cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-acting hormonal contraceptive continuation among low-income postpartum women in Texas.

Abstract Objective The objective was to assess continuation of the pill, patch, ring or injectable (i.e., short-acting hormonal contraception); characteristics associated with discontinuation; and subsequent method use among low-income postpartum women in Texas. Study design Using a 24-month cohort study of 1700 women who delivered in eight Texas hospitals and were uninsured or publicly insured at the time of delivery, we focused on 456 women who used short-acting hormonal contraception within 6 months after delivery. We classified this sample according to characteristics and method preference, and estimated rates of discontinuation and associated predictors using life tables and Cox models. We assessed reasons for discontinuation and subsequent contraceptive use among those who discontinued. Results Roughly half used the pill and half used the injectable. One hundred seventy-eight (39%) expressed a baseline preference for the method they used, 162 (36%) preferred a long-acting reversible contraception method, and 41 (9%) preferred sterilization. After 1 year, 72% had discontinued [95% confidence interval (CI) 67.1–75.7]. Foreign-born Hispanic women were less likely to discontinue than U.S.-born Hispanics [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.84]. Those who wanted a more effective method (aHR, 1.44; 95% CI 1.12–1.85) and those who lost insurance coverage (aHR, 1.47; 95% CI 1.12–1.92) were more likely to discontinue. The most common reasons for discontinuation were side effects and access/cost. Of those who discontinued, 243 (68%) switched to a less effective or no method. Only 47 (13%) switched to their preferred method. Conclusions Short-acting hormonal contraceptive discontinuation is high in this population. Many switch to less effective methods after discontinuation despite preferring methods at least as effective as the pill, patch, ring or injectable. Implications Expanding contraceptive coverage in the 2 years after delivery should be a state and federal policy priority. In clinics, providers should discuss contraceptive preferences throughout pregnancy and the interpregnancy interval.
Diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy: A safety net community-based hospital experience in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) is an excellent tool to diagnose peripheral pulmonary nodules, especially in the setting of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. However, most of these procedures are done by interventional pulmonologists and academic tertiary centers under general anesthesia. Studies evaluating the diagnostic utility of this tool in safety-net community hospitals by pulmonologists not formally trained in this technology are lacking. The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of ENB done in such a setting and its associated complications. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of consecutive ENB procedures over 5 years from 2014, since its inception in our institution-a safety-net community based hospital was performed. Multiple variables were analyzed to assess their impact on diagnostic yields. RESULTS: After exclusion criteria were applied, 72 patients with 76 procedures were eventually included within our study, with an overall 1-year diagnostic yield of 80.2%. Sensitivity for malignancy was 73% and negative predictive value of 65%. Primary lung cancer was the most common diagnosis obtained, followed by tuberculosis (TB). The overall complication rates were low, with only 1 patient (1.3%) requiring hospitalization due to pneumothorax needing tube thoracostomy. No deaths or respiratory failures were noted within the cohort. The only significant variable affecting diagnostic yield was forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The presence of emphysema did not affect diagnostic yield. CONCLUSIONS: ENB is safe and feasible with a high diagnostic success rate even when performed by pulmonologists not formally trained in interventional pulmonology in low resource settings under moderate sedation.
Controversies in the recent (2016) World Health Organization classification of acute myeloid leukemia

The current World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), developed in 2016 and published in 2017, codifies the defining features of AML and recognizes several subtypes based on clinical, morphologic, and genetic features. This classification is widely used for the purposes of assigning patients to specific therapeutic approaches and entry into clinical trials. Although the WHO Classification ultimately has its origins in the original 1976 French-American-British Classification, it has been periodically updated by the incorporation of a large body of evidence and input from both diagnosticians and clinicians who study and treat AML. Nevertheless, the recent accumulation of genetic data on the molecular underpinnings of myeloid neoplasms as well as numerous recently approved novel therapies have highlighted areas of controversy in how we currently define and classify AML; the 2016 WHO Classification will continually be revised and updated in future versions based on these advances. The purpose of this review is to explore areas of potential refinement in the current WHO Classification of AML, both in terms of its criteria defining the disease as well as the specific disease subtypes.
Dancing for Parkinson's: A Gateway for Connectedness to Peers and Social Assurance.

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether a course in the Freshman Research Initiative at Iowa State University increased social connectedness and assurance and retention. Results revealed t...
Partial STAT5 signaling is sufficient for CD4+ T cell priming but not memory formation.

Abstract Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) plays an important role in regulating gene expression in response to cytokines of the common (γc) chain family. In this capacity, STAT5 promotes CD8+ effector and memory T cell survival and regulatory T cell development. However, its function in conventional CD4+ T cells is less clear. In this study, the requirement of intact STAT5 signaling for CD4+ effector and memory T cell generation and maintenance was investigated by using DO11.10 TCR transgenic T cells that are genetically deficient in STAT5A or B, as well as by transducing DO11 T cells with a dominant-negative STAT5 to temporally block STAT5 function. We found that the presence of STAT5A or B alone was sufficient for primary CD4+ effector T cell generation, but not for establishing a long-lived memory cell population. Similarly, blocking STAT5 signaling during priming did not prevent initial T cell activation, but inhibited the generation of memory cells. Surprisingly, blocking STAT5 post-priming did not impact the long-term survival of CD4+ memory T cells in vivo. Mechanistically, intact STAT5B, but not STAT5A, was required for IL-7Rα re-expression in activated T cells, which is an important cytokine receptor for CD4+ memory generation. These data show that fully functional STAT5 is essential to deliver an early, non-redundant signal for memory programming during the primary CD4+ T cell response, while partial STAT5 signaling is sufficient for effector differentiation. Our results have implications for the precise use of STAT5 inhibitors to timely inhibit memory T cell responses.
Environmental Remote Sensing and Systems Analysis

Linkages between Environmental Remote Sensing and Systems Analysis Ni-Bin Chang Water Quality Monitoring, Watershed Development, and Coastal Management Using Remote Sensing-Based Carlson Index Mapping to Assess Hurricane and Drought Effects on Lake Trophic State Ni-Bin Chang and Zhemin Xuan Mapping Potential Annual Pollutant Loads in River Basins Using Remotely Sensed Imagery Kazuo Oki, Bin He, and Taikan Oki Identifying the Impact of Oil Spills with the Remote Sensing- Based Oil Spread Index Method Fahad A. M. Alawadi Remote Sensing to Predict Estuarine Water Salinity Fugui Wang and Y. Jun Xu Multitemporal Remote Sensing of Coastal Sediment Dynamics Paul Elsner, Tom Spencer, Iris Moller, and Geoff Smith Estimating Total Phosphorus Impacts in a Coastal Bay with Remote Sensing Images and In Situ Measurements Ni-Bin Chang and Kunal Nayee Monitoring and Mapping of Flood Plumes in the Great Barrier Reef Based on In Situ and Remote Sensing Observations Michelle Devlin, Thomas Schroeder, Lachlan McKinna, Jon Brodie, Vittorio Brando, and Arnold Dekker Sensing and Monitoring for Land Use Patterns, Reclamation, and Degradation Satellite Remote Sensing for Landslide Prediction Yang Hong, Zonghu Liao, Robert F. Adler, and Chun Liu Analysis of Impervious Surface and Suburban Form Using High Spatial Resolution Satellite Imagery D. Barry Hester, Stacy A. C. Nelson, Siamak Khorram, Halil I. Cakir, Heather M. Cheshire, and Ernst F. Hain Use of InSAR for Monitoring Land Subsidence in Mashhad Subbasin, Iran Maryam Dehghani, Mohammad Javad Valadan Zoej, Mohammad Sharifikia, Iman Entezam, and Sassan Saatchi Remote Sensing Assessment of Coastal Land Reclamation Impact in Dalian, China, Using High-Resolution SPOT Images and Support Vector Machine Ni-Bin Chang, Min Han, Wei Yao, and Liang-Chien Chen Mapping Impervious Surface Distribution with the Integration of Landsat TM and QuickBird Images in a Complex Urban- Rural Frontier in Brazil Dengsheng Lu, Emilio Moran, Scott Hetrick, and Guiying Li Air Quality Monitoring, Land Use/Land Cover Changes, and Environmental Health Concern Using Lidar to Characterize Particles from Point and Diffuse Sources in an Agricultural Field Michael D. Wojcik, Randal S. Martin, and Jerry L. Hatfield Measurement of Aerosol Properties over Urban Environments from Satellite Remote Sensing Min M. Oo, Lakshimi Madhavan Bomidi, and Barry M. Gross DOAS Technique: Emission Measurements in Urban and Industrial Regions Pasquale Avino and Maurizio Manigrasso Interactions between Ultraviolet-B and Total Ozone Concentrations in the Continental United States Zhiqiang Gao, Wei Gao, and Ni-Bin Chang Remote Sensing of Asian Dust Storms Tang-Huang Lin, Gin-Rong Liu, Si-Chee Tsay, N. Christina Hsu, and Shih-Jen Huang Forest Fire and Air Quality Monitoring from Space John J. Qu and Xianjun Hao Satellite Remote Sensing of Global Air Quality Sundar A. Christopher Index
Tetrafluorophenoxymethyl ketone cruzain inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic properties as therapeutic leads for Chagas' disease.

Abstract Inhibition of the cysteine protease cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi has been studied pre-clinically as a new chemotherapeutic approach to treat Chagas’ disease. Efficacious effects of vinylsulfone-based cruzain inhibitors in animal models support this therapeutic hypothesis. More recently, substrate–activity screening was used to identify nonpeptidic tetrafluorophenoxymethyl ketone inhibitors of cruzain that showed promising efficacy in animal models. Herein we report efforts to further optimize the in vitro potency and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties of this new class of cruzain inhibitors. Through modifications of the P1, P2 and/or P3 positions, new analogs have been identified with reduced lipophilicity, enhanced potency, and improved oral exposure and bioavailability.
Non-aqueous Metal–Oxygen Batteries: Past, Present, and Future

Metal–oxygen batteries have attracted significant attention due to the high theoretical capacities of some chemistries. This chapter summarizes the history of metal-oxygen batteries and reviews the current status of room-temperature, non-aqueous systems. Emphasis is given to the operating mechanisms, unsolved challenges, and new approaches associated with the Li–O2 system.
Consequence of Menin Deficiency in Mouse Adipocytes Derived by In Vitro Differentiation.

Lipoma in patients with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome is a type of benign fat-cell tumor that has biallelic inactivation of MEN1 that encodes menin and could serve as a model to investigate normal and pathologic fat-cell (adipocyte) proliferation and function. The role of menin and its target genes in adipocytes is not known. We used in vitro differentiation to derive matched normal and menin-deficient adipocytes from wild type (WT) and menin-null (Men1-KO) mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), respectively, or 3T3-L1 cells without or with menin knockdown to investigate cell size, lipid content, and gene expression changes. Adipocytes derived from Men1-KO mESCs or after menin knockdown in 3T3-L1 cells showed a 1.5–1.7-fold increase in fat-cell size. Global gene expression analysis of mESC-derived adipocytes showed that lack of menin downregulated the expression of many differentially methylated genes including the tumor suppressor long noncoding RNA Meg3 but upregulated gene expression from the prolactin gene family locus. Our results show that menin deficiency leads to fat-cell hypertrophy and provide model systems that could be used to study the regulation of fat-cell size.
Requirement of cytidine derivatives in the biosynthesis of O-alkyl phospholipids.

Abstract Cytidine diphosphate choline or cytidine diphosphate ethanolamine, O-alkylacylglycerol, and Mg++ are essential for the biosynthesis of O-alkyl phospholipids. The phosphorylcholine- or phosphorylethanolamine-O-alkylacylglycerol transferase activities occur in microsomes of preputial gland tumors, and they may be identical with the enzyme (enzymes) that catalyze the analogous steps in the biosynthesis of the corresponding diacylglycerophosphatides.
Inhibition of glioma growth by microbubble activation in a subcutaneous model using low duty cycle ultrasound without significant heating.

Object In this study, the authors sought determine whether microbubble (MB) destruction with pulsed low duty cycle ultrasound can be used to reduce brain tumor perfusion and growth through nonthermal microvascular ablation. Methods Studies using C57BLJ6/Rag-1 mice inoculated subcutaneously with C6 glioma cells were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Microbubbles were injected intravenously, and 1 MHz ultrasound was applied with varying duty cycles to the tumor every 5 seconds for 60 minutes. During treatment, tumor heating was quantified. Following treatment, tumor growth, hemodynamics, necrosis, and apoptosis were measured. Results Tumor blood flow was significantly reduced immediately after treatment, with posttreatment flow ranging from 36% (0.00002 duty cycle) to 4% (0.01 duty cycle) of pretreatment flow. Seven days after treatment, tumor necrosis and apoptosis were significantly increased in all treatment groups, while treatment with ultrasound duty cycles of 0.005 and 0.01 ...
Chapter 9 Money supply

Publisher Summary Analysis of the money supply process provides a framework for the systematic examination of the implications of alternative institutional arrangements and policy decisions. This chapter presents a framework containing many features of modern financial systems. The system extended to include many additional features and a wide variety of financial arrangements. The framework moves beyond standard analyses like IS-LM where bonds and capital are perfect substitutes and where there is only a single interest rate. In such models, control of the single rate permits the central bank to control intertemporal substitution by setting the interest rate at an appropriate level. The chapter presents money supply theory and examines intermediation and money creation and reduction when money, bonds, and capital are less than perfect substitutes in portfolios. The analysis shows the central role of the credit market and its interaction with the money market. It also examines the financial markets on the assumption of given income and price level and given anticipations.
InvF is required for expression of genes encoding proteins secreted by the SPI1 type III secretion apparatus in Salmonella typhimurium.

The expression of genes encoding proteins secreted by the SPI1 (Salmonella pathogenicity island) type III secretion apparatus is known to require the transcriptional activators SirA and HilA. However, neither SirA nor HilA is believed to directly activate the promoters of these genes. invF, the first gene of the inv-spa gene cluster, is predicted to encode an AraC-type transcriptional activator and is required for invasion into cultured epithelial cells. However, the genes which are regulated by InvF have not been identified. In this work, an in-frame deletion in invF was constructed and tested for the expression of Φ(sigD-lacZYA), sipC::Tn5lacZY, and a plasmid-encoded Φ(sicA-lacZYA). SigD (Salmonella invasion gene) is a secreted protein required for the efficient invasion of Salmonella typhimurium into cultured eucaryotic cells. sicA (Salmonella invasion chaperone) is the first gene of a putative operon encoding the Sip/Ssp (Salmonella invasion/Salmonella secreted proteins) invasion proteins secreted by the SPI1 type III export apparatus. invF was required for the expression of the sigD, sicA, and sipC fusions. This is the first demonstration that there is a functional promoter in the intergenic sequence between spaS and sicA. In addition, several proteins were either absent from or found in reduced amounts in the culture supernatants of the invF mutant. Therefore, invF is required for the optimal expression of several genes encoding SPI1-secreted proteins. Genetic evidence is also presented suggesting there is HilA-dependent readthrough transcription from the invF promoter at least through sipC.
A Multinational Analysis of Corruption and Economic Activity

The relationship between corruption and economic activity is a complex one. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship in selected countries between level of corruption and economic activity, using data obtained from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Transparency International (TI). Transparency International publishes annually a ranking of countries according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Examples of corruption activities include: (1) bribery, (2) corporate fraud, (3) cartels, and (4) corruption in supply chains and transnational transactions. Corruption is associated with a variety of problems, such as impeding economic development. Effective corporate governance that restricts corruption benefits not only the business firm but also economic activity in host countries. Results of this study offer insights into the consequences of corruption on economic activity. Generally lower-corruption countries have experienced significantly less unemployment than higher-corruption countries. In addition, gross fixed capital formation and foreign direct investment were more favorable (though not significantly different) for the lower-corruption countries.
Laser-Induced Temperature Jump Infrared Measurements of RNA Folding

Abstract Probing a sample using infrared spectroscopy following a laser-induced temperature jump is a powerful method to monitor fast relaxation kinetics. Here, we describe how this approach is used to study the kinetics of RNA folding. We begin with a concise summary of the infrared spectral properties of RNA in the 1500–1800 cm − 1 region. The infrared transitions in this region are directly related to the double bond stretching vibrations and ring modes of the nucleotide bases. When RNA undergoes a conformational change, the local environments of the nucleotides are altered. Consequently, the changes in the corresponding infrared spectrum are associated with the structural changes. Experimentally, temperature is used to systematically vary the RNA structure. When a short laser pulse is used to produce a rapid temperature increase in the sample, the structural changes that ensue can be followed in real time. In this contribution, we discuss experimental methods including sample preparation, instrumentation, and data analysis. We conclude with several experimental examples that highlight usefulness of the technique.
Nociception, pain, negative moods and behavior selection

Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that the brain adapts with pain, as well as imparts risk for developing chronic pain. Within this context, we revisit the concepts for nociception, acute and chronic pain, and negative moods relative to behavior selection. We redefine nociception as the mechanism protecting the organism from injury, while acute pain as failure of avoidant behavior, and a mesolimbic threshold process that gates the transformation of nociceptive activity to conscious pain. Adaptations in this threshold process are envisioned to be critical for development of chronic pain. We deconstruct chronic pain into four distinct phases, each with specific mechanisms, and outline current state of knowledge regarding these mechanisms: the limbic brain imparting risk, and the mesolimbic learning processes reorganizing the neocortex into a chronic pain state. Moreover, pain and negative moods are envisioned as a continuum of aversive behavioral learning, which enhance survival by protecting against threats.
Towards a standard class framework for discrete event simulation

The paper applies recent advances in object-oriented research to propose a class-level framework for discrete event simulations. The advances are in object-oriented analysis and design, the Unified Modeling Language, and the identification of application class frameworks as a discipline in and of itself.
Surface Water Pathway Analysis

When surface water pathway exposure and health effects are of concern, the transformation and transport analysis may include several aquatic environments such as impoundments, rivers, streams, reservoirs, wetlands, lakes, estuaries and open oceans. Among these, fresh water aquatic environments are of significant importance since they are the primary drinking water source for many communities. Estuaries and oceans may be of concern due to other exposure pathways, such as recreational activities, that are important in coastal areas. Water quality in surface water environments is regulated and routinely monitored by federal and state agencies. In the United States, the first surface water regulatory standard for an aquatic environment appeared with the enactment of the Public Health Service Act of 1912. This regulation was followed by the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972, in which jurisdiction for oversight of water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands was established and the regulations on wastewater effluents were identified. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) enacted in 1974 further included regulations for the tap water quality in all community water systems, defined as those systems which have 15 or more outlets or serve 25 or more customers. In this act, the USEPA was required to set the national standards for drinking water quality within the United States and its territories.
The Effect of the Hydrogenation Temperature on TiO2 Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation

We report the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of titanium dioxide (TiO2) based photoanodes for water oxidation as a function of the hydrogenation temperature. The hydrogen-treatment strategy has recently been demonstrated as a simple and effective strategy to improve the performance of TiO2 photoanodes for the PEC water oxidation. However, the performance of those hydrogenated TiO2 photoanodes decreased gradually when the hydrogenation temperature was above 350 °C. This was attributed to the degradation of the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. To eliminate the influence of the substrate and to evaluate the effect of the hydrogenation temperature on the performance of TiO2 photoanodes, in this study we synthesized rutile, anatase, and mixed-rutil/anatase phase TiO2 nanowire arrays on titanium (Ti) foils. These TiO2 nanowires were hydrogenated in a temperature range between 350 and 550 °C, in which the resistance of Ti foil remained unchanged. We found that the rutile- and anatase-hydrogenated TiO2 photoanodes achieved the optimal performance for PEC water oxidation at a hydrogenation temperature of 350 and 550 °C, respectively. The optimal hydrogenation temperature is believed to be related to the carrier density of TiO2. These results could provide important insights for the improvement of the performance of TiO2 materials as photoelectrodes for PEC water oxidation as well as for other solar-energy conversion devices.
Idiopathic hypoglycemia: A study of twenty-six children

Twenty-six children with idiopathic hypoglycemia were studied. Thirteen children had ketotic hypoglycemia, 5 had leucine sensitivity, 3 had transient neonatal hypoglycemia, and 5 could not be classified. Of 24 patients followed, neurologic impairment was noted in more than one third. An exaggerated insulin response was the principal metabolic abnormality in patients with leucine sensivitity. An important mechanism for hypoglycemia in children with ketotic hypoglycemia appears to be a failure to secrete insulin necessary to preserve liver glycogen. A specific and highly successful therapy for idiopathic hypoglycemia is not avialable.
Investing in junior faculty: The teaching improvement program (TIPs)

One way in which institutions can assist junior faculty members is to facilitate appropriate nurturing through senior faculty. The Teaching Improvement Program (TIPs) at The University of Georgia was designed and implemented with this aspect in mind. This paper describes the philosophical base as well as the design, administration, and evaluation of this unique program that matches new junior faculty with senior faculty mentors. Despite some problems in scheduling, participants in the program received valuable suggestions on how to improve their classroom performance.
Practical Statistical Design of Complex Integrated Circuit Products

A practical methodology for the statistical design of complex, logic integrated circuit products is described. It virtually eliminates the overhead associated with statistical modeling by combining a fully automatic, computationally-efficient statistical circuit simulator and worst case simulation tools into a hierarchical design flow.
Drug Testing in the Public Sector: An Interpretation Grounded in Rosenbloom's Competing-Perspectives Model

In the last few decades, drug testing has become a major policy issue in the workplace, with a host of actors competing to promote their own needs and interests. Employers, for example, seek ways to combat the use and abuse of illegal substances by employees. At the same time, unions and their employees legitimately seek to limit overly intrusive or unfair methods of testing. The courts have also been major players in the policy arena of drug testing, as witnessed by the surfeit of case law setting parameters around what is and is not legal and constitutional in terms of drug testing. In an effort to move the drug-testing debate forward, this article examines the competing interests in drug testing, interests that ultimately frustrate the courts, policy makers, employees, and their unions from reaching a consensus on the use of drug tests in the public sector. To systematically examine this issue, Rosenbloom’s competing-perspectives model of public administration is applied. The article concludes with policy recommendations for public managers. In the last few decades, drug testing has become a major policy issue in the workplace, with a host of actors competing to promote their own needs and interests. Employers, for example, seek ways to combat the use and abuse of illegal substances by employees. At the same time, unions and their employees legitimately seek to limit overly intrusive or unfair methods of testing. The courts have also been major players in the policy arena of drug testing, as witnessed by the surfeit of case law setting parameters around what is and is not legal and constitutional in terms of drug testing. Although the U.S. Supreme Court issued two pivotal decisions on drug testing almost a decade ago, there continues to be a good deal of debate over the viability of drug testing in the workplace, particularly with respect to the psychometric soundness of the drug tests themselves. In an effort to move the debate forward, this article examines the competing interests in drug testing, interests that ultimately frustrate the courts, policy makers, employees, and their unions from reaching a consensus on the use of drug tests in the public sector. 1 To systematically examine this issue, Rosenbloom’s competing-perspectives model of public administration is applied. The article concludes with policy recommendations for public managers.
Deactivation kinetics of lignin peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract Crude extracellular enzyme from Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 (ATCC 24725) was used for kinetics and deactivation studies. The kinetics of lignin peroxidase in the crude enzyme was fitted to a ping-pong-bi-bi model with competitive substrate (hydrogen peroxide) inhibition. Several divalent metal salts (MnCl2, MnSO4, MgCl2, and CaCl2) enhanced LiP activity at low concentrations ( m m ) but inhibited at high concentrations ( >2.5 m m ). Deactivation kinetic models from series-type deactivation mechanisms correlated well with the experimental data for peroxide-dependent and pH-dependent deactivation. UV/visible spectral changes during crude enzyme deactivation in the presence of peroxide supported the series deactivation mechanism. Strategies to enhance lignin peroxidase stability are suggested.
Development of photon detectors for a fast focusing DIRC

We report progress in developing a Focusing DIRC with very good timing resolution. This basic detector development has been motivated by a possible upgrade of the very successful BaBar DIRC particle identification detector for a future Super B-factory. We have built a single bar full size prototype, which aims to reduce the chromatic error by precise timing, and to remove the effect of bar thickness with a focusing mirror. This paper describes the design of the prototype, and systematic studies of the timing resolution and position response for single photons for two 64-pixel detectors: (a) Hamamatsu Flat Panel PMTs, and (b) Burle MCP-PMTs. To test the prototype, we have developed new electronics for {approx}300 pixels capable of measuring a single electron timing resolution to {approx}100ps. We also report on a first measurement of aging with the MCP-PMT.
Tegaserod for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Tegaserod, a selective and partial agonist at the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT [serotonin]) receptor subtype 4 (5-HT 4 ), is the only United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. The drug's stimulation of 5-HT 4 receptors on intestinal enterocytes increases peristaltic activity and fluid secretion into the gut lumen, facilitating stool passage. In addition, affinity of tegaserod for 5-HT 4 receptors modulates visceral sensitivity, which helps alleviate abdominal pain associated with constipation-predominant IBS. The drug's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters do not differ significantly with age or sex. Tegaserod safely and effectively relieves overall gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal discomfort and normalizes bowel habits in patients with constipation-predominant IBS. It is associated with few drug interactions. In clinical studies, tegaserod was well tolerated, and its adverse-effect profile was similar to that of placebo. Severe diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain, flatulence, headache, and nausea, were the most commonly reported events. Patients who experience severe diarrhea should discontinue the drug. With the data available, tegaserod remains an option for patients with constipation-predominant IBS.
Proximity effect tunneling

Abstract Recent work in proximity electron tunneling (PET) into NS structures is critically reviewed, emphasizing its evolution from earlier work of Tomasch, Rowell, deGennes, McMillan and others. The degree to which quantitative electronphonon spectroscopy of superconductors S and normal metals N may be possible is investigated, with emphasis on results from foil-based C-I-NS junctions analyzed via Arnold's form of the specular theory.
Influence of neuronal location on antigenic properties of neurofibrillary tangles

We quantitatively assessed the antigenic properties of the neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) located in neurons of the tegmental nuclei of the pontine raphe in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These properties were then compared with those of NFT of AD located in hippocampal neurons. Antibodies known to react with cortical NFT of AD were used to stain sections from PSP, AD, and control cases. The reaction with the straight filaments of NET of PSP and with the paired helical filaments of pontine NFT of AD was ascertained by immunoelectron microscopy. The results show that, despite the ultrastructural difference, straight filaments in NFT of PSP and paired helical filaments in NFT of AD share antigenic properties when they are located in the same neuronal population. In contrast, paired helical filaments located in the cerebral cortex are antigenically different from those in pontine nuclei. Location, more than structure, may play a role as determinant of antigenic properties in straight filaments of PSP and paired helical filaments of AD.
Application of a new measurement technique for organic acid additives in stimulation fluids

An analytical method was implemented to simultancously measure the concentrations of acetic citric and formic acids in stimulation fluids. This method was not previously available for acid stimulation treatments. Capillary electrophoresis is used for rapid and accurate measurement of these organic acids in concentrated hydrochloric acid and in highly contaminated spent acidizing fluids. Commonly used titration methods are not effective at low organic acid concentrations or when more than one organic acid is present. Acetic, citric and formic acids have been used extensively in Saudi Aramco fields over the last few years as stimulation fluids and as acid additives. Citric and acetic acids are frequently used in acid treatments as iron control agents. The following conclusions are made: ○ A method for the simultancous measurement of acetic acid, citric acid and formic acid was developed and evaluated. ○ The method is linear in the range of 2 to 200 mg/l of organic acid in diluted samples. Field samples will normally be diluted by a factor of 200 to provide a range of 0.02 to 2.0 wt% of organic acid. ○ The method can be used at concentrations from 200 to 1667 mg/l, hut has a nonlinear response in this region. ○ Sample requirement is less than 5 nl in most cases. ○ Reproducibility of the method was excellent. Relative standard deviation of organic acid standards was less than 1% at 200 mg/l, less than 3% at 20 mg/l and less than 10% at 2 mg/l. ○ The detection limits of the method are 0.25 mg/l for acetate, 0.4 mg/l for formate, and 1 mg/l for citrate, based on a signal to noise ratio of 3 to 1. ○ For acetate and formate measurement, no interference occurred with chloride up to 1000 mg/l, calcium up to 565 mg/l, iron (II) or iron (III) up to 500 mg/l, or sulfate up to 859 mg/l. ○ For citrate measurement, no interference occurred with chloride up to 1000 mg/l, calcium up to 350 mg/l, or sulfate up to 859 mg/l. Iron (II) and iron (III) caused interference at concentrations of 10 mg/l. The method was used to simultaneously measure organic acid concentrations in coreflood samples and in field samples from acid stimulation treatments.
Characterization and localization of mitochondrial DNA-encoded tRNAs and nuclear DNA-encoded tRNAs in the sea anemone Metridium senile

The mitochondrial (mt) genome of the sea anemone Metridium senile contains genes for only two transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNAf-Met and tRNATrp. Experiments were conducted to seek evidence for the occurrence of functional tRNAs corresponding to these genes and for the participation of nuclear DNA-encoded tRNAs in mt-protein synthesis. RNA sequences corresponding to the two mt-tRNA genes were located in mitochondria and it was shown that 3'-CC (and possibly A, but no other nucleotide) is added post-transcriptionally to the 3' end of at least 50 % of mt-tRNAf-Met molecules and to a small fraction of the mt-tRNATrp molecules. Using specific oligonucleotide primers based on expected nuclear DNA-encoded tRNAs in a series of RACE experiments, we located the nuclear genes for tRNAGln, tRNAIle, tRNAi-Met, tRNAVal and tRNAThr. Data from Northern blot analyses indicated that mtDNA-encoded tRNAf-Met is limited to mitochondria but that nuclear DNA-encoded tRNAVal and tRNAi-Met are present in the cytoplasm and in mitochondria. These data provide direct evidence that in M. senile, mature, functional tRNAs are transcribed from the mtDNA-encoded tRNAf-Met and tRNATrp genes, and are consistent with the interpretation that both nuclear DNA-encoded tRNAVal and tRNAi-Met are utilized in mitochondrial and cytosolic protein synthesis.
In‐situ polymerization of polyamide 66 nanocomposites utilizing interfacial polycondensation, Part 1: Organoclay nanocomposites

Effective dispersion of organically modified montmorillonite-layered silicates in nylon 66 is addressed by synthesizing nanocomposites in situ via interfacial polycondensation from a suspension of silicate platelets in one of the monomer phases using either a stirred or unstirred reactor, while avoiding the detrimental heat history associated with melt compounding of this high melting polymer system. The effects of mixing methodology, reaction conditions, concentration ratio, and clay content are evaluated to elucidate process mechanisms and produce high molecular weight product. Enhanced stiffness of the nanocomposites measured by tensile modulus is related to their nanoscale morphology as characterized by transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Motion Sickness and Differential Susceptibility

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Utilizing sensor data to model students' creativity in a digital environment

We collected data from a creative problem solving task in a digital environment.We found that sensor features distinguish between low and high creativity students.We devised computational models to automatically classify students' creativity. While creativity is essential for developing students' broad expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, many students struggle with various aspects of being creative. Digital technologies have the unique opportunity to support the creative process by (1) recognizing elements of students' creativity, such as when creativity is lacking (modeling step), and (2) providing tailored scaffolding based on that information (intervention step). However, to date little work exists on either of these aspects. Here, we focus on the modeling step. Specifically, we explore the utility of various sensing devices, including an eye tracker, a skin conductance bracelet, and an EEG sensor, for modeling creativity during an educational activity, namely geometry proof generation. We found reliable differences in sensor features characterizing low vs. high creativity students. We then applied machine learning to build classifiers that achieved good accuracy in distinguishing these two student groups, providing evidence that sensor features are valuable for modeling creativity.
Effect of rainfall simulator and plot scale on overland flow and phosphorus transport.

information exists on which to base environmental thresholds of soil P. Consequently, the National Phos- Rainfall simulation experiments are widely used to study erosion phorus Research Project (NPRP) was launched to assess phosphorus (PP), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and selec- In the early 1990s, the Water Erosion Prediction Proj- tive transport of soil fines (2 m) were significantly lower from ect (WEPP) used a rotating-boom rainfall simulator 2- than 10.7-m-long plots. However, slopes of the logarithmic regres- (15.2-m-diameter boom) to update soil loss factors in the sion between P enrichment ratio and sediment discharge were similar Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and to improve (0.281-0.301) for 2- and 10.7-m-long plots, and published watershed erosion prediction technology (Simanton and Renard, data. While concentrations and loads of P change with plot scales, 1992). Two 36.2-m 2 plots with 10.7-m flow-path length processes governing DRP and PP transport in overland flow are are used with the WEPP simulator. The raindrop size, consistent, supporting the limited use of small plots and rainfall simula- tors to assess the relationship between soil P and overland flow P as energy, distribution uniformity, and intensities of both a function of soil type and management. NPRP and WEPP simulators have undergone extensive testing and comparison with the properties of natural rainfall (Humphry et al., 2002; Simanton and Renard, 1992). Both NPRP and WEPP simulators use the same P
Evaluating the Performance of Cache-Affinity Scheduling in Shared-Memory Multiprocessors

As a process executes on a processor, it builds up state in that processor?s cache. In multiprogrammed workloads, the opportunity to reuse this state may be lost when a process gets rescheduled, either because intervening processes destroy its cache state or because the process may migrate to another processor. In this paper, we explore affinity scheduling, a technique that helps reduce cache misses by preferentially scheduling a process on a processor where it has run recently. Our study focuses on a bus-based multiprocessor executing a variety of workloads, including mixes of scientific, software development, and database applications. In addition to quantifying the performance benefits of exploiting affinity, our study is distinctive in that it provides low-level data from a hardware performance monitor that details why the workloads perform as they do. Overall, for the workloads studied, we show that affinity scheduling reduces the number of cache misses by 7-36%, resulting in execution time improvements of up to 10%. Although the overall improvements are small, modifying the operating system scheduler to exploit affinity appears worthwhile-affinity has no negative impact on the workloads and we show that it is extremely simple to add to existing schedulers.
Treatment of refractory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita with extracorporeal photochemotherapy

Treatment of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) with conventional therapy frequently does not result in improvement. Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is a novel immunomodulating technique which might be of benefit in the treatment of autoimmune disease. We prospectively studied three patients with refractory EBA who were treated with ECP. All three patients had improvement in objective measurement of their disease severity while two of the three had significant subjective improvement in their skin fragility and the clinical activity of their disease. Both the objective and subjective manifestations of the disease continued to improve 6 months after completion of the protocol. ECP may be therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with EBA who are refractory to conventional therapy.
Effects of off-diagonal radiative-decay coupling on electron transitions in resonant double quantum wells

Density-matrix equations for electrons in laser-coupled quantum wells are derived in second quantization, including an off-diagonal radiative-decay coupling between a pair of electron transitions. Calculations of spontaneous photoluminescence and time-resolved optical absorption for the probe field are formulated. The zero absorption of the pump-laser field within an overlapping region between two absorption peaks is found in a resonant asymmetric double-quantum-well system and explained as the quantum interference between two nearly degenerate electron transitions. Quantum interference is clearly demonstrated through phase cancellation between the two statistically averaged transition dipole moments. The laser frequency for zero absorption can be tuned within a tunneling gap by applying a small dc bias field. The ${k}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}$-dependent energy-level separation is found to be a crucial factor for destroying quantum interference. The optical gain of the probe field is seen as a hole in the weak absorption peak for the resonant asymmetric double quantum wells selectively coupled by a laser field and shown to be a result of the partial inversion of the electron occupation probabilities in momentum space after laser excitation. The probe-field gain increases with the strength of the pump laser. The effects of transition blocking, induced quantum coherence, and off-diagonal radiative-decay coupling are quantitatively analyzed for this gain.
Wind-instrument reflection function measurements in the time domain.

Theoretical and computational analyses of wind‐instrument sound production in the time domain have emerged as useful tools for understanding musical instrument acoustics, yet there exist few experimental measurements of the air‐column response directly in the time domain. A new experimental, time‐domain technique is proposed to measure the reflection function response of woodwind and brass‐instrument air columns. This response is defined at the location of sound regeneration in the mouthpiece or double reed. A probe assembly comprised of an acoustic source and microphone is inserted directly into the air column entryway using a foam plug to ensure a leak‐free fit. An initial calibration phase involves measurements on a single cylindrical tube of known dimensions. Measurements are presented on an alto saxophone and euphonium. The technique has promise for testing any musical instrument air columns using a single probe assembly and foam plugs over a range of diameters typical of air‐column entryways.
Behaviors, Attitudes, and Outcomes: A Study of Word Processing and Writing Quality Among Experienced Word-Processing Students

Abstract This article reports on the relationships among computer experience, attitudes, writing behaviors, and writing quality for advanced undergraduate students who have owned Macintosh computers for at least 3 years. Students who routinely use the Macintosh use it aggressively, have positive attitudes about using it, and believe that it improves their writing. Attitudes toward writing with the Macintosh correlate with students' outcomes on two controlled writing tasks: one using the Macintosh and one using traditional writing methods. Students who like the Macintosh tend to do well on in-class writing assignments using either method; those who do not tend to do poorly using either method. These findings suggest that writing attitudes and practices are fairly well ingrained for the less competent writers, and that they need to become comfortable with the computer to experience the improved attitudes that the computer users report. If less competent writers have a more positive experience toward writing, they are likely to write more, and this, in itself, might be the most direct path to improved quality.