cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical gamma decay of the giant dipole resonance in highly excited 46Ti and 52Cr.

We have measured inclusive \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectra from the reactions \ensuremath{\alpha}${+}^{48}$Ti${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{52}$Cr and $^{19}\mathrm{F}$${+}^{27}$Al${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{46}$Ti, populating final states at moderate temperature and spin. These spectra were analyzed using a statistical model including giant resonance strength functions in the \ensuremath{\gamma}-decay width. The parameters of the giant dipole resonance (GDR) strength function were varied to fit the data. Two different level-density formulations were utilized---one (P\"uhlhofer) in which the level-density parameters were adjusted to obtain the best overall fit to the data, and the other (Reisdorf) which contained no free parameters. While the magnitudes of the extracted GDR parameters differed in the two cases, their dependence on final-state energy was similar. The GDR energy was observed to be nearly constant with the final-state energy, and the GDR strength exhausted nearly a full E1 sum rule. In the \ensuremath{\alpha}${+}^{48}$Ti reaction, the GDR width was observed to increase slightly with increasing bombarding energy. In the $^{19}\mathrm{F}$${+}^{27}$Al reaction, a pronounced GDR width increase was observed with increasing bombarding energy and was attributed to an increase in compound nucleus spin. These results are consistent with current calculations based on the rotating liquid-drop model and with recent experimental reports.
How Parents Mediate Children's Media Consumption

Abstract Children spend many hours a day consuming a variety of media content using interactive technology in both formal and informal learning environments. The ubiquity of devices has affected family life, making it important to understand how different parental mediation strategies for children's media use positively and negatively impact children's cognitive development. Parental mediation can impact what content a child is exposed to and how they use the technology. Much of the literature on parenting practices correlated with academic and learning outcomes also applies to the digital realm with implications for policy makers and educators. This chapter examines the extant literature on parental mediation with media for children 0–18 years of age. Whenever possible, our focus will be on newer interactive technologies such as the Internet, social media, and videogames; however, when needed, we turn to the literature on television and parenting, as this body of work often applies to newer media and family dynamics.
Effect of Acute and Chronic Ethanol Intoxication on Hepatic Regeneration

We studied the effects of acute and chronic ethanol feeding on hepatic regeneration in rats following partial hepatectomy and toxic liver injury produced by D-galactosamine. Ethanol, when administered as a single dose (6 gm/kg), inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA; this effect depended in part on the time of ethanol feeding following partial hepatectomy. Multiple ethanol feedings produced an even greater inhibition, which persisted for at least 48 hr after partial hepatectomy. Rats chronically fed ethanol for 30 days also failed to achieve a hepatic proliferative response to either partial hepatectomy or D-galactosamine induced hepatitis comparable to isocaloric pair-fed controls. These investigations suggest that there may be a certain metabolic state in the hepatocyte cell cycle which is most susceptible to the action(s) of ethanol; inhibition of liver regeneration by acute or chronic ethanol consumption may result in delayed recovery from prior or coincident liver injury.
Effects of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification on the Residual Stress, Microstructure, and Corrosion Resistance of 304 Stainless Steel Welds

In this study, ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) of 304 stainless steel welds was carried out. UNSM effectively eliminates the tensile stress generated during welding and imparts beneficial compressive residual stresses. In addition, UNSM can effectively refine the grains and increase hardness in the near-surface region. Corrosion tests in boiling MgCl2 solution demonstrate that UNSM can significantly improve the corrosion resistance due to the compressive residual stresses and changes in the near-surface microstructure.
Innovations in Radiation Safety During Cardiovascular Catheterization.

Interventional cardiovascular procedures are rapidly evolving, allowing treatment of increasingly complex patients such as those with chronic total occlusions, bifurcations, calcified vessels, multivessel coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysms, and valvular heart disease. This increase in complexity can lead to higher patient and operator radiation dose, thereby increasing the risk for complications such as radiation skin injury, cataracts, and cancer. The risk for radiation injury is likely to worsen given the progressive increase in the population undergoing cardiovascular procedures and the steady climb in patients’ body mass index. Reducing radiation dose to patients, operators,1,2 or ideally both has been the aim of several innovative technologies (Table). View this table: Table. Innovations in Radiation Safety During Cardiovascular Catheterization Newer x-ray machines can significantly reduce patient radiation dose through improved x-ray tubes and flat panel detectors, enhanced image processing, and use of lower frame rates. However, differences remain between systems, and few standardized comparisons have been performed.3 Moreover, image quality varies widely even between different settings of the same system, often requiring multiple system calibrations for image optimization. Only a small part of the x-ray image is actually viewed by the operator at any given time. Two systems (which are not currently commercially available in the United States) use a fast-moving x-ray collimator to maintain excellent image quality in a limited portion of the screen only. One system focuses …
Gathering Decision Making Information Through the Use of Non-Test-Based Methods

Gathering data for decision-making purposes with standardized tests has received much criticism. Deficiencies of test procedures reviewed in this article include: use of technically inadequate test...
Risk perception before and after presymptomatic genetic testing for Huntington's disease: Not always what one might expect.

BACKGROUND In 1983, Huntington's disease (HD) was the first genetic disease mapped using DNA polymorphisms. Shortly thereafter, presymptomatic genetic testing for HD began in the context of two research studies. One of these trials was at the Johns Hopkins University Huntington's Disease Center. METHODS As part of the protocol, risk perception (RP) values were collected at 16 time points before and after testing. The current study investigated changes in RP scores before and after genetic testing. Of the 186 participants with pre- and post-testing RP values, 39 also had contemporaneous research clinic notes and recent semi-structured interviews available for analysis. RESULTS The data reveal tremendous diversity in RP. While the RP scores of most individuals change in the way one would expect, 27% of participants demonstrated unexpected changes in RP after disclosure. A significantly higher proportion of individuals who received an expanded repeat result had unexpected changes in RP, compared with those who received normal repeat results. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that individuals' RP is influenced by more than merely the results of genetic testing. This finding is important for genetic counselors and healthcare providers, as it suggests that even comprehensive patient education and disclosure of genetic test results may not ensure that people fully appreciate their disease risk.
“Check Yourself”: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teachers of Students With Challenging Behaviors:

In this article, we open with a discussion of stress and its potential impact on the teaching profession. We then follow with an empirical rationale for and steps in the implementation of potential...
Respiratory Complications: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Chylothorax, Diaphragmatic Palsy and Paresis, Respiratory Physiotherapy, and Tracheostomy

This chapter addresses the respiratory complications/issues that can occur in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pulmonary complications are prevalent in the critically ill cardiac patients, and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chylothorax, and diaphragmatic dysfunction after cardiac surgery are frequently encountered in pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.
Architectures of Survival: Air War and Urbanism in Britain, 1935-52: by Adam Page, Manchester, Manchester University Press, 2019, ix+243 pp., £80 (hdbk); £96 (ebook), ISBN 978-1-5261-2258-2

Eighty years after the start of World War II, a new book Architectures of Survival examines the impact of the war’s proliferation of aerial bombing on the civilian experience. This book explores a ...
POSSUM and P-POSSUM Scoring in Hip Fracture Mortalities:

Introduction:Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) and Portsmouth POSSUM (P-POSSUM) are general surgical tools used to efficiently asses...
Collaborating with an international partner institution to mitigate the cost of course textbooks

This study describes an initiative to improve textbook access and affordability for students in the University at Buffalo’s international partnership program with the Singapore Institute of Managem...
Analyzing (Re)Capping of mRNA Using Transcript Specific 5' End Sequencing

The 5' cap is a ubiquitous feature of eukaryotic mRNAs. It is added in the nucleus onto newly synthesized pre-mRNA, and in the cytoplasm onto mRNAs after decapping or endonuclease cleavage. Cytoplasmic recapping can occur after loss of the cap at the native 5' end, or downstream within the body of the mRNA. The identification and location of recapping events is key to understanding the functional consequences of this process. Here we present an approach that addresses this problem, using the Lexogen TeloPrime® cDNA synthesis kit to tag recapped 5' ends. TeloPrime uses a proprietary DNA ligase to add a double stranded DNA oligonucleotide onto the 3' end of cDNA while it is base paired with mRNA. Specificity for capped ends is obtained by the oligonucleotide having an unpaired C residue that base pairs weakly with m7G on the mRNA 5' end. This is followed by PCR amplification of double-stranded cDNA using primers to the appended oligonucleotide and the mRNA of interest. The resulting products are gel purified and sequenced directly (if a single band) or cloned and sequenced. The sequence at the junction between the ligated oligonucleotide and the target mRNA provides the location of the cap on the corresponding transcript. This assay is applicable to all capped transcripts. It can be used with Sanger sequencing for small numbers of transcripts or adapted for use with Illumina library sequencing.
Trends in Buprenorphine to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in California, 2012 to 2018: Medicaid Outpaces the Rest of the State.

Objectives Opioid use disorder remains undertreated in the United States. One of the primary mechanisms for expanding access to treatment has been the use of buprenorphine. In this study, we compare prescribing trends of buprenorphine paid through Medicaid versus other payer sources. Methods Combined data from California's prescription drug monitoring program and California's Department of Health Care Services was used to obtain statewide quarterly prescription rates for buprenorphine, indicated for the treatment of opioid use disorder, from 2012 to 2018. Results From 2012 to 2018, the rate of individuals treated with buprenorphine in Medicaid increased by 657% (1.39-10.5 Medicaid beneficiaries per 10,000) with increases beginning in 2014 and continuing through 2018. Rate of individual prescribing among non-Medicaid sources increased by 93.7% (6.54-12.7 non-Medicaid individuals per 10,000) with most increases occurring before 2014. Conclusions California Medicaid has made considerable gains in buprenorphine access, with access growing steadily even after expansions through the Affordable Care Act plateaued. In contrast, recent gains in buprenorphine access for individuals without Medicaid are uninspiring, indicating that initiatives to improve buprenorphine access to patients without Medicaid are urgently needed.
Significant Operational Improvements with Implementation of Next Generation Laboratory Automation

OBJECTIVES To investigate the benefits and challenges of introducing next generation chemistry and coagulation automation. METHODS We replaced the Roche modular preanalytic system attached to Roche Cobas 6000 analyzers with the Roche 8100 preanalytical line attached to the Roche Cobas 8000 and Stago STA R Max analyzers. The system included 2 add-on buffers (AOBs) for automated specimen archival and retrieval and primary-tube specimen processing. We measured turnaround time (TAT) from specimen receipt to result for chemistry and coagulation tests before, during, and after system implementation. TAT for add-on tests was also measured. RESULTS We completed the system implementation during a 17-month period using existing laboratory space. The TAT for chemistry, coagulation, and add-on tests decreased significantly (P <.005, P <.001, and P <.005, respectively). We encountered several challenges, including barcode-label errors, mechanical problems, and workflow issues due to lack of bidirectional track for coagulation testing. CONCLUSIONS Next generation laboratory automation yielded significantly shortened and less-variable TAT, particularly for add-on testing. Our approach could help other laboratories in the process of implementing and configuring automated systems.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) Bone Cement Composite Can Be Refilled with Antibiotics after Implantation in Femur or Soft Tissue

While periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) result in a small percentage of patients following arthroplasties, they are challenging to treat if they spread into bone and soft tissue. Treatment involves delivering antibiotics using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement. However, antibiotic release is insufficient for prolonged infections. Previous work demonstrated efficacy of incorporating insoluble cyclodextrin (CD) microparticles into PMMA to improve antibiotic release and allow for post-implantation drug refilling to occur in a tissue-mimicking model. To simulate how antibiotic refilling may be possible in more physiologically relevant models, this work investigated development of bone and muscle refilling models. The bone refilling model involved embedding PMMA-CD into rabbit femur and administering antibiotic via intraosseous infusion. Muscle tissue refilling model involved implanting PMMA-CD beads in bovine muscle tissue and administering antibiotic via tissue injection. Duration of antimicrobial activity of refilled PMMA-CD was evaluated. PMMA-CD composite in bone and muscle tissue models was capable of being refilled with antibiotics and resulted in prolonged antimicrobial activity. PMMA-CD provided sustained and on-demand antimicrobial activity without removal of implant if infection develops. Intraosseous infusion appeared to be a viable technique to enable refilling of PMMA-CD after implantation in bone, reporting for the first time the ability to refill PMMA in bone.
Resting-state hippocampal networks related to language processing reveal unique patterns in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Objective Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) commonly experience a broad range of language impairments. These deficits are thought to arise from repeated seizure activity that damages language regions. However, connectivity between the seizure onset region in the hippocampus and regions related to language processing has rarely been studied, and could also have a strong impact on language function. The purpose of this study was to use resting-state functional connectivity (FC) measures to assess hippocampal network patterns and their relation to language abilities in patients with right TLE (RLTE), left TLE (LTLE), and healthy controls. Methods Presurgical resting-state 3T functional MRI data were acquired from 40 patients with mesial TLE (27 RTLE, 13 LTLE) and 54 controls. The regions of interest were the anterior and posterior bilateral hippocampi and eleven regions grouped by frontal or temporo-parietal locations, including large areas of language-related cortex. FC values were computed with the right/left anterior and posterior hippocampi as the seeds and frontal and temporo-parietal regions as targets. Resting-state lateralization indices were also calculated (LI-Rest), and all FC measures were correlated to neuropsychological language scores and measures related to manifestation of epilepsy including age of onset, duration of disease, monthly seizure frequency, and hippocampal volume. Results We found significant group differences between the anterior hippocampi and temporo-parietal regions closest to the seizure focus, in which RTLE and LTLE showed stronger connectivity to their contralateral hippocampus, while controls showed similar connectivity to both hippocampi. In addition, LI-Rest demonstrated significantly more right lateralization in LTLE compared to RTLE for temporo-parietal regions only. In LTLE, we found significant associations between stronger hippocampal network resting-state FC and later age of onset and decreased left anterior hippocampal volume. Significance The results of our study indicate that the presence of TLE impacts hippocampal-temporo-parietal networks relevant to language processing.
Real-time estimation and control of divertor surface heat flux on the DIII-D tokamak

Abstract Future tokamaks will require robust technologies for the mitigation of heat exhaust onto the plasma-facing components. As a first step towards this development, a system has been developed at DIII-D that estimates and controls in real-time the heat flux to the PFCs. Real-time estimation of the peak power flux from this model-based approach is validated with off-line infra-red measurements for various DIII-D plasma discharges. A nonlinear free-boundary simulation code (GSevolve) is used for simulating the closed loop response and for the off-line determination of the control parameters. The implementation and first experimental results of the application during the DIII-D plasma campaign are reported.
A case of infectious crystalline keratopathy after corneal cross-linking.

Abstract Purpose To present a case of infectious crystalline keratopathy after corneal cross-linking in a child with delayed wound healing, and its successful management with antibiotic and anti-fungal eye drops. Observations A 14-year-old male presented for a second opinion with a non-staining crystalline keratopathy after corneal crosslinking for progressive keratoconus. He reportedly rubbed his eyes vigorously in the post-operative course and had a slowly healing epithelial defect. He was treated with several antibiotic drops and was put on high dose topical difluprednate drops post-procedure for persistent corneal haze. His infection continued to progress until steroids were stopped and he was treated with topical voriconazole. While cultures were negative, the patient's visual acuity and corneal lesions improved significantly after starting voriconazole therapy and stopping steroid drops, pointing to a diagnosis of infectious crystalline keratopathy. Conclusions and Importance This is one of the first case reports to describe a primary infectious crystalline keratopathy after a corneal cross-linking procedure, and the first to describe this phenomenon in a child with delayed corneal re-epithelialization. Though corneal cross-linking is a relatively safe procedure, atypical infections like crystalline keratopathy can occur in these patients in the setting of topical steroid use. Atypical organisms such as fungi should always be on the differential, especially for patients with recalcitrant infection in the setting of immunosuppression.
Cutting Edge: Intestinal IL-17A Receptor Signaling Specifically Regulates High-Fat Diet-Mediated, Microbiota-Driven Metabolic Disorders.

Previous studies indicate that IL-17A plays an important role in mediating the intestinal microbiota and systemic metabolic functions. However, it is not known where IL-17RA signaling occurs to mediate these effects. To investigate this question, we used intestinal epithelial-specific (Il17raΔIEC ) and liver-specific (Il17raΔLiver ) IL-17RA knockout mice as well as littermate control mice. Our results indicate that intestinal IL-17RA signaling helps mediate systemic metabolic functions upon exposure to prolonged high-fat diet. Il17raΔIEC mice display impaired glucose metabolism, altered hormone and adipokine levels, increased visceral adiposity, and greater hepatic lipid deposition when compared with their littermate controls. We show that IL-17RA-driven changes in microbiota composition are responsible for regulating systemic glucose metabolism. Altogether, our data elucidate the importance of intestinal IL-17RA signaling in regulating high-fat diet-mediated systemic glucose and lipid metabolism.
CaSi2 as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract CaSi 2 was investigated as a potential anode material for use in lithium-ion batteries. The capacity was investigated as a function of particle size. The capacity at 50 cycles of the as-sieved CaSi 2 material (25–30 μm) is about 150 and 220 mAh/g for the ball-milled (1–3 μm) material, suggesting that neither will make a good replacement anode for graphite. A majority of the CaSi 2 capacity is associated with Si and not Ca, which is in agreement with predicted behavior. A comparison of the capacity fade of CaSi 2 with other silicides suggests that to minimize capacity fade, it is better to have in materials that under go decomposition during Li insertion, a high modulus and/or low ductility matrix than a low modulus and/or high ductility matrix.
Caspase-3 is not activated in seizure-induced neuronal necrosis with internucleosomal DNA cleavage.

A caspase-3-activated DNase produces internucleosomal DNA cleavage (DNA laddering). We determined whether caspase-3 is activated by lithium–pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in six brain regions with necrosis-induced DNA laddering. The thymuses of adult rats given methamphetamine or normal saline were used as controls for apoptosis. Some 6–8 h after methamphetamine treatment, thymocytes showed apoptosis by electron-microscopic examination, positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), DNA laddering, cleavage of caspase-3 into its active p17 subunit, active caspase-3 immunoreactivity, and a 25-fold increase in caspase-3-like activity. Six hours after SE, necrotic neurons by electron-microscopic examination in hippocampus, amygdala and piriform, entorhinal and frontal cortices showed no TUNEL and no DNA laddering. Twenty-four hours after seizures, most necrotic neurons were negative for TUNEL, some were positive, but all regions showed DNA laddering. However, 6 and 24 h after seizures, active caspase-3 immunoreactivity was negative, caspase-3-like activity did not increase, and western blot analysis failed to show the p17 subunit. In addition, 24 h after seizures,microdialytic perfusion of carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl (O-methylester) fluoromethylketone was not neuroprotective. Thus, caspase-3 is not activated in brain regions with seizure-induced neuronal necrosis with DNA laddering. Either caspase-activated DNase is activated by another enzyme, or a caspase-independent DNase is responsible for the DNA cleavage.
Numerical simulations of hot spots

Numerical simulations of hot spots and their associated jets are reviewed with special emphasis on their dynamical variability. Two-dimensional simulations incorporate dynamically passive and important magnetic fields in the ideal MHD limit. Distributions of total and polarized radio brightness have been derived for comparison with observation. The move toward three-dimensional simulations is documented, and hydrodynamical models for multiple hot spots are reviewed. Useful insights can be gleaned from 2-dimensional slab jet simulations, which relax the axisymmetric constraints while allowing high numerical resolution. In particular, the “dentist drill” model (Scheuer 1982) for working surface variability is substantiated and shown to result from self-excited jet instabilities near the working surface. Three-dimensional simulations with magnetic fields are now feasible with the availability of large memory supercomputers, which should yield the first realistic hot spot geometries. The development emphasis will then shift to emission physics, which will continue to be hampered by our lack of understanding of relevant particle acceleration mechanisms.
Algorithm evolution for face recognition: what makes a picture difficult

One of the classic problems in computer vision is the face recognition problem. In general, this problem can take on a wide variety of forms, but the most common face recognition problem is "Who is this a picture of?" Evolutionary computation has, in the past, been applied indirectly to this problem through techniques like learning neural networks. This paper introduces a genetic programming style approach to learning algorithms that directly investigate face images and are coordinated into a face recognition system. Through a series of experiments, we show that evolved algorithms can accomplish the face recognition task. We also highlight several pitfalls and misconceptions surrounding face recognition as a learning problem.
Estimating student proficiency using an item response theory model

Item Response Theory (IRT) models were investigated as a tool for student modeling in an intelligent tutoring system (ITS). The models were tested using real data of high school students using the Wayang Outpost, a computer-based tutor for the mathematics portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A cross-validation framework was developed and three metrics to measure prediction accuracy were compared. The trained models predicted with 72% accuracy whether a student would answer a multiple choice problem correctly.
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Law & Economics Perspective

The law and economics of corporate social responsibility are simple. Assets are worth more to their owners if they are held exclusively by those owners rather than shared. This simple fact explains why shareholders prefer to be the exclusive beneficiaries of corporate fiduciary duties. If, however, the rules of the game were changed and corporations were deemed to have responsibilities to society in general, instead of exclusively to their shareholders, the shareholders would be harmed because the economic value of their shares would decline. Of course, shareholders would agree to a change such that corporations owed duties to society rather than to the shareholders exclusively if they were compensated for this diminution in rights. Thus, if non-shareholder constituencies such as local communities, workers, suppliers, or customers valued these rights sufficiently, they would have them because they would buy them from the shareholders. The fact that this does not happen is strong evidence that it is efficient to organize corporations such that they are run so as to maximize value for shareholders.
Approaches to Data Sharing: An Analysis of NSF Data Management Plans from a Large Research University

INTRODUCTION Sharing digital research data is increasingly common, propelled by funding requirements, journal publishers, local campus policies, or community-driven expectations of more collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments. However, it is not well understood how researchers are addressing these expectations and whether they are transitioning from individualized practices to more thoughtful and potentially public approaches to data sharing that will enable reuse of their data. METHODS The University of Minnesota Libraries conducted a local opt-in study of data management plans (DMPs) included in funded National Science Foundation (NSF) grant proposals from January 2011 through June 2014. In order to understand the current data management and sharing practices of campus researchers, we solicited, coded, and analyzed 182 DMPs, accounting for 41% of the total number of plans available. RESULTS DMPs from seven colleges and academic units were included. The College of Science of Engineering accounted for 70% of the plans in our review. While 96% of DMPs mentioned data sharing, we found a variety of approaches for how PIs shared their data, where data was shared, the intended audiences for sharing, and practices for ensuring long-term reuse. CONCLUSION DMPs are useful tools to investigate researchers’ current plans and philosophies for how research outputs might be shared. Plans and strategies for data sharing are inconsistent across this sample, and researchers need to better understand what kind of sharing constitutes public access. More intervention is needed to ensure that researchers implement the sharing provisions in their plans to the fullest extent possible. These findings will help academic libraries develop practical, targeted data services for researchers that aim to increase the impact of institutional research. External Data or Supplements: Bishoff, Carolyn; Johnston, Lisa, 2015, “Instrument used to code DMPs”, http://dx.doi.org/10.7910/DVN/5JGNMM , Harvard Dataverse. [Instrument] Johnston, Lisa R; Bishoff, Carolyn; McGrory, John; Storino, Chris; Swendsrud, Anders. (2015). Analyzed Data Management Plans (DMPs) from Successful University of Minnesota Grants from the National Science Foundation, 2011-2014 [dataset]. Retrieved from the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota, http://dx.doi.org/10.13020/D6TG6Z [Data]
Distinct current-carrying charge density wave states in NbSe3

Abstract We have performed detailed measurements of the dc current-voltage (I–V) characteristics of NbSe 3 in the hysteretic switching regime. Within the hysteresis loop, we observe a series of well-defined and quasi-stable current-carrying states, each with a unique I–V relationship. Transitions between the states, induced by both the applied electric field and thermal fluctuations, are observed. Rapid and random transitions between closely spaced levels are suggested to result in excessive current or voltage noise for the depinned charge density wave condensate.
A Focus on Environment at High School Students' Fall Meeting Poster Session

With titles like “Correlates of avian building strikes at a glass facade museum surrounded by avian habitat” and “Electrospray ionization FT-ICR/MS investigation of zinc sulfate clusters,” a series of posters presented at AGU's Fall Meeting on 12 December 2013 might seem like a session covering general contributions from AGU members. However, something was unique about the posters: Most were created and presented by high school students.
Urinary tract infection

This article outlines the definitions, epidemiology, history and examination, diagnosis, management, prophylaxis, prevention, and performance improvement of urinary tract infection. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Cardiovascular responses of dogs and pigs exposed to similar physiological stress

Abstract 1. 1. Both dogs and pigs are suitable species for prolonged cardiovascular monitoring during physiological stress. 2. 2. In sedentary subjects dogs have a greater capacity than pigs for exercise stress, which may be due to more efficient functioning of their cardiovascular system. 3. 3. When our data are compared to similar data obtained from humans, the pigs respond to exercise stress in a similar manner to humans. For this reason, pigs may be more suitable for exercise stress studies where the results are to be extrapolated to the human species.
Iterative chain elongation by a pikromycin monomodular polyketide synthase.

The unique ability of the pikromycin polyketide synthase (Pik PKS) to generate 12- and 14-membered ring macrolactones presents an opportunity to explore the fundamental processes of polyketide synthesis, specifically, the mechanistic details of the chain extension process. We have overexpressed and purified PikAIII and PikAIV and demonstrated the ability of these proteins to generate triketide lactone products using 14C-methylmalonyl-CoA as the sole substrate. Monomodular PikAIII generates TKL (1) when reacted alone, and synthesizes TKL (2) upon reaction in combination with PikAIV. Product formation remains dependent on the enzymatic decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-CoA and transfer of the acyl chain within the enzyme rather than acylation by propionyl-CoA from spontaneous decarboxylation. We propose that synthesis of TKL (1) by PikAIII involves iterative assembly of the triketide chain within a PikAIII homodimer analogous to the nonmodular type I PKS systems.
A Lotka–Volterra cooperating reaction–diffusion system with degenerate density-dependent diffusion

Abstract In the Lotka–Volterra cooperating reaction–diffusion system if the diffusion coefficients are constants then for a certain set of reaction rates in the reaction function the solution of the system blows up in finite time, and for another set of reaction rates, a unique global solution exists and converges to the trivial solution. However, if the diffusion coefficients are density-dependent then the dynamic behavior of the solution can be quite different. The aim of this paper is to investigate the global existence and the asymptotic behavior of the solution for a class of density-dependent cooperating reaction–diffusion systems where the diffusion coefficients are degenerate. It is shown that the time-dependent problem has a unique bounded global solution, and in addition to the trivial and semi-trivial solutions the corresponding steady-state problem has a positive maximal solution and a positive minimal solution. Moreover, the time-dependent solution converges to the maximal solution for one class of initial functions, and to the minimal solution for another class of initial functions. The above convergence property holds true for any reaction rates in the reaction function. Applications of the above results are given to a porous medium type of reaction–diffusion problem as well as other types of diffusion coefficients, including the finite sum and products of these functions.
The heuristic value of the help file: Combining rhetorical frameworks with technical skills to teach help file authoring

Abstract This article claims that it is possible to teach both rhetorical frameworks and technical skills effectively if we select appropriate topics and design appropriate classes. It examines the nature of the help file document as a heuristic capable of reinforcing intensive writing instruction while adding powerful software skills to student resumes. More specifically, this article examines the extent to which the citation of help files demands rhetorical skill, the structure of a class that effectively teaches the rhetoric of help, and the nature of the teacher and teaching environment for such a class.
A novel (benzodifuranyl)aminoalkane with extremely potent activity at the 5-HT2A receptor.

A major focus of our research for a number of years has been to understand the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of classical hallucinogens and their derivatives, the pharmacological action of which is believed to be mediated primarily by agonist activity at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor.2,3 In particular we have sought to understand the relationship between the modes of binding of the hallucinogens containing an indole nucleus, including LSD and psilocybin, and those containing a benzene nucleus, such as mescaline and its potent structural analogue 1 (DOB).4 In pursuing this goal, we recently reported the synthesis of the tetrahydrobenzodifuran 2 as a rigid analogue of DOB.5 Rat behavioral data and human receptor binding data showed that 2 is more potent than 1, a finding that was consistent with a binding site model first postulated by Westkaemper and Glennon,6 in which two hydrogenbond-donor residues in the receptor, possibly serine residues, lie on opposite sides of the molecule and form hydrogen bonds with the ether oxygen lone pairs. It was conjectured that the increase in activity of 2 relative to 1 is due to the fact that the lone pairs in 2 are fixed in an orientation favorable for forming such hydrogen bonds.
Growth and morphology of chrysoberyl single crystals

Abstract Chrysoberyl (BeAl 2 O 4 ) single crystals were grown from PbO-PbF 2 -B 2 O 3 and PbO-PbF 2 fluxes. The crystal habit was considerably influenced by the presence of boron oxide in the flux. The crystals grown from the binary (PbO-PbF 2 ) flux were thick plates parallel to the (001) plane and bounded by (010) and (111) surfaces, whereas prismatic and equidimensional crystals with (011), (010) and (111) surfaces were grown from the ternary (PbO-PbF 2 -B 2 O 3 ) flux. The appearance of (011) surfaces taking the place of (001) was explained in terms of substitutional adsorption of boron ions at beryllium sites. The selectivity of adsorption in different surfaces is attributed to the difference in surface density of the beryllium sites in various crystallographic planes.
Using Quantitative and Qualitative Data to Evaluate and Refine a Self-help Kit for Lowering Fat Intake

Abstract This paper describes the use of quantitative and qualitative research techniques to evaluate and refine “Let's Eat,” a self-help kit for lowering fat intake. A quantitative telephone survey of kit recipients indicated that the original “Let's Eat” kit often was used incorrectly and that the most useful information, the goal-setting checklists and food choice lists, often was ignored. To elicit specific recommendations for “Let's Eats” improvement, we conducted focus groups that provided qualitative information that was used to significantly revise the kit. The new kit was then tested with pilot participants in a research project. Results indicated that recipients of the revised kit were significantly more likely to use the goal-setting checklists and to report positive dietary change than were recipients of the original kit.
VIP Deficient Mice Exhibit Resistance to Lipopolysaccharide Induced Endotoxemia with an Intrinsic Defect in Proinflammatory Cellular Responses

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide with immunomodulatory properties. The administration of this peptide has been shown to have beneficial effects in murine models of inflammatory diseases including septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease. However, the role of the endogenous peptide in inflammatory disease remains obscure because VIP-deficient mice were recently found to exhibit profound resistance in a model of MS. In the present study, we analyzed the response of female VIP deficient (KO) mice to intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. We observed significant resistance to LPS in VIP KO mice, as evidenced by lower mortality and reduced tissue damage. The increased survival was associated with decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6 and IL-12) in sera and peritoneal suspensions of these mice. Moreover, the expression of TNFα and IL-6 mRNA was reduced in peritoneal cells, spleens and lungs from LPS-treated VIP KO vs. WT mice, suggesting that the resistance might be mediated by an intrinsic defect in the responsiveness of immune cells to endotoxin. In agreement with this hypothesis, peritoneal cells isolated from VIP KO naive mice produced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines in response to LPS in vitro. Finally, decreased NF-κB pathway activity in peritoneal cells was observed both in vivo and in vitro, as determined by assay of phosphorylated I-κB. The results demonstrate that female VIP KO mice exhibit resistance to LPS-induced shock, explainable in part by the presence of an intrinsic defect in the responsiveness of inflammatory cells to endotoxin.
Uniqueness of preduals of certain Banach spaces

In [1], the authors have shown the existence of non-quasireflexive Banach spaces having unique isomorphic preduals. In fact, certain James-Lindenstrauss’ spaces have this property. In this paper it is shown that there are many such separable spaces. More precisely, there exist infinitely many different isomorphic types of James-Lindenstrauss’ spaces which are non-quasireflexive and have unique isomorphic preduals.
Effects of captopril and bradykinin on arterial pressure in rats with mestranol-induced hypertension

Hypertension was produced in 20 female rats by the oral administration of mestranol for 6 months; 20 control rats were not given mestranol during this time. The i.v. infusion of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, into 10 conscious mestranol-treated rats reduced mean arterial pressure from 139 +/- 2 (SEM) to 130 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.01); mean arterial pressure in 10 conscious control rats averaged 123 +/- 3 mm Hg, and was not significantly changed during captopril infusion. Injections of bradykinin at 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 microgram/100 gm body weight decreased mean arterial pressure significantly more in 10 mestranol-treated rats than in 10 control rats. These results suggest that the ability of captopril to lower arterial pressure in rats with mestranol-induced hypertension may be due, at least in part, to the action of captopril to enhance bradykinin.
A novel mitochondrial ATPase 6 point mutation in familial bilateral striatal necrosis

A T-to-C transition at nucleotide (nt) 9176 in the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase 6 (ATPase 6) gene was detected in 2 brothers with a neurological disorder resembling Leigh syndrome. The mutation was also present in the 2 other siblings and in the mother, who were asymptomatic. In the more severely affected boy (the proband), the mutation was homoplasmic in muscle, leucocytes, and fibroblasts. In leucocytes from his affected brother, 98% of mtDNA was mutant. Heteroplasmy of varying degrees was seen in leucocytes from the mother and the 2 unaffected siblings. The mutation changes a highly conserved leucine residue near the carboxyl terminus of the mitochondrial ATPase 6 subunit to proline. It could not be detected in 168 control subjects. Studies of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis in fibroblasts from the proband were normal.
What is known about infant colic

The ancient Greeks were the first to mention infant colic in recorded history; yet in 2002, the cause of infant colic is still unknown. Review of the infant colic literature suggests there are at least five possible explanations-cow's milk/soy protein allergy or intolerance; immature gastrointestinal system; immature central nervous system; difficult infant temperament; and parent-infant interaction problems consisting of either the transfer of parental anxiety to the infant or the inability of the infant to give clear cues about needs to the caregiver. It is likely the cause of infant colic is multifactorial because it has proven to be so elusive. One or more of the above explanations (or as yet an undiscovered explanation) is likely to play a role in the development of colic in a given infant. Determining the most probable explanation for each infant and then selecting interventions based on this explanation is likely to be more successful in preventing or decreasing the length or frequency of episodes than the various trial-and-error approaches to treatment currently recommended by healthcare providers. Infant colic is an important clinical problem that is amenable to nursing intervention.
The determination of microgram amounts of orthophosphate using ion-selective electrodes

The potentiometric titration ofμg amounts of orthophosphate with lead perchlorate using a lead ISE, and with silver nitrate using a silver sulfide ISE, was investigated. With 0.001N lead perchlorate the practical limit of the determination is approximately 10μg (0.3μmol) of phosphorus. Microgram amounts of phosphate require the application of a small polarizing current to the lead ISE to enhance the potential breaks near the endpoint.
Alternative strategies for becoming an insider: lessons from the bacterial world.

Evidence indicates that, in vitro, InlA and InlB mediate entry into different cells, and therefore, it has been proposed that these bacterial ligands play different roles during bacterial infection. Mouse infection studies have suggested that InlB plays an important role in the infection of hepatocytes (Gaillard et al. 1996xGaillard, J.L, Jaubert, F, and Berche, P. J. Exp. Med. 1996; 183: 359–369Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (89)See all ReferencesGaillard et al. 1996). In addition, the tissue distribution of its receptor Met suggests the possibility that InlB may also be involved in the ability of L. monocytogenes to breach the placental barrier and infect the fetus. Met is expressed in the trophoblast of the placenta and L. monocytogenes has been observed to infect the trophoblast of pregnant mice. It is therefore possible that the ability of L. monocytogenes to breach the placental barrier and fetal endothelial cells is mediated by InlB/Met interactions.Investigation of the contribution of InlA to bacterial infection has been hampered by a lack of a suitable animal model as mouse E-cadherin does not support InlA-mediated entry (Lecuit et al. 1999xLecuit, M, Dramsi, S, Gottardi, C, Fedor-Chaiken, M, Gumbiner, B, and Cossart, P. EMBO J. 1999; 18: 3956–3963Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (283)See all ReferencesLecuit et al. 1999). It has been hypothesized that InlA mediates entry into intestinal epithelial cells since, at least in vitro, this protein mediates entry into the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2. However, E-cadherin is only expressed on the basolateral side of polarized cells and therefore would not be available for interaction with its bacterial ligand when L. monocytogenes is in the intestinal lumen. It is possible that L. monocytogenes breaches the intestinal barrier through the more permissive M-cells that line the intestinal epithelium and subsequently gains access to the intestinal epithelium through the basolateral side where E-cadherin is expressed. Alternatively, L. monocytogenes may induce signaling events that may lead to a transient depolarization of the intestinal epithelium, resulting in the availability of E-cadherin for interaction with InlA. E-cadherin is also expressed in the choroid plexus and therefore it is possible that InlA helps L. monocytogenes to breach the blood-brain barrier. A more thorough examination of the tissue distribution of the different receptors for InlA and InlB will be required to obtain a coherent picture of the role of the different receptors and bacterial ligands in the pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes infection. In addition, the investigation of the potential role of other internalin-like molecules in L. monocytogenes pathogenesis has the potential to reveal additional pathways of bacterial entry. The study of this versatile family of bacterial ligands promises to uncover not only novel therapeutic avenues but also a better understanding of the function of important cellular receptors.*E-mail: jorge.galan@yale.edu
Numerical Modeling of Solitons in a Low Birefringent Optical Fiber

A numerical investigation, based on the split-step Fourier transform algorithm of all optical switching of solitons in a low birefringent optical fiber is presented. The numerical algorithm is described in detail.