cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteome-wide analysis of cysteine reactivity during effector-triggered immunity

A surge in the accumulation of oxidants generates shifts in the cellular redox potential during early stages of plant infection with pathogens and activation of effector-triggered immunity (ETI). The redoxome, defined as the proteome-wide oxidative modifications of proteins caused by oxidants, has a well-known impact on stress responses in metazoans. However, the identity of proteins and the residues sensitive to oxidation during the plant immune response remain largely unknown. Previous studies of the thimet oligopeptidases TOP1 and TOP2 placed them in the salicylic acid dependent branch of ETI, with a current model wherein TOPs sustain interconnected organellar and cytosolic pathways that modulate the oxidative burst and development of cell death. Herein, we characterized the ETI redoxomes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) wild-type Col-0 and top1top2 mutant plants using a differential alkylation-based enrichment technique coupled with label-free mass spectrometry-based quantification. We identified cysteines sensitive to oxidation in a wide range of protein families at multiple time points after pathogen infection. Differences were detected between Col-0 and top1top2 redoxomes regarding the identity and number of oxidized cysteines, and the amplitude of time-dependent fluctuations in protein oxidation. Our results support a determining role for TOPs in maintaining the proper level and dynamics of proteome oxidation during ETI. This study significantly expands the repertoire of oxidation-sensitive plant proteins and can guide future mechanistic studies.
Actinomycotic liver abscess; report of a case.

1. A case of liver abscess caused by actinomycosis is presented. 2. Treatment of the disease is discussed, and pertinent literature is reviewed.
MSW Students’ Use of SBIRT: Toward an Understanding of the Gap Between Classroom and Field Education

Increased visibility of substance use as a public health concern has prompted Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training initiatives; however, barriers to SBIRT use i...
Efficacy of two vitamin D immunoassays to detect 25-OH vitamin D2 and D3

Abstract Objectives Assessment of Vitamin D status by measurement of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) is widely performed by immunoassay. Yet, the ability of these assays to detect Vitamin D2 (as 25-OH-D2) or Vitamin D3 (as 25-OH-D3) varies. It is important to recognize the ability of an assay to quantitate either form of 25-OH-D to evaluate Vitamin D status of supplemented patients. We evaluated detection of 25-OH-D2 and 25-OH-D3 by two assays in our medical center. Design and methods The Abbott Architect i1000 SR 25-OH Vitamin D assay and Roche Cobas 8000 Vitamin D assay were compared for their recovery of 25-OH-D2 or D3 from spiked serum samples. Samples with known endogenous concentrations of 25-OH-D2 or D3 by LC-MS/MS were also measured to calculate bias between our assays and LC-MS/MS. Results Recovery of 25-OH-D3 in spiked samples was similar by Architect (84–87%) and Cobas (90%). Recovery of 25-OH-D2 was lower than 25-OH-D3, and was poorer by Architect (37–40%) than by Cobas (69–71%). In measurement of samples with known 25-OH-D concentrations, performance of Architect and Cobas assays was similar for 25-OH-D3. However, at concentrations >50 nmol/L 25-OH-D2, the Architect assay exhibited large average negative bias (−27%). Conclusions While the Architect and Cobas assays performed similarly in detection of 25-OH-D3, the Architect assay was significantly poorer at detecting 25-OH-D2 than Cobas, with poorer recovery and significant negative bias at higher concentrations of 25-OH-D2. This agrees with other studies, and indicates that caution should be used in interpreting Architect 25-OH-D results in patients supplemented with Vitamin D2.
The Psychometric Properties of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) in a Native American Child and Adolescent Population

The current study evaluated the validity and reliability of the SCARED on a Native American child population. Results suggest excellent internal consistency for the total score. The hierarchical mo...
Isavuconazole Is as Effective as and Better Tolerated Than Voriconazole for Antifungal Prophylaxis in Lung Transplant Recipients.

Background Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are common following lung transplantation. Isavuconazole is unstudied as prophylaxis in organ transplant recipients. We compared effectiveness and tolerability of isavuconazole and voriconazole prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients. Methods A single-center, retrospective study of patients who received isavuconazole (September 2015-February 2018) or voriconazole (September 2013-September 2015) for antifungal prophylaxis. IFIs were defined by EORTC/MSG criteria. Results Patients received isavuconazole (n = 144) or voriconazole (n = 156) for median 3.4 and 3.1 months, respectively. Adjunctive inhaled amphotericin B (iAmB) was administered to 100% and 41% of patients in the respective groups. At 1 year, 8% of patients receiving isavuconazole or voriconazole developed IFIs. For both groups, 70% and 30% of IFIs were caused by molds and yeasts, respectively, and breakthrough IFI (bIFI) rate was 3%. Outcomes did not significantly differ for patients receiving or not receiving iAmB. Independent risk factors for bIFI and breakthrough invasive mold infection (bIMI) were mold-positive respiratory culture and red blood cell transfusion >7 units at transplant. Bronchial necrosis >2 cm from anastomosis and basiliximab induction were also independent risk factors for bIMI. Isavuconazole and voriconazole were discontinued prematurely due to adverse events in 11% and 36% of patients, respectively (P = .0001). Most common causes of voriconazole and isavuconazole discontinuation were hepatotoxicity and lack of oral intake, respectively. Patients receiving ≥90 days prophylaxis had fewer IFIs at 1 year (3% vs 9%, P = .02). IFIs were associated with increased mortality (P = .0001) and longer hospitalizations (P = .0005). Conclusions Isavuconazole was effective and well tolerated as antifungal prophylaxis following lung transplantation.
Fast and accurate long-range phasing and imputation in a UK Biobank cohort

Recent work has leveraged the unique genealogical structure and extensive genotyping (>30%) of the Icelandic population to perform long-range phasing (LRP), enabling accurate imputation and association analysis of rare variants in target samples typed on genotyping arrays. Here, we develop a fast and accurate LRP method, Eagle, that extends this paradigm to outbred populations by harnessing long (>4cM) identical-by-descent (IBD) tracts shared among distantly related individuals. We applied Eagle to N=150K samples (0.2% of the British population) from the UK Biobank, and we determined that it is 1-2 orders of magnitude faster than existing methods while achieving exquisite phasing accuracy (switch error rate ≈0.3%, corresponding to perfect phase at the scale of >10Mb). Moreover, we observed that Eagle imputed masked genotypes with accuracy R2>0.75 down to a minor allele frequency of 0.1%. Compared to computationally tractable alternatives, Eagle attained large improvements in phasing and imputation accuracy at N=150K and smaller improvements at smaller sample sizes, illustrating the advantages that LRP-based imputation will yield as very large reference panels become available.
Insights into the Dynamic Fluctuations of the Protein HPV16 E1 and Identification of Motifs by Using Elastic Network Modeling.

BACKGROUND Cancers of cervix, head and neck regions have been found to be associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. E1 protein makes an important papillomavirus replication factor. Among the ORFs of papillomaviruses, the most conserved sequence is that of the E1 ORF. It is the viral helicase with being a member of class of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+) helicases. The interactions of E1 with human DNA and proteins occurs in the presence of short linear peptide motifs on E1 identical to those on human proteins. METHODS Different Motifs were identified on HPV16 E1 by using ELMs. Elastic network models were generated by using 3D structures of E1. Their dynamic fluctuations were analyzed on the basis of B factors, correlation analysis and deformation energies. RESULTS 3 motifs were identified on E1 which can interact with Cdk and Cyclin domains of human proteins. 11 motifs identified on E1 have their CDs of Pkinase on human proteins. LIG_MYND_2 has been identified as involved in stabilizing interaction of E1 with Hsp40 and Hsp70. These motifs and amino acids comprising these motifs play a major role in maintaining interactions with human proteins, ultimately causing infections leading to cancers. CONCLUSION Our study identified various motifs on E1 which interact with specific counter domains found in human proteins, already reported having the interactions with E1. We also validated the involvement of these specific motifs containing regions of E1 by modeling elastic networks of E1. These motif involving interactions could be used as drug targets.
Factors associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Hispanic population with mental disorders using medical expenditure panel survey 2013-2017

There is a lack of U.S. population-based research surrounding the marked decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) caused by the morbidity of mental disorders in the U.S. Hispanic demographic. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2013-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to identify Hispanic community-dwelling residents with mental disorders in the U.S. The independent variable was the presence of mental disorders, and the dependent variable was HRQoL. HRQoL was measured with the Short Form 12 (SF-12) Physical Health Composite Scale (PCS) and Mental Health Composite Scale (MCS). A total of 34,434 patients met the inclusion criteria, representing about 38,683,299 Hispanic individuals. Of this group, those older than 18 were stratified by the presence of mental disorders. The two groups were those with mental disorders: 4,122 individuals representing a sample size of 4,789,634; and those without mental disorders: 30,312 individuals representing a sample size of 33,893,665. Based on our study, Hispanic patients with mental disorders were associated with lower HRQoL scores. SF-12 PCS scores (95% CI) were 45.3 (44.5, 46.1) for those with mental disorders and 50.8 (50.5, 51.0) for those without mental disorders. SF-12 MCS scores (95% CI) were 42.6 (42, 43.3) in patients with mental disorders and 52.6 (52.3, 52.8) in patients without mental disorders. These differences in scores denote the impact of mental health disorders on HRQoL scores in the Hispanic demographic and mark the way for further research on identifying means of improving such scores for Hispanic patients.
Perceived Pain Responses to Foam Rolling Associate with Basal Heart Rate Variability

Background Foam rolling (FR) is a self-myofascial release technique with unclear effects on autonomic functioning, indexed by heart rate variability (HRV). FR can be perceived as painful or relaxing, which may explain interindividual HRV responses. Purpose To determine if acute FR alters resting HRV. A secondary aim was to determine if perceived pain during FR would predict HRV responses. Setting Academic institution. Methods In a randomized, crossover design, healthy adults (50% female) performed total body FR or control on separate days. Perceived pain ratings were obtained following FR of each muscle group and summed to generate an overall perceived pain rating. Seated measures of the mean RR interval and the natural logarithm of the root-mean square of successive RR interval differences (LnRMSSD, a parasympathetic HRV index) were obtained at 5-10 min pre-, 5-10 min post-, and 25-30 min post-FR. Results No effects were observed for RR interval (p = .105-.561) or LnRMSSD (p = .110-.129). All effect sizes ranged from trivial-small (0.00-0.26). Changes in RR interval (r = 0.220-0.228, p = .433-.488) and LnRMSSD (r = 0.013-0.256, p = .376-.964) were not associated with pain scale sum. Baseline LnRMSSD was associated with pain scale sum (r = -0.663; p = .001). Conclusion FR did not systematically alter HRV, nor did perceived pain ratings predict HRV responses. Those with lower pre-FR HRV reported higher perceived pain during FR. Basal cardiac autonomic activity may, therefore, influence pain sensitivity to FR in healthy adults.
COVID-19: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Pandemic's Effect on an Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) is a historic pandemic severely impacting health care. This study examines its early effect on a busy academic emergency department. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients from an academic tertiary care Level I trauma, cardiac and stroke center's emergency department seeing an average of 54,000 adults and 21,000 pediatric patients per year. Total visits, reasons for patient visits, demographics, disposition, and length of stay were analyzed from January through July 2020 and compared with the same time period in the previous 2 y. RESULTS: From March through July 2020 there were statistically significant decreases in the total number of patient visits (-47%) especially among pediatric (-73%) and elderly (-43%) patients and those with cardiovascular (-39%), neurological (-63%) complaints, headaches (-60%), back pain (-64%), abdominal pain (-51%), and minor trauma (-71%). There was, however, a significant increase in pulmonary complaints (+54%), as well as admissions (+32%), and length of stay (+40%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant drop in overall patients and select groups early in the pandemic, while admissions and emergency department length of stay both increased. This has implications for future pandemic planning.
A Survey for Conventional Regression- and Deep Learning-based Face Alignment Methods

Face alignment, as an important part of facial tasks, will affect the final efficiency and accuracy. Face alignment is to locate the exact shape of a detected face bounding box. There are amount of challenges in face alignment because of large poses, occlusions and illuminations in real-world conditions. The approaches to tackle these challenges can be categorized in methods based on regression, which require operators in feature extraction, and methods based on deep learning, in which the feature extraction is data driven. Methods applies regression include Supervised Descent Method and Face Alignment by Coarse-to-Fine Shape Searching. Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Tasks-Constrained Deep Convolutional Network and Multi-task Cascaded Convolutional Networks apply cascaded CNN and they are representational approaches of deep learning method. This article is devoted to the elaboration and summary of these mainstream methods.
Evaluation of hybrid evaporative-vapor compression air conditioners for different global climates

Abstract Currently, a majority of global residential air-conditioning requirements are met using cooling systems based on the vapor compression cycle (VCC). To meet the future demand for space cooling and to reduce the corresponding environmental impact, there is a need for alternative cooling systems which require less resources and exhibit a higher coefficient of performance (COP). One of proposed alternatives is called the hybrid evaporative-vapor compression (HEVC) cycle, which utilizes adiabatic latent cooling in combination with the VCC. In this paper, we conducted a feasibility analysis of a HEVC system by comparing its performance to that of VCC for various global climates. To accomplish this, we developed and validated models to simulate the performance of residential VCC and HEVC systems. ASHRAE weather data and design conditions were then used to compare the performance of the two systems. In general, HEVC systems are best suited for hot arid climates with energy reduction greater than 20%. Conversely, humid climates are not suitable for HEVC adoption due to degraded performance of evaporative coolers in these climates. In addition to comparing the energy savings from HEVC systems, it is also critical to analyze their water consumption. Generally, climates that benefit the most from HEVC technology tend to also experience water scarcity issues. Thus, both the energy savings and water consumption of HEVC systems must be analyzed to guide the discussion on their adoption.
Ionization Wave Propagation and Surface Interactions in a He Plasma Jet

The ability of atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) to produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) for biomedical applications depends on control of the periodic ionization wave (IW) that propagates through the jet into the ambient. When treating surfaces, the need for control extends to the intersection of the IW with and propagation along the surface.
Golden rhythms as a theoretical framework for the observed discrete organization of brain rhythms and cross-frequency interactions

While brain rhythms appear fundamental to brain function, why brain rhythms consistently organize into the small set of discrete frequency bands observed remains unknown. Here we propose that rhythms separated by factors of the golden ratio ($\phi=(1+ \sqrt{5})/2$) optimally support segregation and integration of information transmission in the brain. Organized by the golden ratio, pairs of rhythms support multiplexing by reducing interference between separate communication channels, and triplets of rhythms support integration of signals to establish a hierarchy of cross-frequency interactions. We illustrate this framework in simulation and apply this framework to propose three testable hypotheses.
Membrantheorie für beliebige Schalenformen

Bei der Betrachtung der Drehschalen und der Zylinder sind wir von vornherein von der speziellen Form der Mittelflache ausgegangen und haben ihr die benutzten Koordianten angepast. Fur diese wichtigen Schalengruppen ist das zweckmasig, aber daneben braucht man auch eine allgemeiner formulierte Theorie, die sich auf jede mogliche Schalenform anwenden last. Eine solche wollen wir jetzt aufstellen.
Abstract MP87: Circulating sRAGE Levels And The Risk Of Heart Failure

Introduction: Myocardial fibrosis is a key feature of heart failure, and its mechanisms are incompletely understood. It has been postulated that advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form an etiologic link between diabetes and its vascular complications. Binding of AGEs to the cellular receptor for AGEs (RAGE) induces a state of increased oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. Circulating soluble RAGEs (sRAGE) compete with cellular RAGE for the binding of AGEs which reduces the activation of the AGE-RAGE mediated pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling pathways. We hypothesize that low levels of sRAGE will be associated with higher risk of heart failure. Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis of a random subsample of 1,157 participants from the ARIC Study who attended visit 2 (1990-1992). We included participants without a history of heart disease or heart failure, and with measured plasma sRAGE levels. Incident heart failure was defined as death from health failure or hospitalization due to heart failure. Results: In this community-based population (mean age 63 years, 60% women, 78% white), there were 132 incident cases of heart failure during approximately 20 years of follow up. Lower levels of sRAGE were significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of heart failure (Table). Analyses stratified by diabetes status at baseline showed that the risk of heart failure among those in the lowest quartile, compared to those in the upper quartile, was consistent but stronger among persons with diabetes compared to those without diabetes with HR=5.31 (95%CI 1.05-26.76) versus HR=2.50 (95%CI, 1.22-5.13), respectively. We did not observe any significant interactions by race or obesity status. Conclusions: Lower circulating levels of sRAGE are independently associated with the development of heart failure in older adults. These results highlight the pathophysiological role of the AGE-RAGE-sRAGE axis even among persons without diabetes. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Creating effective resumes

Do you know how to make your resume effective? What are the guidelines for content and format? Do you know the differences between a hard-copy resume and a scannable resume? Are you familiar with sources for posting your resume on-line?
Le rôle du secteur public dans les économies de marché de pays en développement d`Asie. Enseignements généraux pour la stratégie actuelle en matière de dette

La presente etude a plusieurs objets. Premierement, elle presente une ebauche de theorie positive (donc ayant trait au monde reel) de l`intervention du secteur public. Deuxiemement, elle contient une analyse relativement approfondie de l`activite du secteur public dans neuf economies de marche de pays en developpement d`Asie et decrit les liens entre cette activite et la croissance de l`endettement exterieur de ces pays. L`idee developpee ici est que les resultats relativement bons de ces pays ont ete obtenus a un cout considerable et croissant, notamment sous l`angle de l`accumulation de dettes exterieures. Enfin, l`experience des pays d`Asie sert a tirer un certain nombre d`enseignements generaux pour la strategie actuelle en matiere de dette.
Saints in the Christian Tradition: Unraveling the Canonization Process

Contemporary people, both Christian and non-Christian like, find the Roman Catholic process of declaring saints, known as canonization, to be both interesting and mystifying. This essay seeks to unravel the apparent mystery by providing a historical chronicle that describes the development and evolution of this process. Beginning in the Patristic Church, when persecution was normative, martyrs to the faith were exalted by local peoples and with time declared saints. Later, when martyrdoms subsided greatly, men and women who demonstrated "heroic virtue" were placed on a par with martyrs and also declared saints. By the late medieval period, after some abuses in the declaration of saints were noted, the process of canonization became more centralized in the office of the Pope. Processes to determine heroic virtue and to verify miracles, which became a necessary element to both beatification and canonization, were also developed. By the time of the early 20th century and the formalization of Canon Law in 1917, a rigorous process to declare men and women as saints was present. In the post-Vatican II era, this process has been streamlined and become more formalized through documents published by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Comparison of Psychophysiological and Dual-Task Measures of Listening Effort

Purpose We wished to make a comparison of psychophysiological measures of listening effort with subjective and dual-task measures of listening effort for a diotic-dichotic-digits and a sentences-in...
Floodplain biogeochemical processing of floodwaters in the Atchafalaya River Basin during the Mississippi River flood of 2011

The 2011 flood in the Lower Mississippi resulted in the second highest recorded river flow diverted into the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB). The higher water levels during the flood peak resulted in high hydrologic connectivity between the Atchafalaya River and floodplain, with up to 50% of the Atchafalaya River water moving off channel. Water quality samples were collected throughout the ARB over the course of the flood event. Significant nitrate (NO3−) reduction (75%) occurred within the floodplain, resulting in a total NO3− reduction of 16.6% over the flood. The floodplain was a small but measurable source of dissolved reactive phosphorus and ammonium (NH4+). Collectively, these results from this large flood event suggest that enhancing river-floodplain connectivity through freshwater diversions will reduce NO3− loads to the Gulf of Mexico during large annual floods.
Job and Religion At Its Best

This essay takes seriously (1) the non-Israelite provenance of every character in Job; (2) the shift in the use of general appellations of God in the dialogues to the one of the Tetragrammaton in the final theophany; and (3) the common error on the part of every protagonist of deducing from the natural order a principle of retributive justice in the social and moral world. It is here suggested that these elements create a framework of (onto)logical theism that is broken by the intervention of YHWH, of whom Job previously had only an intuition, when Job discovered that the retributive justice principle of wisdom could not be maintained on the basis of his experience. But if indeed everything is not following cosmic laws, but depends upon dialogical relations, then God is shown vulnerable and expecting as much from Job as Job is expecting from God. As for Job, innocent as he was in the light of justice, he realizes that he is guilty in the light of love. Hence, the whole book pivots around the fundamental question at the beginning: "Is it for nought ... ?"
Field verification of cadmium toxicity to laboratory Daphnia populations.

Studies were undertaken to compare the short-term toxicity of cadmium to laboratory populations of D. galeata mendotae with that to natural populations of D. galeata mendotae and total Daphnia in Lake Michigan, as indicated by its effects on the populations' rates of increase. Results indicate that short-term laboratory experiments using whole populations can be verified in the natural environment.
Locking and shear scaling factors in C° bending elements

Abstract Two types of locking are identified in linear field C° elements: locking caused by shear resistance in constant curvature deformation and in linear curvature deformation, respectively. Locking of the first type can be ameliorated by decoupling constant curvature bending from shear, which in some elements can be achieved by selective reduced integration. Once the modes are decoupled, a scaling factor on the shear stiffness can be used to alleviate the second type of locking. These findings are explained in terms of a linear displacement, linear rotation beam element and applied to the improvement of a triangular plate element. It is shown that the resulting triangular plate element is free from locking and performs excellently in a wide variety of problems.
Chaos in the brain: Possible roles in biological intelligence

Deterministic dynamic systems are described with sets of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and differential delay equations (DDEs). By tradition and for convenience these systems are usually operated in the domains of equilibrium and limit cycle attractors (steady states and clocks), which are the conditions that hold for most digital and analog computers, including artificial neural networks (ANN) designed for data processing and logical manipulations. These systems are capable of operations in real and simulated chaotic domains, in which predictability is limited and performance become pseudorandom, but these domains are usually avoided if at all possible. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Quantitative ultrastructural stereology of synapses in nucleus dorsalis after a peripheral nerve injury at birth.

Utilizing recent techniques in quantitative stereology, this investigation studied the synaptology of nucleus dorsalis (Clarke's column) in 12-week-old rats whose sciatic nerves were crushed in the 1st postnatal day. Four morphometric variables were analyzed at the levels of L1 and L3 spinal cord segments: total surface area of synaptic contact zones per unit volume (SV), total length of synaptic contact zones per unit area (LA), average length of synaptic membrane (L), and numerical density of synapses per unit volume (NV). The original raw data were corrected for Holmes's effect. The results indicated that peripheral nerve crush at birth induced a transganglionic change in central sensory terminals with a loss of numerous synapses. A significant loss (P < 0.001) of about 32% in the SV and LA and a significant loss (P < 0.001) of about 36% in the NV were observed on the experimental side. There was no preferential loss of synapses in either segment. The mean synaptic membrane length showed no significant difference between the control and experimental sides. The control values of the four morphometric variables calculated for L3 were lower than those calculated for L1. The loss of synapses after a peripheral nerve lesion was probably due to the loss of sensory neurons and their central processes, but there were other possibilities.
Microstructures and Dielectric Properties of the Ferroelectric Fluoropolymers Synthesized via Reductive Dechlorination of Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene)s

Ferroelectric fluoropolymers containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE), and chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) have been prepared over a wide composition range by a two-step approach consisting of copolymerization of VDF and CTFE and a subsequent reductive dechlorination reaction. Due to the similar reactive ratios between VDF and CTFE and quantitative dechlorination yields, the chemical structures and compositions of the resulting terpolymers can be precisely controlled. The structural characteristics including microstructure, chain conformation, and crystallinity of the polymers have been carefully elucidated as a function of the chemical composition by 1H and 19F NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The influence of the polymer compositions on thermal transitions and dielectric constants has also been investigated. A Curie temperature of 23 °C and dielectric constant of 50 measured at ambient temperature and 1 kHz have been achieved at the ter...
Energy loss of relativistic heavy ions in matter

Abstract We have investigated the theory of energy loss of charged particles in matter due to ionization of the medium, integrating the work of other authors over several decades. We describe the most important corrections to standard energy-loss formulae. We compare our calculations to an improved measurement of the range of 1 A GeV U ions and to other codes and tabulations. We show that calculations based on the theory of ionization energy loss are at least as accurate as tabulations extrapolated from empirical data for the stopping of uranium ions in matter. We have made available the computer code resulting from our investigations.
Molecular karyotype and chromosomal localization of genes encoding two major surface glycoproteins, gp63 and gp46/M2, hsp70, and β-tubulin in cloned strains of several Leishmania species

Abstract The molecular karyotypes of several Leishmania isolates ( Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania guyanensis, Leishmania panamensis, Leishmania donovani, Leishmania major, Leishmania aethiopica, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania enriettii ) have been analyzed by clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) gel electrophoresis. The chromosomal localization of genes encoding 2 major surface glycoproteins, gp63 and gp46/M2, heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), and β-tubulin was determined for cloned isolates of 8 of these Leishmania species. The chromosome size class assignment of hsp70 genes was most conserved in that all species contained a single hybridizing DNA band of approximately 1200 kb. The β-tubulin gene probe hybridized predominantly to large (1600–1750 kb) chromosome-size DNA and to 1–5 additional bands, the number of which depended on the species. The number and size of DNA bands hybridizing to gp63 or gp46/M2 gene probes were not uniformly conserved among species. In contrast to previous reports of gp63 genes being located on a single chromosome, using various CHEF gel conditions we observed a Leishmania major gp63 gene probe hybridizing to at least 2 chromosomal DNA bands in the New World species and in L. tropica . Gp46/M2 genes were located on 1 band in L. donovani, L. major , and L. aethiopica or 2 bands in L. tropica and L. amazonensis , but surprisingly, do not hybridize to any chromosomal DNA of species in the L. braziliensis complex or in L. enriettii . Whenever both genes were present in a species, gp63 and gp46/M2 genes were located on different chromosomal DNA bands.
Multiple design point optimization of high-speed proprotors

Davis and G. J. Walker, Univ. of Tasmania, Australia, 1992, pp. 219-222. Standingford, D. W. R, Lazauskas, L. V., and Tuck, E. O., "On the Numerics of the Lifting Surface Equation," Applied Mathematics Dept, Univ. of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, 1995. Tuck, E. O., "Some Accurate Solutions of the Lifting Surface Equation," Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society (Series B), Vol. 35(2), Oct. 1993, pp. 127-144. Lan, C. E., "A Quasi-Vortex-Lattice Method in Thin Wing Theory," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 11, No. 9, 1974, pp. 518-527. ^urrill, D., "Wings and Free Speed," Open Wheel Magazine, May 1992, p. 63.
Principles for Practice with Substance-Abusing Pregnant Women: A Framework Based on the Five Social Work Intervention Roles

The author discusses components essential to pregnancy-specific substance abuse treatment based on a review of the literature. Elements and issues related to substance abuse during pregnancy are identified under the five social work intervention roles: teacher broker clinician mediator and advocate. The concepts and approaches presented in this article can be applied by social workers in residential or outpatient substance abuse treatment programs; hospital prenatal labor and delivery units; the child welfare system; public health districts; or community family service centers. (excerpt)
Estimate of errors in lagged time average numerical weather prediction

An idealized model for error growth is used to discuss numerical weather prediction model forecasts of time averages ranging from 0 to 30 days in duration at lags of 0 to 30 days. The idealized model allows a simple assessment of how the initial error, error growth rate and serial correlation, influence a forecast model's prediction of a time average. The simplified nature of the idealized model also allows an easy demonstration of how various filters applied to the raw numerical predictions can help to improve forecast skill. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1987.tb00323.x
Enhancing student interactions with the instructor and content using pen-based technology, youtube videos, and virtual conferencing

This report describes the incorporation of digital learning elements in organic chemistry and biochemistry courses. The first example is the use of pen-based technology and a large-format PowerPoint slide to construct a map that integrates various metabolic pathways and control points. Students can use this map to visualize the integrated nature of metabolism and how various hormones impact metabolic regulation. The second example is the embedding of health-related YouTube videos directly into PowerPoint presentations. These videos become a part of the course notes and can be viewed within PowerPoint as long as students are online. The third example is the use of a webcam to show physical models during online sessions using web-conferencing software. Various molecular conformations can be shown through the webcam, and snapshots of important conformations can be incorporated into the notes for further discussion and annotation. Each of the digital learning elements discussed in this report is an attempt to use technology to improve the quality of educational resources available outside of the classroom to foster student engagement with ideas and concepts. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 4–9, 2011
50 Years of Radiation Research: Medicine

The advances brought about by research in radiation medicine over the past 50 years are presented. The era began with the atomic explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the establishment of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission to understand what damage was caused by exposure of a large population to radiation. A better understanding of the effects of whole-body exposure led to the development of whole-body radiation treatment techniques and to bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of leukemias. The field of diagnostic imaging was revolutionized by a series of inventions that included angiography, mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and ultrasound imaging. The field of nuclear medicine came of age through new man-made radionuclides and the invention of scanning and imaging techniques including positron emission tomography. Radiotherapy, a minor sideline of radiology, developed into radiation oncology, an extremely important component of modern cancer therapy. The advances in clinical radiotherapy were made possible by discoveries and inventions in physics and engineering and by insights and discoveries in radiobiology. The result of the last 50 years of progress is a very powerful set of clinical tools.
The effect of fluorine on the phase equilibria in the lanthanum-aluminum-oxygen system

Abstract The results of electromotive force (EMF) measurements of the free energy of formation of LaAlO 3 have indicated that the compound LaAl 11 O 18 does not exist at temperatures below 1223 K. However, novel processing methods have shown that LaAl 11 O 18 can form at temperatures as low as 1273 K. This raises a question as to whether the low temperature limit for the formation of LaAl 11 O 18 is related to its formation kinetics or thermodynamic stability. This paper discusses how the addition of fluorine may affect the phase equilibria in the LaAlO system and explain the absence of LaAl 11 O 18 in the EMF measurements.
Miotic Activity Produced by Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase

Various biological activities of bis-phenacyl derivatives were investigated. The picoline derivatives demonstrated potent activity as inhibitors of human red blood cell cholinesterase. The compounds were effective miotic agents in mice and rabbits. Marked differences in toxicity of the positional isomers were noted. The 3-picoline derivative is a very toxic agent in mice, however it is equal to 2-picoline in activity as an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. Since the 2-picoline derivative is much less toxic, some mechanism other than inhibition of acetylcholinesterase must be involved to explain the high toxicity of the 3-picoline derivative.
Effective delivery of IgG-antibodies into infected cells via dendritic molecular transporter conjugate IgGMT

IgG antibody–transporter conjugates enable intracellular uptake of biologically active IgG antibodies that inhibit viral mediated syncytia formation in respiratory syncytial virus green fluorescent protein (RSV-GFP) infected human epithelial cells (HEp-2).
Beach response to a fixed sand bypassing system

Abstract Indian River Inlet is located at roughly the mid-point of the Atlantic coast of Delaware and connects the ocean to two Delaware inland bays. Jetties constructed in 1940 have maintained the inlet for navigation purposes but have also acted as a barrier to net northerly alongshore sediment transport causing downdrift erosion. A mobile, land-based bypassing system was initiated in 1990 in an effort to counteract this erosion. Beach profile data from 1985 (pre-bypassing) until 2008 are used to investigate the effect of the sand bypassing system on beaches adjacent to the inlet. The downdrift beach experienced horizontal shoreline erosion between 10 and 60 m during the pre-bypassing period but accreted 10–20 m during the bypassing period. The mean shoreline location on the updrift beach during bypassing is 10–20 m landward (erosion) of its position during the pre-bypassing period. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) amplitudes from analyses performed on mean-removed elevation surfaces during the periods of highest bypassed volume (average of 83% of design rate) showed that the influence of the bypassing system on the downdrift beach extends to about 1500 m of the inlet. An EOF analysis showed that different morphologic responses were evident following the initiation of bypass operations. Temporal variations of shoreline and beach morphology were correlated to the temporal variations in bypassing rates on the downdrift beach only. The downdrift beach response was greatest near the inlet for larger bypassing volumes. Correlation in these instances occurred with a roughly 1-year time lag suggesting that the beach quickly redistributes the bypassed sand. EOF amplitude and shoreline response are weakly correlated to bypassed volumes when the system bypassed smaller volumes (average of 56% of design rate) of sand suggesting that there is a minimum bypassing rate, regardless of yearly variability, below which the effect on the downdrift beach is obscured.
Structured Public Involvement in Context-Sensitive Noise Wall Design Using Casewise Visual Evaluation

The research team extended its structured public involvement (SPI) protocol to the field of context-sensitive noise wall design. Subject to a minimum sound attenuation capacity, noise walls must present a pleasing visual aspect to their user communities including residents, commuters, and others. This paper details the casewise visual evaluation (CAVE) methodology and discusses its application to a context-sensitive noise wall design in Arizona. The research team designed a fuzzy logic nonlinear modeling process, CAVE, that predicts group preference for specific designs even when such designs have not been created. CAVE offers significant advantages over current visual assessment methods such as the visual preference survey. Key noise wall design parameters, including height, topological variation, color value, plant coverage, and plant complexity, were identified by landscape architecture experts. Group preferences were gathered rapidly, anonymously, and fairly from a focus group by using electronic polling technology to evaluate digital images of samples and potential designs. Highest preference was achieved with berm-type walls combining medium-value, smooth stone featuring a basic pattern with undulating topographic variation and a higher degree of plant complexity. A range of nonlinear preference variations in response to changes in value and plant complexity were noted. Other preferred designs were documented for this context-specific Arizona case study. The advantages of the SPI process using CAVE and obstacles in its implementation are discussed.
Compositional Modification of Hot‐Pressed Silicon Nitride by High‐Temperature Electrolysis

Impurities and additives used in the liquid-phase densifica-tiondensification of silicon nitride ceramics are preferentially partitioned to the residual intergranular glass phase remaining in these materials. On the basis of a simple phenomenological ionic migration model, it is proposed and demonstrated that a high-temperature electrolysis treatment may be used to modify the concentration of both the additive and impurities. The compositional modification has a number of consequences and, as an illustration, the improvement in high-frequency dielectric loss produced as a result of the electrolysis treatment is presented.
Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of organic nitrates.

Abstract Organic nitrates are believed to provide relief from angina principally by dilating the coronary vasculature. Substantial evidence exists, however, to support a potent antiplatelet effect for these agents as well. Each of these compounds ultimately is metabolized to nitric oxide (or an S-nitrosothiol congener thereof), and this metabolite, in turn, is a potent activator of platelet guanylate cyclase. Activation of guanylate cyclase increases platelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and is accompanied by inhibition of agonist-mediated calcium flux, and, in turn, reduction of fibrinogen binding to the grycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor. Since fibrinogen binding is essential for platelet aggregation regardless of the agonist involved, its inhibition appears to be the critical mechanism by which platelet function is impaired by these agents. The recently recognized role that platelet-dependent thrombotic processes play in acute coronary syndromes suggests that the inhibition of platelets by nitrates may offer an additional mechanism by which these compounds improve perfusion to ischemic myocardium.
A consistently successful procedure for in vitro fertilization of golden hamster eggs

Complete details are described for the first time of the procedures used in the author's laboratory for obtaining in vitro fertilization (IVF) of golden hamster eggs leading to the first cleavage division. These IVF procedures have been developed during the past 20 years and are very reproducible: IVF of at least 75% of eggs is routinely achieved, and on average 65% of inseminated eggs undergo the first cleavage division in vitro. These results can easily be obtained by inexperienced investigators. The ease and reproducibility of the hamster IVF procedures make them very suitable for studies of sperm:egg interaction and associated events. Studies in the author's laboratory have included analysis of sperm fertilizing ability under chemically defined conditions, the presence of sperm acrosome reaction stimulating factors in the egg investments, maturation of oocytes in vitro, the block to polyspermy, and the contribution of egg aging to fertilization anomalies. In addition, the motility of hamster sperm under chemically defined conditions is used in a routine screening protocol for detecting contaminants in the culture milieu. Golden hamster gametes offer several distinct advantages for IVF studies, including the large size of the sperm acrosome, the persistence of the very large sperm tail in the ooplasm for many hours following fertilization, and the translucence of the ooplasm, which facilitates observation of the sperm tail and pronuclei. The female golden hamster exhibits a regular 4 day estrous cycle, with distinctive indications of estrus and proestrus phases. Because of the advantages of using the golden hamster, the procedures described in this report may be useful to other investigators wishing to conduct research using IVF. Essentially the same IVF procedures can be used with monkey and bovine gametes.
Transfer RNA shields specific nucleotides in 16S ribosomal RNA from attack by chemical probes

Abstract Binding of tRNA Phe to ribosomes shields a set of highly conserved nucleotides in 16S rRNA from attack by a combination of structure-specific chemical probes. The bases can be classified according to whether or not their protection is strictly poly(U)-dependent (G529, G530, U531, A1408, A1492, and A1493) or poly(U)-independent (A532, G693, A794, C795, G926, 2 m G966, G1338, A1339, U1381, C1399, C1400, and G1401). A third class (A790, G791, and A909) is shielded by both tRNA and 50S ribosomal subunits. Similar results are obtained when the protecting ligand is tRNA Phe E. coli , tRNA Phe yeast , tRNA Phe E. coli lacking its 3′ terminal CA, or the 15 nucleotide anticodon stem-loop fragment of tRNA Phe yeast . Implications for structural correlates of the classic ribosomal A- and P-sites and for the possible involvement of 16S rRNA in translational proofreading are discussed.