cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Questioning video games' influence on CS interest

In this paper, we examine the relationship between digital games and interest in computer science. When we undertook this research, our goal was to expand upon past work that explores video games as a positive influence on students' interest in CS. We utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods with a large technically and academically competent subject pool. We hypothesized that subjects with more years and intensity of playing video games would have a stronger interest in computer science. While we did find a small relationship, the proportion of the total responses accounted for by the relationship is only 8%. This suggests that while gaming may be correlated to an interest in CS, it is a small correlation and other variables must be considered more influential.
Pseudomonas putida--a versatile biocatalyst.

Genomic analysis of Pseudomonas putida sheds light on metabolic pathways that may be exploited for a variety of biotechnological applications.
Trisomy 8 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Association between trisomy 8 and myeloid disorders/malignancies has been well documented. We report on two patients with a known history of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) with bone marrow involvement. In addition to the classic B-CLL cytogenetic abnormalities in one of the patients, both showed a trisomy 8 clone in their bone marrow specimens. Using a BioView Duet automated scanning system, which allowed us to combine histology with fluorescence in situ hybridization, we showed that the trisomy 8 clone was restricted to the myeloid lineage. We believe that this finding signifies the development of myelodysplastic syndrome (de novo or therapy related), rather than progression of B-CLL with the occurrence of a new clone, and that in general, it has implications for the finding of trisomy 8 in CLL.
Moral affect: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

The relations among 3 moral affective personality characteristics--shame-proneness, guilt-proneness, and empathic responsiveness--were examined in 4 independent studies of undergraduates. Results indicate that shame and guilt are distinct affective experiences that have important and quite different implications in the interpersonal realm. There was a substantial positive correlation between shame-proneness and guilt-proneness. Nonetheless, as predicted, other-oriented empathic responsiveness was negatively related to proneness to shame but positively correlated with proneness to guilt. In contrast, an index of more self-oriented personal distress was positively linked to shame-proneness. Taken together, these results add a new dimension to the ugliness of shame but suggest that guilt may not be that bad after all, at least in the interpersonal domain.
Who Is the Authentic Korean American? Korean-Born Korean American High School Students' Negotiations of Ascribed and Achieved Identities

This article investigates the identity negotiations of a group of Korean-born Korean American (KBKA) high school students. One of the major tensions that arise from within the Korean American community is who should be considered an “authentic” member. Therefore, in this article I illustrate (a) the way American-born Korean Americans' (ABKAs') (mis)recognition (ascribed identity) influences the identities of KBKA high school students; and (b) the way these KBKA high school students endeavor to gain recognition of how they want to be perceived by ABKAs (achieved identity). Utilizing James Paul Gee's (2001) identity theoretical framework, I analyzed interview transcripts and informal conversations from 6 KBKA high school students. I believe that by viewing identity from the tensions that exist within the Korean American community, we as educators and educational researchers can become better informed about the ways in which identities are multiple, complex, and fluid.
Apneustic breathing after vagotomy in cats with chronic pneumotaxic center lesions.

Abstract Chronic bilateral lesions were placed stereotaxically in the pontile pneumotaxic areas in seventeen cats under Nembutal anesthesia. Six other cats received control lesions placed outside of the pneumotaxic areas. The chronic preparations were then maintained for periods ranging from one to thirteen weeks. During the post-operative period neither group of animals exhibited marked or unexplainable alterations in respiratory activity, general somatic sensory or motor functions, drinking or feeding activity, or general overt behavior. On the final test day, vagotomy was effected under alpha-chloralose anesthesia. Following vagotomy, all of the animals with chronic pneumotaxic lesions developed apneustic breathing; none of the control lesion animals exhibited apneustic breathing. The post-lesion viability of the animals attests the ability of the cat to survive bilateral destruction of the pontile pneumotaxic centers. The development of apneustic breathing following vagotomy in the animals with chronic lesions in the pontile pneumotaxic areas constitutes impressive support for the physiological participation of the pneumotaxic neurons in the neurogenesis and regulation of respiratory rhythmicity.
Supersymmetry at the LHC

The success of supersymmetry is beyond any doubt. With the availability of the precise measurement of the dark-matter content of the universe, SUSY models are used as cosmological connection to particle physics. We are now ready to verify this theory directly at the upcoming large hadron collider (LHC). It is possible to use the LHC measurements to reconstruct the SUSY model parameters. These parameters will then be used to calculate the relic density very precisely to be compared with the dark-matter content measured from the astrophysical measurements. In this review, I will summarize various search strategies which will be important to measure supersymmetry parameters in different models in order to establish the cosmological connection.
The methodology for determining the efficacy of antibody-mediated immunity.

The basic method for evaluating the efficacy of antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) dates from the 1890s and involves the administration of specific Ab to an immunologically naive host followed by microbial or toxin challenge. Other methods used to evaluate AMI involve correlating the presence of specific Ab with resistance to microbial disease and associating susceptibility to certain microbes with host immunoglobulin deficits. Unfortunately, each method has theoretical and practical problems that limit their usefulness when negative results are obtained. The application of hybridoma technology to investigate the efficacy of AMI has shown that it is possible to generate protective monoclonal antibodies even to microbes for which the standard methodologies indicate no role for AMI. Furthermore, studies with monoclonal antibodies suggest various explanations for the inability of standard methods to demonstrate the potential efficacy of AMI for certain pathogens.
Spatial and non-spatial functions of the parietal cortex

Although the parietal cortex is traditionally associated with spatial attention and sensorimotor integration, recent evidence also implicates it in higher order cognitive functions. We review relevant results from neuron recording studies showing that inferior parietal neurons integrate information regarding target location with a variety of non-spatial signals. Some of these signals are modulatory and alter a stimulus-evoked response according to the action, category, or reward associated with the stimulus. Other non-spatial inputs act independently, encoding the context or rules of a task even before the presentation of a specific target. Despite the ubiquity of non-spatial information in individual neurons, reversible inactivation of the parietal lobe affects only spatial orienting of attention and gaze, but not non-spatial aspects of performance. This suggests that non-spatial signals contribute to an underlying spatial computation, possibly allowing the brain to determine which targets are worthy of attention or action in a given task context.
Modulation of gender-specific effects upon swim analgesia in gonadectomized rats.

Abstract Gender-specific effects have been observed for continuous and intermittent cold-water swim (CCWS and ICWS respectively) analgesia: analgesic following CCWS and ICWS are significantly smaller in female rats than in age-matched and weight-matched male rats. The present study evaluated the role of gonadal status in these gender-specific effects by examining CCWS and ICWS analgesia, hypothermia and activity in intact and gonadectomized rats. Following confirmation of the original gender-specific effects on the tail-flick and jump tests, it was found that both castration and ovariectomy significantly reduced CCWS and ICWS analgesia. Indeed, castrated males displayed similar magnitudes of analgesia as intact females. The more marked hypothermia observed in intact females indicated that this variable failed to account for the analgesic gender-specific effects. The reduced hypothermia following gonadectomy also failed to account for the analgesic changes. The increased activity during ICWS, but not CCWS following gonadectomy also did not account for the analgesic changes. These data suggest that gonadal steroids normally appear to facilitate these stress-related analgesic responses.
The effect of nitrogen on stacking fault energy of Fe-Ni-Cr-Mn steels

The effect of nitrogen content on stacking fault energy (SFE) has been measured in a series of Fe-21Cr-6Ni-9Mn alloys. Stacking fault energies were determined from node measurements using weak beam imaging techniques in transmission electron microscopy. Nitrogen additions lower the SFE from 53 mJ/m2 at 0.21 wt pct to 33 mJ/m2 at 0.24 wt pct. Further increases to 0.52 wt pct do not markedly change the SFE. Carbon and silicon had no effect on SFE in the ranges 0.010 to 0.060 wt pct C and 0.17 to 0.25 wt pct Si. The shift in SFE from 0.21 to 0.24 wt pct N is accompanied by a transition to a more planar plastic deformation mode. The sharp transition precludes the use of linear regression analysis for relating SFE to nitrogen content in this class of alloys.
Fencing protected areas: A long-term assessment of the effects of reserve establishment and fencing on African mammalian diversity

Abstract Conservation of biodiversity is one of the great challenges faced by present societies. Establishment and fencing of protected areas to isolate biodiversity from human activities is one of the most popular methods for achieving this protection. Here we analyze two long-term (∼50 years) datasets on a diverse mammal community of 38 regularly occurring species including many of international conservation importance such as the rare, endemic mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), the black rhino (Diceros bicornis), the elephant (Loxodonta africana), and the lion (Panthera leo). These data were collected in two different locations within a flagship protected area in East Africa. Our primary objective was to investigate patterns of wildlife populations and diversity before and after the installation of a perimeter electric fence. We find strong evidence for long-term human-induced edge effects at the site that is closest to the border of the protected area (Treetops); this site registered the strongest losses in total wildlife population numbers, aggregate wildlife biomass, and species richness. In contrast, wildlife populations at the site farther away from the edge of the protected area (The Ark) have remained relatively stable over the duration of the dataset. Our data reveal clear differentiation in the temporal changes of wildlife populations between the two sites. Establishment of the fence in 1989 led to temporary increases in wildlife populations near the park margins, but since the late 1990s these gains have been reversed and wildlife populations have continued to decline near the edge of the reserve. Without the intention of undermining the potential value of fences as conservation tools, our data suggest that fences are only as effective as the management and enforcement efforts that accompany them.
High School Dropouts in Emerging Adulthood: Substance Use, Mental Health Problems, and Crime

This study examined the distribution of substance use, mental health, and criminal behavior among dropouts derived from a nationally representative sample of 18–25 year old (N = 19,312) emerging adults in the United States. Using public-use data from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study employed multiple logistic regression with adjustments for complex survey sampling and compared high school dropouts with graduates with respect to substance use, mental health, and criminal behavior. After controlling for the effects of age, gender, race/ethnicity, family income, receipt of government assistance, employment status, and metropolitan population density, dropouts were more likely to meet criteria for nicotine dependence and report daily cigarette use, and more likely to report having attempted suicide in the previous year, been arrested for larceny, assault, drug possession or drug sales relative to their high school graduate counterparts. The findings of this study provide important insights and an initial epidemiologic portrait of mental health, substance use, and criminal behaviors of dropouts during emerging adulthood.
Group Rights: Reconciling Equality and Difference: David Ingram;Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas, 2000, 323 pages

“Should differences between citizens have an impact on the way they are treated? If so, should there be different rights for different people?” In his book, Group Rights, Ingram answers yes to both...
Novel mechanisms of target cell death and survival and of therapeutic action of IVIg in Pemphigus.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially lethal mucocutaneous blistering disease characterized by cell-cell detachment within the stratified epithelium (acantholysis) caused by IgG autoantibodies. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy effectively treats PV, but the mechanism is not fully understood. To further understand acantholysis and the efficacy of IVIg, we measured effects of IgG fractions from PV patients on keratinocyte death processes. Using IgGs from representative PV patients who improved with IVIg, we identified apoptotic and oncotic signaling pathways in in vitro and in vivo PV models. We identified two groups of PV patients, each producing autoantibodies activating predominantly either apoptotic or oncotic cell death pathway. Experimental treatments with caspase 3 or calpain inhibitors demonstrated that PV IgGs induced acantholysis through both pathways. Upstream, the apoptotic signaling involved activation of caspases 8 and 3 and up-regulation of Fas ligand mRNA, whereas calpain-mediated cell death depended on elevated intracellular free Ca2+. IVIg reduced PV IgG-mediated acantholysis and cell death and up-regulated the caspase inhibitor FLIP and the calpain inhibitor calpastatin. These results indicate that in different PV patients, IgG-induced acantholysis proceeds predominantly via distinct, yet complementary, pathways of programmed cell death differentially mediated by apoptosis and oncosis effectors, with IVIg protecting target cells by up-regulating endogenous caspase and calpain inhibitors.
A comparative study of HRCT image metrics and PFT values for characterization of ILD and COPD.

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the performance of various image-based metrics computed from thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with data from pulmonary function testing (PFT) in characterizing interstitial lung disease (ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods Fourteen patients with ILD and 11 with COPD had undergone both PFT and HRCT within 3 days. For each patient, 93 image-based metrics were computed, and their relationships with the 21 clinically used PFT parameters were analyzed using a minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance statistical framework. The first 20 features were selected among the total of 114 mixed image metrics and PFT values in the characterization of ILD and COPD. Results Among the best-performing 20 features, 14 were image metrics, derived from attenuation histograms and texture descriptions. The highest relevance value computed from PFT parameters was 0.47, and the highest from image metrics was 0.52, given the theoretical bound as [0, 0.69]. The ILD or COPD classifier using the first four features achieved a 1.92% error rate. Conclusions Some image metrics are not only as good discriminators as PFT for the characterization of ILD and COPD but are also not redundant when PFT values are provided. Image metrics of attenuation histogram statistics and texture descriptions may be valuable for further investigation in computer-assisted diagnosis.
Mothers' self-reports of perinatal information as predictors of school achievement

Abstract This study examined the relationship between perinatal information and school achievement for children with learning problems. Multiple regression analyses showed that perinatal information alone and in combination with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised subtests accounted for a significant amount of the variability in the three achievement dimensions of the Wide Range Achievement Test. Moreover, perinatal variables in concert with intellectual information were highly related to children's overall school achievement. The results were interpreted as lending support to a multivariate link between perinatal events and school achievement as well as the utility of considering structured maternal reports of perinatal information in concert with measures routinely administered by psychologists in the schools in the prediction of school functioning.
Responses of embryogenic mango cultures and seedling bioassays to a partially purified phytotoxin produced by a mango leaf isolate of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides penz

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz., the causal agent of mango anthracnose, produces a phytotoxin in vitro. The partially purified phytotoxin, presumably colletotrichin, caused anthracnose-like symptoms on young mango leaves, was toxic to embryogenic suspension cultures of two mango cultivars, ‘Hindi’ and ‘Carabao,’ and inhibited in vitro seed germination of two nonhosts, lettuce and tobacco. There were linear relationships between concentration of the partially purified phytotoxin and mortality of mango embryogenic cultures. Embryogenic cultures grown in the presence of the partially purified phytotoxin showed significantly lower growth rates than the controls. Similarly, embryogenic cultures grown in the presence of 40% (vol/vol) fungal culture filtrate showed significantly lower growth rates than unchallenged controls. Medium containing 40% (vol/vol) Czapek-Dox fungal broth did not reduce growth of embryogenic cultures, indicating the production of phytotoxin in vitro. The results suggest that either fungal culture filtrate or purified phytotoxin can be used as in vitro selection agents to screen for resistance to this fungus.
Query Issues in Continuous Reporting Systems

ABSTRACT: Investors have often made the case that more and better information will improve their decisions. Regulators have sought to answer these requests by searching for ways to make the information more readily available. A possible solution would be to move toward real time reporting. Certainly, current technology could provide an expanded set of corporate information that is more current or even continuously available. However, as the time between event and reporting of that event shrinks, several issues arise. These include the information to be disclosed, its level of detail, the time lag, and the methods available to query the information. Furthermore, information usage, information adequacy, and materiality emerge as additional concerns. These issues can benefit from learning from queries on statistical databases such as those containing U.S. census information and hospital information. Methodologies to restrict queries with the use of inference channels, inductive learning, and query history ar...
Group Beliefs and Socio-Cultural Factors in Religious Delusions

(1954). Group Beliefs and Socio-Cultural Factors in Religious Delusions. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 267-274.
Notes on the Taylor and Navarro Formations in East-Central Texas

The relations of the Taylor and Navarro formations from Collin County to Travis County are briefly described and graphically shown in the accompanying map and diagram. The Pecan Gap tongue of the Annona chalk is shown to extend into, instead of above the top of, the Taylor marl as far south as Rockwall County. The Wolfe City sand member of the Taylor is recognized as far south as Hill County, and marl of uppermost Taylor age is shown to overlie the Pecan Gap and its equivalent, the Marlin chalk. Three new members of the Taylor are recognized, the Marlin chalk of Falls and Limestone counties, the Lott chalk of Falls and Bell counties, and the Durango sand of McLennan and Falls counties. The base of the Navarro is placed at the base of the zone of Exogyra cancellata, which s shown to correspond with the base of a sandy marl from Kaufman County to Milam County and to be a probable unconformity at least as far south as Falls County. The upper Navarro rests unconformably on the lower Navarro and cuts it from the section south of Milam County.
Operator and promoter mutations affecting divergent transcription in the bio gene cluster of Escherichia coli

Abstract Two classes of mutations with promoter effects on the biotin (bio) gene cluster of Escherichia coli have been identified. The first class are point mutations that increase leftward (bioA) transcription four- to sixfold and that diminish by two-thirds rightward (bioB-bioD) transcription. The second class are polar insertions of about 1400 base-pairs in the bio operator-promoter region, which prevent transcription in both directions. Four other mutants were selected as operator-constitutive for leftward transcription of galK in a strain where galK is fused by deletion to the bioA transcript. These mutants are also constitutive for rightward transcription. Thus, leftward and rightward transcription are not under completely independent control. The results are formally satisfied if the two transscripts physically overlap, with operators controlling both transcripts in the overlap region.
Soil Genesis and Classification, Fifth Edition.

STANLEY W. BUOL, RANDAL J. SOUTHARD, ROBERT C. GRAHAM, and PAUL A. McDANIEL. Iowa State Press, 2121 South State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014. 2003. Hardback, 494 p. $79.99. ISBN 0-8138-2873-2. This book contains the most current information for the scientific field of pedology, the study of soil
Configurable logic block (CLB) design for Asynchronous Nanowire Crossbar system

In this work, a novel design and optimization method for programmable gate macro blocks (PGMB) in the newly proposed Asynchronous Nanowire Reconfigurable Crossbar Architecture (ANRCA) is presented. ANRCA is based on a self-timed logic referred to as the Null Convention Logic (NCL). Since there is no global clocking and clock distribution network, all failure modes related to timing will be either eliminated or relaxed. The proposed architecture is anticipated to have higher manufacturability and robustness that are critical factors in nanoscale systems due to nondeterministic nature of nanoassembly. In order to facilitate efficient programming and flexible reconfiguration, a new hierarchical reconfigurable architecture for ANRCA is also proposed. Various configurable logic block structures have been considered and also their programming and reconfiguration issues are discussed.
Improved Sensitivity SiC Hydrogen Sensor

We have produced silicon carbide sensors by two techniques: palladium coating and low energy palladium implantation. The palladium implantation was done at 550°C into the Si face of 6H, n-type SiC at various energies and at various fluences. The sensitivity of each sensor was measured at temperatures between 20°C to 400°C. The response of the SiC sensors produced by Pd implantation has revealed a completely different behavior than the SiC sensors produced by Pd deposition. In the Pd deposited SiC sensors, as well as in the ones reported in the literature [1, 2], the current rises in the presence of hydrogen at room temperature as well as at elevated temperatures. In the case of Pd implanted SiC sensors, the current decreases in the presence of hydrogen whenever the temperature is raised above 100°C [3].
Sublimation of vertically oriented paradichlorobenzene cylinders in a natural convection environment

Paradichlorobenzene cylinders were cast, then suspended vertically and allowed to sublimate in air. Data on mass versus time were measured, and a sublimation rate was calculated. Three cylinders of different diameters were used: 1 inch (2.54 cm), 1.5 inch (3.81 cm), and 2 inch (5.08 cm). The length of all three cylinders was 10 in. (25.4 cm). Calculations indicate that the Schmidt number was constant. The Sherwood number ranged from 23 to 26, and Rayleigh numbers varied from 11 × 103 to 88 × 103. The objective of this study was to develop a correlation for determining the mass transfer coefficient of vertically suspended paradichlorobenzene cylinders in a natural convection environment. An equation relating Sherwood and Rayleigh numbers was derived.
Small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence of Henneguya exilis (class Myxosporea) identifies the actinosporean stage from an oligochaete host

Several transmission studies, as well as recent molecular data, have indicated that the two classes Myxosporea and Actinosporea represent different life cycle stages of Myxozoa. To evaluate the life cycles of myxozoa in catfish aquaculture systems, the small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA gene sequences of Henneguya exilis, a myxosporean from channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and an actinosporean (previously designated as Aurantiactinomyxon janiszewskai) from the aquatic oligochaete Dero digitata were determined. The sequences were identical, indicating that H. exilis and the actinosporean are alternate life stages of a single species. This is the first report identifying the actinosporean stage of the genus Henneguya.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Superficial Cartilage Lesions: Role of Contrast in Lesion Detection

Excised patellar cartilage phantoms with artificial surface lesions were imaged in a 2 g/dl albumin solution to determine the effect of cartilage/fluid contrast on detection of early degenerative change. Surface lesions consisted of full-thickness holes, superficial grooves, and coarse abrasion. Phantoms were imaged with a T1-weighted fast lowangle shot (FLASH) and T2*-weighted dual-echo in the steady state (DESS) sequence. Although both sequences were able to identify full-thickness holes, they underestimated the presence of superficial grooves and extent of fibrillation. Despite greater bulk tissue contrast between cartilage and fluid for the FLASH sequence, detection of fibrillation was poorer compared with the DESS images. The results of this study suggest that surface properties of fibrillated cartilage contribute significantly to the insensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting superficial lesions. In contrast to previous papers suggesting that T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo imaging provides the greatest accuracy for lesion detection, our results indicate that, in the presence of joint fluid, T2*-weighted imaging increases detection of superficial lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:178‐182. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Winter Water Relations of Red Spruce on Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire

With the pressure chamber, the water potential of red spruce stems (Picea rubens) was measured in four altitudinal zones, including timberline, on Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire, during two winters. Average water potential over all zones and dates was -1.14 (SD + 0.57, range -0.1 to -4.0) MPa for 545 stems from 91 trees. More variation in water potential occurred within single trees than between juvenile and adult trees, and than among altitudinal zones or among seasons. Temperature data from maximum-minimum thermometers and from thermistors implanted into trunks and soil show that bulk water flow periodically occurs in winter. The slow decline in water potential of branches excised in winter, and scanning electron micrographs of plugged stomates, indicate that high diffusion resistances maintain needles within the relatively high levels of water potential mea- sured in this study. Our results disagree with traditional concepts, support the conclusions of Slatyer (1976) and Marchand and Chabot (1978), and indicate that the mechanisms behind the variability in water status of modular parts of single trees must be understood before the causes, timing, and consequences of winter death in timberline trees can be unraveled.
Psychopathic features in a juvenile diversion population: reliability and predictive validity of two self‐report measures

The reliability and predictive validity of two experimental self-report versions of two measures of psychopathic features in youth, the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD: Frick & Hare, 2001) and a modified version of the Child Psychopathy Scale (CPS: Lynam, 1997) were examined in a sample of 69 arrested youth (M age = 14.4 years) referred to a juvenile diversion program. Parents or legal guardians completed parent-rating versions of the same measures. Reliability indicators for the APSD total measure were satisfactory although internal consistency indices (coefficient alpha) for the Callous/Unemotional and Impulsive/Conduct Problems scales were slightly lower than desirable. Reliability indicators for the CPS were excellent after deleting items that had poor corrected item-to-CPS total score correlations. Positive and statistically significant correlations for all measures were obtained with prospective measures of program failure (range 0.22-0.36) and rearrest at 1 year follow-up (range 0.33-0.56). Although further research is needed prior to the clinical use of these measures, these results signal the potential of such measures to inform clinical judgments regarding treatment compliance and risk with justice-involved youth.
The regulatory action of vitamin K

Abstract Vitamin K3 in a saturating dose induces a linear increase in plasma prothrombin of the vitamin K-deficient chick from 4% to nearly 100% in 6 hr. Puromycin obliterates this response, but actinomycin D inhibits it a variable amount, depending upon the time of administration of the antibiotic prior to the vitamin. This effect is interpreted to signify that the messenger RNA for prothrombin is short-lived with a calculated half life of the order of 4 hr. The evidence currently available suggests that the m-RNA for prothrombin is present in the vitamin K-deficient chick, but is not available for translation. Studies of the rate of inorganic 32P incorporation into liver RNA in vitamin K-deficient and vitamin K-treated chicks revealed that all forms of RNA, i.e., nuclear, ribosomal, and m-RNA, were more rapidly enriched with isotope in the vitamin K-deficient than in the normal chick. This unexpected result suggests that vitamin K may have a hitherto unrecognized, more general effect upon RNA metabolism unrelated to its effect upon prothrombin synthesis.
Study of the Use of a Genetic Algorithm to Improve Networked System-of-Systems Resilience

Abstract Large scale failures or degradation resulting from smaller initial failures or disruptions in networked system-of-systems are an issue in multiple areas - for example cascading failures in electrical power grids or large disruptions in national air traffic due to local or regional weather conditions. The system architecture can have a significant impact on system-of-systems susceptibility to large scale failures. The study presented in this paper uses a simple interdependent networked system-of-systems failure model, integrated into a unique objective function that addresses both the overall level of failure and the rate of failure progression, and a genetic algorithm to demonstrate an integrated failure modeling based optimization method to select system-of-systems architectures for improved resiliency. The results for the integrated failure model/genetic algorithm model results converged rapidly to a steady state values. This initial integration shows a possible path forward to more sophisticated model integration and optimization and demonstrates a basic level of feasibility for this general approach.
Ultrathin SWNT Films with Tunable, Anisotropic Transport Properties

Directional transport properties at the nanoscale remain a challenge, primarily due to issues pertaining to control over the underlying anisotropy and scalability to macroscopic scales. Here, we develop a facile approach based on template-guided fluidic assembly of high mobility building blocks – single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) – to fabricate ultrathin and anisotropic SWNTs films. A major advancement is the complete control over the anisotropy in the assembled nanostructure, realized by three-dimensional engineering of the dip-coated SWNTs ultrathin film into alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic microline patterns with prescribed intra/inter-line widths and line thicknesses. Variations in the contact line profile results in an evaporation-controlled assembly mechanism that leads to alternating, and more importantly, contiguous SWNTs networks. Evidently, the nanoscopic thickness modulations are direct reflections of the substrate geometry and chemistry. The nanostructured film exhibits significant anisotropy in electrical and thermal transport properties as well as an optically transparent nature, as revealed by characterization studies. The direct interplay between the anisotropy and the 3D microline patterns of the substrate combined with the wafer-level scalability of the fluidic assembly allows us to tune the transport properties for a host of nanoelectronic applications.
Paramedic use of needle thoracostomy in the prehospital environment.

Objective. The use of prehospital needle thoracostomy (NT) is controversial as it is not without risk. Issues such as inappropriate patient selection, misplacement causing iatrogenic injury, treatment failures in obese patients, anddelaying definitive tube thoracostomy in the emergency department contribute to this controversy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a cohort of patients undergoing NT by paramedics for tension pneumothorax andreview the indications for use, complications, andemergency department outcomes of NT. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing NT in the prehospital setting andtransported directly to a Level 1 trauma center over a one-year period. Patients were transported by a single ground transport agency staffed by paramedics. All paramedics were trained to follow uniform protocols for treatment procedures. Variables included indications for NT, patient demographics, prehospital vital signs, injury mechanism, chest X-ray, andEmergency Department outc...
Maximizing the ratio of two convex functions over a convex set

The purpose of this article is to present an algorithm for globally maximizing the ratio of two convex functions f and g over a convex set X. To our knowledge, this is the first algorithm to be proposed for globally solving this problem. The algorithm uses a branch and bound search to guarantee that a global optimal solution is found. While it does not require the functions f and g to be differentiable, it does require that subgradients of g can be calculated efficiently. The main computational effort of the algorithm involves solving a sequence of subproblems that can be solved by convex programming methods. When X is polyhedral, these subproblems can be solved by linear programming procedures. Because of these properties, the algorithm offers a potentially attractive means for globally maximizing ratios of convex functions over convex sets. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006
Salvage Laryngectomy for Failed Conservative Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine the rate of salvage laryngectomy after failure of radiation or chemoradiation over 10-year course, identify factors associated with increased risk of treatment failure, assess survival after salvage laryngectomy. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Twenty patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy were studied. Overall interval to recurrence (ITR) was 9.9 months, overall postsalvage-laryngectomy survival (PSL-OAS) 25 months, and interval to death (PSL-ITD) 15.8 months. Mortality was 85%. Results: Four patients failed chemoradiation and 16 failed radiation alone. Based on treatment, there was no difference in ITR (12.8 vs. 8.8 months, P = .27) or PSL-OAS (27.5 vs. 24.4 months, P = .86). PSL-ITD was significantly higher after chemoradiation (27.5 vs. 12.2 months, P = .02). Advanced T-stage patients were significantly younger than early-stage (53 vs. 64 years, P = .02), but had no significant difference in ITR (12.7 vs. 6.8 months, P = .08), PSL-OAS (20.1 vs. 33.6 months, P = .35), or PSL-ITD (12 vs. 21.6 months, P = .1). Analysis by site and differentiation showed no significant differences. Heavy alcohol use/alcoholism was reported in >50%. Rate of fistulization was 20%. Three patients currently survive, with average postsalvage-laryngectomy disease-free survival (PSL-DFS) 77 months. Conclusions: Salvage laryngectomy is an uncommon procedure (7% over 10-year period). There is no difference in survival after salvage laryngectomy for radiation or chemoradiation failure. Patients failing chemoradiation have longer PSL-ITD than those failing radiation alone. Patients with T3–4 tumors tend to be younger. T-stage of tumor does not affect rate of salvage procedure. Fistulae formed in 20%. Neither location nor differentiation affects survival. Surgical salvage after primary conservative treatment is associated with an approximately 2-year survival.
Pre- and postsynaptic sites for serotonin modulation of GABA-containing neurons in the shell region of the rat nucleus accumbens.

The shell of the nucleus accumbens receives a dense serotonergic innervation and contains abundant gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive neurons. Moreover, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) and GABA have been implicated in a variety of common motivational and motor-related functions partially ascribed to this brain area. We used immunoelectron microscopy of antisera directed against 5-HT and GABA in the same section of tissue to examine whether there were cellular substrates that might indicate more specific sites for functional interactions involving these transmitters in the shell region of the rat nucleus accumbens. Immunogold-silver labeling for GABA was localized to perikarya, dendrites, axons and axon terminals, whereas immunoperoxidase labeling for 5-HT was restricted to axons and axon terminals. Approximately half (187/366) of the 5-HT-immunoreactive axon terminals apposed or formed synaptic junctions with postsynaptic neurons. These junctions were mainly of the symmetric-type (83/187) characteristic of inhibitory transmitters, and were equally prevalent on dendrites with and without detectable gold-silver labeling for GABA. Of the 187 5-HT-labeled axon terminals with recognized synaptic contacts, 36% also showed convergence on a common dendrite with a GABA-labeled axon terminal. In addition, 5-HT- and GABA-immunoreactive axon terminals were commonly (83/366) identified in direct apposition to one another. Within a single plane of section, 41% of the apposed GABA-immunoreactive axon terminals formed symmetric-type junctions with dendrites or somata, whereas, the apposed 5-HT-labeled axon terminals rarely showed postsynaptic contacts. These results indicate that 5-HT-containing axon terminals may postsynaptically inhibit GABAergic neurons and their targets within the shell of the rat nucleus accumbens. Additionally, our results strongly suggest that, in this brain region, appositions between 5-HT and GABA axons and axon terminals may facilitate presynaptic interactions between these transmitter systems. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adaptation of cells to new environments

The evolutionary success of an organism is a testament to its inherent capacity to keep pace with environmental conditions that change over short and long periods. Mechanisms underlying adaptive processes are being investigated with renewed interest and excitement. This revival is partly fueled by powerful technologies that can probe molecular phenomena at a systems scale. Such studies provide spectacular insight into the mechanisms of adaptation, including rewiring of regulatory networks via natural selection of horizontal gene transfers, gene duplication, deletion, readjustment of kinetic parameters, and myriad other genetic reorganizational events. Here, we will discuss advances in prokaryotic systems biology from the perspective of evolutionary principles that have shaped regulatory networks for dynamic adaptation to environmental change.
Pulmonary mechanics of papain emphysema in dogs

2000;117;246S-247S Chest Menache, F. Hahn and C. Hobbs Kristen J. Nikula, Thomas H. March, J. Seagrave, G. Finch, E. Barr, M. * Emphysema A Mouse Model of Cigarette Smoke-Induced http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/117/5_suppl_1/246S.2.full.html services can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and ISSN:0012-3692 ) http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( written permission of the copyright holder. this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed without the prior Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights reserved. No part of Copyright2000by the American College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Physicians. It has been published monthly since 1935. is the official journal of the American College of Chest Chest
Metal ion complexes of ethylene-bis-N,N′-(2,6-dicarboxy)piperidine

Abstract The preparation of a new hexadentate ligand related to ethylenediaminetetracetic acid, ethylene-bis-N,N′-(2,6-dicarboxy)piperidine, is reported and the stability constants for some representative metal ion complexes determined. At 25.0°C and μ = 0.10, NaNO 3 , the acid dissociation constants of the ligand are: p K 1 , 2.0; p K 2 , 2.64; p K 3 , 6.98; p K 4 , 10.30. Under the same conditions, the log stability constants for the metal ion complexes are: Mg 2+ , 6.36: Ca 2+ , 7.28; Sr 2+ , 4.94; Ba 2+ , 4.14; Mn 2+ , 11.20; Ni 2+ , 17.43; Cu 2+ , 18.24; Zn 2+ , 15.08; Cd 2+ , 13.56,Pb 2+ , 16.05. Comparison of the equilibrium constants to the corresponding ethylenediaminetetracetic acid constants shows that the acid constants are nearly identical while the metal ion stability constants are lower by 0.5 to 3.7 log K units. These trends are interpreted in terms of steric effects originating from the piperidine ring structure of the ligand.
Using atom interferometry to search for new forces

Abstract Atom interferometry is a rapidly advancing field and this Letter proposes an experiment based on existing technology that can search for new short distance forces. With current technology it is possible to improve the sensitivity by up to a factor of 10 2 and near-future advances may be able to rewrite the limits for forces with ranges from 1 mm to 100 m.
Sulfur-Hz(CHx)y(z = 0,1) functionalized metal oxide nanostructure decorated interfaces: Evidence of Lewis base and Brönsted acid sites – Influence on chemical sensing

Abstract Nanostructure metal oxide decorated n-type extrinsic porous silicon (PS) semiconductor interfaces are modified through in-situ interaction with acidic ethane and butane thiols (EtSH, BuSH) and basic diethyl sulfide (Et2S). Highly sensitive conductometric sensor evaluations and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy demonstrate the effect of sulfur group functionalization modifying the acidity of the metal oxides and their interaction with NH3. SEM micrographs demonstrate that the sulfur treated particles are less than 30 nm in size. EDAX studies confirm the chemical composition of the modified nanoparticles and suggest the surface interaction of the sulfides and thiols. The acidic thiols can form Bronsted acidic sites enhancing the acidity of the metal oxides, thus broadening the initial metal oxide acidity range. The sulfides interact to lower the Lewis acidity of nanostructured metal oxide sites. Conductometric response matrices with NH3 at room temperature, corresponding to the thiol and sulfide treated nanostructures of the metal oxides TiO2, SnOx, NixO, CuxO, and AuxO (x >> 1) are evaluated for a dominant electron transduction process forming the basis for reversible chemical sensing in the absence of chemical bond formation. Treatment with the acidic thiols enhances the metal center acidity. It is suggested that the thiols can interact to increase the Bronsted acidity of the doped metal oxide surface if they maintain SH bonds. This process may account for the shift in Lewis acidity as the Bronsted acid sites counter the decrease in Lewis acidity resulting from the interaction of S-(CHx)y groups. In contrast, treatment with basic Et2S decreases the Lewis acidity of the metal oxide sites, enhancing the basicity of the decorated interface. XPS measurements indicate a change in binding energy (BE) of the metal and oxygen centers. The observed changes in conductometric response do not represent a simple increase in surface acidity or basicity but involve a change in the mismatch of molecular electronic structure with the NH3 analyte. The nature of this interaction, coupled with the ability to transfer electrons to the extrinsic semiconductor, is explained using the developing IHSAB model.
RSS as a course information delivery method

Technology has changed the way students interact with instructors as social networking and collective intelligence become primary facilitators of course information. One such method emerging with each new web creation is the integration of really simple syndication (RSS). Although RSS came about in the 90's, it is only in recent years that it has taken on a form of delivery that can easily be applied to the classroom. While dissemination of information is regularly done via lectures and course websites, in this case RSS was implemented to provide students an alternate method of receiving course announcements. This paper details a study in which RSS was implemented into a freshman level course as a method of distributing course announcements. In addition, this paper discusses the findings of the study to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of RSS in the classroom.
The use of an alcoholism screening test to identify the potential for alcoholism in persons on methadone maintenance.

Alcoholism has become a problem of increasing prominence in persons enrolled in methadone maintenance programs. Since early identification of the potential problem drinker may result in successful intervention, a method to screen individuals applying for admission to methadone maintenance who have a proclivity toward alcoholism would be of great value. A modified self-administered alcoholism screening test (SAAST), previously confirmed to identify “hidden alcoholics” in a general nonnarcotic-using population, was utilized as a screening device in three groups of narcotic-dependent persons on methadone maintenance: 30 individuals who had a known problem with alcoholism, 30 individuals without any history or signs of alcoholism over an extended time period, and 80 persons entering methadone maintenance who initially denied any problems with excessive drinking. The ability of the modified SAAST to separate the alcoholic from the nonalcoholic narcotic addict was confirmed (p < 0.001). This test was also found...