cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping and validation of QTL which confer partial resistance to broadly virulent post-2000 North American races of stripe rust in hexaploid wheat.

A mapping population of 186 recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross between UC1110, an adapted California spring wheat, and PI610750, a synthetic derivative from CIMMYT’s Wide Cross Program, was evaluated for its response to current California races of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in replicated field trials over four seasons (2007–2010) in the northern Sacramento Valley. A genetic map was constructed consisting of 1,494 polymorphic probes (SSRs, DArTs, and ESTs) mapped to 558 unique loci, and QTL analysis revealed the presence of four stripe rust resistance QTL segregating in this population, two from UC1110 (on chromosomes 3BS and 2BS) and two from PI610750 (5AL and 2AS). The two QTL of largest effects (on 3BS and 5AL) were validated in independent populations and their intervals narrowed to 2.5 and 5.3 cM, respectively. The 3BS QTL was shown, by allelism test and genotype, to carry a gene different from the Yr30/Sr2 complex. Mapped position also suggests that the 3BS QTL is associated with a gene different from either Yrns-B1 or YrRub, two stripe rust resistance genes mapped to this region in other studies. The 5AL QTL carries a previously unreported partial stripe rust resistance gene, designated here as Yr48. This paper discusses the individual contributions to resistance of these four QTL, their epistatic interactions, and their potential in durable resistance breeding strategies based on combinations of partial resistance genes.
The effect of abnormal birth history on ambulatory blood pressure and disease progression in children with chronic kidney disease.

Objective To examine the associations between abnormal birth history (birth weight Study design Casual and 24-hour ambulatory BP were obtained. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined by iohexol disappearance. Confounders (birth and maternal characteristics, socioeconomic status) were used to generate predicted probabilities of abnormal birth history for propensity score matching. Weighted linear and logistic regression models with adjustment for quintiles of propensity scores and CKD diagnosis were used to assess the impact of birth history on BP and GFR. Results Age at enrollment, percent with glomerular disease, and baseline GFR were similar between the groups. Those with abnormal birth history were more likely to be female, of Black race or Hispanic ethnicity, to have low household income, or part of a multiple birth. Unadjusted BP measurements, baseline GFR, and change in GFR did not differ significantly between the groups; no differences were seen after adjusting for confounders by propensity score matching. Conclusions Abnormal birth history does not appear to have exerted a significant influence on BP or GFR in this cohort of children with CKD. The absence of an observed association is likely secondary to the dominant effects of underlying CKD and its treatment.
Efficient algorithms for Stark–Zeeman spectral line shape calculations

Abstract A stochastic microfield formulation to treat particle motion effects in Stark-broadening of ion spectral lines by plasmas is extended to include an external uniform static magnetic field. The results are in good agreement with available line profile calculations from computer simulations. In addition, recently developed efficient algorithms are applied to Stark–Zeeman profile calculations with both static and dynamic ions.
Cancer imaging by optical coherence tomography: preclinical progress and clinical potential

The past decade has seen dramatic technological advances in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. These advances have driven commercialization and clinical adoption in ophthalmology, cardiology and gastrointestinal cancer screening. Recently, an array of OCT-based imaging tools that have been developed for preclinical intravital cancer imaging applications has yielded exciting new capabilities to probe and to monitor cancer progression and response in vivo. Here, we review these results, forecast the future of OCT for preclinical cancer imaging and discuss its exciting potential to translate to the clinic as a tool for monitoring cancer therapy.
Effects of rotatory inertia and transverse shear on the response of elastic plates to moving forces.

Rotatory inertia and transverse shear effects on quasi-stationary response of elastic strip plates to uniformly moving harmonic line loads
Formaldehyde removal from air via a rotating adsorbent combined with a photocatalyst reactor: Kinetic modeling

Abstract A novel rotating honeycomb adsorbent coupled with a photocatalytic reactor demonstrated by Shiraishi et al. is modeled here. In operation, the air pollutant formaldehyde was adsorbed from a simulated room (10 m 3 ) onto a slowly rotating honeycomb, which then passed slowly through a small chamber (0.09 m 3 ) in which locally recirculated heated air desorbed the formaldehyde and carried it through a photocatalytic reactor, which oxidized the desorbed material. The regenerated rotor-adsorbent then rotated back into the airtight chamber. This system was modeled at steady states and transient states to determine adsorption, desorption, and photocatalyst pseudo-first-order rate constants at the appropriate temperatures (ambient temperature for adsorption, 120–180 °C for desorption and photocatalysis). Intensity-corrected values for the photocatalytic rate constant k cat (cm 2 /(mW s)) deduced from fitting our model to the data of Shiraishi et al. were in good agreement with those calculated from five literature reports for formaldehyde photocatalytic destruction.
SU-E-CAMPUS-J-04: Evaluating Radiation-Induced Changes with Diffusion Weighted MRI and Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI in Patients with Early Stage Breast Cancer Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy: Initial Results

Purpose: Pre‐operative stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRT) was delivered in a single fraction to treat patients with early stage breast cancer; however, few data are available regarding radiation‐induced changes by SBRT. In this work, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI were used to assess the radiation‐induced changes following SBRT. Methods: In this study, 24 patients with early stage breast cancer were enrolled. A prescription dose of 15, 18 or 21Gy was delivered in a single fraction using intensity‐modulated radiotherapy. Patients were to be scanned with MRI about 1‐week before and 1‐week after SBRT. Among the patients, 13 patients have both pre‐and post‐MRI scans, and are analyzed in the work. The 13 patients include 6 patients receivng 15Gy, 3 patients receiving 18 Gy and 4 patients receiving 21 Gy. DWI and DCE‐MRI scans were acquired on a 1.5T GE clinical scanner using a standard 4‐channel breast coil. Apprant diffusion coefficient (ADC) and initial area under the concentration‐time curve for 5‐min after injection (iAUC5min) was used to assess radiation‐induced changes. Descriptive statistics of regional ADC (rADC) and regional iAUC5min was obtained for Gross Tumor Volume (GTV). Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to assess the changes, with statistical significance considered at p < 0.05. Results: After delivery of SBRT, the mean rADC increased from the baseline value by about 17% (p=0.030). Similarly, the mean iAUC5min increased from 1.93+/−0.20 mM‐min to 2.31+/−0.16 mM‐min, about 16% (p= 0.012) after treatment. Conclusion: In this study, MRI data revealed significant increases in rADC and iAUC of GTV after SBRT. The radiation‐induced changes after SBRT might imply microscopic water diffusion and microvascular change with an ablative radiotherapy dose. Further work is required to investigate the dose related changes and to determine whether the differences in baseline and individual treatment‐related changes have prognostic value.
Transfer of signed responses in American Sign Language from vocal English stimuli to physical object stimuli by a chimpanzee (Pan)

Abstract A chimpanzee was taught 10 signs of Ameslan (American Sign Language) using only vocal English words as stimuli. The corresponding physical objects were items found in the subject's home environment, and which he frequently encountered during daily activities. Reference was not made to these items during teaching sessions. Each teaching session was followed by a test session in which the objects were silently presented to the subject and the question What that? was signed to him. The subject acquired all 10 signs in response to the English word stimuli and then successfully transferred these signs to their physical object referents during testing.
A comprehensive quantitative analysis of methylated and ethylated DNA using high pressure liquid chromatography

Methods were developed for the efficient routine degradation and fractionation of ethylated and methylated DNA. Alkylated DNA was hydrolyzed by a neutral thermal method to yield 3- and 7- alkylpurines and O2-alkylcytosines. The partially apurinic DNA was separated from the bases by precipitation in 0.1 N HCl. Portions of the DNA precipitate were further hydrolyzed either by 0.1 N HCl to yield purine bases, or by enzymes to yield nucleosides and phosphotriesters. The chemical and enzymic digests were fractionated by a combination of high pressure liquid chromatography systems to yield quantitative estimates of the following products from methylated or ethylated DNA: 1-, 3-, and 7-alkyladenines, O2-alkylcytosines, 3-, O6-, and 7- alkylguanines and O2-, 3-, and O4-alkylthymines. N6-Alkyladenines, 1-alkylguanines and N2-alkylguanines were not detected and the 3- alkylcytosines were detected but not quantified. Phosphotriesters were estimated from the amounts of recovered alkyl phosphotriesters of thymidylyl (3'-5') thymidine. Using these methods, it was possible to account for 98, 81, 98, and 92% of the DNA bound alkyl groups obtained from DNA reacted with [14C]methyl methanesulfonate, [3H]ethyl methanesulfonate, N-[3H]-methyl-N-nitrosourea, and N-[14C]ethyl-N-nitrosourea, respectively. The methods described provide reproducible and quantitative methods of analysis for all the known methylated or ethylated products in a single DNA sample.
Prey selection by in vitro‐ and field‐reared Geocoris punctipes

The patterns of prey selection of Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), reared continously on artificial diet for six years, were almost identical with patterns shown by their field-derived counterparts. In paired choice experiments both the in vitro-reared and the wild G. punctipes showed a significant preference for Lygus hesperus over Aphis nerii, Heliothis zea, H. virescens, and Spodoptera exigua. There were no significant differences in choices made by the in vitro-reared and the wild G. punctipes. These similar feeding patterns suggest that in vitro rearing, even over extended periods, does not cause degradation in the prey selection characteristics of G. punctipes.
Patents - Are They Necessary Or Useful?

The role of the patent system in the economy of the United States is discussed, particularly whether it has contributed significantly to technological progress. The disparate views are reviewed and a plea is made for wider interest in improvement of the existing patent laws.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Endodermal sinus tumor of the infant vagina

Abstract A case of endodermal sinus tumor of the infant vagina is reported with long-term survival after successful therapy by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The previous 26 reported cases are reviewed and the problems of therapy and long-term management are discussed. Therapy of these tumors should be monitored by α-fetoprotein radioimmunoassay.
De-grading student evaluations: What’s wrong with student polls of teaching

A quarter o f a century ago, few universit ies polled their s tudents on the merits of their professors. Doing that was left to the students themselves, who polled each other and published the results in underground newspapers, for the benefit o f other students. But times have changed. In the seventies, the student poll of teaching (the SPOT) became an official part o f university policy, used in 86% of public universities to help administrators decide which professors to promote or raise in pay. ~ The S P O T has taken a big step up. It is time for universities to take a look at what they have done. Was the SPOT ' s rise merited? Has it proved its worth? Has it provided the universities with a good measure of teaching? Has it helped to improve teaching? Should it be continued? Although people think so, I remain unconvinced. I f a good teacher is one from whom students learn, there is not now and never has been any p roo f that the S P O T picks out the best teachers. Nor is there any p roof that SPOTs have benefited teaching. Instead, there are indications to the contrary.
Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines as p38 kinase inhibitors.

A convergent synthesis of substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines has been achieved either via a regioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-aminopyridines with alkynes or by thermal cyclization of disubstituted azirines. Subsequent palladium-catalyzed introduction of pyridines or de novo synthesis of pyrimidines affords inhibitors of p38 kinase.
Effects of cyclosporine A and methotrexate on CD18 expression in recipients of rat cardiac allografts

Abstract Recent advances in the study of the molecular basis of inflammation suggest that cell-cell interactions mediated by specific adhesion molecules could be new targets for immunosuppression. Methotrexate (MTX)-treated cells in vitro have demonstrated decreased neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion associated with increased release of adenosine from endothelial cells, while the direct role of cyclosporine A (CSA) in the regulation of cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression is less well-defined. Since the adhesion of leucocytes to endothelial cells via CAMs is necessary for leucocyte extravasation and infiltration into graft tissue during allograft rejection, these studies have addressed the hypothesis that MTX treatment of cardiac transplant recipients may affect cellular adherence by downregulating cell adhesion molecule expression. Using a vascularized method of rat cardiac transplantation, our studies have previously demonstrated that low doses of the immunosuppressive agents CSA and MTX, when used in combination, significantly increase allograft survival. According to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodology to measure changes in steady-state CD18 mRNA levels, and immunohistochemistry to assess transplant CD18 protein levels in situ, both CD18 transcript and protein levels were significantly increased in untreated allografts when compared to isograft tissues on days 3 through to 7 post-transplant. Whereas, both low-dose CSA alone and low-dose MTX alone treatment resulted in similar levels of graft leucocyte infiltration, MTX-treated recipients demonstrated lower levels of CD18 expression when compared to low-dose CSA alone treatment. The results of immunohistochemical staining for T cells, where significantly fewer T cells were observed in rat cardiac allografts after low-dose MTX treatment alone compared to low-dose CSA treatment, were noteworthy. Results of these studies indicate that CD18 expression and infiltrating T cell numbers in Brown Norway (BN) to Lewis (Lew) rat cardiac allografts are significantly diminished with low-dose MTX treatment. The immunosuppressive effects of MTX, therefore, may be related to its ability to interfere with an early step during the cell-mediated immune response, namely the firm binding or ‘adhesion’ of leucocytes to the endothelium during transendothelial migration.
Direct Calculation of Wave Implosion for Detonation Initiation

Numerical simulations of imploding shock waves for detonation initiation are reported. We solve the one-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and two-dimensional Euler equations for chemically reactive flows by the space-time conservation element and solution element method. One-dimensional results in cylindrical coordinates show that a converging shock produced by breaking a diaphragm for an initial pressure ratio of 1:0.2 atm is able to successfully initiate a detonation in an argon-diluted hydrogen/oxygen mixture (0.2H 2 + 0.1O 2 + 0.7Ar) initially at 300 K. The result also shows a two-shock implosion system caused by the interaction between the reflected primary shock and the imploding contact discontinuity. Two-dimensional solutions focus on imploding polygonal shock fronts. In each polygonal section, the imploding shock is analogous to a planar shock wave entering a channel with converging walls leading to complex wave reflections. Similar to that in the one-dimensional results, pressure histories in the focal region show multiple implosions.
Comparative endpoint sensitivity of in vitro estrogen agonist assays

Environmental and human health implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly xenoestrogens, have received extensive study. In vitro assays are increasingly employed as diagnostic tools to comparatively evaluate chemicals, whole effluent toxicity and surface water quality, and to identify causative EDCs during toxicity identification evaluations. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) initiated ToxCast under the Tox21 program to generate novel bioactivity data through high throughput screening. This information is useful for prioritizing chemicals requiring additional hazard information, including endocrine active chemicals. Though multiple in vitro and in vivo techniques have been developed to assess estrogen agonist activity, the relative endpoint sensitivity of these approaches and agreement of their conclusions remain unclear during environmental diagnostic applications. Probabilistic hazard assessment (PHA) approaches, including chemical toxicity distributions (CTD), are useful for understanding the relative sensitivity of endpoints associated with in vitro and in vivo toxicity assays by predicting the likelihood of chemicals eliciting undesirable outcomes at or above environmentally relevant concentrations. In the present study, PHAs were employed to examine the comparative endpoint sensitivity of 16 in vitro assays for estrogen agonist activity using a diverse group of compounds from the USEPA ToxCast dataset. Reporter gene assays were generally observed to possess greater endpoint sensitivity than other assay types, and the Tox21 ERa LUC BG1 Agonist assay was identified as the most sensitive in vitro endpoint for detecting an estrogenic response. When the sensitivity of this most sensitive ToxCast in vitro endpoint was compared to the human MCF-7 cell proliferation assay, a common in vitro model for biomedical and environmental monitoring applications, the ERa LUC BG1 assay was several orders of magnitude less sensitive than MCF-7. These observations highlight the importance of employing multiple assays with various molecular initiation and signaling events to inform selection, application, and interpretation of in vitro endpoint responses during future environmental diagnostic applications.
Surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic devices by ultraviolet polymer grafting.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices are increasing in popularity due to their ease of fabrication and low costs. Despite this, there is a tremendous need for strategies to rapidly and easily tailor the surface properties of these devices. We demonstrate a one-step procedure to covalently link polymers to the surface of PDMS microchannels by ultraviolet graft polymerization. Acrylic acid, acrylamide, dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxylethyl acrylate, and poly(ethylene glycol)monomethoxyl acrylate were grafted onto PDMS to yield hydrophilic surfaces. Water droplets possessed contact angles as low as 45° on the grafted surfaces. Microchannels constructed from the grafted PDMS were readily filled with aqueous solutions in contrast to devices composed of native PDMS. The grafted surfaces also displayed a substantially reduced adsorption of two test peptides compared to that of oxidized PDMS. Microchannels with grafted surfaces exhibited electroosmotic mobilities intermediate to those displayed ...
Multi-product total cost function for higher education: a case of bible colleges

Abstract This study empirically estimates a multi-product total cost function and output relationship for comprehensive universities in the United States. Statistical results based on data for 184 Bible colleges suggest that there are both economies of scale and economies of scope in higher education. In addition, product-specific economies of scope do exist for all output levels and activities.
Using ProSight PTM and related tools for targeted protein identification and characterization with high mass accuracy tandem MS data.

ProSight PTM v2.0, neuroProSight, and the Sequence Gazer allow the identification and characterization of proteins from high mass accuracy tandem mass spectrometric data of intact proteins and large peptides. Input data consists of one or more neutral precursor ion masses and a set of neutral b/y or c/z. fragment ions masses. This data is compared against “shotgun annotated” proteome databases or known protein sequences. With these tools it is possible to not only identify unknown proteins, but to determine the location of post-translational modifications (PTM) with 100% sequence coverage. Collectively, the tools create a search environment that allows five different search modes, including absolute mass and sequence tag searching, which are conveniently employed via a graphical user interface. Data management and chemical noise reduction tools are also available. These tools provide a complete environment for the identification and characterization of proteins from high resolution tandem mass spectrometry of intact proteins and large peptides. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 19:13.6.1-13.6.28. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: top-down; intact protein; post-translational modification (PTM); sequence tag; protein identification; protein characterization; Web
Channel borrowing without locking for sectorized cellular communications

Channel borrowing without locking (CBWL) is a family of channel sharing schemes for cellular communication systems. They allow real-time borrowing of channels from adjacent cells without the need for channel locking in cochannel cells. In this paper, an analysis of cochannel interference for CBWL schemes in sectorized cellular systems is presented. Two typical configurations are analyzed. One has 120/spl deg/ directional antennas and a reuse factor of seven. The other has 60/spl deg/ directional antennas and a reuse factor of four. The analysis shows that CBWL can significantly enhance the traffic capacity of sectorized cellular systems at the cost of a slight increase of cochannel interference in comparison with the corresponding sectorized scheme and no borrowing. >
Deciding to prosecute white-collar crime: A national survey of state attorneys general

In the past decade, academic research on white-collar crime has reemerged. Most of this inquiry has focused on three general issues: (1) public attitudes toward the seriousness of white-collar crime; (2) the use of government sanctions to control white-collar crime; (3) the differential and often beneficial treatment afforded white-collar criminals in comparison to traditional offenders. Little of this research has examined the prosecutorial link between occurrences of white-collar crime and the imposition of sanctions on white-collar offenders. In this study, an attempt to focus on the link that exists at the level of state attorneys general, a survey of the 50 state attorneys general was conducted. The results suggest the following: (1) state attorneys general prefer to use criminal sanctions, but use them most in cases involving individuals; (2) when organizations are involved in white-collar criminality, civil intervention is preferred; (3) the most crucial factor in the decision to prosecute and inve...
On Stability and the Spectrum Determined Growth Condition for Spatially Periodic Systems

We consider distributed parameter systems where the underlying dynamics are spatially periodic on the real line. We examine the problem of exponential stability, namely whether the semigroup eAt decays exponentially in time. It is known that for distributed systems the condition that the spectrum of A belong to the open left-half plane is, in general, not sufficient for exponential stability. Those systems for which this condition is sufficient are said to satisfy the Spectrum Determined Growth Condition (SDGC). In this work we separate A into a spatially invariant operator and a spatially periodic operator. We find conditions for the spatially invariant part to satisfy the SDGC, and show that the SDGC remains satisfied under the addition of a spatially periodic operator if this operator is `weak' enough relative to the spatially invariant one. A similar method is used to derive conditions which guarantee that A has left-half plane spectrum and thus establish exponential stability.
Mechanisms of the acute hypertensive effect of intra-arterial cadmium and mercury in anesthetized rats.

Abstract The acute diastolic hypertension induced by 40 μg of intra-arterially injected cadmium in anesthetized rats was found to be associated with marked increase in cardiac output. There was also some increase in the resistance of large arteries when isolated hindquarters of rats were perfused with 1.6 × 10 −5 M cadmium ion. The apparently similar acute diastolic hypertension induced by 140 to 560 μg of mercuric ion was associated with no change in cardiac output; however, there was marked increase in arterial resistance when isolated hindquarters were perfused with 8 × 10 −6 M mercuric ion.
Experimental limits on local realism with separable and entangled photons

Bell's theorem, and inequalities that stem from it, address the conflict between the explanation of key experimental observations by quantum mechanics (QM) and by models expressing Locally Realistic (LR) properties, regardless of their inclusion or exclusion of hidden variables. To demonstrate the conflict between experimental results described by QM and LR models, a physical realization of the quantum state must be chosen. Entangled photons or electrons provide the most viable choices. In this work we consider a simplified version of a Bell inequality (BI) that focuses entirely on the physical state properties of photons in order to demonstrate the difference between QM and LR correlations. While the experiment we propose is in principle similar in intent to prior Bell inequality experiments, our version requires fewer measurements, and is more advantageous in its conceptual clarity.
Future of sustained protein delivery

Proteins as biotherapeutics Proteins are promising biotherapeutics offering advantages such as selectivity, specificity and potency. A number of protein therapeutics are currently marketed and projected to acquire a major share of the pharmaceutical market in the future. Design, development and production of protein biologics has reached advanced stages due to advances in protein characterization [1,2], process control [3] and manufacturing technology [4]. The pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry invested nearly US$150 billion in the past 3 years for R&D of new therapeutic molecules including biopharmaceutical R&D. As a result, more than 907 biotherapeutics are currently in the various phases of clinical trials. Despite excellent therapeutic characteristics such as selectivity, specificity and potency,and fast-paced development and production, success with protein biotherapeutics in treating diseases is limited.
A model for concurrent checkpointing and recovery using transactions

Concurrent checkpointing and recovery using a concurrent transaction processing model which consists of four types of atomic operation and five types of conflict is developed. Each checkpoint/rollback transaction is executed by multiple processes in the system. They can be executed concurrently. It is shown that the consistency of recovery lines and rollback lines established by checkpoint transactions and rollback transactions can be achieved by enforcing serializability on the corresponding transactions. There are two advantages in using a transaction model for concurrent checkpointing and recovery: (1) it is easier to find algorithms to solve a transaction processing problem; and (2) based on this model, related issues of the two corresponding problems can be thought of uniformly. This model clarifies the concepts of concurrent checkpointing and recovery, and brings more ideas for designing algorithms. >
Internal stress compensation and scaling in ultrasensitive silicon pressure sensors

The pressure sensitivity of boron-doped silicon membranes has been characterized as a function of diaphragm dimensions and internal membrane stress. Using an electrostatic technique based on silicon microbridges, the internal stress for p/sup ++/ silicon (on glass), LPCVD silicon dioxide, and LPCVD silicon nitride was measured; typical values are 40, -300, and 950 MPa, respectively. Silicon membranes with several different edge lengths and deposited oxide and/or nitride coatings were characterized for sensitivity. While the pressure sensitivity can be reduced by more than a factor of twenty in the membranes due to boron-induced internal stress, the use of stress-compensating dielectrics can improve this sensitivity by a factor of six or more. Based on this theory and the measured material parameters, scaled experimental devices show typical sensitivities within 10-20% of the theoretical design targets. Pressure sensitivities as high as 2900 ppm/Pa have been achieved. >
An investigation of the thermal stability of undecylimidazole on copper by FT-IR reflection-absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The thermal stability of a 150 nm thick undecylimidazole layer on a copper surface has been studied by Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS). The reaction between undecylimidazole which is used as a corrosion inhibitor, and copper is studied as a function of heating conditions. Cleavage of the imidazole ring and structure of the progressive degradation of the decomposition products are proposed.
Prevalence of Language, Speech, and Hearing Disorders in an Urban Preschool Black Population:

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of primary language, speech, and hearing disorders in a black, urban preschool population. In assess ing the disorders, linguistically and culturally sensitive screening materials and scoring procedures were devised by the investigators. For children who failed speech and language screenings, standardized tests were administered; allowances were made for cultural, linguistic, and developmental issues. Of the 796 children screened, this study focused on the 719 black children, 368 females and 351 males, who ranged in age from 3 through 5 years. For 100 children, or 13.9% of the population, who failed the screenings, full diagnostic evaluations were administered and identified 36 children, or 5.6%, with communicative disorders. Of this 5.6%, the prevalences of language, speech, and hearing disorders were 2.6, 1.5, and 1.4%, respectively. The male-female ratios were 1.7:1, 0.8:1, and 5.0:1, respectively; it was 1.6:1 for all disorders. These findings are di...
A 45nm 0.6V cross-point 8T SRAM with negative biased read/write assist

We propose a new design solution for embedded SRAM macros with cross point 8T-SRAM for low operating voltage and power. A negative bias technique for VSS and bitline (BL) enables us to achieve not only low power and high access speed, but also the large cell stability and write ability. Using 45-nm CMOS technology, we fabricated the SRAM macro based on our proposal and confirmed that the 1Mbit-SRAM successfully operated at 0.6V. The active power is reduced by 66%, compared to the conventional 6T-SRAM.
Rapid solid-phase synthesis of bradykinin.

Abstract Modifications of the Merrifield solid phase method for peptide synthesis are presented. The technique as developed has permitted the synthesis of bradykinin, in good yield and high purity, in less than five hours.
Target-Based Identification of Whole-Cell Active Inhibitors of Biotin Biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Summary Biotin biosynthesis is essential for survival and persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) in vivo. The aminotransferase BioA, which catalyzes the antepenultimate step in the biotin pathway, has been established as a promising target due to its vulnerability to chemical inhibition. We performed high-throughput screening (HTS) employing a fluorescence displacement assay and identified a diverse set of potent inhibitors including many diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) scaffolds. To efficiently select only hits targeting biotin biosynthesis, we then deployed a whole-cell counterscreen in biotin-free and biotin-containing medium against wild-type Mtb and in parallel with isogenic bioA Mtb strains that possess differential levels of BioA expression. This counterscreen proved crucial to filter out compounds whose whole-cell activity was off target as well as identify hits with weak, but measurable whole-cell activity in BioA-depleted strains. Several of the most promising hits were cocrystallized with BioA to provide a framework for future structure-based drug design efforts.
Calculation of far zone electromagnetic fields radiated from structures in multilayer printed circuit boards

A two-step approach for computing radiation from a multilayer circuit board is presented. A circuit analysis based on s-parameters is used to find the current distributions. The far field is computed by assuming dipole radiation in layered media.
Fluorinated Coiled‐Coil Proteins Prepared In Vivo Display Enhanced Thermal and Chemical Stability

Fluorination of the hydrophobic core of a coiled-coil protein significantly improved its stability toward thermal and chemical denaturation. 5′,5′,5′-Trifluoroleucine (2) was efficiently incorporated into a leucine-zipper protein in place of leucine (1) during E. coli biosynthesis. The fluorinated variant maintained stable secondary and tertiary structures under conditions that caused denaturation of the “wild-type” protein.
Stand Down 95. Nutrition Intervention for Homeless Veterans

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will be able to plan and implement a nutrition intervention/assessment for home-less veterans at a Stand Down event after attending this presentation. In September 1995, the first nutrition intervention was provided at The Houston Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. This was the second year for the event in Houston and gave dietitians and students an opportunity to assess and assist homeless veterans. Stand Down is a military term for time out from active duty for a rehabilitative stay. Stand Down for Homeless Veterans is a time for them to have a reprieve from the battle on the streets with limited rations and under extreme conditions of hunger, loneliness and fear. An encampment was set up with cots, showers, clean clothes, food, entertainment and community resource support. Social and medical intervention tents were provided. Nutrition assessments were conducted using the 24 hour recall, The Food Selection Scorecard and the DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health Scoring System on 79 homeless veterans. Donated foods including fresh fruit were given to each person assessed. Referrals for food, food stamps, bread pantries and soup kitchens were made in addition to other social and medical services of need. This is an important new community service area in which dietetic professionals should have a presence. The interdisciplinary health care teams, the collaborative planning and execution, the training and intervention was a microcosm of public health programming, and opportunity not to be missed. The planning and implementation process was highly successful and could be duplicated in other communities.
Hyperfractionated total body irradiation for bone marrow transplantation. results in seventy leukemia patients with allogeneic transplants

Abstract From May, 1979 to March, 1981, 76 leukemia patients were prepared for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with a new hyperfractionated total body irradiation (TBI) regimen (1320 cGy in 11 fractions, 3×/day), followed by cyclophosphamide, 60 mg/kg, for two days. Partial lung shielding was done on each treatment, with supplemental electron beam treatments of the chest wall to compensate, and of the testes, a sanctuary site. This regimen was initiated to potentially reduce fatal interstitial pneumonitis as well as decrease leukemic relapse. These patients were analyzed in May, 1982, for a minimum follow-up of 14 months. Overall actuarial survival at 1 year for acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) patients is 63 %, while relapse-free survival at 1 year is 53%. For those ANLL patients who underwent BMT while in remission (first, second, and third combined), relapse-free survival is 61 % at 1 year compared with 40% for those patients who had their BMT at the time of relapse (≥ 10% blasts in marrow). On the other hand, for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients, there is no significant difference between relapse or remission patients with regard to overall survival or relapse-free survival, when relapse is defined as >5% blasts in the marrow at the time of cytoreduction. Overall actuarial survival at 1 year for ALL is 61 % and relapse-free survival is 45% at 1 year. Patients with ALL who had their BMT cytoreduction at the time of relapse have a survival equal to that of our remission patients, and greater than that of patients in relapse cytoreduced with a single dose as reported by others. However, patients with ≥ 10 % blasts have not fared as well, having only a 22 % 1 year relapse-free survival compared with a 68 % 1 year relapse-free survival for patients with
Peasant production of cash crops and social stability

All of my work in the last fifteen years has been influenced by my association with Bill Brown. But it is perhaps especially appropriate that this piece be included in this tribute to him, for it is the first paper which I wrote after joining him, and it focused on what was always of prime concern to him: the clarification of concepts. I still recall some of our discussion when I showed him the first draft: he was with it, at least insofar as the limits of space permitted development of the topic. Perhaps I remember this because this paper was in a way an earnest of what my stewardship in his institution should be. The paper was read at the American Anthropological Association annual meetings in Detroit, December 1954, in the Symposium on Economic Factors in Stability and Change. I made no effort then to submit it for publication in any of the appropriate journals because I had taken time out from writing my dissertation to do the paper and returned my attention to that urgent task (it was also my first year of teaching a survey course on African ethnography), and the paper was soon out of mind. Now, after a lapse of time, the question arises, should it be brought up to date? Two quite different things can be implied by this question. First, should more recent data be adduced? To do so would be to write a new paper which would have none of this one's association with W. O. Brown. Furthermore, this paper now has a certain historical value as a contemporary description of some aspects of late colonial conditions. Second, should the interpretation and conclusion be modified in the light of more recent writings? I feel that both can stand. Therefore, no change has been made in the text.
Infinite Combinations: Whether the Duty of Competency Requires Lawyers to Include Choice of Law Clauses in Contracts They Draft for Their Clients

This article analyzes whether lawyers must include choice of law provisions in agreements they draft for their clients. It analyzes the costs and benefits of such a rule, and concludes that there ought to be no per se ethical or malpractice rule requiring lawyers to do so, but that under some circumstances a competent lawyer must include such provisions.
Numerical Simulations of the Electric Organ Discharge of Weakly Electric Fish

A model of a weakly electric fish was constructed with data taken from Apteronotus leptorhynchus, and the electric organ discharge was simulated using boundary element and finite element methods. Maps of the electric potential measured around a live fish were used to calibrate the model parameters and test the results. Our goal is to quantitatively simulate various sequences of electrosensory input to the central nervous system resulting from the fish’s exploratory behavior.
Medical Facts versus Value Judgments — Toward Preference-Sensitive Guidelines

When medical experts' value judgments are incorporated into treatment guidelines, without any explicit acknowledgment that a reasonable patient might choose an alternative course of treatment, they take potential choices away from patients.
Increasing the speed limit for hole transport in DNA.

Transport of positive charge or holes in DNA occurs via a thermally activated multi-step hopping mechanism. The fastest hopping rates reported to date are those for repeating poly(purine) sequences...
Does 30-day readmission affect long-term outcome among glioblastoma patients?

BACKGROUND: Research on readmissions has focused mainly on the economic and resource burden it places on hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 30-day readmission on overall survival among newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of GBM patients diagnosed between 1991 and 2007 was studied using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare database. Multivariate models were used to determine factors associated with readmission and overall survival. Odds ratio, hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval, and P values were reported. Complete case and multiple imputation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among the 2774 newly diagnosed GBM patients undergoing surgery at 442 hospitals nationwide, 437 (15.8%) were readmitted within 30 days of the index hospitalization. Although 63% of readmitted patients returned to the index hospital where surgery was performed, a significant portion (37%) were readmitted to nonindex hospitals. The median overall survival for readmitted patients (6.0 months) was significantly shorter than for nonreadmitted (7.6 months; P < .001). In a confounder-adjusted imputed model, 30-day readmission increased the hazard of mortality by 30% (hazard ratio, 1.3; P < .001). Neurological symptoms (30.2%), thromboembolic complications (19.7%), and infections (17.6%) were the leading reasons for readmission. CONCLUSION: Prior studies that have reported only the readmissions back to index hospitals are likely underestimating the true 30-day readmission rate. GBM patients who were readmitted within 30 days had significantly shorter survival than nonreadmitted patients. Future studies that attempt to decrease readmissions and evaluate the impact of reducing readmissions on patient outcomes are needed.
Device for rapid and agile measurement of diffusivity in micro- and nanochannels.

The lack of a viable theory for describing diffusivity when fluids are confined at the micro- and nanoscale [Ladero et al. Chem. Eng. Sci.2007, 62, 666−678; Deen AIChE J.1987, 33, 1409−1425] has necessitated accurate measurement of diffusivity (D) [Jin and Chen Chromatographia2000, 52, 17−21; Nie et al. Science1994, 266, 1018−1021; Durand et al. Anal. Chem.2009, 81, 5407−5412], crucial for a host of micro- and nanofluidic technologies [Grattoni et al. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol.2010, 11, 343−365]. We demonstrate a rapid and agile method for the direct measurement of diffusivity in a system possessing 104 to 105 precisely fabricated channels with characteristic sizes (β) ranging from micro- to nanometers. Custom chambers allowed us to measure the diffusivity in a closed unperturbed system using UV/vis spectroscopy. D was measured for rhodamine B (RhoB) in aqueous solution in channels of 200 and 1 μm, as well as 13 and 5.7 nm. The observed logarithmic scaling of diffusivity with β, in close agreement with prio...
Estonia after 1991 Identity and Integration

The past two decades have witnessed a reassessment and broadening of conceptions of identity among both the ethnic Estonian and Russian populations in Estonia. In addition to a continuing focus on aspects of national distinctiveness, emphasizing their small numbers, language, culture, territorial homeland, and—as a new factor—the state, the Estonians have increasingly engaged with a wider range of identities (local, regional, and European). Among these, the regional level has been the most productive, enhancing Estonia’s already strong ties to Finland but also fostering closer connections to its other Nordic and Baltic neighbors. Although integration into NATO and integration into the European Union continue to receive strong approval, a European identity is still in the process of formation. For the Russian community, the fall of communism led to a full reevaluation of the bases of its identity. The major trend has seen a shift from a political consciousness (loyalty to the Soviet Union) to a greater emp...
First-principles study of HfO2: GaAs interface passivation by Si and Ge

We investigated the HfO2:GaAs interface electronic structure and interface passivation by first principles calculations. The HfO2:GaAs interface of HfO2 terminated with four O atoms and GaAs terminated two Ga atoms is found to be the most energetically favorable. It is found that the interface states mainly arise from the interfacial charge mismatch, more specifically from the electron loss of interfacial As. Si or Ge as an interfacial passivating layer helps to maintain the charge of interfacial As and hence reduce the interface states.
Clinical analysis of 150 cases of pediatric patients with acute gastritis

Objective To study and analyze the clinical effect of different treatments on patients with acute gastritis in children.Methods According to the hospital from 2012 January to 2013 July, diagnosed and hospitalized children with acute gastritis 150 cases, in accordance with the principle of randomly, the patients were divided intoobservation group and control group with 75 cases in each group, the control group were given Smectite Powder orally,the patients in observation group according to different causes, giving Glucose Injection or chloride sodium injectionand cimetidine intravenous injection treatment respectively,after the end of treatment, compared two groups of treatment. Results All the patients after treatment, the patients in observation group the total effective rate was 98.7%, significantly higher than the patients in the observation group(88%), the two groups of patients and the total efficiency compared with the obvious difference, there were statistical significance. Conclusion For patients with acute gastritis,only according to the etiology of different patients, and to take effective treatment, can achieve theeffect of clinical treatment significantly.
Recent Advances in Forward Surgical Team Training at the U.S. Army Trauma Training Department.

ABSTRACT U.S. Army Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) are elite, multidisciplinary units that are highly mobile, and rapidly deployable. The mission of the FST is to provide resuscitative and damage control surgery for stabilization of life-threatening injuries in austere environments. The Army Trauma Training Center began in 2001 at the University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center under the direction of COL T. E. Knuth, MC USA (Ret.), as a multimodality combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences that provided the only predeployment mass casualty and clinical trauma training center for all FSTs. Each of the subsequent five directors has restructured the training based on dynamic feedback from trainees, current military needs, and on the rapid advances in combat casualty care. We have highlighted these evolutionary changes at the Army Trauma Training Center in previous reviews. Under the current director, LTC J. M. Seery, MC USA, there are new team-building exercises, mobile learning mod...