cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of aminated surface ligands and silica shells on the stability, uptake, and toxicity of engineered silver nanoparticles

Inherent nanomaterial characteristics, com- position, surface chemistry, and primary particle size, are known to impact particle stability, uptake, and toxicity. Nanocomposites challenge our ability to pre- dict nanoparticle reactivity in biological systems if they are composed of materials with contrasting relative toxicities. We hypothesized that toxicity would be dominated by the nanoparticle surface (shell vs core), and that modulating the surface ligands would have a direct impact on uptake. We exposed developing zebrafish (Danio rerio )t o as eries of*70 nm amine- terminated silver nanoparticles with silica shells (AgSi NPs) to investigate the relative influence of surface amination, composition, and size on toxicity. Like-sized aminated AgSi and Si NPs were more toxic than paired hydroxyl-terminated nanoparticles; however, both AgSi NPs were more toxic than the Si NPs, indicating a significant contribution of the silver core to the toxicity. Incremental increases in surface amination did not linearly increase uptake and toxicity, but did have a marked impact on dispersion stability. Mass-based exposure metrics initially supported the hypothesis that smaller nanoparticles (20 nm) would be more toxic than larger particles (70 nm). However, surface area-based metrics revealed that toxicity was independent of size. Our studies suggest that nanoparticle surfaces play a critical role in the uptake and toxicity of AgSi NPs, while the impact of size may be a function of the exposure metric used. Overall, uptake and toxicity can be dramatically altered by small changes in surface functionalization or exposure media. Only after under- standing the magnitude of these changes, can we begin to understand the biologically available dose following nanoparticle exposure.
Efficient, context-sensitive detection of real-world semantic attacks

Software developers are increasingly choosing memory-safe languages. As a result, semantic vulnerabilities---omitted security checks, misconfigured security policies, and other software design errors---are supplanting memory-corruption exploits as the primary cause of security violations. Semantic attacks are difficult to detect because they violate program semantics, rather than language semantics. This paper presents Pecan, a new dynamic anomaly detector. Pecan identifies unusual program behavior using history sensitivity and depth-limited context sensitivity. Prior work on context-sensitive anomaly detection relied on stack-walking, which incurs overheads of 50% to over 200%. By contrast, the average overhead of Pecan is 5%, which is low enough for practical deployment. We evaluate Pecan on four representative real-world attacks from security vulnerability reports. These attacks exploit subtle bugs in Java applications and libraries, using legal program executions that nevertheless violate programmers' expectations. Anomaly detection must balance precision and sensitivity: high sensitivity leads to many benign behaviors appearing anomalous (false positives), while low sensitivity may miss attacks. With application-specific tuning, Pecan efficiently tracks depth-limited context and history and reports few false positives.
Population-Based Approaches to Inform Policy: Men's Health Disparities and Opportunities for Nonprofits and Philanthropy to Leverage Change:

Certain racial, ethnic, and economic groups, specifically men of color and men with low incomes, experience disproportionately high rates of chronic illness and of diseases and conditions that are ...
Distributed Framework for Adaptive Explanatory Visualization

Educational tools designed to help students understand programming paradigms and learn programming languages are an important component of many academic curricula. This paper presents the architecture of a distributed event-based visualization system. We describe specialized content provision and visualization services and present two communication protocols in an attempt to explore the possibility of a standardized language.
Integrating operating procedure synthesis and hazards analysis automation tools for batch processes

In this paper we address the problem of integrating two systems iTOPS, an Intelligent Tool for Operating Procedure Synthesis and BHE, BatchHAZOPexpert that are respective used for generating operator instructions and performing process hazards analysis for batch processes. The architecture of the integrated system is described and its application to an industrial case study is presented.
Myristoylation of the small envelope protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is non-essential for virus infectivity but promotes its growth.

Abstract The small envelope (E) protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is known to possess the properties of an ion-channel protein, and in the present study we show that the PRRSV E protein is N-terminal myristoylated. The PRRSV E protein contains the consensus motif of 1MGxxxS6 for myristoylation, and in the presence of 2-hydroxymyristic acid, the virus titer decreased by 2.5 log TCID50 and the level of viral RNA was reduced significantly. When the glycine at position 2 was mutated to alanine (G2A) using an infectious cDNA clone, a viable virus was recoverable and a mutant PRRSV was obtained. The titers of G2A mutant virus were 2.0 × 104 and 1.0 × 106 TCID50/ml for ‘passage-2’ and ‘passage-3’ viruses, respectively, in PAM cells, and these titers were significantly lower than those of wild-type PRRSV. When treated with the myristoylation inhibitor, the G2A mutant virus was resistant to the drug. The data show that the PRRSV E protein myristoylation is non-essential for PRRSV infectivity but promotes the growth of the virus.
On the Use of Partially Ordered Observations in Measuring the Support for a Complete Order

Abstract A random experiment which results in some ordering of the M events E 1, E 2, ···, E M may be such that these events are observable not individually, but in the form of ordered subsets. A discussion is given for the partial order problem of determining information about one or more complete orders of the M events from partially ordered observations. Relationships are mentioned between the (rank-order) methods of the present paper and those of Rank Correlation and the k-sample problem.
Baseline compensation for gradient elution high-performance liquid chromatography with a dynamically referenced flow cell

Abstract Stable baselines were obtained with a gradient test system of acetone in methanol by using a secondary pump circuit at atmospheric pressure to simulate the gradient formed by the primary (high pressure) circuit. The secondary gradient system is used dynamically to reference the flow cell, thus eliminating baseline drift when detector-active mobile phases are used in gradient elution.
Phacoemulsification in patients after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Abstract Objective To study the outcomes of phacoemulsification in allogeneic bone marrow transplant (allo-BMT) recipients. Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Methods Retrospective study of 34 eyes of 19 consecutive patients who had visually significant cataracts after allo-BMT and subsequently underwent phacoemulsification. Main outcome measures Best-corrected vision at the last follow-up visit and development of postoperative complications. Results Surgery was done at a mean interval of 37 months after BMT, and the mean postoperative follow-up was 13 months. Twenty-one eyes (62%) had subnormal Schirmer I scores as a result of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) involving the lacrimal gland. Of these, 71% (15 eyes) additionally had significant ocular surface epitheliopathy because of conjunctival GVHD. Frequent lubrication (95%), punctal occlusion (76%), topical steroids (33%), and other topical immunosuppressive therapies (14%) were used to manage GVHD-induced ocular surface disease before cataract surgery. Twelve patients (63%) also received systemic steroids and immunosuppressives. Patients proceeded to surgery only after their ocular surface disease was well controlled. Early postoperative complications included intraocular pressure elevation (three eyes), worsening of dry eye syndrome (two eyes), and corneal thinning (one eye). Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) requiring laser capsulotomy occurred in 44% of eyes. In eyes with preoperative conjunctival GVHD, 47% had recurrence with cessation of immunosuppressive therapy after surgery. Visual acuity at last follow-up visit was 20/30 or better in 33 (97%) eyes. Conclusions Phacoemulsification is an effective procedure in restoring vision in patients who have cataracts develop after BMT. However, coexisting ocular disease must be recognized and aggressively treated both before and after surgery to ensure good visual outcomes.
The Calculus of Reengineering

Advances in new Information Technologies IT and changes in the business environment such as globalization and competitive pressure have prompted organizations to embark on reengineering projects involving significant investments in IT and business process redesign. However, the evidence of payoff from such investments can be classified as mixed as best, a problem we partly attribute to the absence of a strong theoretical foundation to assess and analyze reengineering projects. We seek to apply complementarity theory and a business value modeling approach to address some questions involving what, when, and how much to reengineer. Complementarity theory is based on the notion that the value of having more of one factor increases by having more of another complementary factor. Further, related developments in the optimization of “supermodular” functions provide a useful way to maximize net benefits by exploiting complementary relationships between variables of interest. Combining this theory with a multi-level business value model showing relationships between key performance measures and their drivers, we argue that organizational payoff is maximized when several factors relating to IT, decision authority, business processes and incentives are changed in a coordinated manner in the right directions by the right magnitude to move toward an ideal design configuration. Our analysis further shows that when a complementary reengineering variable is left unchanged either due to myopic vision or self-interest, the organization will not be able to obtain the full benefits of reengineering due to smaller optimal changes in the other variables. We also show that by increasing the cost of changing the levels of design variables, unfavorable pre-existing conditions e.g., too much heterogeneity in the computing environment can lead to reengineering changes of smaller magnitude than in a setting with favorable conditions.
Ductility and fracture toughness of molybdenum with MgAl2O4 additions

Abstract New interest in controlling the ductility of molybdenum follows from the hope that multiphase Mo–Si–B alloys may represent the next generation of gas-turbine blade materials. While the addition of MgAl2O4 spinel particles up to 5 vol.% has been previously found to improve the tensile ductility of molybdenum, the present study indicates that there is no corresponding improvement in the fracture toughness. Based on these results, the ductilizing effect is attributed to the associated reduction in grain size, rather than the actual presence of the spinel particles. For spinel additions >2.5 vol.%, the additional crack initiation sites associated with the brittle particles embrittle the molybdenum and hinder the ductilizing grain size effect, resulting in a decrease in ductility beyond 2.5 vol.% spinel. Thus, it would appear that controlling the molybdenum grain size, rather than adding spinel particles, is a more effective means of controlling ductility of molybdenum when fracture occurs intergranularly.
Intracerebral hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy associated with ipsilateral fibrinoid necrosis: A consequence of the hyperperfusion syndrome?

Several recent trials have shown a reduction in long-term stroke rates for patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis treated surgically. ~a However, carotid endarterectomy carries a 2% to 8% perioperative stroke rate ~4 caused mainly by embolization during dissection and vessel manipulation and postoperative thrombosis or embolization. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a much less common sql but potentially devastating complication after carotid endarterectomy. The clinical risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy are not fully known, although recent stroke and severe cerebral occlusive disease are common in such patients. Previous authors ~a2 have suggested that intracerebral hemorrhage in some settings may be a manifestation of the hyperperfusion syndrome. However, intracranial hemorrhage within a few days of carotid endarterectomy may also be related to the presence of hypertension ~a or anticoagulant u s e . 9 Herein, we report a patient with hypertension who died of an ipsilateral intracranial hemorrhage after endarterectomy for high-grade symptomatic carotid stenosis. Autopsy examination of the brain showed changes similar to those seen in malignant hypertension in the affected hemisphere, suggesting that relative hyperperfusion and hemodynamic forces were possibly responsible for the hemorrhage in this patient.
Ab initio construction of Yang's divide-and-conquer method

Abstract A first-principle derivation of the divide-and-conquer method is presented. A system is divided into subsystems. The Kohn-Sham equation is solved within subsystems with the full Kohn-Sham Hamiltonian and with basis sets particular to individual subsystems. Accuracy is enhanced by enlarging basis sets for subsystems. The relationship to Yang's construction of the divide-and-conquer method is discussed.
Screening of metal oxides and metal sulfides as sorbents for elemental mercury at elevated temperatures

Abstract A technical challenge for the implementation of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) coal power plants is determining a method to efficiently capture the pollutants present in coal-derived syngas. One such method is to capture the pollutants at elevated temperatures to decrease the parasitic energy costs associated with their capture. Elemental Hg is difficult to capture because it is present in low concentrations and is relatively inert. In order to overcome technical and economic impediments to investigating potential materials experimentally, here we present an alternative approach in which we screen these materials using density functional theory. We compute the thermochemistry for 23 materials reacting with Hg to evaluate their efficacy for Hg capture. We also compute the thermochemistry of these materials reacting with H 2 , a major component of syngas. Using these calculations we were able to obtain estimates for the thermochemistry of 21 metal oxide and metal sulfide compounds, 17 of them containing Hg, where no experimental data are available. We predict several sorbent materials such as BaO 2 , CrO 2 , and Na 2 O 2 to be effective for Hg capture at elevated temperatures but unusable in syngas because of their reactivity with H 2 . These materials may instead be effective for Hg capture from flue gas. We also predict that the selectivity of K 2 S 2 for Hg over H 2 is favorable, even at the IGCC conditions. Finally, we experimentally evaluate the Hg adsorption ability of K 2 S 2 , BaO 2 , and CrO 2 in order to test the theoretical predictions. CrO 2 was also evaluated for its potential to H 2 reduction. CrO 2 is shown to be an effective high-temperature sorbent for Hg in an inert carrier gas but is not stable in H 2 streams, which agrees well with our theoretical calculations.
A Mössbauer study of Fe-Zn phases on galvanized steel

Electron back-scattering Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used to examine the Fe-Zn intermetallic phases produced on galvanized steel. Spectra have been obtained from surfaces of the zeta, delta-prime (palisade), delta-prime (compact) and capital gamma phases, and these are discussed in terms of the crystal structure of each intermetallic phase.
The Effects of PAH Contamination and Grazing on the Abundance and Composition of Microphytobenthos in Salt Marsh Sediments (Pass Fourchon, LA, U.S.A.): II: The Use of Plant Pigments as Biomarkers

Abstract A field study was conducted in 1996 and 1997 that examined effects of temporal and spatial variability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), macro-epifaunal abundance, and dissolved inorganic nutrients on the abundance and composition of microphytobenthos in salt marsh sediments in Pass Fourchon, LA (U.S.A.). Plant pigment biomarkers were used to monitor seasonal patterns in benthic microalgal abundance and composition across a PAH contamination gradient created by past produced-water pumping. The microphytobenthic community at Pass Fourchon was primarily composed of diatoms and cyanobacteria, as indicated by the carotenoid biomarkers fucoxanthin and zeaxanthin, respectively. Microphytobenthic abundance showed no consistent pattern of variation across stations or seasons; chlorophyll a concentrations generally ranged from 0·2 to 15·9 μg g dry sediment −1 . Significantly higher concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were observed in porewaters at the highly contaminated (high PAHs) station; ammonium had the highest range (160 to 8500 μM at Station 1a). Higher DIN concentrations were likely due to rapid remineralization of microphytobenthic detritus at the highly contaminated station. Microphytobenthic response to enhanced DIN availability was likely hindered by PAH toxicity and/or macro- and meiobenthic grazing effects. In September of each study year, significant seasonal increases in total PAH concentration in surface sediments were observed at the contaminated site (Station 1a). Examination of PAH isomer ratios indicates this seasonal pattern was likely due to physical mixing events (i.e. storms) and not to changes in PAH inputs or preferential remineralization of certain PAHs.
General capillary pressure and relative permeability expressions for through-plane fluid transport in thin fibrous sheets

Abstract The rate of fluid transport in partially saturated porous media depends on the media's instantaneous (function of saturation) relative permeability, k r ( S ), and capillary pressure, P c ( S ). Obtaining functional relationships for relative permeability and capillary pressure is only possible via experimentation or expensive microscale simulations, and needs to be repeated for different media having different fiber diameters, thicknesses, or porosities. In this concern, we conducted series of 3-D microscale simulations to investigate the effect of the above parameters on the relative permeability and capillary pressure of fibrous porous sheets. The results of our parameter study are utilized to develop general expressions for k r ( S ) and P c ( S ). Our general expressions are based on the existing empirical correlations of two-phase flow in granular media, and can easily be included in macroscale fluid transport equations to predict the rate of fluid release from partially saturated fibrous sheets in a time and cost-effective manner.
Digital techniques in carrier-frequency generation

Pulse sequences giving controlled spectra of harmonics are described, and the application of these sequences to carrier-generation schemes is discussed. Sequences are described that generate uniform spectra containing all harmonics of the sequence repetition rate, spectra containing only odd harmonics, and spectra in which alternate odd harmonics predominate. Means of generating spectra containing selected even and odd harmonics are indicated, but are not discussed in detail. Frequency division and filtering, i.e. the extraction of a single harmonic or class of harmonics, are also considered. The application of these techniques to two-carrier-generation schemes is discussed.
Consumer Support for Health Information Exchange and Personal Health Records: A Regional Health Information Organization Survey

In order to characterize consumer support for electronic health information exchange (HIE) and personal health records (PHRs) in a community where HIE is underway, we conducted a survey of English speaking adults who visited primary care practices participating in a regional community-wide clinical data exchange, during August, 2008. Amongst the 117 respondents, a majority supported physicians' use of HIE (83%) or expressed interest in potentially using PHRs (76%). Consumers' comfort sending personal information electronically over the Internet and their perceptions regarding the potential benefits of HIE were independently associated with their support for HIE. Consumers' prior experience using the Internet to manage their healthcare, perceptions regarding the potential benefits of PHRs and college education were independently associated with potential PHR use. Bolstering consumer support for HIE and PHRs will require addressing privacy and security concerns, demonstrating clinical benefits, and reaching out to those who are less educated and computer literate.
Hepatitis C and Renal Transplantation

Hepatitis C is a widespread problem, and the prevalence is higher in patients on hemodialysis than in the general population. In addition, hepatitis C reduces survival in dialysis patients and renal-transplant recipients. Kidney transplantation offers a survival advantage to those patients with chronic hepatitis C infection faced with the alternative of remaining on dialysis. Kidney transplantation should therefore be considered the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease and hepatitis C infection. However, these patients need to be chosen appropriately, and there are no well-established guidelines for the workup or selection of these of these patients. Liver biopsy is an essential tool to determine the degree of fibrosis in these patients and also will prove useful in the management of the patients after transplantation. Transplantation of kidneys from hepatitis C-positive donors to hepatitis C-positive recipients has been shown to be safe and confers a significant advantage in terms of waiting time in this population where death on the waiting list is significant. Treatment prior to transplantation should be considered by the hepatology team, although it is often more difficult to treat given the constraints of a patient in renal failure. Although interferon treatment in hepatitis C-positive kidney-transplant candidates is recommended, treatment posttransplant remains controversial. Simultaneous kidney/liver transplantation should be considered for those candidates with evidence of portal hypertension or decompensated cirrhosis. Mt Sinai J Med 2012 DOI: 10.1002/msj.21318
Cross Section for Excitation of the Fourth Positive Band System in Carbon Monoxide by 20-120 keV Protons

Excitation cross sections for the fourth positive band system in carbon monoxide have been determined from studies of the energy-loss spectra of 20-120-keV protons incident on gaseous CO targets. The energy-loss spectra had an energy resolution of about 2 eV. Prominent peaks in the spectra were observed at 8.5 and 13.8 eV. The first peak is believed to be due to excitation of the fourth positive band system of $\mathrm{CO} (X^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}A^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, while the 13.8-eV peak covers a number of possible states, including the $B^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ and the $C^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ states. Changes in the slope of the ionization continuum were noted at 16.5 eV, corresponding to the $A^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{i}$ state of C${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$, and at 20.5 eV, corresponding to the $B^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ state of C${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$. Absolute excitation cross sections for the fourth positive band system of CO are presented, as well as the total inelastic cross sections and the total ionization cross sections for 20-120-keV protons incident on CO.
Fabrication and characterization of hollow metal waveguides for optical interconnect applications

As data rates continue to increase in high-performance computer systems and networks, it is becoming more difficult for copper-based interconnects to keep pace. An alternative approach to meet these requirements is to move to optical-based interconnect technologies which offer a number of advantages over the legacy copper-based solutions. In order to meet the stringent requirements of high performance and low cost, manufacturable waveguide technologies must be developed. Past solutions have often employed polymer waveguide technologies, which can be expensive and limited by modal dispersion. In the present work, hollow metal waveguides (HMWGs) are investigated as a potential alternative. These waveguides demonstrate very low optical losses of <0.05 dB/cm and the capability to transmit at extremely high data rates. The fabrication, modeling, characterization of the HMWGs are discussed to enable photonic interconnect solutions for future generations of computer and server products.
Influence of Petrographic Composition of Sorbents on Attrition Characteristics in a CFB Boiler

The cost of sorbent use can be significant for a CFB power project, notably where the plant fuel includes high sulfur coal or petroleum coke products. Minimizing sorbent costs will improve the economic competitiveness of individual CFB power plants, as well as the technology in general.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Complete Oxidation of Glycerol in an Enzymatic Biofuel Cell

Glycerol has drawn increasing attention as a prospective fuel because it has many desirable qualities and is abundant due to the fact that it is a by-product of biodiesel production. Qualities such as nontoxicity, extremely low vapour pressure, low flammability and high energy density make glycerol very appealing as an energy source. Previous research has shown that partial oxidation of glycerol can occur at enzymatic bioanodes of biofuel cells utilising PQQ-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (PQQ-ADH) and PQQ-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (PQQ-AldDH). In this paper, we describe the use of glycerol for a fuel in an enzymatic biofuel cell that utilizes a three-enzyme cascade on the anode that can accomplish the complete oxidation of glycerol. The bioanode that was developed contained PQQ-ADH, PQQ-AldDH and oxalate oxidase immobilised within a tetrabutylammonium-modified Nafion membrane. Our previous research has shown that glycerol is an effective fuel with the PQQ-ADH and PQQ-AldDH but still was unable to be fully oxidised. With the addition of oxalate oxidase, these glycerol/air biofuel cells have yielded power densities of up to 1.32 mW cm–2, and have the ability to operate at high fuel concentrations. The oxidation products were confirmed with 13C NMR and comprised mainly 13C-labelled carbonate and glycerate.
Mixed Methods and the Logic of Qualitative Inference

Can quantitative evidence be valuable for qualitative research designs? Here, I first examine recent arguments by qualitative methodologists who challenge the conventional view that quantitative evidence is necessary for explanatory generalization, but note that many qualitative researchers frequently incorporate quantitative evidence in their studies, despite methodological arguments to the contrary. I then extend recent developments in mixed methods research to argue that quantitative evidence offers preliminary description of sociological patterns to be explained by qualitative investigation.
Adaptive and Radio-Agnostic QoS for Body Sensor Networks

As wireless devices and sensors are increasingly deployed on people, researchers have begun to focus on wireless body-area networks. Applications of wireless body sensor networks include healthcare, entertainment, and personal assistance, in which sensors collect physiological and activity data from people and their environments. In these body sensor networks, quality of service is needed to provide reliable data communication over prioritized data streams. This article proposes BodyQoS, the first running QoS system demonstrated on an emulated body sensor network. BodyQoS adopts an asymmetric architecture, in which most processing is done on a resource-rich aggregator, minimizing the load on resource-limited sensor nodes. A virtual MAC is developed in BodyQoS to make it radio-agnostic, allowing a BodyQoS to schedule wireless resources without knowing the implementation details of the underlying MAC protocols. Another unique property of BodyQoS is its ability to provide adaptive resource scheduling. When the effective bandwidth of the channel degrades due to RF interference or body fading effect, BodyQoS adaptively schedules remaining bandwidth to meet QoS requirements. We have implemented BodyQoS in NesC on top of TinyOS, and evaluated its performance on MicaZ devices. Our system performance study shows that BodyQoS delivers significantly improved performance over conventional solutions in combating channel impairment.
MALDI-TOF in the Characterizations of Dendritic−Linear Block Copolymers and Stars

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was utilized to study simple poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG) and a series of amphiphilic copolymers prepared from PEG and dendritic molecules. For the amphiphilic copolymers with branched dendritic structures, MALDI-TOF spectrometry affords more accurate molecular weight data than the conventional gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). For mass lower than 10 000, the molecular weight distribution of the polymer is well-resolved into individual peaks. Using MALDI-TOF in the linear mode, copolymers with molecular masses of up to 43 000 Da were analyzed. For various dendrons attached to the same PEG, a good correlation was observed between calculated and measured data for the expected incremental increase as a function of dendrimer generation. End-group analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry proved very useful for the analysis of polymers with relatively low molecular weights. The experimental results agree well with the ...
Copper country programmers: a novel curriculum for beginning programmers in middle and high school (abstract only)

With the continued and alarming lack of involvement in computing among college students, attention has recently focused on engaging students at the middle and high school levels. Our "Copper Country Programmers" club began as a community outreach program to fill a gap left by the elimination of the computing curriculum in the local school district. In our club, university faculty and students provide curriculum, tools, and classroom tutoring for young novice programmers across the school district. Our curriculum teaches programming through a series of exercises involving HTML, BASIC, LOGO, and Processing (a graphics-oriented Java variant.) Contrary to some other approaches, we present students initially with a low level, bare bones programming model and development environment, then gradually increase the functionality and complexity. We find that students readily grasp the simple, transparent initial model, then experience first-hand the motivations for adding functionality (and complexity). Our cross-curricular programming topics include graphic design, interactive fiction, computer generated poetry, mathematical simulation, computational geometry, game physics, computer art, artificial intelligence, video game development, and critical thinking. We provide examples of our curriculum, student work, problems encountered, and how they were resolved.
Phosphorus accumulation rates in metalliferous sediments on the East Pacific Rise

Abstract Based on phosphorus, iron and manganese analyses in 16 cores (5 dated) from the crest and flanks of the East Pacific Rise and the Bauer Deep we estimate that phosphorus is being deposited about 20 times faster in metalliferous sediments near the rise crest than in adjacent flank deposits, and about 40 times faster on the crest than in the Bauer Deep. Almost all of the phosphorus on the rise crest is contained in poorly crystallized hydrothermal iron oxyhydroxides, supporting Berner's (1973) proposal of phosphate sorption by these phases. The phosphate is probably derived from seawater, but some hydrothermal contribution cannot be excluded at this time. Flux estimates indicate that metalliferous sedimentation could remove 15–40% of the pre-agricultural river input of dissolved phosphate.
Mueller matrix measurements of black and white materials in the infrared

We have investigated the degree of polarization (DOP) of infrared radiation reflected from rough white and black materials. Mueller matrices for these materials have been measured with an out-of-plane scatterometer with full polarization optics. We have compared the Mueller matrix data to the microfacet model. These results may have applications for stray light coatings for imaging polarimetric instruments.
Epigenetic Transgenerational Actions of Vinclozolin on Promoter Regions of the Sperm Epigenome

Previous observations have demonstrated that embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination promotes transgenerational adult onset disease such as male infertility, kidney disease, prostate disease, immune abnormalities and tumor development. The current study investigates genome-wide promoter DNA methylation alterations in the sperm of F3 generation rats whose F0 generation mother was exposed to vinclozolin. A methylated DNA immunoprecipitation with methyl-cytosine antibody followed by a promoter tilling microarray (MeDIP-Chip) procedure was used to identify 52 different regions with statistically significant altered methylation in the sperm promoter epigenome. Mass spectrometry bisulfite analysis was used to map the CpG DNA methylation and 16 differential DNA methylation regions were confirmed, while the remainder could not be analyzed due to bisulfite technical limitations. Analysis of these validated regions identified a consensus DNA sequence (motif) that associated with 75% of the promoters. Interestingly, only 16.8% of a random set of 125 promoters contained this motif. One candidate promoter (Fam111a) was found to be due to a copy number variation (CNV) and not a methylation change, suggesting initial alterations in the germline epigenome may promote genetic abnormalities such as induced CNV in later generations. This study identifies differential DNA methylation sites in promoter regions three generations after the initial exposure and identifies common genome features present in these regions. In addition to primary epimutations, a potential indirect genetic abnormality was identified, and both are postulated to be involved in the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance observed. This study confirms that an environmental agent has the ability to induce epigenetic transgenerational changes in the sperm epigenome.
Simulation studies of processes associated with stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) in the ionosphere

Results of numerical simulation studies of processes associated with Stimulated Electromagnetic Emission (SEE) produced during ionospheric heating experiments are presented. A one-dimensional magnetized electrostatic Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation model with uniform plasma density is used to investigate electrostatic wave generation in the region where the pump frequency ω0 approximately equals the upper hybrid frequency ωuh. In particular, the simulation plasma is driven with a uniform oscillating electric field to represent the long wavelength pump wave and power spectra of the electrostatic waves produced are taken. The pump wave frequency and amplitude are varied to consider the effects on the simulation power spectrum. The upper hybrid frequency in the model is varied through harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency Ωce to consider the effects of stepping the pump frequency through cyclotron harmonics. The power spectrum from the simulation plasma is richly structured. The resulting power spectra show sidebands upshifted and downshifted from the pump frequency by multiples of the lower hybrid frequency ωlh. The structure of the spectrum is highly sensitive to the proximity of the upper hybrid frequency to the cyclotron harmonic frequencies.
Electrostatic and conformational effects on the electronic structures of distortional isomers of a mixed-valence binuclear Cu complex.

The electronic structure of the binuclear copper complex [Cu2(L)]3+ [L = N(CH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2N(H)CH2CH2)3N] has been investigated by resonance Raman and electroabsorption spectroscopy. Crystallograph...
Massively-parallel intracavity trace molecular detection in the mid-infrared using broadband frequency combs

Ultrasensitive detection of methane, isotopic carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acetylene and ethylene is performed in the spectral range 2.5 - 5 μm using intracavity spectroscopy inside a broadband optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The two separate OPOs were operated near degeneracy and were synchronously pumped either by a mode-locked erbium (1560 nm) or thulium (2050 nm) fiber laser. A large instantaneous bandwidth of up to 800 cm -1 allowed for simultaneous detection of several gases. We observed an effective path length enhancement due to coherent interaction inside the OPO cavity and achieve part-per-billion sensitivity levels.
PREFURROW BEHAVIOR OF THE EQUATORIAL SURFACE IN ARBACIA LIXULA EGGS

Study of equatorial surface activity occurring immediately before furrowing in Arbacia lixula (=pustulosa) eggs was undertaken to learn more about the establishment of the cleavage mechanism. Behavior of echinochrome granules in the egg surface, observed and recorded with a Nikon AFM camera, was used as the indicator of surface events. An hour after fertilization A. lixula eggs were slightly flattened and periodically photographed until the furrow appeared. By measuring regional changes in the concentration of echinochrome granules, we found that a band of equatorial surface approximately 22 μm wide, which comprises about 32% of the uncleaved egg surface, shrinks about 34% and forms a densely pigmented band averaging 15 μm wide. This contraction in the equatorial zone is accompanied by expansion or stretching in the subequatorial surfaces. The possible relation between these events and formation of the microfilamentous contractile ring is discussed.
Enzymatic synthesis of the cAMP antagonist (Rp)-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate on a preparative scale.

Abstract (Rp)-Adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphorothioate ((Rp)-cAMPS) is a highly specific antagonist of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase from eukaryotic cells and is a very poor substrate for phosphodiesterases. It is therefore a useful tool for investigating the role of cAMP as a second messenger in a variety of biological systems. Taking advantage of stereospecific inversion of configuration around the α-phosphate during the adenylate cyclase reaction, we have developed a method for the preparative enzymatic synthesis of the Rp diastereomer of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphorothioate ((Rp)-cAMPS) from the Sp diastereomer of adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) ((Sp)-ATPαS). The adenylate cyclase from Bordetella pertussis, partially purified by calmodulin affinity chromatography, cyclizes (Sp)-ATPαS approximately 40-fold more slowly than ATP, but binds (Sp)-ATPαS with about 10-fold higher affinity than ATP. The triethylammonium salt of the reaction product can be purified by elution from a gravity flow reversed-phase C18 column with a linear gradient of increasing concentrations of methanol. Yields of the pure (Rp)-cAMPS product of a synthesis with 2 mg of substrate are about 75%.
Relative Preferences for Paper and for Electronic Books: Implications for Reference Services, Library Instruction, and Collection Management

While electronic books (e-books) can make intellectual content more accessible, librarians are faced with uncertainties about e-book acceptance and decreasing materials budgets. What are library user attitudes toward books accessible in print or in electronic form? How might library user attitudes inform the practices of reference, instruction, and collection management librarians? Librarians at a Midwestern public university sought guidance from its users by conducting a survey examining the relative preferences for books in paper and electronic formats. Characteristics of readers and their purposes for using books were explored, as were characteristics of the formats such as accessibility, portability, and convenience.
Geometry of Submerged Funicular Arches in Cartesian Coordinates

The derivation of funicular shapes for submerged arches has been the subject of a number of studies. In a recent paper, the solution governing the shape of the arch was derived in a coordinate system involving the arc length s and tangent angle θ of the arch. The solution in s-θ coordinates, however, is not convenient for defining the actual shape of the funicular arch. In this paper, the solution for submerged funicular arches is extended to Cartesian coordinates since the resulting geometric expressions can be more readily used in engineering construction. It will be shown that the submerged funicular arch in Cartesian coordinates involves a combination of elliptic integrals of the first and second kind. An important finding that results from the present formulation is the existence of a minimum compressive force, below which the shape of the funicular arch cannot be determined. Other parameters that are of interest in design are also discussed. The proposed solution for the submerged funicular arch is ...
The Effect of Feeding by the Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) on the Benthic Invertebrate Community in the Ponds

The impact of fish feed on benthic invertebrates in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds was investigated. Benthic samples were collected from 10 catfish ponds, five in which fish were fed and five in which fish were not fed. The fed and unfed ponds were identical in design, management history and stocking density. Four benthic composite samples were collected from each pond monthly for three months and the invertebrates extracted and pH values determined. Fish feeding significantly reduced invertebrate taxa, abundance and the pH in fed ponds as compared to the unfed ponds. The mean pH in fed and unfed ponds was respectively 6.38 and 7.59; this represents an approximate 71 fold difference. Differences in the benthic invertebrate community seem therefore to be associated with pH levels. Fish feed reduced the populations of certain catfish parasites and this could partly account for the increased fish yield in fed ponds. Ecologically, the results reveal that fish feeding has a reductive effect on invertebrate taxa richness and taxa abundance. The results of this investigation seems to suggest fish feeding has a disruptive effect on the natural ecological functions and processes ascribed to benthic invertebrates, by significantly reducing their abundance, taxa richness, and altering the hydrogen ion concentration of the benthic environment.
Problematic Nature of School Purposes: Implications for pre‐service teacher training programmes

Lorsque les objectifs de l'Ecole et les actions menees par les enseignants a l'interieur de leurs salles de classes ne sont pas en harmonie, ce sont les eleves qui payent ce manque de coherence. Si l'on veut avoir des enseignants capables de prevenir les problemes plutot que de les resoudre, il faut les former en consequence et leur permettre d'acquerir une experience dans des domaines de l'institution scolaire qui depasse le cadre etroit de la classe
Biological properties of ribonucleic acid from virulent and attenuated poliovirus.

Concentrates of type I poliovirus were extracted with phenol by Gierer and Schramm's method. The infectivity of these extracts in tissue culture and mice appeared to be associated with viral RNA. Studies on neurovirulence based on the "t" marker and intraspinal pathogenicity in mice demonstrated that the viral progeny of RNA isolated from virulent viruses had the "t+" character and were highly neurotropic for mice. Conversely, RNA extracted from attenuated virus gave rise to a progeny of "t" type which were avirulent for mice. The results suggest that the infective RNA from type, I poliovirus carries the genetic information which determines the degree of neurovirulence.
The Acoustical Design of the Christchurch Town Hall

The Christchurch Town Hall (New Zealand) was opened on September 30 1972. Disastrous earthquakes hit Christchurch in September 2010 and February 2011. Most of the CBD and the historic buildings were destroyed or damaged by the February event, including much of the Town Hall complex. The City Council in November 2012, resolved to restore the entire building but at the time of writing there remains uncertainty. The intention of this paper is to put on record the history of the Christchurch Town Hall design in case it does not survive the political after-shocks of the earthquakes. With the building's future now in jeopardy it seems appropriate to set out the process that led to this unique design, acknowledge the many contributors, outline its research base, the innovations in predictive technology employed, the evaluation of its acoustical properties and the learning that flowed from it.
Energy transduction in transmembrane ion pumps

Recent crystallographic structures of three different ion pumps provide a first view of the mechanisms by which these molecular machines transfer ions across cell membranes against an electrochemical gradient. Each of the structures reinforces the concept that several buried counter ions have central roles in substrate recruitment, substrate binding and energy transduction during ion pumping. The spatial organization of the counter ions suggests that, initially, one or more counter ions lowers the Born energy cost of binding a substrate ion in the low-dielectric interior of the membrane. Subsequently, a ligand-induced conformational change seems to close a charged access gate to prevent backflow from a subsequent, low-affinity state of the pump. A final role of the buried counter ions might be to couple the input of external energy to a small charge separation between the substrate ion and the buried counter ions, thereby decreasing the binding affinity for the substrate ion in preparation for its release on the high-energy side of the membrane.
Diasporic Web Sites: Ingroup and Outgroup Discourse.

With the increasing presence of Indian Immigrants in the West, there is a tendency among the diasporic people to use the World Wide Web (WWW) to create a cyber community. One of these pages is used as a starting point to examine critically the ways in which the WWW text speaks simultaneously to an interpretive community of “ingroup” members who have the interpretive history and strategies to make sense of the pages as well as the “outgroup” members who happen to surf into the India‐related pages. Several textual strategies are identified that create this ingroup/outgroup tension, including modes of formatting, use of language, specific selections of images and multimedia elements, and the specific links provided by the pages. These combine to produce the multi‐accentuated stylistic of the page that assists in speaking simultaneously to the two groups.
A Problem-Based Approach to Skill Acquisition and Cognitive Complexity with Pre-Practicum Supervisees

Research indicates that pre-practicum trainees experience significant gains in cognitive complexity when they begin to put counseling skills into practice. High levels of cognitive complexity are associated with increased empathy and autonomy, flexibility in approaches to counseling, and increased appreciation and tolerance for cultural differences (Hawley, 2006; Wheeler & D'Andrea, 2004). Thus, supervisors should adopt intentional practices that capitalize on trainee developmental potential in initial counseling skills class. This article describes the systematic application of a problem-based learning format in initial pre-practicum skills classes. Three problem-based learning tasks (adaptation tasks, role-taking, and collaborative inquiry) are described.