cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Esterification of 4- 14 C-cholesterol by Phytophthora cactorum.

Species of the plant pathogenic fungi Phytophthora and Pythium require cholesterol, sitosterols, or stigmasterol for sexual reproduction (1, 2, 3, 5). A species of Pythium incorporated all of the added cholesterol into protoplasmic and intracellular membranes, but little or no transformation of the sterol was found (6, 7). The use of saponification in the extraction procedure however, may have prevented detection of any cholesterol esters present (4). Hendrix (4) reported the production by Pythium periplocum Drechsler of at least two metabolites from cholesterol, one being an ester. This paper reports the investigation of esterified transformation products of cholesterol in Phytophthora cactorum (Leb. & Cohn) Schroet., ATCC 10,091. A defined glucose-L-asparagine medium with thiamine (6) was used and 5 mg (4 /c)/liter 4-14C-cholesterol was added in ether immediately after autoclaving, to 250-ml flasks containing 25 ml medium each. Cultures were incubated for 10 days in still culture in darkness at 20 C. Filtered mycelium was air dried and extracted in a soxhlet apparatus with ethyl acetate, yielding 84% recovery of activity. The medium contained less than 1% of the recovered activity. The extract of the mycelium was resolved on silica gel thin-layer chromatography plates (Eastman Kodak Type K301R) in 5% ethyl acetate in hexane. Twentytwo percent of the recovered activity appeared in a nonpolar fraction with Rf 0.88 and the remainder was identified as cholesterol on the
Health Care Access for Latino Mixed-Status Families: Barriers, Strategies, and Implications for Reform

There are approximately 2.3 million mixed-status families in the United States, containing varied combinations of citizens, permanent legal residents, undocumented immigrants, and individuals in le...
Growth of SiO2 on Si(111)7×7 Using SiCl4 and H2O

The controlled atomic layer growth of SiO 2 insulating layers on silicon surfaces might be achieved through the sequential reaction of SiCl 4 and H2 O : (A) Si-Cl + H 2 O → Si-OH + HCl (B) Si-OH + SiCl 4 → Si-O-SiCl 3 + HCl. To explore this ABAB… binary reaction scheme, laser-induced thermal desorption, temperature-programmed desorption, and Auger electron spectroscopy techniques were utilized to measure the kinetics of H 2 O oxidation of a Si(111)7×7 surface that had been previously subjected to a saturation SiCl 4 exposure. Reaction kinetics studies for the oxidation of the chlorinated surface revealed that the rate of oxygen gain and the rate of chlorine loss were equal at reaction temperatures between 200 K and 700 K. These results were consistent with a direct substitution reaction according to: (A) Si-Cl + H2O → Si-OH + HCl. Above 700 K, the amount of oxygen gain became progressively greater than the amount of chlorine loss. This behavior was associated with the thermal desorption of H 2 and the resultant formation of new dangling bond sites for H 2 O adsorption. For all temperatures, the oxidation kinetics of the chlorinated surface were nearly equivalent to the kinetics for the oxidation of clean silicon. This surprising result indicates that chlorine sites and free dangling bond sites react with equal probability to H 2 O. The kinetics of SiCl 4 deposition were also measured on a Si(111)7×7 surface previously exposed to a saturation H 2 O dose. This chlorination reaction occurred at a much slower rate and was not as amenable to UHV studies.
Presumed Dirofilaria immitis infections in natural mosquito populations of Connecticut.

During the summers of 1976 and 1977. 3294 vertebrate host-seeking mosquitoes were captured by the human-bait method in areas where dog heartworm was known to occur. Following dissections of ovaries and other internal organs. specimens were age-graded by the Polovodova method and examined for filarial worms. “Sausage-stage,” late 2nd-stage, and (or) L3-stage filarial larvae were found in 46 (1.4%) of Aedes canadensis, Ae. excrueians, Ae. stimulans, Ae. sollieitans, Ae. vexans , and Psorophora ferox . Filarial worms occurred in nulliparous as well as parous mosquitoes. Although Ae. canadensis appears to be an important potential vector, the complete development of Dirofilaria immitis to the infectious stage in 3 other mosquito species suggests that mosquitoes of several species are probably involved in dog heartworm transmission in the northeastern United States.
The esablishment of quality standard for Shouzukou mixture

[Objective] To esablish the quality standard for Shouzukou Mixture.[Methods] Scutellaria baicalensis,Coptis Chinensis,Golden cypress,Cape jasmine,dandelion were identificated by TLC;chlorogenic acid in Shouzukou Mixture was determinated by HPLC.Parameters: Shim-pack VP-ODS(4.6 mm×150 mm),methyl alcohol: water:glacial acetic acid(40∶60∶1);gradient elution;a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min;detection wavelength of 280 nm;column temperature 40 ℃.[Results] All five tranditional Chinese medicine could be checked by using TLC;HPLC determination of baicalin in the range of 0.270～0.720 μg was good linear with a good relationship.Average recovery was 100.8%.[Conclusion] The method is simple,accurate and reliable,and suitable for the quality control.
Monitoring of Hemorrhagic Fever With Renal Syndrome in Sichuan Province,2011

Objective To understand the epidemic status and the host animal trends of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS) in Sichuan as to provide scientific references.Methods The epidemic data of HFRS infection in Sichuan were collected;density of rodents was investigated by trap-night method and the immunofluore-scence technique was applied to detect the virus antigen.Results A total of 60 cases and 2 deaths were reported in Sichuan in 2011,with prevalent areas as Dazhou city,Liangshan prefecture and Nanchong city;a total number of 631 rodents belonging to 10 species were captured with a total density rate of 8.94%.The rodents of Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus were the dominant species in human dwelling areas;the rodents of Anourosorex squamipes and Apodemus chevieri were the dominant species in the fields.The hantavirus-carrying rate was 0.27% in rodents.Conclusion Factors related with HFRS in Sichuan have not been found;intensified monitoring work should be carried out in future.
Experimental and Simulating Study on Linear Induction Launcher

To explore experimental methods and analysis means for the linear induction launcher,we designed and manufactured a linear induction launcher to carried out experimental research and simulation analysis.Moreover,we established a mesh matrix model of the linear induction launcher to analyze the dynamic performance of the secondary,voltage and current waveforms,the energy conversion ratio and the heating effect of currents.Using a two level voltage source inverter as power supply,we accelerated the launcher with a 0.275 kg aluminum alloy secondary to 18.75 m/s within the 0.96 m linear distance.The measured muzzle velocity accorded with the calculated muzzle velocity,and the measured voltage and current waveforms approximated the simulated ones.The experimental results show that the mesh matrix method can be used as an effective means to analyze the linear induction launcher.Experiment and simulation provide a reference for the further investigations of the inductive coil gun.
Considerations for Planning and Conducting an Evaluation

Upon embarking upon integrated early childhood behavioral health programming, consideration of evaluation processes and specification of expected and desired outcomes are essential. Needs for evaluative data are quite diverse, depending on the varied expectations of stakeholders. Just as there are numerous reasons why one needs to evaluate, there are many different methods that can be used. Designing an evaluation involves a number of important considerations (e.g., deciding when to start and when to finish, what information to collect, and what data collection methods might work best for the population being studied) and there is no one approach that works best in all instances. A key question to ask when deciding on an approach is whether the evaluation design is strong enough to produce trustworthy evidence that the program or intervention works. In sum, the value of evaluation is frequently minimized. Because of this it is often overlooked and many times is the last component of planning, but it should be a key component from the start of any process, project, or program. This chapter discusses reasons why evaluations can and should be done, some considerations for developing an evaluation focus, and elements of evaluation, including measures. It concludes with an evaluation example from the field of integrated early childhood behavioral health programs, which describes the design and results of a parent experiences and satisfaction survey used to assess the effectiveness of Healthy Steps at Montefiore.
Should we wish well to all

Some moral theories (for example, standard, “ex post” forms of egalitarianism, prioritarianism, and constraint-based deontology) tell you, in some situations in which you are interacting with a group of people, to avoid acting in the way that is expectedly best for everybody. This essay argues that such theories are mistaken. Go ahead and do what is expectedly best for everybody. The argument is based on the thought that when interacting with an individual it is fine for you to act in the expected interests of the individual and that many interactions with individuals may compose an interaction with a group.
De-duplication errors in a biometric system: An investigative study

The biometric de-duplication problem examines whether an input biometric sample has a corresponding match in a reference database during the enrollment process. If the input biometric is deemed to have a match, then the individual is not enrolled as a new identity in the database in order to prevent duplicate entries; otherwise, a new identity profile is created and the individual is enrolled in the system. The goal is to insure that the biometric data of an individual is associated with a single identity or label in the database. De-duplication is necessary in applications that render services to enrolled individuals. However, little to no research has been performed to examine the errors involved in a de-duplication task, and their potential consequences. We formally introduce the types of errors that may arise in biometric de-duplication, and examine whether these errors can be modeled using traditional error measures such as the false match rate, false non-match rate, false positive identification rate, and false negative identification rate. Experimental results demonstrate that de-duplication error is impacted by the order biometric samples are tested for a duplicate and that traditional error measures are not adequate for estimating empirical de-duplication error.
Phase II study of GM-CSF secreting allogeneic pancreatic cancer vaccine (GVAX) with PD-1 blockade antibody and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC).

TPS4154Background: Optimal treatment strategy beyond systemic chemotherapy for LAPC remains undefined. SBRT improves local control, but distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) is only 7.7 months. C...
A geospatial hybrid cloud platform based on multi-sourced computing and model resources for geosciences

Cloud computing has been considered as the next-generation computing platform with the potential to address the data and computing challenges in geosciences. However, only a limited number of geosc...
Data optimization with differential evolution strategies: A survey of the state-of-the-art

In the optimization filed, there are various proposed algorithms and Differential Evolution (DE) is one of the most effective ones. Among the latter, there is need for more effective and efficient techniques, and strategies. Although most of these algorithms have demonstrated very good performance, but they still suffer from slow convergence rate. This paper reviews the DE, all its strategies, techniques, and some important algorithms.
Cognitive Ergonomics in Interface Design - Discussion of a Moving Science

Cognitive Ergonomics is discussed as a systematic base for user interface design. The history of the discipline, explicitly existing now for about 25 years, is discussed, from participatory design, through various flavors of user centered design, to contextual design. Several persistent misunderstandings regarding the need for user interface design are analyzed. The concept of activity centered design is proposed as state of the art approach, and several techniques that support this paradigm are mentioned and illustrated.
How much psychiatry are medical students really learning? : a reappraisal after two decades.

The results of a survey conducted in 1986 of the attitudes of nonpsychiatric house staff toward their psychiatric training in medical school were compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in 1966. Compared to the 1966 cohort, the 1986 cohort reported markedly reduced emphasis on the teaching of psychodynamics and an increased emphasis on neurobiology. Psychiatry continued to be regarded as the most poorly taught and the least well learned subject in medical school. However, a significantly smaller proportion of the later cohort than the earlier group felt they had not learned as much psychiatry as they would need to practice medicine. Areas of teaching singled out for criticism included the quality of instruction and its relevance to patient management.
When can one requirement override another

I argue that any theory of moral obligation must be able toexplain two things: why we cannot be thrust into a moraldilemma through no fault of our own, and why we can get intoa moral dilemma through our own negligence. The most intuitivetheory of moral obligation cannot do so. However, I offer atheory of moral obligation that satisfies both of these criteria,one that is founded on the principle that if you are required todo something, then you would be blameworthy for failing to do it.I conclude by relating these results to the current literatureon moral dilemmas.
Tissue Factor and the Initiation of Blood Coagulation

In the two decades since the introduction of the cascade and waterfall models of blood coagulation 1,2, the investigative emphasis has been on the “intrinsic” system of coagulation. In this system, coagulation is initiated by Hageman factor, which is presumably activated by virtue of an interaction with a “surface”, and proceeds by way of several intermediate steps to form thrombin. Although each of these papers explicitly recognized that tissue factor and factor VII markedly accelerated clotting, neither included this step in the coagulation scheme. Put differently, neither model included a step in which the interaction of blood with damaged tissues was viewed as a stimulus for initiating coagulation.
Detection and Quantification of Macropinosomes in Pancreatic Tumors

Macropinocytosis is a mechanism of fluid-phase endocytosis that functions in the nonspecific internalization of extracellular fluid. This uptake pathway has specialized roles in different cell types and organisms, and its importance has recently been established in several diseases, including cancer. In cancer, macropinocytosis is stimulated by oncogenes, such as Ras, and macropinocytic cargo is targeted to lysosomes for degradation, providing a catabolic route for tumor cells to obtain amino acids from the tumor microenvironment. Here, we describe a protocol to employ fluorescently labeled dextran molecules in order to visualize and quantify the extent of macropinocytosis in pancreatic tumors. Multiple samples can be processed in parallel by this method, and the protocol can be easily customized for pancreatic tumor tissue isolated from subcutaneous, orthotopic and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM), or human patients.
An N-nitrosating metalloenzyme constructs the pharmacophore of streptozotocin

Small molecules containing the N-nitroso group, such as the bacterial natural product streptozotocin, are prominent carcinogens1,2 and important cancer chemotherapeutics3,4. Despite the considerable importance of this functional group to human health, enzymes dedicated to the assembly of the N-nitroso unit have not been identified. Here we show that SznF, a metalloenzyme from the biosynthesis of streptozotocin, catalyses an oxidative rearrangement of the guanidine group of Nω-methyl-L-arginine to generate an N-nitrosourea product. Structural characterization and mutagenesis of SznF reveal two separate active sites that promote distinct steps in this transformation using different iron-containing metallocofactors. This biosynthetic reaction, which has little precedent in enzymology or organic synthesis, expands the catalytic capabilities of non-haem-iron-dependent enzymes to include N-N bond formation. We find that biosynthetic gene clusters that encode SznF homologues are widely distributed among bacteria-including environmental organisms, plant symbionts and human pathogens-which suggests an unexpectedly diverse and uncharacterized microbial reservoir of bioactive N-nitroso metabolites.
Neurocognitive basis of repetition deficits in primary progressive aphasia

Previous studies indicate that repetition is affected in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), particularly in the logopenic variant, due to limited auditory-verbal short-term memory (avSTM). We tested repetition of phrases varied by length (short, long) and meaning (meaningful, non-meaningful) in 58 participants (22 logopenic, 19 nonfluent, and 17 semantic variants) and 21 healthy controls using a modified Bayles repetition test. We evaluated the relation between cortical thickness and repetition performance and whether sub-scores could discriminate PPA variants. Logopenic participants showed impaired repetition across all phrases, specifically in repeating long phrases and any phrases that were non-meaningful. Nonfluent, semantic, and healthy control participants only had difficulty repeating long, non-meaningful phrases. Poor repetition of long phrases was associated with cortical thinning in left temporo-parietal areas across all variants, highlighting the importance of these areas in avSTM. Finally, Bayles repetition phrases can assist classification in PPA, discriminating logopenic from nonfluent/semantic participants with 89% accuracy.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the management of visceral artery aneurysms

Abstract Background The evidence supporting management decisions of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) is sparse. Practice guidelines are needed to help patients and surgeons choose between endovascular and open surgery approaches. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Scopus for studies of patients with VAAs. Studies were selected and appraised by pairs of independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed when appropriate. Results We included 80 observational studies that were mostly noncomparative. Data were available for 2845 aneurysms, comprising 1279 renal artery, 775 splenic artery, 359 hepatic artery, 226 pancreaticoduodenal and gastroduodenal arteries, 95 superior mesenteric artery, 87 celiac artery, 15 jejunal, ileal and colic arteries, and 9 gastric and gastroepiploic arteries. Differences in mortality between open and endovascular approaches were not statistically significant. The endovascular approach was used more often by surgeons. The endovascular approach was associated with shorter hospital stay and lower rates of cardiovascular complications but higher rates of reintervention. Postembolization syndrome rates ranged from 9% (renal) to 38% (splenic). Coil migration ranged from 8% (splenic) to 29% (renal). Otherwise, access site complication were low ( Conclusions This systematic review provides event rates for outcomes important to patients with VAAs. Despite the low certainty warranted by the evidence, these rates along, with surgical expertise and anatomic feasibility, can help patients and surgeons in shared-decision making.
Democratization, Inequality, and Risk Premia

Risk premia are significantly elevated during periods of democratization in a cross-country panel of equity data covering 85 countries over 200 years, despite little evidence of a negative effect on either realized or expected GDP and dividends. This result is explained in an asset pricing model in which wealthy asset market participants face higher taxes when democratizations succeed. Finally, using a shift in Catholic church doctrine in support of democracy, majority Catholic autocracies display significantly higher average excess returns relative to other countries in a difference-in-differences framework. These results shed light on how redistribution risk shapes asset prices.
Preservation methods for the isotopic composition of dissolved carbon species in non-ideal conditions.

Rationale The stable carbon isotope compositions of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) and dissolved organic carbon (δ13CDOC) are readily affected by post-sampling microbial activity if not adequately preserved. Existing preservation methods require rapid chilling, analysis, and/or toxic chemicals, all challenging to use safely in the field and during remote field seasons. Therefore, a preservation method that is safe but also effective over a range of storage times is needed when sampling waters at very remote sites. Methods Two samples, with different dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, were filtered with a 0.2-μm filter and preserved with six different methods, mercuric chloride, copper sulfate, phosphoric acid, benzalkonium chloride, zinc chloride, hydrochloric acid, and a filter-only control. These samples were held at 4°C, 22°C, or 35°C. Regular measurement of the DIC and DOC δ13C values were made over the following 60 days for δ13CDIC and 66 days for δ13CDOC. RESULTS: Over the course of the experiment, mercuric chloride, copper sulfate, zinc chloride, and benzalkonium chloride resulted in δ13CDIC fractionation at both 4°C and 22°C. Only filtering to 0.2 μm at the time of collection, with or without acidification with phosphoric acid, resulted in minimal isotopic fractionation at both 4°C and 22°C and over the entirety of the experiment. For δ13CDOC values, only filtering to 0.2 μm minimized fractionation for both bulk and vial storage over 66 days at 22°C. Conclusions Filtering to 0.2 μm at the time of collection is more effective than the use of toxic chemicals for measuring δ13CDIC and δ13CDOC values. Phosphoric acid is as effective as only filtering for δ13CDIC and may be ideal depending on sampling considerations. These results demonstrate not only that water samples can be preserved for δ13CDIC and δ13CDOC analysis for long periods, but that preservation is best accomplished with non-toxic or low-toxicity methods.
Rhabdomyolysis in COVID-19: Report of Four Cases

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency. COVID-19 is most well known for affecting the respiratory system, although it can also result in several extrapulmonary manifestations. Limited literature is available regarding rhabdomyolysis in COVID-19. We report four cases of rhabdomyolysis in COVID-19 patients. High index of suspicion is required for the appropriate clinical scenario to recognize this life-threatening situation so that complications can be avoided.
Use of Prospective Audit and Feedback to Reduce Antibiotic Exposure in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU.

Objectives We sought to determine whether a prospective audit and feedback intervention decreased antibiotic utilization in a pediatric cardiac ICU and to describe the characteristics of prospective audit and feedback audits and recommendations. Design Before-after study. Setting Pediatric cardiac ICU of a freestanding children's hospital. Patients All patients admitted to the cardiac ICU. Interventions A prospective audit and feedback program was established in our hospital's pediatric cardiac ICU on December 7, 2015. The antimicrobial stewardship program audited IV antibiotics, communicated prospective audit and feedback recommendations to the cardiac ICU, and regularly reviewed recommendation adherence. Mean monthly antibiotic utilization 18 months before ("preprospective audit and feedback"; from June 1, 2014 to November 30, 2015) and 24 months after ("prospective audit and feedback"; from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017) prospective audit and feedback implementation was compared. Antibiotic audit data during the prospective audit and feedback period were reviewed to capture the characteristics of prospective audit and feedback audits, recommendations, and adherence. Measurements and main results Mean cardiac ICU IV antibiotic use decreased 20% (701 vs 880 days of therapy per 1,000 patient days, p = 0.001) during the prospective audit and feedback period compared with the preprospective audit and feedback period. There was no difference in mean cardiac ICU length of stay (p = 0.573), mean hospital length of stay (p = 0.722), or the rate of discharge due to death (p = 0.541). There were 988 antibiotic audits and 370 prospective audit and feedback recommendations (37% recommendation rate) during the study period. The most commonly audited antibiotic category was broad-spectrum gram-negative agents and the most common indication for use was sepsis. Broad-spectrum gram-positive agents were more likely to be associated with a recommendation. Conclusions There was a significant reduction in antibiotic use following implementation of a prospective audit and feedback program in our pediatric cardiac ICU. Over one-third of antibiotics audited in our cardiac ICU were associated with a prospective audit and feedback recommendation, revealing important targets for future antimicrobial stewardship efforts in this population.
The boom and bust of the aphid's essential amino acid metabolism across nymphal development.

Within long-term symbioses, animals integrate their physiology and development with their symbiont. In a model nutritional mutualism, aphids harbor the endosymbiont, Buchnera, within specialized bacteriocyte cells. Buchnera synthesizes essential amino acids (EAAs) and vitamins for their host, which are lacking from the aphid’s plant sap diet. It is unclear if the aphid host differentially expresses aphid EAA metabolism pathways and genes that collaborate with Buchnera for the production of EAA and vitamins throughout nymphal development when feeding on plants. It is also unclear if aphid bacteriocytes are differentially methylated throughout aphid development as DNA methylation may play a role in gene regulation. By analyzing aphid gene expression, we determined that the bacteriocyte is metabolically more active in metabolizing Buchnera’s EAAs and vitamins early in nymphal development compared to intermediate or later immature and adult lifestages. The largest changes in aphid bacteriocyte gene expression, especially for aphid genes that collaborate with Buchnera, occurred during the 3rd to 4th instar transition. During this transition, there is a huge shift in the bacteriocyte from a high energy “nutrient-consuming state” to a “recovery and growth state” where patterning and signaling genes and pathways are upregulated and differentially methylated, and de novo methylation is reduced as evidenced by homogenous DNA methylation profiles after the 2nd instar. Moreover, bacteriocyte number increased and Buchnera’s titer decreased throughout aphid nymphal development. These data suggest in combination that bacteriocytes of older nymphal and adult lifestages depend less on the nutritional symbiosis compared to early nymphal lifestages.
A New Orthotyline Plant Bug Genus and Species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) from Arizona, USA

The new orthotyline genus and species Pseudothenicus rubropunctatus, new genus and new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) is described from two counties in southern Arizona. Provided are diagnoses, descriptions, and habitus and genitalic images of the new genus and new species to help distinguish this new bug from other western US Miridae.
Population Development and Infestation Rate of Codling Moth (Cydia Pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)) In Apple Orchards in Northern Kyrgyzstan

The codling moth is a key and most widely distributed pest of apple orchards worldwide. The population development of C. pomonella was investigated using sex pheromone traps in different apple orchards between years of 2019 and 2020 in northern Kyrgyzstan. Flight of the codling moth males in apple orchards is characterized by instability, which is associated with temperature and other climatic factors. Trap captures of codling moth were positively correlated with temperature, but negatively correlated with relative humidity and altitude. Male moths started appearing in traps on April 10-14, 2019 and April 26-29, 2020 in Chui and Ysyk-Kol provinces. Analysis of seasonal trap catches from apple orchards over two years summarizes that the codling moth has 4 major peaks in Chui and 3 distinct peaks in Ysyk-Kol provinces. Codling moth damage per orchard ranged from 8.3% to 84.3% in Chui province and it was estimated per orchard from 1.4% to 27.2% in Ysyk-Kol province.
A Practical Application of Strategic Planning and Positioning for a Marketing Department: Start With Consumers’ Evaluations

A number of authors have encouraged the use of strategic planning in institutions of higher learning. Strategic planning and positioning strategies are based on consumer information such as the value of and satisfaction with benefits received, as well as, images of and preferences for the institution and its products. This study was designed to gather and evaluate such information and suggest how it might be used to further the planning process in a practical manner. Alumni and industry representatives from firms that hired this school’s marketing alumni were included in the sample.
Investigation into the Role of Rational Ethics in Crashes of Automated Vehicles

Traffic engineers, vehicle manufacturers, technology groups, and government agencies are anticipating and preparing for the emergence of fully automated vehicles into the American transportation system. This new technology has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of transportation, particularly safety. However, fully automated vehicles may not create the truly crash-free environment predicted. One particular problem is crash assignment, especially between automated vehicles and nonautomated vehicles. Although some researchers have indicated that automated vehicles will need to be programmed with some sort of ethical system in order to make decisions on how to crash, few, if any, studies have been conducted on how particular ethical theories will actually make crash decisions and how these ethical paradigms will affect automated vehicle programming. The integration of three ethical theories—utilitarianism, respect for persons, and virtue ethics—with vehicle automation is examined, and a simple progr...
Characterization of Exc, a novel protein required for the excision of Bacteroides conjugative transposon

Conjugative transposons are integrated elements that excise from the chromosome, then transfer by conjugation to a recipient in which they integrate once again. Recently, a gene, designated exc, was shown to be essential for excision of the Bacteroides conjugative transposon (CTnDOT) from the chromosome. The deduced amino acid sequence of Exc had low amino acid sequence similarity to DNA topoisomerase III, an enzyme that relaxes DNA supercoils. This similarity raised the question of whether Exc protein was a topoisomerase and, if so, whether topoisomerase activity might contribute to the excision process. Here, we demonstrate that Exc does have topoisomerase activity in vitro. Exc relaxed supercoiled DNA, had a conserved tyrosine as its active site and required magnesium ions for its relaxation activity. However, although mutation of the catalytic tyrosine of Exc to phenylalanine abolished the ability of the enzyme to relax DNA supercoils in vitro, the mutation did not abolish the ability of the protein to mediate excision in vivo. This surprising result suggests that CTnDOT excision does not rely on the topoisomerase activity of Exc in vivo.
A Multicoil Zeeman Slower

We have used a multicoil Zeeman slower1 to magnetically compensate for the changing Doppler sbijfl2 in a decelerating atomic beam. The slow atoms are loaded into a magneto-optic trap (MOT).-' This slower can be easily reconfigured as experimental conditions change because each of the 10 identical segments in the electromagnet is independently adjustable.
High-throughput computational and experimental biology strategy in identifying tumor expressing CAMs

Organ-specific homing of tumor cells includes receptor-ligand interactions of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), which stimulate or inhibit the cellular growth. In this report we identified unique CAMs using sequence and pattern analysis with organ-specific peptides as query against mouse genome and proteome sequences. The peptides were seven amino acids in length, and were affinity selected against specific organs utilizing in vivo phage display peptide library in NOD-SCID mice. Various databases were used for the analyses including Local Mouse Cell Adhesion Molecule (LMCAM) database developed by keyword search. Thirty annotated CAMs corresponding to eleven different organ-specific peptides were identified using the bioinformatics analysis. One such identified protein, SEMA5A is reported for the first time to be expressed in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. This combined strategy of experimental and computation biology is an initial approach in identifying novel tumor-specific molecules, thereby paving the way for complete understanding of their role in various processes of tumor metastasis and making organ-specific targeting possible using these peptides.
A low-power CMOS chipset for spread spectrum communications

In future personal communication services, high-bandwidth multimedia data will be delivered over wireless pico-cellular networks to high densities of users. The system described here is designed to simultaneously supply 1 Mb/s to up to 50 users in a single cell, requiring a system bandwidth in excess of 50 Mb/s. The use of spread-spectrum techniques, in particular direct sequence code-division multiple access (CDMA), provides a multiple-access strategy to maintain parallel, separate streams of real-time data to all users, and to reduce sensitivity to multipath, narrow band fades, and interference present in the radio environment. Three chips in standard digital 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS technology implement the critical parts of a spread spectrum transceiver: the digital modulator; the analog receiver front-end and ADC; and the digital receiver baseband processor. The transmit system transmitter is based loosely on the US IS-95 digital cellular CDMA standard, but at more than an order of magnitude higher date rate.
Investigation of band-gap renormalization in Al x Ga 1-x As using picosecond time-resolved photoluminescence

Optical nonlinearities in the spectral region of a semiconductor band edge are frequently induced by renormalization of the band gap at high optical excitation levels. This renormalization arises from correlation and exchange effects at high carrier densities. While previous measurements have been sensitive only to the combined effects of exchange and correlation, here we demonstrate that picosecond time-resolved photoluminescence can be applied to experimentally isolate the electron exchange contributions in the AlxGa1-xAs system.
Entanglement concentration of individual photon pairs via linear optical logig

We propose a scheme for concentrating nonmaximally pure and mixed polarization-entangled state of individual photon pairs. The scheme uses only simple linear optical elements and may be feasible within current optical technology.
Young Foreign Language Learners’ Interactions During Task-Based Paired Assessments

Despite the popularity of task-based language teaching (TBLT) in foreign language (FL) education at elementary school, it remains unclear how young learners’ FL abilities can best be evaluated with tasks. The present study seeks to understand developmental differences in interactions among elementary-school students during task-based language assessment (TBLA) and aims to address the possibilities and limitations of introducing paired-TBLA among young FL learners. The participants were 32 fourth-grade students (ages 9–10) and 32 sixth-grade students (ages 11–12) and their teachers from a FL program where TBLT was mandated. The students were engaged in two sets of assessment tasks with their peers. It was found that the interaction patterns were different between the two grade levels. Compared with the sixth-grade dyads, the fourth-grade dyads showed less mutual topic development, used formulaic turn-taking more frequently, and had a harder time taking their partners’ perspectives during the tasks. Consequ...
Comparison of transmission and the 90-degree holographic recording geometry.

We compare the system performances of two holographic recording geometries using iron-doped lithium niobate: the 90-degree and transmission geometry. We find that transmission geometry is better because the attainable dynamic range (M/#) is much higher. The only drawback of transmission geometry is the buildup of fanning, particularly during readout. Material solutions that reduce fanning such as doubly-doped photorefractive crystals make transmission geometry the clear winner.
Modification of the Lowry quartz fiber “fishpole” ultramicrobalance

Abstract Several modifications in the design and construction of a quartz fiber “fishpole” ultramicrobalance are described. Although the same basic principle developed by O. H. Lowry was employed, the present balance has several salient features. The fiber balance weighing chamber construction permits rapid installation and positioning of the quartz fiber and a “lazy susan” mounting platform accommodates up to 8 individual fiber balance housings. The aluminum mounting bracket with sliding door and the sample positioner with carrier are designed to facilitate rapid weighing of tissus samples, and a flexible light wire provides adequate illumination without increasing the temperature in the weighing chamber.
Elastic properties of edges in BN and SiC nanoribbons and of boundaries in C-BN superlattices: A density functional theory study

Using density functional theory calculations, we compute the edge energies and stresses for edges of SiC and BN nanoribbons, and the boundary energies and stresses for domain boundaries of graphene-BN superlattices. SiC and BN armchair nanoribbons show pronounced edge relaxations, which obliterate the threefold oscillatory behavior of the edge stress reported for graphene. Our calculations show small boundary stresses in graphene-BN superlattices, suggesting that such domain boundaries will not experience severe deformation. We have also found that the C-terminated and Si-terminated zigzag edges in SiC nanoribbons have different compressive stresses which results in different rippling behavior of these edges.
Blood Pressure Response to a Single Daily Dose of a Clonidine—Chlorthalidone Combination

A single evening dose of a clonidine-chlorthalidone combination (Combipres) was compared with the usual twice-daily schedule in 11 patients with essential hypertension. No significant difference was found between the blood pressures recorded on the two regimens or between morning and afternoon pressures on the once-daily schedule. Only one patient did not maintain adequate blood pressure control. We suggest that some patients with essential hypertension can be adequately treated with a single daily dose of a combination of clonidine and chlorthalidone.
Nonparametric Testable Restrictions of Household Behavior

This paper uses semialgebraic theory to derive nonparametric testable restrictions of Paretoefficient bargaining behavior within a household. These tests are analogous in form to Samuelson's Weak Axiom of Revealed Preference (WARP) and are defined over data on household-level consumption and individual labor supplies. Thus, without observing intrahousehold division of consumption, we can nonparametrically test whether there exist nonsatiated utility functions such that household behavior is Pareto efficient. I apply these tests to data from the National Longitudinal Surveys on U.S. households and find that preferences exist that are consistent with Pareto efficiency for each household in the data set.
Transaction Costs and Tradeable Permits

Abstract Tradeable-permit systems are at the center of current interest and activity in market-based reforms of environmental policy, because these systems can offer significant advantages over conventional approaches to pollution control. Unfortunately, claims made for their relative cost-effectiveness have often been exaggerated. Transaction costs, which may be significant in these markets, reduce trading levels and increase abatement costs. In some cases, equilibrium permit allocations and hence aggregate control costs are sensitive to initial permit distributions, providing an efficiency justification for politicians′ typical focus on initial allocations.
A coesão textual como ferramenta para compreensão de textos em língua inglesa

This research is based on the assumptions that the meaning of the text is constructed by the reader and for this to happen, it is required the activation of several skills, including the mastery of cohesive mechanisms (HALLIDAY; HASAN, 1976; KOCH, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008; MARCUSCHI, 2008). Thus, the paper aims at illustrating in a practical way how the knowledge of reading strategies (instrumental reading), especially, cohesion mechanisms helps the comprehension of texts in English as a foreign language. For that purpose, it was selected some news taken from the newspaper “The New York Times.” Under this perspective, through an instrumental reading approach (TODA, 2010), this procedure proved that the construction of meaning (comprehension) of the text was possible thanks to the activation of several skills about reading strategies, including the knowledge of text cohesion.
Self-rotation of resonant elliptically polarized light in collision-free rubidium vapor

Self-rotation (SR) of elliptically polarized light resonant with atoms in a collision-free vapor is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Results of density matrix calculations are compared to measurements of SR on the Rb D1 and D2 lines. It is noted that SR eects involving individual hyperne transitions are suppressed due to Doppler broadening, and so previously unrecognized eects arising from the interaction of light with multiple hyperne transitions can become dominant. PACS. 42.50.Gy, 42.50.Hz, 32.80.Bx Interaction with an elliptically polarized light eld can cause an initially isotropic medium to become dichroic and birefringent. The resultant circular birefringence and linear dichroism induce rotation of the polarization ellipse of the light. In the present work, we investigate this eect, known as self-rotation (SR), occurring in a rubidium vapor in which the eect of collisions can be neglected. The vapor is subject to narrow-band cw light near-resonant with the Rb D1 (795 nm, 2 S 1 ! 2 P 1 ) and D2 (780 nm, 2 S 1 ! 2 P 3 ) transitions. Under these conditions, as we discuss below, the previously unrecognized
Novel layered tribological coatings using a superelastic NiTi interlayer

This paper presents a study on using the superelastic NiTi alloy as an interlayer between CrN coating and aluminum substrate to improve the interface adhesion and wear resistance. Nanoindentation, scratch adhesion, and pin-on-disk wear measurements were conducted to study the adhesion and tribological behaviors of the layered coatings. We found that the superelastic interlayer could significantly improve the adhesion between the hard coating and metallic substrate. Furthermore, coatings with the superelastic interlayer had lower friction coefficient and better wear resistance than coatings with traditional metallic adhesion-improvement layers (e.g., Cr). We attribute the improved adhesion and wear performance to the high hardness to Young's modulus ratio of the layered coating structure with the superelastic interlayer.
A general method for the extraction of DNA from bacteria

Abstract A quick and easy method was developed for the extraction of DNA from Legionella pneumophila , which can also be used to extract DNA from a variety of other Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. The method may be performed in 1.5 ml polypropylene tubes, using as little as a single colony, and is suited for the extraction of many samples simultaneously. The procedure uses 6 M NaI as a chaotropic agent and isopropanol to semi-selectively precipitate the DNA. Once the cells have been lysed, the procedure takes approximately 30 min to perform. Without further clean-up, the extracted DNA can be used for restriction endonuclease digestion or polymerase chain reaction amplification.
Novel Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Nickel/Carbon (Ni/C) Nanocomposite with Tannin as the Carbon Source

Abstract Metal/carbon nanocomposites find use in many potential applications, in areas such as batteries, catalysts, inks, polymer additives, and solar cells. Nickel/carbon nanocomposites are widely used as heterogeneous catalysts in oil processing and other catalytic reactions. Here we describe a novel microwave-assisted synthesis of nickel/carbon nanocomposites, achieved within a few minutes, starting from nickel salts and a renewable high-content carbon source, tannin. The carbon precursor is Quebracho tannin, which is a renewable-resource material obtained from the hot-water extraction of Schinopsis lorentzii and Schinopsis balansae, which are indigenous to Argentina and Paraguay. The process involves a simultaneous carbonization of the carbon precursor as well as the reduction of nickel ions to elemental nickel nanoparticles in an ambient atmosphere. Thus, this technique provides a fast, easy, and economical way to produce nickel/carbon nanocomposites without requiring the need for hydrogen or inert ...
Antibacterial medication use during pregnancy and risk of birth defects: National Birth Defects Prevention Study.

poplastic left heart syndrome (AOR=3.2; 95% CI, 1.37.6), coarctation of the aorta (AOR=2.7; 95% CI, 1.35.6), choanal atresia (AOR =8 .0; 95% CI, 2.7-23.5), transverse limb deficiency (AOR=2.5; 95% CI, 1.0-5.9), and diaphragmatic hernia (AOR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.4). Nitrofurantoins were associated with anophthalmia or microphthalmos (AOR=3.7; 95% CI, 1.1-12.2), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (AOR=4.2; 95% CI, 1.9-9.1), atrial septal defects (AOR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4), and cleft lip with cleft palate (AOR=2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.9). Other antibacterial agents that showed associations included erythromycins (2 defects), penicillins (1 defect), cephalosporins (1 defect), and quinolones (1 defect). Conclusions: Reassuringly, penicillins, erythromycins, and cephalosporins, although used commonly by pregnant women, were not associated with many birth defects. Sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins were associated with several birth defects, indicating a need for additional scrutiny.
Transitions to regular smoking and nicotine dependence in the Adolescent National Comorbidity Survey (NCS-A).

This study aims to investigate the occurrence of nicotine dependence following the achievement of previous smoking milestones (initiation, weekly, and daily smoking). Analyses are based on data from The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent, a nationally representative face-to-face survey of 10,123 adolescents (age 13–17) conducted between 2001 and 2004. Among adolescents who had ever smoked (36.0%), 40.7% reached weekly smoking levels and 32.8% had reached daily smoking. Approximately one in five adolescents who had ever smoked (19.6%) met criteria for nicotine dependence. An earlier age of smoking initiation, a shorter time since the onset of smoking and faster transitions among smoking milestones were independently associated with the onset of daily smoking and nicotine dependence. These findings shed new light on the course of smoking and nicotine dependence during adolescence by demonstrating a rapid transition across smoking stages for those most at risk for the development of chronic and dependent use.