cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and optimization of electron detachment dissociation Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Abstract We have demonstrated that electron detachment dissociation (EDD) can provide extensive oligonucleotide backbone fragmentation, complementary to that of other MS/MS techniques. In addition, we have shown that, for oligosaccharides, EDD provides additional cross-ring fragments compared to collision-activated dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation. In our EDD implementation, the potential difference between a hollow cathode electron source and an extraction lens located in between the cathode and the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) cell was crucial for successful fragmentation with changes as small as 0.2 V drastically altering fragmentation efficiency, a behavior that was not fully understood. Here, we present a detailed characterization of the electron current passing through the ICR cell as a function of this potential difference, the cathode bias voltage, extraction lens voltage, and the cathode heating current under EDD conditions. Our results show that the extraction lens voltage serves to regulate the number of electrons passing through the ICR cell. Thus, similar electron numbers passing through the cell can be obtained at low (1.2 A) and high (1.8 A) heating current as well as at different cathode bias voltages by adjusting the extraction lens voltage. This characteristic allowed us to investigate the influence of electron energy at fixed electron number and we found that optimum EDD efficiency was obtained with 16–22 eV electrons. We also investigated the influence of charge state on oligonucleotide EDD efficiency and sequence coverage and found that higher charge states provided improved data for a DNA 10-mer, presumably due to a more extended gas-phase structure.
Educational attainment and late life telomere length in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.

Morbidity and mortality are greater among socially disadvantaged racial/ethnic groups and those of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Greater chronic stress exposure in disadvantaged groups may contribute to this by accelerating cellular aging, indexed by shorter age-adjusted telomere length. While studies consistently relate shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) to stress, the few studies, mostly from the UK, examining associations of LTL with SES have been mixed. The current study examined associations between educational attainment and LTL among 2599 high-functioning black and white adults age 70-79 from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Multiple regression analyses tested associations of race/ethnicity, educational attainment and income with LTL, adjusting for potential confounders. Those with only a high school education had significantly shorter mean LTL (4806 basepairs) than those with post-high school education (4926 basepairs; B = 125, SE = 47.6, p = .009). A significant interaction of race and education (B = 207.8, SE = 98.7, p = .035) revealed more beneficial effects of post-high school education for blacks than for whites. Smokers had shorter LTL than non-smokers, but the association of education and LTL remained significant when smoking was covaried (B = 119.7, SE = 47.6, p = .012). While higher income was associated with longer LTL, the effect was not significant (p > .10). This study provides the first demonstration of an association between educational attainment and LTL in a US population where higher education appears to have a protective effect against telomere shortening, particularly in blacks.
Cryptic species of Scenedesmus (Chlorophyta) from desert soil communities of western North America

Nine isolates of unicellular green algae were obtained from six geographically separate desert microbiotic crust communities in western North America. Microscopically, eight isolates strongly resembled unicellular forms of Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kutzing. They are oval or crescent shaped, often flattened on one side, with knobby cell apices. SEM indicated a lack of wall ornamentation. Fine filaments connecting cells pole to pole were observed in some isolates, as previously documented in Scenedesmus (Dactylococcus) dissociatus and S. obliquus. The ninth isolate was spherical, without knobby apices or connections between cells, and was similar to unicellular forms that were originally classified as species of Chlorella (Scenedesmus vacuolatus and S. rubescens). None of the isolates formed coenobia in liquid culture. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene placed all desert isolates in the genus Scenedesmus, separating them into two or three weakly resolved groups along with published sequences of other Scenedesmus isolates. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region revealed well-supported lineages of desert algae that were unsupported with 18S data alone. The eight S. obliquus-like desert strains formed two distinct clades that excluded the S. obliquus strains from geographically widespread nondesert habitats. The ninth strain was outside of the S. obliquus group, associated with S. raciborskii and S. pectinatus. These results demonstrate three lineages of Scenedesmus from desert soils and provide robust support for the presence of cryptic species in S. obliquus, a morphospecies that is said to have a cosmopolitan distribution. Three new species of Scenedesmus are described.
The Raman spectra of four isotopic varieties of diborane in the gas phase

Abstract Raman spectra of the four isotopic species, 11B2H6, 11B2D6, 10B2H6, 10B2D6, in the gas phase have been obtained and interpreted in terms of the D2h bridge model. The results are in agreement with previous interpretations in the literature based on the spectrum of the liquid.
Apparent NAC effect in chorismate mutase reflects electrostatic transition state stabilization.

The catalytic reaction of chorismate mutase (CM) has been the subject of major current attention. Nevertheless, the origin of the catalytic power of CM remains an open question. In particular, it has not been clear whether the enzyme works by providing electrostatic transition state stabilization (TSS), by applying steric strain, or by populating near attack conformation (NAC). The present work explores this issue by a systematic quantitative analysis. The overall catalytic effect is reproduced by the empirical valence bond (EVB) method. In addition, the binding free energy of the ground state and the transition state is evaluated, demonstrating that the enzyme works by TSS. Furthermore, the evaluation of the electrostatic contribution to the reduction of the activation energy establishes that the TSS results from electrostatic effects. It is also found that the apparent NAC effect is not the reason for the catalytic effect but the result of the TSS. It is concluded that in CM as in other enzymes the key ...
Comparison of Data from an IAQ Test House with Predictions of an IAQ Computer Model

The paper describes several experiments to evaluate the impact of indoor air pollutant sources on indoor air quality (IAQ). Measured pollutant concentrations are compared with concentrations predicted by an IAQ model. The measured concentrations are in excellent agreement with the predictions. The model predictions and the experimental data demonstrate the importance of sinks in determining long term IAQ. An objective of EPA's IAQ program is to provide guidance on the impact of indoor pollutant sources on IAQ. A computer model, EXPOSURE, was developed to assist in the effort. EXPOSURE calculates pollutant concentration as a function of time for each room in a building. EXPOSURE includes the effects of sources, sinks, room-to-room air movement, and air exchange with the outdoors.
Ineffective nodulation of Sesbania macrocarpa by Sinorhizobium meliloti strain RCR2011

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a well-known symbiont that fixes nitrogen with plants of three genera of the family Leguminosae, Tribe Trifolieae: Medicago, Melilotus, and Trigonella. We have found that S. meliloti strain RCR2011 forms ineffective nodules on a distantly related legume species, Sesbania macrocarpa. Nodules are indeterminate and lack leghemoglobin. Although S. meliloti deformed root-hairs of S. macrocarpa, infection threads were not detected in these cells. Instead, cells of S. meliloti were found in infection pockets between cortical cells and within infection threads that had penetrated into these cells. Bacteria eventually were released and gave rise to symbiosomes, which contained large quantities of an amorphous matrix with parallel arrays of electron-dense striations. Mutants of strain RCR2011 lacking nodA or nodH failed to nodulate S. macrocarpa, inactivation of nodG or nodE resulted in smaller nodules, while inactivation of region IIa, which contains nodIJ, had no apparent effect on nodulation.
Electronic shielding of the crystalline field in thulium ethyl sulfate

The method of recoilless nuclear resonance absorption of gamma radiation was employed in investigating the temperature dependence of the nuclear quadrupole interaction in the 8.4-keV level of Tm169 in thulium ethyl sulfate, Tm(C2H5SO4)3•9H2O. The experiment reveals a strong influence of electronic shielding resulting from the polarization induced in the closed electron shells by the crystalline electric field.
Optical methods for characterization of MEMS device motion

Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices are small compared to normal mechanical devices, but they are still large compared to the wavelength of visible light. Thus, simple low- cost optical measurement techniques can be adapted for precise characterization of the motions of these small objects. The results of such measurements are important for verification of simulations, especially for devices in which nonlinear effects such as squeeze film damping play a significant role. The advantages and challenges of optical metrology for MEMS are examined using an electrostatically-actuated microgripper structure as an example device. Interferometric measurements of static rotation and of small-signal sinusoidal and impulse responses are presented.
Metamorphosis from the viewpoint of differential geometry

Abstract We give the prescription for generating all transformations of a certain type (conformal) relating two-dimensional dual potentials and indicate mechanisms for nonuniqueness of the duality.
Microbial mobilization and immobilization of plutonium

Microorganisms present in transuranic (TRU)- and mixed-wastes and in contaminated soils can bring about the transformation of plutonium (Pu) and affect its stability and mobility. Microbial dissolution of Pu is due to the production of sequestering agents, enzymatic oxidation of Pu(IV) to Pu(V) and Pu(VI) under aerobic conditions, or reduction of Pu(IV) to Pu(III) under anaerobic conditions. Immobilization is due to reduction of Pu(VI) or Pu(V) to Pu(IV), bioaccumulation extracellularly or intracellularly, and bioprecipitation. Disproportionation reactions of Pu(V) can also generate soluble Pu(VI) and insoluble Pu(IV) species. Plutonium is transported predominantly as colloids but microbes under appropriate conditions can affect the formation or destabilization of colloids. In this paper, the abundance of microbes in Pu contaminated soils and radioactive wastes and the mechanisms microbial dissolution and immobilization of Pu are reviewed.
Creativity, skepticism, and visioning the future

Abstract Members of the World Futures Studies Federation share not only the usual professional goals of advancing and developing their field, but also an extraordinary commitment to envisioning and creating a future world of increasing human freedom and well-being. Both aims, obviously, would be moved forward if futurists could establish more futures studies courses, departments, and research centers than now exist at colleges and universities. To do so requires vigor, creativity, and elan, which futurists seem to have in abundance, but it also demands more logical and empirical rigor, skepticism, and critical capacity in futures work.
Immunogenicity of Novel Mumps Vaccine Candidates Generated by Genetic Modification

Mumps is a highly contagious human disease, characterized by lateral or bilateral nonsuppurative swelling of the parotid glands and neurological complications that can result in aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. A mumps vaccination program implemented since the 1960s reduced mumps incidence by more than 99% and kept the mumps case numbers as low as hundreds of cases per year in the United States before 2006. However, a large mumps outbreak occurred in vaccinated populations in 2006 and again in 2009 in the United States, raising concerns about the efficacy of the vaccination program. Previously, we have shown that clinical isolate-based recombinant mumps viruses lacking expression of either the V protein (rMuVΔV) or the SH protein (rMuVΔSH) are attenuated in a neurovirulence test using newborn rat brains (P. Xu et al., Virology 417:126-136, 2011, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2011.05.003; P. Xu et al., J. Virol. 86:1768-1776, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.06019-11) and may be good candidates for vaccine development. In this study, we examined immunity induced by rMuVΔSH and rMuVΔV in mice. Furthermore, we generated recombinant mumps viruses lacking expression of both the V protein and the SH protein (rMuVΔSHΔV). Analysis of rMuVΔSHΔV indicated that it was stable in tissue culture cell lines. Importantly, rMuVΔSHΔV was immunogenic in mice, indicating that it is a promising candidate for mumps vaccine development.
Observation of morphological relaxation of copper and silver electrodes in solution using a quartz microbalance

Abstract Oxidation of smooth copper and silver surfaces leads to roughening which persists when the oxide layers are reduced. Furthermore, the roughened surface is observed to relax on a time scale of hours when potentiostated at reductive potentials. Reconstruction was monitored in-situ by differential capacitance and a quartz microbalance oscillating in solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) gave supporting evidence. Estimates of the surface roughness of the oxide layers and the bare metal were obtained from the microbalance data.
Gene targeting to the ROSA26 locus directed by engineered zinc finger nucleases

Targeted gene addition to mammalian genomes is central to biotechnology, basic research and gene therapy. For example, gene targeting to the ROSA26 locus by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells is commonly used for mouse transgenesis to achieve ubiquitous and persistent transgene expression. However, conventional methods are not readily adaptable to gene targeting in other cell types. The emerging zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology facilitates gene targeting in diverse species and cell types, but an optimal strategy for engineering highly active ZFNs is still unclear. We used a modular assembly approach to build ZFNs that target the ROSA26 locus. ZFN activity was dependent on the number of modules in each zinc finger array. The ZFNs were active in a variety of cell types in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The ZFNs directed gene addition to the ROSA26 locus, which enhanced the level of sustained gene expression, the uniformity of gene expression within clonal cell populations and the reproducibility of gene expression between clones. These ZFNs are a promising resource for cell engineering, mouse transgenesis and pre-clinical gene therapy studies. Furthermore, this characterization of the modular assembly method provides general insights into the implementation of the ZFN technology.
Agency and Empowerment under Unlikely Conditions: Exploring How Wartime Displacement Can Promote Community Development:

Scholars agree that violent conflict is a major obstacle to development. Wars destroy physical infrastructure, disrupt communication and transportation, encourage capital flight, and discourage foreign and domestic investment. And most important, wars inflict incalculable losses on human populations due to death or displacement. While war is undoubtedly devastating, current research largely fails to explore how wartime displacement can create institutional opportunities to exercise agency, on both an individual and a community level. This paper, based on fieldwork that spans nearly a decade in Guatemala—both during and after the end of its civil war—investigates the conditions under which the tragedy of war can be a catalyst for community development. In particular, refugee testimonies demonstrate that their forced migration contributed to positive outcomes, namely the formation of international relationships and intra-group social bonds, the acquisition of education, useful skills and material goods, and...
Regarding an adaptive algorithm for testing multivariate linear dependence

For a finite collection of functions within some differential field of several variables, there exists an adaptive algorithm for calculating a basis of their linear relations. We study the complexity of this algorithm, noting how it compares to some other existing techniques. Also we demonstrate some modifications for improving implementation. In the course of our analysis, we define the marginal set of a Young-like set and show how the size of the former can be bounded in terms of the size of the latter.
Subcellular Distribution of Sulfated Glucuronyl Glycolipids in Human Peripheral Motor and Sensory Nerves.

Sulfated glucuronyl glycolipids (SGGL) have been implicated as important target antigens in patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy and IgM paraproteinemia. Sulfated glucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG), a major species of SGGL, was identified in the subcellular fractions of human peripheral motor and sensory nerves using a simple and quantitative method. SGPG was found to be concentrated in the myelin-enriched fractions of both motor and sensory nerves (1.3 +/- 0.3 and 1.5 +/- 0.4 mg/mg protein, respectively), whereas its concentration was 0.9 +/- 0.2 and 1.8 +/- 0.6 mg/mg protein in the axolemma-enriched fractions of motor and sensory nerves, respectively. Our finding that SGPG is more abundant in the human sensory nerve axolemma-enriched fraction may account for the clinical and pathological observations that the lesions are more heavily concentrated in the sensory nerve than in other parts of the nerve tissues in this disorder. Copyright 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel
The effect of corner glue on BGA package temperature cycling performance: A modeling study

It is well known that corner glue (CG) applied at the corner of BGA packages can mitigate shock and vibration risk in solder joints at the package corners. With certain materials, CG may improve solder joint temperature cycling performance. Based on finite element modeling studies, the effect of CG on package solder joint damage in temperature cycle testing is categorized into two aspects out of plane (OOP) deformation and shear deformation. Corner solder joint OOP deformation is related to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the CG. CG also serves to reduce shear deformation in solder joints at package corners. Mechanical models with different complexities were analyzed to demonstrate these two effects.
Communicating for the First Time with Delusional Patients

Abstract Background: Aggression and threats of violence are acknowledged elements of psychiatric settings. One of the most upsetting clinical experiences for nursing students is the psychiatric–mental health practicum in which students are expected to communicate therapeutically with hospitalized, delusional patients. Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe the experiences of undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students as they communicate for the first time with delusional, hospitalized patients whom they perceived as frightening and to describe the meaning and essences of their experiences. It was assumed that students would find the delusional patients frightening. Study design: phenomenologic approach was used to investigate the student experience. Participants (N = 35) wrote about their experiences during week 12 of a senior year psychiatric–mental health nursing class. Results: Students feared the unpredictable behavior of patients and wished to avoid interaction with them; the students also made the transition from fear of patients to empathy and concern for them. The findings indicated that students were reassured by staff proximity. Conclusions: Psychiatric nursing faculty should develop role-playing scenarios about caring for delusional patients and establish strong alliances with staff to increase the students' sense of safety. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [2001]. 7, 155-62.)
Unilateral brachial plexus injury as a complication of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis: a case report

Unilateral brachial plexus injury is a rare complication of thoracoscopic sympathectomy, which is generally considered to be a simple and safe procedure. We report on a 26-year-old man who developed weakness and numbness of the right arm after thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. Electromyographic study revealed evidence of denervation in the upper trunk of the right brachial plexus. A nerve conduction study on the right axillary nerve revealed a reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude at the right deltoid muscle. We suggest that this complication was caused by stretch and/or compression when the arm was hyperabducted during the operation. The outcome was excellent, with almost complete recovery 3 months later. The complication can be prevented by minimizing operation time and avoiding hyperabduction of the arm. The prognosis for postoperative brachial plexopathy is usually good with conservative management.
Excited state kinetics of the π*←n photochemistry of hexafluoroacetone

The π*n excited state kinetics of hexafluoroacetone are reinvestigated in the presence of a vibrational relaxer and sufficient triplet state quencher so that only the reactions of the electronically excited upper singlet state are examined. From a Stern–Volmer type analysis it is concluded that vibrational relaxation of the initially formed vibrationally and electronically excited upper singlet state is via a multistage collisional mechanism. An activation energy of about 6 kcal/mole is reported for the unimolecular decomposition of the upper singlet state.
Decision support for road surface maintenance

Abstract A methodology is proposed which provides an approach to planning the maintenance of a deteriorating facility. The methodology consists of using a Markov chain to model the deterioration, finding a maintenance policy which minimizes the expected maintenance cost using dynamic programming, and testing the optimal policy with simulation. As an illustrative example, the problem of scheduling maintenance for roadways was addressed. A minimum economical state was identified at which maintenance should be applied according to the optimal policy. The methodology also permits the quantification of the costs of deferring maintenance. Particularly useful information is obtained by simulating the optimal policy under a variety of scenarios.
Detection and identification of gaseous organics using a TiO2 sensor

It is well established that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be mineralized to innocuous organic compounds when illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) light [J. Photochem. Photobiol. A 108 (1997) 1]. The focus of this research is the development of a TiO2-based microsensor that uses these photocatalytic reactions to identify specific gaseous organic compounds and allow operation at ambient temperatures. TiO2 microsensors are produced using thick-film lithographic methods and cermet materials. TiO2 and platinum films were deposited on an alumina substrate. Tests were conducted in a closed quartz glass cell at ambient temperatures and pressures. As the sensor was exposed to a variety of gaseous organic constituents in the presence of UV light, electrical characteristics of the sensor were measured. Individual gases including methylene chloride, ethanol, benzene, acetone, xylene and isopropanol produced unique signatures as they were oxidized on the sensor surface. Sensors were renewable and reusable.
Long-distance, low-frequency elephant communication

The production, transmission, and reception of and the behavioral response to long-distance, low-frequency sound by elephants is reviewed. The structure of low-frequency calls generated by elephants is separated into the “source” and the “filter” roles played by the lungs, larynx and vocal track, the composition of the expired air and the ambient air temperature. Implications regarding the size, age, sex, sexual and physical status follow from the call structure and detection. Reception of the signal is discussed in terms of the characteristics of the elephant’s ear with particular attention to the determination of the threshold of hearing and the ability to locate the source of low-frequency sounds. Factors which influence the transmission of near infrasound are related to atmospheric structure. The critical role played by the thermal stratification and vertical gradient and magnitude of the wind in determining both the range and the detection of a signal are discussed for open and closed elephant habitats. Infrasound plays a pervasive role in reproduction, resource utilization, avoidance of predation and other social interactions. Current and future technology can be expected to contribute to the detection and interpretation of elephant communication. This will aid in the understanding of behavior and in efforts to sustain the species.
Parameter estimates depend both on the source model and on the fitted model: an example

Distributions of estimates of the threshold for mental rotation under two fitted models were collected from computer simulations of three source models and from human data. The estimates depend both on the source of the data and on the fitted model used for parameter estimation. The concept of a source model’s “fertility” is illustrated by a characteristic of the human data shared by one of the source models.
Neuropsychologists’ Beliefs About Alcohol and Dementia

Alcohol-related dementia (ARD) is a controversial concept, and the prevailing view of neuropsychologists regarding this disorder is unknown. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of neuropsychologists' beliefs and practices regarding ARD. A total of 140 board-certified neuropsychologists completed an anonymous online survey about alcohol and dementia. Almost all respondents (93%) reported alcohol has direct neurotoxic effects, but most were unsure whether moderate alcohol use can be neuroprotective. The presence and course of cognitive deficits as well as functional impairments were rated as the most important factors to consider when making this diagnosis, and declines in memory, executive functions, and processing speed were most frequently observed cognitive changes. Neuropsychologists were mixed in their opinions about cognitive prognosis, with half the sample endorsing stability of cognitive deficits and about one-third of the group indicating gradual improvement. Although laboratory workup was not a major diagnostic consideration, 68% of respondents recommended treatment with vitamins and nutritional supplements. Findings are consistent with the research literature and suggest that while neuropsychologists generally believe alcohol can have direct neurotoxic effects, they vary in their beliefs about diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Future research should focus on providing diagnostic and treatment guidelines for ARD.
On the braid groups for RP2

Abstract The subject of this paper is the topological and homological properties of braid groups for the real projective plane R P 2 . Let Br ( S , k ) denote the braid group on a surface S with k strands. A K(Br( R P 2 ,k);1) is constructed. The rational and mod p cohomologies of Br( R P 2 ,k) are calculated. Moreover, the unordered configuration space of R P 2 is interpreted as a space of polynomials.
Electrochemistry of di-tert-butylphosphinopentaphenylferrocene (Q-phos) and derivatives

Abstract The oxidative electrochemistry of 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentaphenylferrocene (Q-phos), 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-CF3), 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-methoxyphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-OMe) and 1-di-tert-butylphosphino-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta(4-methylphenyl)ferrocene (Q-phos-Me) was explored. All of the compounds undergo a reversible oxidation, and the formal potentials are sensitive to the R groups on the phenyl rings.
A parabolized Navier-Stokes algorithm for separated supersonic internal flows

A stable global-iteration procedure is applied to a fully implicit noniterative parabolized Navier-Stokes algorithm to improve the solutions of the single-sweep method as well as to resolve small separation bubbles due to shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions. A modified form of the FLARE approximation is employed in the separated regions and some requirements for stable iterations are discussed. The results of the global-iteration scheme for two test cases of supersonic internal flows are compared against the results of the single-sweep method as well as the results of the full Navier-Stokes solver.
Stock price effects analysis between US and Taiwanese online stock trading

This paper examines online stock price effects of cross-listings American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) in Taiwanese companies. Specifically, decision tree and rule base systems were used to analyse the stock price variances of ADRs in the USA and those in Taiwan market to see if the ADR listed in the US market reflects the real-time information that became available while the US market was open right after the Taiwan market was closed. The results showed that most of the companies had higher accuracy rates of ADRs prediction, and some companies even had more than 60% accuracy rates. This paper concludes that Taiwanese stock price plays the main role in affecting the stock prices in the USA.
Blessings and the spiritual life of consumers

Abstract The growing social phenomenon of ritually blessed animal companions suggests that the concept of the blessing should receive more attention in the field of consumer behavior. By documenting the importance of perceived sacred power and by capturing the words, gestures, and artifacts of the animal-blessing ritual, Holak highlights the role that these factors can play in the efforts of individuals and businesses to express, to those they care about, the wish that good should follow.
The Impact of Course Integration on Student Grades

Abstract Universities are implementing strategies designed to help students develop an integrated view of business functions. In this article, the authors investigated the effect of such an integration strategy at one school. They documented its effect on student performance by comparing grades in a set of courses taken individually with grades in the same courses taken as an integrated block. The results indicate that grading rigor did not suffer in the block format and that grades were more correlated when the courses were delivered as a block. The authors hypothesized that content integration in the block courses resulted in the higher correlation of grades.
'I noticed': the emergence of self-observation in relationship to pathological attractor sites.

The author highlights self‐observation as an important goal of psychoanalysis, separate from other concepts with which it is often confounded. To support this position, he presents clinical and dev...
Poor Memory: A Case Report.

The patient and the author of this case report are the same person. In September 1974 I had a cardiac arrest, and because of anoxia, the arrest resulted in some right-sided brain damage. The brain damage led to some minor physical and perceptual problems, but the most important result was partial loss of past memory and strongly impaired present memory. This report will be concerned with the effects of poor memory on cognition, personality, and interpersonal relationships based on the observations I have made during the period in which my memory was impaired. Of course, the emotional and personality reactions are somewhat related to my past personality, but some may be expected generally when poor memory is present. The effect on cognitive functioning is more likely to be a general finding. I also will describe the course of my rehabilitation over a 2-year-period, and I will make some suggestions about rehabilitation to patients and therapists.
Generating correlated random variables for a simulation model

In most simulation textbooks, a great deal of attention is given to generating independent random variables. The topic of generating correlated random variables is either omitted or given only a cursory analysis. The purpose of this note is to illustrate how correlated random variables were generated in a simulation model for analysing a firm's ability to meet the demand for its product.
Rare and emerging agents of hyalohyphomycosis

The list of opportunistic agents of hyalohyphomycosis continues to grow, as does the number of immunocompromised patients; however, these mycoses also are manifested in patients who appear immunocompetent by current methods of detection. Although fungi causing hyalohyphomycosis span the Kingdom Fungi, the majority are found within the asexual or mitosporic fungi, with notable exceptions. The following is a discussion of recent, selected literature citations regarding hyaline fungi that are both “new” agents of disease, as well as “new” species within well-known taxonomic groups.
Cloning and inactivation of the gene responsible for a major surface antigen on Streptococcus mutans

Abstract To understand more fully the biological function(s) and investigate the reported cross-reactivity with heart tissue of antigen P1 (I/II) of Streptococcus mutans (serotype c), this molecular biological study of the responsible gene, spaP, was undertaken. A 5.2 kb HindIII fragment of strain NG5 was cloned into Escherichia coli JM109 by a shotgun procedure with pUC18 as the vector. Recombinant SM2949 expressed a P1 fusion protein under the control of the streptococcal promoter. Southern analysis revealed hybridization of pSM2949 with DNA from Strep. mutans (serotypes c, e,f), Strep, cricetus (a) and Strep, sobrinus (d), but not Strep. sobrinus (g), Strep, rattus (b) or Strep, downei (h). Recombinant (r) antigen was detected in E. coli periplasm, indicating the presence of a signal sequence. This product (of Mr 155 K) showed partial identity to the native streptococcal P1 antigen by Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis. The N-terminal 28 amino acid residues of rP1 were determined by Edman degradation analysis and an end-labelled oligonucleotide probe corresponding to residues 8–13 was used to determine the 5′−3′ orientation of spaP by Southern hybridization with restriction enzyme digests of pSM2949. Rabbit antisera made against native and rP1 did not cross-react with human heart tissue. Isogenic mutants of strain NG8 were isolated after transformation with insertionally inactivated spaP. Each mutant was non-reactive with anti-P1 antisera. Selected mutants were shown to have a defective spaP gene incorporated into their chromosomal DNA. Rabbit antisera against isogenic mutants (and against Strep. rattus) reacted with human heart tissue by ELISA to the same extent as anti-NG8 antisera, indicating that the heart cross-reactive antigen of mutans streptococci may not reside in the wall. Isogenic P1− mutants had similar growth rates and surface enzymatic properties to the parent, but lacked P1 in their cell walls as shown by Western immunoblot and electron microscopy. Mutants failed to agglutinate with salivary agglutinin or bind agglutinin-coated hydroxyapatite beads, indicating that the 185 K native surface antigen may play a role in adherence to teeth or colonization of dental plaque.
Peripheral dose measurement for CyberKnife radiosurgery with upgraded linac shielding

The authors investigated the peripheral dose reduction for CyberKnife radiosurgery treatments after the installation of a linac shielding upgrade. As in a previous investigation, the authors considered two treatment plans, one for a hypothetical target in the brain and another for a target in the thorax, delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. The results of the prior investigation showed that the CyberKnife delivered significantly higher peripheral doses than comparable model C Gamma Knife or IMRT treatments. Current measurements, after the linac shielding upgrade, demonstrate that the additional shielding decreased the peripheral dose, expressed as a percentage of the delivered monitor units (MU), by a maximum of 59%. The dose reduction was greatest for cranial-caudal distances from the field edge less than 30 cm, and at these distances, the CyberKnife peripheral dose, expressed as a percentage of the delivered MU, is now comparable to that measured for the other treatment modalities in our previous investigation. For distances between 30 and 70 cm from the field edge, the additional shielding reduced the peripheral dose by between 20% and 55%. At these distances, the CyberKnife peripheral dose remains higher than doses measured in our previous study for the model C Gamma Knife and IMRT.
Characterization of amino acids and proteinaceous materials using online tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique

Abstract An on-line thermochemolysis technique using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) for the characterization of amino acids and proteinaceous materials was developed. Amino acids were converted to their corresponding N -and O -methyl derivatives by TMAH in the pyrolysis chamber for 15 s at 300°C prior to separation and detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thermochemolysis reactions of TMAH with protein and macromolecular environmental sample were also performed. Results show that the peptide bonds were effectively cleaved by thermochemolysis reaction, yielding individual amino acid methyl esters. Thus, this on-line TMAH thermochemolysis technique is an easy and efficient method for the characterization of amino acids and proteinaceous materials.
Haiti: The Failure of Politics

Preface Politics in Haiti From U.S. Occupation to Duvalier Family Rule Government by Franchise Economic Hopes and Realities Haiti: The First "Third World" State? Can Haiti Survive? Prospects for Democracy Conclusion: Shaking Off the Past Bibliography Index
Application of Quantitative GC–Mass Spectrometry to Study of Pharmacokinetics of Amphetamine and Phentermine

Abstract Quantitative GC–mass spectrometric assays were used to determine plasma and brain levels of amphetamine and phentermine. Deuterium-substituted variants of the two amines were used as internal standards in the procedures, which were sensitive to 10 pmoles/ml. The levels in rats given doses of 0.5 mg./kg. i.v. were examined in terms of a two-compartment open model. Levels of amphetamine were also examined after bilateral nephrectomy.
Exploring the emotions and needs of English language learners: facilitating pre-service and in-service teachers' recognition of the tasks facing language learners

The population in the USA has become more diverse, but the number of teachers in public schools who are fluent in another language is limited. Furthermore, statistics attest that few teachers have adequate training to work with English language learners (ELLs). Teachers who lack training and have not struggled to learn another language may not realise the complexity faced daily by ELLs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to apply instructional methods, which mirror experiences faced by real children in real classrooms, in order to allow pre-service and/or in-service teachers to be subjected to the mixed emotions experienced by ELLs in their class. In six different classes, the researchers immersed a total number of 155 undergraduate and graduate students in a 15-minute oral presentation in Dutch. Data from a post-survey indicated that teacher candidates developed empathy and extrapolated the message that ELL students in classrooms in the USA face serious, but surmountable challenges that take time t...
First wall/blanket/shield design and optimization system

A first wall/blanket/shield design and optimization system (BSDOS) has been developed to provide a state-of-the-art design tool for fast, accurate analysis. In addition, it has been designed to perform several other functions: (a) allowing comparison and evaluation studies for different concepts using the same data bases and ground rules, (b) permitting the use of any figure of merit in the evaluation studies, (c) optimizing the first wall/blanket/shield design parameters for any figure of merit under several design constraints, (d) permitting the use of different reactor parameters in the evaluation and optimization analyses, (e) allowing the use of improved engineering data bases to study the impact on the design performance for planning future research and development, and (f) evaluating the effect of the data base uncertainties on the design performance. BSDOS is the first design and optimization system to couple the highly interacting neutronics, heat transfer, thermal hydraulics, stress analysis, radioactivity and decay-heat analyses, tritium balance, and capital cost. A brief description of the main features of BSDOS is given in this paper. Also, results for using BSDOS to perform design analysis for several reactor components are presented.
Geolocation of Multiple Targets from Airborne Video Without Terrain Data

The task of geolocating targets from airborne video is required for many applications in surveillance, law enforcement, reconnaissance, etc. The usual approaches to target geolocation involve terrain data, single target tracking, gimbal control of camera heads, altimeters, etc. The main goal of this research is to eliminate those requirements and still develop an accurate, efficient, and robust vision-based method for geolocation that can be carried out for multiple targets simultaneously. In that sense, our main contributions to the state-of-the-art in geolocation are fourfold: 1) to eliminate the requirement for gimbal control of the cameras or any particular path planning control for the UAV; 2) to perform instaneous geolocation of multiple targets; 3) to eliminate the requirements for geo-referenced terrain database (elevation maps) or for an altimeter that provides the UAV's and target's altitudes; and 4) to use one single camera while still maintaining good overall accuracy. In order to achieve that, the only requirements for our proposed method are: that the intrinsic parameters of the camera be known; that the on board camera be equipped with global positioning system (GPS) and inertial measurement unit (IMU); and that the height of the vehicle can be calculated using feature points extracted from the ground surrounding the image of the targets. To satisfy the first two requirements, we developed and tested a robust calibration procedure that can estimate not only the intrinsic parameters of the camera, but also the IMU-camera parameters (also know in the robotic circles as the hand-eye calibration). The last requirement was addressed using a pseudo-stereo vision technique that maximizes the distance between stereo pairs (baseline) while keeping large the number of common feature points extracted by the algorithm. The result is a method that can reach approximately 25 m of accuracy for an UAV flying at 155 m away from the target. Such performance is demonstrated by computer simulation, in-scale data using a model city, and real airborne video with ground truth.
Clonal and cellular dynamics in germinal centers.

Germinal centers (GCs) are the site of antibody affinity maturation, a process that involves complex clonal and cellular dynamics. Selection of B cells bearing higher-affinity immunoglobulins proceeds via a stereotyped pattern whereby B cells migrate cyclically between the GC's two anatomical compartments. This process occurs in a timeframe that is well suited to analysis by intravital microscopy, and much has been learned in recent years by use of these techniques. On a longer time scale, the diversity of B cell clones and variants within individual GCs is also thought to change as affinity maturation progresses; however, our understanding of clonal dynamics in individual GCs is limited. We discuss recent progress in the elucidation of clonal and cellular dynamics patterns.
Racial and regional differences in venous thromboembolism in the United States in 3 cohorts

Background—Blacks are thought to have a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than whites. However, prior studies are limited to administrative databases that lack specific information on VTE risk factors or have limited geographic scope. Methods and Results—We ascertained VTE from 3 prospective studies: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), and the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study (REGARDS). We tested the association of race with VTE using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for VTE risk factors. Over 438 090 person-years, 916 incident VTE events (302 in blacks) occurred in 51 149 individuals (17 318 blacks) who were followed up. In risk factor–adjusted models, blacks had a higher rate of VTE than whites in the CHS (hazard ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.73) but not ARIC (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.96–1.54). In REGARDS, there was a significant region-by-race interaction (P=0.01):...
Interpersonal skills for the high school drama director

In order to maintain the humanistic and growth‐promoting character of the high school theatre experience and at the same time produce good theatre, teacher‐directors need to be highly skilled at communicating with students. This article presents five specific interpersonal skills that can facilitate better communication between teacher and student.
SMN control of RNP assembly: From post-transcriptional gene regulation to motor neuron disease

At the post-transcriptional level, expression of protein-coding genes is controlled by a series of RNA regulatory events including nuclear processing of primary transcripts, transport of mature mRNAs to specific cellular compartments, translation and ultimately, turnover. These processes are orchestrated through the dynamic association of mRNAs with RNA binding proteins and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Accurate formation of RNPs in vivo is fundamentally important to cellular development and function, and its impairment often leads to human disease. The survival motor neuron (SMN) protein is key to this biological paradigm: SMN is essential for the biogenesis of various RNPs that function in mRNA processing, and genetic mutations leading to SMN deficiency cause the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy. Here we review the expanding role of SMN in the regulation of gene expression through its multiple functions in RNP assembly. We discuss advances in our understanding of SMN activity as a chaperone of RNPs and how disruption of SMN-dependent RNA pathways can cause motor neuron disease.