cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focusing options for a bending magnet beamline

X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments are the primary scientific focus of the MRCAT bending magnet beamline, 10-BM of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. This technique is used for ex situ and in situ structural characterization of materials, many of which are non-crystalline. An intense X-ray beam is often required for these experiments. This beamline presently operates using a detuned double crystal monochromator system without any focusing. Typically, samples are illuminated by a 0.5 x 0.5 mm2 monochromatic beam with a photon flux in the range of 2 - 9 x 108 photons/s (in the 5 - 33 keV range). In this study, several alternate focusing schemes to capture a large portion of the bending magnet beam are compared. It is shown that, in principle, one can obtain an increase over two orders of magnitude in photon flux. These beamline schemes are outlined comparing them for photon flux, energy resolution, cost, and complexity in design and operation.
The Vitamin D Metabolite Ratio Is Independent of Vitamin D Binding Protein Concentration

Background 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] may be a poor marker of vitamin D status as it reflects differences in vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) between individuals. The vitamin D metabolite ratio [VMR, ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D3] is a marker of vitamin D status that has been hypothesized to be independent of variability in VDBP. This hypothesis has not been directly evaluated. Methods We measured 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, and VDBP in 377 community-dwelling older adults that participated in the Health Aging and Body Composition Study. 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 were used to calculate the VMR. We used linear regression to assess the relationship between VDBP with the VMR, 24,25(OH)2D3, 25(OH)D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3. Results Participants had mean age 75 ± 3 years, 52% were female, 40% were black, and 24% had chronic kidney disease. VDBP concentrations were associated with sex, serum albumin, and VDBP phenotype in multivariable models. In fully adjusted models, each 1% higher VDBP was associated with a 0.92%[95% CI(0.37,1.49%)], 0.76% (0.39, 1.13%), and 0.57% (0.29, 0.85%), higher 24,25(OH)2D3, 25(OH)D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3. The VMR was independent of VDBP concentration, [0.16%(-0.11, 0.44) higher VMR per 1% higher VDBP, P = .25]. Conclusions The VMR was independent of VDBP concentration, whereas VDBP was strongly directly associated with the individual vitamin D metabolite concentrations. Prior studies evaluating only 25(OH)D3 may have been confounded by absence of data on VDBP status. The VMR may serve as an important biomarker of vitamin D status and clinical outcomes that can be utilized in populations with a large spectrum of VDBP concentrations.
Chiral separation of G-type chemical warfare nerve agents via analytical supercritical fluid chromatography.

Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are extremely toxic organophosphorus compounds that contain a chiral phosphorus center. Undirected synthesis of G-type CWNAs produces stereoisomers of tabun, sarin, soman, and cyclosarin (GA, GB, GD, and GF, respectively). Analytical-scale methods were developed using a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system in tandem with a mass spectrometer for the separation, quantitation, and isolation of individual stereoisomers of GA, GB, GD, and GF. Screening various chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the capacity to provide full baseline separation of the CWNAs revealed that a Regis WhelkO1 (SS) column was capable of separating the enantiomers of GA, GB, and GF, with elution of the P(+) enantiomer preceding elution of the corresponding P(–) enantiomer; two WhelkO1 (SS) columns had to be connected in series to achieve complete baseline resolution. The four diastereomers of GD were also resolved using two tandem WhelkO1 (SS) columns, with complete baseline separation of the two P(+) epimers. A single WhelkO1 (RR) column with inverse stereochemistry resulted in baseline separation of the GD P(–) epimers. The analytical methods described can be scaled to allow isolation of individual stereoisomers to assist in screening and development of countermeasures to organophosphorus nerve agents. Chirality 26:817–824, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Chirality published by John Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systemic issues of administration regarding students with disabilities

The author conducted a literature review to explore the extent of current themes in educational research relevant to systemic management and administration of schools specifically related to students with disabilities. A single database was accessed using broad search terms to allow for an ample thematic representation. The author asks three questions: a) What are key systemic issues of school administration of students with disabilities reflected in the current literature; b) How are legislation and policy related to students with disabilities being interpreted and applied in States, districts and schools; and c) is there evidence of uniformity in interpreting policies and legislation to students with disabilities among States, districts and schools. An abundance of themes was revealed, yet prominence was evident in the areas of including students with disabilities and academic assessment. This review of literature will provide researchers, practitioners, policy makers and others interested in the schooling of students with disabilities an overview of the major themes involving schooling of students with disabilities addressed in current research.
Using an artificial neural network to improve predictions of water levels where tide charts fail

Tide tables are the method of choice for water level predictions in most coastal regions. In the United States, the National Ocean Service (NOS) uses harmonic analysis and time series of previous water levels to compute tide tables. This method is adequate for most locations along the US coast. However, for many locations along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, tide tables do not meet NOS criteria. Wind forcing has been recognized as the main variable not included in harmonic analysis. The performance of the tide charts is particularly poor in shallow embayments along the coast of Texas. Recent research at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has shown that Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models including input variables such as previous water levels, tidal forecasts, wind speed, wind direction, wind forecasts and barometric pressure can greatly improve water level predictions at several coastal locations including open coast and deep embayment stations. In this paper, the ANN modeling technique was applied for the first time to a shallow embayment, the station of Rockport located near Corpus Christi, Texas. The ANN performance was compared to the NOS tide charts and the persistence model for the years 1997 to 2001. This site was ideal because it is located in a shallow embayment along the Texas coast and there is an 11-year historical record of water levels and meteorological data in the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network (TCOON) database. The performance of the ANN model was measured using NOS criteria such as Central Frequency (CF), Maximum Duration of Positive Outliers (MDPO), and Maximum Duration of Negative Outliers (MDNO). The ANN model compared favorably to existing models using these criteria and is the best predictor of future water levels tested.
VIRUSES AND MAMMALIAN CHROMOSOMES. I. LOCALIZATION OF CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS AFTER INFECTION WITH HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS.

Abstract The chromosome aberrations in tissue culture cells of human embryonic lung and of Chinese hamster lung cells infected with a virulent and attenuated strain of herpes simplex virus (HSV) were investigated. Specific emphasis was put on the nonrandom distribution of aberrations along the chromosomes of diploid male and female cell lines of the Chinese hamster. Structural abnormalities including chromatid gaps and breaks were found to accumulate in region 3 of the X chromosome and in region 7 of chromosome no. 1. No exceptionally high incidence of gaps and breaks were observed in the Y chromosome. The nonrandom distribution of chromosome aberrations in the HSV infected cells resembles that found in cells treated with 5-bromodeoxyuridine.
Relationships between hepatic enzyme induction, glutamate formation, and purine nucleotide biosynthesis in glucocorticoid action.

Abstract 1. Among the earliest and most sensitive consequences of glucocorticoid action are acceleration in the rate of purine nucleotide biosynthesis in liver and inhibition of this metabolic pathway in the thymus and spleen. 2. Hepatic tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate transaminase induction occurs concurrently with the accelerated hepatic purine nucleotide biosynthesis; these metabolic alterations in the liver precede inhibited thymic purine nucleotide and protein metabolism. 3. The product of tyrosine transaminase catalysis, glutamic acid, administered parenterally to adrenalectomized rats, mimics cortisone in stimulating in liver and inhibiting in thymus the rates of purine nucleotide and protein biosyntheses. These facts are compatible with the hypothesis that augmented gluconeogenesis and hepatic transaminase induction following glucocorticoid administration result in enhanced glutamate formation, which influences hepatic and thymic purine nucleotide and protein biosynthesis. Thus, hepatically generated glutamate may serve as an amplifying mechanism by which glucocorticoids influence metabolic processes in various target organs. 4. Analytically demonstrable liver glycogen deposition occurs only after impairment of thymic metabolism and following elevation of the blood sugar levels. Thus, glycogen deposition is a relatively secondary and late consequence of glucocorticoid action. 5. Orotate-5-3H incorporation into liver acid-soluble uridine monophosphate is only slightly influenced by cortisone, whereas its incorporation into ribonucleic acid is significantly elevated, thus providing isotopic evidence for hormonally enhanced generalized hepatic ribonucleic acid biosynthesis.
Billion transistor chips in mainstream enterprise platforms of the future

Today’s leading edge microprocessors like the Intel’s Itanium ® 2 Processor feature over 220 million transistors in 0.18µm semiconductor process technology. Nanotechnology that continues to drive Moore’s Law provides a doubling of the transistor density every two years. This indicates that a Billion transistor chip is possible in the 65 nm technology within the next 3 to 4 years. Such chips can be used in mainstream enterprise server platforms. This talk will review the progress in semiconductor technology over the last 3 decades since the introduction of the first microprocessor in 1971. A short video tape will provide a historical perspective on Moore’s Law in the form of an interview with co-founder Gordon Moore, and his thoughts for the future of semiconductor technology. Key trends in high end microprocessor design including multi-threading and multi-core will be covered. We have started to see “SMP-on-a-chip” designs for high-end enterprise servers where two processors with Level 2 (L2) cache are incorporated on a single chip. Future microprocessors will offer higher levels of multiprocessor capability on chip as the transistor density increases.
Laser microbeam as a tool in cell biology.

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights cellular and subcellular laser microsurgery and manipulation and describes the ablation of single cells, parts of single cells, individual organelles, and parts of individual organelles. The chapter discusses optical trapping along with cell-fusion and gene-insertion techniques. Laser microbeam is a significant tool in cell and developmental biology. The classic application of laser microsurgery to organelles, unicellular organisms, and cells in embryos has been adopted to probe the structure and function of cells (and organelles) and study the development of a variety of plant and animal organisms. Of the greatest number of studies conducted in invertebrates, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has provided an ideal model for the use of the laser microbeam as the lineages and anatomical fates of all somatic cells, from fertilization to adulthood, are completely known. The greatest number of laser microbeam studies has been conducted on the nuclear components. These have been related to various structural and functional problems—namely, (1) gene manipulation,(2) chromosome and nuclear organization, and (3) cell division or motility.
ACTIVITY OF CATALASE OF MICROMYCETES FROM MOLDOVAN SOILS

The catalase is found out in all aerobic organisms. At catalyses significant metabolicÂ reaction of decomposition of Ð2Ðž2 intomolecular oxygen and water. Catalase is applied inÂ medicine as antioxidizer at various diseases, to remove the peroxide of the hydrogen, toÂ sterilize products and bleach materials in the various research centers of many countries of theÂ world. Among the sources of commercial preparations of catalase are animals liver andÂ microorganisms, mainly microscopic fungi of various taxonomically groups. MicroscopicÂ fungi are capable of synthesizing extracellular enzymes with activity that many times exceedsÂ the activity of endocellular ones. Taking into account high cost and requirement for fermentalÂ preparations, the search of perspective producers of extracellular catalase is rather actual.Â The main source of microscopic fungi is the soil. In our work we used strains ofÂ microscopic fungi isolated from various types of soils and zones of Moldova and also fromÂ root zones of plants. 158 strains of microscopic fungi of various taxonomically groups (30Â from National Collection of Nonpathogenic Microorganisms (NCNM)) were investigatedÂ Among researched strains of microscopic fungi the higher activity of extracellularÂ catalase was found in the strains of genus Penicillium and Aspergillus, whereas in othersÂ strains the activity was very low. It is established that new isolated strains in comparison withÂ strains from the NCNM are more active. 5 strains of genus Penicillium theactivity was moreÂ than 100 un./ml. For the further work as the potential producer of catalase the strainÂ Penicillium sN€.6 with activity of 244 un./ml was chosen.Â Investigation activity of extracellular catalase in the strain of Penicillium sN€.6, after theÂ change of composition of the medium, established, that among the best source of carbon areÂ glucose, fructose, then saccharose and starch.Â Maximal production of extracellular catalase is established on medium with yeasts andÂ corn extract, and also with potassium and sodium nitrate as sources of nitrogen. Formation ofÂ catalase on medium with NH4NO3; NaNO2; C6H11O7N and urea was considerably decreased.Â Production of catalase by this fungi was considerably higher at increased ofÂ concentrations of ÐsH2PO4 from 0,25 up to 1,5 % with simultaneous increase of ÐsNO3 up toÂ 2,0 % and a yeasts extract up to 3,0 %.Â Addition into the medium of a solution of microelements has considerably increasedÂ formation of extracellular catalase for the strain Penicillium sN€.6.Â As a result, a new strain of genus Penicillium was isolated from Moldovan a soil, thatÂ was able to produce under the determined conditions 300-500un/ml of extracellular catalase.
Observations and Mixed-Layer Modeling of a Terrain-Induced Mesoscale Gyre: The Denver Cyclone

Abstract In northeastern Colorado a frequently observed feature of the surface wind field is a stationary, terrain-induced mesoscale gyre, which is often associated with the formation of severe weather. Because of the gyre's proximity to the Denver metropolitan area, local weather forecasters frequently refer to it as the “Denver Cyclone. ” The development of one such cyclone, which occurred on 1 August 1985, is documented with mesonet, radiosonde, wind-profiler, radiometer and tower data. Mixed-layer model simulations of this event closely agree with the observed gyre structure and indicate that the gyre is associated with a plume of warmer potential temperature air, which originates from a ridge of higher terrain to the south of Denver, and advects northward into the area of gyre formation. A mixed-layer vorticity budget demonstrates that the formation of the gyre results from the baroclinic and slope effects on the turbulent stress divergence profile.
Direct measurement of excitation transport in a highly disordered quasi-one-dimensional solid

Measurements are presented of excitation transport in a qausi-1-D solid using time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Energy migration as a function of temperature and dopant concentration is describable in terms of step-wise incoherent transfer using a 1-D sampling function. The data indicate the effect of a superexchange interaction between clusters.
On the formation of LnCeOy (Ln=Nd, Pr, Sm, Eu) solid solutions

Abstract Solid solutions of LnCeO y ( Ln = Nd , Pr , Sm , Eu ) sintered at temperatures up to 1400°C were studied by X-ray diffractometry. The CeO 2 fluorite-type structure is retained for all substitutions up to 50 at% of Ln. The width of the solid solutions increases with increasing sintering temperature for all Ln substitutions up to 1400°C. While the lattice parameter a decreases slightly for Pr, which is consistent with the presence of Pr 4+ , an increase of a for Ln = Nd , Sm and Eu substitutions was observed, in agreement with Ln 3+ substitution. Polycrystalline samples of Ln 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4− y , which contain a significant amount of these solid solutions, are believed to have an appreciable cation nonstoichiometry.
The right moves: Creating experiential management learning with chess

Abstract Management principals are often challenging to teach to students who may not have extensive business experience. This paper describes the objectives and process for using a “chess simulation”, an experiential learning method, that some faculty may consider using to help introduce or illustrate important management concepts to their students. This simulation requires numerous levels of involvement from students (e.g. planning and analysis, discussion and negotiation, teaching and learning, seeing and touching, feedback and application), and, thus, may provide an enduring lesson to participants. The simulation objectives and debrief points correlate the activities that the students experience during the chess match to specific management principles. As the simulation unfolds students will apply most of these principles, and, during the debrief, students will discover that they had been utilizing management principles in the game, and, thus, had gained experience in the application of these principals. To sum, I have found that the chess simulation has proven to be an effective and enjoyable method for illustrating and reinforcing management concepts in the classroom.
A survey of children's views on their rights

Children's rights may be classified in terms of self‐determination or nurturance, depending on an advocate's concern with the liberation or protection of children. The purpose of this study was to poll children's views of selected self‐determination rights. Elementary school children (grades two through six) were presented with seven situations and asked if they thought they should have rights equal to adults. The majority of children opposed self‐determination, except in voting. Boys and older children were more in favor of self‐determination than girls and younger children. The results are discussed in terms of the balance between nurturance and self‐determination in adult‐child relations and appropriate areas for equal rights.
Selection and Characterization of Amino Acid Substitutions at Residues 237-240 of TEM-1 β-Lactamase with Altered Substrate Specificity for Aztreonam and Ceftazidime

Recently, natural variants of TEM-1 β-lactamase with amino acid substitutions at residues 237-240 have been identified that have increased hydrolytic activity for extended-spectrum antibiotics such as ceftazidime. To identify the sequence requirements in this region for a given antibiotic, a random library was constructed that contained all possible amino acid combinations for the 3-residue region 237-240 (ABL numbering system) of TEM-1 β-lactamase. An antibiotic disc diffusion method was used to select mutants with wild-type level activity or greater for the extended-spectrum cephalosporin ceftazidime and the monobactam aztreonam. Mutants that were selected for optimal ceftazidime hydrolysis contained a conserved Ala at position 237, a Ser for Gly substitution at position 238, and a Lys for Glu at position 240. Mutants selected for aztreonam hydrolysis exhibited a Gly for Ala substitution at position 237, a Ser for Gly substitution at position 238, and a Lys/Arg for Glu at position 240. The role of the A237G substitution in differentiating between ceftazidime and aztreonam was further investigated by kinetic analysis of the A237G, E240K, G238S:E240K, and A237G:G238S:E240K enzymes. The A237G single mutant and the G238S:E240K double mutant exhibited increases in catalytic efficiency for both ceftazidime and aztreonam. However, the triple mutant A237G:G238S:E240K, displayed a 12-fold decrease in catalytic efficiency for ceftazidime but a 3-fold increase for aztreonam relative to the G238S:E240K double mutant. Thus, the A237G substitution increases ceftazidime hydrolysis when present alone but antagonizes ceftazidime hydrolysis when it is combined with the G238S:E240K substitutions. In contrast, the A237G substitution acts additively with the G238S:E240K substitutions to increase aztreonam hydrolysis.
Photoisomerization of Azobenzene Grafted to Layered Silicates: Simulation and Experimental Challenges

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been employed to examine the molecular-level orientation and reorganization of model azobenzene derivatives in the interlayer space of layered silicates upon laser excitation in comparison with existing X-ray diffraction data and UV/vis absorption measurements. MD results show uniform reversible changes in basal plane spacing of montmorillonite up to 2.8 A (14%) upon trans−cis isomerization of attached photoactive surfactants such as (4,4′-phenylazophenyl)diammonium ions and (4-phenylazophenyl)ammonium ions. Uniform, significant reponses are supported by the presence of cointercalate to compensate changes in interlayer density, by conformational rigidity and upright orientation of the azobenzene-containing surfactants on the mineral surface, and a medium-to-high packing density. Experimentally, Okada et al. have shown nonuniform reversible optical switching of the gallery height for semiflexible surfactants up to 10 A (41%) in the presence of phenol and uniform rever...
A Multi-spectral, Dark-field, Reflectance Microscope for Tumor Margin Delineation During Breast Lumpectomy

Infiltrating neoplastic epithelia induce ultra-structure changes in tissue providing an intrinsic contrast in terms of their local light scattering response. Imaging systems that can enhance this contrast allow for better visualization of tumor boundaries and thus have enormous potential in guiding complex surgical procedures like breast lumpectomy. Highly localized reflectance measurement probes can quantify scattering changes in tissues in situ, but in order to be useful in surgical settings these techniques require an extension to imaging. A novel microsampling reflectance imaging system has been developed to allow rapid quantitative imaging of ultra-structure associated scattering changes in tissues in situ. The imaging system is described in terms of its design, construction and testing for multi-wavelength, telecentric, darkfield illumination and confocal spectroscopic detection, with imaging fields of up to 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm at 100 microns resolution. Spatial confinement of the incident and detected light allows for direct sampling of the scattering spectrum in tissues in situ and the telecentric design ensures consistent sampling of the scattering phase function throughout the entire imaging field. The imaging system was modeled and optimized using the ZEMAX optical design software. Description of the design and results from the optimization process are presented.
The hydrophilic isoform of glutamate decarboxylase, GAD67, is targeted to membranes and nerve terminals independent of dimerization with the hydrophobic membrane-anchored isoform, GAD65.

GAD67, the larger isoform of the γ-aminobutyric acid-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase, is a hydrophilic soluble molecule, postulated to localize at nerve terminals and membrane compartments by heterodimerization with the smaller membrane-anchored isoform GAD65. We here show that the dimerization region in GAD65 is distinct from the NH2-terminal membrane-anchoring region and that a membrane anchoring GAD65 subunit can indeed target a soluble subunit to membrane compartments by dimerization. However, only a fraction of membrane-bound GAD67 is engaged in a heterodimer with GAD65 in rat brain. Furthermore, in GAD65−/− mouse brain, GAD67, which no longer partitions into the Triton X-114 detergent phase, still anchors to membranes at similar levels as in wild-type mice. Similarly, in primary cultures of neurons derived from GAD65−/− mice, GAD67 is targeted to nerve terminals, where it co-localizes with the synaptic vesicle marker SV2. Thus, axonal targeting and membrane anchoring is an intrinsic property of GAD67 and does not require GAD65. The results suggest that three distinct moieties of glutamate decarboxylase localize to membrane compartments, an amphiphilic GAD65 homodimer, an amphiphilic GAD65/67 heterodimer, tethered to membranes via the GAD65 subunit, and a hydrophilic GAD67 homodimer, which associates with membranes by a distinct mechanism.
Modification of the mechanical energy resolver for high temperature and rigid material applications

Abstract The Mechanical Energy Resolver, an instrument for the dynamic mechanical analysis of polymers, has been modified in two ways. First, a high temperature oven has been added to allow analysis of thermoplastic melts and composites in dynamic simple shear deformation up to temperatures of 400°C. The previous limit was 200°C. Results are presented for an engineering thermoplastic and a graphite/thermoplastic composite. Secondly, a cantilever beam bending fixture has been developed to determine the transition temperatures of rigid plastics and composites. The fixture allows determination of elastic moduli at temperatures below softening. The elastic modulus of a graphite/thermoplastic composite was found to be approximately the same as the modulus of graphite fibers.
Synthesis and reactions of trinitromethyl compounds

Abstract Nitroform (trinitromethane) adds readily in a Michael type of addition to α, β -unsaturated compounds such as acrylic acid and its esters, hydroxymethyl vinyl ketone, and nitroethylene. The synthesis of 2-nitro-3-acetoxy-1-propene and its unique reaction with 1,1-dinitroethane and nitroform is described. 4,4,4-Trinitrobutyric acid was converted to 3,3,3-trinitropropyl isocyanate and 3,3,3-trinitropropyl amine hydrochloride. Trinitromethyl carbamates were prepared by the addition of 2,2,2-trinitroethanol to various isocyanates and the addition of different alcohols to 3,3,3-trinitropropyl isocyanate. Trinitromethyl amines were prepared by the Mannich condensation of 2,2,2-trinitroethanol with various primary amines and the reaction of 3,3,3-trinitropropyl amine with nitroalcohols. All of these carbamates and secondary amines were converted to the corresponding N-nitro derivatives. The synthesis of trinitromethyl heterocyclic compounds and 2,2,2-trinitroethyl esters is also reported.
Undifferentiated and differentiated L6 myoblast plasma membranes. II: Comparison of the morphological and biochemical characteristics of isolated plasma membranes

Plasma membrane vesicles isolated from undifferentiated and differentiated L6 myoblasts show a comparable phase and ultrastructural morphology. Both are agglutinated by Concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin, contain approx. 20 polypeptides and have a comparable intramembranous particle density and topography.
Artificial Laboratory Spawning Substrate for Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill)

Abstract An artificial spawning substrate for brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) was developed for use in laboratory bioassay studies involving reproduction. The substrate consisted of a glass spawning box containing a compartmented screen egg retainer on top of which was placed a coarse screen with attached gravel to simulate the stream bottom. Egg viability from wild and hatchery trout spawning on this substrate averaged 96%. This new substrate design reduces considerably the time required to determine daily spawning activity in laboratory brook trout experiments.
Conformational sampling in template-free protein loop structure modeling: an overview.

Accurately modeling protein loops is an important step to predict three-dimensional structures as well as to understand functions of many proteins. Because of their high flexibility, modeling the three-dimensional structures of loops is difficult and is usually treated as a “mini protein folding problem” under geometric constraints. In the past decade, there has been remarkable progress in template-free loop structure modeling due to advances of computational methods as well as stably increasing number of known structures available in PDB. This mini review provides an overview on the recent computational approaches for loop structure modeling. In particular, we focus on the approaches of sampling loop conformation space, which is a critical step to obtain high resolution models in template-free methods. We review the potential energy functions for loop modeling, loop buildup mechanisms to satisfy geometric constraints, and loop conformation sampling algorithms. The recent loop modeling results are also summarized.
Behaviour of laminated plates subjected to conventional blast

Abstract Response of simply supported anti-symmetrically laminated angle-ply plates to explosive blast loading is considered. A closed-form solution is obtained for thick plates, it being assumed that the material remains in the elastic range. The effect of transverse shear deformations on the response of thick plates is taken into consideration. The behaviour of thin laminated plates subjected to blast is studied using geometrically non-linear theory. Initial imperfections, which can be important for thin plates, are included in the analysis. The solution for thin elastic laminated plates is obtained numerically using a Runge-Kutta method. The analysis yields the non-dimensional deflection vs time relationship which can be used to determine the stresses and strains in the layers of the plate.
Cultural and recreational industries in the United States

This article focuses on cultural and recreational industries in the United States. Cultural industries are defined as arts, entertainment, and recreation, as well as components of education, the information sector, wholesaling and retailing, manufacturing (for example, musical instruments), and accommodation and food services. Consumption patterns of cultural industries are shown to have changed significantly over the past 40 years in the United States. This change has been associated in part with changing information technologies, and in part by changes in policies permitting new types of recreation, especially gambling. The study documents the changing level of employment in these industries by state, using data for both employers and proprietors. Some sectors are highly concentrated spatially, while others are distributed widely.
Modeling of inclusion growth and dissolution in the weld pool

The composition, size distribution, and number density of oxide inclusions in weld metal are critical factors in determining weldment properties. A computational model has been developed to understand these factors, considering fluid flow and the temperature field in the weld pool during submerged are (SA) welding of low-alloy steels. The equations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are solved in three dimensions to calculate the velocity and temperature fields in the weld pool. The loci and corresponding thermal cycles of thousands of oxide inclusions are numerically calculated in the weld pool. The inclusions undergo considerable recirculatory motion and experience strong temperature gyrations. The temperature-time history and the computed time-temperature-transformation (TTT) behavior of inclusions were then used to understand the growth and dissolution of oxide inclusions in the weld pool. The statistically meaningful characteristics of inclusion behavior in the weld pool, such as the residence time, number of temperature peaks, etc., were calculated for several thousand inclusions. The calculated trends agree with experimental observations and indicate that the inclusion formation can be described by combining thermodynamics and kinetics with the fundamentals of transport phenomena.
Analysis, indexing and visualization of presentation videos

The exponential diffusion of unstructured multimedia content on sites such as YouTube has lately fostered a rapid growth of interest in the multimedia community toward a new line of systems to recognize visual content "in the wild", that is, in less structured, unconstrained and more realistic domains. Due to the lack of structure and to the low quality of the data, algorithms and paradigms designed for professional content often cannot directly be applied to the aforementioned domains, thus presenting a new challenge. One particular instance of such "wild videos" is represented by unstructured presentation videos, which are tools nowadays employed in a large variety of systems for different purposes, spanning from distance or e-learning to generation of conference proceedings, from corporate talks to student presentations. We are interested in helping users efficiently and effectively access visual information, in particular technical information, and learn from such online multimedia sources. Our proposed system aims at summarizing, indexing, cross- referencing and browsing unstructured ("wild") presentation videos, with a focus on the quality of the produced indexes as perceived by the end users.
Does availability of reliable home blood glucose data at diabetes appointments improve glycemia

OBJECTIVE To establish the prevalence of reliable self-monitored blood glucose (r-SMBG) data at office visits for diabetes and to determine whether r-SMBG is associated with changes in glycemic control and other clinical parameters. METHODS We conducted a chart review of 500 patients followed in an Endocrinology Faculty/Commercial Insurance Practice (FP) or a Managed Medicare/Medicaid Diabetes Clinic (MDC). Follow-up visits for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 were analyzed for anthropometric data, creatinine (Cr), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), medications, hemoglobin A1C (A1C), change in A1C from the previous visit (ΔA1C), and availability of r-SMBG data at the visit. RESULTS Our sample was composed of 215 MDC patients (43%) and 285 FP patients (57%). Overall, 151 patients (30%) provided r-SMBG data at their visit, with no difference between MDC or FP patients. Mean A1C at MDC was 9.1%, while mean A1C at FP was 7.9% (P 8.0% demonstrated an A1C reduction of 1.2% if they provided r-SMBG, compared to an increase of 0.1% for MDC patients who did not (P<.05). Providing r-SMBG did not affect A1C in FP patients in any A1C range. CONCLUSION Only a minority of diabetes patients, mostly insulin-treated, made r-SMBG data available to their providers. Insulin-requiring Managed Medicare/Medicaid patients with poorly controlled diabetes had an A1c reduction associated with r-SMBG. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether this patient population may be more likely to benefit from r-SMBG at their visits.
Sucrose-induced hyperphagia and obesity in rats fed a macronutrient self-selection diet

Abstract Adult female rats were allowed to self-select their diet from separate sources of fat, protein, and carbohydrate (starch). Other rats were fed a composite diet that matched the nutrient composition chosen by the self-selecting rats (50% fat, 28% protein, 22% carbohydrate) or a low-fat, high-carbohydrate chow diet. Half of the rats in each diet condition were given access to a 32% sucrose solution for 30 days. Sucrose availability increased total caloric intake (≈20%) and body weight gain in all three groups compared to control groups not fed the sucrose solution. The selection animals compensated for their sucrose intake by reducing their fat intake, and to a lesser degree, their starch intake; protein intake was the least affected by sucrose availability. The selection rats consumed less sucrose than the chow-fed rats and displayed a smaller increase in weight, relative to controls, than the chow-fed rats. These differences were attributed to the high-fat intake of the selection animals since similar results were obtained with the rats fed the composite diet. In particular, both the selection and composite diets produced mild obesity in the absence of sucrose. The results demonstrate that sucrose-induced overeating and overweight is not an artifact of restraining the diet choices of rats to a pure sugar and a nutritionally complete diet.
Retrospective analysis of stored dried blood spots from children with cystic fibrosis and matched controls to assess the performance of a proposed newborn screening protocol in Switzerland

Abstract Background Newborn screening (NBS) for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has been introduced in many countries, but there is no ideal protocol suitable for all countries. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate whether the planned two step CF NBS with immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) and 7 CFTR mutations would have detected all clinically diagnosed children with CF in Switzerland. Methods IRT was measured using AutoDELFIA Neonatal IRT-Kit in stored NBS cards. Results Between 2006 and 2009, 66 children with CF were reported, 4 of which were excluded for various reasons (born in another country, NBS at 6months, no informed consent). 98% (61/62) had significantly higher IRT compared to matched control group. There was one false negative IRT result in an asymptomatic child with atypical CF (normal pancreatic function and sweat test). Conclusions All children but one with atypical CF would have been detected with the planned two step protocol.
Instructional Sensitivity of a State's Standards-Based Assessment.

Abstract The accuracy of achievement test score inferences largely depends on the sensitivity of scores to instruction focused on tested objectives. Sensitivity requirements are particularly challenging for standards-based assessments because a variety of plausible instructional differences across classrooms must be detected. For this study, we developed a new method for capturing the alignment between how teachers bring standards to life in their classrooms and how the standards are defined on a test. Teachers were asked to report the degree to which they emphasized the state's academic standards, and to describe how they taught certain objectives from the standards. Two curriculum experts judged the alignment between how teachers brought the objectives to life in their classrooms and how the objectives were operationalized on the state test. Emphasis alone did not account for achievement differences among classrooms. The best predictors of classroom achievement were the match between how the standards w...
Shipboard towers for Global Positioning System antennas

Abstract Two 12.2 m-high towers for mounting Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver antennas were designed and constructed to provide millimeter-level stability while maintaining portability and accessibility to satellites and deck spaces. A combination of guys and a 3-m horizontal strut provide roll and pitch stability of 2–3 mm observed from 0.1 seconds to 12 days using a combination of GPS and optical/laser devices. The shipboard antenna mounts connect sub-aerial GPS positioning to underwater acoustic ranging that determine the centimeter-level location of seafloor transponders. Observed annually, these seafloor geodetic positions measure seafloor crustal motion for geophysical studies.
Electrostatic beam instabilities in a positive/negative ion plasma

This paper examines the linear theory of electrostatic waves and instabilities in an unmagnetized, homogeneous Vlasov plasma. The first configuration considered is that of a stable plasma with three Maxwellian components: electrons, positive ions, and negative ions. The dispersion properties of the lightly damped ion modes are studied as a function of relative electron density and relative component temperatures. The second configuration considered is that of a tenuous electron-ion beam with drift speed streaming through a negative/positive ion plasma. If the beam is very tenuous, an electron beam instability is excited; if the beam is more dense, the instability becomes Buneman-like with parabolic dispersion. The thresholds and maximum growth rates of these instabilities are described as functions of the beam density and drift speed.
Disability Studies: What is it and what Difference does it Make?:

The academic field of disability studies has expanded rapidly over the last two decades or so. With that expansion has also come some growing ambiguity about exactly what is meant by the term “disa...
Slide processing for the examination of male mammalian meiotic chromosomes.

A rapid method was devised specifically for the cytological identification of translocations in the male mouse at late prophase to metaphase of meiotic division I, but the method should be useful for less specific objectives requiring examination of mammalian testicular material. For the adult mouse, masses of tubules from a single testis, freed of the testicular tunic, are placed in 3 ml of 0.7% sodium citrate for 15-20 min, and subsequently fixed in 50% acetic acid by the addition of 3 ml of glacial acetic acid to the hypotonic citrate. To facilitate handling of individual tubules by preserving their visible structure, the addition of fixative is at a rate which is grossly adjusted so that 2 ml will have been added at the end of 30 sec and the remaining 1 ml by the end of a minute. A single fixed tubule 1-2 cm long is placed lengthwise on a slide and covered with a drop of lactic-acetic orcein made as follows: Add 2 gm of synthetic orcein (G. T. Gurr) to a mixture of 50.0 ml of glacial acetic acid, 42.5...
Human Oct3 gene family: cDNA sequences, alternative splicing, gene organization, chromosomal location, and expression at low levels in adult tissues

Transcription factors containing the POU-domain have been shown to be important regulators of tissue-specific gene expression in the pituitary and lymphoid cells. Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based strategy, we have searched for similar factors that may be expressed in adult human pancreatic islets. This approach resulted in the amplification of sequences encoding the octamer binding proteins Oct1 and Oct3 (also called Oct4). The isolation of cDNAs encoding Oct3 revealed the expression of two isoforms of this transcription factor termed Oct3A and Oct3B that are generated by alternative splicing. Human Oct3A and Oct3B are composed of 360 and 265 amino acids, respectively, of which the 225 amino acids at the COOH-termini are identical. The sequence of human Oct3A shows 87% amino acid identity with mouse Oct3. Reverse-transcriptase PCR showed low levels of expression of both Oct3A and Oct3B mRNA in all adult human tissues examined. We also isolated and characterized the human Oct3 gene (OTF3) and a related gene, OTF3C. The human Oct3 gene, localized to human chromosome 6 in the region of the MHC complex, spans about 7 kb and consists of five exons. The Oct3-related gene, OTF3C, is a retroposon and has been localized to human chromosome 8. Southern blotting and PCR amplification of human DNA indicated the presence of other OTF3-related genes as has been previously noted in the mouse. Two polymorphisms which can be typed using PCR were identified in OTF3 which will facilitate genetic studies of this gene.
The Simulation of a Zero-Energy Residential Building for the Solar Decathlon Competition

In 2002, the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the world’s first university competition to design and build a completely solar powered house. One requirement of the competition was to perform simulations of the house’s photovoltaic, solar thermal, and space conditioning systems. By instituting this requirement, DOE is encouraging the building industry to apply the “whole-building design” approach to residences as a method of reducing financial and environmental operation costs of the building over its lifetime. This paper describes the simulation approach taken by the University of Colorado Solar Decathlon Team. In addition to describing the process of simulating a zero-energy residential building, the specific results of the simulations and related parametric studies are also presented. The design and analysis process provides a case study in the application of six different simulation tools for zero-energy building design. Energy-10 provided an environment for parametric analysis of building design options during the critical early design phase. However, it lacks the flexibility to model solar electric, solar thermal, and specialized HVAC systems. FChart gave valuable guidance early in the project on the impact of solar system sizing and performance. TRNSYS is extremely flexible in that it can simulate various solar systems and the interactions of virtually any thermal system commonly found in buildings. This flexibility is accompanied by the burden of complexity and a generic user interface that limits its use as a routine building design tool. Radiance, AGI32, and ECOTECT provided specialized simulation tools for the integration of the daylight delivery system, external shading devices, and the electric lighting system. Additional development is required to better integrate these design needs into general building energy analysis tools.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Na+-dependent alkaline earth metal uptake in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

The ability of alkaline earth metals (M2+) to substitute for Ca2+ in Na+-Ca2+ exchange was examined in sarcolemmal vesicles isolated from the canine heart. 85Sr2+ and 133Ba2+, in addition to 45Ca2+, were used to determine the characteristics of Na+-M2+ exchange. The Na+i-dependent M2+ uptake was measured as a function of time, with t ranging from 0.5 to 360 s, [Na+]i = 140 mM and [M2+]o = 40 microM. This function was linear for Ca2+ and Sr2+ uptake for approx. 6 s and for Ba2+ for about 60 s. Plateau levels were achieved within 120 s for Ca2+ and Sr2+ but Ba2+ took considerably longer. The Km values for Na+-M2+ exchange, derived from Eadie-Hofstee plots, were 30, 58, and 73 microM for Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+, respectively. The Na+i-dependent uptake of all three ions was stimulated in the presence of 0.36 microM valinomycin. Na+-Ca2+ exchange was also measured in the presence of either 20 microM Sr2+ or 100 microM Ba2+. Both of these ions behaved (at these concentrations) as competitive inhibitors of Na+-Ca2+ exchange with the KI being 32 microM for Sr2+ and 92 microM for Ba2+. Passive efflux was determined by first allowing Na+-M2+ exchange to continue to plateau values and then diluting the loaded vesicles in the presence of EGTA. The rate constants for the passive efflux were 8.4, 6.3 and 4.4 min-1 for Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+, respectively.