cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observations from using two modes of teaching undergraduate computer architecture

This paper presents the authors' observations regarding two modes of teaching undergraduate computer architecture [2] conducted at California State University, Chico. Two sections of the course were offered: Section One was taught using a traditional classroom setup, while Section Two was taught in a classroom equipped for distance education. Although Section Two seemed to provide fewer opportunities for in-person, student-professor interaction, the students were given three options to choose how to access the class lectures. Students could (1) attend a live lecture on campus that was simultaneously being archived and broadcast on the Web; (2) attend a live lecture from a remote site via the Web; or (3) view archived class sessions via the Web. Access to live broadcasts or archived sessions was done using HorizonLive [1], a web-based teaching, learning, and interactive communications software platform.Archived lectures were available to all students registered in the course. Since the students in both sections were demographically proportional, the authors' dependent variable was the method of delivery. Using HorizonLive's tracking facilities, which keep track of every single access by each student, the authors were able to collect and analyze frequencies and patterns in accessing the course lectures. The authors also correlated results from student evaluations of the course with the tracking information. The authors conclude that even though students from Section Two enjoyed the flexibility of keeping up with the lectures at their own pace, the grade for undergraduate students did not reflect their overall satisfaction and time spent online. Students registered for Section Two of the course, on average, received lower grades than the students registered for Section One. The grade distributions are summarized in Figure 1. The grading policy for the computer architecture course was a minimum passing grade of C for undergraduate students and B for graduate students. Thus, 86% of the undergraduate students in Section One completed the course successfully, compared to 23% from Section Two. Alternatively, graduate students' grades were proportional to the time they spent accessing the online lectures: only 1 of the 3 graduate students of Section One passed the course, compared to 4 of the 5 graduate students in Section Two. Students seemed to have learned more of the course material due to the availability of the archived lectures.Since the sample size of this study is rather small, the statistics may biased. The data from this study seem to indicate that graduate students benefit more than undergraduates from web-based learning used to promote or enhance the traditional learning environment. Based on this study, the authors conclude that the time students spent accessing online lectures is not a significant factor to their final grades.
Nighttime ASTER thermal imagery as an elevation surrogate for filling SRTM DEM voids

[1] The Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) produced digital elevation models (DEMs) of most of Earth's land surface, but the radar observational geometry resulted in data voids in areas of high relief. Here we test the derivation of elevation from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) nighttime thermal data for the purpose of filling these voids. The method uses the general linear relationship between temperature and altitude as described by the environmental lapse rate. The results for the test area are generally superior to void filling by interpolation, particularly where voids cross ridges or canyons. Errors associated with the approach are identified along with potential improvements.
Thermal fatigue of a TiB2 coated, long pulse, high heat flux component ☆

A low Z plasma sprayed, refractory coating has been successfully applied to a water cooled copper target. The coating survived the severe thermal cycling without debonding. The copper substrate, though substantially cracked, also did not fail. These results suggest that it will be possible to engineer reliable low Z high heat flux components for use in long pulse fusion reactors.
The School Desegregation- Resegregation Scenario: Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Experience

This article suggests that resegregation is likely to be a common "second-generation" school desegregation problem. Once a desegregation plan is implemented, changes in housing patterns can bring about the need for adjustments in the pupil assignments plan in order to reduce emerging racial imbalance in schools. An investigation of Charlotte- Mecklenburg's past desegregation experience revealed a frequently reoccurring desegre gation-resegregation cycle. On three occasions since 1970 Charlotte school officials have made changes in the pupil-assignment plan in order to keep schools racially balanced. The resegregation of schools was due to intradistrict residential shifts and inmigration. The future desegregation status of school systems may hinge upon the position of the courts on the resegregation issue. It is clear that desegregation is a continuing process and not a one-time event.
Set stocking, rotational grazing and forward rotational grazing by sheep on western Oregon hill pastures

Data on sheep live weights, herbage standing crop and herbage quality are presented from a 3-year grazing management study comparing set stocking, four-paddock rotational grazing and four-paddock forward rotational grazing systems. In both rotational grazing and forward rotational grazing systems, sheep were sequentially moved from one paddock to the next every 5 days. Lambs were weaned at 12–15 weeks of age in the forward rotationally grazed system and from then on grazed one paddock ahead of the ewes. Herbage mass was consistently greater on the rotationally grazed system than on the set-stocked system, averaging 38.4% more herbage in 1978. 32.8% more in 1979 and 52.7% more in 1980. No differences were observed in ewe live weights at the end of the grazing year between the rotationally grazed and the set stocked systems. Live weights of rotationally grazed lambs were superior to set-stocked lambs only when herbage allowance was low; otherwise no difference existed between these two systems. The forward rotationally grazed lambs generally had lower liveweights than did the rotationally grazed lambs, perhaps due to weaning stress.
p-p S-WAVE PHASE SHIFTS FROM A BOUNDARY CONDITION POTENTIAL

Moszkowski and Scott have recently shown analytically that a two-nucleon potential featuring the boundary condition given by STA(l/u) (du/dr)!/sub r=c/ = (l/c) yields the same results as a hard core potential to within 1/2 degree for the singlet-S phase shift over the range 0 to 250 Mev. Calculations for the realistic case of a core followed by a Yukawa well are performed using conventional iteration techniques. (W. D. M.)
Analysis of single-phase-to-3-phase static phase converters

A static phase converter is a device which supplies polyphase power to a load from a single-phase power source using only passive circuit elements. Ideally such a device should produce balanced polyphase voltages at the load. Several recent articles1,2,3 have been published concerning the operation of 3-phase induction motors connected through static phase converters to single-phase lines. These articles discuss the simple form of phase converter using only capacitors. This capacitor-only type of phase converter can be adjusted to give balanced 3-phase power only for loads possessing a lagging power factor of 0.5. For any other load it is impossible to obtain balanced conditions. In contrast, the Add-A-Phase phase converter, consisting of an autotransformer in addition to the capacitors, may be set to supply balanced 3-phase power to any load possessing a lagging power factor regardless of its value. This more general type of phase converter circuit will be referred to in this article as the autotransformer type of phase converter. At the point at which balanced operation occurs with an induction motor load, the speed, torque, horsepower, efficiency, and other motor quantities will be identical to those obtained when the motor is connected to a balanced 3-phase power source of the same voltage.
Wetlands and Sustainability

This editorial provides an overview of the special issue “Wetlands and Sustainability”. In particular, the special issue contains a review of Paul Keddy’s book “Wetland Ecology” with specific reference to wetland sustainability. It also includes papers addressing wetland data acquisition via radar and remote sensing to better understand wetland system dynamics, hydrologic processes linked to wetland stress and restoration, coastal wetlands land use conflict/management, and wetland utilization for water quality treatment.
The Buying Center: Structure and Interaction Patterns:

This article reports a first step toward developing some quantifiable dimensions of the industrial buying task group, called the buying center. Group composition and interaction processes were exam...
Evidence that proteasome-dependent degradation of the retinoblastoma protein in cells lacking A-type lamins occurs independently of gankyrin and MDM2.

Background. A-type lamins, predominantly lamins A and C, are nuclear intermediate filaments believed to act as scaffolds for assembly of transcription factors. Lamin A/C is necessary for the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) stabilization through unknown mechanism(s). Two oncoproteins, gankyrin and MDM2, are known to promote pRB degradation in other contexts. Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that gankyrin and/or MDM2 are required for enhanced pRB degradation in Lmna 2/2 fibroblasts. Principal Findings. To determine if gankyrin promotes pRB destabilization in the absence of lamin A/C, we first analyzed its protein levels in Lmna 2/2 fibroblasts. Both gankyrin mRNA levels and protein levels are increased in these cells, leading us to further investigate its role in pRB degradation. Consistent with prior reports, overexpression of gankyrin in Lmna +/+ cells destabilizes pRB. This decrease is functionally significant, since gankyrin overexpressing cells are resistant to p16 ink4a -mediated cell cycle arrest. These findings suggest that lamin A-mediated degradation of pRB would be gankyrindependent. However, effective RNAi-enforced reduction of gankyrin expression in Lmna 2/2 cells was insufficient to restore pRB stability. To test the importance of MDM2, we disrupted the MDM2-pRB interaction by transfecting Lmna 2/2 cells with p14 arf . p14 arf expression was also insufficient to stabilize pRB or confer cell cycle arrest, suggesting that MDM2 also does not mediate pRB degradation in Lmna 2/2 cells. Conclusions/Significance. Our findings suggest that pRB degradation in Lmna 2/ 2 cells occurs by gankyrin and MDM2-independent mechanisms, leading us to propose the existence of a third proteasomedependent pathway for pRB degradation. Two findings from this study also increase the likelihood that lamin A/C functions as a tumor suppressor. First, protein levels of the oncoprotein gankyrin are elevated in Lmna 2/2 fibroblasts. Second, Lmna 2/2 cells are refractory to p14 arf -mediated cell cycle arrest, as was previously shown with p16 ink4a . Potential roles of lamin A/C in
Religious Abuse: Implications for Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals

Religion is often the place a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individual may turn to understand and navigate their sexual orientation identity development. However, religious abuse may occur when a religious group or leader, whether intentionally or unintentionally, uses coercion, threats, rejection, condemnation, or manipulation to force the individual into submission of the religious views about sexuality. The abuse may result in great harm to the victim by causing low self-esteem, guilt, shame, spirituality loss, substance abuse, or thoughts of suicide. Counselors need to be aware of religious abuse to help clients navigate any spiritual divide between religious beliefs and sexuality. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to (a) describe the differences between religion and spirituality,(b) define religious abuse, (c) describe the effects of religious abuse on LGBT individuals and society, and (d) delineate the counseling implications of religious abuse in working with LGBT individuals.
The "Generacion Diez" after-school program and Latino parent involvement with schools.

The current study examines associations between participation in after-school programs and change in Latino parent involvement with schools. Hierarchical linear regression analyses demonstrated that parents of children who had higher after-school program attendance rates were significantly more likely to report increases in the quality of relationships with their children’s teachers, frequency of parent-teacher contact, and engagement with their children’s schooling over a twoyear period. However, greater home educator contacts were related to decreases in quality and quantity of parent-school involvement. A primary implication is that attendance in school-based after-school programs may draw parents into children’s regular-day school context. Editors’ Strategic Implications: The authors illustrate the promising practice of using after-school programs to promote parent involvement and to help integrate the often disparate family and school contexts for Latino children.
A Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Cardiovascular Stent Design Considerations

Stents have proven very effective in opening the lumens of blocked and diseased arteries, leading to an increased quality of life for thousand of patients. Due to their success, stents have grown into a $1.5 billion dollar industry, but unfortunately still suffer from failure rates of 20–30% in the first year. Many of these failures can be traced back to restenosis or thrombosis of the stented arteries, a problem which conventional self-expanding or balloon-expanded stents have not proved effective in combating. Mathematical and experimental research shows that stents create adverse flow conditions and increase the stresses found around the implants, and trials of designs intended to reduce these effects have proven effective in combating restenosis. The goal of this research was to investigate mathematically design considerations for an improved stent that can reduce these negative effects. This was accomplished through the construction of a onedimensional numerical model for the fluid mechanics of the artery that was implemented using FEA and a combination of WENO and Runge-Kutta methods. The output from this model was compared with solutions from the literature and with in-vitro experimental results. Based on these tests it was concluded that the model accurately predicted the behavior of the pressure waves in a vessel. These numerical models were then used to evaluate several proposed designs. The pressure wave reflection was found to be controlled entirely by the design of the stent ends; mid-length variations in stent compliance provided no change in the model behavior. Also, a region of gradual transition between the low stiffness of the artery and the increased stiffness of the stent, while useful for reducing wall stresses, proved ineffective in reducing the magnitude of the reflected pressure waves. The best design for minimizing pressure wave reflection was found to be one that minimized total stent length.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Effects of Organic Monolayer Formation on Electrochemiluminescence Behavior of Porous Silicon

The effects of various organic monolayers on the surface of porous silicon on the electrochemiluminescence (ECL, also referred to as electroluminescence in the literature) characteristics were investigated. Surfaces were terminated with alkyne, alkene, and alkyl functionalities through cathodic electrografting (CEG), Lewis acid-mediated hydrosilylation (LA), and anodic electrografting (AEG), respectively. ECL was induced through the known formic acid/sodium formate electron injection system. Alkyl-terminated surfaces produced through AEG yielded the brightest emission of any of the functionalized surfaces although ECL emission was about half as intense as that from the underivatized Si−H-terminated surface. The lifetime, however, was extended by a factor of 2, and these surfaces demonstrate an unprecedented recharging phenomenon. When ECL ceases, a brief 10 s application of a cathodic bias restores most of the ECL emission intensity. This process can be cycled about 10 times, and results in a substantiall...
Reproducibility and sensitivity of polarized light scattering for identifying bacterial suspensions.

Reproducibility and sensitivity of polarized light scattering measurements are explored for a particular rodlike bacterial species in different growth conditions. The angle dependence of certain Mueller scattering matrix elements (primarily S34/S11) is used to measure these features. The angular S34/S11 scattering pattern was found to be strongly correlated with bacterial cell size. In view of the large changes found for different growth conditions, it is concluded that much improvement in the technique of recognizing scattering patterns would be needed before the angle dependence of a given Mueller matrix element can be unequivocally associated with a given bacterial strain. The sensitivity of S34/S11 patterns (at a wavelength of 633 nm) to changes in internal structure of the bacteria was tested by following the pattern after virus particles were produced inside the individual bacteria by an induction procedure. No appreciable changes occurred up until the time the bacteria were lysed (destroyed) by the process.
A simple quantitative assay for the activity of thymidine kinase 1 in solid tumors

Abstract Introduction The activity of the pyrimidine salvage pathway enzyme thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is tightly cell cycle regulated and has been investigated as a prognostic indicator of cancer in a variety of tissues. However, using the in vitro assay of TK1 to rank order a series of unique tumor samples by their TK1 activity can be problematic due to the complex nature of TK1 enzyme substrate kinetics. We present a refined TK1 in vitro assay and method of analysis which address these problems. Methods Extracts were prepared of the resected lung lesions from eight patients and assayed for TK1 activity using an in vitro assay modified to account for nonlinearities in extract protein concentration. A separate extract of exponentially growing A549 human lung carcinoma cells was used as a cross-assay control. Results In extracts prepared from eight frozen samples of resected human lung lesions, TK1 activity (mean=0.0070±0.0077 pmol [ 3 H]-TMP/μg protein/minute) was 2 orders of magnitude below that of exponentially growing A549 human lung carcinoma cells (mean=0.1572±0.0218 pmol [ 3 H]-TMP/μg protein/minute; n =9). TK1 activity was nonlinear with respect to extract protein concentration in both groups, with A549 cell extracts exhibiting evidence of positive cooperativity which could not be explained by the presence of detergents in the cell lysis buffer. Lung tumor extracts demonstrated evidence of negative cooperativity. Conclusions The modified TK1 assay takes into account these nonlinearities by averaging the results of several complete time-course curves measured over a range of extract protein concentrations. An extract prepared from exponentially growing A549 cells is included in each assay for use as a cross-assay control. We demonstrate that these modifications allow for the accurate rank ordering of TK1 activity in solid tumors.
An unusual laminar structure in the integument of Hymenolepis diminuta

A membranous structure composed of parallel arrays of alternating vesicles and paired lamellae has been found in the integument of Hymenolepis diminuta , in close proximity to the basal membrane, sometimes appearing continuous with it. Its function is unknown, although it resembles the laminar bodies observed in neurons, mostly sensory, of higher animals and also in the sensory epithelium of the macula in the inner ear of man.
LIVE-LOAD DISTRIBUTION FACTORS FOR CONCRETE BOX-GIRDER BRIDGES

The current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specifications impose fairly strict limits on the use of its live-load distribution factor for design of highway bridges. These limits include requirements for a prismatic cross section, a large span-length-to-width ratio, and a small plan curvature. Refined analyses using 3D models are required for bridges outside of these limits. These limits place severe restrictions on the routine design of bridges in California, as box-girder bridges outside of these limits are frequently constructed. This paper presents the results of a study investigating the live-load distribution characteristics of box-girder bridges and the limits imposed by the LRFD specifications. Distribution factors determined from a set of bridges with parameters outside of the LRFD limits are compared with the distribution factors suggested by the LRFD specifications. For the range of parameters investigated, results indicated that the current LRFD distribution factor formulas generally provide a conservative estimate of the design bending moment and shear force.
Development of the cell‐division site in FtsA‐filaments

Summary Early changes at cell-division sites were studied in non-septate filaments induced by growth of ftsATs mutant cells under non-permissive conditions. The positions of localized regions of plasmolysis were used as markers for the locations of partial and complete annular structures that are thought to be precursors of the periseptal annuli that flank the septum during cytokinesis. The results confirmed that these structures were localized at potential division sites and suggested a model in which older division sites play a role in the generation of new sites for future use, with each older site being used only once for this purpose. The results also suggest that the details of division-site development can profitably be studied in cells in which early events in the differentiation process are uncoupled from the septation event.
Why Do Treated Hypertensives Suffer Strokes? An Internist's Perspective

Despite widespread treatment of hypertension, stroke continues to be the third leading cause of death in the United States. Antihypertensive therapy is more effective in preventing hemorrhagic strokes than ischemic strokes. In order to understand the reasons why antihypertensive therapy is only partially successful in the eradication of ischemic strokes, differences in the pathogenesis and treatment of subtypes of stroke must be considered. There are three main stroke subtypes of ischemic strokes: small-vessel arteriopathic (lacunar), large-artery atherothrombotic, and cardioembolic. Hypertension is the major cause of lacunar strokes but plays a lesser role in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic strokes. Antihypertensive therapy prevents the majority of lacunar strokes but may not have a major impact on the occurrence of atherothrombotic strokes. Due to impaired cerebral autoregulation, overtreatment of hypertension, especially in the elderly and in patients with previous strokes, may paradoxically lead to stroke (J-curve). Assuming that the majority of lacunar strokes are prevented by judicious antihypertensive therapy, future therapeutic efforts should concentrate on the prevention of atherothrombotic and cardioembolic strokes. In this regard, refinement of surgical techniques, pharmacologic approaches aimed at plaque stabilization, and the application of transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of embolic strokes (and anticoagulation for a probable source) are promising. Besides the obvious reasons of noncompliance and inadequate therapy, overly aggressive treatment of hypertension in the elderly and stroke mechanisms unrelated to blood pressure may explain the occurrence of strokes despite our efforts to treat hypertension.
High throughput determination of glucan and xylan fractions in lignocelluloses.

The analysis of structural glucan and xylan in lignocellulose was scaled down from original two-stage sulfuric acid hydrolysis methods (Moore WE and Johnson DB 1967 Procedures for the chemical analysis of wood and wood products. U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture., Madison, WI) and integrated into a recently-developed, high throughput pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification system. Novel 96 × 1.8 ml-well Hastelloy reactor plates (128 × 86 × 51 mm) based on previously described 96-well pretreatment reactor plates were paired with custom aluminum filler plates (128 × 86 × 18 mm) for use in Symyx Powdernium solids dispensing systems. The incorporation of glucose oxidase and xylose dehydrogenase linked assays to speed post-hydrolysis sugar analysis dramatically reduced the time for analysis of large lignocellulosic sample sets. The current system permits the determination of the glucan and xylan content of 96 replicates (per reactor plate) in under 6 h and parallel plate processing increases the analysis throughput substantially.
Role of the host in the variable chemotherapeutic response of advanced Ridgway osteogenic sarcoma.

It is axiomatic that a given dose of an antitumor agent will not produce the same effect in 100% of the treated subjects. Numerous explanations regarding the sources of this heterogenenous response to drugs have been offered; however, there is a scarcity of experimental data allowing critical evaluation of the sources of variance. It is possible to study heterogeneous antitumor drug response in experimental, inbred animals. One animal model system, the advanced Ridgway osteogenic sarcoma, exhibits marked variation in its response to maximally tolerated doses of a number of clinically active antitumor agents. To evaluate the role of the host in the variable drug response, the tumor was bilaterally implanted into the flank regions of recipient AKR male mice. Treatment of the advanced tumor (200 mg–1,500 mg) with maximally tolerated doses of vincristine or l-phenylalanine mustard produced marked, but variable antitumor responses. Evaluation of a number of quantal and graded parameters of the chemotherapeutic response suggested that host heterogeneity contributes to variability. The host contribution was more apparent in this experimental model when the agent was noncurative. The underlying biological basis for the host heterogeneity is not known; however, it appears likely that pharmacological, immunological or other differences between the inbred animals account for the heterogeneity. Identification of these factors may be experimentally feasible in this animal model and help in the design of future studies in humans.
On the weight distribution of binary linear codes (Corresp.)

Let V be a binary linear (n,k) -code defined by a check matrix H with columns h_{1}, \cdots ,h_{n} , and let h(x) = 1 if x \in {h_{1}, \cdots , h_{n} , and h(x) = 0 if x \in \neq {h_{1}, \cdots ,h_{n}} . A combinatorial argument relates the Walsh transform of h(x) with the weight distribution A(i) of the code V for small i(i . This leads to another proof of the Pless i th power moment identities for i . This relation also provides a simple method for computing the weight distribution A(i) for small i . The implementation of this method requires at most (n-k+ 1)2^{n-k} additions and subtractions, 5 . 2^{n-k} multiplications, and 2^{n-k} memory cells. The method may be very effective if there is an analytic expression for the characteristic Boolean function h(x) . This situation will be illustrated by several examples.
Utilizing live entertainment in hotels, restaurants and clubs

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the many aspects of hiring and monitoring live entertainment in hotels, restaurants and clubs. The question of the entertainment budget is discussed and world-wide trends are examined. The selection of entertainment and the use of agents is discussed, as are copyright laws and various performing-rights societies. Finally, union issues are examined. The authors conclude that while the use of live entertainment may bring many favorable results, such an activity frequently requires the advice of knowledgeable experts and a certain minimum knowledge of the subject by the manager involved.
Self-assembled monolayers in the context of epitaxial film growth

Abstract Self-assembled monolayers of amphiphilic surfactant molecules form spontaneously on solid surfaces by exposure to dilute solutions of the adsorbate molecules. We report observations of the growth and desorption/dissolution processes for monolayers of octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 17 PO(OH) 2 ) on mica. We find that these monolayers form via a mechanism that includes nucleation, growth, coalescence, etc. of densely-packed submonolayer islands of the long-chain organic molecules. In situ AFM measurements allow a quantitative analysis of island nucleation and growth rates as well as determination of the island size distribution as a function of coverage. In the growth regime, the nucleation and growth rates have a power law behavior consistent with a simple point island model of 2D cluster growth. In the aggregation regime, the island size distributions are shown to scale with a single evolving length scale in accordance with the dynamical scaling approximation. The desorption/dissolution process proceeds by nucleation of holes in the monolayer that grow and percolate across the sample, leaving isolated islands that gradually decrease in size. The relative rates of hole growth and hole nucleation suggest that removing a molecule from the monolayer/hole boundary is about 5×10 4 times more likely than removing a molecule from within a continuous region of monolayer. The coverage kinetics during dissolution can be quantitatively described by a model that incorporates desorption from “hole” regions and diffusive solution-phase transport through a stagnant layer of finite thickness that can be altered by solvent flow or stirring. If the monolayer is brought into contact with a small enough volume of stagnant solvent, the surface coverage eventually stabilizes due to the buildup of adsorbate molecules in solution. Under these conditions of steady-state surface coverage, the local dynamical processes of island shrinkage, growth, and nucleation continue, eventually leading to a distinctive (decaying exponential) island size distribution characteristic of the system.
Promoter elements of the PHR1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their roles in the response to DNA damage

The PHR1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes the apoenzyme for the DNA repair enzyme photolyase. PHR1 transcription is induced in response to 254 nm radiation and a variety of chemical damaging agents. We report here the identification of promoter elements required for PHR1 expression. Transcription is regulated primarily through three sequence elements clustered within a 120 bp region immediately upstream of the translational start site. A 20 bp interrupted palindrome comprises UASPHR1 and is responsible for 80-90% of basal and induced expression. UASPHR1 alone can activate transcription of a CYC1 minimal promoter but does not confer damage responsiveness. In the intact PHR1 promoter UAS function is dependent upon an upstream essential sequence (UES). URSPHR1 contains a binding site for the damage-responsive repressor Prp; consistent with this role, deletion or specific mutations of the URS increase basal level expression and decrease the induction ratio. Deletion of URSPHR1 also eliminates the requirement for UESPHR1 for promoter activation, indicating that the UES attenuates Prp-mediated repression. Sequences within UASPHR1 are similar to regulatory sequences found upstream of both damage responsive and nonresponsive genes involved in DNA repair and metabolism.
Spectral, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Properties of Cu(I) and Cu(II) Binding by Methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b†

To examine the potential role of methanobactin (mb) as the extracellular component of a copper acquisition system in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, the metal binding properties of mb were examined. Spectral (UV-visible, fluorescence, and circular dichroism), kinetic, and thermodynamic data suggested copper coordination changes at different Cu(II):mb ratios. Mb appeared to initially bind Cu(II) as a homodimer with a comparatively high copper affinity at Cu(II):mb ratios below 0.2, with a binding constant (K) greater than that of EDTA (log K ) 18.8) and an approximate ! Gϒ of -47 kcal/mol. At Cu(II):mb ratios between 0.2 and 0.45, the K dropped to (2.6 ( 0.46) ! 10 8 with a ! Gϒ of -11.46 kcal/mol followed by another K of (1.40 ( 0.21) ! 10 6 and a ! Gϒ of -8.38 kcal/mol at Cu(II):mb ratios of 0.45-0.85. The kinetic and spectral changes also suggested Cu(II) was initially coordinated to the 4-thiocarbonyl-5-hydroxy imidazolate (THI) and possibly Tyr, followed by reduction to Cu(I), and then coordination of Cu(I) to 4-hydroxy-5-thiocarbonyl imidazolate (HTI) resulting in the final coordination of Cu(I) by THI and HTI. The rate constant (kobsI) of binding of Cu(II) to THI exceeded that of the stopped flow apparatus that was used, i.e., >640 s -1 , whereas the coordination of copper to HTI showed a 6-8 ms lag time followed by a kobsII of 121 ( 9 s -1 . Mb also solubilized and bound Cu(I) with a kobsI to THI of >640 s -1 , but with a slower rate constant to HTI (kobsII ) 8.27 ( 0.16 s -1 ), and appeared to initially bind Cu(I) as a monomer.
Management of Inadvertent Carotid Artery Sheath Insertion During Central Venous Catheter Placement

Importance Inadvertent carotid sheath insertion during central venous catheter placement could lead to serious complications. Objective To describe management of inadvertent carotid artery sheath insertion placed intraoperatively during attempted jugular venous cannulation for pulmonary artery catheter placement. Design, Setting, and Participants In a retrospective medical record review of patients from hospitals affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, a total of 12 patients over 11 years who sustained intraoperative carotid artery introducer sheath placement during attempted jugular vein cannulation were identified. Six patients underwent immediate carotid artery exploration with sheath removal and primary repair. The remaining 6 patients underwent percutaneous closure using a suture-mediated closure device. Treatment outcomes of these 2 groups were analyzed. Main Outcomes and Measures Technical success, duration of treatment, stroke, return to the operating room, and long-term outcomes. Results Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. The intended operations were aborted in all patients following catheter removal and carotid artery closure. The mean (SD) durations of treatment for the operative and endovascular groups were 32 (12) minutes and 6 (3) minutes, respectively ( P = .03). No neurological deficit occurred in either group. The intended operations were all subsequently performed, and the mean delays of operation in the operative and endovascular groups were 5 and 3 days, respectively ( P = .20). Follow-up carotid duplex showed no injury of the repaired artery in either group. During a mean follow-up of 42 months, no complications or neurological deficits were noted in either patient cohort. Conclusions and Relevance Inadvertent carotid artery sheath placement during attempted central venous cannulation for pulmonary artery catheter insertion mandates catheter removal and repair of the carotid artery puncture site. The closure device permits percutaneous repair of the carotid artery expeditiously. Our experience showed this treatment modality to be as safe and effective as operative repair.
Comparison of the physical and functional properties of the 48-subunit native molecule and the 24- and 12-subunit dissociation intermediates of Limulus polyphemus hemocyanin.

Limulus hemocyanin is a 48-subunit complex that is composed of eight immunochemically distinct subunits.Conditions were established that allowed for comparison of the structural and functional properties of the native molecule with those of its 24-subunit and 12-subunit dissociation products by analytical ultracentrifugation, functional analysis,stopped-flow light scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy.The 48-subunit complex was found to be specifically stabilized by calcium ions. When 48-subunit molecules at pH7 were rapidly mixed with a pH 9 buffer containing a calcium chelator, the dissociation to monomers was complete within minutes. The rate is dependent upon the concentration and Ca2+ affinity of the chelator, consistent with the formation of a transient chelator-calcium ion-protein complex during the dissociation process. Dissociation to the level of 24-subunit molecules occurs much more slowly than does the dissociation of 24-subunit molecules to monomers. The dissociation to monomers, from 48-, 24-, or 12-subunit aggregates, is a highly cooperative process, and the corresponding reassembly reactions show appreciable hysteresis. In contrast, the reversible dimerization of dodecamers appears to be a rapidly equilibrating system. The varied aggregation states of Limulus hemocyanin are characterized by different circular dichroism spectra. These are, however, not unambiguously associated with the aggregation-state changes in that the CD spectra were found to be sensitive to pH under conditions where the aggregation state was unaltered. The 24-subunit complex of Limulus hemocyanin was found to be similar in its functional properties to the native 48-subunit aggregate. No unique functional properties thus appear to be associated with the 48-subunit ensemble that is found only in horseshoe crabs.Upon dissociation to the level of dodecamers, the reverse Bohr effect, cooperatively, and modulation of oxygen affinity by NaCl are still present although diminished in magnitude.Taken together, these studies clearly indicate that the interactions that stabilize dodecamers are different in pH and ion sensitivity from the interactions that are involved in formation of the 24-subunit complex from dodecamers and that these in turn differ from the interactions that stabilize the 48-subunit complex. These results are consistent with other lines of evidence that indicate that interactions at these different levels are dominated by structurally and functionally distinct types of subunits.
Demodex Folliculitis Mimicking Acute Graft-vs-Host Disease

Importance Acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) typically requires high-dose systemic steroids as first-line treatment. Like drug eruptions, viral exanthema, and toxic erythema of chemotherapy, Demodex folliculitis is a clinical mimicker of acute GVHD and requires nonimmunosuppressive therapy. This case of Demodex folliculitis mimicking acute GVHD highlights the need for skin biopsy in patients who have undergone a stem cell transplant with eruptions on the head and neck. Observations A 46-year-old white woman with a history of Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 acute myeloid leukemia presented to the dermatology clinic with a 5-day history of a nonpruritic eruption on her face and neck 28 days after undergoing a double umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Findings from the skin biopsy demonstrated a deep dermal lymphocytic infiltrate adjacent to follicular units along with an abundance of Demodex mites noted within the hair follicles consistent with Demodex folliculitis. Oral ivermectin, 12 mg, was given, and the eruption cleared within 24 hours. Conclusions and Relevance To our knowledge, this is only the fifth reported case of Demodex folliculitis following HSCT, but the first ever reported to be successfully treated with oral ivermectin. Demodex folliculitis should be added to the differential diagnosis of skin eruptions that arise after HSCT.
Chromosome Deterioration in Ageing Eggs of the Rabbit

COITUS-INDUCED ovulation in the rabbit ensures that fertilization of nearly all eggs is initiated within 2 or 3 h of their arrival in the fallopian tube. When ovulation was induced by hormone injection, and coitus permitted at the time of ovulation (10 h after injection), fertilization began about 5 h later and continued for a further 3–5 h, eventually involving a little over 70 per cent of the eggs1. As a result, therefore, of the delay in the time of coitus, eggs underwent 6 or 7 h ageing before fertilization was initiated; fertilization nevertheless occurred in all but about 30 per cent of eggs. Despite this relatively small drop in fertilization rate there is evidence that fertility in the rabbit is seriously impaired by the delay of coitus. Chang2 observed that 60 per cent of eggs failed to implant and that more than half the implanted embryos died before term, and Hammond3 recorded an 80 per cent reduction in the mean number of young born. To some extent, the reduced fertility can be attributed to the occurrence of polyspermy and polygyny, conditions that lead to the highly lethal state of triploidy in the embryo, but this would not account for embryo but this would not account for embryo loss of more than about 16 per cent4,5.
Stability of viscous detonations for Majda’s model

Abstract Using analytical and numerical Evans-function techniques, we examine the spectral stability of strong-detonation-wave solutions of a version of Majda’s scalar model for a reacting gas mixture with an Arrhenius-type ignition function. We introduce an energy estimate to limit possible unstable eigenvalues to a compact region in the unstable complex half plane, and we use a numerical approximation of the Evans function to search for possible unstable eigenvalues in this region. Our results show, for the parameter values tested, that these waves are spectrally stable. Combining these numerical results with the pointwise Green function analysis of Lyng, Raoofi, Texier, & Zumbrun [G. Lyng, M. Raoofi, B. Texier, K. Zumbrun, Pointwise Green function bounds and stability of combustion waves, J. Differential Equations 233 (2) (2007) 654–698.], we conclude that these waves are nonlinearly stable. This represents the first demonstration of nonlinear stability for detonation-wave solutions of a Majda-type model without a smallness assumption. Notably, our results indicate that, for this simplified, scalar model, there does not occur, either in a normal parameter range or in the limit of high activation energy, Hopf bifurcation to “galloping” or “pulsating” solutions as is observed in the full reactive Navier–Stokes equations. This answers in the negative, for this model, a question posed by Majda as to whether such scalar detonation models capture this aspect of detonation behavior.
International Mediation, Selection Effects, and the Question of Bias*:

International mediation of violent conflicts is commonplace in today’s world, and so is academic research on its features and effectiveness. But research that speaks to both the initiation and implementation of mediation remains relatively rare. This article outlines a theoretical and empirical argument that contributes to filling this gap and suggests a counterintuitive selection effect: potential mediators that are likely to resolve a dispute are unlikely to select into mediation. The argument hinges on the claim that mediation by biased third parties is relatively ineffective, and I provide qualitative evidence to suggest that this claim is plausible.
The Challenge of Urban Policy.

Urbanization almost invariably accompanies development, and the cities of India and China are experiencing spectacular increases in population. The concentration of millions of people in a small mass creates challenges for public policy, especially in the areas of basic infrastructure, public health, traffic congestion, and often law enforcement as well. In this essay, I discuss five core debates in urban policy, including the optimal degree of federalism, private versus public provision of urban services, optimal land use regulation, appropriate spatial policies, and the use of engineering and economics approaches to reducing the negative consequences of density. None of these debates are close to being resolved, but researchers have managed to generate a number of useful insights in these areas. © 2011 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. Language: en
The competency test's impact on teachers' abilities

Employed as screening devices for teacher candidates, basic competency tests are controversial. Test data correlate with the candidates' ethnic group memberships and screen out more minority candidates than others. This is particularly troubling in urban schools, where the proportion of ethnic minority students and ethnic minority teachers may be moving in opposite directions. However, the tests appear to have the intended impact on candidates' abilities. Besides the higher reading, writing, and math scores required to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test, successful subjects also had significantly higher Scholastic Aptitude Test scores than those who failed. Whether the ability gains outweigh the impact that the tests have on minority representation among teachers is very much at issue, particularly in urban school districts.
The Aquatic Macrophyte Community of Onondaga Lake: Field Survey and Plant Growth Bioassays of Lake Sediments

ABSTRACT Onondaga Lake, located in the Syracuse metropolitan area of upstate New York, has been heavily impacted by domestic and industrial waste effluents, resulting in a lake with high salinity, low light availability, and a highly calcareous, nutrient-poor sediment. These factors appear interrelated in reducing the cover, distribution and diversity of aquatic plants between 1940 and 1990. A quantitative survey in 1991 found that only 13% of the littoral zone had any aquatic plants. The plant community was dominated by Potamogeton pectinatus (11%), with four other submersed aquatic plants found: Ceratophyllum demersum, Heteranihera dubia, Myriophyllum spicatum, and Potamogeton crispus. Aquatic plants were found less often than expected on the calcium-carbonate oncolite sediments, which are formed from precipitated calcium carbonate, compared to other sediment types in the lake. Laboratory studies were developed to evaluate the role of sediments in limiting plant growth. These studies showed that Onondag...
Virtual private networks with QoS

Abstract Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have certainly received their fair share of press and marketing hype during the past year. Unfortunately, a side effect of this information overload is that there now appears to be a great deal of confusion and debate over what the term “VPN” means. Is it synonymous with IPSec? frame relay? Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)? Or is it just another name for remote access? A quick survey of VPN information on the Internet, would yield the answer, “yes,” it applies to all these technologies (see Exhibit 1). This article first offers a definition that encompasses all these solutions, and then discusses specifically where the convergence of voice, video, and Quality of Service (QoS) fits in to this brave new VPN world. The discussion focuses on what offerings are deployable and testable today and what evaluation methodology to use in deciding which solution works best for a particular network.
On the nature of the interaction of the Jovian magnetosphere with the Icy Galilean Satellites

The effects of plasma and micrometeoroid bombardment of each satellite are considered in the case of interactions between the Jovian magnetosphere and Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, in an attempt to understand the influences of these exogenic processes on the surface properties of each of the three moons. Sublimated and sputtered H2O results in a net O2 atmosphere on each of the three moons, and the effectiveness of such an atmosphere in preventing the Jovian plasma from reaching each satellite surface is considered for a variety of magnetospheric conditions. Also studied are the effects of possible satellite magnetic field magnitude and orientation, in order to estimate satellite magnetosphere properties, and the orbits of charged micrometeroids in the Jupiter magnetosphere, in order to determine the relative flux of these particles over the satellite surfaces.