cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ESG ratings: the road ahead

In this study, we show that using a common set of variables would partially resolve inconsistencies and the lack of comparability across rating providers that often confuse investors. Furthermore, we dissociate the impact of the rating agencies’ different focus on “E”, “S” or “G” from that of using different data. While the former, if properly disclosed, can be useful as it allows investors to choose what rating will be more in line with their preferences, the latter necessarily requires harmonization of the data collected.
Sex disparities in waitlisting and liver transplant for acute liver failure

Background & Aims Sex disparities in liver transplantation (LT) for chronic liver disease have been described. It is unclear if similar disparities exist for acute liver failure (ALF). Methods Adults waitlisted for LT from 2002 to 2016 with ALF were investigated using the United Network of Organ Sharing database. Clinical characteristics and causative aetiologies were compared between men and women who were waitlisted Status-1. Differences in LT, waitlist removal, and 1-year post-transplant survival were explored. Results Of 8,408 patients waitlisted for LT with ALF, 41.3% of men and 63.9% of women were waitlisted Status-1 (p Conclusions Women with ALF are more likely to be waitlisted Status-1 than men. There were no clear disparities in LT or waitlist removal. Sex differences in LT and waitlist removal were attenuated on fully adjusted models, suggesting that these disparities may in part be mitigated by Status-1 listing. Lay summary Women with acute liver failure appear to be sicker than men and more often require urgent Status-1 waitlisting. There were no sex disparities in waitlist removal because of clinical deterioration or liver transplantation. This is in contrast to chronic liver disease, where sex disparities exist. The Status-1 waitlisting that women with acute liver failure receive may in part mitigate sex disparities in liver transplantation.
Fludarabine modulates expression of type VII collagen during haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Background Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe, complicated inherited blistering skin disease with few treatment options currently available. Recently, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) has been used as an alternative therapy that can improve skin integrity, but it is not known if the preparative HCT regimen also contributes to the therapeutic response. Objectives To determine whether chemotherapy drugs used in the HCT preparative regimen influence type VII collagen (C7) expression, which is inherently reduced or absent in RDEB skin, and to explore the pathomechanisms of such responses, if present. Methods Drugs from the HCT preparative regimen (busulfan, cyclophosphamide, ciclosporin A, fludarabine and mycophenolate) with inhibitors (PD98059, U0126, LY294002, SR11302, SIS3 and N-acetyl-l-cysteine) were added to normal human dermal and human RDEB fibroblasts. C7 expression was measured using reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Results We uncovered a previously unknown consequence of fludarabine whereby dermal fibroblasts exposed to fludarabine upregulate C7. This effect is mediated, in part, through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B and transforming growth factor-β pathways. Activation of these pathways leads to activation of downstream transcription factors, including activator protein 1 (AP-1) and SMAD. Subsequently, both AP-1 and SMAD bind the COL7A1 promoter and increase COL7A1 expression. Conclusions Fludarabine influences the production of type VII collagen in RDEB fibroblasts.
How and Why Context Matters in the Study of Racial Disproportionality in Special Education: Toward a Critical Disability Education Policy Approach.

Racial disproportionality in special education is an ongoing injustice in schools in the United States. In this article, we investigate the key relationships among education policy, context, and ra...
Blur-free low-light imaging with color and event cameras

Imaging under low-light conditions is a challenging but important problem due to low dynamic range, image noise, and blurriness. In this work, we propose blur-free low-light imaging techniques by combining a conventional color camera with an event camera. The event camera complements the color camera by measuring brightness changes asynchronously at high speed with high dynamic range. We synchronize the two sensors with external trigger cable. We align the viewpoints of the event and color using a beamsplitter. We co-calibrate the two cameras geometrically. We derive an image formation model and use the inverted model to reduce the blurriness in color images. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
A song for Rob DeChaine: articulations of music and film in cinematic border representations

This essay examines the groundbreaking film Amores Perros by the acclaimed director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu through the auteur's innovative deployment of popular music. By first articulating bo...
Review of Brent J. Aucoin, Thomas Goode Jones: Race, Politics & Justice in the New South (University of Alabama Press, 2016).

This review considers Brent J. Aucoin's probing treatment of neglected figure of Thomas Goode Jones, a soldier, jurist, and Democratic politician.
Functional Integrity of Membrane Protein Rhodopsin Solubilized by Styrene-Maleic Acid Copolymer

Abstract Membrane proteins often require solubilization to study their structure or define the mechanisms underlying their function. In this study, the functional properties of the membrane protein rhodopsin in its native lipid environment were investigated after being solubilized with styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer. The static absorption spectra of rhodopsin before and after the addition of SMA were recorded at room temperature to quantify the amount of membrane protein solubilized. The samples were then photobleached to analyze the functionality of rhodopsin upon solubilization. Samples with low or high SMA/rhodopsin ratios were compared to find a threshold in which the maximal amount of active rhodopsin was solubilized from membrane suspensions. Interestingly, whereas the highest SMA/rhodopsin ratios yielded the most solubilized rhodopsin, the rhodopsin produced under these conditions could not reach the active (Meta II) state upon photoactivation. The results confirm that SMA is a useful tool for membrane protein research, but SMA added in excess can interfere with the dynamics of protein activation.
Urinary Tract Infections: Role of Imaging in the Management

Performing the appropriate diagnostic evaluation of urinary tract infections is an important part of women’s health care. With one in three women requiring treatment for a UTI by age 24, this is a common diagnosis in which the use of an appropriate imaging modalities can aid with both diagnosis and treatment planning. The use of imaging varies based on various patient factors, including the temporality and location (i.e., upper versus lower tract). Computer tomography (CT) with contrast remains the gold standard diagnostic tool for pyelonephritis. Ultrasound and MRI serve as alternatives to CT when hoping to avoid radiation or iodinated contrast. In patients experiencing recurrent infections, cystoscopy evaluation of the bladder may be warranted to evaluate the bladder and urethra. Other upper tract imaging studies, such as CT without contrast, provide better evaluation of the presence of a stone that may be causing chronic or recurrent infections. Less common imaging studies such as Tc-99m DMSA scan are used in pediatrics to provide evaluation for congenital abnormalities and renal scarring. Familiarity with the imaging options for urinary tract infection evaluation is important for providing the patient with an accurate diagnosis and with guiding clinicians with treatment.
Can We Obtain Fairness For Free

There is growing awareness that AI and machine learning systems can in some cases learn to behave in unfair and discriminatory ways with harmful consequences. However, despite an enormous amount of research, techniques for ensuring AI fairness have yet to see widespread deployment in real systems. One of the main barriers is the conventional wisdom that fairness brings a cost in predictive performance metrics such as accuracy which could affect an organization's bottom-line. In this paper we take a closer look at this concern. Clearly fairness/performance trade-offs exist, but are they inevitable? In contrast to the conventional wisdom, we find that it is frequently possible, indeed straightforward, to improve on a trained model's fairness without sacrificing predictive performance. We systematically study the behavior of fair learning algorithms on a range of benchmark datasets, showing that it is possible to improve fairness to some degree with no loss (or even an improvement) in predictive performance via a sensible hyper-parameter selection strategy. Our results reveal a pathway toward increasing the deployment of fair AI methods, with potentially substantial positive real-world impacts.
Basic Numerical and Computational Methods

The most popular problem in data reconstruction is fitting a curve or a surface. Data fitting has two meanings: interpolation and approximation. Interpolation means fitting the data exactly on the sample values while approximation means a fitted function can be set near the sample values. In this chapter, to introduce data reconstruction, we do a comprehensive review on basic numerical and computational methods for data fitting. We will cover the the following topics: (1) Piece-wise linear interpolation and approximation; (2) Delaunay triangulation; (3) Lagrange curve interpolations and smooth curve approximation; and (4) Coons surfaces and spline surface fitting. In curve and surface fitting, we briefly introduce some of the advanced methods including B-Spline and Bernstein polynomial approximation.
Supratentorial Neurenteric Cysts: Case Series and Review of Pathology, Imaging, and Clinical Management.

Background Neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions along the neuroaxis, typically found in the spine, and rarely intracranially. Here, we present 3 patients who presented to our institution during a 6-year period with supratentorial intracranial neurenteric cysts and conduct a comprehensive review of the literature to describe the salient pathology, radiologic features, and clinical issues regarding these lesions. Case Reports Three patients were treated surgically for supratentorial neurenteric cysts. One patient presented in extremis, whereas the others were treated electively. Each patient presented with significantly different signs and symptoms and unique radiologic findings. All patients were neurologically intact after surgery. Conclusions Neurenteric cysts present with a variety of signs and symptoms. Given the increased use of neuroimaging, supratentorial neurenteric cysts may be encountered more frequently and are important to include on the differential diagnosis and managed accordingly. Postoperative seizures occur in more than 20%, even in patients who had no preoperative seizures. Surgery can be performed safely with good neurologic outcomes.
Petrology of the Hara Lake paragneisses, northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada

Precambrian aluminous paragneisses in the Hara Lake area of northeastern Saskatchewan are characterized by the stable association of cordierite and garnet with either sillimanite or biotite; alkali feldspar is an important mineral of this association. The aluminous gneisses are interlayered with pyroxene-plagioclase gneisses that contain orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, hornblende, and biotite. The gneisses in the study area and in the adjacent Charcoal Lake area were metamorphosed under conditions of the granulite facies. The petrologic evidence is consistent with a first metamorphic event during which the association sillimanite-biotite was stable, followed by a second event during which cordierite-garnet was stable. Consideration of mineral assemblages and mineral chemistries of the aluminous gneisses in terms of experimentally established or thermodynamically derived reactions suggests that recrystallization from the sillimanite-biotite association to cordierite-garnet took place at 680 °–750 °C and 3.2–4.4 kb.
Metabolism of glycine by rumen microorganisms.

Rumen microorganisms rapidly metabolized glycine at rates varying from 0.014 to 0.241 μmole of glycine per ml per min. The main metabolic products were carbon dioxide, acetic acid, and ammonia; little glycine was incorporated into bacterial protein. Use of carboxyl or methylene-labeled glycine showed that the carbon dioxide came mainly from the carboxyl of glycine, whereas both carbons of acetic acid were derived partly from the methylene carbon of glycine and partly from carbon dioxide. The ratio of carbon-14 to nitrogen-15 in glycine isolated from the protein of rumen bacteria incubated in the presence of N15- and C14-labeled glycine indicated that most of the extracellular glycine incorporated into protein was incorporated without intervening deamination.
Caffeination With Classroom Activities: Breaking Monotony of Lectures

How often do we find students dozing off while class is in session, texting away to glory, having “serious discussion sessions” and staring at us with a “huh?” look? All the time. Lecturing Introdu...
Monilia onychia; report of a case in a 51-day-old premature infant.

Summary 1. Monilia onychia, hitherto unreported in infants, is reported in a 51-day-old premature infant. 2. The mother of this patient had a vaginitis during pregnancy which cleared after delivery. No cultures were obtained. 3. The patient received penicillin, Aureomycin, and Gantrisin during her stay in the Premature Unit. Clinical thrush was present in the oral cavity forty-five days prior to the time when the onychia were first noted. 4. With growth of the nails, the lesions had virtually disappeared by the time the infant was discharged at 67 days of age. The nails appeared normal when the patient was again seen at 5 months of age. The patient received no treatment for the Monilia onychia.
Finite/Spectral Element Navier-Stokes Methods on Vector Hypercubes and Geometry-Defining Processor Reconfigurable Lattices

In this paper we present a high-efficiency medium-grained parallel spectral (high-order finite) element method for numerical solution of incompressible fluid flow problems in general domains. The method is based upon: naturally concurrent iterative procedures; geometry-based distribution of work amongst processors; nearest-neighbor sparsity and high-order substructuring for minimum communication; general locally-structured/globally-unstructured parallel constructs; and efficient embedding of vector reduction operations for inner product and norm calculations. A detailed analysis is presented for the computational complexity of the method on a model algorithm-native distributed-memory parallel processor, and a comparison is given of the communication requirements of high-order spectral element methods and low-order finite element substructure techniques.
A means to an interface: investigating monoethanolamine behavior at an aqueous surface.

The use of amine scrubbers to trap carbon dioxide from flue gas streams is one of the most promising avenues for atmospheric carbon dioxide reduction. However, modifications are necessary to efficiently scale these scrubbers for use in fossil fuel plants. Current advances in tailoring amines for CO2 capture involve improvements of bulk kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, with little consideration to surface chemistry and behavior. Aqueous alkanolamine solutions, such as monoethanolamine (MEA), are currently highly favored sorbents in CO2 post-combustion capture. Although numerous studies have explored MEA–CO2 chemistry at the macroscopic scale, few have investigated the role of the interface in the gas adsorption process. Additionally, as these amines become more industrially ubiquitous, their presence on and the need to understand their behavior at atmospheric and environmental surfaces will increase. This study investigates the surface behavior of monoethanolamine at the vapor/water interface, with particular focus on MEA's surface orientation and footprint. Using vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy, surface tensiometry, and computational techniques, MEA is found to adopt a constrained gauche interfacial conformation with its methylene backbone oriented toward the vapor phase and its functional groups solvated in the bulk solution. Computational and experimental analysis agree well, giving a complete picture with vibrational mode assignments and surface orientation of MEA. These findings can assist in the tailoring of amine structures or to facilitate improvements in engineering design to exploit favorable surface chemistry, as well as to serve as a starting point toward understanding aqueous amine surface behavior relevant to environmental systems.
Designing learning environments to promote student learning: ergonomics in all but name.

Objective This report introduces evidence for the conclusion that a common theme underlies almost all proposed solutions for improving the performance of K-12 students, namely their reliance on the design of educational system environments, features and operations. Methods and results Two categories of design factors impacting such performance are addressed: (1) 9 factors reliably shown to have a strong influence - namely environmental design of classroom and building facilities, longer exposure to learning, cooperative learning designs, early childhood education, teaching quality, nutritional adequacy, participation in physical activity, good physical fitness, and school-community integration; and (2) 11 factors with an equivocal, varied or weak influence - classroom technology, online learning environments, smaller class size, school choice, school funding, school size, school start times, teacher training level, amount of homework, student self-confidence and informal learning. Conclusions It is concluded that: (1) student learning outcomes, and more broadly the edifice of education itself, are largely defined in terms of an extensive system of design factors and conditions; (2) the time is long overdue for the educational system to acknowledge the central role of E/HF design as the major influence on student performance and learning; and (3) K-12 educators and administrators should emphasize allocation of resources to design factors reliably shown to have a strongly positive impact on student performance, but should treat expenditure on factors with equivocal, varied or weak influence on such performance with more caution and/or skepticism.
Improving in-kennel presentation of shelter dogs through response-dependent and response-independent treat delivery

In a sequence of studies, we evaluated 2 behavioral interventions designed to decrease undesirable in-kennel behaviors of shelter dogs. In Experiment 1, we compared the efficacy of a simple pairing of person with food (response-independent treat delivery) to an increasing interval differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) procedure and a control condition. Both procedures decreased the median percentage of undesirable behavior from baseline (88.13%, interquartile range [IQR] = 52.78% and 66.43%, IQR = 89.06% respectively), and the control condition increased behavior by 15.13% (IQR = 32.08%), H(2) = 6.49, p = .039. In Experiment 2, we assessed the efficacy of a response-independent procedure on the whole shelter population. We found a 68% decrease from baseline in the number of dogs that behaved undesirably (U = -4.16, p < .001). Our results suggest that a response-independent procedure is equivalent in efficacy to a DRO procedure to decrease undesirable in-kennel behavior of shelter dogs.
Specification of a class of discrete event processes and their controllers

The authors address the problem of what can be done if the only thing that is known about a process is the number of times each event has occurred in the life of the process up to a moment in time. More precisely, they consider what class of discrete event systems may be modeled and controlled using only this minimal information. This question is of practical significance because a model requiring only such data is the simplest possible model. It is also computationally very efficient as it requires only some arithmetic operations. An example involving air-traffic control is presented. The example is worked out (almost) entirely using a counter that records the number of times each event has occurred as time goes on. The design of an active or forceful controller that ensures five operating rules is considered. The example involves air-queues waiting to land, ground-queues waiting to take off, and emergency landings. >
The advantages of a ventriculostomy reservoir with the Holter valve system.

Abstract The use of a Rickham ventriculostomy reservoir incorporated in the Holter valve system is advocated. In a retrospective study of 173 button taps, the clinical assessment of the valve was proved correct in 51% of occasions and in a prospective review of 100 taps the clinical findings were correct in 53% The complication rate of tapping the reservoir is negligible.
A reinvestigation of the sites of transcription and translation of Euglena chloroplastic phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase

An attempt was made to determine the sites of chloroplast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase transcription and translation. Inhibitors of bacterial RNA and protein synthesis were added to logarithmic and stationary phase cultures of Euglena gracilis wild-type B. Logarithmic phase cultures were sensitive to both types of inhibitors. In stationary phase cultures plastid synthetase was reduced by RNA but not by protein synthesis inhibitors. The effect of the antibiotics on the mitochondrial enzyme was also noted. Several possible explanations of these results are discussed.
Evaluation Of Spatial Filters For Background Suppression In Infrared Mosaic Sensor Systems

Spaceborne infrared mosaic sensors have been proposed for future surveillance systems. Because these systems will generate a large volume of data, background suppression will require algorithms which use innovative architectures and minimal storage. This paper analyzes the implementation and performance of candidate temporal and spatial filters. Spatial filters are attractive because they require far less memory, can effectively exploit a parallel, pipelined architecture, and are relatively insensitive to target speed. However, the performance of spatial filtering is substantially worse than that of temporal filtering when the sensor has good line-of-sight stability.
Optimal parallel algorithms for point-set and polygon problems

In this paper we give parallel algorithms for a number of problems defined on point sets and polygons. All our algorithms have optimalT(n) * P(n) products, whereT(n) is the time complexity andP(n) is the number of processors used, and are for the EREW PRAM or CREW PRAM models. Our algorithms provide parallel analogues to well-known phenomena from sequential computational geometry, such as the fact that problems for polygons can oftentimes be solved more efficiently than point-set problems, and that nearest-neighbor problems can be solved without explicitly constructing a Voronoi diagram.
Structural Damage Characterization Using Free Decays

A new technique for the identification and characterization of damage in structures is presented. The technique employs a newly developed non-exponential transient decay model which relies on a statistical description of the structure's modal characteristics. The resulting technique provides an estimate of both the severity and extent of the damage without reliance on detailed modal information. The technique is supported by numerical simulations of damaged truss structures.
Validation of a scoring system to identify women with near-miss maternal morbidity.

Objective To validate a five-factor scoring system that identifies parturients who experience near-miss morbidity. Study Design and Setting This study was conducted in an urban, tertiary care hospital over a 2-year period. A narrative case summary was prepared for women with high potential for significant obstetric morbidity. The summary was then reviewed by three physicians, and the extent of morbidity was assigned based on subjective assessment. The same cases were then scored using the proposed five-factor scoring system previously described by Geller et al. Test characteristics of the scoring system were assessed. Results Eight hundred fifteen cases with a high potential for significant morbidity were identified. Subjective review and the scoring system classified 4.5% and 4.2% as near-miss morbidity, respectively, with the scoring system having a corresponding sensitivity of 81.1% (95% confidence interval 64.8 to 92.0%) and a specificity of 99.5% (95% confidence interval 98.7 to 99.9%). Conclusion The scoring system produced similar results to those obtained at its initial development and demonstrated acceptable sensitivity and specificity for identifying near-miss morbidity.
Solar flares: No “myth”

Recently, Jack Gosling published an article titled, “The Flare Myth.” In this article he described a “new paradigm” and argued against the idea of justifying research on solar flares for the sake of their solar-terrestrial effects. This paper [Gosling, 1993] summarized the case that exists for coronal mass ejections as the direct cause of major magnetic storms. It also reminded us that an interplanetary shock wave—as well as processes in the flare itself—can accelerate particles to high energies, and that the interplanetary shocks themselves are closely associated with coronal mass ejections. These insights had greatly improved our understanding of solar-terrestrial relationships, and reviewing them was not particularly controversial. However, the title of Gosling's article and the suggestion in it that flare research should in some way “…not be justified…” caused astonishment, especially in view of the fact that much of new knowledge has come from observations of solar flares and theories to explain them. Accordingly, a small controversy developed.
Method for azimuthal alignment in fixed-angle ellipsometry

Our objective is to develop a method for azimuthal alignment of the polarizer–analyzer in fixed-angle ellipsometry systems in which measurement of the light intensity in the straight-through mode is not possible. An analytical technique has been developed that allows the determination of the reference positions of the polarizer and analyzer through the use of reflection measurements from a dielectric sample at a single angle of incidence. The method was verified by using both a high-temperature unit and a room-temperature reflectometer system. In these cases the real part of the refractive index of the test sample was inferred with accuracy to within 0.5% and 1.7%, respectively. In addition the sensitivity of the technique to the polarizer–analyzer setting was assessed.
Evidence that involucrin, a marker for differentiation, is oxygen regulated in human squamous cell carcinomas

Evidence that involucrin, a marker for differentiation, is oxygen regulated in human squamous cell carcinomas
Hemodynamic State Early after Prosthetic Replacement of Mitral Valve

Cardiac output, stroke volume, and atrial, pulmonary arterial, left ventricular, and systemic arterial pressures were measured preoperatively, during operation, and for 48 hours thereafter in 14 patients undergoing prosthetic replacement of the mitral valve. Cardiac output was usually abnormally low after repair, being lowest 3 to 6 hours after operation. This pattern was different from that in a patient undergoing plication of the posterior leaflet and very different from that in a patient undergoing removal of a left atrial myxoma, who served as controls. Ventricular filling pressure was high, there was no significant diastolic pressure difference across the Starr-Edwards prosthesis, and there was no pressure difference across the left ventricular outflow tract. Blood gas levels and pH were within satisfactory range. The data are interpreted as indicating that impairment of ventricular performance, particularly left, usually contributes significantly to the low cardiac output in these patients. This is ...
Comprehensive Review of Campylobacter and Poultry Processing

Campylobacter has been recognized as a leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis in the United States, with 40000 documented cases annually. Epidemiological data suggest that contaminated products of animal origin, especially poultry, contribute significantly to campylobacteriosis. Thus, reduction of contamination of raw poultry would have a large impact in reducing incidence of illness. Contamination occurs both on the farm and in poultry slaughter plants. Routine procedures on the farm such as feed withdrawal, poultry handling, and transportation practices have a documented effect on Campylobacter levels at the processing plant. At the plant, defeathering, evisceration, and carcass chillers have been documented to cross-contaminate poultry carcasses. Carcass washings and the application of processing aids have been shown to reduce populations of Campylobacter in the carcasses by log10 0.5 log10 1.5; however, populations of Campylobacter have been shown to enter a poultry processing plant at levels between log10 5 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL and log10 8 CFU/mL of carcass rinse. The purpose of this article is to review Campylobacter, the infection that it causes, its association with poultry, contamination sources during processing, and intervention methods.
Interplay between Drying and Stability of a TIM Barrel Protein: A Combined Simulation-Experimental Study

Recent molecular dynamics simulations have suggested important roles for nanoscale dewetting in the stability, function, and folding dynamics of proteins. Using a synergistic simulation–experimental approach on the αTS TIM barrel protein, we validated this hypothesis by revealing the occurrence of drying inside hydrophobic amino acid clusters and its manifestation in experimental measures of protein stability and structure. Cavities created within three clusters of branched aliphatic amino acids [isoleucine, leucine, and valine (ILV) clusters] were found to experience strong water density fluctuations or intermittent dewetting transitions in simulations. Individually substituting 10 residues in the large ILV cluster at the N-terminus with less hydrophobic alanines showed a weakening or diminishing effect on dewetting that depended on the site of the mutation. Our simulations also demonstrated that replacement of buried leucines with isosteric, polar asparagines enhanced the wetting of the N- and C-termina...
DNA binding by an amino acid residue in the C-terminal half of the Rel homology region

Abstract Background : Members of the Rel family of transcription factors are important in regulating the inflammatory, acute phase, and immune responses in mammals. The structural basis for sequence-specific binding by Rel proteins is poorly understood, however. In the studies reported here, a new photoaffinity labeling procedure has been used to probe DNA contacts established by a Rel protein, the p50 homodimer of NF-κB. Results : Using a novel post-synthetic modification method, 8-azido-2′-deoxyadenosine (N 3 dA), a photoactive analog of 2′-deoxyadenosine, was introduced at a specific site within a consensus DNA binding site for the NF-κB p50 homodimer. Upon irradiation with ultraviolet light, the N 3 dA-substituted DNA was efficiently photocrosslinked to p50. The crosslinked amino acid of p50 was identified as K244, which lies in the carboxy-terminal half of the Rel homology region (RHR). Mutation of K244 exerts strong effects on DNA binding, confirming the importance of this residue for p50-DNA interactions. Conclusions : We have used NAA-containing DNA to identify a residue of NF-κB p50 that contacts DNA illustrating the value of this approach in studies of protein—DNA interactions. K244 appears not to contact a DNA base, but rather a phosphate moiety that lies nearby. The segment of protein sequence in which K244 resides has been implicated in dimerization. The results presented here suggest that the DNA-binding domain extends farther toward the carboxy-terminus than previously thought.
Graduate Studies in Hydrogeology and Hydrology at the University of Idaho

The interdisciplinary graduate program in hydrogeology at the University of Idaho is described. The curriculum is structured to permit the design of individual study programs which are in keeping with multiple use concepts. Flexibility sufficient to permit courses to be taken in several fields which support the students' major area of research is provided. This flexibility is maximized by the offering of two degree options. Discussion of a number of the research projects at the University illustrates several of the types of problems now being studied.
Anesthetic-postoperative morphine regimens for cesarean section and postoperative oxygen saturation monitored by a telemetric pulse oximetry network for 24 continuous hours

Abstract Study Objective: To document the effects of compromised respiratory function on oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) after cesarean section via the telemetric pulse oximetry network (TPON) for 24 continuous hours. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Postpartum ward of a university hospital. Patients: ASA physical status I or II parturients undergoing cesarean section. Interventions: Healthy parturients were assigned to 1 of 3 anesthetic-postoperative morphine regimens as follows: general anesthesia-parenteral morphine as needed (GA/PM; n=11); epidural anesthesia-parenteral morphine as needed (EA/PM; n=15); epidural anesthesia-epidural morphine 4 to 5 mg (EA/EM; n=10). Measurements and Main Results: For 24 continuous hours after cesarean section, SpO 2 , heart rate, and plethysmogram every 10 seconds were recorded by the TPON computer. In addition, pain, somnolence, respiratory rate (RR), and side effects were recorded every 30 minutes to 2 hours. SpO 2 less than 94% and less than 92% occurred least with GA/PM. The highest mean cumulative time of SpO 2 between 95% and 90% occurred with EA/EM. The longest episode of SpO 2 less than 92% and the lowest SpO 2 for more than 1 minute also occurred with EA/EM. With all 3 regimens, SpO 2 decreased to less than 80% for 20 to 30 seconds at a time, but the lowest SpO 2 (less than 85%) for more than 1 minute occurred with EA/EM in 1 patient and was associated with somnolence that required treatment. With all 3 regimens, average RR was within normal limits, but mean RR was significantly lower with EA/EM than with GA/PM or EA/PM from the 8th to the 14th postoperative hours. Somnolence did not differ significantly among the 3 regimens. Pain score was significantly lower with EA/EM than with GA/PM or EA/PM for the first 20 hours. Conclusions: All 3 regimens risked low SpO 2 , with the EA/EM regimen having the highest risk but the best analgesia. Neither general nor epidural anesthesia combined with postoperative parenteral morphine influenced SpO 2 postoperatively. In this study, the TPON provided a feasible method of detecting hypoxemia early on in the general ward setting.
TSC2 is phosphorylated and inhibited by Akt and suppresses mTOR signalling

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the formation of hamartomas in a wide range of human tissues. Mutation in either the TSC1 or TSC2 tumour suppressor gene is responsible for both the familial and sporadic forms of this disease. TSC1 and TSC2 proteins form a physical and functional complex in vivo. Here, we show that TSC1-TSC2 inhibits the p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (an activator of translation) and activates the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1, an inhibitor of translational initiation). These functions of TSC1-TSC2 are mediated by inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Furthermore, TSC2 is directly phosphorylated by Akt, which is involved in stimulating cell growth and is activated by growth stimulating signals, such as insulin. TSC2 is inactivated by Akt-dependent phosphorylation, which destabilizes TSC2 and disrupts its interaction with TSC1. Our data indicate a molecular mechanism for TSC2 in insulin signalling, tumour suppressor functions and in the inhibition of cell growth.
The Motivation of Undergraduate Music Students: The Impact of Identification and Talent Beliefs on Choosing a Career in Music Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons why undergraduate music students choose a career in teaching classroom music and how these reasons are related to their beliefs about their identification with teaching classroom music, identification with music performance, teaching talent, and performance talent. Participants included 143 students enrolled in music performance and music education programs at seven large U.S. universities who completed an online questionnaire. One major reason that students chose a career in teaching music was that teaching music had become part of their identity, a part that was separate from their music performance identity. In many cases, the motivation for developing this identity was their belief that becoming a classroom music teacher would allow them to help students by acting as a role model. The findings suggest that further research related to career choice in music education should include the psychological construct of identification with teaching classroom...
An Urn Model for Population Mixing and the Phases Within

We introduce a generalization of the Ehrenfest urn model in which samples of independent identically distributed sizes with a general generating discrete distribution (the generator) are taken out of an urn containing white and blue balls (n in total). Each ball in the sample is repainted with the opposite color and the sample is replaced in the urn. We study the phases in the gradual change from the initial condition to the steady state for numerous cases where such a steady state exists. We look at the status of the urn after a number of draws. We identify a concept of linearity based on a combination of the generator and the number of draws, below which we consider the case to be sublinear and above which the case is superlinear. In a properly defined upper subphase of the sublinear phase the number of white balls is asymptotically normally distributed, with parameters that are influenced by the initial conditions and the generator. In the linear phase a different normal distribution applies, in which the influence of the initial conditions and the generator are attenuated. At the superlinear phase the mix is nearly perfect, with a nearly symmetrical normal distribution in which the effect of the initial conditions and the generator is obliterated. We give interpretations for how the results in different phases conjoin at the “seam lines.” The Gaussian results are obtained via martingale theory. We give a few concrete examples.
Future spacelift projection

Abstract In 1996 the NASA Advisory Council asked for a comprehensive look at future launch projections out to the year 2030 and beyond. In response to this request NASA sponsored a study at The Aerospace Corporation to develop long-range space transportation models for future commercial and government applications, and to analyze the design considerations and desired characteristics for future space transportation systems. Follow-ons to present space missions as well as a wide array of potential new space applications are considered in the study. This paper summarizes the space transportation system characteristics required to enable various classes of future missions. High reliability and the ability to achieve high flight rates per vehicle are shown to be key attributes for achieving more economical launch systems. Technical, economic and policy implications are also discussed.
Relationship of alcohol and hyperlactatemia in diabetic subjects treated with phenformin

Abstract The blood lactate, pyruvate and glucose responses to ingested glucose and alcohol were measured in five subjects with adult-onset diabetes before and after treatment with phenformin. Increased lactate and lactate/pyruvate values were noted during phenformin treatment in response to both stimuli, that following alcohol ingestion being of greater magnitude. The potentiation of lactic acid accumulation with phenformin is significant metabolically and can reasonably be explained by the known effect of phenformin. The evidence for clinical significance is more circumstantial but leads to the conclusion that excessive alcohol ingestion should be avoided in phenformin-treated patients.
The role of helix 1 aspartates and salt bridges in the stability and conversion of prion protein.

A key event in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies is the conversion of PrP-sen to PrP-res. Morrissey and Shakhnovich (Morrissey, M. P., and Shakhnovich, E. I. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96, 11293–11298) proposed that the conversion mechanism involves critical interactions at helix 1 (residues 144–153) and that the helix is stabilized on PrP-sen by intra-helix salt bridges between two aspartic acid-arginine ion pairs at positions 144 and 148 and at 147 and 151, respectively. Mutants of the hamster prion protein were constructed by replacing the aspartic acids with either asparagines or alanines to destabilize the proposed helix 1 salt bridges. Thermal and chemical denaturation experiments using circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated the overall structures of the mutants are not substantially destabilized but appear to unfold differently. Cell-free conversion reactions performed using ionic denaturants, detergents, and salts (conditions unfavorable to salt bridge formation) showed no significant differences between conversion efficiencies of mutant and wild type proteins. Using conditions more favorable to salt bridge formation, the mutant proteins converted with up to 4-fold higher efficiency than the wild type protein. Thus, although spectroscopic data indicate the salt bridges do not substantially stabilize PrP-sen, the cell-free conversion data suggest that Asp-144 and Asp-147 and their respective salt bridges stabilize PrP-sen from converting to PrP-res.
Assessments for Computational Thinking in K-12 (Abstract Only)

As computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) make their way into all levels of K-12 education, valid assessments aligned with new curricula can assist in measuring student learning, easing the way for adoption of new computing courses, and evaluation of pedagogical approaches for teaching computing ideas and concepts. Without attention to rigorous assessment, CT can have little hope of making its way successfully into K-12 school education settings at scale. This BoF session will involve discussion around ongoing work at SRI International (under several NSF-funded projects) on the design and development of formative and summative assessments for the ECS curriculum. Additionally, various forms of assessment (including free response and multiple-choice questions, and computational artifacts), and insights from past research on their use will be discussed. BOF attendees will be able to discuss multiple viewpoints, connect with others who care about assessment of CT, and share resources and ideas.
Multiple aneurysms of the coronary arteries in a patient with systemic aneurysmal disease

A case of multiple coronary artery aneurysms in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and bilateral popliteal artery aneurysms is reported. As diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease become more aggressive, a higher incidence of detection of coronary artery aneurysms in conjunction with peripheral vascular lesions is likely. The role of coronary sinus cardioplegia in minimizing the risk of embolization from the coronary aneurysms during surgical repair is emphasized.
Plasma Pressure Compaction of Tungsten Powders

Abstract Compacts of tungsten powders were consolidated by Plasma Pressure Compaction (P2C), an electric discharge technique. The powders were a variety of commercially available grades ranging in average particle size from submicron to 12 microns. Following consolidation, the density of the compacts was measured, and the microstructure examined. Results revealed the effect of powder size, pulsed current treatment, final hold temperature, and applied pressure on final part density and microstructure development. Most important to the purpose of the study, it was found that the short cycle time of P2C did not suppress grain growth in the compacts of submicron powder. Thus, grain growth remained a consequence of full densification. Implications of these results for the development of ultra fine-grained microstructures using P2C are discussed.
A two-part preliminary investigation of encoding-related activation changes after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: hyperactivation, repetition suppression, and the role of the prefrontal cortex

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors typically exhibit significant learning and memory deficits and also frequently demonstrate hyperactivation during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tasks involving working memory encoding and maintenance. However, it remains unclear whether the hyperactivation observed during such working memory tasks is also present during long-term memory encoding. The preliminary experiments presented here were designed to examine this question. In Experiment 1, 7 healthy controls (HC) and 7 patients with moderate to severe TBI encoded ecologically relevant object location associations (OLA) while undergoing fMRI and then completed a memory test outside of the fMRI environment. fMRI data analysis included only the correctly encoded trials and revealed hyperactivation in the TBI relative to HC group in regions critical for OLA encoding, including bilateral dorsal and ventral visual processing areas, bilateral frontoparietal working memory network regions, and the left medial temporal lobe. There was also an incidental finding that this hyperactivation persisted after multiple exposures to the same stimulus, which may indicate an attenuated repetition suppression effect that could ultimately contribute to cognitive fatigue and inefficient memory encoding after TBI. Experiment 2 directly assessed repetition suppression in some of the same HC and TBI participants. During early encoding trials, the TBI group showed large areas of hyperactivation in the right prefrontal cortex and bilateral posterior parietal cortices relative to the HC. Following additional exposure to these stimuli, the TBI group showed repetition suppression in visual and spatial processing regions, but continued to show hyperactivation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Findings from these preliminary studies may reflect that increased reliance on cognitive control mechanisms following TBI extends to memory encoding.