cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical Methods for the Calculation of Quasienergy States of Quantum Systems

This chapter develops analytical methods for describing an interaction of quantum systems with a nonstationary field. First, a general review of relevant methods is given. Then new (previously unpublished) analytical methods (per-turbational and nonperturbational) for the calculations of QS are presented.1
Self-perception and life satisfaction.

Abstract This study investigated several dispositional predictors of a form of subjective well-being (life satisfaction) while controlling for social desirability. Results from 185 survey respondents collected at two time points three months apart demonstrated that of narcissistic entitlement, narcissistic superiority, and self-esteem, only the last two are significant predictors of life satisfaction. Impression management as a form of socially desirable responding and narcissistic entitlement were related to life satisfaction in bivariate correlations but not in the regression model. This suggests that these two traits share much of the same construct space as narcissistic superiority and self-esteem in their prediction of life satisfaction.
A Case Study Comparing Student Experiences and Success in an Undergraduate Mathematics Course offered through Online, Blended, and Face-to-Face Instruction

A research study was conducted at an undergraduate college, comparing student experiences and successes in a mathematics course offered fully online, blended and face-to-face. In online courses, students enjoy the flexibility of learning at their own pace, not having to travel to school, as well as having consistent access to courses through a web browser. However, such conveniences do not automatically produce positive results. Some students lack the discipline, enthusiasm and sometimes feel socially isolated from their peers when learning online. Despite these challenges, online courses continue to be developed in response to the demand for online learning opportunities. However, there is a need to determine the impact of these opportunities on student learning. The majority of the participants in this study were satisfied with their learning experience. Furthermore, the results analysis did not find enough evidence to confirm that there were any significant differences in the achievement, as measured by students’ final grades and exam scores based on whether the course was taught online, as a blended course, or face-to-face format. The researchers, therefore, concluded that students can attain the same level of academic achievement through online, blended, or face-to-face courses (measuring the final exam and course final grades).
Dietary Polyphenols and Sulforaphane: Impact on Hallmarks of Colon Cancer (P06-045-19)

The isothiocyanate sulforaphane and the polyphenols chrysin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and resveratrol are dietary micronutrients that are thought to exhibit potential in cancer prevention. These compounds are commonly found in the human diet, and previous research suggests that they may play a role in cellular processes that are often labeled as the ‘hallmarks of cancer’. Our goal is to investigate the impact of these dietary nutrients on the expression of genes associated with apoptosis, metastasis, and invasion, and thus their potential role in regulating the expression of genes involved in colon cancer. Colorectal cancer cells were incubated for up to 48 h. RNA was extracted with Trizol/Chloroform, and reverse-transcribed to cDNA. mRNA expression was quantitated using qPCR, normalized to Gapdh, and analyzed using GraphPad Prism. Total protein was extracted using lysis buffer for subsequent Western blotting and catalytic activity assays. Our preliminary results suggest that especially the isothiocyanate sulforaphane increases mRNA expression of apoptosis-regulatory genes, such as Cyclooxygenase 2 (p < 0.05) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (p < 0.05), whereas cell proliferation genes, such as cyclin B1 and KRAS remained largely unaffected. Furthermore, matrix metalloprotease 9 expression was significantly inhibited by sulforaphane, but not by the polyphenols investigated. Among the dietary micronutrients investigated thus far, sulforaphane significantly altered mRNA expression of genes associated with the hallmarks on cancer. Further investigations involving both shorter and longer-term incubation times, as well as effects on protein expression and activity will help elucidate the effects of sulforaphane and other micronutrients potentially important in colon cancer. Our results may help to understand how commonly eaten dietary compounds may contribute to cancer prevention strategies. Financial support was provided by Towson University's Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (P. Tsuji) and an FCSM undergraduate research grant to M. Darkwa.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are predictive of trajectories of cognitive functioning in de novo Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Introduction Non-motor symptoms such as cognitive and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD, GI-symptoms often present prior to motor symptoms. It is hypothesized that GI-symptoms reflect disruptions of the microbiome-gut-brain axis, which leads to altered immune functioning, chronic neuroinflammation, and subsequent neurodegeneration. Initial evidence links gut-dysbiosis to PD pathology and motor symptom severity. The present study examines the longitudinal relationship between severity of GI-symptoms and cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed PD patients. Methods A secondary data analysis of the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) included 423 newly diagnosed PD patients who were followed for up to 5 years. Participants underwent neuropsychological tests of processing speed, attention, visuospatial functioning, verbal learning and verbal delayed recall. Participant were classified as cognitive intact, mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease dementia. Frequency of GI-symptoms were assessed with the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT). Multi-level models (MLM) examined the longitudinal relationship between GI symptoms and cognitive impairment. Results All cognitive outcomes were predicted by the main effect of GI symptoms, or the GI-symptom X Occasion interaction term. Specifically, more severe GI-symptoms were predictive of a less favorable trajectory of performance on tests of letter fluency, visuospatial, learning and memory. Cognitive performance was uniquely associated with GI-symptoms and unrelated to non-GI autonomic symptoms. Conclusions The presence of GI symptoms may serve as an early marker of cognitive impairment in PD. Future studies should examine specific mechanisms underlying the relationship between gut-dysbiosis and cognitive impairment.
Validation of one-week reliable change methods in cognitively intact community-dwelling older adults.

Reliable change methods can assist the determination of whether observed changes in performance are meaningful. The current study sought to validate previously published standardized regression-bas...
Influenza A virus surveillance, infection and antibody persistence in snow geese (Anser caerulescens)

Some snow geese (Anser caerulescens) migrate between Eurasia and North America and exhibit high seroprevalence for influenza A viruses (IAVs). Hence, these birds might be expected to play a role in intercontinental dispersal of IAVs. Our objective in this manuscript was to characterize basic incidence and infection characteristics for snow geese to assess whether these birds are likely to significantly contribute to circulation of IAVs. Thus, we 1) estimated snow goose infection prevalence by summarizing > 5,000 snow goose surveillance records, 2) experimentally infected snow geese with a low pathogenic IAV (H4N6) to assess susceptibility and infection dynamics and 3) characterized long-term antibody kinetics. Infection prevalence based on surveillance data for snow geese was 7.88%, higher than the infection rates found in other common North American goose species. In the experimental infection study, only 4 of 7 snow geese shed viral RNA. Shedding in infected birds peaked at moderate levels (mean peak 102.62 EID50 equivalents/mL) and was exclusively associated with the oral cavity. Serological testing across a year post-exposure showed all inoculated birds seroconverted regardless of detectable shedding. Antibody levels peaked at 10 days post-exposure and then waned to undetectable levels by 6 months. In sum, while broad-scale surveillance results showed comparatively high infection prevalence, the experimental infection study showed only moderate susceptibility and shedding. Consequently, additional work is needed to assess whether snow geese might exhibit higher levels of susceptibility and shedding rates when exposed to other IAV strains.
Comparison of a Teaching and Nonteaching Service at a Children's Hospital in the Community.

Abstract Objective The impact of trainees on inpatient patient care is incompletely understood. This study sought to discern the impact of trainees on patient outcomes and costs at a children's hospital in the community. We hypothesized that there would be no differences in patient outcomes and costs on an inpatient teaching service compared to a nonteaching service. As a secondary goal, we analyzed trainee evaluations. Methods The authors conducted a cohort study of patients hospitalized from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 on an acute care unit in a children's hospital in the community. Using t test or Fisher exact test, the authors compared patient outcomes between teaching and nonteaching services including, length of stay, discharge times, readmission rates, rapid response team (RRT) calls, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) transfers, hospital transfers, and costs. Results During the study period, there were 1066 patients admitted and discharged from the teaching service and 1038 from the nonteaching service. There were no statistically significant differences in patient demographics or patient complexity. Similarly, there were no differences in length of stay, discharge times, readmission rates, RRT calls, PICU transfers, hospital transfers or patient costs between services. Trainee evaluations of the inpatient experience were overwhelmingly positive. Conclusions In a children's hospital in the community, there were no significant differences in patient outcomes and costs on a teaching service compared to a nonteaching service. Furthermore, trainee evaluations suggested a favorable learning experience, illustrating the feasibility of incorporating trainees into inpatient care in a nontraditional learner setting.
Knowledge mining for cognitive agents through path based forward checking

The Cognitively Enhanced Complex Event Processing (CECEP) architecture is an autonomous decision support tool that reasons and learns like humans and enables enhanced agent-based decision making. This architecture has applications in both military and civilian domains, including operations research and data mining. One of the most computationally challenging aspects of CECEP is mining domain knowledge captured in cognitive domain ontologies (CDOs). This requires massively linked knowledge databases to be searched based on a large set of constraints to generate intelligent decisions. The solution search for CDOs is a kind of Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP). Due to the unique nature of the CDO-to-CSP mapping, generic constraint solvers are inefficient. We introduce a novel high performance path based forward checking CSP algorithm to solve CDOs and compare it to a commonly utilized CSP solving application. Additionally our approach enables a very compact and efficient representation of the entire solution space to allow fast processing and give agents key ideas on how to further reduce the solution space. The proposed algorithm provided a speedup of about 10–25 times for generating the first solution and about half a million times for all the solutions over a Choco based conventional CSP approach.
Initial imaging results from a high spatial-resolution time-of-flight PET detector designed for dedicated breast imaging

This paper discusses initial imaging results from a high-resolution time-of-flight detector specifically developed for a limited-angle dedicated breast PET scanner. To maintain high spatial-resolution and sensitivity, the detector design consists of 32 × 32 array of 1.5 × 1.5 × 15 mm3 LYSO crystals coupled to a single Hamamatsu H8500 multi-anode photomultiplier tube with a modified high-voltage divider circuit. To minimize the number of readout channels, compact front-end electronics that summed anode-signals along each of the orthogonal directions was also developed. Experimental performance evaluation of a complete detector-module demonstrates excellent energy, timing resolution and clear discrimination of most crystals. An average energy resolution of about 12.7% FWHM and an average coincidence timing resolution of 348 ps for two such detectors was measured. The dedicated breast PET scanner comprises of two parallel detector heads, each 15 cm by 10 cm and comprised of two rows of three detector-modules. We also experimentally evaluated the imaging capability of the scanner design via an experimental benchtop-demonstrator consisting of two fully assembled detector-modules on opposing translational stages. Imaging experiments with a hot lesion phantom that had an 8-mm diameter lesion with 8∶1 activity uptake ratio, successfully demonstrate the capability of the system in imaging small lesions in a uniform background.
On computing the H ∞ norm of a transfer matrix

We present a simple bisection algorithm to compute the H∞ norm of a transfer matrix. The bisection method is far more efficient than algorithms which involve a search over frequencies, and moreover can compute the H∞ norm with guaranteed accuracy.
Peritoneal lavage and filtration for cytology

Abstract A technique for cul-de-sac peritoneal lavage and filtration is described. Preliminary experience with this procedure suggests its mass application may result in earlier cytologic diagnosis and increased salvage of patients with clinically occult intra-abdominal malignant disease.
Chapter 6 Input and the acquisition of vocabulary: Examining the parental lexicon

Publisher Summary The chapter provides a sociocognitive perspective on the acquisition of vocabulary by young children. Three facets of the lexicon are under consideration. First, the chapter examines the core vocabulary, the most common words in the language, words that are provided by all parents and learned by all children. Next, it moves to two delimited domains, the lexicon of basic color words, and the lexicon of monetary terms. Two data sets are used from the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES), the Gleason Corpus, and the New England Sample, to consider the relation between parents' input language and children's acquisition of a core vocabulary, as well as acquisition of specific color and monetary terms. The findings suggest that, although children universally possess cognitive propensities that predict the order of acquisition of vocabulary, adults' language to children reflects and accentuates a similar hierarchy. Examination of the input vocabulary shows that the emphasis and elaboration provided by adults within a given domain varies with the cultural importance of the domain.
Body cell mass and leucine metabolism in cirrhosis

Abstract To investigate the influence of body composition on leucine metabolism, leucine turnover and oxidation were measured in six patients with stable biopsy-proven cirrhosis and in six age- and gender-matched controls using [1− 14 C]leucine tracer. Fat-free body mass and body cell mass were estimated from quantified measurements of H 2 18 O and bromide dilution. Although there were no differences in body weight, body surface area, body mass index, or fat-free body mass between study groups, body cell mass was decreased in cirrhotic patients (37.6 ± 0.1 vs. 46.4 ± 1.8 kg; P −1 · h −1 ; P P r = −0.91; P r = 0.91; P
Involvement of the Protein Tyrosine Kinase p56lck in T Cell Signaling and Thymocyte Development

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses current information relating to the structure and the function of p56lck and focuses special attention on the increasingly well-defined role of p56lck in controlling thymocyte development. The first of the kinases to be described and the most thoroughly examined is the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase p56lck. The lessons deduced from investigating p56lck behavior have had a broad impact on the study of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases in general, especially those of the src family. The 509 amino acid lck-encoded protein represents a typical, membrane-associated nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase of the type exemplified by p60c-src. Nine distinct members of the src family have been identified, and all share common structural features. Following gentle cell disruption, p56lck behaves as if part of a large, detergent-insoluble membrane and cytoskeletal complex that includes a number of cell-surface receptors, for example, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked molecules Thy-1 and Ly-6. Some evidence suggests that these proteins, acting via some transmembrane intermediary, may also be capable of stimulating p56lck activity. Thymocyte differentiation proceeds in an ordered and stepwise fashion in generating mature T cells from bone marrow-derived precursors. This pathway is divided into two phases, each requiring distinct molecular events for continued development. Several lines of evidence, primarily from analysis of in vitro cell line models, are presented to demonstrate the role of p561ck in mediating signal transduction events during T cell receptor-dependent activation of mature T cells.
The ultrastructure of MCF‐10A acini

Department of Pathology, Institute for Medicine and Engineering, Universityof Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaMCF-10Ahumanmammaryepithelialcellsculturedinsidereconstitutedbasementmembraneformacinithatresembletheacinarstructures of mammary lobules. This three-dimensional culture system has been used for identifying and characterizing the signaltransduction pathways controlling cell proliferation and death, and for studying their disregulation in malignant progression.We have compared the ultrastructure of MCF-10A acini, MCF-10A cells grown in monolayer, and the acinar structures of humanbreastlobules.ThetissuearchitectureofMCF-10Aaciniwasformedbyhemidesmosomesconnectedtoabasementmembraneandby abundant desmosomes between acinar cells. Intermediate ﬁlaments that joined into large and abundant ﬁlament bundlesconnectedhemidesmosomesanddesmosomestositesatthenuclearsurface.Fewerandthinnerbundlesofﬁlamentswereobservedin monolayer MCF-10A cells and even fewer in breast tissue. Tight junctions were observed between cells in breast tissuebut missing in MCF-10A acini. The cytoplasm of MCF-10A acinar cells had a polar organization similar to that observed in breasttissue, with centrosomes and the Golgi apparatus on the apical side of the nucleus. MCF-10A acinar nuclei had an irregular,frequentlyinvaginatedsurfaceandhada single nucleolus.Thedistribution ofheterochromatin wassimilartothat intheepithelialcells of breast tissue. The nuclei of monolayer MCF-10A cells had multiple nucleoli, a more regular proﬁle, and lessheterochromatin. Electron microscopy has the resolution required to survey features of MCF-10A cell and acinus architecturethat may change with manipulations designed to induce malignant phenotypes. J. Cell. Physiol. 208: 141–148, 2006.
Secondary structure of a dynamic type I’β-hairpin peptide

A spontaneously folding beta-hairpin peptide (Lys-Lys-Tyr-Thr-Val-Ser-Ile-Asn-Gly-Lys-Lys-Ile-Thr-Val-Ser-Ile) and related cyclic (cyclo-Gly-Lys-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ile-Asn) and linear (Ser-Ile-Asn-Gly-Lys) controls were studied to determine the effects of various factors on secondary structure. Secondary structure was evaluated using circular dichroism (CD) and 1D and 2D (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The effects of chemical modifications in the peptide and various solution conditions were investigated to determine their impact on peptide structure. The beta-hairpin peptide displayed a CD minimum at 216 nm and a TOCSY i + 1 - i + 2 and i + 2 -i + 3 interaction, confirming the expected structure. Using NMR alpha-proton (H(alpha)) chemical shifts, the extents of folding of the beta-hairpin and linear control were estimated to be 51 and 25% of the cyclic control (pH 4, 37 degrees C), which was taken to be maximally folded. Substitution of iso-aspartic acid for Asn reduced the secondary structure dramatically; substitution of aspartic acid for Asn also disrupted the structure. This result suggests that deamidation in unconstrained beta-turns may have adverse effects on secondary structure. N-terminal acetylation and extreme pH conditions also reduced structure, while the addition of methanol increased structure.
Case, prequantifiers, and discontinuous agreement in Russian

I have argued on the basis of Russian NPs containing a quantifier expression that NP-internal case agreement is determined by percolation of the abstract case assigned to the phrase's maximal projection Nm. Thus, while the head noun controls its modifiers' number, gender, and animacy, it does not determine their case; unlike other inflectional categories, case is a property of the NP as a whole, not of the head noun or the modifiers on which it is morphologically realized. The Russian data cast serious doubt on one of the central assumptions of Government and Binding case theory, namely, that case distribution is exhaustively determined by structural relations between the case assigner and assignee (government and c-command), and that case conflicts result in ill-formed structures. We have seen in this paper that phrases with the same lexical items and X-bar structures may have different internal distributions of abstract case (cf. the heterogeneous vs. homogeneous case patterns in (19) and (20)) and that these differences in case distribution are due to the different types of case assigned to the NP (lexical vs. configurational) and to the resolution of the case conflicts that arise in these phrases (see the Syntactic Case Hierarchy in (51)). Case conflicts are a natural reflection of the hierarchical structure of human language, and the structures that contain them are perfectly well-formed; a case conflict results in an ill-formed structure only if it cannot be resolved in a principled way (e.g., see the discussion of the irresolvable conflict between two lexical cases in Babby (1984)). The Russian data provide new evidence supporting Chomsky's distinction between abstract case and morphological case. Recall the ‘animate GEN’, which is the morphological realization of the abstract ACC case, in Argument IV, section 2. (See Babby (1984, 1985) for other examples of a ‘mismatch’ between abstract and morphological case.) Russian quantified NPs also demonstrate in a particularly striking way that complex, seemingly anomalous surface phenomena can in fact be shown to result from the interaction of a relatively small number of simple principles (see Chomsky 1986, p. 43).
Anxious Symptomatic Volunteers in the Twin Cities: Sociodemographic Description and MMPI Psychodiagnosis

This paper underscores the need for true sample selection before statistical inference of any value can be made. Its findings suggest that the sample selection strategy of symptomatic volunteers can produce samples of anxious subjects with remarkable demographic similarity across the country. Anxiety as a constitutional rather than pathognomonic symptom is illustrated by the heterogeneity of its psychometric evaluation in our volunteers. Expecting a drug to safely relieve the anxiety of all anxious symptomatic volunteers is akin to expecting a drug to safely relieve the headaches of all headache sufferers. We feel that careful psychodiagnosis remains the best sample selection strategy.
Organic matter diagenesis in the northeast Pacific: transition from aerobic red clay to suboxic hemipelagic sediments

Abstract Analyses for dissolved oxygen, nitrate, silicate and manganese in the interstitial water from an in situ sampler and from boxcore sediment samples have been combined with solid phase sediment analyses of carbon and nitrogen to study the transition from aerobic to suboxic diagenesis in the northeast Pacific. The station locations coincide with the VERTEX sediment trap stations. This has enabled us to study diagenesis as a function of the flux of organic carbon to the sediment-water interface. Organic carbon in the sediments decreases with distance from the continental margin. At all stations, except 183-2 on the Monterey deep sea fan, organic carbon decreases rapidly below the sediment-water interface. The organic matter at Stas 183-3, 4, 5 and 6 has a C/N molar ratio of 10. At Sta. 183-2 the organic matter has a relatively nitrogen-poor C/N ratio of 15.8, suggesting terrestrial input. The stoichiometry of the decomposing organic matter at Stas 183-3, 4, 5 and 6 was determined from the porewater oxygen and nitrate, and the resulting C/N ratio was 14. The flux of oxygen into the sediments decreases with increasing water depth. Comparison of the oxygen consumption by the sediments with the rain rate of organic carbon indicates that most of the rain of organic carbon is oxidized within the sediments using oxygen as the electron acceptor. The first order degradation rate constant for organic carbon oxidation calculated from the porewater oxygen profiles was found to correlate strongly with the rain rate of organic carbon. The rate constant increases with the rain rate, suggesting that at higher rain rates the organic matter is more “reactive”. The mean life for sedimentary organic carbon is 12,000 years in the central North Pacific and decreases to 200 years near the continental boundary.
Spherical Subspace Tracking on Systolic Arrays

The spherical subspace tracker is a low complexity adaptive algorithm that converges to the dominant (or subdominant) subspace. Spherical subspace updating is a fast way to monitor slowly time-varying subspaces, which arise in high resolution direction of arrival tracking algorithms. In real time sonar and radar array processing applications, it becomes necessary to find parallel algorithms and pipelined architectures that provide high speed solutions to these tracking problems. In this paper the spherical subspace tracker is parallelized and mapped onto systolic array architectures. The arrays are ideally suited for implementation with custom VLSI or networks of available parallel numeric processing chips such as iWarps and TMS320C40s. C-language like cell programs specify the functionality and timing of the systolic array in concrete terms.
Asymptotic analysis of second-order boundary layer correctors

In this article we extend the ideas presented in Onofrei and Vernescu [Asymptotic Anal. 54 (2007), pp. 103–123] and introduce suitable second-order boundary layer correctors, to study the H 1-norm error estimate for the classical problem of homogenization, i.e. Previous second-order boundary layer results assume either smooth enough coefficients (which is equivalent to assuming smooth enough correctors χ j , χ ij ∈ W 1,∞), or smooth homogenized solution u 0, to obtain an estimate of order . For this we use some ideas related to the periodic unfolding method proposed by Cioranescu et al. [C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 335 (2002), pp. 99–104]. We prove that in two dimensions, for non-smooth coefficients and general data, one obtains an estimate of order . In three dimensions the same estimate is obtained assuming χ j , χ ij ∈ W 1,p , with p > 3.
Population Density, Distance to Public Transportation, and Health of Women in Low-income Neighborhoods

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of two neighborhood walkability (the extent to which the built environment is pedestrian friendly) metrics on health outcomes of women living in low-income urban neighborhoods, both before and after accounting for individual and neighborhood factors. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A cross-sectional, retrospective design was used. The sample of 1800 low-income women was drawn from Welfare, Children and Families: A Three-City Study (a study of low-income women from three U.S. cities). MEASURES: Using multilevel modeling and geographic information systems, the study sought to determine the effect of distance to public transportation and residential density on health status, mental health symptoms, and health-related limitations. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found between the two walkability metrics and health outcomes. Instead, neighborhood problems that affect crime and safety impacted health status and mental health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: As cities make changes to the built environment with the hope of affecting residents' health outcomes, public health nurses need to be aware that changing walkability characteristics in a neighborhood may not affect the health of residents of high crime, low-income neighborhoods. Without first addressing neighborhood crime, efforts to improve walkability in low-income neighborhoods may fail. Language: en
Signaling Events in T Lymphocytes Leading to Cellular Activation or Programmed Cell Death

Stimulation via the TCR can result in cellular activation or provide signals leading to programmed cell death. Although much has been learned about the biochemical second messengers which are produced following engagement of the TCR, much still remains unclear regarding how these signals are integrated to result in the appropriate distal biologic outcome. Similarly, investigators are just now beginning to appreciate the complexity of signaling events elicited by the interaction between CD95 ligand and CD95, two molecules which play pivotal roles in the initiation of apoptosis in mature peripheral T cells. Understanding the molecular biology and biochemistry of signaling via the TCR and CD95 will provide important insights to help us appreciate better the pathologic events associated with immune cell-mediated diseases and assist in the development of therapeutic agents with improved efficacy.
Sensory, Physical, and Microbiological Comparison of Brine-Chilled, Water-chilled, and Hot-packaged (No Chill) Broilers

Abstract Percent water uptake, thawing, and cooking losses were determined on broiler carcasses which had been ice-slush chilled (ice slush, 1 C overnight), brine chilled (5% NaCl, −1 C overnight), and hot packaged (no chill). After cooking, the meat samples were evaluated for flavor, tenderness, and juiciness by a taste panel. Shear force and percent moisture analyses were also conducted. Carcasses and chill water were tested for microbial population throughout the experiment. Brine-chilled carcasses had significantly greater water uptake and lower thawing and cooking losses than conventionally-chilled carcasses. While all samples were scored favorably for flavor, tenderness, and juiciness, brine-chilled samples received higher scores than conventionally-chilled or hot-packaged samples. Meat from brine-chilled carcasses had a significantly higher moisture content and lower shear force values (more tender) than meat from conventionally-chilled or hot-packaged carcasses. Total plate and coliform counts were lower for both brine-chilled and conventionally-chilled carcasses than for hot-packaged carcasses. Adding salt to the chill water slightly decreased the microbial population in the chill water during chilling.
Invisible, marginalized, and stigmatized: Understanding and addressing the needs of atheist students

Atheist students, like atheists in the broader society, are often stigmatizedas immoral, evil, or god hating. Because of this stigmatization, it is commonfor atheists to hide that aspect of their identity, rendering them invisible.Educators contribute to that invisibility when they fail to include non-believing perspectives in religious and spiritual development work with students, thus marginalizing atheist students further. We encourage educa-tors to learn about atheism and make efforts to normalize it, while seekingways to provide developmental opportunities for atheist students.Historically, the student affairs profession has been dedicated to theholistic development of all students (American Council on Education, 2004;NASPA, n.d.). Student affairs practitioners create developmental spaces forall types of students while educating the “majority” about multiculturalism,sexual orientation, nontraditional students, and students of diverse religiousbackgrounds. These practitioners are guided by a dedication to the wholestudent, to serving every student, and to “education for a fuller realizationof democracy” (NASPA, n.d.). Yet as this chapter demonstrates, the needs ofatheist students have generally been ignored by the profession.In this chapter, we introduce the topic of atheist students to the fieldof student affairs. We provide definitions of relevant terms related to the 55
Enhancing effect of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on 8-azaguanine-resistant mutations induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in cultured chinese hamster cells.

Effects of a tumor promotor, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), on mutagenesis (resistance to 8-azaguanine and to ouabain) in Chinese hamster V79-H3 cells were examined. TPA, at concentrations ranging from 10-6 μg/ml to 5μg/ml, enhanced the frequency of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutation induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Whether TPA was present during the mutation expression time (0-72h after MNNG treatment) or during the mutation selection time (72-240h after MNNG treatment), this enhancing effect was observed. The enhancing effect of TPA reached a plateau at a concentration of 10-5μg/ml. It was suspected that the effect of TPA might be due to its inhibitory action on metabolic cooperation. However, this possibility was almost eliminated by measuring the amount of actual metabolic cooperation. At present, it is difficult to explain at the molecular level why TPA enhances the frequency of 8-azaguanine-resistant mutation induced by MNNG. The results, however, are consistent with the "two stage" theory of carcinogenesis. TPA did not affect the frequency of ouabain-resistant mutation induced by MNNG.
Effect of temperature on the transport of triiodothyronine (T3) into liver nuclei of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles in vivo

Abstract To determine if inhibition of triiodothyronine (T 3 )-induced anuran metamorphosis at low temperature can be attributed to the failure of operation of a temperature-sensitive system for transport of T 3 into the nucleus as has been postulated for thyroxiine ( M. D. Griswold, M. S. Fischer, and P. P. Cohen, 1972 , Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 69, 1486–1489), the effect of temperature on the uptake of T 3 by liver nuclei of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles has been studied in vivo . A low dose (2 pmol/g body wt) or a high dose (300 pmol/g body wt) of [ 125 I]T 3 was injected intraperitoneally into tadpoles and uptake of [ 125 I]T 3 by whole liver and liver nuclei was determined in animals maintained at 25 or 5°. Transfer of T 3 from cytoplasm into nucleus was definitely slower at low temperature when a low dose of T 3 was administered. However, transport of T 3 into the nucleus is not blocked at 50° but takes place whether a low or high dose of the hormone is injected. For example, after injection of 2 pmol of [ 125 I]T 3 /g body wt, the level of nuclear-bound [ 125 I]T 3 at 5° in 24 hr approached to within 70% of the maximum which had been reached in 2 hr at 25°. When the high dose (300 pmol of [ 125 I]T 3 /g body wt) was injected, there was no apparent major inhibition of nuclear uptake of T 3 at the lower temperature since the level of nuclear-bound T 3 at 5° was about the some as that at 25° from 3 to 24 hr. Since there is appreciable nuclear uptake of T 3 at 5° it appears that some mechanism other than a block in transport of T 3 into the nucleus is involved in causing the inhibition of T 3 -induced metamorphosis that occurs at low temperature.
Synthesis and Ionic Conductivity of Cyclosiloxanes with Ethyleneoxy-Containing Substituents

Pentamethylcyclopentasiloxanes (D5H) with oligo(ethylene glycol) substituents, D5N3 and D5S3, and a short-chain siloxane derivative MD6N3M were synthesized by B(C6F5)3-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling and by platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions. Conductivities were studied when doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI). The oxygen-linked cyclic siloxane D5N3 exhibits higher conductivity than trimethylene-linked siloxane D5S3. The substituted linear oligmeric siloxane MD6N3M has a lower Tg than the D5 siloxanes, and showed much higher conductivity at the same Li+ concentration. The curvature of the plot of conductivity vs temperature dependence indicates a free volume mechanism of ion transport.
Portable radiation monitor with linear or logarithmic output

Abstract A portable semiquantitative radiation monitor was developed that provides either logarithmic or linear output.
A Survey of Writing Instruction in Elementary Language Arts Classrooms.

Abstract The purpose of the study was (1) to determine to what extent children, in a large southern state, are given opportunities to engage in process writing, and (2) to determine whether teachers have incorporated activities and strategies supported by current research findings on process writing into their language arts programs. A survey of teachers in randomly selected counties was conducted to determine and analyze the following information: 1. sources of content and instructional materials used in the language arts curriculum. 2. organizational patterns used in language arts instruction. 3. time spent in various types of writing. 4. time spent in each of the stages of process writing. Data collected from the surveys indicated a textbook orientation to language instruction, small amounts of time spent in prewriting or writing activities, and a preference for teacher-controlled writing processes, such as teacher selection of writing topics and teacher editing of student writing. Factors that mitigat...
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A LARGE, VERTICAL AXIS DIAMOND TURNING MACHINE

A 64-inch swing, vertical spindle axis precision lathe has been constructed. The machine incorporates a multiple-path laser feedback system, capacitance gauges, a 32-bit computer and capstan drives to provide two axes of tool motion in a 32-inch radius by 20-inch length working volume. Dimensional stability of critical components is achieved through the use of low coefficient-of-thermal-expansion materials and temperature-controlled heat sinks. Projected accuracy of the machine is approximately one microinch rms.
The franchisor - franchisee relationship a key to franchise performance.

The closer the relationship between franchise headquarters and the on-site hotel managers, the better individual franchisees will perform—and the stronger the chain becomes.
Induced EEG Gamma Oscillation Alignment Improves Differentiation Between Autism and ADHD Group Responses in a Facial Categorization Task

Children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often lack the ability to recognize and properly respond to emotional stimuli. Emotional deficits also characterize children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in addition to exhibiting limited attention span. These abnormalities may effect a difference in the induced EEG gamma wave burst (35–45 Hz) peaked approximately 300–400 ms following an emotional stimulus. Because induced gamma oscillations are not fixed at a definite point in time poststimulus, analysis of averaged EEG data with traditional methods may result in an attenuated gamma burst power. We used a data alignment technique to improve the averaged data, making it a better representation of the individual induced EEG gamma oscillations. A study was designed to test the response of a subject to emotional stimuli, presented in the form of emotional facial expression images. In a four-part experiment, the subjects were instructed to identify gender in the first two block...
Multifunctional CNT‐Polymer Composites for Ultra‐Tough Structural Supercapacitors and Desalination Devices

Pulsed electrodeposition of polyaniline (PANI) allows the fabrication of flexible, electrically conductive, nonwoven PANI-carbon nanotube (PANI-CNT) composite fabrics. They possess specific tensile strength and a modulus of toughness higher than that of aluminum matrix composites, titanium and aluminum alloys, steels, and many other structural materials. Electrochemical tests show that these nanocomposites additionally offer excellent cycle stability and ion electro-sorption and storage properties.
Observation of kinetic networks of hydrogen-bond exchange using 2D IR echo spectroscopy

The ultrafast H-bond motion in acetonitrile/methanol and of methanol and water around a dicarbonyl (piperidone) dominates the mechanism of vibrational coherence transfer in linear and 2D IR echo spectra. Multiple state coherence transfer and energy transfer are seen at and between the two carbonyl groups of the piperidone in both water and methanol.
Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular size and function in newborns with severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Critical pulmonary stenosis or atresia with intact ventricular septum represents a congenital cardiac lesion for which the long-term prognosis appears to depend partly on the size of the right ventricle. Thus, the capability of noninvasive assessment of right ventricular size to predict operative outcome was examined in 15 infants (aged 1 to 30 days, mean 5.6) with severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (either critical pulmonary stenosis [7 patients] or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum [8 patients]). Using echocardiography in two orthogonal subxiphoid views, right ventricular volume, wall thickness, area change fraction, ejection fraction and tricuspid anulus dimension were measured. All patients with a normalized right ventricular enddiastolic volume of less than 5 ml/m2and a normalized tricuspid anulus dimension of less than 1.0 cm/m2/3required a shunt operation. Only one patient with a volume of more than 6 ml/m2and a normalized tricuspid anulus dimension of more than 1.4 cm/m2/3required more than relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. In this patient, residual severe pulmonary stenosis necessitated the shunt procedure. One patient with a volume of more than 6 ml/m2had an anulus diameter of less than 1.4 cm/m2/3and one patient with an anulus diameter of more than 1.4 cm/m2/3had a volume of less than 6 ml/m2; both required shunt procedures. It therefore appears that if either the ventricular volume or tricuspid anulus size is excessively small, a shunt procedure is necessary. Wall thickness, area change fraction and ejection fraction measurements were not significantly correlated with right ventricular volume or postoperative outcome. The noninvasive (echocardiographic) assessment of right ventricular volume and tricuspid valve anulus dimension permits excellent prediction of postoperative outcome. In patients with severe right ventricular hypoplasia, the need for alternative surgical therapy may thereby be recognized before initial intervention.
Large numbers hypothesis. III. Kinetic theory, statistical physics, and thermodynamics

Dirac's large numbers hypothesis (LNH) is incorporated into kinetic theory, statistical physics, and thermodynamics using the self-consistent formalism of units covariance. The ingeodesic equation and matter creation introduce modifications of the most fundamental laws of the subject. Liouville's theorem no longer holds, the Boltzmann equation is modified, as is theH-theorem. This affects the second law of thermodynamics in that for canonical LNH neither reversible nor adiabatic processes are possible (as expected). A significant result is that the collision terms have the same form as in standard physics. This means that equilibrium distribution functions are identical to those of standard physics, as required for self-consistency with the precepts of LNH. The net effect of LNH is as though all matter in our Universe were weakly coupled to a large heat bath.
Two-faced reactivity of alkenes: cis- versus trans-aminopalladation in aerobic Pd-catalyzed intramolecular aza-Wacker reactions.

A number of different PdII catalyst systems have been reported recently for the Wacker-type aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes bearing tethered nitrogen nucleophiles. This study examines the stereochemistry of the aminopalladation step with five different catalyst systems: Pd(OAc)2/DMSO (A), PdX2/pyridine [X = OAc (B), O2CCF3 (C)], Pd(IMes)(O2CCF3)2(OH2) (D), and Pd(O2CCF3)2/(−)-sparteine (E). Use of a stereospecifically deuterated cyclopentene substrate reveals that four of the five catalyst systems (A, B, C, and E) promote exclusive cis-aminopalladation of the alkene, whereas both cis- and trans-aminopalladation occur with the N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) catalyst system. If stoichiometric Bronsted base (NaOAc, Na2CO3) is added to the latter reaction conditions, however, only cis-aminopalladation is observed. The identity of the nitrogen nucleophile also affects the aminopalladation pathway, with results ranging from exclusively cis- to exclusively trans-aminopalladation. These results have impor...
Teaming environmental biology and business administration seniors on “green” enterprise plans at Saint Michael’s College, Vermont

Business administration and biology seniors at Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT, worked together to develop environmentally oriented business plans as part of collaborating capstone seminars for their majors. Students prepared start-up business proposals for the Enterprise Plan Competition, a business plan contest at Saint Michael’s College founded and funded by alumni. In this collaboration, biology students taught concepts from environmental science and presented information on environmental problems to the business seniors; business seniors taught the biology seniors about the fundamental areas of business and economics. After a process of ideation, students formed mixed teams consisting of biologists and business students. The teams generated complete business plans. Biology students wrote literature review papers on the science and technology related to their groups’ plans. Outcomes of the work included one team winning the Enterprise Plan Competition, with a plan for an industrial composting facility, and others being selected for the finals. More importantly, most students enrolled in both classes reported that they gained confidence in their knowledge and skills related to their major field of study from participating in the collaboration.
Detection of prostate specific antigen in serum at the femto-gram per milliliter level using the intrinsic amplification of a field-effect enzymatic immuno-sensing system

Abstract Ultrasensitive detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been achieved by applying the field-effect enzymatic detection (FEED) technique to the sandwich immuno-sensing technique. The voltage-controlled intrinsic amplification provided by FEED enabled the detection of PSA contained in serum on the femto-gram/mL level. Two electrochemical approaches used to obtain the amperometric detection signal resulted in similar detection limits and sensitivities. The lowest PSA detection limit achieved was 27 fg mL−1. The high selectivity of the detection system was reflected in the fact that PSA detection was successful on the fg mL−1 level, where biological substances other than PSA had a 1-million-fold higher concentration. Electron transfer through the immunological sandwich nanostructure has been observed in the detection of biomarkers. However, our results showed that electron transfer through the nanostructure could be controlled using an external voltage, leading to an ultralow detection limit for PSA.