cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning Gains from a Recurring "Teach and Question" Homework Assignment in a General Biology Course: Using Reciprocal Peer Tutoring Outside Class

Providing students with one-on-one interaction with instructors is a big challenge in large courses. One solution is to have students interact with their peers during class. Reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) is a more involved interaction that requires peers to alternate the roles of "teacher" and "student." Theoretically, advantages for peer tutoring include the verbalization and questioning of information and the scaffolded exploration of material through social and cognitive interaction. Studies on RPT vary in their execution, but most require elaborate planning and take up valuable class time. We tested the effectiveness of a "teach and question" (TQ) assignment that required student pairs to engage in RPT regularly outside class. A quasi-experimental design was implemented: one section of a general biology course completed TQ assignments, while another section completed a substitute assignment requiring individuals to review course material. The TQ section outperformed the other section by ∼6% on exams. Session recordings were coded to investigate correlation between TQ quality and student performance. Asking more questions was the characteristic that best predicted exam performance, and this was more predictive than most aspects of the course. We propose the TQ as an easy assignment to implement with large performance gains.
Distributed query processing and data sharing

Data privacy is becoming an increasing concern in industries where huge data repositories are dealt with. Most of them need to share private data across distinct organizations. In this paper, we propose a modification to an existing framework wherein data sharing across distributed databases is handled without compromising the sensitive nature of information. This paper focuses on replacing an inner join with semi-join reducer technique in one of the distributed sites of an existing query execution model. We will demonstrate how transmitting redundant data can be eliminated deploying a reducer technique which ultimately results in minimization of communication cost.
Deep Learning for Drug Discovery and Cancer Research: Automated Analysis of Vascularization Images

Likely drug candidates which are identified in traditional pre-clinical drug screens often fail in patient trials, increasing the societal burden of drug discovery. A major contributing factor to this phenomenon is the failure of traditional in vitro models of drug response to accurately mimic many of the more complex properties of human biology. We have recently introduced a new microphysiological system for growing vascularized, perfused microtissues that more accurately models human physiology and is suitable for large drug screens. In this work, we develop a machine learning model that can quickly and accurately flag compounds which effectively disrupt vascular networks from images taken before and after drug application in vitro. The system is based on a convolutional neural network and achieves near perfect accuracy while committing potentially no expensive false negatives.
Fabrication of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays by Electrochemical Anodization: Four Synthesis Generations

One-dimensional (1-D) nanowire and nanotube systems with high surface-to-volume ratios have been found to possess significant, useful, and unique properties. The synthesis of highly ordered 1-D materials using localized chemical dissolution with controlled, field-assisted oxidation and dissolution reactions is particularly noteworthy for it permits achievement of a precisely ordered, nanoscale self-assembly. Comparative studies show that ordered arrays of TiO2 outperform colloidal TiO2 for photocatalytic applications [1–5], sensing [6–9], photoelectrolysis [10–16], polymer-based bulk heterojunction photovoltaics [17–19], dye-sensitized solar cells [20–26], biofluids filtration, drug delivery and other biomedical applications [27–30]. Initial investigations indicate that they also may be useful for energy storage devices such as Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors; these applications of TiO2 nanotube arrays are among those discussed in the subsequent chapters.
Neural Coding of Spatial Representations

Knowing where things are in the world is such a fundamental problem that evolution has generated fascinating and highly specialized neural circuits to deal with it in numerous species, such as whales, bats, owls, electric fish, ants, and bees. In this article, we discuss a few general principles that describe how neurons typically represent object position and how they use this information to generate behavior. For the sake of brevity, we rely mainly on neurophysiological findings from the mammalian literature. In addition to these experimental results, we review some of the key theoretical questions that have been raised regarding the processing of spatial information, such as what limits the accuracy of spatial representations and what reference frame is used to specify an object’s position.
State Transition Equations and Matrices

In this chapter, we will discuss the solution of the state-space equation assuming that the initial state as well as all the governing matrices are given. Both continuous-time and discrete-time systems will be considered. It is clear that only the input-state equation has to be solved.
Characterizations of Catalytic Membrane Computing Systems

We look at 1-region membrane computing systems which only use rules of the form Ca →Cv, where C is a catalyst, a is a noncatalyst, and v is a (possibly null) string of noncatalysts. There are no rules of the form a →v. Thus, we can think of these systems as “purely” catalytic. We consider two types: (1) when the initial configuration contains only one catalyst, and (2) when the initial configuration contains multiple (not necessarily distinct) catalysts. We show that systems of the first type are equivalent to communication-free Petri nets, which are also equivalent to commutative context-free grammars. They define precisely the semilinear sets. This partially answers an open question in [19]. Systems of the second type define exactly the recursively enumerable sets of tuples (i.e., Turing machine computable). We also study an extended model where the rules are of the form q: (p, Ca →Cv) (where q and p are states), i.e., the application of the rules is guided by a finite-state control. For this generalized model, type (1) as well as type (2) with some restriction correspond to vector addition systems.
Accelerators and Coherence: An SoC Perspective

The complexity of System-on-Chip (SoC) designs continues to grow as each SoC features an increasing variety of loosely coupled accelerators together with multiple processor cores. Specialized-hardware accelerators are typically designed in isolation, optimized for the algorithm they are implementing, and with limited consideration of the implications of their integration into a given SoC. However, the interaction between these accelerators and the memory hierarchy is critically important for their performance and the performance of the overall SoC. By leveraging our platform for rapid SoC prototyping, we analyze three models of coherence for loosely coupled accelerators from a system-level perspective.
No dividing line, prediction and control, and widely applicable general principles: Comment on Guercio (2018).

John B. Watson (1913) and B.F. Skinner (1956) both argued that humans, and human behavior, are part of the natural world on a continuum with other living species and their behaviors. Recognizing this continuum facilitates progress toward the scientific goal of behaviorism which both Watson (1913) an
A transport model for broadening of a linearly polarized, coherent beam due to inhomogeneities in a turbulent atmosphere

ABSTRACTTraditional models for beam broadening include both a diffractive term, owing to the source aperture, and a beam ‘wandering’ term that stems from refractive index variations in the atmosphe...
A DRIVEN IFS REPRESENTATION OF TURING MACHINES

We apply driven iterated function system (IFS) to analyze the dynamics of state sequences generated by Turing machines. A topological classification of driven IFS attractors reveals some properties...
Insights Into the Epigenetics of Retinal Development and Diseases

Abstract The retina is a well-defined and relatively simple part of the central nervous system, and has been studied extensively at both the cellular and molecular level. The transition from stem cell to neuroepithelial progenitor is accompanied by loss of DNA methylation and gains in active epigenetic histone modifications, particularly at genes regulating neuronal fate. Later maturation of progenitor cells is accompanied by a transition to less open chromatin, an increase in heterochromatin and a gain in repressive heterochromatin marks. In the most abundant mouse retinal cell type, the rod photoreceptor, heterochromatin, condenses into a central core of the nucleus occupying about 45% of the volume. Chromatin condensation appears to be a more prevalent method of repressing gene expression than the DNA methylation used by many other cell types. As the rod photoreceptors differentiate, progenitor genes show a shift in histone modifications consistent with gene repression and rod-specific genes develop a signature that consists of increasing levels of H3K4me2 without any H3K27me3. Many retinal diseases are accompanied by changes in the epigenome. The importance of these changes is suggested by the growing numbers of observations showing that manipulating the epigenome can blunt the deleterious effects of mutations or other causes of disease-induced degeneration. As knowledge of the epigenome and ways to manipulate it increases, it is becoming possible to control the differentiation pathways of stem or progenitor cells and thus efficiently produce retinal cells that can be used in regenerative medicine therapies.
Boa meets python: a boa dataset of data science software in python language

The popularity of Python programming language has surged in recent years due to its increasing usage in Data Science. The availability of Python repositories in Github presents an opportunity for mining software repository research, e.g., suggesting the best practices in developing Data Science applications, identifying bug-patterns, recommending code enhancements, etc. To enable this research, we have created a new dataset that includes 1,558 mature Github projects that develop Python software for Data Science tasks. By analyzing the metadata and code, we have included the projects in our dataset which use a diverse set of machine learning libraries and managed by a variety of users and organizations. The dataset is made publicly available through Boa infrastructure both as a collection of raw projects as well as in a processed form that could be used for performing large scale analysis using Boa language. We also present two initial applications to demonstrate the potential of the dataset that could be leveraged by the community.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Rupture of an AAA is a catastrophic event that leads to death in 80–90% of patients overall, including 50–70% of patients that reach medical attention. AAA can be described by their location and/or morphologic features. The pathophysiology is driven by abnormalities in the connective tissue of the aortic wall, namely elastin. While abnormalities in elastin lead to aneurysm formation, disruption of collagen in the aortic wall is what ultimately leads to rupture.
Cost Sharing and Utilization of Postpartum Intrauterine Devices and Contraceptive Implants Among Commercially Insured Women.

Abstract Background Cost sharing may impede postpartum contraceptive use. We evaluated the association between out-of-pocket costs and long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) insertion among commercially insured postpartum women. Methods Using the Clinformatics Data Mart, we examined out-of-pocket costs for LARC insertions at 0 to 3 and 4–60 days postpartum among women in employer-sponsored health plans from 2013 to 2016. Patient costs were estimated by summing copayment, coinsurance, and deductible payments for LARC services (device + placement). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between plan cost sharing for LARC services (at least one beneficiary with >$200 cost share) and LARC insertion by 60 days postpartum (yes/no). Results We identified 396,073 deliveries among women in 51,797 employer-based plans. Overall, LARC placement by 60 days postpartum was observed after 5.2% (n = 20,604) of deliveries. Inpatient LARC insertion (n = 233; 0.06% of deliveries) was less common than outpatient LARC insertion (n = 20,375; 5.14% of deliveries). Cost sharing was observed in 23.4% of LARC insertions (inpatient IUD: median, $50.00; range, $0.93–5,055.91; inpatient implant: median, $11.91; range, $2.49–650.14; outpatient IUD: median, $25.00; range, $0.01–3,354.80; outpatient implant: median, $27.20; range, $0.18–2,444.01). Among 5,895 plans with at least one LARC insertion and after adjusting for patient age, poverty status, race/ethnicity, region, and plan type, women in plans with cost sharing of more than $200 demonstrated lower odds of LARC use by 60 days postpartum (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.77). Conclusions Cost sharing for postpartum LARC is associated with use, suggesting that out-of-pocket costs may impede LARC access for some commercially insured postpartum women. Reducing out-of-pocket costs for the most effective forms of contraception may increase use.
Photoacid-Catalyzed Friedel-Crafts Arylation of Carbonyls.

In this report, we demonstrate that visible-light-induced thiourea photoacids catalyze C–C bond-forming reactions. Upon photoirradiation, Schreiner’s thiourea [(N,N′-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phe...
MoM Analysis of Conducting Surface-to-Wire Structures in Multilayered Uniaxial Media

This work presents a method of moments (MoM) analysis for conducting bodies composed of surfaces connected to thin wires in multilayered uniaxial anisotropic media, such as often occurs in modeling geophysical problems. Wire, wire-to-surface junction, and RWG bases are used to model electric currents on the thin wire, junction, and conducting surfaces, respectively. Based on the transverse equivalent network (TEN) analogy with transmission lines, the dyadic Green’s function for multilayered uniaxial media is efficiently evaluated using Kummer’s method to accelerate the spectral integral contributions by extracting their asymptotic spectral forms, which are later restored in spatial forms derived from the Sommerfeld identity; this also reduces the spatial singularities of the spectral integrals such that they may be efficiently interpolated using a simplex interpolation scheme. A major contribution of this work is to model surface-to-wire junctions for structures penetrating layer boundaries in a multilayered uniaxial medium. In addition, a proper numerical scheme for modeling thin wire structures in multilayered uniaxial media is proposed.
LibreCAN: Automated CAN Message Translator

Modern Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) are equipped with an increasing number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs), many of which produce large amounts of data. Data is exchanged between ECUs via an in-vehicle network, with the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus being the de facto standard in contemporary vehicles. Furthermore, CAVs have not only physical interfaces but also increased data connectivity to the Internet via their Telematic Control Units (TCUs), enabling remote access via mobile devices. It is also possible to tap into, and read/write data from/to the CAN bus, as data transmitted on the CAN bus is not encrypted. This naturally generates concerns about automotive cybersecurity. One commonality among most vehicular security attacks reported to date is that they ultimately require write access to the CAN bus. In order to cause targeted and intentional changes in vehicle behavior, malicious CAN injection attacks require knowledge of the CAN message format. However, since this format is proprietary to OEMs and can differ even among different models of a single make of vehicle, one must manually reverse-engineer the CAN message format of each vehicle they target --- a time-consuming and tedious process that does not scale. To mitigate this difficulty, we develop LibreCAN, which can translate most CAN messages with minimal effort. Our extensive evaluation on multiple vehicles demonstrates LibreCAN's efficiency in terms of accuracy, coverage, required manual effort and scalability to any vehicle.
Point-of-care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Bilateral Patellar Tendon Rupture.

Author(s): Ogle, Kathleen; Mandoorah, Sohaib; Fellin, Matthew; Shokoohi, Hamid; Probasco, William; Boniface, Keith | Abstract: Musculoskeletal complaints are one cornerstone of urgent issues for which orthopedic and emergency physicians provide care. Ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic tool to help identify musculoskeletal injuries. We describe a case of bilateral patellar tendon rupture that presented after minor trauma, and had the diagnosis confirmed at the bedside by point-of-care ultrasound.Physicians caring for patients with orthopedic injuries should be familiar with the use of ultrasound to diagnose tendon ruptures.
Drivers of grass endophyte communities in prairies of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Prairies of the Pacific Northwest are highly threatened, with only ~2% of historic land area remaining. The combined risk of global climate change and land use change make these prairies a high conservation priority. However, little attention has been paid to the microbiota of these systems, including the hyper diverse fungi that live asymptomatically in their leaves, the endophytes. Using culture-free, full-community DNA sequencing, we investigated the diversity, composition, and structure of full fungal foliar endophyte and ecological guild communities in two native, cool-season bunchgrasses along a climate gradient. We quantified the relative importance of host, host fitness, environment, and spatial structuring in microbial community structure. We found markedly different communities between the southern and central-northern sites, suggesting a potential dispersal limitation in the Klamath Mountains. We also found that each host species was home to distinct fungal communities. Climate was the strongest predictor of endophyte community, while fitness (e.g., plant size, reproductive status, density) was less important for community structure. For both host species, seasonality contributed strongly to the variation we observed. At the ecological guild level, saprotrophs tended to decline with latitude, whereas symbiotrophs and pathotrophs both tended to increase with latitude. Our results suggest that climate change will have large consequences for these diverse fungal communities.
Spatial decomposition of magnetic anisotropy in magnets: Application to doped Fe 16 N 2

We propose a scheme of decomposition of the total relativistic energy in solids to intra- and interatomic contributions. The method is based on a site variation of such fundamental constant as the speed of light. As a practical illustration of the method, we tested such decomposition in the case of a spin-orbit interaction variation for the decomposition of the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) in CoPt. We further studied the ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{''}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{16}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ magnet doped by Bi, Sb, Co, and Pt atoms. It was found that the addition of Pt atoms can enhance the MAE by as much as five times while Bi and Sb substitutions double the total MAE. Using the proposed technique, we demonstrate the spatial distribution of these enhancements. Our studies also suggest that Sb, Pt, and Co substitutions could be synthesized by experiments.
Internship with Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Team as a Meaningful High School Student Experience

Background High school students are expected to engage in a number of experiences leading up to the college application process. Identifying meaningful opportunities for internships or observerships can be difficult. Methods and results After obtaining the appropriate hospital regulatory approvals including a HIPPA security attestation, the high school student (B.S.) was offered a structured four-week internship experience with the Advanced Heart Failure team. The student engaged in the following activities: inpatient rounds- observing history, physical exam and treatment decisions in 10-15 patients/day, outpatient clinics- observing care in approx. 5 patients/afternoon, 4 days in the operating room observing 1-2 cardiac surgeries and 4 half-days in the cardiac catheterization laboratory observing 3-5 procedures. The student also attended multidisciplinary heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) clinical meetings and attended didactic instruction by MCS nurse coordinators and bioengineers. Ample opportunities for questions and discussion were provided. The student assessed this experience as highly engaging with the top insights being: a) the complexity of healthcare, b) the rigor of established processes and c) the integration of research into clinical care. The program provided an opportunity to learn about different career paths in the medical and bioengineering fields, and was very insightful as far as learning about the importance of multi-member multi-disciplinary teams in the work-place. Conclusions Advanced Heart Failure teams routinely provide training to a wide range of trainees in the medical field. The described experience demonstrates that it can also serve as a nourishing environment for learners at high school level, and spark interest of these young learners in the biomedical field.
Toxoplasmosis in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients.

ABSTRACT Infection due to the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii can be life-threatening in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. Most cases of toxoplasmosis in HSCT recipients result from reactivation of latent infection in individuals who were Toxoplasma-seropositive before transplantation and did not receive appropriate prophylaxis. Pretransplantation screening with Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies is suggested for all allogeneic HSCT recipients and their donors and all autologous HSCT recipients. Prevention of toxoplasmosis in T. gondii-seropositive HSCT recipients requires primary prophylaxis, preemptive screening, or both. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the preferred agent for Toxoplasma prophylaxis and should be continued for 6 months or until the patient is no longer receiving immunosuppression, whichever is longer, assuming that immune reconstitution has occurred. Preemptive weekly screening with whole blood Toxoplasma PCR should be considered for seropositive HSCT recipients if prophylaxis cannot be given or if prophylaxis other than TMP-SMX is used. The signs, symptoms, and radiographic findings of toxoplasmosis in HSCT recipients can be nonspecific, and the diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion. Common presentations include fever, encephalopathy with mental status changes or seizures, and pneumonia. A Toxoplasma PCR analysis from whole blood (and other body fluids/tissues according to clinical symptoms) should be obtained in patients in whom there is a concern for toxoplasmosis. Treatment with oral pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leucovorin for at least 6 weeks is the first-line therapy and should be followed by secondary prophylaxis. In this article, we review the published literature regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and prevention of toxoplasmosis in HSCT recipients.
The Political Economy of Craft Production: Crafting Empire in South India, c.1350–1650

1. Introduction 2. Specialized craft production: archaeological approaches 3. The South Asian state 4. Vijayanagara: the historical setting 5. Vijayanagara: sources of evidence 6. Craft products and craft producers 7. Artisans and institutions: artisans and each other 8. Crafting empire: conclusion.
Spectroscopy of Metal-Ion Complexes with Peptide-Related Ligands

With new experimental tools and techniques developing rapidly, spectroscopic approaches to characterizing gas-phase metal ion complexes have emerged as a lively area of current research, with particular emphasis on structural and conformational information. The present review gives detailed attention to the metal-ion complexes of amino acids (and simple derivatives), much of whose study has focused on the question of charge-solvation vs salt-bridge modes of complexation. Alkali metal ions have been most frequently examined, but work with other metal ions is discussed to the extent to which they have been studied. The majority of work has been with simple cationic metal ion complexes, while recent excursions into deprotonated complexes, anionic complexes, and dimer complexes are also of interest. Interest is growing in complexes of small peptides, which are discussed both in the context of possible zwitterion formation as a charge-solvation alternative, and of the alternative metal-ion bond formation to amide nitrogens in structures involving iminol tautomerization. The small amount of work on complexes of large peptides and proteins is considered, as are the structural consequences of solvation of the gas-phase complexes. Spectroscopy in the visible/UV wavelength region has seen less attention than the IR region for structure determination of gas-phase metal-ion complexes; the state of this field is briefly reviewed.
Linear and Nonlinear Laser Induced Emission of Ions from Solid Targets with and without Magnetic Field

We embarked on a laser program, having previously performed many basic experiments applying electron and ion beams. In the Physics Laboratory of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Hartford Graduate Center, it was, therefore, a logical consequence that we started investigations on interactions of electrons with photons and ions. The first experiment 1, 2 that we performed in this area was on what we now call the Kapitza-Dirac effect, whereby an electron wave is reflected by a standing light wave.
Insulin: The Effects and Mode of Action of the Hormone

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses insulin's effects and mode of action. There have been so many reviews on hormone action in general and on insulin in particular that a word of explanation seems necessary for yet another exposition on the subject. The time is fast approaching when it will become possible to describe the sequential steps in the biochemistry of insulin action in great detail. The ultimate aim of all the work on insulin action is to be able to describe the sequential chemical changes that occur as a result of the initial contact of the insulin molecule with its specific receptor in the membrane. Insulin was also found to increase the incorporation of labeled amino acids into tissue proteins in the absence of glucose in the medium. This was independent of the influence on amino acid transport. Wool and his co-workers pointed out that the effect is probably due to an action on the activity and aggregation of the ribosomes.
Late Neogene marine Ostracoda from Tjornes, Iceland

ABSTRACr-On the western side of the Tjornes Peninsula in northern Iceland exposures of fossiliferous marine sediments, basalts, and glacial tills record the climatic history of this region of the North Atlantic Ocean. Seventy-five marine ostracode species were recovered from the Pliocene Tjornes sediments and Quaternary sediments known as the Breidavik beds. The ostracode assemblages contain many warm-water genera that do not inhabit Iceland today and indicate early to middle Pliocene (4.5-3.0 Ma) winter and summer bottom-water temperatures that averaged 5-6?C and 14-16?C, respectively (maximum 20?C in summer, rarely below 3?C in winter except during a brief cooling 3.5-3.2 Ma). An intensified North Atlantic Drift and a diminished or absent East Greenland Current account for warm-water oceanographic conditions at 66?N. Late Pliocene marine climates were cooler with winter and summer averages of about 9?C and 8?C. Early Pleistocene ostracode assemblages dated at 1.7-1.3 Ma contain extant arctic-subarctic species that indicate winter and summer temperatures of about - 1.5'C and 4-5'C. New species Bensonocythere eirikssoni, Robertsonites williamsi, Hemicythere rekaensis, Thaerocythere mayburyae, Thaerocythere whatleyi, Leptocythere tjornesensis, Tetracytherura bardarsoni, and Cytheromorpha einarssoni are described.
Physiology and biochemistry of peptidergic cotransmission in Aplysia.

Abstract The marine mollusc Aplysia , whose simple nervous system facilitates study of the neural basis of behavior, was used to investigate the role of peptidergic cotransmission in feeding behavior. Several novel modulatory neuropeptides were purified and localized to identified cholinergic motorneurons. Physiological and biochemical studies demonstrated that these peptides are released when the motorneurons fire at frequencies that occur during normal behavior, and that the peptides modify the relationship between muscle contraction amplitude and relaxation rate so as to maintain optimal motor output when the intensity and frequency of feeding behavior change.
A Novel Locus for Body Mass Index on 5p15.2: A Meta-Analysis of Two Genome-Wide Association Studies

Abstract Objective Genetic factors play an important role in modulating the vulnerability to body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study is to identify novel genetic variants for BMI using genome-wide association (GWA) meta-analysis. Methods PLINK software was used to perform meta-analysis of two GWA studies (the FUSION and Marshfield samples) of 5218 Caucasian individuals with BMI. A replication study was conducted using the SAGE sample with 762 individuals. Results Through meta-analysis we identified 33 SNPs associated with BMI with p Conclusion We identified a novel locus for BMI. These findings offer the potential for new insights into the pathogenesis of BMI and obesity and will serve as a resource for replication in other populations to elucidate the potential role of these genetic variants in BMI and obesity.
Carbocyclic thromboxane A2: aggrevation of myocardial ischemia by a new synthetic thromboxane A2 analog.

Abstract In vitro experiments indicate that thromboxane A2 (TA2) is a potent platelet aggregator and vascular constrictor. However, it is unclear what roles these specific actions may contribute in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia. Carbocyclic thromboxane A2 (CTA2), a TA2 analog, constricts isolated perfused cat coronary arteries, but does not aggregate platelets, and thus appeared useful to clarify these separate actions of TA2. In anesthetized cats, radioactive labeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium for measurement of cardiac output and tissue blood flows. Compared to control measurements, CTA2 infusion (4.8 μg·kg−1·min−1 to 10 min) significantly decreased cardiac output from 347 ± 16 ml·min−1 to 248 ± 16 ml·min−1 (p
1,2 Asymmetric induction in the cyclic hydroboration of 1,5-dienes. A synthesis of the Prelog-Djerassi lactone

Abstract Cyclic hydroboration of an appropriately substituted 1,5-diene yields a 1,5 diol as the major product which can be converted to the racemic Prelog-Djerassi lactone.
Adaptive recursive-least-squares and lattice transversal filters for continuous-time signal processing

The authors present lattice and transversal filters for adaptive recursive-least-squares (RLS) processing of continuous-time signals. They have the same structure as the discrete-time RLS adaptive lattice and transversal configurations, namely, a lattice cascade and a tapped-delay-line, respectively, but with continuously adjustable parameters that are updated by propagating a set of coupled differential equations. While the discrete-time scheme involves a fundamental unit of time (viz. the sampling period of the signal) that determines both the duration of the delay and the rate of gain-updating, the new continuous-time scheme involves a delay of arbitrary duration and continuously varying gains. It turns out that the conceptual and computational complexity of the continuous-time filters is less than for their discrete-time counterparts. >
Molecular dynamics of tryptophan in ribonuclease-T1. II. Correlations with fluorescence.

The interactions of tryptophan-59 (TRP-59) and its protein environment in ribonuclease-T1 (RNAse-T1) were examined in a 50-ps molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation used was previously shown to demonstrate a fluorescence anisotropy decay that closely agreed with the experimentally determined limiting anisotropy for RNAse-T1 (Axelsen, P. H., C. Haydock, and F. G. Prendergast. 1988. Biophys. J. 54:249–258). Further characterization of TRP-59 side chain dynamics and its protein environment has now been completed and correlated to other photophysical properties of this protein. Angular fluctuations of the side chain occur at rates of 1–10 cycles/ps and are limited to +/- 0.3 radians in all directions. Side chain motions are primarily limited by nonpolar collisions, although most side chain atoms have some collisional contact with polar atoms in the adjacent protein matrix or water. The steric relationship between PRO-39 and TRP-59 changes abruptly at 16 ps into the simulation. Two types of interaction with water are observed. First, a structural water appears to H-bond with the greater than N-H group of TRP-59. Second, water frequently contacts the six-atom ring. The electrostatic field experienced by the TRP-59 rings appears to be relatively constant and featureless regardless of ring orientation. We make the following interferences from our data: The fluorescent emission of TRP-59 may be red-shifted relative to TRP in nonpolar solvents either as a result of specific interactions with the structural water or relaxations of proximal bulk water and polar protein moieties. The quenching efficiency of polar interactions with TRP-59 must be extremely low given their frequency and the high quantum yield of RNAse-T1. This low efficiency may be due to restricted and unfavorable interaction geometries. PRO-39 is located near two titratable HIS residues in RNAse-T1 and may be involved in pH-dependent fluorescence phenomena by virtue of a metastable interaction with TRP-59. The interaction of bulk water with TRP-59 illustrates features of the gated transition state model for transient exposure to exogenously added collisional quenching agents. The restrictive environment of TRP-59 suggests that extrinsic quenching can only occur via interactions with the edge of the indole six-atom ring and that the efficiency of a quencher in a protein environment is likely to be a function of molecular symmetry.
Pediatric metaxalone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers, 2000-2007.

OBJECTIVES:: The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of metaxalone (a muscle relaxant) ingestions by young children reported to poison control centers. METHODS:: Cases were all metaxalone ingestions by patients aged 0 to 5 years reported to Texas poison control centers during 2000 to 2007. Cases with multiple substance ingestions and lack of follow-up were excluded. Cases were analyzed for selected demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS:: Of 148 total cases, 56.8% were boys. The distributions by management site were 56.1% on-site, 22.3% already at/en route to a health care facility, and 21.6% referred to a health care facility. Final medical outcomes were no effect for 90.5% cases, minor effect for 8.1%, moderate effect for 0.7%, and major effect for 0.7%. Specific clinical effects reported were drowsiness (11), vomiting (3), agitation (2), rash (1%), tachycardia (1), and ataxia (1). CONCLUSIONS:: Pediatric metaxalone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers usually resulted in minor or no effect. Most ingestions did not require hospitalization. Language: en
Steroid Responsive Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis (SREAT) or Hashimoto's Encephalopathy: A Case and Review

Background Steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is a condition of presumed autoimmune etiology that can present with a variety of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. Objective To illustrate the clinical findings and treatment options of this underdiagnosed condition. Method We present a case of a patient diagnosed with SREAT and review the available literature including management of psychiatric symptoms. Results Little has been reported about the psychiatric management of patients with SREAT. Conclusion Psychiatrists practicing in the general hospital setting should be aware of this often unrecognized entity to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
COMPARING TWO PUTTING STYLES FOR PUTTING ACCURACY

The accuracy of two different putting styles, golf's standard style, using a conventional putter with a pendulum stroke, versus using a pendulum stroke with the relatively new long putter (52 in.), was compared for 60 men and 28 women in beginning college physical education golf classes. A nine-hole Bermuda grass putting green had holes ranging in distance from 2 to 50 ft. Each student was given a score card (1) for recording the results on each hole, and (2) which listed a random assignment of the order of putting style for each hole. Also, for two specific holes of 15 feet and 50 feet, the distance at which the balls stopped away from the cup was measured. An analysis of variance of mean total putting scores gave no significant difference between putting styles or between styles on the short and long distances to holes when first putts were measured. The traditional method of putting may not be the best technique for all beginning golfers; other methods such as using a long putter may be as effective.
Mystery Case: A young woman with isolated upbeating nystagmus

A 15-week pregnant 21-year-old woman initially presented with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patient admitted to decreased oral intake over the past 4 weeks, including her prescribed prenatal vitamins. She was hypokalemic with elevated transaminases and gallstone pancreatitis was confirmed by imaging. Prior to cholecystectomy, fetal heart tones were lost and intrauterine fetal demise occurred. The patient underwent dilation and evacuation as well as cholecystectomy. She was discharged home but returned within 1 week with persistent nausea and vomiting. She had no neurologic complaints at the time. Basic metabolic panel on admission was unremarkable. On hospital day 2, she developed oscillopsia. Her examination was remarkable for large amplitude upbeating nystagmus (UBN) in primary position. She had gaze-evoked UBN in all other directions. The amplitude of the UBN increased on upgaze and dampened on downgaze. Smooth pursuit was impaired in all directions and saccades were dysmetric (video 1 on the Neurology ® Web site at [Neurology.org][1]). Extraocular movements were intact with no evidence of ophthalmoplegia. Pupils were equal and reactive, and fundus examination was normal. Reflexes were present and symmetric, and gait was normal. The patient had no deficits on mental status examination. She was oriented to name, date, place, and situation and had no difficulty with complex commands, calculations, or short-term or long-term memory. Language was similarly intact. She demonstrated no ataxia or other focal abnormalities on examination. [1]: http://www.neurology.org/
Hindlimb Immobilization in a Wheelchair Alters Functional Recovery Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury in the Adult Rat

Background. Locomotor training of rats with thoracic contusion spinal cord injuries can induce task-specific changes in stepping but rarely results in improved overground locomotion, possibly due t...
CROWN-ETHER-FUNCTIONALIZED NICKEL SALICYLALDIMINE COMPLEXES. STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THEIR POTASSIUM, CESIUM, AND HEXYLAMMONIUM DERIVATIVES AND THEIR USE IN THE TRANSPORT OF AMINO ACIDS

The Ni complex of a crown-ether-functionalized tetra-tert-butylsalicylideneimine, its alkali metal (K+, Cs+) derivatives, and the hexylammonium guest−host complex (see illustration) have been synth...
Effects of Chloroquine on Release of Mediators from Mast Cells

This study was designed to investigate the effect of chloroquine (CQ) on the release of preformed and generated mediators from rat serosal mast cells (greater than 90% pure). CQ alone (10-1,000 micrograms/ml) induced the release of preformed mediators, while stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 of CQ-treated cells resulted in suppressed releases of both preformed and generated (particularly prostaglandin D2) mediators. These effects were calcium-independent and reversible. Whether these results partly explain the efficacy of CQ in the treatment of mast cell-mediated dermatoses remains to be further investigated.
Algebraic rotating-frame approach to nuclear reactions

Abstract An approach to nuclear reactions is discussed in which the rotating-frame approximation is combined with an algebraic model of the nuclear collective states, the interacting-boson model. The coupled multi-channel problem reduces to that of single-channel potential scattering with a fluctuating potential, whose strength is characterized by a finite set of values. Several versions of the rotating-frame approximation are compared with an exact coupled-channel calculation for the inelastic scattering of an α-particle from 154 Sm. It is shown that an appropriate choice of the version used, together with a proper normalization of the coupling strength, leads to a significant improvement upon the conventional form of this approximation when Coulomb excitation is included.
EFFECT OF NALTREXONE ON STRESS-INDUCED BIOACTIVE PROLACTIN RELEASE IN AGING MALE RATS

Effects of the opiate receptor antagonist naltrexone (NALT, 10 mg/kg) on basal and novel environment stress-induced prolactin (PRL) release were examined in young (3–5 month) and old (22–24 month) male Copenhagen-Fischer 344 rats. Radioimmunoassay and Nb2 lymphoma bioassay were used to determine plasma immunoreactive (ir-) and bioactive (bio-) PRL levels, respectively. Although basal plasma irPRL levels were greater, bioPRL levels were significantly lower in old as compared to young rats. NALT induced significant decreases in basal plasma ir- and bioPRL concentrations in young rats, but had little or no effect on irPRL or bioPRL levels in old rats. Stress-induced elevations in irPRL levels were similar, but increases in bioPRL levels were attenuated in vehicle-treated old as compared to young rats. NALT pretreatment blocked stress-induced ir- and bioPRL release in both age groups. These results indicate that the role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) in regulating basal PRL secretion appears to be diminished, whereas EOP continue to be involved in stress-induced PRL release in the aging animal.
Wanted: CS1 students. no experience required

This paper reports research on the effect of prior programming experience on success in an objects-first CS1. In an objects-first, approach students are taught from the very beginning to think in terms of objects and the fundamentals of object-oriented programming, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. These concepts are introduced before traditional selection and iterative constructs. The finding that students with prior programming experience do not do better than those without such experience flies in the face of conventional wisdom.
Standards for Organizational Consultation Assessment and Evaluation Instruments

Although consultation researchers and practitioners have called attention to the need for more psychometrically sound instruments, little advancement has occurred in this area. The authors outline key quantitative and qualitative psychometric standards for organizational consultation assessment and evaluation instruments. In addition, a framework and review of several existing questionnaires are presented. Implications for instrument use by practitioners and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Processing of high hardness-high toughness alumina matrix nanocomposites

Abstract Ceramic-matrix composites with nanocrystalline (grain size less than ∼100 nm) matrix provide new opportunities, both scientific and technological. Fully dense nanocrystalline alumina matrix composites with grain size as fine as 40 nm has been synthesized. The results show significantly higher hardness and toughness in nanocomposites. The hardness values of fully dense nanocrystalline Al 2 O3-10 vol.% Nb composite range from 20 to 23 GPa. The indentation toughness of Al2O3-10 vol.% Nb sintered at 900°C and 2 GPa for 60 min is >8 MPa m1/2. The present results show an increase in fracture toughness by more than 250% while retaining the hardness as compared with microcrystalline single-phase alumina.
Glutamatergic Animal Models of Schizophrenia

Several lines of evidence, including recent genetic linkage studies implicating susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, make a strong case that abnormal NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission is a major locus for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Animal models that are relevant to putative NMDA dysfunction in schizophrenia have excellent face validity for several symptoms of schizophrenia and are important tools for the design of novel pharmacological intervention in schizophrenia. The present chapter includes a brief review of the utility of these models and the search for new medications that have the potential of normalizing glutamate neurotransmission in schizophrenia.
Design, Construction, and Testing of a Small Scale Solar Chimney for Nomadic Herdsmen

The basic solar chimney concept remains largely unchanged since being proposed nearly a century ago. The air inside a collector heats up, and becomes less dense and begins rising toward the center of the collector as the covering is sloped upward towards a centrally located chimney. Heat and air flow increases as it moves toward the chimney. When a turbine is placed in this chimney, electricity can be generated from the air flow.Using previously published research [1] on small scale solar chimneys, the authors designed and fabricated a small scale solar chimney. Performance variables were optimized to achieve peak performance and theoretical electrical output. The solar chimney was designed to achieve low material cost, and minimal maintenance effort without the use of heavy machinery.The solar chimney designed by the authors was constructed and tested for implementation in remote regions where land space is practically unrestricted and electrical power is desired for lighting and communication. The project team conducted an assessment of one likely location for this solar chimney in Northern Mongolia during the summer of 2011. There are nomadic people groups who do not have electrical power but have vast amounts of land at their disposal. The solar chimney is a potential source of electricity for these people groups, as it was also designed to be transportable, lightweight, and inexpensive.© 2012 ASME