cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hardware/Software Co-Design: Application Domains and Design Technologies

The design of electronic systems is complex because of the interplay of different components, which may be heterogeneous in nature. Moreover, systems consist of a very large number of elementary constituents (e.g., electronic transistors, machine-level instructions), which yield numerous design options. System-level design benefits from the use of system-level computer-aided design (CAD) tools to support modeling, validation and synthesis. Whereas computer-aided design tools have reached maturity in the domain of synthesizing and validating very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits, few tools and structured design methodologies exist yet for electronic systems, due to their heterogeneous nature, where different components may require different design techniques and where the interactions among heterogeneous components has to be dealt with.
Incentive Constraints and Optimal Communication Systems

An example of a sender-receiver game, due to Farrell, is studied to illustrate the role of incentive constraints in the design of optimal communication systems between rational individuals whose interests are not the same. Some noise in the communication system is essential for substantive communication. Information and strategic incentive constraints are linearal so finding an optimal incentive-compatible mediation plan is a linear programming problem. The revelation principle guarantees that an optimal incentive-compatible mediation plan is also optimal among all equilibria with all possible communication systems. Without moral hazard, participational incentive constraints replace strategic incentive constraints.
Thermodynamic characterization of the interaction between the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and DNA oligonucleotides (978.3)

LL-37 is a small peptide of innate immunity that sequesters extracellular DNA and transports it across the cell membrane. Recent discoveries have implicated LL-37-mediated pathways as potential inciting mechanisms for the onset of anti-DNA autoimmunity. We have used electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and western blotting to examine the details of complex formation between LL-37 and 24-bp DNA fragments with CpG, GpC, and poly(AT) sequences. ITC studies indicate that LL-37 binding to CpG DNA fits a two-site model, with association binding constants (Ka1 and Ka2) on the order of 108-109 M-1 and peptide:DNA ratios of 15-25. Quantitative EMSA studies allow the construction of binding curves and demonstrate the formation of large peptide-DNA complexes that form over a narrow concentration range. Parallel western blotting experiments detect LL-37 self-complexes that increase in size with increasing LL-37 concentration and that decrease in size in the presence of...
Relationship between OSCE scores and other typical medical school performance indicators: a 5-year cohort study.

ABSTRACTBackground: Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are used at the majority of U.S. medical schools. Given the high resource demands with constructing and administering OSCEs, understanding how OSCEs relate to typical performance measures in medical school could help educators more effectively design curricula and evaluation to optimize student instruction and assessment. Purpose: To investigate the correlation between second-year and third-year OSCE scores, as well as the associations between OSCE scores and several other typical measures of students' medical school performance. Methods: We tracked the performance of a 5-year cohort (classes of 2007–2011). We studied the univariate correlations among OSCE scores, U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, and medical school grade point average. We also examined whether OSCE scores explained additional variance in the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge score beyond that explained by the Step 1 score. Results: The second- and third...
ON THE QUESTION OF SALT BRIDGES OF CATIONIZED AMINO ACIDS IN THE GAS PHASE: GLYCINE AND ARGININE

Abstract The geometrical shapes of the sodiated and cesiated amino acids glycine and arginine were probed in the gas phase by using the ion mobility based ion chromatography method. The data were compared to those obtained for alkali cationized methyl esters and for all the protonated species. Molecular mechanics, semiempirical, and ab initio/density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to generate model structures for comparison with experiment and to determine the relative energies of different structures. For alkali cationized glycine the experimental cross sections agreed with charge solvation structures which were found by calculation to be the most stable forms as well. Both experiment and theory indicated that sodium is solvated by both the amino and the carbonyl groups, while cesium is solvated by one or both oxygen(s) of the carboxyl group. Alkali cationized arginine was found to form a salt bridge structure. The carboxylate group is stabilized by both the charged guanidinium group and the alkali ion. High level (6-311++G∗∗ and DZVP) ab initio/DFT calculations carried out on sodiated and rubidiated N amidinoglycine, which contains a guanidino group and which was used as a model for the larger arginine molecule, indicated that the salt bridge structures are ∼10 kcal/mol more stable than the charge solvation forms for both alkali ions. The structure of protonated arginine, i.e. salt bridge or charge solvation, could not be unambiguously determined.
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase in a Man With Ascites

Question: A 52-year-old man was referred to our clinic for evaluation of cirrhosis. The patient had noticed increasing abdominal girth for 3 months. He drank alcohol almost daily since the age of 16, up to 8 beers per day. He stopped drinking 1 month prior. On physical examination, the patient appeared chronically ill with scleral icterus. His abdomen was tense. The liver was enlarged 5– 8 cm below the costal margin. Laboratory data revealed aspartate aminotransferase, 129 U/L; alanine aminotransferase, 77 U/L; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 846 U/L; total bilirubin, 3.1 mg/dL; platelets, 671 k/ L; creatinine, 0.7 mg/dL; and International Normalized Ratio, 1.1. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large amount of ascites, hepatomegaly, decreased attenuation of the liver suggesting fatty liver, and a recanalized umbilical vein. These changes were suspicious of portal hypertension attributed to alcoholic cirrhosis. Owing to a persistently elevated alkaline phosphatase on repeat testing (1164 U/L), out of proportion to what would be expected in alcoholic cirrhosis, a liver biopsy was obtained. The hematoxylin and eosin stain of the liver biopsy revealed replacement of the normal lobular architecture by abundant deposition of amorphous eosinophilic material in a sinusoidal and nodular pattern (Figure A). An upper endoscopy, done for screening of varices, showed gastric and small bowel biopsies with positive Congo red stains (Figure B) with green birefringence under polarized light (Figure C). What is your diagnosis? See the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Biomass production in mass cultures of marine phytoplankton at varying temperatures

Abstract Natural populations of marine phytoplankton obtained from a large outdoor pond were grown on waste water-sea water mixtures in laboratory continuous cultures in the temperature range 5–33 °C. Virtually all of the influent inorganic nitrogen (14.0 mg l−1) was assimilated at every temperature tested. There was, however, a distinct change in dominant species with temperature: below 19.8 °C Phaeodactylum tricornutum was dominant, at 27 °C Nilzschia sp. was the main species, and as the temperature increased above 27 °C a blue-green alga, Oscillatoria sp., became increasingly dominant. There is some indication that the excellent growth of P. tricornutum below 10 °C was related to a dramatic increase in the nutrient content per cell as the temperature decreased. Thus at low temperatures reduced division rates are compensated for by increased nutrient uptake rates. It follows that there is a transfer of phytoplankton protein from numerous small cells at intermediate temperatures to large cells that are reduced in numbers at lower temperatures but which represent the same total organic matter. The effect of this phenomenon on annual food chain efficiencies in both controlled and natural marine ecosystems is unknown.
A P2P-Based Infrastructure for Adaptive Trustworthy and Efficient Communication in Wide-Area Distributed Systems

Tremendous advances in pervasive networking have enabled wide-area distributed systems to connect distributed resources or users such as corporate data centers and high-performance computing centers. These distributed pervasive systems take advantage of resources and enhance collaborations worldwide. However, due to lack of central management, they are severely threatened by a variety of malicious users in today's Internet. Current reputation- and anonymity-based technologies for node communication enhance system trustworthiness. However, most of these technologies gain trustworthiness at the cost of efficiency degradation. This paper presents a P2P-based infrastructure for trustworthy and efficient node communication in wide-area distributed systems. It jointly addresses trustworthiness and efficiency in its operation in order to meet the high-performance requirements of a diversified wealth of distributed pervasive applications. The infrastructure includes two policies: trust/efficiency-oriented request routing and trust-based adaptive anonymous response forwarding. This infrastructure not only offers a trustworthy environment with anonymous communication but also enhances overall system efficiency through harmonious trustworthiness and efficiency trade-offs. Experimental results from simulations and the real-world PlanetLab testbed show the superior performance of the P2P-based infrastructure in achieving both high trustworthiness and high efficiency in comparison to other related approaches.
An aqueous and sedimentalogical model for heavy metal contamination of stream systems affected by sulfide mining in the eastern United States.

Small streams in the southeastern U. S. can be significantly contaminated by abandoned mining operations. Heavy metal contamination of such stream systems may be a function of the cyclic precipitation and dissolution of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. Since these mines are no longer operative and many of the original companies defunct, no private company is willing to regulate the rates of metal accumulation in stream waters. The unregulated waters pose a hazard for rural communities and natural ecological systems within the drainage basins.
The Value of Early Postictal EEG in Children with Complex Febrile Seizures

Summary: Purpose: To assess the usefulness of an early post-ictal EEG in neurologically normal children with complex febrile seizures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all neurologically normal children who were hospitalized over a period of 2.5 years after complex febrile seizures, and had an EEG up to 1 week after the seizure. Results: Thirty-three patients (mean age, 17.8 months) qualified for inclusion into the study. Twenty-four patients were qualified as complex cases based on one factor (prolonged in 9, repetitive in 13, and focal in 2). Nine other patients had two complex factors: in six patients, the seizures were long and repetitive; in two patients, the seizures were focal and repetitive; and in one patient, the seizures were long, focal, and repetitive. Thirteen (39%) patients experienced prior febrile seizures. All 33 patients had a normal postictal sleep EEG. Our results indicate with a 95% probability that the true rate of abnormalities in an early postictal EEG performed on otherwise normal children with complex febrile seizures is 8.6% or less. Conclusions: The yield of abnormalities of an early postictal EEG in this population is low and similar to the reported rate of abnormalities in children with simple febrile seizures. The routine practice of obtaining an early EEG in neurologically normal children with complex febrile seizures is not justified.
A polydisperse aerosol inhalation system designed for human studies

Abstract A polydisperse aerosol inhalation system has been developed to measure particle deposition in the lungs of human subjects. Nebulizers are used to generate aerosols with mass median aerodynamic diameters from 0.3 to 3 μm , and geometric standard deviations of 1.8–2.0. Inspired aerosol is drawn from a holding bag, passes through a sliding valve and a pneumotachograph, and enters a heated mouthpiece. Exhaled aerosol passes from the mouthpiece and pneumotachograph, through a second sliding valve and is collected in a heated sample bag. Inhalation and exhalation valves trigger automatically with change in flow direction through the pneumotachograph. Complete size distributions of inhaled and exhaled aerosol are measured by an aerodynamic particle sizer and a scanning mobility particle sizer. Fractional particle deposition of a test aerosol in the lung is determined by comparing inhaled and exhaled aerosol size fractions. Total deposition is determined from the sum of the fractional depositions. This new system precludes the need for monodisperse aerosol series to simulate polydisperse aerosol data, thus substantially reducing both study length and subject exposure.
Accelerator Simulation of Astrophysical Processes

The interaction of energetic ions with matter is responsible for many of the processes by which the elements were synthesized, energy is generated in stars, interstellar grains are destroyed, and molecules are created in space. All of these processes are amenable to simulation in the laboratory using accelerated ion beams, which allows us a more comprehensive understanding of Nature than we could obtain by observation alone. In addition, ion beam techniques are extremely useful in the determination of the elemental and isotopic abundances that arise from astrophysical nuclear synthesis.
Neutral technetium(II)-99m complexes as potential brain perfusion imaging agents

A series of eight neutral technetium(II)-99m complexes of general formula tr-[99mTcIID2X2]0, where D represents a chelating ditertary phosphine or arsine ligand and X represents a halide or pseudohalide ligand, has been prepared and characterized by HPLC comparisons to the known 99Tc analogs. Several members of this series exhibit significant brain uptake in rats, with maximum uptake (1.2% dose/brain at 1 min after injection) being exhibited by tr-[99mTcII (DIARS)2Cl2]0 where DIARS represents o-phenylenebis(dimethylarsine). Surprisingly, several cationic Tc(III) analogs, tr-[99mTcD2X2]+, also exhibit significant brain uptake, presumably via a mechanism which involves in vivo reduction to the neutral Tc(II) form. The complicated interrelationships among the chemical and biological properties of the tr-[99mTcIII/IID2X2]+/0 couples, and the dependencies of these properties on the nature of D and X, provide possible means by which this class of complexes might be manipulated to yield an effective 99mTc brain perfusion imaging agent.
Cogent：A Case Study of Meaningful Gamification in Education with Virtual Currency

This paper analyzes students’ experience with Cogent, a virtual economy system used throughout the 4 years of a B.S. degree in a Technology major. The case study explains the rules of the Cogent system and investigates its effectiveness to motivate students to learn. Using focus groups and interviews, we collected qualitative data from students about their experience and perceptions of Cogent. The results indicate that Cogent played an encouraging and motivational role for these students and suggest potential for the successful design and implementation of meaningful gamification systems to promote student motivation and engagement within an educational context.
TH-A-141-02: X-Ray Acoustic Computed Tomography: Concept and Design

Purpose: We developed X‐ray acoustic computer tomography (XACT), a new imaging modality which combines X‐ray contrast and high ultrasonic resolution in a single modality. Both X‐rays and ultrasound propagate long distances in tissue; it has the potential to break through the fundamental depth limitation of laser‐induced photoacoustic tomography. Methods: In our designed XACT imaging system, short pulsed x‐ray beams (60‐nanosecond) were generated from an X‐ray source operated at the energy of 270 kVp with a 15‐Hz repetition rate. The X‐ray induced acoustic signal will be captured by an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer will detect the acoustic signals in the imaging plane at each scanning position. A pulse preamplifier will receive the signals from the transducer and deliver the amplified signals to a secondary amplifier. Signals will be recorded and averaged by oscilloscope. One set of data will incorporate 200 positions as the receiver scans 360° around the sample. The XACT image will then be reconstructed with the filtered back projection algorithm. Results: Simulations were conducted to test the proposed theory and assess the performance of the imaging reconstruction algorithms for this novel imaging modality. From the results of Monte Carlo simulation, X‐rays photons can easily penetrate deeper than 10 cm when X‐ray energy exceeds 200 keV. Theoretically, the imaging spatial resolution can be as fine as 100 μm using a 10‐MHz ultrasound transducer for acoustic signal detection. Conclusion: These simulations provide a new framework for optimizing the design of X‐ray acoustic imaging system. This new modality may be useful for a number of applications, such as molecular imaging, providing the location of a fiducial marker for anatomical reference, or monitoring the x‐ray dose distribution during radiation therapy. Although further research is needed to validate our work in future experiments, the benefits of this modality, as highlighted in this work, encourage further study. The work was partially supported by grants fromNIH (1R01 CA133474 and 1R21 CA153587) and SRFDP (20124407120012).
Obtaining follow-up interviews for treatment evaluation ☆

Studies of the outcomes of substance abuse treatment are often handicapped because of subjects lost to follow-up. While follow-up data may be obtained from several sources, the follow-up interview often serves as the principal source of data. Difficulties are regularly encountered in locating and interviewing subjects not in treatment. From review of the literature on follow-up methodology and our own experience, we identified 10 procedures for effective follow-up. Application of these procedures is illustrated in a follow-up study of illicit opioid users treated in a methadone maintenance program. Follow-up interviews were obtained with 98% of the subjects. We recommend use of the 10 procedures by follow-up researchers, and we also recommend review of several previous publications on follow-up methodology.
Sea Floor off Southern California: ABSTRACT

The sea floor off southern California is unlike that adjoining most other coasts of the world in its great topographic irregularity. The area of about 30,000 square miles consists of a checkerboard-like pattern of basins and ranges which are believed to be grabens and horsts that were formed in late and post-Miocene time. A general southward decrease in elevation of the tops of the ranges and the bottoms and sills of basins suggests that regional tilting followed or accompanied the local faulting. Basins far from shore are only slightly filled with sediments, those near shore have been nearly completely filled, and the Los Angeles and Ventura basins have been filled to overflowing so that they now are land areas rather than part of the sea floor. Grain-size, calcium carbo ate, and organic content of the sediments present a smooth graduation from the Los Angeles basin through the nearshore basins to the offshore basins. End_of_Article - Last_Page 137------------
Morphologic variation in the cranium and mandible of the white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): A comparative study of geographical and four biological distances

Several biological distances based on cranial and mandibular variation among breeding groups of white-tailed deer were calculated and compared with geographic distances among the groups. Distances based on epigenetic variation among ten groups were calculated using 16 non-metric variants of the cranium and mandible. Penrose's size and shape distances and Mahalanobis' D2 distance were calculated for 11 groups; the calculations were based on seven skeletal and seven dental metric variables of the mandible. The biological distances were correlated with geographic distance as follows: the epigenetic distance, 0.74; Penrose's shape distance, 0.71; Penrose's size distance, 0.45; and Mahalanobis' distance, 0.37. All correlations were significant at the 0.01 level. The epigenetic and Penrose shape correlations were significantly higher than the Mahalanobis correlation. Because of the conditions under which the breeding groups were selected, it was assumed that genetic affinites among the groups would be a function of geographic distance. The results suggest that the epigenetic distance and Penrose's shape distance reflect genetic affinities among groups better than do the Penrose size and Mahalanobis distances.
Quality of Transmission Awareness in Converged Electronic and Optical Networks with OpenFlow

OpenFlow, as a unified operator-friendly manageable network control approach, has benefits of supporting the convergence of electronic packet and optical circuit networks as well as quality-of-transmission (QoT) awareness. We experimentally present the QoT-awareness in converged OpenFlow networks with (i) QoT-aware wavelength reassignment (ii) QoT-aware path re-routing if the QoT is below the requirement. The experimental work validates efficient networking approach and provides a key direction for next generation software defined networks.
Optimization of biological and instrumental detection of explosives and ignitable liquid residues including canines, SPME/ITMS and GC/MS n

A comprehensive study and comparison is underway using biological detectors and instrumental methods for the rapid detection of ignitable liquid residues (ILR) and high explosives. Headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) has been demonstrated to be an effective sampling method helping to identify active odor signature chemicals used by detector dogs to locate forensic specimens as well as a rapid pre-concentration technique prior to instrumental detection. Common ignitable liquids and common military and industrial explosives have been studied including trinitrotoluene, tetryl, RDX, HMX, EGDN, PETN and nitroglycerine. This study focuses on identifying volatile odor signature chemicals present, which can be used to enhance the level and reliability of detection of ILR and explosives by canines and instrumental methods. While most instrumental methods currently in use focus on particles and on parent organic compounds, which are often involatile, characteristic volatile organics are generally also present and can be exploited to enhance detection particularly for well-concealed devices. Specific examples include the volatile odor chemicals 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and cyclohexanone, which are readily available in the headspace of the high explosive composition C-4; whereas, the active chemical cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX) is not. The analysis and identification of these headspace 'fingerprint' organics is followed by double-blind dog trials of the individual components using certified teams in an attempt to isolate and understand the target compounds to which dogs are sensitive. Studies to compare commonly used training aids with the actual target explosive have also been undertaken to determine their suitability and effectiveness. The optimization of solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with ion trap mobility spectrometry (ITMS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC/MS n ) is detailed including interface development and comparisons of limits of detection. These instrumental methods are being optimized in order to detect the same target odor chemicals used by detector dogs to reliably locate explosives and ignitable liquids.
Arguing Security of Generic Avionic Mission Control Computer System (MCC) using Assurance Cases

Abstract An assurance case is a body of evidence organized into an argument demonstrating that some claim about a system holds, i.e., is assured. Assurance cases are used to comment about system safety and it serves as a mean to show that the systems acceptably satisfy their safety properties. Assurance cases perform rigorous security analysis on safety-critical complex systems. In this paper, the analysis done is an approach to documenting an assurance case for system security, i.e., a security assurance case. The paper deals with the Assurance cases for Generic Avionic Mission Control Computer system, by constructing tangible claims and investigating potential vulnerabilities.
Hiding or dead? A computationally efficient model of selective fisheries mortality

Abstract 100 years after Rosa Lee (1912) showed that higher mortality on faster growing fish can alter length-at-age distributions in fish populations, we present a computationally-efficient and parsimonious method for modeling size-selective mortality within a commonly-used assessment model, Stock Synthesis. Stock Synthesis allows the normal distribution of length-at-age to be partitioned into three or five overlapping platoons with slow, medium, or fast growth trajectories. The platoons are tracked separately in the model, and experience different degrees of size-selective fishing pressure and mortality, but are assumed to be unobservable except through changes in the length distribution. Simulations are used to explore this phenomenon in conjunction with dome-shaped selectivity, an alternative explanation for observing fewer than expected large fish in sampled data, but with very different implications for population productivity. For data simulated both with and without platoons, misspecification of the assumptions about growth are found to bias model results, with selectivity often incorrectly identified as the cause of fewer observations of larger fish. Trends in dome-shaped selectivity were explored as a potential diagnostic of model misspecification.
Heterotopic ossification in portal sites following hip arthroscopy

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a well-known condition that usually occurs after head trauma, burns and open surgical procedures, most commonly around the hip and elbow joints. It is a well-documented complication occurring after open hip surgery; however, there exists limited information regarding its prevalence and clinical importance following hip arthroscopy. We report a case of symptomatic HO formation in portal sites following arthroscopic rim decompression, femoroplasty and labral debridement that was successfully treated with arthroscopic removal.
Ligand-Binding Architecture of Human CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor: Evidence for Receptor Subtype-Specific Binding Motif and Modeling GPCR Activation

The extensive physiological influence of transmission through the CB2 cannabinoid receptor makes this G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) a promising therapeutic target for treating neuropathic pain, inflammation, and immune disorders. However, there is little direct structural information pertaining to either GPCR or CB2-receptor ligand recognition and activation. The present work helps characterize experimentally the ligand-binding interactions of the human CB2 (hCB2) receptor. This study illustrates how our overall experimental approach, “ligand-assisted protein structure” (LAPS), affords direct determination of the requirements for ligand binding to the hCB2 receptor and discrimination among the binding motifs for ligands that activate therapeutically relevant GPCRs.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of metformin for the treatment of HIV lipodystrophy

Objective We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of metformin on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), appendicular fat, lipid profile and insulin sensitivity in HIV-infected persons with central adiposity and mild insulin resistance. Methods Forty-eight HIV-infected men and women with a self-reported increase in abdominal girth and an abnormal waist-to-hip ratio were randomly assigned in double-blind fashion to receive metformin 1500 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. Persons with diabetes were excluded. The following measures were obtained at baseline and 24 weeks: single-slice computed tomography (CT) scan, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance test. Results The median fasting insulin concentration of all participants was 12.3 μU/mL. The percentage change in VAT was not significantly different between the metformin and placebo groups in univariate analysis and linear regression analysis adjusting for age, height, baseline VAT and insulin area under the curve (10.1% vs 3.2%; P=0.58). Metformin was associated with a significant decrease in appendicular fat mass compared with placebo (−686.0 vs 161.0 g; P=0.03). There was no significant change in lipid profile or insulin sensitivity between the two groups at 24 weeks. Conclusion Metformin should be used with caution in the treatment of HIV lipodystrophy, and, if used, should be reserved for persons with adequate peripheral fat and marked insulin resistance.
Modified bifactorial incompatibility in Tremella mesenterica

Tremella mesenterica, a saprobic heterobasidiomycete, has a yeast-mycelial dimorphism which produces a monokaryotic yeast stage from single spores and forms dikaryotic mycelia when compatible yeast strains are crossed. Crosses between 46 collections demonstrated a bifactorial incompatibility system having two A factors and 68 B factors. Anomalous B factors were observed in four stocks, but these factors do not seem to have originated by intrafactor recombination. Characteristic is the abnormal morphology of all their monokaryotic yeast strains, including those with parental B factors. They contain many swollen dead cells. Living cells were irregular in shape and often produced hyphae, whereas normal strains produced only budding ellipsoid cells. Basidiocarps produced from crosses involving morphologically abnormal strains also yielded progeny with abnormal morphology. In addition, some progeny produced hyphae with false clamps and these strains were compatible with both parental B factors but with only one parental A factor. These dual mating B factor progeny are believed to be disomic for the parental B factors and are therefore not true nonparental B factors. Basidiocarps produced from crosses of morphologically normal strains yielded only normal progeny with parental mating types. A model is proposed that explains the occurrence of anomalous B factors and why they are found only in basidiocarps that produce morphologically abnormal progeny.
Light and electron microscope observations on the vegetative and reproductive structures of Bryopsis hypnoides

The vegetative system of the coenocytic alga Bryopsis hypnoides has a large central vacuole which extends throughout the body of the plant. This vacuole occupies most of the volume of the thallus, ...
Explosive phase transformation in excimer laser ablation

This work investigated phase change mechanisms during excimer laser ablation of nickel specimens. Time-resolved measurements were carried out to determine optical properties and the velocity of the laser-ablated plume, the ablation rate per pulse, light scattering from the laser-ablated particles and the size of the laser-ablated particles, in the laser fluence range between 2.5 J cm−2 and 10.5 J cm−2 (or 100 MW cm−2 and 400 MW cm−2 for a laser pulse of 26 ns). It was found that normal surface evaporation occurred when the laser fluence was below 5.2 J cm−2. At a laser fluence of about 5.2 J cm−2 or higher, the temperature at the target surface approached the critical point. The surface experienced an explosive-type vaporization process, ejecting large size droplets from the molten pool. Further increase of the laser fluence up to 9.0 J cm−2 did not significantly change the surface temperature and the velocity and transmission of the laser-ablated plume. Explosive phase transformation was determined to be the main material removal mechanism when the laser fluence was higher than 5.2 J cm−2.
Quantitation of phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C activity using alkaline phosphatase impregnated liposomes

Abstract Phospholipase A2 and C activity was quantitated using liposomes impregnated with alkaline phosphatase. Release of alkaline phosphatase was dependent on phospholipase related hydrolysis of intact vesicles. Released alkaline phosphatase was quantitated after addition of its chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The lower limit of detectability for phospholipase A2 and C activity was 0.5 unit/ml. These limits were 10-fold lower than a titrimetric method. Liposome destruction as measured by alkaline phosphatase release was calcium dependent and inhibited by 1 mM EDTA and 1 mM ZnSO4. The assay was technically simple, generated same day results, and used automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay instrumentation.
Psoralen, an inhibitor in the seeds of Psoralea subacaulis (Leguminosae)

Abstract In order for germination to occur in a maximum percentage and minimum time, the seeds of Psoralea subacaulis T. and G. require both scarification and leaching. The leachate was shown to be inhibitory to seed germination and root growth, not only to P. subacaulis itself, but also to four unrelated species. The inhibitory substance was shown to be present in the seed coats, but not in the embryo. Crystalline material isolated from the leachate, both from the non-glycosidic fraction and from the hydrolyzed glycosidic fraction, was identified as the furocoumarin, psoralen. This compound, hitherto known to occur in two other species of Psoralea, is believed to be responsible for the inhibition of seed germination and root growth observed in this species.
Registration of ‘Snowdon’ White Kidney Bean

‘Snowdon’ (Reg. No. CV-303, PI 665013) white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch was released in 2012 as an early- to midseason, disease-resistant, bush bean cultivar. Snowdon was developed with the pedigree breeding method to the F 4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 4-yr of fi eld trials, Snowdon yielded 3159 kg ha −1 , fl owered in 36 d, and matured in 94 d on average. Plants averaged 51 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.4 and seed size of 65 g 100 seed −1 . Snowdon combines high yield potential with early- to midseason maturity in white kidney seed type. Snowdon has outyielded ‘Beluga’ by 17% across 4 yr and matured 6 d earlier. It is well adapted to the irrigated production systems on coarse-textured soils where kidney beans are typically grown in Michigan and the Upper Midwest. Snowdon possesses resistance to specifi c races of rust, virus, and anthracnose. Seed size of Snowdon (0.65 g) is larger and whiter than seed produced by Beluga (0.54 g). Seed of Snowdon meets industry standards for packaging and canning quality in the white kidney bean seed class.
A Control-Oriented Two Zone Thermo-Kinetic Model of a Single Cylinder HCCI Engine

Over the past two decades, homogeneous charge compression ignition engine technology (HCCI) has aroused a great deal of interest in the automotive sector owing to its ability to generate ultra-low exhaust emissions and to be fuel-flexible. The current work proposes a control-oriented two-zone thermo-kinetic model of such a single cylinder HCCI engine. Earlier control laws were derived by using single zone mathematical models of HCCI combustion; however, these models fail to accurately capture the combustion dynamics of an HCCI engine owing to the assumption of homogeneous composition and temperature in the cylinder. Certain multi-zone models of HCCI engines emphasizing the shortcomings of these single zone models have also been reported in literature. However, such models are far too complex and unwieldy for the development of fast and efficient controllers for HCCI engines. The present work outlines the modeling approach of a single-cylinder two-zone HCCI engine by incorporating the first law of thermodynamics and the temperature and concentration inhomogeneities. The results showed good conformity to those obtained from literature-based multi-zone models. A comparative analysis between the single zone and two-zone models, in the context of predicting cylinder pressures, exhaust gas temperatures, emission concentrations, and start of combustion (SOC), is also discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Level and Interrelationship of the Plasma Lipids of the Laying Hen

Abstract IN THE actively laying domestic fowl, fat metabolism is particularly complex, since fat not only plays a fundamental role in the process of reproduction, but also is linked with the ordinary physiological processes involved in the building up of body tissues and the production of energy. Fat metabolism of the laying hen must, of necessity, be very rapid, for in maintaining high egg production, the bird may eliminate approximately 5 grams of fat daily. More information than is now available on the level and interrelation of blood lipids would seem to be of considerable value in the study of the fat metabolism of this species, since the blood serves as an important means of transfer of fat and fat-like substances from one part of the body to another. Much of the earlier work in this field dealt with the blood level of total fat only (Lawrence and Riddle, 1916; Warner . . .
OPTIMUM RATIO OF SATURATED TO MONO-UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN RAT DIETS

Fat mixtures were prepared in which the content of linoleic acid was held constant at approximately 10% of the total fatty acids, but the ratio of saturated to mono-unsaturated acids was varied fro...
Improved resolution of DNA fragments in polysaccharide-supplemented agarose gels.

Abstract The electrophoretic separation of nucleic acids, including small DNA fragments in the range 50–1000 bp, is presently carried out in polyacrylamide gels or in gels containing high concentrations of agarose. We have developed an alternative gel matrix composition which is inexpensive, nontoxic, easy to prepare, and highly transparent to visible and uv light. The composition combines a soluble nonionic polysaccharide such as hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, or galactomannan with a minimum but sufficient concentration of agarose to form a gel which immobilizes the “liquid phase sieve.” These mixtures do not replace polyacrylamide for resolving fragments smaller than approximately 75 nucleotides. However, the new gels show DNA fragment resolution (band separation versus distance traveled) and optical clarity superior to those of conventional agarose.
Controlling the Conformation of Oligocholate Foldamers by Surfactant Micelles

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurred readily in a cholate hexamer labeled with a naphthyl donor and a dansyl acceptor at the chain ends when the hexamer was solubilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles in water. Independence of the energy transfer efficiency over 1-70 mM SDS suggested that the energy transfer resulted from the folding of the hexamer instead of its intermolecular aggregation within the micelle. Upon addition of sodium chloride to the solution, energy transfer became less efficient, indicating unfolding of the oligocholate. In contrast, the oligocholate stayed folded in the micelle of nonionic Brij 30, in the presence or absence of NaCl. These results suggested that the oligocholate preferred to fold within the small spherical SDS micelles but unfold when the preference for spherical over rodlike micelles was not strong enough to overcome the tendency for the oligocholate to unfold.
Spatial-temporal targeting of lung-specific mesenchyme by a Tbx4 enhancer

Reciprocal interactions between lung mesenchymal and epithelial cells play essential roles in lung organogenesis and homeostasis. Although the molecular markers and related animal models that target lung epithelial cells are relatively well studied, molecular markers of lung mesenchymal cells and the genetic tools to target and/or manipulate gene expression in a lung mesenchyme-specific manner are not available, which becomes a critical barrier to the study of lung mesenchymal biology and the related pulmonary diseases. We have identified a mouse Tbx4 gene enhancer that contains conserved DNA sequences across many vertebrate species with lung or lung-like gas exchange organ. We then generate a mouse line to express rtTA/LacZ under the control of the Tbx4 lung enhancer, and therefore a Tet-On inducible transgenic system to target lung mesenchymal cells at different developmental stages. By combining a Tbx4-rtTA driven Tet-On inducible Cre expression mouse line with a Cre reporter mouse line, the spatial-temporal patterns of Tbx4 lung enhancer targeted lung mesenchymal cells were defined. Pulmonary endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells were targeted by the Tbx4-rtTA driver line prior to E11.5 and E15.5, respectively, while other subtypes of lung mesenchymal cells including airway smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, pericytes could be targeted during the entire developmental stage. Developmental lung mesenchymal cells can be specifically marked by Tbx4 lung enhancer activity. With our newly created Tbx4 lung enhancer-driven Tet-On inducible system, lung mesenchymal cells can be specifically and differentially targeted in vivo for the first time by controlling the doxycycline induction time window. This novel system provides a unique tool to study lung mesenchymal cell lineages and gene functions in lung mesenchymal development, injury repair, and regeneration in mice.
Derivation of the Bubble Pressure Surface, P(x,T), of a Binary Mixture by Ebulliometry: The System C3H3F5 + C4H2F8

A high-pressure metal ebulliometer has been used to determine the infinite dilution activity coefficients for the azeotropic binary system 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC245ca) + 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4-octofluorobutane (HFC338mccq) over the temperature range 300 K to 375 K. Pressures ranged from 98 kPa to 970 kPa. These results, combined with previously determined vapor pressures of the pure components, the Wilson activity coefficient model for the liquid, and a virial coefficient model for the vapor, allowed the calculation of the dew and bubble curves over the experimental temperature range.
Different implications of stigmata of recent hemorrhage in gastric and duodenal ulcers

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of stigmata of recent hemorrhage in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. Of 193 patients suffering from peptic ulcer bleeding identified by emergency gastrointestinoscopy, 52 patients were found to have bleeding gastric ulcer (spurt 5, active oozing 9, fresh clot 11, black clot 17, protruding vessel 4, and clear base without stigmata 6); the other 141 had bleeding duodenal ulcer (spurt 5, active oozing 26, fresh clot 43, black clot 23, protruding vessel 15, and clear base without stigmata 31). Patient with continuous bleeding or rebleeding was grouped as unstable bleeders. The rate of unstable bleeders was 39.1% (continuous bleeding 23.9% and rebleeding 15.2%) in patients with gastric ulcer, compared to 9.0% (4.5% and 4.5%) in duodenal ulcer ( P <0.001). The unstable bleeder rate of ulcers with spurt, active oozing, clot, and protruding vessel was 80%, 44%, 35.7%, and 0%, respectively, in patients with bleeding gastric ulcer; and 33.3%, 19.2%, 6%, and 0%, respectively, in patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer. The data suggest that the stigmata of recent hemorrhage, excluding protruding vessel, has prognostic significance in bleeding gastric ulcer but less in bleeding duodenal ulcer.
The block conjugate gradient algorithm and related methods

Abstract The development of the Lanczos algorithm for finding eigenvalues of large sparse symmetric matrices was followed by that of block forms of the algorithm. In this paper, similar extensions are carried out for a relative of the Lanczos method, the conjugate gradient algorithm. The resulting block algorithms are useful for simultaneously solving multiple linear systems or for solving a single linear system in which the matrix has several separated eigenvalues or is not easily accessed on a computer. We develop a block biconjugate gradient algorithm for general matrices, and develop block conjugate gradient, minimum residual, and minimum error algorithms for symmetric semidefinite matrices. Bounds on the rate of convergence of the block conjugate gradient algorithm are presented, and issues related to computational implementation are discussed. Variants of the block conjugate gradient algorithm applicable to symmetric indefinite matrices are also developed.
GSR conditioning of mediators in a paired-associates task

GSRs were classically conditioned to the B words assumed to act as mediators in the B–C, A–B, A–C paradigm. When the A term was presented, evidence was obtained for the assumed covert occurrence of B.
The elastostatic axisymmetric problem of a sphere containing a penny-shaped crack in a nonequatorial plane

Abstract The axisymmetric problem of a sphere containing a penny-shaped crack in a nonequitorial plane is solved with the use of Bousinesq stress functions. Two coordinate systems—oblate spheroidal for representing the crack surface and spherical polars for the spherical surface, translated along the z-axis with respect to each other—are used to satisfy boundary conditions. Integral representations and transformations of harmonic functions are used to relate stress functions in the two coordinate systems. This procedure-leads to a system of algebraic equations which is solved, for axisymmetric tractions on both the surfaces. Graphical results are presented for a specific loading case.
Some aspects of the emulsion polymerisation of vinyl acetate

The present status of work on the mechanism of the emulsion polymerisation of vinyl acetate initiated by potassium persulphate is critically reviewed. In addition, some new data illustrating the effect of adding electrolytes is presented. The polymerisation proceeds by a mechanism different from that of most vinyl monomers. In particular, the rates are approximately zero order on monomer from 20 to 85% conversion with only a minor dependence on the soap concentration and the number of particles. The dependence of the rate on the initiator concentration varies with different investigators from 0.5–1.0 order. The results are discussed in terms of various current theories and an attempt is made to rationalise them in a reasonable way.
Competitive lobbying for a legislator's vote

This paper develops a model of interest group lobbying based on the central premise that such lobbying is fundamentally an exercise in strategic information transmission. Lobbyists typically possess information that legislators do not and, inter alia, such information is relevant to legislators when it concerns the consequences — either policy or political — of supporting one bill rather than another. However, given that the interests of lobbyists do not necessarily coincide with those of legislators, the extent to which a lobbyist is able to persuade a legislator to act in his or her interest is moot. The paper explores the extent to which lobbyists can influence a legislative decision in such a setting; in particular, we are concerned with the incentives for interest groups to acquire costly information and lobby a legislator when there exist other groups that do not share the same interests. Among the results are that a legislator will on average make “better” decisions with lobbying than without, and that the more important is an issue to a special interest group, the more likely is the legislator to make the correct full-information decision.