cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IN VIVO SUBNUCLEAR DISTRIBUTION OF LARGER THAN TETRAMERIC POLYADENOSINE DIPHOSPHORIBOSE IN RAT LIVER

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the in vivo subnuclear distribution of larger than tetrameric polyadenosine disphoribose in rat liver. The occurrence of polyadenosine disphosphoribose in rat liver in vivo has been established by pulse labeling with 14C-ribose; although the experiment demonstrated the existence of the polymer in liver, the estimation of absolute amounts of polyadenosine diphosphoribose and the establishment of in vivo macromolecular polydispersity was not possible because quantitation was necessarily dependent on tracer analysis only. A specific radioimmunoassay has been developed that is suitable for the quantitative determination of larger than tetramers. The modification of this method enables the specific extraction and assay of poly(ADP-R)n> 4 from whole tissues and the determination of the polymer as associated with histone and nonhistone proteins of the chromatin. More than 99% of the larger than tetrameric polymer is associated with nonhistone nuclear proteins whereas histone fractions contain an approximately even distribution between all fractions.
Qualification of a Hybrid Propulsion System for a Mars Ascent Vehicle

Technology for a hybrid-based propulsion system is being developed to support a potential Mars Sample Return campaign. A Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) concept for launching samples off of Mars, and delivering them to orbit for further transport to Earth may utilize hybrid propulsion due to the option's predicted favorable low temperature characteristics and high performance. However, the hybrid option is still undergoing technology development to demonstrate these benefits. Once development of a capable hybrid propulsion system is proven, further work will still be required. This will include environmental testing relative to the mission, and integration with the vehicle reaction control systems and payload. Qualification of such a system will be a significant effort. It will require specialized procurements for the propellants and environments involved, and further testing of the unique design. This paper details an estimate of the tasks required to complete development efforts from Technical Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5) through qualification. A success based program was formulated to reach the required performance metrics sufficient for a standard Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Using task level inputs from team members cost and schedule were conceived for continued progress to Critical Design Review (CDR), then through Qualification.
The Political Lives of Saints: Christian‐Muslim Mediation in Egypts

Violence against Christians in the Middle East has been interpreted by Western politicians, ecumenical leaders, and lobbyists as a civilizational crisis. These campaigns of support and intervention...
Dignity and Civility, Reconsidered

These are a modified version of the remarks I delivered at a panel at Hastings Law Journal’s 2019 Symposium about the jurisprudence of Justice Kennedy. My remarks focus on Justice Kennedy’s jurisprudence on abortion, which illustrates the promises and limits of the Justice’s commitment to a jurisprudence of institutionalism, dignity, and civility.
FRI0046 PHARMACOGENOMICS-DRIVEN INDIVIDUALIZED PREDICTION OF TREATMENT RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is the most common anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the risk of missing the opportunity for early effective treatment with alternative medications is substantial given the delayed onset of MTX action and 30-40% inadequate response rate. There is a compelling need to accurately predicting MTX response prior to treatment initiation, which allows for effectively identifying patients at RA onset who are likely to respond to MTX. Objectives: To test the ability of machine learning approaches with clinical and genomic biomarkers to predict MTX response with replications in independent samples. Methods: Age, sex, clinical, serological and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on patients with early RA of European ancestry from 647 patients (336 recruited in United Kingdom [UK]; 307 recruited across Europe; 70% female; 72% rheumatoid factor [RF] positive; mean age 54 years; mean baseline Disease Activity Score with 28-joint count [DAS28] 5.65) of the PhArmacogenetics of Methotrexate in RA (PAMERA) consortium was used in this study. The genomics data comprised 160 genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with p Results: Age, sex, RF positivity and baseline DAS28 data predicted MTX response with 58% accuracy of UK and European patients (p = 0.7). However, supervised machine-learning methods that combined demographics, RF positivity, baseline DAS28 and genomic SNPs predicted EULAR response at 3 months with area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.83 (p = 0.051) in UK patients, and achieved prediction accuracies (fraction of correctly predicted outcomes) of 76.2% (p = 0.054) in the European patients, with sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 77%. The addition of genomic data improved the predictive accuracies of MTX response by 19% and achieved cross-site replication. Baseline DAS28 scores and following SNPs rs12446816, rs13385025, rs113798271, and rs2372536 were among the top predictors of MTX response. Conclusion: Pharmacogenomic biomarkers combined with DAS28 scores predicted MTX response in patients with early RA more reliably than using demographics and DAS28 scores alone. Using pharmacogenomics biomarkers for identification of MTX responders at early stages of RA may help to guide effective RA treatment choices, including timely escalation of RA therapies. Further studies on personalized prediction of response to MTX and other anti-rheumatic treatments are warranted to optimize control of RA disease and improve outcomes in patients with RA. Disclosure of Interests: Elena Myasoedova: None declared, Arjun Athreya: None declared, Cynthia S. Crowson Grant/research support from: Pfizer research grant, Richard Weinshilboum Shareholder of: co-founder and stockholder in OneOme, Liewei Wang: None declared, Eric Matteson Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, TympoBio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Speakers bureau: Simply Speaking
Four Birds, One Stone: Teaching History, Teaching Ivan the Terrible, Teaching Ivan the Terrible, Teaching Muscovy: Remarks Pertaining to the Pedagogical Uses of Charles J. Halperin’s Ivan the Terrible: Free to Reward and Free to Punish

The art of analyzing a book for the purpose of historical inquiry is an art often not addressed until graduate school, and even then, its process is often assumed by the instructor. “Four Birds, One Stone” presents goals and options for utilizing Charles Halperin’s Ivan the Terrible in the undergraduate and graduate classroom in order to teach students how to understand an author’s methodology, how to identify source types and their uses, how to evaluate an author’s argumentation, and how to recognize the organization of material, in addition to guiding students through the book’s historical content. The article provides major arguments and themes presented in Ivan the Terrible, and also suggests ways that chapters can be utilized to help students grapple with content relating to the tsar and to Muscovy. Halperin’s book supplies opportunities to introduce students to problems of historiography and other elements of historical interpretation, and this article calls attention to some of those topics. This article aims to provide instructors with ideas not only for exploring the use of Halperin’s book for instruction at both undergraduate and graduate levels, but to also consider how to better enable student engagement with the text of any secondary source.
Medicare Costs for Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment in the Vascular Quality Initiative

Abstract Background Reintervention after endovascular repair (EVR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms is common. However, the cumulative financial impact of reintervention after EVR on a national scale is poorly defined. Our objective was to describe the cost to Medicare for aneurysm treatment (EVR plus reinterventions) among a cohort of patients with known follow-up for 5 years after repair. Methods We identified patients who underwent EVR within the Vascular Quality Initiative who were linked to their respective Medicare claims file (n = 13,995). We excluded patients who underwent EVR after September 30, 2010, and those who had incomplete Medicare coverage (n = 12,788). The remaining cohort (n = 1207) had complete follow-up until death or 5 years (Medicare data available through September 30, 2015). We then obtained and compiled the corresponding Medicare reimbursement data for the index EVR hospitalization and all subsequent reinterventions. Results We studied 1207 Medicare patients who underwent EVR and had known follow-up for reinterventions for 5 years. The mean age was 76.2 years (±7.1 years), 21.6% of patients were female, and 91.1% of procedures were elective. The Kaplan-Meier reintervention rate at 5 years was 18%. Among patients who underwent reintervention, 154 (73.7%) had a single reintervention, 40 (19.1%) had two reinterventions, and 15 (7.2%) had three or more reinterventions. The median cost to Medicare for the index EVR hospitalization was $25,745 (interquartile range, $21,131-$28,774). The median cost for subsequent reinterventions was $22,165 (interquartile range, $17,152-$29,605). The cumulative cost to Medicare of aneurysm treatment (EVR plus reinterventions) increased in a stepwise fashion among patients who underwent multiple reinterventions, with each reintervention being similar in cost to the index EVR. Conclusions The overall cost incurred by Medicare to reimburse for each reintervention after EVR is roughly the same as for the initial procedure itself, meaning that Medicare cost projections would be greater than $100,000 for any individual who undergoes an EVR with three reinterventions. The long-term financial impact of EVR must be considered by surgeons, patients, and healthcare systems alike as these cumulative costs may hinder the fiscal viability of an EVR-first therapeutic approach and highlight the need for judicious patient selection paradigms.
On Joan Robinson’s Completely Successful Indoctrination of John Kenneth Galbraith: Turning a Potential Keynesian Into an Actual Robinsonian

Joan Robinson took an anti scientific approach to methodology and philosophy of science. Her belief was that Keynes’s models (which she misrepresented as being R. Kahn’s models) were TRUE models while the Classical and Neoclassical models were FALSE models. This showed up again in the early 1950’s in the useless and sterile controversy about the neoclassical aggregate production function model. Joan Robinson believed that this was a FALSE model. Apparently ,her opponents believed it was a TRUE model. The only relevant question ,from a scientific point of view, is the question “Is this model useful or not in helping to explain the phenomenon under investigation? ”Asking this question would have put an end to this so called “debate” before it surfaced and ended up being published in economics journals. Of course, Keynes NEVER believed that models are either true or false. Models are useful, but they are, at best, only approximations to reality. Therefore, a model can’t be true or false; it can be better or worse than other models or an improved, better version of an existing model. The goal in economic science is to continually come up with useful models that were better than previous models or improved versions of older models, so that more of reality could be more accurately explained. Joan Robinson did not teach economics to students. Joan Robinson’s goal was to indoctrinate students in her own unique, deviate, peculiar version of Bastard Keynesianism. Her goal would be to create brainwashed students who would aid in the promotion of the agenda of the Pseudo Keynesians. The Pseudo Keynesians were composed of her lover, Richard Kahn, her husband, Austin Robinson, and their ally, Roy Harrod, who was intensely jealous and envious of Keynes’s exalted position as the greatest living economist on the planet Earth. In 1937, John Kenneth Galbraith came to Cambridge, England to study under J M Keynes. Unfortunately, indeed most unfortunately, Keynes’s massive May,1937 heart attack made that impossible. Instead, John Kenneth Galbraith was personally instructed by Joan Robinson. What she taught John Kenneth Galbraith, however, was her bastard Keynesianism (Robinsonianism). The results were a striking success for Joan Robinson. An examination of Galbraith’s comments on Keynes and the General Theory in Money (1975) demonstrate that Galbraith accepted all of the myths that Joan Robinson “taught” him and passed those myths on to many others in his books and publications.
Allosteric activation of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp by remdesivir triphosphate and other phosphorylated nucleotides.

SUMMARY The catalytic subunit of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Nsp12, has a unique NiRAN domain that transfers nucleoside monophosphates to the Nsp9 protein. The NiRAN and RdRp modules form a dynamic interface distant from their catalytic sites and both activities are essential for viral replication. We report that codon-optimized (for the pause-free translation) Nsp12 exists in inactive state in which NiRAN/RdRp interactions are broken, whereas translation by slow ribosomes and incubation with accessory Nsp7/8 subunits or NTPs partially rescue RdRp activity. Our data show that adenosine and remdesivir triphosphates promote synthesis of A-less RNAs, as does ppGpp, while amino acid substitutions at the NiRAN/RdRp interface augment activation, suggesting that ligand binding to the NiRAN catalytic site modulates RdRp activity. The existence of allosterically-linked nucleotidyl transferase sites that utilize the same substrates has important implications for understanding the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 replication and design of its inhibitors. Highlights Codon-optimization of Nsp12 triggers misfolding and activity loss Slow translation, accessory Nsp7 and Nsp8 subunits, and NTPs rescue Nsp12 Non-substrate nucleotides activate RNA chain synthesis, likely via NiRAN domain Crosstalk between two Nsp12 active sites that bind the same ligands
The influence of diagnosed mental health conditions and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety on suicide ideation, plan, and attempt among college students: Findings from the Healthy Minds Study, 2018-2019.

Abstract Background Approximately 11% of 18–25 year-olds report thoughts of suicide. Additionally, suicide is the second leading cause of death in college student populations. We sought to evaluate the relationship between diagnosed mental health conditions and current symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and suicidality in the past year. Methods Healthy Minds Study (HMS) 2018-2019 data from 38,757 college students were analyzed. The PHQ-9, GAD-7, and prior mental health condition diagnoses were used to create a suicidality severity index and we determined how these associations varied by race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. We also assessed non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) outcomes in the past year. Results Students with both a mental health condition diagnosis and current moderate/severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety had a higher prevalence of NSSI, 10 times the odds (95% CI 9.4-11.5) of suicide ideation, 28 times the odds (95% CI 23.8-33.1) of suicide ideation, with planning or attempt, and 47 times the odds (95% CI 31.1-71.4) of suicide ideation, with planning and attempt, compared to students with none/minimal depression and/or anxiety symptoms and no mental health condition diagnosis. Limitations We could not clinically confirm depression or anxiety diagnoses nor infer causality of associations in this cross-sectional study. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporality. Conclusions Mental health condition diagnoses and moderate/severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety were strongly associated with suicidality among college students. These findings identify potential opportunities to further understand and address the mental health needs of college students.
Brazil's Launch of Lender Environmental Liability as a Tool to Manage Environmental Impacts

Due to an emerging Brazilian doctrine of environmental liability, lenders now face the prospect of lawsuits that seek remediation of, or compensation for, environmental damages resulting from their borrowers' activities. Unprecedented judicial decisions (based on a strict, joint and several environmental liability for lenders) broad standing, and ongoing initiatives of the government portray financial institutions as the best target to pursue environmental protection in the country. That scenario, however, may represent a detour from the imperative improving the functionality of the public administration. This article examines how legal actors are shaping Brazil's environmental law enforcement and the extent to which it affects financial institutions, and also the grounds where the lender environmental liability scheme applied in the United States was tailored to sound banking U. Miami Int'l & Comp. L. Rev. practices. This article concludes that placing lenders as substitutes for the public administration should not be misunderstood as consistent with a modern business model based on accountability, and will impose political and economic costs on the sustainable development of the country. This article also suggests practices that might be employed to enhance deals in Brazil, but in a safer manner for lenders.
DNase I Cleavage of Branched DNA Molecules

We report here a potentially useful signature of branched DNA structures. The base 5' to the branch and the five bases flanking the 3' side of the branch site are protected from cleavage by DNase I in both three- and four-arm branched DNA molecules. Our procedure is to measure the cleavage profile for each 5' -labeled strand in a control duplex and compare this with that of the same strand in a branched structure under conditions yielding less than one cut per strand. The resulting cleavage pattern in an immobile four-arm junction is roughly 2-fold symmetric, consistent with the pattern of Fe(II).EDTA-induced cleavage that has been observed previously. In the three-arm junction, the DNase I cleavage pattern is asymmetric, indicating lack of 3-fold symmetry. A variable pattern of protection occurs to the 5' side of the branch in some strands only for both three- and four-arm junctions, extending 2-4 residues 5' to the branch.
The Social Work and Politics Initiative

Abstract Social work is becoming a more politically oriented profession. In addition, social work education is including politics as a greater part of the curriculum. Still, much more can be done to increase the amount of political content in social work education. This paper describes a model for involving students in political social work without drastically altering current arrangements. The model consists of two parts: a class on politics and social work and field practica in state legislators' district offices. Following a discussion of the literature on education for political social work, we look closely at the Social Work and Politics Initiative. We also examine problems encountered with the program.
Mutational analysis of the GPI-anchor addition sequence from the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium

The plasma membrane of Plasmodium sporozoites is uniformly covered by the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored circumsporozoite (CS) protein. Sporozoites form in the mosquito midgut through a budding process that occurs within a multinucleate oocyst underneath the basal lamina of the gut. Earlier genetic studies established that normal sporozoite development requires CS. Mutant parasites lacking CS [CS (-)] do not form sporozoites. Ultrastructural analysis of the oocysts from these parasites revealed that there is an early block in the cytokinesis that occurs within the multinucleate oocysts to generate individual sporozoites. Parasites that are hypomorphic for CS expression gave rise to sporozoites with abnormal morphology. These results proved that CS plays a direct role in the maturation of oocysts and in the normal budding of sporozoites. In this article, we examined if the membrane localization of CS via a GPI-anchor, is crucial for its function during sporozoite formation. We generated three mutants in Plasmodium berghei CS, CS-DeltaGPI, CS-TM1 and CS-TM2. In CS-DeltaGPI, we deleted the signal sequence required for the addition of a GPI-anchor to CS. The resulting protein was found only in the cytoplasm of the oocyst. In CS-TM1 and CS-TM2, the GPI-anchor addition sequence of CS was substituted by the transmembrane domain and truncated (to different degrees) cytoplasmic tail of Plasmodium thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP). The resulting CS protein was detected on the plasma membrane of the oocysts. The amount of CS in the mutants was similar to that of wild type. The sporozoite budding and development were abrogated in both CS-DeltaGPI and CS-TM mutants. The ultrastructure of the mutant oocysts was indistinguishable from that of the CS (-) parasites. Our results suggest that the GPI-anchor of the CS protein is required for sporogenesis.
The Center-TRACON Automation System: Simulation and field testing

A new concept for air traffic management in the terminal area, implemented as the Center-TRACON Automation System, has been under development at NASA Ames in a cooperative program with the FAA since 1991. The development has been strongly influenced by concurrent simulation and field site evaluations. The role of simulation and field activities in the development process will be discussed. Results of recent simulation and field tests will be presented.
Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: a review of 66 cases.

Objectives/Hypothesis Fibrous dysplasia is a condition of nonmalignant osseous change and may occur in a monostotic or polyostotic pattern, the latter potentially being associated with McCune-Albright syndrome. Symptoms are highly variable and dependent upon lesion location and size. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Consecutive subjects with fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone were evaluated between 2000 and 2013 at two tertiary academic referral centers. Main outcome measures included disease presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management strategy, and outcome. Results Sixty-six patients with fibrous dysplasia of the skull were found to have involvement of the temporal bone. The mean age at diagnosis was 25 years, 39 (59%) were female, and the mean duration of follow-up was 48 months. Six (11%) patients had monostotic disease, with the remaining 60 (89%) patients having the polyostotic form; 16 (24%) patients had McCune-Albright syndrome. The most common presenting complaint was headache (59%), followed by hearing loss (29%). The most common exam finding was cosmetic deformity (50%). Cholesteatoma (3%) and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula (1.5%) were found in a small percentage. No patients had evidence of motor cranial neuropathy by history or physical examination. Conclusions The clinical presentation of fibrous dysplasia involving the temporal bone is variable. A growing number of patients are diagnosed incidentally through imaging, and since most patients experience a benign course, the majority can be followed clinically without need for intervention. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:1438–1443, 2015
The LLVM compiler framework and infrastructure tutorial

The LLVM Compiler Infrastructure (http://llvm.cs. uiuc.edu) is a robust system that is well suited for a wide variety of research and development work. This brief paper introduces the LLVM system and provides pointers to more extensive documentation, complementing the tutorial presented at LCPC.
CONTRAVARIANT FUNCTORS ON THE CATEGORY OF FINITELY PRESENTED MODULES

If R is an associative ring with identity, a theory of minimal flat resolutions is developed in the category ((R-mod)op, Ab) of contravariant functors G: (R-mod)op → Ab from the category R-mod of finitely presented left R-modules to the category Ab of abelian groups. For a left R-module M, it is shown that the flat contravariant functor (−, M) is cotorsion if and only if M is pure-injective. This is applied to characterize when a flat resolution of an object F in ((R-mod)op, Ab) is minimal, and is used to construct a minimal flat resolution of F, given a projective presentation.
Heuristics for minimizing mean tardiness form parallel machines

The concept of parallel operations has been widely used in manufacturing and data processing. However, not many efficient methods have been proposed to reduce job tardiness. This article proposes an efficient heuristic to minimize the mean tardiness of a set of tasks with known processing times and due dates for single and m parallel machines. For the single-machine case, the proposed heuristic is compared with the well-known Wilkerson and Irwin algorithm; for the m parallel machine case, it is compared with an extension of the Wilkerson-Irwin algorithm. We also introduce a simple dispatching rule, and it is compared with some existing dispatching rules. The comprehensive simulation results show that the proposed heuristic performs better than the Wilkerson-Irwin algorithm at a significantly reduced computational time.
The distribution of Σ boundaries in sintered magnetite

Abstract Grain boundaries in sintered magnetite were characterized with Kikuchi patterns from the neighboring grains, obtained by transmission electron microscopy. The misorientations were catalogued according to their Σ values, and their relative frequencies were compared with those for a random distribution (obtained by computer simulation). The experimentally determined distribution was essentially random; there was no dominance of low Σ boundaries.
Gas absorption with chemical reaction on a sieve tray

Abstract The rate of adsorption of carbon dioxide into four different sodium carbonate—bicarbonate buffer solutions and a sodium hydroxide solution has been experimentally determined for a six-inch diameter sieve tray. An analysis of these results using the penetration theory yields unexpectedly high values of interfacial area and contact time. Similar results had previously been obtained for packed columns [7]. It is proposed that this discrepancy is owing to the fact that the entire froth is not well mixed. This leads to some of the interfacial liquid becoming saturated with gas and thus ineffective for absorption. An analysis has shown that the fraction of ineffective area may be as much as 40 per cent of the total.
La Thébaïde de Racine: des seuils du pouvoir aux limites de l'existence

Lors de la premiere de La Thebaide, au theâtre du Palais-Royal le 20 juin 1664, Racine etait sur le point d’amorcer une carriere illustre, mais il etait encore loin d’etre un dramaturge reconnu. Comme l’a remarque Antoine Adam, “[l]e succes ne fut pas simplement mediocre; il fut pitoyable”. Sans meme parler de la recette, qui est tombee de 370 livres pour la premiere a 130 livres pour la quatrieme representation, nous connaissons mieux les defauts de cette tragedie que ses merites. Jules Brody a constate que la critique racinienne n’a jamais pardonne a l’auteur de Phedre d’avoir ecrit une piece qui, venue de la plume d’un dramaturge moins connu, aurait ete consideree avec plus de clemence: “People seem not so much dissatisfied with the play itself as with Racine for having written it.” Brody a opte pour une approche critique selon laquelle le texte de La Thebaide, examine de pres, peut reveler, malgre ses incoherences, des elements en germe de la vision tragique de l’auteur de Britannicus et de Phedre. Nous avons choisi de suivre cette piste de lecture afin de mettre au point ce que nous proposons d’appeler l’esthetique du seuil dans le theâtre de Racine, un element de la construction de l’action dramatique et des identites des personnages qui met en valeur des espaces et des temporalites intermediaires et indetermines. Situes souvent dans les zones liminaires qui separent le monde des vivants du monde des morts, la vie terrestre de la volonte transcendante des dieux, le present d’un avenir inconnu mais soupconne, les personnages des tragedies profanes de Racine, a partir de La Thebaide, subissent le dechirement tragique de l’experience du seuil. Dans La Thebaide, les freres ennemis tendent vers le meme lieu, le trone de Thebes. Ils sont tous les deux arrives jusqu’au seuil du pouvoir, mais sans pouvoir le franchir. La representation theâtrale du destin de ces personnages tragiques se developpe donc a partir de l’espace intermediaire que constituent les points d’approche de la souverainete. En commencant par une etude de ces limbes du trone, nous nous proposons de montrer comment Racine a cree dans La Thebaide un systeme esthetique de seuils multiples qui reglent les actions et l’existence des dramatis personae. Le dernier de ces lieux de passage sera la frontiere entre la vie et la mort.
Failure to fail: The institutional perspective

AbstractPurpose: To determine institutional barriers to placing failing students on probation, dismissing students.Methods: An online survey study was distributed to Student Affairs Deans or the equivalent at allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools, and physician assistant (PA) and nurse practitioner (NP) schools across the United States. Nineteen (40%) of the 48 schools responded: six MD, four DO, five PA and four NP. The survey contained demographic questions and questions regarding probation and dismissal. Themes were independently coded and combined via consensus based on grounded theory. The survey was distributed until saturation of qualitative responses were achieved.Results: Respondents identified variations in the use of probation and dismissal and a wide range of barriers, with the greatest emphasis on legal concerns. Respondents felt that students were graduating who should not be allowed to graduate, and that the likelihood of a student being placed on probation or being terminate...
Response of Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Immatures to Low-Temperature Storage of Stone Fruits

Low-temperature storage at 0°C for 7, 14, and 21 d was studied as a potential quarantine treatment to disinfest stone fruits of immature codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck). Larvae were treated in diet cups, and 1-d-old eggs were treated on either waxed paper in diet cups or on glass slides. Codling moth eggs exposed to low-temperature storage for 14 d did not develop to the adult stage. Complete mortality of codling moth eggs exposed to low-temperature storage for 21 d occurred in the embryonic stage. First, second, and third instars of oriental fruit moth did not survive to the adult stage after low-temperature storage for 21 d. Survival of immatures of both species to the adult stage was directly related to age and inversely related to exposure period. Codling moth females that survived a 7-d low-temperature storage in the egg stage laid fewer eggs and fewer viable eggs than control females. Oriental fruit moth immatures were more susceptible to low temperatures than codling moth immatures. Low-temperature storage may be used as a quarantine treatment for both pests if combined with other treatments.
Replacement of fish meal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared under pond conditions

Abstract Increasing economical and ecological concerns regarding the use of fish meal in diets for marine shrimp have led to the development of replacement strategies where soybean meal has received ample attention. Most studies evaluating these strategies have been carried out under laboratory conditions which greatly differ from production conditions in ponds. This study evaluated a fish meal replacement strategy using vegetable protein sources in practical feeds for marine shrimp reared in ponds. Juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) (0.03 g) were stocked into 16 0.1-ha low-water exchange ponds and reared over an 18-week period. Four commercially extruded diets formulated to contain 35% crude protein and 8% lipids were evaluated. These diets included varying levels of fish meal (9, 6, 3, and 0%) which was replaced by a combination of increasing levels of soybean meal (32.5, 34.9, 37.2 and 39.6% respectively) and corn gluten meal (0.0, 1.7, 3.2, and 4.8% respectively) to replace the protein originating from fish meal. At the conclusion of the experimental period, there were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in shrimp production among the test diets. Mean final yield, final weight, feed conversion ratio and survival values ranged from 5363–6548 kg ha− 1, 18.4–20.7 g, 1.38–1.12 and 84.0–94.0%, respectively. Although not significant, as higher levels of plant protein sources were included in the diets, the economic analysis showed a general increase in the partial gross returns of shrimp production. Results from this study demonstrate that fish meal can be completely replaced using alternative vegetable protein sources in practical shrimp feeds without compromising production and economic performance of L. vannamei reared in ponds.
The future of infection control practitioners in the United States

Several striking changes have taken place over the past 5 years in the hospital environment in the United States. For simplicity, they can be grouped into three categories: (1) the AIDS epidemic, (2) changes in systems for reimbursing hospitals for patient care and (3) a new interest in assuring the quality of medical care delivered in hospitals. All three changes have had a distinct impact on the role of infection control practice in hospitals and, consequently, on the role of the infection control practitioner.
Therapeutic use of IL-2 to enhance antiviral T-cell responses in vivo

Interleukin (IL)-2 is currently used to enhance T-cell immunity but can have both positive and negative effects on T cells. To determine whether these opposing results are due to IL-2 acting differently on T cells depending on their stage of differentiation, we examined the effects of IL-2 therapy during the expansion, contraction and memory phases of the T-cell response in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice. IL-2 treatment during the expansion phase was detrimental to the survival of rapidly dividing effector T cells. In contrast, IL-2 therapy was highly beneficial during the death phase, resulting in increased proliferation and survival of virus-specific T cells. IL-2 treatment also increased proliferation of resting memory T cells in mice that controlled the infection. Virus-specific T cells in chronically infected mice also responded to IL-2 resulting in decreased viral burden. Thus, timing of IL-2 administration and differentiation status of the T cell are critical parameters in designing IL-2 therapies.
Insect cell density in bioreactor cultures can be estimated from on-line measurements of optical density

Total cell density in growing insect cell suspension cultures was accurately estimated from both off-line and on-line measurements of optical density (OD). The latter measurements were done with an in-situ autoclavable OD sensor. The ability to continuously monitor cell density in insect cell cultures may be useful for the development of a large-scale process for recombinant protein production using baculovirus expression vectors.
Thin-film solar cells with over 21% conversion efficiency

Abstract Thin-film solar cells have received a great deal of attention for use in terrestrial flat-plate systems. The large-area capability and effective use of solar absorbing materials gives these cells significant advantages over thin-film cells for low-cost systems. Our approach has been to use a separable film technology, the CLEFT process, to produce thin-film GaAs with state-of-the-art heterostructures capable of very high efficiencies. We have fabricated 4-cm 2 thin-film GaAs cells with conversion efficiencies as high as 21.5% one sun AM1.5 global. These results and our effort to increase cell area and reduce cell costs are discussed.
CLIMATOLOGY: THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EIGHTIES

Geographical climatology must systematically investigate the exchanges of heat, water, and momentum that occur at or near the earth's surface. Our discipline should focus upon surface features described under the general term “topoclimatology”as well as upon transfer processes occurring in the planetary boundary layer. Climatologists must increase their understanding of the synergistic relationships among climatic processes, surface features, and human actions. Methods of data collection, summary, analysis, and display also need to be improved. These challenges must be met in order that we may develop a better understanding of climate and improve our quantitative climatic analogues.
Nd and Sr isotopic systematics of river water suspended material: implications for crustal evolution

Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic data on suspended material from rivers draining a variety of rock types and ages are presented. The bulk load of rivers and their source rocks are compared in terms of their isotopic characteristics and model ages. The Nd and Sr isotope systematics of the upper crust exposed to weathering are obtained along with the Nd model age distribution of the North American continental surface. The average Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic parameters for the upper continental crust today are refined.
Novel phase compensated 3-port VCVS without matched operational amplifiers

A new active phase compensated differential voltage controlled voltage source is given. The proposed network does not require matched operational amplifiers. Stability analysis based on the two-pole model of the operational amplifier is discussed.
Determination of amino acids critical to the main immunogenic region of intact acetylcholine receptors by in vitro mutagenesis.

The main immunogenic region (MIR) of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is the target for the majority of high-affinity autoantibodies produced in myasthenia gravis patients. Some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the MIR bind specifically, but with low affinity, to synthetic AChR α subunit peptides with the sequence α67–76. Studies of synthetic peptides suggest that amino acids α68 and α71 may be especially important to the antigenic structure of the MIR. We have studied the contribution of amino acids α68 and α71 to the antigenicity of the MIR on intact AChR by replacing α68 (N) and α71 (D) of Torpedo AChR α with α68 (D) and α71 (K) by site-directed mutagenesis, expressing the mutated transcripts in Xenopus oocytes along with wild-type Torpedo β,γ andδ subunits, and analyzing the expressed AChR for the binding of mAbs to the MIR. These mutations of the MIR greatly diminished binding of mAbs to the MIR. Thus, both α68 and α71 are critical to the antigenicity of the MIR in intact AChRs.
Electroosmotic flow and injection: application to conductimetry.

Abstract Electroosmotic solution propulsion and sample injection using fused silica tube was investigated. Capillary tube dimensions were 50–100 μm i.d. by 4–7 cm length with a break in the capillary wall near one end through which electrolytic contact with the capillary solution was established. The applied field was typically 150 V/cm. The voltage at the break in the column was monitored by potentiometry with a bridge configuration. Concentrations ranging from 10 μ M to 100 m M were accommodated. The basis for high sensitivity, e.g. 70 mV/μ M , together with low cell volume, e.g. 20 nl, was established. Tap water conductivity measurements were made using CaCl 2 reference solution.
A TDMA Hybrid SQUID Multiplexer

We have developed a multiplexed read-out for transition-edge sensors (TES) based on a hybrid time- and frequency-domain basis set, similar to that used in time-division multiple-access (TDMA) mobile phones. The hybrid basis set uses bandwidth more efficiently than microwave frequency-division SQUID multiplexing, making it possible to multiplex more detectors in each output line. The high open-loop bandwidth provided by our SQUID TDMA system also makes it possible to multiplex large arrays of fast, high dynamic range detectors such as fast x-ray calorimeters. In this approach, we embed the second-stage SQUID amplifier of our standard time-division multiplexer in an impedance matching circuit coupled to a broadband cryogenic high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) in a microwave reflectometer configuration. The input signals are flux coupled into the first-stage SQUID amplifiers whose signals are time-division multiplexed into the second-stage SQUID. At room temperature, the signal from the HEMT is mixed down to dc for analysis and further signal processing.
Plasma calcium and phosphate levels in an adult noninsulin-dependent diabetic population

Duplicate or triplicate measurements of fasting plasma glucose, calcium (Ca), phosphate (Pi), and glycosylated hemoglobins were performed on a group of non-insulin dependent diabetic patients and controls at 3–6 month intervals. In the diabetic group (48 males and 44 females), 18 were on diet only, 21 on diet and oral hypoglycemic treatment, and 51 on diet and insulin. These were a total of 217 measurements for each parameter. Results were compared to 416 measurements obtained from sex and age-matched controls. Plasma Ca levels were higher in the diabetic group (2.48±0.004 vs 2.38±0.006 mmol/liter)P<0.001; plasma Pi levels were similar to those of controls. The difference in plasma Ca was not influenced by age, sex, or mode of treatment. No correlation was found in the three treatment groups between plasma Ca and duration of diabetes nor with patients' weights. The results are consistent with the view that an alteration in calcium homeostasis accompanies the diabetic state.
Dual DNA-binding domains shape the interaction of Brh2 with DNA

Brh2, the BRCA2 ortholog in the fungus Ustilago maydis, harbors two different DNA-binding domains, one located in the N-terminal region and the other located in the C-terminal region. Here we were interested in comparing the biochemical properties of Brh2 fragments, Brh2NT and Brh2CT, respectively, harboring the two different DNA-binding regions to understand the mechanistic purpose of dual DNA-interaction domains. With oligonucleotide substrates to model different DNA conformations, it was found that the substrate specificity of Brh2NT and Brh2CT was almost indistinguishable although avidity was different depending on salt concentration. DNA annealing activity inherent in Brh2 was found to be attributable to Brh2NT. Likewise, activity responsible for a second-end capture reaction modeling a later step in repair of DNA double-strand breaks was found attributable to Brh2NT. Efficient annealing of DNA strands coated with RPA required full length Brh2 rather than Brh2NT suggesting Brh2CT contributes to the activity when RPA is present. Brh2NT and Brh2CT were both found capable of physically interacting with RPA. The results suggest that while the two DNA-binding regions of Brh2 appear functionally redundant in certain aspects of DNA repair, they differ in fundamental properties, and likely contribute in different ways to repair processes involving or arising from stalled DNA replication forks.
Slowing chronic kidney disease progression: should we be looking beyond mean blood pressure?

Slowing chronic kidney disease progression: should we be looking beyond mean blood pressure?
The Radiative Correction for Elastic Electron- and Positron-Nucleus Scattering

Four formulas for the radiative correction to elastic electron- or positron-nucleus scattering are presented. Numerical values derived from them are given for atomic numbers 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 50, and 90; energies 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 MeV; scattering angles 30°, 60°, 90°, 135°, and 180°; and ΔE/E from 0.1 to 0.0002. A discussion of the radiation length together with computed values is included.
Modifying activated carbon with hybrid ligands for enhancing aqueous mercury removal

Abstract In an effort to enhance mercury (Hg) removal from the aqueous solution, activated carbon (AC) was modified by a combined treatment of nitric acid and thionyl chloride, followed by the reaction with ethylenediamine, to introduce N-, S-, and Cl-containing functional groups. The modified activated carbon (MAC) was characterized by SEM-EDS, FT-IR, XPS, elemental analyzer, and potentiometry. Kinetics and equilibrium isotherms of Hg sorption by MAC were determined in batch experiments. Characterization indicated that additions of the organic–inorganic ligands onto AC surface by treatment were effective, likely through the acyl chloride–carbon reactions. Potentiometric titration showed that the modifications introduced more negative surface charges favoring cation sorption. Kinetics and isotherm studies demonstrated that the Hg sorption by MAC was faster ( 200%) than that by AC, suggesting a high affinity of MAC for Hg ions. The sorption by MAC occurred in a wider pH range (4–10 vs. 5–7), and low ionic strength appeared to enhance Hg sorption. The sorption isotherms were best described by Freundlich model, and enhanced Hg sorption by MAC was primarily accomplished by the coordinations of ligand atoms (O, N and S) with Hg ions through the mechanisms of surface complexation, reduction, and ion exchange.
Knowledge validation of engineering expert systems

In this article, we examine the importance of validation and verification (V & V) for engineering expert systems. In particular, we examine the aspect of incorporating knowledge validation into the knowledge acquisition stage of expert system development cycle. We have developed a knowledge acquisition tool EMBODY for this purpose. A case study of using EMBODY to develop an expert system for TV troubleshooting is reported.
Bis-glycinato complexes of palladium(II): Synthesis, structural determination, and hydrogen bonding interactions

Abstract Palladium(II) acetate and palladium(II) chloride react with glycine and glycine derivatives in acetone/water to yield square planar bis-chelated palladium amino acid complexes. Glycine, N-methylglycine and N,N-dimethylglycine all adopt the trans configuration when prepared from palladium(II) acetate, whereas glycine adopts a cis configuration when prepared from palladium(II) chloride. The crystal structures of all four complexes were obtained. The extended lattice structures arise from N–H··O or O··(HOH)··O hydrogen bonding. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, high resolution mass spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopic data are evaluated.
Uncontrollable events and alcohol drinking.

Summary This paper presents a new model of alcohol drinking based on the observation that alcohol drinking often occurs following uncontrollable events. The psychological concepts of compensatory opponent process systems and learned helplessness give new insights into the biobehavioral response of organisms to environmental events and how these events can affect alcohol drinking. Finally by integrating these behavioral data with biochemical data which demonstrate that alcohol stimulates endorphin activity, it is proposed that organisms drink alcohol to reduce deficiencies in endorphin activity.