cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction and suppression of allergic diarrhea and systemic anaphylaxis in a murine model of food allergy

Background The clinical manifestations of food allergy include diarrhea and systemic anaphylaxis (shock), which can occur together or by themselves in different subjects. Although ingested food antigens need to be absorbed to induce shock, it is not known whether they need to be absorbed to induce diarrhea. Objective We sought to identify mechanisms that determine whether food allergy induces diarrhea versus shock and determine whether diarrhea requires absorption of ingested antigens. Methods These issues were studied in mice in active, passive, and hybrid immunization models. The active model was used to determine the allergic diarrhea susceptibility of J chain– and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor–deficient mice, which are unable to secrete IgA. The hybrid model was used to determine whether intravenously administered antigen-specific IgG antibody, which is not secreted into the gut, can protect against allergic diarrhea, as well as shock. Results Shock, but not diarrhea, was induced in naive mice by using intravenous IgE anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) antibody, followed by oral TNP-BSA, whereas both were induced in mice presensitized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin/alum plus oral ovalbumin. More TNP-BSA was required to induce shock than diarrhea in presensitized mice, and intravenous IgG anti-TNP antibody, which is not secreted into the gut, protected these mice against both diarrhea and shock. Consistent with this, chicken ovalbumin–immunized J chain– and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor–deficient mice, which have high serum IgA levels but little intestinal IgA, resisted diarrhea induction. Conclusion Intestinal immunity and oral antigen dose determine whether diarrhea, systemic anaphylaxis, or both are induced, and ingested antigen must be absorbed to induce either response.
Eukaryotic cloning vectors based on bovine papilloma viruses

The cloning of eukaryotic genes by standard recombinant DNA techniques permits their structural characterization. However, analysis of the expression properties of these genes often requires their introduction into and replication within eukaryotic cells in culture. Certain viral vectors based on the papilloma viruses may prove to be especially important in such investigations. These ‘shuttle vectors’, capable of replication in both bacterial and eukaryotic cells, have already provided several findings of interest about the relationship between eukaryotic gene structure and function. Further analysis of these vectors and their properties promises to enhance their use as investigative tools.
Stroke and heart disease prevention education via telenovela: a focus group's evaluation.

Purpose To evaluate a telenovela, “La Familia Nutritiva y Balanceada,” for cultural context and its efficacy as an educational tool to promote positive health behaviors in Latino families. Method Ethnography was employed to interpret cultural health behaviors of 12 Latinas through a focus group after viewing the telenovela, a culturally accepted form of entertainment education. Results Analysis of the transcribed interview revealed three recurrent themes: Not all fat is bad; add fruits and vegetables daily to diet; and children need to be involved. The group purported that the inclusion of children in the marketing and preparation of the food would translate into better food habits. Discussion Participants demonstrated basic knowledge between food and health, and acknowledged that they gained an appreciation for good fat in the diet. The group related the telenovela would be a good tool for clinics, health fairs, and schools. Conclusion Latinos are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Health education messages need to incorporate cultural norms into an intervention that supports a behavior change, such as improved nutrition. Studies support that Latinos connect to media, such as telenovela and interpersonal communication, which make these appropriate choices for health education tools.
Survey of optimization techniques for nonlinear spacecraft trajectory searches

Mathematical analysis of the optimal search of a nonlinear spacecraft trajectory to arrive at a set of desired targets is presented. A high precision integrated trajectory program and several optimization software libraries are used to search for a converged nonlinear spacecraft trajectory. Several examples for the Galileo Jupiter Orbiter and the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX) are presented that illustrate a variety of the optimization methods used in nonlinear spacecraft trajectory searches.
Temporal genome expression profile analysis during t-cell-mediated colitis: identification of novel targets and pathways.

T cells critically regulate IBD with T cell dependent experimental colitis models gaining favor in identifying potential pathogenic mechanisms; yet, limited understanding of specific pathogenic molecules or pathways still exists. In this study, we sought to identify changes in whole genome expression profiles using the CD4CD45Rbhi T cell transfer colitis model compared to genome expression differences from Crohn's disease tissue specimens. Colon tissue was used for histopathological and genome expression profiling analysis at 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks after adoptive T cell transfer. We identified 1,775 genes that were significantly altered during disease progression with 361 being progressively down regulated and 341 progressively up regulated. Gene expression changes were validated by qRT-PCR confirming genome expression analysis data. Differentially expressed genes were clearly related to inflammation/immune responses but also strongly associated with metabolic, chemokine signaling, Jak-STAT signaling, and angiogenesis pathways. Ingenuity network analysis revealed 25 unique network associations that were associated with functions such as antigen presentation, cell morphology, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, as well as nervous system development and function. Moreover, many of these genes and pathways were similarly identified in Crohn's disease specimens. These findings reveal novel, complex, and dynamic changes in gene expression that may provide useful targets for future therapeutic approaches.
The impact of timeliness on complaint satisfaction in the context of call-centers

ABSTRACT The main goal of this study was to investigate the role of timeliness of response in driving satisfaction with complaint handling following a service failure. In addition, we examined the relationship between satisfaction with compliant handling and company image. Results show that, in the context of call-centers, both timeliness and problem resolution are important determinants of satisfaction with complaint handling and that satisfaction with problem handling was lower when the respondent perceived the delays in resolution as unnecessary. Companies should be actively managing the timeliness component of problem resolution rather than relying on a “one size fits all” time of response. Results also indicate that timeliness expectations vary by complaint type (reservations, accommodations, billing, service) which allows the opportunity to better manage timeliness issues when resolving problems.
Huntington disease: pathogenesis, biomarkers, and approaches to experimental therapeutics

Summary Huntington disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive and behavioral abnormalities that typically emerge in adulthood in persons who have inherited the mutant gene. HD has a single genetic cause, a well-defined neuropathology, and informative pre-manifest predictive genetic testing. Thus, it has been possible to develop imaging biomarkers of HD progression, not just in the period of manifest illness, but also in the prodromal or “premanifest” period. Striatal atrophy is the most studied, and shows steady progression beginning in the prodromal period beginning up to 15 years before predicted onset, and continuing through the period of manifest illness. Therapeutic targets for HD include the huntingtin protein itself, either by reducing its levels with antisense oligonucleotides or siRNA, or potentially by intervening via posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, SUMOylation, or proteolytic cleavage. Other strategies involve bolstering the cell's ability to deal with abnormal proteins, either via chaperones or protein degradation machinery. It may be possible to counteract the abnormal transcription caused by mutant huntingtin, with histone deacetylase inhibitors, or to enhance relevant gene products such as Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Another tactic is to enhance cellular metabolic defenses, such as with creatine or Coenzyme Q10. Strategies are being devised to use biomarkers, and administer therapeutic agents which can be given safely for long periods of time during the proodromal period, with a goal not just to slow progression, but to delay, or conceivably even prevent, the onset of clinical HD.
ASSESSMENT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION: NOVEL CMR T1 MAPPING AND STRAIN TECHNIQUES

There is limited knowledge regarding the relationship between right ventricular (RV) structure, fibrosis & systolic function. CMR T1 mapping & strain techniques may provide additional quantitative assessment of RV function & structure. CMR was performed in 102 subjects with non-ischemic
The Political Varieties of Sacred Remembrance: Elie Wiesel and U.S. Foreign Policy

El ie Wiesel is one of the most celebrated religious intellectuals of recent decades in American public life. Perhaps the most internation ally recognized survivor of the Nazi Holocaust, Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his work of linking memory to morality. In promoting Holocaust remembrance as an ethical goad in the present and a dire warning for the future, Wiesel has produced a consistent discourse of sacred memory that has gone from the periphery of Amer ican culture to its very center. Reflecting his own ambivalence about the "success" of his mission, Wiesel once commented,
Cell volume regulation: a review of cerebral adaptive mechanisms and implications for clinical treatment of osmolal disturbances. I.

Control of cell size within defined limits is vital for maintenance of normal organ function. This important feature of cell physiology can be disturbed by changes in membrane transport in epithelial cells. In addition, fluctuations in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid, caused by an abnormal plasma concentration of sodium, glucose, or urea can lead to derangements in cell size. Cell volume regulation is especially important in the brain because the brain is confined within a non-compliant vault and cannot tolerate significant perturbations in cell size. Therefore, brain cells have developed a coordinated array of adaptive mechanisms designed to modulate the cytosolic content of osmotically active solutes in response to alterations in the osmolality of the extracellular fluid. This process is controlled by various hormones including arginine vasopressin, insulin, and estrogen, and is subject to changes during development. The bulk of the change in cell content of osmolytes involves inorganic electrolytes. However, excessive variation in the cytosolic ionic strength has deleterious effects on protein structure and enzyme function. Therefore, brain cells have developed the capacity to accumulate or extrude various organic osmolytes in order to adjust the cytosolic osmolality without adversely affecting cell function. These solutes are termed non-pertubing osmolytes and belong to one of three classes of molecules: amino acids, carbohydrates and polyhydric sugar alcohols, or methylamines. Cerebral cells regulate the cytosolic content of organic osmolytes primarily by altering the transmembrane flux of these solutes. There are features of the cell volume regulatory response that are shared by the brain and kidney cells. However, there are important interorgan differences including the speed of response, the exact identitiy of the organic osmolytes utilized by each organ, and the reliance upon de novo osmolyte synthesis rather than transport in modulating cytosolic content of these solutes. An improved understanding of the cerebral cell volume regulatory response has led to better treatment of clinical disorders of plasma osmolality.
Feature-detecting auditory neurons in the brain of a sound-producing fish.

The mormyrid fish Pollimyrus adspersus has auditory specializations for sound pressure detection and uses acoustic displays in its natural social behavior. In this paper it is shown that auditory neurons in the mesencephalon (torus semicircularis) are activated selectively by temporal features of complex sounds. Single neurons were recorded while presenting sounds to fish underwater. The stimuli were acoustic click trains, 400 ms in duration, and were synthesized with differing inter-click-intervals (ICIs). The natural sounds of this species are composed similarly and the range of ICIs synthesized overlapped with the natural range (5–40 ms). One-third of the neurons studied were strongly selective for a narrow range of ICIs, increasing spike rate by ten fold or more at the best ICI compared to the minimum response observed. The best ICI for interval selective neurons remained stable when the sound pressure of the stimulus was changed. Neurons that were selective gave phasic responses to tone bursts, and most had non-monotonic rate level functions. The origin of interval selectivity is discussed and a time-based computational mechanism is proposed.
Towards a model of faculty development for FOSS in education

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has become an important segment of the computing industry and a source of innovation in software development. The open culture of FOSS projects where all project artifacts are accessible and communication is visible provides computing educators with an array of unique opportunities for student learning. However, FOSS projects can also present hurdles to instructors desiring to take advantage of these opportunities including the learning curve for FOSS culture, infrastructure and processes, difficulties in designing appropriate assignments, and more. This paper presents a model for faculty development based on experiences with prior academic and FOSS approaches to faculty development.
Structure of the amplified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene in glyphosate-resistant carrot cells

The structure of amplified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) DNA of carrot suspension-cultured cell lines selected for glyphosate resistance was analyzed to determine the mechanism of gene amplification in this plant system. Southern hybridization of the amplified DNA digested with several restriction enzymes probed with a petunia EPSPS cDNA clone showed that there were differences in fragment sizes in the amplified DNA from one highly resistant cell line in comparison with the parental line. Cloning of the EPSPS gene and 5' flanking sequences was carried out and two different DNA structures were revealed. A 13 kb clone contained only one copy of the EPSPS gene while a 16 kb clone contained an inverted duplication of the gene. Southern blot analysis with a carrot DNA probe showed that only the uninverted repeated DNA structure was present in all of the cell lines during the selection process and the inverted repeat (IR) was present only in highly amplified DNA. The two structures were present in about equal amounts in the highly amplified line, TC 35G, where the EPSPS gene was amplified about 25-fold. The presence of the inverted repeat (IR) was further verified by resistance to S1 nuclease hydrolysis after denaturation and rapid renaturation, showing foldback DNA with the IR length being 9.5 kb. The junction was also sequenced. Mapping of the clones showed that the size of the amplified carrot EPSPS gene itself is about 3.5 kb. This is the first report of an IR in amplified DNA of a target enzyme gene in selected plant cells.
Dietary intake of cobalamin in elderly people who have abnormal serum cobalamin, methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels

Objective: To determine if poor dietary intake can explain the cobalamin-related abnormalities often seen in the elderly. Design: Prospective laboratory survey with a follow-up dietary assessment. Setting: Social centers for the elderly and an outpatient clinic. Subjects: Ninety-five free-living subjects >60 y old with abnormal or suspicious findings in cobalamin-related tests and 78 subjects >60 y old with normal results. Interventions: Serum cobalamin, methylmalonic acid and homocysteine determinations to assess cobalamin status and a one year food-frequency questionnaire to assess cobalamin intake. Results: Only three of the 173 subjects (1.7%), one of whom had normal cobalamin status, ingested 6 μg. Ordering all subjects by quintiles according to cobalamin intake revealed no significant trends or differences in any of the serum values either. Moreover, arranging subjects by results of tests of cobalamin status showed that the subjects with abnormal cobalamin status did not differ in cobalamin intake from those with normal cobalamin status, although they did differ in use of supplements. Finally, cobalamin intake, with or without supplements, did not correlate with serum cobalamin or metabolite levels. The absence of any association between cobalamin status and intake contrasts sharply with the significant correlation between folate intake and folate status (P=0.0001). Conclusions: The high frequency of mildly abnormal cobalamin status in the elderly cannot be attributed to poor intake of cobalamin. Nondietary explanations, such as malabsorption and other phenomena, must always be sought to explain mild cobalamin deficiency in the elderly. Sponsorship: This study was supported by grants DK 32640 and HL 52234 from the National Institutes of Health and by the NIH National Center for Research Resources of the GCRC grant MO1 RR-43. Computational assistance was provided by the NIH NCRR GCRC MO1 RR-43 CDMAS project.
Biochemical composition of ovary, embryo, and hepatopancreas in the grapsoid crabs Armases cinereum and Sesarma nr. reticulatum (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Biochemical composition of ovary, embryo, and hepatopancreas tissues in wild populations of Armases cinereum and Sesarma nr. reticulatum were monitored during the reproductive season. Total lipid, carbon, nitrogen, C:N ratio, and water concentration of the ovary, hepatopancreas and embryos were quantified over the course of ovarian maturation. Ovary nitrogen concentration decreased as ovaries matured. Ovary lipid and carbon concentration differed significantly over the course of ovarian maturation for both species, but there was no relationship between the concentration or total content of hepatopancreas lipid and the stage of ovarian development in females. Neither species showed a relationship between measures of hepatopancreas lipid and the gonadosomatic index. There was also no simultaneously measurable net decrease in mass of the females' hepatopancreas. Lipid demands of ovarian maturation thus appear to be met in large part by increased dietary intake rather than by substantial draw down of pre-existing lipid stores from the hepatopancreas. While these temperate grapsoid crabs live with putatively fluctuating quality and quantity of food resources, no evidence could be found to demonstrate depletion of lipid concentrations in the hepatopancreas concomitant with ovarian maturation.
Arsenic speciation driving risk based corrective action

The toxicity of arsenic depends on a number of factors including its valence state. The more potent trivalent arsenic [arsenite (As3+)] inhibits a large number of cellular enzymatic pathways involved in energy production, while the less toxic pentavalent arsenic [arsenate (As5+)] interferes with phosphate metabolism, phosphoproteins and ATP formation (uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation). Environmental risk based corrective action for arsenic contamination utilizes data derived from arsenite studies of toxicity to be conservative. However, depending upon environmental conditions, the arsenate species may predominate substantially, especially in well aerated surface soils. Analyses of soil concentrations of arsenic species at two sites in northeastern Texas historically contaminated with arsenical pesticides yielded mean arsenate concentrations above 90% of total arsenic with the majority of the remainder being the trivalent arsenite species. Ecological risk assessments based on the concentration of the trivalent arsenite species will lead to restrictive remediation requirements that do not adequately reflect the level of risk associated with the predominate species of arsenic found in the soil. The greater concentration of the pentavalent arsenate species in soils would be the more appropriate species to monitor remediation at sites that contain high arsenate to arsenite ratios.
Dielectronic recombination for Ca(XIII, XII, XI) with K-shell excitation

Dielectronic recombination cross sections for K-shell excitation are evaluated theoretically for Ca(XIII, XII, XI). The relationship between dielectronic recombination and resonant-transfer-excitation cross sections is discussed. The peak ratios of cross sections for ions with different degrees of ionization are compared with the experimental results for the Ca(XIII, XII, XI)+H/sub 2/ systems. Cascade processes are found to have a large effect on cross sections for the intermediate states with two electrons in the M and higher shells.
Efficient parallel and sequential algorithms for 4-coloring perfect planar graphs

We present an efficient algorithm for 4-coloring perfect planar graphs. The best previously known algorithm for this problem takesO(n 3/2) sequential time, orO(log4 n) parallel time withO(n3) processors. The sequential implementation of our algorithm takesO(n logn) time. The parallel implementation of our algorithm takesO(log3 n) time withO(n) processors on a PRAM.
The Role and Training of the School Counselor: Background and Purpose.

School counselors as part of the total educational team have important knowledge to share concerning the needs of students. Their knowledge, skills, and expertise are vital for the success of our future leaders, workers, and citizens. As part of the total educational team, school counselors can help students build a bridge to the future.
Thermotropic and optical properties of chiral nematic polymers

The thermotropic and optical properties of methacrylate copolymers and chemically modified poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) were investigated as part of our effort to explore the optical applications of these materials. It was found that besides the commonly cited comonomer ratio, physical blending and annealing followed by quenching represent a new and more flexible means to tune the selective reflection wavelength. In the chemically modified poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) system with Tg as low as — 25 °C, it appears that the relatively high-melt viscosity is capable of sustaining the cholesteric mesophase, generated by annealing and quenching, while subjected to heating up to 100°C.
Development of a Scheimpflug slit lamp camera system for quantitative densitometric analysis

We have developed a computerised video system for accurate quantification of lens opacities from Scheimpflug images. Using a modified Zeiss Scheimpflug camera and Macintosh computer, the system software can warn of improper exposure and can provide immediate results of cataract progression on individual patients. These results are obtained from a novel technique which automatically divides the lens into anatomical regions and computes regional densities in the standard optical density unit. Because of the system's speed, the operator can properly capture and analyse a cataract in seconds, compare results with past patient records and give feedback to the patient on the results of the analysis. The system provides the appropriate data integrity and formats for documenting and monitoring lens opacities. Such a system will be useful in longitudinal studies of cataracts (i.e. for natural history and anti-cataract drug trials).
A Super Wideband printed antenna with enhanced gain using FSS structure

Super Wideband (SWB) printed antenna with enhanced gain covering the impedance bandwidth ranging from 3–20GHz is presented. Gain enhancement of the antenna is achieved using appropriately designed frequency selective structure (FSS) acting as a band stop filter i.e. reflector, while keeping the bandwidth of antenna unchanged. The FSS used effectively reflects the in-phase radiations with a very low transmission coefficient over the entire bandwidth which is key requirement for providing antenna gain enhancement for wide frequency range. Hence significant improvement in antenna gain has been achieved using low profile and without compromising the impedance bandwidth. Results show a significant improvement in gain (i.e. 4–5dB) over the whole frequency range.
Composition and strain of self-assembled (In,Ga,Al)Sb/(Ga,Al)As quantum dots

Quantum dots of InSb, GaSb, and AlSb were grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. AFM measurements reveal that InSb morphology can be a function of the initial GaAs surface reconstruction. Photoluminescence measurements demonstrate that strain and confinement effects result in a type-II band alignment for InSb quantum dots, with electrons in the GaAs and holes in the InSb. Raman spectra reveal phonon modes from quantum dots of GaSb, AlSb, and InSb, and indicate the segregation of Ga into AlSb.
Recognition of psychological and cognitive impairments in the emergency department

Ninety-six patients presenting to a university hospital emergency department were screened before triage for psychological symptoms or cognitive impairment using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Mini-Mental State examination (MMS). Charts were reviewed for demographic information and emergency physicians' recognition of psychological symptoms or cognitive dysfunction. Of the patients studied, 38% had positive results on the GHQ, and 18% had positive results on the MMS. Psychological symptoms or cognitive impairments were recognized by the emergency physicians in only 8% of those with positive GHQ results and 6% of those with positive MMS results. The usefulness of screening measures for psychological symptoms and cognitive impairment of emergency department patients is discussed.
Simulation Studies on Ethanol Metabolism in Different Human Populations with a Physiological Pharmacokinetic Model

A physiological pharmacokinetic model of ethanol metabolism was used to simulate ethanol metabolism in standard, fasted, human males of the white American, white European, black American, and Japanese populations. Gastric ethanol metabolism accounted for only 0.24% of the dose in the several populations. In contrast, hepatic first-pass ethanol metabolism accounted for 3.7-4.2% of the dose. Ethanol elimination by the lung and kidney accounted for 1.3-1.7% of the dose in the several populations. The black American population had a significantly higher maximum blood ethanol concentration and area under the blood ethanol concentration versus time curve than the other populations studied when either a single dose or multiple doses of ethanol were ingested. These increases were due to the presence of a considerable amount of the beta 3 beta 3-alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isoenzyme, with a Michaelis constant of 34 mM in the black American population. The Japanese population, which has a relatively high proportion of the beta 2 beta 2-ADH isozyme, metabolized ethanol somewhat more rapidly than the other populations, as previously noted.
Ambiguity and nonidentifiability in the statistical analysis of neural codes

Many experimental studies of neural coding rely on a statistical interpretation of the theoretical notion of the rate at which a neuron fires spikes. For example, neuroscientists often ask, “Does a population of neurons exhibit more synchronous spiking than one would expect from the covariability of their instantaneous firing rates?” For another example, “How much of a neuron’s observed spiking variability is caused by the variability of its instantaneous firing rate, and how much is caused by spike timing variability?” However, a neuron’s theoretical firing rate is not necessarily well-defined. Consequently, neuroscientific questions involving the theoretical firing rate do not have a meaning in isolation but can only be interpreted in light of additional statistical modeling choices. Ignoring this ambiguity can lead to inconsistent reasoning or wayward conclusions. We illustrate these issues with examples drawn from the neural-coding literature.
Active sol-gel materials for fiber optic chemical sensors

Sol-gel materials were developed for potential fiber optic applications as films for detecting dissolved H2S and H2S vapor. Modification of the optical properties of gels were recognized by simply changing a processing parameter such as the type of catalyst of the introduction of a second precursor. Other properties such as chemical durability and photostability were also evaluated. Finally, the fluorescence quenching of thionin doped gels by dissolved H2S revealed a sensitivity and reversibility in the parts-per-billion regime. After performing these preliminary steps to assess the gel's integrity, the thionin doped gel is now read for H2S monitoring.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Increased photosynthetic capacity of Scirpus olneyi after 4 years of exposure to elevated CO2

Abstract. While a short-term exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2 induces a large increase in photosynthesis in many plants, long-term growth in elevated CO2 often results in a smaller increase due to reduced photosynthetic capacity. In this study, it was shown that, for a wild C3 species growing in its natural environment and exposed to elevated CO2 for four growing seasons, the photosynthetic capacity has actually increased by 31%. An increase in photosynthetic capacity has been observed in other species growing in the field, which suggests that photosynthesis of certain field grown plants will continue to respond to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2
Engineering industrial fatty acids in oilseeds

More than 300 types of modified fatty acids (mFA) are produced in triacylglycerols (TAG) by various plant species, with many of these unusual structures rendering unique physical and chemical properties that are desirable for a variety of bio-based industrial uses. Attempts to produce these mFA in crop species have thus far failed to reach the desired levels of production and highlighted the need to better understand how fatty acids are synthesized and accumulated in seed oils. In this review we discuss how some of the progress made in recent years, such as the improved TAG synthesis model to include acyl editing and new enzymes such as PDCT, may be utilized to achieve the goal of effectively modifying plant oils for industrial uses. Co-expressing several key enzymes may circumvent the bottlenecks for the accumulation of mFA in TAG through efficient removal of mFA from phosphatidylcholine. Other approaches include the prevention of feedback inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and improving primary enzyme activity in host transgenic plants. In addition, genomic approaches are providing unprecedented power to discover more factors that may facilitate engineering mFA in oilseeds. Based on the results of the last 20 years, creating a high mFA accumulating plant will not be done by simply inserting one or two genes; it is necessary to stack genes encoding enzymes with favorable kinetic activity or specificity along with additional complementary transgenes in optimized plant backgrounds to produce industrial fatty acids at desirable levels. Finally, we discuss the potential of Camelina as an industrial oilseed platform.
Molecular motions, the α relaxation, and chain transport in polyethylene crystals

Conformational energy calculations are used to investigate molecular motions in polyethylene crystals. From these a model is derived for the motion that accomplishes the net rotation translation that is believed to underlie the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and dielectric α processes in polyethylenes and paraffins (and their dipole decorated derivatives). The resulting model is found to incorporate features of a number of previous models but differs significantly from all of them. The rotation is accomplished by means of a twisted (by 180°) region that propagates smoothly along the chain across the crystal. It differs from previous rotational models in that the twisted region is found to be rather localized (to ∼12 CH2 units). A dependence of activation energy on chain length (paraffins) or crystal thickness (polyethylenes), with the activation energy becoming independent of thickness in thick crystals, results not from the rotational lattice mismatch of the twisted region per se but from the translational lattice mismatch induced by the 180° rotation of one stem relative to the other. The twist differs from a stable point-defect twist previously proposed (Reneker defect) in that the chain torsion is relatively uniform through the twist and there is no shortening of the chain accompanying it. Further, the twist propagates smoothly without local barriers to its advance. Thus the propagating twist is to be through of as a transition state rather than a hopping defect. Detailed atomistic conformational energy calculations on C22H46 crystals were combined with a simplified elastic theory for translational stem mismatch in longer chains. From the combined calculations the activation parameters for twist propagation as a function of chain length or crystal thickness could be calculated. The results were compared with experiment for the dielectric α relaxation in paraffins containing dissolved ketones and polyethylenes containing carbonyl groups. The agreement is quite good, especially considering the paucity of adjustable parameters in the model. There is only some slight uncertainty in the calculated entropy of activation and a scattering correction was made a posteriori to account for a slow continued drop-off in relaxation rate in very thick crystals.
System and process enhancements of the Applied Materials Precision Implant 9200

Abstract The Applied Materials PI9000 high current ion implanter was first introduced to the market in September 1985, and the 200 mm compatible system, together with a number of additional developments, was introduced, as the PI9200, in April 1988. Since that time the system has been further developed and refined to meet users' ever increasing requirements. This paper presents an overview of the present system with details on a number of recent product enhancements.
Lie group dynamical formalism and the relation between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics

General structural features of dynamical theories can be exhibited in relations between classical and quantum mechanics; the essential structure is a Lie algebra of basic dynamical-variable fanctions providing transformationgroup infinitesimal generators. It is shown that the particular representation chosen is not important for the dynamical structure analysis by considering possibilities of transcribing classical and quantum mechanics each into the natural representation of the other. This leads to an outlining of the formal theory of generalized dynamics by constructing a class of Lie algebras including those of classical and quantum mechanics as special cases. (L.N.N.)
Methylcitrate cycle defines the bactericidal essentiality of isocitrate lyase for survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on fatty acids

Few mutations attenuate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) more profoundly than deletion of its isocitrate lyases (ICLs). However, the basis for this attenuation remains incompletely defined. Mtb’s ICLs are catalytically bifunctional isocitrate and methylisocitrate lyases required for growth on even and odd chain fatty acids. Here, we report that Mtb’s ICLs are essential for survival on both acetate and propionate because of its methylisocitrate lyase (MCL) activity. Lack of MCL activity converts Mtb’s methylcitrate cycle into a “dead end” pathway that sequesters tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates into methylcitrate cycle intermediates, depletes gluconeogenic precursors, and results in defects of membrane potential and intrabacterial pH. Activation of an alternative vitamin B12-dependent pathway of propionate metabolism led to selective corrections of TCA cycle activity, membrane potential, and intrabacterial pH that specifically restored survival, but not growth, of ICL-deficient Mtb metabolizing acetate or propionate. These results thus resolve the biochemical basis of essentiality for Mtb’s ICLs and survival on fatty acids.
Statistics: From Evidence to Policy

The discipline of statistics, we as individual statisticians, and the American Statistical Association (ASA) have been called to action. We can and must play a vital part in the gathering, analysis, interpretation, and communication of evidence for informed policy decisions. I ask you to answer “yes” and to take on the role of an honest broker of policy alternatives. I ask you to support a proactive engagement by the ASA in informing policy. While interaction in policy forums by the ASA is an opportunity to integrate the science of statistics into policy, it also represents a responsibility, because the association serves not only its members, but also the public. Statistics can have a major impact in the journey from evidence to policy. A current illustration in the evidence-based medicine context is comparative effectiveness research, which received focus and funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The time is now for us to take action as a discipline, as individuals, and as an ...
DESCRIBING AND CATEGORIZING DIF IN POLYTOMOUS ITEMS

The purpose of this project was to evaluate statistical procedures for assessing differential item functioning (DIF) in polytomous items (items with more than two score categories). Three descriptive statistics—the Standardized Mean Difference, or SMD (Dorans & Schmitt, 1991), and two procedures based on SIBTEST (Shealy & Stout, 1993) were considered, along with five inferential procedures—two based on SMD, two based on SIBTEST, and the Mantel (1963) method. The DIF procedures were evaluated through applications to simulated data, as well as data from ETS tests. The simulation included conditions in which the two groups of examinees had the same ability distribution and conditions in which the group means differed by one standard deviation. When the two groups had the same distribution, the descriptive index that performed best was the SMD. When the two groups had different distributions, a modified form of the SIBTEST DIF effect size measure tended to perform best. The five inferential procedures performed almost indistinguishably when the two groups had identical distributions. When the two groups had different distributions and the studied item was highly discriminating, the SIBTEST procedures showed much better Type I error control than did the SMD and Mantel methods, particularly in short tests. The power ranking of the five procedures was inconsistent; it depended on the direction of DIF and other factors. Routine application of these polytomous DIF methods at ETS seems feasible in cases where a reliable test is available for matching examinees. For the Mantel and SMD methods, Type I error control may be a concern under certain conditions. In the case of SIBTEST, the current version cannot easily accommodate matching tests that do not use number-right scoring. Additional research in these areas is likely to be useful.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Methanol-Water Mixture Single-Phase Heat Transfer in a Micro-Channel Heat Sink

This paper presents an experimental study of single-phase heat transfer characteristics of binary methanol-water mixtures in a micro-channel heat sink containing an array of 22 microchannels with 240μm × 630μm cross-section. Pure water, pure methanol, and five methanol-water mixtures with methanol molar fraction of 16%, 36%, 50%, 63% and 82% were tested. Key parametric trends were identified and discussed. The experimental study was complemented by a three-dimensional numerical simulation. Numerical predictions and experimental data are in good agreement with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.87%.© 2012 ASME
Hypogammaglobulinemia after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants.

Background Hypogammaglobulinemia has been reported after cardiac surgery and may be associated with adverse outcomes. We sought to define baseline immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration in neonates and infants with congenital heart disease, determine their course after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and determine if post-CPB hypogammaglobulinemia was associated with increased morbidity. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of infants who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between June 2010 and December 2011. The Ig concentration was obtained from banked plasma of 47 patients from a prior study (pre-CPB, immediately post-CPB, and 24 and 48 hours post-CPB). In addition, any Ig levels drawn for clinical purposes after CPB were included. Ig levels were excluded if drawn after chylothorax diagnosis or intravenous IgG administration. Results The median age was 7 days. Preoperative Ig concentration was similar to that described in healthy children. IgG level decreased to less than 50% of preoperative concentration by 24-hour post-CPB and failed to recover by 7 days. Of 47 patients, 25 (53%) had low IgG ( P = .056). Conclusions Hypogammaglobulinemia occurs in half of infants after CPB. Its association with fluid overload and increased inflammatory cytokines suggests it may result from capillary leak. Postoperative hypogammaglobulinemia is associated with increased morbidity, including more secondary infections.
A novel scheduling and queue management scheme for multi-band mobile routers

Recent trends in Internet usage have seen large amount of multimedia data due to increasingly large number of mobile users. To facilitate higher bandwidth, modern mobile routers are capable of supporting simultaneous multi-band, leading to less interference, higher capacity. However, there exists no previous work that attempts to maximize utilization through sharing of traffic among different frequency bands. In this paper, we have proposed a novel scheduling algorithm for multi-band mobile routers which transmits different classes of traffic through different frequency bands to achieve improved performance. We have developed an analytical model to perform queuing analysis of the proposed multi-band system and derived various performance metrics, validated by extensive simulations. Our results show that the proposed architecture can ensure maximum possible utilization through sharing of capacities among the bands. Our proposed scheduling algorithm and related analytical model can help network engineers build next generation mobile routers with higher throughput and utilization ensuring least packet loss for different classes of traffic.
Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis: Structural changes in a patient with normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure

A male infant is described who died at 13 months of age with stenosis of all extrapulmonary veins except the left upper vein. The pulmonary artery wedge pressure was normal, the first time this is reported in this condition. At autopsy, there were structural changes of the pulmonary arteries and veins in all lobes with or without pulmonary vein stenosis. Arterial changes—muscle extension, medial hypertrophy and decreased arterial size— analyzed quantitatively were found to be similar in all lobes. Venous medial hypertrophy was more marked in obstructed lobes. These anatomic changes are presumably due to fixed venous obstruction in the pulmonary lobes drained by stenotic veins and to high flow in the left upper lobe.
Computer controlled drifting of Si(Li) detectors

A relatively inexpensive computer-controlled system for performing the drift process used in fabricating Si(Li) detectors is described. The system uses a small computer to monitor the leakage current, applied voltage, and temperature on eight individual drift stations. The associated computer program initializes the drift process, monitors the drift progress, and then terminates the drift when an operator set drift time has elapsed. The improved control of the drift with this system has been well demonstrated in the fabrication of a variety of Si(Li) detectors. A few representative system responses to detector behavior during the drift process are described. >
Prediction of late asthmatic responses to inhaled allergen

Relationships between cutaneous and bronchial responses to allergen were examined in nineteen atopic asthmatics. Allergen inhalation tests elicited an isolated early asthmatic response (EAR) in ten subjects and a dual asthmatic response (DAR) in nine subjects. Ragweed IgE RAST, performed with the sera of those patients tested with ragweed antigen, yielded higher values in all but one patient who experienced DAR than any of the patients with EAR. In one patient with annual symptoms in the ragweed season, positive skin tests with ragweed antigen and DAR to inhaled ragweed extracts, the IgE RAST was entirely negative and the serum IgE concentration was low. Dilutions of the allergen used in each individual for inhalation were also used in skin-prick tests. Early cutaneous allergic response (ECAR) mean wheal diameters were obtained at 10 min and late cutaneous allergic response (LCAR) mean diameters at 6-8 hr. Early asthmatic response (EAR) subjects differed modestly from DAR subjects in the relationships between ECAR and LCAR; in the EAR group, a significantly larger wheal diameter (P less than 0.01) was required before an LCAR ensued, however there was some overlap. Once LCAR developed, there was no difference between EAR and DAR groups in the magnitude of the LCAR. There was a trend (not significant) towards a requirement for a higher antigen concentration in the EAR group to elicit an LCAR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Libraries and application program interfaces (APIs) to assist the NASA EOS and the general earth science/geographic information system (GIS) visualization developer

The NASA EOS Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) will be both an opportunity and a challenge to visualization and analysis tool developers. The EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) will gather, process, and archive a terabyte (TB) of earth science data per day. Because of the size of the EOSDIS program and the size and diversity of the global change community, technical decisions and standards adopted by EOSDIS should have a significant impact on the earth science, geographic information systems (GIS), and visualization development communities as a whole. NASA is working to encourage and assist commercial and other outside tool developers to create or refine visual analysis tools to meet the demands of the large global change research community by providing necessary libraries and application program interfaces (API). In order to simplify data ingest, EOSDIS has adopted the hierarchical data format (HDF) as a standard for most, if not all, EOS data. EOSDIS will provide developers with standard APIs for accessing and understanding the wide variety of data and metadata within EOSDIS data sets. Many existing visualization tools have inadequate capabilities for locating data within geographic and temporal domains. Standards are being established and libraries developed which will allow developers to provide capabilities for navigating, geolocating, and projecting both low-level orbital-swath data and projected/gridded data within their tools.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.