cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 14-day in-house dietary modification of a ‘Western’ diet to an ‘African’ diet changes the microbiota, its metabolome, and biomarkers of colon cancer risk (825.5)

Methods Twenty age and sex matched middle aged healthy African Americans were studied on their usual diet and then again after dietary modification to a low meat and fat, high fiber ‘traditional African’ diet, prepared and delivered individually in-house under close supervision for 2 weeks. Phutu- corn meal, Samp- dried corn kernels, sugar beans, fruits and vegetables provided 30-35 Kcal/Kg of energy, 14% protein, 17% fat, 72% carbohydrate, 40 g dietary fiber, and 32 grams resistant starch. The diet was well tolerated overall and their body weights remained stable. Pre- and post-dietary modification fecal and colonic evacuate samples were collected to measure the microbiota and their metabolites and colonoscopies were performed to assess mucosal health and to obtain biopsies for the measurement of inflammatory and proliferative biomarkers (Ki67- identified by immunohistochemical staining). Results Following dietary change, significant increases were measured in the expression of functional microbial genes...
Planning potential technology using organisational information: A cross–cultural study

This study examines, analyses and compares the relationship between certain organisational profitability and visibility variables (profit margin, management efficiency, age and size of organisations, respectively) and technology in a number of American and Jordanian manufacturing organisations. The results of this study indicate that the two selected profitability variables – profit margin and management efficiency – are positively and significantly associated with technology in the surveyed American and Jordanian manufacturing organisations. While the two visibility variables – age and the size of these organisations – are negatively and significantly associated with technology in American organisations. The same variables are positively and significantly associated with technology in their Jordanian counterparts.
Radioactive tracer techniques in the sequencing of glycoprotein oligosaccharides.

Complete sequencing of the oligosaccharide units of glycoproteins can be performed by conventional physical techniques if nanomole quantities of pure molecules are available. However, isolation of sufficient quantities of a glycoprotein may not be technically feasible (e.g., the analysis of biosynthetic intermediates, or rare molecules). Alternatively, partial structural analyses may answer the biological question at hand. In both instances, radioactive sugars can be used to metabolically label the oligosaccharide units of a glycoprotein, permitting substantial structural characterization. Several aspects of this approach are discussed in this overview, including selection of the labeled precursor, maximization of uptake and incorporation, determinants of the specificity of labeling, and general principles for the release and structural analysis of labeled oligosaccharides. Particular advantages include simplicity, ease of use without sophisticated instrumentation, and the fact that purification to radiom...
Low latency standard basis GF(2/sup m/) multiplier and squarer architectures

A new parallel-in-parallel-out bit-level pipelined multiplier is presented to perform multiplication in GF(2/sup m/). This new multiplier uses m/sup 2/ basic cells where each cell has 2 2-input AND, 2 2-input XOR and 3 1-bit latches. The system latency of this multiplier is m+1 compared to 3 m in previous architectures. The number of latches required per cell has also been reduced from 7 to 3. We also present a bit-level pipelined parallel-in-parallel-out squarer. This squarer has a system latency of [m/2] compared to 3m in previous designs and is 25% more hardware efficient. The critical paths in both these proposed designs are the same as in existing designs.
Conductivity of Superconducting Films for Photon Energies between 0.3 and 4 0 k T c

Far infrared and millimeter microwave transmission experiments through thin superconducting lead and tin films are reported. The frequency range covered corresponds to photon energies from 0.3 to $40k{T}_{c}$. The measurements include the previously unexplored frequency region in which a superconductor changes from an essentially lossless conductor to a normal one. By suitable analysis the effective complex conductivity of the films is obtained from the transmission data. For thin superconducting films it is shown that $\frac{[{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{1}(\ensuremath{\omega})\ensuremath{-}i{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{2}(\ensuremath{\omega})]}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{N}}$ is, to a good approximation, a universal function of the reduced frequency ($\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}}{k{T}_{c}}$), being independent of film resistance, thickness, degree of anneal, and material (for the two metals tried). At $T=0$, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{1}$ appears to be very small (or zero) for photon energies below roughly $3k{T}_{c}$. Starting at $3k{T}_{c}$, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{1}$ rises rapidly and reaches its limiting value ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{N}$ at about $20k{T}_{c}$. This behavior suggests a gap of width $\ensuremath{\approx}3k{T}_{c}$ in the electronic excitation spectrum of the superconducting state. At $T=0$ and for photon energies considerably smaller than $3k{T}_{c}$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{2}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{N}}\ensuremath{\approx}\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}k{T}_{c}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}}$, with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=3.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7$ for both Sn and Pb. The frequency dependence is in agreement with the London theory. This theory, however, would not predict that the results for Pb and Sn should be the same and, moreover, it would give values of $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\sim}100$ times too large. The Pippard nonlocal theory predicts the type of universal dependence found, but with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=6.7$. For photon energies of the order of $3k{T}_{c}$, a polarizability term ${{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(\ensuremath{\omega})$, required by the Kramers-Kronig relations because of the cutoff of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{1}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ near $3k{T}_{c}$, becomes important and tends to cancel the $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\omega}}$ term in ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{2}$. As a result, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{2}$ is reduced to a small value for photon energies above $5k{T}_{c}$. Some information about the temperature dependence of the complex conductivity has also been obtained.
Concept-Centered versus Organism-Centered Biology

Controversies occur frequently, are unavoidable, and probably represent an important component of biological research. Ironically, emerging empirical evidence appears to contribute less to the development of controversy than the fierce loyalty with which many biologists adhere to some traditional methodology and/or outlook in their scientific discipline. Not infrequently, prevailing attitudes inhibit biologists from recognizing that a new experimental protocol might provide an appropriate means for testing an established hypothesis. Lack of consensus about the suitability of different experimental approaches can also help explain why scientific manuscripts and grant proposals which support existing theory and which have employed traditional approaches encounter less difficulty during the review process than do those manuscripts or proposals which contest established hypotheses or which offer alternative hypotheses and approaches. That is true even if the conclusions drawn in supportive manuscripts and proposals are not parsimonious. When a biologist's allegiance to an established hypothesis and/or when a traditional methodology becomes the overriding concern in research, new empirical evidence emerging from careful study of living organisms becomes relatively unimportant. I provide here some examples of biological controversies and disparities that stemmed from adherence to prevailing hypotheses. The biologists involved either did not recognize that favored hypotheses lacked confirming empirical evidence or that those hypotheses could not account for important new evidence.
Abnormalities of Object Visual Processing in Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Background Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder may have perceptual distortions for their appearance. Previous studies suggest imbalances in detailed relative to configural/holistic visual processing when viewing faces. No study has investigated the neural correlates of processing non-symptom-related stimuli. The objective of this study was to determine whether individuals with body dysmorphic disorder have abnormal patterns of brain activation when viewing non-face/non-body object stimuli.
Life Below the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica

Samples and observations under 420 meters of ice and 430 kilometers from the open sea on the Ross Ice Shelf at a water depth of 597 meters revealed an unusual assemblage of benthic organisms. Scavenging amphipods, an isopod, and fish were present but a living infauna was absent. The observations may be accounted for by sampling or spatial bias, or by extremely low or fluctuating trophic resources.
Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Hydroflumethiazide in Man

Hydroflumethiazide plasma and urine levels were measured fluorometrically following the oral administration of 100-mg doses (2 X 50 mg tablets) to each of 12 healthy, adult male subjects. The plasma level data as a function of time were fit to a one-compartment open model using a nonlinear regression digital computer program. The means of the individual apparent absorption and disposition rate apparent absorption and disposition rate constants were 0.770+/-0.46 hr(-1) (t1/2=0.9 hr) and 0.358+/-0.17 hr(-1) (t1/2=1.94 hr), respectively, with a 0.49+/-0.26 hr lag time in absorption. The same parameter estimates obtained by fitting the mean plasma concentration-time curve were 0.461+/-0.15 hr(-1), 0.357+/-0.13 hr(-1), and 0.39+/-0.09 hr for the apparent absorption and disposition rate constants and the lag time, respectively. The closeness of the parameter estimates and the lack of intravenous data preclude unequivocal assignment of the rate constants to the absorption or disposition processes. Nevertheless, the disposition of hydroflumethiazide is clearly a rapid process. The means of the individual peak plasma levels and times to peak were 0.301+/-0.94 microgram/ml and 2.12+/-0.59 hours, respectively. The mean area under the plasma level-time curve was 1.95+/-0.78 microgram-hr/ml and 46.7+/-20.0% of the administered dose was recovered in the 24-hour urine. The mean renal clearance of hydroflumethiazide was 453.4+/-256.6 ml/min.
Management of the twisted nose

To correct the functional and aesthetic problems in a twisted nose, the surgeon must carefully assess all nasal structural elements. Endonasal or open rhinoplasty approaches may be used to correct the deformity as indicated. Bony and cartilaginous modifications and grafting are usually necessary. This article reviews the assessment of, and surgical techniques for, the correction of the twisted nose.
Fertilization-induced Chemotaxis in the Zygotes of the Watermold Allomyces

Zygotes obtained by self-fertilization of Allomyces macrogynus, strain Burma 3 and of A. arbuscula, strain Ceylon 1, behave chemotactically as do their respective zoospores. All the swarmers respond to an equimolar mixture of L-leucine and L-lysine with the response enhanced by the addition of L-Proline. The A. arbuscula swarmers also respond moderately to a mixture of L-proline with certain amino acids other than leucine and lysine whereas those of A. macrogynus do not. The gametes are not chemotactically responsive to the amino acids. Within no more than five minutes subsequent to fertilization, the zygotes become chemotactically active. The genetically-derived, approximately 95 % male or female isolates do not appear to form zygotes when crossed. The few zygotes observed in a series of attempted crosses appear to be the result of selfing by the contaminating opposite sex in each of the highly unisexual strains.
Bills of material processing with a SQL database

Abstract This paper highlights the advantages and limitations of developing a Bills of Material Processor (BOMP) using a SQL based database management system. The steps involved in the design of the BOMP are briefly described. A BOMP that was developed earlier using FORTRAN is also discussed for comparison. The comparison showed the SQL based BOMP to be flexible with regard to the retrieval of data, less time consuming with respect to the development and implementation of the BOMP, and portable over different computer systems.
Power versus performance tradeoffs of GPU-accelerated backprojection-based synthetic aperture radar image formation

The continuing miniaturization and parallelization of computer hardware has facilitated the development of mobile and field-deployable systems that can accommodate terascale processing within once prohibitively small size and weight constraints. General-purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are prominent examples of such terascale devices. Unfortunately, the added computational capability of these devices often comes at the cost of larger demands on power, an already strained resource in these systems. This study explores power versus performance issues for a workload that can take advantage of GPU capability and is targeted to run in field-deployable environments, i.e., Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Specifically, we focus on the Image Formation (IF) computational phase of SAR, often the most compute intensive, and evaluate two different state-of-the-art GPU implementations of this IF method. Using real and simulated data sets, we evaluate performance tradeoffs for single- and double-precision versions of these implementations in terms of time-to-solution, image output quality, and total energy consumption. We employ fine-grain direct-measurement techniques to capture isolated power utilization and energy consumption of the GPU device, and use general and radarspecific metrics to evaluate image output quality. We show that double-precision IF can provide slight image improvement to low-reflective areas of SAR images, but note that the added quality may not be worth the higher power and energy costs associated with higher precision operations.
Predicting negative priming: Effects of schizotypy, cognitive failures, and anxiety

Abstract This study examined individual differences in performance during two negative priming tasks including a letter-capitalization identification task (Ferraro & Okerlund, 1996) and a Stroop task adapted in order to facilitate the negative priming effect (Dalrymple-Alford & Budayr, 1966). Tipper (1985) first identified ‘negative priming’ as the tendency for previously ignored stimuli to be processed more slowly and inaccurately during subsequent presentation. Participants in the present study included 105 college undergraduates enrolled in psychology courses. The main hypothesis tested was that the magnitude of negative priming could be affected independently by schizotypy, cognitive failures, and anxiety. Results suggest that the degrees of negative priming (DNP) on a computer task and Stroop task are not correlated. A series of discriminant analyses was performed in order to determine which factors were most predictive of overall negative priming performance. Different factors emerged for both tasks. The function predicting negative priming obtained during a computer task was able to correctly classify 66.33% of the sample. The function obtained for Stroop task performance prediction correctly classified 68.37% of the sample. Two significant functions were created in order to classify performance on both tasks simultaneously. Participants were classified with 44.33% accuracy into the resulting groups. Directions for future research are also discussed.
The distribution of dissolved DNA in an oligotrophic and a eutrophic river of Southwest Florida

The distribution of dissolved DNA concentrations and some microbial variables were compared in an oligo-mesotrophic river (the Crystal River) and a phosphate-rich eutrophic river (the Alafia River) in Southwest Florida over a 15 month period. Concentrations of phosphate and nitrate in the Alafia River averaged 135 and 18.2 times the respective phosphate and nitrate concentrations of the oligo-mesotrophic Crystal River. The seasonal average dissolved DNA concentration for the Alafia River exceeded that of the Crystal River by a factor of 1.8 (8.2 μg 1−1 compared to 4.6 μg 1−1, respectively). The greatest concentrations of dissolved DNA in the Alafia River were found in areas that contained the largest populations of phytoplankton and bacteria (a reservoir formed from an abandoned phosphate mining pit and two downstream stations near the mouth of the river). Differences in dissolved DNA concentrations between these environments and more pristine environments (i.e. all Crystal River Stations and upstream Alafia River stations) were of the same order of magnitude (1.8 to 2.2-fold) as the differences in bacterial abundance and activity, but considerably less than differences in phytoplankton abundance and activity between such environments. Seasonal variations in dissolved DNA concentrations in the Crystal River corresponded to seasonal variations in microbial populations, with minimal values in January and greater values in July. In the Alafia River, lowest concentrations for dissolved DNA occurred in July during the wet season, when seasonal flooding of area of leaf litter yielded high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) which were low in dissolved DNA. These results suggest that: 1) in situ planktonic activity is a greater source of dissolved DNA than allochthonous or terrestrial sources of DOC; 2) factors that control the magnitude of heterotrophic bacterial populations are more likely to control dissolved DNA levels than factors regulating autotrophic population activity and abundance; 3) differences in dissolved DNA between eutrophic and oligo-mesotrophic environments are often much smaller than the differences in nutrient concentration between such environments.
Predictive value of alert triggers for identification of developing adverse drug events.

Objective:Adverse drug events (ADEs) are the most common type of iatrogenic injury in hospitalized patients. However; the ability of electronic triggers to identify patients at high risk for inpatient ADEs before they occur has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to assess the pos
The Influence of Towers and Conductor Sag on Transmission-Line Shielding

THIS paper is the third of a sequence of papers intended to present data which may be used in determining the degree of protection from lightning obtainable by shielding transmission lines and structures with grounded overhead wires and masts. The first two papers of the sequence are: “Shielding of Transmission Lines,”1 and “Shielding of Substations.”2
Benign sacrococcygeal teratoma with spinal canal invasion and paraplegia

Sacrococcygeal teratomas can have a wide variety of clinical presentations depending on their size, vascularity, and degree of mass effect upon adjacent structures. Intradural invasion of a sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare variant that has generally been associated with a favorable neurologic outcome. In this report, we present the case of a neonate with paraplegia secondary to a large Altman type III sacrococcygeal teratoma with extension into the spinal canal. The neoplasm was completely removed using a combined anterior and posterior approach after preoperative embolization of the lateral sacral arteries. Pathology showed a mature teratoma. The patient remains paraplegic without evidence of tumor recurrence at 1 year of age.
The role of stem and circulating cells in cancer metastasis.

While many solid tumors have been reported to contain stem cell-like cells termed cancer stem cells, the case for a melanoma stem cell has been debated over the last few years. Herein, we summarize current knowledge of melanoma-initiating cells and provide an update on recently gained knowledge regarding cancer stem cells and melanoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011;103:555–557. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Statistical texture retrieval in noise using complex wavelets

This paper investigates the use of complex wavelets for statistical texture retrieval in a noisy environment, in which the query image is contaminated by noise. To account for the presence of noise, the feature extraction step is based on parameter estimation in noise where features are extracted from the noisy query image by modeling the magnitude and phase of complex subband coefficients of the clean image, and relating the model's parameters to the noisy coefficients. In addition to using only the magnitude or phase which is in the form of the relative phase, we incorporate both magnitude and phase information to further improve the accuracy rate. The simulation results show the retrieval rate improvement by estimating the clean parameters from the noisy query image instead of assuming that the query image is clean. Furthermore, using both magnitude and phase of complex coefficients improves the accuracy rate from using either magnitude or phase alone, and that using complex-valued wavelets yields higher rate than using real-valued wavelets.
Maternal morbidity and mortality in 442 pregnancies with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP syndrome)

Objective: Our purpose was to describe the incidence and effects of serious obstetric complications on maternal outcome in pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome. Study Design: A prospective cohort study was performed on 442 pregnancies with HELLP syndrome managed at this center from August 1977 through July 1992. Results: Of 437 women who had 442 pregnancies with HELLP syndrome; 309 (70%) of the cases occurred ante partum and 133 (30%) post partum; 149 (11%) developed at p p p p Conclusion: HELLP syndrome is associated with serious maternal morbidity, especially when it arises in the postpartum period.
Long-term effects of genre-based instruction: a follow-up study of an EAP reading course

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate extended effects of an EAP genre-based reading course on eight adult non-native speakers. Using student interviews collected 1 year after instruction, the study examined whether the class genres (hard news story, feature article, textbook, and research article) were connected to students’ subsequent reading requirements and interests; what students remembered about genres taught in the course; and how they perceived the instruction had influenced their L2 reading. Results revealed that the class genres were related to some of the students’ academic and non-academic reading materials. In addition, students’ commentary on text passages and impressions of the class indicated that a number of students remembered class genre features and thought they applied the material to their L2 reading and writing. However, the effects of the course may have been greater or more conscious for some students and genres than others. The article concludes by discussing potential benefits as well as limitations of genre-based teaching for EAP reading curricula.
Exploiting correlations in projection-based image registration

Projection-based image registration algorithms use the sum of the pixel values along a given axis of an image to detect spatial changes in temporally separated images. These algorithms have been shown to be computationally efficient and effective for aligning temporally separated images and for visually detecting sensor motion. Registering images via projections has also been shown as a method for overcoming registration errors caused by the presence of fixed pattern noise. This work describes a method that exploits the statistical properties of images with significant local correlation to improve the performance of projection-based image registration algorithms. The algorithm is shown to operate in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions and to significantly improve registration performance by as much as a factor of 5.5 in mean squared error over existing projection-based registration algorithms at a minimal computational cost.
Trace element toxicity in va mycorrhizal cucumber grown on weathered coal fly ash

Abstract Mycorrhizal colonization is widely recognized as enhancing plant growth on severely disturbed sites. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to determine if inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi will enhance vegetation establishment on abandoned coal fly ash basins. Spores of Glomus intraradices (Schenck and Smith) and Glomus etunicatum (Becker and Gerdemann) were added to weathered precipitator ash (EC = 0.91 dS m−1; pH 5.0) and to a pasteurized soil of the same pH (Grossarenic Paleudult, 92% sand, 1% organic matter). Some soil and ash were left unamended as non-mycorrhizal controls. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Poinsette 76) seeds were sown, watered regularly, and fertilized periodically with macro-nutrient solution. By 8 weeks old, all ash-grown plants exhibited smaller leaves with leaf margin curl and necrosis, and plant biomass was significantly less (0.75 ×) than soil-grown plants. Based on analysis of 18 elements in plant tissues, toxicity to B, Mn or Zn could have caused growth suppression, confirming trace element problems for plant growth on fly ash. For plants grown on fly ash, G. etunicatum was the only fungus that colonized roots (20% of root length reduced from 67% on soil) and it suppressed plant growth to 0.80 × that of uninoculated ash-grown plants. Correspondingly, shoot Zn concentration in G. etunicatum -inoculated plants was 3.5 × higher than in uninoculated plants and at generally toxic levels (273 mg kg−1)- Glomus etunicatum had no other significant effects on elemental concentrations. These results indicate that VAM colonization in acid, weathered fly ash suppressed plant growth by facilitating uptake of Zn to toxic levels, and implies a limitation to successful use of VAM for vegetation establishment on abandoned coal fly ash basins.
THE PORTFOLIO APPROACH TO DIVISIONAL INNOVATION STRATEGY

Few would argue with the notion that innovation is an investment in the future. The complexity of innovation decisions can be squarely confronted with the use of the portfolio concept by general managers at the division level. When applied at this level, portfolio strategy can be instrumental in achieving broader objectives and economic wealth despite the drawbacks of uncertainty, expense, and inefficiency that are sometimes associated with innovation.
Sparse component selection with application to MEG source localization

In several applications, the observed signal can be modeled as the projection of a sparse signal with constant support over time plus additive noise. In this paper, we develop a sparse component selection method which models the latent signal to be sparse and to be composed of a number unknown basis signals. The estimation is based on the maximization of the penalized log-likelihood, for which we develop an efficient minorization-maximization (MM) algorithm. We use simulations with synthetic data and real data from a magnetoencephalography (MEG) experiment to demonstrate the performance of the method.
Learning science inquiry skills in a virtual field

Abstract Sixth grade students at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School explore a virtual field via an ImmersaDesk and collect data there using hand-held computers. Back in the classroom they integrate their data, visualize it to see the patterns that emerge, and then propose explanations for these patterns. The goal is to help the students learn science inquiry skills within an environment that encourages their formation.
Threats to Social Identity Can Trigger Social Deviance

We hypothesized that threats to people’s social (i.e., group) identity can trigger deviant attitudes and behaviors. A correlational study and five experiments showed that experiencing or recalling situations associated with the devaluation of a social identity caused participants to endorse or engage in deviant actions, including stealing, cheating, and lying. The effect was driven by the tendency to construe social identity threats not as isolated incidents but as symbolic of the continuing devaluation and disrespectful treatment of one’s group. Supplementing sociological approaches to deviance and delinquency, the results suggest the relevance and utility of a social-psychological account.
Schemas reveal spatial relations to a patient with simultanagnosia

Maps, graphs, and diagrams use simplified graphic forms, like lines and blobs, to represent basic spatial relations, like boundaries and enclosures. A schema is an iconic representation where perceptual detail has been abstracted away from reality in order to provide a more flexible structure for cognition. Unlike truly symbolic representations of spatial relations (i.e., prepositions) a schema preserves some analog spatial qualities of the relation it stands in for. We tested the efficacy of schemas in facilitating the perception and comprehension of spatial relations in a patient with bilateral occipitoparietal damage and resulting simultanagnosia. Patient E.E. performed six matching tasks involving WORDS (in, on, above, below), photographic PICTURES of objects, and/or SCHEMAS depicting the same spatial relations. E.E. was instructed to match a single spatial relation to a corresponding image from an array of four choices. On the two tasks that did not include matching to or from schemas, E.E. performed at chance levels. On tasks with schemas, performance was significantly better, indicating that schematic representations make spatial relations visible in a manner that symbols and complex images do not. The results provide general insight as to how schemas facilitate spatial reasoning when used in graphic depictions, and how such theoretically intermediate representational structures could serve to link perceptual and verbal representations of spatial relations in the brain.
Amino Acid Cosmogeochemistry

Amino acids are ubiquitous components of living organisms and as a result they are widely distributed on the surface of the Earth. Whereas only 20 amino acids are found in proteins, a much more diverse mixture of amino acids has been detected in carbonaceous meteorites. Amino acids in living organisms consist exclusively of the L-enantiomers, but in meteorites, amino acids with chiral carbons are present as racemic mixtures. Protein amino acids undergo a variety of diagenetic reactions that produce some other amino acids but not the unique amino acids present in meteorites. Nevertheless, trace quantities of meteoritic amino acids may occur on the Earth, either as a result of bolide impact or from the capture of cosmic dust particles. The ensemble of amino acids present on the early Earth before life existed was probably similar to those in prebiotic experiments and meteorites. This generates a question about why the L-amino acids on which life is based were selected.
Helium and hydrogen re-emission during implantation of molybdenum, vanadium and stainless steel

Abstract He re-emission has been measured during 300 keV He+ implantation from 400°C to 1200°C in V and Mo between −170°C and 700°C in 316 SS. H re-emission has been measured during 150 keV H+ implantation of Mo, V, and 316 SS between −90°C and 115 °C. In general the He re-emission is low until a critical dose is reached, at which time the re-emission abruptly rises to higher values. Both the critical dose and re-emission are strongly temperature dependent. The H re-emission generally rises smoothly to an equilibrium value which is both temperature and material dependent. Only at the lowest temperature does the H re-emission in Mo bear a qualitative resemblance to He re-emission.
Investigations of the magnitude of steric and α deuterium kinetic isotope effects in a carboncarbon bond-forming reaction of a permethylscandocene complex☆

Abstract No measurable isotope effect is observed in the reaction of (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 Sc-CH 3 ( 1a , Cp* = η 5 -C 5 (CH 3 ) 5 ) with CD 3 CCCH 3 to yield a mixture of (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 Sc-C(CD 3 )CC(CH 3 ) 2 ( 2a ) and (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 ScC(CH 3 )CC(CH 3 )(CD 3 ) ( 2b ) ( 2b : 2a = 1.01±0.02:1). Thus steric repulsions between the 2-butyne methyl group and the scandium-bound methyl group are not sufficiently severe to give rise to a measurable steric deuterium kinetic isotope effect. Similarly, 1a reacts with CH 3 CCCH 3 at approximately the same rate as does (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 ScCD 3 ( 1b ), producing a mixture of (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 Sc-C(CH 3 )CC(CH 3 ) 2 ( 2c ) and (Cp*- d 15 ) 2 ScC(CH 3 )CC(CD 3 )(CH 3 ) ( 2d ) ( k 2c / k 2d = 1.02±0.07). The implication from the latter finding is that a [Sc(η 2 -CH 2 H)] α agostic interaction is likely not present in the transition state for 2-butyne insertion into the scandium methyl bond of 1 .
Modeling transients in the mechanical response of copper due to strain path changes

When copper is deformed to large strains its texture and microstructure change drastically, leading to plastic anisotropy and extended transients when it is reloaded along a different strain path. For predicting these transients, we develop a constitutive model for polycrystalline metals that incorporates texture and grain microstructure. The directional anisotropy in the single crystals is considered to be induced by variable latent hardening associated with cross-slip, cut-through of planar dislocation walls, and dislocation-based reversal mechanisms. These effects are introduced in a crystallographic hardening model which is, in turn, implemented into a polycrystal model. This approach successfully explains the flow response of OFHC Cu pre-loaded in tension (compression) and reloaded in tension (compression), and the response of OFHC Cu severely strained in shear by equal channel angular extrusion and subsequently compressed in each of the three orthogonal directions. This new theoretical framework applies to arbitrary strain path changes, and is fully anisotropic.
Multiple-Layer Compression-Coated Tablets: Formulation and Humidity Studies of Novel Chewable Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Tablet Formulations

The purpose of this study was to produce novel multiple-layer, compression-coated, chewable tablet formulations containing amoxicillin trihydrate, and clavulanic acid as potassium clavulanate, and to test in vitro dissolution characteristics and the effect of humidity stability compared to Augmentin chewable tablets as a reference. Double- and triple-layer tablets were manufactured on a laboratory scale by multiple-layer dry compression, and dissolution profiles of both active ingredients were determined. Tablets were subjected to stability evaluation in laboratory-scale humidity tanks maintained at constant humidity. Assay of content was determined by HPLC or UV spectroscopy. Physical characteristics of the powder mixture, such as angle of repose, and of tablets for hardness and friability, were also determined. Chewable tablets showed similar dissolution profiles in vitro for both active ingredients, compared to the marketed reference, Augmentin. The stability of clavulanic acid, but not amoxicillin, was increased in the novel triple or bilayer formulation. The tablets showed suitable friability, hardness, and angle of repose for starting materials to suggest that industrial scale-up is feasible. This approach to formulation of drugs containing multiple or moisture-sensitive ingredients has been shown to increase the stability of the central core drug without changing the dissolution pattern of the active ingredients. This formulation is expected to be bioequivalent in vivo based on these in vitro results.
Impact of the Dual-Polarization Doppler Radar Data on Two Convective Storms with a Warm-Rain Radar Forward Operator

AbstractThe dual-polarization (dual pol) Doppler radar can transmit/receive both horizontally and vertically polarized power returns. The dual-pol radar measurements have been shown to provide a more accurate precipitation estimate compared to traditional radars. In this study, the horizontal reflectivity ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, specific differential phase KDP, and radial velocity VR collected by the C-band Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) are assimilated for two convective storms. A warm-rain scheme is constructed to assimilate ZH, ZDR, and KDP data using the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) system with the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF). The main goals of this study are first to demonstrate and compare the impact of various dual-pol variables in initialization of real case convective storms and second to test how the dual-pol fields may be better used with a 3DVAR system.The results show that the ZH, ...
Induction of olfactory receptor sensitivity in mice

Repeated exposure to olfactory ligands (odorants) increased peripheral olfactory sensitivity in mice. For two unrelated ligands, androstenone and isovaleric acid, induction of olfactory sensitivity was odorant-specific and occurred only in inbred strains that initially had low sensitivity to the exposure odorant. These data demonstrate stimulus-induced plasticity in a sensory receptor cell, suggesting a form of stimulus-controlled gene expression. Induction with two unrelated odorants implies that olfactory induction is a general phenomenon that may occur in a large fraction of the human population.
Intracerebroventricular injections of cholecystokinin octapeptide suppress feeding in rats--pharmacological characterization of this action.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), will suppress feeding. The aim of the present study was to determine the pharmacological characteristics of this satiety inducing effect in rats. For this purpose, we employed a feeding bioassay model in 24 h fasted rats and examined the effects of CCK-8 and a variety of structurally related analogs on latency to feed after i.c.v. injection and on the amount of food and water consumed as measured after the initiation of feeding in sequential 20-min epochs for 1 h. CCK-8, given in doses of 0.1, 1 and 10 nmol, produced a dose-dependent increase in feeding latency and a reduction of food intake during the first 20 min after initiation of feeding. Food intake during the next 40 min and water consumption were not altered. Plasma levels of CCK-like immunoreactivity after an i.c.v. injection of a dose of CCK-8 which blocked feeding (10 nmol) rose insignificantly from 117 to 125 pg/ml. In contrast, at the minimally effective dose of CCK-8 after i.v. administration (10 nmol), which also produced an inhibition of feeding, the plasma level was 1430 pg/ml. This difference indicates that plasma levels of CCK after i.c.v. CCK-8 are not adequate to produce the observed feeding suppression and suggests that the effects of i.c.v. CCK-8 are not mediated by a peripheral redistribution. Systematic dose response studies revealed the following rank order of potencies: CCK-8 ≥ G-17 II > > CCK-8 NS = G-17 I ≥ CCK-4 = CCK26–29 = 0. Only gastrin-17 II (sulfated) produced an effect comparably significant to CCK-8. I.c.v. proglumide at 2500 nmol failed to modify the effects of CCK-8 at 10 nmol after i.c.v. injection. These data demonstrate that the structural requirements for feeding suppressive activity in rat brain are the carboxy-terminus with a sulfated tyrosine residue, located 6 to 7 residues from the carboxy-terminus, as present in CCK-8 and gastrin-17 II.
Introductory remarks on the beauty and the beast

Abstract I briefly discuss what is at stake with QCD and the lattice. The topics of this parallel session are introduced.
Implications of two-stage depression screening for identifying persons with thoughts of self-harm☆

Abstract Objective Persons with thoughts of self-harm may need evaluation for suicide risk. We examine the prevalence of thoughts of self-harm and whether persons with thoughts of self-harm are identified when two-stage depression screening is used. Methods Data are from the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Persons responding positively to question nine of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) are identified as having thoughts of self-harm. We compare two depression cutoff scores for the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) to see what percentage of persons with thoughts of self-harm would be identified as needing further screening with the PHQ-9. Results The prevalence of thoughts of self-harm was 3.5%. Persons 12–17 years old, poor and reporting fair or poor health were more likely to report thoughts of self-harm. A cutoff score of three on the PHQ-2 identified 49% of persons with thoughts of self-harm for further screening with the PHQ-9. A cut point of two increased the proportion of persons with thoughts of self-harm continuing for further screening to 76%. Conclusions Using a lower cutoff score, two, the PHQ-2 captures more persons with thoughts of self-harm. One quarter of persons with self-harm thoughts may not be identified for further screening when two-stage screening is used.
Ultrasonically guided percutaneous biopsy of peripheral pulmonary masses.

Ulrasonically guided percutaneous biopsy and aspiration of solid and cystic structures in the abdomen, neck, and pericardial space are common practice. The technique may be utilized for biopsy of peripheral pulmonary masses in contact with the chest wall, in order to assure accurate placement of the needle in the center of the mass, reduce the risk of pneumothorax, and eliminate the exposure to radiation that occurs with fluoroscopic guidance. Four patients had successful biopsies in this manner, without complications. Histologic studies revealed malignant neoplasm in three and lipoid pneumonia in one.
Development of a quasi-monoenergetic 6 MeV gamma facility

The Advanced Energetic Pair Telescope (AdEPT) will explore the universe in the medium-energy range from about 5 MeV to greater than 200 MeV via gamma-ray pair production. AdEPT will provide high angular resolution observations and for the first time high polarization sensitivity over this essentially unexplored energy range. The NASA/GSFC quasi-monoenergetic 6 MeV Gamma Facility was built to characterize detector’s response of planetary science and astrophysics instrumentation to be done in house. It will provide the ability to study pair production imaging of the AdEPT pair telescope at the difficult low end of its energy range. There is no natural radioactive isotope that provides a gamma ray with energy above the 2.614 MeV line of 228 Th. The quasi-monoenergetic 6 MeV gamma-ray source provides a calibration point at significantly higher energy and is thus necessary to the design and testing of astrophysics and planetary neutron/gamma-ray instruments. This paper presents the mechanical design of the facility and the measured activity of the source.
Development of an Infrequency Index for the CAARS

There is a clinical need for measurement of noncredible self-reporting of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults presenting for ADHD evaluation. The present study describes the development of initial validity data for an Infrequency Index for the Conner’s Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Rating Scale (CII). Items for the CII were obtained from a large sample of nontreatment seeking university students, including individuals with a self-reported history of ADHD diagnosis. Items endorsed infrequently in the sample, including those with ADHD diagnoses, were identified and summed to create the CII. Initial validation data were gathered from a sample of individuals seeking clinical evaluation for ADHD. The CII was strongly related to noncredibly high symptom report and was also related to noncredible performance on cognitive measures. Results provide initial support for the CII’s use in assessing noncredible overreporting on the Conner’s Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity...
Dietary lutein modulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7)

Lutein is an oxycarotenoid primarily found in dark-green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Other dietary sources which contain moderate amounts of lutein include corn, egg yolks, and fruits like oranges and kiwi. Although a number of in vivo studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of lutein, its in vitro anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action is unknown. In this study, we have investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of lutein using LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The inhibition of LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) was measured and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was assessed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse macrophage cells after treatment with lutein. Lutein decreased the LPS-induced NO production by 50% compared to LPS alone. Real-time PCR analysis showed a 1.9-fold reduction in iNOS expression at the mRNA level. Western blotting revealed that lutein decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression at the protein level by 72.5%. The results of this study suggest the anti-inflammatory properties of lutein demonstrated by the decrease in the expression of iNOS at the mRNA and protein levels in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.
Calabi-Yau manifolds in weighted P4

Abstract It has recently been recognized that the relation between exactly solvable conformal field theory compactifications of the Heterotic String and Calabi-Yau manifolds necessarily involves the discussion of embeddings in weighted projective space. We therefore study this class of manifolds more closely. We have constructed a subclass of these spaces and find that this class features a surprising symmetry under χ → −χ. Furthermore, we show that this class is potentially of much greater interest with regard to phenomenologically viable models, as there are 25 three-generation models among these manifolds.
SOME REMARKS ON HILBERT-SPEISER AND LEOPOLDT FIELDS OF GIVEN TYPE

Let p be a rational prime, G a group of order p, and K a number field containing a primitive pth root of unity. We show that every tamely ramified Galois extension of K with Galois group isomorphic to G has a normal integral basis if and only if for every Galois extension L/K with Galois group isomorphic to G, the ring of integers OL in L is free as a module over the associated order AL/K. We also give examples, some of which show that this result can still hold without the assumption that K contains a primitive pth root of unity.
The Use of Corn Versus Sugarcane to Produce Ethanol Fuel: A Fermentation Experiment for Environmental Studies

This article provides both an experiment and a framework for discussion that students can use to compare the efficiency of producing ethanol by using corn versus sugarcane as a raw material.
Hemolysin of Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Tentative Identification as a Peroxide

Mycoplasma pneumoniae produces a soluble hemolysin active against guinea pig erythrocytes. This hemolysin appears to be a peroxide, since catalase or peroxidase inhibits its activity. The action of catalase and peroxidase is specific, since heating the enzymes abolishes their effect on the hemolysin. In addition, 3-amino- 1,2,4-triazole, a potent inhibitor of catalase, reverses the inhibitory effect of the enzyme. The hemolysin of M. laidlawii is also a peroxide. The hemolysins of M. pneumoniae and M. laidlawii seem unique for microbial organisms since the bacterial hemolysins which have been described have been protein or lipid in nature.
A Primary Act of Imagination An Autoethnography of Father-Absence

This autoethnography details the author’s efforts during the past eight years to write and publish her dissertation research on the narratives of father-absent daughters, most notably Elizabeth’s story. The author’s understanding of father-absence is situated within the multifaceted and constantly evolving discursive fields of scholarly research and personal experience. As a “vulnerable observer,” locating her own narrative within that field of stories lies at the heart of the author’s writing. This research story illustrates the ongoing challenge of creating a livable personal narrative through “a primary act of imagination.”