cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellulose catabolism and lipid synthesis by normally and abnormally faunated termites, Reticulitermes flavipes

Abstract Normally faunated termites, Reticulitermes flavipes, readily converted 14C from labeled cellulose into lipids, but any alteration of the protozoa complement markedly diminished this conversion. Triglycerides, the predominant lipid class, and oleic acid, the predominant fatty acid, were depleted in abnormally faunated termites, which suggests that oleic acid stored in triglycerides is a major energy source during stress. The ability to convert 14C from labeled cellulose into lipids did increase somewhat in abnormally faunated termites 18 days after defaunation, perhaps because remaining protozoa species or bacteria partially compensate for missing protozoa.
Asymptomatic Blastomycosis of the Central Nervous System with Progression in Patients Given Ketoconazole Therapy: A Report of Two Cases

Ketoconazole (KTZ) has largely replaced amphotericin B as first-line therapy for blastomycosis. However, KTZ penetrates poorly into the central nervous system (CNS), and therapeutic failure may be caused by initially unrecognized CNS infection. Two patients (22% [2/9] of all culture-proven cases of blastomycosis at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, over 15 years) developed CNS blastomycosis while receiving KTZ. Neither initially had CNS symptoms; both had cutaneous and pulmonary disease that responded to KTZ. If KTZ or other fungistatic imidazoles are to continue as primary therapy for blastomycosis, studies are needed to improve the ability to identify patients likely to experience treatment failure or develop CNS disease. Possibly all patients with disseminated blastomycosis, even those without CNS symptoms, should have lumbar puncture and computed tomography of the head before therapy. Critical evaluation of their immune function also may be required before making a therapeutic decision to use KTZ or amphotericin B.
Yield phenomenon in oriented polyethylene terephthalate

Abstract The object of this investigation was to determine the origin of deformation bands in one-way oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and their relation to the upper yield point. The tensile yield point was measured at room temperature as a function of the angle (θ) between the original draw direction and the tensile axis. The effect of strain rate was observed. The growth and geometry of deformation bands were studied. The results showed that the formation of a deformation band in PET cannot be interpreted as the strength-limiting yield mechanism for all θ and that the viscoelastic behavior plays the primary part in determining the yield point of this semicrystalline polymer.
Kinesthetic motor imagery and spinal excitability: the effect of contraction intensity and spatial localization.

Abstract Objective Data on whether motor imagery (MI) modulates spinal excitability are equivocal. The purpose of this study was to determine if imagined muscle contractions of the left plantar flexor (PF) alter spinal excitability, and if so, to determine whether this alteration is intensity dependent and/or localized to the target muscles. Our research questions required two experiments. Methods In experiment 1, 16 healthy volunteers performed imagined muscle contractions using a kinesthetic approach with their left PF at 25% and 100% of imagined effort (IE). The soleus H-reflex was evoked during three conditions, which were separated by about 15s: rest (preceding MI), during MI, and recovery (following the cessation of MI). In experiment 2, a subset of subjects from experiment 1 performed MI with their left PF at 100% of IE, while either the soleus or flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflex was measured. Results In experiment 1, we observed a facilitation of soleus H-wave amplitude during MI compared to the rest and recovery conditions ( p p p Conclusions These findings suggest MI can increase spinal excitability by the intensity of imagined effort, but this effect is not fully localized to the task specific muscle. Significance These data provide evidence that MI can increase spinal excitability in healthy subjects, which suggests future studies are warranted to examine the clinical relevance of this effect. These studies are needed to help establish a therapeutic theory by which to advance motor function rehabilitation using MI.
Determining the value of conservation to Thailand's electric utility

Incorporating demand-side resources into the planning regime of fast-growing electric utilities in developing countries is a particular challenge. A method is developed for valuing the contribution of conservation under these circumstances and illustrated through scenarios of electricity savings in Thailand's large commercial sector. The primary value of these scenarios is in the creation of opportunities to defer or cancel plants planned for future inclusion in the system. The benefits of such deferments are twofold: a direct reduction in capacity needs commensurate with the load impacts of the scenario, plus a reduction in the reserve margin required to maintain system reliability. Comparison of the capital requirements of the conservation scenarios versus the deferrable plant capacity showed that conservation is substantially less capital intensive. >
MAFIC: adaptive packet dropping for cutting malicious flows to push back DDoS attacks

In this paper, we propose a new approach called MAFIC (malicious flow identification and cutoff) to support adaptive packet dropping to fend off DDoS attacks. MAFIC works by judiciously issuing lightweight probes to flow sources to check if they are legitimate. Through such probing, MAFIC would drop malicious attack packets with high accuracy while minimizes the loss on legitimate traffic flows. Our NS-2 based simulation indicates that MAFIC algorithm drops packets from unresponsive potential attack flows with an accuracy as high as 99% and reduces the loss of legitimate flows to less than 3%. Furthermore, the false positive and negative rates are low-only around 1% for a majority of the cases.
Der Abbau von Polyäthylenterephthalat

Die vielfaltigen Anwendungen des Polyathylenterephthalats erfordern eine hohe Stabilitat dieses Polyesters gegenuber Abbaureaktionen. Durch umfangreiche Untersuchungen des thermisch, hydrolytisch, oxidativ und durch Strahlung induzierten Abbaus wurden zumindest Teilschritte dieser Reaktionen aufgeklart. Die Verwendung von Estern als Modellverbindungen anstelle von polymeren Substanzen erleichterte die Interpretation kinetischer Untersuchungen und die Identifizierung der Reaktionsprodukte.
Recurring patterns in the run-up to house price busts

We present evidence that shows that large increases in credit and residential investment shares, along with deteriorating current account balances, provide useful leading indicators of house price busts. These variables also explain cross-sectional patterns in the build-up to the 2007 crisis. Interestingly, movements in output and inflation have little ability to predict house price busts.
Defining Relevant Markets for Mergers and Acquisitions Involving Communications Services

Over the past twenty years, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice have reviewed many mergers in the communications sector. Without quantitative analyses, the federal agencies have consistently defined unchanging separate relevant markets for wireline and wireless services for antitrust reviews. The agencies have incentives not to change relevant market definitions, although both new technologies and aggregate data likely support new relevant market definitions. A contemporary relevant market definition may include both wireline and wireless services.
Do High-Spin Topology Rules Apply to Charged Polyradicals? Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation of Pyridiniums as Magnetic Coupling Units

Ab initio calculations on pyridine and pyridinium analogues of m-xylylene indicate that the neutral heterocycle is essentially equivalent to benzene as a ferromagnetic coupling unit, while the cationic pyridiniums behave much differently. Depending on the substitution pattern, a protonated pyridine can serve as a ferromagnetic coupling unit or an antiferromagnetic coupling unit. Both valence bond and molecular orbital arguments provide qualitative rationalizations of these results. In an effort to test the theoretical predictions, bis(trimethylenemethane) analogues of the pyridine and pyridinium biradicals were synthesized and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. General support for the theoretical predictions is obtained.
Nonlinear dimensionality reduction of electroencephalogram (EEG) for Brain Computer interfaces

Patterns in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are analyzed for a Brain Computer Interface (BCI). An important aspect of this analysis is the work on transformations of high dimensional EEG data to low dimensional spaces in which we can classify the data according to mental tasks being performed. In this research we investigate how a Neural Network (NN) in an auto-encoder with bottleneck configuration can find such a transformation. We implemented two approximate second-order methods to optimize the weights of these networks, because the more common first-order methods are very slow to converge for networks like these with more than three layers of computational units. The resulting non-linear projections of time embedded EEG signals show interesting separations that are related to tasks. The bottleneck networks do indeed discover nonlinear transformations to low-dimensional spaces that capture much of the information present in EEG signals. However, the resulting low-dimensional representations do not improve classification rates beyond what is possible using Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) on the original time-lagged EEG.
What does the Medicare prescription drug legislation mean for the American cardiologist

The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 authorized the most sweeping changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs since their inception in 1965. One key feature, a prescription drug benefit, will begin enrolling seniors in November 2005, and the benefit will begin in January 2006. This benefit will have complex and largely unknown effects on medication adherence in the elderly. It has a complex system of copayments and deductibles and subsidy eligibility requirements, as well as a “donut hole.” Drug coverage for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid will change greatly. Medicare beneficiaries will have to choose from a large, bewildering choice of prescription plans and many will turn to their physicians for advice. This article details the background, benefits, and expected impact of all of these aspects of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.
Dynamic modeling and adaptive predictive control (APC) of drilling of composite materials

Dynamic modeling and adaptive predictive control of drilling force of composite materials are developed. A linear dynamic model is applied to predict the drilling force as a function of the drill feedrate. It can predict force locally for the tuned case under the condition of small variation of operation range. An adaptive strategy is used to estimate model parameters in real time so that the linear model may be applied to the whole drilling process in the situation of large variation of operation range. The loop gain is assumed to be locally time invariant in the prediction horizon and a multi-step ahead prediction model is proposed. An adaptive predictive control strategy is utilized to regulate the thrust force in the drilling process. Simulation and experimental results are presented.
Environmental Fate and Transport of Energetic Materials: The Aqueous Environment

This project strives to improve our understanding of the environmental behavior of energetic materials (EM) in soil and water resources, to facilitate development of improved remediation strategies. The current work uses pseudo- potential DFT/Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics to study the interaction of traditional and model notional energetic materials in the aqueous environment. The aqueous behavior of RDX, FOX7, and 5-Aminotetrazole are compared and contrasted.
Documentation of Complete Resolution of Gestational Choriocarcinoma in the Oophorectomized Patient

A 39-year-old woman with choriocarcinoma metastatic to the lungs and parametrium underwent total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and follow-up chemotherapy with regression of the hCG assay, plateauing at 9 mIU/ml. Spinal fluid hCG assay was negative. An LH assay was performed which was 135 mIU/ml (2nd IRP-HMG). A quantitative hCG assay was performed on two sources of purified LH at varying concentrations to determine the contribution of LH cross-reactivity. When corrected for the LH contribution, the quantitative hCG was zero. Chemotherapy was discontinued. At 12-months follow-up the patient has remained in complete chemical remission and has an excellent performance status. Whenever a patient is oophorectomized, LH cross-reactivity should be ruled out as a cause for persistent low titers of hCG.
Assessment of suicidal ideation in young men and women: the incremental validity of the MMPI-2 content scales.

This study of 139 women and 75 men investigated the incremental validity of the MMPI-2 in assessing suicidal ideation by examining the unique contribution of the 15 content scales beyond what is pr...
In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies of (De)lithiation Mechanism in Silicon Nanowire Anodes

Silicon is a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity. From previous work, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are known to undergo amorphorization during lithiation, and no crystalline Li-Si product has been observed. In this work, we use an X-ray transparent battery cell to perform in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction on SiNWs in real time during electrochemical cycling. At deep lithiation voltages the known metastable Li(15)Si(4) phase forms, and we show that avoiding the formation of this phase, by modifying the SiNW growth temperature, improves the cycling performance of SiNW anodes. Our results provide insight on the (de)lithiation mechanism and a correlation between phase evolution and electrochemical performance for SiNW anodes.
Role of angiotensin II in the enhancement of ammonia production and secretion by the proximal tubule in metabolic acidosis

Acidosis and angiotensin II stimulate ammonia production and transport by the proximal tubule. We examined the modulatory effect of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan on the abilit...
New measurement results and models for non-linear differential amplifier characterization

Previously, the author described a system that provides true differential and common-mode stimulus for CW and modulated RF signals, and presented results of non-linear operation of devices driven with such signals; they were compared with results for the same devices driven at the equivalent drive levels using a single-ended drive and calculating the differential response. Those devices showed no difference, in differential gain terms, whether measured with true-mode or single ended measurements. New results on limiting amplifiers demonstrate a substantial change in the differential gain compression when measured using a true differential mode drive. A theoretical model is developed which considers circuit topology differences and predicts which devices will have non-linear characteristics that change depending upon the test methods. Finally, some difficulties with error correction as applied to differential, non-linear circuits are discussed.
Interleukin 1 or endotoxin increases the release of von Willebrand factor from human endothelial cells.

Summary von Willebrand factor (vWF), a large adhesive glycoprotein, is synthesized by vascular endothelial cells (EC). Plasma levels of vWF manifest a broad normal range, and are elevated during sepsis and in inflammatory states. Since the inflammatory mediator, interleukin 1 (IL1) and bacterial endotoxin (LPS) both initiate procoagulant changes in vascular endothelium, we investigated the effect of these substances on endothelial cell release and residual endothelial cell content of vWF-antigen (vWFAg). Cultured human EC exposed to either IL1 or LPS released greater amounts of vWFAg compared to control EC. The augmented release could be detected within 1–2 h after exposure to IL1 or LPS and was not inhibited by cycloheximide, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis was not required for release to occur. Residual cellular vWFAg was reciprocally lower in IL1- or LPS-treated EC at 24 and 48 h, indicating that compensatory increase in synthesis of vWFAg did not occur during this time interval. Released vWF contained the higher molecular weight multimers observed in normal endothelial cells, and it possessed ristocetin cofactor activity. We propose that release of functional vWF from EC exposed to inflammatory mediators may be at a mechanism for localization of platelets and enhanced thrombogenicity at inflammatory foci.
Selectivity for dimers in pentene oligomerization over acid zeolites

Abstract The reactions of 1-pentene over acid zeolites were investigated in the liquid phase at 473 K. The primary reactions were isomerization, dimerization, and subsequent cracking of dimers. Zeolites consisting of only 10-membered (MFI) or 12-membered rings (FAU, BEA) behaved similarly, with dimerization and subsequent cracking products observed. Zeolites possessing 8-membered rings (MOR, FER) showed very different selectivity from each other and from other zeolites. MOR showed almost complete conversion of C 10 olefins, such that hexene and butene from cracking were the dominant products. FER showed high activity and selectivity for dimerization, with very small amounts of cracking products observed.
Chapter 2 Temperature Distributions and Solid Phase Reaction Rates Produced by Scanning CW Beams

Publisher Summary Quantitative studies of the effects of CW beam processing in various applications require accurate knowledge of the temperature produced by the scanning beam. In comparison to conventional furnace processing, a direct measurement of the temperature is difficult because at any one time, only a small fraction of the sample is heated. As a result, theoretical calculations of the temperature produced by a scanning beam are important for choosing processing parameters that achieve a set of required experimental conditions. This chapter discusses these temperature calculations. The temperature is calculated by solving the heat-flow equation with appropriate source terms and boundary conditions. As the thermal conductivity of semiconductors is a strong function of temperature, this equation is strongly nonlinear and cannot be solved analytically in the general case. However, under steady state conditions, analytic solutions to the heat-flow equation can be obtained using the Kirchhoff transform. With respect to the geometry of the calculations, several distinct regimes are important for practical applications. When lasers or circular electron beams are used, the dimensions of the focused beam are normally small as compared to the semiconductor sample thickness.
Abstract 2948: Ischemic Transient Neurological Events Identified by Immune Response to Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose: Deciphering whether a transient neurological event (TNE) is of ischemic or nonischemic etiology can be challenging. Ischemia of cerebral tissue elicits an immune response in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). This response, as detected by RNA expressed in immune cells, could potentially distinguish ischemic from nonischemic TNE. Design/Methods: Analysis of 208 TIAs, ischemic strokes, controls and TNE was performed. RNA from blood was processed on microarray. TIAs (n=26) and ischemic strokes (n=94) were compared to controls (n=44) to identify differentially expressed genes (FDR Results: Seventy-four genes expressed in TIA were common to those in ischemic stroke. Functional pathways common to TIA and stroke related to activation of innate and adaptive immune systems, involving predominantly granulocytes and B-cells. A prediction model using the common response to ischemia distinguished TIA and strokes from controls with 89% sensitivity and specificity. In the validation cohort, 17/17 TIA-DWI positive / minor-strokes were predicted to be ischemic, and 10/13 nonischemic TNE were predicted to be nonischemic. In TNE of unclear etiology, 71% were predicted to be ischemic. These subjects had higher ABCD2 scores. Conclusions: A common peripheral response to ischemia in TIA and stroke was identified, relating to activation of innate and adaptive immune systems. TNE of ischemic etiology were identified based upon gene profiles that may be of clinical utility with further development.
Null Types of the Human Erythrocyte Blood Groups: Philip Levine Award Lecture

Null types of 12 human erythrocyte blood groups are reviewed. They have helped in identifying new antigens and defining the various genetically-distinct systems. They are very valuable in identifying the antibodies in alloimmunized people and in transfusion therapy of some of these people. Fy(a-b-) erythrocytes resist invasion by malarial parasites. At least two (Rh null and the McLeod type) are responsible for congenital hemolytic disorders. Testing for K15(Kx) on neutrophils appears to be diagnostic for chronic granulomatous disease of the sex-linked recessive type.
EVALUATION OF SELECTED IN-FURROW APPLIED INSECTICIDE/NEMATICIDES, WITH AND WITHOUT AN ADDITIONAL FOLIAR INSECTICIDE BAND, FOR CONTROL OF THRIPS ON COTTON, 1998.

EVALUATION OF SELECTED IN-FURROW APPLIED INSECTICIDE/NEMATICIDES, WITH AND WITHOUT AN ADDITIONAL FOLIAR INSECTICIDE BAND, FOR CONTROL OF THRIPS ON COTTON, 1998. Selected insecticide/nematicides applied into the seed furrow at planting, with and without an additional foliar insecticide band, were evaluated for control of thrips in Virginia cotton. 'Delta and Pine Land 51' cotton was planted 30 Apr at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agric. Res. & Ext. Ctr., Suffolk, VA using a 36-inch row spacing. In-furrow treatments (IF) were applied at the time of planting using tractor-mounted inverted jars with lid holes calibrated to deliver exact amounts via gravity. Gaucho 480 seed treatment was applied commercially. The foliar band was applied in a 12to 14-inch band over the row with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 17.0 gpa at 22 psi through one 8004E flat fan nozzle per row. A RCB design was used with four replicates. Plots were 4 rows by 40 ft. Thrips injury to plants was determined by visually rating injury on a 0 to 5 scale, where 0 = no thrips-induced plant injury, 1 = 10% injured leaves, no bud injury; 2 = 25% injured leaves, no bud injury; 3 = 75% injured leaves, and 0 to 25% buds injured; 4 = 90% injured leaves, and greater than 25% buds injured; and 5 = dead plants. Yield was determined by harvesting the 2 center rows of each plot (80 row-ft per plot) using a commercial 2-row John Deere cotton combine. Sub-samples were ginned to determine lint versus seed and trash weight (41% lint, 59% seed and trash). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD, or Duncan's new multiple range statistical procedures.
Synaptonemal complex analysis of mouse chromosomal rearrangements. I. Cytogenetic observations on a tandem duplication.

Surface spread spermatocytes of mice heterozygous for a tandem duplication show nuclei in late zygotene-early pachytene in which the heteromorphic synaptonemal complex (SC) contains a lateral element that is buckled out into an unpaired loop as a consequence of the added length of the duplication (estimated in another study to be 21.7%, with breakpoints at 0.50 and 0.72 of the length of the chromosome). The ends of the buckle, marking the interstitial termini of synapsis proceeding from opposite directions, vary over a wide range of positions, but within limits: the proximal end of the loop does not exceed the distal end of the duplication segment, while the distal end of the loop does not lie closer to the kinetochore than the proximal end of the segment. Thus, synapsis (SC formation) at zygotene is restricted to homologous regions (exclusive homosynapsis). — In the last half of pachytene, no buckles are found, only simple SCs with lateral elements of equal length, as a consequence of synaptic adjustment. Intermediate stages of adjustment are found throughout the first half of pachytene. Shortly after homosynapsis is complete, synaptic adjustment begins: the ends of the duplication loop separate (desynapsis of homosynapsed regions); the long axis shortens with respect to the short axis in both the unpaired loop and in the SC portions; asymmetrical twists take up inequalities; the loop is reduced to from 1 to 3 asymmetrical twists; the axes (lateral elements) equalize as the long axis shortens; and a simple SC is formed, indistinguishable from others in the complement, in which the region of the duplication and those adjacent to it have heterosynapsed, while the distal regions of the SC are presumably still homosynapsed. Synaptic adjustment evidently involves two sequential events: localized instability of the homosynapsed condition, leading to desynapsis, then restoration of the SC by heterosynapsis. Adjustment therefore represents the loss of strict homosynapsis. It is concluded that the asymmetry produced by the duplication loop constitutes an instability that triggers synaptic adjustment.
Mechanism of pyrogen induced fever.

SummaryTypical pyrogen induced fever occurs under conditions in which increased heat production due to activity of skeletal muscles is not possible. Under these conditions the mechanism of the pyrogenic reaction is one of sudden and marked reduction of heat loss. The slight increase in heat production under these conditions is correlated with the rise in temperature and is assumed to be a consequence rather than a cause of the fever.
Growth slowing after acute Helicobacter pylori infection is age-dependent.

Objective Most Helicobacter pylori infections occur during childhood, but the health effects of childhood infection are poorly understood. We investigated whether growth decreases in the 2 months after acute H. pylori seroconversion. Methods We performed a nested case-control study among children 6 months to 12 years of age in a community on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. Health interviews were completed daily. Anthropometric measurements were taken monthly. Sera were collected every 4 months and tested for H. pylori immunoglobulin G. Two-month height and weight gains of seroconverters were compared with gains of sex, age, and size-matched seronegative controls. Results In the 2 months after H. pylori infection, 26 seroconverters gained a median of 24% less weight than 26 matched controls (interquartile range, 63% less to 21% more). In multivariate analysis, H. pylori infection attenuated weight gain only among children aged 2 years or older. This decrease was not explained by increased diarrhea. Conclusions H. pylori seroconversion is associated with a slowing of weight gain in children aged 2 years or older. Reasons for this finding merit additional study.
Postharvest Water Loss and Storage Quality of Nine Pepper (Capsicum) Cultivars

Nine pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) representing five pepper types were studied to determine water-loss rates, flaccidity, color, and disease development when stored at 8,14, or 20C for 14 days. Water-loss rate was markedly higher at 14C than at 8C, and was somewhat lower at 20C than at 14C. There were significant differences in water- loss rates between pepper cultivar with 'NuMex R Naky', 'NuMex Conquistador', and 'New Mexico 6-4' (New Mexican-type peppers) having the highest water-loss rates. Flaccidity followed a pattern similar to water loss at each storage temperature, suggesting a direct relationship. Color development was cultivar- and package-dependent, and ratings increased with temperature. Placing pepper fruit in perforated polyethylene packages reduced water-loss rates 20 times or more, so that water loss no longer limited postharvest storage. Packaging also eliminated flaccidity and reduced color development across cultivars at 14 and 20C. Packaged fruit, however, developed diseases that limited postharvest longevity. Demand for fresh pungent peppers has greatly increased as southwestern foods have become the most popular ethnic food in the United States (DeWitt, personal communica-
Inflammatory diseases of the temporal bone: evaluation with CT and MR

Contrast enhanced CT and MR are complementary studies in evaluating inflammatory disease of the temporal bone. CT should be performed in preference to MR as the initial examination because of its ability to detect and delineate both soft tissue and bony abnormalities. CT should always be performed if intratympanic pathology is suspected, even if the MR examination is normal. MR can be used to distinguish effusion and cholesterol granuloma from other soft tissue masses in the tympanic cavity. Noncontrast MR cannot differentiate between cholesteatoma and granulation tissue. The efficacy of gadolinium-DTPA in inflammatory disease of the temporal bone awaits further investigation.
Exploring the development and transfer of case use skills in middle-school project-based inquiry classrooms

The ability to interpret and apply experiences, or cases (Kolodner, 1993; 1997) is a skill (Anderson, et. al, 1981; Anderson, 2000) that is key to successful learning that can be transferred (Bransford, Brown & Cocking, 1999) to new learning situations. For middle-schoolers in a project-based inquiry science classroom, interpreting and applying the experiences of experts to inform their design solutions is not always easy (Owensby & Kolodner, 2002). Interpreting and applying an expert case and then assessing the solution that results from that application are the components of a process I call case use. This work seeks to answer three questions: (1) How do small-group case use capabilities develop over time? (2) How well are students able to apply case use skills in new situations over time? (3) What difficulties do learners have as they learn case use skills and as they apply case use skills in new situations? What do these difficulties suggest about how software might further support cognitive skill development using a cognitive apprenticeship (Collins, Brown & Newman, 1989) framework? I argue that if learners in project based inquiry classrooms are able to understand, engage in, and carry out the processes involved in interpreting and applying expert cases effectively, then they will be able to do several things. They will learn those process and be able to read an expert case for understanding, glean the lessons they can learn from it, and apply those lessons to their question or challenge. Furthermore, I argue that they may also be able to transfer interpretation, application, and assessment skills to other learning situations where application of cases is appropriate.
Works Consulted and Relied Upon

Throughout this book, I indicate where I relied on a scholar or writer’s specific concepts and language but writing teachers are pack rats and mockingbirds. We collect and build out of what we collect. Ideas and concepts circulate. I am always looking for ways to articulate what I see emerging in my classes and I also look for work that challenges what I’ve come to believe.
Continuous-Flow Process for the Purification and Fractionation of Alkali and Organosolv Lignins

Hot acetic acid–water mixtures can be used to purify and fractionate alkali (kraft) and organosolv lignins via the Aqueous Lignin Purification with Hot Acids (ALPHA) process. However, condensation polymerization reactions can occur in the solvated, lignin-rich liquid fraction at the elevated temperatures (e.g., 60–100 °C) of operation, significantly increasing the lignin molecular weight. Thus, conversion of ALPHA to continuous-flow operation was investigated in order to determine the effect of reduced residence times on both the above reactions and on the extraction of metals from the solvated lignin to the solvent phase. All four lignins investigated could be converted to a homogeneous lignin–water slurry at ambient temperatures, facilitating continuous operation. When a static mixer is used for the mixing and equilibration device, reducing residence times to 20–30 s, condensation polymerization reactions are essentially eliminated. For example, the molecular weight of the lignin fraction remained uncha...
A Key to Some Frankliniella (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Larvae Found in Florida with Descriptions of the First Instar of Select species

Few publications exist toward the identification of larval thrips. As a result, researchers and practitioners often are unable to report larval species data or may misinterpret what is a host plant when adults of multiple species are collected. Therefore, we conducted repetitive plant sampling and detailed examination of larvae with adults, which revealed morphological differences of some undescribed Frankliniella (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) larvae. The morphological differences were confirmed by non-destructive DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing of the COI mitochondrial gene. A larva II morphological key to 7 Frankliniella species found in Florida is presented with new larval descriptions of 4 species.
Myocardial cytochrome oxidase activity increases with age and hypoxemia in patients with congenital heart disease

Background:Myocardial tolerance to ischemia is influenced by age and preoperative cyanosis through unknown mechanisms and significantly affects postoperative outcomes. Cytochrome c oxidase (CcOx), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, may play a role in the susceptibility to ischemic-reperfusion (IR) injury. Our study aimed at investigating changes in human myocardial CcOx activity based on age and preoperative oxygen saturation to understand its role in transition from neonatal to mature myocardium and hypoxic conditions.Methods:The right atrial appendage from patients undergoing first time surgical repair/palliation of congenital heart defects was analyzed for steady state CcOx activity by oxidation of ferrocytochrome c via spectrophotometry and steady state CcOx subunit I protein content by protein immunoblotting. Student’s t-test compared CcOx activity and protein levels between patients with preoperative hypoxia and normoxia. Multiple linear regression analysis was used t...
Biomass-derived monomers for performance-differentiated fiber reinforced polymer composites

Nearly all polymer resins used to manufacture critically important fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are petroleum sourced. In particular, unsaturated polyesters (UPEs) are widely used as matrix materials and are often based on maleic anhydride, a four-carbon, unsaturated diacid. Typically, maleic anhydride is added as a reactant in a conventional step-growth polymerization to incorporate unsaturation throughout the backbone of the UPE, which is then dissolved in a reactive diluent (styrene is widely used) infused into a fiber mat and cross-linked. Despite widespread historical use, styrene has come under scrutiny due to environmental and health concerns; in addition, many conceivable UPEs are not soluble in styrene. In this study, we demonstrate that renewably-sourced monomers offer the ability to overcome these issues and improve overall composite performance. The properties of poly(butylene succinate)-based UPEs incorporating maleic anhydride are used as a baseline for comparison against UPEs derived from fumaric acid, cis,cis-muconate, and trans,trans-muconate, all of which can be obtained biologically. The resulting biobased UPEs are combined with styrene, methacrylic acid, or a mixture of methacrylic acid and cinnaminic acid, infused into woven fiberglass and cross-linked with the addition of a free-radical initiator and heat. This process produces a series of partially or fully bio-derived composites. Overall, the muconate-containing UPE systems exhibit a more favorable property suite than the maleic anhydride and fumaric acid counterparts. In all cases at the same olefinic monomer loading, the trans,trans-muconate polymers exhibit the highest shear modulus, storage modulus, and glass transition temperature indicating stronger and more thermally resistant materials. They also exhibit the lowest loss modulus indicating a greater adhesion to the glass fibers. The use of a mixture of methacrylic and cinnaminic acid as the reactive diluent results in a FRP composite with properties that can be matched to reinforced composites prepared with styrene. Significantly, at one-third the monomer loading (corresponding to two-thirds the number of double bonds), trans,trans-muconate produces approximately the same storage modulus and glass transition temperature as maleic anhydride, while exhibiting a superior loss modulus. Overall, this work demonstrates the novel synthesis of performance-differentiated FRP composites using renewably-sourced monomers.
Epistemically engineered environments

In other work I have defended the claim that, when we rely on other speakers by accepting what they tell us, our reliance on them differs in epistemically relevant ways from our reliance on instruments, when we rely on them by accepting what they “tell” us. However, where I have explored the former sort of reliance at great length (Goldberg 2010), I have not done so with the latter. In this paper my aim is to do so. My key notions will be those of our social practices, the normative expectations that are sanctioned by those practices, and the epistemically engineered environments constituted by some of these practices. With these notions in mind, I will argue that one’s reliance on instruments, while relevantly different (epistemically speaking) from one’s reliance on other speakers, can nevertheless manifest a kind of epistemic dependence which epistemological theory can and should acknowledge.
Loud and Soft Anti-Chevron Decisions

This essay proposes a methodology for interpreting the Supreme Court’s long-standing inconsistency in the application of the Chevron doctrine. Developing such an approach is important because this central, canonical doctrine in administrative law is entering a period of uncertainty, after long seeming to enjoy consensus support on the Court. In retrospect, it makes sense to view the many cases in which the Court failed to apply Chevron consistently as signals of underlying doctrinal doubt. However, to interpret these soft anti-Chevron decisions requires a careful methodology, because sometimes justices are simply being unpredictable and idiosyncratic. However, where clear patterns can be discerned, and where these patterns can be explained by a coherent doctrinal theory, there is good reason to use them as a foundation for refining the Chevron doctrine.
Current Status of Medical Therapy of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Abstract The natural history of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) is one of inexorable expansion. Because most TAAs do not produce noticeable symptoms, there exists a real threat of acute aortic catastrophe such as dissection or rupture. Because of the small risk of surgical repair, surgical intervention should be reserved for those patients who are symptomatic or in whom imaging reveals specific size or rate of expansion criteria (about 5–5.5 cm for ascending TAAs). However, for those asymptomatic patients in whom imaging has revealed a subthreshold TAA, clinicians are faced with the question of whether to prescribe pharmacotherapy in addition to lifestyle modification. This chapter details several medications that act on various points in the proposed pathophysiologic pathways of aortic aneurysm development. Although some current guidelines endorse starting medications to prevent aortic aneurysm expansion, this chapter illustrates that supporting clinical evidence is conflicting and equivocal at best. Clinical studies have shown conflicting results for various classes of medications, including angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, tetracyclines, and statins. It will be increasingly important to conduct large, randomized clinical trials with relevant clinical endpoints in patients specifically with non-Marfan TAA. Concurrently, a more thorough understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of aneurysm formation is warranted to help direct more targeted, “individualized” treatment modalities.
Trunnionosis in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is it a clinical problem?

Modularity of prosthetic implants is increasingly being utilized for the optimization and personalization of components in total hip and knee arthroplasty. However, due to the increasing number of modular implants being utilized, an adverse event termed trunnionosis has gained prevalence. Trunnionosis is defined as corrosion and wear of the taper junction in modular prostheses. It is postulated that this corrosive wear generates metal debris, which leads to component failure and requires revision of the prosthetic implant. The process of trunnionosis has been extensively studied in total hip arthroplasty. However, few studies have examined the process of trunnionosis in total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this review is to examine the literature regarding trunnionosis following total knee arthroplasty. Specifically, we aim to determine if trunnionosis following total knee arthroplasty is a rare clinical problem, or one that deserves greater attention.
Redefining Hypertension — Assessing the New Blood-Pressure Guidelines

Redefining Hypertension Shifting the threshold for hypertension to 130/80 mm Hg, as the new guidelines do, will overburden our primary care physician workforce, and many people will receive pharmacologic therapy that will carry more risk than benefit.
Primers for PCR Amplification of Asteraceae Chloroplast DNA

Abstract: Primers for the amplification and sequencing of DNA fragments from chloroplast genes and non-coding regions are provided to facilitate molecular phylogenetic studies aimed at building a tree-of-life for the Asteraceae. The primers reported here have been extensively tested and some empirical guidelines are included to facilitate their use.
Diagnostic Tools: Cardiac MRI for Structural Heart Disease and Catheter-Based Cardiovascular Interventions

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging has enhanced noninvasive evaluation and management of patients with several forms of cardiovascular disease. The role is increasing due to its improved soft tissue contrast, capacity to perform multiplanar reconstructions, and ability to visualize and quantify cardiac function without the use of ionizing radiation. Phase contrast imaging allows for velocity and flow assessment, as well as gradient estimation, providing important diagnostic information for structural and valvular disorders. Catheter-based interventions under magnetic resonance rather than fluoroscopic guidance are currently under investigation. As percutaneous cardiovascular intervention becomes more complex, the need for enhanced soft tissue visualization without ionizing radiation will allow for the expansion of magnetic resonance–guided intervention.
Head and Neck

The management of cancers of the head and neck should be as conservative as is consistent with tumor eradication because of appearance and the vital functions of the upper respiratory and digestive tract. Examples are preservation of an important functional organ such as the larynx or, in cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx, minimizing the difficulty in swallowing and impairment of speech by limiting the amount of tissues removed. Although shoulder motion is a less important function, it can be preserved by saving the spinal accessory nerve. Conservatism applies when surgery alone or radiation therapy alone is used and in the combination of surgery and irradiation. Preservation of life has priority and therefore a more conservative treatment is only acceptable if the control rates are equal.
Front Tracking Algorithm Using Adaptively Refined Meshes

We propose a new algorithm which combines the front tracking with an adaptively refined Cartesian grid for solving systems of nonlinear conservation laws.
Limited Capacity or Involvement of Excision Repair, Double-Strand Breaks, or Translesion Synthesis for Psoralen Cross-Link Repair in Escherichia coli

DNA interstrand cross-links are complex lesions that covalently bind complementary strands of DNA and whose mechanism of repair remains poorly understood. In Escherichia coli, several gene products have been proposed to be involved in cross-link repair based on the hypersensitivity of mutants to cross-linking agents. However, cross-linking agents induce several forms of DNA damage, making it challenging to attribute mutant hypersensitivity specifically to interstrand cross-links. To address this, we compared the survival of UVA-irradiated repair mutants in the presence of 8-methoxypsoralen-which forms interstrand cross-links and monoadducts-to that of angelicin-a congener forming only monoadducts. We show that incision by nucleotide excision repair is not required for resistance to interstrand cross-links. In addition, neither RecN nor DNA polymerases II, IV, or V is required for interstrand cross-link survival, arguing against models that involve critical roles for double-strand break repair or translesion synthesis in the repair process. Finally, estimates based on Southern analysis of DNA fragments in alkali agarose gels indicate that lethality occurs in wild-type cells at doses producing as few as one to two interstrand cross-links per genome. These observations suggest that E. coli may lack an efficient repair mechanism for this form of damage.
From a death of self to a rebirth of community: Yolande Mukagasana’s ‘Connective’ testimonies in response to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda

Originally a nurse, Yolande Mukagasana became a survivor, author and playwright following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. La Mort ne veut pas de moi (Mukagasana and May 1997) and N’aie pas peur de savoir (Mukagasana and May 1999), her two autobiographical accounts written with Patrick May, articulate a breakdown in her physical, mental and emotional faculties, an inability to distinguish between self and other, and a death of self. Mukagasana gives an oral version of her testimony in Rwanda ’94. In this theatrical production, she conveys unspeakable elements of her experience – including a death of self – in a non-verbal manner, wherein her body language and position acquire their meaning in relation to others onstage. In Les Blessures du silence (Mukagasana and Kazinierakis 2001), Mukagasana’s experiences are also revealed and situated in relation to others through her interviews with ninety survivors and perpetrators in Rwanda. Overall, Mukagasana’s testimonies are interdependent, collaborative and dialogic. She employs other people’s voices and bodies to articulate her own experiences, and often communicates meaning through her position in relation to others. These ‘connective’ testimonies allow Mukagasana to compensate for a death of self and continue narrating even when she cannot speak in the first-person; they also allow her to rebuild social bonds and re-integrate into community.
Time frame, problem specificity, and framing: the implicit structures of questions about memory in older adults.

AbstractObjective: Self-reported memory complaints in older adults are common and may be an early indicator of future cognitive decline or dementia. However, there is wide variety in self-reported ...
An Introduction to Contact Geometry

A contact form on an odd-dimensional manifold M of dimension 2n + 1 is a one-form λ such that the (2n + 1)-form Ω given by $$\displaystyle \Omega = \lambda \wedge (d\lambda )^n $$ defines a volume form on M. We observe that any manifold admitting a contact form is necessarily orientable, and that a contact form defines a natural orientation.
Learning from bathhouses

Sloterdijk’s view of the world as a “grand interior” responds to the progressive interiorization of the environment “where both culture, and even nature, have increasingly become indoor affairs.”1 ...