cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urology Virtual Education Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This article aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American urology trainees, with a focus on virtual learning initiatives. Urological education was forced to rapidly adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Significant challenges included quarantines, redeployment of residents and faculty, and suspension of regularly scheduled conferences. In response, urologists across the country adopted web-based platforms to develop virtual lecture series to fill the gap. Popular programs for residents included UCSF’s COViD (Collaborative Online Video Didactics) series and the New York Section of the American Urological Association’s EMPIRE (Educational Multi-institutional Program for Instructing REsidents) series. Virtual education programs have enabled urology trainees to pursue their education during the pandemic. While the long-term impact of the pandemic on urology training remains unknown, some good may be found in the innovative solutions that have arisen in urology education.
LIQUIDITY AND QUOTE CLUSTERING IN A MARKET WITH MULTIPLE TICK SIZES

We analyze market liquidity (i.e., spreads and depths) and quote clustering using data from the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE), where the tick size increases with share price in a stepwise fashion. We find that stocks that are subject to larger mandatory tick sizes have wider spreads and less quote clustering. We also find that liquidity providers on the KLSE do not always quote larger depths for stocks with larger tick sizes. Overall, our results suggest that larger tick sizes for higher priced stocks are detrimental to market liquidity, although the adverse effect of larger tick sizes is mitigated by lower negotiation costs (i.e., less quote clustering).
Sum-product phenomena: $$\mathfrak{p}$$ p -adic case

The sum-product phenomena over a finite extension K of ℚp is explored. The main feature of the results is the fact that the implied constants are independent of p.
High-resolution, genome-wide mapping of positive supercoiling in chromosomes

Abstract Supercoiling impacts DNA replication, transcription, protein binding to DNA, and the three-dimensional organization of chromosomes. However, there are currently no methods to directly interrogate or map positive supercoils, so their distribution in genomes remains unknown. Here, we describe a method, GapR-seq, based on the chromatin immunoprecipitation of GapR, a bacterial protein that preferentially recognizes overtwisted DNA, for generating high-resolution maps of positive supercoiling. Applying this method to E. coli and S. cerevisiae, we find that positive supercoiling is widespread, associated with transcription, and particularly enriched between convergently-oriented genes, consistent with the “twin-domain” model of supercoiling. In yeast, we also find positive supercoils associated with centromeres, cohesin binding sites, autonomously replicating sites, and the borders of R-loops (DNA-RNA hybrids). Our results suggest that GapR-seq is a powerful approach, likely applicable in any organism, to investigate aspects of chromosome structure and organization not accessible by Hi-C or other existing methods.
Experimental Investigation of Cryoneedle Heating during MR-Guided Cryoablation in Ex Vivo Tissue Samples at 1.5-Tesla.

PURPOSE To investigate cryoneedle heating risks during magnetic resonance (MR)-guided cryoablation and potential strategies to mitigate these risks. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ex vivo experiments were performed on a 1.5-Tesla (T) MR scanner using an MR conditional cryoablation system on porcine tissue phantoms. Cryoneedles were placed inside the tissue phantom either with or without an angiocatheter. Typical cryoneedle geometric configurations (including gas supply line) encountered in clinical procedures with low to high expected heating risks were investigated. Up to 4 fiber optic temperature sensors were attached to the cryoneedle/angiocatheter to measure the MR-induced cryoneedle heating at different locations during MR with different estimated specific absorption rates (SARs). The impact of cryoneedle heating on cryoablation treatment was studied by comparing temperature changes during 10-min freeze-thaw cycles with and without MR. RESULTS Rapid temperature increases of >100 °C in < 2 minutes were observed during MR with a SAR of 2.1 W/kg. The temperature changes during a typical freeze-thaw cycle were also affected by cryoneedle heating when MR was used to monitor the ice-ball evolution. The observed cryoneedle heating was affected by multiple factors; including cryoneedle geometric configurations, sequence SAR, whether an angiocatheter was used, and whether the cryoneedle was connected to the rest of the cryoablation system. CONCLUSIONS The ex vivo experiments demonstrated that MR could induce significant cryoneedle heating risks. Furthermore, MR-induced cryoneedle heating can affect temperatures in the ice-ball evolution during the freeze-thaw cycle. Several practical strategies to reduce the cryoneedle heating have been proposed.
Post-transplant Management in Heart Transplant Recipients: New Drugs and Prophylactic Strategies

Today, heart transplant offers a 1-year survival of 91% to select patients with end-stage heart failure. Since the implementation of heart allocation system change in Oct 2018, transplantation needs have to be met in critically ill candidates with high waitlist mortality. This brings forth the contemporary challenges of use of more patients bridged from mechanical circulatory support, use of marginal hearts, older donor age, allosensitization, donation after circulatory death, and hepatitis C-positive donors. Advances in rejection surveillance and diagnosis, immunosuppression, and prophylaxis have no doubt increase the median survival post-heart transplant. However, long-term complications of malignancy, infections, and coronary allograft vasculopathy continue to threaten longevity. Evolving therapeutics in autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy has generated much needed interest and research in antibody-mediated rejection pathways targeting B cells, plasma cells, cytokines, pathologic antibodies, and complement mechanisms. Recent innovations in diagnosis of rejection via peripheral gene expression profiling, improved surveillance of complications, and novel immunosuppression medications hold tremendous promise in the contemporary landscape of heart transplantation.
A simple model of a strong shock driven by a spherical or cylindrical piston

A simple model of piston-driven spherical and cylindrical shocks is suggested. The model is based on a consistent use of two factors: (a) an almost uniform pressure across the shocked layer and, (b) continuous geometrical stretching of the surface elements of the expanding piston. It turns out that for a uniform pre-shock medium the gas between the piston and the shock behaves essentially as an incompressible fluid. An algebraic equation for the shock vs piston position is obtained. Detailed evaluation of the accuracy of the proposed solution shows that its accuracy is a few percent for the adiabatic index γ = 5 / 3 (as in ideal plasma). A closed-form solution describing enhancement of a weak ambient magnetic field by the shock is presented. The proposed model of piston-driven shocks goes beyond the classical self-similar solutions in that it: (1) naturally covers an early, non-asymptotic dynamics and its transition to asymptotic regime; (2) allows for smooth radial density variation of an ambient gas of the form of bumps, dimples or ramps between two constant values; and (3) allows for smooth temporal variation of piston velocity of the form of bumps, dimples, or ramps. This simple and versatile model provides some new insights into a classical hydrodynamical problem.
UHPLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analysis of brain cell-specific glucogenic and neurotransmitter amino acid content.

Astrocyte glycogen, the primary energy reserve in brain, undergoes continuous remodeling by glucose passage through the glycogen shunt prior to conversion to the oxidizable energy fuel l-lactate. Glucogenic amino acids (GAAs) are a potential non-glucose energy source during neuro-metabolic instability. Current research investigated whether diminished glycogen metabolism affects GAA homeostasis in astrocyte and/or nerve cell compartments. The glycogen phosphorylase (GP) inhibitor 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-arabinitol (DAB) was injected into the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN), a key metabolic-sensing structure, before vehicle or l-lactate infusion. Pure VMN astrocyte and metabolic-sensory neuron samples were obtained by combinatory immunocytochemistry/laser–catapult-microdissection for UHPLC–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS) GAA analysis. DAB inhibition of VMN astrocyte aspartate and glutamine (Gln) levels was prevented or exacerbated, respectively, by lactate. VMN gluco-stimulatory nitric oxide (NO; neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive (ir)-positive) and gluco-inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; glutamate decarboxylase65/67-ir-positive) neurons exhibited lactate-reversible asparate and glutamate augmentation by DAB, but dissimilar Gln responses to DAB. GP inhibition elevated NO and GABA nerve cell GABA content, but diminished astrocyte GABA; these responses were averted by lactate in neuron, but not astrocyte samples. Outcomes provide proof-of-principle of requisite LC–ESI–MS sensitivity for GAA measurement in specific brain cell populations. Results document divergent effects of decreased VMN glycogen breakdown on astrocyte versus neuron GAAs excepting Gln. Lactate-reversible DAB up-regulation of metabolic-sensory neuron GABA signaling may reflect compensatory nerve cell energy stabilization upon decline in astrocyte-derived metabolic fuel.
An 8-dipole transceive and 24-loop receive array for non-human primate head imaging at 10.5 T

A 32-channel RF coil was developed for brain imaging of anesthetized non-human primates (rhesus macaque) at 10.5 T. The coil is composed of an 8-channel dipole transmit/receive array, close-fitting 16-channel loop receive array headcap, and 8-channel loop receive array lower insert. The transceiver dipole array is composed of eight end-loaded dipole elements self-resonant at the 10.5 T proton Larmor frequency. These dipole elements were arranged on a plastic cylindrical former, which was split into two to allow for convenient animal positioning. Nested into the bottom of the dipole array former is located an 8-channel loop receive array, which contains 5 × 10 cm2 square loops arranged in two rows of four loops. Arranged in a close-fitting plastic headcap is located a high-density 16-channel loop receive array. This array is composed of 14 round loops 37 mm in diameter and 2 partially detachable, irregularly shaped loops that encircle the ears. Imaging experiments were performed on anesthetized non-human primates on a 10.5 T MRI system equipped with body gradients with a 60 cm open bore. The coil enabled submillimeter (0.58 mm isotropic) high-resolution anatomical and functional imaging as well as tractography of fasciculated axonal bundles. The combination of a close-fitting loop receive array and dipole transceiver array allowed for a higher-channel-count receiver and consequent higher signal-to-noise ratio and parallel imaging gains. Parallel imaging performance supports high-resolution functional MRI and diffusion MRI with a factor of three reduction in sampling. The transceive array elements during reception contributed approximately one-quarter of the signal-to-noise ratio in the lower half of the brain, which was farthest from the close-fitting headcap receive array.
Effect of comfort pads and incubator design on neonatal radiography

There has been increasing interest in patient dose reduction in neonatal intensive care units. Removing comfort pads for radiography has been identified as a potential means to decrease patient dose. To assess the effect of comfort pads and support trays on detector entrance exposure (DEE) and image quality for neonatal radiography, and its implication for patient dose. Comfort pads and support trays from three incubator and warmer systems were examined. The attenuation of the primary beam by these structures was measured using a narrow beam geometry. Their effect on DEE and image quality was then assessed using typical neonatal chest radiography techniques with three configurations: 1) both the comfort pad and support included in the beam, 2) only the support tray included and 3) both the comfort pad and support tray removed. Comfort pads and support trays were found to attenuate the primary beam by 6–15%. Eliminating these structures from the X-ray beam’s path was found to increase the detector entrance exposure by 28–36% and increase contrast-to-noise ratio by more than 21%, suggesting room for patient dose reduction when the same image quality is maintained. Comfort pads and tray support devices can have a considerable effect on DEE and image quality, with large variations among different incubator designs. Positioning the image detector directly underneath neonatal patients for radiography is a potential means for patient dose reduction. However, such benefit should be weighed against the risks of moving the patient.
Thermal Sensation: Infrared and Microwaves

Abstract : The main substance of this paper is to use present knowledge to help formulate a hypothetical program of psychophysical experiments with microwaves that will take account of the main variables that determine the subjective response.
Prevalence of Nutrition and Exercise Counseling for Patients with Hypertension: United States, 1999 to 2000

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of nutrition and exercise counseling for patients with hypertension.
A family set method for estimating heredity and stress—II: Preliminary results of the genetic methodology in a pilot survey of Negro blood pressure, Detroit, 1966–1967

Abstract A prior article described in detail a pilot survey designed to measure the effects of heredity and stress on blood pressures among Negroes residing in high and low stress census tracts in Detroit. This report outlines the construction of a genetic variable to analyze the heritable component in blood pressure variability using a family set composed of an index and spouse, a sibling and a first cousin of index, and an unrelated person in the tract matched to index. Given the theoretical proportions describing the degree to which genes are shared between siblings and first cousins, then it follows that variability of a given trait will increase predictably within each family set. Findings from a limited sample of 56 family sets indicate support for a genetic distance scale when measured against variables such as height and skin color; however, the relationship with blood pressure levels is inconclusive. A study now underway will more critically test the tentative findings from this pilot survey.
Declaratory Judgments Under the Texas Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act: An Underutilized Weapon

In “Declaratory Judgments Under the Texas Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act: An Underutilized Weapon,” Professor Brian Shannon discusses the history and application of Section 12 of the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act. He then examines the question of whether a party facing an adverse action can bypass the hearing with the agency and instead pursue a declaratory judgment. He supports this analysis with recent case law on the topic. Professor Shannon also describes situations in which a Section 12 action is appropriate. He concludes by stressing the underutilization of Section 12 and encourages practitioners to consider incorporating this tool into their practice.
Abstract 14651: Cardiac Overexpression of Delta-aminolevulinic Acid Synthase 2 (ALAS2) Leads to Exaggerated Response to Ischemic Injury Through an Increase in Heme Production

Introduction: Cardiac dysfunction is a key feature of iron overload diseases, such as hereditary hemochromatosis and Friedrich’s ataxia. Excess iron leads to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can have detrimental effects on the heart. Mitochondria play an important role in the regulation of cellular iron availability through the synthesis of heme, which begins in the mitochondria by the rate-limiting enzyme delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS). We recently showed that heme and ALAS2 levels are increased in the hearts of patients with heart failure, but it is unknown whether this increase in ALAS2 is a causative or consequential factor in heart failure. We hypothesized that cardiac-specific ALAS2 overexpression renders the heart more susceptible to the development of heart failure, and that the detrimental effects of ALAS2 on the heart are through increases in heme and oxidative stress. Results: Although transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing ALAS2 in the heart exhibit normal cardiac function at baseline, ejection fraction and fractional shortening were significantly reduced in ALAS2 TG mice compared to non-TG control mice after coronary ligation. Heart and lung weight were also significantly increased in ALAS2 TG mice that underwent coronary ligation compared to non-TG control mice, consistent with exacerbated heart failure. In H9c2 cardiac myoblasts, ALAS2 expression and heme levels were positively regulated by hypoxia and erythropoietin (EPO), two pathways that are frequently altered in failing hearts. Suppression of ALAS2 upregulation by EPO or hypoxia using siRNA reversed the increase in heme, suggesting that upregulation of ALAS2 in heart failure may be responsible for the increase in heme levels. Finally, ALAS2 overexpression or exogenous heme administration led to an increase in mitochondrial ROS and cell death, suggesting that elevated ALAS2 and heme production in heart failure may be maladaptive through increased oxidative stress. Conclusions: We show that mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of ALAS2 are more susceptible to heart failure by coronary ligation, and that the detrimental effects of ALAS2 on the heart are through increased production of heme and oxidative stress.
Glucocorticoid action on rat thymus cells. Interrelationships between carbohydrate, protein, and adenine nucleotide metabolism and cortisol effects on these functions in vitro.

Abstract Continued maximal levels of incorporation of amino acids into protein in rat thymus cell suspensions require added glucose, a requirement only partially satisfied by other readily metabolized carbohydrate substrates such as pyruvate and lactate. Effects of substrates on incorporation rates correlate with their ability to generate small elevations in ATP above the levels in controls without substrate. The stimulatory effect of glucose occurs prior to its conversion to intracellular pyruvate. The effects of glucose, and other carbohydrates as well, also correlate with glucose 6-phosphate levels. The data suggest a stimulatory role for glycolytic intermediates on amino acid incorporation, mediated possibly through the effects of glycolysis on adenine nucleotides. Cortisol addition leads to an early inhibition of only the carbohydrate-dependent amino acid incorporation into protein. This hormone effect is associated with a cortisol inhibition of the ability of glucose and other carbohydrates to generate ATP, the effects on ATP in some instances preceding the effects on incorporation. With glucose as substrate, effects of cortisol on amino acid incorporation may be attributed to a prior inhibition of glucose uptake; with lactate and pyruvate as substrate, effects on substrate uptake and on the initial metabolic steps were not found. Although the inhibition of glucose uptake is not the unique action of cortisol, the results suggest that hormonal inhibition at this site has considerable physiological significance.
VZV: molecular basis of persistence (latency and reactivation)

Primary infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella manifested by fever and a vesicular rash. During primary infection the virus disseminates in lymphocytes to the skin and other organs, and replicates in and establishes a latent infection in the nervous system (Croen et al., 1988). Early studies demonstrated viral DNA in human trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia by in situ hybridization and Southern blotting (Gilden et al., , ; Hyman et al., 1983). More recent studies, using PCR, have demonstrated latent VZV in multiple cranial nerve, dorsal root, and autonomic ganglia (Furuta et al., , ; Gilden et al., ; Mahalingham et al., 1990). The virus can reactivate from these sites to cause herpes zoster.
Brief of Amici Curiae American Association of University Professors et al., Cambridge University Press et al. v. Becker, No. 12-14676 (11th Cir. 2013)

Brief amicus curiae in appeal of lower court's decision that uses of online e-reserves in the university setting were largely fair uses. Amici urge the Court of Appeals to affirm the district court’s judgment, but also to clarify that district courts assessing fair use claims may alternatively conduct a transformative use analysis to determine whether the use was fair. A transformative use analysis compares the purpose for which the professors use copyrighted material in their teaching with the original purpose for which the work was intended. In cases where the materials encompass more than a modest excerpt, the use may nonetheless be transformative. In such cases, the failure to consider whether the use was transformative would burden or restrict countless highly expressive uses that have long been an essential teaching tool. The district court correctly concluded that non-transformative uses can be fair uses when only modest portions are used for a nonprofit educational purpose. However, the inquiry should not end there. Although educational use weighs in favor of fair use, transformative uses such as criticism and commentary fundamentally alter the fair use calculus, frequently broadening the amount of works that can be used and largely obviating the need to inquire into market harm. By making a transformative use, a professor employs the original work in a new way in order to express new ideas, add meaning, and convey new messages. These new uses do not supplant the original work, but instead add to our collective knowledge and understanding. By protecting transformative uses as non-infringing, the fair use doctrine ensures that copyright can coexist with the First Amendment’s protection of free expression.
Qué es el feminismo

Por cierto que no resulta facil encasillar un fenomeno tan distintivo de nuestros dias, en que las confusiones contemporaneas nos hacen debatirnos entre lo moderno y lo posmoderno, lo absoluto y lo relativo, lo certero y lo incierto. Si es que nos interesa el tema, resulta pues oportuno preguntarnos ?que es el feminismo? Owen Fiss ensaya un estudio encaminado a respondernos a traves de un derrotero politico, como debemos entender el feminismo en los anos 90. Para ello cuestiona que principios tan aceptados como el antidiscriminatorio y el igualitarista sean el sustento actual del feminismo; propone en cambio, el principio de antisubordinacion como paradigma teorico de esta corriente, de gran impacto particularmente en los EE.UU. Pero el feminismo no puede sustraerse de las demas disciplinas que lo informan -las que enumeramos lineas arriba-, para centrarse en lo estrictamente juridico. Asi lo entiende el autor y a la vez que lo identifica en la corriente critica del derecho, deja entrever cual puede ser el futuro del feminismo de tal manera que ni lo moral, ni lo social, ni lo intelectual escapan de forma alguna a este concienzudo analisis.
Partial Growth Hormone Deficiency with Pituitary Stalk Transection

Partial growth hormone deficiency was found in a 13-year-old Japanese boy who was born by breech delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging showed transection of the pituitary stalk and the presence of an ectopic posterior lobe located at the proximal stump of the transected stalk.
Engraftment of marrow-derived epithelial cells : The role of fusion

Contribution of transplanted bone marrow has, in many models, led to the appearance of marrow-derived epithelial cells in a variety of organs, including the lung. Following the initial descriptions of these cells, many questions remain about the mechanisms by which bone marrow adopts an epithelial phenotype in the murine lung. Data from other epithelial lineages, such as those of the kidney and colon, suggest that one mechanism is fusion of transplanted marrow with host pneumocytes. This process appears to require severe damage and may not be the only mechanism by which mature lung epithelia can derive from marrow. This article discusses the processes leading to the appearance of marrow-derived pneumocytes and highlights the therapeutic potential of bone marrow to fuse with or differentiate into epithelial cells of the lung.
An extended application of Davis’ “model for a vendor study”

AbstractBeginning in 1982, a study was conducted by the acquisitions department of Hunter Memorial Library at Western Carolina University of the eleven book dealers used regularly by the department. As a result of the first year of the study, three of these vendors were dropped by the library and the study continued a second year on the eight remaining vendors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their performance in relation to our library’s needs in order to determine which of these companies would receive the bulk of our future orders. As a result of the overall study, our profile account is under reexamination, one of the vendors will receive more sci/tech orders than previously and one of our medical suppliers will be receiving over 50% of this library’s medical orders. As minute differences in vendor performance tend to influence this library’s book buying program, it is considered extremely important to maintain vendor studies as a day to day part of the acquisitions program.
A Technique for Serial Collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid from the Cisterna Magna in Mouse

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is pathologically characterized by extracellular deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Because cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is in direct contact with the extracellular space of the brain, it provides a reflection of the biochemical changes in the brain in response to pathological processes. CSF from AD patients shows a decrease in the 42 amino-acid form of Aβ (Aβ42), and increases in total tau and hyperphosphorylated tau, though the mechanisms responsible for these changes are still not fully understood. Transgenic (Tg) mouse models of AD provide an excellent opportunity to investigate how and why Aβ or tau levels in CSF change as the disease progresses. Here, we demonstrate a refined cisterna magna puncture technique for CSF sampling from the mouse. This extremely gentle sampling technique allows serial CSF samples to be obtained from the same mouse at 2-3 month intervals which greatly minimizes the confounding effect of between-mouse variability in Aβ or tau levels, making it possible to detect subtle alterations over time. In combination with Aβ and tau ELISA, this technique will be useful for studies designed to investigate the relationship between the levels of CSF Aβ42 and tau, and their metabolism in the brain in AD mouse models. Studies in Tg mice could provide important validation as to the potential of CSF Aβ or tau levels to be used as biological markers for monitoring disease progression, and to monitor the effect of therapeutic interventions. As the mice can be sacrificed and the brains can be examined for biochemical or histological changes, the mechanisms underlying the CSF changes can be better assessed. These data are likely to be informative for interpretation of human AD CSF changes.
MANUFACTURING STRATEGY ON THE “S” CURVE

The concept and techniques of “manufacturing strategy” offer managers the opportunity to use their production function as a strategic weapon in competition, an apparently attractive objective. Yet after about 25 years, the use of manufacturing in corporate strategy (MCS) as a management practice is not widespread. In contrast, however, in academic literature it appears to be flourishing and rapidly growing in popularity. This paper seeks to answer this apparent paradox, beginning with the history of MCS as it was developed as a theory of design to enable a manufacturing system to be focused on a key competitive task. Common criticisms of MCS, such as “tradeoffs,” “focus” and “undynamic,” are examined and refuted as valid reasons for its only modest usage. Instead, three “new” problems in the MCS concept and its techniques are suggested as genuine needs for the completion of the theory and for its becoming more universally understood and used by industrial managers.
A more explicit grading scale decreases grade inflation in a clinical clerkship.

Objectives: The medical education literature contains few publications about the phenomenon of grade inflation. The authors' clinical clerkship grading scale suffered from apparent inflation relative to the recommended university distribution. The investigators hypothesized that a simple change of the shift grading cards, using explicit criteria, would decrease this grade inflation and aid to redistribute the shift evaluations. Methods: This was a before-and-after study examining medical student shift evaluation grades. Evaluators and students were blinded to the purpose of the card change and were unaware that a study was being conducted. Beginning June 1, 2005, the authors altered the shift evaluation cards from the previous four choices of honors, high pass, pass, or fail to five choices of upper 5%, upper 25%, expected, below expected, or far below expected, and explicit grading criteria were provided. No other interventions to alter the grade distribution occurred. Data were collected on all evaluations from June 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005 (before change), and compared with data on all evaluations from June 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006 (after change). Results: A total of 3,349 evaluations were analyzed: 1,612 before the card change and 1,737 after the change. The grade distribution before the card change was as follows: honors, 22.6%; high pass, 49.0%; pass, 28.4%; and fail, 0%. This compared with the following ratings after the card change: upper 5%, 9.8%; upper 25%, 41.2%; expected, 46.2%; below expected, 2.8%; and far below expected, 0% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A simple change in shift evaluation cards to include more explicit grading criteria resulted in a significant change in grade distribution and greatly decreased grade inflation.
Steering wheel sensor as a push-to-talk solution

In today's vehicles, there are a number of electronic devices that are manually operated while driving. Speech interaction systems are employed to relieve distraction caused by the operation of these devices. Push-to-talk buttons are used to trigger speech recognizers. In this paper we present a new push-to-talk solution that is activated by tapping a finger on the perimeter of the steering wheel, where force sensor strips are located. At the same time these sensors can be used to measure gripping force while driving. The paper describes the design of the sensor system as well as a demonstration setup. A short pilot study was run as a proof of concept, which indicates that the new system does not perform worse than the existing, fixed position PTT solution. (4 pages)
Semiconductor Crystal Growth by the Vertical Bridgman Process With Transverse Rotating Magnetic Fields

During the vertical Bridgman process, a single semiconductor crystal is grown by the solidification of an initially molten semiconductor contained in an ampoule. The motion of the electrically conducting molten semiconductor can be controlled with an externally applied magnetic field. This paper treats the flow of a molten semiconductor and the dopant transport during the vertical Bridgman process with a periodic transverse or rotating magnetic field. The frequency of the externally applied magnetic field is sufficiently low that this field penetrates throughout the molten semiconductor. Dopant distributions in the crystal are presented.
Listening to Our Students: Understanding How They Learn Research Methods in Geography

Abstract How undergraduate students learn research methods in geography has been understudied. Existing work has focused on course description from the instructor’s perspective. This study, however, uses a grounded theory approach to allow students’ voices to shape a new theory of how they themselves say that they learn research methods. Data from two focus groups, a survey, and in-depth interviews with undergraduates taking a research methods course suggests that students perceive that they learn best when research methods are taught in ways similar to the faculty research process. The conclusion is that students learning research methods need clear illustrations of process, a community setting that facilitates discussion, instruction in theory, and an extended period of time to complete effective projects.
Disappearance of Zostera marina

THIS very common flowering plant used to cover large areas of estuaries of Britain, but about fifteen years ago it died out almost completely on both sides of the Atlantic, though not on the Pacific coasts of the United States. Evidence as to the present condition is now being sought, both here and in America. It would be much appreciated if those who knew the Zostera beds formerly would please send information as to continued absence or extent of regeneration, also as to whether anything else now occupies the areas thus left bare. The late Dr. E. J. Butler informed me in September 1938 that annually since 1932 he had watched a small 'meadow' in Guernsey. Though about 75–90 per cent went the first year, the rest was then holding its own. The fungus Ophiobolus halimus, Diehl and Mounce, was always present on it, but there was no sign of extermination. In fact, he thought there was some increase. There is very little of it around here now.
Dispensing Surfactants from Electrodes: Marangoni Phenomenon at the Surface of Aqueous Solutions of (11-Ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium Bromide

Electrochemical methods in combination with redox-active surfactants form the basis of a procedure to create gradients in surfactant-based properties of solutions. The gradients are created by the ...
Early stimulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis during Wallerian degeneration of rat sciatic nerve.

: Phospholipid metabolism was studied in rat sciatic nerve during Wallerian degeneration induced by crush injury. Portions of crushed sciatic nerve, incubated with labeled substrates, showed significantly higher phosphatidylcholine synthesis than normal nerve, prior to any measurable alterations of phospholipid composition. Maximum synthesis occurred 3 days after crush injury, at which time the metabolism of other phospholipids was unchanged. After a rapid decrease in biosynthetic activity, a second phase of enhanced phosphatidylcholine synthesis occurred, beginning 6 days after crush injury. Increased incorporation of [33P]phosphate, [2-3H]glycerol, and [Me-14C]- choline indicated stimulation of de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine 3 days after injury. Neither base exchange reactions nor sequential methylation of ethanolamine phospholipids contributed significantly to phosphatidylcholine synthesis. Assay of certain key enzymes under optimal conditions in subcellular fractions of sciatic nerve revealed higher activities of cholinephosphate cytidyltransferase, choline phosphotransferase, and acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase in injured nerve, while choline kinase activity remained unchanged. This indicates that stimulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis occurs via the cytidine nucleotide pathway, as well as by increased acylation of lysophosphatidylcholine. Although the cause of stimulated phosphatidylcholine synthesis remains unexplained, it is possible that trace amounts of lysophospholipids or other metabolites produced by injury-enhanced phospholipase activity may be responsible.
Vascular endothelial growth factor production in human prostate cancer cells is stimulated by overexpression of platelet 12-lipoxygenase.

BACKGROUND Elevated platelet 12-Lipoxygenase (P12-LOX) expression is associated with advanced stage and grade prostate cancer and overexpression in PC-3 cells promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the role of P12-LOX in angiogenesis remain unclear. METHODS Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in conditioned media of PC-3 cells stably overexpressing human P12-LOX. Immunoblotting was used to observe stimulation of signal transduction in prostate cancer cell lines following exposure to 12(S)-HETE. RESULTS P12-LOX overexpression promotes increased accumulation of 12(S)-HETE and VEGF in culture media leading to constitutive ERK1/2 phosphorylation. 12(S)-HETE stimulates ERK1/2 phosphorylation via a pertussis toxin sensitive G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and MEK; the inhibition of which reduces VEGF accumulation by 36% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide insight into a possible mechanism by which prostate cancer cells with elevated expression of P12-LOX stimulate VEGF production, thus increasing their angiogenic potential. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Partial purification and characterization of a bacterial enzyme catalyzing reductive cleavage of anthracycline glycosides.

Abstract A bacterial enzyme catalyzing the NADH-dependent reductive cleavage of certain anthracycline glycosides has been partially purified. The enzyme is acidic, stable in solution and has an estimated molecular weight of 35,000. The enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by molecular oxygen but not by cyanide or EDTA. No evidence has been found for an enzyme system or associated elements of electron transport.
Rule-Based Learning for More Accurate ECG Analysis

Long-term electrocardiograms exhibit a small number of QRS morphologies (waveform shapes) whose analysis can reveal cardiac abnormalities. We considered the problem of accurately identifying instances of each in 24-h ECG recordings. A new learning algorithm was developed. Each QRS morphology is represented as a tree of rule activations, which associate attribute measurements with a rule. Each rule has a syntactic pattern together with a semantic procedure which manages and applies the knowledge stored in the activation. A single rule may be activated several times to learn different waveform segments. Delineation refinement improves each hypothesized signal interpretation. A simple conflict resolution mechanism resolves conflicting interpretations into a single unambiguous one. Comparison of the system with an existing program confirmed the promise of the new approach.
Aspergillosis of the posterior mediastinum

Invasive pulmonary Aspergillus, although rare in the general population, represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality among immunosuppressed patients. However, mediastinal invasion by Aspergillus is very uncommon, with few cases documented in the literature. Among 13 immunosuppressed pediatric patients recently diagnosed with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, 3 have had posterior mediastinal invasion with severe complications. Rupture of a mycotic aortic aneurysm occurred in 2 patients, one of whom was operated on successfully. The infection involved the spinal cord with severe neurologic sequelae in 2 patients. We report our experience to make our colleagues aware of this problematic disease, which may be more prevalent in the current population of highly immunosuppressed pediatric patients.
Effects of membrane potential on sodium-dependent calcium uptake by sarcolemma-enriched preparations from canine ventricle.

The effect of membrane potential on sodium-dependent calcium uptake by vesicles in an isolated cardiac sarcolemma preparation was examined. Initial time course studies showed that the reaction deviated from initial velocity conditions within minutes. This appeared to be due, in part, to loss of the sodium gradient. Assays carried out to 10 sec revealed a linear component of uptake (2 to 10 sec) and a faster component (complete by 2 sec). The latter was eliminated by loading the preparation with ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). This maneuver did not affect the slow component, and subsequent studies used preparations containing EGTA. Potassium Nernst potentials (EK), established by potassium gradients in the presence of valinomycin, were varied from −100 to +30 mV by changing [K+]o from 1.18 to 153.7mM ([K+]i=50mM). The initial velocity of sodium-dependent calcium uptake was stimulated twofold by changingEK from −100 to 0 mV and another twofold by raisingEK from 0 to +30 mV. For the total range ofEK and [K+]o, 32 to 36% of the increase appeared to reflect stimulation by extravesicular potassium. The remainder appeared to be due to membrane potential. The profile of sodium-dependent calcium uptake versusEK suggested that calcium influx through electrogenic sodium/calcium exchange may be much more affected by the positive region of the cardiac action potential than by the negative region.
Identifying public preferences for land preservation using the analytic hierarchy process

Much debate exists on whether purchase of development rights programs are cost-effectively targeting the nonmarket attributes of preserved land that the public truly demands. This paper applies the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to general population survey data in order to compare the public's sources of value for the environmental, agricultural, growth control, and open space attributes of preserved land. AHP is a methodology that encourages respondents to make subtle trade-offs in nonquantifiable, nonmarket attributes of preserved land. AHP also measures the relative public preference of one attribute over another attribute. Although this methodology is entirely different from conjoint analysis and other choice-based methods for processing trade-offs for nonmarket goods, the results of AHP are highly comparable to and offer another way to adjudge the validity of these complementary methods. The results of the AHP application to data collected from Delaware residents find that public preference is strongest for the environmental and agricultural attributes of farmland, two potentially opposing attributes. Growth control and open space are found to be less important. At a more precise level, a comparison of the qualities of these attributes shows that the public favors agricultural land preservation because it protects a rural way of life, which also is seen to protect human-regarding environmental quality. Results generally validate those of Kline and Wichelns (Land Econ. 72 (1996, p. 538) and Rosenberger (Land Econ. 74 (1998, p. 557).
Joining Hearts and Minds: A Contemplative Approach to Holistic Education in Psychology

Read about the unique pedagogical environment that shapes the Contemplative Psychology Department at Naropa University
The singular reduction of 1,8-bis-hydroxymethylnaphthalene to a benzonorcaradiene by LiAlH4

Abstract Reduction of 1,8-naphthalic anhydride ( 1 ) with LiAlH 4 in THF (or DME, but not Et 2 O) affords, in addition to diol 2 , benzonorcaradiene 3 . Extended treatment of 2 or lactone 4 also leads to 3 , in 66% and 65% yield, respectively. Reduction of 4 with LiAlD 4 established that formation of 3 proceeds via a symmetrical intermediate. No significant norcaradiene formation is observed upon comparable LiAlH 4 treatment of 14, 15, 16 or 17 . This novel reduction of a naphthalene derivative to a benzonorcaradiene appears to be unique to 2 or its precursors.
A molecular theory of Setchenov's salting-out principle and applications in mixed-solvent electrolyte solutions

Abstract An exact molecular theory is developed to express the salting-out behavior of solute species in mixed-solvent (more than one solvent) electrolyte solutions. The starting point is the Kirkwood-Buff solution theory. The Setchenov constant can be shown to be a special case (at infinite dilution) of the general theory. The new formula involves the partial molar volumes of the components and the isothermal compressibility of the medium. In addition, it contains the direct correlation function integrals for solvent-salt interactions. Furter's theory of relative volatilities is shown to be related to Setchenov's equation and the molecular-based equation. All these equations express the affinities of the solvent and cosolvents toward the salt in the solution. Low affinity (for a particular solvent-salt pair) means salting-out of this solvent. When combined with the Gibbs-Duhem relation, the affinity equations result in a differential equation for the activity of a single solvent which can be numerically solved. This affords a means of obtaining the activities of solvents individually in the mixture. We test the new approach for two ternary solutions, methanolwaterLiBr and methanolwaterLiCl, by applying an empirical affinity equation. For the ionic activities, we use the mean spherical approximation expressions. Comparison with experimental data shows that the agreement is close for the vapor-liquid equilibria of these ternary systems. Generalization to higher-component systems is outlined.
Absolute two-photon absorption and three-photon ionization cross sections for atomic oxygen.

The technique of two-photon excited fluorescence has been used to measure the cross section for the 3p ${\mathrm{}}^{3}$${P}_{2}$,1,0\ensuremath{\leftarrow}2p ${\mathrm{}}^{3}$${\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ transition in atomic oxygen. Excitation was monitored by observing fluorescence at 845 nm from the 3p ${\mathrm{}}^{3}$${P}_{2}$,1,0\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s ${\mathrm{}}^{3}$${\mathrm{S}}_{1}$ transition. Spontaneous Raman scattering from ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ was used to calibrate the fluorescence collection system. The spatial and temporal profiles of the exciting dye-laser pulses were carefully measured in a mildly focused excitation geometry, allowing the integrated two-photon absorption coefficient to be measured absolutely. The integrated absorption coefficient is the product of an atomic quantity, ${\mathcal{J}}_{J\mathcal{'}}$${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}^{(2)}$(J'\ensuremath{\leftarrow}2), and the second-order correlation function of the laser field, ${G}^{(2)}$. The experimental value of this coefficient is ${\mathcal{J}}_{\mathrm{J}\mathcal{'}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{0}^{(2)}$(J'\ensuremath{\leftarrow}2)${\mathrm{G}}^{(2)}$ =(2.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.80)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}35}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{4}$. If chaotic photon statistics are assumed (i.e., ${G}^{(2)}$=2), excellent agreement with the calculations presented in the companion paper is obtained. The cross section for photoionization by a third, identical 226-nm photon has been determined by measuring the absolute number of ions produced per laser pulse. The excited-state photoionization cross section is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{pi}=(5.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.0)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}19}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
DFT and TDDFT study of carbon trioxide

Abstract Carbon trioxide has been studied using DFT and TDDFT methods with different combinations of GGA functionals and correlation consistent basis sets. The C 2 v isomer is calculated to be 2.5 kcal mol −1 and 12.5 kcal mol −1 lower in energy than D 3 h with a conversion energy barrier of 5.0 kcal mol −1 and 12.9 kcal mol −1 by PW91PW91 and B3LYP, respectively. All of the above include zero-point energy corrections. The geometry changes almost linearly along the reaction coordinate and the TS structure is approximately an average of D 3 h and C 2 v with an imaginary O–C–O bending mode of 421 i cm −1 . However, D 3 h is more favored in low energy excited singlet states. These states also promote the C 2 v → D 3 h conversion.