cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solvothermal Synthesis and Surface Chemistry To Control the Size and Morphology of Nanoquartz

In this work, we report a solvothermal synthesis method that allows the crystallization of quartz to occur at a relatively low temperature of 300 °C in the form of isolated nanosized euhedral crystals. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to confirm the phases present and their particle sizes, morphologies, and crystallinity of the products. The results show that it is possible to control the size and morphology of the nanoquartz from rough nanospheres to nanorods using fluoride, which templates the nanocrystals and moderates growth.
Open Discontinuous Maps From ℝn onto ℝn

AbstractIn 1962 Spira found an example of open map from ℝn onto ℝn that is discontinuous at a Cantor set. Subsequent published examples of everywhere discontinuous open maps from ℝn onto ℝn are eit...
Inverse scattering revisited: Explicit solution of the Marchenko-Martin method

We review Martin’s inverse scattering method and Cornille’s subsequent work on it’s relation to the standard Gelfand -Levitan-Marchenko method. For the Yukawian class of potentials one obtains explicit solutions for the Marchenko equation,the potential, and the Jost functions.
Pediatrician Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Related to Electronic Cigarettes.

Abstract Purpose Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have grown rapidly in popularity, creating concerns for pediatricians and families. Evaluating pediatricians' understanding of e-cigarettes is an important first step in effectively addressing these products in practice. This qualitative study assesses pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, and current clinical practices related to e-cigarettes. Methods We conducted six focus groups with 37 pediatric clinicians in 2014. Groups were led by a trained facilitator using a semistructured discussion guide. Responses were recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify relevant themes. Results Pediatricians know that e-cigarettes generally contain nicotine and that adolescents and young adults are most likely to use them. However, most feel uninformed about the health effects of e-cigarettes and report wanting scientific evidence for safety or harm from credible sources. Pediatricians are skeptical of claims that e-cigarettes are safe, either for users or for those exposed to second-hand e-cigarette vapor or emissions. Participants noted that clinical conversations about e-cigarettes were rare, citing barriers including a lack of systematic screening, competing priorities during clinical visits, and, for some, limited confidence in their ability to address e-cigarettes during clinical encounters. No participants recommended e-cigarettes for cessation. Conclusions Pediatricians feel poorly informed about e-cigarettes and are concerned about their potential health effects. While clinical discussions about e-cigarettes are rare, recent increases in their use leaves many clinicians wanting guidance about what to say to patients and families.
Vegetarian diets and disease outcomes

Vegetarian diets may provide health benefits in the treatment of diseases including cardiovascular disease and hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, obesity, cancer, renal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis among others. Population studies are increasingly focusing on vegetarian diets as a variable to help explain rates of disease and all-cause mortality, and clinical trials are exploring the use of vegetarian diets in treating or preventing disease conditions. Studies are increasingly examining the relationship between diet, inflammation, health, and disease. The gut microbiota is thought to be the key link between dietary intake patterns and inflammatory response, such that it may be possible to modify microbial communities with plant-based diets for the purpose of managing and treating chronic disease. The role of the gut microbiota in influencing inflammation and disease state is discussed, with closer examination of metabolic disease and obesity, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. Vegetarian diets are of particular interest for their role in reducing inflammation and impacting health outcomes. Most importantly, the relationship between diet and the intestinal microbial profile appears to follow a continuum, with vegans displaying a gut microbiota most distinct from that of omnivores, but not always significantly different from that of other vegetarians.
LuxLeak: capturing computing activity using smart device ambient light sensors

In this paper, we consider side-channel mechanisms, specifically using smart device ambient light sensors, to capture information about user computing activity. We distinguish keyboard keystrokes using only the ambient light sensor readings from a smart watch worn on the user's non-dominant hand. Additionally, we investigate the feasibility of capturing screen emanations for determining user browser usage patterns. The experimental results expose privacy and security risks, as well as the potential for new mobile user interfaces and applications.
Resilience characterization of a vision analytics application under varying degrees of approximation

The rapid growth in real-time edge computing requires sustained advances in energy-efficient, yet progressively higher performance embedded systems. An example application is computing aboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) engaged in surveillance, rescue and recovery missions. Video Summarization (VS) [7] refers to a class of key algorithms in the UAV-computing context. A basic function within such a summarizer is the creation of a single, stiched panorama of the landscape from input video streams. Resilience to soft errors under low voltage (low power) operation and at high altitude is a key attribute that is required of such embedded computing.
Predictors of operating room extubation in adult cardiac surgery.

Abstract Objective The primary objective of the study was to identify perioperative factors associated with successful immediate extubation in the operating room after adult cardiac surgery. The secondary objective was to derive a simplified predictive scoring system to guide clinicians in operating room extubation. Methods All 1518 patients in this retrospective cohort study underwent standardized fast-track cardiac anesthetic protocol during adult cardiac surgery. Perioperative variables between patients who had successful extubation in the operating room versus in the intensive care unit were retrospectively analyzed using both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A predictive score of successful operating room extubation was constructed from the multivariable results of 800 patients (derivation set), and the scoring system was further tested using a validation set of 398 patients. Results Younger age, lower body mass index, higher preoperative serum albumin, absence of chronic lung disease and diabetes, less-invasive surgical approach, isolated coronary bypass surgery, elective surgery, and lower doses of intraoperative intravenous fentanyl were independently associated with higher probability of operating room extubation. The extubation prediction score created in a derivation set of patients performed well in the validation set. Patient scores less than 0 had a minimal probability of successful operating room extubation. Operating room extubation was highly predicted with scores of 5 or greater. Conclusions Perioperative factors that are independently associated with successful operating room extubation after adult cardiac operations were identified, and an operating room extubation prediction scoring system was validated. This scoring system may be used to guide safe operating room extubation after cardiac operations.
Big Sensor Data Acquisition and Archiving with Compression

Machine-generated data such as sensor data now comprise major portion of available information, which raises two important problems: efficient acquisition of sensor data and the storage of massive sensor data collection. These data sources generate so much data quickly that data compression is essential to reduce storage requirement or transmission capacity of devices. This work first discusses a low complexity sensing framework which enables to reduce computation and communication overheads of devices without much compromising the accuracy of sensor readings. Then a new class of compression algorithm based on statistical similarity is presented that can be effectively used in many applications where an order of data sequence could be relaxed. Next, a quality-adjustable sensor data archiving is discussed, which compresses an entire collection of sensor data efficiently without compromising key features. Considering data aging aspect, this archiving scheme is capable of decreasing data fidelity gradually to secure more storage space.
Finite element analysis of pre-stretch effects on ballistic impact performance of woven fabrics

Abstract Pre-stretch effects on ballistic impact performance of woven fabrics that made of Kevlar KM2 is investigated with finite element simulation. Individual yarns of the fabrics are modeled with truss elements incorporated with equivalent material properties of real fiber yarns. Before the projectile is issued, a fabric panel that has a rectangular configuration is pre-stretched by directly applying displacement boundary conditions. This two-step loading condition is realized through results transferring capability offered by the commercial software ABAQUS. Simulation results reveal that pre-stretch can significantly influence the fabric’s ballistic response such as ballistic limit, energy absorption and wave propagation. The fabric with higher pre-stretch absorbs more energy, however fails earlier than the fabric with lower pre-stretch. Parametric studies show that with the increase of pre-stretch, the deformation contour evolves from a pyramid shape that is conventionally observed in non-pre-stretched fabrics into a conical shape.
Fiber Loop Ringdown Sensors and Sensing

Fiber loop ringdown (FLRD) spectroscopy evolves directly from cavity ringdown spectroscopy, using a section of optical waveguide to replace the mirror-based cavity to achieve the multi-pass approach. Over the last several years, FLRD has gone far beyond the original applications of cavity ringdown spectroscopy to trace gas measurements to a broad range of applications in chemical, physical, and biological sensing. Using a uniform sensing scheme—measuring time to sense a quantity, FLRD is not only able to adopt a wide variety of sensing mechanisms for individual sensor fabrication, but is also uniquely suitable for large-scale, multi-function sensor network development.
Design Fixation: A Cloak of Many Colors

The term design fixation is often used interchangeably to refer to situations where designers limit their creative output because of an overreliance on features of preexisting designs, or more generally, an overreliance on a specific body of knowledge directly associated with a problem. In this paper, we argue that interdisciplinary interest in design fixation has led to increasingly broad definitions of the phenomenon which may be undermining empirical research efforts, educational efforts to minimize fixation, and the transdisciplinary distribution of knowledge about fixation effects. To address these issues, the authors recommend that researchers consider categorizing fixation phenomena into one of three classifications: unconscious adherence to the influence of prior designs, conscious blocks to change, and intentional resistance to new ideas. Next, we distinguish between concept-based design fixation, fixation to a specific class of known design concepts, and knowledge-based design fixation, fixation to a problem-specific knowledge base. With these distinctions in place, we propose a system of orders of design fixation, recommend methods for reducing fixation in inventive design, and recommend areas that are in need of further research within the field of design science.
Tissue-type plasminogen activator release: new frontiers in endothelial function.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a pivotal enzyme in the mammalian fibrinolytic system. It exerts its action by converting the zymogen plasminogen into the proteolytically active serine protease plasmin, which, in turn, degrades fibrin clots. Because of its affinity for fibrin, t-PA is
Carbon Dioxide Metabolism and its Regulation in Nonsulfur Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria

Nonsulfur purple (NSP) photosynthetic bacteria are able to photosynthetically metabolize and grow at the expense of a wide range of reduced and oxidized organic compounds as well as using inorganic carbon dioxide under anaerobic conditions. In addition, these organisms, for the most part, are able to oxidize these compounds under aerobic conditions as well. Thus, NSP bacteria are widely dispersed and survive in diverse environments. Carbon dioxide reduction is important for both photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic metabolism, and CO2 serves as an essential electron acceptor for the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis when highly reduced organic carbon is used as the electron donor for growth. Since earlier reviews, much progress towards elucidating molecular mechanisms governing carbon dioxide assimilation has been made, primarily in two representative species, Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides and Rba. capsulatus. These studies established the importance of the main transcriptional regulator, CbbR, and its interaction with specific promoter sequences. Furthermore, the redox-sensitive two-component global regulator system, RegAB/PrrAB, was shown to be important for controlling cbb operon gene expression and appeared to be linked to the regulation of redox balancing mechanisms. A further level of complexity is found in Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) palustris, where a unique three-protein two-component system, in addition to CbbR, was recently shown to contribute to the regulation of CO2 fixation. This chapter will focus on recent progress made in understanding the mechanism of regulation of CO2 metabolism in NSP bacteria.
A Machine Learning Approach to Predict Human Judgments in Compensatory and Noncompensatory Judgment Tasks

Traditionally, in judgment analysis, multiple linear regression based lens model, which assumes decision makers assess every cue, weigh, and combine them to make overall judgments, has been used to model and analyze human judgments. However, linear regression assumptions are limited in situations where logical rules for making decisions are not consistent with a weighting and summing formula. In this study, we sought to extend the body of knowledge in the judgment analysis research by adopting the rule-based lens model and using machine learning models to predict human judgments in compensatory and noncompensatory judgment tasks. Overall, the selected machine learning models outperformed the linear logistic regression (LgR) model in both compensatory and noncompensatory tasks. Our own results suggest that, at least for the present application, machine learning models may be better at predicting human judgments in compensatory and noncompensatory judgment tasks than linear multiple LgR models. We conclude that machine learning algorithms can yield useful models for training and decision support applications.
Emerging Analytical Techniques for Rapid Pathogen Identification and Susceptibility Testing

In the face of looming threats from multi-drug resistant microorganisms, there is a growing need for technologies that will enable rapid identification and drug susceptibility profiling of these pa...
Peacemakers and Rabble Rousers: Women Leaders as Activists in Higher Education

This qualitative study explores how women leaders work as activists for other women through their administrative positions within higher education. Overall, participants shared their complicated relationships with the words feminist and activist and described how they engage in social change for women and other underrepresented populations in individual, group, and community contexts. Suggestions to advance equity for women in higher education involve both short-term and long-term strategies—such as self-advocacy, intentional professional development programs, representation, and policy development.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Wounds Encountered in Primary Care

Patients with skin wounds often first present to their primary care clinician. Wounds can range from traumatic burns and lacerations to those related to blood flow such as venous or arterial ulcers. It is vital to be able to identify the stage and the cause of the wound to get the best chance to have the wound heal properly. Treatment of wounds is maximized by improving the local tissue environment. This can be achieved through local drying or moisturizing of the tissue, debriding dead tissue either enzymatically or with an instrument, and promoting tissue healing. Addressing the underlying factors that include infection, glycemic control, edema, and blood flow is vital to the restoration of the skin.
Spatial variability of soybean quality data as a function of field topography: II. A proposed technique for calculating the size of the area for differential soybean harvest

A growing demand for soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] with high protein and oil concentrations has raised interest in obtaining high quality soybeans using differential harvesting practice. Differential harvesting from the locations with soybeans with higher protein or oil concentrations would be beneficial for producers and for the public who would receive a higher quality product. However, sizes and locations of the areas with high protein or oil concentrations need to be determined prior to harvesting. In this study, we develop a procedure for calculating the size of the area for differential soybean harvesting based on the relationships between protein or oil concentrations and field topography. Range of significant spatial cross-correlation between protein or oil concentrations and elevation as determined by the experimental cross-correlogram is used to calculate effective correlation distance. The effective correlation distance is proposed as an estimate of the size of the area for potential differential harvesting. The effective correlation distance is calculated based on the experimental cross-correlograms between protein or oil concentrations and elevation. Comparison of the experimental cross-correlograms and elevation variograms has shown that the range of the significant spatial cross-correlation between protein or oil concentrations and elevation and, hence, the effective correlation distance, are related to the changes in shape of the elevation variograms. Therefore, the effective correlation distance or the size of the area for differential soybean harvesting can be approximated based on the shape of the elevation variogram.
Plasma Hepatocyte Growth Factor for Diagnosis and Prognosis in Light Chain and Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Abstract Objectives This study determined the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in light chain and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Background Delays in diagn...
Cortical Observation by Synchronous Multifocal Optical Sampling Reveals Widespread Population Encoding of Actions

Summary To advance the measurement of distributed neuronal population representations of targeted motor actions on single trials, we developed an optical method (COSMOS) for tracking neural activity in a largely uncharacterized spatiotemporal regime. COSMOS allowed simultaneous recording of neural dynamics at ∼30 Hz from over a thousand near-cellular resolution neuronal sources spread across the entire dorsal neocortex of awake, behaving mice during a three-option lick-to-target task. We identified spatially distributed neuronal population representations spanning the dorsal cortex that precisely encoded ongoing motor actions on single trials. Neuronal correlations measured at video rate using unaveraged, whole-session data had localized spatial structure, whereas trial-averaged data exhibited widespread correlations. Separable modes of neural activity encoded history-guided motor plans, with similar population dynamics in individual areas throughout cortex. These initial experiments illustrate how COSMOS enables investigation of large-scale cortical dynamics and that information about motor actions is widely shared between areas, potentially underlying distributed computations.
Consumer health information

Finding reliable, up-to-date health information is critical for all of us, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on (at the time of this writing). There are a tremendous number of w...
Animal-Assisted Interactions Designed to Improve Human Wellbeing Across the Life Course

There is mounting evidence that interacting with a companion animal is beneficial to human health and well-being. Today’s busy lifestyles involving working long hours or extensive travel can make it difficult for people to care for a companion animal, but there are now an increasing number and variety of programs involving animal interactions developed to benefit people of all ages. In this chapter we will discuss noteworthy examples that demonstrate the wide spectrum of Animal-Assisted Interaction (AAI) programs available. While a large number of these programs have not been scientifically tested or in many cases formally evaluated, we will discuss their intended and desired outcomes as well as the potential benefits that may arise from these sorts of interactions with companion animals. Additionally, we will include programs that represent a wide variety of animals from guinea pigs to horses and a wide variety of settings such as school and hospitals and court rooms.
Human African Trypanosomiasis: a Reemerging Public Health Threat

The explosive increase in the prevalence of human African trypanosomiasis at the beginning of the 20th century is one of the best examples of an emerging infection. Human African trypanosomiasis is caused by two subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei, an extracellular, flagellate protozoan parasite. Although the two subspecies that infect humans, T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei rhodesiense, are morphologically indistinguishable, there are key differences in their abilities to infect nonhuman hosts. Human African trypanosomiasis is a progressive illness that is invariably fatal if untreated. Detection of trypanosome DNA by PCR, although successfully used clinically for the detection of infections imported to other countries from Africa or in research studies, is not practical for diagnosis in the field at present. Accurate assessment of the stage is critical because it dictates the choice of therapy; however, existing tools are not optimal. Chemotherapy for human African trypanosomiasis is far from ideal. Two strategies are used for control of African trypanosomiasis: reduction of the disease reservoir through case detection and treatment and reduction of human-fly contact through vector control. The threat has two components: the lack of secure production of antitrypanosomal drugs and the decreasing efficacy of the most important agent, melarsoprol. Human African trypanosomiasis has dramatically reemerged as a serious public health problem in the central African region. Huge challenges occur in implementing previously successful strategies to regain control of the disease, in view of the weak or absent health systems in some of the most affected areas.
The Future of Cholera: Persistence, Change, and an Expanding Research Agenda

The history of cholera provides a framework for assessing the potential for eradicating the disease. Although large cholera epidemics may become less likely to occur as effective control measures are put into place, persistence of cholera as an epidemic disease in some regions of the world and its periodic epidemic emergence from natural reservoirs is likely for the foreseeable future. The public health management of cholera requires a coordinated laboratory effort. In many countries, epidemic cholera has served as the focus for improving surveillance activities in general. The two groups of toxigenic El Tor Vibrio cholerae O1 best documented to be capable of long-term environmental persistence are both consistently serotype Inaba, raising the possibility that this serotype is better suited to persistence than is the Ogawa serotype. Strategies of control that put intense selective pressure on the organism during an ongoing epidemic may lead to other evolutionary developments. Defining the ecologic determinants of persistence of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in the environment will require clarification of the potential roles of copepods and other plankton in providing a niche for V. cholerae O1 and of the mechanism by which shellfish become contaminated in sewage-free environments. Research on cholera vaccines had been accelerated by the emergence of cholera in Latin America. Eradication of choleras is unlikely, because it has environmental reservoirs that will probably continue to cause occasional cases of cholera indefinitely.
Integrated Loop Optimizations for Data Locality Enhancement of Tensor Contraction Expressions

A very challenging issue for optimizing compilers is the phase ordering problem: In what order should a collection of compiler optimizations be performed? We address this problem in the context of optimizing a sequence of tensor contractions. The pertinent loop transformations are loop permutation, tiling, and fusion; in addition, the placement of disk I/O statements crucially affects performance. The space of possible combinations is exponentially large. We develop novel pruning strategies whereby a search problem in a larger space is replaced by a large number of searches in a much smaller space, to determine the optimal permutation, fusion, tiling and placement of disk I/O statements. Experimental results show that we obtain an improvement in I/O cost by a factor of up to 2.6 over an equi-tile-size approach.
Individual Engagement to Collective Participation: The Dynamics of Participation Pattern in Performance Budgeting

Active participation from all stakeholders in the budget process is one of the key issues to the integration of performance information with budgeting. While individual stakeholders' participation is cited as important by various studies, participation pattern, that is, how they engage relative to each other in performance measurement, is less known. Empirical studies on participation patterns and their collective impact on performance budgeting are scarce. Using the survey data collected in Georgia, this study conducted a cluster analysis in order to further provide a dynamic understanding of the mechanism and structure of a participative process in performance budgeting. The findings suggest that participation pattern is a different construct than individual participation and that the effective patterns vary by the purpose for which performance information is used. In addition, the patterns that are open to external professionals and citizens, with shared responsibilities among the agencies, executive offices and the legislative branch, and tailored to various purposes are more likely to be effective in integrating performance information with management and budgeting.
Ion mobility spectrometer / mass spectrometer (IMS-MS).

The use of Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)in the Detection of Contraband Sandia researchers use ion mobility spectrometers for trace chemical detection and analysis in a variety of projects and applications. Products developed in recent years based on IMS-technology include explosives detection personnel portals, the Material Area Access (MAA) checkpoint of the future, an explosives detection vehicle portal, hand-held detection systems such as the Hound and Hound II (all 6400), micro-IMS sensors (1700), ordnance detection (2500), and Fourier Transform IMS technology (8700). The emphasis to date has been on explosives detection, but the detection of chemical agents has also been pursued (8100 and 6400).Combining Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) with Mass Spectrometry (MS)The IMS-MS combination overcomes several limitations present in simple IMS systems. Ion mobility alone is insufficient to identify an unknown chemical agent. Collision cross section, upon which mobility is based, is not sufficiently unique or predictable a priori to be able to make a confident peak assignment unless the compounds present are already identified. Molecular mass, on the other hand, is much more readily interpreted and related to compounds. For a given compound, the molecular mass can be determined using a pocket calculator (or in one's head) while a reasonablemore » value of the cross-section might require hours of computation time. Thus a mass spectrum provides chemical specificity and identity not accessible in the mobility spectrum alone. In addition, several advanced mass spectrometric methods, such as tandem MS, have been extensively developed for the purpose of molecular identification. With an appropriate mass spectrometer connected to an ion mobility spectrometer, these advanced identification methods become available, providing greater characterization capability.3 AcronymsIMSion mobility spectrometryMAAMaterial Access AreaMSmass spectrometryoaTOForthogonal acceleration time-of-flightTOFtime-of-flight4« less
Management of vagal nerve stimulator infections: do they need to be removed?

Object Vagal nerve stimulators (VNSs) have been used successfully to treat medically refractory epilepsy. Although their efficacy is well established, appropriate management of infections is less clearly defined. In the authors' experience, patients who have gained a benefit from VNS implantation have been reluctant to have the device removed. The authors therefore sought conservative management options to salvage infected VNS systems. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 191 (93 female and 98 male) consecutive patients in whom VNS systems were placed between 2000 and 2007. Results They identified 10 infections (5.2%). In 9 of 10 patients the cultured organism was Staphylococcus aureus. Three (30%) of 10 patients underwent early removal (within 1 month) of the VNS as the initial treatment. The remaining 7 patients were initially treated with antibiotics. Two (28.6%) of these patients were successfully treated using antibiotics without VNS removal. Patients in whom conservative treatment...
A Comprehensive Study of the GeoPass User Authentication Scheme

Before deploying a new user authentication scheme, it is critical to subject the scheme to comprehensive study. Few works, however, have undertaken such a study. Recently, Thorpe et al. proposed GeoPass, the most promising of a class of user authentication schemes based on geographic locations in online maps. Their study showed very high memorability (97%) and satisfactory resilience against online guessing, which means that GeoPass has compelling features for real-world use. No comprehensive study, however, has been conducted for GeoPass or any other location-based password scheme. In this paper, we present a systematic approach for the detailed evaluation of a password system, which we implement to study GeoPass. We conducted three separate studies to evaluate the suitability of GeoPass for widespread use. First, we performed a field study over two months, in which users in a real-world setting remembered their location-passwords 96% of the time and showed improvement with more login sessions. Second, we conducted a study to test how users would fare with multiple location-passwords and found that users remembered their location-passwords in less than 70% of login sessions, with 40% of login failures due to interference effects. Third, we conducted a study to examine the resilience of GeoPass against shoulder surfing. Our participants played the role of attackers and had an overall success rate of 48%. Based on our results, we suggest suitable applications of GeoPass in its current state and identify aspects of GeoPass that must be improved before widespread deployment could be considered.
Pbp2x localizes separately from Pbp2b and other peptidoglycan synthesis proteins during later stages of cell division of Streptococcus pneumoniae D39

The relative localization patterns of class B penicillin-binding proteins Pbp2x and Pbp2b were used as positional indicators of septal and peripheral (side-wall-like) peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, respectively, in the mid-cell regions of Streptococcus pneumoniae cells at different stages of division. We confirm that Pbp2x and Pbp2b are essential in the strain D39 genetic background, which differs from that of laboratory strains. We show that Pbp2b, like Pbp2x and class A Pbp1a, follows a different localization pattern than FtsZ and remains at division septa after FtsZ reappears at the equators of daughter cells. Pulse-experiments with fluorescent D-amino acids (FDAAs) were performed in wild-type cells and in cells in which Pbp2x activity was preferentially inhibited by methicillin or Pbp2x amount was depleted. These experiments show that Pbp2x activity separates from that of other PBPs to the centres of constricting septa in mid-to-late divisional cells resolved by high-resolution 3D-SIM microscopy. Dual-protein and protein-fluorescent vancomycin 2D and 3D-SIM immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) of cells at different division stages corroborate that Pbp2x separates to the centres of septa surrounded by an adjacent constricting ring containing Pbp2b, Pbp1a and regulators, StkP and MreC. The separate localization of Pbp2x suggests distinctive roles in completing septal PG synthesis and remodelling.
Transformer less Intelligent Power Substation design with 15kV SiC IGBT for grid interconnection

Basic power topology for a Solid State Transformer (SST) with new 15kV SiC IGBT devices is discussed. It is difficult to build high efficient, light weight, magnetically isolated solid state transformer for high voltage (13.8 kV) grid connectivity with existing Si 6.5kV rated IGBTs and diodes. Existing state of the art high voltage (6.5kV), high speed power devices (IGBT) cause considerable amount of loss (switching and conduction loss). With the advent of SiC devices these limitations are largely mitigated and this provides the motivation for new power topologies. The targeted efficiency of the proposed SST is 98%.Simulation results for a 1 MVA proposed SST topology is presented.
An Assessment of the Information Needs of Transgender Communities in Portland, Oregon

ABSTRACT Researchers set out to determine, through a community needs assessment, whether there are specific informational needs within the Transgender population of a metropolitan area that have not been identified or are not being adequately addressed by libraries. Information regarding the unique types of material, format, and modes of accessibility the members of the local Transgendered community prefer also was assessed. This article presents findings of the survey and the resulting recommendations as they pertain to library collection development.
Compensatory Mechanisms in Congenital Nystagmus

Congenital nystagmus may occur in a manifest or latent form. Since most patients with latent nystagmus also have nystagmus with both eyes open (manifest latent nystagmus), differentiation between these two entities frequently requires electronystagmographic wave form analysis. Such analysis shows distinctive characteristics for manifest and latent or manifest latent congenital nystagmus, suggesting different origins. Several compensation mechanisms exist by which congenital nystagmus is decreased and visual acuity improved. For manifest nystagmus, these mechanisms include version or convergence innervation or a rest point between primary position and maximal lateroversion. In latent or manifest latent nystagmus, the nystagmus decreases when the fixating eye is adducted. Patients with manifest congenital nystagmus may use several of these compensation strategies. Because of the difficulties involved in distinguishing between manifest and manifest latent nystagmus without electronystagmography, confusion has arisen regarding the etiologic relationship between congenital nystagmus and infantile esotropia. Such relationship clearly exists in some patients with manifest nystagmus and convergence dampening. However, in most patients with infantile esotropia and congenital nystagmus, the nystagmus is latent or manifest latent and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these two entities.
Hydrocephalus in the H-Tx rat: a monogenic disease?

Abstract The H-Tx rat is a genetic model of hydrocephalus for which thereis a poor understanding of the mode of inheritance.Previous studies suggested a polygenicmode of inheritance but the breeding data to supportthis hypothesis have not been reported. In an attempt to clarify the hereditary mode we have analyzed the data from eight generations of H-Tx rats and four generations of cross-matings between H-Tx rats and Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. In the H-Tx rat colony 113 of 129 random brother–sister matings (87.60%) produced hydrocephalic offspring, with males and females being equally affected. The overall incidence varied greatly with an average of 30.35%. In matings with more than three litters, all mating pairs yielded hydrocephalic pups. In cross-matings both hydrocephalic and normal H-Tx rats were mated with normal SD rats. No hydrocephalus was observed in the first generation of 124 pups (F1). Subsequent brother–sister matings of F1 animals generated hydrocephalic pups in the F2 generation with a lower incidence (4.67% in hydrocephalic HTx/SD matings and 5.11% in normal HTx/SD matings, respectively) than in the H-Tx rat colony (30.35%). Back-cross-matings between F2 rats and normal H-Tx rats yielded an incidence of hydrocephalus higher than that of the cross-matings but lower than that of the H-Tx colony. These data strongly suggest that the H-Tx rat is a homozygous carrier of an autosomal recessive hydrocephalus gene with incomplete penetrance. Furthermore, the data clearly rule out sex-linked and polygenic modes of inheritance and provide further insight with respect to genetic inheritance of hydrocephalus.
Control problems with intermediate constraints: A sufficient condition

A sufficient condition is given for an arc to be optimal in a general control problem with intermediate constraints. The method of proof is indirect, a la Hestenes, and requires the functionH of the maximum principle to satisfy a concavity property in the control variable, called localE-dominance.
Intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of 4-(allenic-substituted)-2-cycloalken-1-ones. Ring size, length of sidechain and temperature effects

Abstract The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of 4-(allenic-substituted)-2-cycloalken-1-ones has been shown to be controlled by the ring size of the cycloalkenone, the chain length and the temperature of the reaction.
Effect of residual copper on stability of molecular brushes prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization

Effect of residual copper on stability of molecular brushes with poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) side chains was studied. The brushes were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using the grafting-from approach. Although the copper concentration was decreased down to below ten ppm levels by passing through alumina column, further removal was required to prevent crosslinking reactions. Further removal was performed by dialysis or precipitation.
MO‐EE‐A3‐05: Improving the Temporal Resolution of Dynamic MRI by Deformable Alignment of the Peripheral K‐Space

Introduction Dynamic MRI may be used to image motion that is needed for accurate radiotherapytreatment planning. The tradeoff between temporal and spatial resolution has been a major issue affecting the use of dynamic MRI. Here we propose to improve temporal resolution by reconstructing high spatial resolution components with deformably registered motion data. Dynamic MRI with increased temporal resolution without scarifying spatial resolution for several sites are presenting. Methods and Materials High and low spatial resolution components of the image typically move similarly, i.e. share most of the motion vector information. The motion vectors can be obtained by deformable registration of the central k‐space, and applied to the high spatial resolution data. This allows one to acquire the peripheral k‐space at a lower temporal resolution than the central k‐space therefore increase the overall sampling rate. We tested the possible gain by this method for 2‐dimensional dynamic MRIs (SIEMENS 3T Verio) of swallowing, breathing and peristalsis. Results The mean error in the displacement vectors obtained using only the central 20% of k‐space vs. using the full k‐space was less than 0.5mm, which reduced to 0.2mm if 50% of the radius is used. Peristalsis motion with sudden changes shared least information between central and peripheral k‐space. The reconstructed images with as low as central 20% of the k‐space radius are very similar to imagesreconstructed with full k‐space. The resulting probability distance histograms and regions of interest show minimal variation. Conclusion Temporal resolution can be improved considerably without compromising the spatial resolution if the low‐resolution vector information is used to construct high spatial resolution data as demonstrated in this work. The deformable registration accuracy is highly critical for the overall performance of the method. Conflict of Interest: This work is supported partially by Siemens Healthcare.
Evaluation of Certain Reproductive Traits in Lines of Chickens Selected for Mating Ability

Abstract An evaluation was made of age at sexual maturity, egg production, egg weight, fertility and hatchability in lines of chickens divergently selected for 10 to 12 generations for cumulative number of completed matings of males. Males of the low mating line matured at earlier ages than those of the unselected control and high mating lines. The four comb phenotypes involving the rose and the pea loci did not influence age at sexual maturity in males. In females no differences were found among lines for age at sexual maturity, hen-day egg production, and egg weights. The selected lines were not different for percentage fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs.
1 CELL CYCLE REGULATION OF RIBONUCLEOTIDE REDUCTASE M2 SUBUNIT SPECIFIC RNA IN WILD TYPE and MUTANT S49 CELLS

Ribonucleotide Reductase reduces all four ribonucleoside diphosphates to deoxynucleoside diphosphates and functions as the major source of deoxyribo-nucleotides for DNA synthesis in vivo. Ribonucleotide reductase is cell cycle regulated and most of the increased activity during S phase results from a 6 to 10 fold increase in M2 subunit activity. Hydroxyurea resistant cell lines have increased M2 activity and M2 gene amplification but normal cell cycle regulation of ribonucleotide reductase activity. We investigated M2 specific mRNA content of cell cycle specific populations using a 1487 bp long mouse M2 cDNA to probe northern dot blots of total cellular RNA from wild type, cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase deficient, and two hydroxyurea resistant cell lines one with and one without CAMP dependent protein kinase activity. Five sequential cell cycle fractions were obtained by centrifugal elutriation. Hydroxyurea resistant cell lines had greater M2 specific RNA per mg than wild type though their cell cycle regulation appeared to be largely the same. All cell types have low concentrations of M2 specific RNA in very early Gl, a dramatic increase in late Gl/early S, a rapid decline in later S and finally a gradual rise in G2 phase. These data suggest transcriptional regulation of M2 during the cell cycle is at least in part responsible for cell cycle variation in ribonucleotide reductase activity.
Latent variables, measurement error and methods for analysing longitudinal binary and ordinal data.

We explore structural equations with latent variables for modelling between-individual variability and measurement error in the analysis of longitudinal binary and ordinal data. The structural equation formulation provides insight into the assumptions and differences in interpretation of methods that are popular for longitudinal data analysis. Introducing the concept of continuous latent variables makes it clear that marginal and cluster-specific models differ because their predicted variables are scaled to different standard deviations, and that adjustment for measurement error in the outcome involves a change in scale as well. We apply both structural equation modelling and common longitudinal modelling approaches to data from a study of sleep disorders. In the process, we compare results from marginal modelling using an SAS GEE routine (Karim and Zeger, 1988), Qu's GAUSS program (Qu, 1992) for generalized mixed models using GEE, the MIXOR package for cluster-specific mixed effects models (Hedeker and Gibbons, 1994), and LISCOMP for structural models (Muthen, 1988).
Somatoform disorders in the general hospital inpatient setting

Abstract The somatoform disorders present dilemmas on acute inpatient medical/surgical services because they may closely mimic authentic physical illness and result in misapplied medical treatment. However, there have been few diagnostic studies of this important group in the medical/surgical inpatient setting. Inpatient psychiatric consultions at Mount Sinai Medical Center during 1980–1987 were recorded using a 384-item computerized data base protocol. DSM-III somatoform disorders were identified in 33 of 1801 initial consultations (1.8%) and in 35 of 1363 at time of termination (2.6%); demographic and diagnostic characteristics of somatoforms and others were compared. The question of a psychogenic component to the illness and problem with pain management were the most common stated reasons for consultation. Somatoform patients were more likely than others to be female (p
Contributions to the binding free energy of ligands to avidin and streptavidin.

The free energy of binding of a ligand to a macromolecule is here formally decomposed into the (effective) energy of interaction, reorganization energy of the ligand and the macromolecule, conformational entropy change of the ligand and the macromolecule, and translational and rotational entropy loss of the ligand. Molecular dynamics simulations with implicit solvation are used to evaluate these contributions in the binding of biotin, biotin analogs, and two peptides to avidin and streptavidin. We find that the largest contribution opposing binding is the protein reorganization energy, which is calculated to be from 10 to 30 kcal/mol for the ligands considered here. The ligand reorganization energy is also significant for flexible ligands. The translational/rotational entropy is 4.5-6 kcal/mol at 1 M standard state and room temperature. The calculated binding free energies are in the correct range, but the large statistical uncertainty in the protein reorganization energy precludes precise predictions. For some complexes, the simulations show multiple binding modes, different from the one observed in the crystal structure. This finding is probably due to deficiencies in the force field but may also reflect considerable ligand flexibility.