cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Obsolete and Modern Cotton Cultivars at Two Nitrogen Levels

Increase in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields have been the result of both improved crop management and breeding. However, there is little information on how both management and breeding have interacted to produce higher yields. The objective of this study was to determine to what degree yield improvements and maturity changes which have taken place in the last 54 yr are due to using higher N rates and new cultivars. Eight modern cultivars (MC) and eight obsolete cultivars (OC) were grown on two soil types near Stoneville, MS, in 1992 and 1993. The year of cultivar release ranged from 1938 to 1992. Two N rates of 22 and 112 kg ha -1 were used. The field design was a randomized complete block with five replications. Five hand harvests were made on all tests to measure yield and maturity differences. A significant N x cultivar interaction was detected. The average yield for MC was 914 and 1021 kg ha -1 for the low and high N rates, respectively, or a 12% increase. However, average yield for OC was 743 and 799 kg ha -1 , respectively, or an 8% increase. The slope of the equation predicting yield from year of cultivar release was 6.1 and 4.8 kg ha -1 yr -1 for the 112 and 22 kg ha -1 N rates, respectively. The higher N rate resulted in a 4-d delay in maturity, measured as days after planting (DAP) until 65% of the crop was harvestable. The maturity range for MC was 6 d, ranging from 136 to 142 DAP. The range for OC was three d, 138 to 141 DAP. Cultivar x environment interactions were small. This study shows that high yields can be obtained with both late and early maturity cultivars. However, early maturing cultivars escape some late season insect buildups and allow for greater harvesting flexibility. The regression coefficient of yield increase on year of release was significantly lower in this study than that detected in two previous studies.
Linking control systems to business unit strategy: impact on performance

Rooted in contingency theory, this paper examines linkages between strategy, incentive bonus system and effectiveness at the strategic busines unit (SBU) level within diversified firms. Data from 58 SBUs reveal (1) that greater reliance on long-run criteria as well as subjective (non-formula) approaches for determining the SBU general managers’ bonus contributes to effectiveness in the case of ‘build’ SBUs but hampers it in the case of ‘harvest’ SBUs, and (2) that the relationship between extent of reliance on short-run criteria and effectiveness is virtually independent of SBU strategy.
Write, read, and erase materials for 3D optical memory devices

Several new photochromic fluorescent materials have been developed to be used as write, read, erase media for 3D two- photon optical memory devices. These materials are of the substituted fulgides family and were specially synthesized by us for 3D memory devices. Both the read and write forms of these materials were found to be stable at room temperature and their read, colored form, emit strong fluorescence, while the write, colorless form, does not fluoresce. Their spectroscopic and kinetic properties were measured and the quantum efficiency for writing reading and erasing were determined. In addition the kinetics of the photoprocesses involved in the write-read-erase cycles were also measured. These data suggest that these materials are potentially suitable for use in rewritable optical memory devices.
Cataloging and Classification for Library Technicians 2nd ed.

A worthwhile investment in any training program for library staff, Cataloging and Classification for Library Technicians provides an excellent introduction in the cataloging function in libraries. ...
Photoionization of the Kr2 Dimer

Abstract The relative photoionization cross section of Kr2 was determined from 900 to 970 A at a resolution of 0.15 A. Complex molecular autoionization structure is observed throughout the spectrum and has been analyzed in part in terms of Rydberg states converging to the A2Σ+ 1 2 u and B2Π 3 2g states of the ion.
The weak production of Λ hyperons from lepton-proton scattering

We obtain the differential cross sections for the weak, strangeness changing processes, e − + p → Λ + ν e , μ − + p → Λ + ν μ , and τ − + p → Λ + ν τ as well as cross sections for the processes ν ¯ L + p → Λ + L + , where L stands for either a muon or a tau. We do this for electron energies from threshold to 2.0 GeV, for muon energies from near threshold to 5.0 GeV, for a tau energy of 20.0 GeV, and for muon antineutrino energies from threshold to 1.0 GeV and tau antineutrino energies near threshold. We discuss what might be learned from these reactions and obtain the contributions of the various form factors to these cross sections. We pay particular attention to the interference terms which may represent the only possibility of obtaining the weak magnetism form factor, F M , the pseudoscalar form factor, F P , and the form factor, F E . This latter form factor is forbidden by G-parity in the p ↔ n transition but is in principle permitted in the p ↔ Λ transition and its presence would therefore be of interest. Our calculation is a phenomenological one and makes use of SU(3) relations and Λ beta decay data.
CBRN Incidents: Political Regimes, Perpetrators, and Targets

This article investigates the relationship between regime characteristics and the likelihood of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorist incidents. Odds ratios establish that democratic ideals—democratic rule, strong rule of law, and honest regimes—are associated with more CBRN incidents. Failed states may be where some terrorist groups form or take refuge, but these states have not been the venue of choice for CBRN incidents. Religious (cults and fundamentalists) and nationalist/separatist groups are not more likely than others to engage in CBRN attacks. To date, indiscriminate CBRN attacks are as likely as discriminate attacks to cause casualties. Transnational terrorist groups are less adept than others in concealing their acquisition of CBRN substances. For some regressions, democratic rule and strong rule of law are positive determinants of CBRN incidents.
Quantitative ion mobility spectroscopy based on molecular collision rate theory

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) have traditionally been viewed as a qualitative analytical technique for identifying specific chemicals in the atmosphere. This work employs a nonlinear model based on molecular collision rate theory for quantitative modeling of chemical analyte concentrations. The collision rate between any two molecules depends on the relative populations of each chemical species in the volume of air analyzed where most collisions between ions, or neutral molecules and ions, result in no charge transfer. The rate constants for formation of product ions and consumption of source ions are estimated using empirical data over a wide concentration range for several analytes and reagent gases. The rate constants are unique to the analyte and the reagent gas as well as the sensitivity of the particular IMS instrument and provide a quantitative model to relate the mobility peak amplitudes to the analyte concentration. The rate constants can also be normalized by the reaction ion consumption rate constant to remove the IMS instrument sensitivity and provide a qualitative metric for analyte identification independent of a particular IMS instrument. A quantitative example is given for an acetic acid plume measured by a hand-held IMS detector outdoors has the plume passes. The quantitative rate constants provide a reasonable basis for estimating analyte concentration from the ion mobility spectra over a wide range of analyte concentrations.
A Materialist Theory of Women's Status:

Women's position in society is determined by three interrelated factors: production, reproduction, and psychodynamics. A change in one area without changes in the others will not necessarily benefi...
A comparison of methods for measuring rectal HIV levels suggests that HIV DNA resides in cells other than CD4+ T cells, including myeloid cells.

We compared different techniques for measuring gut HIV reservoirs and assessed for HIV in non-CD4+T cells. HIV DNA levels were similar when measured from rectal biopsies and isolated rectal cells, while HIV RNA tended to be higher in rectal cells. HIV DNA levels in total rectal cells were greater than those predicted from levels in sorted CD4+T cells, suggesting a reservoir in non-CD4+T cells, and HIV DNA was detected in sorted myeloid cells (7/7 subjects).
The arrestment of incipient dental caries in adults after the use of three different forms of SnF2 therapy: results after 30 months

Multiple applications o f SnF 2 reduced the rate of progression of incipient carious lesions by 80.3 percent. This study was the first to attempt to quantitatively measure the rate of progression of caries in the presence or absence of topical SnF 2 therapy.
The cytology of the intestine of the parasitic nematode Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893).

The cytology of the intestinal epithelium of the parasitic nematode Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft 1893) was examined using light and electron microscopy. Only a single cell type could be distinguished. The cells are characterized by an extensive development of granular endoplasmic reticulum which occurs within the periphery of the cell and by a high concentration of glycogen within the central region of the cell. The Golgi zone is situated basally between the endoplasmic reticulum and the glycogen. The cells bear numerous microvilli on their luminal surface. The microvilli are covered by an extracellular, fibrous, mucopolysaccharide or mucoprotein. The possible significance of this extracellular material, and of the association of organelles with respect to glycogen synthesis, is speculated upon. From the extensive development of the organelles within the intestinal cells, it may be concluded that the intestine is capable of considerable synthetic activity as well as the uptake and transport of materials to the pseudocoelomic fluid.
Piroxicam, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin production in cell culture. Structure-activity study

The new non-steroidal antiinflammatory (NSAI)2 agent, piroxicam [4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide], is a highly active inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by methylcholanthrene transformed mouse fibroblasts (MC5-5) and rabbit synovial cells in culture. Comparison of the PG biosynthesis inhibitory activity of piroxicam with other NSAI drugs in these experiments ranks piroxicam as among the most potent agents of this type now known. Some specific modifications of piroxicam's structure result in significant loss in PG synthesis blocking activity.
Pairing model predictions for (p, t) experiments on the cadmium isotopes

Abstract The even-even cadmium isotopes have been studied by the (p, t) reaction at 42 MeV. A broad resonance-like structure is observed between 6 and 7 MeV excitation energy which has similar properties to the feature observed in (p, t) reactions in the tin isotopes. A second smaller bump at higher excitation energy appears to arise from pickup of two particles from deep orbits.
A Man for All Seasons: Robert R. Wilson

Robert R. Wilson was the brilliant designer, builder and founding director of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory with its series of high-energy physics particle accelerators providing collision energies of 200, 400 and 2,000 GeV, the most powerful facilities in their class over a period of 40 years. He undertook the "impossible" and succeeded. With untrammeled courage he challenged the establishment as he bypassed many conventional practices in accelerator design, construction and cost control. With his remarkable talents he addressed a wide range of important aspects of the relationships of art and science, elegance and efficiency and physics and society. In doing so he always found ways for his pursuit of science to support his strong advocacy for human rights, international collaboration and democracy.
Neurons in human epileptic cortex: Correlation between unit and EEG activity

A total of 90 neurons were recorded extracellularly from 17 awake patients undergoing craniotomy for excision of epileptogenic cortex. Relationships between single-unit activity and gross epileptiform spikes recorded locally by the microelectrode or from the immediate overlying cortical surface by electrocorticography (ECoG) were examined. Similar relationships were also sought between interictal bursts from nearby cells when action potentials from several neurons had been recorded simultaneously by the tungsten electrodes. Although 40 single units fired action potentials in some relation to ECoG spikes, the relationships were variable between units and, often, for the same unit. For many units, action potentials were more consistently related to one phase of the local field potential recorded through tungsten microelectrodes than to the ECoG recorded from the overlying cortical surface. Synchronous firing between single units recorded simultaneously by the same microelectrode was rarely seen except at the onset of an ictal event. In addition, a high degree of synchrony between unit firing and local ECoG spikes was recorded in a few patients, but these patients had frequent focal spontaneous seizures. The data imply that in human epilepsy, unlike some animal models of the disorder, relationships between surface epileptiform events and single-unit burst firing are not easily found in interictal recordings. The data also suggest that synchrony between unit and surface events requires a high degree of synchrony among neurons within the epileptogenic focus.
Wave-Mean Flow Interactions in the Atmosphere

Abstract The nature and extent of the interactions between the zonally averaged current (ū) and synoptic-scale eddies, including the contribution of the eddy-induced men meridional circulation, are assessed. Eddy fluxes of heat and momentum determined by Oort and Rasmussen are used as forcing functions in the diagnostic equation for the streamfunction corresponding to the mean meridional circulation. This equation is solved by relaxation and the solution is used to evaluate the contribution of the eddy-induced meridional circulation to the acceleration of the zonal current (∂ū/∂t). The net acceleration (i.e., the sum of the accelerations due to this meridional circulation and to the convergence of the eddy flux of momentum) is evaluated and is presented as a function of latitude and pressure height for each of the four seasons. Also presented is the meridional distribution of the net kinetic energy generation (ū∂ū/∂t) by the eddies, and the hemispheric integral of this quantity. The net annual generation ...
Synaptic vesicle retrieval time is a cell-wide rather than individual-synapse property

Although individual nerve terminals from the same neuron often differ in neurotransmitter release characteristics, the extent to which endocytic retrieval of synaptic vesicle components differs is unknown. We used high-fidelity optical recordings to undertake a large-scale analysis of endocytosis kinetics of individual boutons in hippocampal rat neurons. Our data indicate that endocytosis kinetics do not differ substantially across boutons from the same cell but instead appear to be controlled at a cell-wide level.
The trigonal and orthorhombic crystal structures of CfF3 and their temperature relationship

Abstract Californium trifluoride was found to exhibit the high-temperature LaF3-type trigonal structure as well as the known low-temperature YF3-type orthorhombic structure. Average, room-temperature lattice parameters determined for the trigonal structure are: a 0 = 6·945 ± 0·003 A ; c 0 = 7·101 ± 0·002 A . Room-temperature lattice parameters for orthorhombic CfF3 are: a 0 = 6·653 ± 0·003 A ; b 0 = 7·039 ± 0·001 A ; c o = 4·393 ± 0·003 A . These latter values are the average of results obtained by us and other workers. The orthorhombic ⇆trigonal transformations were studied via annealing and quenching techniques, but conditions for establishing the transition temperature were not attained.
Labyrinthine fistulae: Pathobiology and management

Purpose of review This article reviews literature on three manifestations of these pathologic mechanisms: leakage of perilymph from the inner ear into the middle ear, disruption of the bone of the labyrinth caused by cholesteatoma or other manifestations of chronic otitis media, and superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome. Recent findings Labyrinthine fistulae are caused by abnormal communications between the inner ear and surrounding structures. Under normal circumstances, the fluid-filled spaces of the membranous labyrinth are encased in the dense bone of the otic capsule with only two places of increased compliance: the oval window and the round window. Disruption of the labyrinthine bone can lead to areas of increased compliance, with symptoms and signs that can be understood based upon abnormal pressure transmission in the system. Communication between the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces of the labyrinth or passage of perilymph from the labyrinth into the middle ear or mastoid can lead to hearing loss and/or vestibular disturbances. Summary Findings on clinical examination as well as CT imaging of the temporal bone can be useful in making the diagnosis. Management is based upon the specific pathological factors and the impact of the symptoms and signs on the patient.
Sophia: a flexible, Web-based knowledge server

Sophia is a frame based knowledge server built on a commercial relational database system. The system is thus simple and inexpensive, while also providing some advanced functionality. Sophia is accessible to users through the Web or to client applications through an API.
The First Coordination of an (α-Diazo)phosphine to a Transition-Metal Center

Reaction of [o-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl][bis(diisopropylamino)phosphino]diazomethane (1) with tetracarbonylbis(μ-chloro)dirhodium(I) ([Rh(CO)2(μ-Cl)]2) affords the monometallic complex 2 at low temperature and the dinuclear complex 3 upon warming to 0 °C. X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that the coordination occurs via the phosphorus lone pair with retention of the diazo moiety in both complexes.
Between-groups incentive effects on conditioned suppression

Rats licking 32% sucrose suppressed to a preaversive CS just as much as did those licking 8% but recovered their base-line response rates faster following shocks. It was suggested that an earlier finding of greater suppression under low incentive (Vogel & Spear, 1966) could have been due to the use of a recovery-time measure of suppression—a measure that confounds CS-elicited suppression with rate of recovery of base-line responding.
The Effect of Egg-Borne Mycoplasma on Embryonating Turkey Eggs

Abstract IT IS WELL established that Mycoplasma are egg transmitted and that this is the most common means of perpetuating chronic respiratory disease (CRD). Van Roekel et al. (1958), demonstrated grossly visible lesions in chicken embryos during the terminal stages of incubation as a result of Mycoplasma infection. The occurrence of embryos with such lesions was irregular in various hatches as well as in the progeny of individual dams. These authors found a relationship between air sac lesions in embryos and subsequent outbreaks of CRD in chicks. A limited number of observations has been made on the lesions produced by Mycoplasma in embryonating turkey eggs. McNeil and Hinshaw (1946) suggested that egg production and fertility are adversely affected by chronic respiratory disease. Hofstad (1957) reported a positive relationship between air sac lesions of poults and subsequent outbreaks of infectious sinusitis. He described caseation of the thoracic air sacs as the most …
The "Shared Classroom": A Case Study of Interactions Between Early Childhood and Special Education Staff and Children

The initial intention of this case study was to document the development of social interactions between the six typical and six disabled children in an integrated preschool classroom. This was to be discovered through a qualitative analysis of videotapes taken once a month, for 9 months, during a 1-hour free-play period. What emerged, through the observation and discussion of these videotapes with the classroom team, was that structural changes in the environment of the classroom were essential for the development of positive social interactions between the children. This study, therefore, further validates the conclusions of other investigations of the social development of children in integrated preschool classrooms: the proximity of children does not assure interaction. These issues are explored and illustrations of staff behaviors that facilitated social interaction are presented.
Multi-loop efficient sturdy MASH delta-sigma modulators

An extended version of sturdy MASH delta-sigma modulators is presented in this paper. Improved performance is achieved using in-band zero optimization. The challenges towards high order multi-loop modulators are discussed and a new multi-loop modulator is presented. This modulator benefits from a MASH architecture in the final loop to preserve stability, while the main loop benefits from relaxed circuit building blocks of the SMASH structure. Extensive simulation results are provided to prove the efficiency of this structure.
Square-root information filtering and fixed-interval smoothing with singularities

The square-root information filter and smoother algorithms have been generalized to handle singular state transition matrices and perfect measurements. This has been done to allow the use of SRIF (square root information filter) techniques for problems with delays and state constraints. The generalized algorithms use complete QR factorization to isolate deterministically known parts of the state and nonsingular parts of the state-transition and disturbance-influence matrices. These factorizations and the corresponding changes of coordinates are used to solve the recursive least-squares problems that are basic to the SRIF technique.
Defining fitness in evolutionary models.

The analysis of evolutionary models requires an appropriate definition for fitness. In this paper, I review such definitions in relation to the five major dimensions by which models may be described, namely (i) finite versus infinite (or very large) population size, (ii) type of environment (constant, fixed length, temporally stochastic, temporally predictable, spatially stochastic, spatially predictable and social environment), (iii) density-independent or density-dependent, (iv) inherent population dynamics (equilibrium, cyclical and chaotic), and (v) frequency-dependent or independent. In simple models, the Malthusian parameter ‘r’ or the net reproductive rate R 0 may be satisfactory, but once density-dependence or complex population dynamics is introduced the invasion exponent should be used. Defining fitness in a social environment or when there is frequency-dependence requires special consideration.
Dynamic Fall Detection and Pace Measurement in Walking Sticks

Falls are increasingly among the leading causes of elderly injuries and deaths each year. Several of these victims depend on a walking stick or cane for support while walking. Rendering aid more quickly to those who fall may decrease the severity of injury in several cases. In this paper, we propose a dynamic fall detection system embedded into walking sticks and canes. By using a gyroscope chip to measure angular velocity of the stick, we can detect when a user may have fallen. Also monitored by the detection system is the user's walking pace, such that the user will be warned when traveling at paces above his or her normal speed. With different polling frequency levels to preserve energy, we present a low-power device that can potentially improve safety among the elderly.
A Cross-Cultural Test of Self-Image

Franz Boas proposed that one of the central problems of anthropology is "the relation between the objective world and man's subjective world as it has taken form in different cultures." (3). The growing psychological interest (1) (2) in the relation between motivation or needs and perception ought to be extended cross-culturally because it seems likely that difficulties in cross-cultural communication may be a function of fundamental cultural differences in perception which may be quantified and measured. In particular, differences and similarities in perception of the body-image appear to be profitable to investigate. This paper will report two very preliminary studies, carried out on a group of Indians at an isolated hacienda in Peru and on a much larger group of school children in two California suburban communities. The results of these studies are most tentative, hence the primary emphasis of this report will be on methodological considerations.
MK-2206, an AKT Inhibitor, Promotes Caspase-Independent Cell Death and Inhibits Leiomyoma Growth

Uterine leiomyomas (ULs), benign tumors of the myometrium, are the number one indication for hysterectomies in the United States due to a lack of an effective alternative therapy. ULs show activation of the pro-survival AKT pathway compared with normal myometrium; however, substantial data directly linking AKT to UL cell survival are lacking. We hypothesized that AKT promotes UL cell survival and that it is a viable target for inhibiting UL growth. We used the investigational AKT inhibitor MK-2206, currently in phase II trials, on cultured primary human UL and myometrial cells, immortalized leiomyoma cells, and in leiomyoma grafts grown under the kidney capsule in mice. MK-2206 inhibited AKT and PRAS40 phosphorylation but did not regulate serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase and ERK1/2, demonstrating its specificity for AKT. MK-2206 reduced UL cell viability and decreased UL tumor volumes. UL cells exhibited disruption of mitochondrial structures and underwent cell death that was independent of caspases. Additionally, mammalian target of rapamycin and p70S6K phosphorylation were reduced, indicating that mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling was compromised by AKT inhibition in UL cells. MK-2206 also induced autophagy in UL cells. Pretreatment of primary UL cells with 3-methyladenine enhanced MK-2206-mediated UL cell death, whereas knockdown of ATG5 and/or ATG7 did not significantly influence UL cell viability in the presence of MK-2206. Our data provide molecular evidence for the involvement of AKT in UL cell survival and suggest that AKT inhibition by MK-2206 may be a viable option to consider for the treatment of ULs.
Bonded SOI technologies for high voltage applications

A survey is presented of bonded SOI (BSOI) applications utilizing silicon layers of thickness from 0.1 /spl mu/m to 60 /spl mu/m. Description of the fabrication process and properties of standard BSOI is given. For high voltage applications,the various bonded structures and material issues are described and compared to SIMOX (separation by implanted oxygen). New thinning technologies for ultra-thin SOI (<0.1 /spl mu/m) including recently developed method for separation at an implanted plane are briefly discussed.
Fast all modes (FAM) method combined with NMSP for evaluating spatial domain layered medium Green's functions of moderate thickness

An efficient and novel approach, the fast all modes (FAM) method, was developed to locate all modes precisely on the entire complex plane for a single layered media. The modes include surface wave modes, leaky wave modes, and improper modes. For the case where the layer thickness is 1 wavelength, the pre-processing FAM requires 0.34 s for computing 500 mode locations of both TE and TM modes using a Pentium IV 3.2 GHz PC running Matlab. To justify our FAM method, we use the numerical modified steepest-descent path (NMSP) method to evaluate spatial domain Green's functions for mixed potentials GA and GV. The NMSP method computes the steepest descent integral with all the pole proximities extracted and replaced by incomplete error functions. The CPU per distance point based on the FAM/NMSP method takes less than 6 mss for all distance ranges. All computed results are accurate to within 0.2% of the conventional half space extraction method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 3112–3118, 2007; Published online in Wiley Inter-Science (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22907
Contextual Requirements Experiences within the Software Enterprise

This paper describes a pedagogical process applied to requirements engineering education in the Software Enterprise, a multi-year software engineering project-based course sequence at Arizona State University. The Software Enterprise emphasizes contextual and accelerated learning through a modular, iterative pedagogical pattern. One course within the Enterprise is specifically dedicated to requirements engineering, with an emphasis on elicitation and quality. This paper presents the Enterprise pedagogical model, describes its application in the requirements engineering course, and discusses how these concepts differ from the other courses within the Enterprise. An example of Enterprise pedagogy in a requirements engineering module is given. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the suitability of this approach versus more classically-oriented software engineering courses.
REPRESENTING PRODUCT ARCHITECTURE

Product architecture is the transformation of function to layout. Like much of conceptual design, it is a highly dynamic process whereby engineers must consider a deluge of information in terms of both function and form. One shortcoming of current engineering practice is the absence of representations or abstractions used to aid in developing, refining, and exploiting alternative layout solutions. The purpose of this paper is to present a representation for product architecture that sufficiently captures the design factors relevant to product architecture design which are not taken into account in current practices. An example is given to illustrate the technique, and results of a validation experiment are shown.
Molecular cloning of a light-inducible gene (lipA) encoding a novel pilin from Arthrobacter photogonimos

Development of pili on cells of Arthrobacter photogonimos is induced by photo-oxidative conditions. The nucleotide sequence was determined of a light-inducible gene (lipA) that encodes the precursor of a light-inducible pilin (designated LIP), a polypeptide of 212 amino acids. The N-terminal leader peptide includes a typical signal sequence with a consensus cleavage site for signal peptidase I after residue 28, which should generate N-terminal arginine. However, the next amino acid, alanine, is the N-terminal residue of the mature protein. The abundance of charged amino acids (27% of total), a calculated pI of 9.98, and recovery of mostly monomers when cells were washed with 1 M NaCl suggest that electrostatic interactions play a dominant role in association of LIP, a novel mechanism for assembly of pili.
Book Review: Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership

Author: Martha C. Nussbaum Reviewer: Carrie Griffin Basas, J.D . Publisher: Cambridge: Harvard, 2007 ISBN: Paper 978-0674024106, 512 pages Cost: Available at amazon.com for $17.05 USD (retail $18.95)
Routine Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Totally Implantable Venous Access Device Placement: Meta-Analysis of 2,154 Patients.

Abstract Purpose To provide a meta-analysis of currently available literature on the topic of antibiotic prophylaxis for totally implanted venous access device (TIVAD) placement. Materials and Methods A systematic review of MEDLINE/PubMed was performed to identify studies that met Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria reviewing antibiotic prophylaxis in TIVAD placement. Four studies were identified that met criteria. The analysis included 2,154 patients undergoing TIVAD placement; 360 (16.7%) received antibiotic prophylaxis, and 1,794 (83.3%) received no periprocedural antibiotics. Results In the period after TIVAD placement, 27 (1.25%) infections were identified. Of infections, five occurred in the antibiotic prophylaxis group (1.39%), and 22 occurred in the nonprophylaxis group (1.23%) with an odds ratio of 0.84 (CI = 0.29–2.35). Conclusions The odds ratio of infection was 0.85 with antibiotic use but one was contained within the confidence interval suggesting no significant difference in infection rate when antibiotics were used.
Toward rapid learning in cancer treatment selection

Display Omitted We developed the MRLU, an analytical engine of clinical cancer data.MRLU is one component of a Rapid Learning System (RLS) for cancer.MRLU allows clinicians to build/analyze custom patient cohorts in near real-time.MRLU leverages clinical, pharmacologic, and genetic features for survival analysis.Physician evaluation results suggest MRLU could help clinical decision making. ObjectiveWide-scale adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) has created an unprecedented opportunity for the implementation of Rapid Learning Systems (RLSs) that leverage primary clinical data for real-time decision support. In cancer, where large variations among patient features leave gaps in traditional forms of medical evidence, the potential impact of a RLS is particularly promising. We developed the Melanoma Rapid Learning Utility (MRLU), a component of the RLS, providing an analytical engine and user interface that enables physicians to gain clinical insights by rapidly identifying and analyzing cohorts of patients similar to their own. Materials and methodsA new approach for clinical decision support in Melanoma was developed and implemented, in which patient-centered cohorts are generated from practice-based evidence and used to power on-the-fly stratified survival analyses. A database to underlie the system was generated from clinical, pharmaceutical, and molecular data from 237 patients with metastatic melanoma from two academic medical centers. The system was assessed in two ways: (1) ability to rediscover known knowledge and (2) potential clinical utility and usability through a user study of 13 practicing oncologists. ResultsThe MRLU enables physician-driven cohort selection and stratified survival analysis. The system successfully identified several known clinical trends in melanoma, including frequency of BRAF mutations, survival rate of patients with BRAF mutant tumors in response to BRAF inhibitor therapy, and sex-based trends in prevalence and survival. Surveyed physician users expressed great interest in using such on-the-fly evidence systems in practice (mean response from relevant survey questions 4.54/5.0), and generally found the MRLU in particular to be both useful (mean score 4.2/5.0) and useable (4.42/5.0). DiscussionThe MRLU is an RLS analytical engine and user interface for Melanoma treatment planning that presents design principles useful in building RLSs. Further research is necessary to evaluate when and how to best use this functionality within the EMR clinical workflow for guiding clinical decision making. ConclusionThe MRLU is an important component in building a RLS for data driven precision medicine in Melanoma treatment that could be generalized to other clinical disorders.
Polymer triplet energy levels need not limit photocurrent collection in organic solar cells.

We study charge recombination via triplet excited states in donor/acceptor organic solar cells and find that, contrary to intuition, high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) can be obtained in polymer/fullerene blend devices even when the polymer triplet state is significantly lower in energy than the intermolecular charge transfer (CT) state. Our model donor system comprises the copolymer PIDT-PhanQ: poly(indacenodithiophene-co-phenanthro[9,10-b]quinoxaline), which when blended with phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) is capable of achieving power conversion efficiencies of 6.0% and IQE ≈ 90%, despite the fact that the polymer triplet state lies 300 meV below the interfacial CT state. However, as we push the open circuit voltage (VOC) higher by tailoring the fullerene reduction potential, we observe signatures of a new recombination loss process near VOC = 1.0 V that we do not observe for PCBM-based devices. Using photoinduced absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy, we show that a new reco...
A “Friend and Advisor”: External Auditing and Confidence in Germany's Credit Cooperatives, 1889–1914

An economic enterprise faces two, related, problems: effectively managing its activities and communicating to outsiders that it is, in fact, well run. The credit cooperative movement that grew up in Germany in the second half of the nineteenth century had to wrestle with both. These cooperatives thrived, in part, because they adopted strategies first to obtain and then to harness the information they needed about the communities in which they were located, giving them an advantage over other lenders. Particularly effective was the tactic of using local people as managers, which helped to cement their ties with the community. Yet because few, if any, locals had banking experience and most were not even familiar with basic accounting methods, the managers created internal management problems, intensifying outside suspicion of the cooperatives as banking enterprises. The methods the cooperatives developed to overcome these problems drew on a combination of local initiative and regional assistance that was typical of the movement as a whole. The movement's ability to train its own talent suggests that it had a broader impact than has been captured by statistics on its membership or financial assets.
Characterization of Surface Defect Sites on Bulk and Nanophase Anatase and Rutile TiO2 by Low-Temperature Specific Heat

The specific heats of highly hydrated 7 nm nanoparticles and lightly hydrated 200 nm particles of rutile and anatase show a small, broad maximum below 5 K. The excess heat capacity can be modeled w...
Competitive sorption kinetics of inhibited endo- and exoglucanases on a model cellulose substrate.

For the first time, the competitive adsorption of inhibited cellobiohydrolase I (Cel7A, an exoglucanase) and endoglucanase I (Cel7B) from T. longibrachiatum is studied on cellulose. Using quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM), sorption histories are measured for individual types of cellulases and their mixtures adsorbing to and desorbing from a model cellulose surface. We find that Cel7A has a higher adsorptive affinity for cellulose than does Cel7B. The adsorption of both cellulases becomes irreversible on time scales of 30–60 min, which are much shorter than those typically used for industrial cellulose hydrolysis. A multicomponent Langmuir kinetic model including first-order irreversible binding is proposed. Although adsorption and desorption rate constants differ between the two enzymes, the rate at which each surface enzyme irreversibly binds is identical. Because of the higher affinity of Cel7A for the cellulose surface, when Cel7A and Cel7B compete for surface sites, a significantly higher bulk conc...
Progress in Slow/Fast/Stopped Light

The past 5 years have seen rapid developments of methods for manipulating the group velocity of light. In this talk we assess the current state of slow light versus fundamental limitations and attempt to identify promising application niches for slow and fast light. Article not available.
Silicon photonic integrated devices for optical interconnects

We present our latest update on key components in the integrated Si photonic interconnect system, including hybrid Si microring lasers, Si microring modulators, hybrid Si photodetector and passive waveguide devices.
Blended polybenzimidazole and melamine -co -formaldehyde thermosets

Polybenzimidazole [PBI; poly-2,2’(m-phenylene)-5,5’-bibenzimidazole] is known to have excellent high temperature stability (up to 450 oC) and superb H2/CO2 selectivity compared to most high performance (HP) polymers. But, PBI has issues in thin-film formation compared to other HP polymers, due to challenging processing techniques. In this work, new blended thermosets were made with PBI and poly(melamine co-formaldehyde) [PMF] to produce stable thin-films after thermal processing at 220-250 oC. PBI film formation is difficult, and the film tends to fracture and fissure due to loss of processing aids and stabilizers (salt/acid additives) that are found in PBI solutions above10 wt %. The PBI-PMF blended thermosets we report do not have stabilizers, and can be made into dense thin-films. It is remarkable that these thermally processed PBI-PMF films were stable in deionized water for extended periods, whereas many PBI films that contain additives are not. The PBI-PMF films were analyzed using pure and mixed gas permeability measurement techniques. At 250 °C, the data show H2/CO2 gas selectivities greater than 13. Also, from the gas permeation data, the energy of activation (Ep) of a mixed gas stream for PBI-PMF shows that hydrogen permeates more easily than the other gases, while the permeabilities for themore » larger kinetic diameter gases are greatly diminished. The FT-IR spectra show that the PBI-PMF films have changed from parent PBI after thermal processing, and PMF dominates the spectra even in minor percent compositions. Altogether, the reported PBI-PMF thermoset films show good stability which can be used for high temperature gas separation.« less
Reform paths of colleges and universities' physical education teaching

Starting from the development course of colleges and universities physical education ideas,with the perspective of universities educational philosophy,the paper analyzes the existing problems during the course of carrying the health first of physical education teaching and lifelong sports concept. The main conclusions: college students' sports foundation gap is large,the facility is not sound,teachers' professional quality needs to be improved and social environment impact,etc. It proposes that physical education understanding of colleges and universities is the sports in life,teaching model is the life in sports,exercise conditions are humane design,arrangement and use,and the teachers' knowledge structure is a combination of innovation and learning,etc.,to enhance practical value of physical education teaching.
An attenuated immune response by Schwann cells and macrophages inhibits nerve regeneration in aged rats

Although peripheral nerves are capable of regeneration, advanced age decreases the potential for functional recovery after injury. The cellular mechanisms for this are not currently understood. Here, we performed sciatic nerve grafting with young (2 months old) and aged (18 months old) Brown-Norway male rats, in which 1 cm nerve grafts from young or aged rats were sutured into nerves of young or aged rats. Axons were allowed to regenerate until the nerve grafts and distal nerves were harvested at 1, 3, and 7 days and 2 and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks, our data suggested that young nerve grafts supported regeneration better than aged nerve grafts. In addition, myelin debris clearance was inhibited in young nerves when grafted into aged rats, but clearance was faster when aged nerves were grafted into young rats. Further analysis revealed that aged macrophages have delayed migration into injured nerve, and macrophages and Schwann cells from aged rats were less phagocytic for myelin debris in vitro. To understand these impairments, expression levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed at 1 day after injury. Based on these levels, there was not a clear polarization to either an M1 or M2 phenotype; however, expression levels of IL-6, IL-10, CCL2 (MCP1), and Arg-1 were decreased in aged nerves. Taken together, both macrophages and Schwann cells had attenuated responses to nerve injury in aged rats, leading to inefficient clearance of debris and impaired axonal regeneration.
Dihydrofolate reductase from Trypanosoma equiperdum. I. Isolation, partial purification, and properties.

Dihydrofolate reductase was isolated from acetone powder extracts of T. equiperdum. Folic acid was not an effective substrate; indeed, it was a weak inhibitor, the concentration required for 50% inhibition being 3 x 10-5 M. NADPH was a much more efficient hydrogen donor than NADH. Michaelis constants of 4.3 x 10-6 M for dihydrofolate and 1.2 x 10-5 M for NADPH were obtained. Trypanosomal dihydrofolate reductase showed a broad peak of maximal activity between pH 6.0 and 7.7, with activity sharply decreasing above and below those values. Activity increased with increasing temperature within the range of 20°-40°, but fell off sharply above 40°. 4-Amino analogs of folic acid are potent inhibitors of trypanosomal dihydrofolate reductase, the concentration for 50% inhibition by methotrexate, for example, being 2 x 10-10 M. The trypanosomal reductase differs from those of mammalian and bacterial origin with respect to susceptibility to inhibition by a number of 2,4-diaminoheterocyclic compounds. A substance (or substances) was isolated from homogenates of T. equiperdum which possessed spectrophotofluorometric properties closely resembling those of 2-amino-4-hydroxypteridines and which effectively replaced folic acid as a growth-promoting factor for Lactobacillus casei.
DENOSUMAB USE FOR SEVERE HYPERCALCEMIA IN A MAN WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE ON HEMODIALYSIS

ABSTRACT Objective: To present a case of severe hypercalcemia in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) unresponsive to conventional hypercalcemia therapies but subsequently responsive to treatment with denosumab. Methods: The clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings of the case are presented. This is accompanied by a brief literature review. Results: An 81-year-old man with ESRD on HD presented to the hospital with severe symptomatic hypercalcemia that did not respond to hydration, dialysis with low calcium baths, or low dose pamidronate. We administered 60 mg subcutaneous denosumab resulting in a remarkable clinical response, in addition to a subsequent biochemical improvement in serum calcium levels. Conclusion: This is the first case to show that denosumab use results in both clinical and biochemical improvement in an ESRD patient on HD with severe hypercalcemia. Denosumab may be a promising addition to the armamentarium of therapies for severe hypercalcemia in ESRD pa...
ρ NN and ρ N Δ couplings from Reggeon duality

We show how the cancellation between the nucleon and $\ensuremath{\Delta}(1232)$ contributions to finite-energy sum rules for $\ensuremath{\pi}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}N$ amplitudes can be used to determine the $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}N\ensuremath{\Delta}$ coupling constants. We then apply the same method to finite-energy sum rules for the $\ensuremath{\rho}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}N$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}N$ Reggeon amplitudes. A unique solution is found, for which the $\ensuremath{\rho}\mathrm{NN}$ nonflip coupling vanishes and the $\ensuremath{\rho}N\ensuremath{\Delta}$ coupling is of the $M1$ type. The relative size of the $\ensuremath{\rho}\mathrm{NN}$ flip and $\ensuremath{\rho}N\ensuremath{\Delta}$ $M1$ couplings is also in agreement with experiment.
The “Chinese Question” in Machado’s Journalism

This chapter adds one further (and unstudied) layer to the controversy surrounding Machado’s racial identity by analyzing his contributions to late-nineteenth-century debates regarding Chinese immigration to Brazil. In order to examine Machado’s ambivalent position on this question, Roncador relies on his cronicas(chronicles), reflecting on the visit of Mandarin Tong King Sing and his African-American assistant, G.A. Butley, to Brazil in October 1883. As Roncador argues, by ambiguously embracing the popular Sinophobia of his time, Machado ends up addressing the contentious overlap of nonwhite immigrant servitude and black slavery in Brazil. His cronicas and column reveal his strategy of using by-proxy black(ened) servants to denounce the whitening ideology that would soon give rise to the republican regime.