cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiative electron capture and bremsstrahlung

The applicability of radiative electron capture (REC) as a means for investigating the electron momentum distribution of target electrons in atomic collisions is discussed. A model based on an impulse approximation is used to predict the position, shape, and cross section for the REC spectral feature. Experimental results obtained for proton, lithium, carbon, and oxygen projectiles incident on various gaseous targets are presented.
Chinese Postman Problem

This article describes one of the classical routing problems—Chinese postman problem (CPP). The objective of CPP is to determine a closed walk of minimum length covering each arc on the graph at least once. Five types of CPP based on the properties of graphs are discussed: Undirected CPP, directed CPP, mixed CPP, windy postman problem (WPP), and hierarchical postman problem (HPP). The first two types of problems are polynomially solvable while the other three are proved to be NP-hard. Available mathematical models and algorithms are summarized for each problem type. This article also presents some variations of the CPP and recent results from the literature. Keywords: Chinese postman problem, arc routing; Eulerian graph; windy postman problem (WPP); hierarchical postman problem (HPP)
The most effective approach for true object-oriented program

The purpose of this project is to display the use of the Design Recipe pedagogy and the idea of focusing on the design of the structure of data, the classes, and class hierarchies, rather than the design of program actions as the core idea for program design. The Design Recipe approach is superior to other programming methods in many ways.
Interferon (IFN) Based Treatment of African Americans with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) in an Urban Clinic: Improving Response with Advances in Therapy

AIM: In this paper, we review the results of the addition of a direct acting antiviral (DAA) to dual therapy [Pegylated-Interferon (Peg-IFN)+Ribavirin (Riba)] therapy in African Americans (AA) treated for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in an urban GI clinic as compared to the licensing studies. METHODS: Patients with genotype one (G1) CHC treated with dual therapy (n=341 naive patients), were compared to G1 patients (n=75 naive or previously treated with interferon based therapy) treated with triple therapy (telaprevir or boceprevir +Peg-IFN+Riba). Treatment response was assessed for both intent to treat and patients completing at least 12 weeks of therapy (protocol). RESULTS: The sustained viral response (SVR) for all patients completing treatment and the follow up period was significantly higher with triple therapy as compared to dual therapy (AA: 51% vs 24%; Cau 100% vs 36%). In interferon experienced patients, the SVR for triple therapy was better in patients who had relapsed as compared to non-responders or naive patients. The response rate with triple therapy was also better across all stages of fibrosis. Despite the increase in side effects seen in patients with the addition of DAA, discontinuation rates were fewer for triple than for dual therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirms previous reports from the licensing trials that adding a 1st generation DAA to dual therapy in the real world clinic setting provides a significant improvement in SVR in African Americans, regardless of whether the patients are naive or treatment experienced. While treatment with these therapies are clearly beneficial for patients with advanced disease, the lower SVR rate for AA as compared to Cau presents a challenging situation and that waiting for more effective therapies may be a prudent option for the majority of patients.
Credit Rating Agencies, Exchanges, and Clearing and Settlement

This chapter focuses on the credit rating agencies, exchanges, and settlement that play a very important role in the business of investment banking by assigning credit ratings to debt issuers and their debt instruments. Debt instruments include bonds, convertible bonds, and loans. In addition, credit rating agencies assign ratings to structured finance securities that are backed by various types of collateral. Structured finance includes asset-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized debt obligations. Investment banks work closely with credit rating agencies when developing structured finance products in order to secure targeted ratings for these securities. The ratings process involves an analysis of business risk, including competitive position within the industry, diversity of product lines, and profitability compared to peers; and financial risk, including accounting, cash flow financial flexibility, and capital structure considerations. The rating reflects the issuer's credit worthiness (ability to repay the obligation), which affects the interest rate or yield applied to the security being rated. These ratings are used by investors, banks, and governments as an input into their investment, loan, and regulatory decisions. The ratings are independent of influence by others although this has become the subject of some controversy, as described shortly and create an easy to understand measurement of relative credit risk. This generally results in increased efficiency in the market, lowering the costs for borrowers, investors and lenders, and expanding the total supply of capital.
Wrist flexion as an adjunct to the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract The effects of five minutes of wrist flexion on median motor and sensory evoked potential latencies in 87 individuals were studied. Nineteen subjects had carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as diagnosed by increased median nerve latencies across the wrist, and 68 had values in the normal range and were assigned to the control group. A slight prolongation of up to 0.5msec of evoked potential latencies was observed in both groups after flexion, but the differences between the two groups were not significant to establish the value of adding wrist flexion to conventional screening methods.
A Review of “Urban Climate Change Crossroads”: Richard Plunz and Maria Paola Sutto, eds. Burlington, VT, and Surrey, UK: Ashgate, Columbia University, 2010. vii and 169 pp., notes, maps, diagrams, appendices, and index. $24.99 paper (ISBN 978-1-4094-0078-3); $114.95 cloth (ISBN 978-0-7546-7999-8); Ebook (ISBN 978-0-7546-9980-4)

Urban Climate Change Crossroads, edited by Richard Plunz and Maria Paola Sutto, is a collection of eighteen short essays originating from a forum entitled “Urban Climate Change at the Crossroads” i...
Infection Complicating Bone Marrow Transplantation

Bone marrow transplantation is being used increasingly as therapy for patients with aplastic anemia or acute leukemia who have an identical twin (syngeneic transplant) or an HLA-identical sibling (allogeneic transplant).1 Survival of 2 years or more after allogeneic transplant has been reported for more than 65% of patients with aplastic anemia2 and for 60% of patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia in remission.3 Marrow transplantation for other malignant diseases (e.g., chronic leukemias, lymphomas, solid tumors), for nonmalignant disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia), and for primary immunodeficiency diseases has been either suggested or carried out,1,4 as has the use of donors other than matched siblings or identical twins.5,6 Thus, it is likely that marrow transplant patients will be seen more frequently in medical centers throughout the world in coming years.
Lithium 2‐Lithiobenzenethiolate

[117526-82-6] C6H4SLi2 (MW 122.05) InChI = 1S/C6H5S.2Li/c7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6;;/h1-4,7H;;/q;;+1/p-1 InChIKey = APWYCTQUEYBITB-UHFFFAOYSA-M (reagent for preparation of ortho-substituted thiophenols1) Preparative Methods: easily prepared in the form of a white viscous slurry by stirring Thiophenol with 2 equiv n-Butyllithium and 2 equiv N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine in dry cyclohexane in a nitrogen atmosphere for 20 h.1 No purification of the crude product is generally required. It is stable in the absence of air and moisture. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the title reagent 1 is best made as needed and should be handled and stored under nitrogen in a fume hood. Both preparation and decomposition of 1 on exposure to moisture release the foul smelling, toxic thiophenol. Great care should be taken in disposing of 1 and cleaning apparatus exposed to 1. Excess thiophenol or reagent 1 should be destroyed in a good fume hood using an oxidizing agent such as sodium hypochlorite solution (see Thiophenol).
Ultralight anisotropic foams from layered aligned carbon nanotube sheets

In this work, we present large scale, ultralight aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) structures which have densities an order of magnitude lower than CNT arrays, have tunable properties and exhibit resiliency after compression. By stacking aligned sheets of carbon nanotubes and then infiltrating with a pyrolytic carbon (PyC), resilient foam-like materials were produced that exhibited complete recovery from 90% compressive strain. With density as low as 3.8 mg cm−3, the foam structure is over 500 times less dense than bulk graphite. Microscopy revealed that PyC coated the junctions among CNTs, and also increased CNT surface roughness. These changes in the morphology explain the transition from inelastic behavior to foam-like recovery of the layered CNT sheet structure. Mechanical and thermal properties of the foams were tuned for different applications through variation of PyC deposition duration while dynamic mechanical analysis showed no change in mechanical properties over a large temperature range. Observation of a large and linear electrical resistance change during compression of the aligned CNT/carbon (ACNT/C) foams makes strain/pressure sensors a relevant application. The foams have high oil absorption capacities, up to 275 times their own weight, which suggests they may be useful in water treatment and oil spill cleanup. Finally, the ACNT/C foam's high porosity, surface area and stability allow for demonstration of the foams as catalyst support structures.
Possibility of a new type of mixed state in high-temperature superconductors

Both the temperature {ital T} and magnetic field {ital H} above some critical value destroy the superconducting state. The mixed state of a type-II superconductor makes it possible to sustain superconductivity in fields exceeding the thermodynamic critical field {ital H}{sub {ital c}}. We hypothesize the possibility of a new type of mixed state, present even in the absence of a magnetic field, which would allow superconductivity to exist at temperatures much higher than the critical temperature {ital T}{sub {ital c}} allowed by the conventional BCS theory.
Stable gammaretroviral vector expression during embryonic stem cell-derived in vitro hematopoietic development.

Abstract Unlike conventional gammaretroviral vectors, the murine stem cell virus (MSCV) can efficiently express transgenes in undifferentiated embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, a dramatic extinction of expression is observed when ESCs are subjected to in vitro hematopoietic differentiation. Here we report the construction of a self-inactivating vector from MSCV, MSinSB, which transmits an intron embedded within the internal transgene cassette to transduced cells. The internal transgene transcriptional unit in MSinSB comprises the composite cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer–chicken β-actin promoter and associated 5′ splice site positioned upstream of the natural 3′ splice site of the gammaretroviral envelope gene, and is configured such that the transgene translational initiation sequence is coincident with the envelope ATG. MSinSB could be produced at titers approaching 106 transducing units/ml and directed higher levels of transgene expression in ESCs than a splicing-optimized MSCV-derived vector, MSGV1. Moreover, when transduced ESCs were differentiated into hematopoietic cells in vitro, MSinSB remained transcriptionally active in greater than 90% of the cells, whereas MSGV1 expression was almost completely shut off. Persistent high-level expression of the MSinSB gammaretroviral vector was also demonstrated in murine bone marrow transplant recipients and following in vitro myelomonocytic differentiation of human CD34+ cord blood stem/progenitor cells.
Fluorinated sulfonate surfactants

Abstract New classes of fluorinated sulfonate surfactants were synthesized in which a perfluoroalkyl chain is interrupted either by an ether oxygen (–O–), or by methylene (–CH 2 –) units. Both classes of molecules involve multi-step syntheses. The fluoroether sulfonates (RfOCF 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H, Rf = C 2 F 5 , C 3 F 7 ) were achieved in four steps including fluoroiodonation of perfluorovinyl ethers (RfCF = CF 2 ), ethylation, chlorination and hydrolysis. The methylene interrupted fluorosulfonates (RfCH 2 CF 2 CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H, Rf = C 4 F 9 , C 6 F 13 ) were also prepared in four steps involving vinylidene fluoride insertion of fluoroalkyl iodides, ethylene insertion, chlorination and hydrolysis. All intermediates and final products were well characterized by 1 H and 19 F NMR. These new fluorinated surfactants were compared to a commercially available fluorosulfonate (C 6 F 13 CH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H) for surface activity. These materials match the surface tensions of commercial fluorosurfactant yet are more efficient because they have lower fluorine content.
Induced conductivity in cadmium selenide by electron bombardment

Abstract The effects of generated X-radiation on induced conductivity in cadmium selenide under electron bombardment shows that cadmium selenide and cadmium sulfide behave in much the same manner. The specific role of certain X-radiations is more evident for cadmium selenide than for cadmium sulfide. On the other hand no measure of the exciton diffusion length was possible for cadmium selenide.
Load-following active power filter for a solid oxide fuel cell supported load

While the integration of base-load fuel cells into the built environment is expected to provide numerous benefits to the user, the steady-state and dynamic behavior of these stationary fuel cell systems can produce an undesirable impact on the grid distribution circuit at the point of connection. In the present paper, a load-following active power filter (LFAPF) is proposed to mitigate the grid impact of such systems and instead improve overall local power quality. To evaluate the strategy, the LFAPF is integrated into a SOFC system inverter with one-cycle control (OCC) to provide the fundamental benefits of a traditional active power filter (APF) while also damping out short-term line current transients. The LFAPF benefit is illustrated through simulation of an SOFC interconnected with the utility electric distribution system and a building electricity demand that is modeled as a dynamic non-linear load. Three installation cases are examined: (1) a load-following SOFC, (2) a base-loaded SOFC, and (3) an offline SOFC. Without LFAPF, the load-following SOFC causes load transients due to the finite SOFC response time, and the base-loaded SOFC case has transients that appear more severe because they represent a larger overall percentage of the grid-provided load. The integration of an LFAPF improves the steady-state behavior over the base case and mitigates voltage sags and step changes. Thus integrating an LFAPF can, by providing useful services to both the utility and the end-user, facilitate the integration of an SOFC into the distribution system.
Raindrop-Size Distributions in Humid Continental Climates, and Associated Rainfall Rate-Radar Reflectivity Relationships

Abstract Raindrop-size spectra obtained with the raindrop camera have been analyzed from two locations, Island Beach, N. J., and Franklin, N. C. The spectra were analyzed with respect to total number of drops per average rain rate per cubic meter of sample, geometric mean diameter, mode diameter, and the diameter of drops at which half the liquid water content lies above that diameter and half below. The results indicate that the distributions from both locations are quite similar for corresponding rainfall rates. Rainfall rate-radar reflectivity relationships indicate that cold frontal rains in these areas generally have smaller drops than warm frontal rains. In addition, it was found that upslope rains are composed of smaller drops than rains of similar synoptic conditions without upslope effects. Finally, a small sampling of a tropical storm rain revealed that small drops may be characteristic of this type of rain.
Clinical Technique: Dorsal Ovariectomy in Rodents

Abstract Dorsal ovariectomy is a quick and simple procedure to perform on rodent patients. This procedure can be used to both prevent and treat many common diseases of the female rodent reproductive tract. It has also been shown to prevent mammary and pituitary tumors in rats. Although this article describes how to perform a dorsal ovariectomy in rats, this procedure is applicable for use in other rodent species too.
Human αB-Crystallin Mutation Causes Oxido-Reductive Stress and Protein Aggregation Cardiomyopathy in Mice

The autosomal dominant mutation in the human alphaB-crystallin gene inducing a R120G amino acid exchange causes a multisystem, protein aggregation disease including cardiomyopathy. The pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy in this mutant (hR120GCryAB) is poorly understood. Here, we show that transgenic mice overexpressing cardiac-specific hR120GCryAB recapitulate the cardiomyopathy in humans and find that the mice are under reductive stress. The myopathic hearts show an increased recycling of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH), which is due to the augmented expression and enzymatic activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. The intercross of hR120GCryAB cardiomyopathic animals with mice with reduced G6PD levels rescues the progeny from cardiac hypertrophy and protein aggregation. These findings demonstrate that dysregulation of G6PD activity is necessary and sufficient for maladaptive reductive stress and suggest a novel therapeutic target for abrogating R120GCryAB cardiomyopathy and heart failure in humans.
Kinetic Modeling for Methane Reforming with Carbon Dioxide over a Mixed-Metal Carbide Catalyst

A cobalt−tungsten η-carbide material [Co6W6C] was investigated as a precursor for a stable and active catalyst for the dry reforming of methane to produce synthesis gas. The kinetics of CH4/CO2 reforming were studied under differential conditions over a temperature range of 500−600 °C, based on a detailed experimental design. The observed rates qualitatively follow a Langmuir−Hinshelwood type of reaction mechanism. Such a scheme is considered quantitatively, with four reactions: methane reforming, reverse water-gas shift, carbon deposition, and carbon removal by a reverse Boudouard reaction. Of these, carbon deposition and carbon removal are generally disregarded in most of the reported kinetic models. The parameters of the model were successfully estimated for all of the experimental data. The comparison plots of the observed data and the predicted model show generally a good fit for all of the product species.
Update on pacing and implantable cardioverter defibrillators in children

Abstract Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are important therapies in the pediatric and congenital heart disease population. However, these therapies, while potentially life-saving, have major limitations which are particular to the pediatric age group. Lead malfunction, inappropriate discharges, and venous obstruction all complicate device usage in this group. This review will address issues with pacemaker and defibrillator use in the pediatric and congenital heart disease population and discuss potential advances in the area in the next 5 to 10 years.
Effects of tillage and cropping sequence on soil physical properties

Abstract The interactive effects of cropping sequence and tillage on soil physical properties are poorly documented. This type of information is essential if maximum efficiency is to be obtained from various farming systems. Field evaluations were conducted on a Ships clay (Udic Chromustert) — Weswood silt loam (Fluventic Ustochrept) intergrade in Burleson County, TX to determine the effects of three cropping sequences (continuous soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.), wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) - soybean doublecrop, and sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)-wheat-soybean rotation) and two tillage methods (conventional disk tillage and no tillage) on soil bulk density, soil strength, and microaggregation. Tillage did not significantly influence soil bulk density or soil strength after 3 years. Conventional tillage significantly decreased microaggregation compared with no tillage at 0–76 mm after 3 years and at 0–152 mm after 6 years. Differences, however, were less dramatic in the sorghum-wheat-soybean cropping sequence as compared with the other sequences studied. Significant interactive effects were observed for cropping sequence × depth on soil bulk density, cropping sequence × tillage and cropping sequence × location (furrow vs. bed) on soil strength, and cropping sequence × tillage on microaggregation.
Trichogenic Tumors-Reply

We thank Kaserer and Hantich for their comments that raise several interesting points. Ackerman 1 does indeed use the term trichoblastoma inclusively to describe all benign neoplasms of follicular germinative cells. Headington, 2 however, prefers to classify the trichogenic tumors into two primary groups, epithelial and mesenchymal, analogous to the odontogenic tumors. In this scheme, a trichoblastoma is an epithelial trichogenic tumor without inductive change whereas trichoblastic fibroma is an epithelial trichogenic tumor with stromal induction, both of which are more specific and precise definitions. It is based on this latter definition that we chose to classify our series of tumors. We agree that the nomenclature for adnexal neoplasms in general and trichogenic tumors in particular may be cumbersome and confusing. Our wish is not to make matters worse, but rather to continue to describe, define, and refine our observations in the hopes to be better morphologists. The information obtained,
From what if to what's best in DSS☆

Abstract The author of IFPS/OPTIMUM presents some typical applications of optimization within decision support systems (DSS). They show that finding ‘what's best’ is gradually superseding the ‘what if’ and ‘goal seeking’ type of analysis that is prevalent now. IFPS/OPTIMUM is now used by over 130 companies, including many of the Fortune 500 ones. The main drawback of ‘what if’ and ‘goal seeking’ type of analysis is that one cannot impose restrictions on model variables and have the DSS generator solve for values of the ‘what if’ or ‘goal seek’ variables that satisfy those restrictions. Instead, one would have to muddle through many ‘what if's’ or ‘goal seeks’ at random and check if the restrictions are satisfied. It is a manual process that is very time consuming. ‘What's best’ analysis with optimization allows one to impose such restrictions easily and do the analysis quickly. This type of analysis is playing an increasingly significant role within decision support systems. Practicing management scientists and managers should note this phenomenon. New tools and new ways of addressing problems are emerging.
Expressive Vocabulary Development and Word Combinations of Spanish-English Bilingual Toddlers

Parent reports of their children’s expressive vocabulary and word combinations were obtained for 102 21- to 27-month-old children who were exposed to Spanish and English on a regular basis. The dat...
Perinatal Findings of Seckel Syndrome: A Case Report of a Fetus Showing Primordial Dwarfism and Severe Microcephaly

Objective/Methods: Seckel syndrome is a rare form of primordial dwarfism and most of the previous reports have been limited to postnatal findings. We report on a fetus showing sever
Reversible photoswitchable axially chiral dopants with high helical twisting power.

A new class of photoswitchable axially chiral dopants with high helical twisting power was synthesized. Their reversible photoresponsive properties were well demonstrated. These materials are found suitable for dopants in chiral nematic materials for applications in novel optically addressed displays, i.e., photodisplay. Optically addressed images were demonstrated. The dopants were sufficiently responsive to an addressing light source such that a high-resolution image with gray scale could be imaged in a few seconds of irradiation time. It was further found that an image could be retained on the screen at room temperature for 24 h before being thermally erased. The high solubility of these materials in a nematic host is also of commercial interest for stability in display applications. It is worth noting here that the photodisplay device can display a high-resolution image without the need of attached drive and control electronics, substantially reducing the cost of the display unit for use in applicatio...
Gauss–Seidel Estimation of Generalized Linear Mixed Models With Application to Poisson Modeling of Spatially Varying Disease Rates

Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) are often fit by computational procedures such as penalized quasi-likelihood (PQL). Special cases of GLMMs are generalized linear models (GLMs), which are often fit using algorithms like iterative weighted least squares (IWLS). High computational costs and memory space constraints make it difficult to apply these iterative procedures to datasets having a very large number of records. We propose a computationally efficient strategy based on the Gauss–Seidel algorithm that iteratively fits submodels of the GLMM to collapsed versions of the data. The strategy is applied to investigate the relationship between ischemic heart disease, socioeconomic status, and age/gender category in New South Wales, Australia, based on outcome data consisting of approximately 33 million records. For Poisson and binomial regression models, the Gauss–Seidel approach is found to substantially outperform existing methods in terms of maximum analyzable sample size. Remarkably, for both models...
Flagellar assembly in two hundred and fifty easy-to-follow steps

The eukaryotic flagellum is a complex biochemical machine that moves cells or moves materials over the surface of cells, such as in the mammalian esophagus, oviduct or in protozoa. It is composed of over 250 polypeptides that must be assembled into a number of different structures and each structure must be attached with an exact periodicity along the microtubules. Once the flagellum is assembled, each of the components must act in concert and in three dimensions to produce a complex waveform. This review provides an outline of the composition and function of the different structures found in the flagella of Chlamydomonas.
The Stigmata of St. Francis, Considered in the Light of Possible Joachimite Influence upon Thomas of Celano

The existence of wounds resembling those of the crucified Christ upon the body of St. Francisof Assisi is now generally admitted to be probable. It has been demonstrated that such phenomena can and do occur through psychopathic causes. Only by rejecting cogent evidence can the stigmata be eliminated as thorough fraud. Whether the wounds were self-inflicted or inflicted by others post mortem is still an open question.
Using a Multidisciplinary Approach for Pregnant Women With Nicotine Dependence and Co-occurring Disorders

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, including low birth weight and prematurity. While smoking prevalence among pregnant women has been declining, pregnant women with co-occurring disorders struggle with smoking cessation not only because they are managing their psychiatric and substance-related conditions but also because they are at greater risk for a number of psychosocial stressors, such as poverty, domestic violence, and limited support. In addition, obstetric, substance abuse, and psychiatric treatment for pregnant women is often fragmented and uncoordinated, resulting in poor health outcomes for mother and baby. The goal of this clinical forum is to demonstrate the potential for multidisciplinary treatment providers and community members to work together toward successfully meeting the complex needs of pregnant women with co-occurring disorders. Following the case presentation, we outline the ways in which patients and their obstetric, psychiatric, and subs...
A Weibull stress model to predict cleavage fracture in plates containing surface cracks

This study applies recent advances in probabilistic modelling of cleavage fracture to predict the measured fracture behaviour of surface crack plates fabricated from an A515-70 pressure vessel steel. Modifications of the conventional, two-parameter Weibull stress model introduce a non-zero, threshold parameter (σ w-min ). The introduction of σ w-min brings numerical predictions of scatter in toughness data into better agreement with experimental measurements, and calibration of this new parameter requires no additional experimental data. The Weibull modulus (m) and scaling parameter (σ u ) are calibrated using a new strategy based on the toughness transferability model, which eliminates the non-uniqueness that arises in calibrations using only small-scale yielding toughness data. Here, the Weibull stress model is calibrated using toughness data from deep-notch C(T) and shallow-notch SE(B) specimens, and is then applied to predict the measured response of surface crack plates loaded in different combinations of tension and bending. The model predictions accurately capture the measured distributions of fracture toughness values.
Current Developments in Community College Performance Funding.

Since the initiation of performance funding in Tennessee in the late 1970s, approximately 30 states have, at some point, attempted a funding model that includes performance on a set of indicators. The purpose of the present study was to capture the current status of performance funding in public statewide community college systems and to assess which performance indicators were collected at the state level. Data were obtained through the 2012 Survey of Finance and Access Issues conducted by the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama. The survey was administered to the National Council of State Directors of Community Colleges, and 50 responses were obtained from 49 states. Not every survey respondent answered each survey item. Findings showed that 19 states used performance funding for community colleges, with six of those states allocating at least 10% of state funds based on performance. An analysis of indicators captured at the state level (not exclusively for performance funding) showed a...
Introduction to internet security

Viruses are running rampant. Encryption schemes have been broken. Passwords have been compromised and account information has been intercepted. Recent events throughout the world have caused people to become very circumspect when it comes to transacting business over electronic media. Will this cause the Internet to be abandoned as a vehicle for transacting business? Without the ability to trust in the scrupulous behavior on both ends of a transaction, most prudent e-commerce operators and clients may decide to forgo the use of the Internet and revert back to old methods of doing business. To counter this trend, the issues of network security on the Internet must be constantly reviewed and appropriate countermeasures devised. At the same time, security measures must be appropriately devised so that they do not inhibit or in any way dissuade the intended ecommerce operation. As the use of wireless technology grows, the number of events and the far reaching effects of network security problems are likely to have an even larger impact on e-commerce.
Lesbian and Bisexual Grandmothers' Perceptions of the Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship

Abstract There is currently a tremendous void in the gerontological research on the grandparent-grandchild relationship when grandparents are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). This article highlights the findings from a qualitative study that explored the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of lesbian and bisexual grandmothers. Sixteen self-identified lesbian or bisexual grandmothers from the Midwest participated in face-to-face interviews. Content analysis of the expressed perceptions revealed common themes and/or areas of importance. Grandmothers' perceptions were organized under one broad theme: the centrality of sexual orientation on the grandmother-grandchild relationship. This theme consisted of categories and subcategories. The theme, categories, and subcategories are discussed and quotes from the interview transcripts are provided to illustrate the analytic patterns.
Use of aggregating brain cultures to study the replication of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in central nervous system tissue

A novel tissue culture system consisting of reaggregated embryonic mouse brain cells was used to examine the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) within central nervous system tissue. Brain aggregates cultured 30-40 days in vitro demonstrated progressive maturation and differentiation into cells recognizable as neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, with the latter cell type exhibiting myelin production. Mature aggregates were infected with HSV and sampled at timed intervals postinfection for morphological, virological, and biochemical assays. By electron microscopy mature nucleocapsids were observed in the nucleus of peripheral cells at 9 h and in all cell types by 33 h. Virus-specific antigens were observed, using the immunoperoxidase test, within peripheral cells at 12 h postinfection (p.i.). By 24 h p.i., antigen production had progressed throughout the infected aggregates. Growth curves of HSV-1 and HSV-2 for intracellular and extracellular infectious virus production correlated well with virus-induced morphological changes and antigen production. SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis of isotopically-labelled proteins and glycoproteins synthesized from 4 to 24 h p.i. in virus-infected aggregates revealed typical HSV-1 polypeptide profiles and HSV-1 and HSV-2 glycoprotein profiles. Our results suggest that aggregating brain cultures may provide a useful and more accurate in vitro model for the study of HSV-induced neurological disease.
The Case for Polylactic Acid as a Commodity Packaging Plastic

Abstract Polylactide, sometimes called polylactic acid (PLA), meets many requirements as a packaging thermoplastic and is suggested as a commodity resin for general packaging applications. Its general physical properties and melt processing ease are similar to conventional packaging resins. PLA slowly degrades by hydrolysis in even a slightly moist environment over a period of several months to a year to environmentally-friendly products, which, in turn, biodegrade to carbon dioxide, methane, and water. PLA is a clear, colorless thermoplastic when quenched from the melt and is similar in many respects to polystyrene. When plasticized with its own monomers, PLA becomes increasingly flexible so that a continuous series of products can be prepared that can mimic PVC, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, and PS. Degradation is increased with increasing plasticizer, and shelf life is favored by decreasing plasticizer content and/or orientation. Orientation also substantially improves tensile strength, modulus, and heat stability....
Solitons in Josephson junctions: An overview

The dynamics of the Josephson tunnel junction is approximately described by a perturbed sine-Gordon equation. The Josephson tunnel junction is thus a convenient experimental solid state device for the study of solitons and solitonlike phenomena. The physical manifestation of the soliton is a propagating magnetic flux quantum (Φ 0=h/2e=2.064×10−15 V sec). Basic properties of the soliton and its relation to observable experimental quantities (zero field steps, microwave radiation, etc.) are reviewed. Recent direct measurements of the actual soliton profile are also mentioned.
Semianalytic theory of laser-assisted resonant cold collisions

A general formalism is derived for analytically representing the scattering properties of ultracold atoms subject to one or more resonant photoassociation lasers. The resulting formulas cleanly separate laser intensities and detunings from overlap integrals of molecular wave functions. As a consequence, laser-induced energy shifts and line broadenings are given in an explicit form. In the case of the initial photoassociation step, these quantities are given more simply in terms of the relevant molecular potential curves and wave functions near the Condon point.
An integrated national energy research and development program.

The basic problem in the energy crisis is to balance energy supply and demand in such a way that various economic, international, environmental, and societal factors are taken into consideration even though there are conflicts among them. The structure and aims of scientific R&D programs should reflect the goals and objectives of stated policy, yet have the flexibility to accommodate evolutionary changes in policy. Project Independence is expected to bring the federal government to embark on a serious attempt to balance supply and demand, such that reliance on imports can be reduced. The view is presented that the goals of the federal programs must be to restrain the growth of energy demand and expand domestic energy supply subject to the usual constraints of economic health, environmental care, and societal acceptance and must be accomplished in a way that will foster improved international relations. Prospects for all energy sources are discussed. (MCW)
A New Hypothesis for Insulin Resistance in Hypertension Due to Receptor Cleavage.

Background: One of the most important unresolved issues in diabetes is the mechanism for the attenuated response to insulin (i.e., insulin resistance). Aims and methods: We hypothesize that the mechanism for insulin resistance is due to uncontrolled protease activity in the plasma, on endothelial cells and in the tissue parenchyma. To examine this hypothesis we made use of microzymographic techniques in the microcirculation, plasma zymography and receptor labeling techniques with antibodies against an extracellular domain of the insulin receptor α. Results: The spontaneously hypertensive rat has an enhanced proteolytic activity and significant cleavage of the insulin receptor with attenuated glucose transport. We also present evidence for insulin receptor cleavage in a high-fat diet and a transgenic model of diabetes. Conclusion: These results suggest that cleavage of the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor, a situation that interferes with the ability for insulin to bind and provide an intracell...
The positive-acting sulfur regulatory protein CYS3 of Neurospora crassa : nuclear localization, autogenous control, and regions required for transcriptional activation

The positive-acting global sulfur regulatory protein, CYS3, of Neurospora crassa turns on the expression of a family of unlinked structural genes that encode enzymes of sulfur catabolism. CYS3 contains a leucine zipper and an adjacent basic region (b-zip), which together constitute a bipartite sequence-specific DNA-binding domain. Specific anti-CYS3 antibodies detected a protein of the expected size in nuclear extracts of wild-type Neurospora under conditions in which the sulfur circuit is activated. The CYS3 protein was not observed in cys-3 mutants. Nuclear extracts of wild type, but not cys-3 mutants, also showed specific DNA-binding activity identical to that obtained with a CYS3 protein expressed in Escherichia coli. A truncated CYS3 protein that contains primarily the b-zip domain binds to DNA with high specificity and affinity in vitro, yet fails to activate gene expression in vivo, and instead inhibits the function of the wild-type CYS3 protein. Amino-terminal, carboxy-terminal, and internal deletions as well as alanine scanning mutagenesis were employed to identify regions of the CYS3 protein that are required for its trans-activation function. Regions of CYS3 carboxy terminal to the b-zip motif are not completely essential for function although loss of an alanine-rich region results in decreased activity. All deletions amino terminal to the b-zip motif led to a complete loss of CYS3 function. Alanine scanning mutagenesis demonstrated that an unusual proline-rich domain of CYS3 appears to be very important for function and is presumed to constitute an activation domain. It is concluded that CYS3 displays nuclear localization and positive autogenous control in Neurospora and functions as a trans-acting DNA-binding protein.
Effect of intratumoral injections of a perfluorochemical emulsion on tumor radiosensitivity

Past studies in several laboratories have shown that intravenous administration of perfluorochemical emulsions (PFC-E) combined with the breathing of oxygen, carbogen, or hyperbaric oxygen improves the oxygenation of solid tumors and increases the response of these malignancies to radiation and cytotoxic drugs. It has been suggested that direct intratumoral (IT) injection of PFC-E would also be effective in improving the response of tumors to radiation. The experiments reported here test this hypothesis, using a high quality PFC-E (Oxygent™, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., San Diego, CA) and a well-defined mouse tumor model system, EMT6 mouse mammary tumors implanted into syngeneic BALB/c Rw mice. Tumor response was assayed using both a clonogenic assay and a tumor growth assay. The IT injections tested did not improve the response of tumors to radiation in either air breathing or carbogen breathing hosts. In contrast, intravenous injections of Oxygent™, combined with carbogen breathing, were effective in increasing the response of tumors to irradiation. These studies provide additional evidence that intravenous administration of PFC-E may be valuable as an adjunct to radiotherapy, but provide no evidence that the direct IT administration of these agents would be of value. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An alternative formulation for design sensitivity analysis of linear structural dynamic systems

Abstract Various existing formulations for the design sensitivity analysis (DSA) of linear structural dynamic systems are reviewed. An alternative formulation is developed where it can be shown that the DSA can be approximately obtained from the reduced system of the dynamical equations without the need for eigenvector derivative information. Furthermore, it can be shown analytically that the proposed formulation and the classical formulation (where eigenvector derivatives are required) are equivalent when a complete transformation is used.
Astral microtubules physically redistribute cortical actin filaments to the incipient contractile ring

Prior to cell cleavage, cytokinetic proteins are recruited into the nascent actomyosin contractile ring, paving the way for formation of a functional cleavage furrow. Interactions between spindle microtubules and the cell cortex may play a critical role in this recruitment, since microtubules have been shown to affect distribution and activation of cytokinetic proteins within the cortex. However, direct evidence for physical interaction between microtubules and the cortex has been lacking. Here, we probed the physical connection between astral microtubules and cortical actin filaments, by micromanipulating the fluorescently tagged cytoskeleton in living spermatocytes of the grasshopper Melanoplus femurrubrum. When microtubules were tugged with a microneedle, they in turn pulled on cortical actin filaments, interrupting the filaments' journey toward the equator. Further displacement of the actin dragged the cell membrane inward, demonstrating that the cortical actin network physically linked spindle microtubules to the cell membrane. Regional disruption of the connection by breaking spindle microtubules prevented actin accumulation in a segment of the ring, which locally inhibited furrowing. We propose a model in which dynamic astral microtubules physically redistribute cortical actin into the incipient contractile ring.
Motivational interviewing + feedback intervention to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk among college binge drinkers: determinants and patterns of response

Many college women are at risk for pregnancy, and binge drinking college women are often at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Brief interventions with sustainable outcomes are needed, particularly for college women who are binge drinking, at risk for pregnancy, and at increased risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Two-hundred-twenty-eight women at a Mid-Atlantic urban university at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy enrolled in the randomized clinical trial, and 207 completed the 4 month follow-up. The BALANCE intervention used Motivational Interviewing plus feedback to target drinking and contraception behaviors. Main outcome measures included (1) the rate of risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy, (2) the rate of risk drinking, and (3) the rate of pregnancy risk. At 4-month follow-up, the rate of alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk was significantly lower in the intervention (20.2%) than the control condition (34.9%), (P < .02). Assignment to the intervention condition halved the odds of women remaining at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy, while not receiving the intervention doubled the odds of continued alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.16–4.09). A baseline history of blackouts, continued high blood alcohol drinking days at 1 month, and continued risk for pregnancy at 1 month independently contributed to a multivariate model of continued alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk at 4 month follow-up. BALANCE reduced alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk, with similar outcomes to longer interventions. Because early response predicted sustained alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk reduction, those who fail to achieve initial change could be identified for further intervention. The BALANCE intervention could be adopted into existing student health or university alcohol programs. The risks of unintended pregnancy and alcohol-exposed pregnancy among binge drinking women in college merit greater prevention efforts.
Hepatitis C virus core protein: intriguing properties and functional relevance

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) often causes a prolonged and persistent infection, and an association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HCV infection has been noted. The pathogenesis of liver damage is at least in part related to virus-mediated factors. Understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis is a major challenge in gaining insight into HCV-associated disease progression. Recent experimental evidence using HCV cloned genomic regions suggests that the core protein has numerous functional activities. These include its likely role in encapsidation of viral RNA, a regulatory effect on cellular and unrelated viral promoters, interactions with a number of cellular proteins, an modulatory role in programmed cell death or apoptosis under certain conditions, involvement in cell growth promotion and immortalization, induction of HCC in transgenic mice, and a possible immunoregulatory role. These intriguing properties suggest that the core protein, in concert with cellular factors, may contribute to pathogenesis during persistent HCV infection.
Anticoagulants for intracranial artery dissection without subarachnoid hemorrhage--safe but not sound?

Anticoagulants for intracranial artery dissection without subarachnoid hemorrhage—safe but not sound?