cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weird AI Yankovic: Generating Parody Lyrics.

Lyrics parody swaps one set of words that accompany a melody with a new set of words, preserving the number of syllables per line and the rhyme scheme. Lyrics parody generation is a challenge for controllable text generation. We show how a specialized sampling procedure, combined with backward text generation with XLNet can produce parody lyrics that reliably meet the syllable and rhyme scheme constraints.We introduce the Weird AI Yankovic system and provide a case study evaluation. We conclude with societal implications of neural lyric parody generation.
“Transforming University of California, Irvine Medical Physiology Instruction into the Pandemic Era”

At the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine (UCISOM), the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the transition of face-to-face didactic lectures to online platforms. Institutions nationwide have opted to transition their lectures into remote instruction for the upcoming Fall 2020 academic year. UCISOM's pre-clerkship Medical Immunology course in the Spring 2020 serves as a template for other medical courses to successfully transform lecture content into virtual presentations. To help facilitate successful large-scale transition to online courses, UCI developed institutional support and implemented a Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation (DTEI) Fellowship and iMedEd programs to support medical educators throughout Summer. Previously developed E-learning modules for renal and acid-base physiology serve as the foundation for novel pulmonary E-learning modules at UCISOM. In preparation for the new academic year, in a collaboration between faculty, UCISOM's top performing second-year medical students (MS2s) and DTEI fellows worked together during the summer to transition UCISOM's Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology course online. With over 100 first-year medical students attending the Medical Physiology course over live synchronous Zoom instruction, formative and summative assessments were incorporated into Canvas modules along with peer-led review sessions and new E-learning modules to educate and monitor student progress. The course will maintain existing in-person active learning activities for students to get hands-on experience using the latest medical devices while maintaining social distancing. Successful transition to online medical education at UCISOM will depend on increasing use of formative assessments, increased utilization of peer-led review sessions, and efficient communication to help foster self-directed learning.
Determining Trap Compliances, Microsphere Size Variations, and Response Linearities in Single DNA Molecule Elasticity Measurements with Optical Tweezers.

We previously introduced the use of DNA molecules for calibration of biophysical force and displacement measurements with optical tweezers. Force and length scale factors can be determined from measurements of DNA stretching. Trap compliance can be determined by fitting the data to a nonlinear DNA elasticity model, however, noise/drift/offsets in the measurement can affect the reliability of this determination. Here we demonstrate a more robust method that uses a linear approximation for DNA elasticity applied to high force range (25-45 pN) data. We show that this method can be used to assess how small variations in microsphere sizes affect DNA length measurements and demonstrate methods for correcting for these errors. We further show that these measurements can be used to check assumed linearities of system responses. Finally, we demonstrate methods combining microsphere imaging and DNA stretching to check the compliance and positioning of individual traps.
Criminalized Students, Reparations, and the Limits of Prospective Reform

Recent reforms discourage schools from referring students to criminal law enforcement for typical disciplinary infractions. Though rightly celebrated, these reforms remain mere half-measures, as they emphasize prospective decriminalization of student conduct without grappling with the harm to generations of former students—disproportionately Black —who have been targeted by criminalizing policies of the past. Through the lens of reparations theory, this Article sets out the case for retroactive and reparations-based redress for the criminalization of students. Reparations models reposition moral norms. They acknowledge state harm, clarify the losses to criminalized students, allow for expansive forms of redress, and cast restoration of opportunity as a project to benefit society broadly. As families have long protested, and data corroborates, schools’ reliance on criminal law mechanisms has significant impacts. Reforms many places reconsider practices of prosecuting students under order-related misdemeanors, such as “disruption of class” and “disorderly conduct.” Some reforms lead to policymakers striking or altering criminal law statutes and imposing procedural protections. Reducing criminal law’s footprint in schools helps protect future students from the resulting harms of criminalization. Former students still face open cases, warrants, and criminal debt. Many individuals navigate criminal records, health impacts from the trauma of criminal law enforcement in school, and loss of access to educational and other public institutions. These impacts reverberate generationally in communities where schools enforce criminalizing policies. These continuing impacts indicate the limits of prospective reforms. This Article argues that transformation of systems that harm and criminalize students requires both retroactive decriminalization and reparations-based policies. The burden of overcoming criminalization continues to rest with former students rather than the state. Repair of criminalization must incorporate accountability and redress. The Article offers models towards restoration of stolen opportunity.
Weight Loss through Lifestyle Intervention Improves Mobility in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The high prevalence of overweight or obesity in older adults is a public health concern because obesity affects health, including risk of mobility disability. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program (MOVE UP), delivered by community health workers (CHW), enrolled 303 community-dwelling adults to assess the impact of a 32-session behavioral weight management intervention. Participants completed the program at 26 sites led by 22 CHWs. Participation was limited to people aged 60-75 who had a BMI 27-45 kg/m 2. The primary outcome was performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) over 12 months. RESULTS Participants were age (sd) 67.7 (4.1) and mostly female (87%); 22.7% were racial minorities. The mean (sd) BMI at baseline was 34.7 (4.7). Participants attended a median of 24 of 32 sessions; 240 (80.3%) completed the 9- or 13-month outcome assessment. Median weight loss in the sample was 5% of baseline body weight. SPPB total scores improved by +0.31 units (p < .006), gait speed by +0.04 m/sec (p < .0001), and time to complete chair stands by -0.95 sec (p < .0001). Weight loss ≥ 5% was associated with a gain of +0.73 in SPPB score. Increases in activity (by self-report or device) were not independently associated with SPPB outcomes but did reduce the effect of weight loss. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Promoting weight management in a community group setting may be an effective strategy for reducing risk of disability in older adults.
Individual and Interacting Effects of Elevated CO 2 , Warming, and Hydrologic Intensification on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Streams

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, rising water temperatures, and intensification of hydrologic regimes are characteristics of global climate change that affect rates of leaf litter decomposition in lotic ecosystems. Predicted effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and elevated temperature negate each other. However, a recent meta-analysis found no effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on decomposition, while temperature consistently stimulates rates of decomposition. The sensitivity of litter decomposition to shifts in temperature is less clear due to methodological differences between studies calculating the apparent activation energy of decomposition and the multitude of biotic and abiotic variables that enhance or mitigate the effect of temperature. Both floods and droughts are becoming more frequent features of hydrologic regimes, but spatial and temporal variation in hydrologic intensification adds further challenge for predicting how climate change will alter decomposition rates. Despite these complexities, it is clear that altered rates of litter decomposition have cascading influence on the global C budget and food web dynamics. Thus, improved understanding of the individual and interactive effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, warming, and shifting hydrology on decomposition rates remains a vital research need.
A Distributed Mixer-Based Nonreciprocal CRLH Leaky Wave Antenna for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive

A nonreciprocal composite right/left-handed (CRLH) leaky wave antenna (LWA) based on a distributed mixer (DM) is proposed to achieve simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR). The DM structure consists of field-effect transistors (FETs) as mixing devices with a CRLH transmission line (TL) as the drain line and a microstrip line as the gate line. In the receive mode, the carrier LO signal in the gate line and the RF signal in the drain CRLH TL are along the same direction, while in the transmit mode, the RF signal is injected from the drain CRLH line at the opposite direction of the carrier LO signal from the gate line. Owing to distributed mixing principle, it will be shown that the reverse conversion gain for the down-converted IF signal can provide isolation between the transmit and receive operation, i.e. RF signals of opposite directions, thereby enabling the simultaneous transmit and receive characteristic.
Mechanical and thermal design aspects of the blanket, and maintenance considerations for the central cell in MARS

This paper describes the mechanical and thermal design features of the MARS (Mirror Advanced Reactor Study) blanket and presents a credible concept for maintaining the central cell components of the reactor.
Strategies for achieving residual-effected homogeneous charge compression ignition using variable valve actuation

Residual-effected HCCI is investigated using a single-cylinder research engine equipped with fully-flexible variable valve actuation. Dilution limits are explored with various valve profiles in order to gain insight into the best way to use exhaust residual to achieve and control HCCI. The tests repeatedly point out the importance of delayed combustion phasing to reduce thermal losses and maximize efficiency. Combustion phasing is not significantly affected by charge in-cylinder residence time, but is strongly influenced by both the level of exhaust residual and by valve strategies that aim to affect homogeneity. Further dilution with air shows little promise for reaching lower loads, but does suggest that operation near the lean limit can maximize efficiency while minimizing NO and CO emissions. Comparison of exhaust reinduction and exhaust retention (negative valve overlap) strategies shows that, at the same load, reinduction strategies have significantly higher efficiency and reduced NO emissions, though they suffer from higher HC emissions. Reinduction strategies also show some ability to recover from a misfire while retention strategies do not. The data show that the best combination of load range, efficiency, and emissions may be achieved using a reinduction strategy with variable intake lift instead of variable valve timing.
Forecasting: confronting the hazards

Since the 1960s, when technological forecasting tools gained recognition, we have learned some valuable lessons in dealing with complex sociotechnical systems. The paper discusses three key sources of failure in forecasting (short-term focus, assumption drag, over simplification) and impact assessment of technology and suggests steps to overcome them.
Abuse Disclosure: What Adults Can Tell

This book chapter reviews 14 retrospective surveys inquiring into respondent’s child abuse experiences and whether they ever disclosed abuse as children. I discuss the advantages of retrospective surveys (representativeness, reduced likelihood of false allegations, reduced suspicion bias). However, I also emphasize the likelihood of survey reluctance, and explain how this biases upwards estimates of abuse victims’ prior disclosure. If respondents who previously disclosed abuse are more likely to acknowledge abuse to a surveyor than respondents who never previously disclosed abuse, respondents who acknowledge abuse are disproportionately likely to be those who have previously disclosed. Difficulties notwithstanding, the research supports the proposition that most sexual abuse is not disclosed during childhood, and that, indeed, disclosure is difficult even for older respondents, particularly so in cases of intrafamilial abuse.
Analysis of a T/WDMA scheme with subframe tuning

A novel time and wavelength division multiple access (T/WDMA) scheme for an optical metropolitan area network based on a passive star is used. This scheme supports circuit switched traffic in an environment with a large number of users and a large number of applications with a relatively small bandwidth requirement (e.g., voice and compressed video). The scheme uses subframe tuning and pipelining in order to compensate for the relatively slow tuning speed of optical devices currently available. An analytical model is presented for the uniform, single rate point-to-point traffic case. The performance results illustrate the properties and effectiveness of the proposed T/WDMA scheme. >
Improving video-on-demand server efficiency through stream tapping

Efficiency is essential for video-on-demand (VOD) to be successful. Conventional VOD servers are inefficient, they dedicate a disk stream for each client, quickly using up all available streams. However, several systems have been proposed that allow clients to share streams. We present a new system called stream tapping that allows a client to greedily "tap" data from any stream on the VOD server containing video data the client can use. This is accomplished through the use of a small buffer on the client set-top box and requires less than 20% of the disk bandwidth used by conventional systems for popular videos. We present a description and analysis of the stream tapping system as well as comparisons between it and other efficiency-improving systems.
Substituted γ‐Butyrolactones from Carboxylic Acids and Olefins: γ‐(n‐Octyl)‐γ‐Butyrolactone

Substituted γ-butyrolactones from carboxylic acids and olefins: γ-(n-octyl)-γ-butyrolactone product: γ-(n-octyl)-γ-butyrolactone Keywords: addition, to CC; annulation, heterocyclic-[5]; oxidation, miscellaneous; benzene
The impact of the perimetric measurement scale, sample composition, and statistical method on the structure-function relationship in glaucoma.

Purpose To investigate the impact of perimetric measurement scales, sample composition, and 2 statistical methods on the structure-function relationship in glaucoma. Methods Three hundred eighty-five eyes of 385 participants, covering the full spectrum of the disease from healthy to advanced glaucoma, were tested with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and standard automated perimetry (Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm) within a 6-month period. The associations (R2) between neuroretinal rim area and perimetric data expressed in logarithmic (dB) and linear (1/Lambert) units were measured for linear and curvilinear (quadratic and logarithmic) models. The best-fit model resulting from 2 statistical analyses (χ2 coefficient and analysis of the residuals) were compared in the visual field areas corresponding to the 6 Heidelberg Retina Tomograph sectors and in the central visual field. These analyses were performed on the complete sample and on a subset of the study population composed only of healthy controls and patients with definite glaucoma. Results The R2 values ranged from 0.01 to 0.32 with the strongest associations in the supero-temporal and infero-temporal optic disc regions. When perimetric data were expressed in dB units, the curvilinear models generally explained more variance than the linear model. When perimetric data were expressed in 1/Lambert units, differences were observed between the 2 statistical and subgroup analyses. Conclusions The perimetric measurement scale is one of many factors influencing the structure-function relationship. It is also influenced by the composition of the sample and by the statistical method of analysis. Expressing perimetric data in linear units does not always translate into linear structure-function relationships.
Development of orthogonal task designs in fMRI studies of higher cognition: the NIMH experience.

Abstract This paper chronicles one researcher's journey at the National Institute of Mental Health, exploring ways to understand the neural systems responsible for the cognitive sub-processes of working memory tasks. Both the opportunities and the pitfalls with applying the idea of cognitive subtraction to neuroimaging data were well-known from studies using positron emission tomography. We took advantage of the improved temporal resolution of fMRI with a delayed-recognition task and identified the time-courses of the different stages of the task (encoding, memory delay, and recognition test) as predictor variables in a multiple regression analysis. Because these signals were temporally independent, individual components of tasks could be contrasted with one another, rather than entire tasks, reducing the problem of violations of pure insertion in cognitive subtraction. This approach enabled us to draw more detailed conclusions about the neural systems of higher cognition and the organization of prefrontal cortex than had been possible before fMRI. Further enhancements and innovations over the last 20 years by a multitude of researchers across the field have greatly expanded this knowledge, but this approach called “orthogonal task design” has remained a fundamental component of many of these modern studies.
Mutagenic potency of chlorofuranones and related compounds in Salmonella

One of the mutagenic byproducts associated with chlorinated humic waters and kraft pulp bleaching effluents was recently identified as 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone. This compound and several related chlorofuranones and precursors were synthesized and evaluated for direct-acting mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA100. Mutagenicity was greatest for 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone, its 5-methoxy derivative, and the precursor in their synthesis, 3-(dichloromethyl)-2,4,4-trichloro-2-butenoic acid. Several of the compounds were tested in the presence of added rat liver homogenate S9 fraction, and in all cases mutagenicity was substantially reduced. An important structural feature which may govern the mutagenic response in these instances appears to be the cis arrangement of CHCl2 and Cl substituents on a carbon-carbon double bond. These compounds may also be transformed in vitro to the same acyclic chlorine substituted alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde derivative, which is proposed to be the agent responsible for the observed mutagenicity.
The transatlantic divide: A rejoinder

ABSTRACT John Ravenhill and Richard Higgott and Matthew Watson, in commenting on my earlier article, accuse me of distortion, favoritism, and making the quality of debate of RIPE worse rather than better. Their criticisms, I suggest, reflect misunderstanding and are not supported by textual evidence.
Wave functions of bosonic symmetry protected topological phases

We study the structure of the ground-state wave functions of bosonic symmetry protected topological (SPT) insulators in three space dimensions. We demonstrate that the differences with conventional insulators are captured simply in a dual vortex description. As an example, we show that a previously studied bosonic topological insulator with both global U(1) and time-reversal symmetry can be described by a rather simple wave function written in terms of dual ``vortex ribbons.'' The wave function is a superposition of all the vortex-ribbon configurations of the boson, and a factor $(\ensuremath{-}1)$ is associated with each self-linking of the vortex ribbons. This wave function can be conveniently derived using an effective field theory of the SPT phase in the strong-coupling limit, and it naturally explains all the phenomena of this SPT phase discussed previously. The ground-state structure for other three-dimensional (3D) bosonic SPT phases are also discussed similarly in terms of vortex loop gas wave functions. We show that our methods reproduce known results on the ground-state structure of some 2D SPT phases.
Clinical significance of placental examination in perinatal medicine

Complete pathologic evaluation of the placenta provides valuable information for perinatal care for the obstetrician, neonatologist, pediatrician, and family. The histopathology of the placenta can answer specific questions about in utero insults, give insight into management of subsequent pregnancies, and provide an assessment of the newborn risk. Placental pathology has been a key litigious informant in inferring timing of insults. Despite these well known advantages of placental pathologic examination, it remains an under-utilized part of perinatal medicine. This stems from a historically under-taught part of surgical and autopsy pathology resulting in inadequate reporting. This review will focus on the utility of the placental examination for fetal and maternal well-being. This review will be restricted to singleton births.
Partitioning parallel programs for macro-dataflow

Partitioning techniques are necessary to execute functional programs at a coarse granularity. Fine-granularity execution is inefficient on general-purpose multiprocessors. There is a trade-off between parallelism and the overhead of exploiting parallelism. A compile-time partitioning approach to achieve this trade-off is presented.
Huntington's disease: two families with differing clinical features show linkage to the G8 probe

To test the hypothesis that interfamily variability in Huntington's Disease (HD) is due to mutation at different loci, linkage analysis was undertaken in two large HD kindreds that differed in ethnicity, age-at-onset, and neurologic and psychiatric features. Both families showed linkage of the HD locus to the G8 probe. Several recombinants were documented in each family, and the best estimate of the recombination fraction for the two families was 6 percent with a 95 percent confidence interval of 0 to 12 percent. Although the data support the existence of a single HD locus, use of the G8 probe for presymptomatic testing in these kindreds would have resulted in a 12 percent error rate in genotype assignment at the HD locus.
Central aperture detection for auto direct read-write photoresist fabrication and inspection

We show the design for a laser scanning microscopy defect detection system based upon the idea that the light can reflect off a photoresist-laden fused-silica sample containing defects, allowing height and depth information to be obtained through changes in light intensity. Image registration using predefined points is employed. Image processing techniques involving median and deconvolution filtering are used. Results show that the 2.1-μm resolution of these defects is obtainable, and receiver operating characteristic curves are used for quantifying results. Discriminabilities of 0.73 are achieved. Preliminary results for larger-array pat- terns through stitching processes are also shown. © 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) (DOI: 10.1117/1 .OE.53.8.084104)
Skin grafts: the "unsuture' technique.

• Small skin grafts are often the most appropriate treatment of skin defects on the face, as in the areas of the nasal tip and the anterior surface of the auricle. An improved technique for suturing the graft and applying the stent is described that uses rapidly absorbed 6-0 mild chromic sutures and a protective stent that is taped in a radial fashion. This technique has proved to yield appropriate graft results as well as avoiding a number of the inconveniences of traditional grafting and stent methods. (Arch Otolaryngol1982;108:437-438)
Definition of the Spatial Resolution of X-Ray Microanalysis in Thin Foils

The spatial resolution of X-ray microanalysis in thin foils is defined in terms of the incident electron beam diameter and the average beam broadening. The beam diameter is defined as the full width tenth maximum of a Gaussian intensity distribution. The spatial resolution is calculated by a convolution of the beam diameter and the average beam broadening. This definition of the spatial resolution can be related simply to experimental measurements of composition profiles across interphase interfaces. Monte Carlo calculations using a high-speed parallel supercomputer show good agreement with this definition of the spatial resolution and calculations based on this definition. The agreement is good over a range of specimen thicknesses and atomic number, but is poor when excessive beam tailing distorts the assumed Gaussian electron intensity distributions. Beam tailing occurs in low-Z materials because of fast secondary electrons and in high-Z materials because of plural scattering.
Magnetic cell separation: characterization of magnetophoretic mobility.

Magnetic cell separation has become a popular technique to enrich or deplete cells of interest from a heterogeneous cell population. One important aspect of magnetic cell separation is the degree to which a cell binds paramagnetic material. It is this paramagnetic material that imparts a positive magnetophoretic mobility to the target cell, thus allowing effective cell separation. A mathematical relationship has been developed to correlate magnetic labeling to the magnetophoretic mobility of an immunomagnetically labeled cell. Four parameters have been identified that significantly affect magnetophoretic mobility of an immunomagnetically labeled cell: the antibody binding capacity (ABC) of a cell population, the secondary antibody amplification (ψ), the particle−magnetic field interaction parameter (ΔχVm), and the cell diameter (Dc). The ranges of these parameters are calculated and presented along with how the parameters affect the minimum and maximum range of magnetophoretic mobility. A detailed unders...
Singular Loci of Ladder Determinantal Varieties and Schubert Varieties

Abstract We relate certain ladder determinantal varieties (associated to one-sided ladders) to certain Schubert varieties in SL ( n )/ Q , for a suitable n and a suitable parabolic subgroup Q , and we determine the singular loci of these varieties. We state a conjecture on the irreducible components of the singular locus of a Schubert variety in the flag variety, which is a refinement of the conjecture of Lakshmibai and Sandhya ( Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. Math. Sci. 100 (1990), 45–52). We prove the conjecture for a certain class of Schubert varieties.
Systems Ambiguity: A Framework to Assess Risks and Predict Potential Systems Failures

To be a high-reliability organization, organizations need to continually assess risks and predict potential failures before even they actually occur. In this paper, we present a new method to uncover and assess risks and failures embedded in a work system: systems ambiguity framework. We define systems ambiguity as uncertainty or vagueness that may prevent a work system from achieving its purpose. We identified five main types of ambiguity in a work system: task ambiguity, responsibility ambiguity, expectation ambiguity, method ambiguity, and exception ambiguity. Examples for each type of ambiguity are provided from a qualitative study aimed at identifying the underlying causes of non-compliance to evidence based guidelines in intensive care units. We argue that systems ambiguity framework can be used alone or in conjunction with well-known risk assessment methods (e.g., root cause analysis, failure modes and effects analysis) to uncover systems failures both reactively and proactively.
Religious Education and the Rhetoric of Reform: The Madrasa in British India and Pakistan

The madrasa is one of the many institutions which have seen recurrent attempts at reform in Muslim societies during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Since the eleventh century, when it first emerged as the principal institution of higher Islamic learning, the madrasa has undergone many changes, adapting in varying degrees to local cultures and changing times.On the madrasa in medieval Islam, see George Makdisi, The Rise of Colleges (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1981); Jonathan Berkey, The Transmission of Knowledge in Medieval Cairo: A Social History of Islamic Education (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992); Michael Chamberlain, Knowledge and Social Practice in Medieval Damascus 1190–1350 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994). Given the centrality of this institution in the preservation and production of knowledge as well as in the formation of the religious elite, the madrasa is crucial to the construction of religious authority. Profound changes in Muslim societies in modern times have not necessarily marginalized this institution, but such changes have frequently raised questions about the position and function of the madrasa in society and of the ‘ulama reared in it, about whether this institution ought to be reformed, and if so, to what end, how, and by whom.
Preliminary studies of the characteristics and factors influencing the emission from a copper vapor laser-induced plasma

The interaction between a laser beam from a high-repetition-rate copper vapor laser (CVL) and a metal target was studied. The influence of several buffer gases and their pressure on the generation of the plasma was evaluated, and the importance of the presence of air on the process of the plasma formation was observed. Diagnostics of the plasma were made. Several parameters were optimized in order to maximize the emission intensity of the 327.75 nm line of the copper target. Temporal studies were performed in order to observe the evolution of the signal-to-background ratio.
BASIC CONCEPTS AND CONSERVATION SKILL TRAINING IN KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN

Summary.-This study investigated the effects of basic concepts training on conservation acquisition in kindergarten children. A total of 41 children, 17 white boys, 15 white girls, 6 black girls, and 5 black 6oys, were randomly assigned within level of race and sex to four groups: Group 1, Basic Skills Training and Conservation Training; Group 2, Basic Skills Training; Group 3, Conservation Training; and Group 4. Contact Control. The experimental design called for Groups 1 and 2 to receive training on basic concepts, specifically "more than," "less than," "same," and "different." Following a second test session, Groups 1 and 3 then received training on conservation while Group 4 served as a contact control group for both training sessions. Only the conservation training program resulted in significant effects and that was for the white students alone. A retention testing administered several months after the conservation training showed a significant drop for those students who had received the conservation training and a significant increase for the contact control group.
High-resolution electron cryomicroscopy of macromolecular assemblies

Electron cryomicroscopy is a high-resolution imaging technique that is particularly appropriate for the structural determination of large macromolecular assemblies, which are difficult to study by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy. For some biological molecules that form two-dimensional crystals, the application of electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction can help elucidate structures at atomic resolution. In instances where crystals cannot be formed, atomic-resolution information can be obtained by combining high-resolution structures of individual components determined by X-ray crystallography or NMR with image-derived reconstructions at moderate resolution. This can provide unique and crucial information on the mechanisms of these complexes. Finally, image reconstructions can be used to augment X-ray studies by providing initial models that facilitate phasing of crystals of large macromolecular machines such as ribosomes and viruses.
Activation Parameters for Heme−NO Binding in Alcaligenes xylosoxidans Cytochrome c′: The Putative Dinitrosyl Intermediate Forms via a Dissociative Mechanism

The bacterial heme protein Alcaligenes xylosoxidans cytochrome c' (AXCP) forms a novel five-coordinate heme-nitrosyl (5c-NO) complex in which NO resides at the proximal heme face in place of the endogenous protein ligand. Intriguingly, AXCP shares NO-binding properties with the eukaryotic NO-sensor, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), including 5c-NO formation via two NO-dependent reactions. For both proteins, a model has been proposed in which NO binds to the vacant distal face to form a transient six-coordinate heme-nitrosyl (6c-NO) species, which then converts to a proximal 5c-NO complex via a putative dinitrosyl intermediate. To shed light on this novel reaction mechanism, activation parameters have been determined for distal and proximal NO-binding reactions in AXCP from the effect of temperature and hydrostatic pressure on rate constants. The unusually slow 6c-NO formation reaction has a near-zero entropy of activation and a positive volume of activation (DeltaV(double dagger) = +14.1 cm(3) mol(-1)), consistent with a rate-determining step involving movement of the Leu 16 residue to allow NO binding to the crowded distal site. For the 6c-NO --> 5c-NO conversion, the large positive entropy of activation (DeltaS(double dagger) = +103 J K(-1) mol(-1)) and volume of activation (DeltaV(double dagger) = +24.1 cm(3) mol(-1)) suggest that the putative dinitrosyl intermediate forms via a dissociative mechanism in which the endogenous His ligand dissociates prior to the attack of the second NO molecule on the proximal heme face. These results have important implications for distal vs proximal NO binding in AXCP, as well as mechanisms of 5c-NO formation in heme proteins.
Low Power Visible-to-UV Upconversion

Low power visible-to-UV photon upconversion is demonstrated for the first time, achieved from two simple organic chromophores dissolved in benzene. Selective 442 nm excitation of the triplet sensitizer 2,3-butanedione (biacetyl) in the presence of the laser dye 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) results in the observation of singlet fluorescence from the latter in the UV centered at 360 nm, anti-Stokes shifted by a record 0.64 eV with respect to the excitation. All of the experimental data are consistent with the upconverted singlet PPO fluorescence being produced as a result of biacetyl-sensitized triplet−triplet annihilation (TTA) of triplet excited PPO chromophores. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis performed under pseudo-first-order conditions revealed the bimolecular rate constant of triplet−triplet energy transfer between the biacetyl sensitizer and PPO acceptor, kq = 9.0 × 108 M−1s−1. The TTA process was confirmed by the quadratic dependence of the upconverted integrated PPO emission intensity measured with...
RhoA induction by functional overload and nandrolone decanoate administration in rat skeletal muscle

The regulation of skeletal muscle regeneration and growth in response to functional overload is a coordinated interaction of mechanical and endocrine signaling pathways. This study's purpose was to determine if RhoA expression and activity in rat plantaris muscle was induced by functional overload with or without anabolic steroid administration. Male Sprague Dawley (125 g) rats were subjected to bilateral ablation of the gastrocnemius muscle for 3 and 21 days and treated with nandrolone decanoate (ND, 6 mg/kg b.w.) or sesame seed oil injections. Western blot analysis revealed that RhoA protein expression was induced 2.1-fold by overload and 1.9-fold by ND at 3 days. RhoA protein remained elevated by overload after 21 days (3.8-fold). In addition, RhoA protein expression in C2C12 myotubes was induced after 18 h of 1% (1.8-fold) or 2% (2.2-fold) chronic radial stretch. Competitive RT PCR revealed that RhoA mRNA concentration increased 1.9-fold with ND, 2.9-fold with overload, and 11.8-fold with overload and ND administration when compared to sham at 3 days, indicating pre-translational control of RhoA by ND and a synergism between ND and overload to up-regulate RhoA mRNA. The ratio of RhoA protein associated with the muscle membrane fraction, an indicator of RhoA activity, increased 3.7-fold after 3 days of overload compared to controls. Although ND with overload (3.8-fold) produced a larger induction of RhoA protein than overload alone, the ratio of RhoA protein associated with the membrane fraction was not altered by ND treatment at 3 days. In conclusion, RhoA is an integrator of both mechanical and growth factor signaling whose expression and activity are increased by the combination of anabolic steroid and functional overload treatments in rat plantaris muscle.
Prolonged occlusion in the treatment of psoriasis: a clinical and immunohistologic study.

Abstract Background: An occlusive dressing that is both cosmetically acceptable and long term is needed for psoriasis treatment. The mechanisms that underlie the efficacy of occlusion in psoriasis are unknown. Objective: We performed a clinical and immunohistologic study in patients with psoriasis of the effects of occlusion, topical corticosteroid alone, and occlusion plus corticosteroid, with a new prolonged dressing as the occlusive therapy. Methods: Nineteen patients completed a 3-week study of efficacy of prolonged occlusion dressing, fluocinonide ointment, or a combination of the two. An immunohistologic study was performed in 10 patients with psoriasis treated for 1 week with prolonged occlusion. Results: The combination of fluocinonide ointment and occlusion produced significantly more improvement than either treatment alone ( p p = 0.05 and p Conclusion: Prolonged occlusion is an effective therapy for psoriasis either as monotherapy or in combination with a high-potency topical corticosteroid. However, the mechanism of action of prolonged occlusion alone in the improvement of psoriasis is unknown.
Cancer Genetics Service Interest in Women with a Limited Family History of Breast Cancer

Women with a limited family history of breast cancer may be interested in cancer genetics information although their objective risk of breast cancer may not indicate routine referral to cancer genetics services. This study examined factors related to interest and use of cancer genetics services in a community sample of women with a limited family history of breast cancer (N = 187) who had no previous contact with cancer genetics services. Participants provided demographic information and ratings of perceived risk, cancer distress, attitudes, and intentions to initiate cancer genetics services. Participants were given information about a cancer genetics clinic that served women having concerns about their breast cancer risk. Women were contacted within 6 weeks and 8 months following their study appointment. Six weeks following their study appointment, 25% of women had initiated cancer genetics services. Eight months following their study appointment, 18% of women reported having completed a cancer genetics service appointment. Baseline intentions independently predicted both initiation at 6 weeks and appointment at 8 months. Cancer distress was positively associated with cancer genetics service initiation and appointment. Results suggest that some women with a limited family history of breast cancer are interested in seeking out cancer genetics information. Women with a limited family history of breast cancer may benefit from the availability of cancer genetics information provided through primary healthcare settings.
The T1-auto inc. production part testing (PPT) process: a workflow automation success story

This case describes the development, design, and implementation of a work flow automation system at a tier one automotive supplier, T1-Auto. T1 is a developer and manufacturer of anti-lock brake systems. In 1991, T1-Auto had outsourced its IT department. They retained a management core consisting of the CIO and five managers, but transitioned approximately 80 other members of the department to the outsourcing firm. In 1994, Lotus NotesTM was installed as the corporate standard e-mail and workflow platform. A team of four NotesTM developers wrote workflow-based and knowledge management-based applications. Another team of three administrators managed the NotesTM infrastructure. The first workflow application written at T1-Auto was developed for the Finance department. The finance team quickly realized the workflow benefit of streamlining and tracking the capital expense request process. The NotesTM development team and the project sponsor, the Controller, worked closely to develop the application. Following this initial success, the power and value of workflow technology caught on quickly at T1-Auto. One of the most successful projects was the Electronic Lab Testing Process described in this paper.The Electronics Lab and Testing System (ELTS) was identified as a Transaction Workflow problem by the IT Lotus NotesTM team. Because the ELTS involved policies and procedures that crossed many groups and divisions within T1-Auto, and since the process was consistent across the organization, the solution lent itself very well to Lotus Notes. However, while T1-Auto was experiencing rapid growth and the number of tests was increasing, the testing process was prone to communication and coordination errors. As part of their production and product development processes, their electronics laboratory was required to test electronic components that were part of the brake systems. Clearly the testing process was critical to T-1 since delays or errors could adversely affect both product development and production.The case goes on to describe the design and development of the Lotus NotesTM workflow management system. The design description includes process maps for thee as-is and the new system. In addition, descriptions of the testing phase, the pilot, and the roll out are included. The case concludes with a discussion of project success factors and planned future enhancements.
Computer graphics simulation of a CNC lathe

Abstract A software system for simulation of the machining operations of a computerized numerically-controlled lathe is described. The microcomputer-based, BASIC software reads part program instructions from a sequential file, analyzes each instruction for errors and provides printed output describing the machine commands called for by the instruction as well as graphic output for tool motions. In an educational environment, the system can be used as a substitute for the more expensive machine tool or as a diagnostic and preview tool prior to actual machining.
Ammonium/nitrate ratio effects on dry matter partitioning and radiation use efficiency of corn 1

Abstract Physiological responses of plants to ammonium (NH4) versus nitrate (NO3) nutrition can vary considerably. A greenhouse study was conducted to examine the effect of ammonium‐nitrogen/nitrate‐nitrogen (NH4‐N/NO3‐N) ratio on dry matter partitioning and radiation use efficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). The hybrid Funks G 4673A was supplied with nutrient solutions that contained 8:1, 1:1, or 1:8 ratios of NH4‐N/NO3‐N. At each of four harvests, plants were separated into leaf blades, stem + leaf sheaths, and roots. Radiation use efficiency was calculated from these dry matter harvests and measured photosynthetically active radiation. Generally, more dry matter was partitioned to the stem than to leaf tissue when supplied with the 1:8 NH4‐N/NO3‐N ratio than when supplied with the other N treatments. Corn supplied with 8:1 and 1:1 ratios of NH4‐N/NO3‐N resulted in radiation use efficiency values for total dry matter that were significantly higher by 39 and 25%, respectively, than that of corn supplied with...
Vibrio illness in Florida, 1998–2007

This study characterized the current epidemiology of vibrio infections in Florida and examined cases reported from 1998 to 2007. Logistic regression was used to determine risk of death. There were 834 vibrio infections in 825 individuals (average annual incidence rate 4·8/1,000,000). Common Vibrio species reported were Vibrio vulnificus (33%), V. parahaemolyticus (29%), and V. alginolyticus (16%). Most exposures were attributed to wounds (42%), and the most common clinical syndromes were wound infections (45%) and gastroenteritis (42%). Almost half of individuals reported an underlying health condition. Risk of death was associated with any underlying condition and increased with the number of conditions (P<0·0001). In Florida, incidence of vibriosis associated with raw oyster consumption has decreased while incidence associated with wound infections has increased. Most prevention efforts to date have focused on oyster consumption. New educational messages focusing on the risk of vibriosis from wound infections should target high-risk populations.
Alternative implications of job-based “coracialism” for black voluntary association involvement

Abstract Job-based coracialism (the presence of black co-workers and superiors) and voluntary association joining are found to be inversely related among black female workers in Texas. Although this finding contradicts the direct relationship between these variables hypothesized in an earlier study in Florida, the Florida data did not consistently support the hypothesis. Possible interpretations are offered, including the view that joining may be compensatory for black workers who lack coracialism.
TOWARDS A COMMON NEURAL SUBSTRATE IN THE IMMEDIATE AND EFFECTIVE INHIBITION OF STUTTERING

Stuttering can be effectively inhibited via exogenous sensory signals (e.g., speaking in unison or using altered auditory feedback) or by using endogenous motoric strategies (e.g., singing or therapeutically implementing long vowel prolongations to reduce speech rates). We propose that these channels, which superficially appear to be diametrically opposite, centrally converge in the engagement of mirror neurons for fluent gestural productions. Sensory changes incurred via exogenous speech signals allow for direct engagement of mirror systems, while endogenous motor strategies appear to require significant departures from normal speech production (e.g., highly unnatural or droned speech) to engage mirror systems. Thus, paradoxically, stuttering is prone to resurface during attempts to impose naturalness upon therapeutic speech
Measurements of heavy quark production at D0

We report measurements of the inclusive single muon and b-quark cross sections in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.8 TeV using the D0 detector at the Fermilab collider, for the kinematic range {vert_bar}yb{vert_bar} 6 GeV/c. We also report preliminary measurements on the J/{psi} and {Upsilon} production cross sections.