cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An NADH-coupled assay for femtogram or nanogram quantities of chymotrypsin

Chymotrypsin can be determined with an NADH-coupled assay. Hydrolysis of the substrate benzoyltyrosine ethyl ester is monitored by coupling the liberation of ethanol to the production of NADH and determining the NADH spectrophotometrically or fluorometrically. Nanogram quantities of chymotrypsin can be determined in milliliter volumes. With these microfluorescence methods this assay can be performed in a final volume of less than a nanoliter, allowing determination of femtogram quantities of chymotrypsin, the amount present in an individual zymogen granule.
Irradiation studies on carbon nanotube-reinforced boron carbide

Abstract Radiation response of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced boron carbide composite has been studied for its application as a structural component in nuclear engineering. The composite was bombarded by 140 keV He ions at room temperature to a fluence ranging from 1 × 10 14 to 1 × 10 17 cm −2 . Two-dimensional Raman mapping shows inhomogeneous distribution of CNTs, and was used to select regions of interest for damage characterization. For CNTs, the intensities ratio of D–G bands ( I D / I G ) increased with fluence up to a certain value, and decreased at the fluence of 5 × 10 16 cm −2 . This fluence also corresponds to a trend break in the plot of FWHM (full width at half maximum) of G band vs. I D / I G ratio, which indicates amorphization of CNTs. The study shows that Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool to quantitatively characterize radiation damage in CNT-reinforced composites.
A hormone-based characterization and taxonomy of stress: Possible usefulness in managment

Abstract [ldquo ]Stress[rdquo ] is being increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of psychological and somatic disturbances. Because responses to stress can vary widely, the absence of a suitable, pathophysiologically based taxonomy of stress responses has hindered physicians in their efforts to devise treatments tailored to deal with specific stress-related problems. It is proposed herein that classical endocrinologic criteria be employed to characterize stress responses in terms of the associated hormonal secretion ratios and their temporal evolution. Ratios of the responses to stressors of the sympathoadrenal system (SA) and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can be either unity (ratio = 1) or dissociated in varying degree, with SA or HPA dominance and for more or less prolonged periods. Published reports of studies in both laboratory animals and patients with stress-associated illnesses (eg, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) suggest that such hormone-secretion ratios together with their temporal patterns can be used to characterize the particular stress response under examination, thereby providing strong support for further study of the proposed taxonomy. Such a classification of responses to stress stimuli will make it possible to test the overall concept by establishing a correspondence between the suggested hormonal profile and the associated clinical/psychological picture, as well as enable assessment of the benefit of a therapeutic strategy designed to fit the particular category of stress response exhibited by the patient.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children with diabetes mellitus.

Seven children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were found to have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis;six of these children had the polyarticular form of the disease. All six had positive serology (rheumatoid factor and/or antinuclear antibody) and clinical or serologic evidence of autoimmune diseases usually ascribed to the thyrogastric cluster. Five expressed HLA antigens associated with increased risk for both diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Evidence of B cell hyperactivity and impaired T cell response was found in some, but immunoregulatory, function was normal in all. The association of these two diseases may be the result of factors other than chance alone, and may be more common than previously suspected.
Antigenicity of hemoglobin and its constituents: I. Antigenicity of human adult hemoglobin and its structural units (α and β chains)

Abstract Hemoglobin, globin, separated α and β chains are immunogenic in guinea-pigs. Specific antisera against α chain and against β chain may be produced. Hemoglobin A appears to have at least 4 different types of antigenic determinants, two of which are specific for β chain (one type shared with isolated β chain and globin, the other only on intact hemoglobin), one is specific for the α chain and is shared with globin an separated α chain, the other present on hemoglobin A and characteristic for the α chain or union of α chain with β chain of the intact hemoglobin A molecule. The antigenic determinants not shared with the separated α and β chains appear to be, in some cases, more immunogenic than those shared with the isolated chains.
Semiclassical formalism of optical absorption and breathers in polyacetylene.

A formalism for the optical absorption in a coupled electron-ion system is developed. The formalism assumes an initial trajectory with frequency much lower than electronic energy scales, and a short-memory condition, i.e., the excited-state trajectories diverge away from the initial trajectory within one period. The result shows nonadiabatic features such as level broadening, sidebands, and tails in nonclassical regimes. We apply the formalism to breather modes in polyacetylene and show that they can account for the intragap absorption tail and for the observed photoinduced absorption at 1.35 eV.
The Politics of Localism in an Era of Centralization, Privatization, and Choice

Recent state and national policy has both reflected and helped to further an image of localities as parochial, reactionary, ineffective, and appropriately marginalized in the enterprise of school reform. Growing state and national roles (on one hand) and growing market and private sector inroads (on another) have the potential to undermine localities as sites for both pragmatic policy making and for political mobilization (exercising power in the other sectors). This chapter begins with a discussion of the image of local obsolescence, a set of loosely connected ideas that has helped to convince political leaders and school reformers that by-passing local school districts is not only advisable but the logical and inevitable consequence of broad historical trends. While intellectually coherent and politically compelling, this myth of local obsolescence is empirically suspect. Centralization, privatization, and school choice are each powerful policy initiatives that are shifting the educational landscape, but localities are likely to remain a critical fulcrum in the ways these unfold and mature. Local forms of education and the decision-making processes that affect these are indeed changing and will continue to change. These changes, though, are widely misunderstood. The precise role of localism, I will suggest, has evolved along the way, but neither federalism nor pragmatic privatization constitute zero sum games in which the expansion of activity by one level or one sector necessarily comes at the expense
A BSP Recursive Divide and Conquer Algorithm to Compute the Inverse of a Tridiagonal Matrix

In this paper we discuss a recursive divide and conquer algorithm to compute the inverse of an unreduced tridiagonal matrix. It is based on the recursive application of the Sherman?Morrison formula to a diagonally dominant tridiagonal matrix to avoid numerical stability problems. A theoretical study of the computational cost of this method is developed, comparing it with the experimental times measured on an IBM SP2 using switch and Ethernet hardware for communications between processors. Experimental results are presented for two and four processors. Finally, the method is compared with a divide and conquer method for solving tridiagonal linear systems.
Properties of Lubrol-solubilized acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo electroplax

Abstract The efficiencies of two nonionic and four anionic detergents in solubilizing acetylcholine receptors (AChR) (as detected by ACh-binding) from electric tissue of Torpedo were compared. Lubrol WX solubilized the highest concentration of active AChR/mg protein and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) abolished ACh-binding; however, removal of the latter detergent resulted in a small recovery of ACh binding. The Lubrol-solubilized AChR was similar to the particulate AChR in binding ACh at two sites reversibly, with high affinities, and in showing autoinhibition at ACh concentrations higher than 1 μ m . Also, binding of ACh was abolished by boiling and was reduced by pretreatment with trypsin, pronase, and phospholipases. However, “kinetics” of ACh binding to solubilized AChR were changed: there were increases in the affinity of the high-affinity site and in the ratio of the concentrations of the high- to low-affinity site, and the Hill coefficient was reduced to 0.66. Its nicotinic nature was demonstrated by blockade of ACh binding by 13 nicotinic drugs including α-bungarotoxin and cobrotoxin. Anticholinesterases were also blockers, but 21 noncholinergic drugs had no effect. Ultrafiltration and gel chromatography were used to separate the ACh-binding macromolecules. Sepharose 6B gave partial separation of AChR from AChE. The molecular weight of the smallest functional AChR was between 50,000 and 100,000 daltons, and had a high tendency to aggregate. The majority of Lubrol-solubilized AChR had molecular weights above 300,000 daltons.
Surface-pressure fluctuations associated with aerodynamic noise on the space shuttle launch configuration at transonic and supersonic speeds

A 0.035-scale space shuttle model was recently tested at Ames Research Center to define the fluctuating surface pressures during the launch phase of the full-scale vehicle. A 120-channel data acquisition and reduction system was employed to obtain fluctuating pressure measurements from 240 pressure transducers in two separate data passes. Time histories from all transducers were recorded on four 32-track FM tape recorders. A minicomputer was used to compute and record on-line rms values, the fluctuating pressure coefficient, and full-scale dB levels. The minicomputer also partially controlled the test conditions and fully controlled all data acquisition sequences, thus greatly improving the efficiency of test operations. This paper presents details of the tests and illustrates the fluctuating pressures that will occur on the space shuttle and launch vehicle.
Placement of the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary in western New York State

Despite many years of detailed examination focused on the Silurian strata of New York State, the position of the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary has, to date, not been satisfactorily cstablished. Reccnt discovery of early Ludlovian graptoloid graptolites, however, provides the first conclusive biostratigraphic evidence for placement of this chronostratigraphic boundary within the New York sections. The carly Ludlovian genera Saetograptus and Spinograptus were recovered from a thin, but laterally persistent bed of argillaceous dolostone located near the base of the Goat Island Formation. This occurrencc indicates that the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary is at or near the contact between the Goat Island Formation and the underlying Gasport Formation, considerably lower than had previously been suspected. □Silurian, Wenlockian, Ludlovian, graptolites, stratigraphy. biostratigraphy.
INTUITION AND DECISION MAKING: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

Summary.-Research on the role that intuition plays in decision making is sadly lacking. This may be a serious oversight, especially given the frequent references to intuition made by some of our most successful business leaders. This study separated subjects into groups with high and low intuition depending on the ability to identify cards before actually seeing the cards. Subjects then made a series of simulated managerial decisions. The subjects in the highly intuitive group made significantly better decisions in the simulated decision task than other subjects. These results suggest that some individuals may have unique intuitive abilities which may assist in decision making. The scientific examination of intuition is a neglected area of decisionmaking research. After a review of the research on intuition and managerial decision making, Isaadc (1978) concluded that management scholars should devote more attention to the role of intuition in decisions. Just what is intuition? Isaack (1978, p. 919) believes that "terms like 'hunch,' 'guess,' and 'feel,' are synonymous with intuition when they are used in a context which alludes to arriving at knowledge without conscious awareness of rational thinking." Some instances of intuition may reflect a "sixth sense" in that they involve perception outside the traditional channels of hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. Other intuitive behaviors may merely reflea skills at integrating and synthesizing diverse and complex information. These latter skills have been identified with activities in the right hemisphere of the brain. This paper focuses on intuition as it relates to perception outside of the traditional channels. Understandably, scholars are skeptical about the existence of intuitive powers. The major reason for their skepticism most likely revolves around the belief that occurrences in nature should be explainable in rational, scientific terms. In fact, ours is a society of technology and rationality. Mackenzie and Mackenzie ( 1980) stated: 0 Intellecrual resistance to parapsychology cannot be understood as simple prejudice, or ar normal resistance by scientists to new and counter-intuitive findings, or even as normal resistance to findings that conflict with current scientific theories. The resistance stems instead from the incompatibility of paranormal phenomena with the assumptions underlying the development of modern science since the seventeenth century. These assumptions constitute a loose but unvarying a prio+i framework for the interpretation of nature within the natural sciences; paranormal phenomena can be defined as all those which ate rendered impossible by acceptance of this framework (p. 125).
Threatened fishes of the world: Crystallaria cincotta Welsh and Wood 2008 (Percidae)

Common name: Diamond Darter. Conservation status: Listed as a “species of special concern” by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Extirpated from Tennessee (Etnier and Starnes 1993), Kentucky (Burr and Warren 1986), and Ohio (Trautman 1957). Systematics: Sister species of Crystallaria asprella (Wood and Raley 2000; Morrison et al. 2006). Identification: C. cincotta is overall translucent with silvery white ventral side of the body and head and four wide olive-brown saddles on the back and upper side. Preorbital blotch and 12–14 mid-lateral blotches along side (Welsh and Wood 2008). Longest known individual is 77 mm SL (Welsh and Wood 2008). D1 11–13 (12), D2 11–15 (13), A I, 11–13 (13), lateralline scales 83–93 (87), cheek scale rows 1–4 (2), opercle scale rows 1–4 (2). Pelvic fins with falcate posterior margin. Drawing by SAW, 75 mm SL male, Elk River, WV. Distribution: Extant population in the Elk River of Kanawha River drainage, WV (Cincotta and Hoeft 1987; Welsh and Wood 2008). The range previously included the Muskingum River, OH, Ohio River, OH, Green River, KY, and the Cumberland River drainage, KY and TN. Abundance: Rare, known from 12 individuals (Welsh and Wood 2008). Habitat and ecology: Collected from riffles and pools with <1.5 m depth, moderate flow, and sand, gravel, and cobble substrates (Osier 2005). Based on habitats used by its sister species (C. asprella), the Diamond Darter may also use areas of deeper pool and run habitats. Reproduction: George et al. (1996) reported on reproduction of the sister species, C. asprella; however, no information is available on reproduction of C. cincotta. Threats: Grandmaison et al. (2003) reported siltation from current landuse practices as a major concern for conservation of Crystallaria in the Elk River drainage. Conservation action: No current conservation action has been implemented. Environ Biol Fish (2009) 84:191–192 DOI 10.1007/s10641-008-9405-z
Vascular dementia and dementia of the Alzheimer type. Cognition, ventricular size, and leuko-araiosis.

• Multi-infarct dementia (MID) and dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) were compared with regard to ventricular size and leuko-araiosis (LA) on computed tomographic scans. Ninety-seven percent of patients with MID and 55.5% of patients with DAT had evidence of LA. The severity of LA was scored with a 0 through 4 rating system, and LA was found to be significantly more severe in patients with MID than in patients with DAT. Patients with MID, but not those with DAT, exhibited correlations between enlargement of the third and lateral ventricles and severity of cognitive impairment.
Two roads to coma: The Scottish hypothesis

Clinical experience seems to indicate two separate types of entry to coma. Some patients follow a pathway characterized by confusion, hallucinations, mumbling delirium, myoclonic jerks, and seizures. The author has called this sequence of symptoms the high road to coma and hypothesized that its basic underlying pathophysiology involves increased neuronal firing rates. Other patients develop somnolence, lethargy, obtundation, and unresponsiveness without seizures or muscle twitches. This low road to coma involves either anatomical compression of the midbrain reticular formation or a metabolic or toxic disorder characterized by membrane stabilization and decreased neuronal excitability.
Real-time adaptive combustion control using diode-laser absorption sensors

A wavelength-multiplexed, diode-laser absorption sensor system, comprised of two distributed feedback (DFB) In GaAsP diode lasers and fiber-optic components, has been developed to nonintrusively measure gas temperature and H2O concentration over a single path in the combustion region of a 5-kW, atmospheric-pressure, non-premixed, annular dump combustor. The wavelengths of the DFB lasers were independently current-tuned at 10-kHz rates across H2O transitions near 1343 nm (v1+v3 band) and 1392 nm (2v1, v1+v3 bands). Temperature was determined from the ratio of measured peak absorbances. Water-vapor mole fraction was determined from the measured absorbance and gas temperature values. The diode-laser sensors were applied for closed-loop control of the combustor, which utilized the concepts of acoustic forcing to improve the fuel-air mixing and thus the combustion efficiency. Adaptive control strategies were investigated that used the measured mean H2O concentration and the instantaneous temperature as sensed parameters. The relative phase between the acoustic forcing of the central air and the fuel (C2H4) flow, as well as the fuel-forcing amplitude, was adjusted to maximize the coherence and the extent of reaction in the combustion region and thus optimize the combustor performance. The closedloop control system was able to adaptively optimize the combustor performance within 100 ms, which corresponded to seven characteristic time constants of the actuator. The results obtained demonstrate the applicability of multiplexed diode-laser absorption sensors for rapid, continuous measurements and control of multiple flowfield parameters in high-temperature combustion environments.
Muscle injury and antioxidant status in sled dogs competing in a long-distance sled dog race

Exercise is associated with an increase in the production of oxidants that may be instrumental in the development of exertional rhabdomyolysis. We speculated that participation in a long-distance sled race would alter antioxidant capacity of dogs, in conjunction with increases in indices of rhabdomyolysis. The objective was to determine the effect of participation in a long-distance sled dog race on antioxidant capacity and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity in sled dogs. This was a prospective, longitudinal study on a convenience sample of 57 Alaskan sled dogs participating in a 1600 km sled dog race. Blood samples were collected before racing (31 dogs) and after racing (39 dogs) for measurement of plasma vitamin E concentration; CK, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and caeruloplasmin (CER) activity; and red-blood-cell (RBC) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. CER and GPX activities after the race were 26% and 14% lower, respectively, than before racing whereas CK and AST were 300% and 170% greater. There was no change in plasma vitamin E concentration or RBC SOD activity. We conclude that completion of a long-distance sled dog race involving prolonged and repeated submaximal exercise results in a reduction in enzymatic antioxidant activity in the blood of sled dogs.
Analyses of cost effectiveness in the management of essential hypertension: What they can and what they do not teach us

There are approximately 50 million hypertensive individuals in the United States, and their treatment is often life-long. Most are asymptomatic, so the goal of treatment is to prevent complications, which often occur decades after the condition is detected. Although the management of hypertension is potentially very costly, it is now clear that antihypertensive therapy can substantially reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This constellation of an asymptomatic process with a very high prevalence capable of producing severe and potentially costly complications is precisely the circumstance under which cost effectiveness of therapy becomes an important consideration. Several such analyses have been performed, examining the question of which patients should be treated, what procedures should be used in their evaluation, and which therapeutic agents should be used. These studies highlight important issues, but also illustrate the potential pitfalls and fallacies of such analyses, particularly when outcome data are unavailable or inadequate. This article reviews the literature concerning cost-effectiveness analyses in the management of hypertension and discusses the value of this approach.
Clinical epidemiology of carbapenem- resistant enterobacteriaceae in community hospitals: A case-case-control study

Background: The occurrence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Despite that increase, there are limited data identifying risk factors. Objective: To evaluate risk factors associated with the acquisition of CRE among hospitalized patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-case-control study in 4 community hospitals from June 2007 through June 2012. Case group 1 (CG1) consisted of patients with CRE. Case group 2 (CG2) consisted of patients with carbapenem susceptible Enterobacteriaceae (CSE). CG2 patients were matched to CG1 patients by site of infection and species of Enterobacteriaceae. Hospitalized controls were matched 2:1 by date of admission and hospital location to patients in CG1. Two sets of analyses were conducted comparing demographics, comorbidities, and antibiotic exposures of CG1 and CG2 to controls and then contrasted to identify unique risk factors associated with CRE. Results: Overall, 104 patients (CG1, 25 patients; ...
The influence of white noise on sleep in subjects exposed to ICU noise

Abstract Background and purpose There is disagreement in the literature about the importance of sleep disruption from intensive care unit (ICU) environmental noise. Previous reports have assumed that sleep disruption is produced by high-peak noise. This study aimed to determine whether peak noise or the change in noise level from baseline is more important in inducing sleep disruption. We hypothesized that white noise added to the environment would reduce arousals by reducing the magnitude of changing noise levels. Patients and methods Four subjects underwent polysomnography under three conditions: (1) baseline, (2) exposure to recorded ICU noise and (3) exposure to ICU noise and mixed-frequency white noise, while one additional subject completed the first two conditions. Baseline and peak noise levels were recorded for each arousal from sleep. Results A total of 1178 arousals were recorded during these studies. Compared to the baseline night (13.3±1.8arousals/h) the arousal index increased during the noise (48.4±7.6) but not the white noise/ICU noise night (15.7±4.5) ( P P =0.65). Conclusions Peak noise was not the main determinant of sleep disruption from ICU noise. Mixed frequency white noise increases arousal thresholds in normal individuals exposed to recorded ICU noise by reducing the difference between background noise and peak noise.
A Study of the Impacts of Low-Carb OJ on the Demand for OJ

Abstract This study used the uniform substitute specification of the Rotterdam demand system to study the impacts of low-carb orange juice (OJ) drinks on the demand for five brands of 100% OJ and OJ blends using weekly ACNielsen scanner observations for the period from June 15, 2002 to October 23, 2004. The results of this study indicate that the uniform substitute assumption cannot be rejected. The results found in this study suggest that the sales of low-carb OJ drinks had a negative impact on the sales of OJ and OJ blends.
Low Dose Rate Effects in Shallow Trench Isolation Regions

Dose-rate effects are studied in shallow trench isolation regions. Increased damage is observed at low dose rate, with a different dose dependence compared to tests done at high dose rate. A three-dimensional modeling program was used to show that charge trapping occurs much deeper in the trench region when sufficient charge is present to reduce the field in the trench.
Impact of Tumor Vascularity on Responsiveness to Antiangiogenesis in a Prostate Cancer Stem Cell-Derived Tumor Model

Drugs that target the tumor vasculature and inhibit angiogenesis are widely used for cancer treatment. Individual tumors show large differences in vascularity, but it is uncertain how these differences affect responsiveness to antiangiogenesis. We investigated this question using two closely related prostate cancer models that differ markedly in tumor vascularity: PC3, which has very low vascularity, and the PC3-derived cancer stem-like cell holoclone PC3/2G7, which forms tumors with high microvessel density, high tumor blood flow, and low hypoxia compared with parental PC3 tumors. Three angiogenesis inhibitors (axitinib, sorafenib, and DC101) all induced significantly greater decreases in tumor blood flow and microvessel density in PC3/2G7 tumors compared with PC3 tumors, as well as significantly greater decreases in tumor cell proliferation and cell viability and a greater increase in apoptosis. The increased sensitivity of PC3/2G7 tumors to antiangiogenesis indicates they are less tolerant of low vascularity and suggests they become addicted to their oxygen- and nutrient-rich environment. PC3/2G7 tumors showed strong upregulation of the proangiogenic factors chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and VEGFA compared with PC3 tumors, which may contribute to their increased vascularity, and they have significantly lower endothelial cell pericyte coverage, which may contribute to their greater sensitivity to antiangiogenesis. Interestingly, high levels of VEGF receptor-2 were expressed on PC3 but not PC3/2G7 tumor cells, which may contribute to the growth static response of PC3 tumors to VEGF-targeted antiangiogenesis. Finally, prolonged antiangiogenic treatment led to resumption of PC3/2G7 tumor growth and neovascularization, indicating these cancer stem-like cell-derived tumors can adapt and escape from antiangiogenesis.
Partitioning of primary production among giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), understory macroalgae, and phytoplankton on a temperate reef

We experimentally investigated the response of phytoplankton and understory macroalgae to canopies of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, by following changes in their biomass and net primary production over 17 months in 600-m2 plots where giant kelp was continually removed or left intact and allowed to vary naturally. Production by phytoplankton was two times greater and understory algae five times greater where Macrocystis was removed relative to the intact forest. Understory biomass, but not phytoplankton biomass, was suppressed inside the forest, leading to a higher magnitude of effect on net primary production (NPP) by understory relative to phytoplankton. Following a natural decline of the Macrocystis canopy by winter storms, understory macroalgae and phytoplankton increased production in the Macrocystis control plot. This response was delayed for both groups, with phytoplankton production increasing in spring and understory increasing later during summer. The longer delay for understory macroalgae was likely due to restrictions in the timing of macroalgal recruitment and their slower growth rates compared with phytoplankton and with increased competition for light resulting from greater light absorption by the spring phytoplankton bloom. Surprisingly, total ecosystem production that included NPP by Macrocystis, phytoplankton, and understory algae did not differ between the Macrocystis control and removal plots for much of the study. NPP by understory algae, which comprised the bulk of the ecosystem NPP in the Macrocystis removal plot, can compensate to varying degrees for the loss of Macrocystis production following its removal by winter storms.
Production of a High-Efficiency TILLING Population through Polyploidization

Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING) provides a nontransgenic method for reverse genetics that is widely applicable, even in species where other functional resources are missing or expensive to build. The efficiency of TILLING, however, is greatly facilitated by high mutation density. Species vary in the number of mutations induced by comparable mutagenic treatments, suggesting that genetic background may affect the response. Allopolyploid species have often yielded higher mutation density than diploids. To examine the effect of ploidy, we autotetraploidized the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ecotype Columbia, whose diploid has been used for TILLING extensively, and mutagenized it with 50 mm ethylmethane sulfonate. While the same treatment sterilized diploid Columbia, the tetraploid M1 plants produced good seed. To determine the mutation density, we searched 528 individuals for induced mutations in 15 genes for which few or no knockout alleles were previously available. We constructed tridimensional pools from the genomic DNA of M2 plants, amplified target DNA, and subjected them to Illumina sequencing. The results were analyzed with an improved version of the mutation detection software CAMBa that accepts any pooling scheme. This small population provided a rich resource with approximately 25 mutations per queried 1.5-kb fragment, including on average four severe missense and 1.3 truncation mutations. The overall mutation density of 19.4 mutations Mb–1 is 4 times that achieved in the corresponding diploid accession, indicating that genomic redundancy engenders tolerance to high mutation density. Polyploidization of diploids will allow the production of small populations, such as less than 2,000, that provide allelic series from knockout to mild loss of function for virtually all genes.
An Improved Bidirectional SCR Structure for Low-Triggering ESD Protection Applications

An improved dual-polarity silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) device has been proposed and realized in a 0.6-mum bipolar complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process. The device can be used to protect electrostatic discharge (ESD) in both the positive and negative directions on pins with a voltage range that goes below ground. Comparing with the conventional bidirectional SCR structures, the new device is more suitable for low-voltage integrated circuit ESD protection applications because it possesses a smaller trigger voltage, a smaller leakage current, and a larger holding voltage.
Suppression of tumorigenesis in the Apcmin mouse: down-regulation of β-catenin signaling by a combination of tea plus sulindac

Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that tea may be protective towards cancers of the GI tract. White tea, the least processed form of tea, contains high levels of polyphenols and, like green tea, is chemopreventive towards heterocyclic amine-initiated colonic aberrant crypt formation in male F344 rats. We examined for the first time the relative effectiveness of white and green tea in suppressing intestinal tumorigenesis in C57BL/6J-Apc Min/ (Apc min ) mice. Each tea was also compared with sulindac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug known to be highly effective in Apc min mice. Male C57BL/6J / (wild-type) and Apc min mice were treated in the drinking water with white tea or green tea (1.5% w/v, 2 min brew-time), 80 p.p.m. sulindac, a combination of 80 p.p.m. sulindac in 1.5% white tea, or pH buffered water. After 12 weeks of treatment, Apc min mice given white tea, green tea, or sulindac had significantly fewer tumors than controls (P < 0.05). The protection provided by 1.5% green or white tea was comparable to that provided by 80 p.p.m. sulindac. Mice treated with a combination of white tea plus sulindac had significantly fewer tumors than either treatment alone (P < 0.05). β-catenin and β-catenin/Tcf-4 regulated proteins Cyclin D1 and c-Jun were readily detected in polyps, but markedly reduced in normal-looking intestines of mice treated with both tea and sulindac. This research provides evidence that teas, particularly when administered in combination with sulindac, are highly effective at inhibiting intestinal neoplasia in male Apc min mice via direct or indirect effects on the β-catenin/APC pathway.
A pipelined front-end, timing, and amplitude digitizing system

A front-end digitizing system is needed forract- the straw tracking-detector of the MECO experiment. This detector has 24,000 channels of time and amplitude readout, and operates in a high singles count-rate environment. This system continuously digitizes the incoming pulses of every channel, using a latency buffer to temporarily hold all digitized information. Channel occupancy information for each event is also sent to a local external logic analyzer, and can become part of the trigger decision. All the stored data in the latency buffer is read with zero-suppression to local RAM upon presentation of a valid trigger. The system can be self-triggered or triggered by a coincidence of the internal occupancy signal with an external gate. The data readout provides sub-nanosecond timing and 6-8 bit amplitude resolution, and the system clock can be varied between 15-75 MHz. This design will be implemented in an ASIC due to the large number of readout channels, the requirement initial parallel data flow due to the high single rates, and the number of memory buffers. The digitizer is to be controlled by a FPGA. This paper presents the conceptual design of this system. We anticipate that the ASIC can be used for many other applications requiring the acquisition of time and waveform signals in high counting rate environments, such as PET, CZT, or other HEP experiments.
Stress Levels, Family Help Patterns, and Religiosity in Middle- and Working-Class African American Single Mothers

In this survey of 318 middle- and working-classAfricanAmerican mothers, stress andfemale-related stress were found to be intense andfrequent. Women experienced serious life changes. Younger mothers...
Bioreactors Addressing Diabetes Mellitus

The concept of bioreactors in biochemical engineering is a well-established process; however, the idea of applying bioreactor technology to biomedical and tissue engineering issues is relatively novel and has been rapidly accepted as a culture model. Tissue engineers have developed and adapted various types of bioreactors in which to culture many different cell types and therapies addressing several diseases, including diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2. With a rising world of bioreactor development and an ever increasing diagnosis rate of diabetes, this review aims to highlight bioreactor history and emerging bioreactor technologies used for diabetes-related cell culture and therapies.
An evaluation of training for lay providers in the use of motivational interviewing to promote academic achievement among urban youth

This study examined training outcomes for lay service providers who participated in a Motivational Interviewing (MI) training program designed to help increase intrinsic motivation and academic achievement among urban low-income and minority youth. Seventeen lay academic advisors received 16 hours of training in MI. Two, two-hour booster sessions plus five, two- hour weekly group supervision sessions were conducted with lay advisors over a period of seven months. One-hundred percent of lay advisors (n =17) participated in all training, booster sessions and assessments. Seventy-one percent of lay advisors (n=12) completed all group supervision sessions and submitted tapes for review. MI training was associated with increased knowledge of MI principles among lay service providers; increased proficiency in responding to simulated clients in an MI consistent style; increased use of MI adherent behaviors in sessions with real clients and maintenance of high motivation to use MI from pretest to posttest. Although lay advisors increased their knowledge of MI, further training is required for advisors to increase competence in delivering MI. Overall, Implications for using MI in the context of school-based settings is discussed.
40Ca(d, α)38K and isospin

Abstract We investigate the 40Ca(d, α0, 1, 2, 4)38K reactions for Ed = 4.00–4.61 MeV. The α1 and α4 transitions are isospin forbidden. The resonant-like structures observed in the α0, α1, α2, and α4 transitions are consistent with Ericson theory. In addition we can fit a portion of the α1, data with a few interfering Breit-Wigner resonances. The level parameters for the corresponding 42Sc levels are given.
Future energy challenge: a novel low-cost adjustable speed motor with wide speed range

In this paper, a low cost and high efficiency, 500 W permanent magnet brushless DC (PM-BLDC) motor drive that has been designed and implemented for the 2003 International Future Energy Challenge is presented. This drive is mainly designed to operate over a wide range of speed (from 150 rpm to 5000 rpm) and to operate efficiently at different operating points.
Declarative specification of visual languages

In order to specify the relationship between pictures and their meaning, a class of declarative, constraint-based picture specification languages is introduced. These extend previous approaches to picture specification based on constraints and grammar formalisms. As the languages are defined as an abstract language scheme, it is ensured that they share a common declarative semantics and execution model. The declarative semantics allows both people and machines to easily reason about a specification independently of any underlying implementation. The operational semantics permit a picture specification to be used to both generate and recognize pictures defined by visual languages. Implementation techniques developed for constraint logic programs, which enable this to be done efficiently, are discussed. >
The Average Predictive Validity of Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment Instruments

The field of intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment (predicting recidivism, lethality) is fast growing, and the majority of research examining the predictive validity of IPV risk assessment instruments has been conducted in the past decade. This study examines the average predictive validity weighted by sample size of five stand alone IPV risk assessment instruments that have been validated in multiple research studies using the Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the Curve (AUC). The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) has the highest average weighted AUC (=.666, k=5) followed, in order of most to least predictive, by the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA; AUC=.628, k=6), the Danger Assessment (DA; AUC=.618, k=4), the Domestic Violence Screening Inventory (DVSI; AUC=.582, k=3), and the Kingston Screening Instrument for Domestic Violence (K-SID; AUC=.537, k=2). The effect size for the average AUCs for IPV risk assessment instruments is small, with the exception of a medium effect size for the ODARA. Of the 20 measures of predictive validity included in this analysis, the risk assessment was administered correctly in nine (45%). IPV risk assessment is relatively new, and the use of proxy instruments and utilization of risk assessment instruments in settings for which they were not created is widespread. While waiting for a more rigorous body of research, factors in addition to predictive validity must be taken into consideration (e.g., setting, outcome, skills of the assessor, access to information) when choosing which risk assessment instrument is appropriate for use in a particular practice setting.
Myofibroblast persistence with real-time changes in boundary stiffness.

Abstract Myofibroblasts are critical for connective tissue remodeling and wound healing since they can close wound beds and shape tissues rapidly by generating high traction forces and secreting abundant extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteinases. However, their presence in excessive numbers is associated with fibrotic and calcific diseases and tissue thickening in engineered tissues. While activation of the myofibroblast phenotype has been studied extensively, whether myofibroblasts are “cleared” by phenotypic reversal or by apoptosis remains controversial. The goal of this work is to test the hypothesis that mechanical inhibition of myofibroblast force generation leads to de-differentiation or apoptosis depending upon the magnitude of the decrease in tension. To test this hypothesis, we cultured valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in fibrin micro-tissues suspended between flexible posts and dynamically altered the ability of the cells to generate tension by altering boundary stiffness via magnetic forces applied to posts. The flexible posts capped with magnetic beads enable the measurement and modulation of tension generated by the cells within the tissue. As expected, the cell-generated forces were elevated with dynamically increased boundary (post) stiffness, yet surprisingly, the forces continued to increase following dynamic reduction of boundary stiffness back to baseline levels. Increased apoptosis and reduced α-SMA staining were observed with complete freeing of the tissues from the posts but not upon removal of the magnet, resulting in a twofold decrease in post stiffness. Together, these data indicate that an increase in myofibroblast force generation, even if modest and temporary (1 day), can have lasting effects on myofibroblast persistence in tissues, and that a significant reduction in the ability of the cells to generate tension is required to trigger dedifferentiation and/or apoptosis. The ability to dedifferentiate myofibroblasts to a quiescent phenotype and to control the percentage of apoptosis would be of great benefit for therapeutic and tissue engineering applications. Statement of Significance Myofibroblasts play an important role in tissue remodeling and wound healing. However, excessive activation of this phenotype is associated with fibrotic diseases and scar formation. Being able to dedifferentiate these cells or controlling their clearance with apoptosis (programmed cell death) would be beneficial. It is known that releasing rigid tissue boundaries trigger apoptosis, while reducing the substrate stiffness can cause myofibroblast dedifferentiation. However, the mechanical tension was not quantified in any of the studies. Here we used micro-cantilever posts at tissue boundaries to measure tension and to regulate boundary stiffness in real time by pulling posts with magnets. We show that temporary stiffening of boundary causes irreversible myofibroblast activation and the magnitude of tension drop controls apoptosis.
The standards for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies 2015 update: is there a missing link to the triumvirate?

The troika of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical testing phases in laboratory medicine is well known to all first year clinical laboratorians as the phases of lab testing that must be controlled in order to produce accurate, valid laboratory results for diagnostic purposes. The need to control these three testing phases is distinct for the evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of laboratory medical tests and its reporting compared to other medical specialties that utilize diagnostic testing. In fact, evidence has established that up to 70% of laboratory errors and failures occur in the pre-analytical phase (1-3), with the post-analytical testing phase is the second most error prone testing phase; by comparison, the analytical phase is relatively low.
Focus on . . . Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

When is a domestic relations order a qualified domestic relations order? What factual information must a qualified domestic relations order specify? What other requirements must be satisfied? What are the rights of the alternate payee? How may payments be made? This article is a comprehensive examination of the definitions and procedures concerning this complex aspect of pension law.
THE REPEAT BREEDER COW

Cows that fail to become pregnant after 3 inseminations may be termed repeat breeders (RBs).This paper reviews the incidence, economics, etiology and management of the RB cow. The incidence of RB in U.S. dairy herds is approximately 20% and depends on herd conception rate. Factors resulting in repeat breeding are discussed. Repeat breeders experience increased failure of fertilization due to tubal pathology and suboptimal breeding management. Increased embryonic mortality is evident in RBs before maternal recognition of pregnancy. Uterine environment and uterine asynchrony may play important roles in reducing fertility in RBs. Non-specific uterine infections are not major causes of RB but specific viral and bacterial agents known to cause early embryonic death can play roles. Clinical management of RBs should begin with record analysis and thorough reproductive examination. When no specific pathology is detected, prognosis for fertility is guarded but use of GnRH at time of insemination, synchronization of ovulation or uterine lavage maybe attempted. Invaluable animals, embryo transfer or oocyte aspiration with IVF and IVC has resulted in genetic recovery.
Reliable Communications over Multihop Networks under Routing Attacks

This paper considers reliable multihop transmission under routing attacks, where a malicious relay can modify or drop a packet as it is being forwarded to the destination. We propose a transmission scheme that detects malicious nodes launching routing attacks through incorporating diversity over multi-layer relays, where each relay can establish a direct connection with relays at preceding and succeeding hop levels. We prove that the proposed approach can efficiently detect malicious nodes, provided that there is at least one honest relay at each hop level. We highlight the trade-off between network efficiency and security, and show the impact of the diversity level and the number of hops on the network performance through theoretical analysis and simulation examples. Our results provide insights on general network architecture development and topology design.
Thyroid function in the nutritionally obese child and adolescent.

Purpose of reviewIn recent years, there has been an increasing focus on thyroid function in obese children. There is controversy concerning whether the changes in the levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin – TSH) in obesity are causes or consequences of weight status