cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contrasting Effects of Precipitation Manipulations on Production in Two Sites within the Central Grassland Region, USA

In grassland ecosystems, where soil water most frequently controls ecosystem processes, expected changes in precipitation and temperature may have dramatic effects on ecosystem dynamics. Previous observational studies have reported that aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in grasslands is very sensitive to changes in precipitation. Yet, we lack experimentally based evidence to support these observations. Further, most of the studies have focused solely on ANPP, neglecting belowground production (BNPP). This is an important gap in our knowledge, as BNPP represents 50% or more of total net primary production (NPP) in grasslands. Here, we present results from a 3-year water manipulation experiment (2008–2010) at two sites in the central grassland region of North America, USA. We were successful in changing the soil water content in our treatments, but these changes resulted in different, but significant responses in ANPP and BNPP at our two sites. At the shortgrass steppe, we found that neither NPP nor ANPP were sensitive to treatment precipitation, and although we found BNPP was sensitive to changes in treatment precipitation, the direction of the response varied between years. In contrast, ANPP was very sensitive to treatment precipitation on the mixed-grass prairie, whereas BNPP was insensitive. Based on our finding that two grassland ecosystems showed dramatically different above and belowground production responses to soil water manipulations, we cannot assume that predicted changes in climate will cause similar above- and belowground production responses. Second, our results demonstrated that sites within the same region may differ markedly in the sensitivity of ANPP to changes in growing season precipitation.
New building materials from fly ash-based lightweight inorganic polymer

Abstract A lightweight inorganic polymer is produced from Class F fly ash, metakaolinite and lightweight aggregate. This inorganic material is activated using small amounts of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution. Processing parameters including the amounts of chemical activator and various curing conditions, such as curing temperature, curing time and moisture, are investigated. Compressive strength, water absorption rate and oven-dry density of each sample are measured and compared against the specifications of ASTM C90.
Yield model for fault clusters within integrated circuits

Generalized negative binomial statistics turns out to be a model of the fault distribution in very large chips or wafers with internal defect clusters. This is expected to influence large chip and full wafer redundancy requirements. Furthermore, the yield appears to be affected by an experimental dependence of the average number of faults on chip area.
A perturbation analysis of a mechanical model for stable spatial patterning in embryology

We investigate a mechanical cell-traction mechanism that generates stationary spatial patterns. A linear analysis highlights the model's potential for these heterogeneous solutions. We use multiple-scale perturbation techniques to study the evolution of these solutions and compare our solutions with numerical simulations of the model system. We discuss some potential biological applications among which are the formation of ridge patterns, dermatoglyphs, and wound healing.
Influence of Dietary Lipids on Pigmentation of Young Chickens

Abstract Supplementation of a basal casein-dextrose diet (40 μg added lutein/g) with 2% coconut or olive oil increased serum lutein significantly (P Coconut oil, which contains primarily short chain, saturated fatty acids, gave higher (P
Global Indicators and Targets for Noncommunicable Diseases

In September 2011, the United Nations (UN) convened a High Level Meeting (HLM) of member states to address a largely neglected, global reality: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases—kill more people than other causes, health and non–health related, and the world is ill-prepared to respond. This was only the second such UN meeting of heads of state focused on a health issue, the first having been on HIV/AIDS in 2001. Without more effective and focused action, the growing burden of NCDs threatens to undermine increasingly interdependent development and economic agendas ( 1 – 3 ). The 2011 meeting ushered in the potential for an orchestrated response, facilitated by a mandate that the World Health Organization (WHO), in consultation with member states, develop a global monitoring framework with key indicators and targets to be achieved by 2025.
A method for determining threshold from single-unit neural activity

A computationally straightforward method is described for determining the latency, duration and magnitude of stimulus-evoked single-unit neural activity. A unique feature of the method is its ability to define the neural response without reference to stimulus parameters. First, the temporal component of the spike train that represents the response is located and then that component is analyzed to determine the magnitude of the response. Intensity-response functions can then be constructed, using the number of extra spikes above baseline activity as a measure of response magnitude. Threshold can be defined as any point on the intensity-response function.
Evaluation of deformable image registration and a motion model in CT images with limited features

Deformable image registration (DIR) is increasingly used in radiotherapy applications and provides the basis for a previously described model of patient-specific respiratory motion. We examine the accuracy of a DIR algorithm and a motion model with respiration-correlated CT (RCCT) images of software phantom with known displacement fields, physical deformable abdominal phantom with implanted fiducials in the liver and small liver structures in patient images. The motion model is derived from a principal component analysis that relates volumetric deformations with the motion of the diaphragm or fiducials in the RCCT. Patient data analysis compares DIR with rigid registration as ground truth: the mean ± standard deviation 3D discrepancy of liver structure centroid positions is 2.0 ± 2.2 mm. DIR discrepancy in the software phantom is 3.8 ± 2.0 mm in lung and 3.7 ± 1.8 mm in abdomen; discrepancies near the chest wall are larger than indicated by image feature matching. Marker's 3D discrepancy in the physical phantom is 3.6 ± 2.8 mm. The results indicate that visible features in the images are important for guiding the DIR algorithm. Motion model accuracy is comparable to DIR, indicating that two principal components are sufficient to describe DIR-derived deformation in these datasets.
Posterior glenohumeral stiffness: capsular or muscular problem? A case report.

The impingement syndrome’s aetiology is multifactorial. The mechanical factors potentially contributing to this pathology are altered neuromuscular control, decreased force of the rotator cuff and peri-scapular muscles, the acromion’s morphology and posture and stiffness of the posterior capsule (Michener et al., 2003). Amongst these dysfunctions, the authors want to focus on the retraction of the posterior capsule, which can be seen clinically by a limitation in trans-thoracic adduction and internal rotation. Some authors (Warner et al., 1990; Tyler et al., 2000; Matsen and Artnz, 2004), maintain that a number of patients with impingement syndrome show a decreased trans-thoracic adduction and internal rotation caused by the thickening and shortening of the posterior glenohumeral capsule. From a clinical point of view, Tyler et al. (2000) and Lin and Yang (2006) have demonstrated that there is a strict correlation between loss of trans-thoracic adduction and limitation of internal rotation. The relationship between these two limitations is that 1 cm of transthoracic adduction corresponds to an internal rotation reduction of 41. Harryman et al. (1990), in their study on glenohumeral arthrokinematics, introduced for the first time the concept of obligate translation. Obligate translation
Instructional Scaffolding to Improve Students’ Skills in Evaluating Clinical Literature

Objective. To implement and assess the effectiveness of an activity to teach pharmacy students to critically evaluate clinical literature using instructional scaffolding and a Clinical Trial Evaluation Rubric. Design. The literature evaluation activity centered on a single clinical research article and involved individual, small group, and large group instruction, with carefully structured, evidence-based scaffolds and support materials centered around 3 educational themes: (1) the reader9s awareness of text organization, (2) contextual/background information and vocabulary, and (3) questioning, prompting, and self-monitoring (metacognition). Assessment. Students initially read the article, scored it using the rubric, and wrote an evaluation. Students then worked individually using a worksheet to identify and define 4 to 5 vocabulary/concept knowledge gaps. They then worked in small groups and as a class to further improve their skills. Finally, they assessed the same article using the rubric and writing a second evaluation. Students’ rubric scores for the article decreased significantly from a mean pre-activity score of 76.7% to a post-activity score of 61.7%, indicating that their skills in identifying weaknesses in the article9s study design had improved. Conclusion. Use of instructional scaffolding in the form of vocabulary supports and the Clinical Trial Evaluation Rubric improved students’ ability to critically evaluate a clinical study compared to lecture-based coursework alone.
Conducting Polymer Matrix Poly(2,2′-bithiophene) Mercury Metal Incorporation

This paper illustrates an effective method for the incorporation of mercuric ion in an electropolymerized conducting organic poly(2,2'-bithiophene) film. The electracatalytic properties of the polymer film poly(2,2'-bithiophene) were examined by the detection of catechol with and without the incorporation of the mercuric ion utilizing cyclic voltammetry. The SEM and the micro-Raman spectra were employed to examine the entrapment of the mercury into the poly(2,2'-bithiophene). Therefore, the presence of trace amounts of mercury ions are sufficient to destroy the electrocatalytic ability of the polymer poly(2,2'-bithiophene) film electrodes for the oxidation of catechol.
Optimal search of distributed arrival time control

Distributed arrival time control (DATC) is a heuristic feedback control algorithm for scheduling which has been developed for a real-time distributed scheduling of heterarchical systems. It has been renowned not only for its fast solution searching algorithm but also for its flexibility to changing environment. However, the optimality of this heuristic method has not been analytically explained until recently because it has been designed to discover a near optimal solution instead of the true optimum. In this paper, we provide a novel optimal search method for the DATC scheduling problem by introducing a scalar cost function over the vector space of time and show the existence and location of true optima for the DATC scheduling problem through geometric approach. This geometrical interpretation enables us to find the true optimal by direct projection without iterations like previous DATC approaches. Based on the true optimum found, we evaluate the optimality of DATC algorithms by examining their dependenc...
Koiter's Buckling Mode for Short Cylindrical Shells

All working equations (except the assumed deflections) are derived from operations performed on the energy functional, that is, the summation of all the quadratic energy terms associated with the deformation during buckling, as developed by Koiter. This is given in Ref. 1 and has been modified in Ref. 2 to a more suitable form by the addition and subtraction of terms which are shown to be of negligible magnitude. The equilibrium equations in the x, y, and z directions are achieved by applying variational operations to the modified energy functional (including appropriate load terms) with respect to u, v, and w, the shell displacements and their derivatives in the longitudinal and circumferential directions in turn, and setting equal to zero. Two of the four boundary conditions are those traditionally associated with simple supports, namely, that the radial deflections and the axial bending moments at the ends of the cylinder are zero. For the other two conditions it is assumed that the circumferential shear stress ixy and the change in axial stress ax are both zero at the ends. The last three conditions are so-called "natural" boundary conditions derivable from the modified energy functional. Assumed deflections are operated upon according to the equilibrium equations and these, in turn, are reduced to a single characteristic equation in terms of the unknown constant coefficients of the radial deflection w. The roots of this equation, which are functions of the shell parameters, the loading, and the wave numbers in the axial and circumferential directions, are then determined. The assumed deflections are used in the boundary
Statistical and linguistic strategies in the computer grading of essays

Essay tests are used in the schools and colleges of all nations, and in major testing programs of national and eveh international size. Potentially, such essay tests are an important applied field for computational linguistics, and.should eventually provide focus for much work. Yet in the past, little direct attention has been paid to such grading, although there are ways to begin investigation which would not necessarily require much linguistic knowledge beyond that now available.
Gene Editing in Stem Cells Hits the Target

Two recent reports describe promising, highly efficient methods to modify genes in pluripotent stem cells using zinc finger nuclease (ZFN)-mediated (Soldner et al., 2011) or helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAdV)-mediated (Liu et al., 2011b) gene modification. These technical developments will have far ranging effects on the rapidly growing field of regenerative medicine.
The acute effects of local muscle vibration frequency on peak torque, rate of torque development, and EMG activity

Abstract Purpose Vibratory stimuli enhance muscle activity and may be used for rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Efficacy of vibration varies with the frequency of stimulation, but the optimal frequency is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 30 Hz and 60 Hz local muscle vibration (LMV) on quadriceps function. Methods Twenty healthy volunteers (age = 20.4 ± 1.4 years, mass = 68.1 ± 11.0 kg, height = 170.1 ± 8.8 cm, males = 9) participated. Isometric knee extensor peak torque (PT), rate of torque development (RTD), and electromyography (EMG) of the quadriceps were assessed followed by one of the three LMV treatments (30 Hz, 60 Hz, control) applied under voluntary contraction, and again immediately, 5, 15, and 30 min post-treatment in three counterbalanced sessions. Dependent variables were analyzed using condition by time repeated-measures ANOVA. Results The condition × time interaction was significant for EMG amplitude (p = 0.001), but not for PT (p = 0.324) or RTD (p = 0.425). The increase in EMG amplitude following 30 Hz LMV was significantly greater than 60 Hz LMV and control. Conclusions These findings suggest that 30 Hz LMV may elicit an improvement in quadriceps activation and could be used to treat quadriceps dysfunction resulting from knee pathologies.
C–X bond reactivity in the catalytic hydrodehalogenation of haloarenes over unsupported and silica supported Ni

Abstract The hydrodehalogenation (HDH) of fluorobenzene (FB), chlorobenzene (CB), bromobenzene (BB), iodobenzene (IB), 1,3-dichlorobenzene (1,3-DCB), 1,3-dibromobenzene (1,3-DBB) and 1,3-bromochlorobenzene (1,3-BCB) has been studied over Ni/SiO2 at 573 K. In the case of the mono-haloarenes, HDH activity decreased in the order FB > CB > BB > IB, an effect that is discussed in terms of halogen inductive effects. The conversion of the di-substituted benzenes (at a common inlet X/Ni molar ratio) was significantly lower (by a factor of up to 2) than that recorded for the mono-haloarenes, i.e. the presence of a second electron withdrawing halogen substituent lowered the overall level of HDH. A decline in HDH activity with time-on-stream was observed in every instance. Catalyst activation via direct temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) has been monitored with on-line thermogravimetric/mass spectrometric/thermal conductivity analyses. The incorporation of a calcination step prior to reduction resulted in a marked decline in HDH activity. The pre- and post-reaction catalyst samples have been characterized by BET area measurements, X-ray diffractograms (XRD) and H2 chemisorption/temperature-programmed desorption. TPR analyses of the post catalysis (passivated) samples were also conducted and compared with the response recorded for the unused catalysts. The loss of activity is linked to halogen/Ni interactions resulting in a suppression of H2 uptake with possible Ni sintering and a disruption of the H2/catalyst interactions. In the hydrotreatment of 1,3-BCB, the level of debromination exceeded that of dechlorination, a result that we attribute to a surface hydrochlorination and Cl exchange with the Br substituent on the aromatic ring. This effect extends to reactions over bulk NiO and NiO + SiO2 mixtures.
Longitudinal assessment of perceptual-motor abilities in pre-school preterm children

Abstract Objective To verify the value of early perceptual-motor assessment in preterms. Methods The M-ABC2 was performed below the age 3 years–4 months and 1 year later. Results At 4 years children showed a significant improvement in the scores and reduced rate of refusals. Conclusion Early findings may be related to delayed maturation.
Effects of propranolol on phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and mitogen-activated protein kinase activities in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells

High doses of propranolol inhibit phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) activity in intact cells, thus blocking metabolism of phosphatidic acid (PA), product of the phospholipase D (PLD) reaction. Vasopressin and phorbol ester activate PLD and ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) mitogen-activated protein kinases in A7r5, a rat vascular smooth muscle cell line. Propranolol increased PA levels in intact A7r5 cells and inhibited cytosolic PAP and membrane calcium-independent phospholipase A2 but did not activate PLD or enhance agonist-induced PA accumulation. Incubation of cells with 200 microM propranolol for 10-45 min markedly elevated PA but caused only partial activation of ERKs. Propranolol and other lipophilic amines caused a time- and dose-dependent detachment of cells from their substrate. These results confirm that elevation of PA is not a strong signal for ERK activation and emphasize that caution should be exercised in using propranolol as a PAP inhibitor in intact cells.
The private practice of social work: Current trends and projected scenarios in a managed care environment

This article reviews the status of the social work labor force engaged in the private practice of social work based on data drawn from the full membership of the National Association of Social Workers. The demographics, areas of practice, income, and career development patterns of this sub-set of social workers are explored. These trends and issues are then discussed within the context of the realities of actual and potential changes in the mental health system of care in this society and their implications for private practice. Despite clear patterns which show a consistent upward trend in the proportion of social workers engaged in the private practice of social work, the current political and economic environment raises substantial questions about the nature and breadth of this component of social work practice in the future.
Scrap the carbon tariff

Despite their political popularity, carbon tariffs will be next to impossible to implement effectively, and as such will do little to solve the climate problem.
Meeting the Needs of Students With Coexisting Visual Impairments and Learning Disabilities

The coexistence of visual impairments and learning disabilities presents unique challenges. It is imperative that teachers be apprised of the characteristics of this population as well as instructional strategies targeted at meeting their unique needs. The authors highlight typical patterns of performance and provide suggestions for effective intervention.
Two pathways for insulin metabolism in adipocytes

Abstract Using selected conditions, the appropriate collagenase, albumin and cell treatment, a preparation of isolated adipocytes was developed with no extracellular insulin degrading activity. Cell mediated insulin degradation rates were 0.68%±0.05%/100 000 cell/h using trichloracetic acid precipitability as a measure. Chloroquine (CQ) increased cell-associated radioactivity and decreased degradation while dansylcadaverine (DC), PCMBS and bacitracin (BAC) decreased degradation with no effect on binding. Extraction and chromatography of the cell-associated radioactivity showed 3 peaks, a large molecular weight peak, a small molecular weight peak and an insulin-sized peak. CQ, DC and BAC all decreased the small molecular weight peak while CQ and DC also increased the peak of large molecular weight radioactivity. Cell mediated insulin degradation in the presence of combinations of inhibitors suggested two pathways in adipocytes, one affected by inhibitors of the insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) (bacitracin and PCMBS) and the other altered by cell processing inhibitors (DC, CQ and phenylarsenoxide). Chloroquine altered the pattern of the insulin-sized cell-associated HPLC assayed degradation products, further supporting two pathways of degradation; one a chloroquine-sensitive and one a chloroquine-insensitive pathway.
Response and eigenvalue analysis of stochastic finite element systems with multiple correlated material and geometric properties

Abstract The variability of the random response displacements and eigenvalues of structures with multiple uncertain material and geometric properties are studied in this paper using variability response functions. The material and geometric properties are assumed to be described by cross-correlated stochastic fields. Specifically, two types of problems are considered: the response displacement variability of plane stress/plane strain structures with stochastic elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and thickness, and the eigenvalue variability of beam and plate structures with stochastic elastic modulus and mass density. The variance of the displacement/eigenvalue is expressed as the sum of integrals that involve the auto-spectral density functions characterizing the structural properties, the cross-spectral density functions between the structural properties, and the deterministic variability response functions. This formulation yields separate terms for the contributions to the response displacement/eigenvalue variability from the auto-correlation of each of the material/geometric properties, and from the cross-correlation between these properties. The variability response functions are used to compute engineering-wise very important spectral-distribution-free realizable upper bounds of the displacement/eigenvalue variability. Using this formulation, it is also possible to compute the displacement/eigenvalue variability for prescribed auto- and cross-spectral density functions.
Anarchy and Order [On Computing]

Computing amplifies governments' actions but can also temper their behavior by enabling mechanisms for private communication and for open, transparent communication by a nation's people. Similarly,...
The familiar observer: seeing beyond the expected in educational research

Reflection on subjectivity in the qualitative research process is fundamental to the methodology. Although much attention is paid to what to do (identify subjectivities), there is much less emphasis on how one should do this. Furthermore, a researcher engaged in an intimately familiar setting, such as a typical American classroom, faces the unique challenge of sifting through vast stores of prior knowledge and beliefs that influence perceptions of observed instruction, including experiences as a K-12 learner and classroom teacher. As a novice qualitative researcher and former special educator drawn to questions involving instructional practice in reading comprehension, I struggled to balance my emotional responses to observed instruction with my need to understand teachers' decision-making. I begin by sharing my own experiences as a novice researcher, brought forward from artefacts of that time. Moving to the present, I reflect on my early misperceptions, and conclude with recommendations for working with...
Alternative anesthetic technique for maxillary periodontal surgery.

Background: Maxillary periodontal surgery typically requires multiple injections and may inadvertently affect facial structures such as the upper lip, lateral aspect of the nose, and lower eyelid. To minimize these sequelae and reduce the number of total injections, a relatively new injection technique has been proposed for maxillary procedures. The anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) injection is reported to effectively anesthetize maxillary teeth and associated gingival tissues extending from the buccal root of the first molar mesially to the central incisor with a single injection while avoiding undesirable side effects. The purpose of this article is to provide background information on the AMSA injection and demonstrate its use in a variety of maxillary periodontal surgeries.Methods: Anesthesia was provided for five separate maxillary periodontal surgeries with unilateral or bilateral AMSA injections. Injections were administered via conventional syringe with a 27-gauge needle. Confirmation of a...
Infinite families of bi-embeddings

Abstract A graph G is said to be ( p 1 , p 2 ) be-embeddable if there exist two subgraphs H 1 and H 2 of G with H 1 ∪ H 2 = G so that H 1 is embedded on S p 1 and H 2 is embedded on S p 2 where S p 1 and S p 2 are orientable surfaces of genera p 1 and p 2 respectively. Several infinite families of bi-embeddings of complete graphs are exhibited. Results from a computer search for additional bi-embeddings are also included. Finally, an unsolved problem is presented.
Multidimensional orthogonal filter bank characterization and design using the Cayley transform

We present a complete characterization and design of orthogonal infinite impulse response (IIR) and finite impulse response (FIR) filter banks in any dimension using the Cayley transform (CT). Traditional design methods for one-dimensional orthogonal filter banks cannot be extended to higher dimensions directly due to the lack of a multidimensional (MD) spectral factorization theorem. In the polyphase domain, orthogonal filter banks are equivalent to paraunitary matrices and lead to solving a set of nonlinear equations. The CT establishes a one-to-one mapping between paraunitary matrices and para-skew-Hermitian matrices. In contrast to the paraunitary condition, the para-skew-Hermitian condition amounts to linear constraints on the matrix entries which are much easier to solve. Based on this characterization, we propose efficient methods to design MD orthogonal filter banks and present new design results for both IIR and FIR cases.
Data Management of Aero Engine Turbine Design Integration System

According to the features of more computational efforts and high memory in the complicated design process of aero-engine turbine, a data management solution based on C/S network structure is presented. The version management of design data is completed by four components. COM technology is adopted in the functional implementation of each component. Incremental data storage is used in every design module, which minimizes data redundancy and maximizes data connectivity. In the scheme data management, three-layered version identification is designed and version combination based on restraint is presented. Large amount of data produced in the design process is managed effectively. Data reusability is enhanced and quality of design is improved.
Perspectives on the U.S. Paper Industry and Sustainable Production

Summary In the past decade and a half, the U.S. paper industry became the target of an unusual convergence of environmental concerns. These concerns have focused on the industrys role in forest and biodiversity depletion, the municipal solid waste management crisis, and various toxic chemical pollution problems. Although such concerns are traditionally treated as distinct environmental policy areas, the prominence of the paper industvs impacts in each area gave rise to an increasingly integrated environmental perspective fixed on the system of paper production and consumption, and on the paper industry itself. The argument advanced here suggests that the structure of the modem industry itself must be a central focus in a more integrated environmental perspective that can meaningfully accommodate the multiple social, economic, and ecological goals of sustainabilrty. Two issues, paper recycling and the use of nonwood fiber sources, are discussed from this point of view. The article concludes with a discussion of how a sectoral analysis of environmental problems can be Addrw correspondence tot used to frame a comprehensive strategic vision of attemative futures in the industry, and to design effective public policies and strategies
Reasoning and personal epistemology: A critical reconstruction

This article aims to initiate a critical reconstruction of theory and research on reasoning and personal epistemology prompted by socio-philosophical critiques of rationalism and by a theoretical perspective according to which both discourses of knowledge and modes of thought are constituted in a power-infused sociocultural order structured materially and discursively by gender, ‘race,’ and socioeconomic class. A new qualitative methodology is introduced, particularizing participants in terms of their social location and modes of thought while also formulating cross-sectional analytical constructs. New analytical constructs for characterizing epistemic resources ostensibly brought into reasoning are interpretively induced from data through a quasi-inductive process informed by critical philosophical perspectives on knowledge. Theoretical implications point to the functional interplay of dominant and subversive discourses of knowledge in the constitution of thought, the complex assemblage of discursive res...
Stability of serum-free and purified baculovirus stocks under various storage conditions.

In a context of large-scale production of baculoviruses in serum-free media for use as gene delivery vectors, the stability of these viruses has become an important factor. The development of robust processes heavily relies on baculovirus stock stability. In the present work, we studied over a period of 300 days the stability of baculovirus vectors produced in serum-free media stored at 4, -20, or -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen. The viral stocks investigated were either crude baculovirus supernatant, baculovirus supernatant concentrated 10 times and diafiltered against fresh serum-free media by tangential flow filtration, or baculovirus purified by size exclusion chromatography. The results showed that baculovirus supernatant and diafiltered concentrate stored at 4 °C underwent a progressive loss of infectivity after a period of 100 and 50 days of storage, respectively. Aggregation has been recognized as the probable mechanism for the loss of infectivity. Baculovirus stocks were unstable at -20 °C, whereas in liquid nitrogen they retained infectivity after successive freeze thaw cycles. Concentration and diafiltration of baculovirus supernatant prior to storing at -80 °C contributed to improving viral stock stability over time. Glycerol as well as DMSO and sucrose have proven to be equally effective as additives to maintain the purified baculovirus stability after storage at -80 °C or in liquid nitrogen.
The Multiple Menu Model for Developing Differentiated Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented

The history of curriculum development for the gifted has witnessed a seesaw effect rather than an appropriate balance between authentic knowledge (content) and instructional techniques (process). T...
PTPN11 Mutations Are Associated with Mild Growth Hormone Resistance in Individuals with Noonan Syndrome

Context: Noonan syndrome is frequently associated with an unclear disturbance of GH secretion. Half the individuals with Noonan syndrome carry a heterozygous mutation of the nonreceptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase, Src homology region 2-domain phosphatase-2 (SHP-2), encoded by PTPN11, which has a role in GH receptor signaling. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare GH secretion and IGF-I/IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels of the SHP-2 mutation-positive (mut+ group) vs. mutation-negative individuals (mut− group). Design, Setting, and Patients: All children presenting to us with short stature plus at least three typical anomalies of Noonan syndrome or pulmonic stenosis during the last 5 yr (n = 29; 10 females and 19 males) were recruited. Auxological data, dysmorphic features, and cardiac morphology were documented. Hormone levels were measured by RIA. All coding exons of PTPN11 were sequenced after PCR amplification. Intervention: A prepubertal subgroup (n = 11) was treated with re...
Assessing the Potential of E-mail for Communicating Drug Therapy Recommendations to Physicians in Patients With Heart Failure and Ventricular-Assist Devices

Purpose: This project explores electronic mail (e-mail) as a potential medium for pharmacists to communicate pharmacotherapy interventions to prescribers. Methods: This retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted at an urban, academic teaching hospital. The pharmacist attempted a drug therapy intervention via e-mail when unable to make face-to-face contact with the attending physician. Eligible patients for this project were admitted to the advanced heart failure (HF) team between December 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011, and had at least 1 attempted e-mail intervention. The primary outcome was the number of accepted interventions, while the secondary end point was the time until a physician e-mail response. Results: A total of 51 e-mail interventions were attempted on 29 patients (mean age = 53, 24% caucasian, 59% male, 69% left ventricular-assist device [VAD]). Overall, of the total 51 interventions,44 (86.3%) were accepted. The average time to a physician e-mail response was 41 minutes. Initiation of d...
Change with temperature of the ESR spectra of methacrylic acid radicals

In order to elucidate the structure of methacrylic acid radicals, the change with observation temperature of the ESR spectrum of free radicals trapped in solid methacrylic acid γ-irradiated at −196°C was studied. Below −80°C, we found a 9-line spectrum, which is similar to the ordinary 9-line spectrum observed in irradiated poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(methyl methacrylate), but which differs in the stronger intensity of the so-called 4-line component. Our 9-line spectrum changes reversibly into a 13-line spectrum above −80°C. With broad-line NMR measurements of methacrylic acid, it was found that there is such an unusual crystalline transition around −30°C that the line width is narrower in the lower-temperature region (phase II) than that in the higher-temperature region (phase I). The change of the ESR spectrum can be interpreted in terms of the exchange of the two β-protons due to the hindered oscillation around the CαCβ bond of the single radical ···CβH2Cα(CH3)COOH if one assumes the gradual change of the hindering potential barrier caused by the crystalline transition and the lower barrier in phase II. The modified Bloch treatment gave the hindering potential barrier to be 7.2 kcal/mole in phase I and 1.5 kcal/mole in phase II. The difference between our 9-line spectrum and the ordinary one with the very weak 4-line component comes from the difference of the surrounding matrix.
Solenoid-Coupled READ-ONLY Memory

This paper describes a READ-ONLY memory utilizing the mutual coupling of two solenoids for information storage. The properties of the proposed memory element and the batch-fabricated memory array are discussed. Experimental results on a 256-word, 36-bit-per-word memory stack operating at memory cycle frequency varying up to 10 MHz are reported. A proposed full-size 256-word, 288-bit-per-word, READ-ONLY memory is evaluated together with cost analysis to demonstrate its economic practicability.
Medical, psychological and social correlates of work disability among men with coronary artery disease

This study identifies the medical, psychologic and social factors that independently affect employment in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). At coronary angiography, extensive clinical, psychological and social profiles were collected on 814 men younger than 60 years with documented CAD. Clinical factors studied included measures of symptom severity, prior myocardial infarction, coronary anatomy and left ventricular function. Psychosocial factors studied included the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Zung Depression and Anxiety Scales, a type A structured interview, Jenkins Activity Survey and measures of education and social support. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relative strength of the relation between these different factors and the patients' employment status. Many single factors differed between the 204 men (25%) who were disabled and the 610 (75%) who were not. Disabled men were less educated but no different in age, marital status or number of dependents. Disabled men had lower ejection fractions and higher indexes of angina, previous myocardial infarction and coexisting vascular disease. Disabled men also were more depressed and anxious and had lower ego strength and higher hypochondriasis scores on the MMPI, but were no different in type A behavior. By multivariable analysis, the most significant (p less than 0.01) independent predictors of work disability were, in decreasing order of importance, low education level, history of myocardial infarction, high levels of depression and high levels of hypochondriasis. It is concluded that psychological and social factors are strongly related to work status in patients with CAD, and may be more important than medical factors.
Iron Supplementation: Country Level Experiences and Lessons Learned

Iron supplementation is a commonly used strategy to meet the increased requirements of at-risk groups, such as women of childbearing age, especially during pregnancy. Other at-risk groups for which iron supplementation may be appropriate include infants, young children, adolescents and the elderly. There is a need to consider iron supplementation as part of a comprehensive strategy for the prevention of iron deficiency, and not just as a treatment for anemia that is stopped as soon as clinical improvement is noted. Experience in developing countries indicates that often the poorest women with the most deficient intakes are the least likely to receive iron supplements during pregnancy. Providing supplements to women during antenatal care visits is useful but often inadequate, so other delivery channels must also be explored, including private sector markets and community networks. Communication efforts must be expanded to increase understanding of the importance of taking supplements and to address any fears or misconceptions relating to supplementation. Overall, we must increase the capacity of individuals and communities to define, analyze and act to address their own health needs.
Are altered pHi and membrane potential in hu MDR 1 transfectants sufficient to cause MDR protein-mediated multidrug resistance?

Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by overexpression of the MDR protein (P-glycoprotein) has been associated with intracellular alkalinization, membrane depolarization, and other cellular alterations. However, virtually all MDR cell lines studied in detail have been created via protocols that involve growth on chemotherapeutic drugs, which can alter cells in many ways. Thus it is not clear which phenotypic alterations are explicitly due to MDR protein overexpression alone. To more precisely define the MDR phenotype mediated by hu MDR 1 protein, we co-transfected hu MDR 1 cDNA and a neomycin resistance marker into LR73 Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts and selected stable G418 (geneticin) resistant transfectants. Several clones expressing different levels of hu MDR 1 protein were isolated. Unlike previous work with hu MDR 1 transfectants, the clones were not further selected with, or maintained on, chemotherapeutic drugs. These clones were analyzed for chemotherapeutic drug resistance, intracellular pH (pHi), membrane electrical potential (Vm), and stability of MDR 1 protein overexpression. LR73/hu MDR 1 clones exhibit elevated pHi and are depolarized, consistent with previous work with LR73/mu MDR 1 transfectants (Luz, J.G. L.Y. Wei, S. Basu, and P.D. Roepe. 1994. Biochemistry. 33:7239-7249). The extent of these perturbations is related to the level of hu MDR 1 protein that is expressed. Cytotoxicity experiments with untransfected LR73 cells with elevated pHi due to manipulating percent CO2 show that the pHi perturbations in the MDR 1 clones can account for much of the measured drug resistance. Membrane depolarization in the absence of MDR protein expression is also found to confer mild drug resistance, and we find that the pHi and Vm changes can conceivably account for the altered drug accumulation measured for representative clones. These data indicate that the MDR phenotype unequivocally mediated by MDR 1 protein overexpression alone can be fully explained by the perturbations in Vm and pHi that accompany this overexpression. In addition, MDR mediated by MDR protein overexpression alone differs significantly from that observed for MDR cell lines expressing similar levels of MDR protein but also exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Clock and data recovery with adaptive loop gain for spread spectrum SerDes applications

A novel clock and data recovery architecture with adaptive loop gain is proposed for spread spectrum SerDes (serializer/deserializer) applications such as serial AT attachment. The proposed design consists of a half-rate Alexander phase detector, a phase-shifting phase interpolator with a frequency differentiator and an adaptive loop gain filter. The frequency differentiator determines the clock rate difference between the referenced clock and the recovered clock. This value is then used to adjust the gain of the adaptive loop filter for better acquisition of lock with minimized jitter. The proposed design can be implemented in a digital CMOS process which reduces the design difficulty and cost. System operation has been verified using the Cadence SpectreRF and Verilog-A simulators. The results show that the system is capable of recovering /spl plusmn/5000 ppm spread spectrum data with up to a maximum of 0.5 UI of deterministic jitter.
Traditional reactive carbonyl scavengers do not prevent the carbonylation of brain proteins induced by acute glutathione depletion

This study investigated the effect of reactive carbonyl species (RCS)-trapping agents on the formation of protein carbonyls during depletion of brain glutathione (GSH). To this end, rat brain slices were incubated with the GSH-depletor diethyl maleate in the absence or presence of chemically different RCS scavengers (hydralazine, methoxylamine, aminoguanidine, pyridoxamine, carnosine, taurine and z-histidine hydrazide). Despite their strong reactivity towards the most common RCS, none of the scavengers tested, with the exception of hydralazine, prevented protein carbonylation. These findings suggest that the majority of protein-associated carbonyl groups in this oxidative stress paradigm do not derive from stable lipid peroxidation products like malondialdehyde (MDA), acrolein and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). This conclusion was confirmed by the observation that the amount of MDA-, acrolein- and 4-HNE-protein adducts does not increase upon GSH depletion. Additional studies revealed that the efficacy of hydralazine at preventing carbonylation was due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress, most likely by inhibiting mitochondrial production of superoxide and/or by scavenging lipid free radicals.
Cns Involvement From Mycosis Fungoides With CD 30 Transformation

Mycosis fungoides with central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare event. Most cases evolve from progressive tumor stage skin disease or CD30 large cell transformation. Cases with CD 30 transformation can show CNS involvement without advanced skin disease. We report a 63 year-old woman with 6 year history of mycosis fungoides with patch and plaque stage disease who developed a single 2.5 cm tumor on the left chest without lymphadenopathy. Histology revealed a dense infiltrate of small atypical lymphocytes with cerebriform nuclei. Immunohistochemistry showed CD 4+, CD 43+ and CD 30- staining. Within 2 weeks she developed ataxia and right-sided weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed left frontal and brainstem masses. Stereotactic biopsy showed a dense infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes with large convoluted nuclei. The immunohistochemistry showed a population of CD 4+, CD 43+, Alk-1- cells with CD 30+ transformation. Gene rearrangement studies for the gamma T cell receptor on the skin patch and tumor as well as brain tumor failed to reveal a monoclonal population in any of the specimens. No other areas of involvement were found on complete staging. This case is an example of tumor stage MF with CD 30 transformation and CNS involvement.
A Mathematica'l Magic Trick

(1994). A Mathematica'l Magic Trick. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 325-326.
Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods: Theory and Applications

Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms constitute flexible and powerful solutions to Bayesian inverse problems. They return a sample of the unapproximated posterior probability density, and make no assumptions as to linearity or the form of the prior or likelihood. MCMC algorithms are in principle easy to construct, however, they can prove difficult to implement in practice. This chapter describes the theory that underlies MCMC simulation, provides guidance for its practical implementation, and presents examples of applications of MCMC to satellite retrievals and model uncertainty characterization. Though the high dimensionality of Earth system datasets and the complexity of atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic models present significant challenges, continued advances in theory and practice are making application of MCMC algorithms increasingly feasible.
Distributed communication-aware coverage control by mobile sensor networks

The purpose of this paper is to propose a distributed control scheme to maximize area coverage by a mobile robot network while ensuring reliable communication between the members of the team. The information that is generated at the sensors depends on the sensing capabilities of the sensors as well as on the frequency at which events occur in their vicinity, captured by appropriate probability density functions. This information is then routed to a fixed set of access points via a multi-hop network whose links model the probability that information packets are correctly decoded at their intended destinations. The proposed distributed control scheme simultaneously optimizes coverage and routing of information by sequentially alternating between optimization of the two objectives. Specifically, optimization of the communication variables is performed periodically in the dual domain. Then, between communication rounds, the robots move to optimize coverage. Motion control is due to the solution of a distributed sequential concave program that handles efficiently the introduced nonlinearities in the mobility space. Our method is illustrated in computer simulations.