cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adiabatic following in multilevel systems

The problem of achieving population inversion adiabatically in an $N$-level system using one or more laser fields whose detunings and/or amplitudes are continuously varied is studied analytically and numerically. The $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ coherence vector picture is shown to suggest unexpected inversion procedures and also to give a generalized interpretation of adiabatic following. It is shown that the (${N}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1$)-dimensional $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ space contains an ($N\ensuremath{-}1$)--dimensional steady-state subspace $\mathit{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}(t)$ whose orthonormal basis vectors ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{1},\dots{}, {\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{N\ensuremath{-}1}$ are given explicitly in terms of the Hamiltonian matrix elements. The motion of the system can be interpreted as a "generalized precession" of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{S}}$ about $\mathit{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$. Multilevel adiabatic following occurs when the angle $\ensuremath{\chi}(t)$ between the coherence vector $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{S}}$ and its projection onto $\mathit{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ is very small. The multiple dimension of $\mathit{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ is shown to provide a variety of paths for adiabatic inversion. The adiabatic solution is obtained by solving $N\ensuremath{-}1$ simple equations for the directional cosines of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{S}}$ on ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{i}$. The adiabatic solution and time scale and the state taken up by the atomic variable are discussed analytically and numerically for a three-level system.
Searching for DNA Lesions: Structural Evidence for Lower- and Higher-Affinity DNA Binding Conformations of Human Alkyladenine DNA Glycosylase

To efficiently repair DNA, human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG) must search the million-fold excess of unmodified DNA bases to find a handful of DNA lesions. Such a search can be facilitated by the ability of glycosylases, like AAG, to interact with DNA using two affinities: a lower-affinity interaction in a searching process and a higher-affinity interaction for catalytic repair. Here, we present crystal structures of AAG trapped in two DNA-bound states. The lower-affinity depiction allows us to investigate, for the first time, the conformation of this protein in the absence of a tightly bound DNA adduct. We find that active site residues of AAG involved in binding lesion bases are in a disordered state. Furthermore, two loops that contribute significantly to the positive electrostatic surface of AAG are disordered. Additionally, a higher-affinity state of AAG captured here provides a fortuitous snapshot of how this enzyme interacts with a DNA adduct that resembles a one-base loop.
Enhanced cell survival in fetal hippocampal suspension transplants grafted to adult rat hippocampus following kainate lesions: a three-dimensional graft reconstruction study.

Abstract The success of fetal neural transplantation in alleviating neurological dysfunction depends significantly on the degree of graft cellular survival and dispersion within the host. We hypothesize that various lesion-induced host factors, such as trophic support and denervation, enhance these graft factors differentially following unilateral intracerebroventricular kainic acid lesions. We have performed quantitative graft reconstructions of embryonic day 19 fetal hippocampal cells transplanted at different post-lesion delays (four, 11, 26 and 60 days) into adult hippocampus. We have used a permanent graft prelabel (5′-bromodeoxyuridine) which allows unambiguous identification of graft cell location in the host. Cellular integration of grafted cells was rigorously assessed by calculating both absolute cell survival (cells recovered/cells injected) and quantitative cell dispersion from the graft injection site. Graft cell survival and graft volume were dramatically enhanced in transplants performed ipsilateral to the kainic acid lesion, to a maximum of 77% cell recovery at a post-lesion graft delay of four days. Cell survival decreased over time after the lesion to the level of the contralateral grafts by 60 days post-lesion (33% cell survival), through cell survival on either side remained significantly greater than grafts into normal hosts (18% survival). The time-course of post-lesion enhanced survival (four to 26 days) in hippocampus ipsilateral to the lesion strongly correlated with reported peak neurotrophic activity (four to 30 days). Graft cell dispersion was limited in this model, averaging less than 500-μm-cell movement; there were no differences compared to transplants grafted into normal hippocampus. Timm's staining demonstrated host mossy fiber innervation of transplants to be denser ipsilateral to the kainic acid lesion, resulting in a partial decrease in dentate supragranular sprouting near appropriate grafts placed at early post-lesion time points. These results suggest that lesion-induced trophic support and denervation lead to improved graft cell survival but not graft cell dispersion. The improved survival of grafts transplanted into hippocampus contrateral to the lesion, compared to transplants in normal hippocampus, suggests that denervation alone exerts a significant effect on graft cell survival. However, this denervation effect on graft cell survival is significantly less than the combination of both enhanced neurotrophic factors and denervation observed ipsilateral to the lesion.
EFFICIENT COARSE GRAINED PERMUTATION EXCHANGES AND MATRIX MULTIPLICATION

We present an algorithm for a permutation exchange operation on a coarse grained parallel computer. Our algorithm is more efficient that a previously published solution to this problem, and enables us to derive an efficient algorithm for matrix multiplication.
Large Molecule Characterization Based upon Individual Ion Detection with Electrospray Ionization-FTICR Mass Spectrometry

We report a new method for mass spectrometric measurements of high-molecular-weight species based on the summation of sequential Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) spectra of individual multiply charged ions. This approach produces statistically useful mass spectra for large multiply charged molecular species formed by electrospray ionization and circumvents conventional limitations upon achievable resolving power and precision for high-molecular-weight species which arise due to Coulombic constraints. For very large molecules with tens to thousands of charges each, the total number of charges required to define the charge-state distribution, and thus provide accurate mass information, greatly exceeds the useful charge capacity of the FTICR cell. As trapped ion populations approach or exceed this capacity, FTICR performance degrades due to large frequency shifts, peak coalescence phenomena, and rapid loss of ion packet coherence, which effectively precludes high-resolution and precision mea...
Fifteen years ACM

The development years of ACM, as recounted in 1962 by founding member and former president Franz L. Alt, depicts the players and progress of an organization committed to sharing computing knowledge and skills.
Critical Incident Management and Geographically–Based Systems

In the United States there is a strong dependence on decentralized policing services, distributed by thousands of police departments. As a primary police professional development management institute in the United States, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) identified that there existed a paucity of management development opportunities for police command staff engaged in critical incident management. This paper describes how LEMIT met this challenge and became a leading U.S. institute in this exciting field of operation.
Analysis of Heterogeneous Composites Based on Moving-Window Techniques

Moving-window micromechanics techniques are emerging as a useful tool for characterizing random composites, i.e., those with spatially random microstructures, in terms of local material property fields. These material property fields represent an approximate constitutive model for local material response. In this work, elastic property fields for randomly generated composite materials are estimated using a moving-window technique in combination with three micromechanical models, Mori-Tanaka, the generalized method of cells, and a brute-force finite element analysis. The first two methods make predictions of local properties based on small areas of the full sample. The brute-force finite element method performs its initial analysis on the full microstructure. Using the finite element results as the baseline solution, the fields developed from the methods are compared. Results illustrate the differences between the three methods and highlight the strong influence of window size on the analysis. Two criteria are suggested for further study of appropriate window size: A comparison of the correlation areas of the fields, which suggests an upper bound, and the analysis of a single fiber problem with known elasticity solution, which examines a potential lower bound. All of the techniques are demonstrated by application to numerically generated composite microstructures.
Fighting words: representing the Napoleonic Wars in the poetry of Hemans and Barbauld

British women’s participation in the Napoleonic Wars was limited in the theaters of warfare, but not in the realms of print. Both the young Felicia Hemans and the older Anna Laetitia Barbauld intervened with poetry in the vigorous public discourse surrounding the ongoing wars with France, albeit with very different motivations and results. Hemans’ little‐studied England and Spain; or, Patriotism and Valour explicitly supports the British participation in the Peninsular War, but runs into complications when Hemans attempts to justify the destruction of past civilizations in the name of Freedom. Despite its immature enthusiasm, Hemans’ poem was well received by critics. Barbauld’s better‐known Eighteen Hundred and Eleven, by contrast, was famously reviled by John Wilson Croker for drawing attention to the costs of war and, even more grievously, foretelling Britain’s eventual decline and overshadowing by the Americas. By putting these two poems back into their wartime contexts and also back into conversation...
Kinetics and mechanisms of bromine chloride reactions with bromite and chlorite ions.

Chloride ion catalyzes the reactions of HOBr with bromite and chlorite ions in phosphate buffer (p[H+] 5 to 7). Bromine chloride is generated in situ in small equilibrium concentrations by the addition of excess Cl- to HOBr. In the BrCl/ClO2- reaction, where ClO2- is in excess, a first-order rate of formation of ClO2 is observed that depends on the HOBr concentration. The rate dependencies on ClO2-, Cl-, H+, and buffer concentrations are determined. In the BrCl/BrO2- reaction where BrCl is in pre-equilibrium with the excess species, HOBr, the loss of absorbance due to BrO2- is followed. The dependencies on Cl-, HOBr, H+, and HPO42- concentrations are determined for the BrCl/BrO2- reaction. In the proposed mechanisms, the BrCl/ClO2- and BrCl/BrO2- reactions proceed by Br+ transfer to form steady-state levels of BrOClO and BrOBrO, respectively. The rate constant for the BrCl/ClO2- reaction ( ) is 5.2 × 106 M-1 s-1 and for the BrCl/BrO2- reaction ( ) is 1.9 × 105 M-1 s-1. In the BrCl/ClO2- case, BrOClO react...
Mid-infrared excitations in undoped layered copper oxides

Abstract Optical absorption spectra are presented for four undoped single-crystal copper oxides: La2CuO4, Nd2CuO4, Pr2CuO4 and Sr2CuO2Cl2. Common absorption features are observed near 0.5 eV, which are shown from polarization measurements to be weakly electric-dipole allowed excitations of the CuO2 layers. The detailed polarization and spectral dependencies are consistent with normally forbidden valence-conserving crystal-field transitions with multi-magnon and phonon sidebands. Such transitions provide a natural origin for the mid-infrared band observed in doped copper oxides.
Type III Collagen Directs Stromal Organization and Limits Metastasis in a Murine Model of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Collagen in the tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in regulating tumor progression. We have shown that type III collagen (Col3), a component of tumor stroma, regulates myofibroblast differentiation and scar formation after cutaneous injury. During the course of these wound-healing studies, we noted that tumors developed at a higher frequency in Col3 +/− mice compared to wild-type littermate controls. We, therefore, examined the effect of Col3 deficiency on tumor behavior, using the murine mammary carcinoma cell line 4T1. Notably, tumor volume and pulmonary metastatic burden after orthotopic injection of 4T1 cells were increased in Col3 +/− mice compared to Col3 +/+ littermates. By using murine (4T1) and human (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells grown in Col3-poor and Col3-enriched microenvironments in vitro , we found that several major events of the metastatic process were suppressed by Col3, including adhesion, invasion, and migration. In addition, Col3 deficiency increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of 4T1 cells both in vitro and in primary tumors in vivo . Mechanistically, Col3 suppresses the procarcinogenic microenvironment by regulating stromal organization, including density and alignment of fibrillar collagen and myofibroblasts. We propose that Col3 plays an important role in the tumor microenvironment by suppressing metastasis-promoting characteristics of the tumor-associated stroma.
Measurement of hole mobility in heavily doped n-type silicon

Accurate measurements of the mobility (and diffusion coefficient) of minority-carrier holes in Si:P with doping in the 1019cm-3range have been done. The technique employed the measurement of diffusion length by means of lateral bipolar transistors of varied base widths, and the measurement of minority-carrier lifetime on the same wafers from the time decay of luminescence radiation after excitation with a short laser pulse. Minority-carrier hole mobility is found to be about a factor of two higher than the mobility of holes as majority carriers in p-type Si of identical doping levels.
The forecast for electronic health record access: partly cloudy

The mounting pressure to enable widespread access to electronic health record systems is being felt by healthcare providers. The federal government's Meaningful Use incentives are reason alone for providers to address this significant usability issue. As the healthcare industry considers solutions, attention should be given to the Cloud and the considerable investment that has been made related to the establishment of digital identities and making them interoperable across heterogeneous systems. This research considered how the Cloud could be leveraged by healthcare providers to not only provide patients with a familiar way of accessing electronic resources but also creating a significant cost savings for providers. An examination was performed of similar work being done in other industries as well as the standards laid out by the federal government for EHRs and digital identities. This research lays out a comprehensive framework for healthcare providers to easily follow to integrate with the Cloud for identity validation, while meeting compliance guidelines for security and privacy. To demonstrate the viability of this research, a number of pilots and proof of concept projects have already been implemented at a large regional hospital and have produced immediate and tangible improvements.
Generalized doubling meets Poincaré

We establish a modified segment inequality on metric spaces that satisfy a generalized volume doubling property. This leads to Sobolev and Poincare inequalities for such spaces. We also give several examples of spaces that satisfy the generalized doubling condition.
Subtalar joint position during gastrocnemius stretching and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.

Abstract Context: Gastrocnemius stretching exercises often are prescribed as part of the treatment program for patients with overuse injuries associated with limited ankle dorsiflexion. However, li...
Transmission electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy studies of undoped and doped Si,H and Si,C:H films

Films of undoped and doped Si:H and Si,C:H alloys were deposited by remote plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition onto thermally grown silicon oxide layers at a substrate temperature of 250 °C. The microstructure of the films, including the degree of crystallinity, and the distribution of carbon within the Si,C alloys films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and infrared absorption spectroscopy. The degree of crystallinity depends on both the doping level and on the presence of carbon. For two‐phase μc‐Si or μc‐Si,C alloy films, the results indicate that (i) the crystallites are Si, and (ii) the amorphous encapsulating materials are a‐Si:H for μc‐Si,H, and a‐Si,C:H for the μc‐Si,C:H alloys. A relationship between microstructure, doping levels, and the measured dark conductivity is discussed.
Brain nicotinic receptors isolated by a monospecific antibody against a synthetic α-3 subunit receptor peptide compared to a monoclonal anti-idiotypic (to nicotine) antibody

Nicotinic cholinergic receptor proteins purified from rat brain by immunoaffinity chromatography were characterized using the anti-S3 polyclonal antibody vs. the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody 422F11 (generated against an antibody to nicotine). Anti-S3 IgG was purified to homogeneity; anti-S3-Sepharose 4B and 422F11-Sepharose 4B each depleted 3H-nicotine binding sites from brain. Nicotinic receptors isolated from both immunoaffinity columns showed major bands (silver-stained) at 55K and 70K. Using anti-S3 serum as probe, Western blots of nicotinic receptors isolated by the two immunoaffinity gels also showed major bands at 55 and 70K. However, Western blots of fresh brain extracts revealed a major band at 80K and minor bands at 55K and 70K. These results show similar nicotinic cholinergic receptor proteins isolated by the anti-S3 and 422F11 anti-idiotypic antibodies; 80K was dominant only when fresh brain extract was subjected to Western blotting without prior immunoaffinity purification.
Distribution of muscarinic cholinergic receptor proteins m1 to m4 in area 17 of normal and monocularly deprived rhesus monkeys

Antibodies to muscarinic cholinergic receptor proteins m1 to m4 were used in striate cortex tissue of normal rhesus monkeys to determine the laminar distribution of these proteins with special attention to geniculorecipient layers. The normal patterns were compared to those of monkeys whose ocular dominance system had been altered by visual deprivation. In normal monkeys, immunoreactivity of all four proteins was localized in complex laminar patterns; m1 was densest in layers 2, 3, and 6, followed by layer 5. In contrast, m2 reactivity was densest in lower layer 4C and in 4A; the latter exhibited a honeycomb pattern. Layers 2 and 3 displayed alternating dense and light regions; this pattern was complementary to that of cytochrome oxidase (CytOx). Laminar immunoreactivity for the m3 receptor was similar to the CytOx pattern, including a honeycomb in 4A and a pattern of alternating darker and lighter patches in layers 2/3. Antibody to m4 reacted most densely with layers 1, 2, 3, and 5, layers 2 and 3 exhibited alternating dark and light regions, and layer 4A had a faint honeycomb. Layer 4C was the lightest band. The differential distribution of these four muscarinic receptor subtypes suggests distinct roles in cholinergic modulation of visual processing in the primate striate cortex. Furthermore, all four muscarinic receptors appear to be insensitive to elimination of visual input via monocular occlusion from birth, to deprivation of pattern vision in one eye during a specific time period in adulthood, and to long-term retinal injury.
A kinetic investigation of the role of solvent in the alkali-catalyzed hydrolysis of organosilicon hydrides

Abstract The role of solvent in the alkali-catalyzed hydrolysis of organosilicon hydrides, specifically, 3-[(2-methoxy)ethoxy]propyldimethylsilane, has been investigated kinetically in dioxane/water media by varying the solvent composition. Statistical analysis of the kinetic data indicates that approximately three water molecules are involved in the transition state of the rate-determining step. The mechanistic implications are discussed.
The impact of longer-than-average anesthesia times on the billing of academic anesthesiology departments

Academic anesthesiology departments provide clinical services for surgical procedures that have longer-than-average surgical times and correspondingly increased anesthesia times. We examined the financial impact of these longer times in three ways: 1) the estimated loss in revenue if billing were do
INCIDENCE OF MAJOR INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH DISEASE CAUSED BY THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

42 children with HIV disease documented by positive serology have been followed at our institution over the last three years. 27 children presented with and continue to have clinical picture of AIDS-related complex. 15 developed major infections. These were Pneumocystis carinii (8), disseminated M. avium (3), disseminated CMV (1), pneumococcal meningitis (2) and pneumococcal endocarditis (1). Intravenous gammaglobulin is not routinely used in children with HIV disease at our institution. It will be informative to know if our incidence of severe bacterial infections is different from institutions where this treatment is routine. Prospective randomized trial to determine the efficacy of this treatment is in order.
Effects of modifications of the retinal beta-ionone ring on archaebacterial sensory rhodopsin I.

Ring desmethyl and acyclic analogues of all-trans retinal were incorporated into the apoprotein of the phototaxis receptor sensory rhodopsin I (SR-I) in Halobacterium halobium membranes. All modified retinals generate SR-I analogue pigments which exhibit "opsin shifts," i.e., their absorption spectra are shifted to longer wavelengths compared with model protonated Schiff bases of the same analogues. Each SR-I pigment analogue exhibits cyclic photochemical reactions as monitored by flash spectroscopy, but the analogue photocycles differ from that of native SR-I by exhibiting pronounced biphasic recovery of flash-induced absorption changes and abnormal flash-induced absorption difference spectra. Despite perturbations in the photochemical properties, the SR-I pigment analogues are capable of both attractant (single photon) and repellent (two photon) phototaxis signaling in cells. Our interpretation is that the hydrophobic ring substituents interact with the binding pocket to maintain the correct configuration for native SR-I absorption and photochemistry, but these interactions are not essential for the physiological function of SR-I as a dual attractant/repellent phototaxis receptor. These results support the conclusion emerging from several studies that the photoactivation process that triggers the conformation changes of SR-I and the related proton pump bacteriorhodopsin is conserved despite the different biological functions of their photoactivation.
A prospective clinical registry of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia for ambulatory shoulder surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of clinical registries to document efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Interscalene blocks are effective for shoulder arthroscopy, and ultrasound guidance may reduce risk. Furthermore, ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block is a novel approach for shoulder anesthesia that may have less risk for neurological symptoms than interscalene block. METHODS: One thousand one hundred sixty-nine patients undergoing ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia for ambulatory shoulder arthroscopy were enrolled in our prospective registry. Standardized perioperative data were collected including a preoperative neurological screening tool. Either interscalene or supraclavicular block was performed at the discretion of the clinical team. Standardized follow-up was performed in the postanesthesia care unit and at 1 week. Postoperative neurological symptoms (PONS) were assessed at the 1-week follow-up with the same screening tool by a blinded neurologist. RESULTS: Ultrasound-guided interscalene (n = 515) and supraclavicular (n = 654) blocks had excellent anesthetic success (99.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 99.4%-99.9%) with 0% (95% CI, 0%-0.3%) incidence of vascular puncture or intravascular injection. The incidence of hoarseness in the postanesthesia care unit was significantly less with supraclavicular (22% with 95% CI, 19%-26%) than interscalene block (31% with 95% CI, 27%-35%). The incidence of dyspnea was similar (7% for supraclavicular vs 10% with interscalene). No patient had a clinically apparent pneumothorax. The incidence of PONS was very low (0.4% with 95% CI, 0.1%-1%), and there was a 0% (95% CI, 0%-0.3%) incidence of permanent nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided interscalene and supraclavicular blocks are effective and safe for shoulder arthroscopy. Temporary and permanent PONS is uncommon. (Anesth Analg.
Problems in estimating average degree of ionization for high-temperature dense plasmas

The average degree of ionization Z* for a high-density plasma is examined in Thomas-Fermi and Debye-Huckel-Thomas-Fermi statistical models. To clarify ambiguities in defining Z*, predictions from several versions of these models are compared for the case of a pure hydrogen plasma for ion number density N/sub 1/=10/sup 23/ cm/sup -3/, at kT=1--1000 eV. The results offer some insight regarding the validity of the statistical models.
Four proofs of the converse of the Chinese Remainder Theorem

Four proofs, designed for classroom use in varying levels of courses on abstract algebra, are given for the converse of the classical Chinese Remainder Theorem over the integers. In other words, it is proved that if m and n are integers greater than 1 such that the abelian groups and are isomorphic, then m and n are relatively prime. The first proof, which involves the order of an element in a finite group, can be given early in a first course on abstract algebra. The second proof, which can be given later in such a course, depends on Lagrange's Theorem and the Second Isomorphism Theorem. The final two proofs, which involve tensor products and exterior powers, can be given in more advanced courses that develop or assume multilinear algebra. The latter two proofs generalize to give the converse of the Chinese Remainder Theorem for modules over commutative rings.
Immigrant economic adjustment and family organization: the Cuban success story reexamined.

The economic adjustment of Cuban-origin persons in the US has been analyzed traditionally at 2 levels: the individual and the community (enclave). The analysis presented here represents a complementary approach at the household level. Data from the 1980 census show that the relatively successful economic adjustment of Cubans is largely a family rather than an individual phenomenon. The data also permit an identification of the structural features of the Cuban-origin family that facilitate economic adjustment. The results have special implications for the study of the labor-force experience of Cuban women and their role within the enclave economy (authors).
Vascular plant species richness and rarity across a minerotrophic gradient in wetlands of St. Lawrence County, New York, USA

Thirteen wetlands in St. Lawrence County, NY were sampled to examine the effect of a minerotrophic gradient on vascular plant species richness and rarity. Wetlands ranged from organic soil based poor fens (average conductivity 46.40 microsemens, average Ca 3.55 ppm) to mineral soil based rich fens (average conductivity 342.10 microsemens, Ca 23.00 ppm). Vascular plant species richness was sampled during 1990 in randomly located 1.0 m2 quadrats. Specific conductivity, presence or absence of hummocks, and water depth predicted 62% of the variation in richness. Richness increased as conductivity increased until 413 microsemens at which a down trend became obvious. The negative curvilinear relation between conductivity and richness is in accordance with the hump-backed model of Grime but occurs at high rather than intermediate conductivity values. State-listed rare species were found in species-rich wetlands only and had a mean associated richness value of 14.50 species m-2. This relationship should be taken into consideration when selecting wetlands for protection or managing wetlands for maximum plant diversity.
Overcoming confinement limited swelling in hydrogel thin films using supramolecular interactions.

The thin film behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-stat-2-(N-ethylperfluorooctane sulfonamido)ethyl acrylate) (NIPAAm-stat-FOSA) based hydrogels containing 5 mol% FOSA was elucidated using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) in combination with spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) through examination of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and temperature dependent swelling for (dry) thicknesses ranging from 10 nm to 121 nm. For all thin films measured, the LCST was shown to slightly increase (>3 °C) in comparison to that of the bulk sample. However for these films, the increase in LCST was statistically identical, irrespective of thickness. Surprisingly, the volumetric swelling of the hydrogel in thin films, even at temperatures less than the LCST, was similar (within 20%) to the volumetric swelling of the bulk hydrogel, despite the expected significant decrease associated with the hydrogel being constrained by the substrate as predicted by one dimensional Flory–Rehner theory. We attribute this enhancement in swelling compared to theoretical expectations to the ability of the hydrophobic crosslinks to re-arrange under stress, which provides a mechanism to alleviate the decreased dimensionality imposed by the substrate; this mechanism is consistent with a large hysteresis in the swelling when cycling between 35 °C and 5 °C. Unlike the LCST, the swelling ratio increases with decreasing film thickness. At low temperatures (below the LCST), the volume swelling ratio increased from 3.9 to 4.9, while at temperatures above the LCST the swelling ratio increased from 1.5 to 2.5 when the film thickness decreased from 121 nm to 10 nm. The combination of facile processing through solution casting without the need for additional crosslinking chemistry and limited thickness dependent variation of swelling and LCST behavior in these physically crosslinked hydrogels makes these materials attractive for applications requiring thermoresponsive soft coatings.
Student Ratings in the Context of Complex Evaluation Systems.

Student evaluations of instruction are often misunderstood or are met with direct hostility. Ratings “systems” are often very unsystematic indeed; at worst, they are seen as the punitive arm of administration. But ratings systems can provide vital information. How can their potential be realized?.
Starch, fiber and CaCO3 effects on the physical properties of foams made by a baking process

Abstract Single-use food containers with a self-closing hinged lid made of extruded polystyrene (EPS) or coated paperboard (PB) are used to serve a variety of food products. Food containers made of materials that are inexpensive and can be composted into a useful mulch would be of commercial interest as a replacement for EPS or PB. In this report, a baking process was used to study the functional properties of foams made of starch or starch composites containing fiber and/or CaCO3. Baked foams made of formulations containing only starch had a lower flexural strain to break (eb) and elongation to break (Elmax) than EPS or PB foams. The eb was increased by lowering the starch concentration in the formulations, using potato starch versus wheat, corn or tapioca starch and by increasing the moisture content. Nevertheless, the eb and Elmax values remained lower than in the EPS and PB samples. Calcium carbonate did not improve the mechanical properties of the foams. Foams containing starch and CaCO3 were more dense with lower eb and Elmax compared to foams containing only starch. Foam density decreased and eb markedly increased by including softwood fiber in the dough formulations. Formulations with a starch/fiber ratio of approximately 5:1 or less made baked foams with eb values greater than 5% and Elmax values nearly double those of foams containing only starch. The addition of CaCO3 to starch/fiber foam composites did not improve foam properties. The CaCO3 increased density and decreased eb and Elmax values compared to foams made of starch and fiber.
A new module for on-line manipulation and display of molecular information in the brain architecture management system.

A new “Molecules” module of the Brain Architecture Management System (BAMS; http://brancusi.usc.edu/bkms) is described. With this module, BAMS becomes the first online know ledge management system to handle central nervous system (CNS) region and celltype chemoarchitectonic data in the context of axonal connections between regions and cell types, in multiple species. The “Molecules” module implements a general knowledge representation schema for data and metadata collated from published and unpublished material, and allows insertion of complex reports about the presence of molecules collated from the literature. For different CNS neural regions and cell types the module's database structure includes representation of molecule expression revealed by various techniques including in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, molecule coexpression and time-dependent level changes, and physiological state of subjects. The metadata representation allows online comparison and evaluation of inserted experiments, and “Molecules” structure allows rapid development of data transfer protocols enabling neuroinformatics visualization tools to display gene expression patterns residing in BAMS, in terms of levels of expressed molecules and in situ hybridization data. The module's web interface allows users to construct lists of CNS regions containing a molecule (depending on physiological state), retrieve further details about inserted records, compare time-dependent data within and across experiments, reconstruct gene expression patterns and construct complex reports from individual experiments.
759 HERITABILITY OF SODIUM REABSORPTION CAPACITY IN AN EXOCRINE GLAND OF THE RAT

In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients Na reabsorption from the primary secretions of exocrine glands is markedly reduced. Because the ducts of rat salivary glands have Na reabsorptive activity levels second only to the kidney tubule and can be inhibited by a component of CF exocrine secretions, they provide a good system for studying factors which alter ion transport in exocrine glands. We found that male rats (n=10) from two different Sprague-Dawley lines (designated OU and SI) produced parotid salivas with intrinsically different Na contents (e.g. 90 vs 30 mEq/L) when induced to salivate with pilocarpine. Serum Na levels were indistinguishable from one another. Crosses between OU and SI lines produced F1 males (n=12) with parotid Na levels which were intermediate to either parent. Reciprocal crosses gave identical results, i.e. the relative activity of the ductal Na transport system was controlled by a single pair of incompletely dominant autosomal alleles. Reserpineinduced inhibition behaved as a simple dominant. Three daily doses of reserpine had no effect on the Na content of F1 progeny or the SI line but elevated the Na content of the OU line. Backcrosses of F1 progeny to each parent line produced males (n=10) with phenotypes of the F1 hybrid and the appropriate parental type, again, consistent with a single gene autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of the low Na transport capacity phenotype. This gene appears to control a component of the ductal Na transport system which is sensitive to the humoral inhibitor induced by reserpine administration.
Metastable evaporated thin films of CuAg AND CoAu alloys—II kinetics of the transformations

Abstract The kinetics of the two stages in the transformation of an amorphous vapor-quenched alloy to the equilibrium two-phase state are studied in detail. The first stage, which involves the crystallization of the amorphous phase, is interpreted in terms of the classical theory of nucleation and growth. For CoAu, the measured activation energy of 1.40 eV, is made up of a diffusion activation energy of 1.31 eV and a term W∗/4 = 0.09 eV , where W∗ is the barrier height for nucleation at the transformation temperature (430°K). The corresponding numbers for CuAg are 1.20, 1.12 and 0.08 eV (at 370°K). With the aid of thermodynamic data for the CuAg system, a value of 115 ergs/cm2 for the surface energy of the amorphous-crystalline interface is obtained. This agrees with values derived from the solidification of small droplets. The second stage can be interpreted as a spinodal decomposition process. It shows very nearly first order reaction kinetics, with activation energies of 1.65 eV for CoAu and 1.43 eV for CuAg, and a frequency factor ν0 ~ 1012 sec−1.
Propulsion performance of a skeleton-strengthened fin.

SUMMARY We examine numerically the performance of a thin foil reinforced by embedded rays resembling the caudal fins of many fishes. In our study, the supporting rays are depicted as nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli beams with three-dimensional deformability. This structural model is then incorporated into a boundary-element hydrodynamic model to achieve coupled fluid–structure interaction simulation. Kinematically, we incorporate both a homocercal mode with dorso-ventral symmetry and a heterocercal mode with dorso-ventral asymmetry. Using the homocercal mode, our results demonstrate that the anisotropic deformability of the ray-reinforced fin significantly increases its capacity of force generation. This performance enhancement manifests as increased propulsion efficiency, reduced transverse force and reduced sensitivity to kinematic parameters. Further reduction in transverse force is observed by using the heterocercal mode. In the heterocercal model, the fin also generates a small lifting force, which may be important in vertical maneuvers. Via three-dimensional flow visualization, a chain of vortex rings is observed in the wake. Detailed features of the wake, e.g. the orientation of the vortex rings in the heterocercal mode, agree with predictions based upon particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of flow around live fish.
Fitting population growth models in the presence of measurement and detection error

Abstract Population time series data from field studies are complex and statistical analysis requires models that describe nonlinear population dynamics and observational errors. State-space formulations of stochastic population growth models have been used to account for measurement error caused by the data collection process. Parameter estimation, inference, and prediction are all sensitive to measurement error. The observational process may also result in detection errors and if unaccounted for will result in biased parameter estimates. We developed an N-mixture state-space modeling framework to estimate and correct for errors in detection while estimating population model parameters. We tested our methods using simulated data sets and compared the results to those obtained with state-space models when detection is perfect and when detection is ignored. Our N-mixture state-space model yielded parameter estimates of similar quality to a state-space model when detection is perfect. Our results show that ignoring detection errors can lead to biased parameter estimates including an overestimated growth rate, underestimated equilibrium population size and estimated population state that is misleading. We recommend that researchers consider the possibility of detection errors when collecting and analyzing population time series data.
Second language learners’ reflections on the effectiveness of dictogloss: A multi-sectional, multi-level analysis

Despite the extensive research conducted regarding Focus on Form instruction, no conclusive results have been provided concerning (a) the issue of which techniques contribute most effectively to L2 acquisition, and b) at which level of proficiency those techniques should be implemented for best results. Dictogloss, one of these techniques, has been proven to be effective (Fortune, 2005; Kowal & Swain, 1994; Malmqvist, 2005; Nabei, 1996; Swain, 1998). While previous studies evaluating dictogloss explored feedback opportunities and the amount and type of language related episodes produced, fewer studies have reported on the effectiveness and its applicability according to proficiency level (Fortune, 2005; Garcia Mayo, 2002) and none have explored learners’ conceptions about the task. Therefore, this study seeks to determine which proficiency level might be most appropriate for the implementation of dictogloss and to gather learners’ opinions regarding its usefulness and effectiveness. A total of 497 participants enrolled in novice-mid (N = 275) and advanced-low (N = 222) levels took part in the study. All participants engaged in two dictogloss tasks and completed a survey afterwards. Overall, results indicate that dictogloss was better received by advanced-low level students and that most students found it both useful and effective for learning.
Near-infrared fiber optic temperature sensor

Near-Infrared Fiber Optic Temperature SensorChristian Schoen, Shiv K. Sharma, Art SekiUniv. of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Geophysics,School of Ocean and Earth Science Technology (SOEST), Honolulu, HI 96822Stanley M. AngelLawrence Livermore National Laboratory LLNL)Environmental Sciences Division, Livermore, CA 94550
Crystal structure of the E2 DNA-binding domain from human papillomavirus type 16: implications for its DNA binding-site selection mechanism

The crystal structure of the E2 DNA-binding domain from the high-risk cervical cancer-associated strain human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is described here. The papillomavirus E2 proteins regulate transcription from all viral promoters and are required for the initiation of replication in vivo. They belong to a family of viral proteins that form dimeric beta-barrels and use surface alpha-helices for DNA interaction. Although all E2 proteins recognize the same consensus, palindromic DNA sequence, proteins from different viral strains differ in their abilities to discriminate among their specific DNA-binding sites. The structure reported here reveals that while the overall fold of the HPV-16 E2 DNA-binding domain resembles that of its counterpart from the related viral strain bovine papillomavirus type 1, the precise placement of the recognition helices is significantly different. Additionally, the charge distribution on the DNA-binding surfaces of the two proteins varies; HPV-16 E2 has a much less electropositive surface. HPV-16 E2 is thus less able to utilize charge neutralization of the phosphate groups on DNA to induce bending. These results correlate well with previous solution studies that showed decreased affinity between HPV-16 E2 and flexible DNA target sequences, and enhanced affinity towards A-tract-containing, pre-bent sequences. In summary, the crystal structure of the HPV-16 E2 DNA-binding domain shows that the protein presents a stereo-chemically and electrostatically unique surface to DNA, characteristics that can contribute to its mechanism of DNA target discrimination.
The effect of timing of self-monitoring behavior on reducing cigarette consumption

Abstract The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the effectiveness of keeping a written record of each cigarette before versus after its consumption. The introduction of a self-monitoring procedure prior to rather than subsequent to cigarette consumption completely eliminated the smoking behavior of a 49-yr-old female.
Optimum electrolytic chloriding of silver electrodes.

The low frequency impedance of bare silver electrodes in contact with physiological saline was found to exhibit capacitive reactance and by the deposition of chloride the impedance became resistive in nature. It was found that a chloride deposit of 100–500 mA.sec/cm2 of electrode area provided the lowest electrode-electrolyte impedance. Prolongation of chloriding beyond this range increased the electrode-electrolyte impedance at all frequencies but did not alter the resistive nature of the impedance. To achieve a chloride deposit which is proportional to the product of mA and sec it was found that a minimum chloriding current density of 5 mA/cm2 of electrode area should be used.
An Equivalent Circuit for a Linear Oscillating Antenna Immersed in an Environment with Time-Varying Conductivity

In summary, it has been demonstrated that an equivalent circuit treatment of antenna response (including resonant behavior) gives reliable results, even when the ambient medium is characterized by time-varying conductivity. The equivalent circuit analysis has been verified by comparison with experimental data and with finite-difference calculations in which the fields are followed in detail. These comparisons have been made at peak conductivities up to 10-3 mho/m (well beyond the "man-survivability" level). Although the verification reported here has been limited to linear antennas, the equivalent-circuit approach is of much greater generality, and is currently being extended to inductively and capacitively-loaded antennas and loop and helix antennas. The development of antenna equivalent circuits is useful for at least two reasons--(1) it (2) it provides a natural way to introduce an SREMP-coupled signal into a network code for vulnerability assessment of a piece of electronic hardware. The antenna equivalent circuit simply appears as an extension of the system circuit.
Abstract 3824: Induction of potent antitumor immunity by intratumoral injection of mT-bet transduced dendritic cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC T-bet is a T-box transcription factor (Tbx21) previously identified as a master regulator of Type-1 polarization in T cells. We have previously demonstrated that ectopic expression of hT-bet converts dendritic cells (DC) into Type 1-biasing APCs. In the current study, we investigated whether mouse DC overexpressing mT-bet promote superior Type 1 anti-tumor T cell responses when applied as an intratumoral therapy. CD11c+ DCs were then purified and transduced with recombinant adenovirus to express high levels of mT-bet. DC. mT-bet stimulated stronger Tc1 and Th1 T cell responses when compared with control DC and retained the capacity to kill and then uptake tumor cells/debris, allowing for the cross-priming of specific T cell responses in vitro. Surprisingly, in contrast to human DC. T-bet, CD40L-activated DC. mT-bet produced elevated levels (vs. control DC) of IL-12p70/TNF-α. DC. mT-bet exerted potent anti-tumor activity in the (day 7 established) s.c. CMS4 sarcoma after intratumoral administration. These anti-tumor effects were mediated primarily by Tc1 cells, however, both CD4+ T cells and NK cells appeared to also be involved in therapeutic response. In situ imaging suggested that DC. mT-bet treatment inhibited the accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor-associated vascular structures. Collectively, these findings suggest that DC. mT-bet-based therapy has the potential to promote superior Type-1 anti-tumor immunity in vivo. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3824.