cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uniform Central Limit Theorems: An Extension of Lusin's Theorem

Lusin's theorem says that for any measurable real-valued function ƒ, on [0, 1] with Lebesgue measure λ for example, and e > 0, there is a set A with λ( A ) A, ƒ is continuous. Here [0, 1] can be replaced by any normal topological space and λ by any finite measure μ which is closed regular, meaning that for each Borel measurable set B, μ( B ) = sup{μ( F ): F closed, F ⊂ B ) (RAP, Theorem 7.5.2). Recall that any finite Borel measure on a metric space is closed regular (RAP, Theorem 7.1.3). Proofs of Lusin's theorem are often based on Egorov's theorem (RAP, Theorem 7.5.1), which says that if measurable functions f n from a finite measure space to a metric space converge pointwise, then for any e > 0 there is a set of measure less than e outside of which the f n converge uniformly. Here, the aim will be to extend Lusin's theorem to functions having values in any separable metric space. The proof of Lusin's theorem in RAP, however, also relied on the Tietze-Urysohn extension theorem, which says that a continuous real-valued function on a closed subset of a normal space can be extended to be continuous on the whole space. Such an extension may not exist for some range spaces: for example, the identity from {0, 1} onto itself doesn't extend to a continuous function from [0, 1] onto {0, 1}; in fact there is no such function since [0, 1] is connected.
Generation, Stability, and Utility of Lithium 4,4'-Di-tert-butylbiphenylide (LiDBB).

Several procedures were evaluated for the preparation of lithium 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenylide (LiDBB, Freeman’s reagent) from lithium metal and 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DBB) in THF. Solutions with nominal concentration of 0.4 and 1.0 M were formed. The stability of LiDBB solutions was evaluated over time, and the gradual uptake of lithium metal was observed. At 0 °C the LiDBB solutions were stable for over a week in THF. At 20 °C the LiDBB solution underwent various decomposition pathways, which led to uptake of more lithium metal and the accumulation of side products. These decomposition pathways were studied, and the importance of ethene in the destruction of THF by LiDBB was observed. On a practical note, LiDBB solutions in THF were stable and effective for over a week at 0 °C or for more than 37 weeks when stored under argon at −25 °C. These observations will extend the utility of LiDBB as a reagent in organic synthesis.
Phase II Study of RCHOP with Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (DRCOP) for Patients > 60 Years Old with Untreated Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).

Background: DLBCL is a common lymphoma of older adults, and a potentially curable disorder with the regimen RCHOP (Coiffier, et.al. NEJM,2002). Doxorubicin, a key drug in the regimen, has risk for cardiotoxicity, and thus of concern in older patients (pts) with higher incidence of cardiovascular (CV) disease. In breast cancer pts pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (D) has shown greater cardiac safety and similar efficacy to doxorubicin. We thus replaced doxorubicin with D in RCHOP (DRCOP). Methods: The regimen is: Rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV day (d) 1; D 40 mg/m2 IV d 1; cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 IV d 1; vincristine 2 mg IV d 1 total dose; prednisone 100 mg/d p.o. d 1–5. Eligibility criteria are: > 60 years of age; untreated confirmed DLBCL (no discordant histology); Ann Arbor stage II-IV; baseline LVEF 50%. CV disease is permitted, if symptoms controlled, but consult at baseline by Cardiologist and at follow-up required. Growth factor support recommended (not required). Results: 34 pts are evaluable for toxicity; 30 evaluable for response (1 pt off study after 1 cycle; 3 too early for response). Characteristics of pts: age 62–92 (median 75); 18 female; IPI 1=1pt; IPI 2 = 2 pts; IPI 3 = 16 pts; IPI >3 = 15 pts. Responses are: 28/30 (93%) CR; 2/30 (7%) PR. At this time, 3/30 failed: 1 progression; 1 death due to non-neutropenic pneumonia; 1 death due to disease. Grade 3–4 adverse events were: 1 drop in LVEF; 8 atrial arrhythmias (reversed); 1 hypotension (reversed); 1 chest pain (reversed); 17 neutropenia (13 febrile, with 5 infections); 3 hand-foot syndrome; 4 fatigue; 2 DVT; 2 neuropathy. Conclusions: DRCOP has a high CR rate in this study of older pts with DLBCL, despite intermediate/high risk IPI. We’ve noted only one case of low LVEF ; more common are atrial arrythmias (8 pts), reversible. Neutropenia is the most common grade 3–4 adverse event (17 pts), and thus we strongly recommend growth factor support.
Diffusion data for clinopyroxenes from homogenization and self-diffusion experiments

Kinetic experiments involving the homogenization of fine-scale, coherent (001) pigeonite lamellae in a sub-calcic diopside have been used to constrain Ca-Mg interdifusion coefficients for clinopyroxenes. At 1150'-1250'c and 25 kbar, "average" Ca-Mg effective binary interdiffusion coefficients are described by D : (f .SS x l0-7) exp(-360.87 kJIRT) (m2isec) (D : (3.89 x l0-3) exp(-86.25 kcattRl) (cm2lsec)) with an uncertainty of a factor of 2. Because of the large thermodynamic effect on diffusion near a solvus, actual interdiffusion coefficients should vary by an order of magnitude or more with composition for the conditions of these experiments. Attempts to obtain Ca and Fe self-difttsion coefficients in natural diopsides at I atm using a5Ca and 57Fe tracers and thin-fiIm, autoradiographic techniques were unsuccessful. These negative results place upper bounds on the Ca and Fe self-ditrusion coefficients in diopside that are consistent with the results of the homogenization experiments.
Impact of preoperative wait time due to insurance-mandated medically supervised diets on weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy. Are patients losing momentum?

Abstract Background Few studies have examined whether preoperative period length, as defined by the amount of time from enrollment in a surgical weight loss program to the day of surgery, affects postoperative weight loss. Objectives To identify associations between preoperative period length and postoperative weight loss. Setting Single surgeon at an academic medical center in the United States. Methods Retrospective chart review in 109 consecutive patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy from 2014–2015. Results When patients were grouped based on postoperative percentage of total weight loss, greater weight loss was associated with shorter preoperative wait time. During the preoperative period, 72.2% of our patients achieved a net weight loss, but 34.6% had gained net weight until they started the preoperative "liver-shrinking" diet; 71.4±8.3% of the total preoperative weight loss occurred after initiating the preoperative diet, which accounted for approximately 15% of the whole preoperative period length. There was no correlation between the length of the preoperative diet and preoperative weight loss. Conclusions Shorter preoperative periods and earlier initiation of liver reduction diets may increase postoperative weight loss, although ultimately there may be a limit to the weight loss that patients can achieve while adhering to highly restrictive lifestyle modifications.
Land tenure and identity change in postwar Mozambique

For largely agricultural societies in subSaharan Africa, land and attachments to land play a fundamental role in the identity of individuals and groups. Forced dislocation from land and ‘home areas’ during war, and subsequent attempts at reintegration following an end to armed conflict is therefore an important influence in identity change. With data gathered in postwar Mozambique, this article considers the ways that the land tenure dynamic following armed conflict influences identity change within the recovering customary agricultural population. Following a review of the relationship between land tenure and identity, the paper provides a brief background of the situation in Mozambique and then, using quantitative data from a social survey, case study reports, and literature sources, looks at the land tenure influences on attempts at rural reintegration and the subsequent impacts on identity. These influences include: smallholder-largeholder interaction over land resources, state ownership of land, postwar development efforts, and the situation of demobilized combatants.
Location identification of high impedance faults using synchronized harmonic phasors

This paper proposes a novel method to identify the location of a high-impedance fault (HIF) in a power distribution system. The developed method uses synchronized harmonic phasors with focus on the third harmonic component. Such harmonic synchrophasors could be provided in practice, e.g., by distribution level phasor measurement units, a.k.a, μPMUs. In this regard, the location of the fault can be estimated based on the impedance that is calculated from the third harmonic voltage and current synchrophasors produced by the fault and captured by the μPMUs. In this method, both resistance and inductance are estimated, to allow fault location identification even in a network with multiple type conductors. Note that, the fault does not need to be fully observable. As few as two μPMUs would be sufficient to estimate the HIF location at least to certain accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through simulating the IEEE 33 bus test system in PSCAD.
Quantum Chemical Prediction of pKa Values of Cationic Ion-Exchange Groups in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes

The durability of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) in alkaline fuel cells is largely determined by the stability of anion-exchange groups. Despite continuous research efforts, the commonly employed cations still have limited stability against hydroxide that can act as a strong base and nucleophile. This work is concerned with base-catalyzed degradation of organic cations initiated by proton abstraction to form reactive ylides or carbenes. We report on the performance of 24 methods combining density functional theory and electronic structure methods with implicit solvation calculations for predicting pKa values of organic cations in water and DMSO. The most accurate computational protocols are obtained using a combination of M06-2X/6-311++G** with the SMD solvation model for water (the mean absolute error of 0.4 pKa units) and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ with the IEFPCM solvation model for DMSO (the mean absolute error of 1.4 pKa units). The aqueous pKa calculation protocol is cross-validated against the experimental...
Trade-wind variability, southern oscillation and quasi-biennial oscillation

Thev-components of the trade-wind systems in the North and South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans undergo surges of above- and below-normal convergence. These surges have a typical time scale of the order of a year and coincide with long-term fluctuations of precipitation in the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ). There is now evidence that these surges are tied to the “southern oscillation”, i. e. the surface pressure oscillation between South Pacific and South Indian Ocean. Also a strong correlation between the convergence surges of the Atlantic trade-wind systems and the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of equatorial winds is suggested.
Regulating Cannabis Manufacturing: Applying Public Health Best Practices from Tobacco Control

ABSTRACTState legalization and regulation of cannabis, despite continued federal illegality, is a massive shift in regulatory approach. Manufactured cannabis, including concentrates, extracts, edibles, tinctures, topicals and other products, has received less attention than more commonly used dried flower, but represents emerging regulatory challenges due to additives, potency, consumption methods, and abuse and misuse potential. In November 2017, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released initial cannabis manufacturing regulations as part of a new state regulatory structure. As the largest U.S. medical cannabis market (and largest legal adult use market in the world beginning in 2018), California’s regulatory approach will potentially influence national and global policy. Comparing CDPH’s initial regulations to tobacco control best practices reveals that, while the regulations recognize the need to protect public health, prioritizing public health over business interests requires stronger...
Gender on the Box: Self-Reflexivity as a Starting Point.

This self-reflexive activity acts as an introduction to how we talk about and express gender identity, as well as the assumptions we may have about gender identity norms and expression. The activit...
Tradeoffs in defense strategic planning: lessons from the U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review

Defense ministries conduct strategic planning in various ways. In this article I outline tradeoffs in the design of strategic planning processes, and consider the implications of these tradeoffs fo...
Expansive Soil Treatment with Liquid Ionic Soil Stabilizer

Calcium-based stabilizers such as lime and cement control swell and shrinkage behavior and enhance strength properties for expansive soils through the formation of pozzolanic components. However, s...
Circumbinary MHD Accretion into Inspiraling Binary Black Holes

As 2 black holes bound to each other in a close binary approach merger their inspiral time becomes shorter than the characteristic inflow time of surrounding orbiting matter. Using an innovative technique in which we represent the changing spacetime in the region occupied by the orbiting matter with a 2.5PN approximation and the binary orbital evolution with 3.5PN, we have simulated the MHD evolution of a circumbinary disk surrounding an equal-mass non-spinning binary. Prior to the beginning of the inspiral, the structure of the circumbinary disk is predicted well by extrapolation from Newtonian results. The binary opens a low-density gap whose radius is roughly two binary separations, and matter piles up at the outer edge of this gap as inflow is retarded by torques exerted by the binary; nonetheless, the accretion rate is diminished relative to its value at larger radius by only about a factor of 2. During inspiral, the inner edge of the disk at first moves inward in coordination with the shrinking binary, but as the orbital evolution accelerates, the rate at which the inner edge moves toward smaller radii falls behind the rate of binary compression. In this stage, the rate of angular momentum transfer from the binary to the disk slows substantially, but the net accretion rate decreases by only 10-20%. When the binary separation is tens of gravitational radii, the rest-mass efficiency of disk radiation is a few percent, suggesting that supermassive binary black holes in galactic nuclei could be very luminous at this stage of their evolution. If the luminosity were optically thin, it would be modulated at a frequency that is a beat between the orbital frequency of the disk's surface density maximum and the binary orbital frequency. However, a disk with sufficient surface density to be luminous should also be optically thick; as a result, the periodic modulation may be suppressed.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a Risk Factor for Complications in Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Introduction Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with increased complications following hip and knee arthroplasty. The Purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which SLE is a risk factor in outcomes following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods The nationwide inpatient sample was used to identify a cohort of 505,841 patients who had a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2009-2011. Of these patients, 2,284 patients (0.45%) had been previously diagnosed with SLE. The impact of SLE on short-term TJA outcomes was determined using multivariate logistic regression. Differences in discharge destination and length of stay were also evaluated. Results SLE patients were more likely to have an all-cause medical complication, (OR 1.9, p<0.0001) and more likely to have an all-cause surgical complication (OR 1.3, p<0.0001). SLE patients were four times more likely to become septic in the post-operative period (OR 3.8, p<0.0487). SLE patients were more likely to have a genitourinary complication (OR 1.7, p<0.0001) and bleeding complications requiring transfusion (OR 2.1, p<0.0001). Patients with SLE also had an increased length of stay (0.38 days, p<0.0001) and increased probability of discharging to a facility (OR 2.1, p<0.0001). Discussion Patients with SLE had an increased rate of both medical and surgical all-cause complications. Patients were specifically found to be at higher risk for sepsis, genitourinary complications, and blood transfusions. Future risk adjustment models should include SLE as a contributor to medical and surgical complications in the postoperative period.
Limited Scar Resection for Chronic Achilles Tendon Repair: Use of a Rat Model.

Background:Achilles tendon rupture diagnosis is frequently missed, leading to the development of a chronic rupture that requires surgical intervention to remove scar tissue and return the elongated...
Overcoming Immunotherapy Resistance by Targeting the Tumor-Intrinsic NLRP3-HSP70 Signaling Axis

The tumor-intrinsic NOD-like receptor family, pyrin-domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, plays an important role in regulating immunosuppressive myeloid cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). While prior studies have described the activation of this inflammasome in driving pro-tumorigenic mechanisms, emerging data is now revealing the tumor NLRP3 inflammasome and the downstream release of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) to regulate anti-tumor immunity and contribute to the development of adaptive resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Genetic alterations that influence the activity of the NLRP3 signaling axis are likely to impact T cell-mediated tumor cell killing and may indicate which tumors rely on this pathway for immune escape. These studies suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome and its secreted product, HSP70, represent promising pharmacologic targets for manipulating innate immune cell populations in the TME while enhancing responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Additional studies are needed to better understand tumor-specific regulatory mechanisms of NLRP3 to enable the development of tumor-selective pharmacologic strategies capable of augmenting responses to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy while minimizing unwanted off-target effects. The execution of upcoming clinical trials investigating this strategy to overcome anti-PD-1 resistance promises to provide novel insight into the role of this pathway in immuno-oncology.
Canonical Equation K56 for the Solution of the System of Linear Differential Equations with Random Coefficients

In this chapter we consider a system of linear differential equations with random coefficients $$ \frac{{d{{\vec x}_n}\;(t)}}{{dt}} = \;{\Xi _{n\;{\rm{x }}m}}{\vec x_n}\;(t)\;,\;\;{\rm{0}} \le t \le T,\;\;{\vec x_n}\;{\rm{(0) = }}{\vec c_n}, $$ when the dimension of such a system is large and every random coefficient tends to a certain constant in probability i.e., no single coefficient may be influential enough to dominate the system of the equation as a whole when the dimension of this system tends to infinity. Self-averaging of the solutions of a system of linear differential equations with random coefficients means that the vector-solution \( {\vec x_n} \) converges to the solution of a certain nonrandom equation when the dimension n of a system of linear differential equations tends to infinity. The necessity for the solution of such systems arises in different problems of calculus, differential and integral equations, experiment design, etc. Unfortunately, in practical problems, it is very difficult to find the distribution functions of the random coefficients ξ ij such systems. For this reason, we have developed a new analysis in which these coefficients ξ ij have an arbitrary distribution function. It is natural in this case to use the methods of General Statistical Analysis (see [Gir96]). The system \( d{\vec x_m}\;{\rm{(}}t{\rm{)/}}dt = \;\left\{ {\left. {{n^{ - 1}}\sum\limits_{k = 1}^n {X_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}^{(k)}} } \right\}} \right.{\vec x_m}{\rm{ (}}t{\rm{) , 0 }} \le \;\;t \le \;\;T \) with random coefficients arises when instead of a nonrandom matrix \( {A_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}} = \;{\rm{(}}{a_{ij}}{\rm{)}}_{i,j = 1}^m \) of the system \( d{\vec x_m}\;{\rm{(}}t{\rm{)/}}dt = {A_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}}{\vec x_m}\;(t)\;{\rm{, 0 }} \le {\rm{ }}t \le \;T, {\vec x_m}\;{\rm{(0) = }}{\vec c_m} \) we use the standard estimator \( {n^{ - 1}}\sum\limits_{k = 1}^n {X_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}^{(k)}} \;{\rm{of matrix }}{A_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}},\;{\rm{where }}X_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}^{(k)}\;{\rm{are }}n observations X_{m\;{\rm{x }}m}^{(k)}{\rm{ of random matrix }}{\Xi _{m\;{\rm{x }}m}}. \)
The Built Environment in the Critical Zone: From Pre- to Postindustrial Cities

Abstract Majority of the existing research on Earth’s Critical Zone focuses on the intertwined network of physical, chemical, and biological processes and studies of the interactive cycles of water, carbon, and energy in designated international Critical Zone Observatory sites. However, the Critical Zone is now undergoing a rapidly increasing, constraining burden from human activities. Ever since of the advent of industrial capitalism and the emergence of large cities, human activities and urban growth have had critical, often adverse, impacts on Earth’s Critical Zone. However, the study of the complex correlation between urbanization and the Critical Zone remains understudied. This chapter takes an unprecedented step toward integrating perspectives from architecture, urban planning, and urban geography to examine this correlation. Recognizing the fundamental role of Earth’s Critical Zone and its life-sustaining resources (particularly water) resulted in the creation of cities in the ancient world. The effects of urbanization and urban growth models on the Critical Zone from industrial cities to postindustrial cities around the globe have been examined. Analyzing theoretical underpinnings of urban and environmental sustainability, the compact city model has been used to illustrate and evaluate an example of vernacular architecture and organic urban design as a climatic response in desert cities of Iran. Finally, the chapter addresses changes in research and practice to decrease the adverse impacts of suburbanization on Earth’s Critical Zone and to make informed, proactive decisions in designing sustainable cities in the future.
Retargeting T Cell-Mediated Inflammation: A New Perspective on Autoantibody Action

To understand the pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune disease requires an appreciation of how the T cell-mediated inflammation is targeted, and how the organ function is compromised. In this study, autoantibody was documented to influence both of these parameters by modulating the distribution of T cell-mediated inflammation. The murine autoimmune ovarian disease is induced by immunization with the ZP3330-342 peptide of the ovarian zona pellucida 3 glycoprotein, ZP3. Passively transferred or actively induced Ab to ZP3335-342 bound to the zona pellucida in the functional and degenerative ovarian follicles, and the ovaries remained histologically normal. Transfer of ZP3330-342 peptide-specific T cells targeted the degenerative follicles and spared the functional follicles, and the resultant interstitial oophoritis was associated with unimpaired ovarian function. Unexpectedly, the coexistence of ZP3330-342 peptide-specific T cells and zona-bound autoantibody led to a dramatic translocation of the ovarian inflammation to the growing and mature ovarian follicles, with destruction of the ovarian functional unit. Ab retargeted both Th1-induced mononuclear inflammation and Th2-induced eosinophilic inflammation, and retargeting was induced by murine and rat polyclonal Abs to multiple distinct native B cell determinants of the zona pellucida. Therefore, by reacting with the native determinants in tissue Ag, Ab alters the distribution of T cell-mediated inflammation, and results in destruction of the functional units of the target organ. We propose that this is a clinically important and previously unappreciated element of Ab action in autoimmune disease.
The Wide World of Computer-Based Education

Publisher Summary Man has always striven to invent tools and machines to increase his productivity. While the industrial revolution has made material goods available to a large segment of the population, some service-oriented sectors of the economy still remain essentially labor-intensive. The needs for help in the educational field are clear. The cost of education has increased rapidly, but the number of students who must be considered nonfunctional in our modern technological society has risen. Not only have the complexities of a modern society increased the demand for better education, but they have also caused frequent retraining to meet the needs of the rapidly changing job opportunities. To give a better idea of how a computer is used in the instructional process, a detailed description of a computer-based education system will be given and illustrated with various instructional examples. Although many types of systems are in use today, the PLATO system, which represents an advanced state of the art, is discussed in this chapter. This system also represents the longest continuous work in the field. The operation of hundreds of graphics terminals simultaneously at distances from the computer of a few hundred feet to hundreds of miles necessitates a highly efficient and unique system architecture, as shown in this chapter. No matter how flexible the terminal or how sophisticated the computer processing, the quality of instruction is still greatly dependent on the caliber of the lesson material. The next section of this chapter discusses the various computational applications. The development of the TUTOR language, which made it possible for the classroom teachers to write these materials and was initiated and directed by Paul Tenczar at the Computer-Based Education Research Laboratory, is discussed here. The chapter also discusses the ongoing continuous evaluation and cost of services.
Ask an Expert: Mobile Workspaces for Collaborative Troubleshooting

A key driver of enterprise adoption of consumer mobile devices is their potential to support collaboration. However, today there is little understanding of how well mobile devices support collaborative work activities in the enterprise. We present Ask an Expert, a tablet-based collaboration application for mobile industrial workers. Ask an Expert combines communication channels and content sharing tools in persistent 'spaces' to support collaborative troubleshooting between remote workers. We describe the user-centered design of Ask an Expert and provide design recommendations for mobile collaboration applications. We also discuss findings from preliminary user evaluations.
Torus Knot complements: A natural series for the natural logarithm

Lueck expressed the Gromov norm of a knot complement in terms of an infinite series that can be computed from a presentation of the fundamental group of the knot complement. In this note we show that Lueck's formula, applied to torus knots, yields surprising power series expansions for the logarithm function. This generalizes an infinite series of Lehmer for the natural logarithm of 4.
Assessing the effects of substance abuse among applicants for TANF benefits: the outcome of a demonstration project in Florida.

Abstract This paper examines an attempt by the State of Florida to devise a mechanism for determining the level of drug use among TANF recipients and to determine the extent to which such use affects employment, earnings and use of government services by TANF beneficiaries. Data from tests administered by substance abuse testing providers were combined with information from Medicaid, Food Stamp, cash assistance and Unemployment Insurance files to examine differences between the two groups. The findings suggest that the procedures employed by the State of Florida did not produce reliable estimates of the level of drug use among TANF beneficiaries. The data did show very small differences in employment, earnings, and use of government services between individuals who tested positively and those who tested negatively for substance abuse. In addition, evidence is presented that suggests that there is very little difference in employment, earnings and use of government services between users of different kinds...
Refining scientific writing skills with feedback that works for students and instructors

Evaluation of student learning through assessment of communication skills is a generally important component of undergraduate education and particularly so for promotion of interdisciplinary research conducted by future scientists. To better build these skills we aim to quantify the effectiveness of feedback on student writing of technical reports in an upper-division physics lab course. In one implementation, feedback utilization - in the form of observing commented technical reports, attending office hours or emailing rough drafts of their reports was monitored then correlated with improvement in student writing. The improvement in student writing is quantified as the single-student normalized gain. A slight positive relationship was found between the number of times a student utilized feedback and the improvement in student writing. A subsequent study involved correlation of two complimentary assessments of student work. In the first assessment students received consistent feedback throughout the semester on all sections of a technical report in the form of highlighted bullet points in a detailed rubric. In the second assessment method students received varying amounts of feedback for each section of the technical paper throughout the semester with a focus on one section each week and follow-up feedback on previously covered sections. This approach provides focused feedback that can be scalable to larger classes. The number of highlighted bullet points in the rubric clearly decreases as a function of the focused feedback implementation. From this we conclude that student writing improves with the focused feedback method.
Management of multiple, compound, comminuted mandibular fracture in a 3-year-old child.

Abstract Circumferential wiring, as used effectively in adults, was applicable to the immobilization of a fractured mandible in a 3-year-old boy.
Lung and pleural "free-cell responses" to the intrapulmonary deposition of particles in the rat.

Deposition of a high lung burden of particulate carbon or latex in the mouse elicits a biphasic macrophagic response, with the early increase in the size of the population of the alveolar macrophages (AM) being mainly due to an influx of mononuclear phagocytes from the blood compartment and the later phase being due to the egression of interstitial macrophages (IM). In the present study, we investigated the lung's free‐cell response in the rat to the intrapulmonary instillation of 4 × 108 1.9 μm polystyrene microspheres and determined the contributions of newly arrived blood monocytes to the macrophagic response over a 30‐d period. As of 24 h after deposition, the lavageable population size increased approximately fivefold. Most of the increase in the free cell population was due to a recruitment of polymorphonucleated leukocytes (PMN), although the size of the AM population nearly doubled. Only about 13% of the AM on d 1 were positive for myeloperoxidase activity, suggesting that recruitment of mononucle...
Woodstove emission measurement methods: Comparison and emission factors update

On February 26, 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated Standards of Performance for residential wood heaters, or woodstoves. Over the past several years, a number of field studies have been undertaken to determine the actual level of emission reduction achieved by new technology woodstoves in everyday use. These studies have required the development and use of particulate and gaseous emission sampling equipment compatible with operation in private houses. Since woodstoves are tested for certification in the laboratory using EPA Methods 5G and 5H, it is of substantial interest to determine the correlation between these regulatory methods and the in-house equipment. Two in-house sampling systems have been used most widely. One is an intermittent, pump-driven particulate sampler which collects particulate and condensable organics on a filter and organic adsorbent resin. Oxygen concentration is measured by a sensor in the sample line. The sampler is controlled by a data logger which also records other parameters of interest. The second system uses an evacuated cylinder as the motive force. Particulate and condensable organics are collected in a condenser and dual filter. The sampler operates continuously whenever the stack temperature is above the set point. Average stack gas concentrations are measured from the evacuated cylinder at the conclusion of the sampling period. Both samplers were designed to operate unattended for 1-week periods. A large number of tests have been run comparing Methods 5G and 5H to both of the field samplers. This paper presents these comparison data and determines the relationships between laboratory certification sampling methods and field samplers.
Controls of biological soil crust cover and composition shift with succession in sagebrush shrub-steppe

Abstract Successional stage may determine strength and causal direction of interactions among abiotic and biotic factors; e.g., species that facilitate the establishment of other species may later compete with them. We evaluated multivariate hypotheses about abiotic and biotic factors shaping biological soil crusts (BSCs) in early and late successional stages. We surveyed vegetation and BSC in the shrub-steppe ecosystem of the Columbia Basin. We analyzed the relationships with bryophyte and lichen covers using structural equation models, and analyzed the relationships with BSC composition using Indicator Species Analysis and distance-based linear models. Cover, indicator species, and composition varied with successional stage. Increasing elevation and bryophyte cover had higher lichen cover early in succession; these relationships were negative in the later successional stage. Lichen cover did not appear to impede B. tectorum cover, but B. tectorum appeared to strongly negatively affect lichen cover in both stages. Biological soil crust composition varied with bunchgrass cover in the early successional stage, but with elevation and B. tectorum cover later in succession. Our findings support the hypotheses that as succession progresses, the strength and direction of certain community interactions shift, and B. tectorum leads to reductions in biological soil crust cover regardless of successional stage.
Influences of cell cycle on uptake of SV40-DNA by diploid human cells.

Autoradiographische Untersuchungen an menschlichen, diploiden, synchronisierten Zellen, in der S-Phase mit Tritium markiertem SV40 infiziert, zeigten intranuklearen Einbau von markierter DNS (in Metaphase vor allem Chromosomenmarkierung). Keinerlei Kernmarkierung wurde beobachtet, wenn die Zellen in anderen Phasen ihres Zyklus infiziert wurden.
Comparison of the Effects of Two Topical Fluoride Regimens on Demineralized Enamel in vivo

The purpose of this investigation was to study the intra-oral remineralization of acid-softened enamel by a NaF dentifrice compared with that from a combination of topical F agents. Bovine enamel slabs were demineralized with 0.1 mol/L lactic acid at pH 4.0 for 14 hr and then mounted in a removable mandibular appliance. Control slabs were worn for 96 hr by seven adult males who brushed daily with a F-free dentifrice. Test slabs were brushed with a NaF dentifrice 4 x / day or with the same dentifrice 4 x /day and a 0.02% APF mouthrinse and a 0.4% SnF2 gel which were applied oncelday for three days. The natural dentition was also brushed with the NaF dentifrice during both test periods. Microhardness testing was performed on sound enamel, and after acid-softening, intra-oral exposure (IOE), and acid resistance testing (ART) in 0.01 mol/L lactic acid at pH 4.0 for 24 hr. Control and test slabs were etched with 0.5 mol/L HClO4 for from 15 to 60 sec. The F content was measured with a F electrode and PO4 by spe...
Structural mechanism of sensing long dsRNA via a noncatalytic domain in human oligoadenylate synthetase 3.

The mammalian innate immune system uses several sensors of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to develop the interferon response. Among these sensors are dsRNA-activated oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS), which produce signaling 2′,5′-linked RNA molecules (2-5A) that activate regulated RNA decay in mammalian tissues. Different receptors from the OAS family contain one, two, or three copies of the 2-5A synthetase domain, which in several instances evolved into pseudoenzymes. The structures of the pseudoenzymatic domains and their roles in sensing dsRNA are unknown. Here we present the crystal structure of the first catalytically inactive domain of human OAS3 (hOAS3.DI) in complex with a 19-bp dsRNA, determined at 2.0-A resolution. The conformation of hOAS3.DI is different from the apo- and the dsRNA-bound states of the catalytically active homolog, OAS1, reported previously. The unique conformation of hOAS3.DI disables 2-5A synthesis by placing the active site residues nonproductively, but favors the binding of dsRNA. Biochemical data show that hOAS3.DI is essential for activation of hOAS3 and serves as a dsRNA-binding module, whereas the C-terminal domain DIII carries out catalysis. The location of the dsRNA-binding domain (DI) and the catalytic domain (DIII) at the opposite protein termini makes hOAS3 selective for long dsRNA. This mechanism relies on the catalytic inactivity of domain DI, revealing a surprising role of pseudoenzyme evolution in dsRNA surveillance.
It Depends on Where You Sit: Anthropologists' Involvement with Nanotechnology in Government, University, and Industry Settings

This paper emerged from discussions during and after the spring 2005 SfAA session on anthropology and nanotechnology. The three authors have worked for many years in substantially different institutional settings. Wolfe has worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and currently managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for a generation. David has resided at Michigan State University's anthropology department for even longer. Sherry is the relative newcomer, having worked at Intel for 9 years (after 2 years at Microsoft). When talking about the nanotechnology-related work we are, are endeavoring to, or are interested in pursuing, it became clear that our institutionally grounded perspectives varied substantially. Moreover, despite some commonalities, the ways in which we do or would engage in nanotechnology research also diverge. This article is a formalized expression of those commonalities and differences, and is indicative of the range of ways in which anthropologists ma...
Venous serum bicarbonate concentration predicts arterial pH in adults with diabetic ketoacidosis

Objective: The initial assessment of metabolic acidosis in subjects with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is arterial blood gas analysis. This process is expensive, painful, and technically difficult. F...
BLOAT IN CATTLE. VII. RELATION TO AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF ALFALFA AS AFFECTED BY MATURITY.

Abstract The aerial portions of alfalfa plants of different maturities were separated into a nonprotein nitrogen fraction and a water-soluble fraction. The whole plant and each fraction were analyzed for nitrogen and for 17 amino acids. The bloating tendency of alfalfa was determined by permitting bloat-susceptible cattle to graze the pasture. Changes in plant maturity during two seasons had little, if any, effect on the amino acid composition of the whole alfalfa plant, nonprotein nitrogen fraction, or soluble fraction. The nitrogen content of the whole plant and its fractions decreased with increasing maturity. In general, the incidence of bloat also decreased with increasing maturity. It was not possible to establish any clear association between the amino acid content of the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant and stage of maturity or the bloat-provoking ability associated with stage of maturity.
Studies on the in vivo methylation of replicating herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA.

Abstract Intracellular replicating DNA molecules (g9CsC1 = 1.725 g/cm3) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were found to be transiently methylated. Primary rabbit kidney cells infected with HSV-1 (KOS strain) were labeled with l -[methyl-3H]methionine at different times during the virus growth cycle. Viral DNA was deproteinized, separated from cellular DNA by centrifugation in CsCl density gradients, and treated with NaOH to avoid any RNA contamination. Analysis of this intracellular viral DNA indicated that it was maximally methylated during 4–9 hr postinfection and the methylation of viral DNA started to decrease during later stages of infection. DNA from mature virions was not found to be methylated. The methylated base was identified as 5-methylcytosine. Nicotinamide, a potent acceptor of methyl groups, effectively inhibited the production of infectious virus particles at a concentration of 50 mM. These results suggest that methylation of HSV-1 DNA during active viral DNA synthesis is a prerequisite for infectious virus production.
A scalable and expedient method of preparing diastereomerically and enantiomerically enriched pseudonorephedrine from norephedrine

Abstract Norephedrine has been efficiently converted into the corresponding diastereomer pseudonorephedrine using a three step, one-pot reaction. The three step process involves treatment of norephedrine with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (Boc2O); cyclization by way of mesylate formation at the alcohol; and lithium hydroxide mediated hydrolysis of the oxazolidinone. The diastereomeric purity was determined by HPLC and the enantiomeric purity was determined by optical activity measurements and chiral stationary phase HPLC analysis of the pseudonorephedrine oxazolidinone derivatives.
Synthesis and anion affinity of a bidendate sulfonium fluorosilane Lewis acid.

The cationic fluorosilane [1-Ant2FSi-2-Me2S-(C6H4)]+ (2+) readily complexes fluoride ions to afford the corresponding zwitterionic difluorosilicate complex 1-Ant2F2Si-2-Me2S-(C6H4) (2-F) with a binding constant in CHCl3 of 7 (±1) × 106 M−1. Structural and computational results indicate that the high fluorophilicity of 2+ arises from both Coulombic and cooperative effects reflected by the formation of a Si−F→S bridge with a F→S distance of 2.741(3) A.
Diagnosis and Management of Gallbladder Polyps

Gallbladder polyps are frequently encountered on cross-sectional imaging, often in asymptomatic patients. Most are benign and of little clinical importance. However, some polyps do have a malignant potential. This article discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and natural history of gallbladder polyps and risk factors for malignant polyps and indications for cholecystectomy.
SN 1993J: A Type IIb supernova

The evolution of the bright Type II supernova discovered last year in M81, SN 1993J, is consistent with that expected for the explosion of a star which on the main sequence had a mass of 13-16 Solar Mass but which, owing to mass exchange with a binary companion (a intially approximately 3-5 AU, depending upon the actual presupernova radius and the masses of the two stars) lost almost all of its hydrogen-rich envelope during late helium burning. At the time of explosion, the helium core mass was 4.0 +/- 0.5 Solar Mass and the hydrogen envelope, 0.20 +/- 0.05 Solar Mass. The envelope was helium and nitrogen-rich (carbon-deficient) and the radius of the star, 4 +/- 1 x 10(exp 13) cm. The luminosity of the presupernova star was 3 + 1 x 10(exp 38) ergs/s, with the companion star contributing an additional approximately 10(exp 38) ergs/s. The star may have been a pulsating variable at the time of the explosion. For an explosion energy near 10(exp 51) ergs (KE at infinity) and an assumed distance of 3.3 Mpc, a mass of Ni-56 in the range 0.07 +/- 0.01 Solar Mass was produced and ejected. This presciption gives a light curve which compares favorably with the bolomatric observations. Color photometry is more restrictive and requires a model in which the hydrogen-envelope mass is low and the mixing of hydrogen inward has been small, but in which appreciable Ni-56 has been mixed outward into the helium and heavy-element core. It is possible to obtain good agreement with B and V light curves during the first 50 days, but later photometry, especially in bands other than B and V, will require a non-local thermo-dynamic equilibrium (LTE) spectral calculation for comparison. Based upon our model, we predict a flux of approximately 10(exp -5)(3.3 Mpc/D)(exp 2) photons/sq cm/s in the 847 keV line of CO-56 at peak during 1993 August. It may be easier to detect the Computonized continuum which peaks at a few times 10(exp -4) photons /s/sq cm/MeV at 40 keV a few months after the explosion (though neither of these signals were, or should have been, detected by the Compton Gamma-Ray observatory (CGRO). The presupernova star was filing its Roche lobe at the time of the explosion and thus its envelope was highly deformed (about 3:2). The companion star is presently embedded in the supernova, but should becopme visable at age 3 yr (perhaps earlier in the ultraviolet) when the supernova has faded below 10(exp 38) ergs/s. Indeed, if 'kicks' have not played an important role, it is still bound to the neutron star.
Mac-1 promotes FcγRIIA-dependent cell spreading and migration on immune complexes

The integrin Mac-1 plays a critical role in Fc receptor (FcR)-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). However, the mechanism by which Mac-1 facilitates the functions of FcgammaRIIA, a major FcR expressed on human leukocytes, is not fully understood. We report here that Mac-1 sustains cell adhesion, enhances cell spreading, and accelerates cell migration on preformed immune complexes (ICs) by directly interacting with FcgammaRIIA but not with the IC substrate. Coupling Mac-1 to FcgammaRIIA allows FcgammaRIIA to reside in the leading front of actin polymerization at the filopodial extension and thus could potentially enhance FcgammaRIIA-mediated cell spreading and migration. The direct interaction between Mac-1 and FcgammaRIIA is demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation, by cell surface co-localization, and by solid-phase binding assays using recombinant alpha(M)I-domain and soluble FcgammaRIIA. Further mutational analysis identifies the E(253)-R(261) sequence within the alpha(M)I-domain as part of the FcgammaRIIA binding interface within Mac-1. Altogether, these results demonstrate that FcgammaRIIA recognizes Mac-1 via the alpha(M)I-domain but not the lectin domain, a distinct feature from other FcRs, and that Mac-1 binding confers FcgammaRIIA with the ability to prolong cell adhesion as well as to spread and migrate on the ICs, leading to effective cell killing by ADCC.
Linear systems subject to non-Gaussian α-stable processes

Abstract Methods are developed for calculating characteristic functions and mean upcrossing rates of the response of linear systems to α-stable input processes. The methods are based on the integral and series representations of these processes. The integral representation resembles the spectral representation of wide-sense stationary processes. The α-stable processes are non-Gaussian and have no moments of order two and higher. Therefore, classical methods of linear random vibration for calculating the mean and covariance functions of the response from the corresponding functions of the input do not apply. Applications are presented to illustrate the proposed methods of analysis.