cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heroin Cut with Morphine?: An Ethnographic-Forensic Chemistry Case Study

This article uses a novel combination of ethnographic fieldwork and forensic chemical analysis to examine a single case study in order to illuminate the issue of adulterating illegal drugs with particular attention directed to the public health implications of these practices. Our analysis of an unknown powder acquired on the streets of New York City produced information that may be useful to health care practitioners and policy makers and demonstrates how the ethnographer's presence in the real world environment within which drug distribution and consumption takes place can be combined with rigorous verification in the laboratory. Our results indicate that the unknown powder, termed "morphine" on the street was, in fact, procaine hydrochloride at a purity greater than 99%. We conclude that the understudied problem of drug "cutting" contributes to morbidity and mortality among drug users in ways that are poorly understood and that continuous interdisciplinary monitoring of the content of illegal drugs in ...
Prevalence of self-reported clinically diagnosed sleep apnea according to obesity status in men and women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2006.

Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of self-reported clinically diagnosed sleep apnea (diagnosed sleep apnea) according to body mass index (BMI, measure of total obesity) and waist circumference (measure of abdominal obesity) in US adults. Methods Data from a representative sample of 4309 US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005–2006 were analyzed. Log-linear regression analyses with a robust variance estimator were performed to estimate the prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The overall crude and age-adjusted prevalence estimates of diagnosed sleep apnea were 4.7% (95% CI = 4.0%–5.5%) and 4.5% (95% CI = 3.9%–5.2%) in adults. Age-adjusted prevalence in men (6.1%, 95% CI = 5.0%–7.3%) was higher than that in women (3.1%, 95% CI = 2.1%–4.0%; P Conclusions These results from a nationally representative sample suggest that diagnosed sleep apnea is highly prevalent among adults with obesity in the general population, especially among men.
In-Situ Tem Observation of Interfacial Reactions in the Zr/Si System

The interfacial reactions in the Zr/Si system were studied by in-situ cross-section TEM including high resolution mode. The reactions consisted of formation of an amorphous interlayer followed by the nucleation and growth of crystalline ZrSi2- The development of the amorphous layer was found to involve two different stages. The ZrSi2 was also found to grow layer-by-layer into the Si via a ledge mechanism.
Effects of environment on the mechanical properties of plastics under high pressure

Polystyrene (PS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and polyethylene (PE) have been investigated studying the pressure dependence of stress-elongation behavior in tension over the range from atmospheric pressure to four kilobars at room temperature. The effect of strain rate was also observed for PS specimens. Tensile deformation of PS and HIPS has shown that the pressure-transmitting fluid (silicon oil) acts as a stress crazing and cracking agent. Non-sealed specimens of PS showed a brittle-to-ductile transition at 2.95 kbar while specimens sealed from the environment showed the same transition at only 0.35 kbar. Scales HIPS and PE specimens exhibited ductile behavior at all pressures. The extent of plastic deformation for PE was affected when specimens where exposed to the silicon oil environment. Surprisingly, HIPS exposed to the oil exhibited two transitions as the applied hydrostatic pressure was raised: a ductile-to-brittle followed by a brittle-to-ductile transition. Analysis of the stress-elongation curves for sealed PS and HIPS specimens indicated that the pressure dependency of craze-initiation stress differs from that of shear band initiation stress. The brittle-to-ductile transition occurred when the initiation stresses of both processes became equal. The principal stress for craze initiation showed almost no pressure dependency, suggesting that crazes initiate when the principal stress level of the tensile specimen reaches a critical value irrespective of the applied hydrostatic pressure.
Effect of Addition of Polyphosphates and Salt Before and After Cooking on Quality of Freeze-Dried Cooked Chicken

Abstract Two processing experiments were run to evaluate the effects of polyphosphates (Kena) and sodium chloride added to broiler breast meat on the yields, rehydration capacity, and sensory quality of the freeze-dried cooked, diced meat. In Experiment A, early post mortem breast meat was treated with a solution of 3% Kena-4% sodium chloride either before cooking, after cooking, or both. In Experiment B, chilled, aged breast meat was treated with 2% sodium chloride, 3% Kena, or both before cooking and freeze-drying. In Experiment A, polyphosphate-salt treatment increased water uptake, cooked yield, and final rehydrated weight, and increased sensory qualities of juiciness, tenderness, and saltiness. For a single treatment, its application after cooking was as effective as that before cooking. For Experiment B, the same effects were observed, the 3% Kena producing the major impact and the 2% sodium chloride having small additional effects. Polyphosphate (Kena) treatment improved the eating quality of the freeze-dried product.
The effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) on humoral, cellular, and innate immunity in Fischer 344 rats

The in vivo effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) exposure on antibody production, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), and natural killer (NK) cell activity were determined. Fischer 344 rats were injected with PFDA (20 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg, 8 days or 30 days prior to sacrifice) and were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Pair-fed and ad libitum-fed control rats were included to evaluate effects of PFDA-induced anorexia. KLH-specific IgG2a production was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in PFDA-treated rats when compared to ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls at 8 days but not at 30 days following PFDA treatment. The DTH response of PFDA-treated rats was decreased 8 days and 30 days after PFDA treatment when compared to ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls, however, the decrease was not statistically significant. NK activity 30 days after PFDA treatment was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) when compared to ad libitum-fed controls, but pair-fed controls had similarly elevated NK activity. NK activity at 8 days after PFDA treatment was not significantly altered. In conclusion, PFDA has been demonstrated to have immunomodulatory effects, some of which may be associated with drug-induced anorexia.
Abstract A64: Identification of p75NTR/TrkB-BDNF axis in breast cancer brain metastasis

Metastasis of breast cancer to the brain is increasing and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for breast cancer patients. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling metastasis to the brain, we have generated two mouse models of breast cancer brain metastasis (4T1.luc2.Br5, Eo771.Br5) via serial selection of these cells through the brains of syngeneic mice following carotid artery injection. In vitro, the 4T1.luc2.Br5 cells exhibit increased proliferation and invasion through basement membrane proteins, while both models demonstrate increased ability to adhere to brain microvascular endothelial cells. Transcriptional profiling followed by Western analysis determined that the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor and its ligand BDNF are highly upregulated in brain-metastatic 4T1.luc2.Br5 cells. The TrkB neurotrophin receptor for BDNF is expressed by these cells as well. Knockdown of p75NTR abolishes the increased invasive capacity of brain-selected 4T1.luc2.Br5 in vitro, confirming a role for p75NTR signaling in invasion. While p75NTR expression in primary breast epithelial cells is reportedly low, we observed that 8 of 12 (67%) human breast cancer brain metastasis specimens express high levels of p75NTR, further suggesting an important role in metastasis to brain. Interestingly, while the brain metastatic Eo771.Br5 cells do not express p75NTR in vitro, both the TrkB receptor and its BDNF ligand are upregulated compared to parentals. Together these data suggest a role for activation of p75NTR/TrkB-BDNF signaling in breast cancer brain metastatic cells, and that targeting this pathway may be a means to prevent or treat breast cancer brain metastasis. Citation Format: Wenhong Chen, Christine N. McMahan, Keith D. Barlow, Dennis Juarez, Linda J. Metheny-Barlow. Identification of p75NTR/TrkB-BDNF axis in breast cancer brain metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A64.
Pathology graduate medical education (overview from 2006-2010)

Summary Graduate medical education of pathologists has undergone considerable changes since 2006. The “Outcome Project” and reduction of basic anatomic pathology/clinical pathology training to 4 years are major changes. With implementation of the 80-hour week, it now takes 16 000 hours to train a pathologist who is competent to sit for the American Board of Pathology examination and practice independently. Reduction of the training time from 5 to 4 years has produced a perception (or reality) of mandatory fellowships. Changes are discussed, and trends are updated. Recent data is compared with data reported by the author in 2001 and 2006, and is updated through 2010.
DNA replication and degradation in mammalian tissue. I. Changes in DNA polymerase and nuclease during rat liver regeneration.

Abstract The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into rat liver DNA, DNA polymerase activity, and deoxyribonuclease activity have been compared at various times following partial hepatectomy of the rat. 1. 1. DNA polymerase activity increases when [3H]thymidine incorporation in vivo increased and remained elevated for at least 60 h following partial hepatectomy, despite waves of DNA synthesis. Fluctuations in nuclease activity were directly opposite to the peaks of [3H]thymidine incorporation at different times during regeneration. It is suggested that deoxyribonuclease plays an important role in the control of DNA synthesis. 2. 2. Rat liver polymerase had a preference for native DNA primer whereas deoxyribonuclease in the same preparation acted preferentially on denatured DNA. It is suggested that the apparent difference in polymerase primer preference is due to nuclease activity associated with the pH 5.0 protein fraction.
Potato growth in the subtropics of Florida

Dry weight of tops of LaRouge potatoes varied considerably among years. In turn this affected tuber growth and total plant dry matter accumulation. Maximum plant top dry matter accumulation occurred between 54 and 69 days after planting (DAP) with a maximum of 2.5 dry mt/ha. In all years tuber initiation was first observed 47–48 DAP. By 100 DAP, additional tuber growth was minimal. Among years, the highest tuber dry matter recorded was at 7.9 mt/ha. Of the variables that were evaluated for their effect on final yield and tuber growth rate (kg/ha/day), plant age in terms of DAP explained over 87% of yield variability. For most of the yield variables, the quadratic and cubic terms for DAP were significant in explaining variability. An additional 1 to 5% was explained by temperature variation. Between 95 and 99% of the variability in harvest index, the ratio of dry tuber to whole plant dry weight, was explained by DAP.
Spiritual Dynamics Involved with Overseas Student Teaching: A Qualitative Analysis

We present the results of a qualitative, phenomenological research study that explored the spiritual dynamics of 13 overseas student teachers. Overall, participants in our sample described spiritual growth on two levels. First, they related that spiritual development often followed an inside-out pattern. In explaining this phenomenon, students described how engagement in activities such as spiritual preparation (prior to departure), the maintenance of spiritual disciplines, and purposeful steps taken to grow in Christian character played supportive roles in their overall spiritual development while overseas. Conversely, participants also shared dynamics by which they were influenced spiritually from the outside in. Such facets included school environments as well as church interactions, through which participants reportedly developed both spiritual and social connections.
Using Ligand‐Based Virtual Screening to Allosterically Stabilize the Activated State of a GPCR

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an essential role in many biological processes. Despite an increase in the number of solved X-ray crystal structures of GPCRs, capturing a GPCR in its activated state for structural analysis has proven to be difficult. An unexplored paradigm is stabilization of one or more conformational states of a GPCR via binding a small molecule to the intracellular loops. A short tetrazole peptidomimetic based on the R*-bound structure of Gtα(340-350) was previously designed and shown to stabilize the photoactivated state of rhodopsin (R*), the GPCR involved in vision. A pharmacophore model derived from the designed tetrazole tetrapeptide was used for ligand-based virtual screening to enhance the possible discovery of novel scaffolds. Maybridge Hitfinder and National Cancer Institute (NCI) diversity libraries were screened for compounds containing the pharmacophore. Forty-seven compounds resulted from virtually screening the Maybridge library, whereas no hits resulted with the NCI library. Three of the 47 Maybridge compounds were found to stabilize the MII state. As these compounds did not inhibit binding of transducin to R*, they were assumed to be allosteric ligands. These compounds are potentially useful for crystallographic studies where complexes with these compounds might capture rhodopsin in its activated conformational state.
Systems Consultation for Multitiered Systems of Supports (MTSS): Implementation Issues

The process of implementation has been of increasing interest to researchers and practitioners who want to bring research-based programs and practices to organizational settings such as schools. This commentary article addresses the factors critical to implementation of multitiered systems of supports (MTSS). Practice issues of importance to implementation of MTSS include: recognition of the complexity of the implementation process, use of data-based intervention and implementation decision making, the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and leadership, and provision of ongoing technical assistance. The need for better specification of implementation strategies and identification of core implementation components are suggested as essential to advancing research-based knowledge in this area.
Getting into the castle of educational administration

(1989). Getting into the castle of educational administration. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 66, Educational Leadership and the Struggle for Mind, pp. 104-123.
Resource allocation for multirate sessions in WDM/TDM rings

Wavelength utilization in WDM wavelength routing networks can be improved by time division multiplexing sessions on each wavelength, and switching time slots and wavelengths. In this paper, we consider the problem of assigning time slots and wavelengths to a given set of multi-rate sessions in WDM/TDM buses and rings. Given a set of sessions and their time slot requirements, our objective is to maximize the network throughput. Bounds on frame length, and hence network throughput, under two different scheduling constraints are presented. Simulation results using a simple assignment algorithm that achieves near-optimal frame lengths are also presented.
Reconstitution of recombination-associated DNA synthesis with human proteins

The repair of DNA breaks by homologous recombination is a high-fidelity process, necessary for the maintenance of genome integrity. Thus, DNA synthesis associated with recombinational repair must be largely error-free. In this report, we show that human DNA polymerase delta (δ) is capable of robust DNA synthesis at RAD51-mediated recombination intermediates dependent on the processivity clamp PCNA. Translesion synthesis polymerase eta (η) also extends these substrates, albeit far less processively. The single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA facilitates recombination-mediated DNA synthesis by increasing the efficiency of primer utilization, preventing polymerase stalling at specific sequence contexts, and overcoming polymerase stalling caused by topological constraint allowing the transition to a migrating D-loop. Our results support a model whereby the high-fidelity replicative DNA polymerase δ performs recombination-associated DNA synthesis, with translesion synthesis polymerases providing a supportive role as in normal replication.
Mid- to Late Cretaceous ductile deformation and thermal evolution of the crust in the northern Dome Rock Mountains, Arizona

Abstract Mid- to Late Cretaceous basement-involved deformation in the Maria Tectonic Belt of southeastern California and west-central Arizona varies in style from low-angle overthrusts to km-scale fold nappes. To establish the relationship between tectonite fabrics and thermal evolution of the rocks, structural and petrographic analysis was conducted in the northern Dome Rock Mountains, where the two different styles converge. A penetrative northeast-dipping foliation forms the most conspicuous fabric in an ∼5 km wide zone of distributed ductile deformation. Within the broader zone of ductile deformation, northeast-dipping shear zones contain evidence for both southwest- and northeast-directed deformation. Textural analysis of mylonitic rocks reveals that southwest-directed deformation occurred under prograde conditions, whereas northeast-directed deformation occurred under retrograde conditions. Southwest-directed deformation resulted in tubular (extreme sheath) fold development on a kilometer scale in the footwall of a reverse-sense shear zone. Northeast-directed deformation cuts the map-scale tubular fold and is inferred to have developed as a manifestation of gravitational collapse of rocks mechanically weakened by fluid infiltration and upper greenschist- to lower amphibolite-facies metamorphism. We propose that the mode and degree of fluid infiltration, rather than temperature or structural level alone, controlled the style of deformation in the Maria Belt.
Average Household Exposure to Newspaper Coverage about the Harmful Effects of Hormone Therapy and Population-Based Declines in Hormone Therapy Use

The news media facilitated the rapid dissemination of the findings from the estrogen plus progestin therapy arm of the Women’s Health Initiative (EPT-WHI). To examine the relationship between the potential exposure to newspaper coverage and subsequent hormone therapy (HT) use. Population-based cohort of women receiving mammography at 7 sites (327,144 postmenopausal women). The outcome was the monthly prevalence of self-reported HT use. Circulation data for local, regional, and national newspapers was used to create zip-code level measures of the estimated average household exposure to newspaper coverage that reported the harmful effects of HT in July 2002. Women had an average potential household exposure of 1.4 articles. There was substantial variation in the level of average household exposure to newspaper coverage; women from rural sites received less than women from urban sites. Use of HT declined for all average potential exposure groups after the publication of the EPT-WHI. HT prevalence among women who lived in areas where there was an average household exposure of at least 3 articles declined significantly more (45 to 27%) compared to women who lived in areas with <1 article (43 to 31%) during each of the subsequent 5 months (relative risks 0.86–0.92; p < .006 for all). Greater average household exposure to newspaper coverage about the harms associated with HT was associated with a large population-based decline in HT use. Further studies should examine whether media coverage directly influences the health behavior of individual women.
Melatonin: possible mechanisms involved in its 'radioprotective' effect.

Peripheral blood samples were collected from four human volunteers before, and at 1 and 2 h after a single oral dose of 300 mg of melatonin. From each sample, separate aliquots of whole blood were exposed to 100-150 cGy gamma radiation in vitro to determine the extent of genetic damage. Irradiated lymphocytes from all volunteers which were collected after melatonin ingestion exhibited a significantly decreased extent of primary DNA damage and reduced frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei, as compared with similarly irradiated cells collected before the oral dose of melatonin. The extent of the melatonin-associated decrease in primary DNA damage was less than the corresponding decrease observed in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei; the latter assays required an additional post-irradiation incubation of the cells at 37+/-1 degreesC for 48 and 72 h, respectively. The possible mechanisms involved in the radioprotective influence of melatonin are discussed.
Extraction of battery parameters using a multi-objective genetic algorithm with a non-linear circuit model

Abstract There is need for a battery model that can accurately describe the battery performance for an electrical system, such as the electric drive train of electric vehicles. In this paper, both linear and non-linear equivalent circuit models (ECM) are employed as a means of extracting the battery parameters that can be used to model the performance of a battery. The linear and non-linear equivalent circuit models differ in the numbers of capacitance and resistance; the non-linear model has an added circuit; however their numerical characteristics are equivalent. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to accurately extract the values of the battery model parameters. The battery model parameters are obtained for several existing industrial batteries as well as for two recently proposed high performance batteries. Once the model parameters are optimally determined, the results demonstrate that both linear and non-linear equivalent circuit models can predict with acceptable accuracy the performance of various batteries of different sizes, characteristics, capacities, and materials. However, the comparisons of results with catalog and experimental data shows that the predictions of results using the non-linear equivalent circuit model are slightly better than those predicted by the linear model, calculating voltages that are closer to the manufacturers’ values.
Spatial correlation of high-energy grain boundaries in two-dimensional simulated polycrystals

A polycrystal undergoes microstructural changes to reach a lower energy state. In particular, the system evolves so as to reduce the total grain boundary energy. A simple two-dimensional model of a polycrystal comprised of randomly oriented crystalline grains suggests that energy minimization reduces or eliminates any spatial correlation among high-energy grain boundaries. Thus grain boundary engineering not only reduces the density of high-energy boundaries, but also prevents their organization into a coarse, albeit discontinuous, network.
Expanding Japan's role in the United Nations

Abstract In 1994, Japan made a bid for a permanent UNSC seat. This reflects Japan's growing influence in the United Nations as the second largest financial contributor to the regular UN budget and to the UNPKO budget. Moreover, Japan's contribution is no longer limited to the financial realm. Japan has actively participated in UNPKO since it enacted the International Peace Cooperation Law in 1992. It has sent military contingents to three UNPKO missions and a number of civilian missions. The changing international system necessitates fundamental reforms of the UNSC. The UN's fiftieth anniversary seems to be an opportune time for establishing realistic guidelines for the SC reforms to facilitate permanent membership for Japan and Germany comparable to their growing economic and political standings at the global level. In the meantime, Japan should overcome its reluctance to commit itself to UN peacemaking operations, as Germany did, and consolidate public opinion at home and abroad in support of its bid.
Chemical G-values of ion-irradiated polymers

Abstract In order to understand the ion-polymer interactions which lead to improved surface properties of ion irradiated polymers, we have made quantitative measurements of the gases evolved from the polymers polyethylene and kapton during the irradiation. The singly charged ions used for irradiation in this work were 200 keV He+2, 200 keV He+, 200 keV B+, and 1000 keV Ar+. The penetration depth of each of these ions is approximately one micrometer. Chemical G-values (number of molecules released per 100 eV of absorbed energy) for the gases H2, CH4, C2H2, CO, and CO2 were measured. It was found that the G-values were strongly dependent upon the ion atomic number. It was shown that this atomic number dependency could be related to the probability of atomic recoil or displacement in the bulk of the polymer. In addition, the G-values appear to be correlated with the large increases in surface hardness after ion irradiation previously measured for these polymers.
Post Chemical Mechanical Polish Cleaning Chemistry for through Silicon via Process

In order to achieve high cleaning efficiency requirement for post Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) cleaning in Through Silicon Via (TSV) application due to the aggressive CMP process. More comprehensive wafer defect evaluation techniques are needed to understand the cleaning mechanisms and assist the formulation design process. In this paper, the CSX-T series chemistry is applied to the post CMP cleaning process of various wafer substrates commonly used in TSV integration schemes. The data collected by several techniques are analyzed in detail and compared to demonstrate how and when it can be used in new formulation screening process to ensure good cleaning performance.
Von willebrand factor, polycations, and platelet agglutination

Abstract In the presence of ristocetin, factor VIII-related von Willebrand factor (VIIIR:WF) causes platelet agglutination. This report shows that several synthetic polycations also participate with VIIIR:WF to cause platelet agglutination; one species of polyornithine, two species of Polybrene, and four species of polylysine cause macroscopic platelet agglutination that is much stronger in the presence of normal human plasma than it is in the presence of von Willebrand disease plasma. In contrast, four polycationic histones and four lectins induce identical platelet agglutination reactions in the presence of both normal and von Willebrand disease plasma. Commercial factor VIII concentrate contains both ristocetin cofactor and the cofactor for the synthetic polycations. The sucrose density gradient sedimentation patterns of these two cofactors are indistinguishable. These results show that a variety of agents can detect a VIIIR:WF deficiency in human plasma. These studies do not indicate whether the ristocetin cofactor and the polycation cofactor are identical or only closely related activities.
The geophysical importance of searching for intelligent life in the galaxy

The romantic side of mankind yearns for companionship. The thought that we are alone seems, with our modern sophisticated approach to metaphysics, almost heretical. When exploring the cosmos went under the unpretentious term ‘astronomy,’ it received a small portion of the national funding for scientific research. All this changed with Sputnik and the realization that in situ exploration of the planets was at hand. The search for extraterrestrial life could begin in earnest. Nevertheless, well-informed people disagree on what is important. We do not readily reach a consensus on either our values or our priorities.
Roles for WHITE COLLAR-1 in Circadian and General Photoperception in Neurospora crassa

The transcription factors WHITE COLLAR-1 (WC-1) and WHITE COLLAR-2 (WC-2) interact to form a heterodimeric complex (WCC) that is essential for most of the light-mediated processes in Neurospora crassa. WCC also plays a distinct non-light-related role as the transcriptional activator in the FREQUENCY (FRQ)/WCC feedback loop that is central to the N. crassa circadian system. Although an activator role was expected for WC-1, unanticipated phenotypes resulting from some wc-1 alleles prompted a closer examination of an allelic series for WC-1 that has uncovered roles for this central regulator in constant darkness and in response to light. We analyzed the phenotypes of five different wc-1 mutants for expression of FRQ and WC-1 in constant darkness and following light induction. While confirming the absolute requirement of WC-1 for light responses, the data suggest multiple levels of control for light-regulated genes.
Statistical characterization of trap position, energy, amplitude and time constants by RTN measurement of multiple individual traps

Distributions of trap position, energy, amplitude, time constants of random telegraph noise and their correlation are examined by characterizing multiple individual traps. The traps detected were not uniformly distributed in the energy space. Contrary to the elastic tunneling model, there was no correlation between the time constants and depth-wise position.
Caryophyllales: Evaluating phylogenetic signal in trnK intron versus matK

Abstract We assess the phylogenetic information in trnK intron at the ordinal level using the Caryophyllales and compare it with that derived from matK. The trnK gene is split into two exons by an intron that includes the matK gene. The plastid trnK is a tRNA gene encoding Lysine(UUU), whereas the matK gene is a putative group II intron maturase. The two regions are usually coamplified, and trnK intron is partially sequenced but its sequences are often excluded from phylogenetic reconstruction at deep historic levels. This study shows that the two regions are comparable in proportion of variable sites, possess a comparable pattern of substitution rates per site, and display similar phylogenetic informativeness profiles and per-site informativeness. Phylogenetic analyses show strong congruence between phylogenetic trees based on matK and trnK intron partitioned datasets from 45 genera representing 30 of the 34 recognized Caryophyllales families. The trnK intron alone provides a relatively well-resolved topology for the order. Combining the trnK intron with matK sequence data resulted in six most parsimonious trees, differing only in the placement of Claytonia (Portulacaceae) within the noncore group. A well-supported major basal split in the order into core and noncore Caryophyllales with Rhabdodendraceae, Simmondsiaceae, and Asteropeiaceae as sister to remaining core lineages is evident in partitioned and combined analyses. The placement of these three families has been disputable, impacting the overall backbone topology of the Caryophyllales. This study demonstrates the cost effectiveness of using the trnK intron along with matK (both substitutions and insertions/deletions) at deeper phylogenetic level.
Assessment of Cognitive Style to Examine Students' Use of Hypermedia within Historic Costume

The major purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of fashion merchandising or education students' cognitive style consisting of nine dimensions to three media choices provided through a hypermedia lesson in historic costume. High-average standard scores were identified in three of the nine dimensions of cognitive style. Further statistical analyses indicated that students' cognitive styles affected the type of media selected. Both fashion merchandising and education students scored significantly higher (p = .01) on the postassessments than the pre-assessments, but neither group achieved significantly more than the other. From these data, it appeared that students used hypermedia effectively as an educational tool to accommodate learning style. It was possible to individualize instruction regardless of the learning style when the hypermedia system was used within the same instructional package.
SYNTHESIS OF TITANIUM BORIDE (TIB)2 NANOCRYSTALLITES BY SOLUTION-PHASE PROCESSING

Nanocrystalline TiB2 is prepared by reaction of NaBH4 and TiCl4. The initial solution-phase reaction affords an amorphous precursor powder from which 5-100 nm TiB2 crystallites are obtained upon annealing at 900-1100 °C. Crystallite sizes depend on the annealing temperature and other processing parameters. Crystallite morphology is size dependent; crystallites smaller than 12-15 nm are cuboidal, whereas crystallites larger than 12-15 nm are hexagonal platelets. The procedure affords gram quantities of the smallest available TiB2 nanocrystallites.
Independence assumptions and Bayesian updating

Relying on a result they attribute to Hussian [1], Pednault, Zucker, and Muresan [2] claim to have proved that the independence assumptions used in the P R O S P E C T O R [3] program do not permit the probabilities of hypotheses to be changed by any evidence. The purpose of this note is to show that the theorem stated by Pednault et al. is false, as is the result claimed by Hussian. Let P be a probability function and let Hi . . . . . H , be a set of jointly exhaustive and mutually exclusively hypotheses in the sense that
Managing Complexity in Software Development with Formally Based Tools

Over the past two decades, formal methods researchers have produced a number of powerful software tools designed to detect errors in, and to verify properties of, hardware designs, software systems, and software system artifacts. Mostly used in the past to debug hardware designs, in future years, these tools should help developers improve the quality of software systems. They should be especially useful in developing high assurance software systems, where compelling evidence is required that the system satisfies critical properties, such as safety and security. This paper describes the different roles that formally based software tools can play in improving the correctness of software and software artifacts. Such tools can help developers manage complexity by automatically exposing certain classes of software errors and by producing evidence (e.g., mechanically checked proofs, results of executing automatically generated test cases, etc.) that a software system satisfies its requirements. In addition, the tools allow practitioners to focus on development tasks best performed by people---e.g., obtaining and validating requirements and constructing a high-quality requirements specification.
Non-Intrusive Concurrent Error Detection in FSMs through State/Output Compaction and Monitoring via Parity Trees

We discuss a non-intrusive methodology for concurrent error detection in FSMs. The proposed method is based on compaction and monitoring of the state/output bits of an FSM via parity trees. While errors may affect more than one state/output bit, not all combinations of state/output bits constitute potential erroneous cases for a given fault model. Therefore, it is possible to compact them without loss of error information. Thus, concurrent error detection is performed through hardware that predicts the values of the compacted state/output bits and compares them to the actual values of the FSM. In order to minimize the incurred hardware overhead, a randomized algorithm is proposed for selecting the minimum number of required parity functions.
Pharmacologic Targeting of Regulatory T Cells for Solid Organ Transplantation: Current and Future Prospects

The last three decades have witnessed significant advances in the development of immunosuppressive medications used in kidney transplantation leading to a remarkable gain in short-term graft function and outcomes. Despite these major breakthroughs, improvements in long-term outcomes lag behind due to a stalemate between drug-related nephrotoxicity and chronic rejection typically due to donor-specific antibodies. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to modulate the alloimmune response and can exert suppressive activity preventing allograft rejection in kidney transplantation. Currently available immunosuppressive agents impact Tregs in the alloimmune milieu with some of these interactions being deleterious to the allograft while others may be beneficial. Variable effects are seen with common antibody induction agents such that basiliximab, an IL-2 receptor blocker, decreases Tregs while lymphocyte depleting agents such as antithymocyte globulin increase Tregs. Calcineurin inhibitors, a mainstay of maintenance immunosuppression since the mid-1980s, seem to suppress Tregs while mammalian targets of rapamycin (less commonly used in maintenance regimens) expand Tregs. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of Treg biology in transplantation, identify in more detail the interactions between commonly used immunosuppressive agents and Tregs in kidney transplantation and lastly describe future directions in the use of Tregs themselves as therapy for tolerance induction.
Immersive real-time large-scale network simulation: A research summary

Immersive real-time large-scale network simulation is a technique that supports simulation of large-scale networks to interact with real implementations of network protocols, network services, and distributed applications. Traffic generated by real network applications is carried by the virtual network simulated in real time where delays and losses are calculated according to the simulated network conditions. We emphasize network immersion so that the virtual network is indistinguishable from a physical testbed in terms of network behavior, yet allows the flexibility of simulation. In this paper we provide a summary of current research in immersive real-time large-scale network simulation, particularly in areas of hybrid network traffic modeling and scalable emulation infrastructure design.
The Structure of Charismatic Mobilization: A Case Study of Rebellion During the Chinese Cultural Revolution

This article makes a case for bringing the concept of charismatic authority back into the study of social movements. Three decades ago, with the paradigmatic shift from psychological to strategic explanations, Weber’s concept virtually disappeared from scholarship about collective action. Based on an investigation of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, I examine the distinctive structure and capacities of charismatic mobilization. During the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong called on students, workers, and peasants to attack the officials of his own party. Because Mao employed both bureaucratic and charismatic methods of mobilization, this movement offers an opportunity to compare the structural characteristics of the two and evaluate their distinctive capacities. Through a case study of the most prominent Cultural Revolution rebel organization, I demonstrate that the informal structure of charismatic mobilization gave the movement a rule-breaking power that made it highly effective in undermining bureaucratic authority. I then suggest how the concepts of charismatic and bureaucratic mobilization might be used to analyze other social movements and to clarify issues in long-standing debates about the tendency of social movement organizations to become conservative.
Axis I and Axis II disorder comorbidity in unipolar depression with anger attacks.

Abstract Objective: We evaluated whether anger attacks in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with higher rates of panic or other Axis I or II comorbid disorders. Methods: 306 out-patients (163 women, mean age 39.5±10.5) with MDD were administered the Structured Clinical Interviews for Axis I and II Disorders, and the Anger Attacks Questionnaire. Results: Patients with anger attacks showed only a trend toward a significantly higher rate of current panic disorder ( P =0.06) but no other difference in Axis I comorbidity. In addition patients with anger attacks had a slightly but significantly greater degree of depression severity. Consistent with previous studies, we have also found that depressed patients with anger attacks had significantly higher rates of dependent, avoidant, narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders than those without anger attacks. Conclusion: Anger attacks do not appear to be associated with any specific pattern of Axis I comorbidity, but they are certainly linked with certain personality disorders. It is possible that the acute depressive state may have confounded the assessment of personality disorder rates, as well as the presence of anger attacks. On the other hand, both depressed patient groups (with or without anger attacks) were subject to the same confounding effect as their depression severity was rather comparable, thereby limiting the impact of this potential bias.
Pancreatic cancer modeling using retrograde viral vector delivery and in vivo CRISPR/Cas9-mediated somatic genome editing

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a genomically diverse, prevalent, and almost invariably fatal malignancy. Although conventional genetically engineered mouse models of human PDAC have been instrumental in understanding pancreatic cancer development, these models are much too labor-intensive, expensive, and slow to perform the extensive molecular analyses needed to adequately understand this disease. Here we demonstrate that retrograde pancreatic ductal injection of either adenoviral-Cre or lentiviral-Cre vectors allows titratable initiation of pancreatic neoplasias that progress into invasive and metastatic PDAC. To enable in vivo CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene inactivation in the pancreas, we generated a Cre-regulated Cas9 allele and lentiviral vectors that express Cre and a single-guide RNA. CRISPR-mediated targeting of Lkb1 in combination with oncogenic Kras expression led to selection for inactivating genomic alterations, absence of Lkb1 protein, and rapid tumor growth that phenocopied Cre-mediated genetic deletion of Lkb1. This method will transform our ability to rapidly interrogate gene function during the development of this recalcitrant cancer.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Electricity-Producing “Thermincola potens” Strain JR

"Thermincola potens" strain JR is one of the first Gram-positive dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) for which there is a complete genome sequence. Consistent with the physiology of this organism, preliminary annotation revealed an abundance of multiheme c-type cytochromes that are putatively associated with the periplasm and cell surface in a Gram-positive bacterium. Here we report the complete genome sequence of strain JR.
The Maturing Concept of E-Democracy: From E-Voting and Online Consultations to Democratic Value Out of Jumbled Online Chatter

ABSTRACT Early literature on e-democracy was dominated by euphoric claims about the benefits of e-voting (digital direct democracy) or continuous online citizen consultations (digital representative democracy). High expectations have gradually been replaced with more genuine approaches that aim to break with the dichotomy of traditional notions of direct and representative democracy. The ensuing question relates to the adequate design of information and communication technology (ICT) applications to foster such visions. This article contributes to this search and discusses issues concerning the adequate institutional framework. Recently, so-called Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking and Wikipedia, have proven that it is possible for millions of users to collectively create meaningful content online. While these recent developments are not necessarily labeled e-democracy in the literature, this article argues that they and related applications have the potential to fulfill the promise of breaki...
ACE Inhibitor—Induced Bronchial Reactivity in Patients with Respiratory Dysfunction

BACKGROUND:Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are often associated with an increased incidence of cough and bronchial responsiveness that may cause further deterioration of patients with impaired pulmonary function.OBJECTIVE:To review the available literature on the incidence of cough and bronchial responsiveness associated with ACE-inhibitor therapy in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure (CHF).DATA SOURCES:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1985–September 2001). Key search terms included cough, bronchospasm, asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers.DATA SYNTHESIS:The literature reports several cases of increased bronchial responsiveness associated with ACE inhibitors. Larger, controlled studies evaluating the increased risk in patients with pulmonary dysfunction are limited. Data from these trials are summarized in this article.CONCLUSIONS:The...
False Event Screening Using Data Mining in Historical Archives

Analysts working at the International Data Centre (IDC) in support of treaty monitoring through the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) spend a significant amount of time reviewing hypothesized seismic events produced by an automatic processing system to ensure a high-quality event bulletin, which is then made available to the member states of the CTBT. Such a system is characterized as forming signal detections from the waveforms recorded at the International Monitoring System (IMS) stations, performing association or grouping of the detections, and finally converging on a set of hypothesized events that can account for the groups of detections. For each detection, a suite of features is automatically measured ( e.g. , arrival time, azimuth, signal to noise ratio [SNR], etc.) and recorded in a relational database. These features are then used by the association algorithm to form event hypotheses, where an acceptable hypothesis is one that explains a suite of features (within acceptable tolerances) across the network. Thus, the quality of the automatically built events is directly dependent on the comprehensiveness and quality of these features. A principal characteristic of current monitoring systems is that all events produced by automatic processing must undergo a varying degree of analyst review. Due to the desire to detect any potential nuclear event, such systems are by design very sensitive, and their tuning is heavily biased toward a low probability of missing a legitimate event. This bias comes with the tradeoff of a high rate of hypothesizing an event that later is not included in the final event bulletin ( i.e. , a “false” event). This approach reflects the inherently greater cost of missing a real event versus removing false events and results in analysts screening out approximately half of the events hypothesized during automatic association. Data mining methods, which rely in some form on archives …
A flexible binding mechanism for ZigBee sensors

A unique feature of sensor networks is the capability of performing actions in response to events detected by sensors. Such a feature requires a mechanism to create an association between the sensor and the actuator, and the resulting association is called a binding. The ZigBee specification defines default binding mechanism called end-device binding. However, this binding mechanism allows only a restricted range of combinations between sensors and actuators. Event filters cannot be defined using this mechanism as well. This paper proposes a flexible binding mechanism for ZigBee sensors called event-action binding, where sensors and actuators can be associated without the constraints imposed by the end-device binding. An event-action binding associates a specific event generated by a sensor with a specific action provided by an actuator. The mechanism supports event filters and multiple event filters can be combined as a composite filter. The binding mechanism was implemented for ZigBee sensors conforming to the specifications of ZigBee home automation and ZigBee cluster library. The implementation is based on YAML descriptions and provides an event matching engine and a browser-based user interface.