cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics and high throughput approach to create genomic resources for the study of bovine immunobiology.

The advent of technologies such as real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cDNA microarrays herald a new era in the study of biological systems. In immunobiology, these advances have begun to impact studies of infectious diseases, inflammatory processes, and immune cell function. However, a lack of genetic reagents for domestic and companion animals has precluded widespread application of new technologies to studies in these systems. We have recently described development of cDNA microarrays for studying bovine immunobiology. Although powerful in revealing genes involved in immunological phenomena in cattle, these resources were limited by a lack of genes known to function in immune responses from other species, such as mouse and human. To address this shortcoming, we used a combination of bioinformatics and high throughput RT-PCR to create amplicons representing over 270 bovine genes whose orthologs in other species were known to function in immune responses. Amplified gene segments were prepared from cDNA representing RNA isolated from either unstimulated or concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In total, 276 genes were amplified from cDNA representing unstimulated bovine PBMC RNA or from cDNA representing ConA stimulated bovine PBMC RNA. A web-accessible resource (http://gowhite.ans.msu.edu/public_php/gd-bovine-immunology.php) has been created to assist in dissemination of this novel resource. The web-accessible resource contains information on gene name, the forward and reverse primers used to amplify each segment, expected product size, and if the gene was found in unstimulated PBMCs or only in ConA stimulated PBMCs. Gene names appear as hyperlinks to the Genbank pages representing the bovine gene or expressed sequence tag (EST) used to generate each primer pair.
Nonlinear adaptive control of robotic manipulators - hyperstability approach

Abstract A nonlinear model reference adaptive controller based on hyperstability approach, is presented for the control of robot manipulators. Use of hyperstability approach simplifies the stability proof of the adaptive system. The unknown parameters of the system, as well as its variable payload, are estimated on line and are adaptive to their actual values; tending to reduce the system error. In addition, any sudden change in the system parameters or payload is detected by the proposed intelligent controller. Robot path tracking, with unknown parameter values and variable payload, is simulated to show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control algorithm. Both system output error and parameter estimation error vanish under the proposed parameter adaptation algorithm.
Thermal and Solvent-Isotope Effects on the Flagellar Rotary Motor near Zero Load

In Escherichia coli, the behavior of the flagellar rotary motor near zero load can be studied by scattering light from nanogold spheres attached to proximal hooks of cells lacking flagellar filaments. We used this method to monitor changes in speed when cells were subjected to changes in temperature or shifted from a medium made with H2O to one made with D2O. In H2O, the speed increased with temperature in a near-exponential manner, with an activation enthalpy of 52 5 4 kJ/mol (12.0 5 1.0 kcal/mol). In D2O, the speed increased in a similar manner, with an activation enthalpy of 50 5 4 kJ/mol. The speed in H2O was higher than that in D2O by a factor of 1.53 5 0.14. We performed comparison studies of variations in temperature and solvent isotope, using motors operating at high loads. The variations were small, consistent with previous observations. The implications of these results for proton translocation are discussed.
Factors Contributing to Purchase Intentions on the Internet

ABSTRACT This study draws from the marketing literature to support an extension of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to address consumers' online purchasing intention. An instrument was developed and pre-tested. Data was collected via both paper and through an online survey from multiple sources–from universities and local businesses. A confirmatory factor analysis with LISREL 8.5 was performed to analyze the relationship between the constructs in the proposed research model. Our findings generally support the validity of TAM in an online shopping environment. Validating TAM within this context improves understanding about the consumer's online shopping behavior and prediction of online shopping behavior.
Representation of Subgrid-Scale Orographic Effects in a General Circulation Model. Part I: Impact on the Dynamics of Simulated January Climate.

Abstract Effects of subgrid-scale orography are represented in most large-scale models of the atmosphere by means of parameterizing subgrid-scale orographic gravity wave drag and/or enhancing grid-scale orography, such as ‘envelope orography,’ with the use of subgrid-scale orographic variance. A new gravity wave parameterization scheme and an envelope orography have been implemented in the UCLA general circulation model. The impact of gravity wave drag and envelope orography on simulations using the tropospheric-stratospheric 15-layer version of the model are briefly discussed and compared. The gravity wave parameterization scheme and the envelope orography have a qualitatively similar and beneficial impact on ensemble means of simulated January climate. The midlatitude westerlies are weakened at all levels and the polar atmosphere is warmed in the Northern Hemisphere. A combination of the two produces the best results. Sensitivity experiments with the parameterization scheme indicate the importance of th...
Fluorimetric determination of oxalate ion

Abstract A very selective, simple, sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of oxalate ion is described. The method is based on the quenching by oxalate of the fluorescence of a 1 : 1 zirconium-flavonol chelate in dilute sulfuric acid solution. The fluorescence is measured at 460 nm. A linear calibration curve is obtained for 0–10 μg of oxalate ion; there are very few interferences.
Peace or Pax Americana? US Middle East policy and the threat to global security

This paper examines US policy in the greater Middle Eastern region in the aftermath of the September 2001 al-Qaida attacks on the United States. The paper argues that the US Administration had engaged in a series of policy initiatives which have posed a direct challenge to the post-World War II international legal order. The doctrine of preventative war, the invasion and occupation of Iraq, threats against Iran, the aggressive counter-insurgency operations and air campaigns in Afghanistan, the backing for some of the more militaristic and expansionist elements in Israel, and related policies have served to alienate the United States from Middle Eastern states and even traditional European and Asian allies whose cooperation is needed in the struggle against international terrorism. The overemphasis on military means to address complex political, social and economic problems in Iraq, Lebanon and Iran has emboldened extremists and weakened moderate voices and have resulted in a more anarchic international order which makes legitimate counter-terrorism efforts all the more difficult.
Fibers from a soluble, fluorinated polyimide

Polyimide fibers have been produced from both polyamic acid and polyimide resins, derived from 2, 2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 2, 2-bis (4-4-aminophenoxy) phenyl) hexafluoropropane, by extrusion into various aqueous organic media. Polyimide fibers obtained from polyamic acid fibers after thermal imidization exhibited round or oval cross-sections, while fibers obtained directly from a polyimide resin had dogbone, C-shaped, or oval cross-sections. The effect of polymer inherent viscosity and filament production parameters on the formation of macropores within the filament will be discussed. Tensile properties of fibers, produced under various conditions, are listed and compared. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Abnormal T-Cell Expansion and V-Gene Usage in Myasthenia Gravis Patients

To determine the extent of V-gene heterogeneity of blood T lymphocytes in patients suffering from Myasthenia Gravis (MG), we used eight recently available monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), directed against different V alpha and V beta gene products of the variable part of the T-cell receptor (TCR), covering approximately 25% of the alpha/beta T cells in normal peripheral blood (PBL) of healthy individuals. Using a two-colour immunofluorescence method, we could calculate the expression of alpha/beta V segments within the two major T-cell subsets, CD4-/CD8+ and CD4+/CD8- lymphocytes. Twenty-seven per cent (4/15) of the MG patients had T cells showing signs of abnormal expansion. Furthermore, among these expanded T cells, a restricted V beta 12 gene expansion could be seen, in three out of four patients. No correlation between TCR V-gene usage and HLA haplotypes (HLA-A, -B, -DR and -DQ) could be seen. Our data suggest that the majority of MG patients have abnormally expanded T-cell clones. The relevance of these findings is discussed.
Finger dance: a sound game for blind people

The usual approach to developing video games for people with visual impairment is sensory substitution. Elements of the visual display are replaced with auditory and/or haptic displays. Our approach differs. The purpose of the Finger Dance project is to research and develop accessible solutions to games that are inherently audio: musical rhythm-action games such as Dance Dance Revolution. However, these games still rely on visual cues that instruct the user on how to play along with musical rhythms. Finger Dance is an original audio-based rhythm-action game we developed specifically for visually impaired people. Working with both blind and sighted gamers using a human-centered development approach, players are able to play the game on their own and are enthusiastic about it. This paper discusses the game's design, development process and user studies.
A multivariate study of mangrove morphology (Rhizophora mangle) using both above and below-water plant architecture

Abstract A descriptive study of the architecture of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., habitat of Tampa Bay, FL, was conducted to assess if plant architecture could be used to discriminate overwash from fringing forest type. Seven above-water (e.g., tree height, diameter at breast height, and leaf area) and 10 below-water (e.g., root density, root complexity, and maximum root order) architectural features were measured in eight mangrove stands. A multivariate technique (discriminant analysis) was used to test the ability of different models comprising above-water, below-water, or whole tree architecture to classify forest type. Root architectural features appear to be better than classical forestry measurements at discriminating between fringing and overwash forests but, regardless of the features loaded into the model, misclassification rates were high as forest type was only correctly classified in 66% of the cases. Based upon habitat architecture, the results of this study do not support a sharp distinction between overwash and fringing red mangrove forests in Tampa Bay but rather indicate that the two are architecturally undistinguishable. Therefore, within this northern portion of the geographic range of red mangroves, a more appropriate classification system based upon architecture may be one in which overwash and fringing forest types are combined into a single, “tide dominated” category.
Frappé: Querying the Linux Kernel Dependency Graph

Frappe is a developer tool for querying and visualizing the dependencies of large C/C++ software systems to the order of 10s of millions of lines of code in size. It supports developers with a range of code comprehension queries such as Does function X or something it calls write to global variable Y? and How much code could be affected if I change this macro? Results are overlaid on a visualization of the dependency graph data based on a cartographic map metaphor.In this paper, we give a brief overview of Frappe and describe our experiences implementing it on top of the Neo4j graph database. We detail the graph model used by Frappe and outline its key use cases using representative queries and their runtimes with the dependency graph data of the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel.Finally, we discuss some of the open challenges in supporting source code queries across single and multiple versions of an evolving codebase with current property graph database technologies: performance, efficient storage, and the expressivity of the graph querying language given a graph model.
Characterization of terpenoid volatiles from cultivars of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).

The volatile terpenoid fraction from needles in 13 cultivars of Tsuga canadensis L. (Carriere) was analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of this study are considered along with previously reported results for foliar terpenoid levels of the Asian (T. sieboldii, T. chinensis, T. diversifolia), western North American (T. mertensiana, T. heterophylla), and eastern North American species (T. canadensis, T. caroliniana) of hemlock to draw conclusions about the potential of cultivar host resistance to the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). It is suggested that hemlocks in eastern North America have adapted their terpenoid chemistry for protection against endemic defoliators and that this has made them vulnerable to non-native, sucking pests such as adelgids and scales. Some cultivars of T. canadensis have a terpenoid profile that resembles that of the resistant noneastern North American species and are candidates for biological screening for resistance. Among the...
Traits of Soybean-Infecting Phytophthora Populations from Illinois Agricultural Fields.

ABSTRACT Phytophthora rot caused by Phytophthora sojae is a common and significant disease of soybean (Glycine max) in Illinois and throughout the Midwestern United States. The pathogenic characteristics of P. sojae populations in several Midwestern states have been reported recently, but pathogenicity and fungicide sensitivity traits of populations in Illinois were poorly understood. Isolates (n = 121) of soybean-infecting Phytophthora spp. were baited using susceptible cv. Sloan seedlings from soybean field soils with a history of seedling diseases in 24 counties across Illinois. The pathotype and race of isolates of P. sojae were characterized using 11 differential soybean cultivars in greenhouse tests using a hypocotyl inoculation method. Sensitivity to the fungicidal compounds metalaxyl and mefenoxam was tested with 63 isolates in vitro. Most (96%) of the Phytophthora isolates sampled from Illinois soybean fields were P. sojae, but 4% were an unidentified Phytophthora sp. as determined by phenotypic ...
THE EFFECTS OF FATTY ACID AND SHRIMP MEAL COMPOSITION OF PREPARED DIETS ON GROWTH OF JUVENILE SHRIMP, Penaeus stylirostris

Pelletized diets containing different amounts of sun-dried shrimp meal and brewer's yeast were tested. A relationship was observed between the content of shrimp meal and brewer's yeast in the diets and increased growth of juvenile shrimp, Penaeus stylirostris. Data suggested that in feeds containing 5% squid meal, up to half the shrimp meal can be replaced by brewer's yeast. These feeds should thus contain at least 15% shrimp meal and less than 15% brewer's yeast. A quadratic correlation was found between the rate of growth of juvenile shrimp and the percentage of linoleic acid in the diets. The best nutritional response should be obtained in rations containing 14.5% linoleic acid. The same type of relation was observed for the ratio of the linolenic series (ω3)/linoleic acid (106) with the ratio of 1.18 giving the best nutritional response for the diets tested in this study.
Very special languages and representations of recursively enumerable languages via computation histories

A method of encoding the computation histories of a wide class of machines is introduced and used to derive several representation theorems for the class of recursively enumerable languages. In particular it is demonstrated that any recursively enumerable language K ⊂ Σ* can be represented as K = Φ Σ ( R ∩ D 1 ⋮ D 2 ), where D 1 and D 2 are fixed semi-Dyck languages, 〈 is the shuffle operation, R is a regular language depending on K and Φ Σ is a weak identity homomorphism. This result is the natural analog for the recursively enumerable languages of the Chomsky-Shutzenberger representation of the context-free languages.
Vertigo and Dizziness Related to Migraine: A Diagnostic Challenge

Vertigo and dizziness can be related to migraine in various ways: causally, statistically or, quite frequently, just by chance. Migrainous vertigo (MV) is a vestibular syndrome caused by migraine and presents with attacks of spontaneous or positional vertigo lasting seconds to days and migrainous symptoms during the attack. MV is the most common cause of spontaneous recurrent vertigo and is presently not included in the International Headache Society classification of migraine. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere's disease (MD) are statistically related to migraine, but the possible pathogenetic links have not been established. Moreover, migraineurs suffer from motion sickness more often than controls. Persistent cerebellar symptoms may develop in the course of familial hemiplegic migraine. Dizziness may also be due to orthostatic hypotension, anxiety disorders or major depression which all have an increased prevalence in patients with migraine.
Reducing radon exhalation from covered tailings: Optimization or cost effectiveness?

Reduction of radon exhalation from uranium tailings as a function of the number of radon diffusion lengths in cover materials is discussed, based on dimensionless mathematical functions. Cost effectiveness is examined to determine the least expensive cover with a preselected number of radon diffusion lengths (i.e., a preselected level of radiation protection), and to find the maximum attainable reduction in radon flux with a predetermined cost (i.e., a fixed amount of money). Cost effectiveness rather than optimization through cost benefit analysis can be used advantageously in these cases.
Performance Demonstration Based Probability of Detection (POD) Curves for Fatigue Cracks in Piping

This paper evaluates non-destructive examination (NDE) detection capabilities for fatigue cracks in piping. Industry performance demonstration initiative (PDI) data for fatigue crack detection were used to develop a matrix of statistically based probability of detection (POD) curves that consider various NDE performance factors. Seven primary performance factors were identified — Material, Crack Geometry/Type, NDE Examination Access, NDE Procedure, Examiner Qualification, Pipe Diameter, and Pipe Wall Thickness. A database of 16,181 NDE performance observations, with 18 fields associated with each observation, was created and used to develop statistically based POD curves for 42 stainless steel and 14 carbon steel performance cases. Subsequent comparisons of the POD fits for each of the cases showed that excellent NDE performance for fatigue cracks can be expected for ferritic materials. Very little difference was observed between the POD curves for the 14 carbon steel performance cases considered in this study and NDE performance could therefore be represented by a single POD curve. For stainless steel, very good performance can also be expected for circumferential cracks located on the same side of the weld from which the NDE examination is made. POD depended primarily on component thickness. Three POD curves for stainless steel were prepared. Best estimate and the associated 95% confidence bounds for POD versus through-wall depth logistic regression digital data are provided. Probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) calculations were performed to compare best estimate leak probabilities obtained from both the new performance-based POD curves and previous PFM models. This work was performed under joint funding by EPRI and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology’s Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization (NEPO) program.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Compensating for inconsistent high power vircator microwave radar pulse sources

We investigate a vircator as an economical high power pulsed microwave source for radar. Because of the inconsistency of spark gaps in the driver and operation of the tube based vircator, the resulting ringing pulse has a different pulse shape each time a pulse is generated. Therefore every time we pulse the source we must remove the effects of the ringing source pulse from the data resulting from that pulse. Scattering from a scene is considered random (white noise) with a superimposed non-white component due to the pulse. We propose a whitening filter to remove the effects of the ringing pulse from the random data. This produces a similar result as spectral factorization in which we first determine the pulse from the power spectrum of the data and then deconvolve the ringing pulse out of the received data. The removal of pulse specific ringing increases range resolution and allows data from sequential pulses from a single vircator or pulses from separate vircators to be combined for joint processing in a synthetic aperture radar.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Verification of Multiplicative Renormalization of a Model with Spontaneously Broken Symmetry

The multiplicative renormalization program, performed in an Abelian gauge model with spontaneously broken symmetry, is verified explicitly at the one loop level. By utilizing the two parameter gauge freedom which was introduced in a previous note, the off-, as well as on-, mass-shell Green's functions can be made finite after renormalization. (auth)
Phase Behavior of Ternary Homopolymer/Diblock Blends: Microphase Unbinding in the Symmetric System

We consider the phase behavior of a symmetric AB diblock, blended with corresponding A and B homopolymers, all of equal chain length. Evaluating the phase diagram in mean-field theory at all compositions of the ternary blend, we find no hexagonal and cubic phases. However, up to three distinct lamellar phases can coexist, one being symmetric and the other two being asymmetric. For strong incompatibility, added homopolymer eventually phase separates from the microstructure. For weak segregation, the symmetric lamellar phase at moderate dilution breaks up into two coexisting lamellar phases, each asymmetrically swollen by either A or B homopolymer. These phases can be swollen indefinitely, finally unbinding into the disordered phase. As a consequence, one expects to find lamellar order at much lower diblock concentrations toward the binary sides of the phase diagram than on the isopleth.
Renal Histological Changes Secondary to Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

AbstractThe treatment of children with apparent ureteropelvic junction obstruction is controversial. In an asymptomatic infant or child the decision to recommend pyeloplasty usually is based on interpretation of the renal scan. We retrospectively analyzed the renal biopsy obtained during pyeloplasty in 55 children. Histological changes were compared to the differential renal function revealed on the preoperative renal scan. Histological changes were graded on a scale of I to V: I–normal, II–mild dilatation of the collecting tubules or Bowman's space and III to V–progressively severe changes of obstructive uropathy, including reduced glomerular number, glomerular hyalinization, cortical cysts and interstitial inflammation. Patient age ranged from 4 days to 19 years (mean 4.8 years). Mean differential function according to histological grade was I–49 percent, II–43 percent, III–42 percent, IV–30 percent and V–25 percent. Of 33 patients with a differential function of 40 percent or greater 26 (79 percent) ha...
The Spatial Concentration of Crime

Abstract This paper presents a model explaining the spatial concentration of crime. The model features two neighborhoods identical in preferences, abilities, and environment. We find, however, that in equilibrium crime concentrates in one neighborhood. In a dynamic version of the model we also show that initial conditions may determine the steady-state crime rate. The key assumption is that a criminal's chance of capture is a decreasing function of the number of other criminals operating in the area.
Enabling nonexpert construction of basic sensor-based systems

Technology trends have enabled deployment of low-cost sensor-based systems, but designing customized sensor-based systems to carry out specific tasks still requires costly engineering by experts. We briefly summarize eBlocks, a technology enabling nonexperts to quickly construct basic customized sensor-based systems, without requiring electronics or knowledge of programming languages. We describe experiments illustrating successful construction of Boolean sensor-based systems by novice users, focusing on intuitive logic and state block design. Additionally, we present preliminary experiments demonstrating usability of integer-based blocks and introduce a programmable block and the corresponding configuration methodology intended for nonexpert users.
Role of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome: Who is affected?

Hypertension is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome. The “deadly quartet,” as this syndrome is often referred to, also includes atherogenic dyslipidemia; hyperglycemia and/or insulin resistance (IR); and abdominal obesity. More than 47 million people in the United States have the metabolic syndrome, with a higher prevalence in certain ethnic groups. This is expected to rise significantly in the future, in large part due to the obesity epidemic. The relative contribution of each of the constituents of this syndrome varies according to the population in which it occurs, but the significance of these variations is not known. In this article, we review the role of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome, its complex association with obesity and IR, and its disproportionate contribution to the syndrome in certain ethnic groups (specifically US blacks).
Light Pollution Allows the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) to Feed Nestlings After Dark

Abstract We investigated whether Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) alter their nocturnal foraging behavior in areas with artificial light at night. We observed mockingbirds after sunset at six study sites that varied in levels of artificial light. We hypothesized that birds at the parking lot and residential sites would feed their nestlings later at night because of light pollution. The average time past sunset that birds across all sites continued to feed nestlings was positively correlated with average light level around the nest. Mockingbirds in the parking lot fed their nestlings ∼15 mins later than those in the other sites, suggesting that this abundant urban species can exploit light pollution.
High-performance AlGaAs/GaAs HBT IC technology

B.Vetanen, C.Haynes, SPark, I.Beers,S.Diamond, GPubanz, J.Ebrier, SSanielevici and A.AgostonElectronics Research Labs, MS 50-223, Tektronix, Beaverton, OR 97077.ABSTRACTA high-performance A1GaAs/GaAs HBT IC technology capable of45GHzfr andf is described. The process is mesaisolated and does not useany ion-implantation steps. This simple non-self-aligned process integrates 1.4THz Schottkydiodes, nichrome resistors, MIM capacitors and air-bridge inductors. An HBT divide-by-eight prescaler circuit clocksat 13.5GHz. A pulser circuit using the fast Schottky diodes produced a voltage pulse having 10.35ps rise time.1. INTRODUCTIONTheability tobuild Heterojunction BipolarTransistor(HBT)based integrated circuits routinelyhas opened upa varietyof high-speed applications. In particular, the A1GaAs/GaAs HBT IC technology enjoys an overall maturity and hasbecomethe workhorse forseveralanalog,digitaland microwave applications. Compared to silicon bipolar transistors,HBTs have very desirable "ideal" characteristics and is sometimes called the Honorable Best Transistor1. Over thepast decade, there has been siginficant advances in materials growth, process technology and device models whichhas resulted in successful circuit demonstrations. There are excellent review papers which describe the merits and
HIV-1 gp160 Protein Modulates Proximal Tubular Cell Proliferation and Matrix Synthesis

Cystic dilatation and tubular cell proliferation are unique features of HIV-associated nephropathy. We studied the effect of HIV-1 envelope gp160 protein on human renal proximal tubular epithelial cel
The proliferative effect of dietary butylated hydroxyanisole on methylazoxymethanol treated colonic mucosa

Abstract Pulse [3H] TdR labeling of CF1 mice fed butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 5 g/kg), given 6 injections of methylazoxymethanol (MAM), and examined 1 week later revealed reduction of colonic epithelial cell proliferation compared with rodents not fed BHA (labeling index (LI) 8.8 ± 2.7 vs. 11.4 ± 1.7). Dietary BHA did not prevent extension of the proliferative compartment to the upper third of crypts in MAM treated mice but did restrain the percentage of DNA synthesis shifted to the middle and upper third of the glands (18.5% vs. 26.4%). The mean distribution of the highest labeled cell in BHA was 12 cell positions below that seen in the MAM treated animals with no dietary BHA (position 14 vs. 26) indicating the ability of BHA to contain the size of the proliferative compartment. The accumulated differences between MAM treated groups based on LI along the entire length of the crypts revealed 85% greater activity in the mice not receiving BHA supplementation. Markedly reduced epithelial cell proliferation acts to interfere with the emergence of transmissable neoplastic mutations while containment of the proliferative compartment and restriction of the upward shift of DNA synthesizing cells inhibits adenomatous tumor formation known to appear in the upper regions of the crypts.
Reusable electrochemical cell for rapid separation of [18F]fluoride from [18O]water for flow-through synthesis of 18F-labeled tracers

A brass–platinum electrochemical micro-flow cell was developed to extract [18F]fluoride from an aqueous solution and release it into an organic-based solution, suitable for subsequent radio-synthesis, in a fast and reliable manner. This cell does not suffer electrode erosion and is thus reusable while operating faster by enabling increased voltages. By optimizing temperature, trapping and release potentials, flow rates, and electrode materials, an overall [18F]fluoride trapping and release efficiency of 84±5% (n=7) was achieved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze electrode surfaces of various metal–metal systems and the findings were correlated with the performance of the electrochemical cell. To demonstrate the reactivity of the released [18F]fluoride, the cell was coupled to a flow-through reactor and automated synthesis of [18F]FDG with a repeatable decay-corrected yield of 56±4% (n=4) was completed in <15 min. A multi-human dose of 5.92 GBq [18F]FDG was also demonstrated.
Use of a mild traumatic brain injury guideline to reduce inpatient hospital imaging and charges.

Abstract Purpose In children, mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) account for 70% to 90% of head injuries. Without clear guidelines, many of these children may be exposed to excess radiation owing to unnecessary imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a mild TBI guideline in reducing hospital charges and repeated imaging of pediatric patients. Methods Charts of all children who had at least one head computed tomography and were admitted to our level 1 trauma center with a blunt TBI and Glasgow Coma Scale of 13 to 15 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups relative to the implementation of a TBI management guideline. Results A total of 742 patients were included, 389 preguideline and 353 postguideline. Implementation of the guideline was associated with reductions in the average number of head computed tomographies performed (1.6 vs 1.3, P = .006), length of stay (2.3 vs 1.7 days, P P = .006). No children were readmitted for missed injuries. Conclusions Implementation of a simple guideline for the care of children with mild TBI can have significant impact on charges and length of stay while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure. Widespread implementation of such guidelines will improve efficiency without sacrificing quality of care in the management of mild TBI in the pediatric population.
A COURSE IN SERIALS LIBRARIANSHIP AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

This article briefly describes the experience of a concentrated serials course at the Columbia University School of Library Service in the summer of 1977. The course covered current issues in the acquisition, organization, preservation, storage, and servicing of serials collections, including problems of proliferation of serial titles, rising costs, and budgetary restraints in libraries.
Semiconductors: A quantum dot in a Fermi sea

The optical spectrum of a single quantum dot is strongly affected by coherent tunnelling to a nearby sea of electrons.
“Evil Habits” and “Personal Choices”: Assigning Responsibility for Health in the 20th Century

The 20th century began and ended with many of the nation's more affluent and better-educated citizens in a near-frenzied pursuit of better health through lifestyle modification. Americans sought and received health-enhancing and disease-preventing advice in books, newspapers, popular magazine articles, and government studies. They followed exercise regimes and bought self-improvement paraphernalia from “medicine balls” to elliptical machines in order to learn “How to Avoid Heart Troubles” (Groedel 1901) and, even more ambitiously, to stay Forever Young (Berger 1989). Upton Sinclair alerted early 20th-century Americans to the appalling conditions in the meatpacking industry (1906), and nearly a century later Eric Schlosser warned of the “Dark Side of the All-American Meal” (2001). Finally, San Franciscans, fretting about the nutritional dangers to their children's health, began the last century by banning “roving pie vendors” who catered to the “habitual pie-eating” habits of schoolchildren (Habitual Pie-Eating Ruining Health of Children 1910) and began this century by prohibiting the sale of soft drinks and other unhealthy snacks on school campuses (Delgado 2003).
Examining the Link Between Bariatric Surgery, Bone Loss, and Osteoporosis: a Review of Bone Density Studies

As the popularity of bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity has risen, so has a concern of increased skeletal fragility secondary to accelerated bone loss following bariatric procedures. We reviewed cross-sectional and prospective literature reporting bone density outcomes following bariatric surgical treatment for morbid obesity. Prospective research provides evidence of hip and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density (aBMD) reductions primarily in women despite calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Femoral neck aBMD declines of 9–11% and lumbar spine aBMD reductions up to 8% were observed at the first post-operative year following malabsorptive procedures. Mean T- and Z-scores up to 25 years following surgery remained within normal and healthy ranges. Of those studies reporting development of osteoporosis following gastric bypass, one woman became osteoporotic after 1 year. Despite observed bone loss in the hip region post-surgery, data do not conclusively support increased incidence of osteoporosis or increased fracture risk in post-bariatric patients. However, given the limitations of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry technology in this population and the relative lack of long-term prospective studies that include control populations, further research is needed to provide conclusive evidence regarding fracture outcomes in this population.
Computation and refinement of statistical bounds on circuit delay

The growing impact of within-die process variation has created the need for statistical timing analysis, where gate delays are modeled as random variables. Statistical timing analysis has traditionally suffered from exponential run time complexity with circuit size, due to arrival time dependencies created by reconverging paths in the circuit. In this paper, we propose a new approach to statistical timing analysis that is based on statistical bounds of the circuit delay. Since these bounds have linear run time complexity with circuit size, they can be computed efficiently for large circuits. Since both a lower and upper bound on the true statistical delay is available, the quality of the bounds can be determined. If the computed bounds are not sufficiently close to each other, we propose a heuristic to iteratively improve the bounds using selective enumeration of the sample space with additional run time. We demonstrate that the proposed bounds have only a small error and that by carefully selecting an small set of nodes for enumeration, this error can be further improved.
A Bumpy Border Crossing into the Teaching Culture on a U.S. Campus: Experience of a Chinese Faculty Member

Guided by cultural border crossing and teacher identity development theories, this case study explores the bumpy process of a junior Chinese faculty member’s border crossing into the U.S. teaching culture and analyzes the challenges, coping strategies, and consequences of his border crossing on teaching and teacher identity development. The study found the subject demonstrated an active process of adaptation during his border crossing and experienced multifaceted and ongoing identity development in which both Chinese culture and the culture that he embraced played important roles in reshaping and facilitating the development of his professional identity, teacher learning, and teaching practices.
A note on quadratically parametrized surfaces

Let f0, f1, f2, f3 be linearly independent homogeneous quadratic forms in the standard ℤ-graded ring R:= &#x1d542;[s,t,u], and gcd(f0,f1,f2,f3)=1. This defines a rational map φ: ℙ2→ ℙ3. The Rees algebra Rees(I)=R ⊕ I ⊕ I2⊕ ⋯ of the ideal I= 〈f0,f1,f2,f3〉 is the graded R-algebra which can be described as the image of an R-algebra homomorphism h: R[x,y,z,w] → Rees(I). This paper discusses the free resolutions of I, and the structure of ker(h).
Performance-driven system partitioning on multi-chip modules

The authors propose an efficient algorithm for system partitioning under timing and capacity constraints. They consider the problem of assigning functional blocks into slots on multi-chip modules during high level design to have fast feedback on the impact of high level design decisions. A clustering step is used to ensure timing correctness, followed by packaging and the K&L algorithm to satisfy capacity constraints while minimizing net crossings. The method is unique in that net crossings are minimized while satisfying timing and capacity constraints. Test results showed that the method eliminated timing violations and obtained a comparable number of net crossings to that of the K&L algorithm using similar CPU time. The method can be extended to use partitioning algorithms other than K&L. >
Incremental methods for simple problems in time series: algorithms and experiments

A time series (or equivalently a data stream) consists of data arriving in time order. Single or multiple data streams arise in fields including physics, finance, medicine, and music, to name a few. Often the data comes from sensors (in physics and medicine for example) whose data rates continue to improve dramatically as sensor technology improves and as the number of sensors increases. So fast algorithms become ever more critical in order to distill knowledge from the data. This paper presents our recent work regarding the incremental computation of various primitives: windowed correlation, matching pursuit, sparse null space discovery and elastic burst detection. The incremental idea reflects the fact that recent data is more important than older data. Our StatStream system contains an implementation of these algorithms, permitting us to do empirical studies on both simulated and real data.
Modeling light-duty plug-in electric vehicles for national energy and transportation planning

Abstract This paper sets forth a family of models of light-duty plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) fleets, appropriate for conducting long-term national-level planning studies of the energy and transportation sectors in an integrated manner. Using one of the proposed models, three case studies on the evolution of the U.S. energy and transportation infrastructures are performed, where portfolios of optimum investments over a 40-year horizon are identified, and interdependencies between the two sectors are highlighted. The results indicate that with a gradual but aggressive introduction of PEVs coupled with investments in renewable energy, the total cost from the energy and transportation systems can be reduced by 5%, and that overall emissions from electricity generation and light-duty vehicle (LDV) tailpipes can be reduced by 10% over the 40-year horizon. The annual gasoline consumption from LDVs can be reduced by 66% by the end of the planning horizon, but an additional 800 TWh of annual electricity demand will be introduced. In addition, various scenarios of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions are investigated. It is found that GHG emissions can be significantly reduced with only a marginal cost increment, by shifting electricity generation from coal to renewable sources.
Preparing engineering faculty of the future: the NSF Engineering Education Scholars Workshop

Graduate students who plan a career in academia may be somewhat prepared for the rigors of hands-on research once they receive their Ph.D.'s, but they are typically unprepared to meet their teaching and advising/mentoring responsibilities and to set up their own research program. These responsibilities are critical to effective education of their students and to their own success in the academic community. The NSF Engineering Scholars Education Workshop addresses these concerns by helping participants make the transition from graduate student to professor. The week-long workshop is intended to provide new and future faculty members with the information they need to survive and flourish as academics. In terms of teaching and learning, there is a wealth of published material which new faculty members simply do not have time to read. Some of the more important and theoretical information, especially from the field of cognitive psychology, is not always readily applied to learning and teaching situations. Furthermore, becoming an effective teacher takes time and experience, and the trial and error process that one goes through is painful to both the students and the teacher. The opposite situation occurs for setting up research programs: there is very little literature on the subject and learning on the job is often inefficient and awkward. The workshop described here provides concrete ideas, strategies and examples for effective practices in learning and teaching, as well as advice for setting up a successful research program.
Characterization of anti-islet cytotoxic human T-cell clones from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

To identify important anti-islet T-cells and their target antigen(s), we have isolated and characterized seventeen human T-cell clones which are reactive to an extract of rat insulinoma (RIN) cells from three children with new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Of these 17 clones, 15 were found tissue specific. Six of eight tested tissue specific clones did not recognize known islet antigens such as GAD, 52 kDa islet protein, insulin, ICA512, and heat shock protein 60 (hsp60), suggesting that these clones recognize an autoantigen not previously identified. All tested clones were phenotypically CD4 and functionally Th0 or Th0/Th1 cells. One RIN extract reactive clone (2E9) recognized hsp60 and was CD4 and TCR α/β positive. This clone also proliferated in response to human and rat islets suggesting that the antigen is conserved between species. This clone and 75% of all the tested RIN reactive clones exhibited anti-islet cytotoxicity by lysing target cells coated with RIN extract. HLA DR determinants may...
The Effects of Counseling on the Retention and Academic Performance of Underprepared Freshmen

Higher education administrators, faculty, and staff expend great effort to increase the academic success and retention of college freshmen. Underprepared college freshmen are of particular concern ...
College and character: Insights from the national survey of student engagement

The authors examine the college conditions that contribute to character development, using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
Scents in Programs:Does Information Foraging Theory Apply to Program Maintenance?

During maintenance, professional developers generate and test many hypotheses about program behavior, but they also spend much of their time navigating among classes and methods. Little is known, however, about how professional developers navigate source code and the extent to which their hypotheses relate to their navigation. A lack of understanding of these issues is a barrier to tools aiming to reduce the large fraction of time developers spend navigating source code. In this paper, we report on a study that makes use of information foraging theory to investigate how professional developers navigate source code during maintenance. Our results showed that information foraging theory was a significant predictor of the developers' maintenance behavior, and suggest how tools used during maintenance can build upon this result, simply by adding word analysis to their reasoning systems.
Noah revisited: Religious coping by church members and the impact of the 1993 midwest flood

This study examined the relationship between religious coping by church members and psychological and religious outcomes following the 1993 Midwest flood. Questionnaires were distributed through churches in flood-affected communities in Missouri and Illinois. The first questionnaire was completed by 209 adults 6 weeks after the flood and a follow-up was completed by 131 respondents 6 months after the flood. Correlational analyses revealed that religious dispositions, attributions, and coping activities were related to psychological and religious outcomes. Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that religious attributions and coping activities predicted psychological and religious outcomes at both 6 weeks and 6 months after controlling for flood exposure and demographics. The results also suggest that positive religious coping may mediate the relationship between religious dispositions and psychological and religious outcomes. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Research and Theory in Short-Term Memory

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the theory and research related to short-term memory (STM). A distinction between STM and long-term memory (LTM) has frequently been assumed in research, seeking to define a memory deficit in the retarded. Definitions of retardation typically center around the notion of a low IQ. If poor STM is a major cause of behavioral inadequacy, it might be expected that the tests of digit span would correlate highly with the total test score. A series of studies of the Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC) and the Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS) has attempted to show that a trace factor is present in the retarded but not in a normal population. Depending on the method of factor extraction used, what loading is accepted as significant, and the age of the subjects, a memory factor, accounting for up to 6% to 9% of the variance, is found, with both normal and retarded populations. This chapter discusses the recent work on STM in the retarded. It discusses the major trends, issues, and theories on the subject of STM. An overview of the limited channel capacity model of Broadbent is described in this chapter. The stimulus trace theory of Ellis, methodological problems, and experimental data is also discussed in the chapter.