cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping Extracellular pH of Gliomas in Presence of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles: Towards Imaging the Distribution of Drug-Containing Nanoparticles and Their Curative Effect on the Tumor Microenvironment

Since brain's microvasculature is compromised in gliomas, intravenous injection of tumor-targeting nanoparticles containing drugs (D-NPs) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO-NPs) can deliver high payloads of drugs while allowing MRI to track drug distribution. However, therapeutic effect of D-NPs remains poorly investigated because superparamagnetic fields generated by SPIO-NPs perturb conventional MRI readouts. Because extracellular pH (pHe) is a tumor hallmark, mapping pHe is critical. Brain pHe is measured by biosensor imaging of redundant deviation in shifts (BIRDS) with lanthanide agents, by detecting paramagnetically shifted resonances of nonexchangeable protons on the agent. To test the hypothesis that BIRDS-based pHe readout remains uncompromised by presence of SPIO-NPs, we mapped pHe in glioma-bearing rats before and after SPIO-NPs infusion. While SPIO-NPs accumulation in the tumor enhanced MRI contrast, the pHe inside and outside the MRI-defined tumor boundary remained unchanged after SPIO-NPs infusion, regardless of the tumor type (9L versus RG2) or agent injection method (renal ligation versus coinfusion with probenecid). These results demonstrate that we can simultaneously and noninvasively image the specific location and the healing efficacy of D-NPs, where MRI contrast from SPIO-NPs can track their distribution and BIRDS-based pHe can map their therapeutic impact.
Tangible topographic modeling for landscape architects

We present Tangible Landscape—a technology for rapidly and intuitively designing landscapes informed by geospatial modeling, analysis, and simulation. It is a tangible interface powered by a geogra...
Changing Dogmas in Retrovirology

In the past 80 years since the first recognition of viruses, now known as retroviruses, basic tenets or dogmas about these infectious agents have been stated. Many of them have been challenged and reversed by the constant acquirement of new information on their biologic properties and diversified functions. Ten dogmas in retrovirology have been selected for discussion. By reviewing the new developments in retrovirology, one can appreciate changes that occur in basic scientific truths and the need to constantly challenge dogmas to test their validity and applicability.
Teaching and Learning in a Virtual World: A Pedagogical Experimentation Using Second Life

Immersive virtual worlds like Second Life offer many instructional affordances for enhancing learner’s experiences, especially in online classes. This paper will describe the implementation experiences of using the virtual environment in addition to the traditional learning management system to enrich the online learning experiences of students in an online graduate class. The benefits of using virtual environment is evaluated both from faculty and student perspectives. Based on the findings recommendations are made for best practices in using this innovative tool.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B44 supertype and immunotherapy outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

3026Background: In melanoma (mel) patients (pts) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, presence of HLA class I (HLA-1) B44 supertype (B44+) correlated with survival (Chowell, Science). B44 pre...
A 2.56-mm 2 718GOPS Configurable Spiking Convolutional Sparse Coding Accelerator in 40-nm CMOS

A configurable neuroinspired inference accelerator is designed as an array of neurons, each operating in an independent clock domain. The accelerator implements a recurrent network using a novel sparse convolution for feedforward operations and sparse spike-driven reconstruction for feedback operations. The proposed sparse convolution efficiently skips zero-patches, and can be made to support practically any image and kernel size. A globally asynchronous locally synchronous architecture enables scalable design and load balancing to achieve 22% reduction in power. Fabricated in 40-nm CMOS, the 2.56-mm2 inference accelerator integrates 48 neurons, a hub, and an OpenRISC processor. The chip achieves 718GOPS at 380 MHz, and demonstrates applications in feature extraction from images and depth extraction from stereo images.
Russia and the Western Far Right. Tango Noir

Anton Shekhovtsov has written the first study of Russia’s support for extreme right- and left-wing populists, nationalists and neo-Nazis. President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle have ‘convinced the...
Metabolic and Endocrine Aberrations in Alcoholism

Ethanol has direct effects on metabolic and endocrine activity and a wide variety of indirect effects. The direct effects come from both ethanol and the first oxidation product, acetaldehyde, which act on brain and nerve tissue (Israel, 1970). These two substances have a direct effect on the hypothalamus with resulting changes in endocrine activity; a direct effect on the cerebral cortex producing changes in behavior, activity, and emotional state; and direct metabolic effects on the electron transport system. The first two steps of ethanol oxidation each reduce nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to NADH2. The product formed at the end of the second oxidation step is acetate, which is the crossroads of energy metabolism, where carbohydrate and fat oxidation meet and join oxaloacetate to renew the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Addition of O–H, N–H, and F–H Bonds across a Boryl–Iridium Unit

(PBP)Ir(CO)2 possesses a Lewis acidic boryl center and a basic monovalent Ir center. Heterolytic cleavage of O–H, N–H, and F–H bonds by this molecule was examined. (PBP)Ir(CO)2 reacted with water, methanol, ethanol, cyclohexanol, phenols, benzoic acid, and triethylamine trihydrofluoride to add the O–H and F–H units across the B–Ir bond with preservation of both carbonyl ligands. For the benzoate adduct, one of the CO ligands is lost upon thermolysis with the benzoate bridging B and Ir. Thermolysis of (PBP)Ir(CO)2 with nBuNH2 ultimately resulted in a monocarbonyl product of the N–H cleavage with the resultant amido group bridging B and Ir. Dicarbonyl intermediates were observed in this reaction. Structures of the X–H cleavage products and the possible mechanistic pathways are discussed. Mechanistic experiments indicate that the reaction with ROH substrates proceeds by initial protonation of Ir, consistent with slower reactions with less acidic ROH substrates (and no reaction with tBuOH). For amines, the re...
Thermodynamics Problem Solving in Physical Chemistry: Study Guide and Map

Thermodynamics Problem Solving in Physical Chemistry: Study Guide and Map is an innovative and unique workbook that guides physical chemistry students through the decision-making process to assess a problem situation, create appropriate solutions, and gain confidence through practice solving physical chemistry problems. The workbook includes six major sections with 20 - 30 solved problems in each section that span from easy, single objective questions to difficult, multistep analysis problems. Each section of the workbook contains key points that highlight major features of the topic to remind students of what they need to apply to solve problems in the topic area. Key Features: Provides instructor access to a visual map depicting how all equations used in thermodynamics are connected and how they are derived from the three major energy laws. Acts as a guide in deriving the correct solution to a problem. Illustrates the questions students should ask themselves about the critical features of the concepts to solve problems in physical chemistry Can be used as a stand-alone product for review of Thermodynamics questions for major tests.
Abstract P4-09-02: Somatic tumor profiles of breast cancer in Latinas

Background: Latinos represent the largest and fastest-growing minority population in the US; breast cancer is the most common cancer and causes the most cancer deaths in this population. Precision medicine is being applied increasingly to guide breast cancer treatment decisions. However, the ability to apply precision medicine for prognosis and targeted treatments for breast cancer in Latinas is limited by insufficient data on somatic mutation and gene expression profiles in available tumor mutation datasets. In The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), one of the largest publicly available tumor mutation datasets, only 31 of ~1100 total breast cancers are Latina. Therefore, we performed whole exome sequencing on matched tumor/normal pairs in 146 tumors from 142 women reporting here on their somatic mutational profile compared to non-Latino women of European ancestry from TCGA. Methods: We enrolled 142 Latinas with invasive breast cancer and obtained blood and tumor tissue (formalin-fixed paraffin embedded). After whole exome sequencing of 146 pairs of tumor (somatic) and normal (germline) samples, high quality data were available for 142 tumor-normal pairs for analysis. Target coverage for normal was ~30X and for tumor was ~100X. Sequence data were aligned using Burrows-Wheeler Aligner, genotype calls were made using GATK and Mutect2 was used to call somatic mutations including base substitutions and small insertions and deletions. We estimated genetic ancestry from the germline genotype data using ADMIXTURE. Results: Age at diagnosis ranged from 31 to 75 years with a median age of 48 years. Histologically, 83% were estrogen-receptor positive, 71 % were progesterone-receptor positive, and 17% were human epidermal growth factor receptor positive; 87% were Stage 1 or 2 at diagnosis. The mean genetic ancestry in our sample was 52.3% European, 41.6% Indigenous American, and 6.2% African. We compared the 30 genes most commonly mutated in breast cancers (e.g., PIK3CA, TP53, MAP3K1, MLL3) in non-Latina Whites in TCGA to our data both overall and by subtype and searched for additional recurrently mutated genes not commonly observed in other populations. Similar to non-Latinos, PIK3CA and TP53 were the most commonly mutated genes; mutations in PIK3CA, GATA3, MAP3K1, and RYR2 were significantly more frequent in Latinas (p-value range from 0.001-0.002). Summary: In general, breast tumors from Latinas have similar rates of somatic mutations in most of the top commonly observed genes in European-ancestry women. Citation Format: Susan Neuhausen, Daniel Schmolze, Linda Steele, Shu Tao, Aaron Adamson, Charleen Adams, Donglei Hu, Scott Huntsman, Jung Byun, Kevin Gardner, Eliseo Perez-Stable, Anna Napoles, Jeffrey Weitzel, Elad Ziv. Somatic tumor profiles of breast cancer in Latinas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-02.
A hybrid discontinuous spectral element method and filtered mass density function solver for turbulent reacting flows

We present a novel hybrid scheme for the large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent reacting flows. The scheme couples the discontinuous spectral element method (DSEM) solver for the unsteady compres...
The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (Bombus Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability

Bumble bee population declines over the last decade have stimulated strong interest in determining causative factors and necessary conservation measures. Research attention has largely been directed toward bumble bee worker and queen health and their contributions to population stability, while male bees (i.e., drones) have typically been overlooked regarding their role in influencing colony fitness and longevity. In this review we assess existing literature on the diverse role of males within bumble bee nests and their importance to queen health and fitness, as well as to overall nest success. The implications of reproductive measures, including sperm transfer, mating behavior, mating plugs, and male immunity, among other topics, are examined. Overall, bumble bee males are found to drive colony function in a unique manner. Current knowledge gaps pertaining to the role of males are discussed. We highlight the importance of drones to queen success and fitness in many ways, and suggest future research exploring impacts of this often-neglected caste.
Changing the Sex of Cats: Considerations on Tale Type ATU 545, “The Cat as Helper, or, Puss in Boots” between Italy and France

When Charles Perrault adapted his French “Puss in Boots” from earlier Italian versions by Giovan Francesco Straparola and Giambattista Basile, he made his feline protagonist a male. The cat, however, was grammatically gendered as feminine in the Italian versions, and several critics have speculated on the reasons for the French author’s change—regarded as purely ideological. This essay examines the cat’s gender in these three tales, and Perrault’s change, from a philological as well as a feminist perspective, with an emphasis on the gender of the dying parent at the beginning of the story: a father in Basile and Perrault, but a mother with a cat-like name in Straparola.
“I probably got a minute”: Perceptions of fentanyl test strip use among people who use stimulants

Abstract Background Fentanyl dominates the heroin supply in many regions of the United States. One harm reduction response has been the distribution of fentanyl test strips to people who use heroin to test for the presence of fentanyl. Reports increasingly indicate that fentanyl contamination is occurring in the illicit stimulant market, but whether people who use stimulants would use fentanyl test strips is unknown. Methods Between January 2019 and January 2020, fifteen people in Philadelphia, PA who reported stimulant use completed a semi-structured interview with questions about their perceptions of fentanyl and willingness to use fentanyl test strips. Data were coded and analyzed for thematic content using constructs from the Health Belief Model and risk environment theory. Results Participants primarily reported using crack cocaine or crack cocaine/heroin, while some used methamphetamine, powder cocaine, or prescription opioids. All were aware of fentanyl and believed they were susceptible to a fentanyl overdose as stimulant users. Participants perceived benefits of using test strips but reported barriers, such as the unpredictable nature of buying or using drugs and not wanting to delay drug use to test. Structural conditions impeded participant actions to reduce overdose risk if their drugs tested positive for fentanyl. Conclusion Fentanyl test strips were a desired harm reduction tool by many participants who used stimulants. In addition to providing access to the strips, programs should tailor overdose prevention education to these clients by acknowledging susceptibility, amplifying benefits, and addressing drug-specific barriers to use of fentanyl test strips.
Impact of dynamic wheel load on roadway infrastructure sustainability

Abstract Dynamic wheel load (DWL) may result in additional pavement damage. This study examined the impact of DWL on pavement performance using mechanistic tractor-trailer and three-dimensional (3-D) viscoelastic finite element (FE) pavement models. Based on the result of FE simulations, a correlation between the pavement responses and DWL was established. Using the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide approach, the pavement service life was predicted. A case study based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies was performed to study the DWL impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption, and cost. The study identified the probabilistic distribution of pavement service life due to DWL. The effect of pavement service life on the environmental impact of each LCA stage was investigated. Finally, optimal sustainable solutions considering both environmental and economic impacts were introduced using a Pareto frontier analysis.
Grüneisen Parameter of Fluids and Metals under Compression

The Gruneisen parameter and adiabats of both solids and fluids play an important role in geophysical models. In the discussion of the convection of the outer core and the origin of the earth's magnetic field, one needs to know the adiabatic gradient of the material in question. This gradient can only be calculated when the pressure dependence of the Gruneisen parameter and the adiabatic bulk modulus are known. Calculations of Gruneisen parameter at high compression from lattice theory or from thermodynamic data show considerable disagreement.
Improvement of medical imaging with enhanced light extraction of scintillators by integrated nanophotonics

Scintillators are important functional parts in x-ray and Υ-radiation medical imaging instruments, while the high refractive index of scintillation materials significantly reduced the light yield from the scintillators to the detectors, which limited acquired image quality. In this paper, we reviewed two ways to improve the light yield of scintillators via nano photonic devices based on different scintillation materials and integrated nano structures.
Non-thermal processing technologies to improve the safety of nuts.

Abstract: Non-thermal technologies provide an alternative to thermal processing that can achieve microbial safety and preserve consumer-desired attributes of freshness, texture, flavor, and color. This chapter describes currently used and emerging non-thermal technologies, the mechanisms by which they inactivate microorganisms, equipment used, effects on product quality and application for nut and nut products.
Performance Evaluation of a MIMO Control System with Limited Actuators

Performance degradation of multivariable control systems having limited actuators is often handled by augmenting the controller with integral windup protection, which attempts to maintain system performance when limits are encountered. This work describes a method to analyse such systems to determine precisely what stability and performance degradation is incurred under limited conditions. It is shown that by reformlating limited actuator commands as resulting from multiplicative perturbations to the corresponding controller requests, linear system evaluation tools can be utilined to obtain quantitative measures of stability and performance degradation.
A method for single hand fist gesture input to enhance human computer interaction

The study of detecting and tracking hand gestures in general has been widely explored, yet the focus on fist gesture in particular has been neglected. Methods for processing fist gesture would allow more natural user experience in human-machine interaction (HMI), however, it requires a deeper understanding of fist kinematics. For the purpose of achieving grasping-moving-rotating activity with single hand (SH-GMR), the extraction of fist rotation is necessary. In this paper, a feature-based Fist Rotation Detector (FRD) is proposed to bring more flexibility to interactions with hand manipulation in the virtual world. By comparing to other candidate methods, edge-based methods are shown to be a proper way to tackle the detection. We find a set of "fist lines" that can be easily extracted and be used steadily to determine the fist rotation. The proposed FRD is described in details as a two-step approach: fist shape segmentation and fist rotation angle retrieving process. A comparison with manually measured ground truth data shows that the method is robust and accurate. A virtual reality application using hand gesture control with the FRD shows that the hand gesture interaction is enhanced by the SH-GMR.
A more general whitespace architecture: refactoring the master-client paradigm

While some whitespace devices will be self-sufficient (“masters”), others will rely on help from other devices in order to access the whitespaces (“slaves”). Currently, this help is provided by a single master device. In this paper, we argue that (1) this assistance need not be provided by a single device and (2) the assisting device need not be a whitespace device. Instead, we can think of the “slave” as being helped by a whitespace device support network, i.e. a variety of devices which each supply a piece of the whitespace access puzzle.
Alcohol (Ethanol) Inhibits IL-8 and TNF: Role of the p38 Pathway

Acute ethanol (EtOH) intoxication has been identified as a risk factor for infectious complications in trauma and burn victims. However, the mechanism of this immune dysfunction has yet to be elucidated. The monocyte/macrophage production of cytokines, in particular IL-8 and TNF-alpha, is critical in the regulation of the acute inflammatory response to infectious challenge. IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant and activator of neutrophils. TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine, initiates expression of endothelial cell surface adhesion molecules and neutrophil migration. p38, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, plays an important role in mediating intracellular signal transduction in endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses. We examined the effects of LPS and ethanol on p38 activation and the corresponding IL-8 and TNF-alpha production in human mononuclear cells. LPS-induced IL-8 and TNF-alpha production was inhibited in a similar pattern by pretreatment with either EtOH or SB202190 (1 microM), a specific inhibitor of p38 kinase. Western blot analysis, using a dual phospho-specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase Ab, demonstrated that EtOH pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced p38 activation. These results demonstrate that alcohol suppresses the normal host immune inflammatory response to LPS. This dysregulation appears to be mediated in part via inhibition of p38 activation. Inhibition of IL-8 and TNF-alpha production by acute EtOH intoxication may inhibit inflammatory focused neutrophil migration and activation and may be a mechanism explaining the increased risk of trauma- and burn-related infections.
Ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam: two novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination agents for the treatment of resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections

The rise in resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a major concern and has led to difficulty in treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Two recently approved combination antibiotics, ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam, may be effective in treating these resistant infections. Ceftolozane is a novel cephalosporin that has been developed in combination with tazobactam, a recognised β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI). Avibactam is a novel BLI combined with ceftazidime, a cephalosporin with an established history. Both of these β-lactam/BLI combination agents have been shown to retain in vitro activity against selected resistant Gram-negative pathogens, including Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; notably, ceftazidime/avibactam has demonstrated consistent activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing organisms. Both agents have been approved for the indications of complicated intra-abdominal infection (with metronidazole) and complicated urinary tract infection, and have ongoing phase 3 trials for the treatment of ventilator-associated and nosocomial pneumonia. This manuscript will review current data available regarding the spectrum of activity and clinical trials that led to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of these agents. Both agents appear to be well tolerated and show promise in the treatment of MDR Gram-negative infections.
Purification and properties of an arylsulfatase from Aspergillus oryzae.

Abstract Arylsulfate sulfohydrolase II (EC 3.1.6.1) has been purified from Aspergillus oryzae. The purified arylsulfatase appears to be homogeneous on the basis of disc gel electrophoresis, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and equilibrium ultracentrifugation. Physical properties and amino acid composition have been determined indicating the enzyme to have a molecular weight of 65,000 ± 2,000 with a high content of aspartic and glutamic acid. Kinetic constants for the hydrolysis of a series of substituted phenyl sulfate esters at pH 4.0 and 7.5 have been determined. Plots of log Vmax/Km and log Vmax against pKa show that, as the electron-withdrawing ability of the substituent increases, log Vmax/Km increases with decreasing pKa, while log Vmax is independent of pKa. These results are interpreted in terms of a covalent sulfuryl enzyme intermediate or a rate-determining conformational change.
An integrated three-phase voltage regulated current source inverter topology

PWM current source inverters (CSI's) are usually operated with a fixed pattern and fed from a thyristor rectifier controlled current source. Transient response of the output current is slow and input power factor is low. This paper proposes a symmetrical PWM CSI topology with a two loop control structure. A voltage regulated current source inverter ensures instantaneous output voltage control through on-line PWM current generation. The PWM rectifier maintains unity displacement power factor, thus improving the power factor. Furthermore, it maintains the DC link current to a value such that the inverter modulation index remains high at all times; this results in reduced voltage harmonic distortion at the output. The topology is particularly well suited for fast fluctuating loads. It also has regenerative capabilities, inherent short circuit protection and increased reliability. The paper describes the power circuit topology and the two control loop structure and presents controller design considerations and procedures. The complete topology is implemented on a 2 kVA unit and experimental results confirm theoretical and simulation results. >
Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Corn Agronomic Response and Economic Return at Seven Iowa Locations

Corn yield (Zea mays L.) and economic return with different tillage systems and crop rotations are highly influenced by regional soil and climate conditions. This study was conducted at seven locations in Iowa from 2003 to 2013. The experiment design was split-plot with tillage as the main factor, which included five tillage systems (no-tillage, NT; strip-tillage, ST; chisel plow, CP; deep rip, DR; and moldboard plow, MP).Three crop rotations of corn–soybean (Glycine max L.), C–S; corn–corn–soybean, C–C–S; and corn–corn, C–C were subplots in a completely randomized block design in four replications. The objectives were to: (i) investigate seasonal variability in corn yield as affected by tillage and crop rotation, (ii) identify appropriate tillage for each crop rotation and location, and (iii) evaluate the magnitude of crop rotation effect on corn yield. Corn yields varied from 2.5 to 15.8 Mg ha–¹ with no detectable increase over time. The results showed northern locations have yield of 1.9 Mg ha–¹ and economic return of US$329 ha–¹ advantage over southern locations. Yield and economic returns for the three rotations were as follow: C–S > C–C–S > C–C. Yield and economic penalty were greater with NT than conventional tillage in the northern locations (poorly-drained soils) than locations with well-drained soils. The corn yield penalty associated with C–C was location specific and varied from 11 to 28%. The findings suggest a location specific adoption of tillage and crop rotation for achieving optimum yield.
The Effects of Monetary Policy Shocks in the USA: A Forecast‐Augmented VAR Approach

This paper formulates a forward-looking monetary policy function for the USA in a structural vector autoregression (VAR) model, by using forecasts of key macroeconomic variables, in addition to the ex post realised variables used in a standard VAR. Since this forecast-augmented VAR (FOAVAR) uses both forecasted and realised variables, and the standard VAR uses only realised variables, the standard VAR is nested in the FOAVAR. I find that the Fed responds to forecasted macroeconomic variables more significantly than realised variables. I also find that the monetary policy shock in the FOAVAR generates impulse responses of variables that are consistent with the predictions of economic theories, while the policy shock in the standard VAR causes a price puzzle: an increase in the price level due to a contractionary policy shock. These results suggest that a monetary policy function identified in a standard VAR, by using only realised macroeconomic variables, may incorrectly represent the Fed's policy function.
Observing non-Gaussian sources in heavy-ion reactions

We examine the possibility of extracting non-Gaussian sources from two-particle correlations in heavy-ion reactions. Non-Gaussian sources have been predicted in a variety of model calculations and may have been seen in various like-meson pair correlations. As a tool for this investigation, we have developed an improved imaging method that relies on a basis spline expansion of the source functions with an improved implementation of constraints. We examine under what conditions this improved method can distinguish between Gaussian and non-Gaussian sources. Finally, we investigate pion, kaon, and proton sources from the $p\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Pb}$ reaction at $450$ GeV/nucleon and from the $S\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Pb}$ reaction at $200$ GeV/nucleon studied by the NA44 experiment. Both the pion and kaon sources from the $S\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{b}$ correlations seem to exhibit a Gaussian core with an extended, non-Gaussian halo. We also find evidence for a scaling of the source widths with particle mass in the sources from the $p\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{b}$ reaction.
Synthesis of a Nitrido-Substituted Analogue of the Uranyl Ion, [N═U═O]+

Addition of 0.5 equiv of NaN(3) to U[NR(2)](3) (R = SiMe(3)) affords the metallacycle [Na(DME)(2)(TMEDA)][(NR(2))(2)U(mu-N)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NR)U(NR(2))(2)] (1) in 69% yield. Complex 1 is readily oxidized by 0.5 equiv of I(2), generating the mixed valent U(IV/V) nitrido complex (NR(2))(2)U(mu-N)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NR)U(NR(2))(2) (2). Alternatively, oxidation of 1 with 1 equiv of Me(3)NO affords the oxo-nitrido complex [Na(DME)(2)][(NR(2))(2)(O)U(mu-N)(CH(2)SiMe(2)NR)U(NR(2))(2)] (3) in good yield. The solid-state molecular structures of 1-3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. A notable feature of these complexes are the inequivalent U=N-U bonding interactions. Moreover, 3 contains a trans oxo-nitrido [O=U=N](+) moiety with metrical parameters approximating those of the uranyl cation, UO(2)(2+). The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated by SQUID magnetometry.
Host marrow has a competitive advantage that limits donor hematopoietic repopulation in mixed xenogeneic chimeras

: In mixed xenogeneic (rat/mouse) chimeras, in which both donor and host hematopoietic cells coexist, donor hematopoiesis eventually declines, despite apparent immunological tolerance of the host to the donor. To explain this observation, we hypothesized that donor hematopoietic cells might have a competitive disadvantage in a xenogeneic environment. Since SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) bone marrow cells (BMC) are unable to produce functional B and T lymphocytes, they might compete for myeloid but not lymphocytic reconstitution of the animals, whereas marrow from the normal congenic strain, C.B-17, would compete for repopulation of both lineages. We therefore evaluated the capacity of SCID and C.B-17 mouse marrow to inhibit repopulation by rat BMC in irradiated SCID mouse recipients. Nine weeks after administration of T-cell depleted (TCD) F344 rat BMC alone to 3 Gy-irradiated SCID mice, rat cells of both the myeloid and the lymphoid lineages were readily detectable among peripheral blood leukocytes. Rat plus SCID mouse BMC reconstitution resulted in a marked reduction in rat myeloid repopulation, without affecting rat lymphoid repopulation. Rat plus TCD normal C.B-17 mouse BMC, on the other hand, completely inhibited repopulation of all rat lineages by 9 weeks. Since mouse marrow inhibited only the repopulation by rat cells of the lineages that the mouse marrow was itself capable of generating, we conclude that physiologic factors, such as species specificity or selectivity of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and other molecules important for hematopoiesis, provide a competitive advantage to host marrow over xenogeneic hematopoietic cells. This physiologic barrier must be overcome in addition to immunologic barriers if bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is to provide a feasible approach to inducing xenograft tolerance. In addition, we describe the development of a chronic graft-vs.-host-disease (GVHD)-like syndrome in SCID mouse recipients of TCD rat marrow.
Engineered luciferase reporter from a deep sea shrimp utilizing a novel imidazopyrazinone substrate.

Bioluminescence methodologies have been extraordinarily useful due to their high sensitivity, broad dynamic range, and operational simplicity. These capabilities have been realized largely through incremental adaptations of native enzymes and substrates, originating from luminous organisms of diverse evolutionary lineages. We engineered both an enzyme and substrate in combination to create a novel bioluminescence system capable of more efficient light emission with superior biochemical and physical characteristics. Using a small luciferase subunit (19 kDa) from the deep sea shrimp Oplophorus gracilirostris, we have improved luminescence expression in mammalian cells ∼2.5 million-fold by merging optimization of protein structure with development of a novel imidazopyrazinone substrate (furimazine). The new luciferase, NanoLuc, produces glow-type luminescence (signal half-life >2 h) with a specific activity ∼150-fold greater than that of either firefly (Photinus pyralis) or Renilla luciferases similarly conf...
Use of conventional dual chamber pacemakers with custom lead adapters to induce atrial fibrillation or heart failure in dogs.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to show how custom "Y"-lead adapters and standard dual-chamber pacemakers can be used to produce pacing paradigms that will lead to stable experimental models of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Description With two custom lead adapters we used both ports of two dual-chamber clinical pacemakers to independently apply various pacing paradigms to either the ventricles or the atria of dogs. Evaluation Because both ports of the ventricular pacemaker were used to apply stimuli through one lead, the device did not have to be modified to obtain ventricular pacing rates that are sufficiently elevated to lead to tachycardia-induced heart failure. Similarly, simultaneous use of both ports of the atrial pacemaker can be used to apply stimuli through one atrial lead to induce sustained atrial fibrillation. Conclusions These techniques facilitate induction of experimental models of heart failure and atrial fibrillation without the need for modification of the clinical pacemaker.
Values-Driven Leadership Development: Where We Have Been and Where We Could Go

This essay revisits the premises upon which business ethics education has been based and then “flips” them, in an effort to help transform management education's approach to values-driven leadership development. Previous assumptions about what we teach, who we teach, and how we teach ethics are described, and a summary of how the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) pedagogy/curriculum flips these assumptions is provided. A brief review of the impact to date of this experiment is included, along with reflection on some of the new opportunities and challenges GVV has begun to face as a result of the rapid take-up of this approach around the globe.
Assessment of preventive health care: design considerations.

Abstract Objective. To design an instrument to assess the performance of a clinic in the delivery of preventive health services to a general population. Methods. The study utilized a chart review of services delivered, abstraction of data from electronic databases, and a standardized provider assessment of each eligible patient. The study was conducted in a primary care clinic staffed primarily by internal medicine residents in an urban academic medical center. Patients who were receiving continuity care in the clinic and who were scheduled for an appointment during the 2-week study period were eligible for inclusion. Patients were identified prospectively from the appointment schedule. Charts were reviewed for the delivery of preventive health services prior to the patient's visit. Assessment forms were provided to the primary providers for review and completion. Demographic and appointment information was electronically abstracted from current databases. Results. The rate at which services were provided varied considerably by service and over time. The reasons for nondelivery included disagreement with guidelines, patient resistance/refusal, and lack of priority. Conclusions. It should be possible to assess a clinic's performance over a range of services over its entire population over time. There may be legitimate reasons for services not being provided to a sizable proportion of the population. These issues are complex and require sensitive detailed investigation.
The Oil-Blast Circuit Breaker

The principle of operation of oil circuit breakers has been conceived to the present time as deionization of the arc stream during the time required for the recovery voltage to appear across the circuit breaker terminals. An alternative principle is here developed in which the arc products are swept away by the scavenging action of an oil blast. As a logical development from this conception a new type of oil circuit breaker is described which owes its efficiency to careful provision for a scavenging blast of oil which is driven by the gas pressure from one break and which displaces the arc in the space between the electrodes of another break.
Compressibility, Phase Transitions, and Oxygen Migration in Zirconium Tungstate, ZrW2O8

In situ neutron diffraction experiments show that at pressures above 2 kilobars, cubic zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) undergoes a quenchable phase transition to an orthorhombic phase, the structure of which has been solved from powder diffraction data. This phase transition can be reversed by heating at 393 kelvin and 1 atmosphere and involves the migration of oxygen atoms in the lattice. The high-pressure phase shows negative thermal expansion from 20 to 300 kelvin. The relative thermal expansion and compressibilities of the cubic and orthorhombic forms can be explained in terms of the “cross-bracing” between polyhedra that occurs as a result of the phase transition.
Toward a comprehensive conceptual framework for computer integrated manufacturing

Abstract Effective Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) requires computer software to control automated processes, regulate production facilities, and generate information to support operational, tactical, and strategic decision making. An analysis of decision problems, managerial functions, and information systems is a prerequisite for the design of a CIM system. Four basic types of IS are analyzed as potential components in a CIM design methodology which seeks to integrate computerized manufacturing systems and management information systems.
A study of prototypes, design activity, and design outcome

The building of prototypes is an important facet of the product design process. This paper examines factors in prototyping, including part count and time spent on various design activities, and their correlations with design outcome. The research questions asked: Do simpler prototypes mean a more successful design? Does the amount of time spent on a project, both overall and on different activities over a project cycle, relate to design success? And does it matter when this time is spent? One of the main findings of this study is that prototypes with fewer parts correlate with better design outcome, as do prototypes that have fewer parts added to them over the course of development. This paper also finds that committing more time to a project is not necessarily associated with a successful design outcome.
Problems associated with risk overprediction in studies of offspring of alcoholics: Implications for prevention

Abstract The offspring of alcoholics have been described as being at risk for a variety of social and psychological problems. However, many studies contain biases that lead to the overprediction of offspring vulnerability. Suggestions for obtaining more accurate data are offered. Particularly lacking are data on the frequency of positive adjustment outcomes, or on the characteristics that distinguish offspring likely to have achieved successful adjustment from those who have developed symptomatic behavior. Future prevention researchers could use this information to design programs to increase coping capacity and/or provide environmental supports to reduce the risk associated with alcoholic parentage.
Songs of isolation-reared sparrows function in communication, but are significantly less effective than learned songs

Songs of male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and swamp sparrows (M. georgiana) isolated before hatching from conspecific song were played to males and females of both species. “Isolate” songs of these sparrows resemble natural conspecific song in several aspects of gross structure, but differ from natural song in note structure. Male territory owners of both species responded more to conspecific isolate song than to heterospecific normal song. Captive females of both species, previously treated with estradiol, courted in response to isolate song but not to heterospecific song. We conclude that there is sufficient speciesspecific information in isolate song of both species to allow a degree of normal function. To assess the importance of the structural refinements added through learning, we compared response to isolate and natural conspecific songs. Male territory owners and captive females responded more to natural than to isolate songs in both species. Learning thus significantly increases the potency of song in both intersexual and intrasexual communication.
Games as a "flavor" of CS1

Introductory programming courses have a specific set of expected outcomes. One of the most often heard complaints in such courses is that they are divorced from the reality of application. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find areas for application that all students have the background knowledge for and that are engaging and challenging. One such area is computer games and we have developed a cohesive CS1 course that provides traditional outcomes from within the context of games as an application area in both the lecture and lab components of the course. This course was piloted as a ten-week distance program for incoming computer science students with the defining features that the program carried no academic credit and offered no end grades. We discuss the overwhelming interest in this course as well as objective and suobjective student experiences. One of the most important outcomes of the summer course was that it brought students with similar interests and goals together. We discuss this and the different ways we have found to discuss computer science course topics from within a games context.
The Structuration of Racialized Sport Organizing

This essay suggests that dynamics of race in/and mediated sport can be productively understood when theorized as an interactive phenomenon that gives rise to micro-macro forms of human-mediated org...
Scripting a Nationalist Narrative: Robert Bingham and the Construction of Confederate Identity

Abstract In this essay, I analyze and contextualize Robert Bingham's prisoner-of-war diary and show how the work of life writing intersects with the work of Confederate identity formation. Arguing that nationalism need not be fueled by political rhetoric or a local print culture, I show how Bingham uses daily descriptions of his prison experience to shape a sense of national identity. Using northern news and literature as well as local interactions to distinguish himself from his real and imagined Yankee captors, Bingham returns again and again to the broad contrasts between Union and Confederacy and to the more subtle valences of southern gender and class identity to construct himself and his wife according to an ideal that he uses, in turn, to reinforce his affective commitment to the new nation. Though Bingham's ideals are not always shaped by facts, his daily fictionalizations posing as facts allow him to stabilize his sense of self and imagine himself embodying a Confederate ideal.
The Uses of Variety: Modern Americanism and the Quest for National Distinctiveness. By Carrie Tirado Bramen. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2000. xii, 380 pp. $45.00, isbn 0-674-00308-X.)

List of Illustrations Abbreviations Introduction: Americanizing Variety 1. THE IDEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF PLURALISM 1. William James and the Modern Federal Republic 2. Identity Culture and Cosmopolitanism 2. THE AESTHETICS OF DIVERSITY 3. The Uneven Development of American Regionalism 4. The Urban Picturesque and Americanization 3. HETEROGENEOUS UNIONS 5. Biracial Fictions and the Mendelist Allegory 6. East Meets West at the World's Parliament of Religions Afterword: In Defense of Partiality Notes Works Cited Acknowledgments Index
Transgenic strains of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as biomonitors of metal contamination

Transition metal contamination poses a serious environmental and human health threat. The bioavailability of transition metals in environmental samples can best be assessed with living organisms. A transgenic strain of the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been engineered for monitoring the bioavailability of metals. A reporter transgene consisting of a fragment of the promoter from the C. elegans metallothionein-2 gene (mtl-2) that controls the transcription of a β-galactosidase reporter (lacZ) has been integrated into the genome of this organism. By using these transgenic C. elegans, the toxicological response to metals in samples can be quickly measured with a simple histochemical staining assay. The C. elegans that contain the mtl-2:lacZ transgene provide a more sensitive assay of exposure to cadmium, mercury, zinc, and nickel than 24-h LC50 assays or those using nematodes with heat-shock protein–based reporter transgenes. This study demonstrates that C. elegans that contain mtl-2:lacZ transgenes can function as sensitive toxicological indicators of metals.
You break it, you fix it: functions for AID downstream of deamination

In a phosphorylation-dependent positive feedback loop, the cytidine deaminase AID amplifies the generation of double-strand DNA breaks, which shows it can also function downstream of deamination.
Age is not a contraindication for orthotopic liver transplantation: a single institution experience with recipients older than 75 years

Introduction Transplant community has arbitrary age limit for liver transplantation based on the increased comorbidities in aging population. There has been an increased demand to consider older patients to have access to liver transplantation as the US population continues to live longer with better health.