vranken et al. also showed that ACP is only able to efficiently produce iron sulfur clusters when a chemical called a “4-PP-conjugated acyl chain” is attached to it. It is possible to separate the activity of ACP in making iron sulfur clusters from its previously known roles. Van Vranken et al. suggest that the addition of the 4-PP-conjugated acyl chain to ACP may help to balance the use of ACP between its different activities. Moving forward, Van Vranken et al. hope to determine the structure of ACP in more detail to understand how it contributes to iron sulfur cluster formation, and why this single protein has evolved to perform so many distinct roles.
Animal Models to Evaluate Nanoparticulate Ocular Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic injuries and diseases can be devastating, especially when eyesight is at risk. Steps have been taken to enhance treatment options for patients with conditions such as glaucoma or fungal eye infections, to name a few. Nanoparticle ophthalmologic drug delivery offers a chance for a more effective treatment against many common eye malignancies by increasing the efficacy of many current eye medications. Additionally, nanoparticles open a door to new treatment approaches, such as sustained release for chronic conditions or for drugs with low patient compliance, by discovering new drug delivery methods. Without the use of animal models in medical research, we would not be able to take great strides in the direction of optimum patient health. Evaluation of these modern drug delivery systems in animal models shows great promise for the future of ophthalmologic health.
Diffractive optics for the generation and detection of dynamic composite optical vortices

This paper introduces a novel method for the propagation and detection of temporally phase coupled Orbital Angular Momentum beams. Experimental results are demonstrated for phase coupled OAM beams with arbitrary transient phase profiles.
The frustration effect as a function of training magnitude: Within- and between-Ss designs

One group of rats (Group D) received differential reward conditioning in the first alley (AI) of the double-alley apparatus prior to the administration of nonrewarded (N) test trials in both S+ and S-. Nondiscrimination groups always received the magnitude associated with S+ (Group 80 or with S- (Group 1C) for Group D prior to the administration of N trials in A1. Speeds with which Ss ran to the second alley following N in A1 were independent of training magnitudes both within Group D and between Groups 8C and 1C.
The Bumipreneur dilemma and Malaysia's technology start-up ecosystem

This article examines the emergence of a technologyâ€ based startâ€ up ecosystem in Malaysia that is modeled on the tech economy of Silicon Valley and borrows a number of notions about value, capital, and merit. Malaysia is encouraging distinct forms of entrepreneurship as a tool for national economic development and for the socioeconomic mobility of Malay Muslims, who are the recipients of affirmative actionâ€“style benefits from the state. I propose that Malaysia's entrepreneurial ambitions have engendered a dilemma within the startâ€ up ecosystem: Malays must utilize their special benefits while being viewed as lacking in entrepreneurial spirit for doing so. This dilemma is the result of the specific forms of cultural and financial capital that are needed to navigate a challenging economic landscape that is far from a meritocracy.
Convection/Diffusion Interactions in Oxygen Transport: Effect of Flow Reversal in Lung Airways

Transport of oxygen to alveoli through the airway tree and to tissues through the vascular arborization both involve convection in large vessels followed by diffusion to the final 02 sink. At the transition between convection and diffusion, there is a steep drop of 02 concentration in the flowing medium. Gas in airways differs from the blood in that flow is bidirectional. We use a relatively simple computer model to demonstrate behavior of the steep drop when flow changes direction at end-inspiration.
The Child with Chronic Liver Disease

The main causes of chronic liver disease in children are: neonatal liver disease (see Chap. 1); alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency (see Chap. 1); autoimmune liver disease (see Chap. 6); cystic fibrosis (see Chap. 8), chronic viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic liver disease (see Chaps. 1 and 2) (Table 7.1).
Adaptive test method on production system-level testing (SLT) to optimize test cost, resources and defect parts per million (DPPM)

As monolithic SOCs keep adding more and more IPs, the resultant test cost to augment overall coverage to be within committed outgoing defect parts per million (DPPM) becomes a challenge. The reliance on system-level testing (SLT) for additional coverage to keep outgoing DPPM within acceptable level is now becoming a norm. The challenge is always on how to keep SLT within a minimal test time budget to keep test cost low. This paper explains how an adaptive test method was successfully implemented on a SLT platform which intelligently applies different test contents per part based on its DPPM risk tag.
Tutorial: Experimental Nonlinear Dynamical Circuit Analysis of a Ferromagnetic Inductor

We analyzed ac electrical measurements of a ferromagnetic inductor as a dynamical nonlinear circuit element and observed a pinched hysteresis loop in the plot of the time derivative of its current di/dt versus voltage v. Using the classifications of Chua, we constructed a model of an ideal voltage-controlled non-linear (-1,0) element to compare with the measured characteristics. Deviations of the ideal model from the experimental data indicated the presence of a second state variable or parameter, identified as temperature, which depends upon the power dissipated in the inductor. After installing a normal linear inductor in parallel with the ferromagnetic inductor, the latter displayed two regions of negative differential inductance accompanied by a significant decrease in power dissipation, while the former displayed a sharp negative power spike. We provide a simple extension of the ideal model that agrees well with the experimental data.
HMM Analysis of Musical Structure: Identification of Latent Variables Through Topology-Sensitive Model Selection

Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) have been successfully employed in the exploration and modeling of musical structure, with applications in Music Information Retrieval. This paper focuses on an aspect of HMM training that remains relatively unexplored in musical applications, namely the determination of HMM topology. We demonstrate that this complex problem can be effectively addressed through search over model topology space, conducted by HMM state merging and/or splitting. Once successfully identified, the HMM topology that is optimal with respect to a given data set can help identify hidden (latent) variables that are important in shaping the data set’s visible structure. These variables are identified by suitable interpretation of the HMM states for the selected topology. As an illustration, we present two case studies that successfully tackle two classic problems in music computation, namely (i) algorithmic statistical segmentation and (ii) meter induction from a sequence of durational patterns.
A thresholding scheme of eliminating false detections on vehicles in wide-area aerial imagery

Post-processings are usually necessary to reduce false detections on vehicles in wide-area aerial imagery. In order to improve the performance of vehicle detection, we propose a two-stage scheme, which consists of a thresholding method by constructing a pixel-weight based thresholding policy to classify pixels in the greyscale feature map of an automatic detection algorithm followed by morphological filtering. We use two aerial videos for performance evaluation, and compare the automatic detection results with the ground-truth objects. We compute average F-score and percentage of wrong classifications towards six detection algorithms before and after applying the proposed scheme. We measure the variation of overlap ratios from detections to objects, and establish sensitivity analysis to evaluate the performance of proposed scheme by combining it on each of two representative algorithms. Simulation results verify both validity and efficiency of the proposed thresholding scheme, also display the difference of detection performance between datasets and among algorithms.
Contact resistivity of n-type amorphous silicon electron contacts in silicon heterojunction solar cells

Silicon heterojunction solar cells have historically suffered from high series resistivities. Yet, until recently, little had been done to understand the main factors behind this behavior. In this work, we present a systematic analysis in order to quantify and characterize the contribution from each layer of a-Si:H(i)/aSi:H(n)/ITO/Ag electron contacts. We attempt to address how the stack performs when its constituent layers are altered, using the transfer length method. Specifically, we demonstrate how the thickness of the a-Si:H layers and the doping of the ITO layers contribute to the overall series resistivity via changes in contact resistivity. From these results, we determine the optimum process conditions to minimize the resistivity of the electron contact, and thus its contribution to fill factor losses. We find that increasing the a-Si:H(i) thickness and the oxygen partial pressure during ITO sputtering leads to an increase in contact resistivity. Specifically, by increasing the a-Si:H(i) layer thickness from 0 to 15 nm the contact resistivity increases from 0.15 to 0.35 Ωcm2 for our standard ITO layer. By increasing the oxygen partial pressure during ITO sputtering from 0.14 to 0.85 mTorr the contact resistivity increases from 0.07 to 0.82 Ωcm2 for a standard a-Si:H(i) layer thickness. On the other hand, increasing the a-Si:H(n) layer thickness has little effect on the contact resistivity, with a constant value of 0.07 Ωcm2 for thicknesses greater than 3 nm.
Cows, Charcoal, and Cocaine: Al-Shabaab’s Criminal Activities in the Horn of Africa

Contrary to historical terrorism scholarship, terrorist groups can strategically diversify into a variety of criminal activities without losing their core ideology or support among the civilian pop...
A 8.93-TOPS/W LSTM Recurrent Neural Network Accelerator Featuring Hierarchical Coarse-Grain Sparsity With All Parameters Stored On-Chip

Long short-term memory (LSTM) networks are widely used for speech applications but pose difficulties for efficient implementation on hardware due to large weight storage requirements. We present an energy-efficient LSTM recurrent neural network (RNN) accelerator, featuring an algorithm-hardware co-optimized memory compression technique called hierarchical coarse-grain sparsity (HCGS). Aided by HCGS-based block-wise recursive weight compression, we demonstrate LSTM networks with up to $16\times $ fewer weights while achieving minimal accuracy loss. The prototype chip fabricated in 65-nm LP CMOS achieves 8.93/7.22 TOPS/W for 2-/3-layer LSTM RNNs trained with HCGS for TIMIT/TED-LIUM corpora.
Revision total elbow arthroplasty failure rates: the impact of primary arthroplasty failure etiology on subsequent revisions.

Background The number of primary total elbow arthroplasties (TEAs) performed is increasing annually, necessitating a rise in the number of revision procedures. No studies exist to illustrate reliable indications for revision arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the etiology of primary TEA failure on the failure rate of revision surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the patient charts of all revision TEAs performed at a single institution between 2006 and 2016. The primary outcome was revision failure, defined as the need for a second revision surgical procedure. Patients were organized into cohorts by etiology of primary implant failure. Failure rates, time to second revision, and average number of additional revisions were compared among cohorts. Results A total of 46 patients with a mean age of 62.7 years and minimum 2-year follow-up were included. The etiologies of failure identified were infection (n = 20), aseptic loosening (n = 17), periprosthetic fracture (n = 6), and bushing wear (n = 3). All noninfectious etiologies were grouped into an additional cohort. Patients who underwent revision for infection demonstrated a significantly greater failure rate and greater number of additional revisions per patient than those with aseptic loosening, those with periprosthetic fracture, and the noninfectious group, as well as a shorter time to failure than the noninfectious group. Conclusion Patients in whom primary TEA fails because of infection are more likely to experience revision failure and require a greater number of subsequent operations than patients with other etiologies of primary TEA failure. These data question the efficacy of revision surgery in the treatment of infected TEAs.
Dynamically Scoring Rhymes with Phonetic Features and Sequence Alignment

We present a formalized rhyme function for machine approximation of human rhyme. Words are represented as sequences of phonemic features that facilitate the use of alignment mechanisms to compute different types of phonemic similarities between words. The rhyme function computes a weighted hierarchical combination of these similarities, with the weights determined using an evolutionary approach. We present empirical and qualitative analyses that demonstrate the rhyme function's ability to successfully detect rhyme, and we briefly discuss the model's linguistic basis and its resulting generality.
Inverse Reflection Symmetry Odd Phase Aperture Excitation for Nondiffracting and Asymmetric Sidelobe Beam Forming Arrays

An approach for beam forming arrays with radiated electric fields that are solutions to second order linear differential (SOD) equations of the type ψ(2)+x2n-1ψ=0 and higher even ordered differential (HEOD) equations ψ(2n)-xψ=0, where n is an integer, has been developed. The fields represented by the solutions of these two types of generalizations propagate without diffraction within a specific range, self-accelerate, and result in asymmetric side lobes. In both the cases, the nondiffracting beams are generated over an appreciable range of a few thousand wavelengths, which translates to hundreds of meters at mm-wave frequencies. Based on the new mathematical approach presented here, near field nondiffracting and far field beam forming arrays are produced using aperture excitations that belong to a family of odd functions characterized by odd (cubic, quantic, heptic, etc.) inverse reflection symmetry phase distribution of the form (x2n+1+y2n+1)/2n+1 followed by Fourier lenses. These arrays perform more efficiently than conventional phased arrays with better than 1/r power attenuation in the nondiffracting range. The mainlobe and the dominant sidelobes are contained in one quadrant of the azimuthal plane, whereas the sidelobes in the remaining three quadrants are reduced significantly (by 9 dB at least, for the considered array size).
Anxiety Sensitivity and the Anticipation of Predictable and Unpredictable Threat: Evidence from the Startle Response and Event-Related Potentials

Abstract There is growing evidence that heightened sensitivity to unpredictable threat is a core mechanism of dysfunction in anxiety disorders. However, it is unclear whether anxiety sensitivity is also associated with sensitivity to unpredictable threat. In the present study, 131 participants completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, which includes physical concerns (PC), social concerns (SC), and cognitive concerns (CC) subscales, and a predictable vs. unpredictable threat-of-shock task. Startle eyeblink and ERP responses (N100, P300) to the acoustic startle probes were measured during the task. PC and CC were associated with heightened and attenuated, respectively, startle for the unpredictable (but not predictable) condition. CC were also associated with attenuated probe N100 for the unpredictable condition only, and PC were associated with increased P300 suppression across the predictable and unpredictable conditions. This study provides novel evidence that the different anxiety sensitivity dimensions demonstrate unique relationships with the RDoC domains “acute” and “potential” threat.
Superconductivity enhancement in phase-engineered molybdenum carbide/disulfide vertical heterostructures

Stacking layers of atomically thin transition-metal carbides and two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides, could lead to nontrivial superconductivity and other unprecedented phenomena yet to be studied. In this work, superconducting α-phase thin molybdenum carbide flakes were first synthesized, and a subsequent sulfurization treatment induced the formation of vertical heterolayer systems consisting of different phases of molybdenum carbide-ranging from α to γ' and γ phases-in conjunction with molybdenum sulfide layers. These transition-metal carbide/disulfide heterostructures exhibited critical superconducting temperatures as high as 6 K, higher than that of the starting single-phased α-Mo2C (4 K). We analyzed possible interface configurations to explain the observed moire patterns resulting from the vertical heterostacks. Our density-functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that epitaxial strain and moire patterns lead to a higher interfacial density of states, which favors superconductivity. Such engineered heterostructures might allow the coupling of superconductivity to the topologically nontrivial surface states featured by transition-metal carbide phases composing these heterostructures potentially leading to unconventional superconductivity. Moreover, we envisage that our approach could also be generalized to other metal carbide and nitride systems that could exhibit high-temperature superconductivity.
The Relationship between the Timing of a Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Duration of Training, and Levels of Self-Efficacy with Patient-Centered Interviewing Skills

There are conflicting findings about the role that timing plays in the administration of self-efficacy questionnaires and the relationships between self-efficacy scores, training, and subsequent de...
The role of the msaABCR operon in implant-associated chronic osteomyelitis in Staphylococcus aureus USA300 LAC.

The msaABCR operon regulates several staphylococcal phenotypes such as biofilm formation, capsule production, protease production, pigmentation, antibiotic resistance, and persister cells formation. The msaABCR operon is required for maintaining the cell wall integrity via affecting peptidoglycan cross-linking. The msaABCR operon also plays a role in oxidative stress defense mechanism, which is required to facilitate persistent and recurrent staphylococcal infections. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent cause of chronic implant-associated osteomyelitis (OM). The CA-MRSA USA300 strains are predominant in the United States and cause severe infections, including bone and joint infections. The USA300 LAC strain caused significant bone damage, as evidenced by the presence of severe bone necrosis with multiple foci of sequestra and large numbers of multinucleated osteoclasts. Intraosseous survival and biofilm formation on the K-wires by USA300 LAC strains was pronounced. However, the msaABCR deletion mutant was attenuated. We observed minimal bone necrosis, with no evidence of intramedullary abscess and/or fibrosis, along reduced intraosseous bacterial population and significantly less biofilm formation on the K-wires by the msaABCR mutant. microCT analysis of infected bone showed significant bone loss and damage in the USA300 LAC and complemented strain, whereas the msaABCR mutant’s effect was reduced. In addition, we observed increased osteoblasts response and new bone formation around the K-wires in the bone infected by the msaABCR mutant. Whole-cell proteomics analysis of msaABCR mutant cells showed significant downregulation of proteins, cell adhesion factors, and virulence factors that interact with osteoblasts and are associated with chronic OM caused by S. aureus. This study showed that deletion of msaABCR operon in USA300 LAC strain lead to defective biofilm in K-wire implants, decreased intraosseous survival, and reduced cortical bone destruction. Thus, msaABCR plays a role in implant-associated chronic osteomyelitis by regulating extracellular proteases, cell adhesions factors and virulence factors. However additional studies are required to further define the contribution of msaABCR-regulated molecules in osteomyelitis pathogenesis.
Liver Fat Droplet Dependency on Ultrasound Backscatter Coefficient in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) techniques are diagnostically useful in assessing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). From previous studies, the backscatter coefficient (BSC) correlates with liver fat fraction, but the mechanisms have not been determined. Understanding the ultrasound scattering mechanisms will lead to better acoustic scattering models and more accurate diagnostics. The purpose of this study is to test the following hypothesis: Fat droplet deposition in hepatocytes alters the locations of hepatocyte nuclei, changing the spatial distribution of the nuclei, which leads to the change in the structure function (SF), a factor of the BSC. The SF, determined by the distribution of the nuclei, is correlated with the fat fraction. To test this hypothesis, hematoxylin and eosin-stained liver histopathological slides from 48 participants were digitized (40×). One to 5 regions (453.6 µm × 453.6 µm) were selected from each participant's slide(s), yielding 218 images in total. For each image, hepatocyte nuclei and fat droplets each were automatically recognized. SF versus frequency was calculated from the nuclear distribution. Liver fat fraction was determined from the fractional surface area of fat droplets. SF was positively correlated with the liver fat fraction (Pearson's r ~ 0.4, p < 10−4) below 30 MHz (including clinically relevant frequencies 3 - 5 MHz). In conclusion, this study shows the fat droplets change the distribution of hepatocyte nuclei, which is a factor contributing to the correlation between fat fraction and BSC.
Theory and Implementation of Black-Scholes and Binomial Options Pricing Models

In this paper, author describes the project on binomial options pricing model (BOPM) and its application for security pricing. BOPM is explained for both one and multiple periods and price calculations are programmed with functions in Excel, the results are compared from Excel program to online Black-Scholes calculator. The paper informs about European call and put options. Evaluation of American options requires more complex approaches, and it is left outside of the scope of this project. The main goals of this paper highlighting the project are to accurately model the Black-Scholes formula with BOPM, and show-case the original Black-Scholes formula is only intended for the European options. There are many papers that argue it is almost never beneficial to exercise American option earlier than its maturity date except under specific conditions. The author will not be providing details on that point in this paper.
Equitable AI

Fairness in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) has gained much attention in recent years, which has led to the creation of multiple fairness metrics and frameworks. However, it is still challenging for practitioners to decide which fairness metrics to incorporate in their work and how to effectively incorporate fairness into ML and AI models and systems. ML and AI can benefit from computer-human interaction (CHI) expertise from our backgrounds in empirically grounded research. ML and AI black-box models that are creating biased results are in need of CHI expertise to add the human aspect to the evaluation and creation of AI systems. This will result in what I call Equitable AI systems. In my talk, I will describe an equitable AI system I created to create holistic diversity in higher education admissions, scholarships, hiring, etc. I will also discuss research from a CHI perspective in addressing bias in ML and AI.
Precision Pointing of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) Scientific Instrument Using a Gyroscopic and Stellar Reference

The Attitude Control System for the IUE spacecraft is described. The basic mission objectives are stated and a sequential discussion of the mission is presented. Desired accuracy for each mission phase is noted and where applicable the onboard control mechanization is shown. Sensors and actuator systems utilized by the control algorithms are described. Finally, onboard software is discussed to a level necessary to understand the prime mission mode operation.
Processing and Ballistic Performance of Al2O3/TiB2 Composites

Early research on Al 2 O 3 /TiB 2 composites focused on exploiting their potential as a low cost armor ceramic. Limited ballistic data indicated that the microstructure had a dramatic effect on ballistic performance. In some cases, the penetration resistance of Al 2 O 3 /TiB 2 approached that of monolithic TiB 2 ceramics. However, challenges were encountered both in quantifying the microstructural details and fabricating the desired microstructure. The large spread in depth of penetration results for these ceramics, coupled with an insufficient number of samples tested led to some confusion in accessing the effect microstructure had on the ballistic performance. Our research focused on microstructure control during fabrication and a more thorough ballistic evaluation to correlate microstructure with penetration resistance. Composites were made from mixed Al 2 O 3 and TiB 2 powders. The composites, prepared with dramatically different microstructures had similar ballistic performance. Results show that the penetration resistance of Al 2 O 3 /TiB 2 composites is not as good as a hot-pressed silicon carbide.
Does Online Product Information Increase Consumer Demand? An Empirical Investigation

The Internet provides consumers with unprecedented amounts of product information. Although the competitive implications of better-informed consumers have been extensively studied, little attention has been paid to the impact of information on overall consumer demand. In this paper, we estimate the differences in demand for music CDs and cassettes between consumers who access online product information and those who do not. Our empirical model accounts for the self-selection effect that consumers who have greater demand for a product are more likely to search for information on that product. After controlling for self-selection and observable consumer characteristics, we show that consumers who access online product information have a 17% greater demand for CDs and cassettes. Using our model estimates, we calculate the benefits of a new marketing strategy in which product information is provided only to those consumers who exhibit the highest marginal demand response to product information. We show that this strategy significantly outperforms the traditional strategy of targeting consumers who had high demand in the past.
Topical apraclonidine hydrochloride in eyes with poorly controlled glaucoma. The Apraclonidine Maximum Tolerated Medical Therapy Study Group.

Abstract OBJECT: We determined whether the addition of topical apraclonidine hydrochloride to eyes receiving maximal medical therapy, with inadequate intraocular pressure (IOP) control, and scheduled to undergo surgery, could adequately lower IOP, postponing the need for surgical intervention. DESIGN: A prospective 90 day, multi-centered, placebo-controlled, doublemasked parallel study. PATIENTS: We enrolled 174 glaucoma patients with inadequate IOP control on maximally tolerated medical therapy. All were candidates for either laser trabeculoplasty or invasive surgical intervention. We enrolled only one eye per patient. INTERVENTIONS: We continued to administer maximum-tolerated medical therapy for glaucoma. Patients took the study medication every eight hours. Study medications were either apraclonidine hydrochloride 0.5% or placebo (apraclonidine's vehicle). MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated IOP, IOP change from baseline, and the number of eyes requiring surgery after the addition of study medication. RESULTS: Sixty one percent of patients treated with apraclonidine maintained adequate IOP control throughout the study, avoiding additional surgery compared to 33.9% patients treated with placebo (P or = 20% reduction in IOP from baseline (resulting in an IOP < or = 20 mm Hg) (P < 0.05). The most common ocular complications were conjunctival hyperemia (12.6%), itching and foreign body sensation (6.8%), and tearing (4.5%). The most frequent non-ocular adverse events related to apraclonidine were dry mouth (4.5%) and unusual taste perception (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Apraclonidine appears safe and efficacious. It significantly lowered IOP when used in combination with a patient's maximum tolerated medical therapy. This delayed or prevented further glaucoma surgery for at least 90 days in approximately 60% of treated patients.
Cholelithiasis in a 3-week-old small premature infant.

Cholelithiasis is an extremely unusual finding in infancy. Hemolytic disease, infection, ileal disease, and anatomic deformity of bile ducts have been implicated.1 Recently, an association of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, total parenteral nutrition, and furosemide has been reported.2 We have observed a small premature infant who developed cholelithiasis early in his hospital stay after a very short course of parenteral nutrition. CASE REPORT The patient was an 810-g male infant of 28 weeks9 gestation (by Dubowitz examination) born to a 25-year-old gravida 2, para 1, abortus 1. The pregnancy was complicated only by premature rupture of membranes followed by labor. The mother had no fever or other signs or symptoms of infection prior to delivery.
Assessing Student Learning Through PowerPoint 'Games'

It is undisputed that technology has the potential to change the law school classroom and to impact the educational experience. In the legal writing classroom, the use of Powerpoint-based "games" can create a dynamic learning environment enabling a professor to better assess student progress.
Right-Wing Women: From Conservatives to Extremists Around the World

Paola Bacchetta and Margaret Power, eds.. London and New York: Routledge, 2002. viii and 328 pp., biblio., contributor biographies, and index. $85.00 hardback (ISBN 0-415-92777-3) and $22.95 paper (ISBN 0-415-92778-1>).
Quixotic Legacy: The Female Quixote and the Professional Woman Writer

This essay argues that Charlotte Lennox’s The Female Quixote or, The Adventures of Arabella (1752) served as a fulcrum in eighteenth-century literary history by providing a figuration of the female quixote for subsequent women novelists who were keen to court absorbed readers on the one hand while countering stereotypes about women's critical failings on the other. The figure of the female quixote proves to be a significant mark of literary professionalism by reifying the spectre of the professional writer’s need for absorbed readers and dramatizing the occasion by which the woman writer demonstrates her own authority, paradoxically allowing both woman novel reader and woman novel writer to lay claim to intellectual authority. Ultimately, the main character Arabella's fictional model potentially echoes more actual eighteenth-century women’s experiences than her adventures at first suggest: the female quixote emerges as less a social outcast or a freak than a figure for women’s commonality, especially their intellectual and ethical ambitions in a world inimical to their interests.
Lung Krüppel-like factor contains an autoinhibitory domain that regulates its transcriptional activation by binding WWP1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase.

Lung Kruppel-like factor (LKLF/Kruppel-like factor 2), a member of the Kruppel-like factor family of transcription factors, is expressed predominately in the lungs, with low levels of expression in other organs such as heart, spleen, skeletal muscle, and testis. LKLF is essential during pulmonary development and single-positive T-cell development and is indispensable during mouse embryogenesis. In this study, we performed a series of experiments to define the activation domain of LKLF as a means to further advance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation by this transcription factor. Using deletion analysis, it is shown that LKLF contains a transcriptional activation domain as well as a strong autoinhibitory subdomain. The inhibitory subdomain is able to independently suppress transcriptional activation of other strong activators such as viral protein 16, VP16. This occurs either when the inhibitory domain is fused directly to VP16 or when the inhibitory domain is independently bound to DNA by GAL4 DNA-binding domain independent of the VP16 activator. Overexpression of the LKLF autoinhibitory domain alone potentiates transactivation by wild type LKLF, suggesting that the inhibitory domain binds a cofactor that prevents LKLF from transactivating. A yeast-two hybrid screen identified WWP1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that binds specifically to the LKLF inhibitory domain but not to other transcription factors. In mammalian cells, WWP1 functions as a cofactor by binding LKLF and suppressing transactivation. These data demonstrate that LKLF contains multiple domains that either potentiate or inhibit the ability of this factor to function as an activator of transcription; moreover, regulation of LKLF transactivation is attenuated by an E3 ubiquitin ligase, WWP1.
An experimental study of the flow field and pollutant formation in a two dimensional premixed, turbulent flame

Spark shadowgraphs, high-speed schlieren movies, and the tracing of individual eddies were used to study a turbulent reacting shear layer in a premixed propane/air flow. The flow took place in a two-dimensional combustor, and the flame was stabilized behind a rearward facing streamlined step. The data show that in the velocity range 7.5 to 22.5 m/sec the mixing layer is dominated by Brown-Roshko type large coherent structures in both reacting and nonreacting flows. Information on the eddies, the flame, and the distribution of gas concentrations is presented.
Head Accelerometry May be Useful as a Test of Psychogenic Head Tremor

Physiological studies of head tremor are challenging, and clinically relevant data to guide diagnosis in literature is sparse. Head accelerometry has been used as a quantitative assessment of botulinum toxin treatment in head tremor.1 Tremor studies rely on accelerometry to detect frequency and coherence for interpretation of test results.
Equity preferences in the allocation of goose hunting opportunities

Goose hunting opportunities in the Northeast are increasingly limited, and demand often exceeds the supply of hunting opportunities. Where this is the case, existing opportunities must be allocated in some way—usually either by market pricing, “first-come, first-served” or by lottery. Each of these methods raises questions about equity or fairness. During the 1987 goose season, hunters at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison, Vermont, were given a mail-back questionnaire to determine their sentiments about the fairness of the existing process, alternative allocation systems, the monetary value of the opportunity and other questions related to the hunt. Both groups of respondents favored the lottery for rationing available permits by a substantial margin. By contrast, less than 7% of the respondents felt it appropriate to allocate goose hunting permits on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and market pricing was rejected by an even larger margin. Assuming permits could be sold, the average price the respondents would be willing to pay for a permit was $33·38. While this information provides useful insights, the views of a broader spectrum of the public with respect to the allocation and management of common property resources is needed.
Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles as gene carriers : synthesis, characterization and transfection efficiency

Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles were prepared using a complex coacervation process. The important parameters for the nanoparticle synthesis were investigated, including the concentrations of DNA, chitosan and sodium sulfate, temperature of the solutions, pH of the buffer, and molecular weights of chitosan and DNA. At an amino group to phosphate group ratio (N/P ratio) between 3 and 8 and a chitosan concentration of 100 microg/ml, the size of particles was optimized to approximately 100--250 nm with a narrow distribution, with a composition of 35.6 and 64.4% by weight for DNA and chitosan, respectively. The surface charge of these particles was slightly positive with a zeta potential of +12 to +18 mV at pH lower than 6.0, and became nearly neutral at pH 7.2. The chitosan-DNA nanoparticles could partially protect the encapsulated plasmid DNA from nuclease degradation as shown by electrophoretic mobility analysis. The transfection efficiency of chitosan-DNA nanoparticles was cell-type dependent. Typically, it was three to four orders of magnitude, in relative light units, higher than background level in HEK293 cells, and two to ten times lower than that achieved by LipofectAMINE-DNA complexes. The presence of 10% fetal bovine serum did not interfere with their transfection ability. Chloroquine could be co-encapsulated in the nanoparticles at 5.2%, but with negligible enhancement effect despite the fact that chitosan only showed limited buffering capacity compared with PEI. The present study also developed three different schemes to conjugate transferrin or KNOB protein to the nanoparticle surface. The transferrin conjugation only yielded a maximum of four-fold increase in their transfection efficiency in HEK293 cells and HeLa cells, whereas KNOB conjugated nanoparticles could improve gene expression level in HeLa cells by 130-fold. Conjugation of PEG on the nanoparticles allowed lyophilization without aggregation, and without loss of bioactivity for at least 1 month in storage. The clearance of the PEGylated nanoparticles in mice following intravenous administration was slower than unmodified nanoparticles at 15 min, and with higher depositions in kidney and liver. However, no difference was observed at the 1-h time point.
Maternal Roles and Social Competence: Parent‐Infant Interactions in Two Cultures

Early parent‐child interaction provides a critical context for children's socialization into a culture. Definitions of social competence may vary considerably across cultures, as may parents’ perceptions of how they themselves contribute to its development during different situations of daily living. This study extended findings from a previous study of Taiwanese mothers by comparing EuroAmerican and Taiwanese mothers’ descriptions of the social competence benefits of early parent‐child interaction and of what they do during interactions to achieve these benefits. Twenty mothers (ten from each cultural background) were interviewed. Both groups of mothers talked about social and emotional components of social competence. However, relative emphases on categories within and across the two components differed. The relative emphasis placed on maternal roles related to helping their children achieve social competence also differed between groups. Although frequencies in the Euro‐American group did not allow con...
Response of secondary selection on soybean cyst nematode reproduction on resistant soybean lines

Abstract Soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, (SCN) populations have been developed which are capable of reproducing on soybean lines known to be resistant to one or more SCN races. Three of the populations developed on PI 88788, PI 90763 and Peking were selected for their differential response on the three hosts. The secondary selection was made on the parent which originally had a high level of resistance. With one exception, secondary selection resulted in increased reproductive ability of the populations on the soybean lines on which they were selected. There was also a corresponding decrease in the reproductive ability on the soybean line on which they were originally developed. The genes from PI 88788, PI 90763 and Peking could be used alternately to provide protection against SCN damage.
Photoelectrochemical etching of GaN

A photoelectrochemical etching process for n-type GaN using KOH solution and broad-area Hg arc lamp illumination is described. Etch rates as high as 320 nm/min are obtained. The etch rate is investigated as a function of light intensity for stirred and unstirred solutions. Preliminary results on etching of Al0.1Ga0.9N layers are reported.
Differences among strains of poliomyelitis viruses in plaque size on monkey kidney cells.

Abstract On the basis of size of plaques developed on monkey kidney cell monolayers, six strains of type I poliomyelitis virus may be divided into three categories. The strain Slow Mahoney produces small plaques, Akron produces plaques of intermediate size, and Brunhilde, Fast Mahoney, and two independent reversions to Fast Mahoney from Slow Mahoney produce large plaques. Similarly, differences were found among five type II strains; Charbonneau and Theiler's Lansing fall in the small category, Brooks in the intermediate, and Leyva and MEF1 in the large. No difference was found in plaque size between the two type III strains, Mabie and Saukett. The possibility of using some of these differences in plaque size as markers in mixed infection experiments has been discussed.
Calculations of the contributions of excitation-autoionisation to the electron impact ionisation of Ca+ and Ba+ in the distorted-wave approximation

The contributions of the excitation-autoionisation transitions 3p64s to 3p53d4s in Ca+ and 5p66s to 5p55d6s in Ba+ to the total electron impact ionisation cross sections of these ions have been calculated in the distorted-wave approximation. Partial cross sections originating from transitions to three of the nine terms in the configuration 3p53d4s of Ca+ are compared with the recent R-matrix close-coupling calculations for these transitions by Burke et al. (1983) in order to determine the effect of continuum coupling between autoionising channels. Both the R-matrix and distorted-wave calculations predict a series of large peaks near threshold in Ca+ that are not observed in the measurements of Peart and Dolder (1968). Total cross sections with estimates for the contributions of direct ionisation are calculated and compared with the ionisation measurements of Peart and Dolder for Ca+ and of Peart et al. (1973) for Ba+. Both LS term dependence in the nd radial wavefunctions and unitarisation are found to have a pronounced effect on these cross sections. The implications of the discrepancies between theory and experiment are discussed.
Constant Extension Rate Tensile (CERT) Tests of Creviced Alloy 600 Specimens in Aqueous Environments at 288 C

Abstract Constant extension rate tensile (CERT) tests on creviced tubular Alloy 600 specimens containing 0.1 M Na2SO4 demonstrated that overaging could restore resistance to intergranular stress co...
Low-Emissions Gas Turbine Combustor Development for Regional-Class Aircraft

Sector-rig test results of four combustor configurations for medium-sized, gas-turbine engines are presented. The sector test section consists of a three-injector combustor cross-section, unrolled to a rectangular area, and simulating about a sixty-eight degree section of the combustor. Performance and emissions data are presented for four design-of-experiment (DOE) combinations of 1) air swirlers, 2) fuel injectors, and 3) primary-zone lengths. Emission concentrations from gas sampling are given for NOx, CO, and UHC as a function of inlet temperature, pressure, and overall fuel air ratio. NOx production as a function of inlet temperature, pressure, stoichiometry, and residence time are presented. The trade-off between NOx and CO is given over a range of operating conditions for each sector configuration.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Paraphyly, polyphyly, and the nature of species boundaries in pocket gophers (Genus Thomomys)

Species definitions are commonly based on documentation either of genetic or ecologic cohesion (biological species models) or of phylogenetic relationship (phylogenetic spe? cies concept). However, these philosophical positions are often incompatible with data on ge? nealogical relationship of and genetic/reproductive interactions among member populations. The difficulty in defining species in nature based on either viewpoint is exacerbated when times between divergence events are short, when differentiation among populations prior to speciation is extensive, and when reticulation events persist subsequent to speciation. We illustrate this set of problems with data on mitochondrial DNA sequences and both nuclear sequences and allozyme electromorphs for sets of populations of two currently recognized species of pocket gophers, Thomomys bottae and T. townsendii in the western United States. These molecular per? spectives give somewhat conflicting views of polyphyly, paraphyly, and monophyly at the population and species level due, in part, to probable differences in times to monophyly, dif? ferential lineage sorting, retention of ancestral polymorphisms, and/or episodes of asymmetrical introgressive hybridization. As a consequence, strict adherence to any species concept in the objective recognition of evolutionary units within this complex is difficult at best. (Species concepts; paraphyly; polyphyly; allozymes; mtDNA sequence; 0-globin sequence; pocket go? phers; Thomomys.)
Lumbar intrathecal naloxone blocks analgesia produced by microstimulation of the ventromedial medulla in the rat.

Abstract In lightly barbiturate-anesthetized rats, low threshold(⩽ 10 μA) electrical stimulation within the rostral ventromedial medulla inhibited the tail-flick response to noxious heat. Naloxone applied intrathecally at the lumbar level reversed this inhibition, but the same dose of naloxone applied to the cervical intrathecal space had no effect. Doses of naloxone 2- and 4-fold greater than the intrathecal dose did not antagonize tail-flick suppression when given systemically. Because neither systemic nor intrathecal naloxone had any effect on base-line tail-flick latencies, we conclude that the inhibition of the tail-flick response resulting from microstimulation in the ventromedial medulla is mediated by a spinal opioid synapse.
Negative pion capture on 12C with emission of neutron-proton pairs

Abstract Energy and angle measurements of neutron-proton pairs emitted after π − capture in 12 C have been made. The data are in partial agreement with several theories. Some evidence indicates that limits on the short-range correlation parameters might be determined from the nn/np ratio at backward angles.