cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A pilot curriculum in international surgery for medical students.

Background As medical student interest in global surgical care grows, a comprehensive curriculum is necessary to understand surgical care in resource-limited environments. Methods We developed a surgical elective encompassing a multiyear medical student curriculum, with the goal of improving students’ understanding of global surgical care, consisting of a junior seminar and a senior clerkship. This student elective focused on the global burden of surgical disease, ethics of care in low-resource settings, and care of marginalized U.S. populations. Students who participated in the fourth year clerkship at a tertiary center in Northern India completed a reflective essay on their experience. Qualitative analysis was conducted using constant comparison and axial coding to establish a grounded theory. Results Medical students showed a desire to serve the poor, build collaborative relationships, and integrate international health into their future career. Conclusions This novel curriculum provides students a clinical and public health basis to understand challenges of surgical care in low-resource environments while laying the groundwork for students with a future career in global health.
Self-assembly gets physical.

Interacting with 3D-printed molecular models helps students to grasp insightful concepts on the kinetics and thermodynamics of molecular self-assembly, as Arthur J. Olson explains.
Achieving a Fitts law relationship for visual guided reaching

In order to take advantage of the top speed of manipulators, vision cannot be tightly integrated into the motion control loop. Past visual servo control systems have performed satisfactorily with this constraint, however it can be shown that the task execution time can be reduced if the vision system is de-coupled from the low level motor control system. For reaching, there is a trade-off between the accuracy of a motion and the time required to execute motion. In studies of human motor control this tradeoff is quantified by Fitts Law, a relationship between the motion time, the target distance, and the target width. These studies suggest that vision is not used tightly within the control loop, i.e. as a sensor that is servo-ed on, but rather vision is used to determine where the reaching target is and whether target has been reached successfully. Through a simple robotic example we demonstrate that a similar trade off exists between motion accuracy and the motion execution time for visual guided robot reaching motions.
The Comparative Development Experience of Mexico, the Philippines and Taiwan from a Political Economy Perspective

Given the dramatic divergence of postwar performance across the developing world despite almost half a century of accumulated technical expertise in the advice offered by the academic and donor communities, it has become increasingly clear that a study of differential development patterns over time requires an analysis of not only what happened but also why it happened. This paper seeks to bridge this gap by attempting to endogenize policy choice in different developing country settings in order to elucidate why similar policy advice is so often differently received. It is my basic premise that a country's initial conditions—its natural resource endowment, organic nationalism, and ability to attract foreign capital—explain why some LDCs pursue a relatively linear path toward “modem-growth” organizational characteristics, while others exhibit policy oscillations en route. A theoretical framework is developed to trace such causal relationships as they play themselves out in a political economy context over time. The policy responses to external shocks of Mexico, the Philippines and Taiwan, three countries differing in terms of various dimensions of their initial conditions, are then examined, along with their consequent performance over the past thirty years in order to empirically test the hypotheses laid out in the framework.
REMOVAL OF PARTICULATE CONTAMINANTS USING ULTRASONICS AND MEGASONICS: A REVIEW

Sonic cleaning is a commonly used technique for removal of particles from surfaces. The theory of particle removal using ultrasound is reviewed. Effects of cavitation and acoustic streaming are discussed. Experimental results using ultrasonics and megasonics (ultrasonic cleaning near 1 MHz) from the literature are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on removal of fine particles from silicon surfaces for semiconductor manufacturing applications.
Comparing practices for capturing bank customer feedback ‐ Internet versus traditional banking

Customer feedback capabilities and mechanisms were identified and evaluated in30 bank and credit union sites in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Additionally, 82 US Internet bank sites were identified and evaluated withrespect to their customer feedback capabilities. Comparisons were made between the brick/mortar and Internet banks and their respective feedback mechanisms. While this study identified a number of value‐enhancing customer feedback characteristics employed in banks, many of these financial institutions were found to be lacking even the most basic methods of feedback collection. Suggestions for improvement and areas for future research were included in the study.
Photo-Regulation of Kinesin Intramolecularly Crosslinked by Bifunctional Azobenzne Derivative at the Coiled-Coil Stalk Region

Kinesin is an ATP driven dimeric motor protein carries cellular cargoes along microtubules. The stalk region of kinesin is responsible for dimerization with coiled-coil interaction. Formation of dimer is essential for kinesin to perform processive movement along the microtubules. Aim of this study is to control dimerization of kinesin by the reversible conformational change at the coild-coil stalk region using photochromic molecule resulting in photo-reversible regulation of motility. Azobenzene-dimaleimide (ABDM) is a bifunctional SH reactive photochromic crosslinker and its crosslinking span is altered by cis-trans photo-isomerization of azobenznene moiety upon ultraviolet and visible light irradiations. We have previously demonstrated that the two reactive cysteine residues SH1(707) and SH2(697) in α-helix of myosin which region is believed to have a energy transducing role, were cross-linked by ABDM. And cis-trans isomerization of the crosslinked ABDM induced disordered α-helix in the SH1-SH2 region resulting in global conformational change of myosin head.In this study, we prepared kinesin mutant K380 cys light which has truncated minimum stalk to form dimer. Subsequently, Lys360 and Ala361 in the coiled-coli region of the mutant K380 were substituted by cysteine. The kinesin mutant K380(K350C,A361C) was modified with ABDM. The intermolecular and intramolecular crosslinking were analyzed SDS-PAGE. The optimal condition to crosslinking was 10 times excess molar ABDM for kinesin mutant and modification for 160 min at room temp. The conformational change of the ABDM crosslinked kinesin induced photoisomerization was studied with CD spectroscopy. And the photo-reversible dimerization of ABDM crosslinked kinesin was examined.
Depression and practice guidelines.

Over the past two decades there have been great advances in the understanding of depression and in the development of pharmacological agents and psychosocial treatments that have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of this common and disabling illness. Unfortunately, this knowledge and evidence is not consistently translated into actual treatment, and depression remains undiagnosed in a large percentage of patients, and when it is accurately diagnosed, it often is suboptimally treated. The frequent failure to properly diagnose depression may be due to the continuing stigma of mental illness, the persistence of the biomedical, rather than the biopsychosocial, paradigm of illness and treatment, educational issues and the time constraints in the typical medical practice. The suboptimal treatment may be due to all of these issues plus the difficulty in changing physician behaviours even when there exists much evidence that would seem to dictate such a change. The development of a criteria-based nomenclature and the subsequent development and dissemination of evidence-based practice guidelines addresses some of these issues. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for extensive diagenesis, Madagascar Basin, Deep Sea Drilling Site 245

Abstract Deep Sea Drilling Hole 245 (31°32′S, 52° 18′E) in the southwest Indian Ocean shows pronounced linear concentration-depth gradients in interstitial dissolved Ca, Mg and Sr. Electrical conductivity tests enable us to make the estimate of a constant diffusion coefficient with depth of about 2 × 10 −6 cm 2 /sec. The shapes of the concentration-depth gradients suggest that the major reaction sites in this hole are situated in the basal sediments and/or underlying basalts. It is proposed that observed interstitial water concentration changes in Ca and Mg are related to alteration of basaltic material, whereas those in Sr are due to calcium carbonate recrystallization processes. Support for the basaltic material alteration hypothesis comes from petrochemical and mineralogical data. Geochemical data also indicate that the high contents in Fe and Mn of the basal sediments can be related to low temperature alteration of basaltic glass and not necessarily to ‘hydrothermal’ activity.
Effect of intermixing on self-propagating exothermic reactions in Al/Ni nanolaminate foils

Exothermic reactions can self-propagate rapidly in multilayered foils, and the properties of these reactions depend strongly on the heat of reaction, the average atomic diffusion distance, and the degree of intermixing at the layer interfaces prior to ignition. By performing low-temperature anneals on sputter-deposited Al/Ni nanolaminate foils, the thickness of the intermixed region between layers was increased and its effects on the heats and velocities of reactions were measured. The intermixed region consisted of the metastable Al9Ni2 phase while the final phase of the foil was Al3Ni2. Analytical and empirical models were used to predict reaction velocities as a function of bilayer thickness and intermixing thickness, and the predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results. Increasing the average thickness of the intermixed region from 2.4 to 18.3 nm reduced the reaction velocity for all of the foils but was most significant for the foils with bilayer thicknesses less than 25 nm. The re...
Non-physician practitioners' overall enhancement to a surgical resident's experience.

Purpose The Mount Sinai Surgical Residency program uses physician assistants and nurse practitioners, jointly termed non-physician practitioners (NPPs), to adhere to the 80-hour work-week restrictions implemented by Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) resident duty hour requirements initiated in 2003. A survey was performed to determine how the integration of NPPs into the surgical subspecialty teams has affected surgical residents’ perceptions of their education and overall residency experience. We review the roles of NPPs within surgical specialty teams as well as our survey findings about NPP and resident impressions about the NPP role. Methods A survey was distributed to every surgical resident and inpatient NPP using a Likert scale for responses. The survey addressed general experiences about the NPP–resident relationship in regard to education, continuity of care, workload, communication, collaboration, role, and hierarchy. NPP responses were compared with resident responses through a Pearson chi-square test. Results Sixty-six residents and 28 NPP responses were obtained. Overall, NPPs and residents have similar perceptions about the NPP function. Most NPPs and residents believe that having an NPP on the service decreases their workload (96.4% and 84.8%, respectively), and they believe that adequate communication and collaboration occurs between the NPPs and the residents (85.7% and 73.8% and 67.9% and 80.3%, respectively). Significantly more NPPs than residents feel that NPPs contribute to the residents’ clinical education (75.0% vs 38.5%, p = 0.005) and that NPPs provide better continuity of care (96.4% vs 60.6%, p = 0.002). Although NPPs and residents believe that the NPP role is clearly defined, NPPs and residents have very different perceptions about where NPPs fall within the surgical hierarchy. Seventy-five percent of NPPs believe that they function at a senior resident level or above, whereas 90.5% of residents believe that NPPs function at the intern level or below (p Conclusions We found that at our institution, residents and NPPs agree that they work well together and that NPPs positively contribute to resident education. We recommend a service-specific orientation for the residents with each rotation to clarify NPP responsibilities and functions, thereby maximizing collaboration. With a firm understanding of the various roles of the NPPs, a cohesive, multidisciplinary group can be attained while enhancing surgical education.
Sediment and the settlement of larvae of the reef coral Pocillopora damicornis

The larval settlement rate of the Indo-Pacific reef coral,Pocillopora damicornis, on bare glass was compared with the rate on glass covered with measured amounts and area of fine sediment. Larval settlement in all sediment treatments was significantly less than on bare glass. Sediment cover of 95% completely prevented settlement. There was no increase in settlement when sediment cover was reduced from 90% to 50% of the glass surface area. If planulae of many coral species behave in a similar fashion in nature, sedimentation at a level that only partially covers the substrate and that is not directly harmful to adult colonies could significantly reduce larval recruitment by inhibiting settlement.
The incomplete Γ function as a continuous poisson distribution

Abstract Among the many contributions of Professor Luke to the theory of special functions, the most useful in computational statistics is probably that on the incomplete Γ function. This short paper points out that an incomplete Γ function routine is so important that it should be a standard part of any library of statistical subroutines. The paper goes on to give another example of use of the incomplete Γ function: as a means for computer generation of Poisson random variables. and, having urged wide use of the incomplete Γ function, proceeds with development of a Poisson generator whose principal aim is to avoid use of the very function is has previously lauded. Occasional use of an accurate incomplete Γ routine is essential however, in order that the composite method be exact.
The development of preventive methods in child welfare

Past approaches, current trends and future directions in primary preventive social work are reviewed with an emphasis on child abuse and neglect. An historical analysis reveals the bases for current methods of dealing with social problems. In describing current practices, several models for the delivery of human services are defined. This review concludes with an overview of recent research on primary prevention in social welfare.
Rate of increase in serum lactate level risk-stratifies infants after surgery for congenital heart disease

Objective Increased blood lactate levels reflect tissue oxygen debt and might be indicative of low cardiac output. We hypothesized that the rate of increase in serum lactate would be an ideal marker to discriminate between infants at high and low risk of a poor outcome after surgical repair of congenital heart disease using cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods In the present prospective, observational study in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, infants (aged Results The lactate levels were measured in 231 infants; 19 infants (8.2%) had a poor outcome. A lactate increase rate of 0.6 mmol/L/h had very good discriminatory ability (area under the curve [AUC], 0.89) with a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 84%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 34%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 99%. Similar results were obtained for subgroups stratified by 1- or 2-ventricle heart disease and risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery (RACHS-1) score. In neonates (age Conclusions The postoperative lactate increase rate allows discrimination between infants at high and low risk of morbidity and mortality after congenital heart disease surgery, and the lactate level can be followed serially for the treatment response.
SURGERY FOR CONVEXITY MENINGIOMAS

OBJECTIVE: Meningiomas that occur over the convexity of the brain are the most common meningiomas, but little has been published about their contemporary management. We aimed to analyze a large series of convexity meningiomas with respect to surgical technique, complication rates, and pathological factors leading to recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 163 cases of convexity meningiomas operated on in our institution by the senior author (PMB) between 1986 and 2005. The median follow-up time was 2.3 years (range, 1-13 yr). RESULTS: Convexity tumors represented 22% of all meningiomas operated on. There was a female:male ratio of 2.7:1. Median age was 57 years (range, 20-89 yr). Image-guided surgery was used on all cases in the last 5 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. The incidence of new neurological deficits was 1.7%, and the overall complication rate was 9.4%. The pathology of the tumors was benign in 144 (88.3%), atypical in 16 (9.8%), and anaplastic/malignant in 3 (1.8%). In six of the cases designated "benign," there were borderline atypical features. The 5-year recurrence rate for benign meningiomas was 1.8%, atypical meningiomas 27.2%, and anaplastic meningiomas 50%. The two cases of benign tumor recurrences involved tumors with borderline atypia and high MIB-1 indices. The borderline atypical cases had a 5-year recurrence-free survival rate of only 55.9%, more closely approximating that of tumors designated "atypical." CONCLUSION: Convexity meningiomas can be safely removed using modern image-guided minimally invasive surgical techniques with a very low operative mortality. Benign convexity meningiomas having a Simpson Grade I complete excision have a very low recurrence rate. The recurrence rates of atypical and malignant tumors are significantly higher, and borderline atypical tumors should be considered to behave more like atypical rather than benign lesions. Longer-term follow-up data are needed to more accurately determine the recurrence rates of benign meningiomas.
Tetrahydrofuran: vibrational assignment, chemical thermodynamic properties, and vapor pressure

Abstract A vibrational assignment is proposed for tetrahydrofuran and used with available structural, energetic, and calorimetric data to compile a table of the chemical thermodynamic properties. Determinations of the vapor pressure also are reported.
Indirect reciprocity and the evolution of “moral signals”

Signals regarding the behavior of others are an essential element of human moral systems and there are important evolutionary connections between language and large-scale cooperation. In particular, social communication may be required for the reputation tracking needed to stabilize indirect reciprocity. Additionally, scholars have suggested that the benefits of indirect reciprocity may have been important for the evolution of language and that social signals may have coevolved with large-scale cooperation. This paper investigates the possibility of such a coevolution. Using the tools of evolutionary game theory, we present a model that incorporates primitive “moral signaling” into a simple setting of indirect reciprocity. This model reveals some potential difficulties for the evolution of “moral signals.” We find that it is possible for “moral signals” to evolve alongside indirect reciprocity, but without some external pressure aiding the evolution of a signaling system, such a coevolution is unlikely.
Perceptions of QOL among caregivers of Mexican ancestry of adults with advanced cancer.

There is a substantial gap in the literature about the perceptions of QOL of caregivers of Mexican ancestry. This qualitative study explores the role of culture on the perceptions of QOL of this understudied population. Twenty caregivers providing care to adults with advanced cancer were interviewed. Thematic analysis identified several themes for each domain of QOL, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains and the role of culture. Cultural background influenced all of the QOL domains. There was a tremendous synergy across domains of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. Extended family and religious beliefs, life experiences, and culture were important components of QOL for these caregivers. Cultural expectations influenced role functioning and caregiver burden. This study informs our understanding of the role of culture on perceptions of QOL. Future investigations should be conducted with other Latino subgroups to describe QOL and to determine the role of culture on perceived QOL. Interventions should be specifically designed to improve caregivers’ QOL and to reduce the burden of cancer in this underserved population.
The Racial/Ethnic Composition of Elementary Schools and Young Children's Academic and Socioemotional Functioning

This study attempted to untangle how two dimensions of school racial/ethnic composition-racial/ethnic diversity of the student body and racial/ethnic matching between children and their peers-were related to socioemotional and academic development after the transition into elementary school. Analysis of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort revealed that school racial/ethnic composition was more strongly associated with children's academic, as opposed to socioemotional, outcomes. Students had higher achievement test scores in more diverse schools, especially when they also had more same-racial/ethnic peers in these diverse schools. These patterns were particularly strong for White students. Having more school peers of the same race/ethnicity, regardless of the overall level of diversity in the school, was associated with positive socioemotional development.
Effects of increased surface area and chemisorbed H2O on the relative stability of nanocrystalline γ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3

Corundum, α-Al2O3, appears to be the thermodynamically stable phase of aluminum oxide at all common pressure and temperature conditions, but attempted syntheses of nanocrystalline Al2O3 usually res...
Nucleotide sequence analysis of the phosphomannose isomerase gene (pmi) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and comparison with the corresponding Escherichia coli gene manA.

Abstract Phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) has been proposed to catalyze the first step of the alginic acid biosynthetic pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The nucleotide sequence of the P. aeruginosa pmi gene contained on a 2.0-kb BamHI-SstI DNA fragment has been determined. The gene was defined by the start and stop codons and by in vitro disruption of an open reading frame of 1440 bp corresponding to a polypeptide product with a predicted Mr of 52860. This polypeptide displayed an apparent Mr of approx. 56000 upon electrophoresis of a maxicell extract on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The codon utilization of the pmi gene was distinct in the wobble base preference and influenced by the high G + C content (66 mol%) of the P. aeruginosa DNA. Computer assisted matching analysis failed to demonstrate any significant homology at the nucleotide level between the P. aeruginosa pmi and Escherichia coli manA (pmi) genes. However, sequences homologous to the P. aeruginosa pmi gene were found in other Pseudomonas species, such as P. putida and P. mendocina, and in Azotobacter vinelandii, all capable of producing alginic acid.
Magnetic Reconnection in the Spheromak: Physics and Consequences

Magnetic reconnection in the spheromak changes magnetic topology by conversion of injected toroidal flux into poloidal flux and by magnetic surface closure (or opening) in a slowly decaying spheromak. Results from the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment, SSPX, are compared with resistive MHD simulations using the NIMROD code. Voltage spikes on the SSPX gun during spheromak formation are interpreted as reconnection across a negative-current layer close to the mean-field x-point. Field lines are chaotic during these events, resulting in rapid electron energy loss to the walls and the low T e < 50 eV seen in experiment and simulation during strong helicity injection. Closure of flux sufaces (and high T e ) can occur between voltage spikes if they are sufficiently far apart in time; these topology changes are not reflected in the impedance of the axisymmetric gun. Possible future experimental scenarios in SSPX are examined in the presence of the constraints imposed by reconnection physics.
Electrical Breakdown in Helium Cells at Low Temperature

Electrical breakdown of partially filled helium cells below 0.5 K is shown to be the result of Penning ionization of metastable triplet helium excimers bound to the surface of the liquid.
Fluoxetine for the Treatment of Childhood Anxiety Disorders

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the efficacy and tolerability of fluoxetine for the acute treatment of children and adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and/or social phobia. Method Anxious youths (7–17 years old) who had significant functional impairment were randomized to fluoxetine (20 mg/day) ( n = 37) or placebo ( n = 37) for 12 weeks. Results Fluoxetine was effective in reducing the anxiety symptoms and improving functioning in all measures. Using intent-to-treat analysis, 61% of patients taking fluoxetine and 35% taking placebo showed much to very much improvement. Despite this improvement, a substantial group of patients remained symptomatic. Fluoxetine was well tolerated except for mild and transient headaches and gastrointestinal side effects. Youths with social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder responded better to fluoxetine than placebo, but only social phobia moderated the clinical and functional response. Severity of the anxiety at intake and positive family history for anxiety predicted poorer functioning at the end of the study. Conclusions Fluoxetine is useful and well tolerated for the acute treatment of anxious youths. Investigations regarding the optimization of treatment to obtain full anxiety remission and the length of treatment necessary to prevent recurrences are warranted.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy in the decay of 83Se to levels of 83Br

High-resolution γ ray spectroscopy experiments have been done to study the emissions from the radioactive decay of 22-min (83g)Se produced from neutron capture using samples of enriched (82)Se. Energy and intensity values have been obtained to roughly an order of magnitude greater precision than in previous studies. Based on energy sums, 2 new levels are proposed in the daughter (83)Br and one previously proposed level is shown to be doubtful. Some 25 new transitions appear to decay with the (83)Se halflife, about half of which can be accommodated among the previous or newly proposed levels. Several previous γ ray placements are shown to be inconsistent with the new determinations of the (83)Br energy levels, but cannot be accommodated anywhere else among the known levels. As a result of the missing γ ray placements, some of the β branchings in the decay to levels of (83)Br appear to be negative. Gamma rays from the 2.4-h decay of the daughter (83)Br to levels of (83)Kr have also been observed, along with decays of (81g)(,m)Se present as a small impurity in the enriched samples and also as a strong component in irradiated samples of natural Se.
Getting to the Core of Repeat Expansions by Cell Reprogramming

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell , Ku et al. (2010) demonstrate that iPSCS derived from Friedreich's ataxia patients exhibit expansion of the causative (GAA) n repeat, consistent with the repeat instability observed during intergenerational transmissions in humans. Furthermore, the epigenetic signature of the disease remains intact in Friedreich's ataxia iPSCs.
DC-Induced Prebreakdown Events in N-Hexane

A dc source was applied to a point/plane gap in n-hexane, at a level just below that required to cause breakdown. Detailed shadowgraph images of the gap were obtained by using a pulse laser for illumination. When the laser was synchronized with a conduction current pulse, a distinct prebreakdown event could be recorded. It is shown that disturbance inception occurs at the onset of a conduction current pulse, then the event develops as a streamer and grows into the gap and, finally, fragmentation occurs during the current tail. Provided that the applied voltage is maintained, repetitive events may be observed with a waiting period of as little as 100 ?s.
Compression of an extracardiac fontan following classic fontan revision.

Background: The extracardiac Fontan arose as an alternative in order to prevent the classical procedure's sequelea. Complications of the extracardiac Fontan have been described, but this case report aims to highlight the devastating and infrequent complication of external conduit compression. Methods and Results: A 25-year-old male underwent Fontan conversion to extracardiac Fontan for atrial arrhythmias and giant right atrium. He developed postoperative respiratory distress, renal failure, and hemorrhagic pancreatitis, which prompted CT scans of his chest and abdomen that demonstrated external compression of the conduit by mediastinal hematoma. Endovascular stenting restored flow through the conduit, but the patient ultimately expired. Conclusions: External Fontan compression, which can be caused by numerous sources, may lead to significant organ dysfunction and can be difficult to recognize despite invasive monitoring. We report this complication and suggest ringed conduits to be considered to avoid the possibility of external compression. (J Card Surg 2004;19:254-257)
Pentagastrin selectively modulates levels of mRNAs encoding apical H/K adenosine triphosphatase and basolateral Na−K−Cl cotransporter in rat gastric fundic mucosa

Background. Gastrin regulates gastric acid secretion and gastric mucosal cell proliferation. We hypothesized that pentagastrin administration would affect mRNA levels of two membrane proteins that are important during stimulated states of HCl secretion, the basolateral Na−K−Cl cotransporter (BSC) and the apical H/K adenosine triphosphatase (H/K). Methods. Two groups of Fischer rats received intraperitoneal injections of pentagastrin (2.5 or 25 μg/kg) every 8 hours for three doses. A third group served as controls. An additional group receeved pentagastrin plus the gastrin receptor antagonist (GRA) L740,093. Fundic mucosae were subjected to semiquantitative Northern analysis of mRNAs encoding H/K and BSC. The mRNA for Na/K adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K), a transport protein not involved directly in acid secretion, also was evaluated. Results. Administration of pentagastrin caused dose-dependent increases in levels of mRNAs encoding H/K and BSC but had no significant effect on levels of Na/K mRNA. Administration of GRA prevented the pentagastrin-induced changes in mRNA levels for these transporters. Conclusions. Pentagastrin administration selectively up-regulates levels of mRNA encoding membrane proteins involved in acid secretion. The up-regulation of the mRNAs encoding BSC during pentagastrin stimulation indicates that regulation of basolateral Cl− movement may be as important as the regulation of apical H+ movement under stimulated states.
Photodissociation of non-covalent peptide-crown ether complexes

Highly chromogenic 18-crown-6-dipyrrolylquinoxaline coordinates primary amines of peptides, forming non-covalent complexes that can be transferred to the gas-phase by electrospray ionization. The appended chromogenic crown ether facilitates efficient energy transfer to the peptide upon ultraviolet irradiation in the gas phase, resulting in diagnostic peptide fragmentation. Collisional-activated dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation of these non-covalent complexes result only in their disassembly with the charge retained on either the peptide or crown ether, yielding no sequence ions. Upon UV photon absorption the intermolecular energy transfer is facilitated by the fast activation timescale of ultraviolet photodissociation (<10 ns) and by the collectively strong hydrogen bonding between the crown ether and peptide, thus allowing effective transfer of energy to the peptide moiety before disruption of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
A knowledge-based system for Ada® software development

In this article, we present a knowledge-based system using the concept of knowledge representation and data abstraction to support Ada software development. This article uses logic-based specification with object-oriented features to facilitate Ada software development. The Ada source code will be obtained through knowledge-based transformation. This system includes a frame-and-rule-oriented requirements language (FRORL), a predominance/particular methodology, and a knowledge base. FRORL uses frame representations for object-oriented modeling, applies production rules for specifying actions and constraints of real world domains, and provides a set of abstract mechanisms for the practical description of abstract relations. The predominance/particular methodology is used to support Ada software developers in performing object-oriented modeling of application domains. The knowledge base provides rules for specification checking, prototype validation, and transformation of specifications into Ada code. A real problem is given to illustrate the system.
The Relationship Between School Climate Conditions and Student Aspirations

Researchers frequently report that student aspirations are related to several educational outcomes, including academic performance, affective health, attrition, and leadership skills. Yet few have reported explorations of school climate characteristics that may or may not be related to aspirations. To provide more information on scholastic conditions that might be manipulated in order to increase student aspirations, the author administered the Secondary School Aspirations Survey to 1,170 students from two New England high schools. The results of a multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc discriminant analyses indicated that the students reporting high aspirations (i.e., inspiration and ambition) perceived a more supportive school climate than the students with low aspirations did, especially with respect to conditions related to mentoring, self-confidence, and excitement.
Single Plate Shear Connection Response to Rotation Demands Imposed by Frames Undergoing Cyclic Lateral Displacements

This paper derives the maximum deformation demand placed on bolts in a single plate shear connection in response to rotation demands. The deformation demand is a function of connection neutral axis location. If the rotation demand is large enough to result in the beam bearing on the column, the neutral axis of the connection migrates to the point of bearing. Prior to bearing, the neutral axis will be located within the length of the connection plate. Forty-five data points obtained from three full-scale tests on T-type beam–column specimens connected with a single line of 19 mm (3/4 in.) diameter ASTM A325 bolts (threads included in the shear plane) and 108 mm (4.25 in.) wide 10 mm (3/8 in.) thick plates were used to determine the location of this neutral axis. Three-, four-, and six-bolt connections were tested through 0.06 radians of rotation. The mean location of the neutral axis was 0.63 times the length of the connection plate. The coefficient of variation was 5.9%. Only the six-bolt connection exper...
Undergraduate Ownership of Small Mobile Devices: Engagement and Use in an Academic Environment

With many students owning mobile devices and gadgets that they use for various purposes, it seems logical to investigate whether the use of these devices has the potential to facilitate seamless access to library resources. Using an online survey administered to 489 students, this study aimed to determine: the percentage of the undergraduate population primarily in science and technology disciplines who own small mobile devices; the pattern of use of mobile devices with emphasis on accessing library resources, scholarly information, or other academic content; effect of attending previous library instruction session on students’ use of mobile devices to access educational content; and variation in the pattern of ownership and use among academic and gender categories.The study found that mobile devices have become widely common, with 100 percent of the female respondents and 98 percent of the male respondents owning at least one small mobile device. Among the different academic disciplines, engineering stud...
Parametric filtering surpasses resonator noise in ALN contour-mode oscillators

In this work we present a new method to lower the phase noise in acoustic resonator based oscillators. This method uses the nonlinear dynamics of a parametric divider made to work close to the bifurcation region. We call this technique "parametric filtering". This approach was applied to an oscillator based on an aluminum nitride contour-mode resonator vibrating around 227 MHz. This class of resonators exhibits frequency flicker noise that limits the oscillator phase noise close to the carrier. By means of parametric filtering we obtained an improvement in the phase noise of more than 14 and 19 dB, respectively at 1 and 10 kHz offsets. This technique can be applied to any MEMS oscillator and represents the first demonstration of open loop phase noise filtering.
Electro-gene transfer to skin using a noninvasive multielectrode array

Because of its large surface area and easy access for both delivery and monitoring, the skin is an attractive target for gene therapy for cutaneous diseases, vaccinations and several metabolic disorders. The critical factors for DNA delivery to the skin by electroporation (EP) are effective expression levels and minimal or no tissue damage. Here, we evaluated the non-invasive multielectrode array (MEA) for gene electrotransfer. For these studies we utilized a guinea pig model, which has been shown to have a similar thickness and structure to human skin. Our results demonstrate significantly increased gene expression 2 to 3 logs above injection of plasmid DNA alone over 15 days. Furthermore, gene expression could be enhanced by increasing the size of the treatment area. Transgene-expressing cells were observed exclusively in the epidermal layer of the skin. In contrast to caliper or plate electrodes, skin EP with the MEA greatly reduced muscle twitching and resulted in minimal and completely recoverable skin damage. These results suggest that EP with MEA can be an efficient and non-invasive skin delivery method with less adverse side effects than other EP delivery systems and promising clinical applications.
Cholelithiasis induced in the Syrian hamster: Evidence for an intramucinous nucleating process and down regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7) gene by medroxyprogesterone

This report reviews previously published studies from our laboratory and shows some recent morphological data obtained with scanning and transmission electron microscopy regarding gallstone formation and alteration of the gallbladder epithelium in the Syrian hamster model. Both male and female hamsters were treated with female sex steroids (estradiol alone, estradiol and medroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone alone) during one month. The results show that the Syrian hamster is a good model to study bile changes, gallbladder structure changes, including gallstone formation, and the regulation of cholesterol metabolism at the molecular level. Arguments in favor of this animal model are presented and, during gallstone formation, epithelial cell changes, anionic mucus secretion, and formation of gallbladder luminal deposits can be demonstrated. Recent molecular biology observations related to the effect of female sex steroids on liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7) gene suggest that progestin alone or primed by estrogen down regulates CYP7 transcription and activity. In addition, progesterone in cell culture systems has been shown to enhance intracellular accumulation of free cholesterol by increasing its uptake and synthesis and by decreasing its esterification by inhibiting the activity of acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase. Non-esterified cholesterol is free to migrate to the extracellular spaces and may contribute to nucleation within the bile. It is suggested that these effects of progesterone on cholesterol metabolism combined with the CYP7 gene down regulation, physical changes in the mucus and the hypomotility of the gallbladder and biliary ducts result in hypersaturation of cholesterol in the bile which favors gallstone formation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 39:56–70, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The synthesis of some simple n‐alkyl esters of 4‐aminohexane‐1‐carboxylic acid

Four simple (ethyl through n-amyl) esters of cis-4-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid have been prepared for testing for their anesthetic activities.
Approaches to the isoquinoline quinone antibiotics. Additions of an amino acid derivative to a quinone monoacetal.

Abstract The addition of the benzylidine derivative of ethyl glycine to the enone system of a quinone monoacetal and subsequent aromatization provide a high yield preparation of intermediates for the synthesis of isoquinoline quinones.
Relative effectiveness of geologists and computers in mapping potential hydrocarbon exploration targets

Contouring of data by men and machines produces a collection of maps which demonstrates differences between them; exploration geologists, computer-mapping-package-builders, and managers should be aware of these differences. Machines and geologists contouring subsurface structural data were compared in terms of the ultimate accuracy of their maps. The machine versions were consistently more similar to the carbonate reef surface used for the analysis than those produced by the geologists, given specific amounts of control. However, in situations where additional information was critical (paleoslope, channel vs bar sand, regional dip, etc.) the bias contributed by the geologist proved critical to the “correct” interpretation. Several illustrations in the form of actual exploration examples are included and discussed. The examples described and analyzed herein are presented to acquaint both the map-maker and map-user with each other's problems with the overall objective of increasing the explorational effectiveness of both.
Analysis of Nanostructuring in High Figure‐of‐Merit Ag1–xPbmSbTe2+m Thermoelectric Materials

Thermoelectric materials based on quaternary compounds Ag1−xPbmSbTe2+m exhibit high dimensionless figure-of-merit values, ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 at 700 K. The primary factor contributing to the high figure of merit is a low lattice thermal conductivity, achieved through nanostructuring during melt solidification. As a consequence of nucleation and growth of a second phase, coherent nanoscale inclusions form throughout the material, which are believed to result in scattering of acoustic phonons while causing only minimal scattering of charge carriers. Here, characterization of the nanosized inclusions in Ag0.53Pb18Sb1.2Te20 that shows a strong tendency for crystallographic orientation along the {001} planes, with a high degree of lattice strain at the interface, consistent with a coherent interfacial boundary is reported. The inclusions are enriched in Ag relative to the matrix, and seem to adopt a cubic, 96 atom per unit cell Ag2Te phase based on the Ti2Ni type structure. In-situ high-temperature synchrotron radiation diffraction studies indicated that the inclusions remain thermally stable to at least 800 K.
Ultrastrong Optical Binding of Metallic Nanoparticles

We demonstrate nanometer precision manipulation of multiple nanoparticles at room temperature. This is achieved using the optical binding force, which has been assumed to be weak compared to the optical gradient and scattering forces. We show that trapping by the optical binding force can be over 20 times stronger than by the gradient force and leads to ultrastable, rigid configurations of multiple nanoparticles free in solution – a realization of “optical matter.” In addition, we demonstrate a novel trapping scheme where even smaller nanoparticles are trapped between larger “anchor” particles. Optical binding opens the door for the observation of collective phenomena of nanoparticles and the design of new materials and devices made from optical matter.
Calcium-dependent alterations of neurofilament proteins of rat peripheral nerve.

Segments of rat peripheral nerve were excised and incubated in vitro under conditions which hasten or retard the penetration of calcium into tissues. The nerve segments were then homogenized in 1%SDS, 8 M-urea and 50mM-dithioerythritol and the extracted proteins were analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. Representative samples were also fixed and processed for electron microscopic examinations. Incubational conditions which favored the penetration of calcium into the tissues caused widespread granular disruption of neurofilaments as well as the selective loss of 200,000, 150,000 and 69,000 MW proteins from the nerve segments. These structural and chemical changes occurred in the 24-48 h interval during incubation at 37oC under nutrient conditions, but were accelerated under energy-deprived conditions and with high-calcium media. The same changes occurred in nerve segments incubated for 2h in media containing calcium with Triton X-100 detergent or A23187 ionophore and in nerve segments freeze-thawed in 0.5 mM-calcium. These changes did not occur after parallel incubations in calcium-free media. These findings support the view that 200,000, 150,000 and 69,000 MW proteins are components of neurofilaments and that they are susceptible to a calcium-induced disruption.
Myosin Isoform Fiber Type and Fiber Size in the Tail of the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

Muscle fiber type is a well studied property in limb muscles, however, much less is understood about myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression in caudal muscles of mammalian tails. Didelphid marsupials are an interesting lineage in this context as all species have prehensile tails, but show a range of tail-function depending on either their arboreal or terrestrial locomotor habits. Differences in prehensility suggest that MHC isoform fiber types may also be different, in that terrestrial opossums may have a large distribution of oxidative fibers for object carrying tasks instead of faster, glycolytic fiber types expected in mammals with long tails. To test this hypothesis, MHC isoform fiber type and their regional distribution (proximal/transitional/distal) were determined in the tail of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Fiber types were determined by a combination of myosin-ATPase histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and SDS-PAGE. Results indicate a predominance of the fast MHC-2A and -2X isoforms in each region of the tail. The presence of two fast isoforms, in addition to the slow MHC-1 isoform, was confirmed by SDSPAGE analysis. The overall MHC isoform fiber type distribution for the tail was: 25% MHC-1, 71% MHC-2A/X hybrid, and 4% MHC-1/2A hybrid. Oxidative MHC-2A/X isoform fibers were found to be relatively large in cross-section compared to slow, oxidative MHC-1 and MHC-1/2A hybrid fibers. A large percentage of fast MHC-2A/X hybrids fibers may be suggestive of an evolutionary transition in MHC isoform distribution (fast-to-slow fiber type) in the tail musculature of an opossum with primarily a terrestrial locomotor habit and adaptive tail-function. Anat Rec, 296:96–107, 2013. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.