cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eye movements while reading biased homographs: Effects of prior encounter and biasing context on reducing the subordinate bias effect

Readers experience processing difficulties when reading biased homographs preceded by subordinate-biasing contexts. Attempts to overcome this processing deficit have often failed to reduce the subordinate bias effect (SBE). In the present studies, we examined the processing of biased homographs preceded by single-sentence, subordinate-biasing contexts, and varied whether this preceding context contained a prior instance of the homograph or a control word/phrase. Having previously encountered the homograph earlier in the sentence reduced the SBE for the subsequent encounter, whereas simply instantiating the subordinate meaning produced processing difficulty. We compared these reductions in reading times to differences in processing time between dominant-biased repeated and nonrepeated conditions in order to verify that the reductions observed in the subordinate cases did not simply reflect a general repetition benefit. Our results indicate that a strong, subordinate-biasing context can interact during lexi...
Calculation of inhibitor Ki and inhibitor type from the concentration of inhibitor for 50% inhibition for Michaelis-Menten enzymes

The use of I50 (concentration of inhibitor required for 50% inhibition) for enzyme or drug studies has the disadvantage of not allowing easy comparison among data from different laboratories or under different substrate conditions. Modifications of the Michaelis-Menten equation for treatment of inhibitors can allow both the determination of the type of inhibition (competitive, noncompetitive, and uncompetitive) and the Ki for the inhibitor. For competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors when the assay conditions are [S] = Km, then Ki = I50/2. For different conditions of [S] there is a divergence between competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors that may be used to identify the type of inhibitor. The equation for Ki also differs. For noncompetitive inhibitors the Ki = I50 and this relationship is valid with changing [S]. The equations developed require a single substrate, reversible-type inhibitors, and kinetics of the Michaelis-Menten type. Examples of the use of the equations are illustrated with experimental data from scientific publications.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of discrete mass poly(butylene glutarate) oligomers.

The mass dependency of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) response has been studied using equimolar mixtures of synthetic discrete mass poly(butylene glutarate) (PBG) oligomers of known structure having degrees of polymerization of 8, 16, 32, and 64. Mass discrimination observed was attributed to choice of matrix and detector saturation caused by higher laser intensity and inclusion of matrix ions in the MALDI spectra. Optimization of sample preparation and instrumental parameters provided uniform response over the mass ranged spanned by these four oligomers. The oligomer mixture was shown to serve as a model of more complex polymer distributions in the mass range 780−6000 Da, and application of the discrete mass oligomers as internal and calibration standards was demonstrated. Inclusion of PBG discrete mass oligomers as an internal standard in a quasi-equimolar mixture with polydispersed poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) indicated that some diminution o...
Diversity In Engineering

The president of the National Academy of Engineering argues here that engineering is a profoundly creative profession. He contends that, as in any creative profession, what comes out is a function of the life experiences of the people who do it. He points out that without diversity the set of life experiences brought to bear on a particular problem are limited. As a result society pays an opportunity cost—a cost in products not built, in designs not considered, in constraints not understood, and in processes not invented.
Dynamics of insulin secretion in obesity and diabetes.

Insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia are commonly present in obesity. The biochemical mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of basal hypersecretion of insulin are reviewed in this article. Under basal, fasting and fed conditions the hyperinsulinemia of obesity largely depends on increased insulin secretion, without any alteration of the temporal secretion. This suggests that the functioning beta cell mass is enhanced, but normal regulatory mechanisms are maintained. A number of alterations in β-cell function are present in conditions of impaired glucose tolerance which precede the onset of overt diabetes.
Difluoromethylornithine enhanced uptake of tritiated putrescine in 9L rat brain tumors

Abstract Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) depletes endogenous putrescine and enhances the uptake of and retention of [ 3 H] putrescine in vitro . To determine if DFMO also enhances uptake of [ 3 H] putrescine in vivo , DFMO and trace doses of [ 3 H] putrescine, dissolved in artificial CSF, were infused into growing (6–9 day) 9L brain tumors by means of osmotic pumps. When 7-day osmotic pumps were loaded with 1 μCi[ 3 H] putrescine, with or without 10 or 100 mM DFMO, pumped at 1 μl/h, the mean uptake after 3 days was 168 ± 62 cpm/mg tumor (17 rats) without DFMO, 300 ± 197 cpm/mg tumor (11 rats) with 10 mM DFMO and 1088 ± 421 cpm/mg tumor (11 rats) with 100 mM DFMO ( p ≤ 0.05 vs. control). Significantly less radioactivity was detected in the contralateral brain and in nonbrain tissues (0.5 ± 0.1 to 14 ± 5 cpm/mg). To measure the extent of [ 3 H] putrescine distribution in the tumor, the same dose of drugs was delivered for a longer period of time, using 14-day pumps to allow tumors to become large enough to be divided into 1.4 mm thick transections. The mean radioactivity in the sections from eight control rats receiving [ 3 H] putrescine without DFMO were not significantly different between the sections (174 ± 61 cpm/mg tumor for sections containing the cannulas, 273 ± 61 and 259 ± 91 cpm/mg for adjacent sections). In the six rats given 100 mM DFMO there was a significant increase in mean radioactivity in the cannula containing section (2251 ± 919 cpm/mg tumor). Mean counts from adjacent sections in these rats were 97 ± 44 and 33 ± 13 cpm/mg. Values for contralateral corpus striatum and nonbrain tissues ranged from 0.7 ± 0.3 to 4.3 ± 1.5 cpm/mg tissue. When DFMO was delivered directly to the tumors while [ 3 H] putrescine was infused intraperitoneally, the uptake in the tumor slices was low (5–10 cpm/mg in different slices). These results demonstrate that infusion of DFMO directly into growing 9L brain tumors can selectively enhance the uptake of exogenous [ 3 H] putrescine by rapidly dividing cells which are within a 1.4 mm diameter area at the cannula tip. Although these studies used [ 3 H] putrescine at trace doses, it is estimated that infusion of higher doses of [ 3 H] putrescine plus DFMO will selectively kill tumor cells.
Therapeutic dialogue as a means of constructing identity complexity

Abstract In consonance with current postmodern ideas, this article assumes that the meaning content involved in psychotherapy is created anew rather than uncovered in an examination of a repressed unconscious. Content in therapy is seen as formulated through a client/therapist dialogue in which the goal is increased identity complexity. Within these assumptions, the question of constraints on the meaning constructed is addressed and suggested guidelines for potentially therapeutic content are presented. These ideas are illustrated through a case example.
Analysis of a series of phenylalanine 57 mutants of the adipocyte lipid- binding protein

The importance of phenylalanine 57, an adipocyte lipid-binding protein (ALBP) portal residue, to ligand affinity and specificity has been investigated using a series of ALBP position 57 mutants. In wild-type ALBP, phenylalanine 57 undergoes a side chain rotation upon ligand binding, moving from an inwardly oriented, ligand-exclusive position in apoprotein structures to an outwardly oriented position in the holoprotein. To examine the role of F57 side chain rotation in the apoprotein−holoprotein transition and in ligand selectivity, ALBP site-specific mutants F57A, F57G, F57H, and F57W were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Mutants were analyzed for binding characteristics and stability toward chemical denaturation, and energy-minimized models of each mutant were constructed using apo, oleate-, and arachidonate-bound ALBP crystallographic coordinates. The stability of ALBP forms (wtALBP ≈ F57G > F57A > F57W > F57H) was unrelated to the affinity of ALBP forms (wtALBP ≈ F57W > F57H >...
Fine structure of the Rydberg levels in helium derived from experiment and theory.

The fine-structure levels of helium from microwave data are coalesced into a single-term-value table by means of theories. It is found to yield transition frequencies in excellent agreement with some diode laser measurements and a consistent ionization energy of 198\ensuremath{\Vert}310.772\ensuremath{\Vert}2(5) cmsup-1. This value is 1 order of magnitude higher in precision and in accord with Martin's value [Phys. Rev. A 29, 1883 (1984)], subject to the same assumption on the 2 $^{1}P$ level. A semiempirical theory is developed and fitted to all levels (L\ensuremath{\ge}2). The result suggests a modification in the usual usage of the polarization formula for the direct energy and extends its utility to the exchange energy.
Alcohol and injury in the general population: data from two household samples.

Objective: While a large literature exists on the association of alcohol and injury, coming largely from studies carried out in hospital emergency rooms (ERs), it is not known how representative ER patients are of those who are injured and treated elsewhere, or of those who are injured and receive no treatment. This article reports data on alcohol, injury and ER treatment in the general population. Method: Data were collected in two household probability samples: a national sample (N = 1,144) and a California county sample (N = 3,065). Results: In the national sample those treated in the ER for an injury were more likely to be younger, black and heavier drinkers, and were more likely to report experiences associated with alcohol dependence compared to those with other injuries, treated or untreated. In the county sample, those treated in the ER were more likely to have been drinking prior to the injury event, to be injured on the street and to report the event to be related to violence compared either to ...
π/2-mode operation of class E power amplifiers

A new derivation of the theory of idealized operation of class E power amplifiers is presented. The new derivation makes it simple to determine the current and voltage waveforms and circuit parameters associated with any value of conduction angle. A set of universal design data is presented. Conventional class E operation with a conduction angle of π radians will often be optimum, but operation with a conduction angle of π/2 can provide advantages when the switch is a bipolar transistor.
Controlling elements in a tribal maize from Colombia: fcu , a two-unit system.

The genetic basis for a striking aleurone color variegation of a maize population from Colombia is described. The variegation is the result of the interaction of a particular r allele, designated r-cu , and a specific factor, Fcu (Factor Cuna), that collectively compose a controlling element system. In the absence of Fcu , a variable dilute (nonvariegated) pigmentation is expressed in the aleurone. The degree of variegation is determined by differences in the dosage of the Fcu element; differences in variegation between kernels with one r-cu vs. two r-cu 's cannot be detected. Because of the specificity of the interaction, Fcu is different from the three other well-known controlling elements, Dt, Ac and En (= Spm ), and therefore represents a fourth controlling element system in maize. In addition to Fcu , the Cuna tribal maize contains two other controlling elements, Dt and a very weak En . The prevalence of controlling elements in natural maize populations is discussed.
Fish in Salps: the Association of Squaretails (Tetragonurus Spp.) With Pelagic Tunicates

Stromateoids are fishes of the open ocean commonly found in association with gelatinous zooplankton (Mansueti, 1963; Haedrich, 1957). One genus, Tetragonurus, has been found inside the branchial chambers of salps (Emery, 1882; LoBianco, 1909) and cloacal chambers of pyrosomes (LoBianco, 1909; Fitch, 1949, 1951).
Highly Conductive and Transparent PEDOT:PSS Films with a Fluorosurfactant for Stretchable and Flexible Transparent Electrodes

Highly conductive and transparent poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) films, incorporating a fluorosurfactant as an additive, have been prepared for stretchable and transparent electrodes. The fluorosurfactant-treated PEDOT:PSS films show a 35% improvement in sheet resistance (Rs) compared to untreated films. In addition, the fluorosurfactant renders PEDOT:PSS solutions amenable for deposition on hydrophobic surfaces, including pre-deposited, annealed films of PEDOT:PSS (enabling the deposition of thick, highly conductive, multilayer films) and stretchable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrates (enabling stretchable electronics). Four-layer PEDOT:PSS films have an Rs of 46 Ω per square with 82% transmittance (at 550 nm). These films, deposited on a pre-strained PDMS substrate and buckled, are shown to be reversibly stretchable, with no change to Rs, during the course of over 5000 cycles of 0 to 10% strain. Using the multilayer PEDOT:PSS films as anodes, indium tin oxide (ITO)-free organic photovoltaics are prepared and shown to have power conversion efficiencies comparable to that of devices with ITO as the anode. These results show that these highly conductive PEDOT:PSS films can not only be used as transparent electrodes in novel devices (where ITO cannot be used), such as stretchable OPVs, but also have the potential to replace ITO in conventional devices.
Can amorphization take place in nanoscale interconnects

The trend of miniaturization has highlighted the problems of heat dissipation and electromigration in nanoelectronic device interconnects, but not amorphization. While amorphization is known to be a high pressure and/or temperature phenomenon, we argue that defect density is the key factor, while temperature and pressure are only the means. For nanoscale interconnects carrying modest current density, large vacancy concentrations may be generated without the necessity of high temperature or pressure due to the large fraction of grain boundaries and triple points. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) experiments on 200?nm thick (80?nm average grain size) aluminum specimens. Electron diffraction patterns indicate partial amorphization at modest current density of about 105?A?cm?2, which is too low to trigger electromigration. Since amorphization results in drastic decrease in mechanical ductility as well as electrical and thermal conductivity, further increase in current density to about 7???105?A?cm?2 resulted in brittle fracture failure. Our molecular dynamics (MD) simulations predict the formation of amorphous regions in response to large mechanical stresses (due to nanoscale grain size) and excess vacancies at the cathode side of the thin films. The findings of this study suggest that amorphization can precede electromigration and thereby play a vital role in the reliability of micro/nanoelectronic devices.
Modeling and Analysis of Performance Oriented and Revenue Based Admission Control Framework for Service Providers

In our earlier work, competitive Web services market was proposed to address the hierarchical structure of large scale service systems. To better reflect the business reality, we model this system using finite capacity queues. To give the service provider more flexibility in controlling the priority level of incoming requests, we propose a performance oriented management architecture based on admission controller in this paper. Moreover, we study the design of an adaptive admission controller based on Markov decision processes and investigate the stationary policy based on different performance requirements.
Context-specific memory and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon 4: cognitive evidence from the NIMH prospective study of risk for Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of the study was to determine whether the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene was associated primarily with context-specific memory among individuals at genetic risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The effect of ApoE status on comprehensive neuropsychological results was examined in 176 healthy adults during baseline cognitive testing in the NIMH Prospective Study of Biomarkers for Older Controls at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease (NIMH Prospective BIOCARD Study). The presence of the e4 allele was associated with significantly lower total scores on the Logical Memory II subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale–Revised and percent of information retained after delay. Further analysis indicated the prose recall and retention effect was partially explained by a small subgroup of e4 homozygotes, suggesting a gradually progressive process that may be presaged with specific cognitive measures. The current results may represent an e4-associated breakdown between gist-related information and context-bound veridical recall. This relative disconnection may be understood in light of putative e4-related preclinical accumulation of Alzheimer pathology (tangles and plaques) in the entorhinal cortex (EC) and among frontal networks, as well as the possibility of less-efficient compensatory strategies. (JINS, 2004, 10, 362–370.)
Initial performance evaluation of an indirect-detection, active matrix flat-panel imager (AMFPI) prototype for megavoltage imaging

Abstract Purpose: The development of the first prototype active matrix flat-panel imager (AMFPI) capable of radiographic and fluoroscopic megavoltage operation is reported. The signal and noise performance of individual pixels is empirically quantified. Results of an observer-dependent study of imaging performance, using a contrast-detail phantom, are detailed and radiographic patient images are shown. Finally, a theoretical investigation of the zero-frequency detective quantum efficiency (DQE) performance of such imagers, using a cascaded systems formalism, is presented. Methods and Materials: The imager is based on a 508-μm pitch, 26 × 26 cm 2 array which detects radiation indirectly via an overlying copper plate + phosphor screen converter. Results: Due to its excellent optical coupling, the imager exhibits sensitivity superior to that of video-based systems. With an ∼133 mg/cm 2 Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb screen the system is x-ray quantum-noise-limited down to ∼0.3 cGy, conservatively, and extensions of this behavior to even lower doses by means of reduced additive electronic noise is predicted. The observer-dependent study indicates performance superior to that of conventional radiotherapy film while the patient images demonstrate good image quality at 1 to 4 MU. The theoretical studies suggest that, with a 133 mg/cm 2 Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb screen, the system would provide DQE performance equivalent to that of video-based systems and that almost a factor of two improvement in DQE is achievable through the incorporation of a 400 mg/cm 2 screen. Conclusion: The reported prototype imager is the first megavoltage AMFPI having performance characteristics consistent with practical clinical operation. The superior contrast-detail sensitivity of the imager allows the capture of high-quality 6- and 15-MV images at minimal dose. Moreover, significant performance improvements, including extension of the operational range up to full portal doses, appear feasible. Such capabilities could be of considerable practical benefit in patient localization and verification.
House Committee recommends cuts in NASA, NSF budgets

In a draft report that will accompany the first House budget resolution, the House Budget Committee has recommended that relatively small cuts be made in the FY 1981 budgets for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The committee's action covered ‘budget function 250,’ which encompasses the bulk of NASA's and the NSF's budgets and includes a portion of the Department of Energy (DOE) budget. (For purposes of the budget process, the various federal programs are divided into ‘functions.’)
Editorial comment--Mismatch or misconception?

The clinical utility of diffusion weighted MRI for assessing acute stroke patients has been known for some time.1 The combination of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging (using dynamic MRI to follow an intravenous bolus injection of contrast agent) has been shown to be valuable for predicting infarct growth by defining the mismatch between the lesion volume defined by diffusion imaging and that defined by abnormal blood flow or volume (the so-called diffusion-perfusion mismatch2). There have been numerous published studies, both in human patients and in various animal stroke models, supporting the use of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI for characterizing acute stroke lesions and predicting lesion progression and eventual stroke outcome. As a result, diffusion/perfusion MRI has already become a part of the clinical decision-making process for acute stroke at many sites, and has also made its way into clinical trial design. With this in mind, it is rather surprising that little work has been done to measure the reliability of these techniques in the clinical setting. This article by Coutts et al addresses this issue by comparing estimates of the diffusion/perfusion mismatch, as determined by 6 individuals, in a group of acute stroke patients. Coutts et al sound an important note of caution when interpreting such MRI …
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS AMONG SALT MARSH PLANTS

A pressing problem for ecologists is determining whether our understanding of communities, often developed from work at fine scales, can explain processes across broader scales. Here, we explore whether models of positive interactions developed in southern New England can be applied to geographic scales. Salt marsh plants may interact positively by ameliorating harsh physical conditions such as salinity stress. Because marsh porewater salinities are higher in low- vs. high-latitude marshes, we tested the hypothesis that positive interactions are increasingly important at low latitudes. Previous work sup- ported this hypothesis at the regional scale: within New England, positive interactions were rare in Maine but common in Rhode Island. We conducted parallel experiments in Georgia and Alabama to determine whether similar results would be obtained in a geographic comparison. Nine species of salt marsh plants were transplanted into control plots or plots with neighboring vegetation removed, in three marsh zones, at two sites each in Georgia and Alabama. Removing neighbors increased porewater salinities; nevertheless, plants usu- ally performed best in neighbor-removal treatments, indicating that most interactions were competitive rather than facilitative. Several mechanisms might explain these results. For widely distributed species, southern individuals may be more salt tolerant than northern conspecifics. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the salt tolerance of northern and southern conspecifics of three species in a common garden experiment. In two species, southern plants were more salt tolerant than northern conspecifics. Although this pattern may explain the rarity of facilitation in the south for some species, it cannot explain our overall results because few species were studied in both geographic regions. The most likely explanation for our results is that northern marsh floras are dominated by salt-sensitive species that are likely to be facilitated by neighbors, whereas southern marsh floras are dominated by salt-tolerant species that are unlikely to benefit substantially from neighbor amelioration of soil salinities. These results illustrate the difficulties inherent in extrapolating results from even well understood systems to different geographic locations or scales. Intraspecific adaptations and community composition are often likely to vary geographically, complicating our efforts to construct geographically robust generalities about community structure and processes.
Role of CD40 ligand in Mycobacterium avium infection.

Mycobacterium avium is a common opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Although M. avium is an intracellular organism replicating predominantly in macrophages, disseminated M. avium infection is seen in AIDS patients with CD4+ cell counts of <50 cells/μl, suggesting a possible involvement of a T cell-macrophage interaction for the elimination of M. avium. To determine whether CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interactions play a role in M. avium infection, we studied the ability of CD40L to restrict M. avium replication in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) in vitro. MDM were infected with M. avium and cocultured with CD40L-transfected 293 cells for 7 days. Intracellular growth of M. avium in these MDM was assessed by colony counting. CD40L-expressing cells inhibited growth of M. avium in MDM by 86.5% ± 4.2% compared to MDM cultured with control cells. These findings were verified by assays using purified, soluble recombinant human CD40L (CD40LT). CD40LT (5 μg/ml) inhibited intracellular growth of M. avium by 76.9% ± 18.0% compared to cells treated with medium alone. Inhibition by CD40LT was reduced by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against CD40 and CD40L. The inhibitory effect of CD40LT was not accompanied by enhancement of interleukin-12 (IL-12) production by M. avium-infected MDM, while CD40L-expressing cells stimulated IL-12 production by these cells. Treatment of M. avium-infected mice with MAb against murine CD40L resulted in recovery of larger numbers of organisms (0.8 to 1.0 log) from the spleens, livers, and lungs of these animals compared to infected mice which received normal immunoglobulin G. These results indicate that CD40-CD40L signaling may be an important step in host immune response against M. avium infection.
Assessment of Human Pancreatic Islet Architecture and Composition by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

The recent success of pancreatic islet transplantation has generated considerable enthusiasm. To better understand the quality and characteristics of human islets used for transplantation, we performed detailed analysis of islet architecture and composition using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Human islets from six separate isolations provided by three different islet isolation centers were compared with isolated mouse and non-human primate islets. As expected from histological sections of murine pancreas, in isolated murine islets alpha and delta cells resided at the periphery of the beta-cell core. However, human islets were markedly different in that alpha, beta, and delta cells were dispersed throughout the islet. This pattern of cell distribution was present in all human islet preparations and islets of various sizes and was also seen in histological sections of human pancreas. The architecture of isolated non-human primate islets was very similar to that of human islets. Using an image analysis program, we calculated the volume of alpha, beta, and delta cells. In contrast to murine islets, we found that populations of islet cell types varied considerably in human islets. The results indicate that human islets not only are quite heterogeneous in terms of cell composition but also have a substantially different architecture from widely studied murine islets.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on renal function, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress after angiography.

The effect of N -acetylcysteine on renal function, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress after angiography. Background Renal failure induced by radiographic contrast agents is a known complication of coronary angiography, especially among patients with chronic renal failure. Recently, treatment with N -acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to have a protective effect but the mechanisms are unknown. We examined the hypothesis that NAC protected against contrast-induced renal impairment through effects on nitric oxide metabolism and oxidative stress. Methods Patients with a serum creatinine concentration above 106 μmol/L undergoing coronary angiography were randomly assigned to receive either NAC 1g ( N = 24) or placebo ( N = 29) twice daily 24hours before and after angiography with 0.45% saline hydration in a double-blind study. Creatinine clearance was calculated and urinary nitric oxide and F2-isoprostane excretion were measured at baseline, 24 and 96hours after angiography. Results Treatment with NAC significantly improved the effect of contrast media on creatinine clearance, and maximal beneficial effect was observed 24hours after angiography. Creatinine clearance (mL/min) was 59.5 ± 4.4, 64.7 ± 5.8, and 58.7+3.9 at baseline, 24, and 96hours after angiography in the NAC group, respectively, and 65.2 ± 3.2, 51.5 ± 3.7, and 53.6 ± 3.9 in the placebo group, respectively ( P P = 0.013). NAC had no significant effect on urinary F2-isoprostanes. Conclusion NAC treatment has renoprotective effect in patients with mild chronic renal failure undergoing coronary angiography that may be mediated in part by an increase in nitric oxide production.
Bi-Lingual Teaching and Learning: Effectiveness and Challenges in Postgraduate Studies

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of bilingual teaching and learning methodology for Vietnamese postgraduate students from 2011-2012. Overall, the findings indicated relatively positive outcomes in most of the spectrum evaluated or assessed. These findings were then compared with previous researches and to ascertain the applicability to fundamental theories underpinning bilingual education to determine the correlation between theory and practice. This research provided an in-depth contextual based research that contributed to an extensive understanding of the effectiveness of the adoption of bilingual teaching and learning at postgraduate level within ASEAN countries. The research will also provide a platform for development nations to gain accesses to the required knowledge, skills, capabilities, and competencies that have thus far eluded them due to language barrier, thereby providing these nations with the impetus to grow and develop further as a nation via the effective development of the country’s human capital.
Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit Extracts of Blackberry (Rubus sp.) Produced in Different Climatic Regions

A r : A r : A r : A r e also the outliers in terms of ascorbic acid content. Cultivar 'Brazos' did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a ascorbic acid content. Cultivar 'Brazos' did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a ascorbic acid content. Cultivar 'Brazos' did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a ascorbic acid content. Cultivar 'Brazos' did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a ascorbic acid content. Cultivar 'Brazos' did not exhibit any significant differences in acidity or ascorbic acid as a consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was re- consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was re- consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was re- consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was re- consequence of the geographic origin or harvest season. The highest concentration of soluble solids was re- cor cor cor corded for ded for ded for ded for ded for ' '' 'Evergreen
Navigating the Bumpy Road to Student-Centered Instruction

(1996). Navigating the Bumpy Road to Student-Centered Instruction. College Teaching: Vol. 44, No. 2, pp. 43-47.
Vision-Based Control of a Scratch Drive Microrobot

The newly organized RoboCup Nanogram competition challenges teams of students and researchers to construct microscopic untethered robots that will compete against each other in soccer-related agility drills on a 2.5 mm times 2.5 mm playing field. With dimensions in the measured in tens or hundreds of micrometers and masses measured in nanograms, these microrobots can be controlled with visual feedback from an optical microscope. This paper proposes a vision-based control strategy.
Optical attentive associative memory with channel dependent nonlinearity in the weight plane

An optical associative processor for two-dimensional image retrieval is described. The system employs variable channel-dependent nonlinearity in the weight plane of the conventional filter-based optical associative memory. Thresholding the filter that is used to store an associative image corresponds to focusing attention on that specific image by altering the strengths of the stored weights in the associative processor. For a severe compression type of nonlinearity, the pixel values of the high spatial frequencies of the filter are increased, which emphasizes the similarity between the input and the selected stored image. >
A receptor-based immunoassay to detect Staphylococcus enterotoxin B in biological fluids

A rapid, simple, and inexpensive sandwich enzyme-linked receptor based immunodot assay was developed for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in human fluids by using purified glycosphingolipid digalactosylceramide (diGalCer) receptor for SEB. Three micrograms of diGalCer was immobilized on a polyvinyledene difluoride membrane and the membrane was subsequently incubated with primary and secondary alkaline-phosphatase-labeled antibodies. A positive reaction was discerned as a blue spot. As little as 1 ng/ml of SEB could be detected in the assay. SEB did not bind to structurally related glycosphingolipids, such as glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, and lactosylceramide in this assay. Of five monoclonal anti-SEB antibodies and commercial anti-SEB antiserum tested, the latter was the most sensitive in our assay. The specificity of SEB assay was assessed by comparison with structurally related toxins, for example, staphylococcal enterotoxin A, and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). TSST-1 was not detected in the assay. This was because these toxins were not recognized by the anti-SEB antibody and did not bind to diGalCer. In conclusion, we believe that this assay may be widely applicable because it is highly specific for SEB, it does not require special equipment, and the results can be obtained within few hours with the naked eye. Since the receptor for SEB has a long shelf life, it can be easily stored and used for a long time.
Language Use in an English/Hebrew Bilingual Preschool Classroom

A sociolinguistic analysis of language use among preschool children in a bilingual English/Hebrew bilingual classroom was conducted to examine the effects of teacher background (U.S. or Israeli born/educated) while interacting with children from bilingual or monolingual backgrounds and teacher’s participation (presence or absence) in classroom context. The results suggest that the bilingual (Israeli) teacher had a different interactive style than the American teacher. Children interacted differentially with each teacher and, as a result, varied both their speech and their involvement. The children’s backgrounds also influence their language use patterns in the small peer group interaction context with the teacher absent.
Abstract 4344: Olfactomedin 4 plays a tumor-suppressor role and is a novel candidate biomarker in the prostate cancer progression and independent of PSA

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed solid tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the American male population. The olfactomedin 4 gene (OLFM4) plays critical tumor suppressor roles in human and murine prostate cancer. We have previously reported that loss or reduce of OLFM4 expression is associated with the progression of human prostate cancer. We further found that loss of Olfm4 leads to prostate neoplastic progression in the Olfm4-knockout mouse model. To study the clinical impacts of OLFM4 gene in the prostate cancer, we have performed bioinformatics analysis from the published datasets, GSE35988, GSE21032 and TCGA as well as immunohistochemical analysis with prostate cancer tissue arrays by using OLFM4 antibody. The copy number variations (CNV) of OLFM4 gene were significantly associated with Gleason scores of prostate cancer. The pattern of OLFM4 CNV is similar with other tumor suppressor genes, RB1, PTEN and P53. We have observed consist reduce or loss of mRNA expression in the castrate resistant and metastatic prostate cancer patient samples. To study the relationship between OLFM4 expression and prostate cancer recurrence, we performed Kaplan-Meier Plots and Log-rank statistic analysis for GSE21032 and TCGA data sets. Overall, there was no significant relationship between OLFM4 expression and prostate cancer recurrence. However, when analysis was restricted to the lower quartile of OLFM4 expression, we obtained a highly significant inverse relationship (p = 0.02) between OLFM4 expression and recurrence. We also observed that alteration of CNV and expression of OLFM4 gene has no relationship with the level of (patient) serum prostate specific antigen (PSA). We performed immunohistochemical analysis with prostate cancer tissue arrays by using OLFM4, PSA and E-cadherin antibodies. Lower or loss of expression of OLFM4 protein is associated with advanced Gleason scores of prostate cancer specimens. The pattern of OLFM4 protein expression in prostate cancer patient samples is similar to that of E-cadherin, but not PSA. Taken together, these results suggest that OLFM4 plays a tumor-suppressor role, and therefore is a likely therapeutic target for prostate cancer interdiction. Citation Format: Hongzhen Li, Ye Chen, Wenli Liu, Jianqiong Zhu, Chin Kay, Xujing Wang, Griffin P. Rodgers. Olfactomedin 4 plays a tumor-suppressor role and is a novel candidate biomarker in the prostate cancer progression and independent of PSA. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4344. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4344
Teaching What You Can’t See: Museum Exhibits as a Bridge to Learning Materials Science

The use of exhibits in informal science education venues such as science centers and museums is an integral part of engaging students in science, encouraging them to take science courses in school, and motivating them to pursue science and engineering careers. Through an Internships in Public Science Education Program funded by the National Science Foundation and in partnership with the education efforts of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) and the Discovery World Museum of Science, Economics and Technology, we have built and tested interactive components for museum exhibits on advanced materials science and nanotechnology concepts. Our front-end assessment revealed a gap in scientific understanding about objects smaller than can be seen by the naked eye. Facts learned through standard teaching methods were easily recalled, but in-depth, conceptual knowledge and application of those facts are lacking in both children and adults. We designed interactive exhibits to specifically address this disconnect in comprehension. By inviting the learner to actively participate in an interactive exhibit activity, he or she is able to develop a deeper understanding of advanced materials concepts that are difficult to teach with textbooks alone. Formative assessment of our exhibit prototypes show that students and adults not only participate in the interactive exhibit activity, but are able to learn and apply the concepts contained within them.
Electromagnetic Scattering From Randomly-Centered Parallel Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in a Dielectric Slab

An analytical full wave model of parallel, randomly centered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded in a dielectric slab was developed to calculate the electromagnetic scattering from CNT composites. The model simulates empty and metal-filled single walled CNTs as infinitesimally thin wires, parallel and infinitely long in the z direction, but randomly located in the x- y plane. The wires have the equivalent impedance of CNTs and are embedded in a dielectric slab with finite thickness in the x direction but infinite in the y and z directions. The electromagnetic radiation propagates in the x direction, and the entire model is periodic in the y direction. The main goal of this work is to investigate how the variations in the random locations and impedances of the CNTs can lead to variations in the electromagnetic scattering from the composite. Composites with metal-filled CNTs exhibit more variations in the electromagnetic scattering than unfilled CNTs. The model also showed that increasing the density of CNTs, decreasing the losses of the dielectric matrix, and the random incorporation of nonidentical CNTs increases the variations in the electromagnetic scattering. The model is finally used to demonstrate how simple fabrication tolerances can affect the variations in electromagnetic scattering.
Evaluation of the Impact of Glycemic Control Applied to Gestational Diabetes on Pregnancy Outcome

Objective To explore the impact of glycemic control applied to gestational diabetes on pregnancy outcome. Methods The data of 180 cases of patients with gestational diabetes diagnosed and treated in our hospital from February, 2011 to February, 2012 were randomly selected. According to the degree of controlling blood glucose after treatment, the patients were divided into two groups, 145 cases with satisfactory control of blood glucose were selected as the study group, and 35 cases with dissatisfied control of blood glucose as the control group. And 60 cases of healthy pregnant women underwent examinations during the same period were selected as the reference group. The outcome of pregnancy of three groups was analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the complications such as cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, hydramnion, premature rupture of membranes, macrosomia, newborn asphyxia and so on occurred in the study group were less than those occurred in the control group, the differences were statistically significant(P0.05); but compared with those occurred in the reference group, the differences were not statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion Satisfactory controlling the blood glucose of patients with gestational diabetes can effectively improve the outcome of maternity and infant with certain clinical application value.
Elevated fecal calprotectin associates with adverse outcomes from Clostridium difficile infection in older adults

AbstractBackground: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) causes a mild to moderate colitis in most patients, but some, especially older adults, develop severe, adverse outcomes. Biomarkers predicting outcomes are needed to optimize treatments. This study tested whether fecal calprotectin associated with a composite primary outcome of complicated CDI (intensive care unit admission, colectomy, or death due to CDI within 30 days of diagnosis) and/or 8-week recurrence.Methods: Stool was collected in Cary-Blair media at the time of diagnosis from inpatients of age >60 years that tested positive for C. difficile (enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for toxin A/B or polymerase chain reaction for the tcdB gene). Fecal calprotectin was measured and normalized to solid stool weight. Analysis was performed using logistic regression. Variables were selected for the final model using likelihood ratio tests.Results: Fifty patients were included with a mean age 72.8 (± 7.5), and 13 (26%) developed the primary outcome. Clinical va...
Micropatterning on Micropost Arrays

Micropatterning of cells can be used in combination with microposts to control cell shape or cell-to-cell interaction while measuring cellular forces. The protocols in this chapter describe how to make SU8 masters for stamps and microposts, how to use soft lithography to replicate these structures in polydimethylsiloxane, and how to functionalize the surface of the microposts for cell attachment.
Ultrasonic Lithotripsy: The Risk of Hearing Loss

AbstractUltrasonic lithotripsy has been applied widely to the percutaneous removal of upper tract calculi. The high noise levels generated by ultrasonic lithotriptors during clinical use have raised some concern among endourologists. In this study sound level measurements of all 3 commercially available ultrasonic lithotriptors were obtained in the audiology laboratory and operating room. In all circumstances the maximum noise levels recorded (103dBA. or less) for the time of exposure that would be encountered in the clinical setting of ultrasonic lithotripsy never exceeded safe levels. We concluded that the routine use of ultrasonic lithotriptors does not present a hazard to the hearing of normal individuals.
Carbide evolution in temper embrittled NiCrMoV bainitic steel

Phosphorus segregation to prior austenite grain boundaries in low alloy steel from exposure to temperatures of 300 to 600°C results in a susceptibility for intergranular fracture referred to as temper embrittlement. It has been observed that alloying steel with Mo greatly reduces the phosphorus segregation kinetics. Therefore changes in the ferrite matrix composition from carbide precipitation and evolution involving Mo can influence the segregation phenomenon and fracture properties. This study uses analytical electron microscopy of extraction replicas to characterize the changes in carbide chemistry of a NiCrMoV bainitic steel with 0.25 wt% C that accompany the phosphorus segregation during aging at 480°C for up to 3400 hr. The steel was doped with 0.02 wt% P and tempered at 650°C to two different hardness levels, i.e., two different initial carbide distributions. The amount of grain boundary phosphorus segregation produced by aging at 480°C correlates with the level of molybdenum that remains in solution in the ferritic matrix whereas changes in vanadium and chromium appear to have less influence on the temper embrittlement.
Liquid-like Solids Support Cells in 3D

The demands of tissue engineering have driven a tremendous amount of research effort in 3D tissue culture technology and, more recently, in 3D printing. The need to use 3D tissue culture techniques more broadly in all of cell biology is well-recognized, but the transition to 3D has been impeded by the convenience, effectiveness, and ubiquity of 2D culture materials, assays, and protocols, as well as the lack of 3D counterparts of these tools. Interestingly, progress and discoveries in 3D bioprinting research may provide the technical support needed to grow the practice of 3D culture. Here we investigate an integrated approach for 3D printing multicellular structures while using the same platform for 3D cell culture, experimentation, and assay development. We employ a liquid-like solid (LLS) material made from packed granular-scale microgels, which locally and temporarily fluidizes under the focused application of stress and spontaneously solidifies after the applied stress is removed. These rheological pr...