cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Cell Permeability of Bivalent Chemical Degraders Using the Chloroalkane Penetration Assay

Bivalent chemical degraders provide a catalytic route to selectively degrade disease-associated proteins. By linking target-specific ligands with E3 ubiquitin ligase recruiting ligands, these compounds facilitate targeted protein ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. Due to the complexity of this multistep mechanism, the development of effective degrader molecules remains a difficult, lengthy, and unpredictable process. Since degraders are large heterobifunctional molecules, the efficacy of these compounds may be limited by poor cell permeability, and an efficient and reliable method to quantify the cell permeability of these compounds is lacking. Herein, we demonstrate that by the addition of a chloroalkane tag on the BRD4 specific degrader, MZ1, cell permeability can be quantified via the chloroalkane penetration assay. By extending this analysis to individual components of the degrader molecule, we have obtained structure-permeability relationships that will be informative for future degrader development, particularly as degraders move into the clinic as potential therapeutics.
Perovskite Materials in Biomedical Applications

Due to exceptional light absorption and superior carrier transport properties, solution-processable hybrid perovskites have realized outstanding performance on solar cells and photodetectors in recent years. As hybrid perovskites contain high atomic number lead and halide elements, they are greatly suitable for X-ray detection and imaging purposes. Here, we present ongoing research in perovskite-based X-ray detectors and low-dose images, which are highly valuable for medical applications. In addition, magnetic oxide perovskite La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.98Ti0.02O3 nanoparticles with magneto-temperature response, as well as double-perovskite L2NiMnO6 for adsorption of bovine serum albumin will be introduced. Moreover, in vitro cell proliferation studies reveal low cytotoxicity and promising biocompatibility of perovskite CaTiO3 in cellular environments, thus justifying its benign functions in osseointegration and osteoblast adhesion. This chapter could advance the roles of perovskite materials in biomedical applications.
The Saltpan Microbiome Is Structured by Sediment Depth and Minimally Influenced by Variable Hydration

Saltpans are a class of ephemeral wetland characterized by alternating periods of inundation, rising salinity, and desiccation. We obtained soil cores from a saltpan on the Mississippi Gulf coast in both the inundated and desiccated state. The microbiomes of surface and 30 cm deep sediment were determined using Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial and archaeal community composition differed significantly between sediment depths but did not differ between inundated and desiccated states. Well-represented taxa included marine microorganisms as well as multiple halophiles, both observed in greater proportions in surface sediment. Functional inference of metagenomic data showed that saltpan sediments in the inundated state had greater potential for microbial activity and that several energetic and degradation pathways were more prevalent in saltpan sediment than in nearby tidal marsh sediment. Microbial communities within saltpan sediments differed in composition from those in adjacent freshwater and brackish marshes. These findings indicate that the bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of saltpans are highly stratified by sediment depth and are only minimally influenced by changes in hydration. The surface sediment community is likely isolated from the shallow subsurface community by compaction, with the microbial community dominated by marine and terrestrial halophiles.
Sequence- and regioselectivity in the montmorillonite-catalyzed synthesis of RNA.

The possible role of catalysis in forming a limited number of RNAs from activated monomers is investigated by examining the sequence- and regioselectivity in the montmorillonite-catalyzed formation of RNA dimers and trimers. The reactivity of A was similar to that of G, and C was comparable in reactivity to U. Yet the reactivity of the purine nucleotides differed from that of the pyrimidines. In the reaction of nucleotides (pN) with activated monomers (ImpN), the sequence- and regioselectivity was Pu 3' Py > Pu 3' Pu = Pu 2' Py > Pu 2' Pu. The 5'-pyrimidine initiated dimers formed less efficiently than the 5'-purine initiated dimers. Trimer formation was investigated by the synthesis of 8 dimers (pNpN) and measuring the yields of trimers formed in the reaction of each dimer with a mixture of equal molar amounts of four activated monomers. The reactivity of the dimers depended on the nucleotide attached to the 3'-end of the RNA and the regiochemistry of the phosphodiester bond. Rules based on these studies are proposed to predict the sequence- and regioselectivity of the RNAs formed in montmorillonite-catalyzed reactions. These rules are consistent with the structures of the 2-5-mers formed in the reaction of equimolar amounts of ImpA and ImpC. This research establishes that the montmorillonite catalyst limits the number of RNA oligomer isomers formed. The potential significance of these findings to the origins of life is discussed.
Hypnotic Susceptibility, Imaging Ability, and Information Processing: An Integrative Look

At the beginning of the 19th century, Jose Custodi di Faria advocated a psychological explanation of what was then known as mesmerism. He stressed that so-called lucid sleep was taking place during this manipulation and that this was produced solely by the subject’s heightened expectations and receptive attitudes. Since the subject wanted to be mesmerized and expected something to happen as a result, the expectations were in fact realized. With the emphasis on psychological factors during the mesmeric process, Faria developed what might be called a standard procedure for inducing lucid sleep. He used a series of soothing and commanding verbal suggestions while the subject was in the receptive mesmeric state. Faria then realized, as did others to follow such as Ambroise August Liebeault and Hippolyte Marie Bernheim, that verbal suggestion played a major role in mesmerism (Wallace and Fisher, 1987).
Sequential CRISPR-Based Screens Identify LITAF and CDIP1 as the Bacillus cereus Hemolysin BL Toxin Host Receptors

Bacteria and their toxins are associated with significant human morbidity and mortality. While a few bacterial toxins are well characterized, the mechanism of action for most toxins has not been elucidated, thereby limiting therapeutic advances. One such example is the highly potent pore-forming toxin, hemolysin BL (HBL), produced by the gram-positive pathogen Bacillus cereus. However, how HBL exerts its effects and whether it requires any host factors is unknown. Here, we describe an unbiased genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen that identified LPS-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF) as the HBL receptor. Using LITAF-deficient cells, a second, subsequent whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified the LITAF-like protein CDIP1 as a second, alternative receptor. We generated LITAF-deficient mice, which exhibit marked resistance to lethal HBL challenges. This work outlines and validates an approach to use iterative genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify the complement of host factors exploited by bacterial toxins to exert their myriad biological effects.
Magnetic resonance imaging and bioimpedance evaluation of lymphatic abnormalities in patients with breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema

Breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL) evaluation is frequently performed using portable measures of limb volume and bioimpedance asymmetry. Here quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is applied to evaluate deep and superficial tissue impairment, in both surgical and contralateral quadrants, to test the hypothesis that BCRL impairment is frequently bilateral and extends beyond regions commonly evaluated with portable external devices. 3-T MRI was applied to investigate BCRL topographical impairment. Female BCRL (n = 33; age = 54.1 ± 11.2 years; stage = 1.5 ± 0.8) and healthy (n = 33; age = 49.4 ± 11.0 years) participants underwent quantitative upper limb MRI relaxometry (T2), bioimpedance asymmetry, arm volume asymmetry, and physical evaluation. Parametric tests were applied to evaluate study measurements (i) between BCRL and healthy participants, (ii) between surgical and contralateral limbs, and (iii) in relation to clinical indicators of disease severity. Two-sided p-value < 0.05 was required for significance. Bioimpedance asymmetry was significantly correlated with MRI-measured water relaxation (T2) in superficial tissue. Deep muscle (T2 = 37.6 ± 3.5 ms) and superficial tissue (T2 = 49.8 ± 13.2 ms) relaxation times were symmetric in healthy participants. In the surgical limbs of BCRL participants, deep muscle (T2 = 40.5 ± 4.9 ms) and superficial tissue (T2 = 56.0 ± 14.8 ms) relaxation times were elevated compared to healthy participants, consistent with an edematous micro-environment. This elevation was also observed in contralateral limbs of BCRL participants (deep muscle T2 = 40.3 ± 5.7 ms; superficial T2 = 56.6 ± 13.8 ms). Regional MRI measures substantiate a growing literature speculating that superficial and deep tissue, in surgical and contralateral quadrants, is affected in BCRL. The implications of these findings in the context of titrating treatment regimens and understanding malignancy recurrence are discussed.
Is That an Opportunity?: Global versus Local Processing of Technological and Socioeconomic Constraints

Opportunity beliefs lead entrepreneurs to explore or walk away from opportunities. The dominant process for explaining opportunity beliefs is structural alignment theory’s analogical problem solvin...
High-efficiency photoluminescence properties of ternary copper(I) halides

Ternary group 11 halides, especially those utilizing copper (I), have recently been explored as relatively non-toxic alternatives to the popular luminescent lead halide perovskites. This talk will focus on one such family, A2CuX3 (A=Rb+, K+; X= Cl-, Br-), which exhibit outstanding light emission properties, with up to unity photoluminescent quantum yields. These samples, along with other ternary group 11 halides, have been investigated through an in-depth optical characterization. The ultrabright photoluminescence in the studied group 11 halides is ascribed to self-trapped excitons localized on the [CuX3]2- anionic substructure based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and optical spectroscopy results.
Gender Differences in Hackathons as a Non-traditional Educational Experience

Hackathons, the time-bound collaborative project-based computer science competitions increasingly popular with computer science students, are one of the largest-scale innovations in computing education of the past decade. This research examined three hackathons and 46,500 surveys to find that educational benefits were unequal between genders in ways that would especially impact women returning to the workforce.
Mapping fine-scale human disturbances in a working landscape with Landsat time series on Google Earth Engine

Abstract Large fractions of human-altered lands are working landscapes where people and nature interact to balance social, economic, and ecological needs. Achieving these sustainability goals requires tracking human footprints and landscape disturbance at fine scales over time—an effort facilitated by remote sensing but still under development. Here, we report a satellite time-series analysis approach to detecting fine-scale human disturbances in an Ohio watershed dominated by forests and pastures but with diverse small-scale industrial activities such as hydraulic fracturing (HF) and surface mining. We leveraged Google Earth Engine to stack decades of Landsat images and explored the effectiveness of a fuzzy change detection algorithm called the Bayesian Estimator of Abrupt change, Seasonality, and Trend (BEAST) to capture fine-scale disturbances. BEAST is an ensemble method, capable of estimating changepoints probabilistically and identifying sub-pixel disturbances. We found the algorithm can successfully capture the patterns and timings of small-scale disturbances, such as grazing, agriculture management, coal mining, HF, and right-of-ways for gas and power lines, many of which were not captured in the annual land cover maps from Cropland Data Layers—one of the most widely used classification-based land dynamics products in the US. For example, BEAST could detect the initial HF wellpad construction within 60 days of the registered drilling dates on 88.2% of the sites. The wellpad footprints were small, disturbing only 0.24% of the watershed in area, which was dwarfed by other activities (e.g., right-of-ways of utility transmission lines). Together, these known activities have disturbed 9.7% of the watershed from the year 2000 to 2017 with evergeen forests being the most affected land cover. This study provides empirical evidence on the effectiveness and reliability of BEAST for changepoint detection as well as its capability to detect disturbances from satellite images at sub-pixel levels and also documents the value of Google Earth Engine and satellite time-series imaging for monitoring human activities in complex working landscapes.
Evaluation of the physicochemical and biological properties of EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow

Abstract Introduction Understanding the physicochemical and biological properties of endodontic sealers is important for endodontic treatment planning. This study evaluated the properties of EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow (BCH; Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA), EndoSequence BC Sealer (BC, Brasseler USA), and AH Plus (AHP; Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). The effect of temperature on the setting time and flow of these sealers was also evaluated. Methods The setting time, flow, radiopacity, pH, solubility, and calcium release were investigated following ISO guidelines. The morphology and chemical composition of the sealers were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of sealers was tested against 2 strains of Enterococcus faecalis. Sealer cytotoxicity and the effects on messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory and mineralization genes were also investigated. Data analysis was performed using analysis of variance, Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn multiple comparison tests. P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. Results The setting time and flow rate of all sealers were affected by heat (P ≤ .05). The setting times and solubility of BCH and BC were significantly higher than AHP (P ≤ .0001). The radiopacity of AHP was higher than BCH and BC (P ≤ .0001). All sealers were alkaline and had antibacterial effects. Cell viability was higher for BCH and BC than AHP (P ≤ .0001). No significant differences in messenger RNA expression of proinflammatory and mineralization genes were observed. Conclusions Overall, BCH and BC had similar physicochemical and biological properties. The observed high solubility of BCH and BC as well as the high cytotoxicity of AHP might negatively impact the clinical performance of these materials. The application of heat affected the setting time and flow of all sealers.
Identification of TRAMs as Sphingolipid-Binding Proteins Using a Photoactivatable and Clickable Short Chain Ceramide Analog.

Ceramide is a lipid molecule that regulates diverse physiological and pathological reactions in part through inverting the topology of certain transmembrane proteins. This topological inversion is achieved through Regulated Alternative Translocation (RAT), which reverses the direction by which membrane proteins are translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum during translation. However, owing to technical challenges in studying protein-ceramide interaction, it remains unclear how ceramide levels are sensed in cells to trigger RAT. Here we report the synthesis of pac-C7-Cer, a photoactivatable and clickable short chain ceramide analog that can be used as a probe to study protein-ceramide interactions. We demonstrate that translocating chain associated membrane protein 2 (TRAM2), a protein known to control RAT of transmembrane 4 L6 subfamily member 20 (TM4SF20), and TRAM1, a homolog of TRAM2, interacted with molecules derived from pac-C7-Cer. This interaction was competed by naturally existing long chain ceramide molecules. We showed that binding of ceramide and its analogs to TRAM2 correlated with their ability to induce RAT of TM4SF20. In addition to probing ceramide-TRAM interactions, we provide evidence that pac-C7-cer could be used for proteome-wide identification of ceramide-binding proteins. Our study provides mechanistic insights into RAT by identifying TRAMs as potential ceramide-binding proteins, and establishes pac-C7-Cer as a valuable tool for future study of ceramide-protein interactions.
Understanding Reciprocity in Radar Polarimetry

Unconventional techniques are presented for analysis of the effects of two-way propagation on electromagnetic fields. Difficulties arising from the use of different coordinate systems for transmission and reception are demonstrated and discussed. The effects of linear processes and reciprocity are worked out in detail. The analysis uses the Jones vector representation for electromagnetic fields.
COMPUTER-AIDED TRAUMA DECISION MAKING USING MACHINE LEARNING AND SIGNAL PROCESSING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Executive Summary and Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
Effectiveness of different Frankia cell types as inocula for the actinorhizal plant Casuarina

The soil bacterium Frankia of the Actinomycetales, capable of forming N2-fixing symbiotic root nodules on a diverse array of actinorhizal plants, has several morphological forms when grown in pure culture. Fresh hydrated preparations of whole cells, hyphae, and spores were all infective on seedlings of Casuarina at different dilutions. Desiccated hyphae showed no infection capacity, while desiccated spores remained infective, although at a reduced level. On the basis of most-probable-number statistics, spore suspensions were 3 orders of magnitude more infective than hyphae.
The exosporium of B. cereus contains a binding site for gC1qR/p33: implication in spore attachment and/or entry.

B.cereus, is a member of a genus of aerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rod-like bacilli, which includes the deadly, B.anthracis. Preliminary experiments have shown that gC1qR binds to B.cereus spores that have been attached to microtiter plates. The present studies were therefore undertaken, to examine if cell surface gC1qR plays a role in B.cereus spore attachment and/or entry. Monolayers of human colon carcinoma (Caco-2) and lung cells were grown to confluency on 6 mm coverslips in shell vials with gentle swirling in a shaker incubator. Then, 2 μ l of a suspension of strain SB460 B.cereus spores (3x108/ml, in sterile water), were added and incubated (1-4 h; 360 C) in the presence or absence of anti-gC1qR mAb-carbon nanoloops. Examination of these cells by EM revealed that: (1) When B. cereus endospores contacted the apical Caco-2 cell surface, or lung cells, gClqR was simultaneously detectable, indicating upregulation of the molecule. (2) In areas showing spore contact with the cell surface, gClqR expression was often adjacent to the spores in association with microvilli (Caco-2 cells) or cytoskeletal projections (lung cells). (3) Furthermore, the exosporia of the activated and germinating spores were often decorated with mAb-nanoloops. These observations were further corroborated by experiments in which B.cereus spores were readily taken up by monocytes and neutrophils, and this uptake was partially inhibited by mAb 60.11, which recognizes the C1q binding site on gC1qR. Taken together, the data suggest a role, for gC1qR at least in the initial stages of spore attachment and/or entry.
ECSE: an efficient environment for layered communication protocols

The authors present the European Networking Center Communication Systems Environment (ECSE), an environment for developing communications software. ECSE aims at three goals: portability, efficiency, and extensibility. The first goal is achieved by providing a shell interface to access the appropriate subset of elementary operating system services. ECSE enables efficiency by providing a set of basic services designed to interact efficiently, and which allow extended services to be integrated efficiently. The ECSE architecture is extensible in two ways: vertically to allow alternative implementations of an existing service, and horizontally, to allow integration of new services into the environment. So far, ECSE has been designed and developed for multilayered communication implementations in single-processor environments. >
Thermal ion implantation for advanced semiconductor processing

Ion Implantation has been the mainstay for doping of transistors and is used for precise doping for controlling device characteristics including drive current, reducing device leakage, and transistor isolation. Implant has also been used extensively for delivering cost effective multiple threshold voltages required for system on a chip. As devices scaled to 28nm and beyond, cryogenic implants are used extensively to deliver complete amorphization and thus improve dopant activation, interface quality, and leakage reduction. With the advent of Finfets and other 3D transistors, heated implants are integrated to maintain silicon crystallinity and increase activation. In this paper, we will explore the role of thermal implants in enabling transistor scaling.
Rapid Determination of Ammonia in a Perchloric Acid Supernate from Blood, by Use of an Ammonia-Specific Electrode

A simple, rapid method was developed for accurate determination of ammonia in whole blood. Blood proteins were precipitated with perchloric acid (8 g/dl) and the free ammonia liberated in the supernate on alkalinization was measured directly with an ammonia-specific electrode after adjusting the sample temperature to 25 °C. Some variables affecting precision, accuracy, and electrode performance were studied. Sensitivity, specificity, and interferences are discussed. The tentative normal range is 28 ± 14 µg of ammonia nitrogen per deciliter. The coefficient of variation was 4.8% in the "normal," 3.6% in the "abnormal" range. Abnormal values were correlated with clinical status. Recoveries averaged 99.3%. Correlation with an established ion-exchange method for plasma ammonia was 0.994. Total time required for a complete assay is 15 min.
Schottky barriers and ohmic contacts on n-type InP based compound semiconductors for microwave FET's

InP, and In 0.73 Ga 0.27 As 0.6 P 0.4 , and In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As lattice matched to InP are of special importance as active FET channel materials because of the high electron velocity and/or high electron mobility they offer. Using a AuGe/Ni/Au metallization system, specific contact resistances of 5 × 10-7Ω . cm2, 8 × 10-7Ω . cm2, and 5.8 × 10-6Ω cm2were obtained for ohmic contacts on In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As, InP, and In 0.89 Ga 0.11 As 0.24 P 0.76 , respectively. Leakage currents of 10 µA at 7-V reverse bias were observed for 1 × 200-µm gates on InP. and In 0.89 Ga 0.11 As 0.24 P 0.76 FET's having a SiO 2 film about 50 A thick under the gate. A thin SiO 2 layer underneath the gate improved the Schottky-gate I-V characteristics, but thick oxides severely degraded the microwave performance of the FET's. These excellent ohmic contacts and Schottky barriers resulted in a maximum insertion gain of 15 dB at 8 GHz and a noise figure of 2.5 dB with 8-dB gain at 7 GHz for the InP deviees. For 1.15-eV In x Ga 1-x As y P 1-y FET's, the resulting gain was 9 dB at 8 GHz.
New Applications of Electrostatic Technology to Control of Dust, Fumes, Smokes, and Aerosols

New applications of electrostatics to the control of dust are investigated. Technology for pushing systems to keep dust off optical systems and move particulates out of airstreams are discussed. Other electrostatic techniques for removal of water droplets and smoke are investigated.
Inverse cross-modality matching: A test of ratio judgment consistency for group and individual data

Direct and inverse cross-modality matches made by 20 subjects were assessed for ratio judgment consistency. Each subject matched apparent duration to loudness, and vice versa, in both a directly and an inversely proportional manner. All four tasks were repeated twice so that individual differences could be examined using interrepetition correlations. Group data exhibited the appropriate inverse relationship indicative of consistency, although the inverse matches were slightly curvilinear and resembled earlier studies with inverse attribute scales. Some individuals showed a high degree of consistency but many departed widely from inverse proportionality. Individual differences in exponents, which occurred for both types of tasks, were not removed by S. S. Stevens’ (1971) regression balance procedure. However, interrepetition correlations for the differences in the absolute values of the direct and inverse exponents of individuals were nonsignificant, suggesting that when subjects’ exponents differed for the two types of tasks they did so on a random basis. The latter finding implies that subjects would give inversely proportional matches were it not for random factors. The findings were discussed in relation to other types of ratio consistency.
Y2O3-doped ZrO2 membranes for solar electrothermal and solarthermal separations — II. Electron hole conductivity of yttria-stabilized zirconia

Abstract In previous work, we examined the suitability of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) for high- temperature oxygen transport. In the present work, we measured the specific electron-hole conductivity of a 4.5 mole% YSZ tube in the temperature range 1400–1900K using a semipermeability technique. The electron-hole conductivity compares well with values previously reported. Our activation energy, 1.60 eV, gives a temperature dependence similar to the activation energies reported by others, 1.36–1.67 eV.
The broadcasting public sphere: Enduring issues, enduring relationships, enduring activists

This study compares the strategies and impact of six British activist groups, as documented in 1997, with data gathered on the same groups in 2000. These groups, Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Campaign for Quality Television, Deaf Broadcasting Council, Consumers Association, National Consumers Council and National Listeners and Viewers Association, attempted to build a public sphere for generating debate around and catalysing changes to broadcasting policies and programming. They were tracked in 2000 in order to identify those issues, relationships and groups that had endured. The research design provided a telescopic look at their interactions with their targets and with each other during a period of rapid technological and industry change. In a multichannel broadcasting environment where convergence and globalisation are buzzwords, activists used public relations to create a broader public forum for a wide range of significant issues with which to engage demographically, psychographically and geographically diverse publics. The ensuing media education, media advocacy and relationship building, although elite in origins, strengthened democratic discourse, thus reaffirming broadcasting’s invaluable role in civil society.
Frequency-dependent seismic anisotropy in fractured rock

To examine the effects of multiple, aligned fractures in rock, we have developed a two-dimensional elastic finite difference code for fractured media. Fractures are incorporated into the model explicitly as displacement-discontinuity boundary conditions. The wavefield is computed using a 4th-order staggered grid scheme. Simulations were performed for a broadband explosion point source (center frequency 374 Hz) located at the center of the model. The model consisted of 90 horizontal fractures spaced approximately 1/8 of a wavelength apart. The normal and shear fracture stiffnesses were selected such that the normal incidence transmission coeficient is 0.6. The simulations show strong scattering attenuation of the P-wave in the vertical direction (⊥ to the fractures) and channeling of guided waves in the horizontal direction (II to the fractures). The same code was also used to model wave propagation in an anisotropic medium with equivalent effective moduli for the 90-fracture system. Significant differences between the amplitudes, velocities, and frequency content of the waves in the explicit and equivalent medium fracture models were observed. These differences result from frequency-dependent time delays and filtering across each fracture and channeling along fractures that are not included in the zero-frequency effective medium description. These effects are especially interesting because they illustrate that the dynamic properties of fractured rock include significant amplitude anisotropy that may prove useful in the characterization of fractured rock.
Principals' Perceptions from within: Leadership in High-Need Schools in the USA.

This study explores leadership in high-need schools where social and economic issues collide with learning, preventing students and their families from receiving the level of education they deserve. Two Latina principals in primary schools identified as high-need schools answer these questions: (a) “How can high-need schools be defined?”; (b) “Would a school inevitably be a high-need school in a high-need area?”; and (c) “In what ways do you see your leadership as influencing your specific school?” The views of these principals carry larger implications for the promotion of Latinos as the fastest-growing school-age group in the US. They defined their leadership as a moral craft, as one that prepares adults on campus to support families and students in urban high-need areas. At an international and cross-comparative level, considerations of socio-economic issues, and unaddressed academic, emotional, and physical issues, were regarded as needs to be met before focusing on students’ academic success.
Effect of processing parameters on the physical stability of silicone coatings.

Prefilled syringes have emerged as a container of choice for the storage and delivery of protein pharmaceuticals. This is due to a number of factors including greater medication safety resulting from reduced dosage errors, ease of use, and significantly reduced overfill requirements (1,2). Proper functionality of the prefilled syringes is achieved by lubricating the syringe barrel and plunger tip. For the past several decades, silicone oil has been the material of choice for this purpose. Recently, silicone oil has been implicated in causing enhanced protein aggregation in formulations delivered through prefilled syringes (3–5). The process of protein aggregation in formulations stored in prefilled syringes can, in general, be ascribed to the following steps: protein adsorption to the hydrophobic silicone oil/water interface, surface-induced protein denaturation, desorption of the denatured species, and aggregate formation following association with similar molecules in the bulk. Since protein binding to the silicone oil constitutes the earliest step in this aggregation process, it is critical to inhibit/reduce this binding. In prefilled syringes, silicone oil is available in two forms with which a protein can interact: surface bound and free. Surface-bound silicone oil provides a static interface with water in a device. Free silicone oil is present because of the application of excess silicone oil or a poor coating process, which may leach into the bulk. The leached silicone oil poses an additional concern as it provides an increased interfacial area for protein adsorption. Moreover, from a regulatory perspective, the enhanced particulate load because of silicone oil leaching can be a problem (6). Since the only purpose of silicone oil in prefilled syringes is to provide lubricity for a smooth plunger movement, it is important to optimize the amount of silicone oil that is applied to the surface to maintain an optimum syringe gliding force without generating any excess silicone oil on the surface. Excluding this excess silicone oil, which is prone to leaching, will result in a reduction in the silicone oil/water interfacial area with which a protein can interact, making the protein binding to the silicone oil a rate-limiting step in the process of silicone oil-induced protein aggregation. As more and more biologics are becoming available in prefilled syringes, it is critical to reassess the process of silicone oil coating in syringes. In a recent study, silicone migration from cyclic olefin copolymer syringes, coated with silicone, was studied as a function of curing process and formulation parameters (7); however, most of the work done by the industries in this area is proprietary and is seldom published. From a point of gaining a mechanistic understanding about the effect of different parameters on the stability of silicone coating at a surface against leaching, we evaluated the physical stability of silicone films in distilled water as a function of curing temperature, the applied amount, and viscosity of silicone fluid.
Thermoreversible poly(alkyl acrylates) consisting of self-complementary multiple hydrogen bonding

The synthesis and characterization of novel self-complementary multiple hydrogen-bonded (SCMHB) polymers containing pendant 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidone (UPy) units are described. SCMHB pendant polymers, poly(butyl acrylate-co-SCMHB methacrylate), were prepared via free radical copolymerization of butyl acrylate (BA) and a novel SCMHB methacrylate (SCMHB MA) monomer, which was synthesized via a quantitative coupling reaction between 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (ICEMA) and methyl isocytosine (MIS) in DMSO. The glass transition temperatures of poly(BA-co-SCMHB MA) increased in a linear fashion as the SCMHB MA content increased. Thermogravimetric analysis of the copolymers exhibited an onset of weight loss at 217 °C. Solution viscosity analysis indicated that SCMHB pendant polymers strongly aggregated in nonpolar solvents, such as toluene and CHCl3, and dissociated in polar solvents, such as THF. Based on melt rheological characterization, the melt viscosity of soluble SCMHB pendant polymers was an order of ...
Validity of computer simulation of blood vessel imaging in angiography.

The computer-simulation technique for imaging of vessels in angiography is being recognized as a useful tool for the study of the effect of physical parameters on the vessel image. We have examined the validity of this technique by comparing the computed image distribution directly with experimental results. The input x-ray pattern of a blood vessel phantom, the line spread function (LSF) of the focal spot, and the LSF of a screen-film system were measured. From the data obtained, the final image distributions of the phantom were computed and compared with the experimentally determined distributions. A high-precision device for the alignment and positioning of the vessel phantom was employed in the experiments. Results indicate that computer simulation can correctly predict the image distribution of the blood vessel phantom.
Investigation of factors related to stimulus overinclusion.

The investigators studied the experiential state of stimulus overinclusion (SOI) in 109 consecutive acutely hospitalized patients. This phenomenon has been cited in theoretical formulations of the schizophrenic defect. Schizophrenics did not experience significantly more SOI than other patients. Specific relationships to diagnosis, emotional states, and altered states of consciousness (particularly psychomimetics) were studied and etiological implications are discussed.
Radiologic and Endoscopic Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is not a distinct histopathologic entity. Although described as early as 1913 and named for the first author of an article on the disease, published in 1932, Crohn's disease was not clinically, histologically, or radiologically distinguished from ulcerative colitis until 1959 and later. 17,18,48,50,51 The diagnosis of Crohn's disease depends on analysis of the clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, pathologic, and stool-specimen findings. Contrast radiography provides information about the localization, extent, contiguity, and severity of disease. 66 CT scanning provides cross-sectional imaging that assesses mural and extramural disease. Endoscopy enables direct visualization of the digestive-tract mucosa and provides the ability to obtain biopsy specimens for histopathologic correlation. 68 This article first describes the radiologic and endoscopic findings in patients with Crohn's disease and a rational approach to the selection of radiologic examinations in the workup of patients for suspected or known Crohn's disease. Finally, the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease is reviewed.
A Class of Markov Chain Models for Average Run Length Computations for Autocorrelated Processes

The average run length (ARL) of conventional control charts is typically computed assuming temporal independence. However, this assumption is frequently violated in practical applications. Alternative ARL computations have often been conducted via time consuming and yet not necessarily very accurate simulations. In this article, we develop a class of Markov chain models for evaluating the run length performance of traditional control charts for autocorrelated processes. We show extensions from the univariate AR(1) model to the general multivariate VARMA(p, q) time series. The results of the proposed method are highly comparable to those of simulations and with significantly less computational overhead.
The human X-chromosome and the levels of serum immunoglobulin M

The serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A and M were measured in a sample of 93 pairs of monozygotic twins, their spouses, and their offspring. The hypothesis that the human X-chromosome carries genes which control the levels of immunoglobulin M was tested with three different approaches. Our results indicate that environmental factors are primarily responsible for the observed variation in the levels of IgG and IgA. The variance of IgM seems to be mostly the result of X-linked gene effects, with women having higher IgM levels than men.
Synthesis of Poly(4-vinylpyridine) Thin Films by Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition (iCVD) for Selective Nanotrench-Based Sensing of Nitroaromatics

A new nanoscale sensing concept for the detection of nitroaromatic explosives is described. The design consists of nitroaromatic-selective polymeric layers deposited inside microfabricated trenches. As the layers are exposed to nitroaromatic vapors, they swell and contact each other to close an electrical circuit. The nitroaromatic selective polymer, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), is deposited in the trenches using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). P4VP is characterized for the first time as a selective layer for the absorption of nitroaromatic vapors. The Flory–Huggins equation is used to model the swelling response to nitroaromatic vapors. The Flory–Huggins interaction parameter for the P4VP–nitrobenzene system at 40 °C is 0.71 and 0.25 for P4VP–4-nitrotoluene at 60 °C. Sensing of nitrobenzene vapors is demonstrated in a prototype device, while techniques to improve the performance of the design in terms of response time and sensitivities are described. Modeling shows that concentration and mass limits of detection of 0.95 ppb and 3 fg, respectively, can be achieved.
Conductive polymeric films of meso-tetrakis[2,2]-para-cyclophanyl-metalloporphyrins — spectroelectrochemistry an and catalytic properties

Abstract New thin ffilms of meso -tetrakis[2,2]- para -cyclophanyl metalloporphyrin ccomplexes with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) were studied using electrochemical methods and UV-Vis thin-layer spectroehemistry. These polymeric films are if interest both for their significant electrical conductivity and as electrode coating materials that exhibit new patterns of catalytic reactivity in the reduction of oxygen. All of the films show a catalytic effect in the reduction of oxygen in acidic as well an basic media. Electroreduction of oxygen on the new polymeric porphyrins promotes the four-electron reduction directly to water.
Isolated Incompetence of the Pulmonic Valve

Two cases of isolated incompetence of the pulmonic valve diagnosed during life are reported and a review of the literature is presented. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients with a basal diastolic murmur and right ventricular enlargement who have no evidence of other cardiac valvular disease. The characteristic murmur associated with isolated incompetence of the pulmonic valve appears to be related to filling of the dilated right ventricle. The diagnosis can be confirmed clinically by right heart catheterization. The lesion is not benign in the human being, and right ventricular failure may be precipitated when complicating diseases are present.
High peak to average ratio solution in OFDM of 4G mobile systems

The advent of 4G wireless systems has created many research opportunities. The expectations from 4G are high in terms of data rates, spectral efficiency, mobility and integration. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is proving to be a possible multiple access technology to be used in 4G. But OFDM comes with its own challenges like high Peak to Average Ratio, linearity concerns and phase noise. This paper proposes a solution to reduce Peak to Average Ratio by clipping method. MATLAB was used to generate the OFDM signal to prove that clipping does reduce Peak to Average Ratio.
The Activity and Cofactor Preferences of N-Acetyl-1-d-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside Deacetylase (MshB) Change Depending on Environmental Conditions

Actinomycetes, such as Mycobacterium species, are Gram-positive bacteria that utilize the small molecule mycothiol (MSH) as their primary reducing agent. Consequently, the enzymes involved in MSH biosynthesis are targets for drug development. The metal-dependent enzyme N-acetyl-1-d-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside deacetylase (MshB) catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-1-d-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside to form 1-d-myo-inosityl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside and acetate, the fourth overall step in MSH biosynthesis. Inhibitors of metalloenzymes typically contain a group that binds to the active site metal ion; thus, a comprehensive understanding of the native cofactor(s) of metalloenzymes is critical for the development of biologically effective inhibitors. Herein, we examined the effect of metal ions on the overall activity of MshB and probed the identity of the native cofactor. We found that the activity of MshB follows the trend Fe2+ > Co2+ > Zn2+ > Mn2+ and Ni2+. Additionally, our results show that the identity of the cofactor bound to purified MshB is highly dependent on the purification conditions used (aerobic versus anaerobic), as well as the metal ion content of the medium during protein expression. MshB prefers Fe2+ under anaerobic conditions regardless of the metal ion content of the medium and switches between Fe2+ and Zn2+ under aerobic conditions as the metal content of the medium is altered. These results indicate that the cofactor bound to MshB under biological conditions is dependent on environmental conditions, suggesting that MshB may be a cambialistic metallohydrolase that contains a dynamic cofactor. Consequently, biologically effective inhibitors will likely need to dually target Fe2+-MshB and Zn2+-MshB.
Heterosis of adult mouse (Mus musculus) ultrasonic vocalizing.

Four sets of adult mice (Mus musculus), each comprised of individuals from two inbred strains and both reciprocal F1 crosses, were tested during male-female and female-female dyadic encounters for their emission of 70-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. For each sex-dyad type of each set, a single progeny mean representing both reciprocal F1 groups was calculated and compared to (1) the average value from the inbred parents and (2) the higher mean of the within-set progenitor inbred strains. In addition to demonstrating strain-and sex-influenced ultrasonic vocalizing levels, the results indicated that for each set examined, the F1-progeny mean amount of ultrasonic vocalizing significantly exceeded the average inbred parent value. This was true for both dyad types, providing strong evidence that ultrasonic vocalizing displlays a directional dominance mode of inheritance in both female and male mice. Moreover, for female-female dyads of all four sets and for male-female dyads of three of four sets, the F1-progeny mean amount of ultrasonic vocalizing significantly exceeded that of the highest progenitor inbred strain. Analyses of ultrasonic vocalizing latencies yielded similar hybrid-inbred differences. Collectively, these findings are interpreted as being consistent with the notion that, for both sexes of mice, ultrasonic vocalizing is a phenotypically heterotic behavioral trait.
The 2H(d,γ) 4He reaction at low energy and the D-state admixture in 4He

The cross section and angular distribution of the ^2H(d,γ) ^4He reaction have been measured from E^(CM) = 50 to 500 keV. For E⩽200 keV, the observed near-constant cross-section S-factor and isotropy show that the dominant radiative capture amplitude is ^5S_2→^5D_0, instead of the ^1D_2→^1S_0 amplitude that dominates at higher energies. Thus the ^4He D-state admixture can be determined from the low-energy cross section alone. Values obtained from different models range up to 14%. As the new astrophysical S-factor is 32 times larger than previously estimated, it will likely affect inhomogeneous big-bang nucleosynthesis models.
The making of modern Turkey: nation and state in eastern Anatolia, 1913–1950

The making of modern Turkey: nation and state in eastern Anatolia, 1913–1950 Ugur Umit Ungor Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011 303 pp., $45 (pbk) Ugur Umit Ungor's groundbreaking study of Turke...
Parallel implementation of domain decomposition methods for the electromagnetic analysis of guided wave systems

A domain decomposition method is introduced to facilitate the efficient and rigorous computation of electromagnetic phenomena in structures that are electrically large in one dimension. These large structures are decomposed into many smaller regions by placing partitions throughout the structure, then numerical solutions are generated within each region. Field continuity conditions are applied at the partitions between regions after the numerical solutions are generated to form the solution of the entire structure. By partitioning the large structure into smaller independent regions, the boundary value problem is rendered solvable on a workstation environment, but is also made suitable for massively-parallel computation. Finite element techniques, used for the numerical solutions in this paper, have several levels of parallelism that can be taken advantage of in a parallel environment. Repetitious or nearly periodic structures can be analyzed much more efficiently, since the numerical solutions in unique ...
Central partial difference propagation algorithms

Abstract The coherent propagation equations for electromagnetic fields interacting with a nonlinear medium have a specific coupling between time and space equations. This coupling is used here to obtain a new propagation algorithm, which is implicit in four dimensions. The new algorithm requires less memory overhead and is more stable than previously suggested methods. It is a parallel processing algorithm which is adaptable to inhomogeneously broadened media.