cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Will of Others: Coercion, Captivity, and Choice in Late Antiquity

Scholarly reflections on the concept of the will as it is articulated in late ancient texts have centered on the male individual and the difficulties he faces as he tries to train or direct his intentions. By contrast, in this article we seek to explore late ancient concepts and negotiations of the will by considering a cluster of ancient Jewish and Christian narrative scenarios in which women are under the threat of sexual assault. Rather than a split between warring parts of one person, these narratives treat moments when the will of one actor is in conflict with the will of another. Thus, these scenarios raise questions that cannot otherwise be accessed about human intention, agency, and subjectivity, and their limitations by social and cultural realities. We argue that these cases should be viewed not as the marginal troubles that sometimes happen to women, but as expressions of the fundamental problems at the heart of the theories of the will embraced within late ancient Judaism and Christianity.
Transseptal puncture facilitated by "reverse tenting" using a left atrial ablation catheter.

Transseptal puncture is a critical procedural step in pursuing left-sided catheter ablations. Most centers use either fluoroscopic and/or intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) guidance.1, 2 However, not uncommonly, these routinely used approaches may not be sufficient to repeatedly obtain transseptal access in a safe manner.3 We present a recently described novel approach to transseptal puncture using a concomitant ablation catheter in the left atrium (LA) in 2 challenging cases.
A Preliminary Phylogenetic Hypothesis for Cunaxidae (Acariformes: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Eupodina)

We present the first character-based phylogenetic hypothesis for cunaxid genera and subfamilies based on 47 morphological characters scored from adult females. The phylogeny suggests that two of the subfamilies are not monophyletic, and although bootstrap support was not high enough to confidently redefine the subfamilies, it presents a testable hypothesis that will hopefully spur phylogenetic investigations of Cunaxidae using molecular techniques.
Application of Single-Ion Conducting Gel Polymer Electrolytes in Magnesium Batteries

The development of polymer electrolytes for magnesium batteries has been hindered by difficulties related to achieving sufficient magnesium ion conduction and magnesium electrodeposition. The high charge density of the magnesium cation causes it to interact with both the polar polymer matrix and any counteranions, challenging ion transport. Solvents and salts that are known to be incompatible with the magnesium electrode have widely been used in prior reports to increase ionic conductivity. Herein we report the use of a single-ion conducting magnesium gel polymer electrolyte consisting of a poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) crosslinker that is copolymerized with an anionic monomer and subsequently swelled in solvents compatible with magnesium metal. Sufficient magnesium ion conductivities (>10–4 S/cm at 25 °C) were able to be achieved with specific solvents and solvent mixtures. Constant potential holds were used to interrogate magnesium electrodeposition from these electrolytes. Small amounts...
The When and Who of Graduation and Dropout Predictors: A Moderated Hazard Analysis:

This study examined graduation and persistence among social and behavioral science students at a regional comprehensive university. Hazard analyses identified predictors of student trajectories, ti...
Associations Between the Specialty of Opioid Prescribers and Opioid Addiction, Misuse, and Overdose Outcomes.

Objective To examine associations between opioid prescriber specialty and patient likelihood of opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid misuse, and opioid overdose. Design Longitudinal retrospective study using Pennsylvania Medicaid data (2007-2015). Methods We constructed an incident cohort of 432,110 enrollees initiating prescription opioid use without a history of OUD or overdose six months before opioid initiation. We attributed patients to one of 10 specialties using the first opioid prescriber's specialty or, alternatively, the specialty of the dominant prescriber writing the majority of the patient's opioid prescriptions. We estimated adjusted rates for OUD, misuse, and overdose, adjusting for demographic variables and medical (including pain) and psychiatric comorbidities. Results The unadjusted incidence rates of OUD, misuse, and overdose were 7.13, 4.73, and 0.69 per 100,000 person-days, respectively. Patients initiating a new episode of opioid treatment with Pain Medicine/Anesthesiology (6.7 events, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.5 to 8.2) or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR 6.1 events, 95% CI = 5.1 to 7.2) had higher adjusted rates for OUD per 100,000 person-days compared with Primary Care practitioners (PCPs; 4.4 events, 95% CI = 4.1 to 4.7). Patients with index prescriptions from Pain Medicine/Anesthesiology (15.9 events, 95% CI = 13.2 to 19.3) or PM&R (15.8 events, 95% CI = 13.5 to 18.4) had higher adjusted rates for misuse per 100,000 person-days compared with PCPs (9.6 events, 95% CI = 8.8 to 10.6). Findings were largely similar when patients were attributed to specialty based on dominant prescriber. Conclusions Differences in opioid-related risks by specialty of opioid prescriber may arise from differences in patient risk factors, provider behavior, or both. Our findings inform targeting of opioid risk mitigation strategies to specific practitioner specialties.
Common Germline Mutations in a Patient With Multiple Primary Lung Cancers

Abstract We report a case of a patient with multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) each with a unique somatic mutation, but also with underlying germline mutations of BRCA2 and TSC1. Given the improvements in screening modalities and advances in therapies leading to longer survival, the incidence of MPLC has increased. This case highlights the possibility that patients with multiple primary malignancies, each with distinct driver mutations, may have an underlying, identifiable predisposition. Next generation sequencing (NGS) and germline genetic testing has not been well studied in early stage cancers. However, given the findings in this patient, it may be reasonable to consider those with MPLC for additional testing as the implications of identifying such an underlying mutation will help guide treatment as well as inform screening for affected family members, though further investigation in this population is warranted.
Relative importance of vision and proprioception in maintaining standing balance in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Balance impairment is common and a risk factor of falls in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance between vision and proprioception in maintaining standing body balance among individuals with MS compared with healthy individuals. Methods Thirty people with MS (the mean ± standard deviation of the Patient Determined Disability Steps: 3.62 ± 1.67 out of 8) and 25 healthy adults participated in this cross-sectional study. They underwent a static posturography test, consisting of three sensory feedback conditions: eyes open on a firm surface, eyes closed on a firm surface, and eyes open on a compliant surface. Their standing balance performance, quantified by the 95% confidence ellipse area and the total length of the center of pressure trajectory during each sensory condition, was calculated based on the ground reaction force data. The Romberg's quotient (the ratio of the center of pressure measurements on the firm surface between eyes open and eyes closed conditions) and proprioception quotient (the ratio of the center of pressure measurements with eyes open between firm and compliant standing surfaces) were calculated and compared between groups. Results Persons with MS demonstrated significantly larger postural sway under all three sensory conditions than their healthy counterparts. The reliance on the vision and proprioception systems in maintaining body balance was greater among people with MS compared to healthy adults. Both groups similarly relied more on the proprioceptive input to keep body balance than on the vision. Conclusions Like healthy individuals, persons with MS rely more on proprioception to maintain body balance than vision. Our findings could provide preliminary reference for optimizing balance improving programs aimed at person with MS.
Effects of implementing evidence-based appropriateness guidelines for epidural steroid injection in chronic low back pain: the EAGER (Esi Appropriateness GuidElines pRotocol) study.

Objective Chronic low back pain is very common and often treated with epidural steroid injections (ESIs). As ESI referrals had been rapidly increasing at our Veterans’ Administration hospital, we were concerned that they were supplanting more comprehensive care. The objective was to determine how referral patterns and multidisciplinary care might change with the implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Methods In this retrospective observational study, multidisciplinary evidence-based guidelines were implemented in 2014 (EAGER: Esi Appropriateness GuidElines pRotocol) as part of the ordering process for an ESI. Time series analysis was performed to assess the primary outcome of subspecialty referral pattern, that is, the number of patients receiving referrals to ancillary services which might serve to provide a more comprehensive approach to their back pain. Secondary outcomes included patient-level changes (ie, body mass index, number of injections, opioid use), which were compared before and after protocol implementation. Results Comparing preimplementation and postimplementation protocol periods, referrals to physical medicine/rehabilitation increased 11.7% (p=0.003) per year and integrative health increased 2.1% (p Conclusion Implementation of evidence-based guidelines for ESI referral helps guide patients into a more comprehensive care pathway for chronic low back pain and is correlated with patient-level changes such as decreased body mass index and decreased opioid usage.
Incidence of 2nd Surgery after Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction and Simultaneous Osteochondral Fracture Fixation in Pediatric Patients Treated for Patellar Dislocation

Objectives:Osteochondral fractures occur in 5-15% of cases of acute or recurrent patellar dislocations. In these settings, early surgical intervention with biodegradable fixation nails is recommend...
Alcohol use in Tobacco 21 (T21) states from 2016 to 2018: Differences by military service status

LAY SUMMARY A national survey of U.S. military service members and civilians aged 18-20 years found that military service members were less likely than their civilian peers to use alcohol if they l...
Teaching Faculty to Reach First-Generation College Students: The Impact of a Professional Development Course on Faculty

The Teaching First-Generation College Students Across Cultural Strengths course was developed in the context of a large-scale initiative to eliminate equity gaps in graduation rates within the Cali...
‘Fluctuations of life’: mutability and impermanence in Aleksandr Petrov’s animated films

This article focuses on Russian animation director Aleksandr Petrov’s short films, created with the rarely employed, labour-intensive paint-on-glass technique. Using an animation studies approach, ...
Non-Spousal Support, Marital Status, and Mortality Risk.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the association between non-spousal support and mortality risk differs by marital status.MethodsUsing data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (...
An Exploration of Machine Learning Methods for Predicting Post-stroke Aphasia Recovery

Predicting the potential recovery outcome of post-stroke aphasia remains a challenging task. Our previous work[10] applied machine learning algorithms to predict participant response to therapy using a complex set of brain and behavioral data in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. The present work explores the additional predictive value of cognitive composite scores (CS), which measure visuo-spatial processing and verbal working memory; high-dimensional resting-state (RS) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, which measures the functional connectivity between brain regions; and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data, which provides information related to microstructural integrity via fractional anisotropy (FA) values. We first perform feature selection on the RS data as it has about 5 times more features than than all the other feature-sets combined. Next, we append these RS features, CS scores, and FA values to our existing data set. Finally, we train Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) classifiers for various combinations of feature-sets and compare their performance in terms of accuracy, F1-score, sensitivity and selectivity. Results show that combinations of feature-sets outperform most individual feature-sets and whereas each feature-set is present among the top 20 combinations, many of them contain RS.
Pattern-based variant-best-neighbors respiratory motion prediction using orthogonal polynomials approximation

Motion-adaptive radiotherapy techniques are promising to deliver truly ablative radiation doses to tumors with minimal normal tissue exposure by accounting for realtime tumor movement. However, a major challenge of successful applications of these techniques is the realtime prediction of breathing-induced tumor motion to accommodate system delivery latencies. Predicting respiratory motion in real-time is challenging. The current respiratory motion prediction approaches are still not satisfactory in terms of accuracy and interpretabil-ity due to the complexity of breathing patterns and the high inter-individual variability across patients. In this paper, we propose a novel respiratory motion prediction framework which integrates four key components: a personalized monitoring window generator, an orthogonal polynomial approximation-based pattern library builder, a variant best neighbor pattern searcher, and a statistical prediction decision maker. The four functional components work together into a real-time prediction system and is capable of performing personalized tumor position prediction during radiotherapy. Based on a study of respiratory motion of 27 patients with lung cancer, the proposed prediction approach generated consistently better prediction performances than the current respiratory motion prediction approaches, particularly for long prediction horizons.
Is Competitive Price Bidding for Professional Services Practical

The implementation of competitive bidding for professional services is possible, but inadvisable. Procedures borrowed from construction contracting could be established to facilitate bidding for professional services. The scope of an engineer's responsibility could not, however, be adequately defined by this process. Informational exchange between engineer and owner would be limited. Time and money pressures would erode technical competence, thoroughness, and innovation. Competitive bidding would reduce costs by eliminating some waste, procrastination, and padding. But long-term costs due to increased administration, bribery, estimating margins, and errors would offset these savings. Public confidence in the engineering profession will decline as hazardous errors appear and true economic implications are manifest.
Masters of Change: Transformational Growth Strategies at General Electric from 1982 to 2006

Throughout the past 2.5 decades, General Electric (GE) has consistently attained high levels of growth and profitability. GE's astonishing accomplishments were the result of several brilliant organizational transformations, a metamorphosis of sorts; from a slow industrial-based, giant elephant into a technology-based, efficient and swift cheetah. These amazing transformations are not the result of circumstance but are calculated, coordinated, and driven efforts carried out by excellent leadership, strategy, and execution. In the new millennium, GE is in the process of a transformation while continuing its rapid expansion into the global marketplace. Although rapid growth is not new to GE, management is implementing new leadership tactics and untried strategies to sustain the company's level of success. Consequently, the company has arrived at a pinnacle period in its history. This paper will evaluate GE's organizational transformations during the period from 1982 to 2006 and evaluate how its leadership positively influenced the organization's primary growth strategy. The research will assess GE's transformational strategies within the framework of four perspectives that include rational thought, revolutionary thought, resource allocation, and technological change. In addition, the research will demonstrate how GE transformed itself under two specific leaders and sustained its ability as a master of transformational change.
Unusual manifestations of histoplasmosis in childhood

Nine previously healthy children were seen with unique, and in several instances, unreported manifestations of acute histoplasmosis. Presenting manifestations included: obstructive airway disease; subacute parotitis; unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy; anterior mediastinal mass-simulating neoplasm; immune hemolytic anemia; a cutaneous lesion with regional lymphadenopathy; mediastinal mass and pericardial effusion; pulmonary infarction; and a symptom complex of cervical lymphadenopathy, CSF pleocytosis, arthritis, and interstitial nephritis. In eight children histoplasmosis was not initially considered, and the correct diagnosis was made only after complex, and sometimes invasive, diagnostic evaluation and considerable delay. All patients recovered fully without antifungal therapy. Reports of uncontrolled trials of new antifungal agents for treatment of histoplasmosis in immunocompetent hosts should be cautiously evaluated.
Crustal structure in the Pakistan Himalaya from teleseismic receiver functions

Subsurface structure in the Pakistan Himalaya is poorly known despite its geological importance in understanding the trend and growth of the Himalaya. In this paper, we compute receiver functions from a broadband seismic network in northern Pakistan and construct crustal structure beneath the stations. P to S converted phases at the Moho are clearly observed on stacked receiver functions. We model the conversions from the Moho and shallower interfaces using the trial and error method. Assuming a Vp/Vs ratio of 1.75, the modeled crustal thickness is 52–53 km in the Peshawar Basin, 55–62 km in the Lesser Himalaya, and 65–76 km in the Higher Himalaya. The variation of the Moho depth correlates well with surface topography, indicating an Airy type of isostasy in the Pakistan Himalaya. A large negative phase before the Moho conversion is consistently observed at all three stations to the north of the India-Asia suture, which is best modeled by a low velocity layer in the lower crust. The slow lower crust is likely caused by partial melt resulted from crust thickening. Volatile in the crust of the Kohistan island arc and the subduction and melting of the Indian upper crust may also contribute to the low velocity layer. Like the weak middle-lower crust in Tibet, this slow lower crust probably has an important role in the formation and growth of the western Himalaya.
A speech input and processing board for a personal computer

The IBM France Scientific Center has developed an experimental system based on the IBM Personal Computer to provide assistance to deaf children, both for speech training and for lip-reading. The system consists of a standard IBM Personal Computer system to which a specially designed speech input and processing board has been added. The hardware architecture of the board is described, explaining why a general purpose microprocessor has been preferred over commercially available digital signal signal processors. The board software and its relationship to the software running in the Personal Computer is also detailed.
Data Services in Distributed Real-Time Embedded Systems

The computing systems are becoming deeply embedded into ordinary life and interact with physical processes and events. They monitor the physical world with sensors and provide appropriate reaction and control over it. This cyber-physical interaction, which occurs through ubiquitous embedded systems, has the potential to transform how humans interact with and control the physical world. Applications of such systems include infrastructure management and environmental monitoring. For these applications, the demand for real-time data services is increasing since they are inherently data-intensive. However, providing real-time data services in such large-scale and geographically distributed environment is a challenging task. In particular, both unpredictable communicational delays and computational workloads of large-scale distributed systems can lead to large number of deadline misses. In this paper, we propose a real-time data service architecture called DRACON (Decentralized data Replication And CONtrol), which is designed to support large-scale distributed real-time applications. DRACON uses cluster-based replica-sharing and a decentralized control structure to address communication and computational unpredictability.
Cell Wall and Morphological Changes Induced by Temperature Shift in Bacillus subtilis Cell Wall Mutants

Bacillus subtilis RUB1012 and RUB1013 have the following phenotype when grown at 45 degrees C: no growth on tryptose blood agar base, growth as clumps of spheres in broth culture, a slow autolysis rate, and a low proportion of teichoic acid to peptidoglycan. Revertants of strain RUB1012 (RUB2032, RUB2012, and RUB2042) that could grow on tryptose blood agar base were isolated. Each revertant had a different proportion of teichoic acid to peptidoglycan. The nanomoles of phosphorus per milligram of cell wall at the nonpermissive temperature were 141, 160, 236, and 541 for strain RUB1012 and revertants RUB2032, 2012, and 2042, respectively, as compared with 1,100 for the parent strain. With most bacteriophage tested, plating efficiency was related to the amount of glucosylated teichoic acid. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study strain RUB2032 during a shift from growth at 30 degrees C to growth at 45 degrees C. The change from rod to sphere began with the thickening of the cylindrical portion of the cell. Caps of the cells appeared to be immune to the thickening process. During growth, the cells became progressively shorter and thicker, and cell separation was inhibited. When cells of strain RUB2032 were shifted from growth at 45 degrees C to growth at 30 degrees C, accumulation of an amorphous material on the outer surfaces of the cells preceded the change from sphere to rod morphology. Cells remained clumped, with rods appearing at the periphery of the clumps. Analysis by DNA-mediated transformation and PBS1-mediated transduction indicated that strains RUB1012 and RUB1013 have multiple mutations mapping in the same region as other cell wall mutations.
Widening Butler matrix bandwidth within the X-band

Electronic scanning of antennas is accomplished using beam forming networks (BFNs). A widely used BFN is the Butler matrix, a circuit type beam former. The conventional Butler matrix consists of hybrids and phase shifters. Since they are constructed with simple transmission lines, they are inherently narrow band structures. A novel design of Butler matrix is presented, which enhances the bandwidth by using broad banding techniques to obtain wider bandwidth performance from the transmission point of view. Problems encountered in designing such networks at high frequencies are addressed.
Transcriptional regulation by HNF-4 of the steroid 15α-hydroxylase P450 (Cyp2a-4) gene in mouse liver

Abstract The mouse P450 gene Cyp 2a-4 encodes the hepatic steroid 15α-hydroxylase. We have defined in the 5′-flanking sequence of Cyp 2a-4 gene, a composite regulatory element ( −61 AGACCAAAGTC CG GCCTTC −42 ) which contains a potential CpG methylation site at position −50. Gel-shift assays indicate that this element consists of overlapped binding sites for a hepatocyte-enriched transcription factor HNF-4 and a Sp1-like protein. Moreover, transcription of the Cyp 2a-4 gene is activated by coexpression of HNF-4 in HepG2 cells. A mutation (C at −50 to A) abolishes the binding of HNF-4 to the element as well as the transcriptional activation by HNF-4. The methylated C at position −50, however, does not affect HNF-4 binding. Neither the mutation nor the methylation at position −50 affect the binding of Sp1-like protein to the element. It appears, therefore, that HNF-4 activates the hepatic transcription of Cyp 2a-4 gene through its direct binding to the regulatory element regardless of the methylation at position −50.
Drafter and draftees

manuscript or to stay close behind (another racer) to take advantage of decreased air pressure created by the leading racer. Ironically, this double meaning is especially apropos to the principal difficulty of authorship in scientific research contributions. The drafter generally does the Yeoman’s work of actually preparing the manuscript, and typically represents the principal force necessary for execution of the project. The remainder of the intellectual contribution may be ascribed to the senior (last) author who was responsible for the concept, design, or development of the research, and the second (and Drafter and draftees
Epithelial membrane protein-2 regulates surface expression of αvβ3 integrin in the endometrium

Abstract The four-transmembrane protein epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) was recently identified as an endometrial protein necessary for blastocyst implantation, but the mechanism of this role is uncertain. In other cell types, EMP2 controls delivery of certain classes of proteins to the cell surface, including various integrin isoforms (a class of receptors implicated in endometrial–blastocyst interaction). Since αvβ3 integrin is an important endometrial molecule involved in blastocyst interaction, we evaluated the role of EMP2 in modulating integrin expression in the HEC1A endometrial cell line and endometrial epithelium in vivo. Elevation of EMP2 expression in HEC1A cells selectively increased the expression of αvβ3 integrin on the plasma membrane and was functional as judged by increased cell binding to an αvβ3 ligand, fibronectin. Conversely, reduction in EMP2 expression using an EMP2 specific ribozyme decreased the cell αvβ3 surface expression. The influence of EMP2 on αvβ3 integrin was also observed in vivo as reduction of EMP2 using ribozymes or short hairpin RNA diminished αvβ3 integrin expression in glandular and luminal uterine epithelium. Colocalization and coimmunoprecipitation studies suggested that EMP2 and αvβ3 integrin predominantly exist in a physically associated state. This study demonstrates for the first time the influence of EMP2 on αvβ3 surface expression and suggests that surface trafficking of integrin αvβ3 by EMP2 during the window of implantation may be a mechanism for its requirement in endometrial–blastocyst interaction.
Oncogenic Ras-induced secretion of a novel inhibitor of skeletal myoblast differentiation.

Expression of oncogenic H-Ras in 23A2 myoblasts (A2:H-Ras cells) is sufficient to induce both a transformed phenotype and a differentiation-defective phenotype. Because oncogenic Ras is known to induce the secretion of several different growth factors involved in maintaining the transformed phenotype of both fibroblast and epithelial cells, we explored the possibility that expression of oncogenic Ras in 23A2 myoblasts might lead to the secretion of a factor which inhibits differentiation. The differentiation of 23A2 myoblasts was inhibited (i) by coculture with an equal number of A2:H-Ras cells, (ii) by culture with an equal number of A2:H-Ras cells in the same tissue culture medium on an insert which allowed equilibration of molecules smaller than 1 micron, and (iii) by culture in media previously conditioned by A2:H-Ras cells. Similar results were obtained when 23A2 myoblasts expressing oncogenic N-Ras were substituted for A2:H-Ras cells in each assay. No inhibition of differentiation was observed, however, when differentiation-defective E1A-expressing 23A2 cells or C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts were substituted for A2:H-Ras cells. The differentiation inhibitor(s) in media conditioned by A2:H-Ras cells is heat stable, larger than 3 kD, and sensitive to the non-specific growth factor antagonist, suramin. Western analyses failed to detect either FGF-2 or TGFβ (the known inhibitors of myoblast differentiation) in media conditioned by A2:H-Ras cells. Furthermore, while FGF-2 is a potent activator of MAP kinase and TGFβ is a potent inhibitor of mink lung epithelial cell (CCL64) growth, conditioned media from A2:H-Ras cells does not activate MAP kinase and does not inhibit the growth of CCL64 cells. These results indicate that expression of oncogenic Ras induces the secretion of a novel inhibitor of skeletal myoblast differentiation. Furthermore, these results are the first to implicate an autocrine/paracrine mechanism in the inhibition of differentiation by oncogenic Ras.
Finding a Between-Person Negative Effect of Self-Efficacy on Performance: Not Just a Within-Person Effect Anymore

Research examining the relationship between self-efficacy and performance has tended to find a positive effect at the between-person level and a weak negative or null effect at the within-person level. This pattern of results has led to a belief that the level of analysis is a key factor in determining the sign of the relationship. Using a between-person experimental design, the authors demonstrate a negative effect for self-efficacy on motivation and quality of performance at the between-person level. A positive effect for self-efficacy on the quantity of tasks engaged, apparently due to the reduction in motivation on each task, was also found. The discussion focused on the relevance of the findings in the debate between social cognitive and control theorists.
Sputtering yields versus thickness from thin copper films with 180 keV argon ions

Abstract The sputtering yields from thin Cu films of various thicknesses on aluminum backings, with 180 keV Ar+ ions, have been determined. The evolution of the ion-induced optical emission from the substrate, used to determine the ion dose necessary to sputter the film, was compared with predictions from the EVOLVE code for similar film thicknesses and sputtering conditions. The data and the predictions coincide for a 200 A film. For thicker films, they are similar but don't overlap. The sputtering process is well described by the EVOLVE code. For two of the films the experimental yield values are slightly lower than the predictions from the code, but the results, both experimental and from the simulation, are consistent with the idea that for very thin films the yield is smaller than that of infinitely thick targets and decreases as the film thickness decreases.
Proline reverses the abnormal phenotypes of Colletotrichum trifolii associated with expression of endogenous constitutively active Ras.

Colletotrichum trifolii is the causative organism of alfalfa anthracnose. We previously cloned and characterized the small prototypical G protein, Ras, of C. trifolii, which is involved in the signaling pathways that mediate interaction between the pathogen and its host. Transformants expressing constitutively active forms of Ras have growth medium-dependent phenotypes. In nutrient-rich media (e.g., yeast extract and peptone), the phenotype of the transformants was indistinguishable from that of the wild type. However, during nutrient starvation, the transformants lose polarity, have distended hyphae, and fail to sporulate and produce appressoria. Since peptone caused the phenotype to revert, amino acids were tested singly and in combination to identify the responsible amino acid(s). We found that 1.6 mM proline in the medium reverses the constitutively active Ras phenotype.
SILAC-Pulse Proteolysis: A Mass Spectrometry-Based Method for Discovery and Cross-Validation in Proteome-Wide Studies of Ligand Binding

Reported here is the use of stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and pulse proteolysis (PP) for detection and quantitation of protein–ligand binding interactions on the proteomic scale. The incorporation of SILAC into PP enables the PP technique to be used for the unbiased detection and quantitation of protein–ligand binding interactions in complex biological mixtures (e.g., cell lysates) without the need for prefractionation. The SILAC-PP technique is demonstrated in two proof-of-principle experiments using proteins in a yeast cell lysate and two test ligands including a well-characterized drug, cyclosporine A (CsA), and a non-hydrolyzable adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analogue, adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP). The well-known tight-binding interaction between CsA and cyclophilin A was successfully detected and quantified in replicate analyses, and a total of 33 proteins from a yeast cell lysate were found to have AMP-PNP-induced stability changes. In control experiments, the method’s false positive rate of protein target discovery was found to be in the range of 2.1% to 3.6%. SILAC-PP and the previously reported stability of protein from rates of oxidation (SPROX) technique both report on the same thermodynamic properties of proteins and protein–ligand complexes. However, they employ different probes and mass spectrometry-based readouts. This creates the opportunity to cross-validate SPROX results with SILAC-PP results, and vice-versa. As part of this work, the SILAC-PP results obtained here were cross-validated with previously reported SPROX results on the same model systems to help differentiate true positives from false positives in the two experiments.
Temperature dependence of thermal resistance at the water/silicon interface

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of heat transport through a water–silicon system are performed to investigate the thermal resistance at water/silicon interface. Interaction strength between water and silicon is varied in order to understand its effects while the proper strength value is characterized by matching the nano-scale contact angle value with the micro-scale experimental measurements through a water droplet study. Depending on surface wettability, different water distributions are developed near the surface, creating different couplings between water and silicon molecules for phonon transport. In addition, near surface water density is found to be dependent on the surface temperature for high wetting cases that closer packing of water molecules is observed near the cold surface. Interface thermal resistance values measured as Kapitza length (LK) showed strong dependence on water density structure formed next to the surface. Hence, variation of LK with temperature is not only measured due to the temperature dependence of phonon transport, but also due to the variation of near surface density with temperature. For studied water/silicon system (slightly hydrophobic with contact angle of 88°), density is independent of surface temperature, and LK decreases with increased temperature similar to the theoretical phonon transport predictions. MD predicted LK values (≈9 nm) are found to be consistent with experimental measurements.
Protein versus conventional crystals: creation of defects

Abstract Recent data on protein crystal growth are reviewed and analyzed with an emphasis to crystal perfection. Since relative supersaturation for protein crystal growth is typically much higher than unity, no considerable detachment of species is expected once joined to the crystal lattice at a kink. Selection of proper molecules and their precise orientation should occur mainly at the stage when they try to join kinks. Sectorial and zonal (striation) structures induced by impurities and other point defects may cause mosaicity even without creation of misfit dislocations. Critical crystal size is estimated at which the dislocation network may be thermodynamically favorable. Since the crystals have isometric shape, this critical size turns out to be about an order of magnitude higher than the critical thickness of a pseudomorphic epitaxial layer. X-ray diffraction rocking curves width of about 0.02° for reflections equivalent to a misfit ∼ 3 × 10 −4 should correspond to the critical crystal of ca 0.5 mm. As in epitaxy, if nucleation and spread of dislocations are hindered, the critical size may be essentially bigger or the crystal should crack. At high impurity concentrations, new misoriented blocks may appear by surface nucleation, similar to what should happen in inorganic crystals growing from solutions.
The effect of cue size on the utilization of partially valid cues in perceptual identification

A perceptual identification task with partially valid cues was presented to 35 college students. Size of cue was hypothesized to account for differences in cue utilization. Results indicate that size is a factor in the differential use of cues. The effect of stimulus intensity on attention is discussed as a possible underlying explanation. Suggestions for future research are offered.
Using the patient centered observation form: Evaluation of an online training program

Abstract Objective The Patient Centered Observation Form (PCOF) helps trainees identify and describe specific communication skills and enhance self-awareness about skill use. We studied the effectiveness and ease of use of the Improving Communication Assessment Program (ICAP), an online module that prepares trainees to use the PCOF. Methods Students, residents and medical educators viewed two videos (common and better skill use) of the same interaction and rated each video using the PCOF. Video sequence was randomized. We assessed agreement with experts, ease of use, concepts learned, and areas of confusion. Results Trainees (211) achieved strong agreement (.83) with experts and were highly satisfied (mean 4.18 out of 5). Viewing the common video first produced higher agreement (.87 vs .79; ES = .4) with experts and greater satisfaction (4.36 vs 4.02, ES .4) than viewing the better video first. Trainees reported diverse areas of learning and minimal confusion. Conclusion ICAP training to use the PCOF may facilitate teaching and assessment of communication skills and enrich training through peer observation and feedback. We offer several educational strategies. Practice implications Learning to use the PCOF via the ICAP module may accelerate communication training for medical students, residents, medical educators and practicing clinicians.
Oxidative stabilization of dimethyl silicone fluids with iron between 70 and 370°C

Long term oxidation tests below 150°C on dimethyl silicone (DMS) fluids with controlled iron content, in conjunction with previous work, have provided a broad concept of the processes of oxidation in DMS fluids between 70 and 370°C. A nonfree radical, iron-catalyzed oxidation of DMS fluid occurs both below and above 150°C. A diverging, free radical chain reaction which is inhibited by iron is initiated by direct attack of oxygen on the methyl groups of DMS above 150°C. It is believed that a ferric iron complex is the key mechanistic species both in the catalyzed oxidation and in the free radical reaction inhibition. When temperature, iron dispersion, and aeration are held constant, the oxidation rate of a DMS fluid below 150°C varies directly with its iron level. Above 150°C the oxidation rate is still dependent on iron level, but an ‘optimum iron level’ for a minimum oxidation rate exists for each temperature of oxidation. This optimum iron level increases with the temperature. A conceptual diagram has been developed to unify and summarize these effects over the temperature range 70–370°C, providing a basis for the most effective use of iron to stabilize DMS fluids.
Phytate Removal from soybean proteins

The ability of Ca++, Ba++ and Zn++ ions to complex with and precipitate phytate ions was investigated as a possible approach for producing phytate-reduced soy-protein isolates. The treatments involved adding divalent cation reagents to mildly alkaline soyprotein extracts, or using mildly alkaline solutions of the cation reagent as protein extractant. Treatments used up to 5% (w/v) divalent cation reagent in dilute NaOH at pH 8–9 at room temperature with stirring for 1 hr. The proteins that remained soluble, or that were extracted following the above treatments, were further fractionated by dialysis against distilled water and then adjusted to the isoelectric pH of 4.5 with HCl. All treatments generally precipitated 15–90% of the total extracted proteins. The resulting phytate-reduced fractions had their total P reduced by ca. 30–74%, but their yields were reduced to only 11–85% of the total extract proteins. On the basis of these findings and on other adverse factors, e.g., toxicity, possible off-flavor and reduced functionality from residual precipitant ions, the divalent cation-fractionation method is not recommended for producing phytate-reduced soy-protein isolates for food use.
Quantitative Visualization of the Thermoacoustic Effect

Thermoacoustic energy conversion was introduced into engineering systems during the past three decades as a new, alternative, environmentally safe energy conversion technology. It uses noble gases and mixtures of noble gases as working fluids rather than hazardous refrigerants required for the vapor compression cycle. A thermoacoustic system can operate both as a prime mover/engine (a temperature gradient and heat flow imposed across the stack lead to the generation of acoustic work/sound in the resonator) and, when reversing the thermodynamic cycle, as a refrigerator (acoustic work is used to pump heat from the low temperature reservoir and release it into a higher temperature ambient). Energy transport in thermoacoustic systems is based on the thermoacoustic effect. Using an acoustic driver, the working fluid in the resonance tube is excited to generate an acoustic standing wave. When introducing a stack of parallel plates of length Δx into the acoustic field at a suitable location, a temperature difference ΔT develops along the stack plates. This temperature difference is caused by the thermoacoustic effect. In this paper the thermoacoustic effect is visualized using real-time holographic interferometry combined with high-speed cinematography. In holographic interferometry both temperature and pressure variations impact the refractive index and both of these variations are present in our thermoacoustic system. In our analysis temperature variations are uncoupled from pressure variations to quantitatively visualize the oscillating temperature fields around the stack plate.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Human TSC-associated renal angiomyolipoma cells are hypersensitive to ER stress

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an inherited tumor predisposition syndrome associated with mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, affects ∼1 in 6,000 individuals. Eighty percent of TSC patients develop renal...
Longitudinal Outcomes for Preschool Dual Language Learners Receiving Writing Instruction

This article analyzed data from a randomized, longitudinal study (Matera & Gerber, 2008) to measure the effectiveness of a writing intervention that provided clearly defined opportunities for Spanish-speaking preschool children in a Head Start program to develop their writing abilities in English. Results from this study indicate that children receiving the writing intervention performed statistically significantly better than children in the control group in measures of English and Spanish writing after 2 months of kindergarten instruction. Implications from these findings suggest that consistent and explicit writing opportunities in Head Start preschool classrooms have positive effects on Spanish-speaking children's emergent writing skills.
Segregation of genetic determinants for murine glucuronidase synthesis and loss in CXB recombinant-inbred strains.

A set of recombinant-inbred strains developed from mouse strains BALB/c and C57BL/6 includes two β-glucuronidase phenotypes that are not seen in either of the progenitor strains. These new recombinant phenotypes indicate that glucuronidase levels are regulated by genes additional to the Gur locus, which is closely linked to the glucuronidase structural gene (Gus) and is known to regulate the rate of glucuronidase synthesis. In this study, induced rates of glucuronidase synthesis were determined for these recombinant-inbred strains, and rate constants for enzyme loss were calculated. The rate of synthesis was found to segregate with the Gus gene in all of the strains, and only the determinants for rate of enzyme loss recombined to give new phenotypes. It was concluded that at least two genes affect the rate of enzyme loss, that these genes are not closely linked to each other or to the Gur-Gus region on chromosome 5, and that no major determinants of glucuronidase synthesis segregate independently of Gur.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography assay for recombinant acidic fibroblast growth factor in E. coli cell suspensions and lysate samples

Abstract A reversed-phase HPLC assay for acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF) expressed in E. coli is described. The assay was developed on a Polymer Labs. PLRP-S macroporous poly(styrene-benzene) column. A sample preparation procedure was developed to permit quantitation of aFGF in crude samples, such as cell suspensions and cell lysates. The assay was linear over the range of 25–140 μg/ml with an accuracy of 5%. By using a POROS column containing a stationary phase with “through-pores” and a superficial mobile phase velocity of 1440 cm/h, the analysis could be performed in 3 min. The polymeric supports used for this assay were durable; periodic washing with sodium hydroxide maintained column performance for extended periods.
A simulation study of a time lag population model.

Abstract The lack of terms representing time lags is a widely recognized weakness of the Volterra-Gause formulations of population growth and interaction. A number of analytical attempts to include time lag terms have been made in the past, but they have provided relatively little ecological insight. In this paper the Volterra-Gause equations for a predator and two competing prey are modified to include a number of time lags, and studied by simulation. The modifications include lags in the response to intra- and inter-specific competition and food supply, and terms that represent the “hunger” of the predator population. Predation is made size-selective as a function of hunger, and refuges are provided for the prey. Adding these factors greatly increases the variety of behavior exhibited by the model. Refuges for some minimum number of prey are required to assure persistence of the system. If the system persists its behavior ranges from damped to undamped oscillations of varying amplitude. Time lags in response of the predator to changes in prey abundance, the physiological food requirements of the predator, and the heterogeneity of the environment (as measured by prey refuges) all affect the form of the oscillations. The time lag terms can reverse the outcome of competition in some cases. In this model selective predation stabilizes otherwise unstable competitive relations. Certain results of laboratory predator-prey studies are difficult to explain in terms of the standard Volterra-Gause formalism. It is suggested that some of these features can be explained in terms of time lags in various population responses.