cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and finite element analysis modeling of a 4-electrode humidity sensor for natural gas transportation pipelines.

Reliable corrosion monitoring of natural gas transmission lines is a major tool providing a foundation for safe management of natural gas infrastructures. Through the development of membrane-based electrochemical sensors which are able to function in low-conductivity gas environments, corrosion monitoring practices can be further strengthened by real-time monitoring of key risk factors such as relative humidity and corrosion rates of corrodible structures. In this work, we demonstrate and validate how a 4-electrode conductivity sensor can provide a means to monitor relative humidity in gases via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy through finite element analysis (FEA). For a relative humidity range of 5%–55%, the impedance response varied from 1 kΩ to 66 kΩ, showing a high sensitivity for gas humidity. To confirm that the measured impedance values reliably interpreted relative humidity, it was found that precise estimation of the sensor’s cell constant was needed. FEA was used to assess how the cell constant depended on the electrode geometry, membrane geometry, and electrode placement within the sensor. Through this approach, assumptions about the characteristic area and length were validated using electrolyte equipotential and current density vector mapping. This reduced possible cell constant uncertainties by 70%. With a cell constant of 14.84 cm−1, obtained via FEA, membrane conductivity values were in good agreement with published data.
Nuclear Medicine Therapy by the Numbers: What is the Real Financial Impact?

3028 Objectives: Therapies are the origins of Nuclear Medicine (NM) and are now seeing a period of growth. From existing therapies such as I-131 and Ra223 to emerging therapies like Lu177-DOTATATE and I-131 MIBG, the cost of such therapies continues to increase. It is unclear whether these rising costs are sustainable or if they will ultimately prevent patients who need the therapy from receiving it. We intend investigate this important question in depth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the financial impact of current and emerging NM therapies in the current healthcare system and ultimately for the patient. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the the cost of all therapies offered in division of NM at our hospital, a large academic institution, over the last 5 years. We specifically evaluated the increase in cost versus reimbursement to understand the financial impact to the institution as well as the patient. We also reviewed the re-imbursement variations between insurance companies, any out of pocket expenses for the patient and any unrecovered costs for the hospital. Results: The cost of therapies has increased significantly over the last 5 years and while they do place an enormous financial burden on the institution and patient, they are still overall financially viable. Our institution has seen as much as a 25% reduction in cost to reimbursement ratio for therapies, which can vary widely amongst Medicare and private payers. The rising costs has furthermore forced the institution to look very closely at cost saving measures to limit the overall financial burden. Conclusions: Recent advancements in NM therapies are a great step forward for the field and for patients who benefit from these advancements, but the costs are increasing at a high rate. With the ever-increasing costs of healthcare, it is imperative that we control our institutional costs to ensure that we can continue to offer these advanced therapies to patients in the future.
Issues in Measuring Opportunity to Learn Academic Language: Social Desirability and Teacher Education Effects

Many assert the importance of academic language (AL) instruction in raising achievement for English learners (EL). The increased academic communication demands of the Common Core State Standards has resulted in greater attention to learning opportunities provided to students in meeting disciplinary learning. Yet, few studies have tested operationalizations of AL to investigate opportunity to learn (OTL) for English language learners. This paper discusses the issues in the measurement of AL instruction using survey instruments in bilingual contexts. Although results suggest our initial attempt to develop a survey scale show items are reliable and exhibits some degree of content validity, latent class analysis revealed that teachers interpreted the items differently depending on their level of education. Responses also appear to be confounded by social desirability evident in the lowest performing classrooms. Implications for the measurement of OTL academic language are discussed.
Unsupervised Clusterless Decoding using a Switching Poisson Hidden Markov Model

Abstract Spike sorting is a standard preprocessing step to obtain ensembles of single unit data from multiunit, multichannel recordings in neuroscience. However, more recently, some researchers have started doing analyses directly on the unsorted data. Here we present a new computational model that is an extension of the standard (unsupervised) switching Poisson hidden Markov model (where observations are time-binned spike counts from each of N neurons), to a clusterless approximation in which we observe only a d-dimensional mark for each spike. Such an unsupervised yet clusterless approach has the potential to incorporate more information than is typically available from spike-sorted approaches, and to uncover temporal structure in neural data without access to behavioral correlates. We show that our approach can recover model parameters from simulated data, and that it can uncover task-relevant structure from real neural data.
An Extraordinary Partnership between Arizona State University and the City of Phoenix

The Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix campus is a grand-scale exemplar of a city-university partnership. Its demonstrated impacts are economic, social, and educational, transforming both the city and the university. The magnitude of the investment of $223 million by the citizens of a city in a state university is unparalleled in higher education. In 2006, the Colleges of Public Programs (including the Schools of Social Work, Public Affairs, and Community Resources and Development), Nursing and Health Care Innovation, and University College moved from ASU Tempe to become the foundational colleges of this new campus, located strategically to advance the three cornerstones of the ASU mission—access, excellence, and impact—as well as to become the finest examples of two of the design principles of the New American University: use-inspired research and social embeddedness.
The Literati and the Illuminati: Atlantic Knowledge Networks and Augustin Barruel’s Conspiracy Theories in the United States, 1794–1800

Augustin Barruel’s Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism incited the famous “Illuminati scare” in the United States from 1798 through 1800. Barruel argued that a shadowy Freemason group known as the Illuminati had provoked the French Revolution. Americans in the late 1790s inferred that this group was infiltrating the United States. Scholars often imagine that this scare was an instance of mass hysteria triggered by the intensity of American politics at this moment. But in fact, Americans’ response to Barruel was measured, careful, and guided by the era’s prevailing epistemological standards. Atlantic knowledge networks repeatedly validated (or failed to persuasively rebut) the content of the Memoirs, allowing American intellectuals such as Jedidiah Morse and Timothy Dwight to spread the conspiracy theory with the conviction of “authority.” Morse was particularly significant as a mediator between these networks and American audiences. By engaging with literary reviews, the correspondence of academics, and the publications of intellectuals, Morse had good reason to accept Barruel’s account. Indeed, the evidence that Morse and his allies marshalled in favor of Barruel was arguably stronger than that which was available to their critics. In this light, the Illuminati “scare” was not an irrational panic, but rather a reasonable response to the evidence available to Americans during the late 1790s. By re-examining this story through the lens of print history, transatlantic networks, and early modern processes of knowledge production, scholars can better understand the borders and limitations of early modern epistemologies, as well as the nature of early conspiracy theories.
QuickFigures: a tool to quickly transform microscope images into quality figures

Abstract Publications involving fluorescent microscopy generally contain many panels with split channels, merged images, scale bars and label text. Assembling and editing these figures with even spacing, consistent font, text position, accurate scale bars and other features can be tedious and time consuming. In order to save time and streamline the process I have created a toolset called QuickFigures.
Universal behaviour and the two-component character of magnetically underdoped cuprate superconductors

We present a detailed review of scaling behaviour in the magnetically underdoped cuprate superconductors (hole dopings less than 0.20) and show that it reflects the presence of two coupled components throughout this doping regime: a non-Landau Fermi liquid and a spin liquid whose behaviour maps onto the theoretical Monte Carlo calculations of the two-dimensional Heisenberg model of localized Cu spins for most of its temperature domain. We use this mapping to extract the doping dependence of the strength, f(x) of the spin liquid component and the effective interaction, J eff(x) between the remnant localized spins that compose it; we find that both decrease linearly with x as the doping level increases. We discuss the physical origin of pseudogap behaviour and conclude that it is consistent with scenarios in which the both the large energy gaps found in the normal state and their subsequent superconductivity are brought about by the coupling between the Fermi liquid quasiparticles and the spin liquid excita...
Shifting signals: Correlations among freshwater, marine and climatic indices often investigated in Pacific salmon studies

Abstract The common practice of incorporating environmental indices into population models has greatly advanced our understanding of ecological systems. Unfortunately, we are increasingly seeing published correlations between population indicators and environmental indices breaking down when tested with new data. Examining how the correlations among indices change over time could help explain underlying causal mechanisms, which ultimately strengthen the basis for prediction of population indicators. For migratory animals such as anadromous salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), the habitat conditions they experience can affect their lifetime fitness and population viability. We analyzed 43 freshwater, marine, and climate indices associated with 72 river sites and five coastal ecoregions inhabited by Chinook and coho salmon (O. tshawytscha and O. kisutch) in the western USA. Utilizing long time series (ranging from 32 to 124 years), we examined spatial and temporal patterns in correlations through hierarchical clustering across sites and non-stationarity across time. Individual river sites clustered into two Northwest and one Southwest groups. Northwest sites generally showed stronger correlations between freshwater and climate indices, while Southwest sites showed stronger correlations within freshwater or within marine/climate indices. For a closer examination at shorter periods, we parsed the time series into 10-year windows and showed how pairwise correlations changed over time with spring–summer Pacific Decadal Oscillation index in the Northwest and with spring flow in the Southwest. Stronger correlations across multiple indices tended to occur when large-scale climatic events (e.g., Oceanic Nino and Pacific Decadal Oscillation indices) were in-phase, and phase transitions (e.g., from positive to negative) occurred in the same 10-year window. In a third analysis, we assessed how well indices provided unique vs. confounding/complex information and had consistent vs. varying relationships based on the mean and variance of 10-year correlations. Across index types, the variance in correlations tended to be lowest in marine vs. climate indices, higher among freshwater indices, and highest for freshwater vs. marine/climate indices. Yet, the mean strength of correlations for freshwater vs. marine/climate indices was still comparable to those among freshwater ones. Overall, identifying time periods when correlations tend to change will help interpret historical and projected population indicators. Spatial trends in the strength of correlations also indicate that the level of confounding effects among indices can differ regionally. We emphasize the importance of knowing the strength and variability of correlations among indices, and their representativeness of ecological processes in the context of combined phases of multiple climatic indices.
Teaching the Art of Defending a White Collar Criminal Case

This Article discusses the author's experience with effectively teaching a white collar crime course.
Characterizing bioavailable phosphorus concentrations in an agricultural stream during hydrologic and streambed disturbances

In freshwater ecosystems, phosphorus (P) is often considered a growth-limiting nutrient. The use of fertilizers on agricultural fields has led to runoff-driven increases in P availability in streams, and the subsequent eutrophication of downstream ecosystems. Isolated storms and periodic streambed dredging are examples of two common disturbances that contribute dissolved and particulate P to agricultural streams, which can be quantified as soluble reactive P (SRP) using the molybdate-blue method on filtered water samples, or total P (TP) measured using digestions on unfiltered water reflecting all forms of P. While SRP is often considered an approximation of bioavailable P (BAP), research has shown that this is not always the case. Current methods used to estimate BAP do not account for the role of biology (e.g., NaOH extractions) or require specialized platforms (e.g., algal bioassays). Here, in addition to routine analysis of SRP and TP, we used a novel yeast-based bioassay with unfiltered sample water to estimate BAP concentrations during two storms (top 80% and > 95% flow quantiles), and downstream of a reach where management-associated dredging disturbed the streambed. We found that the BAP concentrations were often greater than SRP, suggesting that SRP is not fully representative of P bioavailability. The SRP concentrations were similarly elevated during the two storms, but remained consistently low during streambed disturbance. In contrast, turbidity and TP were elevated during all events. The BAP concentrations were significantly related to turbidity during all disturbance events, but with TP only during storms. The novel yeast assay suggests that BAP export can exceed SRP, particularly when streams are not in equilibrium, such as the rising limb of storms or during active dredging.
Revisiting noncentrality-based confidence intervals, error probabilities and estimation-based effect sizes

Abstract The paper focuses on several misconceptions in frequentist inference that undermine the current discussions on replicability and the trustworthiness of empirical evidence, including, (a) the use/abuse of estimation-based effect sizes, (b) (mis)interpreting error probabilities as conditional on hypotheses giving rise to ostensible confusions between P ( D | H 0 ) and P ( H 0 | D ) , and (c) the questionable nature of noncentrality-based Confidence Intervals (CIs). It is argued that when (a)–(c) are viewed in the context of model-based [ M θ ( x ) ] frequentist inference can be shown to be grounded in serious misapprehensions. In particular, it is argued that: (i) estimation-based effect sizes are based on the unwarranted claim that a point estimate θ n ( x 0 ) approximates the ‘true’ value of the unknown parameter θ , (ii) frequentist error probabilities are not conditional on H 0 and H 1 since the parameters θ , in terms of which they are framed, are unknown constants, rendering both P ( D | H 0 ) and P ( H 0 | D ) meaningless, and (iii) the cogency of noncentrality CIs, such as Cohen’s d , is questionable because they conflate hypothetical (testing) and factual (estimation) reasoning, and as a result they ignore the duality between CIs and hypothesis testing, forfeiting optimality. The paper discusses several additional misconceptions relating to frequentist inference and proposes [i] optimal CIs for Cohen’s d , and [ii] cogent testing-based effect sizes originating in the post-data severity evaluation.
Cardiomyocyte Microtubules: Control of Mechanics, Transport, and Remodeling.

Microtubules are essential cytoskeletal elements found in all eukaryotic cells. The structure and composition of microtubules regulate their function, and the dynamic remodeling of the network by posttranslational modifications and microtubule-associated proteins generates diverse populations of microtubules adapted for various contexts. In the cardiomyocyte, the microtubules must accommodate the unique challenges faced by a highly contractile, rigidly structured, and long-lasting cell. Through their canonical trafficking role and positioning of mRNA, proteins, and organelles, microtubules regulate essential cardiomyocyte functions such as electrical activity, calcium handling, protein translation, and growth. In a more specialized role, posttranslationally modified microtubules form load-bearing structures that regulate myocyte mechanics and mechanotransduction. Modified microtubules proliferate in cardiovascular diseases, creating stabilized resistive elements that impede cardiomyocyte contractility and contribute to contractile dysfunction. In this review, we highlight the most exciting new concepts emerging from recent studies into canonical and noncanonical roles of cardiomyocyte microtubules. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 84 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Latino/a adolescents facing neighborhood dangers: An examination of community violence and gender-based harassment.

While ample research examines community violence as a serious public health problem that disproportionately affects minority adolescents, less attention focuses on adolescents' experiences of gender-based harassment in poor, urban neighborhoods. Using data from 416 urban, low-income Latino/a adolescents (53% female; Mage = 15.5), this study examined (a) the relations between community violence exposure (CVE), gender-based harassment, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and (b) the role of parent-child cohesion as a moderator of the relations between CVE/harassment and PTSD symptoms. Whereas both CVE and gender-based harassment were associated with greater PTSD symptoms, the effect of gender-based harassment on PTSD symptoms was far greater than the effect of community violence. Additionally, the association between gender-based harassment and PTSD symptoms was exacerbated when parent-child cohesion was high, compared to when cohesion was low or average. Finally, Latino/a adolescents exposed to high levels of both CVE and gender-based harassment had worse PTSD symptoms compared to those exposed primarily to gender-based harassment, who in turn had worse PTSD symptoms than those exposed primarily to community violence. Findings highlight the importance of including adolescents' experiences with gender-based harassment when studying community violence.
Bioelectrodes - Part II The Nature of Electrode Impedance

(1974). Bioelectrodes - Part II The Nature of Electrode Impedance. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 14, Index Issue, pp. 205-210.
Christian Rituals: An Essay in Sacramental Symbolisms

Both anthropologists and theologians, each in their separate ways, are interested in rituals and their symbol-units. Victor Turner, from extensive fieldwork, has evolved a definition of ritual as “prescribed formal behavior for occasions not given over to technological routine, having reference to beliefs in mystical beings or powers.” Monica Wilson has insisted that “it is the values of the group that are revealed” in rituals and their symbol-units. The present essay is located at the interface of anthropology and theology. It surveys pertinent anthropological information and then analyzes the Christian rituals of baptism, confirmation and eucharist, and their symbol-units, to clarify and focus their meanings and the values and ontology of the Christian group which are revealed in them.
Curved spiral antennas for freshwater applications

Using FEKO EMSS simulation software we performed a numerical investigation of prototype, curved spiral antennas for underwater applications. We simulated flat and curved spiral antennas mounted on a pocketbook mussel (lampsilis cardium) in river water. The simulation incorporated the antenna, the mussel shell, the mussel tissue and freshwater as medium. We compared the radiation patterns and the input impedance differences between the flat and curved antennas.
The Legality of Pirate Radio: 1980 to 2000

This research paper explains the legality of pirate radio from 1980 to 2000 primarily through three court cases. It also details the legality through additional laws and hearings, as well as provides insight into the effectiveness of the government in preventing court cases. Finally, it briefly examines legality in the 21st Century.
Studying Career Science Teachers' Personal Histories: A Methodology for Understanding Intrinsic Reasons for Career Choice and Retention

Career choice and retention of nineteen secondary science education graduates were studied using a biographical approach. Autobiographical papers written as preservice teachers and rewritten as career teachers were compared for intrinsic reasons for vocational choice. Comparisons were made between early vocation teachers and those who chose science teaching later in their higher education studies. Participants beginning college as science education majors wanted to teach for student learning and to shape their students' lives. Participants beginning college as science majors wanted to continue learning science while also enhancing their students' science literacy. Ten participants' data from both groups showed great similarities in self as teacher across autobiographical papers. Teaching for impact on students appeared to support retention in this study. Implications for development and potential retention of future science teachers are discussed.
“Maybe If I Was 25, But I'm 40”: Age Identities, Work-Related Problems, and Distress Management

Previous research shows that social statuses strongly influence negative life events’ effects on mental health. Studies also show that identities are linked to mental health and can be partially based on age. However, there are few studies on age identities as they relate to the stress process. Using data from 48 in-depth interviews with 25 unemployed/underemployed people, I identify two work-related problems (constrained employment options and poor self-evaluations) and three coping strategies (social comparisons, alternate identities, and expanded employment options) related to age identities. Results illustrate the links between subjective aspects of age, age-based norms, distress, and coping strategies, and highlight the utility of integrating symbolic interactionist and structural approaches.
Simple Manual Procedure for Determination of Serum Triglycerides

We describe a modified method for determining serum triglycerides (triacylglycerols), which is based on the heptane extraction procedure of Gottfried and Rosenberg [Clin. Chem. 19, 1077 (1973)] with the stable saponification, oxidation, and color development reagents of Neri and Frings [Clin. Chem. 19, 1201 (1973)]. This modified method eliminates one heating step, reduces saponification time to 5 min, absorbances are read at room temperature, and the calibration curve is linear to 3.0 g/liter. A sample comparison between the proposed method and the automated Block and Jarrett [Am. J. Med. Technol. 35, 1 (1969)] procedure showed no significant difference (r equals 0.98). The coefficient of variation (47 duplicate samples) for the modified method was 6.3%. Further validation was obtained from analysis of quality-control samples; the proposed method gave equivalent values.
Jejunal graft conduits after esophagectomy

Introduction: The jejunum is uniquely suitable for esophageal reconstruction because it is relatively abundant, does not require a formal preparation, is typically free of disease, has similar luminal size compared to the esophagus, has intrinsic peristalsis, and may not undergo senescent lengthening to the extent that colon does. Methods: To obtain data to determine the outcomes of jejunal interposition for esophageal replacement, electronic databases were searched, including MEDLINE (Ovid SP), Scopus, EMBASE (Ovid SP), Science Direct’s full-text database, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to September 2013. Results: Two-hundred and forty-six abstracts were reviewed and an article search was performed on selected abstracts. Additional references from article bibliographies were included as appropriate. A thorough search of the literature demonstrates the widespread use of jejunum, either as a free, pedicled, or free- and pedicled-graft with acceptable results. Conclusions: Any region of the esophagus can be replaced by jejunum, whether it is distal esophagus as a Merendino procedure for a vagal-sparing esophagectomy and segmental jejunal reconstruction connected to stomach, mid-thoracic esophagus as a pedicled jejunal interposition or free flap, cervical esophagus as a free segmental interposition, or the entire length as a long-segment super-charged pedicled jejunal interposition. When used, the jejunum is either pedicled, augmented ("super-charged"), a free segment (requiring microvascular anastomosis of artery and vein), or a combination of the above.
The fractional representations of a class of nonlinear systems

Right and left coprime fractional representations are shown to exist for a special class of nonlinear systems that have both controller and observer forms. A generalized Bezout identity is given for this class of nonlinear systems. Using the controller form, it is possible to design a nonlinear feedback controller. The given system can be right factorized into a composite of a stable postprocessor and an inverse of a stable preprocessor. The right-coprimeness concept is based on this right factorization. When the postprocessor and preprocessor are combined, they form a higher dimensional system. The existence of a stable left inverse of this higher order system constitutes the authors' definition of right coprimeness. >
Preparation of phosphinic acids: Michael additions of phosphonous acids/esters to conjugated systems.

Abstract A very mild and facile method for the preparation of phosphinic acids via Michael addition of phosphonous acids as well as esters, through an intermediate silyl alkyl phosphonite, to activated conjugated systems is described.
Womanist Theology: Empowering Black Women through Christian Education

Womanist theology, since the 1980s, has emerged as the most relevant vehicle for empowering African American female clergy and religious scholars. Through womanism, African American women have gained a renewed sense of confidence, power, and creativity. But, while womanist writings critically address pertinent issues that confront African American women, they do not always delineate educational guidelines for practical application in the church. Numerous issues confront African American women in both the church and wider community; yet pastors and church leaders are not always equipped to address, adequately, the issues or implement strategies for change. Despite this trend, womanist theology can provide insights for empowering Black women through the educational ministry. This article will explore strategies for empowering African American women through Christian education.
Qserv: a distributed shared-nothing database for the LSST catalog

The LSST project will provide public access to a database catalog that, in its final year, is estimated to include 26 billion stars and galaxies in dozens of trillion detections in multiple petabytes. Because we are not aware of an existing open-source database implementation that has been demonstrated to efficiently satisfy astronomers' spatial self-joining and cross-matching queries at this scale, we have implemented Qserv, a distributed shared-nothing SQL database query system. To speed development, Qserv relies on two successful open-source software packages: the MySQL RDBMS and the Xrootd distributed file system. We describe Qserv's design, architecture, and ability to scale to LSST's data requirements. We illustrate its potential with test results on a 150-node cluster using 55 billion rows and 30 terabytes of simulated data. These results demonstrate the soundness of Qserv's approach and the scale it achieves on today's hardware.
The need to integrate speech acoustics course work across the speech‐language pathology curriculum

The profession of speech‐language pathology faces two critical challenges: (1) the lack of sufficient evidence‐based practice due to limited clinical research in the field and (2) the dramatic decline in recent years in the number of students pursuing PhDs. Although speech acoustics courses are a part of most undergraduate programs in speech‐language pathology, these courses are often disassociated from students' additional undergraduate and graduate course work and clinical training. These isolated speech science courses may inadequately prepare speech‐language pathology students for future research‐based course work and clinical practice. This paper reports results of a survey of 140 former undergraduate students who took a speech acoustics course between 1994 and 2003. The survey asks students about additional speech acoustics course work, related research experience, and use of speech science information in clinical practice. The majority of students surveyed report that speech acoustics information i...
Radiotherapeutic management of medulloblastoma in a pediatric patient with ataxia telangiectasia

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a genetic disorder with a predisposition to malignancy. Cells from patients with AT demonstrate an increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation which creates a problem when these patients require treatment for their malignant disease. An eleven-year-old boy with a previous diagnosis of AT was seen in consultation following partial resection of medulloblastoma in the posterior fossa. To estimate how much the conventional radiation dose might have to be reduced, we compared the radiosensitivity of bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells from this patient to that of cells from the marrow of normal individuals, using colony formation in an agar culture assay system as the endpoint (CFU-Cs). Neither radiation dose-survival curve exhibited a shoulder--each displayed an extrapolation number of 0.99. The survival curve of normal cells displayed a steep slope with a D0 of 0.98 Gy (0.83-1.19 Gy, 95% confidence limits); the slope for the AT cells was considerably steeper with a value for D0 of 0.32 Gy (0.29-0.35 Gy). The ratio of D0's indicated that these AT cells were approximately 3X more radiosensitive than normal cells. Based on this, the daily dose was reduced from 1.8 to 0.6 Gy and the radiation was restricted to 25 treatments to the posterior fossa rather than the conventional cranio-spinal treatment. An additional 5 treatments at 1.0 Gy per day were given to the whole brain. The patient's skin responded to these reduced fraction sizes and doses to a similar degree as normal patients' skin following a standard schedule and the patient is doing well nine months after initiation of treatment.
Comparison of a quantitative PCR assay with peripheral blood smear examination for detection and quantitation of Babesia microti infection in humans.

Abstract Using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), we determined the number of DNA copies/mL of blood of a Babesia microti gene in infected patients. Thirty-six patients (whose median age was 62.5years and 75.0% were male) with at least 1 qPCR-positive blood sample were included in this analysis, including 16 with serial blood samples. Based on testing of serial blood samples, it could be demonstrated that the smear became negative while the qPCR remained positive. A moderate to strong correlation was found between the DNA copy number and the number of infected erythrocytes per milliliter of blood (Pearson's r=0.68, P
NAD+ and Nicotinamide: Sex Differences in Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract Background Previous literature suggests that cell death pathways activated after cerebral ischemia differ between the sexes. While caspase-dependent mechanisms predominate in the female brain, caspase-independent cell death induced by the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) predominates in the male brain. PARP-1 gene deletion decreases infarction volume in the male brain, but paradoxically increases damage in PARP-1 knockout females. Purpose This study examined stroke-induced changes in NAD+, a key energy molecule involved in PARP-1 activation in both sexes. Methods Mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and NAD+ levels were assessed. Caspase-3 activity and nuclear translocation were assessed 6 h after ischemia. In additional cohorts, Nicotinamide (500 mg/kg i.p.) a precursor of NAD+ or vehicle was administered and infarction volume was measured 24 h after ischemia. Results Males have higher baseline NAD+ levels than females. Significant stroke-induced NAD+ depletion occurred in males and ovariectomized females but not in intact females. PARP-1 deletion prevented the stroke-induced loss in NAD+ in males, but worsened NAD+ loss in PARP-1 deficient females. Preventing NAD+ loss with nicotinamide reduced infarct in wild-type males and PARP-1 knockout mice of both sexes, with no effect in WT females. Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased in PARP-1 knockout females compared to males and wild-type females, this was reversed with nicotinamide. Conclusions Sex differences exist in baseline and stroke-induced NAD+ levels. Nicotinamide protected males and PARP knockout mice, but had minimal effects in the wild-type female brain. This may be secondary to differences in energy metabolism between the sexes.
A FORTRAN IV computer program for partitioning chi-square contingency tables

When the chi-square test of significance for frequency . data is found to be significant for larger contingency tables, interpretation of results is often aided by a subsequent decomposition or partitioning of the original table into smaller tables. Chi-square statistics calculated from such smaller tables test more discrete, and usually more precise, null hypotheses. The task of partitioning has been approached by several techniques, most of which involve calculating components of the original chi-square, each on one degree of freedom, that basically partition the original contingency table into a series of 2 by 2 tables. Castellan (1965) has provided a brief overview of most of the mathematical techniques used in the process of partitioning. Bresnahan and Shapiro (1966) have outlined a general formula for the computation of chi-square from independently partitioned tables. The technique for deciding which cells are to be combined or selected for each subtable for the Bresnahan and Shapiro (1966) solution must insure that the partitions are independent, so that the resulting chi-squares, if summed, will equal the original chisquare value. The program described below has been designed to make use of orthogonal coefficients as the means of instructing the computer as to which cells are to be selected or combined. The use of coefficients is advantageous for several reasons: They provide a means of transmitting much information with few data cards; they are easily devised and flexible enough to allow the researcher to make comparisons that will yield a great amount of independent information; they insure that the subsequent comparisons will be independent; and they will allow the user to employ a higher order factorial decomposition of his contingency table, such as those discussed by Winer (1971, pp. 858-859). To illustrate the technique of devising orthogonal coefficients, a 4 by 4 contingency table, taken from Bresnahan and Shapiro (1966), Example 3b, will be discussed in terms of coefficients. Dealing first with
North–South terms‐of‐trade trends from 1960 to 2006

The composition of exports of developing countries is increasingly dominated by manufactured goods. This has not changed the fact that their major trading partners continue to be the developed countries. In order to properly assess the distribution of gains from trade, there is a pressing need to analyze the movements in the terms of trade of developing countries with respect to the developed ones. A statistical analysis of the North–South terms of trade reveals that the terms of trade have turned against the South since the 1960s. However, the terms‐of‐trade deterioration is neither continuous nor evenly distributed over different country groupings. The existence of a structural break in the mid‐to‐late 1970s together with the greatest adverse terms‐of‐trade movements against the highly indebted and least developed countries attest the discontinuity and unevenness of this process.
Optimal control of a fluid interface

This work poses the control of a Rayleigh-Taylor type instability of a fluid interface as an optimal regulator problem of a distributed system. The complete analytical solution of the control problem is presented.
Batch-to-batch control of characteristic points on the PSD in experimental emulsion polymerization

An integrated batch-to-batch and in-batch control algorithm to regulate the endpoint particle size distribution (PSD) in an experimental semibatch emulsion copolymerization reactor is presented. Partial least squares (PLS) models of the process are utilized in a model predictive control (MPC) framework to regulate the PSD. The high dimensionality of the PSD is reduced through the use of a new approach, where the heights and positions of the characteristic points on the distribution are used to represent the whole distribution. This approach enables one to shift control priorities on the positions of the modes of a distribution with respect to the heights of the modes as well as efficiently reducing the dimensionality of the problem. The proposed algorithm is first tested on the simulation of the plant and showed success in regulating the PSD both in set point changes and against persistent disturbances. The experimental validation of the algorithm included two case studies where the controller was found to be effective. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
A tunable reentrant resonator with transverse orientation of electric field for in vivo EPR spectroscopy.

Abstract There has been a need for development of microwave resonator designs optimized to provide high sensitivity and high stability for EPR spectroscopy and imaging measurements of in vivo systems. The design and construction of a novel reentrant resonator with transversely oriented electric field (TERR) and rectangular sample opening cross section for EPR spectroscopy and imaging of in vivo biological samples, such as the whole body of mice and rats, is described. This design with its transversely oriented capacitive element enables wide and simple setting of the center frequency by trimming the dimensions of the capacitive plate over the range 100–900 MHz with unloaded Q values of approximately 1100 at 750 MHz, while the mechanical adjustment mechanism allows smooth continuous frequency tuning in the range ±50 MHz. This orientation of the capacitive element limits the electric field based loss of resonator Q observed with large lossy samples, and it facilitates the use of capacitive coupling. Both microwave performance data and EPR measurements of aqueous samples demonstrate high sensitivity and stability of the design, which make it well suited for in vivo applications.
Expression of glutamyl-tRNA reductase inEscherichia coli

The biosynthesis of the hemes, chlorophylls, corrins and other tetrapyrroles begins with the synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The pathway is highly conserved except for the synthesis of ALA which is derived from glycine and succinyl CoA (C4) in most eukaryotes and from glutamate (C5) in most bacteria and in green plants. In C5, glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GTS) converts glutamate to glutamyl-tRNA (glu-tRNA), which is reduced by glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GTR) to glutamyl-1-semialdehyde (GSA), which is converted by aminotransferase (GSA-AT) to ALA. Since GTS is also involved in protein synthesis and GSA can be converted to ALA non-enzymatically, it is highly probable that control of ALA synthesis and thus of the whole pathway resides in the GTR step. InEscherichia coli, GTR is the gene product ofhemA. BL21(DE3), a protease-deficient strain which contains the T7 RNA polymerase gene in front of alac promoter, was transformed with a pET14b-based vector, pWC01, harboringhemA in front of a T7 promoter and ORF1 which is transcribed in the opposite direction. The transformed strain, WC1201, secreted ALA and porphyrins into the medium. Induction of expression ofhemA by WC1201 was optimized for concentration of inducer (IPTG, 5 mM), temperature (37°C), presence of betaine and sorbitol (no change) and time of induction (2 h). GTR was observable as a 46 kDa band by Brilliant blue G staining of SDS-PAGE gels. Sonicates of the induction mixture exhibited strong ALA synthesis activity which was enhanced by tRNAglu. Most of the activity was in the supernatant of the sonicate indicating that GTR is a soluble enzyme. The induced strain had more GTS activity than the uninduced strain which had more GTS activity than its parent wild-type strain. Autoradiography on native gradient PAGE showed that GTR expressed in vivo by induction of WC1201 had a molecular weight of approx. 117 kDa. Gel filtration of the induced sonicate showed a peak of enzymatic activity at about 126 kDa. When pET14b- or pUC19-based plasmids harboringhemA and ORF1, or importantly, a pUC19-based plasmid harboring onlyhemA and not ORF1, were expressed in an in vitro transcription-translation system, native gradient PAGE showed a product with a molecular weight of approximately 175 kDA. This expression was higher in the presence of tRNAglu. When the 117 kDa and 175 kDa proteins were excised from their native gels respectively, and run on SDS PAGE, autoradiography showed bands at 46 kDa. We conclude that GTR is present in both high molecular weight species. Since overexpression ofhemA from pET14b-based plasmids is associated with increased glutamyl-tRNA synthetase activity, the 175 kDa species may represent different complexes of GTR, GTS and glutamyl-tRNA as observed inChlamydomonas and the 117–126 kDa species may be an dimer of GTR associated with glu-tRNA or a complex of GTR, GTS and glu-tRNA. These possibilities are being investigated.
Physicochemical speciation of iron during coastal algal blooms

Abstract Previous coastal marine studies have concluded that the total dissolved Fe may influence the initiation of algal blooms, including Brown Tides of Aureococcus anophagefferens. However, the existence of unavailable colloidal and organically complexed Fe make the dissolved pool a poor indicator of what is bioavailable for assimilation by phytoplankton. To evaluate the role of Fe in the formation of coastal algal blooms, we measured its physicochemical speciation—dissolved, high molecular weight (HMW), low molecular weight (LMW), labile particulate, refractory particulate, organically complexed, and labile dissolved factions—in the Peconic Estuary, NY, USA, which hosts sporadic Brown Tides. Across the Brown Tide-prone, high salinity portion of the estuary dissolved Fe varied from 9 to 240 nM, which is above and below levels reported to cause physiological Fe stress in this species (100 nM). Dissolved Fe in the more saline portions of the Peconics was, on average, 80% organically complexed and 73% high molecular weight (HMW=colloidal, 0.2 μM–10 kDa). Within an intensively studied embayment, decreases in labile particulate Fe, along with increases in low molecular weight (LMW) Fe, coincided with peaks in algal biomass. A significant positive correlation between LMW Fe and chlorophyll a (r2=0.62, P
Direct detection of β-1,3-glucanase isozymes on polyacrylamide electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing gels

Abstract A procedure to assay isozymes of β-1,3-glucanase directly on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and isoelectrofocusing (IEF) gels by using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride is described. The reagent reacts with reducing sugars released by β-1,3-glucanases from the substrate laminarin. Acidic and neutral isozymes of β-1,3-glucanase were detected and quantified on 17.5% native PAGE gels run with an anodic buffer system. A significant linear relationship (α =
Automated software for the recovery of the short range order parameters from diffuse X-ray scattering data

We have developed software to accelerate the analysis of the diffuse scattering data and to recover the short-range-order (SRO) and other parameters. The software is applied to data collected from a Cu50Au50 single crystal. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Olfactory function in migraine both during and between attacks.

Introduction People with migraine often report being osmophobic, both during and between acute migraine attacks. It is not clear, however, whether such reports are associated with changes in olfaction such as hyperosmia, as measured by psychophysical testing. In this case-control study we quantitatively assessed olfactory identification ability, which correlates with threshold tests of olfactory acuity, in patients with migraine at baseline (no headache), during migraine episodes, and after a treated attack and compared the test scores to those of matched control subjects. Methods Fifty episodic migraine subjects and 50 and sex- and age-matched controls without headache were tested. All completed the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a standardized and well-validated olfactory test. Results At baseline, the UPSIT scores did not differ significantly between the migraine and control study groups (median paired score difference: -1, p = 0.18). During migraine attacks, a minority of migraine subjects (eight of 42) developed microsmia (i.e. lower test scores by at least four points), suggesting that, as compared to their matched controls, olfactory acuity was somewhat impaired during migraine attacks (p = 0.02). This difference was less pronounced and not statistically significant after a successfully treated attack (p = 0.15). Discussion People with episodic migraine were found to have similar olfactory function as age- and sex-matched controls, but a minority exhibit microsmia or hyposmia during acute attacks. The cause of this dysfunction is unknown, but could relate to autonomic symptoms, limbic system activation, or disorders of higher order sensory processing.